USA > Wisconsin > Racine County > Racine > Racine, belle city of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 1
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IVK RACINE CO. STONE
LVK (Resma Co
RACINE BELLE CITY OF THE LAKES
AND
RACINE COUNTY
WISCONSIN
A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement
FANNY S. STONE Supervising Editor
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO: THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1916
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 99226B
ACTOIL, LEICH 0 TILDEN KO EDATA. R
1941
BIOGRAPHICAL
HON. T. W. THIESEN.
Hon. T. W. Thiesen, Racine's popular mayor and one of its most efficient and progressive business men, now president of the Red Cross Drug Company, was born in Hamburg, Germany, November 19, 1867, a son of Thies and Emma (Karsten) Thiesen. He began to earn his living when but six years of age as a bootblack and newsboy and afterward became a butcher's apprentice. On the 18th of June, 1884, when a youth of sixteen years, he left Germany and on the 4th of July. 1884, arrived in Racine. Here he secured employment in the drug store of Charles Giesler, with whom he worked for three years at ten dollars per month. He afterward spent one year in Milwaukee, Wiseonsin, where he was employed as a drug clerk, and then, feeling the necessity of further educa- tional development as a preparation for advancement in life, he entered the University of Wisconsin, through which he made his way by practicing strict economy. He had previously saved from his earnings the sum of one hundred and eighty dollars and by living frugally and utilizing every opportunity he managed to complete the course, being graduated from the pharmaceutical de- partment with the class of 1890.
Mr. Thiesen next went to Kansas City, where he spent three weeks, after which he proceeded to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was employed for two and a half years. In September, 1892, with the capital which he had saved from his earnings, he returned to Racine and opened a drug store on State street. The following year he became one of the organizers of the Robinson Drug Company, of which he was the president and general manager. Later its business was reorganized under the name of Kradwell-Thiesen Drug Com- pany, with Mr. Thiesen as the president, in which position he continued from 1896 until he sold out in 1902. He then organized the Reliance Iron & Engine Company and was president of that corporation from 1902 until 1907, when he disposed of his interest in the business. In the meantime, in 1905, he had re- sumed active connection with the drug trade, having in that year organized the Red Cross Drug Company, mention of which is made elsewhere in this volume. He has given his entire attention to the drug business through the intervening years to the present, covering more than a decade, and has de- veloped an enterprise of large and extensive proportions, owning five different drug stores, conducted under the name of the Red Cross Drug Company.
On the 2nd of November, 1892, Mr. Thiesen was united in marriage to Miss Carrie L. Clausen, who was born in Racine, a daughter of Carson and Marion (Anderson) Clausen, who were early settlers of this city, having arrived in
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
1865. The children of this marriage are: Emma, the wife of Dr. G. G. Graham, of Kansas City, Missouri; Loraine, deceased, and Aileen, at home.
Mr. Thiesen is a prominent member of the Benevolent Order of Elks and is the father of the project which resulted in the erection of the Elks building in this city. For three years he served as exalted ruler of the local lodge. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and with the Loyal Order of Moose and his deep interest in the material development of Racine and the extension of its trade relations as well as in its civic projects is indicated by his active membership in the Commercial Club. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party for some years without change. Later he maintained a nonpartisan course, but ever fearless in the expression of his honest convic- tions, his change of opinion concerning political questions and issues has led him to become an advocate of the republican party. He served for thirteen years on the board of education, during which time he was president of the board for two years, and he did work on all important board committees. His efforts in behalf of the educational interests of the city were marked and resultant. It was Mr. Thiesen who was the prime mover in instituting the improvement of the school buildings and yards. He has served on many com- mittees in connection with civic affairs and public welfare, and in April, 1915, his fellow townsmen indicated their appreciation of his services and devotion to the publie good by electing him mayor. As chief executive he has been active in promoting and developing the paving and sewer improvements of the city and in promoting the park interests. He studies closely every question relative to municipal welfare, avoids useless expenditure and as well avoids that needless retrenchment which hampers progress. In a word, his administration is businesslike and practical and substantial results have been accomplished. Mr. Thiesen is widely honored and highly respected. Through early struggles and adversities he has come into a position of prom- inence and of wide influence, acquiring as he has gone along, educational and cultural gifts as well as those material interests which are the basis of life's comforts, and he has accomplished a prodigious amount of work, which has been of worth to the community at large as well as to the individual.
