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 15
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JOSEPH MILLER
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estabhshment has ever been kept up to standard. In 1875 he admitted his former foreman, Charles T. Schweitzer, and Rush S. Adams, formerly his book- keeper, to a partnership under the firm name of J. Miller & Company. The new firm entered upon a period of slow but substantial growth, building up their business upon a well established reputation for superior quality and finish of their goods. By 1875 the annual output of the house was sold for five hundred thousand dollars.
In 1875, hoping to secure better conditions, Mr. Miller and his associates removed the business to Dubuque, lowa, but Racine capitalists on learing of this agreed that he was too valuable a man to permit another city to enjoy the benefits his business would bring. Accordingly they offered him a build- ing and grounds for his factory at the corner of Fourth street and Lake avenue if he would return. He agreed to do so on provision that he should later be permitted to purchase the property. This provision was accepted and several years later Mr. Miller made the purchase. The growth of the business con- tinued and at length it was necessary to secure larger quarters, which were obtained at the corner of Third street and Lake avenue. Mr. Miller again suffered heavy losses by fire when in 1882 his plant was again destroyed in the conflagration which swept out much of the business section of Racine. Again his undismayed spirit rose to meet the occasion and from the ruins there rose phoenixlike from the ashes a new establishment, erecting a larger and more commodious manufacturing plant, which was conducted under the name of the J. Miller Company. It was in 1882 that the business was incor- porated under that name with Joseph Miller as president; C. T. Schweitzer as vice president ; Frank J. Miller, treasurer; Henry C. Miller, superintendent ; George W. Miller, secretary, and Joseph F. Miller, bookkeeper. The business constantly developed until three hundred and seventy-five operatives were ent- ployed in the plant. Mr. Miller was ever the guiding spirit in the under- taking up to the time of his last illness, but he always generously gave to his associates much credit for the prosperity of the undertaking.
A recognition of his ability and resourcefulness on the part of his fellow townsmen led to his co-operation being solicited on behalf of various other important business concerns and, extending his activities to other fields, he became president of the Racine Knitting Company. the Turner Stove Com- pany, the Belle City Railway Company and the Raeine Nail & Taek Company. He was also a representative of the directorate of the Chicago Rubber Clothing Company, the Raeine Hotel Company and the Cappon Bertsch Leather Com- pany of Holland, Michigan. He was likewise a stockholder in the First Na- tion Bank, a director of the Manufacturers' National Bank and also was at one time president of the Racine Business Men's Association.
On the 26th of October, 1854, in Raeine, Mr Miller was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Bauer, who was born in Germany, December 15, 1831. They became parents of six children, five sons and a daughter, of whom William and Elizabeth are now deceased. The others are Frank J., Henry C., George W. and Joseph F., all connected with the J. Miller Company.
Mr. Miller was always deeply interested in the welfare and progress of Ra- cine and co-operated with many plans and measures for its upbuilding. For a number of terms he was a member of the board of education, also represented
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the third ward in the city council and in 1888 was the successful mayoralty can- didate, giving to the eity a businesslike and progressive administration char- acterized by needed reforms and improvements, and it was during this period that the waterworks system was projected. He was very active as a member of the Business Men's Association, which was formed for the purpose of ad- vancing the welfare of Racine in every particular. During the last year of his life his health was so impaired that he did not take active part in public affairs or in business but lived in comparative retirement at his home at No. 1100 Main street, Raeine. He passed away December 29, 1905, and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His efforts had in large measure pushed forward the wheels of progress ; his labors were a distinct contribution to the world's work. He did not seek to figure prominently in any public connection but his ablity and his character were such as brought him promi- nently to the front in the community in which he lived. His example should serve as an inspiration to the young, showing what may be accomplished when laudable ambition and indefatigable effort go hand in hand. The integrity of his business methods was one of the crowning features of his career, for no man uttered a word against his commercial honesty.
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 offiees 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 Raeine. The father was a tinsmith by trade and for many years was employed by the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, but both he and his wife have now passed away.
William H. Carpenter obtained a publie school education in Racine, to which city he was brought by his parents when a little lad of but two years. He started to work for the Paliea Trunk Company. occupying the position of bookkeeper and later he received training along the line of his present work in the employ of C. M. Dietrich, a real estate and insurance agent. He afterward turned his attention to the real estate and insurance business on his own account, opening his office in February, 1896, and sinee that time has been engaged in the business with good sueeess. Eventually he admitted John D. Rowland to a partnership under the firm style of Carpenter & Rowland, and they are now accorded a liberal clientage, conducting many important real estate transfers annually and also writing a large amount of insurance, so that both departments of their business bring to them good returns.
