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 39
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Mr. Gunther belongs to the United Commercial Travelers and he gives his political support to the republican party, but has had little time for outside interests, always concentrating his efforts and energies upon his private busi- ness affairs. On many occasions he has been unable to meet his notes to the farmers, but he has always managed to work out some solution for the difficulty and his creditors, knowing his honesty and intense industry, have given him time. Today he is at the head of one of the big manufacturing concerns in the city and his course is an illustration of what energy, determination and perseverance will accomplish. He possesses a saving sense of humor and at all times is able to see the fun in any situation. This undoubtedly has been one of the elements in his success, enabling him to tide over the hard times. and he is always ready to meet anyone with a smile, while many a humorous story from his lips entertains his auditors. Today he has reached a position of notable success, directing and controlling important interests of wide scope, and his record is one which should serve to encourage and inspire others, proving that there are no obstacles and difficulties in the business world that cannot be overcome by persistent, honorable and intelligently directed effort.
RACINE PAPER GOODS COMPANY.
The Racine Paper Goods Company was organized in 1894 by Lucius J. Elliott, Byron B. Blake, Richard T. Robinson and O. L. Parmenter. This was started as a partnership affair, the plant being located at No. 612 Wisconsin street. They manufacture paper cigar pockets, patented by O. L. Parmenter.
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The company was incorporated in 1902 with L. J. Elliott as president; R. T. Robinson, vice president, and O. L. Parmenter, secretary and treasurer. The company also manufactures packages for putting up silk, chocolates and other kinds of candy, etc. Their product is sold all over the world and this business has done as much as has any other company in the city to make the name of Racine known throughout the length and breadth of the land. The policy maintained is fruitful of most excellent results. The company has ever taker a great interest in its employes, assisting them in every possible way. The product is sold to jobbers, retailers and maufacturers and the business hat ever been conducted in recognition of the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. Seventy-five employes are in the Racine factory, one-half of whom are skilled workmen, and the company has another factory in To- ronto, Canada. They also have their own printing plant and the factory uses special machinery, all of which has been invented and manufactured by Mr. Parmenter. The three officers of the company have been continuously asso- ciated in business since the establishment of the undertaking, but Mr. Par- menter is the only one who is in active charge. They have become particularly well known through their wax-lined coupon cigar pockets, which are imper- vious to either moisture or heat and are therefore equivalent to miniature pocket humidors. The pockets have a triple fold, making each pocket elastic, so that they can hold a large or small cigar equally well. Each cigar is therefore thoroughly protected. The business has grown rapidly and has now reached very gratifying proportions. while the sales of the house along other lines are equally gratifying.
ORVILLE L. PARMENTER.
Orville L. Parmenter, secretary and treasurer of the Racine Paper Goods Company, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1846, a son of Austin W. and Sarah (Calkins) Parmenter, both being representatives of old families of that city. The father was a pioneer lime manufacturer. Reared in Cleveland, the son attended the public schools there and after arriving at years of ma- turity was married in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1872, to Miss Jennie Mc- Bride, of Wooster, Ohio, a daughter of Henry and Martha (Spink) MeBride. of New York, the latter a daughter of General Spink, of Revolutionary war fame. To Mr. and Mrs. Parmenter have been born four children : Henry A .. who is in business with his father; James McMillan and O. A., who are also with their father, and Elsie, who died at the age of ten years.
The family are members of the Methodist church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. In his political views Mr. Parmenter is a repub- lican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument, but he does not seek nor hold public office. He is a believer in Racine and has worked earnestly and effectively to promote its interests and uphold municipal standards. His en- tire life has been a busy, active and useful one and his inventions are now furnishing employment to over ten thousand people. Who, therefore, can
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measure the far-reaching influences of his life work; all must acknowledge that his contribution to commercial progress has been a very important one. It was Mr. Parmenter who invented one of the first practical egg cases and introduced the same and this has been a valuable asset in many localities. Other results of his inventive genius, too, have awakened widespread atten- tion and indorsement. In a word, his has been a valuable contribution to the world's work. Not alone along material lines, however, have his efforts been put forth, for he is guided in all that he does by a Christian faith that has found expression in church work and in his active connection with the Young Men's Christian Association, he having been a charter member of the Cleveland (Ohio) Institution.
