Wisconsin

Biography of John Kearney

John Kearney, who is engaged in farming in Raymond Township, was born in Racine on the 5th of September, 1850, a son of Michael and Mary Ann (Whaley) Kearney. The father was born in Rose Green, Ireland, September 29, 1818, and when a youth of sixteen years crossed the Atlantic, working in New York for a time. He afterward removed to Washtenaw County, Michigan, and still later purchased an interest in a milling company in Muskegon. Michigan. The business venture there met with failure, however, and he removed to Racine. Willing to take any work that would yield him an … Read more

Biography of John F. Cheves

The fanning interests of Norway Township have a worthy representative in John F. Cheves, who owns and operates a well improved farm on section 35. He has been a lifelong resident of that Township, his birth occurring there on the 4th of March, 1852. His parents, Patrick Gray and Elizabeth (Smith) Chews, were both natives of Aberdeen, Scotland, but were married in Kenosha, Wisconsin, having come to America in early life. The father was born in 1833 and was only eight years of age when he became a resident of Racine County in 1841. A year later he located upon … Read more

Biography of Lucius S. Blake

Upon the pioneer history of Racine is written the name of Lucius S. Blake, a name that is closely associated with its annals and one that was ever synonymous with progress and improvement. He was descended from New England ancestry, the line being traced back through successive generations to Bradbury Blake, a native of New Hampshire, who married Sarah Hilton and removed to Vermont where their son, Captain Levi Blake, was born and reared. He removed to Erie County, New York, then the far west, and in that locality wedded Mary Sanford, a native of the Empire state. At the … Read more

Biography of James Cape, Sr.

In taking up the history of James Cape, Sr., we present to our readers the life record of a substantial citizen whose well directed efforts brought to him all of the success which he enjoyed. His was an active and useful life and his record illustrates what can be accomplished when perseverance and determination point out the way. He was a native of England, where his parents lived and died. He was reared in that country, was married there and in 1853 came to the United States, landing at New York city. He had learned the trade of shoemaking in … Read more

Biography of William E. Lewis

Although William E. Lewis was long associated with agricultural interests of this County, he is now residing retired in the city of Racine, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He has passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life’s journey, his birth having occurred in Putnam County. New York, June 6, 1842, his parents being Alfred and Jane (Barrett) Lewis, both of whom died during the early youth of their son, William. In the year 1834 William E. Lewis, then a youth of twelve years, and his brother, Alfred L., came west with Nathan Howes, one of … Read more

Biography of William H. Carpenter

For twenty years William H. Carpenter has been engaged in the real estate business on his own account in Racine and is now senior partner in the firm of Carpenter & Rowland with offices at 610 Main Street. He was born in Manteno, Illinois, September 10, 1872, a son of William I. and Eva M. (Shaw) Carpenter, who were natives of New York and of Maine, respectively. In early life they became residents of Illinois, and on the 1st of September, 1874, removed to Racine. The father was a tinsmith by trade and for many years was employed by the … Read more

Biography of Frank Washburn Starbuck

Frank Washburn Starbuck, president of The Journal Printing Company of Racine, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 8th of November. 1845, a son of Calvin W. Starbuck, owner and editor of the Cincinnati Times during the Civil war, at which period it was one of the strong forces in molding public opinion. Frank W. Starbuck spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native city and obtained his education and preliminary training in connection with the printing business there, but became a resident of Racine in 1873, when a young man of twenty-eight years. The purpose of … Read more

Biography of George C. Petersen

George C. Petersen, who for twenty years has been engaged in the agricultural implement business on Twelfth street, Racine, has also operated quite extensively in the field of real estate, laying out two additions to the city and otherwise contributing to public progress through his real estate operations. He was born in Denmark, September 17, 1853, a son of Peter and Mary Ann (Thomson) Petersen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. Remaining there to the age of nineteen years, George C. Petersen then came to the United States and after working for a time at Homewood, Illinois, spent one … Read more

Biography of W. J. Jandl

W. J. Jandl, engaged in the real estate business in Racine, was born in Bohemia September 7, 1864, a son of Hynek and Magdeline (Korab) Jandl. The paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Hynek Jandl, was born in 1797, and served as a soldier in some of the European wars. Both the parents of W. J. Jandl are now deceased. It was in the year 1881 that W. J. Jandl came to Racine, being then a youth of seventeen years. His financial condition was such as to render employment an immediate necessity and he began work with the … Read more

Biography of Hans P. Hansen

Hans P. Hansen, who carries on general farming in Raymond Township, near Franksville, is the owner of one hundred and forty-two acres of rich, arable land, in the midst of which stands one of the beautiful country residences of Racine County. Mr. Hansen may well be proud of his attractive home, as it is an indication of his intelligently directed energy and thrift. He was born in Denmark, July 5, 1869, and is a son of Nels and Jennie (Hansen) Hansen, who always remained residents of Denmark, the former born in 1838 and the latter in 1835. The father is … Read more

