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 31
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W. EARL TRAUGER.
W. Earl Trauger, conducting a jewelry business in Raeine, was born in Morrison, Illinois, January 31, 1878. a son of Charles and Alta (Ewing) Trauger, the former a cigar manufacturer. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof of his native city, W. Earl Trauger mastered the branches of learning taught in the graded and high schools and afterward took up the trade of a jeweler at Morrison, while subsequently he worked in the same line in Chicago. His residence in Racine dates from 1906. in which year he entered the employ of F. P. Beswiek and in that connection he formed
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a wide acquaintance among Racine's citizens, so that he started in business on his own account well situated as to winning trade. He bought out his en- ployer on the 1st of January, 1916, and is now successfully conducting his store at No. 311 Sixth street. His entire business experience has been along the line of the jewelry trade and there is no phase of the work with which he is not familiar. He also knows the market, so that he makes advantageous purchases and profitable sales, thus gaining the legitimate reward of earnest effort and close application.
On the 26th of June, 1912, Mr. Trauger was united in marriage to Miss Maude E. McAllister, of Morrison, Illinois. They have gained many friends during their residence in Racine, the number being constantly augmented as the circle of their acquaintance broadens. They are members of the Presby- terian church and their influence is always on the side of right, progress and improvement. Mr. Trauger does not hold to any political faith but reserves the right to vote independently, vet keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day.
LUCIUS F. GRAVES.
Lucius F. Graves, president of the Graves Sign Company, which he organ- ized in 1906, has taken a forward step in his line of work and set a standard which others have followed. He was born on Washington avenue in Racine, November 24, 1885, and is a son of Horace and Mary (Sherman) Graves, who were natives of Lowell, Massachusetts, and became residents of Racine about forty-five years ago. The father still remains an active business man here and was a contractor for the American Seating Company, while at the present time he is with the Belle City Manufacturing Company. The mother is dis- tantly related to the family of General W. T. Sherman.
In the acquirement of his education Lucius F. Graves attended the ward schools and also spent two years as a pupil in the high school. Before putting aside his textbooks he learned the machinist's trade, working evenings and on Sundays, and for about three years after leaving school he continued to fol- low the trade. He afterward went to Milwaukee and served an apprenticeship as a sign painter. As previously stated, his present business was established in 1906, when he organized the Graves Sign Company, being at the head of the only company in Racine that does high grade work. In fact his efforts have passed beyond ordinary sign painting into the realm of the artistic and he studies every question bearing upon the business in order to produce the best effects and make the signs sent out from his factory an attractive advertise- ment which shall constitute a profitable source of business for the company thus represented. Mr. Graves is applying his energies most rigidly to the conduct of the business and the success which he is now enjoying is well merited.
In his political views Mr. Graves is a republican where national issues and questions are involved but maintains a non-partisan attitude in the exercise of his right of franchise at local elections. Fraternally he is connected with
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the Eagles, with the Elks and with the Elks Marching Club. He is widely and favorably known in Racine, where mueh of his life has been passed and where many of his stanehest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present.
WILLIAM JOHN McADAMS.
William John MeAdams, who sinee 1909 has lived retired, although pre- viously actively connected with agricultural, commercial and industrial pur- suits, was born in Elizabethport, New Jersey, August 10, 1849, a son of John and Jane (Crothers) MeAdams, who were natives of Ireland and with their family crossed the Atlantie to the United States, settling in New Jersey. The father was a railroad man, being employed on the York & Erie Railroad as seetion boss for seventeen years. He came to Raeine county in 1851 and turned his attention to farming in Caledonia township, while later he followed agri- cultural pursuits in Raymond township. Eventually he retired to Union Grove, where he spent his last days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, passing away in 1891, his remains being interred in Oak Grove cemetery. His widow survived until April, 1909, and was laid to rest by his side.
