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 27
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FRANK ALSHULER. K
Frank Alshuler, a partner in one of the largest men's furnishing goods stores not only of Racine but of the state, maintains a foremost position in trade circles by reason of his enterprising spirit that keeps him in touch with advanced commercial methods and modern business ideas. He was born in Covington, Indiana, March 11, 1859, a son of Jacob and Jeannette Alshuler, both of whom were natives of Germany but in early life came to the United States. Making his way to Indiana, the father was for a long period engaged in merchandising in Covington, and in that city Frank Alshuler obtained a public and high school education.
His identification with the commercial interests of Racine dates from 1887. Two years before his brother, Dan D. Alshuler, and B. Soldine opened a store in this city for the sale of men's furnishing goods and in 1887 they were joined by Frank Alshuler, who has since remained active in the management and control of the business. In 1895 the firm erected the present large four-story building, which has since been utilized for the conduct of the trade in the first floor and basement and part of the second floor. The building is forty by one hundred and twenty feet and theirs is the oldest establishment of the kind in Racine and one of the largest in Wisconsin. No change in the part- nership occurred until 1903, when Mr. Soldine passed away, and in 1905 the death of D. D. Alshuler occurred, leaving Frank Alshuler as the sole survivor. Since that time he has become associated with Sidney D. Alshuler, who is man- ager and a son of the founder, Dan D. Alshuler. He was born in Racine, May 19, 1895, his parents being Dan and Celia (Rothchild) Alshuler. He is a grad-
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uate of a commercial school of New York city and thus became well qualified for the conduct of the interests with which he is now connected. The busi- ness is carried on under the firm name of Dan & Sol's. Both partners are en- terprising merchants and for almost three decades Frank Alshuler has been connected with the commercial interests of Racine. In his purchases he keeps informed concerning the latest goods that the markets of the world afford. He has surrounded himself with a corps of able assistants and his business methods at all times conform to the highest commercial ethics. Recognizing the fact that honesty is the best policy, he has builded his success upon the simple, old-fashioned principles of business that have to do with integrity and industry. His establishment is conducted on the value for value system and in accordance with the great laws which control all legitimate business-hence the success.
In 1899 Mr. Alshuler was married to Miss Belle Harmon, of Racine, a daughter of Peter Harmon, one of the early settlers here, but in 1915 Mr. Al- shuler was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Royal Arcanum. He has maintained an independent political attitude but his interest in the welfare and progress of his city is manifest in his connection with the Commercial Club, in which he co-operates with many movements planned for the benefit and upbuilding of Racine. He is today one of its oldest and most honored merchants, having for almost thirty years been continually connected with its trade interests, and his record proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
WILLIS L. CAHOON. ×
Manufacturing enterprise in Racine finds a representative in Willis L. Ca- hoon, who became one of the organizers of the American Mangle & Roller Com- pany. He was born in this eity in 1860, a son of Lyman H. and Cordelia L. (Tague) Cahoon, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Kingston, Canada. They were married in the Empire state and about 1850 came to Wisconsin, establishing their home in Solon, where they lived for five years, removing in 1855 to Racine. The father had learned the trades of shoe- making and harness making in early life and gave his entire attention to in- dustrial activity along those lines throughout his remaining days. He passed away, however, in 1868, being survived by his widow, who died in 1899.
Willis L. Cahoon was but eight years of age at the time of his father's death. He was reared by his mother in this city and as he mastered the branches of learning taught in consecutive grades he won promotion until he became a high school pupil. His start in the business world was made as elerk in a shoe store and to that work he devoted his attention for several years but was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and carefully saved his earnings until he was able to establish a coal and wood yard, which he conducted until 1903, when he sold out and became interested in the American Mangle & Roller Company. He aided in its organization and has since been
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active in promoting its success. The business is now one of considerable vol- ume and the trade connections of the company insure a substantial income. They have ever recognized the fact that satisfied customers are the best ad- vertisement and by giving general satisfaction they have won a liberal and well deserved patronage. They manufacture mangles and laundry rollers and in faet handle all kinds of laundry machinery and today their output is widely sold over the country.
