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 45
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In 1880 Mr. Jensen was married to Miss Maggie Williams, of Racine, a daughter of Owen Williams, who was one of the pioneer residents of this city and of Welsh descent. Mrs. Jensen passed away in California in 1888 leaving three daughters : Jessie C., Louise M., and Kate, all yet at home. Mr. Jensen belongs to the Danish Society of Racine and for the past forty-three years has been a loyal member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He votes with the republican party when national questions are involved, but at local elections where there is no political issues before the people he casts an inde- pendent ballot. He is a loyal American citizen. There is none of the "hyphen- ated" spirit in his allegiance to his adopted country. He feels that he owes much to this land and its opportunities and it has been through the wise and earnest use of these opportunities that he has been enabled to work his way upward to success, being now one of the prosperous merchants of his adopted city.
CHARLES O. JOHNSON.
Charles O. Johnson, who is engaged in farming on section 14, Norway town- ship, is classed as one of the popular and highly esteemed residents of his com- munity and his friends have reason to know that he merits their regard, for his entire life has been spent in this locality. He was born March 4, 1857, in Norway township, a brother of H. F. Johnson, in connection with whose biog- raphy on another page of this work there appears mention of their parents and the family.
Charles O. Johnson obtained a district school education and then took up the occupation of farming, at first purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land following his father's death. Subsequently he bought two hundred and eighty acres more, eighty acres on the marsh and one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota. He has made most of this through his own effort and has erected all of the buildings upon his place, now having one of the most attractive and best improved farm properties in Norway township. He has care- fully cleared the land and tilled the fields. The place is rolling, thus furnish- ing ample drainage, and he utilizes the most modern methods in the care and development of the property. Stock raising and dairying are features of his
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place. He owns a registered Holstein bull and milks seventeen cows, sending the milk to the Farmers Creamery. There is a large silo upon his place, so that his stock are provided with green food through the winter months. He studies the most progressive methods of caring for his herd and also of develop- ing his fields and his success is a demonstration of the value of modern scien- tific farming.
Mr. Johnson lives with his two sisters, Caroline Julia and Sarah Elizabeth. and theirs is an attractive and well kept home. In his political views Mr. Johnson is a republican, well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but he has never held nor sought office. He is, however, a well read man upon all current questions and, moreover, he is well liked-a fact which indicates the possession of sterling traits of character. His success is justly merited, for it has come to him as the reward of persistent, earnest and intelligently directed effort.
HENRY F. MOERS.
Henry F. Moers is the senior partner of the Moers-Brandow Company, dealers in paints and wall paper and contractors in painting and decorating. In this connection they are widely known, for their work is of an important character, representing some of the finest specimens of decorative art in this section of the state. Increasing ability has brought Mr. Moers to the creditable and enviable position which he now occupies. He was born in Freeport, Illinois, October 31, 1868, and is a son of Henry and Louisa (Meyer) Moers, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in the '40s and the father worked at the trade of horseshoeing, which he had previously learned, but both he and his wife are now deceased.
Spending his youthful days at the family home in Freeport, Henry F. Moers there pursued his education through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high school pupil. He started out in the business world as a clerk in a paint and wall paper store in Freeport and thus became acquainted with the trade. In 1892 he removed to Racine and secured a posi- tion in the Buffham paint store, there remaining for nine years. He next established a paint shop of his own, which he conducted for a few years, and on the 1st of May, 1908, he joined James Pritchard and W. H. Brandow in purchasing the Tieknor paint and wall paper house at 313 Sixth street. This partnership was continued until 1910 when Mr. Pritchard sold out and the business has since been conducted under the name of the Moers-Brandow Con- pany, carrying a general line of paints and wall paper and doing contract work in painting and decorating. Their work is of a most artistic character, agreeable to the eye and displaying correct taste. They did the decorating for the Bijou theatre, the Palace theatre, the Welsh church and in nearly all of the best residences of the city. and they employ from eighteen to thirty men in the busy season.
