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 19
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Charles you an?
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economic, sociological and political questions confronting Europe and while on that continent wrote an essay on "Federation in Austria" and also a treatise on "The Social Position of Woman, Especially in England and Amer- ica." He also brought forth a book on the cause of the downfall of Franee and another volume entitled "The American Constitution and Self Government," all of which were published in Prague and portions of which were translated into other languages. His preliminary education, broad as it was, constituted but the first step in his intellectual development, for throughout his life he was continually broadening his knowledge by investigation, study and re- search and his literary contributions have been of vast worth to the world. He was the author of the first dictionary of the Bohemian and English lan- guages ever published. It came first from the press of Racine in 1876 and has since been revised and enlarged. In 1883 he brought forth his Popular Ameri- can Interpreter, which has since passed through half a dozen editions, and his authorship likewise includes a treatise on the American common and statute law, which has been repeatedly issued, passing through various editions. In 1890, in response to a broad and urgent demand, he wrote and published a popular Bohemian course for English speaking people which he published under the title of "Bohemian Made Easy." Throughout the period of his residence in Racine he retained the control of the newspaper Slavie, in which undertaking his younger brother, Fred Jonas, became his associate, taking up the business management in 1868. Charles Jonas extended the scope of his activities in the newspaper field in the year 1880, when he began the publi- cation of a weekly of a literary character entitled "Rodina," meaning "The Family." The latter paper has always shared in the prosperity of the Slavic, notwithstanding there has been a steady increase in competition in the field of Bohemian publications not only in Wisconsin but throughout the entire United States. Mr. Jonas gave his entire life to journalism and literary work and his writings were ever a stimulus to intellectual activity among his fel- low countrymen.
On the 11th of August, 1864, Mr. Jonas was married to Miss Christine Korizek and they became the parents of two sons and two daughters, namely : Carrie, the widow of Charles Salak, of Racine; Jennie, the wife of Otto Kubin, of Evanston, Illinois : Charles, of Palm Beach, Florida, and George W, of Palm Beach, Florida. Mrs. Jonas now makes her home at West Palm Beach, Florida.
Politically Mr. Jonas became a republican, supporting the party until 1872, when he joined the liberal movement. He afterward became a stalwart advo- cate of democratic principles and took prominent part in shaping campaigns as a member of the state central and executive committees of Wisconsin. He was also prominently known as a public speaker in different states and his arguments were strong and logical and his utterances convincing. being based upon clear reasoning and a wide undertanding of the points under diseus- sion. His fellow citizens, appreciating his ability, called him to the office of city councilman of Racine on various occasions and in 1877 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, making so creditable a record in the lower house that in 1882 he was elected to the state senate on the demo- eratic ticket, notwithstanding his residenee in a district which was formerly
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regarded as strongly republican. In 1885 President Cleveland appointed him United States consul to Prague but the Austrian government objected on the ground that he had once been implicated in Austrian politics. In October, 1886, however, the Austrian minister at Washington officially notified the see- retary of state, Mr. Bayard, that the objection had been withdrawn. He was reappointed consul on the 17th of November, 1886, and immediately left for his post of duty, where he was exceedingly well received and treated with distinction by the authorities and by the people. Under his control the con- sulate at Prague was raised to a higher class and he continued in office until he handed it over to his successor. Roger C. Spooner, who had been appointed by President Harrison on the 16th of July, 1889.
Mr. Jonas then visited Switzerland and also the exposition at Paris, after which he returned to his home in Racine. Here he continued a most important and influential factor in politieal circles and in 1890 was elected lieutenant governor of the state by a majority of thirty-five thousand on the ticket with Governor George W. Peck. He served with distinction until 1894, when he resigned to accept the appointment of consul general at St. Petersburg, Rus- sia, and later United States consul at Crefeld, Germany, where he was actively engaged in the performance of his official duties when death called him Jan- uary 15, 1896. His remains were then taken back to his native land for inter- ment and he was laid to rest at Prague. There has been perhaps no citizen of America of Bohemian birth who has done more for the country and for his fellow countrymen in this land than did Charles Jonas. He ever held to the highest ideals, displaying the utmost loyalty to his adopted land, seeking ever to inculcate his fellow countrymen with a love of America and her institutions and infusing in them a desire to bring about the highest standards of democ- racy. He indeed deserves to be ranked with the state's most honored men.
