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 32
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returned to Racine, where he secured employment in the J. 1. Case Plow Works. Ile advanced through all departments in the shop, gaining comprehensive knowledge of the business, and afterward traveled for the corporation out of the Dallas (Texas) office, representing the company in all for about five years. On the expiration of that period he was made manager of the Wallis Traetor Company, which was organized in 1912 for the manufacture of farm and road tractors. This business has rapidly developed and the value of its output has become widely known, so that the sale now extends widely over American territory.
In 1912 Mr. Wallis was married to Miss Gertrude Allien, of Stamford, Connectieut. He is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he has membership in the Country Club. He also belongs to the Commer- cial Club and in polities is a republican. He has neither time nor inelination to seek publie office, however, as the development of his business claims his entire attention. He is a young man of keen discrimination and sound judg- ment and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the concern with which he is connected a large degree of success.
GEORGE W. DROUGIIT.
George W. Drought, who carries on farming on seetion 1, Norway town- ship, is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Racine county. His birth occurred in Norway township, October 18, 1869. his parents being William Beasley and Mary (Curren) Drought. The mother had been previously married, her first husband being Werley Drought, who was in the war. The father was born in Canada and was a son of George Drought, who brought his family to Racine county in 1838 from his old home in the Dominion. He was one of the earliest settlers of this locality and his first home here was a sod house. This was afterward replaced by a log d'vell- ing and subsequently a frame house was erected. Amid pioneer seenes Wil- liam Beasley Drought grew to manhood and in Norway township was married to Mrs. Mary (Curren) Drought, whose birth occurred in Raymond township, of which her father, Frank Curren, was one of the early settlers. The young couple took up their residence upon a farm in Norway township and Mr. Drought continued to follow agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. The first eighty aeres which he owned was given him by his father, but as time passed and he prospered in his farm work he was able to extend the boundaries of his place until at the time of his death he owned five hundred aeres. He served on the school board for a number of years and took a com- mendable interest in public affairs, supporting the men and measures of the republican party. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. To them were born five children : George W., Ernest F., who is engaged in running a sawmill in Waterford; Ira E., who lives on the old homestead; A. B., a resident of Raymond township, and Lucy, the wife of David Codfish, a farmer of Raymond township.
George W. Drought pursued his studies in the district schools of his native
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township and on starting out in life for himself continued to follow the occu- pation to which he was reared, becoming a successful farmer. He is the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of excellent land and in connection with its operation follows dairying, keeping on hand full blooded Holstein cows for this purpose. In 1899 he erected a good residence and has also built a large barn and silo upon his place, which is known as the Pioneer Farn.
In 1899 Mr. Drought married Miss Delia M. Olsen, who was born in Water- ford and is a daughter of Halver Olsen, one of the early settlers of Norway township now residing in Waterford. Mrs. Drought received an excellent edu- cation, attending the Rochester Academy and also the State Normal at White- water. For two years she taught school at Waterford and for the same length of time at Yorkville. For five years she was in charge of the Drought school and for two years held a position in a graded school at Waterford. She was a very successful teacher, having the ability to impart clearly the knowledge that she had acquired. To Mr. and Mrs. Drought were born four children, those still living being Merle Irene, George Delwing and William Donald.
Mr. and Mrs. Drought hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active interest, and politically Mr. Drought favors the prohibition party. He has served on the school board for many years and has done much to promote the moral, intellectual and material wel- fare of his community. He well merits the confidence reposed in him by his fellow eitizens and wherever known is held in high regard.
JOHN O. JONES.
John O. Jones, conducting an extensive contracting business under the name of the Western Improvement Company, has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions in street paving, a business that extends over many adjoining states. Mr. Jones was born in Llanfairfechan, Wales, on the 23d of June, 1856, and is a son of Owen and Ann (Jones) Jones, both representa- tives of old families that have lived in that section of Wales for hundreds of years. The family on one side were farmers and on the other were granite quarrymen. The parents of John O. Jones spent their entire lives in Wales and in that country the son was reared and educated. He became a granite worker and was thus employed until 1883, when at the age of twenty-six years he left home and sailed for the United States.