On the 8th of October, 1903, Mr. Moers was married to Miss Estella Austin, who was born in Wyocena, Wisconsin, and they have one child, Alice Jeanette. Mrs. Moers attends the First Baptist church. They are well known socially
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and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Moers belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Royal Arcanum and is also a member of the Commercial Club, while along the line of his business activities he has connection with the Retail Merchants' Association. the Master Painters' Association and the Builders' Club. He has directed his efforts along those lines for which he is well equipped. He has taste and talent in his chosen field and his inherent powers have not only been carefully cultivated but have also been supplemented by the knowledge which study and experience bring.
CHARLES F. BARNDT.
Charles F. Barndt is considered a valuable addition to the business circles of Racine, with which he became identified in October, 1913, when he removed to this eity and entered into active trade relations here as the vice president and factory manager of the Raeine Manufacturing Company. He was born in a suburb of Philadelphia on the 6th of April, 1876, a son of John G. and Annie M. (Clymer) Barndt. The father was a carriage builder who for many years was connected with the business but is now living retired at the age of seventy-eight years. He has long been a race horse fancier and still has a stable of fine horses. He formed an acquaintance with J. I. Case through their mutual interests in race horses and they became firm friends. In traeing the aneestry of the Barndt family it is seen that they are descended from two brothers of Seotch birth, one of whom remained in Philadelphia, while the other eame to Wisconsin in the days of Indian oeeupaney in this state, seeur- ing land from the government about twelve miles northwest of Milwaukee. The journey westward was made with teams and the two families, the one of Pennsylvania and the other of Wisconsin. did not know each other until a recent date.
After mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools. Charles F. Brandt also attended a private school of Philadelphia, spending three years as a student in Brunner's Seminary. Later he pursued a course in mechanical drafting in New York and he received practical business training as an apprentice to the carriage maker's trade in his father's factory, where he mastered the business with thoroughness, aequainting himself with the trade in principle and detail. He afterward went to Wilmington, Delaware, where he entered the employ of the F. F. Clymer Company as a designer and draftsman, continuing there for a year and a half. He next entered the employ of the Columbus Buggy Company at Columbus, Ohio, as a designer and superintendent of construction and for ten years was thus connected with that establishment. In October. 1913. he came to Racine as viee president and factory manager of the Racine Manufacturing Company. His thorough understanding of the business in its various departments has been one of the potent forces in the success of this undertaking. He has had broad prac- tieal experience and knows the business in every phase and detail ; therefore.
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working along well defined lines, he lays his plans carefully and directs his efforts successfully.
On the 27th of February, 1900. Mr. Barndt was married to Miss Bertha T. Rosenberger, of Philadelphia. He belongs to the Masonie fraternity, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the United Commercial Travelers. He studies the conditions and questions of citizenship and votes independently, not caring to ally himself with any party and pledge his allegiance thereto. Thoroughness characterizes him in every undertaking and what he purposes he accomplishes. He early learned to be a correct judge of materials and workmanship and is thus able to direct the efforts of those who are in his serviee, knowing what each man should aceomplish and the manner in which the work should be done. Ile is thus especially well qualified to control the factory interests and he also has the executive power which makes his judg- ment a valued asset in the management of the business.
EDWARD BRICE.
