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 22
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Andrew E. Ibson received his education in the district schools and on reach- ing mature years took up the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared. He assisted his father until the latter's demise and then inherited the homestead of forty acres which he is now cultivating. He raises some grain
ANDREW E. IBSON AND FAMILY
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but gives the greater part of his attention to dairving and receives a good in- come from the sale of milk. In addition to his home farm he owns a half see- tion of land in New Mexico. He is industrious, practical and progressive and has accumulated a competence.
Mr. Ibson was united in marriage on the 18th of February, 1892, to Miss Annie Christina Moeller, who was born in Holstein, Germany, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Jacob Moeller. The former was born at Gravenstein, Ger- many, which was at that time a part of Holland, and was a son of John Hanan. but he operated a mill, which faet led him to change his name to Moeller. He died February 24, 1881, in Holstein, Germany. He was married twice and had five children by his first marriage and ten by his second, Mrs. Ibson being the fifth child of the second marriage. Her mother came to the new world in 1883 and settled in Raeine county. To Mr. and Mrs. Ibson have been born four children : Ada L., who is a graduate of the Union Grove high school, and at- tended the Milwaukee Normal school, and the Whitewater Normal school, was formerly engaged in teaching but is now at home : Gertrude E. is a high school graduate ; and Ansine and Daniel are attending school.
The parents attend the Baptist church, in which faith Mr. Ibson was reared, and their influence is always on the side of righteousness and justice. He supports the prohibition party at the polls, believing that the solution of the liquor problem will also mean the solution of many other vexing questions of the day. His entire life has been passed in Raeine county and he has thor- oughly identified his interests with those of the community, being at all times willing to aid in any way possible in promoting the general good.
HANS L. PETERSON.
There is no land which offers the untrammeled opportunities that Amer- ica does. Here, where labor is unhampered by caste or class and indefatigable effort wins its reward, there are many men who have started out empty-handed yet who today possess substantial holdings if not wealth. Such a one is Hans L. Peterson, farmer and dairyman, residing upon a place of one hundred and forty-four aeres near Franksville. He was born in Denmark. April 8, 1859, and is a son of Peter and Katherina Halkensen. The father was born in Sweden and spent his last days at the home of his son Hans in Racine county, passing away in 1897. He was a member of the Danish Lutheran church and his family numbered eight children, of whom five are yet living: Dorothy. who is the widow of Andrew Anderson : Hans L .; Matilda, the wife of Max Thornton, a farmer of Yorkville township ; Thena, the wife of Hans Anderson, a resident farmer of Raymond township; and Ole, who follows farming in the state of Washington.
Hans L. Peterson pursued his education in the schools of Denmark, where he remained until he reached the age of twenty years, when he severed the ties that bound him to his native land and came to the new world. making his way at onee to Raeine county. For a few years he worked as a farm hand and
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then established a home of his own by his marriage in 1883 to Miss Annie Larsen, who was born in Denmark. They have become parents of nine chil- dren : John, who is married and follows farming in Yorkville township; Willie, who is also married and lives in the same township; Carrie, the wife of Christ Jensen, a farmer of Raymond township; Ella, the wife of James Johnson, a resident of the same township; James, who works in Yorkville, and Edward, Adolph. Mary and Harry, all at home.
Indefatigable industry has been the basis of Mr. Peterson's growing sue- cess. He was empty handed when he came to the new world. It required practically all that he possessed to pay his way and he at once faced the ne- cessity of providing for his own support. From his earnings as a farm hand he saved enough to enable him to make his first purchase of land and he is now the owner of one hundred and forty-four acres in Raymond township, where he carries on general farming and also engages in dairying to a considerable ex- tent, keeping high grade Holstein cattle. In the midst of his farm stands a pleasant and comfortable residence, in the rear of which are good barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Everything about the place speaks of the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner who utilizes the most modern methods of farming in carrying on the work of his place. He is interested in community affairs and has served as treasurer of the local school board. In polities he is a republican and he belongs to the Luth- eran church, to the support of which he contributes generously. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has worked his way steadily upward. Moreover, his life record proves that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously.