STEPHEN H. FREEMAN.
Stephen H. Freeman needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. for the name of Freeman is too well known in Racine to require special com- ment. Born September 15, 1870, in the city in which he still resides, he ob- tained a public school education, attending high school for two years, and at the age of eighteen began work in his father's boiler-making and implement manufacturing establishment. He made it his purpose to thoroughly acquaint himself with the various phases of the business and with his increasing knowl- edge and ability has advanced steadily step by step. His duties have been largely in the clerical and office end of the work and in 1904 he was elected secretary of the company, which is his present connection. He is in constant consultation with his brothers concerning the management and direction of the enterprise, which has been a constantly growing concern and is today one of the mammoth productive industries of Racine, its output in boilers and farm implements and machinery being sent to all parts of the world.
Stephen H. Freeman was married in 1896 to Miss Ora Gallaway, of Racine, who died in 1906, and he has since wedded Ida Roebuck, of this city. By the
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second marriage there are two children: Stephen Edward, in his seventh year, and Aileen Helen, now in her fourth year.
In his political views Mr. Freeman is a democrat, well versed on the ques- tions and issues of the day, but not active as an office seeker. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Foresters, and both he and his wife are members of the St. Luke's Episcopal church. They occupy a most enviable position in the social circles of the city and their own home is characterized by a warm-hearted hospitality that is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
JOHN C. HOOD.
John C. Hood, clerk of the circuit court of Racine county and a native of the city of Racine, was born October 18, 1869, a son of Samuel and Aliee A. (Coy) Hood. The father, whose birth occurred in Oxford, Pennsylvania, was a son of Thomas Hood, also born in the Keystone state. In the year 1838 Thomas Hood brought his family to Racine and entered a government claim of one hundred and sixty acres near the city. With the pioneer development of the district he was closely associated and he became a prominent and in- fluential resident of his township. His son, Samuel Hood, embarked in the lumber business in Racine and was for many years proprietor of one of the leading lumber yards of the city, conducting a growing and profitable business. He was interested in all projects for the welfare and benefit of the community and at one time served on the school board. He married Alice A. Coy, a native of England and a daughter of John Coy, who came with his family to the United States in 1832, settling at Utica, New York. The year 1848 witnessed his arrival in Racine, after which he engaged in business here as a contractor. Both Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hood were members of the Baptist church and in polities he was an earnest republican. He died September 21, 1905, after a residence of sixty-seven years in this county, and his widow departed this life May 15, 1912. They were both representatives of old families of the county and from early pioneer times down to the present representatives of the Hood family have taken an active and helpful part in much that has contributed to the development and improvement of this section of the state.
John C. Hood, entering the public schools of Racine at the designated age for educational development, passed through consecutive grades to the high school and started upon his business career as bookkeeper in the employ of the American Seating Company, being thus engaged at the time of the out- break of the war with Spain, when his patriotic spirit prompted his enlist- ment, and on the 28th of April. 1898, he joined Company F of the First Regi- ment at Racine, with which he remained until mustered out on the 19th of October of the same year. He returned to the employ of the American Seat- ing Company, with which he continued for another year, and that he was received back into the ranks of its employes after a period of absence is in- dicative of the appreciation on the part of his employers of his faithfulness and capability. The succeeding three years were passed in the government
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employ in Washington, D. C .. where he occupied a position in the department of agriculture, and for one year he was in the Racine postoffice. He then again accepted a position with the American Seating Company, in which con- neetion he continued for two years. On the 3rd of November. 1914, at the regular election, he was chosen for the office of elerk of the circuit court and assumed the duties of that position on the 1st of January, 1915.