JOSEPH O. KENNEDY.
Joseph O. Kennedy, vice president of the Racine Carriage Company, came to his present position after long connection and broad experience with the Sattley Company, carriage manufacturers, of this city. He is now concentrat- ing his efforts upon the further development of the trade, reaching out along modern commercial lines for that success which is the direct outcome of close application. unfaltering diligence and unremitting energy. Mr. Kennedy was born in Franklin county, Missouri, June 24, 1877, a son of W. H. and Virginia Kennedy, who are still occupying the farm upon which they have lived for a half century, near St. Clair, Missouri.
Joseph O. Kennedy obtained a public school education and afterward pur- sued a normal course and in early manhood took up the profession of teaching, which he followed successfully for seven years, but in 1898 entered commercial circles at Moline, Illinois, where he accepted the position of shipping clerk with the Moline Plow Company. He had been reared to agricultural life and thus brought practical knowledge to the business so far as understanding of the practical value of the product of the house was concerned. This led to his promotion to the position of field expert and subsequently he was sent to Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, as territorial manager for the district comprising south- eastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois, remaining there from 1900 until' 1903. He was next sent to Des Moines. Iowa, as territorial manager for the cen- tral part of that state and after a brief period there passed came to Racine in the fall of 1904 to enter upon the duties of traveling salesman with the Sattley Company, with which he continued until 1915, when the Racine Carriage Com- pany was organized, taking over the business of the Sattley Company and the Richardson-Kennedy Company. Into the new field came men of long experi- ence, thoroughly equipped for important work of this character. Mr. Kennedy was chosen viee president of the company and Mr. Richardson as president. Their united efforts are manifest in tangible results, for their business has grad- ually grown and developed and is today one of the large industrial enterprises of Raeine. The work is splendidly systematized, so that maximum results are seeured at a minimum expenditure of time, labor and material.
On the 30th of September, 1903, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to
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Miss Louise Armstrong Wilson, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a daughter of Joseph B. and Caroline Wilson. They now have four children, namely : Marion, Robert Franklin and Gordon. Fraternally Mr. Kennedy is identi- fied with the Masons, belonging to Belle City Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M .; Orient Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M .; Racine Commandery, K. T., and the Eastern Star. He also has membership with the Elks and the United Commercial Trav- elers, of which he is a past councilor. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he attends the First Methodist Episcopal church. He is greatly interested in the public schools and at the present time is president of the Parent-Teachers' Association of the Stephen Bull School, where his chil- dren attend. His interests are broad and his activities have been so directed that he has not only promoted his individual interests but has contributed to public progress and improvement by throwing the weight of his influence to those causes which work for publie benefit and to which he has also given earnest, active support.
RACINE HOSIERY COMPANY.
Racine is constantly drawing to it new industrial and commercial enter- prises. Its development along manufacturing lines within the past few years has been notably rapid and among the concerns which have been started in the city in less than a half decade is that operating under the name of the Racine Hosiery Company, with W. R. Anderson as president, A. R. Anderson as manager and treasurer and J. H. Brinsley, secretary. The success of this undertaking was insured from the beginning, for its officers are men of long and broad practical experience in connection with every phase of the knitting business. W. R. Anderson has had forty years' experience as a dyer and is now the highest salaried man in that line of work in the country, having charge of the finishing and dyeing department of the Chicago Kenosha Hosiery Com- pany. His son, A. R. Anderson, brought to his present duties the lessons learned from twenty years' training in all departments of the mill, including the office work, and, moreover, he based his advance in business upon a thor- ough technical training in chemistry received in the Northwestern University. The secretary of the company has had fifteen years' experience in the knitting end of the business, and thus the combined ability of the officers is adequate to every phase of the business and every situation that may arise.