Making his way at once to Wisconsin, Mr. Jones settled in Green Lake county and secured employment at a granite quarry, where he worked for about nine years. He then came to Racine and entered the business of street paving under his own name. Later he was joined by his sons under the style of John O. Jones & Sons and in 1908 the business was reorganized under the name of the Western Improvement Company, with John O. Jones as the first president and his son and namesake secretary and treasurer. This company operates in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and the Dakotas and confines their attention exclusively to street paving. This is the largest concern of the kind in Raeine and the business has now reached gratifying proportions. Mr.
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Jones is a self-made man who started out empty handed but has steadily worked his way upward along progressive lines and is now doing a business of about three hundred thousand dollars per year.
In 1887 Mr. Jones was married to Miss Mary Jones, who was born in northern Wales in 1858, and they have become parents of five children : Hugh, deceased; Anna, the wife of A. F. Donald, of Stockton, California; John O., who is secretary and treasurer of the Western Improvement Company ; Susan, the wife of George W. Jones, cashier of the Western Improvement Company : and Beatrice, at home.
Mr. Jones and his family are all members of the Welsh Presbyterian church and for a number of years he has been chairman of its board of trustees. In 1911 he erected one of the finest homes of the city, so that his family is most comfortably located and their beautiful residence is attractive not only by reason of its pleasing architecture and tasteful furnishings but also by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality. In his political views Mr. Jones is an earnest republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day although not ambitious to hold office. Fraternally he is a Mason of high rank, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and for twenty years he has been a loyal member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. From early manhood a resident of Wisconsin, he has throughout the entire period so directed his interests that success in large measure is his and at the same time his business methods may well set a standard for integrity as well as enterprise.
THE E. C. TECKTONIUS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The E. C. Tecktonius Manufacturing Company is a corporation, established in 1891 and incorporated in 1904, with office and factory buildings at 1224 Thirteenth street, and 1231-1233 Washington avenue, Racine, Wisconsin.
This company, like all other enterprises that have stood the test, was established in a small way in the rear of the residence of E. C. Teektonius, and by his careful management has made possible a fastener for connecting or joining the two ends of a band on anything circular. This simple device is now in use throughout the entire United States and Canada, and many ship- ments have been made into foreign countries. This fastener is used exclusively by tank and silo manufacturers, also by tile, brick, and terra cotta manu- facturers, railroads, and on trunk sewer lines.
The name "Tecktonius" is synonymous with this article and many specifi- cations of the United States government, wherein this device is used, specify "Tecktonius" fasteners.
Since May, 1915, they have added to their line silo hardware, making it possible for every lumber dealer throughout the United States (54,000 of them in number), to sell silos to farmers with the same ease as they would sell a bill of lumber for a barn or house. The silo business, when summed up prop- erly, is nothing more than lumber and hardware assembled, and with the E. C. Tecktonius Manufacturing Company's method it is possible for any
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lumber dealer to engage in the sale of silos without a dollar of investment, saving the farmer, in turn, from fifty dollars to one hundred dollars on a silo that he would otherwise be obliged to pay if purchased from a silo manu- facturer by reason of such manufacturer's selling and overhead expense.
FREDERICK A. TECKTONIUS.