On the 14th of January, 1908. Mr. Hood was united in marriage to Miss Mary Palmer, a daughter of C. H. Palmer, of Racine, and their children are John and Marion. In this city they have a wide acquaintance and many friends. Mr. Hood is identified with various fraternal and social organizations, being affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum, the Com- mercial Club and the Spanish War Veterans' Association. His connection with military affairs eovers not only the period of his enlistment for the Spanish- American war, but also eight years' service as a member of the National Guard of Wisconsin, in which he was holding the rank of second lieutenant when mustered out in 1898, just prior to the time when he enlisted for national de- fense. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. while in polities he is a stalwart republican, having stanchly indorsed and supported the prin- eiples of the party sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He represents one of the oldest families of the county. the name of Hood having been associated with the history of Raeine for seventy-eight years. It has always been a synonym for progressiveness and good citizenship and these characteristic family qualities are manifest in the life of John C. Hood.
FRANCIS GEORGE KLEIN.
It is seldom that one of eighty-three years is found active in business life, but sueh is the record of Francis George Klein, who still gives supervision to his commercial and manufacturing interests, his sons, however, being his ac- tive associates and assistants in the conduet of the interests which are carried on under the name of the F. G. Klein Company at Burlington. A native of Franee, he was born in St. John, Alsace, February 5. 1833, a son of Francis and Mary Ann (Wagner) Klein, the former born at Eekerzweilver and the latter at St. John. in Alsace. The grandfather always remained a resident of France. The family comes of German aneestry and one of the great grand- fathers, whose name was Birgel. was with the French army at the battle of Waterloo, in which he sustained a wound across the side of his face, causing the loss of an eye and permanent disfigurement. He lived to the notable age of ninety-nine years and Franeis G. Klein remembers distinctly of seeing him, being rather repelled than attracted to him by reason of the disfigurement occasioned by his wound. Although not a man of great stature, he possessed remarkable strength. The paternal grandfather was a wheelwright by trade and also followed the occupation of farming, owning a small traet of land. He engaged in the growing of grapes and the manufacture of wine, which was the beverage uniformly used. While still a resident of Alsace, Francis Klein, the father of F. G. Klein, became a soldier and was for seven years with the
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army, and on one occasion he marched for three days, carrying knapsack and gun and averaging seventy-one miles per day. In 1840 Francis Klein started for America, bringing with him his family, consisting of wife, two sons and a daughter. They made the voyage in one of the old-time sailing vessels-a speedy voyage for that day, as they reached their destination on the 18th of October, after but thirty-one days on the water. They continued the journey to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1855 and where the father followed his trade of shoemaking. Coming to Burlington when work was scarce, he afterward removed to Racine and bought a small house on Sixth street, near the City Hotel. There he continued to follow his trade until 1860, when he removed to Chicago, where his daughter was married to Frank Schneider, who was then sheriff of Racine county, while another daughter became the wife of Frank Vogt. After a year spent in Chicago Mr. Klein returned to Burlington and purchased a home on MeHenry street, which he occupied until his death in 1884, when he was eighty-two years of age. His wife had previously passed away, dying at the age of sixty-five. They had a family of five children, three sons and two daughters.
Francis G. Klein, the eldest, has in his possession a willow basket which was given him on his first birthday and which was borne on the shoulders, being used to carry chips in. He learned German at home and French in the schools and after coming to America attended school at Pottsville, Pennsyl- vania. At a very early age he worked at the shoemaker's trade with his father, but not liking that pursuit, he became an apprentice in the foundry of John Potts Orchard. there learning the blacksmith's trade during his three years' term of indenture. He afterward had an additional year's instruction in Snyder's foundry at Pottsville and later worked in the shops of the Phila- delphia & Reading Railroad, where he continued for three years. He still has in his possession his recommendation from that employer, dated February 15, 1856, and which speaks in the highest terms of him as an "excellent mechanic, industrious and obliging." During his service there Mr. Klein made a patent cow catcher, which the older mechanies said it was impossible to do with the appliances at hand. The result of this was an increase in his wages. He after- ward went to work for the Mine Hill & Schuyler Haven Railroad Company, from which he also has a recommendation dated June 21, 1856. He then came to Burlington, where he had relatives, but the place was small and he could find no work in his line. He traveled over a large part of the state, but had little opportunity to work at his trade. He then returned to Burlington and soon afterward the family removed to Raeine, where all secured employment. Mr. Klein there worked in the ear shops of the Racine & Mississippi Railroad and owing to the fact that he voted against the issuance of bonds by the city, the railroad company discharged him. Work was seare and after four weeks he entered the employ of J. I. Case, who was then building threshers, acting as foreman in the blacksmith shop.