In September. 1898, Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Cathryn Asby. of Raeine, a daughter of John T. Asby, and they have one child. Cathryn. Politically Mr. Carpenter-is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Elks and the Royal Areanum. He has practically spent his entire life in
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this city and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present is indicative that his career has been an honorable and upright one, worthy of the regard and esteem of those with whom he has been associated. While he is enterprising in all business affairs, he is also thoroughly reliable, his transactions at all times measuring up to the highest standards.
HENRY CLINTON CASE.
Well defined plans and purposes have brought Henry Clinton Case to a position among the successful business men of Racine. He has been an active factor in the Business Men's Association and his opinions are accepted as of worth on many matters that have to do with the commercial and industrial development of his city. He came to the Mississippi valley from the east. his birth having occurred in Williamstown, New York. August 7, 1858, his parents being De Wayne and Eliza (Greenhow) Case, the former a native of Williamstown, New York, and the latter of Kendall, England. Jonathan Case, the paternal grandfather, devoted his time to farming in the Empire state and there passed away at the notable old age of ninety years. His wife, Amy Lot. also reached the advanced age after rearing a large family. Their son, De Wayne Case, also made agricultural pursuits his life work until 1884, when he left his native city and removed to Racine, where during his later years he has lived retired, having an attractive home on the lake shore just south of the city limits. He is a Universalist in religious belief, while his wife belongs to the Presbyterian church. In their family were four children : Frank D., who is the owner of the Case Flouring Mill at Racine Junction ; Henry Clinton ; George N., for twenty-five years a bookkeeper in the Manu- facturers' Bank, but now in the office of H. C. Case. and Lillie E., the widow of J. P. Davies of Racine.
Henry Clinton Case comes of English ancestry in the maternal line, his grandfather, John Greenhow, being a native of England, whence he came to the United States about 1844, establishing his home in New York. He devoted his early life to the ministry and later entered the field of journalism as editor of the Canastota Herald and later of the Hornellsville Tribune, which he continued to edit until the time of his death. which occurred when he was more than eighty years of age. He married Jane Bailey, of Kendall. England. and unto them were born three daughters. Following the death of his first wife he wedded Mary Frodsham and they had one son and two daughters.
Henry C. Case was a pupil in the public schools of Williamstown, New York, to the age of eleven years, when he began learning the printers' trade which he followed for three years. He spent the succeeding nine years as clerk in a general store and then sought the opportunities of the middle west, becoming a resident of Racine, at which time he entered the employ of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, his father being a cousin of J. I. Case. For seventeen years he remained with that company and then entered into
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partnership with William Henry Miller in the real estate business in 1900. That association was maintained until March 18, 1905, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Case has since been alone in business. He purchased the old Times building at the northwest corner of Monument Square and Fifth street and from the beginning he has enjoyed a well earned reputation as one of the foremost real estate dealers of Racine. In fact there have been periods in which the volume of his business has o'ertopped that of any other real estate man of the city. He has extended the scope of his activities to in- elude insurance and the loaning of money and these branches have also proven profitable. He was formerly a partner of his brother, Frank D .. in the owner- ship of the Junction Flouring Mills at Racine Junction, where they not only engaged in the manufacture of flour but also specialized in handling grain and rye feed. Mr. Caso also owned and conducted a temperance summer resort on the south side of Racine, known as Evergreen Hall. The building, forty by eighty feet. was surrounded on all sides on the first and second floors with balconies and had one of the best dancing floors in the state. During the summer months pienies and dancing parties came from Milwaukee, and Kenosha, as well as Racine and the place was liberally patronized by those who did not wish to enter beer gardens, for no intoxieants were sold or allowed on the place. The resort was situated on a ten aere tract of land about a quarter of a mile south of Raeine College on the Lake Shore Road, known as Evergreen Drive and was reached by the Milwaukee, Racine & Kenosha electric cars. This property was sold to the J. T. Case Threshing Machine Company.
In 1905 Mr. Case was married to Annie H. M. Zierke, a daughter of G. and Henrietta Zierke, who came to the United States from Germany and settled in Michigan in pioneer times. Mr. and Mrs. Case have three children- Clinton D., Henrietta A. and Ethel A., all attending school.
Mr. Case has a beautiful home in the midst of a ten aere tract of land adjoining Racine College and standing on the Lake Shore. In public affairs he manifests the interests of a citizen who recognizes his public duty as well as his private opportunities and he has done good service for public education as district clerk of school district No. 13. In politics he is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but does not seek nor desire political preferment. He has so concentrated his efforts upon business affairs as to win not only substantial success but also an honored name and his life work is recognized as of worth to the city in which he makes his home.
WILLIAM A. WALKER.
