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 24
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Reared in the town of Somers, C. W. Smith remained at home until he reached the age of seventeen years, when in response to the country's call for troops he enlisted in January, 1864, as a member of Company H, Thirty-third Wisconsin Infantry, to serve for three years. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1865 after having participated in many hotly contested engage- ments. At the battle of Spanish Fort he had his gun shot out of his hand. He was first under fire at the battle of Fort De Russey on Red river, also participated in the battle of Nashville and various other engagements of lesser importance. He never faltered in the performance of duty, whether called to the firing line or stationed on the lonely picket line, and his patriotic loyalty to his government made his military record a most creditable one.
C. W. SMITH
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When the war was over Mr. Smith returned to his home in Kenosha county and for two years was a student in the Raeine Commercial College. He then secured a position with the lumber firm of Murray, Slauson & Company, con- tinuing with that house for nineteen years. For a half century he has made his home in Raeine and is one of its most respected and worthy residents. He acquainted himself with every phase of the lumber business while in the employ of the above mentioned firm and during that period he carefully saved his earnings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to engage in business on his own account. He then organized the West Shore Lumber Company in association with W. H. Bradley of Milwaukee, who became its first president. In turn the office was filled by O. P. Pillsbury, D. M. Benjamin and M. J. Smiley, and about seven or eight years ago Mr. Smith was elected to the presi- dency of the company and has since continued in the office. In the meantime he acquired more of the stock as opportunity for purchase occurred and is now the owner of the entire stock of the company. This is the oldest business of the kind in Racine, the West Shore Lumber Company handling lumber, lath, shingles and posts. Mr. Smith is thoroughly familiar with the trade in every department and something of his enterprise and attractive methods is indicated in the fact that he brought forth the attractive advertisements under the head- ing of the West Shore Lumber Company, 947 Erie street, Racine. They read as follows :
"When looking for lumber, posts, shingles or lath, Don't deviate far from the straight narrow path. You will find the West Shore has millions of feet, If you only walk over to North Erie street.
You will find there the lumber maligned and abused Exactly the same as your grandfather used. The joists and the scantling are all cut full size, And their clear white pine siding would open your eyes.
They ean furnish your finish in cypress or pine, The wood that's eternal and wholly divine. Their red cedar shingles devoid of all bark. They're the same that old Noah used shingling the ark.
The cedars of Lebanon we have been told, Formed part of King Solomon's temple of gold. With all of their splendor, they could not outshine The wood that we worship, Wisconsin white pine.
The party asserting there was no more white pine Was a base falsifier from well over the line, Who was anxious to boost some rank foreign wood, Representing that his was equally good.
Be ye not deceived, there is one thing that's true, White pine's the best timber the woods ever grew. There's no lumberman but would tell you the same, That ever cruised timber, or sat in the game.
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Do you look for an estimate? Find Smith with his pad And peneil all ready the columns to add.
He will give you the figures, and do it in rhyme And it don't take ten minutes of anyone's time.
At the desk you will find our Teutonie cashier. Who handles the funds that accumulate here. His favorite pipe has a chocolate bowl, And he greets all his friends with a merry 'Yaw Wohl.'
Get out your machine, and give it a crank, You will find the two Louies, Christ Ove and Frank At nine forty-seven on North Erie street, And they'll furnish you lumber, Sands says can't be beat.
A word to the wise is sufficient, they say. So harness your horses and get under way, You are bound to rest easy, be times ever so hard. If you purchase your lumber at West Shore Lumber yard."
"Are you going to build ? Please let us suggest. Go purchase your lumber where they handle the best. Don't stay in the background, get into the line. And see that your lumber is strictly White Pine.
There is no wood its equal for building today. 'Tis the wood everlasting, and knows no decay. They may eulogize Cypress, the wood that's divine. But there's nothing that equals our Native White Pine.
The trees high and lofty that grow in the woods, All furnish their quota of excellent goods. But the mighty, and lowly, all bow at the shrine Of the King of the Forest, Wisconsin White Pine.
We have seen White Pine Siding a hundred years old In better condition than the day it was sold. It seems to improve in a measure with age, Like the wisdom instilled in the dome of the sage.
