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 18
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Mr. Miller is a man of resourceful business ability and has been identified with various other commercial and financial concerns. He has served as a director of the First National Bank, also served as a director of the Manu- facturers National Bank and was treasurer of the Belle City Street Railway Company until it was sold. He is likewise vice president of the Idlewild Land Company and director of the American Trades and Savings Bank of Raeine.
On the 3rd of August, 1908, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Minnie B. Whit-
FRANK J. MILLER
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ford, of Beloit, Wisconsin. They are members of the St. Rose Catholic church and Mr. Miller is identified with the Knights of Columbus and with the Elks. He has served as a member of the board of education and several years ago was a member of the fire and police board. He is now identified with the Commercial Club and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the city, co-operating in all those plans and measures which promise most for Racine's substantial improvement.
ROY A. SPENCER.
Roy A. Spencer, president of the Western Printing & Lithographing Com- pany, 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 seareely extended her borders over the district. In fact it seemed that the work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun. The family located on a tract of wild land which they secured from the government and with characteristic energy Mr. De Groat began to break the sod and develop a farm, both he and his wife remaining thereon until called to their final rest. It was amid pioneer surroundings, in a distriet where Indians were still to be seen and where many hardships and privations were to be endured, that Louise De Groat was reared and after reaching womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to William D. Spencer, who came to Racine in 1875. They were married in this county, but subsequently re- moved to Devils Lake. North Dakota, where the father followed the occupation of farming. In 1898 Mrs. Spencer returned to Racine, where she still makes her home.
Roy A. Spencer is the eldest in a family of three sons and two daughters. The others are: Elma, at home; Grover; Abbie, the wife of Dr. L. M. Me- Clenathan, a resident of Chicago; and Harold, at home. Roy A. Spencer ob- tained a public school education and started out in the business world in the capacity of printer's devil on the Journal. He has since been engaged in the printing business. He closely applied himself to the trade, working his way upward and mastering the business in principle and detail. He was a young man of about twenty-seven years when he bought into the Westside Printing Company, becoming the successor of William Bell and the partner of E. H. Wadewitz in the undertaking. In the spring of 1909 they were joined by C. H. Van Vliet. Business was conducted under the name of the Westside Printing Company until 1910, with Mr. Spencer as the president and E. II. Wadewitz as secretary and treasurer. In the latter year the business was reincorporated under the style of the Western Printing & Lithographing Company and from the beginning Mr. Spencer has been the president, with Mr. Van Vliet as vice president and Mr. Wadewitz as secretary, treasurer and general manager. A complete history of the business is given on another page of this work, show-
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ing its development under the wise and able direction of its officers from a small undertaking to the largest and most complete printing establishment in the state, having most thoroughly equipped departments in electrotyping, engraving, printing and binding. There is no phase of high class, artistic commercial or literary printing which has not been represented in the output of this establishment, and the importance and volume of the trade has given to Mr. Spencer and his associate offieers of the company rank with the leading business men of the city.
In politics Mr. Spencer maintains the attitude of a non-partisan. voting according to the dietates of his judgment and the exigencies of the case. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks, with the Knights of Pythias and with the Royal League. He belongs also to the Commercial Club and is in hearty sympathy with its plans for the upbuilding and development of the city. He has well in hand every phase of his own business and the success which he has achieved enables him to speak with some authority upon matters relative to the improvement and welfare of the city.
H. E. KASTENSEN.
The rich farming country near Franksville contains many excellent prop- erties, 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 aeres, which has responded readily and richly to the care that he has bestowed upon it. To other fields of labor he has also ex- tended his efforts and is regarded as a wide-awake. alert and progressive busi- ness man. He was born in Denmark. February 10, 1852. a son of Kastensen Erieksen and Laura Kastensen, who were also natives of Denmark. born in 1815 and 1830, respectively. The father, who was a shoemaker, died in his native country in 1865, after which the mother came to the new world, passing away in 1905. Both were consistent members of the Lutheran church. Their family numbered five children, of whom three are yet living: H. E .; Andrew. a farmer of Raymond township: and Lena, the wife of Sam Nelson, who is employed in the shops at Racine.
