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 46
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In the family of Mr. and Mrs. John Sumpter were twelve children, of whom six are living : Mary Ann, who is the wife of Gus Beacher, a resident farmer of Dover township; John, a retired farmer living at Cedar Falls, Iowa ; Fannie. the widow of John Murgatroyd, who was a brickmason, his wife being now a resident of Vesper, Wisconsin; Alfred, a resident farmer of Union Grove : George, who is janitor of the St. James public school in Racine : and Alexander, at home.
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The last named obtained a district school education and on starting out in life on his own account became interested in the manufacture of tile, being associated with his father in the ownership of a tile works at Union Grove. He afterward drilled wells for two years and later he purchased from his father a farm in Dover township. After cultivating this for a time he sold out and invested in his present farm of fifty-two acres in Yorkville township. Here he has a niee residence, in the rear of which are good barns and other necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, while these in turn are surrounded by highly cultivated fields. Everything about the place indi- cates his careful supervision and progressive management. He devotes the greater part of his attention to his farm, on which he is now engaged in raising garden produee and chickens, being one of the extensive chieken raisers in this part of the state. He has a large incubator, has greatly increased his busi- ness and expects to raise in the present year about six thousand chickens. He handles brown and white Leghorns and his opinions are accepted as authority upon many questions relating to chicken raising.
On the 11th of March. 1890, Mr. Sumpter was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Matilda Savage. a daughter of William Savage, a retired farmer living in Union Grove. They became the parents of a son, Howard Sumpter, who was born March 13, 1891. He was graduated from the Union Grove high school, after which he spent one year as a student in Beloit College and one vear as a student in Northwestern University of Chicago. He was made a member of the Seribblers, a college fraternity, and he was also on the basket ball team at Northwestern University for a year. He is now at home, giving his energies to assisting his father in the conduct of a growing and important business.
The parents and the son are members of the Congregational church and Mr. and Mrs. Sumpter have long been members of the choir, in which Mr. Sumpter has sung for thirty years, being leader most of the time. Their son is president of the Southeastern Wisconsin Christian Endeavor Union. Their influence is always on the side of right and progress. truth and reform, and their work has been an element in advancing moral interests in this part of the state, while as a business man Mr. Sumpter also occupies a very prominent and gratifying position.
J. I. CASE PLOW WORKS.
The story of the growth of the J. I. Case Plow Works from a small, obseure blacksmith shop in the rear of a fanning mill factory to the present large con- eern occupying over twenty acres of space, is a story of constant progress based upon quality and service. From the beginning the poliey of the company has been to make every tool that bore its trademark a little better than any other similar tool and to co-operate to the fullest extent with the dealer han- dling its products. The business was organized in 1876 by J. I. Case under the name of the Case-Whiting Company, his partner, Mr. Whiting, being the inven- tor of the center draft walking plow. Two years later Mr. Whiting sold
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his interest in the concern and the name was changed to the J. I. Case Plow Company, which remained the firm style until 1884, when the business was reorganized, the capital increased and the name changed to the J. I. Case Plow Works. In 1890 J. I. Case withdrew from the business and his son, Jackson I. Case, succeeded him as president of the company and held that office for two years. In 1892. however, H. M. Wallis, who became general manager of the business in 1885, was made president and treasurer and he is still serving as chief executive of the corporation. The other officers are : William Sobey, vice president ; L. N. Burns, secretary and general sales mana- ger ; and William M. La Venture, treasurer. The company is now one of the largest independent implement concerns in the world and its products are sold from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, throughout the Dominion and in other foreign countries. The company em- ploys over six hundred men, all of them skilled mechanics who are expert in their particular work, and there is a system of rigid inspection which begins when the raw material is brought into the factory and which is continued until the completed tool is pronounced worthy of the "Plow in Hand" trade- mark, which has become associated in the minds of dealers and farmers with the highest quality possible in farm implements. If at any stage of the proc- ess of manufacture poor material or faulty workmanship is found the imple- ment is rejected, for the slogan "Quality goes in before the name goes on" is the actual standard of work in the company's factory.
