Wisconsin

Biography of Louis Mogensen

Louis Mogensen has gained a large clientage in the real estate, fire insurance and loan business in Racine with which he has been connected for twelve years. He possesses a great amount of energy which, intelligently directed, has brought him success and his is another proof of the fact that, no matter how much fantastic theorizing we may indulge in as to the secret of success, we must ultimately reach the conclusion that close application, diligence and persistency of purpose constitute the foundation upon which honorable business prosperity is built. Mr. Mogensen was born in Racine, September 10, 1872, a … Read more

Biography of Frank J. Luxem

Frank J. Luxem, representing commercial interests of Racine as a wholesale dealer in fruits, was born September 25, 1871, in the city in which he still resides, his parents being Jacob and Mary (Kemmer) Luxem. The father, who was a native of Bavaria, Germany, came to the new world in early life, establishing his home in Racine in pioneer times. For a number of years he was proprietor of the leading hotel of the city but afterward entered the employ of A. P. Dickey, with whom he remained for thirty-two years as a pattern maker, retiring from business about, two … Read more

Biography of Joshua Collier

Joshua Collier was born October 6, 1832, at Manchester, England, a son of William and Margaret (Ridyard) Collier. In 1848, when sixteen years old, he came to this country in company with three cousins of his own age, Joseph Collier, Joshua Boydell, and William Birchall. He located in Racine County, first in Racine, where he worked at his trade as a ship carpenter, and later near Sylvania, where he purchased land. Subsequently his parents came to this country, and settled near him. In 1860 Joshua Collier was united in marriage to Alice Hurst, who was born in Tyldsley, Lancashire, England, … Read more

Biography of Henry L. Wratten

The welfare of a city does not depend so much upon the machinery of its government or even upon the men that occupy its offices as it does upon the business enterprises which promote its material growth and development, and each legitimate enterprise wisely conducted adds to the upbuilding of the city. In this connection, therefore, mention should be made of Henry L. Wratten, who was one of the organizers and from the beginning has been the president of the Racine Boiler & Tank Company, which started in business in October, 1913. Mr. Wratten was born in Racine, January 17, … Read more

Biography of Peter Maurice

Peter Maurice, a successful dairyman, living in Yorkville Township, is entitled to the credit which is given a self-made man, for he has depended entirely upon his own resources for advancement. He was born in Yorkville Township on the 13th of December, 1868, a son of Phillip and Mary (Gudenkauf) Maurice, both of German birth. The father’s natal year was 1825 and the mother was born on the 13th of July 1838. Philip Maurice came to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Maurice, in 1846, and the family located in Racine County, where Edward Maurice died soon afterwards. … Read more

Biography of John Stoffel

A notable business record is that of John Stoffel, who for forty-one years has been at the head of a cigar factory in Racine and today has the largest establishment of the kind in the city. His commercial career is as an open book which all may read. His trade has developed along legitimate lines of business and his success has been built upon honorable methods and the excellence of the product turned out by the factory. Mr. Stoffel was born in Racine, April 10, 1855, a son of Nicholas J. and Juliana Maria (Schmidt) Stoffel, born respectively in Neierkirch … Read more

Biography of T. J. Smader

T. J. Smader, political leader, able business man and sportsman, whose activities and interests have been of a. character that have promoted public progress along many lines, was born in Caledonia Township, this County, December 2, 1878, a son of Tobias and Mary Smader, both of whom were natives of Bohemia, in which country they were reared and married. At an early day they came to the United States, settling at Racine, and Mr. Smader purchased a farm in Caledonia Township on which he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death about eight years ago, his widow surviving him … Read more

Biography of Nels Christensen

Nels Christensen, senior partner in the firm of N. Christensen & Son, conducting a real estate, insurance and loan business, was born in Denmark on the 25th of March, 1869, his parents being Nels C. and Mattie K. (Nielsdatter) Christensen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. The son pursued his education in the schools of that country until seventeen years of age, when he came to the United States, after which he spent a year as a pupil in a country school. He afterward began work as a laborer and later learned the moulder’s trade, which he followed through … Read more

Biography of John W. Hay

Since 1901 John W. Hay has resided upon his present farm of one hundred and forty acres in Yorkville Township, and has concentrated his energies upon the dairy business, shipping milk to Chicago. He was born in Raymond Township, this County, on the 24th of August, 1853, a son of William and Mary (Coad) Hay, the former a native of Cumberland, England, and the latter of Cornwall. The paternal grandfather, Adam Hay, became a resident of Racine County and passed his last days here, but the grandmother died on the voyage across the Atlantic. The maternal grandfather was an early … Read more

Biography of C. K. Hahn, M. D.

