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 23
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Fraternally Mr. Wagner is connected with several organizations, includ- ing the Eagles, the Moose and the Elks. In politics he is a stalwart republican and an active worker. For five terms he served as supervisor, and for one term filled the position of sheriff of the county. In 1898 he was elected to represent his distriet in the state legislature and during his connection with
JOHN C. WAGNER
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the house gave careful consideration to every question which came up for set- tlement. In 1902 he was elected alderman of Raeine, first ward, and in 1903 was appointed emigration inspector but deelined to occupy the last named po- sition. He now concentrates his energies upon his hotel business and in that connection is meeting with substantial and well deserved success.
GEORGE FRITCHEN.
George Fritchen is a representative of one of the old families of Raymond township, represented in this county for sixty-five years, for it was in 1851 that his parents, William and Gertrude (Fettin) Fritchen, established their home in this part of the state. They were both natives of Germany, the former born near Krehfeldt. In the fatherland they were reared and married and then, determining to try their fortune on this side the Atlantic, they sailed for the United States and in 1851 reached Racine county, becoming residents of Raymond township. They were in very limited financial circumstances and Mr. Fritehen began working on the railroad but carefully saved his earn- ings and when the sum was sufficient purchased forty acres of land. With characteristic energy he began to cultivate and improve that place and after- ward he was able to extend its boundaries by the purchase of an additional traet of forty acres. He thereafter continued to reside on the old homestead until his life's labors were ended in death and he transformed the place into a highly improved property, the fields annually bringing to him rich harvests. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church and his study of political questions and issues led him to give his support to the republican party, so that at the polls he voted always for its men and measures. To him and his wife were born five children, four of whom are yet living : Tillman and Henry, who are residents of Yorkville township; William, who is employed in one of the shops of Raeine; and George.
The last named was born on the homestead farm in Raymond township on the 11th of September, 1867, and at the usual age began his education in the distriet schools. He started out in life on his own account when his textbooks were put aside and has always carried on the occupation to which he was reared-the occupation of farming, of which George Washington said: "It is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man." He now has eighty acres of land and carries on general farming, also raising a large number of chickens of the Black Minorca breed, having about four or five hundred.
On the 19th of December, 1901, Mr. Fritchen was married to Miss Augusta Sehroder, a daughter of August and Doris (Siefert) Sehroder, the former a native of Mecklenburg and the latter of Pommern, Germany. On coming to America they made their way to Milwaukee in the early '50s and soon after- ward crossed the boarder into Racine county, after which the father purchased a farm in Raymond township, devoting his remaining days to the cultivation and improvement of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Fritchen have become the par- ents of two children, Maude and Raleigh.
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Mr. Fritchen supports the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has never sought nor desired office, how- ever, as he feels that his time is fully occupied with his business interests. He has always lived in this county, has always carried on farming and has always governed his conduet by rules which have made him one of the substantial. respected and worthy citizens of his community.
HON. WALTER S. GOODLAND.
After four years' service as chief executive of Racine, Hon. Walter S. Goodland retired from the mayoralty as he had entered the office-with the confidence and good will of the great majority of citizens, and upon the city's history left the record of various substantial improvements which were made under his administration-improvements along the lines of both reform and progress. He has been active in the fields of both law and journalism and at the present writing is owner of the Times-Call of Racine, in which city he has made his home since March, 1899. He was born in Sharon, Walworth county. Wisconsin, December 22. 1862, and is descended from English ancestry. His paternal grandparents, William and Abigail (Harmon) Goodland, were both natives of England and during the greater part of his life the former followed mercantile pursuits in Somersetshire. There on the 10th of August, 1831, occurred the birth of Judge John Goodland, who was accorded liberal educa- tional opportunities in his native country, where he remained until he reached the age of eighteen, when, desirous of learning something more of the world and enjoying the opportunities offered in America he erossed the Atlantic in 1849. Through the succeeding five years he was a resident of Oneida county. New York, and was connected with various business lines during that period. In 1854 he came to Wisconsin and through the succeeding decade was a teacher in the schools of Walworth county, during which period he also served as jus- tice of the peace and held other local offices. In 1864 he removed to Chicago and accepted clerical position in the freight office of the Chicago & North- western Railroad, there continuing for two and one-half years. He afterward served for seven years as station agent for the same road at Appleton, Wis- consin. and in 1874 he embarked in the insurance business at Appleton, where he utilized his leisure time for the study of law, his reading being wisely di- rected by an able preceptor until he was admitted to the bar in 1878. In that year he became the partner of Lyman E. Barnes, afterward member of con- gress, and their practice was thus continued for a few years. In 1888 Judge Goodland was elected district attorney of Outagamie county and was re- elected in 1890, making a most creditable record during his two terms' service by reason of the many favorable verdicts which he won. verdicts that were accorded in recognition of the strength of his case, based upon the points in evidence and the law applicable thereto. His ability in that office led to his election in the spring of 1891 to the office of judge of the tenth judicial dis- trict. Upon the death of George H. Myers he was appointed by Governor Peck to fill out the unexpired term up to the time when he would assume judicial
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duties by reason of his election. By successive re-elections he has remained ,as distriet judge to the present time and, according to a contemporary biog- rapher, has "shown great ability in facilitating the work of his court as well as in giving rulings marked by judicial discrimination in both eivil and erimi- nal causes as well as by broad and accurate knowledge of the science of juris- prudence and a high appreciation of the dignity and responsibility of his office." This is not the only office to which Judge Goodland has been elected, for before becoming district attorney he was eity assessor at Appleton for three years and in all matters relating to the material and eivie welfare of his community he is deeply interested, his influence being ever on the side of improvement and progress. Such is the respect entertained for his opin- ions upon public questions that his example always secures to any cause a large following. He votes with the democratic party and his fraternal connection is with the Masons. .