One of the most important departments of the company is the experi- mental department, in which expert mechanical engineers are constantly seek- ing to design more efficient farm machinery. They keep in mind in working out new implements the need of simplicity, light draft and case of handling and their ideas have been worked out in tools which do the work for which they are intended thoroughly in the shortest time possible and with the least effort and expense on the part of the farmer. The determination of the officials of the company to make its product the last word in up-to-date farm machinery is further indicated by the fact that every new implement designed by the . engineers is thoroughly tested in actual operation before it is finally adopted. It is recognized that factory forecasts cannot determine the efficiency of a plow or harrow or other farming tool as well as its actual use and therefore a large three hundred acre farm south of Racine is used for experimental pur- poses. If a machine fails to do efficiently the work for which it was designed it is returned to the factory, where the defects are corrected and it is then tested and re-tested until it gives absolute satisfaction. Practical and experi- enced men operate the machines and in determining upon their worth nothing is overlooked, the draft, accuracy and durability all being carefully taken into consideration. The performance of the machines in various kinds of soil is also carefully noted and these observations greatly help in designing and adapting implements to the requirements of various localities. The dealer and farmer know that every Case implement has been subjected to repeated field tests before it is placed on the market, whether it be the smallest J. I. Case walking plow or a power lift tractor gang, a cultivator, harrow or planter.
The J. I. Case Plow Works not only takes the greatest care to insure the high quality of its product but has also given a great deal of attention to the
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problem of aiding its dealers in increasing their sales and has been very site- cessful in securing their hearty co-operation. The company has worked out plans for intensified, direct as well as general advertising campaigns and news- paper cut service which have been very effective in building up the trade even in spite of adverse general business conditions. The corporation gives its dealers the benefit of its wide experience in advertising and supplies them with free movie slides and with signs of various kinds, either free or at a very low figure, and its salesmen are expected to co-operate with the dealers in every way possible.
The factory buildings are up-to-date in construction, are protected from fire loss by a modern sprinkler system and the machinery is adequately guarded so as to prevent accidents. There is also a fully equipped emergency hospital and many minor injuries are cared for there during the year. The factory ranks among the most modern and best conducted industrial plants in the country.
H. M. WALLIS.
The rapid and steady growth of the business of the J. I. Case Plow Works and the enviable standing of the Company's products are due in large measure to the personal foree, the executive ability and the high business standards of H. M. Wallis, who for twenty-four years has been president of the corpora- tion. He was born in White Pigeon, Michigan, on the 24th of June. 1861, a son of T. O. and Eliza A. (Mitchell) Wallis, born respectively in Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia, and in Kenosha, then Southport, Wisconsin. The father engaged in the real estate business in Detroit, Michigan, for many years and met with gratifying success in that connection.
When a child H. M. Wallis lost his father and accompanied his mother to Racine, Wisconsin, when six years old. After completing the course offered in the public schools he entered MeMyn Academy. from which he was graduated. When sixteen years of age he went to work in the office of the Mitehell-Lewis Wagon Company and six years later was made receiver of the Fish Brothers Wagon Company. He gave evidence of so much administrative ability and possessed such a thorough grasp of the implement business that he was made general manager of the J. I. Case Plow Works, becoming at that time a member of the company. In 1892 he was elected president of the concern and has sinee filled that responsible position. He keeps in close touch with the vari- ous departments, requires the greatest possible efficiency and insists that the Case watch words, quality and service, be lived up to in all the work done. Moreover, he possesses to a marked degree the power to quickly and surely recognize the essential points of a situation, to decide promptly and wisely, and is seldom at fault in his judgment of men. He is also president and treas- urer of the Wallis Tractor Company, which was organized in 1912, and which manufactures a full line of tractors. William Quarles is vice president and H. M. Wallis, Jr., is secretary of the corporation.
