Wisconsin

Biography of Lyman Wood

The history of Lyman Wood presents an interesting connection with the manufacturing and commercial affairs of Racine, for during a long period he engaged in the manufacturing and jobbing of hardware specialties, not a few of which were his own invention, for he possessed a marked ability along that line. His initiative spirit was displayed in many ways and he came to rank with the foremost residents of Racine. Moreover he had back of hint an ancestry honorable and distinguished and was fortunate in that his lines of life were east in harmony therewith. He was born in Syracuse, New … Read more

Biography of Phillip Eugene Kimpel

Phillip Eugene Kimpel, a highly respected farmer of Mount Pleasant Township, was born in Buffalo, New York, June 18, 1865, a son of George and Mary Magdalena. (Hettenmeyer) Kimpel, whom in the year 1867 came to Racine County, where the father worked at the butcher’s trade until 1885. He then turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed, but in the meantime also conducted a meat market in connection with his son, with whom he is living. He first visited Racine about 1850, but returned to New York, and it was not until many years later that he … Read more

Biography of J. E. Pritchard

J. E. Pritchard has in various ways been connected with the interests of Racine, having previously served as postmaster, while in business affairs his activity has contributed to the general commercial development. Since 1915 he has been engaged in the real estate, insurance and loan business. He was born in this city, March 18, 1872, a son of Elias J. and Martha (Evans) Pritchard, the former a native of North Wales and the latter of South Wales. The paternal grandfather, David Pritchard, who came to Racine in 1845, was a woodworker by trade. He established his home on Grand avenue, … Read more

Biography of Richard R. Birdsall

Richard R. Birdsall, a contractor of Racine whose business has reached satisfying proportions, was born in Toronto, Canada, February 12, 1864, and is a son of William and Mary Jane (Arthurs) Birdsall, the former a farmer by occupation. He obtained a public school education and in his youthful days worked on a farm in Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, but in 1882 arrived in Racine, where he remained for about a year. He then returned to Toronto, where he continued for another year and on the expiration of that period he again came to Racine, where he was married. Once more he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert Wherrey Sr.

Robert Wherrey, Sr., has long been identified with commercial interests in Racine as proprietor of a butcher shop and is well known in the business circles of the city. He was born in New York, April 17, 1848, and is indebted to the common school system of that state for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. When his textbooks were put aside he took up the occupation of farming in New York and was thus engaged until he came to Racine in 1869, when a young man of twenty years. Here he embarked in the butchering business, which he has … Read more

Biography of George Mitchel

George Mitchel, who for twenty-three years has resided upon his present farm in Raymond Township, near Caledonia, has prospered in business because of his close application and untiring energy and a determined purpose to win success if it could be accomplished through diligence and honorable methods. He was born July 8, 1866, in the Township in which he still lives, his parents being Christian and Fredrica (.Minter) Mitchel, both of whom were natives of Germany. The latter was born in 1818, and passed away in 1892, but the mother, whose birth occurred in 1835, is still living. They were married … Read more

Biography of Edward Brice

Edward Brice is the owner of an excellent farm situated on section 7 of Raymond Township and thereon he is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and dairying. His birth occurred in Raymond Township, December 2, 1858, his parents being Thomas and Alice (Drought) Brice. The mother was a native of Ireland but was only two weeks old when she was brought by her family to the new world. Her parents first settled in Canada, where they remained until she was twelve years of age. Mrs. Brice then came to Racine County with her brother, making the journey in an … Read more

Biography of Thomas P. Owens

Almost a quarter of a century has come and gone since Thomas P. Owens departed this life but he is yet remembered as a substantial and valued citizen of Racine County, where for many years he actively and successfully engaged in farming. He was born in Wales, September 20, 1820, a son of Thomas Owens, Sr. In the common schools of Wales he pursued his education and was a man of thirty-one years when in 1851 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He immediately made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Racine County, where … Read more

Biography of William M. Foster

Among the excellent and well equipped printing establishments of Racine is that owned and conducted by William M. Foster under the name of the Lakeside Printing Company. He established the business in 1893 and during the intervening period of twenty-three years has built up a large and gratifying trade, while at all times he has kept his establishment as an exponent of the best in the printing business, his motto being “Printing as you want it, when you want it.” Mr. Foster was born in Walworth County, Wisconsin, August 15, 1862, and is a son of Leonard M. and Martha … Read more

Biography of Henry Crane

Henry Crane, who is engaged in the butchering business in Franksville, has been a lifelong resident of Racine County, his birth having occurred in Dover Township, January 25, 1848. His parents were William and Caroline (Sparks) Crane, both of whom were natives of Somersetshire, England, and about the year 1844 arrived in Racine County, settling in Dover, where the father purchased government land. He had about three hundred acres ere his death, constituting a valuable farming property, which indicated what might be accomplished through energy, determination and close application, for when he came to the new world he was in … Read more