It was about this time or on the 4th of February, 1862, that Mr. Klein wedded Miss Mary Ann Praseh, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Phillip Praseh, a native of Bavaria, Germany. The children of this marriage are : Cecelia, who is now the wife of John Rose, proprietor of a bakery and ten cent store ; Mary Ann, who is now at St. Francis, Sacred Heart congrega-
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tion, with her brother; Addie, the wife of J. E. Amond, of Appleton, Wiscon- sin; Celestine, deceased; F. X., now in business with his father as aeting manager of the plant ; Louisa, at home; Otto, who is also connected with his father in business and is serving as supervisor of Burlington from the third ward, and Eleanora, Emma and Lydia, all at home. Phillip John. the sixth child of the family, was educated at St. Francis and was ordained to the priest- hood in Milwaukee at the Cathedral in 1892. He was first assigned to pastoral duty in Kenosha and is now resident priest at Sacred Heart church in St. Franeis, having been previously at Whitewater and New Coeln. Seven ehil- dren have passed away, two sons and five daughters, there having been a family of seventeen.
In the fall of 1862 a daughter was born, and owing to the wife's extreme illness, the doctor commanded that Mr. Klein should not go to the front as a soldier in the Civil war, so he hired Nicholas Weber to go as his substitute, paying him two hundred dollars. The J. 1. Case plant, in which he was em- ployed, closed down during the winter, but Mr. Klein advised Mr. Case to continue work. Mr. Klein had purchased iron at two and one-half cents and he advised Mr. Case to duplicate the order, the wisdom of which was seen in the fact that iron soon afterward advaneed to six and one-half eents. Among the recommendations which he holds he has one from the Case Company, dated June 7, 1865, at the elose of four years of faithful service, the termination of this relation being eaused by ill health. Returning to Burlington, he joined his unele, Hubert Wagner, in a small shop, their attention being given to the building of threshing machines. He still continued in ill health, but after some time gradually improved and after two years he purchased the interest of Mr. Williams, deceased, and entered into partnership with Mr. MeComber in the manufacture of plows and cultivators. They made a cultivator which was patented by the firm of MeComber & Klein. continuing in the business for six years. Following the dissolution of the partnership Mr. Klein engaged in selling farm implements for a year and then purchased an interest in the busi- ness of John H. Bower, who had been condueting a small pop manufactory. After three years his son, Frank, purchased Mr. Bower's interests and they have sinee continued the business under the firm style of the F. G. Klein Com- pany. Their present plant is a three story building, sixty by eighty feet, built in attractive style of architecture and equipped with the latest improved ma- chinery." They also have a branch establishment in Chicago at Nos. 1878 to 1900 Sheffield avenue. Their business has long been a substantial one and a spirit of indefatigable enterprise has characterized Mr. Klein at every point in his career.
Interested and active in community affairs. Mr. Klein served as justice of the peace for a time and was a member of the village board of Burlington before its incorporation. For eight years he served as supervisor on the county board from the third ward, making an excellent record in that connection. He belongs to St. Eustachius Society and while residing in Raeine he was the promoter of the Singing Club in St. Mary's congregation, of which he served as president for three years. When the ship Lady Elson sank in 1860, owing to the great loss of life, four hundred children being left orphans, Mr. Klein organized a benefit conducted by the Singing Club which netted a large sum
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. of money for the children. He has always been a man of generous spirit, con- tinually reaching out a helping hand and doing kind acts for the needy. He is a remarkably well preserved man of eighty-three years, active mentally and physically, and he personally attends to the manufacture of all the syrups made by the firm in their splendidly equipped plant, where everything is kept serupulously clean. He and his wife have lived happily together for fifty-four years. She. too, is splendidly preserved and they are a notable couple, honored and respected by all, Burlington numbering them among her most valued citizens.