In April, 1883. at the old home of J. I. Case-now the residence of Mrs. Per-
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cival Fuller, Mr. Wallis was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Fremont Case, a daughter of J. I. Case, and they have two children : Lydia E., at home; and H. M., Jr.
Mr. Wallis takes a helpful interest in public affairs but has not been active in polities. He has given his entire time and attention to his duties as head of the J. I. Case Plow Works and through his foresight, his construetive ability and his business aeumen has gained a foremost place in manufacturing eireles of the middle west.
WILLIAM M. LA VENTURE.
The fact that William M. La Venture, although still a comparatively young man, holds the important position of treasurer in the J. I. Case Plow Works is proof of his enterprise, his knowledge of modern business methods and his financial acumen. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, in 1875. a son of William and Margaret La Venture, the former of whom was for about fifty years with the Rock Island Railroad and for a considerable portion of that time its tax commissioner.
W. M. La Venture received his education in the public and high schools of Davenport and on beginning his independent eareer seeured a position with the Roek Island railroad. He remained with that corporation for ten years, but in 1905 became assistant purchasing agent for the Moline Plow Company and two years later was made purchasing agent for the J. I. Case Plow Works, with which company he has remained. He at onee demonstrated his ability and in time was promoted to manager of the purchasing and traffie department and in 1911 was elected a director of the company. Three years later he was chosen treasurer and has sinee served in that capacity.
Mr. La Venture was married in 1898 to Miss Bessie Anderson Burrows of Davenport. and they are the parents of two children : Mildred, fourteen years old, and William, eleven years of age, both attending school. Mr. La Venture endorses the principles of the republican party and supports its candidates at the polls. He holds membership in the First Presbyterain church of Raeine and in all relations of life conforms his eonduet to high standards. All who have been associated with him have the utmost confidence in his ability to sueeessfully solve intricate business problems and in his uncompromising integrity.
LOUIS N. BURNS.
Louis N. Burns, who holds the offices of secretary and sales manager in the J. I. Case Plow Works, has been connected with the manufacture of farm implements continuously sinee he was sixteen years of age with the exception of one year, and his thorough knowledge of the business, his aggressiveness and sound judgment have been among the most important factors in his sue-
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cess. As sales manager he has developed in the sa'es organization a fine spirit of co-operation and loyalty to the company and has based the selling policy of the company upon a businesslike and convincing presentation of the superior merits of its products. He was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, on the 16th of January. 1866, and his parents were Louis H. and Julia H. (Hildebrand) Burns. The father was by occupation a farmer and both are now deceased.
After completing his public school course L. N. Burns attended a business college at Peoria, but when sixteen years old began his career, entering the employ of the Kingman Plow Company at Peoria. He remained with them for twenty-nine years and rose through intermediate positions to manager of their St. Louis branch. During the year 1885 he was bookkeeper for the Bank of Dwight, at Dwight, Illinois, but decided that the implement business was more to his liking and accordingly returned to the Kingman Plow Company. He displayed so much ability in the management of their St. Louis branch that on the 2d of January, 1913, he was chosen sales manager of the J. I. Case Plow Works at Racine, and has since served in that capacity. He is constantly on the outlook for new ideas and methods and has brought his department up to a high standard of efficiency. In 1914 he was further honored by election as secretary of the company.
On the 4th of May, 1887, Mr. Burns was united in marriage to Miss Flor- ence Bethard, of Peoria, Illinois, and they have the following children: Ray Alexander, who is living in St. Louis: Gladys, at home: Julia, who is attend- ing the State University of Wisconsin : Robert; Florence, and Donald.
Mr. Burns is independent in politics, voting for the best man without regard to party allegiance. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and frater- nally is identified with the Masonic order and the Elks. All who come in contact with him recognize his ability, his keen insight and his determination and, moreover, he is popular personally.
WILLIAM SOBEY.
