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 33
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
After attaining his majority Warren W. Swingle took up the occupation of farming in Rock county, making his home near Clinton, and became recog- nized as one of the representative agriculturists of the community.
F. B. Swingle supplemented his public school training by study in the State Normal School at Whitewater and afterward took up the profession of teach- ing, which he followed successfully for ten years in Kenosha and Racine coun- ties. On the expiration of that period he was appointed to a position in the Racine postoffice, where he remained until 1912, when he was made a member of the editorial staff of the Wisconsin Agriculturist. He had long been deeply interested in the development of the state in connection with its farming and educational interests and in early manhood had taken up literary work, con- tributing various articles to farm journals. He is now concentrating his entire attention upon his duties as associate editor and has contributed to the success won by the Agriculturist, which has today scarcely a peer in farm journals in the country.
On the 14th of November, 1899, Mr. Swingle was united in marriage to Miss Anna Bose Wensing, of Kenosha county, Wisconsin, by whom he has two children, Esther and Everett. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the parents are members, and Mr. Swingle gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and his interest in local affairs and municipal progress is shown by his hearty co-operation with the work of the Commercial Club, in which he holds membership. He is alert and enterprising and stands as a high type of Amer- ican manhood and citizenship.
NELS CHRISTENSEN.
Nels Christensen, senior partner in the firm of N. Christensen & Son, con- ducting a real estate, insurance and loan business, was born in Denmark on the 25th of March, 1869, his parents being Nels C. and Mattie K. (Nielsdatter) Christensen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. The son pursued his education in the schools of that country until seventeen years of age, when he came to the United States, after which he spent a year as a pupil in a country school. He afterward began work as a laborer and later learned the moulder's trade, which he followed through much of the time for fifteen years. In 1903. however, he turned his attention to the real estate business in connection with Jacob Anderson and the partnership existed until about seven years ago. Fol- lowing its dissolution Mr. Christensen organized the present firm of N. Chris- tensen & Son and still conduets a real estate, insurance and loan office, each department of his business proving profitable as the result of the liberal client- age which he has won. His business methods are thoroughly progressive and reliable and have gained for him unqualified confidence and regard. In addi- tion to negotiating property transfers he has done some speculative building. erecting houses which he sells on the installment plan.
In 1890, when twenty-one years of age, Mr. Christensen was married to Miss Elsie Johanna Christensen and they have become parents of four children :
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Emma, the wife of Roy Leonard, of Racine; Harold, in business with his father; Cora, a teacher in the Gilbert Knapp school; and Elizabeth, who is as- sisting in her father's office.
In his political views Mr. Christensen has been a republican since securing the right of franchise and for a term and a half was supervisor from the ninth ward. He is a member of the Congregational church and also of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Racine and he is supreme secretary of the Danish Society, a position which indicates his high standing among his fellow countrymen in this state. His determination to come to the new world has received its in- dorsement in the success which he has won and in the position to which he has attained, and there is no more loyal resident of Racine than this adopted son of America.
PETER MAURICE.
Peter Maurice, a successful dairyman, living in Yorkville township, is en- titled to the credit which is given a self-made man, for he has depended entirely upon his own resources for advancement. He was born in Yorkville township on the 13th of December, 1868, a son of Phillip and Mary (Guden- kauf) Maurice, both of German birth. The father's natal year was 1825 and the mother was born on the 13th of July 1838. Phillip Maurice came to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Maurice, in 1846, and the family located in Racine county, where Edward Maurice died soon afterwards. The son, Phillip, devoted his time to agricultural pursuits for many years and acquired a large tract of land, most of which, however, he sold to his sons before his demise, which occurred in 1912. He was a member of the Catholic church and in polities was a democrat. He was married in this county to Miss Mary Gudenkauf, a daughter of John Gudenkauf, who came to Racine county in the '60s, but later went to Iowa, where he farmed until his death. Mrs. Maurice is still living. Of their family of five children only two survive : Ed- ward Emerson, who is farming in Nebraska ; and Peter.
