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 36
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Mr. Vyvyan supports the republican party at the polls, believing firmly in its policies, but has never been an aspirant for office. Both he and his wife belong to the Yorkville Methodist Episcopal church and their genuine worth has gained them the warm friendship of all who have been closely associated with them.
WILLIAM J. RENDALL.
William J. Rendall, who is engaged in the foundry business as a maker of brass, bronze and aluminum castings, is one of the substantial citizens of Raeine who claims Scotland as the land of his birth. He was born at Westra, Orkney Islands, June 22, 1879, his parents being Thomas and Ann (Reed) Rendall, who, in the year 1887, arrived in Racine. The father was a fisherman in Scotland and engaged in the same business in this country for a short time, at the end of which period, however, he turned his attention to the molding trade, in which he has since been engaged.
William J. Rendall was a youth of eight years when the family bade adien to the land of hills and heather and sailed for "the land of the free." Spend- ing his youthful days in his parents' home in Raeine, he attended the Franklin school and when nineteen years of age began learning the molder's trade as an employe of the Lakeside Malleable Iron Company, with which he remained for twelve years. In that connection he steadily worked his way upward, thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase of the business, and his ex- cellent workmanship and fidelity won him promotion until he became foundry foreman. He severed his association with that company to engage in business on his own account, establishing his foundry at Seventeenth street and Morton avenue on the 20th of June. 1910. He there erected two buildings sixty by eighty feet and the foundry is supplied with all of the latest equipments and modern appliances for the manufacture of brass, bronze and aluminum east- ings. He has now secured a liberal patronage and employs from six to eight men.
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On the 31st of October, 1908, Mr. Rendall was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Seatter, who is also a native of Westra, Orkney Islands. They have four children, namely : Jessie Ann, Elizabeth Marion, Thomas Scatter and David Williams.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Rendall is a member of the Caledonian Society. In his business activity he has laid the foundation for his success. Whatever he has achieved or en- joyed has been won through his earnest labor, and diligence has ever been one of his marked characteristics. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public light, but has concentrated his efforts upon industrial pursuits and has thus contributed to the material development and business activity which have made Racine a great manufacturing center.
KNUTE THOMPSEN.
Knute Thompsen was born in Denmark in 1871 and two years later was brought to this country by his parents. Mr. Thompsen entered the foundry as an apprentice in his youth and after years of hard work in 1913 he organ- ized the Wisconsin Cylinder Foundry Company, which has been operating very successfully ever since its organization. The office and foundry are located at No. 1308 Eighteenth street ; the output consists chiefly of cylinder and piston castings for motoreyele, small marine and aeroplane motors, and the officers are: K. Thompson, president : Laura Schneider, vice president : Mary L. Thompsen, secretary-treasurer: and Roland J. Scheuss. assistant secretary- treasurer.
ROLAND JJ. SCHEUSS.
Roland J. Scheuss, assistant secretary-treasurer of the Wisconsin Cylinder Foundry Company, has been one of the most active young men of Racine in efforts to benefit the city along various lines and his work has at all times been prompted by a mosť public-spirited devotion to the general good. He was born in Racine, December 21, 1889, a son of Jacob and Anna Marie (Goe- deke) Scheuss, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Germany. His aneestry in the maternal line has been traced back to 1463. The parents came to Racine in childhood and the father has always been indentified with shoe manufacturing interests here.
Roland J. Scheuss obtained a public school education, and since entering business circles has spent eight years in the employ of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company and now holds the office of assistant secretary-treasurer of the Wisconsin Cylinder Foundry Company. He is regarded as an energetic and reliable young business man and his sterling characteristics are such as make for business progress.
