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 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
Upon the home farm the last named passed the days of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmer lads. He began his education in the district school and later attended Rochester Academy. For a number of years he gave his father the benefit of his services upon the home farm and
94
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
since starting out in life for himself has continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of land which he has placed under excellent cultivation and which is improved with a beau- tiful brick residence and splendid buildings. This is his father's old home- stead and it is one of the best farms in the locality. Mr. Apple follows dairy- ing to some extent and for this purpose keeps full blooded Durham cattle.
In 1905 Mr. Apple was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Smith, a daughter of John H. Smith, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Dover town- ship. To this union four children have been born: Harold, Boyd, Alma and Eugene, all at home. The family attend the Methodist church and Mr. Apple holds membership in the Masonic lodge at Waterford. In his political affilia- tions he is a democrat and he is justly regarded as one of the leading citizens of Norway township.
JOHN MARTIN.
John Martin, a retired farmer, living in Union Grove, holds title to two hundred and sixty acres of good land in the county and is also financially in- terested in The Greenhouse and in the Union Grove Milling Company. A native of Cornwall, England, he was born on the 11th of August. 1849. of the marriage of Joseph and Amy (Tucker) Martin, also natives of that country, where the father engaged in farming. In their family were four children, of whom two survive, John and Joseph, the latter farming in Con- necticut. The parents were communicants of the Episcopal church and were actively interested in its work. Both grandfathers of our subject. John Martin and Robert Tucker, passed their entire lives in England.
John Martin of this review received a good education in England and remained there until 1868, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. In September he located at Union Grove, Racine county, Wisconsin, and began working as a farm hand for an uncle. Subsequently he rented land for a time and later purchased a tract of land to which he added as he could. He now owns two hundred and sixty acres. all of which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. He raised the usual crops and also engaged in dairying to a considerable extent, beginning to ship milk to Chicago at the time of the World's Fair and continuing to do so until he retired from active life, in 1913. He then built a good residence. in Union Grove, where he has since lived. He believes in supporting local enterprises and has invested in The Green- house, of which he is treasurer, and in the Union Grove Milling Com- pany, of which he is president. Both of these concerns are in a prosperous condition and return good dividends to their stockholders. He is likewise a director of the Yorkville and Mount Pleasant Insurance Company.
Mr. Martin was married on the 29th of March, 1876, to Miss Helen Monroe, a daughter of Donald and Helen (Urquhart) Monroe, natives of Scotland, who settled in Racine county, Wisconsin. upon coming to the United States. The father followed the stonemason's trade in Scotland, but after locating in this county homesteaded government land. He farmed for many years and passed
95
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
away on the home place at an advanced age. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom Mrs. Martin, the youngest daughter, is a native of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have become the parents of five children, namely : James M., who attended the State Agricultural College at Madison and who is now farming in Dover township; Joseph H., a graduate of Lawrence College at Appleton and now employed in the First National Bank at Racine ; Arthur W., who supplemented his high school education by a commercial course and is now employed in a railroad office in Port Arthur, Canada ; Donald, who is also a graduate of the high school and of a commercial college and is operating his father's farm, and Mark H., who graduated from high school and subsequently attended commercial college and who is now a book- keeper in Kenosha.
Mr. Martin is a prohibitionist in his political belief and has taken quite an active part in public affairs. He has served as a member of the town board of Union Grove and is now president of that body. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and he is filling the position of president of the board of trustees and stewards. For twenty-five years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school and for a similar length of time his wife has been secretary of the Ladies' Aid Society. He has also given much time to educational matters, as for thirty years he was treasurer of the school dis- trict, during which time he did much to promote the advancement of the schools. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen. His many admirable qualities have gained him a host of warm friends and he is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Union Grove.
JOHN H. LIEGLER.