H. E. Kastensen obtained his education in the sehools of Denmark, remain- ing in that country until his life record covered two decades. In 1872 he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Raeine, after which he was em- ployed as a farm hand through the summer months, while in the winter season he worked in the logging eamps of Northern Michigan. He was not afraid of hard labor and resolved that his industry must win him success. Little by little he added to his savings until he was able to purchase his present farm in 1886. The place comprises one hundred and twenty aeres of arable land and its productiveness has been greatly enhanced through his utilization of modern farming methods. He has rebuilt the home, having now a nice resi- denee, and there is also a good barn which he ereeted, together with other substantial buildings, on the place. IIe does considerable dairying, having from fifteen to twenty eows, mostly Holsteins. His farming and dairying interests.
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however, have not comprised the full extent of his business activities, for he is now vice president of the Franksville Telephone Company and for twelve years was treasurer of the Raymond Stone Crusher Company.
In 1886, in Racine, Mr. Kastensen was married to Miss Camella Rasmussen, who was born in Denmark, and they have become the parents of five children : Harvey, who is engaged in farming in Raymond township; and Irvin, Clara. Edmond and Arthur, aged respectively twenty-six, twenty-three, nineteen and sixteen years. and all at home. The youngest son is a student in the high school at Union Grove.
The parents are prominent members and active workers in the Baptist church and for twenty years Mr. Kastensen has been treasurer of the Danish- Norwegian State Baptist Convention. He is much interested in the political situation, voting with the republican party, and for fifteen years served as a member of the town board, but resigned about two years ago. He has also been a member of the school board for twenty years and was on the insurance county board for a number of years. No public duty that devolves upon him is neglected and no obligation which he incurs is ever forgotten. He fully meets every responsibility and is ready to face any emergency with the strength that comes from a right conception of things and an understanding of that which is most worth while.
JOSEPHI J. PATRICK.
Joseph J. Patrick, filling the office of county clerk, was born in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, May 3, 1882, a son of John and Marie (Mealy) Patrick. The father was born in Waterford, Raeine county, February 8, 1857, and was a son of Joseph Patrick, a stonemason by trade, who came to this country at an early period in its development, working at his trade here until called to his final rest, at the age of sixty-five years.
John Patrick was reared in this county and has made farming his life work. He wedded Mary Mealy, who was born in Dover township, Racine county, November 28, 1859, a daughter of James Mealy, who came to the United States about 1841. with his father, Patrick Mealy. They both assisted in digging the Erie canal, after which they returned to Ireland, but in 1836 they again crossed the Atlantic and made their way to Dover township, Racine county, where they cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers. Patrick Mealy secured a traet of government land, comprising the south half of the north- east quarter of section 3. and obtained the deed from the government in 1842. He also secured other entries of government land, including the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 34, Norway township. His son. James, entered a elaim on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 34, ยท Norway township, and received his deed to the same on the 30th of September, 1845. The family has thus been identified with the agricultural development of the county for eighty years and has contributed largely to progress along that line. Mr. and Mrs. John Patrick have always lived upon a farm and they now make their home in Dover township. Raeine county.
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Joseph J. Patrick obtained a public school education and pursued a busi- ness course in Rochester Academy, while for a short period he was a student in the Whitewater (Wis.) Normal School. He afterward took up the profes- sion of teaching, which he followed for four years, and in early manhood he learned the mason's trade, but during much of his life he has occupied public office. In 1907 he was appointed to the position of turnkey and deputy sheriff. acting in that capacity for two years. He served from 1909 to 1910 as under- sheriff and in the latter year was elected county treasurer. taking office in January, 1911. He was the capable and faithful incumbent in that position until 1915, when he was elected county clerk, and is now serving in that capacity. His record is characterized by a clear understanding of the duties that devolve upon him and by faithfulness in the discharge of every task that has come to him as a publie official. He has always been a stalwart champion of the republican party and its principles and is now its candidate for reelection.
