Wisconsin

Biography of William J. Rendall

J. Rendall, who is engaged in the foundry business as a maker of brass, bronze and aluminum castings, is one of the substantial citizens of Racine who claims Scotland as the land of his birth. He was born at Westra, Orkney Islands, June 22, 1879, his parents being Thomas and Ann (Reed) Rendall, who, in the year 1887, arrived in Racine. The father was a fisherman in Scotland and engaged in the same business in this country for a short time, at the end of which period, however, he turned his attention to the molding trade, in which he has … Read more

Biography of Clarence H. Wright

Clarence H. Wright, the secretary, treasurer and manager of the Racine Auto Tire Company, was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, June 14, 1883, a son of J. H. Wright, who, in 1893, removed with his family to Racine and became general superintendent of the Fish Brothers Wagon Factory, which position of responsibility he acceptably filled for sixteen years. He then resigned and built a large wagon manufacturing plant in Canada and in March, 1915, he again became identified with the business interests of Racine as vice president of the Racine Auto Tire Company. After leaving the high school, in … Read more

Biography of Albert M. Brehm

Albert M. Brehm, secretary and treasurer of the Brehm Brothers Company, was born in Burlington in 1874 and secured his education in the parochial schools, in the Burlington high school and in the Valparaiso (Ind.) Business College. He assisted his father in business until 1893 and then entered the employ of the Bank of Burlington, in which he continued for over six years, when failing health obliged him to make a change. In 1899 he again became associated with his father in business under the firm style of B. Brehm & Sons and took charge of the National Express business, … Read more

Biography of Rev. Theodore B. Meyer

Rev. Theodore B. Meyer, pastor of St. Mary’s church at Racine, has done effective work among the Catholic families of this locality since October, 1896, and his labors have been most effective in advancing the growth of the parish. He is a native son of Racine County, his birth having occurred in Caledonia, February 13, 1853. The family name, however, indicates his German lineage. His grandfather was a native of Kaltenborn, Germany, where he engaged in farming and mining, his death resulting from a mine accident. He married a Miss Jungmann and their large family included Peter Meyer, who was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lawrence R. Larsen

Lawrence R. Larsen, accounted one of the enterprising young business men of Racine, was born in this city, March 23, 1897, a son of Martin and Johanna Larsen, who are natives of Denmark. In early life they crossed the Atlantic to become residents of the new world, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities on this side the water than the father could hope to secure in his native land. Making their way to Racine, they have since resided in this city and Mr. Larsen is now engaged in the furniture business. Spending his boyhood and youth in Racine, L. R. … Read more

Biography of Orville L. Parmenter

Orville L. Parmenter, secretary and treasurer of the Racine Paper Goods Company, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1846, a son of Austin W. and Sarah (Calkins) Parmenter, both being representatives of old families of that city. The father was a pioneer lime manufacturer. Reared in Cleveland, the son attended the public schools there and after arriving at years of maturity was married in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1872, to Miss Jennie McBride, of Wooster, Ohio. a daughter of Henry and Martha (Spink) McBride, of New York, the latter a daughter of General Spink, of Revolutionary War fame. To Mr. and … Read more

Biography of Fred Krenzke

Fred Krenzke has built up and is successfully conducting an extensive dairy business, which he started in 1901 and which has grown steadily since. He was born in Racine, February 20, 1876, a son of August and Minnie (Reinke) Krenzke, both of whom were natives of Pommern, Germany. In early life they crossed the Atlantic to the new world and became residents of Racine about 1868 or 1869, their marriage being celebrated in this city. The father is a wagon maker by trade, but during the past thirty years has been engaged in farming near Racine, conducting his place now … Read more

Biography of Julius T. Foster

Julius T. Foster, chief engineer of the waterworks of Racine, his native city, was born September 16, 1S49, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Hawthorn) Foster, the former a native of London, while the latter was born in Ireland. They were married, however, in England and in 1845 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, becoming residents of Racine. The father was proprietor of the Western Hotel and so continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1863. The business was then continued by the mother and her sons, who conducted the hotel for a long period, … Read more

Biography of George B. Vyvyan

George B. Vyvyan owns eighty acres of good land in Yorkville Township and is extensively engaged in buying and selling stock, which business he has found highly profitable. A native of Racine County he was born in Yorkville Township, on the 20th of September, 1885, and is a son of William and Sarah (Beaumont) Vyvyan, the former born in Raymond Township, this County, in 1854, and the latter in Dover Township, in 1860. The paternal grandfather, William Vyvyan, emigrated from England to Racine County and located in Raymond Township. He conducted a meat market in Union Grove for a number … Read more

Biography of Fred W. Gunther

That perseverance and effort intelligently directed may overcome all obstacles and difficulties is illustrated in the history of Fred W. Gunther, now conducting an extensive canning business and sauerkraut manufactory, a business that brings to him excellent profit although at the outset it seemed that failure would follow the venture. Born in Buffalo, New York, on the 18th of February, 1854, Fred W. Gunther is a son of Henry A. and Caroline Gunther, who in the year 1856 came to Racine. The father, who was a machinist by trade, died in 1912 but the mother is still living and has … Read more