While residing in Oneida county, New York, Judge Goodland was married to Miss Caroline N. Clark, a native of that state, with whom he traveled life's journey most happily for forty-three years, separation coming to them, how- ever, in the death of his wife in 1894. They were the parents of nine ehildren. five of whom survive : Walter S. ; John, a member of the eity commission of Ap- pleton ; Abigail; Mary, the wife of J. H. Woehler, of Oshkosh. Wisconsin, and Edith, the wife of F. D. Bartlett, of Milwaukee. Three sons, William, Edward and Fayette, are deceased, while a daughter, Emma, passed away in childhood.
The sixth child and third son of this family was Walter S. Goodland, who was but three years of age when the family went to Chicago. He afterward completed his education in the public schools of Appleton, where he was grad- uated from the high school, and later he spent a year in study in the Lawrence University at that place. The succeeding five years of his life were devoted to teaching and then under the direction of his father he took up the study of law, being admitted to the bar, before the State Bar Commission, on the 9th of March, 1886. He was interested in the profession and yet he found journalism even more congenial, so that soon after locating in Wake- field, Wisconsin, in March, 1887, he began the publication of the Wakefield Bulletin, which he owned and edited for about a year. In March, 1888, he became the founder of the Ironwood Times at Ironwood, Michigan, and re- mained as editor and owner of that paper until May, 1895, although he re- sumed the practice of law in the previous November. On the 30th of March, 1895, he was appointed by President Cleveland to the position of postmaster at Ironwood and served in that capacity for three years. Later he made his home for a brief period at Oshkosh. Wisconsin, and then spent one year as publisher of the Daily News at Beloit. Sinee Mareh. 1899, he has resided in Racine, where in partnership with V. W. Lothrop he purchased the Racine Daily Times, the firm owning the paper until 1902, when Mr. Goodland became sole proprietor. This paper has since taken over the Call, the two being com- bined under the name of the Times-Call. The paper is an interesting and at- tractive journal, well edited and well published.
In religious belief Mr. Goodland is an Episcopalian and the rules which further govern his conduct are found in such organizations as the Masonie fraternity and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political indorse-
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ment is given to the republican party and in 1911 he entered upon the duties of Mayor of Racine, remaining as the chief executive of the city for four years. Many tangible evidences of his public spirit may be cited, showing that he has ever placed the general good before partisanship and the public welfare be- fore personal aggrandizement. Men may differ from him but they do not ques- tion the integrity of his views and motives; they may oppose him but they re- spect him, and they know that when he gives a promise it is to be relied upon.
JOHN E. ROWLANDS.
John E. Rowlands, one of the well known, prominent and successful repre- sentatives of the real estate and insurance business in Racine, has concen- trated his efforts upon this field of activity since January, 1907, when he re- tired from the position of register of deeds. He was born in Mount Pleasant township, this county, December 18, 1856. a son of David W. and Mary E. (Jehu) Rowlands, both of whom were natives of Wales and when young people came to the new world, being married at Southport, Wisconsin. The latter was a daughter of Thomas Jehu, who about 1839 brought his family to the United States and cast in his lot with the pioneer residents who were re- claiming this region for the purposes of civilization. He was one of the founders of the Welsh church on Villa street and was otherwise actively and helpfully connected with the early progress and improvement of the district. David W. Rowlands arrived in Racine county about 1840 and devoted his life to the occupation of farming, making his home for many years in Mount Pleasant township, where eventually he passed away.
