Wisconsin

Biography of Stephen H. Freeman

Stephen H. Freeman needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for the name of Freeman is too well known in Racine to require special comment. Born September 15, 1870, in the city in which he still resides, he obtained a public school education, attending high school for two years, and at the age of eighteen began work in his father’s boiler-making and implement manufacturing establishment. He made it his purpose to thoroughly acquaint himself with the various phases of the business and with his increasing knowledge and ability has advanced steadily step by step. His duties have been … Read more

Biography of Thomas A. Fagan

Thomas A. Fagan, engaged in the general real estate and insurance business at No. 610 Wisconsin Street under the firm style of Thomas A. Fagan & Company, was born in Racine, November 14, 1871, a son of John and Mary (Kelly) Fagan. The father was a native of Ireland and the grandfather spent his entire life on the Emerald Isle. When but six months old John Fagan was brought by an aunt to the United States, the family home being established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1866, when he came to Racine. He was the first practical brick … Read more

Biography of Clarence Snyder

Clarence Snyder was the founder and promoter of the Racine Heel Protector Company, of which he is secretary-treasurer. Mr. Snyder is a native of New York, his birth having occurred in Gorham, Ontario County, on the 12th of March, 1853. After completing his education in the Canandaigua Academy of that state he removed to the middle west in 1873, when a young man of twenty years, and has since been identified with Racine and her interests. Following his arrival here he learned the printers’ trade and for two winters he was a teacher in the district schools of Racine and … Read more

Biography of Henry W. Sheriff

Henry W. Sheriff, a farmer residing near Franksville, was born in Caledonia, Township, December 27, 1860, a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Thompson) Sheriff. The father, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1835, reached the age of seventy-four years, passing away in 1909, while his wife, who was born in Toronto, Canada in May, 1840, died August 22, 1915. They were married in Iowa and in 1859 became residents of Caledonia Township, Racine County, where the father first engaged in business as a teamster. In 1862, however, he invested the money which he had saved from his earnings in … Read more

Biography of Charles Jonas

America’s open-door policy has constituted a refuge to millions of Europe’s citizens, among which number have been those of broad, scholarly attainments and keen intellectual discernment whose vision has enabled them to understand the significant questions and vital problems of monarchical government control. Because of the expression of their advanced view where free speech is not fully tolerated, they have been obliged to seek homes in “the land of the free.” Such was the history of Charles Jonas and thereby Bohemia became a loser but America a gainer. Wisconsin long honored him as one of her distinguished citizens, a man … Read more

Biography of Milton J. Knoblock

Milton J. Knoblock, who, since his admission to the bar, in February, 1910, has engaged in the practice of law in Racine, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 2, 1883, a son of Charles and Ida (Oetking) Knoblock, who, in the year 1888, became residents of Racine. hi early manhood the father engaged in business as a traveling salesman, but afterward became identified with manufacturing interests as the president of the Racine Malleable Iron Company, so serving until 1899. He afterward went upon the road again as a traveling salesman. His death occurred at San Antonio, Texas, May 1, 1904. … Read more

Biography of John E. Rowlands

John E. Rowlands, one of the well known, prominent and successful representatives of the real estate and insurance business in Racine, has concentrated his efforts upon this field of activity since January, 1907, when he retired from the position of register of deeds. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, this County, December 18, 1856, a son of David W. and Mary E. (Jehu) Rowlands, both of whom were natives of Wales and when young people came to the new world, being married at Southport, Wisconsin. The latter was a daughter of Thomas Jehu, who about 1839 brought his family … Read more

Biography of Arthur Ehrlich

Arthur Ehrlich, whose prominence in real estate circles is indicated by the fact that he is now serving for the second term as president of the Racine real estate board. came to this city in 1895 and a decade later turned his attention to the real estate business, in which connection he has contributed much to the substantial expansion, improvement and upbuilding of the city. He was born in the province of Pomerania, Prussia, July 24, 1867, and attended a military school of that country. He was a youth of nineteen years when he crossed the Atlantic to America in … Read more

Biography of Frank E. Buchan

Frank E. Buchan, a resident farmer of Union Grove, was born in Dover Township, September 26, 1870, his parents being Edward and Mary (Renny) Buchan, both of whom were natives of Dover Township and representatives of old pioneer families of this part of the state. The paternal grandparents were Edward and Jane (Tillie) Buchan, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They came to Dover in 1838, driving across the country from New York with ox teams. Wisconsin was then still under territorial rule and practically little had been done in the way of settlement in southeastern Wisconsin. The grandfather … Read more

Biography of Hans L. Peterson

There is no land which offers the untrammeled opportunities that America does. Here, where labor is unhampered by caste or class and indefatigable effort wins its reward, there are many men who have started out empty-handed yet who today possess substantial holdings if not wealth. Such a one is Hans L. Peterson, farmer and dairyman, residing upon a place of one hundred and forty-four acres near Franksville. He was born in Denmark. April 8, 1859, and is a son of Peter and Katherina Halkensen. The father was born in Sweden and spent his last days at the home of his … Read more