Edward Brice is the owner of an excellent farm situated on seetion 7 of Raymond township and thereon he is sueeessfully engaged in general agrieul- tural pursuits and dairying. His birth occurred in Raymond township. De- eember 2. 1858. his parents being Thomas and Alice (Drought) Brice. The mother was a native of Ireland but was only two weeks old when she was brought by her family to the new world. Her parents first settled in Canada, where they remained until she was twelve years of age. Mrs. Brice then came to Raeine county with her brother, making the journey in an ox eart. The entire distriet was wild and undeveloped and the Indians were still numerous in the neighborhood. There was much wild game to be had and the entire distriet was covered with its native growth of timber and grasses. The brother built a log house and prepared the place for his par- ents who came the following year. Thomas Brice, the father of our subjeet. was born in Ireland and on coming to the new world spent a year at Coney Island, after which he removed to Raeine county. He was about sixty-five years of age at the time of his death, his birth having occurred in 1824 while in 1889 he passed away. His wife, who was born in 1825, died in 1908, hav- ing reached the ripe old age of eighty-three years. In their family were eleven children, of whom the following are yet living: Emily, the widow of Joseph Field and a resident of Manistee, Michigan; Jane, who married John Mathias and after his death was married to Wesley Ash but is again a widow and makes her home in Raymond township; Eliza, the widow of William Killips, of Waukesha county; Amelia, Edward; Sherman, who married Eliza West and after her death married Matilda Christensen, his home being in Raymond township; and Frank. In his political views the father was a stalwart republican, always giving earnest support to the party. He he- longed to the Baptist church while his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both were early pioneers in this district although Mrs. Briee was here for some years before her husband's arrival, coming in 1838
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almost before the seeds of civilization had been planted in the district. There was no phase of frontier life with which she was not familiar-the log cabin with its fireplace and tallow candles and the uneut forests. All these were features of the district when she arrived and her father, George Drought. who came the following year, bore an active part in promoting the pioneer development of the region.
Edward Briee obtained his education in the district schools and worked on the farm through the summer months, the winter seasons being devoted to the acquirement of his education. When his textbooks were put aside he gave his entire attention to farming and following his mother's death he and his sister and brother purchased the old home place on which he yet makes his home. The farm comprises one hundred and six acres of rich and productive land which he has brought to a high state of cultivation where his practical and progressive methods are manifest in the excellent crops which he annually raises. He has put up new buildings and part of the modern equipment of his place is a large silo. In connection with general farming he does some dairying and both branches of his business are prov- ing profitable. In fact in all matters relating to the farm he displays sound judgment and unfaltered enterprise and his success is the result of his labors. In politics he is a republican but is inclined to the independent forces and he has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his entire time and attention on his chosen occupation.
A. H. THOMAS.
A. H. Thomas, occupying an attractive and beautiful residence at the corner of Ninth street and Grand avenue, in Racine, is widely known throughout the middle west in connection with engineering and contract work, and in fact his reputation in this connection extends much farther than the states of the Mis- sissippi valley. His pronounced ability and indefatigable energy are the basic principles of his success. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, October 1. 1871, and is a son of John P. and Emma (Vogel) Thomas. The father, a marine engineer, devoted his life to that business, but both he and his wife have now - passed away.
After acquiring a public school education A. H. Thomas turned his attention to the heating and ventilator business and eventually became an engineer and contractor. He was associated with the firm of B. F. Sturtevant & Com- pany of Chicago as superintendent of construction for about twelve years and as their representative did work throughout the middle west. In 1906 he came to Racine and was with the O. C. Davis Company for two years, at the end of which time he 'embarked in business on his own account and has so continued since 1908. He does factory, school and public building work and his services are in demand throughout the middle west. He has his main office at No. 708 Ninth street, Racine, and he employs as many as twenty skilled work- men. He takes only large contracts and did more than one hundred thousand dollars worth of work for the state of Michigan on the State University and
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the Traverse City Hospital. His contracts have taken him as far west as Dakota and east to the Atlantic coast and his work is ever of the highest grade.
In April, 1896, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Mary MeCabe, of Detroit. and their children are Norman and Raymond, who are in business with their father. Mr. Thomas has never become a partisan politician but maintains an independent attitude in the exercise of his right of franchise. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of lodge and chapter, and he is also identified with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Eagles. An analyzation of his life work shows that diligence and determination have been the basis of his success and by perseverance and determination he has overcome the obstacles which have barred his path to prosperity.
RELIANCE AUTOMATIC LIGHTING COMPANY.