After obtaining a public school education John E. Rowlands became a student in a private academy at Sharon, Wisconsin, and afterward spent two years in attendance at Beloit College. He worked his way through school, providing for the necessary expenses by his labor through the summer months, the winter season being devoted to the acquirement of his education. The elemental strength of character which he thus displayed was an indication of the substantial qualities which he has since shown in every relation of life. He took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the rural schools for a period and later he went to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he studied veter- inary surgery under the direction of his brother. Dr. D. W. Rowlands, with whom he continued for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he went upon the road as a traveling salesman. representing the woolen mills of Appleton, Wisconsin, and subsequently he traveled out of Milwaukee, Wis- consin, for a men's furnishing goods and notions house. He was afterward employed in the same capacity for the firm of Bloom Brothers of Chicago and then secured a position with the Troy (N. Y.) house that handles the Anchor brand of collars and cuffs. Still later he was traveling representative for Alschuler Brothers, overall manufacturers of Racine, Wisconsin, spending altogether eight years upon the road, and each change he made marked a sub- stantial advance in his business career. In 1894 he purchased the old family
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homestead in Mount Pleasant township, after which he engaged in buying and selling all kinds of live stock.
The same year Mr. Rowlands was elected chairman of the board of super- visors of Mount Pleasant township on the republican ticket and occupied that position for eight years. In 1904 he was elected register of deeds and re- moved to Racine, selling his farm the following year. He occupied that po- sition in an acceptable manner until January, 1907, and at the close of his term opened a real estate and insurance office at No. 526 Monument Square, where he remained until 1915, when he removed to his present location at No. 211 Sixth street. He conducts a general real estate and insurance business and is thoroughly informed concerning property values. He has negotiated many real estate transfers and has secured a large clientage, so that the vol- ume of his business brings him an excellent financial return.
On the 3d of July, 1890, Mr. Rowlands was united in marriage to Miss Lottie McCoy, of Mount Pleasant township, a daughter of S. D. and Mahala McCoy, who were early settlers of this county. They have become parents of three children : Stewart S .. who is now in business with his father; Robert D., a student in the State University at Madison; and Wallace W., who died aged twenty-six months. The family is well known in Racine and the hospitality of many of the best homes is cordially extended them. Mr. Rowlands is identi- fied with various fraternal organizations, including the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the Kymric Club and of the Commercial Club and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, of which he has long been an active worker and earnest supporter. Mr. Rowl- ands has truly earned the proud American title of a self-made man, for he started out in life empty handed and had to provide the means that enabled him to acquire his education. He realized, however, the worth of mental train- ing as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. He realized. too, the value of industry and integrity in business affairs and, using those qualities as a foundation, he" has builded thereon a substantial and well de- served success.
OSCAR ESMOND.
Oscar Esmond, who is engaged in general farming and dairying in York- ville township. where his birth occurred on the 4th of November. 1847, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Racine county. His par- ents were John Darwin and Nancy (Hubbard) Esmond, the former born in New York, in 1814, and the latter in that state on the 4th of May, 1830. They were married there, but came to Racine county when this section was still mainly inhabited by Indians. Mr. Esmond purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land from the government and devoted his time to the opera- tion and development of his farm. He was a poor man when he came to this
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country and for some time, in addition to his farming, broke land with oxen, for others, thus supplementing his income. He also drove with one ox to Chicago to do trading for his neighbors and in fact turned his hand to what- ever he could find to do. At length his perseverance and hard work enabled him to gain a substantial measure of prosperity. In politics he was a stanch whig. He passed away in 1847 but was survived for many years by his wife, whose death occurred in 1905. His parents, John and Delilah Esmond, passed their entire lives in the Empire state and the maternal grandfather of Oscar Esmond also lived and died there.
Oscar Esmond was educated in the early district schools of Yorkville town- ship and as soon as he was old and strong enough began helping his father with the farm work, thus receiving practical training which has been of great value to him in his independent career as a farmer. He has never followed any other occupation and has so managed his affairs that he has gained a com- petence. He now owns two hundred acres of fertile and well improved land in Yorkville township and is there. engaged in raising grain and stoek and also in dairying. although for a time he devoted his land to truek gardening, grow- ing corn. cabbage and beets. He has found dairying especially profitable and conduets a large business along that line. He owns a number of thoroughbred Holstein cows and in handling the milk follows the most sanitary methods. Through his enterprise and good judgment he has gained a large measure of financial success and is entitled to the eredit that is given the self-made man.
Mr. Esmond was married in 1872 to Miss Maria Dardis, who was born in Dover township, Raeine county, and by whom he has six children, namely : May, the wife of Milford DuBois, of Pentoka, Michigan; Stella, the wife of Dan Rork, a farmer of Franksville; Inez, the wife of William Crane, who is farming in Paris township, Kenosha county ; Pearl, the wife of John Babcock, who is engaged in the creamery business in Eau Claire; Ray, who is assisting his father; and Lila, the wife of William J. Pieree, a native of Oakland, Cali- fornia.
Mr. Esmond is a republican in polities and has served acceptably as treas- urer of the school board and as pathmaster. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company G, Forty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was with the colors for nine months, or until the close of hostilities, participating in the battles of Johnsonville and Clarksville. He has always manifested a commendable interest in the general welfare and has been willing to subordi- nate his personal interests to the publie good.