Biography of Hon. Walter S. Goodland

After four years’ service as chief executive of Racine, Hon. Walter S. Goodland retired from the mayoralty as he had entered the office-with the confidence and good will of the great majority of citizens, and upon the city’s history left the record of various substantial improvements which were made under his administration-improvements along the lines of both reform and progress. He has been active in the fields of both law and journalism and at the present writing is owner of the Times-Call of Racine, in which city he has made his home since March, 1899. He was born in Sharon, … Read more

Biography of Charles B. McCanna

Dairying and the industries which are allied thereto have ever constituted an important source of the wealth and prosperity of Racine County, and among the most enterprising and progressive business men of the district are those who have turned to that line of labor as a source of their business development. One of the well known, successful and highly respected representatives of the business in Racine County was Charles B. McCanna, who became an influential citizen of Burlington and one whose activities constituted not only a source of individual success but. also constituted one of the strong elements in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eugene Walter Leach

Eugene Walter Leach, engaged in the life insurance business at Racine since 1894 as agent for the Aetna Life Insurance Company and not unknown in literary circles, was born in Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. September 15. 1857, a son of George W. and Deborah B. (White) Leach. The father was born in Burke. Vermont, and in 1854 made his way to Racine, whence in 1856 he removed to Minnesota, but in 1859 he returned to Racine, where he resided until his death in 1899. He was a railway car builder and was employed continuously for thirty-six years by the Racine … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Fulton Thompson

Fulton Thompson, a member of the law firm of Thompson & Harvey, has been engaged in practice in Racine since January, 1901, and entered upon his present partnership relation in 1906. He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1871, a son of John and Mary Jane (Kirk) Thompson, the former a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Cecil County. Maryland. They were farming people and both have passed away. Fulton Thompson supplemented a public school education by four years’ study in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated from the law … Read more

Biography of Andrew E. Ibson

Andrew E. Ibson, who is engaged in farming and dairying in Yorkville Township, also owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in New Mexico. A native of Raymond Township, Racine County, he was born on the 27th of August, 1865, a son of Hans and Gertrude (Hansen) Ibson, both natives of Denmark, the former born on the isle of Zealand in March, 1816, and the latter on the isle of Langland, on the 28th of January, 1828. They were married in their native country on the 25th of May, 1858, and six years later came to the United … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Andrew Matson

Andrew Matson, who is engaged in the fuel, storage and moving business in Racine, was born in Denmark, May 21, 1872, his parents being Peter and Ann (Skriver) Matson, also natives of Denmark. In the year 1901 the father came to the United States, where he lived retired until his death about seven years ago. Andrew Matson was educated in the common schools of Denmark and there learned the creamery business, at which he worked until eighteen years of age, when he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, having determined to try his … Read more

Biography of N. C. Pedersen

N. C. Pedersen, engaged in the real estate business in Racine, was born in Denmark, February 22, 1851, a son of Peter Nelson and Christine (Christensen) Pedersen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. Their son, N. C. Pedersen, was reared and educated in that country and forty-four years ago came to the United States, being at the time a young man of about twenty-one years. He was lured by the hope of finding better business opportunities in the new world, nor did he find that the hope was a fallacy, for he here met conditions that enabled him to … Read more

Biography of William E. Tucker

William E. Tucker, a successful farmer and dairyman living in Yorkville Township, is also serving as chairman of the board of supervisors, making an excellent record in that capacity. He was born in Brighton, Kenosha County, on the 14th of May, 1854, a son of William and Jane (Gilbert) Tucker, natives of England, the former born in 1823 and the latter in 1818. The paternal grandfather, James Tucker, passed his entire life in England, but the maternal grandfather, William Gilbert, came to America and on settling in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, entered two hundred acres in the vicinity of Corliss. He … Read more

Biography of William R. Pugh

William R. Pugh, plumbing inspector for the city of Racine, is a representative of one of the oldest families of this section of the state, being a grandson of Arthur Pugh, who was born in Wales and established his home in Racine when the city was but a village. Here he passed away in 1860, when seventy years of age. The father, David Pugh, was born in Wales and accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He became a sailor, following the lakes for a number of years, and he passed away in 1872. He wedded Eliza … Read more

Biography of George Fritchen

George Fritchen is a representative of one of the old families of Raymond Township, represented in this County for sixty-five years, for it was in 1851 that his parents, William and Gertrude (Fettin) Fritchen, established their home in this part of the state. They were both natives of Germany, the former born near Krehfeldt. In the fatherland they were reared and married and then, determining to try their fortune on this side the Atlantic, they sailed for the United States and in 1851 reached Racine County, becoming residents of Raymond Township. They were in very limited financial circumstances and Mr. … Read more