West Shore is the place where they handle these goods And other material that comes from the woods. To convince you that such is the case, we entreat You to call at our office on North Erie Street.
At Nine Forty-One you will find us on hand To furnish you lumber, the best in the land. But you will miss nothing and save much of your dough By placing your order with West Shore Lumber Co.
When you want gilt-edge lumber, go to the West Shore. They can show you a stoek of a million or more. If you purchase of them, you will never regret. For their lumber's the Best. Now don't you forget.
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Their lumber and lath are the finest that's made. Their shingles excel, too, in pleasing the trade. In placing your order. you are taking no chance, Get a good lively move on before the advance.
(lo to it."
In addition to being at the head of the oldest lumber business of Racine, Mr. Smith also owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kenosha county, constituting the farm upon which he was born and which is situated eight miles south of Racine, besides various other properties that are scattered about Racine and its environs.
When twenty-two years of age Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Halenbake and they have a son, Fred W., who was born in Raeine and is a graduate of the high school here. In 1896 he went to Denver, Colorado, where he was employed in connection with the lumber industry for nineteen years. He then returned to Raeine and is now identified with the West Shore Lumber Company as secretary. In 1906 he married Miss Pearl Brame and they have become the parents of two children, Vance Reid and Cornelia Rose.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith attend the Presbyterian church, in the faith of which they were reared. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Elks. For twenty years he has been a member of the Heyer Whist Club and he greatly enjoys the game. He is also identified with the Grand Army post and thus maintains pleasant relations with the boys in blue with whom he marched on southern battlefields. The same spirit of loyalty has characterized him at every point in his career, mak- ing him a valued citizen of the community, and at the same time he has gained a most ereditable place in business cireles.
JAMES MURPHY.
James Murphy is now living retired in Racine but for many years actively engaged in business as a hardware merchant. He has been a lifelong resident of the city in which he makes his home. His birth having here occurred Sep- tember 1, 1852. His parents were JJohn and Mary S. (Atkey) Murphy, the former a native of County Mayo, Ireland, while the latter was born on the Isle of Wight. They were married in Rome, Italy, and the mother, who had formerly been an Episcopalian, became a convert to the Catholic faith in Rome. In 1848 they arrived in Racine and Mr. Murphy established a transfer cartage business. continuing to engage in draying until his death, which occurred Aug- ust 16, 1877, when he was sixty-eight years of age. He had been one of the original stockholders of the Manufacturers Bank and in business affairs was very successful. His widow survived him for many years, passing away July 28. 1908. at the notable age of ninety-one years.
. James Murphy obtained his education in publie and parochial schools and in his youth learned the tinsmith's trade, which he followed until he embarked in the hardware business thirty-two years ago. For an extended period he was active in that connection, building up a business of large and gratifying
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proportions, but in 1913 he put aside the cares of commercial life and has since lived retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He has important invested interests and is now one of the directors of the Manufacturers Bank.
In 1883 Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Celia Hoye, a native of Kenosha, and they have become the parents of seven children: Agnes, the wife of Myron I. McAvoy, of Racine; James, who is connected with the city engineering department of Racine; John H., a sheet metal manufacturer ; Celia, the wife of Dr. John H. Hogan, of Racine; Belle and Raymond, at home ; and Jerome E., who is associated with his brother, John. in the sheet metal business.
The family are all communicants of St. Patrick's Catholic church and Mr. Murphy is identified with the Knights of Columbus and has passed through all the chairs of the local organization and has been grand knight. While in business he was president of the State Hardware Dealers' Association, a fact which indicated his prominence in trade circles. In politics he has been a life- long democrat, always giving unfaltering allegiance to the party. For ten and a half years he served on the school board of Racine and during part of that time was its president. Having always lived in this city, he is well known, his business affairs, his public activity and his socal qualities firmly establish- ing him in a position among the foremost residents of the county.
W. J. JANDL.
W. J. Jandl. engaged in the real estate business in Racine, was born in Bohemia September 7, 1864. a son of Hynek and Magdeline (Korab) Jandl. The paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Hynek Jandl, was born in 1797, and served as a soldier in some of the European wars. Both the par- ents of W. J. Jandl are now deceased.
