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 30
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Edwin B. Skewes received his early education in the Ives Grove district. school and Racine high school. After studying for two years at Beloit College he transferred to Lawrence University, now Lawrence College, from which institution he was graduated with honors in 1887. After doing some commercial traveling he returned to Grovean, where he spent the remainder of his life. save for two years when he was employed in university work at Madison, Wis- consin.
In 1890 he married Alice Collier, daughter of Joshua and Alice Hurst Col- lier. To them were born three children : Arthur Edwin, Alice Ruth and George Jessop, all of whom are living.
Mr. Skewes served for two years as clerk of the town of Yorkville. He was a leader in educational and agricultural interests in his community. In 1909 he was instrumental in organizing the Racine County Order of the Wis- consin Agricultural Experiment Association, and served as its secretary-treas-
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urer until the fall of 1913. His death occurred November 8, 1913, as a result of the injuries sustained in an accident two months before.
Mr. Skewes was a progressive and public-spirited citizen. His demise, occurring when he was in the prime of life, was a loss not only to his family, but to his community. Politically he was a loyal supporter of the prohibition party. He was recognized as a leader in movements and projects having as their purpose the advancement of public welfare, being actively interested in the causes of better rural education, the advancement of scientific agriculture, co-operation among farmers, good roads and community upbuilding. He kept in close touch with the findings of investigators in the field of agriculture, and was always one of the first to adopt new methods which promised to be of greater value than the old.
During his entire life he worked untiringly to conserve the best moral forces of the community in which he lived. He was a loyal supporter of the lves Grove Methodist church, a faithful leader in the work of the Sunday school, a promoter of musical activities in the community and a man of high personal standards and principles. Mr. Skewes was well known throughout the county, and his many friends still honor his memory.
W. G. EDWARDS.
W. G. Edwards, who followed the acquirement of his education in the dis- triet schools, took up the occupation of farming, which he has since followed. his home being near Kansasville, was born in Dover township on the 18th of March, 1848, his parents being Thomas and Martha (Mayo) Edwards, both of whom were natives of England, in which country they were reared and mar- ried. On coming to the United States they settled in Dover township, Racine county, and the father purchased land from the government. He was a son of Thomas and Susan Edwards, who established their home in Dover township about the year 1845 and spent their remaining days in that locality. The maternal grandfather of W. G. Edwards, however, continued his residence in England until his death. Thomas Edwards devoted his life to farming in this county for many years and took an active part in instituting the work of early development whereby the region was reclaimed for the purposes of civiliza- tion. He was also interested in the moral development of the community, both he and his wife belonging to the Episcopal church in England, while in this country they attended different churches. In politics he was a democrat and was called upon to fill some township offices. Although he started out in busi- ness life empty handed, he won a creditable measure of success and was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land at the time of his demise. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom three are yet living: Thomas, a retired farmer of Rochester; W. G., and James, who carries on farming in Dover township.
W. G. Edwards mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools and when his textbooks were put aside took up the occupation of farm- ing, which he has always followed. His early training was of a most practical
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character and as the years have passed he has adopted the most progressive methods in his farm work. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land de- voted to general farming and he also makes a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs. He has a good residence, which he erected, and also substantial out- buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and all of the improvements upon his place were put there by him.
In 1873 Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Anna Maria Hinchliffe. a daugh- ter of Squire Hinehliffe, who was born in England and in early life came to the United States. There are four children of this marriage, all graduates of the Rochester schools. Edwin, who was educated in the common schools and in the academy at Rochester and now follows farming in Dover township. married Luey Brook and has one child, Thomas. Effie is the wife of P. T. Hawley, who is employed by the Model Laundry Company of Milwaukee. where they reside, and they have one child, Robert. Harley, who supple- mented his district school education by study in the academy at Rochester, is at home. Lora is the wife of Lawrence Noble, a Dover township farmer, and they have one child, Hurl.
In polities Mr. Edwards is a democrat and has filled the office of town treas- urer, while as a member of the school board he has done effective work in the interests of public education. His attention, however, is largely given to his farming interests and the persistency of purpose which he has displayed and the sound judgment which he has manifested in his work have been the ele- ments in gaining for him his present position as a substantial and prosperous farmer.
EDMUND T. ACKLAM.
Edmund T. Aeklam, vice president of the firm of D. P. Wigley & Company. has advanced step by step in his business career until he has reached the place of responsibility and prominence which he now occupies. He was born in Racine county, October 7, 1877, a son of Thomas and Martha (Roskilly) Ack- lam, who were also natives of the same county. The paternal grandfather ar- rived in Raeine during the pioneer epoch of the history of the county, while the maternal grandfather. Richard Roskilly, a native of England, established his home in Southport, now Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1842. Later he removed to Yorkville township, in Raeine county, and became identified with its agricul- tural development, while Thomas Acklam, the father of Edmund T. Acklam. carried on farming in Mount Pleasant township.
