Wisconsin

Biography of Alexander Sumpter

Alexander Sumpter, residing in Union Grove, devotes his attention to general farming and to the raising of chickens and his business has assumed extensive proportions, bringing a good financial return. He was born in Yorkville, Wisconsin, September 6, 1864, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Cheasman) Sumpter, both of whom were natives of Lincolnshire. England, born in 1818 and 1821 respectively. They were married in their native County and in 1850 came to the United States, making their way to Yorkville Township, Racine County. For a few years Mr. Sumpter was there employed at farm labor and … Read more

Biography of E. C. Wilson

The old adage that “a prophet is never without honor save in his own country” does not find support in the life record of E. C. Wilson, for in the County in which his entire life has been passed Mr. Wilson has gained recognition as a representative business man, now occupying the responsible position of general superintendent of the J. I. Case Plow Works. He was born in Caledonia Township, Racine County, on the 6th of September, 1870, and is a son of James and Mary Jane Wilson. The father removed to Wisconsin about the time of the Black Hawk … Read more

Biography of Francis W. Dickey

Francis W. Dickey is president of the Central Storage Company and is also prominently identified with other business interests. He was formerly secretary and treasurer of the E. P. Dickey Racine Fanning Mill Company. He was born in Racine, February 6, 1863, a son of Edwin P. and Gertrude L. (Fratt) Dickey. The former, a native of Geneseo, New York, came to Racine in the fall of 1844, joining his uncle, A. P. Dickey, who had arrived in this city in 1840. For a short time he worked for his uncle and then began the manufacture of fanning mills under … Read more

Biography of Maidens Sewell

Maidens Sewell, who for thirty-seven years was identified with farming interests in this County, his labors being terminated by death on the 20th of April, 1913, was born in England on the 9th of December, 1840, his parents being John and Betsy Sewell. He obtained a common school education and during Ma youthful days assisted largely in the labors of the home farm in England, but became attracted by the opportunities which he heard existed in America and when a youth of fifteen he came to the United States, making his way to Ohio, where he resided for three years. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Henneke

William Henneke has practically spent his entire life in Mount Pleasant Township, although born in Germany in 1846. During his infancy he was brought by his parents to the United States and following the establishment of the family home in Racine County attended the common schools until about fifteen years of age. Under his father’s direction he was well trained in the work of the farm, early taking his place as a hand in the fields. so that broad practical experience qualified him for the careful management of his business interests when he began farming on his own account. He … Read more

Biography of John Martin

John Martin, who passed away in Racine in 1900 at the age of seventy-four years, devoted the greater part of his life to carpentering. He was born in England on the 13th of April, 1826, and at an early age came to America with his parents, the family locating in New York city. There he attended school and learned the carpenter’s trade, in which he became unusually proficient. At the age of twenty-one years he came to Racine County, Wisconsin, and purchased eighty acres of land in Yorkville Township, on which he resided for eight years. He then removed to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nelson A. Walker

Nelson A. Walker, the elder son of R. M. Walker, was born on the old family homestead in Mount Pleasant and attended school until fifteen or sixteen years of age. He was early trained to habits of industry in connection with the work of the farm and for twenty years he operated his father’s dairy. During the past five years his time and energies have been devoted to the further cultivation of his father’s eighty-acre tract of land, which he has brought to a high state of development, rendering it very productive. His methods are at once practical and progressive … Read more

Biography of Joseph P. Bradac, D. M. T.

Joseph P. Bradac, D. M. T., who through his active business career has been associated with banking and with brewing interests, now makes his home in Racine, where he occupies one of the beautiful residences of the city. He was born in Bohemia, February 24, 1871, a son of Joseph and Agnes (Papik) Bradac, who were also natives of the same country and of Bohemian parentage, their ancestry being traced back through four hundred years. In 1872 the father brought his family to the United States, establishing his home in Chicago. He was a stonemason by trade and assisted in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Henneke

Among the pioneer settlers of this County who have passed to the home beyond, but whose life’s labors contributed to the development and substantial upbuilding of the district, is numbered John Henneke, who was born in Germany in 1811. His youthful days were spent in the acquirement of a Common school education, after which he joined the army and served as an officer. At length he determined to try his fortune in the new world, and in the ’40s crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way to Racine County. His first purchase of land made him owner … Read more

Biography of Benjamin F. Flegel

Benjamin F. Flegel, the organizer and promoter of the Reliance Automatic Lighting Company of Racine, was born near Portage, Wisconsin, August 28, 1878, a son of Ferdinand and Alice (Neef) Flegel. The father was a carpenter by trade but the family lived upon a farm during the early boyhood of Benjamin F. Flegel, who began his education in the district schools. In 1887, the father removed with his family to Tomahawk, Wisconsin, so that he continued his education there as a public school pupil. When fourteen years of age, however, he started out to earn his own living and secured … Read more