William J. McAdams was educated in the distriet sehools at Caledonia Center and remained upon the home farm until twenty-six years of age, dur- ing which period he became familiar with all the different phases of farm life. He then started out to engage in agricultural pursuits on his own account and was closely identified with general farming in Raymond township until 1891. He was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land but when he retired he sold one-half of this, retaining possession of the other until about two years ago, when he disposed of it. He was engaged in the grocery business for two or three years and afterward was employed in the shops of Raeine but since 1909 has engaged in no business, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and riehly deserves. In 1909 he ereeted a beautiful and commodious residence and he also built the Christenson store building.
In 1876 Mr. McAdams was married to Miss Rebecea W. West, who was born at Raymond Center, a daughter of Thomas and Charlotte (Ferris) West. The father's people came from Canada and the mother's from Ireland. They arrived in Raeine eounty in 1840 but returned to Canada, although in 1841 they came again to this county. The grandfather was Thomas West, who ear- ried on general farming. The father carried the mail from Raymond to Raeine for thirteen years, taking charge of the route at the beginning of the Civil war. He died in 1913 and is still survived by his widow, who is now eighty- five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. MeAdams have beeome the parents of four children : Ethel, the wife of William H. Hartig, by whom she has three ehil- dren-Ethel, Doris and Robert; Charles and Daisy, both at home ; and Olive, now in Los Angeles, California.
The parents are consistent members of the Congregational church and Mr. MeAdams is a loyal supporter of the republican party. His has been an active and useful life. His time has always been well spent and in all of his business
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dealings he is thoroughly honorable, reliable and progressive, so that his rest is well deserved and none can envy him his success, so honorably has it been won and so worthily used.
RACINE SHOE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
Among the important business enterprises of Racine which have contrib- uted in large measure to the substantial development of the city is the Racine Shoe Manufacturing Company, which was organized in 1902 with Sands M. Hart as president, L. J. Elliott, secretary and treasurer, and Fred C. Goff as general manager. The plant of the company was located originally at the corner of Wisconsin and Seventh streets, but with the demand for larger quar- ters. a removal was made in 1906 to 1320 Clark street. In 1914 Mr. Goff was elected president of the company and in 1916 Jens Jensen became president, with Fred C. Goff as secretary and treasurer and L. J. Elliott as vice president. The plant includes thirty-five thousand square feet of floor space, occupying a building three stories in height, with basement. They manufacture a special line of men's fine Goodyear welt shoes and the product is sold extensively over this country and is sent to many points abroad, including Denmark, France. Australia, South America and Africa. They employ from one hundred and eighty-five to two hundred operators in the factory, mostly skilled labor, and their plant is equipped with the most modern machinery for the making of shoes and is operated by steam and electric power. They sell to the retail trade and are represented upon the road by fourteen traveling salesmen, who thoroughly cover American territory. The business has gradually grown and developed during the fourteen years in which it has been conducted under the present organization.
FRED C. GOFF.
For forty years Fred C. Goff has been continuously connected with the shoe trade and is now secretary and treasurer of the Racine Shoe Manufactur- ing Company. The thoroughness with which he has mastered every phase of the business has been one of the strong forces in his growing success and he has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful business man who, in all of his dealings, is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won for him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
Mr. Goff was born in Steuben county, New York, November 13, 1858, a son of Warren W. and Lucina (Pixley) Goff. who were likewise natives of the Empire state, where the father carried on business as both a farmer and con- tractor. His father was William W. Goff, who built the first brick house in Steuben county, where he was a pioneer settler and became an extensive land owner. He also owned a large carding mill and was prominently associated with the early development and progress of that section.
