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 47
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When a little lad of six years J. E. Pritchard became a pupil in the public schools of Racine and passed through consecutive grades until a high school education qualified him, for life's practical and responsible duties. He started in the business world as a machinist in the shops of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, there remaining for five years, and his initial experience in insurance lines was received as an employe of the David G. Janes Company between the years 1895 and 1897. In the latter year he was appointed assistant postmaster of Racine and so served for four years under J. I. Case and for
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four years under H. J. Smith. He resigned under Postmaster Gittings and in 1909 entered into the retail paint and oil business as a member of the firm of Moers, Pritchard & Brandow. On the 1st of November, 1910, he was appointed postmaster of Raeine and sold his interest in the paint company, continuing to serve as postmaster for more than four years. On his retirement from that office, in which he made a most ereditable record, he opened an insurance, real estate and loan office at No. 852 Washington boulevard and is now active along that line, having won a liberal clientage that already makes his business a profitable one.
On the 19th of June, 1903, Mr. Pritchard was married to Miss Harriet Klinkert, a daughter of E. Klinkert, who was one of the early settlers of this county. He was born in Germany, November 11, 1844, a son of J. and Mary Klinkert, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. E. Klinkert came to the United States in 1866 and settled at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In Germany he had learned the brewing business and when in 1873 he removed from Mil- waukee to Raeine he here opened the Klinkert brewery on the 1st of March of that year, the location being at Nos. 800-832 Washington boulevard. He started the business in a small way but his patronage has steadily grown and the sales now eover a broad seetion. In 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Walter, a native of Germany. the wedding being celebrated in St. Louis. They became the parents of the following named: Louis, who is now foreman in the brewery; Harriet, now Mrs. Pritchard; Frank, who is with his father in business; Mrs. Ella K. Von Bories, a resident of Chicago ; George, who is with his father in business; and Jennie, the wife of R. T. Williams, living in Kenosha. Mr. Klinkert, is a member of the Deutscher Club and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while in polities he main- tains an independent course, never allying himself with any party.
Mr. Pritchard is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a prominent Mason, belonging to lodge, chapter and commandery. His father was eminent commander of Raeine Commandery, No. 7, at the time of his death and he was the leader of the Belle City male chorus, being recognized as one of the prominent musicians of the state. J. E. Pritchard holds member- ship in the Baptist church, of which his grandfather was one of the founders, and his political allegianee is given to the republican party. He stands for those things which are most worth while in the life of the community and his influenee is on the side of progress, reform and improvement.
MARTIN LARSEN.
Martin Larsen, one of the partners in the business conducted under the name of the Junetion Furniture Company at No. 1326 Washington avenue, was born in Denmark, January 22, 1869, a son of Lars and Maria Hansen. He obtained his education in his native country and in the year 1886 arrived in Wisconsin, settling at Neenah. IIe had previously learned the cigar maker's trade and he followed that business in Neenah for a year, after which he was employed in a similar capacity in Oshkosh for four years. He arrived in
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Raeine in 1891 and here followed his trade for several years, but desirous of engaging in business on his own account, he embraced the opportunity in 1910 of purchasing an interest in the furniture store of Peter Christiansen, whereupon was organized the firm of Christiansen & Larsen. They are con- dueting business under the name of the Junction Furniture Company at No. 1326 Washington avenue and are accorded a liberal patronage which is well merited. They carry an attractive line of goods, which they sell at reasonable priees, and their business methods are such as will at all times bear elose investigation and serutiny.
On the 5th of November, 1895, Mr. Larsen was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Hansen, who was born in Denmark and is a daughter of Rasmus Hansen, who established his home in Neenah, Wisconsin, in 1883. To Mr. and Mrs. Larsen were born three children: Lawrenee, who is a bookkeeper and stenographer in the employ of the Perfex Radiator Company: and Harold and Elmer, who are attending school.
