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 4
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Upon his return to Racine Judge Hand entered at once upon the practice of his profession and soon gained a distinctively representative clientage. In 1868 Governor Fairchild appointed him county judge and to that office he was three times elected, so that he served upon the bench for thirteen years, a period longer than that of any other incumbent in the position. His rulings were strictly fair and impartial and his ability was recognized by colleagues and contemporaries. In 1890 he was elected district attorney, receiving loyal support from all parties, and he occupied that position for two years. Judge Hand always voted with the democratic party although he was not bitterly partisan. He held membership in the Presbyterian church and guided his life according to the teachings. In matters of public concern he was deeply in- terested and gave his aid and co-operation to many plans and projects for the general good. He was a member of the board of visitors of the University of Wisconsin, of the school board of Racine, and for many years was a trustee of Carroll College, at Waukesha, Wisconsin. He ranked high in professional circles, for he possessed marked ability and moreover prepared his cases with great thoroughness, so that his position was seldom seriously questioned, his natural and acquired talents winning him high rank at a bar which has num- bered many distinguished members. Farming was always his hobby and from the time of his marriage he always owned a farm.
In 1911 Judge Hand was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 29th of November of that year. She was a member of the Woman's Club, was for over fifty years a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and was much interested in charitable work, her many good deeds causing her death to be deeply regretted by her friends,
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Judge Hand had been a resident of this state for seventy-four years at the time of his demise, a period exceeding the life span of the great majority, and had not only witnessed the wonderful transformation of this section of the country, but had been a most potent element in that transformation, leaving the impress of his individuality for good upon many lines of public progress.
JOHN PUGH.
John Pugh, of Racine, who is filling the office of state game warden of Wisconsin, was born September 1, 1847, in the city in which he still makes his home. Almost three seore years and ten have since come and gone and he has witnessed remarkable changes as the state has become thiekly settled and the work of progress and improvement has been carried forward. His parents were James and Jeanette (Hughes) Pugh, both of whom were natives of Wales. but they were married in this county. The father on coming to the United States settled first in Utica, New York, afterward removing to Ohio and in 1842 arrived in Racine, where he resided until 1850. He then went to Califor- nia, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast, and for two years remained in that district, but in 1852 returned to Wisconsin. He died May 30. 1890, while his widow survived until 1892, and in their passing the county lost two of its representative and honored pioneer residents.
John Pugh was educated in the common and high schools of Raeine and was a youth of but seventeen years of age when, in 1864, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting for one hundred days' service. He was sta- tioned on guard duty at Memphis and when his term of enlistment had expired he returned to Raeine.
During the succeeding three years Mr. Pugh worked as a boiler maker in the railroad shops and then became a sailor on the Lakes, devoting his time to that pursuit from 1868 until 1894. The vessel on which he sailed suffered wreck off Chicago in the latter year and he then abandoned a seafaring life after having been master of ships for twenty years. He next accepted the po- sition of foreman in a coal yard owned by his brother and thus continued for about four years. Since retiring from that position he has been state conser- vation and game warden, having been appointed to the position under Gov- ernor La Follette, having charge in his official capacity of Racine and Kenosha counties. He is deeply interested in the question of conserving the natural resources of the country and in protecting the game and he does everything in his power to uphold the law in this respect.
In 1879, when thirty-two years of age, Mr. Pugh was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Gittings and they had seven children : John, who is connected with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company; Catherine, a teacher, who resides at home ; Ellen G., who is the wife of W. F. Boyd, of Carthage, Illinois ; Jeanette, at home; Mary, who is engaged in school teaching and is also under the parental roof; Christopher, at home, and Elizabeth, who is deceased.
Mr. Pugh and his family are all members of the Presbyterian church and in polities he has been a lifelong republican, ever loyal to the interests of the
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party. For two years he served as sheriff of the county. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, having taken the degrees of lodge and chapter, and he is also identified with the Royal Arcanum. He was born on Park street and on that thoroughfare in Racine has always spent his life. Great indeed have been the changes which have occurred during this period, a period in which Raeine has emerged from villagehood to take on all of the advantages of modern civilization. His experiences have been broad and varied and he is now proving a most capable official, loyal to the interests of the state.
DR. ROBERT C. HINDLEY.
Dr. Robert C. Hindley, chemist with the Horliek Malted Milk Company, is well qualified by thorough college training and broad experience for the po- sition of responsibility which he now occupies. He was born in Manchester, England, in 1848, a son of John C. and Mary A. Hindley, who, in 1856, crossed the Atlantic with their family to Philadelphia. The father was connected with the cotton trade and also engaged in the gun manufacturing business, making guns for the army throughout the period of the Civil war.
