Wisconsin

Biography of Otto Edward Ahrens

Otto Edward Ahrens is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stability of every community, for through thirteen years he has been actively engaged in the practice or law. During this period he has made steady progress in his profession, owing to the possession of certain qualities. He throws himself easily and naturally into the argument, displaying a deliberation which shows no straining after effect. There is precision and clearness in his statements, combined with acuteness and strength in his reasoning, and thus his high position at the bar is well merited. A native … Read more

Biography of Charles A. Ryba

Racine on the whole has been favored in the class of men who have occupied her public offices, and among the worthy city officials is numbered Charles A. Ryba, who since April, 1913, has occupied the position of city clerk. He was born in Racine, July 21, 1889, a son of Albert and Anna (Novak) Ryba, the former a native of Bohemia, while the latter was born in Caledonia Township, Racine County. Albert Ryba came to the United States in 1882 and made his way to Racine, where he has since resided, occupying the position of shipping clerk or doing … Read more

Biography of C. W. Smith

C. W. Smith, a most enterprising lumber merchant of Racine, putting forth every effort to promote the growth of his business along legitimate lines, was born in the town of Somers, Kenosha County, February 15, 1847, his parents being Charles and Anna (Reid) Smith, who were natives of Scotland. The father came to the United States in 1835 and established his home in the town of Somers, there remaining until he had prepared a home. He then returned to Scotland and about seven years later came again to the new world, accompanied by his bride. The Indians still lived in … Read more

Biography of Frank J. Miller

Various corporate interests have felt the stimulus and benefited by the co-operation of Frank J. Miller, who is recognized as a man of sound business judgment and keen discrimination. His plans are ever carefully formed and promptly executed, and energy and determination have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path. His chief interest, perhaps, is that of the J. Miller Company, one of the oldest and largest shoe manufacturing concerns of this section of the country, of which he is the president. The difficulties of an undertaking do not deter him, for he recognizes the fact … Read more

Biography of Nicholas F. Reichert

Nicholas F. Reichert was a substantial, enterprising and progressive business man whose residence in Racine dated from the pioneer period. He was a native son of the city, born April 24, 1854, a son of Frederick Reichert, one of the pioneer residents. who arrived in Racine in 1840 and became identified with the agricultural development of the district. The son was educated in the schools of his home locality and was reared to the occupation of an agriculturist, having the usual experiences of the farm bred boy. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation and development of the … Read more

Biography of John G. Osborne

John G. Osborne, president and treasurer of the Lakeside Malleable Castings Company, of Racine, was born Ill Milwaukee, October 2, 1878, a son of W. H. and Ada (Goodrich) Osborne, of Milwaukee, where the father is president of the Wisconsin Malleable Iron Company. He was a son of W. H. Osborne, who removed to southern Michigan about the year 1840. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John R. Goodrich, who established his home in Milwaukee in 1850. John G. Osborne attended the Milwaukee Academy and afterward entered the University of Wisconsin from which he was graduated in 1900 with … Read more

Biography of Adelbert H. Allen

At the time of his death Adelbert H. Allen was proprietor of the largest livery business in Racine and his very substantial measure of success had been won entirely through his own efforts and ability. A native of the Empire state, he was born in the town of Mexico, Oswego County, March 22. 1850, and was of English and Scotch descent. His father, Hiram C. Allen, was a native of Connecticut, as was the mother, who bore the maiden name of Lorinda Olivia Erskine, although her father, John Erskine, was a native of Scotland. Following his marriage Mr. Allen took … Read more

Biography of W. J. Higgie

W. J. Higgie, conducting an extensive and profitable business as a dealer in fuel, having a large plant on the river, was born in Racine on the 18th of February, 1856, a son of William M. and Margaret S. (Peel) Higgie, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland. The father was one of the first settlers of Racine and commanded a vessel, sailing on the Lakes as its captain. He continued his residence here until death ended his labors in 1882. After mastering the common branches of learning taught in the graded schools of Racine, W. … Read more

Biography of Francis George Klein

It is seldom that one of eighty-three years is found active in business life, but such is the record of Francis George Klein, who still gives supervision to his commercial and manufacturing interests, his sons, however, being his active associates and assistants in the conduct of the interests which are carried on under the name of the F. G. Klein Company at Burlington. A native of France, he was born in St. John, Alsace, February 5, 1833, a son of Francis and Mary Ann (Wagner) Klein, the former born at Eckerzweilver and the latter at St. John, in Alsace. The … Read more

Biography of Edward N. Rice

Edward N. Rice, deputy superintendent at Racine for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, has been connected with the insurance business for a number of years. He was born in Kenosha June 11, 1876, a son of Nicholas and Nellie (Keenen) Rice, the latter also a native of Kenosha. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1855, the year before James Buchanan was elected president. He settled in Kenosha, where he still makes his home, and he is now eighty-six years of age, his birth having occurred in August, 1830. His wife passed … Read more