Aside from this Roland Scheuss is much interested in the future develop-
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ment of Racine, has studied the question of city building and of civic improve- ment and has labored effectively and earnestly to promote interests of that character. He has sought to give to Racine certain restricted residential dis- tricts, limiting the space devoted to business houses in those districts which are preeminently residential. He has also put forth earnest effort to segregate the factory buildings instead of allowing factories to be built in residence sections and also segregate factories in districts relative to their respective trades. The results of such work are most far-reaching. If such a plan would be adopted, it would cause a stability in real estate values such as cannot be known under present-day conditions, when the building or establishment of a factory in a district can bring about a great depreciation in the worth of prop- erty. The value to the factories, too, would be immense if this idea of segre- gation were carried out, thus localizing centers and saving time and space. While working toward high ideals his methods are most practical. He is also interested in community social centers and the splendid work which is being done through such organizations for the benefit of all concerned. For many years he has been a member of the local Young Men's Christian Association, Racine Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., the Racine City Club, the Racine Commercial Club, the Eighth Ward Booster Club and the Racine Law and Order League, is a charter member of the Wisconsin Boys' Camp at Phantom Lake, Wiscon- sin. Camp No. 30, and a committeeman, Jefferson School Boy Scouts of Amer- ica and for five years has been the treasurer of the First Baptist church. He attended the Civilian Military Training Camp at Plattsburg, New York, in September, 1916.
PETER HANSON.
Peter Hanson, who, in 1911, purchased eighty acres of land on section 25. Raymond township, has since engaged in farming and dairying with good success. He belongs to that class of men who are termed self-made, for from early age he has depended entirely upon his own efforts. He was born in Den- mark, June 28, 1870, and was one of a family of fourteen children. The par- ents, however, never left Denmark.
In the schools of his native country Peter Hanson pursued his education and in 1891, about the time he attained his majority. he came to the new world and made his way to Racine county. He first took up his abode in the city of Racine, but soon afterward went to Union Grove, where he was employed as a farm hand for four years. He then removed to Corliss and worked on the section for four years, but he was ambitious to engage in farming on his own account and at length invested in land at Corliss, which he purchased entirely on credit. As the years went on he kept adding to his income by reason of his unfaltering industry and careful management and in 1911 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres on section 25. Raymond township. There, in connection with general farming, he makes a specialty of dairying and keeps twelve cows, selling the milk in Racine.
On the 20th of November, 1896, Mr. Hanson was married to Miss Emma
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Jacobson, a daughter of Christ and Marie Jacobson, who were natives of Den- mark and came to Racine county in 1879, settling in Raymond township. There the father followed farming for a number of years and met with substantial success, so that eventually he retired from active business life. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have become parents of five children, as follows: Katie, who lives in the home of her grandfather; Carrie, who is employed, and Elvina, Harvey and Esther, who are under the parental roof. In polities Mr. Hanson is a republican and bases the exercise of his right of franchise upon a elear under- standing of the questions and issues of the day.
RACINE RUBBER COMPANY.
The Raeine Rubber Company was organized March 12, 1910, its first officers being C. F. U. Kelley, president; Frank L. Mitchell, vice president; Stuart Webster, treasurer, and J. H. Dwight. secretary. Mr. Kelley severed his con- nection with the business in 1912, at which time George B. Wilson became the president and so continued until January, 1914, when he, too, withdrew from connection with the business. At that date H. L. McLaren became president and advertising manager and in that position so continues, with Stuart Web- ster as vice president. general manager and treasurer; H. C. Severance, secretary ; L. B. Patterson (Chicago), director; Joseph Wiessenbach (Chicago). director; and L. T. Vance, director and general factory manager.
The work of building the factory was begun on the 6th of June. 1910, and was completed April 1, 1911, since which time further additions have been made, thus enlarging the plant. which now covers three and one-half aeres. The buildings are all modern in construction, three stories in height and are supplied with a sprinkler system. The volume of business is increasing con- tinually and the house is now represented upon the road by two traveling sales- men. The output of the factory ineludes automobile. bieyele and motorcycle tires, which are sold all over the United States. The "Raeine Tire" has ho- come famous and the output now amounts from twelve to thirteen hundred tires per day. They buy the crude rubber from brokers and sell through dis- tributors, and something of the extent of the enterprise is indicated in the fact that they employ between eight hundred and one thousand people. The undertaking has grown almost by leaps and bounds and its development has been directed and prompted by men of keen business diseernment and inde- fatigable enterprise.