It was in the year 1881 that W. J. Jandl came to Racine, being then a youth of seventeen years. His financial condition was such as to render employment an immediate necessity and he began work with the M. M. Secor Trunk Company, in which connection he learned the business of manufacturing trunks. He followed the trade for ten years and on the expiration of that period became agent for the Atlas Brewing Company of Chicago, which he represented for eleven years save for the year 1899 which he spent in Europe upon a visit. In February, 1904, he turned his attention to the real estate business, opening an office at No. 1656 Douglas avenue, where he has since conducted a general real estate and insurance business. He has gained a good clientage in both departments and has negotiated many important property transfers which have added to the business activity of the community. He is a director of the American Trades and Savings Bank of Racine.
On the 28th of November. 1888. Mr. Jandl was married to Miss Frances Jansa, who was born in Bohemia and in her girlhood came to the United States. The children of this marriage are five in number: Bessie, who is assistant register of deeds in Racine: Charles O., who is a graduate of the
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State University of Wisconsin and is now an instructor with the Telluride Asso- ciation in the west ; Otto, who was graduated from the high school in Racine and spent one year in the State University, while at the present time he is in business with his father; Libbie, who is a graduate of the Chicago School of Musie and teaches music, and Vlasta June, who is a graduate of Northwestern University.
Mr. Jandl is a member of the Slavic C. S. B. S. He also belongs to Narodin Jednota, which was organized in 1861, and in both he is active, while in both he has served as a trustee. He is a member and trustee of the Tel. Jed. Sokol Mladocech, which is a non-seetarian organization for the benefit of the young and is similar to the Young Men's Christian Association. It has about seven thousand members in the United States and more than one hundred in Racine. His political allegiance is given to the democratie party and in 1898 he served as supervisor from the fourth ward. A resident of the new world from the age of seventeen years, dependent entirely upon his own resources throughout the entire period, he has made an excellent record as an enterprising business man and is now the possessor of a substantial competency.
HARVEY WHITLEY.
Harvey Whitley, a well known farmer owning a quarter section of land in Yorkville township, was born in Brighton township, Kenosha county, on the 19th of June, 1869, of the marriage of Thomas and Mary A. (Leach) Whitley. The former, born in Bingley, Yorkshire, England, on the 12th of March, 1821, came to the United States when twenty-two years old and located in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he became identified with agricultural interests. He was married in 1861 to Miss Mary Ann Leach, who was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, and by whom he had five children: Joseph E., born December 7, 1861; Sarah A., born December 29, 1862; Mary J., born January 19, 1866; Thomas W., born August 22, 1867 ; and Harvey.
The last named supplemented his common school education by attending the Oshkosh Normal School and as a boy and youth also became thoroughly familiar with practical methods of farming, through helping his father. He has continued to follow the occupation to which he was reared and has ac- cumulated more than a competence. He resided in Brighton township, Ke- nosha county, to 1900. when he came to Yorkville township. Racine county. where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land. His resi- dence is modern and attractive. the barns and outbuildings are substantial and he also has a large silo. He raises both grain and stock, also engages in dairying and his annual income in a gratifying one.
Mr. Whitley was married on the 14th of March, 1900, to Miss Sarah Stew- art, who was born in Canada on the 25th of August, 1872, and is a daughter of William and Margaret (Mutter) Stewart, also natives of the Dominion. In 1874 the family came to Racine county where the father acquired title to two hundred and sixteen acres of land. He was recognized as a successful farmer and public-spirited citizen and his death was the occasion of much
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sincere regret. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitley have been born three/children : bula M., whose birth occurred on the 14th of April, 1902; Roy M., born No- vember 7, 1904; and Everett R., born January 17, 1906.
Mr. Whitley refuses to follow the dictates of party leaders, voting for the man whom he deems best fitted for the office in question, without regard to his politieal allegianee. He has served on the school board for fourteen years, his continuanee in that position indicating his ability and conscientiousness as an official. He has been a life-long resident of this section of the state and has thoroughly identified his interests with those of this community, being at all times willing to aid in advaneing the general welfare in any way possible.
EDMUND B. FUNSTON.
