Wisconsin

Biography of Anthony McAvoy

Racine classed Anthony McAvoy as one of its representative citizens and leading business men_ He was long prominently identified with carriage manufacturing and his activities were at all times wisely and successfully directed. Re was born in County Down, Ireland, October 30, 1846, and the following year was taken by his parents to London, Canada, where he resided until 1865, when he became a resident of Chicago. Illinois. After about a year passed in that city he removed to Racine and soon afterward went to Elkhorn, Walworth County, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1872. He then returned to Racine, where … Read more

Biography of John O. Jones

John O. Jones, conducting an extensive contracting business under the name of the Western Improvement Company, has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions in street paving, a business that extends over many adjoining states. Mr. Jones was born in Llanfairfechan, Wales, on the 23d of June, 1856, and is a son of Owen and Ann (Jones) Jones, both representatives of old families that have lived in that section of Wales for hundreds of years. The family on one side was farmers and on the other was granite quarrymen. The parents of John O. Jones spent their entire … Read more

Biography of A. Arthur Guilbert

A. Arthur Guilbert, whose high rank and undeniable skill as an architect enables him to command a most liberal patronage and the evidence of whose ability is found in many of the leading structures of this city, was born in Racine, August. 8. 1869, a son of Albert W. and Celia M. (Pease) Guilbert. The father, also a native of Racine, was a son of Albert W. Guilbert, who was born on the isle of Guernsey and who in 1838 arrived in Racine, ere the admission of the state into the Union and ere the little village which is now … Read more

Biography of William Meadows

William Meadows is a brick and tile manufacturer of Burlington but leaves the active management of the business to his sons, for he is now well advanced in years and deserves to enjoy the rest which he has truly earned. He was born in Lancashire, England, July 6, 1833, a son of George and Elizabeth (Greenwood) Meadows. The father, who come of an old English family, was foreman of a cotton manufacturing company of England, where he remained until 1842, when he came to the United States and settled at Burlington Flats, Otsego County, New York, bringing the family to … Read more

Biography of William H. Shephard

Among the newly established business enterprises of Racine is that of the Shephard Plating Company, which vas organized December 26, 1913, succeeding to the business of South, Barrell & Shephard, electro platers, which firm was organized in 1910. This business is located at No. 136 Main street and is one of the last growing, successful enterprises of the city. Actively connected with its development is William H. Shephard, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 6th of April, 1873. After obtaining a public school education there he learned the polishing, plating and buffing trade, starting in the work in … Read more

Biography of George W. Drought

George W. Drought, who carries on farming on section 1, Norway Township, is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Racine County. His birth occurred in Norway Township, October 18, 1869, his parents being William Beasley and Mary (Curren) Drought. The mother had been previously married, her first husband being Werley Drought, who was in the war. The father was born in Canada and was a son of George Drought, who brought his family to Racine County in 1838 from his old home in the Dominion. He was one of the earliest settlers of this locality … Read more

Biography of Fred H. Schulz

Fred H. Schulz, who in the conduct of a real estate business has aided in the development of important additions and in negotiating many important property transfers in Racine, his native city, was born on the 17th of March. 1885. a son of John and Minnie (Teske) Schulz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1866, establishing their home in Racine, where the father engaged in business as a carpenter contractor, being identified with building operations for a number of years, but now living retired. After passing through consecutive grades in the public … Read more

Biography of Henry F. Johnson

There is probably no better known or more highly esteemed citizen residing in Norway Township than Henry F. Johnson, whose farm is on section 12. He was born in an old log house in that Township March 5, 1860, and is a son of Ole and Julia (Beckjord) Johnson, both natives of Norway. In that country his paternal grandfather, John Johnson, spent his entire life. Ole Johnson was born February 2, 1808, and was thirty years of age on coming to the United States in 1838. He first located in Chicago, where he worked for some time, and there he … Read more

Biography of P. Cornelius Olson

P. Cornelius Olson, assistant cashier of the Racine City Bank, was born in this city July 2, 1871, his parents being Peter M. and Christine Olson, both of whom were natives of Porsgrund, Norway. In that country they were reared and married and during the ’60s they crossed the Atlantic to America, making the voyage on a sailing vessel. Two of their children died while en route and were buried in the ocean. The father was a sailor, devoting his life to that work and to carpentering but for some years he has lived retired, having now reached the eightieth … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. M. Wallis Jr.

