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 38
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In 1905 Mr. Christensen was married to Miss Bertha M. Fredrickson, a daughter of Peter Fredrickson, an early settler of Raymond township, arriv- ing there in his boyhood, so that a part of his education was there acquired. He became a successful and well-to-do farmer and is now living retired in Racine. Mr. and Mrs. Christensen have become parents of two sons: Norman, ten years of age, and Harold, aged six.
The family attend the Baptist church and Mr. Christensen gives his pol- itical support to the republican party. He is yet a young man, but many a one twice his years might well envy the position to which he has attained and the success which he has acquired. He seems to readily recognize the correct value of any business situation and he has so used his time and opportunities that he has gained a place among the most substantial farmers of Racine county.
ARNOLD ELECTRIC COMPANY.
The Arnold Electric Company was organized April 19, 1904, as the United States Standard Electrical Works and business was started in a small way on the fourth floor of the Secor building, in Racine, where they occupied one room. They manufactured electrical devices under the trade name of Arnold and from the beginning the business grew very rapidly and developed its scope to include a line of motor operated devices. This company was the first to place on the market the small type of vacuum cleaners for household use and they were also the originators and developers of the portable massage vibrators, electric hair dryers, electric drink mixers, washing machines, elec- tric signs and phonograph motors. They manufacture small power motors for various uses.
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On the 20th of November, 1914, the name was changed to the Arnold Electric Company and the capital stock was inereased to one hundred thousand dollars, fully paid up. In 1907 the business was removed to a small building known as the Collier building, at Washington avenue and the Northwestern tracks, but in 1909 still more space was required and they purchased an entire city block. on which they erected a three-story and basement briek mill construe- tion building, giving them fifty thousand square feet of floor space. They have their own tool making department and they employ about two hundred and fifty people, most of whom are skilled laborers. Their output is today sold all over the world and the business is recognized as one of the rapidly developing and profitable manufacturing concerns of Racine. Its officers are George C. Schmitz, president and manager. and J. A. Schmitz, secretary and treasurer.
GEORGE C. SCHMITZ.
It has been said that a successful corporation is not only a ""maker of money but a maker of men." It is true that opportunity calls forth latent powers and stimulates the energy and ambition of the individual, but it is equally true that the individual must have in him those inherent qualities which make for success, and then the combination of opportunity and industry will bring its results. This has been manifested in the career of George C. Schmitz, president and manager of the Arnold Electric Company, which in a period of twelve years has developed its interests into one of the important industries of Racine.
Mr. Schmitz is a native of Raeine, born November 7, 1878, his parents being Nicholas and Catherine (Arnold) Schmitz. The father, who was born in the year 1824, in Germany, arrived in Racine in 1850 and here followed the wagon- maker's trade whichhe had previously learned in his native land. For a considerable period he was connected with the Mitchell Wagon Company and afterward with the Winnship Manufacturing Company, but he is now living retired at the very venerable age of ninety-two years. It was in February. 1861, that he wedded Catherine Arnold, who has reached the age of seventy- eight years. She, too, was born in Germany, and about 1848 came to the United States with her parents, the family home being established in Mil- waukee.
Entering public school at the usual age George C. Schmitz passed through consecutive grades until he had entered and spent one year in the high school. He started in business life as a manufacturer's agent and entered into business on his own account in 1904. when he with others organized the United States Standard Electrical Works, manufacturing all kinds of motor devices and hav- ing today one of the large and important manufacturing plants of the city. Ile has proved adequate to the situation and the opportunity, his ability enabling him to squarely face the former and utilize the latter, and each forward step he has taken in his business career has brought him a broader outlook.
Mr. Schmitz is a valued member of the Benevolent Protective Order of
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Elks and also a popular representative of the Country Club of Racine and in this city, where his entire life has been passed, he has a most extensive and favorable acquaintance.