On the 26th of December, 1910. Mr. Patrick was married to Miss Marie Christiansen, of Racine, a daughter of Stephen and Marie Christiansen. Their children are Gladys and Glynn. Mr. Patrick has membership with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, in which he is now serving as master of finance. He has taken the degrees of both the subordinate lodge and encampment in that order and he belongs to the Royal Areanum, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Moose and the Eagles, while his interest in community affairs is indicated in his association with the Commercial Club. Practically a lifelong resident of this county and a representative of two of its well known pioneer families. his history is familiar to his fellow townsmen and that they indorse his course and recognize him as a worthy publie official is indicated by the fact that pop- ular suffrage has kept him in office for six years.
MARTIN CHRISTENSEN.
Martin Christensen, who by the vote of his fellow citizens has been made custodian of public funds in Racine county. now filling the position of county treasurer, was born at Union Grove on the 21st of January, 1870, a son of Chris and Anna Christensen, the former passing away in the year 1873 and the latter in 1874. The father was a mason contractor and carried on business along that line until his death.
Martin Christensen, left an orphan when but three years of age, was reared in the home of N. M. Christensen. a farmer living in Raymond township, Racine county, and there he acquired a public school education. He started to earn his living as a seaman, sailing on the lakes for nine years, but eventually tiring of that occupation, he settled upon a farm in Raymond township and devoted the succeeding eleven years to agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. At the end of that period he sold out. He had pre- viously been elected to local offices, having for five years served as township assessor, and subsequently for four years was chairman of the town board of Raymond township and for two years of that period was chairman of the county board. In 1912 he removed to Raeine and in 1914 was elected to the office of
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county treasurer, in which position he has since remained. He is loyal to the trust reposed in him, carefully managing the financial interests of the county and displaying the same fidelity that he would show in the eare of private busi- ness interests.
On the 23d of July, 1912, Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Frederickson, of Racine, a daughter of James and Mary Frederickson, and they now have one son, James William. Mr. Christensen belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Loyal Order of Moose and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, his belief guiding his life in its various relations. His political indorsement has ever been given to the republican party and he is a recognized leader in its ranks, taking an active part in furthering the success of the party and reflecting credit thereon by the capable manner in which he discharges the duties of the office to which he has been called.
A. AND C. RASMUSSEN.
A. and C. Rasmussen are treasurer and vice president. respectively, of the Peerless Machine Company, which was incorporated in 1916. This company was formed for the manufacture of high speed power hack saws and their ma- chines are now upon the markets of England, Denmark, Holland and Japan. In the conduct of this undertaking they have shown a most enterprising and pro- gressive spirit and each month marks a notable advance in the sueeess of the business. The brothers have been lifelong residents of Racine county, their birth having occurred in North Cape township in 1878 and 1880, respectively, the parents being Hans and Mary (Hansen) Rasmussen, both of whom were born in Denmark. They came to the United States in 1871, settled in Chicago and were there married. They began their domestic life in that city, but after three years removed to a farm in North Cape township, Racine county, where Mr. Rasmussen continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred twenty-four years ago. After the demise of her husband, Mrs. Rasmussen established her home in Racine, where she still resides. In their family were eight children, as follows: Peter and Martin, both of whom are residents of Racine; A. and Charles, of this review : Mary, at home; Anna, who is the wife of Frank Ewen and resides in Mich- igan ; Emma, who gave her hand in marriage to Thomas Temerr, of Racine ; and Katie. at home.