RED CROSS DRUG COMPANY.
The Red Cross Drug Company is one of the strong commercial enterprises of Racine. It was organized in 1905 by T. W. Thiesen, who bought out the Holm- berg-Wichern Company, which was established about 1898 and which at one time owned four drug stores. Another was added in 1906 and business has since been conducted in these five establishments, which bring to the com- pany a very extensive and gratifying trade. Each drug store is splendidly (quipped with the latest and best products of the drug market, a competent force of salesmen and a manager is employed and the personnel of the house, the treatment accorded customers and the excellent line of goods carried insure a continuance of the liberal and well deserved patronage. The policy of the company is most progressive as instituted and carried on by the officers, who
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
have incorporated the business under the Wisconsin state laws. The president of the company is T. W. Thiesen ; vice president, Carrie Thiesen ; secretary and treasurer, O. W. Gertenbach.
MITCHELL-LEWIS MOTOR COMPANY.
The Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company was established under its present form in 1903 by W. T. and W. M. Lewis, who began the manufacture of automobiles, using the motor invented by John W. Bate. Long prior to this the name of Lewis had figured in connection with manufacturing interests in Racine. In 1834 Henry Mitchell, a pioneer wagon manufacturer, had established business here and later was joined in a partnership by his son-in-law, W. T. Lewis, who purchased an interest in the business in 1864. They were manufacturers of farm wagons and after the partnership had been in existence for two years the firm style of Mitchell, Lewis & Company was assumed. Although the company suffered losses through a disastrous fire which completely destroyed their fac- tory in 1880 they at once rebuilt on a larger and better scale and the business was resumed with renewed energy. In 1884 the company was incorporated with Henry Mitchell as president; W. T. Lewis as vice president; Frank L. Mitchell, secretary; C. D. Sinclair, treasurer, and Henry G. Mitchell, super- intendent. This was a close corporation, for aside from the Mitchells, father and son, the other two were sons-in-law of the founder. With changing con- ditions there developed the automobile industry and the Lewis Motor Company sprang into existence. The manufacture of wagons was continued and in 1910 the two companies were merged and consolidated under the style of the Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company. Today they have a plant covering twenty- five or thirty acres and on their pay roll are found the names of two thousand or more men. The buildings are of cement construction, supplied with a sprinkler system and equipped with electric power furnished from a central plant. This is one of the foremost productive industries of Racine, contributing in large measure to the city's reputation as a manufacturing center.
JOHN STOTT BLAKEY.
John Stott Blakey has for many years been prominent in the town of Union Grove, where he is identified with the milling business, with banking and with civic and moral progress. A native of Racine county, he was born within a mile and a half of Union Grove, on the 23rd of September, 1847, a son of Thomas and Mary (Stott) Blakey, both of whom were born in Rochedale, Lancashire, England. The father, whose natal year was 1826, was a son of John and Mary Blakey, the former a butcher by occupation. Thomas Blakey learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some time in England. In 1844 he came with his family to America and after remaining in Lowell, Massachusetts, for a year, removed to Southport, now Kenosha, Wisconsin. A
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
short time later he took up his residence in Yorkville, Racine county. He traveled over the county, making shoes for the early settlers, but at length turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and purchased eighty aeres of land, to which he subsequently added eighty acres more. He passed his last years in Ackley, lowa, his death occurring in 1896. His wife was born in 1822 and was a daughter of John Stott. a spinner by trade. She passed away in 1886 and following her demise Mr. Blakey married Mrs. Rebecca J. Hussey, who still survives. The children of the first marriage were: Emma, the deceased wife of Eugene Riee: Harriet, the widow of John Smith and now a resident of Dover, Racine county; John Stott: Austin, who is successfully engaged in mining in Leadville, Colorado; Alvin, a real estate dealer of Chi- cago ; Darius, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, who is engaged in various lines of business ; Charles, a real estate dealer of Estherville and a retired farmer and stock raiser. and Mrs. Jane Goldsworthy, a widow residing in Union Grove. The father was a republican in politics and in religious faith was a Methodist. He was very active in church work and for a number of years was a local preacher.