J. A. SCHMITZ.
J. A. Schmitz, secretary and treasurer of the Arnold Electric Company, was born in Racine, March 9, 1862, a son of Nicholas Schmitz, who is men- tioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his son, George C. Schmitz. The educational opportunities afforded J. A. Schmitz were those to be obtained in the publie and parochial schools of Racine and upon attain- ing his majority he went, in 1883, to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he accepted a position and also pursued a course in a business college. Later he opened a real estate office in that eity and after continuing for a short time in that field turned his attention to the wholesale eigar and tobacco business. Eventually he became manager of the mail order department of the firm of Field, Schlick- & Company.
It was in August, 1910, that Mr. Schmitz returned to Racine to become secretary and treasurer of the Arnold Electric Company and to his duties in that connection he has since bent his energies, contributing to the development and upbuilding of the business, which in the last few years has made rapid strides, becoming one of the large and important manufacturing concerns of the city, placing upon the market a large line of motor deviees. Its inventions have met a want in household appliances, greatly lessening labor in many par- ticulars and a record of the company is given at length on another page of this work.
In 1890 Mr. Schmitz was married to Miss Helena Schliek of St. Paul, a daughter of Frank and Coelestine (Forester) Sehliek, of St. Paul, in which city they were pioneer residents and the father was engaged in business as a contractor and builder. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz have but one child, Helena, at home. The parents are members of St. Rose Catholic church. Ability has brought Mr. Schmitz to the front in manufacturing cireles. With energy and determination he has overcome the obstacles and difficulties in his path and advancing step by step has reached a ereditable place as a forceful and re- sourceful business man.
L. W. SMITH.
L. W. Smith, who, in the conduet of a real estate, loan and insurance busi- ness has devoted considerable attention to building and selling of homes and has thus contributed in notable measure to the development of the southwest- ern seetion of Raeine, was born in this eity December 8, 1888, a son of Henry L. and Mary Ann (Fennell) Smith, the former a native of New York and the latter of Trowbridge, England. The mother was a daughter of John and
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Martha Fennell, who came to Raeine in 1879, her father becoming foreman of the molding department of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, which position he acceptably filled for twenty-one years. Later he was called to the offices of city treasurer and city assessor and at the present time he is living retired, enjoying a rest which his former activities have fully merited. The paternal grandfather of L. W. Smith was Lawrence Smith, who brought his family to Raeine in 1863. He was a seaman, who sailed on both the ocean and the lakes. He became captain of vessels and was well known in that con- neetion. His son, Henry L. Smith, took up the trade of a molder and is now with the Wisconsin Cylinder Foundry Company.
Completing his education by study in the high school, supplemented by a course in the agricultural department of the Wisconsin University, L. W. Smith then entered the employ of the United States government and for about a year was connected with the department of commerce and labor. In 1910 he opened a real estate office at 1514 Washington avenue and now has his offiee in the adjoining building. at No. 1516. He not only handles real estate but also writes insurance and places loans and in the conduet of his real estate interests he negotiates property transfers for others and also builds houses for sale. He has confined his operations largely to the southwest side of Racine and has been instrumental in the development and improvement of that sec- tion of the city, where he has transformed unsightly vacancies into attractive residence distriets and thereby has greatly enhanced property values and pro- moted prosperity in that region. He is also a director of the Home Mutual Building & Loan Association and a member of the Racine real estate board.
On the 11th of October, 1911. Mr. Smith was married to Miss Gertrude Weber. a daughter of Adolph and Theresa Weber. who were early residents of Racine, where the father now lives retired. The children of this marriage are : Philip, and Robert and Richard, twins. The family attend St. Rose Catholic church and Mr. Smith belongs also to the Knights of Columbus. He is likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Junction Advancement Association. He has never become an active factor in polities, casting an independent ballot, but he puts forth every effort-and his labors are most effective-for the benefit and improvement of the city in which he lives.
CHARLES V. MCAVOY.
