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 49
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
489
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
education and received his business training in connection with the fanning mill manufactory. He was active in the management and control of that business until 1911, when he ceased the manufacture of fanning mills in order to concentrate his energies upon the storage business. The Central Storage Company was organized by him in 1890 and is now conducting business at Nos. 517-21 Center street. The building is of mill construction, forty by sixty feet, three stories and basement. They furnish storage for household goods, merchandise, pianos, automobiles, etc., and the business has now reached extensive and profitable proportions. He owns much valuable improved realty, including apartment houses and other properties.
On the 6th of January, 1895, Mr. Dickey was married to Miss Ida A. Fuller, a daughter of William Fuller, who for many years was a conductor on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The three children of this mar- riage are Alice G., Doris and Edwin. Fraternally Mr. Dickey is connected with the Royal Arcanum, while his religious belief is indicated in his member- ship in the Presbyterian church. His political allegiance is given to the repub- lican party and he is neglectful of none of the duties of citizenship, but he con- centrates his time and energies upon his business and by close application and unremitting energy is meeting with well deserved success.
ELITE LAUNDRY.
The Elite Laundry is an expression of Racine's enterprise and business ability. It is the property of the firm of Eager & Dunn and the rapid levelop- ment of its business is indicative of the progressive methods of the owners. In 1905 the firm of Chapman & Anderson established the Elite Laundry at No. 612 Sixth street, but after two years the business failed. Several months later the plant was sold to Hess & Williams, who a year later sold to Eager & Dunn. Something of the growth of the business is indicated in the fact that at that time the pay roll was less than forty dollars a week and today it is more than four hundred and fifty dollars. The only wagon then in use has been supplanted by a collection and delivery system that utilizes six wagons and two automobiles. The number of employes in the laundry has been corre- spondingly increased. The latest improved machinery has been introduced, including a Troy collar ironer with a capacity of twenty-five thousand collars per day. The enterprise of the firm is further indicated in the fact that they now have three independent telephone lines under the number 282 and employ a girl merely to answer calls. They have installed a Troy Trojan forty-eight by one hundred and twenty flat work ironer which is the largest in the state. Their plant is always open to the public and in fact they invite and solicit inspection, knowing that when their methods are seen they will be appre- ciated and that business will accrue.
Both partners were experienced laundrymen before entering into their present relation. They have made an attempt to educate the people to the value of their business methods by issuing a paper called Clean Clothes and their progressiveness has resulted in a continuous and substantial growth in
490
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
the business. After a year they were forced to secure the second floor of the building at No. 612 Sixth street and at the end of two years they leased the Beffel building adjoining, thus securing the largest floor space for laundry purposes in Racine. In the next two years, however, they again outgrew their quarters and they purchased land at Nos. 931-37 Carroll street, where they erected a building sixty by one hundred feet. After occupying this for three years they found it necessary to put up a sixteen foot addition on the east side of the building in order to enlarge their work-room. They have installed a wet wash department, returning clothing wet to patrons, who ean then hang their clothes in the open air for drying . They now do over three tons of wet wash every week besides six tons of family and flat work, in addi- tion to the shirt and collar work. The firm does not claim to have attained perfection but it does claim to do everything within its power to make the work as nearly perfect as possible and it is putting forth every effort for the further improvement of its service. It employs over fifty people and pays the highest wages in the city, so that it is able to secure the most competent help. The laundry is clean and sanitary and presents none of the appearance of the "blue Monday" of the home. The wash-room methods sterilize as well as cleanse and the goods are given just the treatment demanded by the eon- dition of their coloration or other modification of the original fibers. The seven years of the firm's existence has been a period of continuous development and progress and the character of the men at the head insures that this will be kept up.
GRIFFITH G. JONES.
Griffith G. Jones, merchant and manufacturer, has been associated with the Mohr-Jones Hardware Company from the age of sixteen years and suc- cessive promotions have brought him to official connection with the house. Since 1907 he has been vice president of the company, having charge of the shop work of the factory at Eleventh street and the St. Paul Railway tracks. He was born in Racine, August 28. 1873, a son of Griffith P. and Ellen (Wil- liams) Jones, both of whom were natives of Wales. The father arrived in Racine in 1855 and the mother in 1856 and they were married in this city. Mr. Jones devoted his life to the business of a stationary engineer, but both he and his wife have now passed away.