William A. Walker is a member of the board of supervisors of Racine county, while his business interests are those of a manufacturer. He is de- voting his attention to the making of railroad anchors and has developed a business of a very substantial character. Mr. Walker was born in Windham. Ohio, July 28, 1850, a son of John B. and Ellen (Whiteley) Walker, who
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were natives of Yorkshire, England. When eighteen years of age the father came to the United States with his eldest brother, landing at New Orleans, whence they made their way northward to St. Charles, Illinois. After a short time John B. Walker went to "The Phalanx." a community settlement at Windham, Portage county, Ohio. When this disbanded he purchased the farm and in connection with its cultivation and improvement operated a sawmill and wool carding machine. He also made ties for the first railroad between Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio, and there he lived for nine years, afterward removing to Leavittsburg, Ohio, about seven miles south. At that place he turned his attention to the woolen manufacturing business and after spending seven years there removed to Youngstown, Ohio, where he founded a larger manufacturing plant and continued to manufacture woolen goods, being identified with the business interests of that locality for a decade. In 1871 he removed to Girard, Ohio, and opened a woolen manufactory there. while at the same time he conducted a sawmill operated by water power. Five years passed. at the end of which time the factory was destroyed by fire and he had little insurance upon it so that his losses were heavy. He then came to Wisconsin and made his home with his sons until his demise. His wife was a daughter of William Whiteley, who on leaving England took his family to New York and in the early '40s removed to Racine, soon after- ward joining the English settlement in this locality. The parents of William A. Walker met in St. Charles, Illinois, and were married there. They had been reared within three miles of each other in England but had never become acquainted in that country.
William A. Walker obtained a public school education and spent four winter terms as a pupil in school at Youngstown, Ohio. He early began to assist his father in the factory and was associated with him in manufacturing interests until September, 1874, when he entered the real estate office of his unele. Simeon Whiteley, with whom he continued for fifteen months. He was next in the railway and mail service for eight years and for nine years was manager for the Racine Refrigerator Company, becoming sole owner of the business which he condueted for two and a half years, when the factory was destroyed by fire, with little insurance upon it. Mr. Walker was also inter- ested in the Raeine Shoe Manufacturing Company and was part owner and business manager for the Racine Economy Spring Company. Later he pur- chased all of the stock of that company and the enterprise became the founda- tion of the present business. He engaged in the manufacture of bolster springs, seat springs and tongue supports for farm wagons. About 1909 he turned over the active management of the business to his sons, Willard and Warren. who have built up a business of large and gratifying proportions, now con- fining their trade largely to automobile specialties, but Mr. Walker is still acting as president of the Walker Manufacturing Company. In 1909 William A. Walker became interested with John M. Scott in the manufacture of rail- road anchors for the prevention of creeping of rails and to this undertaking has since been devoting his energies. Splendid success has attended them and their output is now very large. He is also a director of the American Trades & Savings Bank.
On the 26th of December, 1872, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to
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Miss Margaret Goff, who was born in Steuben county, New York, a daughter of Warren and Lucina Goff, the former a millwright by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Walker became the parents of six children: Bessie, who is now the wife of Walter S. Holden, an attorney of Chicago and has two sons, William and Warren, twins, who are engaged in business as previously indicated, and triplets who died in infancy.
Mr. Walker joined the Sons of Temperance when fifteen years of age and has always been loyal to the purpose of that organization. For forty-one years he has been a member of the board of trustees of the Universalist church and his life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles. He also exemplifies in his career the beneficent spirit of the Masonic fra- ternity with which he is affiliated. In politics he is a republican and for the past two terms has been a member of the board of supervisors. His life has been characterized by untiring diligence and determination. Starting to earn his living in early manhood he has worked his way steadily upward, persist- ency and energy enabling him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path and push steadily forward to the goal of prosperity.
P. WALTER PETERSEN.
P. Walter Petersen, a speculative builder of Raeine whose activities have constituted an important element in the improvement and development of the city. particularly on the west side, was born in Odense, Denmark, March 31, 1878, as son of Soren and Maren (Hansdatter) Petersen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark.
P. Walter Petersen is one of a family of seven children and four of the number are yet living in their native country. He was reared in Denmark and pursued his education in the Danish, English and German tongues. In early life he served an apprenticeship in a grocery store and he also had com- mercial training through attendance at a business college. He left Denmark when twenty years of age and, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, made his way to the United States, becoming a resident of Racine, where for five years he was employed by the Bee Bee Manufacturing Company. He had not been with them long before he was given charge of a department and throughout his connection with that firm he was entrusted with much respon- sibility as a department manager. He afterward embarked in the retail meat business on Sixteenth street and Packard avenue and after continuing in the trade there for four years he turned his attention to the building business. in which he has since been actively engaged. He has erected many business blocks and some residences, erecting them to rent rather than to sell. He has put up many buildings in the city, particularly on the west side, and his activities have been an element in transforming unsightly vacancies into commercial centers or attractive residence districts.