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Fred C. Goff supplemented a public school education by a course in the high school at Hornellsville, New York, and for two years read law, but de- cided that he preferred other business pursuits rather than law practice and in 1876 made his initial step in the shoe trade. In 1895 he came to Racine and organized the Raeine Shoe Company, becoming superintendent of the factory. In time this was merged into the Jones-Earl Shoe Company which in 1902 was taken over by the Raeine Shoe Manufacturing Company, with Fred C. Goff as the general manager. He continued as such until 1914, when he was elected president of the company and in 1916 he became secretary and treas- urer. This is one of the large manufacturing interests of the state and its output not only covers a large territory in the United States, but is also sent extensively to foreign lands. Under the guidance of Mr. Goff in his various official relations the business has rapidly developed along substantial lines until employment is now furnished to about two hundred operatives in the factory, while the house is represented upon the road by fourteen traveling salesmen. With the growth of the business Mr. Goff has taken over more and more of the stoek until he is now the heaviest stockholder.
In 1882 Mr. Goff was united in marriage to Miss Ella S. Burrell, of New York, and to them have been born two daughter: Mary E., the wife of George S. Bliss, of Racine ; and Fannie, at home. Mrs. Goff is a daughter of Allen Minor Burrell, a second cousin of General Benjamin Butler. Her father has in his possession the wateh that was taken from Benjamin Arnold, the Revo- lutionary war traitor, when he was captured. Both Mr. Goff's family and his wife's family are of English lineage and both were established on Ameri- ean soil in colonial days. Politieally Mr. Goff is a republican and his broad reading enables him to support his position by intelligent argument. He be- longs to the Commercial Club and the National Chamber of Commerce, while his fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Elks. His position, es- tablished by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellowmen, is that of one of Racine county's most prominent, capable and respected citizens. In no sense a man in public life he has, nevertheless, exerted an immeasurable in- fluenee on the city of his residence ; in business life as a promoter of extensive manufacturing and commercial enterprises ; in social circles of Racine as a man of a charming personality and unfeigned cordialty ; in polities by reason of his publie spirit and devotion to the general good, as well as by his compre- hensive understanding of the questions affecting state and national welfare.
LOUIS H. ROHR.
Louis H. Rohr, an attorney of Burlington, Racine county. Wisconsin, was born on a farm in the town of Franklin, Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, on the 25th day of April, 1864, and is a son of Jacob Rohr, a native of Switzer- land, who came to this country with his parents in the year 1832. the family settling in Rochester, New York, where he grew to manhood and married Sophia Roehrig, a native of Prussia. In 1857 they moved to Wisconsin and purchased a farm, whereon Louis H. Rohr was born. In 1866 the family
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moved to the town of Raymond, Racine county, where Louis H. Rohr grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the public schools of this state. He after- ward taught school, studied law and was admitted to the bar of Wisconsin in 1892, and formed a law partnership with the Hon. Thomas M. Kearney, at Burlington. In 1893 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Kearney removing to Racine and Mr. Rohr continuing in the practice of the law at Burlington, where he has gained a gratifying measure of success. having been engaged as counsel on one side or the other in most of the important litigation arising in the western part of Racine county.
Besides being actively engaged in the practice of the law, Mr. Rohr has at various times become interested in many of the important business and manu- facturing interests in his eity and county, and is now a director and vice presi- dent of the Bank of Burlington, one of the largest and soundest financial banking institutions in Racine county ; he is also one of the founders and is a director and the secretary and treasurer of the Wisconsin Condensed Milk Company, the largest and most important manufacturing corporation in Bur- lington ; he is also a director and secretary of the Burlington Brass Works, a large brass foundry located at Burlington, in all of which institutions he is financially interested. On the 23d of November, 1893, Mr. Rohr was united in marriage to Miss Ella Davis, of Milwaukee, a daughter of Charles M. Davis, a well known lake captain. To Mr. and Mrs. Rohr has been born a son, Charles Davis Rohr, who is now a student at Beloit College.
Mr. Rohr supports the candidates and measures of the republican party, as he believes its policies to be based upon sound principles of government, and he has served as city attorney and as a member of the school board but has not been a candidate for other office. He is identified with the Masonic lodge, chapter and commandery and the beneficent teachings of the craft find expres- sion in his life. He has always remained a careful student of matters relating to jurisprudence and also of subjects of general interest and has an unusually fine library which affords him much enjoyment. He has not only gained recognition as an able and conscientious member of the bar but he has also gained a high place in the regard of his fellow citizens, because of his willing- ness to work for the general good.