Mr. Cahoon attends the First Baptist church and he gives his political al- legiance to the prohibition party. He has long been interested in the cause of temperance and does everything in his power to further its adoption, believ- ing this to be one of the most vital questions before the country today.
AMERICAN MANGLE & ROLLER COMPANY.
The American Mangle & Roller Company of Racine was established in 1903 by W. L. and E. E. Cahoon. They handle laundry machinery of all kinds and manufacture laundry mangles which were invented by E. E. Cahoon. Their factory is located at Racine Junction and a well developed business is now bringing to them substantial success. Their product is sold by mail and through jobbers all over the United States, being sent to every state of the Union. They sell to hotels, public buildings and to institutions of all kinds and they handle everything necessary for laundry equipment. For thirteen years they have concentrated their energies upon the trade and have built up a business which indicates that they have employed most reliable and mod- ern commercial methods.
JAMES VYVYAN.
James Vyvyan, a well known and highly respected farmer of Raymond township, was born on the 7th of May, 1856, in the township where he still resides, his present home being near Franksville. He is a son of William and Matilda (Greggs) Vyvyan, both of whom were natives of England, but they were married in Yorkville township, Racine county, Wisconsin, where William Vyvyan established his home in 1842. He was empty handed when he crossed the Atlantic to the New World, but he hoped that he might find in this coun- try the opportunities which would bring him substantial success, nor was he disappointed, for as the years went on his labors and energy brought him sub- stantial reward and he became one of the prosperous agriculturists of his locality. In the early days he hauled hay from Raymond township to Milwau- kee with oxen and sold it for two dollars per ton. He encountered many hard- ships and difficulties and experienced the privations incident to pioneer life, but with marked courage he worked on and his persistency and energy at length brought their reward. He became the owner of three hundred acres of land and thus was numbered among the substantial agriculturists of his
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community. His political support was given to the republican party and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Yorkville church. Both he and his wife have now passed away. In their family were eight children. five of whom survive, as follows: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Joseph Hay, a retired resident of Union Grove; John, who follows farming in Yorkville township: James, of this review : Henry, who conducts a garage at Union Grove; and George, living in Franklin township, Milwaukee county.
James Vyvyan attended the district schools, but his educational opportu- nities were somewhat limited. He began life as a farmer and for some time rented land, but during that period practiced economy as well as industry and at length was able to purchase a farm. It was in 1892 that he invested in the sixty acres of land in Raymond township upon which he now resides and through the intervening period of twenty-four years he has given his time and energies to the improvement and development of the property, his labors bringing about a marked transformation in its appearance. He has tiled the land and thus enhanced its productiveness and annually. as the result of the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields, he harvests good crops. He keeps Durham cows of good grade and in all branches of his farm work gives indieation of a progressive. modern spirit.
On the 12th of January, 1886, Mr. Vyvyan was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Kearney and they have become parents of five children, namely : Rose, who is employed as a stenographer and bookkeeper in Milwaukee; Frank, who is in the service of the Milwaukee Corrugating Company in Milwaukee ; Leo, who pursued his education in the district schools; Nora, who is a dress- maker living at home; and Mary, also yet under the parental roof. Frank Vyvyan, the second named, completed a district school education by gradu- ation in 1906 and wedded Miss Louise Schleuzig. a native of Milwaukee and a daughter of Rudolph Schleuzig.
Mr. and Mrs. James Vyvyan are members of the Catholic church and in his political views Mr. Vyvyan is a democrat. Sixty years' residence in Ra- cine county has made him widely known as a representative of its agricultural interests and he has gained many friends among those whom he has met in social relations.
C. K. HAHN, M. D.
Dr. C. K. Hahn, successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine in Raeine, was born in Germany, on the 16th of August, 1868, a son of A. and Helena Hahn, both of whom have departed this life. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, he determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and in preparation therefor entered the Wurzburg (Bavaria) Medieal College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. Hoping to obtain better advantages for professional advancement in the new world he erossed the Atlantic in 1896 and for a year thereafter practiced his profession at Menom- onee Falls. Wisconsin. He afterward spent two years in South Milwaukee and in 1899 came to Raeine, where he has sinee remained. He has never specialized
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along any particular line, but has continued in the general practice of medicine and is a valued family physician, his broad study and wide experience enabling him to correctly cope with the intricate problems that continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and check the ravages of disease.
