Wisconsin

Biographical Sketch of William Wallace Hunter

William Wallace Hunter has been a lifelong resident of Raymond Township. He was born on the old family homestead October 4, 1862, his parents being William and Andica (Boyd) Hunter, who are mentioned above. He is indebted to the district school system for educational privileges which were accorded him and he began life on a farm, choosing to follow the occupation to which he had been reared. He has since carried on general farming and dairying and he keeps on hand a good grade of Holstein cattle. He is now operating eighty acres and the tract is in a high … Read more

Biography of Martin Christensen

Martin Christensen, who by the vote of his fellow citizens has been made custodian of public funds in Racine County, now filling the position of county treasurer, was born at Union Grove on the 21st of January, 1870, a son of Chris and Anna Christensen, the former passing away in the year 1873 and the latter in 1874. The father was a mason contractor and carried on business along that line until his death. Martin Christensen, left an orphan when but three years of age, was reared in the home of N. M. Christensen, a farmer living in Raymond Township, … Read more

Biography of John A. Anderson

Farming operations have always claimed the attention of John A. Anderson and since starting out in life for himself he has operated land in Norway Township, now owning a fine place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 36. 1k was born in that Township on the 23rd of July, 1866, his parents being Alexander and Alice (Hamilton) Anderson, both natives of Scotland. The father was born September 3. 1823, and died on the 3rd of April, 1890, while the mother’s birth occurred in 1832 and she passed away January 4, 1876. They were married in Racine in 1863. … Read more

Biography of John C. Wagner

John C. Wagner is proprietor of the Wagner Hotel of Racine, in connection with which he conducts what is known as the best restaurant of the city. He was born March 27, 1858, in Racine, a son of Jacob and Mary (Gracely) Wagner, the former a native of Prussia and the latter of Württemberg, Germany. In the early ’40s they arrived in Racine and were married in this city. The father was a tanner by trade and long followed that line of business. After acquiring a public school education John C. Wagner learned the wire-weaver’s trade, to which he devoted … Read more

Biography of Edmund B. Funston

Edmund B. Funston, organizer and president of Edmund B. Funston Company Architects of Racine, has been identified in large and important measure with the improvement of the city along building lines, for on all sides are seen monuments to his handiwork. He was born in Champaign County, Illinois, May 19, 1868, a son of John H. and Elizabeth E. (Bailey) Funston, both of whom were natives of Ohio, whence they removed to Illinois in early life. The father there followed the occupation of farming and both he and his wife have now passed away. Edmund B. Funston supplemented his district … Read more

Biography of Frank R. Starbuck

Frank Starbuck, secretary and treasurer of The Journal Printing Company of Racine, is of the third generation in active connection with newspaper publication, being a grandson of Calvin W. Starbuck, of the Cincinnati Times, and a son of Frank Washburn and Mattie (Raymond) Starbuck, the former the president of The Journal Printing Company of Racine. “To the manner born,” he has become the able assistant of his father in newspaper publication. He attended the public and high schools of Racine, being graduated with the class of 1894, and the following year, with all the other members of his father’s family, … Read more

Biography of Henry C. Baker

A most efficient and trustworthy officer is Henry C. Baker, chief of police of Racine, who was called to his present position in 1907. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, February 7, 1865, a son of Henry and Christina (Meyer) Baker, both of whom were natives of Germany. In the year 1847 they left the fatherland and came to the United States, establishing their home upon a farm near Madison, Wisconsin, where Mr. Baker carried on general agricultural pursuits until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he put aside the work of the fields and other business and … Read more

Biography of Harvey Whitley

Harvey Whitley, a well known farmer owning a quarter section of land in Yorkville Township, was born in Brighton Township, Kenosha County, on the 19th of June, 1869, of the marriage of Thomas and Mary A. (Leach) Whitley. The former, born in Bingley, Yorkshire, England, on the 12th of March, 1821, came to the United States when twenty-two years old and located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, where he became identified with agricultural interests. He was married in 1861 to Miss Mary Ann Leach, who was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, and by whom he had five children: Joseph E., born December … Read more

Biography of William Hunter

William Hunter was engaged in farming near Franksville and is now living retired. He was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, September 15, 1829, a son of James and Jane (Hasty) Hunter. They were also natives of Dumfriesshire, the land of hills and heather. At an early day in the development of Racine County they established their home in Yorkville Township, becoming pioneer settlers of that region. William Hunter is the only survivor of their family of eight children. The father had forty acres of land, which he carefully and successfully cultivated. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian Church and … Read more

Biography of Joseph J. Patrick

Joseph J. Patrick, filling the office of County clerk, was born in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, May 3, 1882, a son of John and Marie (Mealy) Patrick. The father was born in Waterford, Racine County, February 8, 1857, and was a son of Joseph Patrick, a stonemason by trade, who came to this country at an early period in its development, working at his trade here until called to his final rest, at the age of sixty-five years. John Patrick was reared in this County and has made farming his life work. He wedded Mary Mealy, who was born in Dover … Read more