Dr. C. K. Hahn, successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine in Racine, was born in Germany, on the 16th of August, 1868, a son of A. and Helena Hahn, both of whom have departed this life. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, he determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and in preparation therefore entered the Wurzburg, (Bavaria) Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. Hoping to obtain better advantages for professional advancement in the new world he crossed the Atlantic in 1896 and for a year thereafter … Read more

Biography of Edmund T. Acklam

Edmund T. Acklam, vice president of the firm of D. P. Wigley & Company, has advanced step by step in his business career until he has reached the place of responsibility and prominence which he now occupies. He was born in Racine County, October 7, 1877, a son of Thomas and Martha (Roskilly) Acklam, who were also natives of the same County. The paternal grandfather arrived in Racine during the pioneer epoch of the history of the county, while the maternal grandfather. Richard Roskilly, a native of England, established his home in Southport, now Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1842. Later he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Arthur J. Jonas

Arthur J. Jonas, dealer in automobiles and proprietor of a garage in which he does both repairing and experimental work, was born in Racine, October 3, 1881, a son of Fred and Julia (Novatny) Jonas. The father, a native of Prague, Bohemia, came to Racine when twenty-four years of age. Fifty-two years ago he established the Bohemian paper Slavie, which he continued to edit and publish until 1904, when he retired and has since lived in Racine, enjoying a well earned rest. Arthur J. Jonas, spending his youthful days in his parents’ home, pursued his education in the graded and … Read more

Biography of L. F. Nelson

The firm of Nelson S Company, incorporated, general contractors, has done much for the improvement of the city along the line of architectural adornment since starting in business in 1895. L. F. Nelson, president of the corporation, is among the foreign-born citizens who have found in America the land of opportunity, enjoying the advantages offered in a country where labor and ambition are not hampered by caste or class. He was born in Denmark, June 29, 1868, and in 1887 arrived in Racine, being then a young man of nineteen years. He afterward engaged in farming for three years, although … Read more

Biography of F. B. Swingle

F. B. Swingle, who since 1912 has been associate editor of the Wisconsin Agriculturist, although he began writing for publication long prior to that date, was born in Rock County, Wisconsin, March 8, 1876, a son of Warren W. and Frankie (Bell) Swingle. The parents were also natives of Rock County and the mother was a daughter of Adam Bell, one of the early pioneer settlers of the state, who on removing westward from New York in 1838, passed through Racine and established his home in Rock County, having made the trip to Racine by water, and farther west with … Read more

Biography of James Vyvyan

James Vyvyan, a well known and highly respected farmer of Raymond Township, was born on the 7th of May, 1856, in the Township where he still resides, his present home being near Franksville. He is a son of William and Matilda (Greggs) Vyvyan, both of whom were natives of England, but they were married in Yorkville Township, Racine County, Wisconsin, where William Vyvyan established his home in 1842. He was empty handed when he crossed the Atlantic to the New World, but he hoped that he might find in this country the opportunities which would bring him substantial success, nor … Read more

Biography of Henry C. Wiegand

Henry C. Wiegand is today one of the oldest jewelry merchants in Racine in years of connection with the trade, having established his store about 1896. Throughout the intervening period the establishment has largely set the standard for activity in this line in the city, for he carries a large and attractive stock and his business methods are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. Born in Racine on the 1st of May, 1872, he is a son of Conrad and Anna (Haas) Wiegand, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to the new world, … Read more

Biography of Louis H. Rohr

Louis H. Rohr, an attorney of Burlington, Racine County, Wisconsin, was born on a farm in the town of Franklin, Milwaukee Bounty, Wisconsin, on the 25th day of April, 1864, and is a son of Jacob Rohr, a native of Switzerland, who came to this country with his parents in the year 1832, the family settling in Rochester, New York, where he grew to manhood and married Sophia Roehrig, a native of Prussia. In 1857 they moved to Wisconsin and purchased a farm, whereon Louis H. Rohr was born. In 1866 the family moved to the town of Raymond, Racine … Read more

Biography of Angus R. Callender

Angus R Callender, secretary and treasurer of the Badger Foundry Company, was born in Racine County, August 4, 1876, a son of Richard Callender. who was one of the early residents of this section of the state. After obtaining a high school education he entered the employ of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, with which he spent nineteen years, thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase of the work entrusted to him and winning promotion front time to time until he became chief clerk of the manufacturing department. He severed that connection in order to enter into active association … Read more

Biography of Theodore C. Hegner

With the organization of the Monarch Shoe Company in 1909, Theodore C. Hegner became its first president and treasurer and has so continued to the present time, concentrating his efforts and attention upon the development of the business, which in its ramifying trade connections now covers a very broad territory, making this one of the profitable manufacturing concerns of the city. Mr. Hegner was born in Racine, May 21, 1876, the son of John P. and Angeline (`’reins) Hegner, who were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1863 and was connected with the leather business … Read more

Biography of Arthur C. Harris

Arthur C. Harris, manager at Racine for the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company, was born in Jackson, Michigan. He passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high school student and took his initial step in the business world as an employee of the Commonwealth Power Company in his native city. He afterward worked his way upward, becoming sales manager of the power department. His entire life experience has been along this line, bringing him constantly broadening knowledge and efficiency. He was also with the Grand Rapids-Muskegon Company of Grand Rapids as sales manager in … Read more