Biography of H. E. Kastensen

The rich farming country near Franksville contains many excellent properties, among which is the Evergreen Lawn Farm, the home place of H. E. Kastensen, who has resided thereon since 1886, purchasing a tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, which has responded readily and richly to the care that he has bestowed upon it. To other fields of labor he has also extended his efforts and is regarded as a wide-awake, alert and progressive business man. He was born in Denmark, February 10, 1852, a son of Kastensen Ericksen and Laura Kastensen, who were also natives of Denmark, … Read more

Biography of Andrew Bennett

A well improved and highly cultivated farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Norway Township pays tribute to Andrew Bennett in return for the care and labor he expends upon it. His home is pleasantly located on section 36 and is a beautiful country residence erected in 1903. It is two stories in height and contains twelve rooms attractively furnished and supplied with all modern conveniences, including running water. Mr. Bennett has spent his entire life in Norway Township, where he was born March 4, 1854, a son of Edward and Mary (Shields) Bennett, natives of County Westmeath, Ireland. … Read more

Biography of Dennis E. Fitzgerald

Dennis E. Fitzgerald, who on the 1st of May, 1912, was made city sealer of weights and measures and has continued in this position through the intervening years, was born in Racine, May 1, 1881, a son of Morris and Mary (Green) Fitzgerald, both of whom were natives of Ireland. As young people, they came to the United States and were married at Fall River, Massachusetts. At the time of the Civil war the father served the Union cause as a member of the navy. In 1880 he came to Racine, where he engaged in business as a contractor in … Read more

Biography of James Murphy

James Murphy is now living retired in Racine but for many years actively engaged in business as a hardware merchant. He has been a lifelong resident of the city in which he makes his home. His birth having here occurred September 1, 1852. His parents were John and Nary S. (Atkey) Murphy, the former a native of County Mayo, Ireland, while the latter was born on the Isle of Wight. They were married in Rome, Italy, and the mother, who had formerly been an Episcopalian, became a convert to the Catholic faith in Rome. In 1848 they arrived in Racine … Read more

Biography of Edward A. Bishop

Edward A. Bishop, importer, publisher and jobber of souvenir post cards and dealer in display stands and fixtures at Racine, is prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of the city, where he has developed a trade of very substantial proportions. He was born in the town of Somers, February 18, 1859, a son of Abram T. and Mary (Hulbert) Bishop. The father was born in Ohio, in 1835, and the mother was born the same year, of Vermont parentage. Abram T. Bishop is a brother of Isaac T. Bishop, of Somers. Wisconsin, who at one time was … Read more

Biography of Roy A. Spencer

Roy A. Spencer, president of the Western Printing & Lithographing Company, was born in Mount Pleasant Township, Racine County, November 7, 1881, a son of William D. and Louise (De Groat) Spencer, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Mount Pleasant Township, this County, being a representative of one of its old families. Her parents, Albert and Abbie Jane De Groat, arrived in this County from Connecticut about 1831, when civilization had scarcely extended her borders over the district. In fact it seemed that the work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun. … Read more

Biography of Joseph C. Carroll

Joseph C. Carroll, who for thirty years was identified with the business interests of Racine and was recognized as a man of strict business integrity as well as of ability, was born in Racine December 25, 1850, and was a son of the late Michael W. Carroll, one of the ablest attorneys and school teachers of the state and also a veteran of the Civil war. Joseph C. Carroll acquired his early education in the public schools and high school of Racine and manifested unusual aptitude in his studies, so that he became well equipped for life’s practical and responsible … Read more

Biography of P. H. Connolly

P. H. Connolly, who has the second longest record of continuous service of all the city engineers of Wisconsin, came to his present office in 1899 and has remained the incumbent through the intervening period, now covering seventeen years. He was born in Rochester, New York. April 24, 1863, and is a son of Patrick and Eliza (Beaumont) Connolly. The father is a native of County Westmeath, Ireland, while the mother’s birth occurred in Centerville, Michigan. The father was a wagon maker by trade and came to Racine in 1863. In 1861 he moved his family to Racine. He has … Read more

Biography of Lillian Watts

Miss Lillian Watts, the most prominent figure in musical circles in Racine and widely known in this connection elsewhere, is identified with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, the Marquette Conservatory of Music, and is also director of music in the public schools of Racine. She is a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. and a daughter of Ebenezer and Eleanor (Jones) Watts, both of ‘whom were natives of Wales, and the father came of Scotch-Welsh parentage, in early manhood Ebenezer Watts came to the United States and in 1850 went to California, remaining upon the Pacific coast for five years, after which … Read more

Biography of Guy A. Benson

Among the younger representatives of the Racine bar whose professional course has been marked by substantial and consecutive progress is numbered Guy A. Benson, who was graduated from the law department of the State University in 1909. He has been a lifelong resident of this state, his birth having occurred in Iola, Wisconsin, May 31, 1885. his parents being Ole and Andrea (Olson) Benson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The paternal grandfather, Bendt Hanson, brought his family to the United States in 1864, establishing his home upon a farm at Iola, Wisconsin, where he reared his family. The … Read more