In 1899 Dr. Hahn was married to Louise Ahrens, of South Milwaukee, Wis- consin, a daughter of Chris A. Ahrens, a native of Germany. The children of this marriage are Paul, who is now attending Racine College ; Louise, and Clara. The family are members of the English Lutheran church and they occupy an enviable position in the social circles of the city, having gained many warm friends during the period of their residence in Raeine. Dr. Hahn is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Those who know him entertain for him warm regard for they find him loyal to any cause which he espouses and conscientious in the performance of all his professional duties.
LOUIS MOGENSEN.
Louis Mogensen has gained a large clientage in the real estate, fire insur- ance and loan business in Racine with which he has been connected for twelve years. He possesses a great amount of energy which, intelligently directed, has brought him success and his is another proof of the fact that, no matter how much fantastic theorizing we may indulge in as to the secret of success, we must ultimately reach the conclusion that close application, diligence and persistency of purpose constitute the foundation upon which honorable busi- ness prosperity is built.
Mr. Mogensen was born in Racine, September 10, 1872, a son of Lars and Cecelia (Christensen) Mogensen, both of whom were natives of Denmark. The father eame to Racine in 1869 and the mother about the same time, and their marriage was celebrated in this city. Mr. Mogensen was a tanner by trade and for many years followed that occupation, but during the last ten years of his life lived retired, meeting death in a runaway accident in April, 1915. He had long survived his wife, who had passed away in 1873.
Louis Mogensen attended the Garfield sehool during the period of his boy- hood and afterward became a student of the Belle City Business College. He afterward took up the study of photography and conducted a studio on Monu- ment Square, while for a time he was located on State and Main streets. He won a creditable measure of success in photographic work but sold out on the 17th of March. 1904, and turned his attention to the real estate and in- surance business. The following year he formed a partnership with H. P. Nel- son, with whom he was associated for a few years, and since that time he has been alone in business, conducting a fire insurance, loan and real estate agency. He is well versed in each branch of his profession, knowing thoroughly every phase of the work and he has been able to negotiate many important realty transfers, to place many loans and to write a large amount of insurance an- nually.
On the 10th of November, 1897, Mr. Mogensen was united in marriage to
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Miss Laura Hansen of Racine, a daughter of Anna Hansen, and to them was born a son, Allyn L., now seventeen years of age. In February, 1902, Mr. Mogensen was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. He was married again in April, 1904, his second union being with Christine Anderson of Chi- cago, and to that marriage have been born two daughters, Estelle and Vir- ginia.
Fraternally Mr. Mogensen is connected with the Knights of Pythias, with the Modern Woodmen of America, with the tribe of Ben Hur, with the Dania Society and with the Danish Brotherhood, and his religious faith is evideneed in his membership in the Emaus Lutheran church. Politically he is a demo- crat with independent tendencies. He has served as a member of the county board of supervisors from the eighth ward for the past seven years and was chairman of the board in 1914. He also served on the school board in 1899 and he is interested in all those forces which have most to do with promoting the progress and improvement of the district in which he lives, in upholding its political and social status and advancing its material and moral development.
THE COMMERCIAL PRESS COMPANY.