Edmund B. Funston, organizer and president of Edmund B. Funston Com- pany Architects of Racine, has been identified in large and important meas- ure with the improvement of the city along building lines, for on all sides are seen monuments to his handiwork. He was born in Champaign county, Illinois, May 19, 1868, a son of John H. and Elizabeth E. (Bailey) Funston, both of whom were natives of Ohio. whence they removed to Illinois in early life. The father there followed the occupation of farming and both he and his wife have now passed away.
Edmund B. Funston supplemented his distriet school education by a year's study in the high school at Mahomet, Illinois, and five years in the University of Illinois, in which he pursued a course in architecture and was graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree with the class of 1892. Afterwards he taught in a manual training school in Colorado for two years and later was engaged in architectural work in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Atlanta, Geor- gia, for one year. Subsequently he was employed as superintendent of con- struction by Jos. C. Llewellyn, architeet, of Chicago, with whom he contin- ued for five years, having charge of much work done over Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, including the ereetion of five buildings of the University of Illi- nois. He also superintended the rebuilding of the Plant for the Advance Threshing Machine Company of Battle Creek, Michigan, and various other large undertakings.
In 1903 Mr. Funston came to Racine and was associated with A. Arthur Guilbert as a partner from 1905 until 1915. The firm of Guilbert & Funston, Architects, ereeted many fine buildings, among which were the Welsh Presby- terian church, the First Methodist church, the Grange Avenue Methodist church, the office building for the Mitehell-Lewis Motor Company, the First National Bank building, the Commercial & Savings Bank building, the N. D. Fratt school. the Elks elub house, the Racine Country Club and Fire engine houses Nos. 1 and 2. They also erected many other public buildings and fine residenees. In 1915 they dissolved partnership and Mr. Funston organized the firm of Edmund B. Funston Company, architects. of Racine, since which time he has carried on business in this connection. In 1915-16 he erected the Badger office building. a four-story structure. He also ereeted the manufac-
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turing plant of the Hamilton Beach Manufacturing Company, has remodeled the Masonie temple and has put up various other important buildings, includ- ing the office building of David B. James & Company. He is also accorded many important contracts outside of the city and he keeps a number of as- sistants. His business is well managed, all his commissions are most carefully executed and he ranks today as one of the prominent architects of southern Wisconsin, his broad study and practical experience gaining him comprehen- sive knowledge of all the scientific phases of the business as well as of the actual work of designing and construction. With his brother Jesse G. Funs- ton, he organized the Funston Long Distance Telephone Company and con- structed a telephone toll line from St. Joseph, Missouri, extending east through- out the state. Later they acquired the control of the Missouri River Telephone Company and the Dakota Telephone & Electric Company, both owning and operating telephone systems in South Dakota, and Mr. Funston became presi- dent of all these concerns, so continuing for a number of years during the period of his residence in Racine. He thus gave proof of his capability to direet and control extensive and important interests. His business plans are always carefully thought out and promptly executed and he has the energy and determination which enables him to carry them forward to successful com- pletion.
On the 23d of August, 1905, Mr. Funston was married to Miss Ella M. Kephart, of Ravenswood, a suburb of Chicago, and they have one child, Jea- nette, born November 27, 1915. The parents are members of the First Metho- dist Episcopal church and Mr. Funston votes independently yet is never neglectful of the duties of citizenship, bending the weight of his moral influ- onee for the advancement of many plans and measures for the general good. His worth is widely acknowledged by many friends and his professional ability by his colleagues and contemporaries.
ANDREW MATSON.
Andrew Matson, who is engaged in the fuel, storage and moving business in Racine, was born in Denmark, May 21, 1872, his parents being Peter and Ann (Skriver) Matson, also natives of Denmark. In the year 1901 the father came to the United States, where he lived retired until his death about seven years ago.
Andrew Matson was educated in the common schools of Denmark and there learned the creamery business, at which he worked until eighteen years of age, when he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, having determined to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. He first located in Menominee, Michigan, but a year later came to Racine, where he has now resided for almost a quarter of a century. Eleven years ago ho organized the fuel, storage and moving business which he has since carried on and a liberal patronage has been accorded him through the greater part of this period, making his undertaking a profitable one.