The latter was educated in the district and parochial schools and after putting aside his textbooks concentrated his energies upon farming, working with his father until he attained his majority. He then went to Racine. where he was employed in a factory for three years, after which he farmed in Min- nesota for one year. He then removed to Nebraska and for a year conducted a pool room, but at the end of that time purchased the homestead of one hun- dred and thirty-three acres in Yorkville township. He does general farming, but pays greater attention to dairying than to any other phase of his business. He has high grade cows, has thoroughly equipped and sanitary barns and is careful to see that the milk is not contaminated in any way. He keeps every- thing about the place in excellent condition and has made a number of im- provements upon the farm, including the remodeling of his residence.
Mr. Maurice was married in 1900 to Miss Matilda Stollenwerk, a daughter of Hubbard and Magdalena Stollenwerk, of Paris township. There were six children in the Stollenwerk family, four sons and two daughters: Mary, de-
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ceased; Michael: Joseph : John : Matilda ; and Oscar, all living in Paris town- ship, Kenosha county, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Maurice eight children have been born, namely: Lorenzo, Olga, Eleanor, Mary, Vera, Alvin, Esther and Helen.
Mr. Maurice casts a non-partisan vote, refusing to follow the dictates of a party leader, but supporting the candidates whom he deems best fitted for the office in question. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic. A man of in- dustry, he possesses excellent business ability and his continued success seems assured.
WILLIAM P. HECKEL.
The history of a city is not the record of any one enterprise, important and extensive as it may be, but is the outcome of the aggregate effort of many who are controlling various lines of trade and commerce. Every new undertaking adds to the commercial activity and therefore to the consequent development of the city. Among the newer business concerns of Racine is the Racine Welding & Cutting Company, which was organized June 1, 1915, by William P. Heckel and William II. Larkin, with plant at No. 229 Wisconsin street. This firm does acetylene welding and cutting, both heavy and small work, and job work for factories, and the business is growing along substantial lines.
Mr. Heckel was born in Milwaukee, September 19, 1890, and after obtain- ing a public school education learned the welding trade in the establishment of A. O. Smith of Milwaukee, there remaining for six years, a fact indicative of his efficient workmanship and his fidelity. In September, 1914, he came to Racine and for a short period was employed in the garage of M. E. Laux. He then established business on his own account by forming a partnership with William H. Larkin on the 1st of June, 1915, when they opened their present establishment. In addition to doing job work for factories and other work they manufacture to some extent and employ four people who are skilled in this particular line. Their trade has already reached gratifying proportions and their success is steadily growing.
Mr. Heckel, being a young man, realizes that it is necessary to concentrate his efforts closely upon the upbuilding of his trade and win success through worth and energy. Those who have met him in business relations speak of him in terms of high regard, and those who know him socially entertain for him warm friendship.
WILLIAM H. LARKIN.
William H. Larkin, who dates his residence in Racine from 1914, is now a partner in the Racine Welding & Cutting Company, in which undertaking he is associated with William P. Heekel. He was born in Maywood, a suburb of Chicago. April 5. 1890, and obtained his early education in the public schools
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there, after which he entered the Lewis Institute of Chicago and was grad- uated in 1909 on the completion of a course in electrical engineering. He received mechanical training also and for two years was employed by the American Can Company of Chicago at their factory in Maywood. He later went to Janesville, Wisconsin, where for three years he engaged in the produce busi- ness, and in 1914 came to Racine. Ilere he entered the employ of the Siver- krop Engine Company. with which he continued until February 3, 1916, when he joined William P. Heckel in organizing the Racine Welding & Cutting Com- pany. In this business he has since engaged and the growth of their trade is now indicated by the fact that they employ four skilled workmen. They do acetylene welding and cutting and among their patrons are many of the fae- tories of the city.
FRED H. SCHULZ.