ARTHUR J. JONAS.
Arthur J. Jonas, dealer in automobiles and proprietor of a garage in which he does both repairing and experimental work, was born in Racine, October 3, 1881, a son of Fred and Julia (Novatny) Jonas. The father, a native of Prague, Bohemia, came to Racine when twenty-four years of age. Fifty-two years ago he established the Bohemian paper Slavie, which he continued to edit and publish until 1904, when he retired and has sinee lived in Raeine, enjoying a well earned rest.
Arthur J. Jonas, spending his youthful days in his parents' home, pursued his education in the graded and high schools of Raeine to the age of nineteen years, when his textbooks were put aside and he made his initial step in the
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business world. For two years he was employed at the engine works of F. J. Green and then embarked in the manufacture of dental supplies, build- ing up a good business which eight years later he sold to eastern parties. He then organized the garage and bicycle business and he not only does repair but also experimental work in connection with automobiles. He possesses marked mechanical skill and ingenuity and in addition has that executive force which has enabled him to build up a good trade.
In 1906 Mr. Jonas was married to Miss Nora Larson, of Racine, and they have two children : Arthur O., nine years of age; and Dorothy Jeanette, who is in her fifth year. Mr. Jonas has always lived in Racine and by reason of his substantial qualities he has gained many friends among his numerous acquaintances in this city.
HENRY L. WRATTEN.
The welfare of a city does not depend so much upon the machinery of its government or even upon the men that occupy its offices as it does upon the business enterprises which promote its material growth and development, and each legitimate enterprise wisely conducted adds to the upbuilding of the city. In this connection, therefore, mention should be made of Henry L. Wratten, who was one of the organizers and from the beginning has been the president of the Racine Boiler & Tank Company, which started in business in October, 1913.
Mr. Wratten was born in Raeine, January 17, 1860, a son of Jacob and Harriett (Biggs) Wratten, both of whom were natives of England, whenee they emigrated to the new world. They established their home in New York and were married in Utica, that state, where they lived until 1844, when they came to Raeine. The father was a carpenter contractor and became foreman of the car shops for the Western Union Railway, remaining active in indus- trial circles in this city up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1868. His widow survived for a long period, passing away in 1885.
Henry L. Wratten was the tenth in order of birth in a family of twelve children and after pursuing a publie school education he learned the boiler making trade, giving close attention to every phase of the work and thus pro- moting his efficieney, which won him advancement from time to time until he became superintendent for the S. Freeman & Sons Mfg. Co. He was with that company for thirty-two years, acting as superintendent for twenty-six years-a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of his capability and trustworthiness and his marked devotion to the interests of the house which he represented. Ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account, in October, 1913, he organized the Racine Boiler & Tank Company, of which he became the president, with James Fahey as the vice president and William Teubner as secretary and treasurer. They employ twelve men and do general contraeting and job work in their line. Their plant is located in the Satterly building at Racine Junction and the business is proving a growing and profit- able concern.
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On the 15th of July, 1883, Mr. Wratten was united in marriage to Miss Statia Santry, of Racine, who passed away December 5, 1893. On the 26th of April, 1896, Mr. Wratten was again married, his second union being with Miss Nettie Fahey, a daughter of Michael Fahey, an early settler of Racine. By this marriage there were born six children, namely: Harriet, who is deceased; Henry, Isabel, Mary, who has also passed away; Wendell and Frances.
Mr. Wratten casts an independent ballot, his vote being determined by the capability of the candidate. He is a member of the Commercial Club, which indicates his interest in the city's business welfare and development. He belongs to the Elks Lodge and in Masonry has attained the Knights Templar degree, being a worthy exemplar of the craft which is based upon a recogni- tion of the brotherhood of man. He has long figured prominently in indus- trial circles in the city and his ability has brought him prominently to the front in this connection.