The plant is located at Fifteenth and Clark streets and has eight thousand square feet of floor space. Its machinery was set in operation on the 3rd of September, 1912, the company having a paid-up capital of fifteen hundred dollars. The capacity of the plant was forty-two thousand pairs of stockings annually. the output of three knitting machines and three operatives, and from that beginning the business has increased until the machines now number twen- ty-nine, with a production of eight hundred and twenty thousand pairs of stockings annually, while thirty-five employes are on the pay rolls of the com- pany. The production of this mill consists of pure thread silk and artificial silk and the product is finding a ready market from coast to coast. All of the hosiery
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is made with the latest and most up-to-date improvements known to the trade of knitting, such as French welt top, reinforced transfer, expanded heel, narrowed ankle, double sole and advanced toe. The incorporation of these features al- lows the manufacturers to give the broad guarantee which is sent out with every pair of stockings-satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. The methods of manufacture and the business policy of the house insure a contin- uance and promise a development of the trade, and Raeine has reason to con- gratulate herself upon this accession to her manufacturing circles.
ALEXANDER R. ANDERSON.
Alexander R. Anderson, manager and treasurer of the Racine Hosiery Com- pany, has back of him twenty years' experience in all departments of the mill and is therefore most competent to control the enlarging and developing inter- ests of this concern. The work is thoroughly systematized and everything done in a most methodical manner, so that there is no useless expenditure of time, labor nor material. It is a well recognized faet that this economy of forces is the basis of all modern business success.
Mr. Anderson was born in Lewiston, Maine, April 16, 1878, a son of Walter R. and Margaret (Murray) Anderson, both of whom are natives of Scotland, and on leaving the land of hills and heather came to the United States in the spring of 1867. The father has always been engaged in the knitting business save for a period of five years, which he spent in the manufacture of blankets. In 1894 he became a resident of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and has been with the Chicago-Kenosha Hosiery Company for the past twenty-two years, occupying a position of large responsibility, in charge of the finishing and dyeing depart- ment. Through the steps of an orderly progression he has worked his way up in business circles and is now a leading figure in the manufacturing interests of Kenosha. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and in the public life of the community he has taken an active and helpful part, serving as alderman of the city and exerting considerable influence over public affairs.
Alexander R. Anderson was a youth of sixteen years at the time of the removal of the family to Kenosha and his education, begun in the schools of the east. was continued in that city. After pursuing a course in the high school he spent two years in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, devoting his attention to chemistry. His attention was naturally directed into the field in which his father had been so long active and he resolved to qualify for important work of that character by thorough scientific training. He be- came connected with the Chicago-Kenosha Hosiery Company, with which he continued until 1905, working his way upward through all departments in the mill save the knitting department. In that year he removed to Mankato. Min- nesota, where for five years he was in charge of the dyeing and finishing de- partment of the Mankato Mills Company. In 1910 he came to Racine and since the organization of the Racine Hosiery Company, which began operations on the 3rd of September, 1912. he has been the manager and treasurer of the
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company. From the beginning the new enterprise has prospered. It adopted as its policy that of giving full value and the product of the mills has found a ready sale, owing to the wise management and careful direction of its officers and owners, Mr. Anderson's father being president of the company, with forty years' experience back of him to contribute to its success.
On the 16th of June, 1906, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Margaret Fuller, of Kenosha, her father being William W. Fuller, who is deceased. They now have three children, Elsie Margaret, Walter Willard and Edith Elizabeth. Fraternally Mr. Anderson is identified with the Masons, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has com- paratively little time for outside interests, yet he is never neglectful of his duties of citizenship nor of his obligations in other connections and is appre- ciative of the social amenities of life. He has won a large circle of warm friends in Racine, as he did in Kenosha and in the other localities where he has lived, and while all appreciate his geniality and unfeigned cordiality, business men also speak of him in terms of the highest regard because of his straight- forward methods, which conform in the highest degree to modern ethical, com- mercial standards.