In 1901 Mr. Petersen was united in marriage to Miss Louise Somers, a native of Chicago, and they have two children. Lewis and Ruth. fourteen and eleven years of age. respectively. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church
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of the Atonement and in the work of the church they take an active interest. Mr. Petersen now serving as a member of the church council. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, in which he is a prominent and earnest worker, being now secretary of the Republican Club of Racine. In 1911 he was elected to the county board of supervisors and has since served in that con- nection, being chairman of the board during the past two years. He has been nominated for the office of representative from his district on the re- publican ticket and will undoubtedly make a strong race, for he is a popular man and citizen. widely known and highly respected. He stands for all that is beneficial in the public life of the community and is truly American in spirit and interests. Native-born citizens, it often seems, come by the priv- ileges of American life too easily to appreciate them in the fullest degree. At least some of those who have sacrificed and suffered to obtain them value these blessings more highly than those to whom they come as a matter of course. An adopted son of Wisconsin, no native citizen is more loyal to its interests. and what he has already done for the benefit of Racine argues well for his service as a legislator if he becomes a member of the general assembly.
JOHN A. BEECHER.
John A. Beecher, a prominent and influential citizen of Norway township who owns and operates a farm on section 26, was born in that township March 12, 1883, his parents being Jacob and Rachel (Dalzell) Beecher. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this county, where his father was born in 1845. His paternal grandfather, however, was a native of Germany and on coming to America first located in New York state. At a very early day. however, in the development of this county he came west and took up government land here, continuing to reside thereon until his death. Jacob Beecher grew to manhood in this county and was married in Norway township to Miss Rachel Dalzell, a daughter of James and Anna (Anderson) Dalzell, honored pioneers of Racine county. In 1848 Mr. Dalzell purchased one hundred and twenty acres of government land here but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for he was killed by lightning in 1851. His wife was a native of Scotland. Jacob Beecher made farming his life work and became the owner of the old homestead of one hundred and twenty acres and after his father's death also purchased sixty acres more. He supported the democratic party at the polls and was called upon to fill several local offices. His death occurred in 1907. His wife held membership in the Presbyterian church. Of the five children born to them one is deceased. the others being: William, who was educated in the schools of Racine, Wis- consin, Valparaiso. Indiana, and Dixon, Illinois, and is now a successful at- torney of Great Falls, Montana : Charles E., who was educated in the North- western University of Chicago and is now a physician of Gilson, Illinois ; John A .. of this review ; and Clarence, who was educated for a lawyer but is now engaged in the insurance business in Joliet, Illinois.
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Reared upon the home farm in Norway township, John A. Beecher pursued his studies in the district school and when not occupied in this way assisted in the work of the fields. He now owns and operates one hundred and eighty acres of highly cultivated and well improved land and in connection with general farming gives considerable attention to the raising of cattle, keeping on hand about fifty head of Herefords. In 1907 he erected upon his place a beautiful residence of twelve rooms with modern conveniences and also has commodious outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock.
In 1910 Mr. Beecher was married to Miss Lillie Dreyfus, a daughter of Martin and Lillie (Foulks) Dreyfus, both natives of Wisconsin. The father was born in Milwaukee in 1858 .and still makes his home in that city, where he is engaged in business as a wholesale dealer in butchers' supplies. Mr. and Mrs. Beecher have three children : Irene Dorothy, Ruby Margaret and Earl Raymond. They are active and prominent members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, in which Mr. Beecher is serving as deacon, and he is also identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen. In politics he is independent, supporting the men and measures that he believes best qualified to advance the general welfare, and he is now filling the office of township treasurer. He gives his hearty support to every worthy enterprise and stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
JOHN M. SCOTT.
The name of John M. Scott appears on the list of the successful business men of Racine. He possesses inventive genius that has made valuable con- tributions to the world and. moreover, he has the executive ability that enables him to place his inventions upon the market at a profitable figure. Racine county is proud to number him among her native sons. His birth occurred in Raymond township on the 17th of January. 1844, his parents being Elias and Hannah Scott, natives of New York. Wisconsin was still under territorial rule when they removed westward, establishing their home in Racine county, having made the journey by steamer from Buffalo. Only here and there had a elaim been entered from the government and there were still many traces of Indian occupancy in this section of the country, showing that the white race was even then establishing its supremacy in the middle west. The father secured land and converted a wild tract into productive fields, becoming a successful farmer. He has now passed away, but the mother is still living at the notable old age of one hundred years, her birth having occurred in October. 1816.
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