John S. Blakey received a good common school education in Raeine county and also attended the R. C. Spencer Business College at Milwaukee. Early in life he learned the miller's trade and for seven years was employed at Rochester, Wisconsin, but at the end of that time came to Union Grove. In 1875 he began business here on his own account, but later returned to Roch- ester, where he remained for two years, being a member of the firm of Russell & Blakey. At the end of that time he eame again to Union Grove and has sinee engaged in milling here. He pays careful attention to every detail of the business, is alert and aggressive and keeps in touch with the latest de- velopments in the trade. He has also bought stock, wool and grain to some extent and has a number of other business interests. He is president of the State Bank of Union Grove, which he aided in organizing, and of the Union Grove Telephone Company.
Mr. Blakey was married on the 23rd of May, 1876, to Miss Mary Brush. who was born in Elyria, Lorain county, Ohio, of the marriage of John and Permelia (Alcott) Brush, also natives of that county. Her paternal grand- parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth Brush, both reached an advanced age and her paternal great grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Blakey, who was left an orphan at an early age, came to Wisconsin with an unele and for several years engaged in teaching school. She is an accomplished musician and has sung many times in public. Mr. and Mrs. Blakey have one son, Hal- bert Brush, who was educated in the University of Chicago and Rush Medical College and is now one of the leading physicians of Columbus, Ohio. He makes a specialty of the treatment of diseases of the lungs and has gained high stand- ing in his chosen profession. He, too, has musical talent and is not only a fine pianist but also composed the music for the comic opera given in 1904 by the Blackfriars, a student organization of the University of Chicago.
Mr. Blakey's political beliefs are in accord with the principles and policies of the republican party, but he frequently votes independently, believing that the qualifications of a candidate are of much greater moment than his party affiliation. He has served as a member of the school board and as town clerk and in 1892 was elected president of the village board of Union Grove and for
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
fourteen successive years held that office. In 1904 he was chosen a delegate to the state convention of the republican party and his advice has often been sought in party councils. A leading member of the Congregational church of Union Grove, for twenty years he served in the office of clerk and for a similar period was superintendent of the Sunday school. He is also president of the Delavan Lake Assembly Association and for almost thirty years he has been either president or vice president of the Old Settlers' Society, now filling the office of president. Fraternally he is connected with Purity Lodge, No. 39. 1. O. O. F., with the Daughters of Rebekah, to which his wife also belongs, and with Grove Camp, No. 370, M. W. A. In addtion to his other activities he has served as president of the Commercial Club and there have been few movements for the promotion of the public welfare that have not profited by his advice and his active support. He possesses the quality of leadership and in all of the lines of endeavor to which he has turned his attention his ability has been recognized by his fellows.
W. A. CRANE.
W. A. Crane is now living retired, his home being at No. 1654 College avenue in Racine. For many years, however, he was actively identified with farming and dairying interests in this county and his persistent and intelli- gently directed efforts constituted the foundation upon which he built his success. He was born in the town of Mount Pleasant, Racine county, Sep- tember 11, 1844, a son of Augustus B. and Lavina (Baldwin) Crane. The father was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was early left an orphan, after which he was reared by an uncle. It was in the year 1839 that he arrived in Racine county, at which period the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun here. At the Rapids, in January, 1843, he wedded Lavina Baldwin, wi ... was born near Syracuse, New York, and whose parents removed with their family from the Empire state to Kalamazoo, Michigan, making the journey around the Lakes with ox teams and in 1842 coming from Kalamazoo to Wis- consin. The young couple began their domestic life in Mount Pleasant town- ship, where they spent their remaining days. Mr. Crane secured a tract of new land from which he cleared the timber and then turned the furrows, whereby the place was converted into productive fields. Throughout his re- maining days he continuously and successfully carried on general farming up to the time of his death, which occurred February 15, 1908. He was quite prominent in the community and was frequently called upon to fill public offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. His widow survived him for little more than a year, passing away in April, 1909. their remains being interred in Mound cemetery.
