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 44
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Dr. and Mrs. Goebel have become the parents of a son. Eugene John, who
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was born October 20, 1914. Dr. Goebel is a member of the Catholic church. In polities he is a democrat, but is independently inelined. He has served as health officer and school clerk but has never been ambitious to hold positions of publie preferment. Fraternally he is connected with the Catholie Order of Foresters. At the time of their marriage Dr. and Mrs. Goebel started with very little, but today they have a beautiful home with all modern improvements and he enjoys a good practice, which is constantly increasing.
BEFFEL FURNITURE & UNDERTAKING COMPANY.
The Beffel Furniture & Undertaking Company has succeeded to the busi- ness established by Mathias Beffel, the enterprise having been in continuous existence for forty-one years. The store is located at No. 610 Sixth street, Racine, and the interests of the concern are managed by William J. Beffel, who is president of the company, and Edward Beffel, secretary and treasurer. It was on the 26th of September, 1914, that the business was organized under the present name. The original establishment was located at the corner of College avenue and Sixth street and after two years a removal was made to the present location, Mathias Beffel purchasing the property and building a single store. He conducted the business alone for twenty-six years, or until 1901, when he retired, and his sons, William J. and Edward Beffel, purchased the business, which they condneted under partnership relations until the ineor- poration in 1914, thirteen years later. In 1911 a new building, three stories in height and fifty by one hundred and twenty feet, was erected. They carry a large line of furniture, rugs and household furnishings and in the adjoin- ing building have funeral parlors. This establishment is one of the finest in the state, the undertaking department occupying what was the old furniture store but which was rebuilt at a large expense in 1914. There is every con- venience and modern equipment with a large sanitary embalming room unsur- passed in the state, which is light, cool and airy. The furniture trade is large and the business is most gratifying. Theirs is one of the oldest establishments of the kind in Racine and it is conducted by energetic young business men whose purposes are high and honorable and who accomplish what they undertake.
WILLIAM J. BEFFEL.
Racine is lacking in none of those advantages which offer a broad field to the energetic young business man and William J. Beffel is among the native sons who in legitimate lines of trade have worked their way upward to sue- cess. He became the successor of his father, Mathias Beffel, and reorganizing the business, is now the president of the Beffel Furniture & Undertaking Com- pany, in which connection he controls an important commercial concern of the city. He was born July 27, 1873, a son of Mathias and Johanna (Brehm)
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Beffel. The father was born in Chicago in 1837 and the mother, a native of Germany, was brought to the United States in her girlhood by her parents, Frank and Agnes Brehm, who became residents of Burlington, Wisconsin, at an early period in the settlement of Racine county, arriving here in the opening years of the '40s. The paternal grandfather of William J. Beffel was John Beffel, who in the '40s became a resident of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and in 1854 removed to Racine, where he followed the cooper's trade. In the year in which the family home was established in Racine, Mathias Beffel entered the employ of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, with which he continued for twenty-one years, or until 1875, when he embarked in business on his own account, establishing a retail furniture and undertaking business, which he suc- cessfully managed and conducted until 1901, when he retired, being succeeded by his two sons. He was one of the founders of St. Mary's Catholic church and is a member of the German Catholic Young Men's Association. He and his wife still reside in Racine.
On the 19th of JJune, 1895, W. J. Beffel was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Salentine, who was born in Sacramento, California, a daughter of M. J. and Clara (Arnold) Salentine, who removed with their family from the Pacific coast, to Milwaukee and later to Kenosha, but have now returned to Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Beffel have become the parents of a son, Robert M., now seventeen years of age.
The parents are members of St. Mary's Catholic church and Mr. Beffel is identified also with the Knights of Columbus. He likewise has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Moose and the Royal Arcanum and in politics he is non-partisan, voting for the man and not for the party. He gives his undivided attention to his business interests. He supplemented his public school education by three courses in undertaking and is an expert embalmer. He belongs to the Wisconsin State Funeral Directors' Association and the Wisconsin Retail Furniture Dealers' Association and in trade circles is prominent and popular, his contemporaries and colleagues recognizing him as an alert, energetic man, who expresses in his interests and activities the spirit of modern business progress.
EDWARD BEFFEL.
Edward Beffel, secretary and treasurer of the Beffel Furniture & Undertak- ing Company, was born in Racine, April 13, 1879, and is a brother of W. J. Beffel, mentioned above. He pursued his education by attending St. Mary's parochial school and the public schools of Racine, taking a high school course. When his student days were over he entered the furniture business and has sinee been active along that line. He joined his brother as successors to their father and in 1914 the business was reorganized under the present name. Theirs is a large establishment, well equipped in both the undertaking and furniture departments, so that they are able to give the best possible service and to furnish to the trade all that is attractive in the line of modern furniture both of domestic and foreign mannfacture.