Frederick A. Tecktonius, active, energetie, alert and progressive, is win- ning success for the E. C. Tecktonins Manufacturing Company as one of its officers. With this business he has been connected since his school days were over and, concentrating his efforts upon the further development of their trade, he is now contributing much to the success of the undertaking. He was born in Kenosha, September 19, 1878, a son of Emil C. and Bridget Ann (Hoye) Tecktonius, who were married August 15, 1867, in Kenosha. The father was a native of Sweden, born in 1846, and came to the United States when seventeen years of age, while the mother was born in Ireland and was brought to America during her infancy. For the past thirty years Mr. Teek- tonius has devoted his energies to manufacturing and has made steady prog- ress in that field, being the promoter of the E. C. Tecktonius Manufacturing Company, which has developed its business largely along the line of manu- facturing hardware and specialties for silo building. In 1882 he removed with his family to Racine and has since occupied a creditable position in business circles but at the present time is largely leaving the control and management of his interests to others, while he is practically living retired.
To him and his wife have been born six sons and six daughters: Emil S .. of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Margaret, deceased ; George C., of Chicago; Agnes, who married Bror Johaneson and is living in Sweden: Frederick A. of this review : Leo, of Paris, France; Mary, the wife of Frederick Stern, of Kenosha : Jane, living at home : Edward, at home, and Clara, the wife of Harold Loebel, of Chicago. The other two children are also deceased.
Frederick A. Tecktonius obtained a public school education and also attended commercial college, and when the time came for him to start out in business he joined his father and is now manager of the E. C. Tecktonius Manufacturing Company, which is mentioned at length above. He has studied every phase of the business, knows wherein the output is superior to manu- factures of similar character and is constantly striving to improve and develop the product as well as to extend the trade relations of the house. In addition to his activity along this line Mr. Tecktonius engaged quite extensively in raising Buff Leghorn chickens, of which he was a fancier and which he sold all over the world but has now disposed of his business in that connection.
On the 23d of June, 1901, Mr. Tecktonius was united in marriage to Miss Julia M. Crandle, of Racine, by whom he has a son, Cornelius. Mr. Teek- tonius has membership with the Elks and also with the Commercial Club. He has always been a resident of southern Wisconsin and his fellow citizens in this part of the state have ever known him as an enterprising, wide-awake and progressive business man, ready to meet any emergency and never fear-
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ing to venture where favoring opportunity points out the way. He is fortunate in that he possesses character and ability which inspire confidence in others, and the simple weight of his character and ability has carried him into impor- fant business relations. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in enlarging and controlling this many a man of less resolute spirit would have failed. His record illustrates, therefore. that sucess is not a matter of genius, as held by some, or of fortunate circumstances, but is rather the onteome of clear judgment and experience.
CHRIS SCHROEDER.
Chris Schroeder, who upon the foundation of broad. practical experience in agriculture has built his life work-that of disseminating useful knowledge concerning improved methods of farming and live stock breeding-is now live stock editor of the Wisconsin Agrieulturist, published at Raeine. He was born in Kewannee, this state. December 31, 1880, a son of Frederiek C. and Margaret (Hoeltz) Schroeder, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born in 1842 and with his parents came to the United States in 1853, the family home being established in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin. where they followed the occupation of farming. The life record of Frederick C. Schroeder covered seventy-two years, his death occurring in 1914. His wife was born in 1846 and was brought by her father to the new world in 1850, the Hoeltz family being also established in Manitowoc county. Three years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Schroeder removed to Kowaunee county, where they became pioneer settlers and farmers. Previous to his marriage Mr. Schroeder served for three years as a federal soldier in the Civil war, from 1862 until 1865, fighting in the Western Army at Vieks- burg, along the Rio Grande and at Mobile.