William Sobey, the vice president of the J. I. Case Plow Works, has been connected with the implement business for fifty-six years and for a third of a century has been with the Case Company. He entered its employ in a com- paratively unimportant capacity but his industry, knowledge of the business, and his power to direet the work of others, led to his advancement from one position to another and for about fourteen years he has held the office of vice president. The greater part of his work has been done as superintendent and designer and he has taken out over thirty different patents on plows all of which are in the name of the company.
His birth occurred in Plymouth, England, on the 4th of January, 1849, and his parents were William and Elizabeth (Harvey) Sobey, the former of whom engaged in farming in England until his demise in 1851. In 1857 his wife and children went to Canada in company with her brother and she passed away in the Dominion in 1892. When nine years old William Sobey began working
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upon a farm on his own account and at the age of fourteen learned the black- smith's trade. In 1865 he removed to Loda, Iroquois county, Illinois, and for two years worked at his trade. In 1867 he became blacksmith on an immense farm comprising forty-five thousand acres of land in Livingston and Ford counties, Illinois, and belonging to Mike Sullivan. While there Mr. Sobey took apart the plows which had been used and studied them carefully in order to discover why they had not given good satisfaction and found that they were ill-fitted for use in the kind of soil found upon the farm. He designed a new plow and rebuilt the old ones according to the new plans and found that they worked much more efficiently. This accomplishment gained him considerable note and in the spring of 1868 he secured a position in the Decatur Agricultural Works, devoted to the manufacture of plows and from that time until the fall of 1883 was employed in various plow shops. He then accepted a position as foreman in the blacksmith shop of the J. I. Case Plow Works and three years later was promoted to superintendent. He served in that capacity until about 1902 when he was made general superintendent and vice president, which positions he is now filling. He has not only been very successful in supervising the operation of the shops and in securing the co-oper- ation of the men under him, but is also the inventor of many of the improve- ments found on the Case plows. He has taken out in all thirty patents, all of which are owned by the company.
Mr. Sobey was united in marriage at Decatur, Illinois, on the 19th of Sep- tember, 1872, to Miss Mary Keane, a daughter of Morris and Hannah (Doyle) Keane. Mrs. Sobey passed away in October, 1913.
Mr. Sobey supported the republican party until 1872 and then became a democrat, but in 1896 took issue with some of the policies of that party and again became a supporter of the republican party. He votes a republican ticket when national issues are at stake but in other elections votes inde- pendently. He is well known in local fraternal circles, belonging to the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is unassuming in manner but those who have been closely associated with him appreciate his loyalty in friendship, his consideration of the rights of others. his sincerity and his unswerving integrity, and there are few men in Racine who have a larger number of true friends than he.
BERT EDWARD DUNN.
Bert Edward Dunn. one of the proprietors of the Elite Laundry, has proven in his life record that success is not a matter of genius or the result of fortunate circumstances, but is the outcome of indefatigable industry. clear judgment and experience. He was born in Dalton, New York, June 28, 1869, a son of Albert and Nellie (Gearhart) Dunn, the former a farmer by occupa- tion. He obtained a public school education and then turned his attention to cheese making, in which business he engaged for three years. In 1890. he arrived in Chicago and was engaged in railroading for four years, but in 1894 turned his attention to the laundry business as an employe of the Indiana
BERT E. DUNN
JOHN G. EAGER
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Steam Laundry Company of Chicago. Later the name of this concern was changed to the Harvey Laundry and its location was at No. 89-91 Indiana street. After three years Mr. Dunn beeame connected with the Star Laundry and later with the Wabash Hand Laundry. In 1909 he came to Raeine and formed a partnership with John G. Eager for the purchase of the Elite Laundry, which they have since conducted. Their business has enjoyed a substantial growth. It is based upon broad practical experience and seientifie knowledge, a knowledge that embraces not only the important features of the work, but also ineludes a thorough understanding of many textiles, so that they know how to handle the work which comes to them.