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In November, 1912, Mr. Beffel was married to Miss Martha Osius, of Racine. They are communicants of St. Rose Catholic church and Mr. Beffel belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Deutcher Club. He does not hold to party affiliation but votes independently, nor has he ever been an aspirant for public office, concentrating his energies upon his business interests in a manner that results in success.
RACINE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The business now conducted under the name of the Racine Manufacturing Company was organized about 1910 under the present form but was established about 1902 under the name of the Racine Novelty Company by George W. Jagers. The business was thus conducted until December, 1909, when the plant was destroyed by fire, and in 1910 the company was reorganized with George W. Jagers, F. K. Bull and Fred F. Blandin' as the incorporators. Since that time changes in ownership have occurred and the present officers are: John Reid, Jr., president : C. F. Barndt, vice president, and F. J. Kidd, secre- tary and treasurer. The plant, located at Sixth and Mead streets, is devoted to the manufacture of automobile bodies, which are sold all over the United States. The factory contains five hundred thousand square feet of working space and there are three four-story buildings, all modern in construction, sup- plied with sprinkler system and thoroughly equipped for the conduct of the business. The latest improved machinery has been installed and the work has been so organized and systematized that there is no waste of time, labor or material. Co-operation is maintained between the various departments and the completion and assembling of the parts is accomplished in the shortest possible time. Something of the magnitude of the establishment is indicated in the fact that they have nine hundred employes upon the payroll and most of these are skilled laborers. The greater part of the output consists of auto- mobile bodies for high grade cars and these are used by a score or more of the leading automobile manufacturers of the country. The plant is usually oper- ated to its full capacity and within its walls the hum of industry is constantly heard, the undertaking being one of the important factors in the commercial activity and upbuilding of Racine.
F. J. KIDD.
F. J. Kidd. secretary and treasurer of the Racine Manufacturing Company, is thus connected with one of the leading manufacturing interests of the city and that he has a large share in the control and management of the under- taking is indicative of his initiative and resourcefulness. He is constantly alert to opportunities which bring to him a broader outlook and he carefully utilizes every chanee for advancement. Moreover, his business interests are of a character which contribute to publie prosperity as well as to individual
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success. Mr. Kidd was born at St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, July 16. 1880, a son of A. J. and Minnie (Reynolds) Kidd, who crossed the border into the United States in 1881 and became residents of Buffalo, New York, where the father engaged in business as a furniture manufacturer.
F. J. Kidd obtained a high school education in Buffalo, his training being that of the city bred boy who constantly hears the call of commercial life. He became identified with the iron business in Buffalo, securing a position in the Snow steam pump works, with which he continued until his removal to Corliss, Wisconsin, where he was made secretary and treasurer of the Wisconsin Engine Company. His previous training and experience had well qualified him for duties of this character and he remained active in the suc- cessful management of the business until 1913, when he resigned to become secretary and treasurer of the Racine Manufacturing Company, which is today one of the large and important business concerns of the city, furnishing employment to nine hundred workmen in the manufacture of automobile bodies.
On the 29th of June, 1904, Mr. Kidd was married to Miss Harriett Maltby, of Buffalo, New York, and they have two children, Alan J. and Helen H. In Racine the family is widely and favorably known, the parents occupying an enviable position in social cireles, while the warm-hearted hospitality of their own home is enjoyed greatly by their many friends. Mr. Kidd is a republican in polities and is a Mason, loyal to the fraternity, its purposes and its teachings.
JULIUS T. FOSTER.
Julius T. Foster, chief engineer of the waterworks of Racine, his native city, was born September 16, 1849, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Hay- thorn) Foster, the former a native of London, while the latter was born in Ireland. They were married, however, in England and in 1845 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, becoming residents of Racine. The father was proprietor of the Western Hotel and so continued up to the time of his death. which occurred in 1863. The business was then continued by the mother and her sons, who conducted the hotel for a long period, and Mrs. Foster passed away in the year 1894.
Julius T. Foster acquired a publie school education and afterward learned the machinist's trade, which he followed in various factories here. With his increasing ability and experience he won advancement from time to time and for eleven years occupied the responsible position of chief engineer of the Case Plow Works. Later he was master mechanic for the Northern Wis- consin Lumber Company for four years and in 1893 he was given charge of the power house for the Racine Street Railway. In 1898 he became chief engi- neer of the Racine Waterworks and has so continued to the present time, cov- ering a period of eighteen years It is a splendid record of capability and fidel- ity, his long connection with the position standing in incontrovertible evidence of his worth in the office.
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In 1882 Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Hayden, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a daughter of George L. and Mary Hayden. The chil- dren of this marriage are: Frank, who is manager of the Battery Service Company of Racine; Ruby, the wife of W. H. Van Duser, a traveling man representing the Chicago Creamery Package Company; George, who is chief engineer for the Racine Trunk Company ; and J. R., who is engaged in the oil business under the name of the J. R. Foster Oil Company.