A. and C. Rasmussen were public school pupils and when their textbooks were put aside began to learn the machinist's trade, which they followed until twelve years ago. At that time they formed a partnership and organized the Racine Gas Engine Company. Four years afterward the business was changed to the Racine Tool Company and six years ago they sold out. A. Rasmussen then did considerable experimenting and he also sold engines for a time. In 1916 they organized the Peerless Machine Company, which was incorporated with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, with H. L. Herrick as the presi- dent, Charles Rasmussen as vice president, R. T. Ingles as secretary and A. Rasmussen as treasurer. This company manufactures a high speed power
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hack saw and has installed its machines in the markets of England, Denmark. Holland and Japan, and is perfecting its plans to place its machines in every country in the world. Mr. Rasmussen was the first to manufacture a high speed power haek saw and has given to the world a device of marked and recognized value.
In 1907 Mr. Rasmussen was married to Miss Katie Seater. His brother, Charles Rasmussen, was married twelve years ago to Hannah Paulsen and they have a daughter, Evelyn, ten years of age. Both brothers are mechanics of marked ability and both are inventors, having won a number of patents upon their inventions, while several are still pending. They are alert and energetic, constantly studying along the lines into which their native talents have di- rected them, and their efforts have constituted a valuable asset in the world's work. They are now meeting with well merited success, their plant having a floor space of forty by one hundred and eight feet, and they expect soon to enlarge the building in order to meet the growing demands of the trade.
WILLIAM E. TUCKER.
William E. Tucker, a successful farmer and dairyman living in Yorkville township, is also serving as chairman of the board of supervisors, making an excellent record in that capacity. He was born in Brighton, Kenosha county, on the 14th of May. 1854, a son of William and Jane (Gilbert) Tucker, both natives of England, the former born in 1823 and the latter in 1818. The paternal grandfather. James Tucker, passed his entire life in England, but the maternal grandfather, William Gilbert, eame to America and on settling in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, entered two hundred aeres in the vicinity of Corliss. He brought his farms to a high state of improvement and was one of the substantial land owners of his locality. His homestead is now owned and operated by W. E. Tucker. William Tucker, the father, came to the United States in early manhood and turned his attention to farming in Kenosha county, where he resided until his death in 1855. He was married in Kenosha county to Miss Jane Gilbert, who came to this country with her parents when twenty years old. She survived him for four decades, her demise occurring in 1895. They were Methodists in religious faith and the father was a local preacher. In political belief he was a prohibitionist and his influence was always on the side of right and moral improvement. He was well known and had many warm friends. To him and his wife were born three children, namely: J. G., who is a real estate dealer of Racine and owns twelve or fourteen houses there; E. B., an attorney of Columbus Junetion, Iowa ; and William E.
The last named was educated in the district schools and in the Rochester Academy. The winters were devoted to study and the summers to farm work and he thus acquired a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits, which has since been of the greatest value to him. As his father had died when he was an infant and as the family was in somewhat limited circumstances he and his brothers had to work hard in order to help meet the family expenses. He has continued to follow the occupation to which he was reared and now owns one
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hundred and twenty aeres in Yorkville township, which comprises part of the homestead of his maternal grandfather. The farm is improved with substantial and attractive buildings and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition. He does general farming, but pays special attention to the dairy business, keeping a number of high grade Holstein cows. He was formerly for eight years engaged in the creamery business, in which he was very sue- cessful, taking charge during that time of three creameries, which were failing to make expenses, and building them up until they were paying institutions. afterward disposing of them at a profit. He has at all times depended upon his own resources for his advancement and his prosperity is proof of his busi- ness ability and his energy.
Mr. Tucker was married in October, 1902, to Miss Sarah Mytton, who was born in Kenosha county and is a daughter of Edward and Sarah Ann (Price) Mytton, born, respectively, in Wigmore, Hereford county, England, on the 11th of July, 1843, and in Lyons Hall, England, on the 23d of September, 1836. The father passed away on the 8th of June, 1902, but the mother sur- vives and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Tucker. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have become the parents of two children : Margaret and May, both attending school.