Fred H. Schulz, who in the conduct of a real estate business has aided in the development of important additions and in negotiating many important property transfers in Racine, his native city, was born on the 17th of March. 1885. a son of John and Minnie (Teske) Schulz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1866, establishing their home in Racine, where the father engaged in business as a carpenter contractor, being identified with building operations for a number of years, but now living re- tired.
After passing through consecutive grades in the public schools Fred H. Schulz was graduated from the Racine high school with the class of 1901, giv- ing considerable attention during his high school days to the commercial course and later pursuing a commercial course in the Wisconsin Business Col- lege. He has been identified with the insurance business since 1901 and in 1907 he entered into partnership with I. O. Mann for the conduet of a real estate and insurance business. That association was maintained until 1912, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Schulz organized the F. H. Schulz Company to operate in the same line in which he had formerly been engaged. While associated with Mr. Mann he was active in putting upon the market the Mound addition in 1911. He now conducts a general real estate, insurance and loan business and deals in mortgage bonds and other commercial paper. He has built up the business to large proportions, necessitating the employ- ment of several men, and his career is actuated by a spirit of indomitable energy and enterprise. His high position in the regard of those devoting their energies to similar lines is indicated by the fact that he is now secretary of the real estate board of Racine, while in 1914 he was honored with the presidency of the Wisconsin Association of Real Estate Brokers. Neither has he confined his attention alone to this line, for he became one of the organizers and the see- retary of the Call Publishing Company, which is now the Times-Call Company. and he still retains the position of secretary. He is also the secretary of the insurance board and his comprehensive knowledge of insurance and real estate
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business, resulting from broad, practical experience and wide study. enables him to speak with authority upon these questions.
Mr. Schulz is well known in fraternal circles as a member of Belle City Lodge No. 92, F. & A. M., and Racine Chapter, R. A. M. He belongs also to the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Pythias and the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. He is likewise a member of the Commercial Club and in polities is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the German Baptist church, of which he is now the treasurer. For the past two years he has been a member of the library board of Racine and in many other ways has given tangible evidence of his deep interest in the welfare and progress of the city, being ever among the first to respond to any call to further municipal interests.
RUDOLF M. SORENSEN.
Rudolf M. Sorensen, conducting a large and profitable moving and storage business, with warehouse at No. 516 Center street in Racine, was born in Den- mark, August 30, 1886, a son of Rasmus and Mary Sorensen, who came to the United States nine years ago and are now living in Racine.
Rudolf M. Sorensen was reared and educated in Denmark and there learned the butcher's trade, at which he worked in his native country until he came to this city. Following his arrival here he again followed the buteher- ing business for three years, after which he became associated with the mov- ing and storage business, with warehouse at No. 516 Center street. He utilizes two big auto trucks, one of which is the largest in Racine, and he also has two teams. Something of the growth and volume of the business is indicated by the fact that in a single week in July, 1916, he took three loads to Chicago and also three to Milwaukee .. He has long distance telephone connection with the cities as well as the local telephone lines to aid in facilitating his business, and careful and intelligent management of his interests has brought to him sub- stantial and well deserved success.
In 1912 Mr. Sorensen was married to Miss Theresa Sorensen and they have two children, Leonard and Arnold. He maintains a non-partisan attitude in polities and has never been a seeker for office. He is a member of the Danish Society and is much interested in efforts to promote the welfare and progress of the district in which he lives.
HENRY SHUMAN.
The rich farming district of Raeine county furnishes splendid opportunities to the agriculturist and dairyman. and among the enterprising and prosperous farmers of the locality is numbered Henry Shuman, who is now comfortably situated in life. He makes his home near Franksville and is numbered among the native sons of Raymond township. his birth having there occurred June 21.