At the usual age Griffith G. Jones became a public school pupil, pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen years, when he made his initial step in the business world, and his success in the intervening years is attributable in large measure to the fact that he has always continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman, never dissipating his energies over a broad field. He entered the employ of the Mohr-Jones Hardware Company and his fidelity and enterprise won him promotion from time to time until he became vice president of the company, remaining as the second executive of the firm since 1907. His thorough understanding of the business well qualifies him to have charge of the shop work at the factory, where are employed from forty to sixty men, doing all' kinds of sheet metal work.
491
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
In 1901 Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Williams, of Racine, a daughter of William and Ellen (Long) Williams. They are the parents of a son and daughter, Robert and Doris. Politically Mr. Jones main- tains an independent course, considering the capability of the candidate for the office which he seeks rather than his party affiliation. Fraternally he is well known in Masonie cireles, belonging to lodge, chapter and commandery, and he a'so has membership with the Royal Arcanum. He exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft and a well spent life has commanded for him the respeet, confidence and good will of those with whom he has been brought in contaet.
A. J. WILLIAMS, M. D.
Rush Medical College of Chicago has sent several of its alumni to Raeine and in the field of active practice they have won success and by their careers have conferred honor upon their alma mater. Such is the record of Dr. A. J. Williams, who, since 1900, has practiced continuously in Racine. He is a native son of this city born November 18, 1872, his parents being Thomas R. and Eliza (Williams) Williams, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Racine. She was a daughter of William J. Williams, who was also born in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales and who, on coming to Racine as one of its pioneer settlers, established a grocery and dry goods store and was con- nected with its mercantile interests for a number of years. Thomas R. Wil- liams figured in railway cireles, being for many years an employe of the St. Paul Railway Company. He died in the year 1911, while his widow still survives.
Their son, Dr. Williams, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools and in the Racine College grammar school became a student in Trinity College at Hartford, Connecticut, where he was graduated in 1896 with the Bachelor of Science degree while later the Master of Science degree was conferred upon hin. For two years he engaged in teaching in Mrs. MeMynn's Ladies Academy in Raeine and subsequently he was instructor in mathematics in Catherton's Business College of Raeine. He regarded all this, however, merely as a preliminary step to other professional labor for he became imbued with the determination to enter upon the active practice of medicine and in carrying out that purpose attended the Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900. He then came to Racine where he has since practiced and his ability has brought him to the front in professional eireles. He served as city physician for two years and was also a member of the board of health for several years.
On the 18th of November, 1906, Dr. Williams was married to Miss Ruth M. Boyce, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and they have two children, Catherine and Bovee. Dr. Williams belongs to the Masonie fraternity in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He became a charter member of the fraternal order of Eagles, at Racine, was the first president of the aerie following its organization in 1912 and is now physician of the
492
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
order, in which he has been most active. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he has member- ship in the Phi Beta Kappa, a college fraternity. His political allegiance is always given to the republican party but he has never sought nor held office outside the strict path of his profession. He regards the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and his professional service is performed with a thoroughness and care that has given him rank among the ablest physicians of the city.
AMERICAN SKEIN & FOUNDRY COMPANY.
The American Skein & Foundry Company is one of the enterprises that has won for Racine its well established reputation as an industrial and manu- facturing center. This business was established in 1900 under the name of the Racine Steel & Iron Works but was reorganized under the present style in 1904. The business was established by G. N. Prentice and others, while the present officers are : Walter F. Walker, president: and W. B. Mitchell, secretary and treasurer. The plant is located at Twenty-third and Racine streets and covers five acres. The buildings, one and two stories in height, are all modern in construction and equipment and their output ineludes the skeins for wagons and drop-forging. They also make a line of jackscrews and anvils, and piano plates which are complete and ready for use in the piano. They employ one hundred and seventy people, mostly skilled labor. and their produet is sent to manufacturers and jobbers. The output is sold all over the United States and the business has now reached very gratifying proportions, the house maintaining an enviable reputation for the value and worth of its product and for the business methods which govern the relations between manufacturer and patron.
WALTER F. WALKER.