Charles V. MeAvoy, secretary-treasurer of the Wisconsin Auto Top Com- pany, was born in Racine. April 12, 1889, a son of Anthony and Alice (Bowers) MeAvoy. The father, who was a native of Ireland, came to Racine in 1866 and for a long period was connected with the industrial development of the city as proprietor of a wagon and carriage plant, but later lived retired to the time of his death, which occurred March 11, 1914. His widow still survives. Mr. McAvoy was for a number of years supervisor and was otherwise prominently connected with public affairs in the community. He held membership in St. Rose Catholic church, to which Mrs. McAvoy still belongs, and he was a
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member of the Royal Arcanum, the Royal League, the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of America and the Knights of Wisconsin.
Charles V. MeAvoy, educated in the publie and high schools of his native city, afterward spent two years in newspaper work and in January, 1910, be- came one of the organizers of the Wisconsin Auto Top Company, its first of- ficers being : Anthony MeAvoy, president ; E. P. McAvoy, vice president; C. V. MeAvoy, secretary ; and M. I. McAvoy, treasurer. Upon the death of Anthony McAvoy Mrs. MeAvoy was elected president of the company. Their plant is located at Seventeenth and South Hamilton avenue, where they have two buildings, each forty by one hundred and twelve feet. They manufacture a full line of covers for automobiles and the plant turns out equipment for thirty thousand automobiles per year, its output being twice that of any other factory of similar size in the United States. The produet is sold all over this country and abroad and the covers are mostly made from rubberized fabries. They sell to the jobbers and dealers, keeping no traveling salesmen, and they have shipped their goods to every country in the world. Today they employ about sixty people and the business is one of the growing manufacturing concerns of the city. In addition to the Wisconsin Auto Top Company Charles V. Me- Avoy and his two brothers, F. J. and H. S., are managers of the London Auto Supply Company of Chicago, manufacturers of automobile bodies, the business being managed by the two brothers of C. V. MeAvoy. Another brother, J. A. McAvoy. is owner of the London Limousine Company, of New York, manufac- turers of limousine bodies, and all of these brothers have branched out in their business interests through the old carriage manufacturing business, keeping up with the changes in the times brought about through the supplanting of the carriage by the motor ear. They have been ready to recognize and grasp an opportunity and thus have advanced to the goal of success.
On the 25th of March, 1915, Mr. McAvoy was married to Miss Josephine Artmaier, of Racine, a daughter of John and Marie Artmaier. Mr. and Mrs. MeAvoy are members of St. Rose Catholic church and Mr. McAvoy holds membership with the Elks.
THEODORE C. HEGNER.
With the organization of the Monarch Shoe Company. in 1909, Theodore C. Hegner became its first president and treasurer and has so continued to the present time, concentrating his efforts and attention upon the development of the business, which in its ramifying trade connections now covers a very broad territory. making this one of the profitable manufacturing concerns of the city. Mr. Hegner was born in Racine, May 21, 1876. the son of John P. and Angeline (Weins) Hegner, who were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1863 and was connected with the leather business in Chicago for a period, but in 1873 established a grocery store in Raeine. where he carried on business for many years, becoming one of the leading mer- chants in his line. He was aecorded a liberal patronage, which he merited because his business methods were at all times honorable and straightforward,
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while progressiveness and industry characterized him in all of his business relations. He died in the year 1898, having for sixteen years survived his wife. who passed away in 1882.
Theodore C. Hegner obtained a public and high school education in Racine and early in his business career became connected with the Badger Electrie Company, with which he remained for several years. He was afterward with the Fish Brothers Wagon Company for eleven years and at the end of that period, in 1909, organized the Monarch Shoe Company, of which he became the president and treasurer, with Charles Bernhard as vice president and Henry Ochmen as secretary. There has been no change in the personnel of the company from the beginning. The plant was at first located at Sixth and Villa streets and in 1913 a removal was made to the corner of Hamilton avenue and Seventeenth street, where the factory has twenty-five thousand square feet of floor space in a building two stories in height, employment being furnished to from seventeen to twenty-five people. They manufacture sporting goods of various kinds, including baseball, gymnasium and hunting boots and shoes : also shoes for bowlers, golfers, tennis players and in fact athletic shoes of every description, which are put upon the market under the Monarch brand
and are of cellence that the product finds a ready sale from coast to coast. In fact the trade not only covers the United States but extensive ship- ments are also made to the American possessions. The business has constantly developed along gratifying lines. Every department is thoroughly systemat- ized, the work is carried on most methodically and there is no useless expendi- ture of time, labor nor material. In its output the company keeps in touch with modern day needs and demands and in fact anticipates the demand so that it is ready to meet the trade at the call.