John H. Liegler, who for fifteen years has engaged in law practice in Racine, having been admitted to the bar in 1899, has made steady progress in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit, effort and ability. Racine numbers Mr. Liegler among her native sons. He was born March 12, 1874, his parents being John and Fanny (Pollock) Liegler. The former was a son of John Liegler, who was born in Bohemia and was of French descent, the ancestry being traced back in Bohemia to the year 1730. It was in 1854 that the grandfather crossed the Atlantic to the new world. settling in Racine. He was a man of scholarly attainments, speaking eight different languages. By trade he was a furrier and established one of the first houses of this city, a business which is still continued by his son and namesake, John, who has long been prominent in business circles of Racine. Mrs. Fanny Liegler died in June, 1891.
At the usual age John H. Liegler became a pupil in the public schools of Racine, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school, after which he attended McMynn Academy. He afterward entered the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1896. For two years thereafter he was a student in the law department of that school and for five years served as a clerk in the municipal court, which greatly
96
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
promoted his knowledge of legal principles and practice. At the same time he read law and in 1899 was admitted to the Wisconsin bar, opening an office in Racine, and has since concentrated his efforts upon his profession, in which he has made steady progress.
On the 17th of September, 1915, Mr. Liegler was married to Miss Gertrude P. Houser, of Colorado. In his political views he is a democrat but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He is identified with various fraternal organizations, including the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Eagles and the Moose and he closely adheres to the beneficent spirit which underlies those societies.
GEORGE T. CAYSTILE.
George T. Caystile, who has been treasurer and manager of the Carroll Coal Company since its organization in 1910, was born in Sheboygan Falls. Wisconsin, December 13, 1868, a son of Robert and Hannah (Nield) Cay- stile. The father was a native of the Isle of Man and in his boyhood was brought to the United States, after which he learned and followed the mould- er's trade. At an early period in the development of Racine he removed west- ward to this city. He married Hannah Nield. a daughter of James Nield, who was one of the first meat packers of Wisconsin and at one time conducted a prospered as the years passed on and later he retired from that field of activ- ity, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. At a subsequent date, how- ever, Mr. Nield again took up his abode in Racine, where he lived retired from active business cares throughout his remaining days. He was, however, retail meat market on Main street in Racine. Mr. Nield's business affairs a prominent factor in the building operations which brought about the de- velopment of the northwestern part of Racine and in many ways was closely connected with the progress and improvement of city and county. Robert Caystile served throughout the Civil war, having enlisted at Sheboygan Falls. Wisconsin. as a member of Company K. Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, with which command he rendered signal service to his country in defending the Union. He died at Racine, December 8. 1886, and Mrs. Caystile is still living, being one of the oldest residents of the city.
Although born in Sheboygan Falls. George T. Caystile has spent the greater part of his life in Racine and is indebted to its public school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. His textbooks, however, were put aside when he reached the age of fourteen years, for at that time he became an employe of the firm of E. L. Hedstrom & Company, dealers in coal. He has since been connected with the business, covering a period of more than a third of a century. He has remained through the various changes which have occurred in ownership, and when the Carroll Coal Company was organ- ized, on the 1st of May, 1910, successors to Joseph C. Carroll, he was elected treasurer and manager and has since been active in directing the operations of the company. This is one of the foremost enterprises of the kind in Racine, their annual sales reaching a large figure. They deal in anthracite and
97
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
bituminous coal, also in coke and wood, and from the beginning they have conducted their business in recognition of the policy that "satisfied customers are the best advertisement."
On the 6th of December, 1893, Mr. Caystile was united in marriage to Miss Anna Reid, of Racine, a daughter of W. A. and Mary (Nixon) Reid. The Nixons were pioneer residents of this county and secured government land near Hood's Creek. To Mr. and Mrs. Caystile have been born two daughters, Helen and Geraldine. Fraternally Mr. Caystile is an Elk and is also con- nected with the Royal Arcanum and the Royal League, being advisory archon of the latter. In politics he maintains a non-partisan course at local elections, while at national elections he votes with the democratic party. He prefers that his duties of citizenship shall be done as a private citizen rather than an office holder and since starting out in business life on his own account has con- centrated his efforts upon his daily duties in that connection. He has always been associated with the coal trade and his knowledge of the business in principle and detail is comprehensive and exact, while the spirit of enterprise and laudable ambition that has ever actuated him has brought him to the goal of success.