Chris Schroeder, reared on the old homestead farm, obtained his educa- tion in the publie and high schools of Kewaunee and afterward followed the profession of teaching for two years. A contemporary biographer, writing of his youthful days, said: "He received his early farm training under the unidanee of his thrifty parents, and too, by working primarily before and after school hours. Many a 5 a. m. alarm saw the boy at chores and milk- ing, and it is not unusual for him today to show visitors the sixty-acre farm where stood the young forest which was leveled to the ground with the help of his axe during vacation time. There was comparatively little so-called recreation for the boy Schroeder. The farm was paid for through the thrift of his parents and older brothers, but there were improvements necessary. He ยท was anxious to help make it a success and he loved farming and work too much to idle long. The outdoors seemed to call him continually. He thrived behind the plow and mowing machine-the live stock seemed to know they were being handled by one who appreciated their qualities. His constant desire for knowledge led him into teaching at the rural school, for he has always contended that to know a thing one must be able to teach it. Then again it gave him the opportunity of trying out his theory that farm children
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should be taught by one who knows farming and could intelligently interpret the lessons in a language they understood. Two years of this and he became hungry for a college training, so in 1902 he entered the Long Course in agri- culture at the University of Wisconsin, graduated with honors, and remained at the university farm for a year, specializing in the care of beef cattle and breeding horse stock, assisting also in class work and live stock judging. Still intent upon making the teaching of better live stock his vocation, he accepted the position as instructor in animal husbandry at the Minnesota Agricultural College, and in JJune, 1908, assumed the responsibility of live stock editor with the Wisconsin Agriculturist," in which connection he has since continued, making his department of the paper one of extreme interest and value to the breeders and raisers of live stock. In this connection he has also served as the secretary of the Holstein-Friesian Breeders' Association of Wisconsin since March, 1913.
On the 9th of June, 1908, Mr. Schroeder was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Jordens, of Milwaukee, who passed away on the 2d of March, 1912. On the 1st of July, 1913, Mr. Sehroeder was again married, his second union being with Beulah R. Sherburne, of Palmyra, Wisconsin. By his first wife he had one child, Gerda Leone, who was born on the 10th of December, 1909.
Mr. Schroeder exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and, while not an office seeker, keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Equitable Fraternal Union and his life standards are drawn from the teachings of the Congregational church, his membership being now in Plymouth church of Racine. He belongs to the Commercial Club and is deeply interested in all of its proposed plans and projects for the improvement and development of the city. Of him it has been said: "All through his life a tireless worker, a consistent thinker and a loyal friend, he numbers among his acquaintances most of the best farmers of the state. He seeks no glory other than that which is the natural result of helping others, and is acknowledged by many as being one of the best posted young men in animal husbandry in the state." Advancement has been his watchword and his entire life has been a stimulating influence for benefit in connection with every work that he has undertaken.
CLINTON SKEWES.
Clinton Skewes, who is operating the family homestead in Yorkville town- ship, has a number of good dairy cows and ships milk extensively to Chicago. He is also doing considerable truck gardening and raises some grain. His birth occurred upon the farm which he is now cultivating, on the 14th of August, 1880, and he is a son of Hannibal and Eliza (Phillips) Skewes, natives of Cornwall, England, born in 1838 and 1840, respectively. The mother was brought to this country by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phillips, who were among the first settlers of Racine county, Wisconsin. The father came to the United States when twenty years of age and joined an unele living in Yorkville township. Later he engaged in farming on his own account and
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became the owner of one hundred acres of fine land. He was a republican with prohibition tendencies and was for years a local preacher in the Metho- dist Episcopal church. He and his wife were married in Yorkville township in 1864 and passed the remainder of their lives here, his death occurring in 1912 and hers in 1903. Of their six children four survive, namely, Edward Henry, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work: Manly, who is train dispatcher in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Minneapolis ; Clinton and Lillie, the wife of Darrick West, a farmer of Ray- mond township.
Clinton Skewes obtained his education in the district schools of York- ville precinct and is indebted to his father for his early and thorough train- ing in agricultural work. He has continued to farm and now owns the home place, to which he has added forty acres, thus bringing his holdings up to one hundred and forty acres, and not only is the land fertile and highly cultivated but the buildings upon the place are modern and up-to-date. He has a large dairy and ships milk to Chicago, finding this business very profitable. He also raises cabbage for the city markets and likewise grows corn and other grain. He manages all branches of his work well and receives a gratifying financial return from his land.