Biography of Edward Zahn

Edward Zahn, organizer and proprietor of the Zahn Dry Goods Company, has continuously been at the head of this business which is now one of the important commercial enterprises of the city. It was organized in 1898 and through the intervening period of eighteen years has been developed in accordance with modern commercial methods. Edward Zahn was born in Walworth County, this state, on the 3d of April, 1865, and is a son of Edward and Eliza Zahn. The father, a native of Germany, was born in 1823, and came to America in the year 1841, settling in Cincinnati, where … Read more

Biography of John C. Hood

John C. Hood, clerk of the circuit court of Racine County and a native of the city of Racine, was born October 18, 1869. a son of Samuel and Alice A. (Coy) Hood. The father, whose birth occurred in Oxford, Pennsylvania, was a son of Thomas Hood, also born in the Keystone state. In the year 1838 Thomas Hood brought his family to Racine and entered a government claim of one hundred and sixty acres near the city. With the pioneer development of the district he was closely associated and he became a prominent and influential resident of his Township. … Read more

Biography of Joseph F. Miller

Deep regret was felt throughout Racine when Joseph F. Miller passed away on the 17th of September, 1915. He was then a comparatively young man of forty-five years. Practically his entire life had been spent in this city and he became active in the management and conduct of a shoe manufacturing business which had been established by his father, Joseph Miller, long one of the honored and prominent manufacturers of southeastern Wisconsin. It was on the 29th of June, 1870, that Joseph F. Miller was born, his parents being Joseph and Theresa (Bauer) Miller, both of whom were natives of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Hilker

Henry Hilker, engaged in the wholesale candy business in Racine, now having a large jobbing trade, was born November 14, 1871. in the city in which he still resides, a son of Adolph and Caroline (Broeker) Hilker, who were born, reared and married in Germany, living in the kingdom of Hanover. They came to the United States about 1866 and established their home in Racine where the father, who was a brick maker, continued in business until his death, which occurred in. the year 1900. His widow now makes her home in Racine. The family residence was maintained in Racine … Read more

Biography of Adelbert Beach

Adelbert Beach, who owns the family homestead in Yorkville Township, has resided in Racine County throughout his entire life or for almost seventy years and during that time has seen it develop from a frontier district into the prosperous and populous County of today. He was born at Ives Grove on the 24th of December, 1846, and is a son of Royal and Mary (Culver) Beach, both natives of Massachusetts, the former born in 1812 and the latter on the 14th of September, 1825. In 1845 they were married in Westfield. Massachusetts, and in June of that year came to … Read more

Biography of August J. Eisenhut

August J. Eisenhut, who since April, 1910, has filled the office of city treasurer of Racine, having been re-elected to this position without opposition, was born on the 22d of October, 1876, his parents being August and Martha Eisenhut. The father was born March 27. 1852, and came to the United States with his son August in the year 1881 and remained for a short time a resident of New York City, but the same year removed westward to Milwaukee, where he resided until the fall of that year and then came to Racine. He is a machinist by trade … Read more

Biography of John A. Brown

John A. Brown, manager of the interests of the Goodrich Transit Company, at Racine, was born in this city, July 16, 1875. a son of William P. and Mary T. (Murphy) Brown, who were also natives of Racine, the former born September 7, 1850, and the latter March 7, 1851. The father was a son of Thomas Brown, who brought his family to Racine in 1848, becoming one of the early settlers of this part of the state, since which time the family name has been associated with the substantial development and progress of the district. The father is a … Read more

Biography of Fred W. Swantz

Fred W. Swantz, of Yorkville Township, is one of the native sons of Racine County who has continued to reside here after reaching, mature years, as he is convinced that the opportunities offered the industrious man here are equal to those to he found elsewhere. He has been active in the real estate field for many years, buying and selling a large number of farms within that time, and he is now interested in several tracts of good land in the County, He also writes insurance and in addition to his other activities engages in raising 0-rain and stock. His … Read more

Biography of Oscar Esmond

Oscar Esmond, who is engaged in general farming and dairying in Yorkville Township, where his birth occurred on the 4th of November, 1847, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Racine County. His parents were John Darwin and Nancy (Hubbard) Esmond, the former born in New York, in 1814, and the latter in that state on the 4th of May, 1830. They were married there, but came to Racine County when this section was still mainly inhabited by Indians. Mr. Esmond purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land from the government and devoted his time to … Read more

Biography of Elisha Lewis

Elisha Lewis, who has a beautiful country home near Kansasville but is how largely living retired after long, active and successful connection with agricultural interests in Racine County, was born in England, June 14, 1846, a son of William and Mary (Milard) Lewis, both of whom were natives of Gloucestershire. England. The father, who was born in 1811, died in 1869, while, the mother, who was born in 1812, passed away in 1897. They were married in England about 1842 and in the year 1850 became early residents of Dover Township, Racine County. The work of development had been begun … Read more