THOMAS A. FAGAN.
Thomas A. Fagan, engaged in the general real estate and insurance busi- ness at No. 610 Wisconsin street under the firm style of Thomas A. Fagan & Company, was born in Racine, November 14, 1871, a son of John and Mary (Kelly) Fagan. The father was a native of Ireland and the grandfather spent his entire life on the Emerald Isle. When but six months old John Fagan was brought by an aunt to the United States, the family home being established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1866, when he came to Racine. He was the first practical brick manufacturer of this city and for many years occupied the responsible position of superintendent with the firm of Smith Brothers. In his later years he lived retired. enjoying a well earned rest from further labor. He passed away in 1906. at the age of seventy-three years, his birth having occurred in 1833. but his widow still survives.
Reared in the city of his nativity, Thomas A. Fagan obtained a publie and high school education and became a machinist. following the trade for six or seven years. Since 1897, however, he has been continuously connected with the real estate and insurance business. He was first located at No. 503 Main street and after operating independently for a time became vice president of
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the David G. Jones Company, with which he was thus associated for nine years, at the end of which time he sold out. He then organized the present firm of Thomas A. Fagan & Company, with offices at No. 610 Wisconsin street, and is now conducting a general real estate and insurance business. In this connection he is well known, for he has negotiated many important realty transfers and also writes a large amount of insurance annually, representing a number of the old line companies.
On the 15th of June, 1898, Mr. Fagan was united in marriage to Miss Carrie J. Kosterman, of Racine, a daughter of Peter and Sophia Kosterman, who were early settlers here. Mr. and Mrs. Fagan are the parents of three children, Jeannette, Eleanor and Josephine.
The family are communicants of St. Rose Catholic church and Mr. Fagan is identified with the Catholie Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In polities he maintains an inde- pendent, course, voting according to the dietates of his judgment and the exi- gencies of the case, nor has he ever sought or desired a political office. His attention is concentrated upon his business affairs and his elose application and indefatigable energy, combined with a thorough knowledge of everything connected with insurance and real estate, have brought him substantial and gratifying success.
AUGUST J. EISENHUT.
August J. Eisenhut. who since April, 1910, has filled the office of city treas- urer of Racine, having been re-elected to this position without opposition, was born on the 22d of October, 1876, his parents being August and Martha Eisen- hut. The father was born March 27, 1852, and came to the United States with his son August in the year 1881 and remained for a short time a resident of New York city but the same year removed westward to Milwaukee, where he resided until the fall of that year and then came to Raeine. He is a ma- chinist by trade and has followed business along that line during the greater part of his life. Having lost his first wife, he was married again in Milwaukee in 1883, his second union being with Louise Foertsch, of Raeine.
August J. Eisenhut, whose name introduces this review, was less than a year old when brought to the new world. His education has been acquired in the schools of Raeine and in that city he attended business college. In early life he learned the basket-making trade and afterward took up the machinist trade, continuing therein for twenty years, during which period he became an efficient and expert workman, occupying excellent positions in that connec- tion. His fellow townsmen, however, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to the office of city treasurer at the municipal election of April, 1910, and so splendid has been his record in this position that he has since been re-elected without opposition. He is prompt and systematie in the dis- charge of all duties and his publie-spirited citizenship stands as an unques- tioned faet in his career. He has always maintained a non-partisan attitude in polities, ever placing the publie welfare before party advancement.