NELS K. JENSEN.
Nels K. Jensen, farmer and dairyman, makes his home on section 11, Nor- way township, where he has a well improved property, everything about the place indicating his progressive spirit, which is fraught with substantial re- sults as manifest in excellent crops and in the fine appearance of his place. Mr. Jensen was born in Denmark, January 3, 1854, a son of Jans P. Larsen and Christina Petersen, who were also natives of Denmark, the former born in 1809 and the latter in 1812. They were married in that country and spent their entire lives there, the father successfully carrying on the occupation of farm- ing. He died in the year 1884, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1868. They had a family of ten children, of whom six are living, of which number Nels K. is the youngest. The others are: Carl C., a resident of Racine ; Peter S., who is engaged in the real estate business in Racine; Dorothy, the wife of J. Nelson, of Denmark ; Stina, the wife of E. Polson, of Denmark, and Bolette, who is the widow of B. Knutsen, and is engaged in dressmaking in Evanston, Illinois. The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church, to which the parents belonged.
Nels K. Jensen pursued his education in the schools of his native country and was a young man of twenty-eight years when, in 1882, he came to Racine. For three years thereafter he was employed in wagon works of the city, but on the expiration of that period turned his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared and for a few years cultivated a rented farm. In 1906 he purchased his present property-a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land situated on section 11, Norway township. The methods which he employs in developing and caring for his property are most practical and are attended with excellent results. In connection with general farming
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he does considerable dairying and for this purpose keeps full blooded Holstein cows. Upon his place are substantial and commodious buildings, furnishing ample shelter to grain and stock, and he has recently erected a silo himself.
In 1883 Mr. Jensen was married to Miss Anna Jensen, who was born in Denmark, and they have become the parents of seven children who are yet living : Jennie, at home; Louie, who is employed in a factory in Raeine; Wal- ter, who is working upon the farm ; and Willie, Robert, Roy and Emma, all vet under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Jensen is an independent republican, usually voting for the candidates of the party, yet not regarding himself as bound by party ties. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their in- fluenee is always on the side of those forees which work for righteousness and truth. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the business opportunities which he sought and by reason of his indefatigable effort and persistent energy he has gained a place among the substantial and well-to-do residents of Norway township.
F. J. POPE, M. D.
Dr. F. J. Pope, a graduate of Rush Medical College of the class of 1875, has continuously engaged in the practice of his profession in Racine for forty years and has long occupied a prominent position as one of the leading sur- geons of the city. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1852, and is a son of C. A. and Emily (Hagan) Pope, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. The father went to Germany to attend school in Bavaria, becoming a student in a theological college there, and while in that country he met and married Miss Hagan. He became a mis- sionary of the church and afterward went to Quincy, Illinois, where he accepted a pastoral charge. Subsequently he was at Warsaw, Illinois, for six years, at Bethlehem, Effingham county, for three years, and at Oshkosh, Wis- consin, for a short time. Later he engaged in preaching in the Lutheran church in Kenosha and afterward in Wrightstown, Wisconsin, where he passed away in 1907. He had devoted his entire life to moral teaching and his labors resulted largely in the uplift of those who came under his guidance and in- fluence. His wife survived him until 1910 and was laid to rest at Green Bay. Wiseonsin.
F. J. Pope largely spent his boyhood in Quincy and Warsaw, Illinois, where he pursued his public school course. He studied the drug business at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and there remained for three years, after which he de- termined to make the practice of medicine his life work and began reading under the direction of Dr. J. Copp Noyes of Oshkosh, who remained his pre- ceptor for two years. At the end of that time he entered Rush Medical Col- lege of Chicago and completed his course with the class of 1875. For a year thereafter he practiced in that city and then came to Racine, where he has since remained, his ability bringing him to the front among the medical prac-
DR. F. J. POPE
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titioners of this city, where for forty years he has been honored as an able and conscientious representative of the profession.