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1867. His parents, Fred and Margaret (Hansen) Shuman, were natives of Den- mark, the former born August 26, 1833, and the latter August 15, 1826. They were married in Raymond township, Racine county, where Mr. Shuman had located at a very early period in its development. He had been a sailor of Denmark and .sailed the seas for years, visiting almost every point of the globe. At length he determined to retire from that life and became a resident of Racine county, purchasing a farm of forty acres in Raymond township. At length he disposed of that property and bought another farm of sixty acres. Still later he sold that tract and invested in a farm near North Cape. In 1881 he purchased his present farm, comprising eighty acres. He belonged to the Lutheran church, while his wife was a member of the Baptist church. She died May 9, 1889, and left behind her many warm friends. In politics Mr. Shuman is a democrat, but has never been an aspirant for office.
Henry Shuman, their only child, obtained his education in the district schools and took up the occupation of farming. He came into possession of his father's old homestead and has always carried on general agricultural pur- suits. He also does considerable dairying, milking ten cows, keeping high grade Holsteins. His home is a commodious, pleasant and attractive farm residence and he has built upon his place an excellent barn and good silo. In a word, his is a well improved property and he is now most comfortably sit- uated in life.
In January, 1891, Mr. Shuman was united in marriage to Miss Anna Chris- tensen, a sister of Martin Christensen, who is mentioned on another page of this work. To them have been born six children, namely : Elmer, who died at the age of twenty years, and Edna, Russell, Ralph, Jeannette and Lorain, all of whom are still under the parental roof. The eldest daughter is a member of the Baptist church and the family help to maintain three neighboring churches, as they are all church workers. They are widely and favorably known in their part of the county, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended them.
WILLIAM H. HETZEL.
William H. Hetzel, conducting a general contracting electrical business, has been a lifelong resident of Racine, his birth having occurred in this city June 19, 1873, his parents being David and Mary L. (Wilken) Hetzel, who were pioneer residents here, the family having long been represented in Racine, where they have ever stood for substantial development and improvement. Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, William II. Hetzel devoted one year of study in the high school and then started out in the busi- ness world, taking up carpentering, which he followed for a year. He next turned his attention to electrical work and thoroughly mastered various phases of the business, while in the employ of others. He early recognized the fact that industry wins and industry became the beacon light of his life. Earnest. persistent labor has brought him advancement and after working his way up- ward in the employ of others he embarked in business on his own account in
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1897 at No. 321 Sixth street, where he remained until July, 1915, when he sought more commodious and convenient quarters at No. 511 Sixth street. Here he is now located, carrying on a general contracting electrical business, and the efficiency which he has attained in this line insures to him a liberal and grow- ing patronage.
On the 6th of January, 1915, Mr. Hetzel was married to Miss Amanda Race, of Racine, and they have many friends here, occupying an enviable position in the social circles in which they live. Mr. Hetzel holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and also with the Spanish American War Veterans, for at the time of the war with Spain he enlisted for service in defense of American interests, becoming a member of Company F, First Wisconsin Infantry. In politics he maintains an independent attitude, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He has always lived in Raeine and that his is a well spent life is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
LAVINE GEAR COMPANY.
The Lavine Gear Company, which was organized in Detroit, removed its headquarters from that city to Wisconsin in March, 1912. Its plant was at first located at Corliss, Wisconsin, for eight months and at the end of that time a removal was made to Racine. The plant is located in the Satterly building and the company is engaged in the manufacture of auto steering gears for trueks and pleasure cars, these being built after their own design. They also manufacture a special steering gear for customers. Today the plant employs one hundred men who are skilled mechanics and its capacity amounts to one hundred and twenty-five gears per day, which are now used by seventy per cent of the trucks of the United States. Their shop is equipped with all modern machinery for gear making and theirs is the second largest coneern of the kind in the United States. Its officers are Herman Uihlein, president and general manager; P. B. Wohlrab, viee president, superintendent and engineer ; Fred Westfall, secretary and treasurer. The executive offices are maintained at Raeine and E. M. Caskey aets as sales manager and D. L. Robert- son as office manager.
PAUL B. WOHLRAB.