Robert C. Hindley attended school in Philadelphia, prepared for college in Virginia and was graduated from Trinity College at Hartford, Connecticut, with the class of 1872. For four years he engaged in teaching in the east, after which he accepted the position of professor of chemistry in Racine College, occupying that position for fifteen years. Later he became professor of mechanical and electrical engineering in the manual training high school of Philadelphia, where he continued for a gear and a half. In January, 1893, he took charge of the chemical department of Horlick's Malted Milk Com- pany, with which he has since been connected .. Dr. Hindley was also one of the earliest workers in photography and in electricity and is an expert in those lines. He it was who established the first publie electric lighting plant in Wisconsin, this being in 1884, at which time M. B. Erskine became president of the company, with F. Harbridge as treasurer and Dr. Hindley as secretary and superintendent. He was also the first owner of an automobile in Racine, driving a Winton car.
In 1876 Dr. Hindley was married to Miss Emma F. Higgs, of Philadelphia, and they have a son, Robert W., a graduate of the Wisconsin University and a ranchman of Texas, who is married and has two children, Eleanor and Roberta.
Upon Dr. Hindley have been conferred the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. He was one of the original members of the American Chemical Society and has contributed largely to its publications. His in- itiative and his research work have given many ideas and results of value to the profession and his name is known and honored in professional circles throughout the country. Dr. Hindley is also prominent and active in Masonry. He belongs to the lodge, is past high priest of Raeine Chapter, R. A. M., is
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past eminent commander of Raeine Commandery, No. 7. K. T., and is an officer in the Consistory. He is also a charter member of the Royal League of Racine. An Episcopalian in religious faith, he served as rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal church for twenty-three years. In polities he is a republican and has many times been chairman of the city and county repub- lican conventions. From 1881 until 1888, he was a member of the board of aldermen of Racine from the second ward and was a member of the board of education in 1895-6. His interests are indeed broad and varied and his activity has been of marked worth in the development of the city. Association with him means expansion and elevation and the consensus of public opinion establishes him as one of the most prominent and honored residents of Racine.
HON. ALEXANDER J. HORLICK.
Alexander J. Horlick, vice president of the Horlick Malted Milk Company and therefore active in control of one of Racine's most important and extensive business enterprises, belongs to that class of representative men whose force lies in close application, initiative and enterprise. He was born in Racine in 1873 and is the elder son of William and Arabella (Horlick) Horlick, further mention of whom occurs elsewhere in this work. He was reared in his native city and after attending the public schools continued his education in Racine College. In early manhood he became connected with the Horlick Malted Milk Company, which had been established by his father and uncle, and applied himself diligently to learning everything possible about the business. He has made steady advancement in the company and is now filling the office of vice president and is bending his energies to administrative direction and executive control. He has wisely used his time, talents and opportunities in developing the business to its present extensive proportions, displaying the same aggres- siveness, the same ready recognition of opportunities and keen insight into conditions that have always characterized his father. He has worked his way upward to his present important position through his own merit and his com- prehensive knowledge of all phases of the business.
Mr. Horlick recognizes the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship and at the solicitation of his fellow townsmen accepted the nom- ination for mayor of Racine on the republican ticket. He was elected to that office in 1907, served by re-election for a second term. His administration was marked by reform in the city's business methods and especially in the improve- ment of the streets and boulevards and the city parks. He placed municipal interests upon a business basis and sought in every way to further the public good. That he accomplished his purpose was shown by the wish of the public that he serve for a third term. He is one of the regents of the University of Wisconsin, having been appointed by Governor Davidson and reappointed by
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Governor McGovern. He is a member of a number of societies-the American Chemical Society, the Elks, and others, and is also a member of the Masonic order, both York and Scottish rites, and of Tripoli Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
HON. JOHN B. SIMMONS.
Hon. John B. Simmons, whose writings have been a valuable contribution to legal literature and whose career as a member of the bar has reflected credit and honor upon the profession, has engaged in practice in Racine since 1898, being now senior partner in the firm of Simmons & Walker. He was born in McHenry county, Illinois, October 26, 1851, a son of James and Catherine (McCotter) Simmons, both of whom were natives of Vermont. Upon removing to the middle west in 1842 James Simmons resided for a time at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, but afterward took up his abode in McHenry county. Illinois, where he lived for a few years. He then returned to Lake Geneva, where he remained until his death, continuing an active and prominent member of the bar at that place. His father, John Simmons, was also a lawyer, practic- ing in Middlebury, Vermont, and was of English descent. The family was established in Connecticut in early colonial days and representatives of the name have since been residents of New England. John Simmons, the grand- father, was a member of the first class that was graduated from Brown Uni- versity at Providence, Rhode Island, and subsequently he removed to Vermont. Both the Simmons and MeCotter families were represented in the American army in the war for independence.