JOHN P. BARRY.
On the 1st of January, 1915. John P. Barry assumed the duties of the office of register of deeds and at the same time he is engaged in the abstract business in Racine, with which he has long been connected. He was born in Newton, lowa, August 31, 1881, a son of David T. and Katherine (Flynn) Barry, the former a native of Westmoreland, Virginia, while the latter was born in Ire- land. They were married in Chicago and in the year 1872 became residents of Iowa. The father's business was that of railroading for some years and after- ward he became an iron molder, working at that trade until the time of his demise on the 7th of November. 1913. His widow now makes her home with her son, John P. The family has resided in Racine since 1891.
John P. Barry was a lad of but ten years when the family home was estab- lished in this city, so that he continued his education here as a public and high school pupil. Subsequently he entered the E. L. Casterton Business College, from which he was graduated in 1900, and he completed a course in the Ra- cine City Business College by graduation with the class of 1902. On the 1st of February of the same year he secured a position in the Knight & Peck ab- stract office, where he remained until May 1, 1911, becoming during that period familiar with every phase of the abstract business. He then opened an abstract office on his own account and still continues. He has a complete set of books and has gained a large clientage in this connection, his business bringing him now a substantial return.
On the 26th of December, 1915, Mr. Barry was married to Miss Eleanor Agnes Graef, who was a registered nurse of St. Mary's Hospital. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a daughter of Peter and Katherine Graef, who were residents of Port Washington, Wisconsin, but have now passed away.
Mr. and Mrs. Barry both held membership in St. Patrick's Catholic church and he also belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Royal Arcanum. His political endorsement is given to the
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JOHN P. BARRY
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principles and candidates of the republican party. In 1904 he was a candi- date for alderman in the fourth ward but was defeated by the Socialist League by a vote of seventeen. In the fall of 1914 he became the candidate of his party for the office of register of deeds and received the indorsment of the public at the polls, assuming the duties of that position on the 1st of Janu- ary, 1915. His previous business experience had made him well qualified for this work and he is proving an able official.
WALLIS TRACTOR COMPANY.
The Wallis Tractor Company, of Racine, was organized about 1912, with H. M. Wallis as president and treasurer; II. M. Wallis, Jr., secretary, and Oliver P. Conger, director. Later there were added to the directorate W. C. Quarles, of Milwaukee, and P. H. Batten, of Racine. The company manu- factures farm and road tractors which were designed by R. O. Hendrickson. The factory was at first located at Cleveland, Ohio, but was later moved to Racine to be closer to the J. I. Case Plow Works, who are the distributors of its product in the United States. The chief distinctive characteristic of its tractors is the frame construction, which consists of steel plate rolled up into a U shaped boiler construction in which all of the working parts of the tractor are mounted and run in a constant oil bath. Thus the frame of the tractor serves the dual purpose of being a frame and also the housing for the motor base, transmission and differential. The company has been fortunate enough to obtain a basic pattern on this original construction. By reason of its box girder frame construction the machine is unusually light for its strength and develops more horse power than any other tractor in the world. Its motor burns either kerosene or gasoline successfully, and the tractor can turn in a radius of its own wheel base, which is eight feet four inches. The tractor is today being sold all over the United States, for its value and efficiency are at once recognized by both the experienced and the inexperienced in the use of such machines. The factory contains seventy-five thousand square feet of floor space, is supplied with the best labor-saving machinery and devices and employs two hundred people, all skilled mechanics. The plant has a sprinkler system and there is every convenience for the development of the work, while the business management constitutes a splendid basis for the development of the trade.
H. M. WALLIS, JR.
H. M. Wallis, Jr., manager of the Wallis Tractor Company, which was organized in 1912, was born in Racine on the 24th of January, 1888, a son of H. M. and Jessie (Case) Wallis. He pursued his education as a student in Racine College. the Manor School at Stamford, Connecticut, and in the Hotch- kiss School of Salisbury, Connecticut, and when his school days were over he
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