Biography of Nels M. Christensen

Nels M. Christensen, who passed away at his excellent home in Racine after having moved from his farm of two hundred acres in Raymond Township in 1905, was empty-handed and without influential friends when he came to Racine County, Wisconsin, at the age of twenty-two and his success was due entirely to his own efforts. He was born in Denmark, November 10, 1839, and after acquiring a common school education there he worked at farming until 1861, when he immigrated to the United States, making his way at once to Racine County, Wisconsin. For ten years he worked as a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alfred J. Hansche

Alfred J. Hansche, the second son of Frederick J. Hansche, now occupies and cultivates the old home farm in connection with his brother, Samuel H. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, February 28, 1874, and attended the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen or seventeen years. He then went to Racine, where he was employed for nine years in the meat market of A. J. Sheckler but on the expiration of that period he returned to the home farm, of which he has since had charge in connection with his brother. They have carefully and systematically … Read more

Biography of M. O. Mortensen

M. O. Mortensen occupies one of the pioneer brick residences of Racine County, standing in the midst of an excellent farm of one hundred and eighteen acres on section 32, Caledonia Township, and in the conduct of his business affairs he is meeting with substantial and well merited success. His attention is now given to general farming and dairying, but for thirty years he was active in the creamery business. His birth occurred in Denmark on the 17th of March, 1861, his parents being James and Maren (Jensen) Mortensen, both of whom were natives of Denmark, born in 1832 and … Read more

Biography of William W. Storms

William W. Storms, who since January, 1911, has been district attorney in Racine County, was born in Walworth County, Wisconsin, March 22, 1872, a son of Charles L. and Lucia C. (Spoor) Storms. The father, who was born in Wisconsin, was a son of Winslow P. Storms, of New York, who became one of the pioneer settlers of the southern section of this state, where he arrived in the early ’30s. The supremacy of the white man had hardly been established in this district at that period and the work of civilization and development seemed scarcely begun. He aided largely … Read more

Biography of James L. English

One of the most substantial residents of Norway Township is James L. English, who owns and operates a fine farm on section 35. In that Township he was born December 4, 1871, his parents being John and Mary (Quinn) English. The birth of the father occurred in Ireland, June 18, 1831, and in that country the paternal grandfather of our subject spent his entire life. He was a weaver by trade. Coming to the new world when a young man without capital, John English worked his way steadily upward until he was possessor of a good farm in this County. … Read more

Biography of Henry F. Herrick

Henry F. Herrick was formerly engaged in the manufacture of hardware specialties, but since 1909 has lived retired, enjoying well deserved leisure. His birth occurred in Racine on the 10th of November. 1847, and his parents were Charles and Anna (Ball) Herrick, natives respectively of Westford, Massachusetts, and New York. The father became one of the capitalists of Racine, holding title to a large amount of real estate in this city and in the state of Nebraska and elsewhere, and served as vice-president of the First National Bank of Racine. He was always willing to promote the public welfare in … Read more

Biography of Samuel Barnum Walker

Samuel Barnum Walker, who is engaged in general farming on section 19, Mount Pleasant Township, has an excellent tract of land and the soil, naturally rich and productive, readily responds to the care and labor bestowed upon it. For a long period he has made dairying an important feature of his business and in this connection has become widely known. He was born in Leavittsburg, Trumbull County, Ohio, June 20, 1861, a son of John B. and Ellen (Whiteley) Walker, both of whom were natives of England. They came to the United States in 1842 and settled at Elgin, Illinois, … Read more

Biography of Samuel Steele

The demise of Samuel Steele, a well known resident of Mount Pleasant Township, was deeply regretted, for he was recognized as a successful farmer, a good citizen and a man of sterling qualities. He was born in Ireland, December 25, 1822, and began his education there, but when ten years old came to America and for several years attended school in Rochester, New York. In early manhood he took up the profession of school teaching, being so employed in Tennessee for several years and in Racine County, Wisconsin. He arrived here in 1847 and after dividing his time between teaching … Read more

Biography of George Hannaford

George Hannaford, who devotes his undivided time and attention to farming and is now the owner of an excellent tract of eighty acres, on which he is engaged quite extensively in the buying, fattening and selling of beef cattle, was born in Dover Township, January 2, 1858, a son of William and Jeannette (Beaumont) Hannaford. The father was born in Devonshire, England, in 1825, and the mother’s birth occurred in Poughkeepsie, New York. It was in 1848 that William Hannaford arrived in Dover Township and in this County they were married. He was a farmer by occupation and owned and … Read more

Biography of Charles Mason Reed

Charles Mason Reed, who is engaged in farming on section 18, Mount Pleasant Township, was born in Ontario County, New York, and in his youthful days obtained a common school education. He was but seven years of age when he accompanied his parents, Ezra and Emeline Reed, from the east to Wisconsin, the family home being established on the plank road in Mount Pleasant Township. There they lived for a few years and the father conducted a hotel at Ives Grove. Later he purchased a tract of land in Mount Pleasant Township, upon which he resided until 1865, when he … Read more