GUY A. BENSON.
Among the younger representatives of the Racine bar whose professional course has been marked by substantial and consecutive progress is numbered Guy A. Benson, who was graduated from the law department of the State University in 1909. He has been a lifelong resident of this state, his birth having occurred in Iola, Wisconsin, May 31, 1885, his parents being Ole and Andrea (Olson) Benson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The paternal grandfather, Bendt Hanson, brought his family to the United States in 1864, establishing his home upon a farm at Iola, Wisconsin, where he reared his family. The maternal grandfather, Hans Olson, arrived at Iola in 1849, be- coming one of the pioneer residents of that section of the state. The work of progress and improvement had searcely been begun in that locality and he entered land from the government, taking up the arduous task of developing a new farm. It was in that locality that his daughter, Andrea, gave her hand in marriage to Ole Benson, and there they resided for a considerable period. Both have now passed away.
Guy A. Benson attended the public and high schools of lola and spent his last year in high school work in Racine, where he was graduated with the class of 1904. Ambitious to lay the foundation for his business success in a liberal education, he afterward spent two years in pursuing a literary course in the State University at Madison and then entered the law department, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. Returning to Racine, he here opened an office and has since successfully followed his profession, his ability being manifest in the many favorable verdicts which he has won for his clients. The strength of his argument is based upon thorough preparation and com- prehensive knowledge of the law, his deductions are logical, his reasoning clear and as the years pass he is making steady progress along professional lines. Since 1910 he has occupied the position of circuit court commissioner and he is also one of the local civil service examiners. In various connections he has been called upon for publie service, which he has ever rendered cheer- fully and ably. Since 1912 he has occupied a position on the Racine library board and for three years he has been a member of the Racine county board of review of income assessments, in which connection he is now serving as president. He is also a member of the board of education and thus his aid is given in many ways to upholding the stability and best interests of the county
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and promoting its substantial improvement and progress. In polities he is a progressive republican. He believes in that steady advancement that is the direct result of a recognition of opportunity on the part of broad-minded, publie-spirited men. Fraternally Mr. Benson is connected with the Knights of Pythias and he also belongs to the Order of Coif, an honorary law frater- nity. and to the Phi Alpha Delta. Mr. Benson is also a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and of the Commercial Club and his influence is on the side of all those well defined, practical and progressive plans which are instituted for the benefit of the material. intellectual, social, political and moral progress of the community.
JOSEPH C. CARROLL.
Joseph C. Carroll, who for thirty years was identified with the business interests of Raeine and was recognized as a man of striet business integrity as well as of ability. was born in Raeine December 25, 1850, and was a son of the late Michael W. Carroll, one of the ablest attorneys and school teachers of the state and also a veteran of the Civil war. Joseph C. Carroll acquired his early education in the public schools and high school of Racine and manifested unusual aptitude in his studies, so that he became well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties. For almost three decades he was closely asso- ciated with the business interests of Raeine, becoming head clerk of the Good- rich Transportation Company, in which capacity he served for an extended period under George W. Seanlon as agent. On leaving that position he became connected with the Ibing Furniture Company, acting as undertaker and busi- ness manager for several years. After the death of Alonzo Glass he became associated with the E. L. Hedstrom Coal Company, acting as its agent. He continued with that company until it closed out its business and he was also with Charles T. Wright in the lumber business. He was associated with many other enterprises of the city and about fourteen years prior to his demise established the J. C. Carroll coal yards and continued actively in business on his own account until his death, in connection with his activity along other lines. He was always interested in real estate and promoted some large trans- actions of that character. winning substantial success as the result of his real estate transfers. In business eireles he was considered a man of the strictest integrity and honor, of sterling attributes and of sound judgment, so that his advice was often sought by many of the city's leading business men.
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