STUART WEBSTER.
Stuart Webster, vice president, general manager and treasurer of the Ra- eine Rubber Company, was born in New York in 1870 and after pursuing his preliminary education in private schools entered the preparatory school at Andover. Massachusetts. Still later he matriculated in Yale University, where
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he won the Bachelor of Arts degree upon his graduation with the class of 1892. He then went abroad for further study and is a graduate of the medical department of the University of Vienna. He never gave his attention to the practice of the profession, however, but with his return to America entered commercial circles.
His business career has been one of continuous advancement and through- out the entire period he has been identified with the middle west, having ac- companied his parents on their removal to Chicago when he was a youth of fourteen years. He was with the Diamond Match Company for four years, connected with its various departments, and in 1900 he embarked in the in- porting business in Chicago, there remaining until 1910, when he came to Racine and entered into association with C. F. U. Kelley, Frank L. Mitchell and J. H. Dwight in organizing and promoting the Racine Rubber Company. The history of the business and its development is given above, the record in- dicating the marvelous growth of the enterprise, which within a short space of six years has built up a business that necessitates the employment of between eight hundred and one thousand men. Throughout the entire period Mr. Webster has been watchful of every indication pointing to success, has util- ized forces to the best possible advantage and has shown marked ability in co- ordinating various elements into a unified and harmonious whole, producing results that tell for success.
On the 4th of October, 1904, Mr. Webster was joined in wedlock to Miss Marie Mitchell, a daughter of Henry G. Mitchell, of Racine. To them have been born three children, namely : Natalie; Henry M., who is deceased; and Janet. Mr. Webster gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is conversant with the vital political problems of the country, but has never been ambitious to hold office. He belongs to St. Luke's Episcopal church and in fraternal circles is connected with the Masons and the Elks. He also be- longs to the Commercial Club of Racine and puts forth effective effort in co- operation with those well defined plans and projects which have been instituted by the club for the further development of the city and the upholding of civic interests. He belongs as well to the Country Club and to the University Club of Chicago and is popular among his associates of those organizations.
PERFEX RADIATOR COMPANY.
The Perfex Radiator Company, of Racine, established business in Chicago in 1910 and was removed to this city on the 12th of October, 1912, a location being secured on Fifteenth street, at the Northwestern railway tracks, where they occupy a three-story brick building one hundred and twenty by one hun- dred and ten feet. The business was established in Chicago under the name of the Aero Sheet Metal Works and afterward was incorporated there under the name of the Automobile Radiator & Parts Manufacturing Company in 1911. With the removal to Racine the name was changed to the Perfex Radiator Company. under which style operations have since been continued. The com- pany is now erecting a new building along the St. Paul railway tracks, on the
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block bounded by Holmes avenue, Eighteenth street, Flett avenue and the rail- road. This building is two hundred and fifty-five by sixty-five feet, a one- story saw-tooth structure of modern construction. It is a cement building erected about a steel frame and was planned for the purpose used, so that it meets the needs of the company in every particular. The company manu- factures a patented radiator used on any internal combustion engine, farm tractors, commercial trucks and automobiles. The radiator was invented by F. M. Opitz and the patent was transferred to and has been perfected by the company. With the completion of the new building the plant will have a capacity of four hundred radiators per day and will employ two hundred or more men, mostly skilled labor, the remainder being semi-skilled. The prod- uet is marketed by selling direct to manufacturers and is used by every repre- sentative manufacturer of farm tractors in the United States. It is best known perhaps through its use by truek manufacturers, including the Jeffery Quad and others. When the business was removed to Racine it was in its infancy and the plant has doubled every year since the removal was made, the trade growing with most satisfying rapidity. The company was incorporated upon coming to Wisconsin and the present officers are as follows : F. M. Opitz, presi- dent : Edgar P. Wolf, vice president and treasurer: and J. P. Wolf, secretary.