Mr. Larsen is a member of the Danish Brotherhood and has been identified with the supreme lodge for eight years. He was chairman of the building committee when the hall was ereeted in Racine in 1910 and he has held all the offices in the order, serving as trustee for four years and as vice president of the supreme lodge for four years. He is also a member of the Danish Society of Raeine and he does all in his power to aid his fellow countrymen who come to this section of the state to seek the opportunities offered by the new world. At the same time he is a most loyal American citizen and willingly eo-operates in all well defined plans and measures for the upbuilding of Racine and the promotion of its interests.
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W. H. BRANDOW.
W. H. Brandow is a member of the firm of Moers & Brandow, conducting a painting contracting business in Racine. Michigan numbers him one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Pontiac, that state, on the 2d of January, 1858, his parents being Frederiek and Lucy (Crandall) Brandow, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Kenosha. Wisconsin. The maternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Kenosha county where he served as sheriff in an early day. It was in the year 1864 that Frederiek Brandow left Michigan and removed with his family to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he eondueted business as a baker and confectioner, having early learned those trades. In 1871 he arrived in Raeine and here he also followed his trade. working for George and Charles Bliss. Both he and his wife have now passed away.
W. H. Brandow was a lad of thirteen years when he accompanied his parents to Racine and in the public schools of this eity he completed his eduea- tion. In his youth he learned the painter's trade which he has always followed and he entered into business on his own account as a partner of H. F. Moers under the style of Moers & Brandow. The firm is located at 313 Sixth street.
On September 27, 1883, Mr. Brandow was united in marriage to Miss Emma
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Crotsenburg, of Raeine, a daughter of Peter and Ann Crotsenburg, who were early settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Brandow have been born two children : Bertha, who is the wife of August Johnson, a machinist residing in Racine and by whom she has three children-two daughters and a son : and Earl, who is with his father in the shop.
Politieally Mr. Brandow maintains an independent attitude, voting for men and measures rather than party. He is well known in fraternal eireles, hold- ing membership with the Masons, the Elks, the Moose, the Royal Areanum and the Woodmen of the World. Among his brothers of these fraternities he is held in high regard for he is loyal to the teachings of the orders and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit upon which such organizations are based.
E. C. WILSON.
The old adage that "a prophet is never without honor save in his own country" does not find support in the life record of E. C. Wilson, for in the county in which his entire life has been passed Mr. Wilson has gained reeog- nition as a representative business man, now occupying the responsible posi- tion of general superintendent of the J. I. Case Plow Works. He was born in Caledonia township, Racine county, on the 6th of September, 1870, and is a son of James and Mary Jane Wilson. The father removed to Wisconsin about the time of the Black Hawk war and settled in this county, becoming one of its early pioneer residents. He conducted an inn on the old plank road and later turned his attention to farming. He became active in the public life of the community and served as township supervisor and in other local offices during the early days of his residence in the county. Following his removal to Raeine in 1876 he became alderman and in many ways he was active in sup- port of projects and measures for the general good. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings and became the owner of large property inter- ests. Eventually he retired, his income being sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He passed away in the year 1901 but his widow still survives.
E. C. Wilson was reared under the parental roof, entered the public schools at the usual age and completed his edneation as a high school pupil. He has continuously been identified with the J. I. Case Plow Works sinee starting to work on the 19th of November, 1886, at which time he was assigned to a position in the shipping room. Step by step he has advanced, his fidelity and increasing ability and resourcefulness gaining him promotion from time to time until he is now active in control of the plow works, occupying the position of general superintendent.
On the 23d of April, 1891, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Erk, a native of New York, and they have become the parents of a son, Harry E., who is now married and is manager of the engraving and elee- trotyping departments of the Western Printing and Lithographing Company, of Raeine. Mr. Wilson gives his political allegiance to the republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office. He belongs to the Equitable Fra-
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ternal Union and the guiding principles of his life are indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Congregational church. He has always lived in Racine county and his entire career is one which commends him to the con- fidence and good will of the general public. For thirty years he has been connected with the J. I. Case Plow Works, entering the establishment when a youth of sixteen. Step by step he has advanced, prompted by a laudable ambition, and his entire career is characterized by the spirit of the old Greek epigram, "Earn thy reward, the gods give naught to sloth."