Paul B. Wohlrab, who is vice president. superintendent and engineer of the Lavine Gear Company, at Racine, has worked his way upward through the wise use of time, talents and opportunities and is now one of the executive officers in a business which ranks second in extent and importance in that line in the country. He was born in Germany, May 1. 1873, and was liberally edu- cated, receiving both high school and technical training in his native country. He was a young man of seventeen years when in 1890 he made the voyage
P. D. WOHLRAD
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to the new world, remaining a resident of Philadelphia for about one year, following which he came to Racine in 1891.
Mr. Wohlrab here entered the employ of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, with which he was associated for fifteen years, gaining constantly broadening experience and knowledge along lines which have qualified him to take up his present work. When he severed his connection with that cor- poration he became superintendent and manager of the Wisconsin Engine Company and so continued for eight years. He was next with the Maryland Steel Company at Baltimore, Maryland, as superintendent of all mechanical departments for about a year and then went to Detroit, where he accepted the position of general superintendent of the Lozier Motor Company and so remained for a year. He next became superintendent of the Racine Manu- facturing Company and withdrew from that position to become one of the members of the Lavine Gear Company, which was established in Raeine in 1912. He was elected vice-president, superintendent and engineer of the plant and in that official connection has sinee bent his energies to the further diree- tion and control of the business. The positions which he has occupied and the testimony of his colleagues and contemporaries establish him as one of the best posted mechanical men of the country.
On the 29th of December, 1896, Mr. Wohlrab was united in marriage to Miss Annie Breitsprecher, of Raeine, by whom he has four children: Verna, Helen, Arthur and Ethel.
Mr. Wohlrab is a member of Racine Lodge No. 18, F. & A. M., and Racine Council No. 12, R. & S. M. In polities he maintains an independent course, vot- ing for the candidate whom he regards as best qualified for office. He concen- trates every effort upon the development of his business and his marked ability enables him to speak with authority upon many lines of mechanical construc- tion. He believes in the maxim, "There is no excellence without labor," and has ever followed it closely. Practical experience and broad study have gained him wide knowledge and his scientifie attainments establish his position in the foremost rank of meehanieians and engineers in the country.
DAVID HETZEL.
It is seldom that a man of eighty years is found still actively engaged in business, but David Hetzel still figures in the commercial circles of Racine and for almost forty years has conducted business at one location as proprietor of a men's furnshing goods and tailoring establishment. He was born on the 5th of March, 1836, so that he is now an octogenarian. In the home of his parents. John and Barbara Hetzel, he spent the days of his boyhood and youth to the age of sixteen years, when he determined to try his fortune in the new world and bade adieu to friends and fatherland, sailing for the United States. For two years thereafter he remained a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1854 came to Raeine, where he began work at the tailor's trade, which he had previously learned in his native Germany. He was then a young man of eigh- teen years and through all the intervening period he has been connected with
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the tailoring business in this city-a period longer than that of any other repre- sentative of the trade here. Desiring that his labors should more directly benc- fit himself, he carefully saved his earnings until industry and frugality brought him a sufficient sum of money to enable him to embark in business on his own account when, in 1877, he opened a tailoring shop on Sixth street, and here he has since remained in the same block, covering a period of thirty-nine years. Ile not only conducts a tailoring business, but also handles men's furnishing goods, and in both departments enjoys a satisfactory trade. He has kept abreast with changes in style, material and modes of workmanship as the .years have passed and his ability has always seeured to him a gratifying patronage.
In 1860 Mr. Hetzel was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Wilken, of Racine, a daughter of Frank and Mary Wilken, who emigrated to this country from Germany in an early day. By this marriage there were born seven children, as follows: Fred E., who is a resident of Racine; George, deceased; Emma, the wife of Buell B. Dutton, who conducts a machine shop in Oak Park, Ill- inois, and by whom she has two children; Otto; Clara; William; and Linda. who is the wife of Menzel Waite, a musician, residing in Racine.
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