Reared on the old homestead, Edmund T. Acklam pursued his education in the district schools and in 1901, when a young man of twenty-four years, began work at the orphan asylum, where he remained for five years and a half. He then came to Racine and in 1908 entered the employ of the firm of D. P. Wigley & Company, millers and wholesalers and retailers of milling products. This business was established in 1895, when D. P. Wigley purchased the flour and feed business of Kent & Smith. From that beginning he developed the business into a large wholesale and retail enterprise, which from time to time
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has demanded larger quarters. The plant is thoroughly equipped with the most modern grinding machinery devices for the rapid handling of all cereal products and shipments are made in train-load quantities. Working his way upward in connection with this firm Edmund T. Aeklam was, in 1910, elected to the vice presidency of the company and is in charge of the Junetion branch of the business. He has made himself thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the trade and his enterprise and sound business judgment are proving im- portant elements in the continued growth and development of their trade con- nections.
In 1902 Mr. Acklam was married to Miss Maude Osburn, of Union Grove. a daughter of Stephen Osburn, one of the early settlers of Racine county who followed the occupation of farming. The only child of this marriage is F. Elva. Mr. Aeklam belongs to the Royal Arcanum and his political allegiance is given to the republican party where national issues are involved, but at local elec- tions he considers only the capability of the candidate without regard to his party affiliation. Hle belongs to the Commercial Club and the Junction Busi- ness Men's Association and through those organizations co-operates in system- atie effort for the advancement of the business interests and trade relations of Racine. His is a creditable career, for along well defined lines of labor, characterized by industry and integrity, he has won the prominent place which he now occupies.
T. J. SMADER.
T. J. Smader, political leader. able business man and sportsman, whose activities and interests have been of a character that have promoted public progress along many lines, was born in Caledonia township, this county, December 2, 1878, a son of Tobias and Mary Smader, both of whom were natives of Bohemia, in which country they were reared and married. At an early day they came to the United States, settling at Racine, and Mr. Smader purchased a farm in Caledonia township on which he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits until his death about eight years ago, his widow surviving him for two years.
T. J. Smader began his education in the district schools of Caledonia township and afterward pursued a commercial course, being graduated from the Wisconsin Business College. He then made his initial step in the con- mercial world as a bookkeeper and after four years devoted to that work entered the employ of his brothers, with whom he continued until he took over the business nine years ago. For the past eight years he has been engaged in the theatrical and masquerade costume business and still con- tinues in the same.
Mr. Smader has long been recognized as an active political leader of Racine county, being a prominent democrat. For fifteen years he served on the elec- tion board and has been inspection elerk. He was elected to the board of aldermen, in which capacity he served for four years, and then after a period out of office he was re-elected in 1915 as alderman for the First ward and is
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now acting in that capacity, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many well devised plans and measures for the general good.
Moreover, Mr. Sander has long been interested in clean, manly sports and managed a baseball team. He was a large investor in the Wisconsin-Illinois League and also in the Lake Shore League and in the latter had a team, while previously he had a team in the Cedar League. He is the president of the Major Bowling League and he belongs to various other organizations, includ- ing the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is a charter member, and the Bohemian Turners, of which he was one of the organizers and a charter member. He is likewise a member of the Narodni Jednota, one of the oldest and richest Bohemian organizations in the state of Wisconsin. He belongs as well to the Raeine County Liquor Dealers' Pro- tective and Beneficial Association and is a member of the Racine Commercial Club. His varied activities have made him widely known and he is popular in the county in which his entire life has been passed and where he has exerted broad influence along many lines.
JOSHUA COLLIER.
Joshua Collier was born October 6, 1832, at Manchester, England, a son of William and Margaret (Ridyard) Collier. In 1848, when sixteen years old, he came to this country in company with three cousins of his own age, Joseph Collier, Joshua Boydell, and William Birchall. He located in Racine county, first in Racine, where he worked at his trade as a ship carpenter, and later near Sylvania, where he purchased land. Subsequently his parents came to this country, and settled near him.
In 1860 Joshua Collier was united in marriage to Alice Hurst, who was born in Tyldsley, Lancashire, England, in 1839. Her parents, George and Alice Mort Hurst. were also natives of Lancashire, the former being born m 1792, and the latter in 1793. They resided in England until the spring of 1842. when they came to the United States and took up land near Sylvania. Ilere they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. Hurst dying in 1874 and his wife in 1853. During the year in which they arrived in this country many English families settled in Racine county, a number coming both in the spring and in the fall.
Joshua Collier and his wife identified their interests completely with those · of their adopted country, and at the time of the Civil war Mr. Collier served with Company G, Second Wisconsin Cavalry Volunteers, remaining at the front until the elose of hostilities. While in the army he contracted a disease which eventually caused his death. Six years of his later life were spent on a farm in Caledonia township, and the rest on his farm at Sylvania, where he passed away in 1884.