THE CARROLL COAL COMPANY.
The Carroll Coal Company, one of the foremost enterprises of this char- acter operating in Racine, was organized on the 1st of May, 1910, succeeding to the business of Joseph C. Carroll, who in turn was the successor of the firm of E. L. Hedstrom & Company, who about 1886 embarked in the coal, coke and wood business. The enterprise has since had a continuous existence and the trade has developed to large proportions. The present officers of the Carroll Company are : Fred C. Best, president; Douglas F. MeKey, secretary, and George T. Caystile, treasurer and manager. The yards and main office are situated at 931 Erie street, with a branch office at No. 423 Main street. The yards cover about seventeen city lots. The company owns it dockage, receiv- ing all hard coal by boat, and other excellent shipping facilities are secured through trackage of the Northwestern and St. Paul railroad companies. They employ from fifteen to thirty-five men and have team delivery. Their business has now reached extensive proportions, making theirs one of the foremost commercial enterprises of the city.
WILLIAM J. HARVEY.
There are few cities which owe their existence to a single manufacturing or industrial enterprise but rather to the aggregation of many business interests. Yet among these there are always some that stand out prominently as most potent factors in the commercial growth and prosperity of the community. Such a place in Racine circles is that occupied by the Harvey Spring Company.
98
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
of which William J. Harvey is the president and whose well defined efforts have been a most potent force in bringing about the development and conse- quent success of the concern of which he is now the directing head. He comes from another manufacturing center-the city of Leeds, in Yorkshire, England, where his birth occurred June 11, 1846. His father, Thomas Harvey, was born on the Isle of Guernsey and was a son of John Harvey, whose birth occurred in Cornwall, England, where he resided until a few years after his marriage, when he removed to Guernsey, there passing away at the age of forty-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Guille, came of a family whose members were noted for longevity. She reached the age of ninety-nine years and five months, while one of her daughters attained the remarkable old age of one hundred and eleven years, dying April 4, 1903, while another passed away at the age of ninety years and still another at the age of eighty-nine.
Thomas Harvey, the father of William J. Harvey, became a merchant of Leeds, where he resided until 1849, when he crossed the Atlantic with his fam- ily and established his home in Racine, where for some years he conducted a planing mill. Prior to his death, however, he retired from active business and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. In his native country he had married Jane Payne, a native of Jersey, as was her father, Francis Payne. Serving as justice of the peace, he was known in his locality as Judge Payne, and he passed away in Jersey in old age. He had married a Miss Journeaux and they became the parents of thirteen children, including the daughter Jane, who became the wife of Thomas Harvey. While in his native country Thomas Harvey had served as a member of the Guernsey militia. Both were members of the Church of England and passed away in that faith, the latter in 1860, at the age of fifty-one years, and the former in 1876. when in his seventy-third year. They had a family of four children : Elizabeth, who became the wife of James Bennett, of Portland, Oregon, but is now deceased; Thomas F., who has passed away; Edward G., living in Re- public, Washington, and William J.
The last named was a little lad of but three summers when his parents took passage on the sailing vessel called The New World and came with their chil- dren to America, landing on the eastern coast after a six weeks' voyage. They at once made their way in the interior of the country, however, settling in Racine county, and William J. Harvey was reared in the village of Thompson- ville. There he attended the public schools and later became a student in Racine College. For twelve years he engaged in general merchandising in Thompsonville and then turned to general agricultural pursuits, to which he devoted a similar period. At the end of that time he took up manufacturing, beginning the work of making bolster springs for wagons, and in the inter- vening period he has built up a trade of large proportions, now manufacturing high-grade vehicle springs of all kinds. He has a large factory situated at No. 1700 Seventeenth street and employs a force of one hundred and seventy workmen. In the beginning he did all of the work himself and the growth of his patronage is indicated by the number now on the pay roll. His plans have ever been carefully formulated and promptly executed and today his output is shipped over the entire United States, Canada and Mexico. In
99
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
addition to his other interests he is a director of the First National Bank of Racine.