W. A. Crane pursued his education in the district school at Mygatts Cor- ners and remained upon the home farm until February 10, 1865, when he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting for three years' service or during the war. He was at the front for about five months, being on patrol duty in Tennessee until he received his discharge. When the country no
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
longer needed his aid he returned and began farming in Mount Pleasant town- ship. near the city of Racine. Thirty-eight years ago he built a house and purchased forty acres of land, to which he added until he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. Upon that farmi he continued to reside until 1896, when he took up his abode in the city, but during much of the inter- vening period he has given his time and personal attention to the further cultivation and improvement of the farm. For thirty-five years he was en- gaged in the dairy business, but in the fall of 1915 he retired to enjoy a well earned rest. He has sold forty acres of his land and it is platted in town lots. and recently he has platted another forty-acre tract. From the sale of his property he has derived a very gratifying income and he well deserves the success which has crowned his efforts, as it is the direct result of persistency of purpose intelligently and honorably directed.
In 1867 Mr. Crane was united in marriage to Miss Laura T. Lathrop, a daughter of A. H. Lathrop. They have become the parents of six children. as follows: Louise C .. who is the wife of Mark Wadmond, teller in the First National Bank of Racine; George A., who is head salesman in the service of the Garfield Truck Company of Chicago; Genevieve and Charles A., both at home : H. W., who conducts a garage in Chicago, and Lucy, deceased.
In politics Mr. Crane has been a lifelong republican, as was his father before him. His loyalty to his party has ever been unwavering. for he believes that its platform contains the best elements of good government. On one occasion he served as a member of the town board, but would not again accept office, preferring to leave office holding to others, while he has concentrated his efforts upon his business affairs. He is a member of the Baptist church, in which he has served as deacon for a number of years, and he has also been one of the directors of the church at Mygatts Corners, which he aided in build- ing and which was dedicated in 1858. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and at one time was commander of his post. The name of Crane has been closely, prominently and honorably associated with the history of Racine county since his father, at the age of sixteen years. arrived here, afterward serving as clerk in the first postoffice in Racine. W. A. Crane has ever manifested a spirit of enterprise and progress in relation to the public life of the community and his efforts have been far-reaching and bene- ficial.
WILLIAM TURNOR LEWIS.
When death called William Turnor Lewis on the 30th of December, 1915, Racine lost one of its prominent pioneer manufacturers and capitalists, a man who was freely accorded honor and respect, not only because of the success which he had achieved, but also on account of the straightforward and com- mendable business principles which he always followed and the spirit of help- fulness which he manifested throughout his entire life. He never deviated from a course which he believed to be right in all of his relations with his fellowmen and his memory remains both as an inspiration and a benediction of those with whom he was associated,
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
A native of New York, Mr. Lewis was born in Utica on the 10th of March, 1840, and received his early education in that eity. In 1855, when a boy of fifteen, he became a resident of Racine and at an early age studied telegraphy under the guidance of his older brother, James F. Lewis, who afterward became chief justice of the supreme court of Nevada. At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Lewis was manager of the Racine office of the Western Union Tele- graph Company and handled hundreds of messages relative to the great con- fliet. He soon enlisted in the Federal Military Telegraph Corps and was sta- tioned at Cartersville, Georgia, at the headquarters of the Fifteenth Army Corps as military telegraph operator and railroad agent.