Although born in Illinois, John B. Simmons was largely reared in Wis- consin and obtained his public school education at Elkhorn. Following his graduation from the high school at that place he took up the study of law in the office of his father at Lake Geneva and was admitted to practice before the circuit court at Elkhorn in 1873. He was then associated with his father in the active work of the profession until 1896, when he formed a partnership with Franklin J. Tyrrel, of Lake Geneva, that association being maintained until 1898, when Mr. Simmons removed to Racine. Here he entered into partnership with H. A. Cooper and Peter B. Nelson under the firm style of Cooper, Simmons & Nelson, and when Mr. Cooper retired the firm continued as Simmons & Nelson until the junior partner was succeeded by M. E. Walker in 1907. They are legal representatives of several manufacturing and financial corporations. For eighteen years Mr. Simmons has occupied a conspicuous and enviable position at the Racine bar. He continues in the general practice of law, in which field he has now been active for forty-three years. Not only has he won success in the work of the courts but has also gained distinction through his contributions to legal literature. He is the author of a work of three volumes, Simmons' Wiseonsin Digest, which is accepted as authority throughout the state. This work in its general plan followed the lines of a previous work issued by his father, who was long known to the profession as the author of the first Wisconsin Digest that proved of practical value. John B. Simmons exercised all the care and judgment of his legal mind in the
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preparation of the three volumes, which are now regarded as probably the most indispensable standard reference books on state decisions to be found in Wisconsin.
In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Simmons and Miss Sarah B. Sturges, a daughter of George W. Sturges, a valued resident of Lake Geneva. Two children have been born of this marriage: John E., a naval architect now residing in Chicago, who was the designer and builder of Disturber IV for James A. Pugh, of Chicago, this proving to be the fastest boat in its class in the world; and Katharine, who is a graduate of the Racine high school and of the University of Chicago and is now the wife of Ralph W. Bailey, of Waupaca, Wisconsin. The son is a graduate of Beloit College and of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston. The wife and mother passed away in 1914. Mr. Simmons resides at No. 1013 Lake avenue, where he has an attractive home. He attends the Presbyterian church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. While in Lake Geneva he filled the office of mayor and he ever maintains a progressive attitude in public affairs, sup- porting all plans and measures which promise to be of value in upholding eivie standards. He is a member of the Public Library board and a trustee of "Sunny Rest," a tuberculosis sanatorium, is generous in his support of philanthropic and benevolent projects and his influence along many lines has been a potent force for good.
GEORGE ENGELHARDT.
George Engelhardt, who is engaged in general farming on a traet of land of one hundred and forty aeres near Kansasville, was born in Paris township, Kenosha county, May 25, 1860, a son of John and Rachel (Beyer) Engelhardt, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to Wisconsin in 1853 and settled on a farm in Paris township, Kenosha county. He afterward purchased a farm in Dover township, Racine county, at twelve shillings per acre. It was a traet of wild land when it came into his possession, but with characteristic energy he transformed it into fertile fields, annually gathering good harvests. He was married in Paris township and to him and his wife were born six children, all of whom are living : Kate, the wife of T. H. Hillman, a railroad man of Spooner, Wisconsin ; Sophia, the wife of L. Hintz, a night watchman residing in Burlington; Carrie, the wife of Christ Olson, a rail- road man of Spooner, Wisconsin; John, who is living in Brighton town- ship; William, a farmer of North Dakota; and George. The parents were members of the Lutheran church at Burlington and in his political views Mr. Engelhardt was a republican. He started out in business life empty handed and borrowed the money with which to pay his passage to the United States, but in this country he prospered, owing to his persistent, resolute purpose, and became the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres of well improved and productive land.
George Englehardt was educated in the distriet schools, after which he took up farming and has since carried on general agricultural pursuits save
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
for about two years, which he devoted to railroading. He has an excellent tract of land of one hundred and forty acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, annually gathering rich crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. He has twelve or fourteen eows which he milks and he raises cattle and hogs, having some high grade shorthorn cattle upon his place. His business affairs are carefully and wisely directed and success attends his efforts in substantial measure.
On the 13th of May, 1888, Mr. Engelhardt was married to Miss Tressie Rusburg, a native of Caledonia, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Charles Rusburg, a farmer, who became one of the early settlers of Caledonia township. The three children born of this marriage are: George, a farmer of Brighton town- ship, Kenosha county ; and Henry and Edna, both at home.
The parents are members of the Burlington Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Engelhardt is a republican. He served for about twenty years as a member of the school board and the cause of public education has always found in him a stalwart champion. In fact, he stands for progress and improvement along many lines and does everything in his power to further the material, intellectual and moral development of the community.
MARTIN O. SENSENY.