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On the 5th of July, 1907, Mr. Eisenhut was married to Miss Martha Breek- enfeld, of Racine, a daughter of Captain George Breckenfeld, who was one of the early settlers here and for many years was captain of the life saving station. Mr. and Mrs. Eisenhut now have two children, Ward and Beth. The family attend the Lutheran church and Mr. Eisenhut holds membership with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Dramatie Order of the Knights of Khor- assan. the Fraternal Order of Eagles and with the Deutscher Club. Mr. Eisen- hut is a self made man in every sense of the word and deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. With limited advantages in his youth, he has worked his way steadily upward in business and public connections, develop- ing his latent powers and talents and acquiring ability through diligence and determination, thus becoming well qualified for the onerous duties which now devolve upon him.
EDWARD N. RICE.
Edward N. Riee, deputy superintendent at Racine for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, has been connected with the insurance business for a number of years. He was born in Kenosha June 11, 1876, a son of Nicholas and Nellie (Keenen) Rice, the latter also a native of Kenosha. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1855, the year before James Buchanan was elected president. He settled in Kenosha, where he still makes his home, and he is now eighty-six years of age, his birth having occurred in August, 1830. His wife passed away in March, 1912.
Edward N. Rice attended the schools of Kenosha but is largely self-edu- cated, as he early started out to earn his living. but in the school of experi- ence he has learned many valuable lessons. He was at first employed at the Allen tannery of Kenosha, with which he was connected for three years, and subsequently he spent six months with the Ringling Brothers circus as eandy butcher. He afterward went to work for a portrait house to enlarge family portraits and continued in that connection for three months. He next began handling a crew for a portrait house and spent four years in that work in the eentral states. On the expiration of that period he entered the employ of the Simmons Manufacturing Company and learned the trade of polisher and buffer. Becoming interested in the labor movement, he devoted twelve years to furthering the organization and at length he drifted into the insurance business, spending six months as agent, after which he was made assistant district manager at Milwaukee, where he continued for two years. Later he returned to Kenosha and for two years was manager of the local branch of the business at that place. He then again went to Milwaukee, where he remained for a year, and three years ago he came to Raeine as deputy superintendent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He has made steady advance since becoming connected with insurance interests. He is well qualified to manage the interests under his control and he has supervision over a number of agents.
On the 29th of April, 1903. Mr. Riee was married to Miss Rose Duffy, who was born in Friend, Nebraska. They belong to St. Rose Catholic church and
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Mr. Rice is also a member of the Commercial Club of Racine, of the Elks lodge and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is a well read man and his varied experiences have been interesting, bringing him into touch with the wider realm of public thought.
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CHARLES A. RYBA.
Raeine on the whole has been favored in the elass of men who have oceu- pied her publie offices, and among the worthy city officials is numbered Charles A. Ryba, who since April, 1913, has occupied the position of eity elerk. He was born in Racine, July 21. 1889. a son of Albert and Anna (Novak) Ryba, the former a native of Bohemia, while the latter was born in Caledonia township. Racine county. Albert Ryba came to the United States in 1882 and made his way to Racine, where he has since resided, occupying the position of shipping clerk or doing general clerical work for the M. M. Secor Trunk Company. He married Anna Novak, a daughter of John Novak, who came to Racine in 1853, and established his home upon a farm.
Charles A. Ryba acquired a public and high school education in Raeine and also attended the Wiseonsin Business College. He became deputy eity elerk under William Armstrong and occupied that position for six years, at the end of which time he was elected city clerk in April, 1913, since which time he has occupied the office, for which he was well qualified through his previous ex- perience as deputy. His duties are discharged with promptness and fidelity , and system and orderliness characterize all that he does.
On the 6th of February, 1915, Mr. Ryba was married to Miss Ora Duch- mann, of Raeine, a daughter of Fred and Margaret Duchmann. Fraternally Mr. Ryba is associated with the Eagles and the Knights of Pythias and he en- joys social life through his membership in the Deutscher Club. He is also identified with the Commercial Club and is in hearty sympathy with its pur- poses to advance Racine's best interests in a material way and uphold its civic welfare. In polities he is independent, voting a non-partisan tieket. He has a wide acquaintance in the city of his nativity, where his entire life has been passed, and his salient traits of character are such as have established him firmly in public regard.