In 1871 Mr. Harvey was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Schickel, a daughter of Joseph Schiekel. They have become the parents of eight children. but lost their first born, Jane, at the age of about three years. William, the eldest son, who married Jane Briggs, has become interested in the Harvey Spring Company, of which he is now the secretary and treasurer. Richard is engaged in the practice of law in Racine. Edward is superintendent of the factory. Harriet is engaged in teaching in the Racine high school. Elizabeth married Dr. Carl M. Schwendener, of Milwaukee. Harold is in the factory. Ruth is at home. Five of the children, William, Richard, Edward, Harriet and Elizabeth, are graduates of the University of Wisconsin. The family reside at No. 2002 Washington avenue, where Mr. Harvey erected a fine resi- dence, and in addition he owns other real estate in Racine. He has always been interested in the cause of education and while living upon the farm served as clerk of the school board, while for twenty-two years he has been a members of the board of education in Racine. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Epis- copal church, both he and his wife being consistent and active members of the First Methodist church of Racine. His has been an active and useful life marked by steady progress resulting from the wise utilization of his time, his talents and his opportunities.
B. H. MEYERS.
B. H. Meyers, president and treasurer of the B. H. Meyers Company, has the oldest and largest business in monument and tile work in Racine, the steady development of his trade bringing him a substantial income which places him among the representative business men of the city and one whose interests contribute to public prosperity as well as to individual success. He was born in MeHenry, Illinois, a son of Theodore and Susan Meyers, both of whom were natives of Germany. After coming to the new world they re- mained residents of Illinois until called to their final rest.
B. H. Meyers was educated in the schools of his native state and eame to Raeine in 1889 after having previously learned the marble cutter's trade in Illinois. Here he entered the employ of Mrs. M. A. Paddock, with whom he remained for a year and then became a partner in the business under the firm name of Paddoek & Meyers. This relation was maintained until 1904, after which it became the Paddoek & Meyers Company. This association was main- tained until February 27, 1909, when the business was reorganized under the name of the B. H. Meyers Company, of which he is the president and treasurer, with Katie Meyers as vice president and Matt Starke as secretary. In this connection he is engaged in the monument and tile works, selling to the local trade, and the business is now extensive and important, for the output repre- sents the highest elass of workmanship in that line.
In politics Mr. Meyers is a republican and for fourteen consecutive years
99226B
100
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
has served on the election board. He is a member of the Commercial Club and he stands for all those things which are most worth while in the life of the community and in the development of the city. His business career illus- trates what may be accomplished when energy and determination point out the way. He has worked untiringly, never afraid of that laborious attention to details which is so necessary to success.
HON. ELLSWORTH BURNETT BELDEN.
Hon. Ellsworth Burnett Belden has carved his name high on the keystone of the legal arch of Wisconsin. He has the distinction of being the youngest man ever elected county judge in the state. and in January. 1902, he was elected judge of the circuit court, being then but thirty-six years of age. He has left the impress of his individuality upon professional, political and busi- ness interests of county and state and his record at all times has conferred honor upon the district which has honored him. The early development of high ideals, to which he has ever strictly adhered, has made him a successful business man and distinguished judge. He was born on the 18th of May, 1866, in Rochester, Racine county, his parents being Henry W. and Emily F. (Brown) Belden, the former a son of the Hon. Philo Belden, who at one time was state senator and judge of Racine county. The family was established in this county during the period of its pioneer development, and Henry W. was here born in 1840. With the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services to the government in defence of the Union, becoming a private of the Twenty- fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Promotion. however, brought him to the rank of captain and he was in command of his company at the close of the war. When his military aid was no longer needed, he became a merchant of Milwaukee, where he conducted a book and stationery store, but after many years successful connection with the trade he retired from business life. He married Emily F. Brown, daughter of Ezra Brown, and they became the parents of three sons and two daughters: Ellsworth B .; Gertrude, the wife of Byron R. Jones of Racine; Ruby of Milwaukee: Charles E .. of Spokane. Washington, and Robert, who died at the age of twenty-one years.