GEORGE SCHNEIDER.
George Schneider, one of the wholesale liquor merchants of Racine, was born February 18, 1869, in the city in which he still lives, his parents being Henry and Charlotte (Beyer) Schneider, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. The father crossed the Atlantic to Canada when a youth of thirteen years and soon afterward came to the United States, making his way to Racine where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1889. During the period of his residence in this city he engaged in the grocery business and was well known as one of the enterprising merchants here. It was in Racine that he wedded Charlotte Beyer, who had come to this city with her brothers and sisters in early girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider became the parents of seven children, of whom George is the youngest and four of the number are yet living.
At the usual age George Schneider entered the public schools of Racine and therein obtained his education. He established a wholesale liquor busi- ness in 1898 at No. 509 Sixth street and has since been active in that line, building up a business of large and profitable proportions.
In 1898 Mr. Schneider was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Gundlach, a native of Racine county and a daughter of Charles Gundlach, one of the early settlers of this part of the state where he followed the occupation of farming through the period of his early manhood but is now employed by the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider are well known in Racine where they have spent their entire lives. In politics he main- tains an independent course. voting for the candidates who stand in his favor rather than supporting a nominee because he is a representative of a certain party.
HENRY AUGUST HILKER.
Watchful of every opportunity pointing to suecess, wide-awake and alert, Henry August Hilker has so directed his efforts that success in substantial measure is now within his grasp and his business activities furthermore are of a character that contribute to public prosperity as well as to the advance- ment of personal interests. He is today manager of the Red Seal Oil Com- pany and for a long period has been connected with the manufacture and sale
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of brick in Racine. At the present time he is platting and developing a fine summer resort.
Raeine claims Mr. Hilker as a native son; he was born August 18, 1869, in this city, his parents being Adolph Frederick and Caroline (Broeker) Hil- ker, both of whom are natives of Germany. The former was a son of Frederick Hilker, who died in Germany when in middle age. His wife, Mrs. Henriette Hilker, lived to the advanced age of eighty-one years and passed away in Raeine, October 27, 1889. Their son Adolph F. Hilker, who was one of the family of four sons, early learned the business of manufacturing brick and fol- lowed that pursuit in Germany until after his marriage. In September, 1867, he came to the new world settling in Racine and here again he was employed at brick making until he was able to engage in business on his own account. In 1872 he formed a partnership with his brother William Hilker, Fred Haumer- sen, Christie Minzer and Mr. Meidinger and established a brickyard at Cedar Point. The enterprise prospered from the beginning and about 1885 they bought out the Morris Brothers brickyard at Wind Point, later selling two acres of their land to the government as a site for a lighthouse. At a later date they were joined by J. F. Wadewitz and in 1893 the business was incor- porated under the name of the Hilker Brothers Brick Manufacturing Com- pany, the two brothers having purchased the interest of their former partners in the undertaking. Another yard known as the Lake Shore yard had been established two years before and they thus became proprietors of three dif- ferent yards, making their output very extensive. Adolph F. Hilker continued in the business up to the time of his death which occurred May 22, 1899.
His wife was a daughter of Frederick and Minnie (Brand) Brocker, the former of whom died in Germany when over fifty years of age, their family numbering two daughters and a son. Mr. and Mrs. Hilker became the parents of eight children : Adolph W., Henry August, Henry, Pauline, Gustav, Emma, Edward and John T. The daughter, Emma, is now the wife of Dr. P. Brown. The parents were members of the Evangelical Association and were devout christian people, Mr. Hilker serving in various offices of the church.