Twenty-one years ago Mr. Matson was married to Miss Antoinette Ras-
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mussen and they have become the parents of six children : Alice, the wife of Walter Kochin. of Racine; and Lillian, Enga, Wrighty, Ruth and Leslie, all at home.
The parents are members of the Church of God and Mr. Matson belongs to the Commercial Club. In polities he has always been a prohibitionist, sup- porting the cause of temperance, for he regards the use of intoxicants as one of the great evils of the country. In a word, his standards of life are high and he puts forth every effort to live up to them and to inculcate them among his fellowmen.
CHARLES B. MeCANNA.
Dairying and the industries which are allied thereto have ever constituted an important source of the wealth and prosperity of Racine county, and among the most enterprising and progressive business men of the district are those who have turned to that line of labor as a source of their business development. One of the well known, successful and highly respected representatives of the business in Racine county was Charles B. MeCama, who became an influential citizen of Burlington and one whose activities constituted not only a source of individual success but also constituted one of the strong elements in the advancement of public prosperity.
His life record covered the period from April 21, 1851, until December 11. 1913. He was born and reared upon a farm in Jefferson county, New York, and, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools. pursued a high school education and following his graduation engaged in teaching through five or six winters. The occupation to which he was reared. however, seemed to offer better opportunities and he took up the business of dairying and cheese making in Jefferson county, New York, conducting a cheese factory for two years. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1876 and after two months spent in Fond du Lac, removed to Allen Grove, Walworth county, where in partner- ship with T. P. Davis he purchased and operated a cheese factory. After two years he came to Racine county, settling in Rochester, and a year later removed to Springfield, Wisconsin, where he resided for several years. In 1887 he he- came identified with the interests of Burlington and there continued until his demise. Soon after his arrival he built and operated a large cheese factory and creamery, doing business under the name of the MeCanna Cheese & Butter Manufacturing Company. He also became interested in a number of the leading factories of the surrounding country. In 1893 he joined R. G. Fraser, of Glasgow, Scotland, in forming the MeCanna & Fraser Company, and they took over the business which had formerly been conducted under the style of C. B. MeCanna & Company. Their interests included eighteen or twenty creameries in Burlington and the surrounding country, which they operated very successfully, and they also purchased butter from several independent ereameries, marketing their product in Philadelphia, where they maintained a large store. The excellence of their product insured a ready
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sale and the business grew to extensive and gratifying proportions. The utmost care was exercised as to the high quality of their product, and the business methods of the house, too, were such as conformed to the highest commercial standards.
Mr. McCanna's partnership in that company constituted but one phase of his business activity, however, for in 1898, associated with R. G. Fraser and others, he organized the Wisconsin Condensed Milk Company, one of the leading industries of the northwest, which developed a business of very exten- sive proportions and also established branch factories at Pecatonica and Grays Lake, Illinois, their business constantly developing until their output ranged from twelve to fifteen ears of condensed milk per week. Mr. McCanna was president of both the MeCanna & Fraser Company and the Wisconsin Condensed Milk Company, with his son, Charles Roy, as secretary. Some- thing of the volume of their business is indicated in the fact that they em- ployed from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty people. Not only did they have the original plant established in Burlington but also built another in 1901-2. Mr. MeCanna displayed marked executive abil- ity in controlling his interests and at all times his course was characterized by an indefatigable energy that brought splendid results, making him one of the foremost business men of his seetion. In addition to his interests in connection with the creamery and cheese manufacturing business he became the president of the Burlington Land & Improvement Association; presi- dent of the Burlington Brass Works; president of the Wisconsin Condensed Milk Refrigerator Car Company; was one of the organizers of the Farm- ers & Merchants Bank at Peeatonica. Illinois, and served as president until his death ; and likewise served as president of the Bank of Burlington from October 1, 1906, until his death. He erected the beautiful bank building at the corner of Pine and Chestnut streets, a building that is a great credit to Burlington and a lasting monument to his memory. All of these institu- tions profited by his co-operation, sound judgment and wise management. He was much interested in later life in the raising and breeding of pure-bred Holstein cattle and hogs and was the owner of the well known Edgewood Stock Farm at Burlington.
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