On the 27th of October, 1864, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Mary Isabel Mitchell, a daughter of Henry Mitehell, deceased, who was the founder, in 1834, of the business which later was incorporated as the Mitchell & Lewis Company, Ltd., manufacturers of the famous Mitchell wagon. Toward the close of the Civil war Mr. Lewis was offered by his father-in-law, Henry Mitchell, a one-third interest in the wagon business for five thousand dollars and the offer was accepted. C. D. Sinclair, another son-in-law, since deceased. also became a one-third owner a year or two later, the net worth of the busi- ness then being about $10,000. It was from this small beginning that Raeine's notable wagon industry grew. After the Civil war, many of the soldiers pur- chased government lands in the western states and the demand for farm implements, such as wagons and plows, rapidly increased, and it was then that Messrs. Henry Mitchell, W. T. Lewis and C. D. Sinelair decided to push the production of farm wagons as fast as their capital would permit. In the '70s Henry G. Mitchell, since deceased, and Frank L. Mitchell, sons of Henry Mitchell, joined the organization. By 1884 the business had grown to such an extent that it was incorporated under the name of Mitehell & Lewis Company, Ltd., with capital stock of six hundred thousand dollars all paid in and a sur- plus of fifty thousand dollars. The company made money every year and paid dividends, leaving the larger part of the earnings in the business. By 1900 the capital and surplus amounted to one million eight hundred thousand dollars and the capacity of the factory had grown from three hundred farm wagons per year in 1866 to twenty-five thousand per year in 1900.
In 1903 Mr. Lewis and his son, William Mitehell Lewis, founded the Mitchell Motor Car Company which under their guidance had an even more remarkable growth than had the wagon business. In the establishment and direction of this enterprise pace was kept with the changing and advancing conditions of the day and an automobile was put on the market which imme- diately won favor and popularity and its sales became not only country-wide. but international in scope. In 1910 the automobile and the wagon businesses were incorporated as one company, known as the Mitchell-Lewis Motor Com- pany, and Mr. Lewis was the principal owner and actively engaged in the conduet of its affairs up to the time of his death. Mr. Lewis, with his son, William Mitchell Lewis, was also the founder of one other of Raeine's most important industries, namely, the Racine Rubber Company. He was always known as a practical business man, energetic, prompt and reliable. With clear insight he recognized the possibilities of a business situation, as evidenced by the industries which he founded and for which he successfully labored, and
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
he used the forees at his command to the best possible advantage. His methods were always constructive and he never promoted his own interests to the detriment of his associates or his fellowmen.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were born two daughters and two sons: Mary I., the wife of Dr. George W. Mosher, a practicing physician of Chicago; William Mitchell Lewis, mentioned elsewhere in this work; Helen Turnor, the wife of George B. Wilson, who is also mentioned on another page of this volume, and James Henry, who died in infancy.
Mr. Lewis belonged to various fraternal organizations, having membership in Belle City Lodge. No. 18. F. & A. M., while in the consistory he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He also belonged to Racine Lodge, No. 252, B. P. O. E., and was one of the early members of Racine Lodge, No. 32, K. P. He was one of the charter members of the Racine branch of the Young Men's Christian Association. In matters of citizenship Mr. Lewis took the deepest interest. He was a prominent republican and represented the first district of Wisconsin in the general assembly of 1897. He was a delegate to the national republican convention of 1888 and to the National Tariff Com- mission Congress of 1909. While a member of the general assembly, he was the author of the Lewis primary election bill. and as a member of the visiting committee of state institutions took a deep interest in the subject of prison reform. He also served for a term or two as a member of the city council. His interest in politics, however, was not that of an office seeker, as he always preferred that his public duties should be done as a private citizen.
Mr. Lewis gave generous, helpful and moral support to every worthy project for the upbuilding of city and state, and he was one of the oldest and most loyal members of the First Baptist church, in which for many years he served as superintendent of the Sunday school, deacon and trustee. It is not difficult to speak of him, for his life and his character were as clear as the sunlight. No man came in contact with him who did not speedily appreciate him at his true worth and know that he was a man who not only cherished a high ideal of duty but lived up to it. He constantly labored for the right and from his earliest youth devoted a large portion of his time to the service of others. While at the head of large business interests which he conducted successfully. it was nevertheless his rules to set apart time for the labors of love to which he was so devoted. His friends will miss him, but the memory of his honor- able career, of his sincerity and simplicity, will not be forgotten, and those who knew him best will rejoice in the thought that he laid down his task in the twilight of the day, when all that he had to do had been nobly, beautifully and fully completed.
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