In polities Mr. Foster is a republican but never seeks nor desires the rewards of office in recognition of his party fealty. Fraternally he is connected with Racine Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., and has also taken the Chapter degrees in Masonry, while of the Eastern Star he is a past patron. He is likewise past chancellor of Racine Lodge, No. 32, K. P., is a member of the Benevolent Pro- teetive Order of Elks and is a past president of the National Association of Stationary Engineers. Marked ability has brought him prominently to the front in this connection. He understands every phase of his work both in principle and detail, having comprehensive knowledge of the scientific phases of engineering as well as the practical elements of the business, and there is perhaps no official of Racine who has been so long in public office, while the record of none has been more faultless in honor and stainless in reputation.
HENRICKSEN & JACOBSON.
Henricksen & Jacobson is the firm name of a well known commercial enter- prise of Raeine, organized on the first of October, 1910, by H. M. Henricksen and Jacob Jacobson. Although it has been in existence for but a few years its business has grown steadily and has now become of a very substantial character. The business was first located at No. 1309 Mound avenue. On the first of September, 1915, a removal was made to No. 1200 State street. The firm are wholesale jobbers in groceries of which they carry a large line, inelud- ing butterine, butter. eggs and cheese, and their trade now extends over Racine and Kenosha counties. They have one traveling representative and the members of the firm are themselves busily engaged in promoting the trade relations of the house, the business already having reached very satisfactory proportions.
HENRY M. HENRICKSEN.
Henry M. Henricksen, the senior partner of the firm of Henricksen & Jacob- son, wholesale jobbers in groceries, in Racine, is classed with the progressive young business men of this city in which his entire life has been passed. He was born in Racine, September 12, 1888, and is a son of Peter and Cena (Niel- sen) Henricksen, both of whom were natives of Denmark, in which country they remained until 1886 and then crossed the Atlantic to the new world, set- tling in Racine. During the early period of his residence in this country the
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father followed farming and lived on the Rapids road conducting a berry farm, but for the past twenty years he has been connected with the Horlick Malted Milk Company.
Reared under the parental roof Henry M. Ilenrieksen began his education in the district schools and afterward continued his studies in the public schools of Chicago. He started in the business world as clerk in a grocery store and was thus engaged until he began business on his own aecount as a jobber in groceries. In this connection he has built up a trade of large and gratifying proportions being senior partner in the firm of Henricksen & Jacobson, whole- sale jobbers, handling groceries, butterine, butter, eggs and cheese, with a trade that covers both Racine and Kenosha counties.
On the 27th of April, 1914, Mr. Henricksen was married to Miss Edna L. Christensen, and they have a son, George Milton. Mr. Henricksen votes inde- pendently and in matters of citizenship maintains a progressive attitude, sup- porting all those plans and measures which are of most value to his community. He holds membership with the United Commercial Travelers and with the Commercial Club and that he is deeply interested in the moral development of the city is indicated in his membership in the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church and in the Young Men's Christian Association. Ilis life is an expres- sion of high and honorable principles and his purposes find practical ful- fillment.
JACOB JACOBSON.
Jacob Jacobson, a member of the wholesale jobbing firm of Henrieksen & Jacobson, of Racine, was born on the 31st of October, 1887, in the city in which he still makes his home and comes of Norwegian ancestry, representing in his life many of the sterling traits of the people of the land of the midnight sun. His parents were Andrew and Mary E. (Kittilsen) Jacobson, both of whom were natives of Norway. When young people they came to Racine, arriving in 1883 and here they were married. The father was always a seaman and became captain of the G. Ellen and later of the Henry Cowles. He was also mate of the Minnie Mueller and was captain of the J. B. Newland. Of each of these boats he was part owner and he sailed all over the lakes, continuing to sail up to the time of his death, which occurred November 12, 1911. ITis widow survives and still makes her home in Racine.
After obtaining a public school education in this city Jacob Jacobson started in the business world as an employe at the plant of the Fish Wagon Company and was with that concern until the business was closed out in the year 1914. He had become interested in the jobbing grocery business, enter- ing into partnership with H. M. Henrieksen, and now concentrates his efforts upon the further development of their trade, which has grown rapidly and points to further success.
On the 4th of March, 1914, Mr. Jacobson was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Amundsen, of Milwaukee, daughter of Ed and Hannah Amundsen. They have one child, Mildred Edna. The parents hold membership in the
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Trinity Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Jacobson's further activity in behalf of the moral progress of the community is indicated in his membership in the Young Men's Christian Association. In polities he votes somewhat inde- pendently, preferring the republican principles, with the belief that the plat- form of the party contains the best element of good government. He has membership with the United Commercial Travelers and is also a member of the Commercial Club. He is a typical American citizen possessed of com- mendable ambition along business lines and at the same time recognizing his duties and obligations in citizenship so that he lends active aid and support to those branches which are working for the further development and upbuild- ing of city. state and country.