FRED M. OPITZ.
Fred M. Opitz, in whom inventive genius has combined with executive ability to make a most enterprising and successful business man, is numbered among the recent valuable additions to the manufacturing circles of Racine. where he has operated since 1912 as the head of the Perfex Radiator Com- pany. A native of Germany, he was born in Berlin on the 24th of October, 1886, and pursued his education there. receiving thorough training along me- chanical lines. He was, as it were, "to the manner born," for his father, Her- man Opitz, had been engaged along mechanical lines as a manufacturer of bathtubs, and F. M. Opitz has had practical experience in mechanical work from his early boyhood. Hoping to find still broader business opportunities in the new world, he came to the United States in 1906, when a young man of twenty years, settling in New York, where he was connected with leading radiator manufacturers of the east, thus gaining several years of practical ex- perience along the line to which he is now devoting his energies. Arriving in Chicago in 1911, he organized the Aero Sheet Metal Works, in which under- taking he was joined by A. B. Modine. They conducted the largest repair shop for radiator repair work in Chicago and did all kinds of sheet metal repair work. Having gained extensive knowledge of all kinds of radiators through his connection with different companies in the east, Mr. Opitz began studying radiator construction with a view to improving those upon the mar- ket and at length his investigation, thought and experimentation resulted in the invention of a radiator which would do away with the faults of others, the result being today known to the world as the Perfex radiator. This has been improved from year to year and is today the standard radiator upon the
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market. In order to engage in the manufacture of this radiator Mr. Opitz and the company removed from Chicago to Racine and incorporated the business under the name of the Perfex Radiator Company, erecting here a large plant. since which time the business has grown steadily. The history of the enterprise is given above and indicates not only the high standard of the output but also the capable business management of the promoters.
On the 10th of May, 1916, Mr. Opitz was united in marriage to Miss Alice Paulsen, of Racine, a daughter of Martin and Henrietta (Kirby) Paulsen, who became early residents of this eity. Mr. Opitz has never become an active factor in public life nor has his ambition centered along that line. He feels that his time is fully occupied with his business affairs, and that his efforts are resultant is indicated in the establishment and conduct of the splendid industrial enterprise of which he is now the head.
JOHN F. KOVAR.
John F. Kovar, a well known farmer living on section 27, Caledonia town- ship, was born January 26, 1877, in the township in which he still resides, his parents being Frank and Mary (Zachar) Kovar. The father was born in Austria in 1849 and in that country his parents spent their entire lives, but in 1866, when a youth of seventeen years, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and settled in Raeine, where he was employed in a harness store, having previously learned the harness maker's trade in his native country. He after- ward worked on farms as well as at his trade and carefully saved his earnings until his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land. Although he came to the new world practically penniless, he won a place among the prosperous farmers of his district, his life reeord showing what can be accomplished when energy and determination point out the way. He was also recognized as a valued citizen in other connections and for four years acceptably filled the office of town treasurer. He wedded Mary Zachar, who was born in Caledonia in 1853, a daughter of John Zachar, who was one of the early settlers of that locality, where he purchased land and carried on farming up to the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Kovar became the parents of three children: Anna M., the wife of Ernest Frudenwald, a resident farmer of Caledonia township : John F., and Frank, who is farming in Oklahoma. The old home place comprised sixty-six acres of land and there the father established a good home for his family. His political allegiance was always given to the republican party and he manifested marked loyalty in citizenship. His death occurred in 1881, while his wife, surviving him for a number of years, passed away in 1894.