Reared in Raeine county Judge Belden supplemented his public school training by a course in the Rochester Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1883. His early training was an initial step toward his present judicial- position and honors for, following his graduation, he became an employe of his grandfather, Judge Belden, in the county court, there remaining until the fall of 1884 when, having decided upon the practice of law as a life work, he matriculated in the University of Wisconsin at Madison and was graduated there with the elass of 1886 and admitted to practice in the supreme court of the state of Wisconsin and the United States court for the western district of Wisconsin, being at the time twenty years of age and the youngest alumnus of the University of Wisconsin. He then spent a brief period in the office of the state attorney general and later returned to Raeine and engaged in the practice of his profession. In April, 1889. he was elected by a handsome
329 PEU
HON. ELLSWORTH B. BELDEN
103
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
majority county judge of Racine county, and when Judge Philo Belden died in September, Judge E. B. Belden was appointed his successor to serve out the unexpired term of three months, his election establishing him in the position on the 1st of January, 1890. A contemporary biographer has said : "This election was a just recognition of his ability and sterling traits of char- acter. His popularity never waned through twelve years of judicial life, dur- ing which period he came nearer and nearer to the ideal of his fellow citizens as a jurist." In 1898 Judge Belden was admitted as a member of the bar of the supreme court of the United States. In 1901 he was named for the office of circuit judge and popular suffrage established him upon the bench of the circuit court in January, 1902. He has since remained in the position, having been twiee re-elected without opposition, his record being in harmony with his record as a lawyer and a citizen-characterized by the most faithful perform- anee of duty and by a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution. It is stated that Judge Belden's record of affirmances on appeal in the supreme court is unsurpassed in the history of the state. Devotedly attached to his profession, systematical and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in judg- ment, calm in temper, diligent in research, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, courteous and kind in demeanor and inflexibly just on all occasions, these qualities have enabled Judge Belden to take his rank among those who have held high judicial office in the state. He has held court in practically every county of the state, having been called to preside in many important trials, and it is said that no man has a wider or more favorable acquaintance throughout the state. In April, 1916, Judge Belden received a wonderful en- dorsement by vote of the people for membership in the supreme court of Wisconsin, but certain political considerations injected into the campaign brought about the election of another. It is generally conceded by bar and laity throughout the state that higher judicial honors are in store for him. As a candidate for the supreme bench he had the endorsement of the bar associations of many counties in the state and his nomination papers were signed by more than fifteen thousand electors. Of him it has been written : "Judge Belden is a thorough lawyer, a tireless worker, a painstaking, consid- erate and essentially impartial judge, a dignified, courteous and cordial gentle- man. Probably no man has a wider personal acquaintance or is more highly esteemed by the bar and the people. His career has been distinctly judicial. has made him broad-minded and kept him free from all political bias and factionalism. His mature life has been devoted to but one aim, that of fear- lessly discharging the judicial functions so confidently entrusted to him by the people. During his entire judicial career he has shown himself to be a capable, conscientious judge, before whom all persons received the same fair, kind and courteous treatment, independent of politics, wealth or poverty of litigants, personality of counsel appearing in his court and all influences not legitimately arising out of the case in hand. His qualifications, experience, personal character, broad viewpoints of life, comprehensive learning and rare judicial temperament, eminently equip him to serve the people in their highest court."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.