Biography of William Frank Brehm

William Frank Brehm, president of the Brehm Brothers Company at Burlington, was born August 21, 1870, in the city in which he still resides, a son of Bernard Brehm, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Spending his boyhood days in Burlington, William F. Brehm attended the parochial and public schools and when a lad joined his father in the draying business, working in the summer seasons and attending school in the winter. When sixteen years of age he made his first trip to buy horses and the first pair which he purchased were prize winners at the Walworth County fair the … Read more

Biography of John Jonas

John Jonas, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising on section 8, Raymond Township, was born in Prussia, June 4. 1839, and has therefore passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life’s journey. He has led a busy and useful life and still keeps in touch with the work of the farm, personally supervising the activities that are there carried on. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Schwartz) Jonas, the former born in 1800 and the latter in 1803, both natives of Prussia, in which country they were married. On coming to the new world in 1854 the … Read more

Biography of F. J. Kidd

F. J. Kidd, secretary and treasurer of the Racine Manufacturing Company, is thus connected with one of the leading manufacturing interests of the city and that he has a large share in the control and management of the undertaking is indicative of his initiative and resourcefulness. He is constantly alert to opportunities which bring to him a broader outlook and he carefully utilizes every chance for advancement. Moreover, his business interests are of a character which contributes to public prosperity as well as to individual success. Mr. Kidd was born at St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, July 16. 1880, a son … Read more

Biography of Harrison Fellows

Harrison Fellows, who figured in business circles of Racine as a dealer in coal and wood and who was also identified with shipping interests as part owner of lake vessels, passed away on the 1st of April, 1887. He had scarcely yet reached the prime of life, his birth having occurred in Williamstown, Vermont, July 2, 1840, and he was a son of George D. and Louise (Olds) Fellows. The family is of English lineage although established in Connecticut at an early period in the colonization of the new world, representatives of the name living there before the Revolutionary war. … Read more

Biography of Edgar P. Wolf

Edgar P. Wolf, the treasurer of the Perfex Radiator Company and one of the wide-awake, alert and enterprising young business men of Racine, was born in Chicago, October 6, 1891, a son of J. P. and Emily J. (Augustus) Wolf. The father was engaged in the stone business and in the building and real estate business. He afterward served for ten years as United States marshal, retiring from that position on the 1st of January, 1916. He is not now actively connected with any business affairs, although he is financially interested in the Perfex Radiator Company and holds the office … Read more

Biography of Bernard Brehm

Bernard Brehm was closely identified with the business interests and civic progress of the city of Burlington for a period of nearly sixty years. He was born in Baden, Germany, in 1844, the son of Frank and Agnes Brehm, also natives of Baden, and with his parents, brother and sister, came to America in 1854, reaching Burlington by ox team from Racine. The father, Frank Brehm, was a weaver and musician and engaged in various occupations until his death in 1889, having survived his wife for five years. Bernard Brehm received but a limited education, but being possessed of a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Beffel

Edward Beffel, secretary and treasurer of the Beffel Furniture & Undertaking Company, was born in Racine, April 13, 1879, and is a brother of W. J. Beffel, mentioned above. He pursued his education by attending St. Mary’s parochial school and the public schools of Racine, taking a high school course. When his student days were over he entered the furniture business and has since been active along that line. He joined his brother as successors to their father and in 1914 the business was reorganized under the present name. Theirs is a large establishment, well equipped in both the undertaking … Read more

Biography of John F. Moyle

John F. Moyle, secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company and a resident of Yorkville, has long been actively and successfully identified with the business interests of his locality and well deserved success has crowned his efforts. His plans are well defined and carefully executed and the wise management which he displays in the conduct of his business affairs has brought financial success. He was born July 28, 1841, in Cornwall, England, his parents being Thomas and Susan (Foxwell) Moyle, who are also of Cornish birth and lineage. For several generations the male members of the Moyle family had been … Read more

Biography of John Vyvyan

John Vyvyan, of Yorkville Township, had no capital when he began farming on his own account, but possessed enterprise and good judgment and as the years have passed has prospered. He has given land to each of his children, but still holds one hundred and sixty acres, on which he is engaged in general farming. His birth occurred in Raymond Township, this County, on the 15th of November. 1850, and he is a son of William and Matilda Vyvyan, both of whom were born in Cornwall, England. They came to America, however, in young manhood and womanhood and their marriage … Read more

Biography of James E. Bush

Success in this age of marked business activity and competition depends upon wide knowledge of the line to which one directs his energy, combined with unfaltering diligence. There is no one more competent to speak with authority upon the question of varnish in the entire United States than James E. Bush., who has long occupied a position as traveling salesman in that connection and is now vice president of the Chicago Varnish Company. He is among the native sons of Racine County whose business records reflect credit upon the district which gave them birth. Mr. Bush was born at Ives … Read more