On the 27th of September, 1912. Mr. Hegner was married to Miss Ella Krill, of Milwaukee, and to them have been born two children, John and Theodore. The parents are members of St. Rose Catholic church and Mr. Hegner is also identified with the Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has never been an aspirant for office, as he feels that his time and attention are fully occupied by his business interests. He has worked his way upward and as the architect of his own fortunes, has builded wisely and well. Within seven years he has developed an enterprise of importance in his community, its success being of a most substantial character, while its methods commend it to the further confidence and support of the public.
JOHN VYVYAN.
John Vyvyan, of Yorkville township, had no capital when he began farm- ing on his own account, but possessed enterprise and good judgment and as the years have passed has prospered. He has given land to each of his chil- dren, but still holds one hundred and sixty aeres, on which he is engaged in general farming. His birth occurred in Raymond township, this county, on the 15th of November. 1850, and he is a son of William and Matilda Vyvyan,
.
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both of whom were born in Cornwall, England. They came to America, how- ever, in young manhood and womanhood and their marriage occurred in York- ville township, Racine county. The father followed the butchering business during the greater part of his life. but also was interested in farming and held title to a large traet of land. He had a wide acquaintance and was recognized as a public-spirited and valuable citizen. In polities he was a republican and his religious faith was that of the Methodist church. His demise occurred in 1901.
John Vyvyan, who is one of three children surviving of a family of six, was educated in the common schools of Raymond township and also early became familiar with agricultural work. After farming for several years he conducted a butcher shop in Union Grove for three years, but at the end of that time, or in 1871, bought his present farm. which comprises one hundred and sixty aeres, in Yorkville township. He has ereeted a fine modern residence and out- buildings and has made many other improvements upon the place, which is one of the most valuable properties in the locality. The old house, in which he lived for several years after first taking up his residence upon this farm, is still standing. He also formerly owned other traets of land, which he has given to his children. He is still actively engaged in stoek raising and dairy- ing and his well directed labor yields him a good financial return.
Mr. Vyvyan was married in 1868 to Miss Agnes Hunter, who was born in Scotland, but was brought by her parents to the United States when only three years of age. The family located in Raymond township, and there the father. William Hunter, is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Vyvyan were born seven children : William, Benjamin. Walter, John E. and Roy, all residents of York- ville township; Mary, the wife of C. Rockey, who is engaged in the cement business in Racine, and Margaret, the wife of George Christensen, a merchant of Racine. The wife and mother passed away in August. 1914, and her demise was deeply regretted not only by her family but also by her many friends.
The republican party has a staneh supporter in Mr. Vyvyan and he takes commendable interest in everything affecting the public welfare, although not an office seeker. He belongs to the Yorkville Methodist Episcopal church. with which his wife is also identified, and in all relations of life has measured up to high standards of conduct. He has passed his entire life in Racine county and the fact that those who have known him intimately since boyhood are his warmest friends is proof of his genuine worth.
FRED W. GUNTHER.
That perseverance and effort intelligently directed may overcome all ob- stacles and difficulties is illustrated in the history of Fred W. Gunther, now conducting an extensive canning business and sauerkraut manufactory, a busi- ness that brings to him excellent profit although at the outset it seemed that failure would follow the venture. Born in Buffalo, New York, on the 18th of February, 1854, Fred W. Gunther is a son of Henry A. and Caroline Gun- ther, who in the year 1856 came to Racine. The father, who was a machinist
FRED W. GUNTHER
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by trade, died in 1912 but the mother is still living and has reached the age of eighty-five years.