Biography of Joseph J. Moritz

While Joseph J. Moritz made a humble start in business life, he has for a number of years occupied a position of trust and responsibility that indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, for since 1909 he has been secretary of the hoard of education in Racine, his native city. He was born on the 30th of April, 1883, a son of Michael and Anna (Heaton) Moritz. The father was born in Bavaria, Germany, and about 1869 arrived in Racine, where he followed the machinist’s trade, which he had previously learned. He afterward turned his attention to … Read more

Biography of W. G. Edwards

W. G. Edwards, who followed the acquirement of his education in the district schools, took up the occupation of farming, which he has since followed his home being near Kansasville, was born in Dover Township on the 18th of March, 1848, his parents being Thomas and Martha (Mayo) Edwards, both of whom were natives of England, in which country they were reared and married. On coming to the United States they settled in Dover Township, Racine County, and the father purchased land from the government. He was a son of Thomas and Susan Edwards, who established their home in Dover … Read more

Biography of David Hetzel

It is seldom that a man of eighty years is found still actively engaged in business, but David Hetzel still figures in the commercial circles of Racine and for almost forty years has conducted business at one location as proprietor of a men’s furnishing goods and tailoring establishment. He was born on the 5th of March, 1836, so that he is now an octogenarian. In the home of his parents, John and Barbara Hetzel, he spent the days of his boyhood and youth to the age of sixteen years, when he determined to try his fortune in the new world … Read more

Biography of Willis L. Cahoon

Manufacturing enterprise in Racine finds a representative in Willis L. Cahoon, who became one of the organizers of the American Mangle & Roller Company. He was born in this city in 1860, a son of Lyman H. and Cordelia L. (Tague) Cahoon, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Kingston, Canada. They were married in the Empire state and about 1850 came to Wisconsin, establishing their home in Solon, where they lived for five years, removing in 1855 to Racine. The father had learned the trades of shoemaking and harness making in early life … Read more

Biography of Henry S. Keefe

Henry S. Keefe, whose extensive and important operations in the field of real estate have won him prominence and success, is accounted one of the most progressive and enterprising young business men of Racine, his native city. He was born April 19, 1883, a son of John and Elizabeth (Budd) Keefe, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. The former was a son of Mathew Keefe, a native of Ireland, who on leaving the Emerald isle crossed the Atlantic to the new world, residing for a time in Vermont, and then became one of the … Read more

Biography of Fred C. Goff

For forty years Fred C. Goff has been continuously connected with the shoe trade and is now secretary and treasurer of the Racine Shoe Manufacturing Company. The thoroughness with which be has mastered every phase of the business has been one of the strong forces in his growing success and he has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful business man who, in all of his dealings, is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won for him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen. Mr. Goff was born in Steuben County, New York, November … Read more

Biography of Morris Jorgensen

Morris Jorgensen, who is successfully engaged in dairying and stock raising in connection with the production of grain in Yorkville Township, was born in Denmark on the 30th of July, 1867. His parents, Flans Mikkel and Lena (Anderson) Jorgensen, were also natives of that country, where they passed their entire lives. The father, who was born June 27, 1822, engaged in farming for many years, dying in February, 1909, upon the homestead, which is now in possession of one of his sons. There are eight children living, namely: Richard, who is farming the home place in Denmark: Morris: Antonia, the … Read more

Biography of Paul B. Wohlrab

Paul B. Wohlrab, who is vice president, superintendent and engineer of the Lavine Gear Company, at Racine, has worked his way upward through the wise use of time, talents and opportunities and is now one of the executive officers in a business which ranks second in extent and importance in that line in the country. He was born in Germany, May 1. 1873, and was liberally educated, receiving both high school and technical training in his native country. He was a young man of seventeen years when in 1890 he made the voyage to the new world, remaining a resident … Read more

Biography of Nels Johnson

For more than a third of a century Nels Johnson has been actively engaged in the coal, wood and coke trade in Racine and the volume of business which he has built up has made the undertaking a very prosperous one. He has lived in this city since 1870. He was born in Denmark on the 16th of March, 1844, and is a son of James and Caroline (Nelson) Johnson, who were likewise natives of Denmark and in 1870 came to the United States, being brought hither by their son. He had acquired his education in the Danish schools and … Read more

Biography of Edwin B. Skewes

Edwin B. Skewes, son of Samuel and Ruth Bottomley Skewes, was born January 30, 1858, at Grovean Farm, Racine County. Samuel Skewes, with his first wife, Catherine Lugg Skewes, came to this country from Cornwall, England, in 1842, and settled on what is now known as Grovean Farm. To them were born four children: Samuel, who throughout his life was engaged in farming; Sarah, who died when about twelve years old; Margret, who died in young womanhood; and George, who was widely known and highly honored throughout Racine and the County as an educator and banker. Some years after the … Read more