HENRY HILKER.
Henry Hilker, engaged in the wholesale candy business in Racine, now having a large jobbing trade, was born November 14, 1871. in the city in which he still resides, a son of Adolph and Caroline (Broeker) Hilker, who were born, reared and married in Germany, living in the kingdom of Hanover. They came to the United States about 1866 and established their home in Racine,
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where the father, who was a brick maker, continued in business until his death, which occurred in the year 1900. His widow now makes her home in Racine.
The family residence was maintained in Raeine and Henry Hilker had the advantage of attending the city schools. He has been engaged in the whole- sale eandy business since 1912 in partnership with his brother Edward, and in the intervening period success in substantial measure has erowned their efforts. They are wholesale jobbers and have built up a trade of gratifying proportions. They became the successors in this business to W. W. Scott and their experience and enterprise have enabled them to establish a trade of large proportions.
Edward Hilker is a member of the United Commercial Travelers and the Knights of Pythias and is somewhat prominent in local politieal circles, serv- ing now as alderman from the eighth ward. He was married in 1899 to Miss Anna Dieehler, and they have one child, Grace Caroline.
In his political views Henry Hilker is an earnest republican, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day but never seeking or desiring publie office. He and the other members of the family are connected with the Evangelieal Association. The family has been represented in this county for almost half a century and the name has ever been a synonym for enterprise and reliability in business affairs.
JOHN G. OSBORNE.
John G. Osborne, president and treasurer of the Lakeside Malleable Cast- ings Company, of Racine, was born in Milwaukee, October 2. 1878, a son of W. H. and Ada (Goodrich) Osborne, of Milwaukee, where the father is presi- dent of the Wiseonsin Malleable Iron Company. He was a son of W. H. Os- borne, who removed to southern Michigan about the year 1840. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John R. Goodrich, who established his home in Milwaukee in 1850.
John G. Osborne attended the Milwaukee Academy and afterward entered the University of Wisconsin from which he was graduated in 1900 with the Bachelor of Letters degree. During his university course he specialized in chemistry and his training in that direction was a step toward his present success. His praetical business experience came to him through three years connection with the Wisconsin Malleable Iron Company, of Milwaukee, and in 1903 he came to Racine aiding in the organization of the Lakeside Malleable Castings Company, of which William Horliek became the president; W. H. Osborne, vice president ; and John G. Osborne, secretary and treasurer. The plant is located at Lakeside, Mount Pleasant, on the Chicago & Northwestern railway. It covers five acres and the buildings are all modern in construction and equipment. They make malleable eastings of all kinds and seventy-five per cent of the produet is sold out of Raeine, being shipped to manufacturers exclusively. Something of the extent and volume of their trade is indicated by the fact that they now employ three hundred people, fifty per cent of whom are skilled workmen. The present officers of the company are John G. Os-
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borne, president and treasurer; Robert P. Freeman, of Milwaukee, vice presi- dent; and William P. Marr, secretary. In the thirteen years of its existence the business has steadily developed and it is today one of the concerns which add to Racine's reputation as a great manufacturing center.
In 1911 John G. Osborne was united in marriage to Winifred Smith, a daughter of Thomas H. and Anna D. Smith, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The children of this marriage are Jane, John G., Jr., Ann, Margaret and Marietta. The family are members of St. John's Cathedral, of Milwaukee, the family home being maintained in that city. Mr. Osborne is a republican in his political views and he belongs to the University Club of Milwaukee. His early business training well qualified him for the life of activity in which he is now engaged. He is familiar with every phase of the business and readily discriminates be- tween the essential and non-essential so that in the control of his interests he has so managed affairs that substantial results have accrued.
C. W. SMITH.
C. W. Smith, a most enterprising lumber merchant of Racine, putting forth every effort to promote the growth of his business along legitimate lines, was born in the town of Somers, Kenosha county, February 15, 1847, his parents being Charles and Anna (Reid) Smith, who were natives of Scotland. The father came to the United States in 1835 and established his home in the town of Somers, there remaining until he had prepared a home. He then returned to Scotland and about seven years later came again to the new world, accom- panied by his bride. The Indians still lived in this section of the state at the time of his arrival and the seeds of civilization had scarcely been planted. He developed a farm from the raw land and carried on general agricultural pursuits for many years, becoming one of the representative farmers of this part of the state. All who knew him respected him and his worth was widely acknowledged. He died about twenty years ago, while his wife passed away in 1856, when their son, C. W. Smith, was but nine years of age. Both were laid to rest in the town of Somers. They had a family of three children, namely : Anna R., who resides at No. 1547 College avenue in Racine ; C. W., of this review, and James R., who died in El Paso, Texas, twenty years ago.
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