Mr. Collier was a prominent leader in the pioneer community. He was progressive and public-spirited, and took an active interest in everything affecting the general welfare. He was a republican in politics and was also a strong advocate of legislation prohibiting the manufacture and sale of alco-
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holic drinks. He was quite a prominent member of the Methodist Church, being active for many years as a local preacher. He also served his community in several other capacities, holding school, town, and church offices at various times.
To Mr. and Mrs. Collier were born five children, of whom four survive, namely : J. Z. of Union Grove, who is well known in Racine county, and who is now county agent for the Racine Times-Call; Mrs. Edwin B. Skewes, of Ives Grove, secretary of the Racine county school committee; Miss Louise Collier, who is a teacher in the English department of Racine high school; and Mrs. Effie L. Ford, who, with her husband, is connected with the Anglo- Chinese College in Foochow, China.
RACINE CITY BANK.
The Racine City Bank was organized in 1907 and opened its doors for business on the 25th of January, 1908. Its first directorate included W. G. Gittings, who was chosen president: F. W. Gunther, vice president; H. N. Bacon, cashier: C. A. Wustum, Chris Slot, E. C. Tecktonius, W. T. Harvey, A. J. Piper, Thomas Hay, W. J. Higgins and G. W. Blythe. There was no change in the personnel of the officers of the bank, a fact which indicates the harmonious relations which have ever existed in the management and the efficiency of those who as officers control the affairs of the institution, until two vacancies occurred, owing to the death of Mr. Slot and Mr. Wustum, after which Peter Nelson and W. H. Bell succeeded to the places on the board made vacant by death. The bank was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and is located at 1345 Washington avenue. The business of the bank has steadily increased and its deposits now amount to more than five hundred thousand dollars. It is regarded as one of the safe, substantial moneyed con- cerns of southern Wisconsin, for back of it are men of well known reliability. and the growth has been the legitimate outcome of a business policy that is based upon a thorough recognition of the fact that the bank is most worthy of patronage which most carefully safeguards the interests of its depositors.
HENRY N. BACON.
Henry N. Bacon, who since 1907 has been connected with the Racine City Bank as its cashier, having in that year become one of its organizers and incorporators, was born in La Harpe, Illinois, March 12, 1875, a son of H. L. and Anna Bacon. The paternal grandfather, Newton Bacon, was a cooper by trade and became one of the earliest residents of southern Wisconsin, establishing his home in Southport in 1832. Later he removed to Racine, where he conducted one of the first cooper shops of the city. Subsequently he established his home elsewhere. His son. H. L. Bacon, who was a railroad
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man, lived for a number of years at La Harpe, Illinois, and in 1881 removed to Oshkosh, Wiseonsin, where he is now living retired.
Henry N. Bacon was a little lad of but six summers when the family home was established in Oshkosh and in the public schools there he began his educa- tion, completing his high school course, however, at Fort Howard. Determin- ing upon the practice of law as a life work, as he then presumed, he entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1897. For a year thereafter he practiced in Kewaunce, Wisconsin, but at the end of that time abandoned the profession to enter banking eireles and became one of the organizers of the First National Bank at Campbellsport, Wisconsin, of which he was made the eashier. He remained in that connection for four years and then resigned to become one of the organizers and promoters of the Racine City Bank, with which he has sinee heen connected. This was in the year 1907 and the bank opened its doors for business at the beginning of the succeeding year with Mr. Bacon as cashier, in which capacity he has sinee continned. He has ever been an oblig- ing and courteous official and the success of the institution is attributable in no small measure to his experienee, capability and progressiveness. He has won favor with the public and this has drawn to the bank a liberal patron- age, which is well merited by reason of its thoroughly safe and reliable busi- ness policy. When the bank started Eben Burroughs became assistant cashier and oeeupied that position until April, 1913, when he resigned to enter manu- facturing eireles and was succeeded by Cornelius Olson, who had formerly been eashier of the local office of Armour & Company. The bank has proven of great value to the part of the city in which it is situated and has rapidly advanced in popularity and patronage.
On the 1st of December, 1903, Mr. Bacon was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hayden, of Oshkosh, and they now have a daughter, Elizabeth. Fra- ternally Mr. Bacon is connected with the Masons and with the Royal Areanum and he belongs also to the Universalist ehureh. In polities he is an inde- pendent republican but the honors and emoluments of office have never had attraction for him. He is identified with the Commercial Club and with the Racine Junction Business Men's Association and through these connections has put forth earnest and effective effort to advance the trade relations and promote the business activity of the eity.