Brought to this city when but two years of age, Fred W. Gunther obtained a public school education and afterward learned the machinist's trade which he followed for sixteen years. In 1882 he began putting up sauerkraut in the back end of the machine shop, it being his desire to make something for sale. In that year there was little cabbage to be had. A St. Louis man came to Racine and purchased practically all the market supply of cabbage after which he began manufacturing sauerkraut. Mr. Gunther and his father were running a little machine shop and they made a machine for the man to cut cabbage. He left without paying for the machine so that Mr. Gunther took over the machine and himself started in the sauerkraut business. He and his father borrowed six hundred dollars from the bank in order to embark in the under- taking. The first year their output was two hundred barrels and the kraut was advertised at eight dollars per barrel. It was worth, however, only three dollars per barrel on the market, but Mr. Gunther did not know this. He sent thirty barrels to Baltimore and the buyer failed. His plant was erected on Villa street at the corner of Sixth street. In the early days of the undertaking Mr. Gunther realized but little, selling his output at a figure that brought him practically no return. He was ready to abandon the business, but he had in his possession over one thousand empty barrels which he had purchased at a bargain. The next year he again manufactured sauerkraut and then prices were good so that he made money and his output was such that he not only used all of the barrels which he had on hand but bought more. He then built a plant with a capacity of two thousand barrels per year at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars, but the following year the market went flat and he again lost money. He had been paying for cabbage by the head and he originated the idea of buying it by the ton, being the first man to do so. That year he had kraut all over Racine, in steamboat doeks, in freight depots, in cellars and other places. In the spring the odor began to permeate and everyone insisted that the kraut be moved. He could not sell it, so took one hundred and fifty barrels out in the lake and fed it to the fish. A week later it was reported that a wreck must have occurred, for sauerkraut was coming in all along the shore of Lake Michigan and the farmers finding it were peddling it. Times changed, however, and with the next year Mr. Gunther had better luck. He removed his plant to Asylum avenue and the St. Paul tracks, leasing the property from Mrs. Murray, and later he purchased the property. His plant now covers about an acre of ground. The first year in his present location he again met almost insurmountable difficulties and hardships and disaster threatened him. Over one thousand tons of cabbage spoiled and was dumped along the right of way of the St. Paul tracks for miles. During the second year at the present location the business fared better and the equip- ment was so arranged that the cabbage would not spoil. After that the com- pany rented land and raised their own cabbage, starting with from thirty to forty acres. Something of the growth of the business is indicated in the faet that they now plant over five hundred aeres per year and Mr. Gunther individ- ually owns a farm of three hundred aeres which is planted to cabbage and beans. They contraet with the farmers for the balance of their needs. In
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1904 he began a general canning business and now puts up nearly one million cans of beans and sauerkraut annually and also about twelve thousand barrels of sauerkraut, employing five hundred people during the rush season. This has become an important industry of Racine and the business now brings to him a very substantial income upon his investment.
On the 14th of June, 1877, Mr. Gunther was married to Miss Susanna Horner, a native of Racine and a daughter of John F. and Mary Horner. Their children are Henry A., Fred J. and Royal F., all of whom are in business with their father. In 1893 the business was incorporated with Henry A. Gunther. Sr., as president; Emil Gunther, vice president, and Fred W. Gunther, seere- tary and treasurer. In 1911 Henry A. Gunther, Jr., Fred J. and Royal F. Gunther, the sons of our subject, purchased the interests of Henry A. Gunther, Sr., and Emil Gunther, and the present officers are : Fred J. Gunther, president ; Royal F. Gunther, vice president; Henry A. Gunther, secretary, and F. W. Gunther, treasurer and manager. In addition to his important interests in this connection Mr. Gunther has become identified with the Helmuth Cooperage Company of Chicago, is vice president of the Racine City Bank and is a large realty owner. holding much city property. He has opened a large tract for factory sites on the St. Paul Railroad, within the city limits, and at the present time he is financing the building of the new Perfex radiator factories, which are being constructed on a part of this addition, and is thereby adding to the industrial development, growth and prosperity of the city.
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