H. M. Wallis, Jr., manager of the Wallis Tractor Company, which was organized in 1912, was born in Racine on the 24th of January, 1888, a son of H. M. and Jessie (Case) Wallis. He pursued his education as a student in Racine College, the Manor School at Stamford, Connecticut and in the Hotchkiss School of Salisbury, Connecticut, and when his school days were over he returned to Racine, whore he secured employment in the J. I. Case Plow Works. He advanced through all departments in the shop, gaining comprehensive knowledge of the business, and afterward traveled for the corporation … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Larkin

William H. Larkin, who dates his residence in Racine from 1914, is now a partner in the Racine Welding & Cutting Company, in which undertaking he is associated with William P. Heckel. He was born in Maywood, a suburb of Chicago. April 5. 1890, and obtained his early education in the public schools there, after which he entered the Lewis Institute of Chicago and was graduated in 1909 on the completion of a course in electrical engineering. He received mechanical training also and for two years was employed by the American Can Company of Chicago at their factory in Maywood. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Higgins

James Higgins, secretary of the Higgins Spring & Axle Company, was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. September 6. 1880, while his father, Michael Higgins, mentioned above, was a resident of that city. He supplemented his public school education by study in Niagara University, in which he spent two years, and later he engaged in business with his father, entering into active connection with the Higgins Spring & Axle Company. in which he is now holding a position of administrative direction and executive control as secretary and manager. He has acquainted himself with every department of the work and is familiar with … Read more

Biography of Leo F. Miller Jr.

Leo F. Miller. Jr., president of the Commercial Press Company, was born in Racine on the 13th of March. 1885, and is one of the enterprising and progressive young business men in this city, alert and energetic and watchful of all opportunities pointing toward further prosperity. He is a brother of Frank H. Miller and a son of Leo F. and Theresa Miller, Sr., mentioned in connection with his brother’s sketch on another page of this work. The family was of the Catholic faith and therefore he was sent to St. Joseph’s parochial school, wherein he acquired his education. Afterward … Read more

Biography of Henry N. Bacon

Henry N. Bacon, who since 1907 has been connected with the Racine City Bank as its cashier, having in that year become one of its organizers and incorporators, was born in La Harpe, Illinois, March 12, 1875, a son of H. L. and Anna Bacon. The paternal grandfather, Newton Bacon, was a cooper by trade and became one of the earliest residents of southern Wisconsin, establishing his home in Southport in 1832. Later he removed to Racine, where he conducted one of the first cooper shops of the city. Subsequently he established his home elsewhere. His son, H. L. Bacon, … Read more

Biography of William P. Heckel

The history of a city is not the record of any one enterprise, important and extensive as it may be, but is the outcome of the aggregate effort of many who are controlling various lines of trade and commerce. Every new undertaking adds to the commercial activity and therefore to the consequent development of the city. Among the newer business concerns of Racine is the Racine Welding & Cutting Company, which was organized June 1, 1915, by William P. Heckel and William H. Larkin, with plant at No. 229 Wisconsin Street. This firm does acetylene welding and cutting, both heavy … Read more

Biography of Michael Higgins

Michael Higgins, treasurer of the Higgins Spring & Axle Company, mentioned above, was born near Oswego, New York, June 28, 1855, a son of Michael and Bridget (Malone) Higgins, who were natives of Cork and County Limerick, Ireland. The former was a son of Patrick Higgins, Jr., and a grandson of Patrick Higgins, Sr., and it was Patrick Higgins, Jr., who, in 1840, crossed the Atlantic, to the new world and founded the family on American soil. After a residence of two years at Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York, he met an accidental death, being, struck by the falling … Read more

Biography of Frank H. Miller

Frank H. Miller, secretary-treasurer of the Commercial Press Company of Racine, became one of the owners of this business on the 17th of August, 1903, after having previously served for a number of years as foreman. Since that date he has been active in the management of the concern and has become more and more largely interested as a stockholder. He was born in this city November 24, 1879, a son of Leo F. and Theresa (Huck) Miller. The father was likewise a native of this city and the mother of Newark, New Jersey, both being born in the year … Read more

Biography of Julius Jappe

Commercial enterprise in Racine finds admirable expression in the business history of Julius Jappe, who since 1911 has successfully conducted a jewelry store and now enjoys a substantial and gratifying trade. He has also been active in political circles and otherwise prominent in the affairs of the community. He was born in Denmark, December 25, 1860, a son of Carl and Mary Jappe, and after spending the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country he came to the United States on attaining his majority, arriving on the 1st of June, 1881. He did not tarry on the … Read more

Biography of John P. Barry

On the 1st of January, 1915, John P. Barry assumed the duties of the office of register of deeds and at the same time he is engaged in the abstract business in Racine, with which he has long been connected. He was born in Newton, Iowa, August 31, 1881, a son of David T. and Katherine (Flynn) Barry, the former a native of Westmoreland, Virginia, while the latter was born in Ireland. They were married in Chicago and in the year 1872 became residents of Iowa. The father’s business was that of railroading for some years and afterward he became … Read more

Biography of Thomas F. McGraw

Thomas F. McGraw, who for the past twenty-three years has conducted business as a retail shoe merchant at his present location, is one of the oldest representatives of trade interests on Sixth Street, most of the merchants having come into active connection with the commercial life of Racine since he opened his store. A progressive spirit has at all time ruled his activities and sound judgment has guided his business transactions. He was born in Racine, December 15, 1869, a son of John C. and Julia (Powers) McGraw, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father arrived here when … Read more