P. CORNELIUS OLSON.
P. Cornelius Olson, assistant cashier of the Racine City Bank, was born in this city July 2, 1871, his parents being Peter M. and Christine Olson, both of whom were natives of Porsgrund, Norway. In that country they were reared and married and during the '60s they crossed the Atlantic to America, making the voyage on a sailing vessel. Two of their children died while en route and were buried in the ocean. The father was a sailor, devoting his life to that work and to carpentering but for some years he has lived retired, having now reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey, while his wife is eighty-five
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
years of age. They have for a half century been residents of Racine, where they are widely and favorably known, and both are consistent members of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church.
P. Cornelius Olson passed through intermediate grades from the primary to the high school in Racine and was graduated with the class of 1888. He then became connected with manufacturing interests as an employe of the firm of Foster & Williams and later he engaged in railroading with the Chi- cago & Northwestern. In 1897 he became an employe of Armour & Company at their Racine plant and worked his way upward to the position of cashier in the office here. He resigned that connection in 1913 to become assistant cashier of the Racine City Bank, in which capacity he is now serving, and his efficiency and capability are greatly appreciated by the bank officials and directorate.
On the 16th of June, 1897. Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Emmma J. Johnson of Racine, and they have a daughter, Valerie. Mr. Olson belongs to the Royal Arcanum and his political views accord with the principles of the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attrac- tion for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate his efforts upon his business affairs, knowing that if he would win success it must be done through persistent effort, close application and indefatigable industry.
ANTHONY MCAVOY.
Racine classed Anthony MeAvoy as one of its representative citizens and leading business men. He was long prominently identified with carriage man- ufacturing and his activities were at all times wisely and successfully directed. He was born in County Down, Ireland, October 30, 1846. and the following vear was taken by his parents to London, Canada, where he resided until 1865, when he became a resident of Chicago, Illinois. After about a year passed in that city he removed to Racine and soon afterward went to Elkhorn, Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1872. He then returned to Racine, where he made permanent location. and through the intervening period to the time of his death was one of its leading and influential citizens, promi- nently connected with its industrial development and with the public life as well. In March, 1874, he turned his attention to the manufacture of carriages in connection with Morris Noonan, the partnership being established under the name of the Novelty Carriage Works. Their plant was situated on Wis- consin street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, and there they engaged in the manufacture of carriages, phaetons. buggies and light road wagons. For many years this was one of the leading industries of the kind in Racine and the output was sold in various parts of the country. They enjoyed a liberal patronage for an extended period and when at length Mr. McAvoy closed out his interests in that connection he established a livery business. becoming one of the largest and most successfully conducted stables in the state. A few years prior to his death he disposed of that business to the late W. O. Thomas and again entered manufacturing eireles, becoming president of the Wisconsin
ANTHONY MCAVOY
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
Auto Top Company and the vice president and one of the directors of the Racine File Company. Both of these enterprises proved profitable and Mr. MeAvoy was active in their management and control. In business affairs he readily discriminated between the essential and the non-essential. He seemed quickly to realize what was of worth and what was not, and he so combined and directed his interests as to win the best possible results.
On the 15th of August, 1868, in Delavan, Wisconsin, Mr. MeAvoy was mar- ried to Miss Alice May Bowers and they became the parents of thirteen chil- dren, as follows : Frank J. and Hugh, both of Chicago; John A., of New York ; Myron I., Edward P. and Charles V., all of Racine; Mrs. X. B. Kalamatiano, of Odessa. Russia ; Mrs. F. A. Tooley, of Chicago, Ill .; Cora M. and Lucille, both of Racine, and Bessie, Katherine and Alice, deceased. The family residence is at No. 1012 College avenue, where Mrs. McAvoy still makes her home.
The family mourned a devoted husband and father when Mr. MeAvoy was called from this life March 11, 1914, and Raeine lost one of its prominent, in- fluential and valued citizens. He was widely known in fraternal cireles, being a member of Racine Council, No. 220, R. A .; Beta Council, No. 2, R. L .; the Knights of Columbus ; the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin ; the Catholic Knights of America ; and the Catholic Foresters. He was also one of the leading mem- bers of St. Rose Catholic church and his political allegiance was given to the democratic party, in the success of which he was deeply and helpfully inter- ested. The first ward elected him a member of the board of supervisors and he served for a number of years on the county board. Of him it was said: "He was a man of strong determination, unwavering in his support of the right, and his word was as readily received as his bond. He probably had as large a circle of acquaintances throughout the community as any other eitizen and was held in the very highest esteem for his sterling worth and integrity. His pri- vate and his public life had always been above reproach. In the work of up- building and developing the county he ever bore his share and had been an eye witness of that growth which has made Racine one of the foremost cities of Wisconsin. The poor and needy found in him a friend and he gave his support to many worthy societies, while in his own household he was a most indulgent husband and father." High indeed was the regard entertained for him throughout the community in which he lived and his record is an example well worthy of emulation.
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