Biography of W. H. Brandow

W. H. Brandow is a member of the firm of Moers & Brandow, conducting a painting contracting business in Racine. Michigan numbers him one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Pontiac, that state, on the 2d of January, 1858, his parents being Frederick and Lucy (Crandall) Brandow, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Kenosha. Wisconsin. The maternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Kenosha County where he served as sheriff in an early day. It was in the year 1864 that Frederick Brandow left Michigan and removed with his family to … Read more

Biography of Frank E. King

Frank E. King, who has long been identified with farming interests in Mount Pleasant Township, his home being on section 10, was born at St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois, April 27, 1860, a son of Edmund and Mary A. (Rice) King. The father was a native of Canada, born June 2, 1820, and his father, Edmund King, Sr., was a native of Massachusetts. The family is of Scotch descent and was planted on New England soil at an early day. Edmund King, Sr., was a young man when he removed from Massachusetts to Vermont where he met and married Lucy … Read more

Biography of Henry W. Lewis

Henry W. Lewis is actively engaged in the cultivation of a good farm on section 24, Mount Pleasant Township. This farm is connected with the County insane asylum and he has been its superintendent for eight years. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, March 8, 1868, a son of Andrew Jackson and Hattie (Northrup) Lewis, the former a native of New York and the latter of Wisconsin. They were married at Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, in 1864, and they became the parents of two sons, Henry W. and Roy. The latter wedded Mary Zimmerman and they became the parents of … Read more

Biography of Martin Larsen

Martin Larsen, one of the partners in the business conducted under the name of the Junction Furniture Company at No. 1326 Washington Avenue, was born in Denmark, January 22, 1869, a son of Lars and Maria Hansen. He obtained his education in his native country and in the year 1886 arrived in Wisconsin, settling at Neenah. He had previously learned’ the cigar maker’s trade and he followed that business in Neenah for a year, after which he was employed in a similar capacity in Oshkosh for four years. He arrived in Racine in 1891 and here followed his trade for … Read more

Biography of R. M. Walker

R. M. Walker resides upon a farm on section 19, Mount Pleasant Township, where he has made his home continually since 1878. All the buildings have been erected by him, all the trees planted by him and the work of improvement has been carried steadily forward, indicative of his progressive spirit. He is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family that has been identified with the growth of Racine County for eighty-one years. Mr. Walker was born in Byron, New York, June 7, 1836, a son of Nelson A. and Lucinda Walker, the former removing to the west in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert Wherrey Jr.

Robert Wherrey, Jr., identified with farming interests, his home being on section 35, Mount Pleasant Township, was born in Racine on the 1st of January, 1885, and in the acquirement of his education passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high grade school pupil. In the intervening period he has been engaged in business with his father and is now conducting a farm on section 35, Mount Pleasant Township, where he carefully and wisely directs the interests of the home farm. In his fraternal relations Mr. Wherrey is well known, holding membership in Racine Lodge, … Read more

Biography of Rev. Leo F. Gabriels

Rev. Leo F. Gabriels, pastor in charge of St. Louis’ Catholic church of Caledonia Township, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a son of John P. and Mary (Lush) Gabriels, both natives of Prussia. When young people they came to the new world, settling in Milwaukee, and were there married in St. Joseph’s Catholic church. The father was a cooper by trade and in his younger days had a business of his own and employed a number of people, but afterward worked at his trade in the employ of others. He was born in 1848 and passed away in 1911, while … Read more

Biography of William Kittinger

The enterprising methods of William Kittinger, a representative agriculturist of Caledonia Township, are indicated in the fact that he had nine acres of the best wheat raised in Racine County in 1916. His is a well improved farm, supplied with all modern equipments to facilitate the work and render farm life comfortable and attractive. He came to Wisconsin from New York, his birth having occurred in Niagara County, about ten miles east of Niagara Falls, on the 10th of December, 1847, his parents being Isaac and Priscilla (Burnette) Kittinger. The father was born in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, April 7, 1818, and … Read more

Biography of A. H. Thomas

A. H. Thomas, occupying an attractive and beautiful residence at the corner of Ninth street and Grand avenue, in Racine, is widely known throughout the middle west in connection with engineering and contract work, and in fact his reputation in this connection extends much farther than the states of the Mississippi valley. His pronounced ability and indefatigable energy are the basic principles of his success. He was born in Detroit. Michigan, October 1. 1871, and is a son of John P. and Emma. (Vogel) Thomas. The father, a marine engineer, devoted his life to that business, but both he and … Read more

Biography of Peter Christiansen

Peter Christiansen, a member of the Junction Furniture Company, owes his success to the fact that he has always been a willing worker, not afraid of that laborious attention to business which is the basis of all honorable success. He was born in Denmark, May 10, 1869, and is a son of H. P. and Anna Marie (Stage) Christiansen, both of whom spent their entire lives in Denmark. It was in the fall of 1889, when a young man of twenty years, that Peter Christiansen came to the United States. He sailed for eight months on the Atlantic as a … Read more