Henry August Hilker was reared under the parental roof, obtained his education in the public schools and after putting aside his textbooks became associated with his father in the business of brick manufacturing. He also had a business college training after he made his entrance into industrial life. He continued with his father until he reached the age of twenty years and then went to Chicago where he was bookkeeper for the Garden City Wire & Spring Company serving in that capacity for four years. He then returned to Racine and took charge of the North Point brickyard of which he was manager for a number of years. Upon the death of his father in 1899 all the business was taken over by the sons with the following officers: William IIil- ker, president ; H. A. Hilker, vice president; and A. W. Hilker, secretary and treasurer. In 1914 the company discontinued the manufacture of brick although they still engage in its sale. About this time the two brothers, H. A. and A. W. Hilker, formed a partnership under the style of the Hilker Brick Com- pany and in this connection they handle a full line of brick, buying Chicago high grade facing brick which they retail upon the market. In 1915 they became agents for the Red Seal Oil Company and A. W. Ililker now controls
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the brick business of the firm while H. A. Hilker handles the oil business. Their North Point yard is now being converted into a summer resort. The tract comprises about eighty acres of land with a half mile of beach and they have about fifty-seven acres for sale. This is being platted into lots of one hundred feet frontage facing the road and the lake. All the tract has rock bottom so that it cannot wash away and there is an excellent beach. It is thus being developed into a very attractive resort and is proving an important branch of their business.
Henry A. Hilker was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sheriff, of Racine, a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Thompson) Sheriff, who removed to Racine in 1855. Her father came from England and her mother from Iowa, in which state they were married. He engaged in farming in Racine county but both he and his wife have passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Hilker have been born two children: Pearl Helen and Margaret Elizabeth. Mr. Hilker is now active as administrator of the Sheriff estate. In politics he is a stanch republican and his religions faith is evidenced in his membership in the German Evangelical church on Park avenue. Its teachings guide him in all his relations and his fellow townsmen bear testimony to the fact that he is a most upright and honorable gentleman as well as a progressive man, having in all his busi- ness pursuits followed constructive methods, his success never being won at the price of another's failure.
JOHN H. BROECKER.
While a well known and successful manufacturer of Racine, John H. Broecker is perhaps equally well known in musical circles and also through his connection with the public interests of the community. He was born in Germany, April 7, 1850, a son of John and Elizabeth Broecker, who came to Racine in 1854. The father was a cabinetmaker and became a contractor with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, retaining that connection for many years, but both he and his wife are now deceased.
John H. Broecker attended the parochial and public schools of Racine and for fifteen years was employed by the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company in its woodworking department. In 1878 he began traveling for C. Altringer, whom he thus represented upon the road until 1899, or for a period of twenty- one years. He was most popular with his patrons and regarded as one of the most valued representatives of the house. On severing that connection in order to engage in business on his own account he began the manufacture of paper boxes and for two months continued the business in the Secor building, but at the end of that time removed to the corner of Villa and Fourteenth streets. Here he has since continued in business. The Broecker Paper Box Company was incorporated about 1910, being a reorganization of the Racine Paper Box Company. Its officers are: J. H. Broecker, president; M. U. Broecker, vice president, and C. A. Broecker, secretary and treasurer. The company employs twenty-five workmen, most of whom are skilled operators. The plant was rebuilt in 1911 of mill construction. The product is sold to manufacturers of this district and Mr. Broecker enjoys the distinction of being
JOHN H. BROECKER
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the only man who has made a success of the paper box manufacturing business in Racine.
In musical circles Mr. Broecker has also been prominent and active. In 1868 he organized one of the first bands in Racine, and since that time he has figured largely in connection with the development of musical interests in the city. He is proficient as a pipe organ player and as such has been con- nected with the St. Joseph's, St. Mary's and Holy Name Catholic churches.
On the 22nd of October, 1878, Mr. Broecker was united in marriage to Miss Mary Altringer. the only child of C. and Mary (Hoscheit) Altringer. Her father came to Racine in 1847 and engaged in business here as a fanning mill manufacturer. To Mr. and Mrs. Broeeker have been born eight children : Christopher A .. who is in business with his father and who was married on the 18th of April, 1912, to Miss Josephine Mohrbacher, of this county ; Henry J., also in business with his father; Mamie, at home: Joseph, who is connected with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company; Herman, of Raeine. who married Mary Koenig and has one child, Dolores; Rose, at home; John, who is associated with his father in business, and Frances, at home.