Martin O. Senseny, president and treasurer of the Racine Malleable & Wrought Iron Company, has been connected with this business since 1906 and its development within the past decade is attributable in substantial measure to his efforts and keen business discernment. A native of Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Senseny was born in 1852, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Sensenv. His mother died when he was but a few weeks old and his father when the boy was but three years of age, so that he was reared by his grandparents. He became a school teacher and later a bookkeeper and for a time was asso- ciated with the Eberhard Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, but in 1906 removed to Racine and purchased an interest in the Racine Malleable & Wrought Iron Company, which had been organized in 1884. The present officers are: M. O. Senseny, president and treasurer; W. H. Houssman, of Cleveland, vice presi- dent, and Charles Van Ornum, secretary. The plant is located at Twenty- first and South Clark streets, where the company owns ten aeres of ground with buildings covering half of that amount. The original plant was located on the north side, but was burned in July, 1898, and at that time the company selected the present location, erecting two story buildings in which they in- stalled modern equipment to facilitate the work. In June, 1915, a cyclone struck the plant and demolished the top story of all four of the buildings, eausing a loss of about thirty-five thousand dollars. They employ two hun- dred and fifty men, most of whom are skilled workmen, and they manufacture castings, wagon and carriage hardware, harness chains and special castings. Their output is sold to jobbers and goes all over the United States. The business is one of those which has won for Racine its enviable reputation as
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
a manufacturing center and capable management marks the conduct of the business in every department.
In 1883 Mr. Senseny was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Chapman, of Fort Wayne, who died in the year 1907, leaving a son and daughter : Herbert, who is now a practicing physician at Fort Wayne; and Helen, who is a grad- uate of the high school of Fort Wayne. Mr. Senseny belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Elks' lodge and also has membership in the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His position upon any vital question is never an equivocal one. Ile stands loyally for what he be- lieves to be right and his enterprise and industry are manifest not only in his business career but in his support and advocacy of all those measures which he deems of worth to the community.
J. W. TRUMBULL.
With the public interests of Racine and the county J. W. Trumbull has been closely associated through his business connections and in other ways. He was born in Caledonia township, this county, December 1, 1872, a son of John and Emily (Hazelton) Trumbull, who were natives of Mansfield, Con- necticut, and of Vermont, respectively. They were married in Racine in 1865. The father was at that time forty-nine years of age, his birth having occurred in 1816. He had come to this county in 1839 when Wisconsin was still under territorial rule. The city of Racine was then but a small village and the district bore little resemblance to the county of today. He took up his abode on sections 7 and 18, Caledonia township, and there engaged in general farming, contributing much to the agricultural progress of the locality. He was always deeply interested in politics, kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and voted with the republican party. He wrote quite extensively for the press and was a man of broad and liberal education. He died in 1894. his remains being interred in Racine, and his widow, still surviving, occupies the old homestead. In their family were four children : Pearl, deceased; Florence, the wife of F. L. Clugg, living at Marshfield, Wis- consin ; J. W .; and Mary, at home.
J. W. Trumbull obtained his education in the schools of Caledonia town- ship and was reared to the occupation of farming. He purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home place and continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits there until 1911, at the same time specializing largely ' in dairy farming. He became quite active in public affairs and for twelve years was clerk of the town. He also acted as clerk of the court for Racine county for four years following his removal to Racine and he has always given his allegiance to the republican party. He is still the owner of sixty acres of land on section 7, Caledonia township. In 1911 he purchased a half interest in the Christensen Silo Company, serving as secretary and treasurer, and has since been engaged in silo work through all of the dairy states of the middle west. His business affairs are always carefully and wisely conducted.
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He always seems to readily recognize the possibilities of a situation and he uses his advantages in the best way.
In 1895 Mr. Trumbull was united in marriage to Miss Ella Hayek and they have five children, namely : Pearl, Eleanor, Faith, Marjorie and John. The parents are members of the Christian Science church and they own and occupy a fine home at No. 1817 Park avenue in Racine. Hospitality there reigns supreme and the good cheer of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Trumbull has been a lifelong resident of this county and his history is familiar to his fellow townsmen, who have ever known him as a progressive and reliable business man, a loyal and patriotic citizen, a faithful friend and a devoted husband and father. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM MITCHELL LEWIS.
With the growth of the automobile industry in the country Captain William Mitchell Lewis has established and promoted in Racine one of the large manufacturing enterprises of this character in the United States. The development of the trade in the last few years has been so great as to seem almost magical, but back of this are the well defined and carefully executed plans of Captain Lewis and his associate officers of the Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company. Racine claims him as a native son, for he was here born on the 25th of February, 1869, his parents being William T. and Mary (Mitchell) Lewis. At the usual age he became a public school pupil and afterward entered Yale University at New Haven, Connecticut, where he was graduated on the completion of a law course with the class of 1891. During his college days he was much interested in athletics and played at center on the famous Yale eleven of 1890.
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