The Commercial Press Company was organized July 17. 1902, with a capi- tal of ten thousand dollars, of which five thousand four hundred dollars was paid in. The first officers were : Robert C. Hindley, president; Robert W. Hindley, vice president : and T. P. Luker, secretary and treasurer. On the 29th of August, 1902, F. C. Bailey purchased stock to the amount of two thou- sand dollars and on the 9th of April, 1903. the Hindleys and Mr. Bailey sold out to F. G. and John Hassold and Ollie Luker. At that time the Hassolds put twenty-six hundred dollars more in the business and F. G. Hassold became president, with John Hassold as vice president and T. P. Luker as secretary and treasurer. On the 4th of June. 1903, the capital was increased to fifteen thousand dollars and on the 17th of August of that year Frank H. Miller pur- chased stock to the sum of five hundred dollars. He had been foreman from the start and he now became financially interested in the enterprise. On the 6th of May. 1905, he invested two thousand eight hundred dollars more in the treasury stock and a further change in the ownership occurred when on the 29th of August, 1905, Peter J. Huetten bought out the stock of F. G. and John Hassold and became president of the company. On the 22d of March, 1907, T. P. Luker resigned as secretary and treasurer, selling his stock to F. H. Miller, who became his successor in the dual office and has continued as sec- retary and treasurer to the present time. On the 15th of July, 1908, the stock of Peter J. Huetten was purchased by F. H. and Leo F. Miller. The latter became president on the 15th of July, 1909, and J. Benjamin Miller, purchas- ing stock to the sum of five hundred dollars, became vice president. All of the stock is now owned by the Miller brothers. The company started at No. 612 College avenue in a small way and in 1905 removed to No. 470 College avenue, where they occupy the basement and first floor of the building. The company does the printing for the Wisconsin Agriculturist and conducts a
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general jobbing business, employing from twenty-five to thirty-five people, mostly skilled labor. They also do cataloguing and all kinds of commercial printing for the large corporations of Racine and elsewhere. Their business has now reached gratifying proportions and theirs is today one of the leading printing establishments of the city.
FRANK H. MILLER.
Frank H. Miller, secretary-treasurer of the Commercial Press Company of Racine, became one of the owners of this business on the 17th of August, 1903, after having previously served for a number of years as foreman. Since that date he has been active in the management of the concern and has become more and more largely interested as a stockholder. He was born in this city November 24, 1879, a son of Leo F. and Theresa (Huck) Miller. The father was likewise a native of this city and the mother of Newark, New Jersey, both being born in the year 1855. The paternal grandfather, Nicholas Miller, came to Racine in 1850, casting in his lot with the early settlers and becoming one of the first merchants, here conducting a dry goods store and hotel. In early
life Leo F. Miller learned the painter's trade and became a painting contrac- tor, conducting a substantial business of that character. He was also inter- ested and active in public affairs and served as supervisor, while for one year he was on the board of public works. He married Theresa Huck, a daughter of Roman Huek, who brought his family to Wisconsin in pioneer times. Both Mr. and Mrs. Leo F. Miller became members of St. Joseph's Catholic church.
Frank H. Miller was graduated from the parochial and ward schools of Raeine and in his youthful days took up the study of telegraphy, which he fol- lowed for six months but made change in his business career by learning the printer's trade in the office of the Manufacturers' Printing Company. He left that company to enter the employ of the Commercial Press Company, of which he was made foreman, occupying that position until he purchased an interest in the business. From time to time he increased his stock and as op- portunity offered his brothers became stockholders in the concern, until the Miller brothers are now sole proprietors. They have a well equipped estab- lishment supplied with the latest machinery, presses and all accessories for the conduet of a modern printing plant and their patronage is now large and gratifying.
On the 9th of June. 1908, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Rose Huetten, a daughter of Peter and Rose (Miller) Huetten, who were early set- tlers in this part of the state. They now have one child, Franklin, five years of age. The parents are members of the St. Rose Catholic church and Mr. Miller holds membership with the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and with various fraternal organizations of a non-sectarian nature, being identified with the Elks, the Eagles, the Moose and the Royal League. He is a member of the Racine Country Club and the Commercial Club and manifests a deep interest in all that pertains to the city's development that re- ceives the support of the club. He is now filling the position of police com-
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missioner, to which he was appointed by Mayor Thiesen in April, 1915, for a term of five years. In his business career he has made substantial advance as the direct reward of his own labors and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of the innate powers and talents which are his.
LEO F. MILLER, JR.