John F. Kovar obtained a district school education and afterward attended a commercial college in Racine. He did not at once settle down to the farm. but was employed in different places and in different ways. He worked at the printer's trade for a time and after pursuing his commercial course he engaged in bookkeeping and in stenographic work, but is now concentrating his energies upon farming and dairying, having become owner of sixty-five
JOHN F. KOVAR AND FAMILY
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acres of land which responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and also does considerable dairying, shipping milk to Racine. He owns a registered Holstein bull and has full blooded Ayrshire cattle. He has built a nice barn and silo upon his place and has all modern equipments, including the latest improved machinery. He owns a Studebaker car and everything about his home and farm breathes an air of prosperity and progress.
In September, 1903, Mr. Kovar was married to Miss Mary Peterka, who was born in Caledonia township, is a graduate of the Racine high school and taught school for a number of years in Racine county. They have five chil- dren : Edith, Myrtle, Alice, Marjorie and Kenneth, all at home. Mr. Kovar is independent in polities, voting according to the dictates of his judgment with- out regard to party ties. He is town clerk, which position he has filled for six years. He stands at all times for publie progress and improvement and co- operates in many measures for the general good. His has been an active and useful life, for at the age of seventeen years he began working and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources. His employer paid him one hundred and forty dollars per year, and that he was faithful and capable is indicated by the fact that he remained with the same man for three years and eight months. From that point he has steadily progressed and is now numbered among the substantial agriculturists of his community.
ANGUS R. CALLENDER.
Angus R. Callender, secretary and treasurer of the Badger Foundry Com- pany, was born in Raeine county, August 4, 1876, a son of Richard Callender. who was one of the early residents of this section of the state. After obtaining a high school education he entered the employ of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company. with which he spent nineteen years, thoroughly acquaint- ing himself with every phase of the work intrusted to him and winning pro- motion from time to time until he became chief clerk of the manufacturing de- partment. He severed that connection in order to enter into active associa- tion with the Badger Foundry Company, which was organized in July, 1910. The present officers of the company are: William H. Schroeder, president ; Frank F. Moore, vice president ; and A. R. Callender, secretary and treas- urer. The plant occupies a half block, three hundred and thirty by two hun- dred and forty feet, and is mostly two stories in height. They make high grade castings for general machine work and employ from one hundred to one hundred and twenty men, most of whom are skilled for the particular duties which devolve upon them. They ship castings as far east as Philadel- phia and Cleveland and the establishment is numbered among the factories of Racine which are continually sending forth their output into various sections of the country, establishing the city's reputation as a great manufacturing cen- ter. Mr. Callender's experience with the Case Company made him well qual- ified for the active work which has devolved upon him sinee becoming one of the officers in this concern, in which connection he is bending his energies to
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administrative direction and executive control, knowing the demands and the possibilities of the trade.
In 1905 Mr. Callender was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hess, a daughter of Phillip and Ella (Bailey) Hess, who were early residents of Racine. Our subject and his wife have three children, Richard, Mary and Geraldine. In his fraternal relations Mr. Callender is a Mason, having taken the degrees of blue lodge and chapter. In his life he loyally adheres to the teachings of the craft and he has the high regard of his brethren in the order as well as of his colleagues and contemporaries in business circles.
JOHN F. MOYLE.
John F. Moyle, secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company and a resident of Yorkville, has long been actively and successfully identified with the business interests of his locality and well deserved suecess has crowned his efforts. His plans are well defined and carefully executed and the wise man- agement which he displays in the conduet of his business affairs has brought financial success. He was born July 28, 1841, in Cornwall, England, his par- ents being Thomas and Susan (Foxwell) Moyle, who are also of Cornish birth and lineage. For several generations the male members of the Moyle family had been veterinary surgeons, the profession claiming ten representatives of the family. The paternal grandfather, John Moyle, devoted his life to the practice of veterinary surgery and passed away at the age of seventy years.
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