P. H. CONNOLLY.
P. H. Connolly, who has the second longest record of continuous service of all the city engineers of Wisconsin, eame to his present office in 1899 and has remained the incumbent through the intervening period, now covering seven- teen years. He was born in Rochester, New York, April 24, 1863, and is a son of Patrick and Eliza (Beaumont) Connolly. The father is a native of County Westmeath, Ireland, while the mother's birth occurred in Centerville, Miehi- gan. The father was a wagonmaker by trade and came to Racine in 1863. In
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1864 he moved his family to Racine. He has now passed the eighty-third mile- stone on life's journey. his birth having occurred in 1833, but the mother died in November. 1878.
Reared in this city, P. H. Connolly entered the public schools at the usual age and promotion from grade to grade brought him at length to the high school. After completing his studies there he entered the University of Wis- consin and was graduated in 1885 with the degree of Bachelor of Civil En- gineering. Subsequently he was employed by the St. Paul Railroad Company on engineering construction work and afterward spent two years in the service of the Chicago City Railway Company. In 1889 he returned to Racine, where he accepted the position of assistant city engineer, occupying that position until 1892. He next went to Riverside, Illinois, where he remained as village engineer until May, 1899, and then accepted his present position as city engi- neer of Racine. There is but one man in the state who has served as city engineer for a longer period, and the length of his service indicates how prompt, faithful and reliable he has been in discharging his official duties.
On the 28th of May, 1891, Mr. Connolly was united in marriage to Miss Catherine A. Hass, of Racine, a daughter of George A. and Sarah A. (Houpt) Hass. There was born to Mr. and Mrs. Connolly four sons : George H., born August 5, 1892; Francis E., born November 13, 1893; Henry, born on the 20th of March, 1896; and Robert, April 21, 1899. Mr. Connolly suffered a sad be- reavement by the death of his beloved wife on June 9, 1910. The family home is at No. 1310 Wisconsin street.
Mr. Connolly is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He is well qualified in that line of activity which he has chosen as his life work, thoroughly understanding the scientific principles which consti- tute the basis of endeavor in this field, while his practical experience has been most broad. He is continually adding to his professional knowledge as a mem- ber of the Western Society of Engineers, the Engineering Society of Wis- consin and the American Society of Municipal Improvements.
DENNIS E. FITZGERALD.
Dennis E. Fitzgerald, who on the 1st of May, 1912, was made city sealer of weights and measures and has continued in this position through the inter- vening years, was born in Racine, May 1, 1881, a son of Morris and Mary (Green) Fitzgerald, both of whom were natives of Ireland. When young people they came to the United States and were married at Fall River, Massa- chusetts. At the time of the Civil war the father served the Union cause as a member of the navy. In 1880 he came to Racine, where he engaged in business as a contractor in the building of sewers up to the time of his demise, which occurred September 24, 1915. His widow still survives. Both were members of St. Patrick's Catholic church in an early day and afterward became com- munieants of St. Rose Catholic church.
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Dennis E. Fitzgerald, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, acquired his education in the parochial and public schools of Racine, eventu- ally becoming a high school pupil. He started in the business world as an em- ploye of the Racine Wagon & Carriage Company, where his industry and capability found recognition in promotion. For thirteen years he remained with that company, his record being at all times most creditable. On the 1st of May, 1912, he was appointed to the office of city sealer of weights and meas- ures by Mayor W. S. Goodland, after passing the state civil service examina- tion, and has since occupied that position, in which his record has been most creditable and satisfactory.