Mr. Tucker supports the prohibitionist party at the polls and has taken an active interest in public affairs. In 1904 he was elected supervisor and in 1906 was elected chairman of the board, in which office he has since served. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Union Grove and in its teachings have found the principles which govern their con- duct. Their sterling worth is generally recognized and their friends are many.
EUGENE WALTER LEACH.
Eugene Walter Leach, engaged in the life insurance business at Racine since 1894 as agent for the Aetna Life Insurance Company and not unknown in literary circles, was born in Excelsior, Hennepin county, Minnesota, Sep- tember 15. 1857, a son of George W. and Deborah B. (White) Leach. The father was born in Burke, Vermont, and in 1854 made his way to Racine. whence in 1856 he removed to Minnesota, but in 1859 he returned to Racine, where he resided until his death in 1899. He was a railway car builder and was employed continuously for thirty-six years by the Racine & Mississippi Railway Company and its successor, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- way Company. His wife was born near Springfield, Massachusetts.
Brought to Racine when but two years of age, Eugene W. Leach has since been a resident of this city, where he attended the graded and high schools. He became a woodworker and contractor with the Racine Hardware Manufac- turing Company and so continued from 1876 until 1894. In the latter year he embarked in the life insurance business and has since represented the Aetna Life Isurance Company, in which connection he has won a liberal elientage. Moreover, he is well known as the compiler and author of "The Methodist Church & Early Racine." published in 1912; "Racine County Militant," a mil- itary history of Racine county, published in 1915, and "Yesterday & Today in
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Racine," a book of pietorial contrasts. In his political views he is a progres- sive. He is a member of the Racine Commercial Club and since 1876 has been a loyal member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, while since 1866 he has been active in the Sunday school, and in both organizations has for many years held office.
CHARLES JONAS.
America's open-door policy has constituted a refuge to millions of Europe's citizens, among which number have been those of broad, scholarly attainments and keen intellectual discernment whose vision has enabled them to under- stand the significant questions and vital problems of monarchical government control. Because of the expression of their advanced view where free speech is not fully tolerated, they have been obliged to seek homes in "the land of the free." Such was the history of Charles Jonas and thereby Bohemia became a loser but Ameriea a gainer. Wisconsin long honored him as one of her dis- tinguished citizens, a man whose work and teachings did much to assimilate the foreign-born element in our citizenship. for among European peoples and especially his fellow countrymen he instilled high ideals of American life. purposes and prospects.
Mr. Jonas was born at Malesov, Bohemia, October 30. 1840, and acquired his early education in the common schools of his native town. When ten years of age he was sent to the higher schools at Kuttenberg and at the age of eighteen was graduated from the Bohemian real school at Prague and entered the polytechnic institute. He also attended lectures at the university. In 1859 he wrote in the German language a critical essay on the middle school system then in vogue in Bohemia, which treatise displeased the Austrian gov- ernment and was seized while in the course of publication. It subjected hin to spiteful persecution by the Austrian authorities, which culminated in his banishment from Prague in 1860. He left his native country secretly in October of the same year and went to London, where he secured a position as newspaper correspondent, so continuing until 1863. He was then called to America to take charge of the Slavie, the first journal published in the Bo- hemian language on this side the Atlantic. It was founded in 1860 by Frank Korizek, of Raeine. Mr. Jonas sailed from Europe on the 25th of February. 1863, and on reaching American soil made his way at once to Racine, where he took up his permanent abode. In 1870 he made a trip to Europe and while abroad the Franco-German war broke out. Through the recommendation of George Baneroft, at that time Ameriean minister at Berlin, he obtained per- mission to go to the seat of war and was one of the first foreigners who entered Paris in January, 1871, after the signing of the preliminary articles of peace at Versailles. Soon afterward he returned to Germany, where he waited for the ratifieation of the naturalization treaty between the United States and Austria, which had been agreed upon a short time before. He then visited his native country, where he found his aged mother, but his father had in the meantime passed away. Mr. Jonas gave much attention to a study of the signifieant
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