With the development of the electrical industry there have sprung up vari- ous enterprises having to do with lighting equipment and such a concern is the Reliance Automatic Lighting Company, which was organized in Warren, Ohio, in 1909, but removed its business to Racine in 1911. The concern is owned and operated by Benjamin F. Flegel, who is engaged in the manufacture of an automatic time switch, a clock apparatus for turning lights on and off at prearranged times for store signs, windows and apartment house hall lights. etc., operating on one, two or three circuits. The device is most simple and reliable and is the cheapest machine of the kind on the market. The plant has had an average annual increase of forty per cent in its business. Mr. Flegel embarked in this undertaking with a borrowed capital of five hundred dollars and something of the rapid and substantial growth of the business is indicated in the fact that he is now clearing over ten thousand dollars annually. He has invented and perfected a number of other articles which are proving of worth and his skill, ingenuity and business enterprise are proving the substantial basis upon which he is building his prosperity.
BENJAMIN F. FLEGEL.
Benjamin F. Flegel, the organizer and promoter of the Reliance Automatic Lighting Company of Racine, was born near Portage, Wisconsin, August 28, 1878, a son of Ferdinand and Alice (Neef) Flegel. The father was a carpenter by trade but the family lived upon a farm during the early boyhood of Ben- jamin F. Flegel, who began his education in the district schools. In 1887, the father removed with his family to Tomahawk, Wisconsin, so that he continued his education there as a public school pupil. When fourteen years of age, how- ever, he started out to earn his own living and secured employment as a watch- maker and for fifteen years was connected with the jewelry business. In 1899 he came to Racine and worked for Charles Lovell, a jeweler, with whom he con- tinued for two years. In 1901 he bought ont Mr. Lovell and continued in the
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jewelry business until 1908, after which he went east and was engaged in the manufacturing business as a manufacturer of fishing tackle. He is himself a noted disciple of Izaak Walton and holds the world's record for long distance casting. The record, which he made on the 5th, 6th and 7th of September, 1914, was for a half ounce, two hundred and twenty-two feet and one inch ; for a quarter ounce, one hundred and seventy-seven feet and five inches, both being for an average of five casts. Both of these are world's records. He used tackle of his own design and his tackle is now manufactured on a royalty basis. In 1909 he organized the Reliance Automatic Lighting Company in Warren, Ohio, and in 1911 removed the plant to Racine. The plant for the switch has a capacity of eighteen hundred machines per year and shipments are made all over the United States and to various points abroad.
On the 2nd of July, 1901, Mr. Flegel was married to Miss Helen Basinger, of Racine, a daughter of Volney and Mary (Burdick) Basinger, who were early settlers of this city. where her father engaged in the livery business. To Mr. and Mrs. Flegel have been born two children : Volney Benjamin, whose birth occurred in June, 1902, and who died aged one year and ten months; and Dean Franklin, who was born in Ohio in September, 1907.
Mr. Flegel occupies an enviable position in business circles of Racine and also has a most extensive acquaintance among sportsmen who make fishing their chief source of recreation. Cordial and genial in, disposition, he wins friends wherever he goes and has the high regard of all with whom he has been associated.
JOHN MARTIN.
John Martin, who passed away in Racine in 1900 at the age of seventy-four years, devoted the greater part of his life to carpentering. He was born in England on the 13th of April, 1826, and at an early age came to America with his parents, the family locating in New York city. There he attended school and learned the carpenter's trade, in which he became unusually proficient. At the age of twenty-one years he came to Racine county, Wisconsin, and pur- chased eighty acres of land in Yorkville township, on which he resided for eight years. He then removed to Racine, where he made his home until his death in 1900. He erected many buildings in this county and gained an en- viable reputation for fine workmanship and reliability. He was a poet of some note and many of his poems have been published.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mary De Hule, and they became the parents of eleven children, namely: Thomas. deceased; William, a resident of California ; Samuel, deceased; Emily. who is now Mrs. Willis Collins of Minnesota; Anna Maria. now Mrs. Buckley; Mary S., the wife of Edward Connor, of Kansas City, Missouri : Thirza Jane Alice, deceased : Frances Ros- altha, the wife of Robert Green, of Racine; Lilly Eliza, the wife of Edward Thorpe, of Marshfield; Harriet Le Roy, the wife of George B. Freeman : and Genevieve Annette. deceased.