The family are all members of the Holy Name Catholic church and in politics Mr. Broecker maintains an independent course. For five years he served as alderman from the third ward and was chairman of the finance committee and also of the judiciary committee and exercised his official prerogatives to further the best interests of his city in every way. He is a self-made man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He began his education in one of the little log schoolhouses where methods of instruction are very primitive, but he early recognized the fact that the lack of early advantages is no bar to progress. He has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience and has continuously worked his way upward, reaching out along constantly broadening lines for the benefit of others as well as for the attainment of in- dividual suceess.
JOSEPH J. WILKE.
Joseph J. Wilke, sales manager for the Red Star Yeast Company, and since 1907 general agent for Racine county, was born in Austria, Angust 19, 1882, the son of John and Fannie (Vlenovsky) Wilke, who were also natives of that country. The father died in 1883 and the mother afterward married Antone Keller. In 1894 they came to the United States, settling in Racine. at which time Joseph J. Wilke was a lad of twelve years. He had previously attended school in Vienna, Austria, and in 1893 he came to the United States with an aunt. They made their way to Duluth, Minnesota, and for eight months he remained in that city and for a year in Chicago. He then joined his mother in Racine in 1894 and began work in a machine shop, being thus employed until 1898, when he removed to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he spent three years on a farm.
On the expiration of that period Mr. Wilke returned to Raeine in 1901 and for two years was employed at the Alschuler Overall Factory. In 1903 he
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began work for the Red Star Yeast Company and occupied the position of salesman for four years when in 1907 he was made general agent for Racine county and thus manages and controls the business of the company in this county, selling to both the wholesale and retail trade, his patrons being gro- cers and bakers of this part of the state. He now has about two hundred customers and supplies each with yeast three times a week or more. He has developed a business of large proportions, his enterprise and determination bringing to him well earned success.
On the 1st of June, 1910, Mr. Wilke was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Keykal, a native of Racine and a daughter of Antone and Barbara Keykal. of Austria, who came to the United States in 1880 and in 1882 established their home in Racine. The father was employed as a trunk maker by the Secor Trunk Company. The mother of Mr. Wilke is also living and makes her home in Buffalo, New York.
Mr. Wilke is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and for the past four years has been secretary of St. Mary's Court, No. 211. He is also a past councilor of the United Commercial Travelers and was formerly president of the Racine Trades & Labor Council, and a member of the state executive board of the Federation of Labor. He is likewise a past vice president of the State Federation of Catholic Societies and he belongs to the St. Rose Catholic church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and for one term he filled the office of supervisor while on other occasions he has been candidate for clerk of the court and alderman from the sixth ward. His has been a busy life for from the age of twelve years he has depended upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors.
CARL D. SKOW.
Among the growing and important business enterprises which have con- verted Washington avenue into a busy mart of trade is the dry goods estab- lishment owned and conducted by Carl D. Skow, one of the enterprising eiti- zens that Denmark has furnished to Racine. He was born in that country February 5, 1863, his parents being T. N. and Ursula Skow, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. The son came to the United States in May, 1882, when a young man of nineteen years, and settled first at Racine, Wisconsin, where he became a clerk in the dry goods house of J. C. Hansen, who was his brother-in-law and was one of the highly esteemed merchants of the place. Five years later Mr. Skow returned to Denmark, where he visited for a month, renewing the friendships of his earlier years, and then returned to Racine. He is a printer by trade and for eight months he followed that business in Minneapolis, but in the spring of 1889 returned to Racine and here embarked in the dry goods business, opening a store at No. 1314 Washington avenue. This is thirty by ninety feet, four stories in the rear and one story in front.
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