Mr. Skewes was married on the 26th of June, 1912, to Miss Grace Vyvyan, a daughter of William Vyvyan, a pioneer of Racine county. He followed the butcher's trade for many years, accumulating a competence, and was widely known.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Skewes are prominent in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is now serving as president of its board of trustees. He is a republican in politics and is also a firm believer in the wisdom of prohibiting the liquor traffic. Although he gives the greater part of his time and attention to his farm work he finds opportunity to co-operate with others in furthering movements for the general good and his public spirit is generally recognized.
MORRIS JORGENSEN.
Morris Jorgensen, who is successfully engaged in dairying and stock rais- ing in connection with the production of grain in Yorkville township, was born in Denmark on the 30th of July, 1867. His parents, Hans Mikkel and Lena (Anderson) Jorgensen, were also natives of that country, where they passed their entire lives. The father, who was born June 27, 1822, engaged in farming for many years, dying in February. 1909, upon the homestead, which is now in possession of one of his sons. There are eight children living, namely : Richard, who is farming the home place in Denmark; Morris: An- tonia, the wife of Christ Sorensen, of Somers township: Hans and Edward. both residents of Yorkville township: Annie, the wife of James Johnson, a tailor of Kenosha: and Laura and Mary, both of whom are still residing in Denmark.
Morris Jorgensen was educated in the district schools of his native coun-
MR. AND MRS. MORRIS JORGENSEN
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try but when fourteen years of age left home and began his independent career. A number of years later, in 1890, he emigrated to America and made his way to this country, where he arrived in March. He worked for a farmer in Yorkville township for some time and later rented land for eight years, but at the end of that time purchased the property, which he subsequently sold. He then bought his present farm, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres in Yorkville township, and he has erected good buildings upon the place and otherwise added to its value. The prosperity which he enjoys is doubly creditable because it is the direct reward of his labor and good management. Ile has a number of Holstein and Durham cattle and in addi- tion to raising cattle for the market also feeds other stock. He is also engaged in dairying to some extent.
Mr. Jorgensen was married in 1894 to Miss Christine Anderson, who was born in Raymond township, Racine county, and is a danghter of Peter and Karen (Nelson) Larsen, natives of Denmark, who in 1869 crossed the Atlantic to the United States and located in Racine county, Wisconsin. The father farmed in Raymond township until his demise late in 1873. It was on the 4th of May, 1874, that his daughter, Mrs. Jorgensen, was born. In the same year the mother became the wife of Jorgen Anderson and the children of that marriage are: George, who died when nineteen years of age; Annie, the wife of James Christensen of Raymond : Mary. the wife of William Peterson, also of Raymond; James, who is superintendent of a farm in Yorkville township; Emma, the wife of James Gabrielsen ; and Ida, the wife of William Peterson, of Yorkville. Mr. and Mrs. Jorgensen have two children, Florence and Ed- ward, both at home.
Mr. Jorgensen supports the republican party at the polls but has never been an aspirant for political preferment. He was reared in the Lutheran church and has conformed his life to its teachings. During the quarter of a century in which he has been a resident of Racine county he has won a high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens and has many personal friends.
F. B. SWINGLE.
F. B. Swingle, who since 1912 has been associate editor of the Wisconsin Agriculturist, although he began writing for publication long prior to that date, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, March 8, 1876. a son of Warren W. and Frankie (Bell) Swingle. The parents were also natives of Rock county and the mother was a daughter of Adam Bell, one of the early pioneer settlers of the state, who on removing westward from New York in 1838, passed through Raeine and established his home in Rock county, having made the trip to Racine by water, and farther west with an ox team. The paternal grand- father, Justice Cobb Swingle, was a native of Pennsylvania and he arrived in the Badger state in 1835. He married Maria Clark, a native of Vermont, and they shared in all of the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier and contributed to the pioneer development of the state which has constituted the preliminary step toward present day progress and prosperity.
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