On the 9th of October, 1905, Mr. Fitzgerald was united in marriage to Miss Tena Mockler, of Racine, a daughter of John and Christina (Ricoff) Mockler, and to them has been born one child, Marcellus. The parents are members of St. Rose Catholic church and Mr. Fitzgerald is now treasurer of the congre- gation. He also has membership with Belle City Camp, No. 39, Woodmen of the World, in which he is filling the office of clerk, and he belongs to Racine Aerie, No. 281, F. O. E., and to Charles Filer Camp of the Sons of Veterans. In politics he maintains an independent course, considering the capability of the candidates for office rather than their party affiliation. His has been an active life characterized by loyalty and capability in business circles, and the same qualities have been manifest since he has entered upon public office.
JOSEPH J. MORITZ.
While Joseph J. Moritz made a humble start in business life, he has for a number of years occupied a position of trust and responsibility that indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, for since 1909 he has been secretary of the board of education in Racine, his native city. He was born on the 30th of April. 1883, a son of Michael and Anna (Heaton) Moritz. The father was born in Bavaria, Germany, and about 1869 arrived in Racine, where he followed the machinist's trade, which he had previously learned. He after- ward turned his attention to the dry goods business, with which he was con- nected for many years, and at the present time he is one of the employes of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company. In this city he wedded Anna Heaton, a native of Racine and a daughter of John Heaton, one of the early settlers here, casting in his lot with the pioneers of the county.
Joseph J. Moritz completed his public school education by graduation from the high school of Racine with the class of 1901. He had pursued a business course during his high school days and he made his initial start in the busi- ness world as timekeeper with the Racine Boat Company. Two years later he entered the employ of the Fish Brothers Wagon Company and after acting as assistant bookkeeper for two years was promoted to the position of head bookkeeper, in which capacity he continued for three years, also acting as private secretary to the president, Mr. Johnson. He was alert, energetic, en- terprising and loyal and his business record was most commendable, his em- plovers and his associates speaking of him in terms of warmest regard. He is
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secretary of the Wisconsin Implement Company of Racine but is not taking an active part in its management. In 1909 he was called upon for publie office through appointment to the position of secretary of the board of education and again his systematie and methodieal habits, his diligence and determina- tion have made him an excellent officer, so that he has remained the incumbent in that position through the intervening period, covering seven years.
Mr. Moritz is of the Catholic faith, belonging to St. Mary's church, and he is also identified with the Knights of Columbus. He finds pleasant social re- lations in the Deutscher Club and among his fellow members of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In polities he has always followed an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party lines. Having been a lifelong resident of Racine, he is well known here and has an extensive circle of warm friends. Moreover, he has been familiar with every phase of the city's development for a third of a century and at all times has manifested a publie-spirited devotion to the general good.
JOHN C. WAGNER.
John C. Wagner is proprietor of the Wagner Hotel of Racine, in connec- tion with which he conduets what is known as the best restaurant of the city. He was born March 27, 1858, in Racine, a son of Jacob and Mary (Gracely) Wagner. the former a native of Prussia and the latter of Wurtemberg, Ger- many. In the early '40s they arrived in Racine and were married in this eity. The father was a tanner by trade and long followed that line of business.
After acquiring a public school education John C. Wagner learned the wire-weaver's trade, to which he devoted ten years, but since 1883 has been continuously engaged in the hotel business and is one of the best known hotel proprietors in southern Wisconsin. his activity in this field covering a third of a century. It was in 1883 that he opened a hotel at No. 416 Main street, where he carried on business until 1897. He then conducted the Palm Garden for two years and in 1900 he opened the Wagner hotel on Sixth and Wisconsin streets, starting in a small way. He now has a fine hostelry of twenty rooms in connection with which he conducts a splendid restaurant that is most lib- erally patronized, it being known as the best eating place in Racine. The hotel is a stag establishment.
On the 9th of August. 1886, Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Ida Derrick, of Racine, whose father came to this city about 1865 and died during the early girlhood of his daughter Mrs. Wagner, who passed away in January, 1916. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are: Irene, now the wife of Calvin Peck of Racine, by whom she has one son, Calvin H .; Jessie; and Harry, who married Margaret Bowles and is engaged in business with his father.
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