Leo F. Miller, Jr., president of the Commercial Press Company, was born in Racine on the 13th of March. 1885, and is one of the enterprising and pro- gressive young business men in this city, alert and energetic and watchful of all opportunities pointing toward further prosperity. He is a brother of Frank H. Miller and a son of Leo F. and Theresa Miller, Sr., mentioned in connection with his brother's sketch on another page of this work. The family were of the Catholic faith and therefore he was sent to St. Joseph's parochial school, wherein he acquired his education. Afterward he secured the position of time- keeper and bookkeeper with the Racine Gas Light Company and remained an employe of that corporation for seven years. On the 1st of June, 1908, he became connected with the Commercial Press Company, which was organized in 1902 and of which his brother, F. H. Miller, became a stockholder in 1905. Since that time all of the stock has been acquired by the Miller brothers, and with the reorganization of the business in 1909, Leo F. Miller became the presi- dent of the company and has so continued, bending his energies to the further development of the business and the extension of its trade relations.
On the 1st of June, 1912. Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Mildred Fairbanks, of Racine, and they have a daughter, Dorothy. Holding to the religious faith of his ancestors, Mr. Miller is identified with St. Rose Catholic church and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, which draws its membership only from those of Catholic faith. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks and is a member of the Country Club. In politics he maintains a non-partisan attitude. voting as he thinks best without regard to party affili- ation.
WILLIAM MEADOWS.
William Meadows is a brick and tile manufacturer of Burlington but leaves the active management of the business to his sons, for he is now well advanced in years and deserves to enjoy the rest which he has truly earned. He was born in Lancashire, England, July 6, 1833, a son of George and Elizabeth (Greenwood) Meadows. The father, who come of an old English family, was foreman of a cotton manufacturing company of England, where he remained until 1842. when he came to the United States and settled at Burlington Flats, Otsego county, New York, bringing the family to the new world the following year. His brother William, who was in the same line of business, accompanied him and later they formed a company and engaged in the manufacture of hed
WILLIAM MEADOWS
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ticking, etc. They leased a factory which had been idle and, equipping it, they continued in the business for two years, after which they removed to Rome, Oneida county, New York, where they carried on business for four and a half years, but at the end of that time they suffered heavy losses from fire. With their respective families they then removed to Utica and in the fall of 1849 William Meadows became a resident of East Troy, Walworth county, Wiscon- sin. Returning the same fall, he brought his family to this state and his brother accompanied them. The following spring George Meadows returned and brought his family to this state. William Meadows had located on a farm and George Meadows purchased a farm situated a mile and a half east of Bur- lington, there residing for four and a half years. In 1855, with the building of a railroad through the district, he sold that place and bought a farm of three hundred acres in the eastern part of Walworth county, Wisconsin, making his home thereon until he retired, when he disposed of the property to his son and spent the last years of his life in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He brought up his family of three sons and five daughters under strictly moral teachings, instilling into their minds the most honorable principles. He taught them that they must never evade responsibility, must at all times live up to their agreements and must ever be thoroughly honest and reliable, and his own career was an example to them in these respects. He died in 1884 at the ripe old age of eighty years.
William Meadows, whose name introduces this review, was in his ninth year when he came across the ocean with the family to the United States. He had attended a private school in England and he continued his education in Rome, New York, and in Burlington, Wisconsin. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority, in the year 1854, and he then engaged in farm work in Racine county, two miles east of Union Grove. His employer had been an old friend of the family in England and had come to America some years be- fore the arrival of the Meadows. While thus engaged William Meadows formed the acquaintance of Abraham Hayes, who later attained prominence, and with James Wolfington, and in partnership they purchased a threshing machine* at an expense of three hundred dollars, this partnership continuing for six years. At the end of that time Mr. Meadows purchased the interests of the others and removed to Lyons, Raeine county. He afterward sold the old machine and purchased a new threshing outfit in 1860 from the J. I. Case Company. This he continued to operate for fourteen years and was engaged altogether for twenty years in that line of work. In 1865 he added the buying of wool, which he could carry on when there was no threshing to be donc, and he continued to buy wool until 1914. He conducted that business on an extensive scale so that at times the value of the wool which he held would be affected to the extent of a thousand dollars by a rise or fall of one cent in price. In 1887 he purchased the brick and tile plant erected by Buchan Brothers the previous year and has since owned the business, which is located on White river, the outlet of Geneva lake. The plant is operated by steam power and the business is proving a profitable and growing one.
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