F. J. GREENE ENGINEERING WORKS.
There are not many hours in which the ring of hammer and steel does not waken the echoes in Racine and the name of the city has become to the outside world a synonym for unflagging industry. Various successful industrial con- eerns have contributed to the reputation of the city in this regard. The F. J. Greene Engineering Works have been in existenee sinee 1892, when the business was established by Fred and George Hodges under the firm style of Hodges & Son. Two years later, or in 1894, 12. JJ. Greene purchased an interest in the busi- ness and about 1902 he bought out George Hodges, at which time the firm style of Hodges & Greene was assumed. That relation was continued until 1904. when Mr. Greene purchased the interest of Fred Hodges, since which time the business has been carried on under the style of the F. J. Greene Engineering Works. The plant is located at the corner of Douglas and Prospect streets. . The property is two hundred and fifteen by two hundred and twenty feet and the three story buildings are all mill construction, supplied with sprinkler system. They have sixty or more employes and they manufacture special ma- chinery, also fabricate structural iron work. In addition they do general job work and repairing, having a completely equipped machine shop. Their busi- ness also includes eleetrie plating of all kinds, stamping and serew machine work and they contract for the fabrication and ereetion of steel buildings. They have furnished steel and erected most of the steel buildings in Racine that have been erected in the past few years and also important structures in this part of the state.
FREDERICK J. GREENE.
For twenty-two years Frederick J. Greene has been an active representative of the industrial life of Racine and in his business career he has eagerly em- braced the opportunities leading to success. Never content to wait for the favors which fortune might bring, he has worked diligently and has earned the rewards of earnest, self-denying labor. Racine county numbers him among
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her native sons. He was born at Berryville, this county, March 15, 1869, a son of Melville R. and Elizabeth (Collins) Greene, who were natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. Removing westward they became early residents of Raeine county, where for many years the father followed the occupation of farming, but he has now departed this life. His widow, however, still survives.
Frederick J. Greene acquired a publie school education in the district schools near his father's home and was reared to farm work, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting, he began learning the machinist's trade, working in the plant of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company until 1894, when he purchased an interest in the firm of Hodges & Son. From that time forward he has been active in the management and control of the business and gradually he took over the inter- ests of his partners, first buying out the father and afterward the son. The business is now conducted under the name of the F. J. Greene Engineering Works and Mr. Greene is most busily employed in planning, managing and controlling the interests of this establishment.
On the 5th of April, 1898, occurred the marriage of Mr. Greene and Miss Minnie MeClellan, of Racine, and to them have been born four children: Car- lyle, Berniee, Grace and Jeanette. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Greene belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Royal League. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he studies thoroughly those questions which are of vital interest in settling the affairs of the commonwealth, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests. However, he served on the board of supervisors at one time.
JENS C. JENSEN.
Jens C. Jensen, president and treasurer of the Jensen Brothers Dry Goods Store, was active in incorporating this business in 1912, but for many years before had been closely associated with commercial activity in this city. He had come to the United States in 1872 when a young man of nineteen years and in the spring of 1875, when twenty-two years of age arrived in Raeine. His birth occurred in Denmark, September 11, 1852, his parents being C. and Maria Jensen, who were natives of that country and there spent their entire lives. Reared and educated in Denmark, Jens C. Jensen determined to seek his fortune in the United States when nineteen years of age and in 1872 sailed for the new world. He spent six months in Connecticut and then removed westward to Kenosha where he obtained a clerkship in a dry goods store. con- tinning there until the spring of 1875 when he arrived in Racine. Here he also engaged in elerking until 1881 but it was his firm purpose to engage in business on his own account and with that end in view he carefully saved his earnings until he was able to form a partnership and establish a store. He became associated with Jacob Stoffel under the firm style of Jensen & Stoffel and they opened a store, which they conducted until 1887. In that year Mr. Jensen disposed of his interest to his partner and removed to California, where
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he spent five years as a dry goods clerk. In 1892 he returned to Racine and again opened a store on his own account at No. 1006 State street, being joined by his brother H. P. Jensen as a partner. Their relations continued until 1910 when the brother sold out and retired from active business. In 1902 the firm erected a building fifty-two by one hundred feet at No. 1012 to 1016 State street. This is a two-story structure. The dry goods business occupies a store with thirty feet frontage, while the remainder is rented to the Farmers & Merchants State Bank. In 1912 the business was incorporated under the name of the Jensen Brothers Dry Goods Company with Jens C. Jensen as the president and treasurer; George Jensen as the vice president and Kate Jensen as the secretary. They carry a large line of dry goods, carpets and rugs and their patronage has been steadily growing as the years have gone by, their business being now large and profitable.
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