MRS. ANNA M. BUCKLEY
1
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Mr. Martin supported the republican party at the polls and took a com- mendable interest in public affairs, although not an office seeker. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to the teachings of which he conformed his life. He had a wide acquaintance, and his genuine worth is attested by the fact that those who were most intimately associated with him were his warmest friends. His wife died in 1871.
His daughter, Anna Maria, was born on the 26th of April, 1855, and ac- quired her education in the district schools of Racine county. She remained at home until her marriage when, on the 7th of November, 1871, she became the wife of Armitage Buckley, a son of James and Sarah Buckley. For many years Armitage Buckley was a well known agriculturist of this county, but is now living retired in Racine. In polities he is a republican. He is a man of excellent character and is well known for his sterling qualities throughout Racine and Kenosha counties. Mrs. Buckley possesses marked literary ability and has written in all about two hundred poems, eighty-three of which were published in book form. She generously gave the proceeds of the sale of these volumes to charity. She received the inspiration for her writings from her life in the country, being sensitive to the beauty of her surroundings. Her sisters, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Thorpe and Mrs. Freeman, have also written poems of merit. Among Mrs. Buckley's poems the following is one of her favorites :
DREAMS OF MY CHILDHOOD.
Oh, the home of my youth in my faney I see, Still dear in my memory to me. The bright flowing stream with its borders of green. As it sped gently on to the sea.
'Neath the blue vault of Heaven stood the old cabin home- "was there I in infancy played ---
Through the half-open door and vine-covered porch Stood a form that now sleeps 'neath the shade.
'Twas the form of my mother. so loving and true. Still young in my memory today ; Through that half-open door her form I still see. And the path where so often we strayed.
And the sweet singing bird at morning's first dawn, As then would my slumbers awake, Would thrill me with joy and unspeakable love, Which from me no mortal can take.
No harp half so sweet as the Bobolink's call. No music so soothing and dear, As the Robin's sad note and Bluebird's song, As when they first fall on our ear.
But the pride of my youth was the forest so wild. When often with joy I have strayed. For the fairest of flowers that nature yields Are the blossoms that bloom in the shade.
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Oh. why must I leave you, dear scenes of my youth, And why not forever abide
Where the song bird warbles his earliest note While praising its maker who died.
Farewell, then, dear home, and scenes of my youth. Farewell till we meet home at last.
Where sorrow and tears shall never be known, And trouble a thing of the past.
ALEXANDER SUMPTER.
Alexander Sumpter, residing in Union Grove, devotes his attention to gen- eral farming and to the raising of chickens and his business has assumed ex- tensive proportions, bringing a good financial return. He was born in York- ville, Wisconsin, September 6, 1864, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Cheas- man) Sumpter, both of whom were natives of Lincolnshire. England, born in 1818 and 1821 respectively. They were married in their native county and in 1850 came to the United States, making their way to Yorkville township, Racine county. For a few years Mr. Sumpter was there employed at farm labor and afterward went to the town of Dover, where he purchased a traet of land, becoming the owner of two hundred and five aeres. He afterward bought land quite extensively in Yorkville but eventually he removed with his wife to Alabama, where Mrs. Sumpter passed away in 1897, while his death there occurred in 1905. They were consistent and faithful members of the Con- gregational church, in which Mr. Sumpter served as deacon for many years. He was also chairman of the board of trustees and was a local preacher of the church. He could work all day and would then walk ten miles in order to preach. such was his deep interest in the work of spreading the Gospel among men. He was well known and well liked, honest and reliable, and in his business undertakings he prospered. When he reached Yorkville he had but twelve dollars and as the years passed he so directed his business affairs that he gained a very gratifying competence. He had for fourteen years been a sailor in England before he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and he was son of William Sumpter, who died in England, and a relative of Captain Sumpter. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he served on the board of supervisors in his township and also as assessor. His life was fraught with good deeds and actuated by high purposes and. com- manded the respect and confidence of all.
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