On the 11th of February, 1900, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Lulu Sokup of Chicago. He is well known in fraternal eireles, being a member of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Dramatie Order of the Knights of Khorassan, the Moose. the Eagles, the Royal Arcanum and the Modern Wood- men. He is also identified with the Commercial Club and with the Raeine Junction Improvement Association and he stands for progress in all those things which promote the publie welfare as well as advance individual inter- ests.
JOHN G. EAGER.
John G. Eager is elassed with the most enterprising business men of Racine. He is a partner of Bert E. Dunn in the ownership and conduct of the Elite Laundry and in this connection they have developed a business of extensive proportions. Their life history in its unfolding shows steady and consecutive development and eannot fail to prove of interest as it indicates the oppor- tunities that lie before the American youth. Mr. Eager was born in Matamoras, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1876, and is a son of Charles L. and Roxana (Priee) Eager, who in the year 1891 removed westward to Chicago, where the wife and mother passed away October 10, 1905. The father, who is a retired rail- way engineer, is now living in Racine.
John G. Eager. when a lad of fifteen years, began driving a delivery wagon for a laundry and was afterward employed in various laundries of Chicago, where he gained a comprehensive knowledge of the business, winning that broad experience which has constituted the foundation of his present success. In 1899 he came to Raeine, entering the W. L. Hagman Laundry as an employe. He was afterward employed by the Model Laundry on Sixth street and subsequently became manager of a elothing business, but embarked in business on his own account on the 3rd of May, 1909, when he became one of the proprietors of the Elite Laundry. He has since bent every energy toward the development of the business, with the result that the trade has rapidly inereased. The firm has never deviated from the high standards which it set up at the beginning. They have won their patronage through the excellence of their work and the honesty of their methods and today theirs is one of the profitable industrial concerns of Raeine.
On the 30th of September, 1912, Mr. Eager was married to Miss Jean Lindsay, of Chicago, and they have a son, Frank, three years of age. Frater-
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nally Mr. Eager is connected with the Knights of Pythias, in which he is a past chancellor ; with Racine Lodge, No. 437, L. O. O. M., in which he is dictator; with the Royal Arcanum, in which he is grand orator, and with the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan, in which he is serving as imperial deputy for Wisconsin. He is also president of the Association of Live Secretaries of the last named order and adjutant of the Wisconsin Brigade of the Uniform Rank of Knights of Pythias. He is likewise a Mason, an Elk and an Eagle and he has membership in the Commercial Club and the Racine Junction Ad- vancement Association. He is president of the Wisconsin Laundrymen's Asso- ciation and is now serving his second term. These interests and connections as well as his business have brought him a wide acquaintance and he is popular wherever he is known. Firm purpose is one of his marked characteristics and he never falters in the performance of a task to which he has set himself. His business methods are such as invite investigation and his course receives the indorsement of all.
J. E. PRITCHARD.
J. E. Pritchard has in various ways been connected with the interests of Racine, having previously served as postmaster, while in business affairs his activity has contributed to the general commercial development. Since 1915 he has been engaged in the real estate, insurance and loan business. He was born in this city, March 18, 1872, a son of Elias J. and Martha (Evans) Prit- chard, the former a native of North Wales and the latter of South Wales. The paternal grandfather, David Pritchard, who came to Racine in 1845, was a woodworker by trade. He established his home on Grand avenue, between Eighth and Ninth streets, and there resided until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-six years of age. The maternal grandfather. James T. Evans, arrived in Racine in 1850 and worked at the molder's trade in the employ of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company. Elias J. Pritchard was also a molder and for many years was employed by the Case Threshing Machine Company, but at the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and per- sonal considerations and responded to the country's call for troops, enlist- ing as a member of Company F, Twenty-second Wisconsin Regiment, with which he served from 1862 until 1865. On retiring from the service of the Case Company he secured an appointment as letter carrier in Racine and so continued from 1885 until his death, which occurred in March, 1886. ITis wife, who was born in 1845, died in February, 1914.
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