In 1877 Dr. Pope was married to Miss Eugenie Wolfhügel. They have nine children: Edgar, who is in charge of the office of the Case Threshing Machine Company at Columbus, Ohio; F. W., who has become a physician and is associated with his father in practice: Rosa, at home; Louis, who is a graduate of the State University of Wisconsin and is now a civil engineer, practicing his profession in Madison; Eleanore, the wife of G. M. Goepfert, of Racine; Charles, a student of agriculture, and three who died in infancy.
Dr. Pope is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Racine and his family are identified with the First Congregational church. In polities he is a democrat and has served on the United States pension board under Presi- dents Cleveland and Wilson. He has likewise been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. Along strictly professional lines he has connection with the City Medical Society. the Racine County and Wisconsin State Medieal Associations and the Ameri- ean Medical Association and he keeps thoroughly informed concerning all the seientific investigations and advances made by the profession in their efforts to find the key to the complex mystery which we call life. Few, if any, of Racine's physicians have so long been actively engaged in practice here as Dr. Pope, and he is greatly beloved in many a household to which he has been ealled for professional serviee.
A. C. MEHDER.
A. C. Mehder, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Mehder Dry Goods Company, occupies a prominent position among the alert, enterprising and progressive merchants of Racine and his life history is indicative of the oppor- tunities that are offered in the new world to the young man of foreign birth who, prompted by ambition and guided by sound judgment, puts forth earnest effort to win prosperity. Mr. Mehder was born in Denmark, October 20, 1870. a son of L. T. H. and Caroline Mehder, who spent their entire lives in Denmark, where the father conducted business as a merchant tailor.
Through the period of his minority A. C. Mehder remained in his native land, but in 1892 crossed the Atlantic and established his home at Oshkosh. Wisconsin, where he remained for a year. In 1893 he arrived in Racine and has since been actively connected with the dry goods business in this city. For ten years he was associated with the Schroeder Dry Goods Company, in which connection he worked his way upward until during the last four years he occu- pied the responsible position of manager. At the end of that deeade he em- barked in business on his own account, becoming a partner in the Nelson- Mehder Dry Goods Company, but later he disposed of his interest and started in business alone, organizing the Mehder Dry Goods Company on the 20th of April, 1909. It was formed with L. F. Mehder as the president and A. C. Mehder as secretary, treasurer and manager. The business was established at No. 1412 Washington avenue and in 1913 a removal was made to 1408 and
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1410 Washington avenue where he occupies a building thirty-eight by ninety feet, carrying a general line of dry goods and having the largest store in his part of the city. His stock is attractive, thoroughly modern and up-to-date and his business methods are such as win patronage and support. He has al- ways recognized the fact that satisfied customers are the best advertisement and has made every effort to please. He demands courteous treatment from his employes to his patrons and maintains the policy of one price to all, seeking only to realize a legitimate profit on his investment.
On the 1st of August, 1898, Mr. Mehder was united in marriage to Miss Maggie L. Lamp, of Racine, a daughter of Jorgen and Hannah Lamp. They now have two children, Aliee and Clyde. Fraternally Mr. Mehder is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has various other member- ship associations, being identified with the Commercial Club and the City Club, also the Junction Advancement Association, and in these connections he is active in efforts to upbuild and improve the city along many lines. In politics he is a republican. That he gives thought yet to his native land through maintaining association with the native sons of Denmark is indicated in his membership in the Dania Society. That the spirit of humanitarianism is strong within him is shown in the fact of his active service as a director of the Central Association, which is the Associated Charities organization of Racine. He is ever willing to extend a helping hand where aid is needed and to speak a word of encouragement where disheartenment has blocked individual progress.
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