Walter F. Walker, president of the American Skein & Foundry Company, has developed the business to substantial proportions and has won a place among the representative manufacturers of the city during the eleven years of his residence in Racine. He was born in Dundee, Illinois. December 6. 1871. a son of William E. and Mary C. (Foster) Walker. The father has now retired from active business but still makes his home in Dundee.
In the publie schools of his native city Walter F. Walker pursued his education and also attended business college. His activity throughout his business career has always been along the line in which he is now engaged. When a young man of nineteen years he began work in a foundry at Dundee and that he was trustworthy, capable and industrions is indicated in the fact that he was there employed for fifteen years and worked his way up- ward to the position of assistant manager. In July. 1905, he came to Racine
493
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
and entered into active connection with the American Skein & Foundry Company as its president. The business had been established five years before under the name of the Raeine Steel & Iron Works and on its reorgani- zation the present name was assumed. Mr. Walker is thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the business, both in the practical work of the plant and in the control of the trade relations. Along well defined lines of labor his success has been achieved and he is now one of the substantial manufacturers of his adopted city.
In 1903 Mr. Walker was married to Miss Ida Gaarder, of Janesville, Wis- consin, and they have three children. Elizabeth, Robert and Walter. Mr. Walker votes with the republican party and closely studies the political issues and questions of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. He is a member of the Plymouth Congregational church and he always upholds those forces which work for the benefit and uplift of the individual and of the city at large.
JAMES CALLEN.
James Callen, who is eondueting a mercantile establishment and saloon in Caledonia, was born September 15, 1862, in the township where he now resides, his parents being James and Mary (Duffy) Callen. The paternal grandfather was Nicholas Callen, who in 1849 arrived in Caledonia town- ship, Raeine county, and died at the home of his son. The maternal grand- father, Patrick Duffy, died in Ireland. James Callen, Sr., was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1833, and came to America in 1849, when a youth of six- teen years. He worked on different farms for a time, during which period he carefully saved his earnings, and at length he purchased eighty aeres of land. He afterward sold his farm and purchased a saloon and store on the Kilbourn road. His business there proved profitable and he gained therefrom a substantial ineome. He died in February, 1916, having long survived his wife, who was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1836 and died at the com- paratively early age of forty-two years, in 1878. In their family were twelve children, of whom ten are living: Thomas, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Milwaukee; Mary, a dressmaker residing in Mil- waukee : William. of Chicago, who is in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company : James; Lizzie, who is keeping house for her brother in Milwaukee; Kate, living in that city: George, of Milwaukee, who is in the employ of the St. Paul Railway Company; Ella, who is the widow of Emil Otto, of Milwaukee, and has one child, Raymond; Jennie, who resides with her brother James; and Agnes, who is connected with the Wisconsin Tele- phone Company, of Milwaukee. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Callen is a democrat in his political views. He has been prominent in community affairs, serving for sixteen years as chair- man of Caledonia township, and he has ever been ready and willing to aid in all matters relative to the publie good.
In his youthful days James Callen became a pupil in the district school
494
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
near his father's home and when his textbooks were put aside he took up the occupation of farming, which he followed until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He was afterward with the St. Paul Railway Company and also with the street car company and while thus engaged carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to engage in business on his own account. He then established a store and saloon at Caledonia in 1894 and through the intervening period of twenty-two years has built up a substantial and profitable business.
On the 19th of September, 1894, Mr. Callen was married to Miss Elizabeth Larkin, who was born in Elgin, Illinois, and they have become the parents of five children: William and Thomas, who are with their father in busi- ness at Caledonia; Walter, who intends to study medicine; and Esther and Raphael, both at home.
The family are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Callen gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has never based his advancement upon any false standards of business nor has he ever enter- tained the idea that success could be won without persistent and earnest effort. He has put forth the qualities necessary to gain advancement and by attempting to please his patrons has secured a liberal trade.
THOMAS HENRY ACKLAM.
Thomas Henry Acklam, who has been a lifelong resident of Racine county, now makes his home on section 35, Mount Pleasant township, and since 1892 has resided upon this place, which comprises one hundred and thirty-five acres. Its improvements are all the work of his hands and its excellent appearance indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods. From early boy- hood his attention has been given to the work of the fields. He was born in Racine, August 29, 1852, and is a son of George W. and Harriett (Bean) Acklam. In his youthful days he attended the common schools and when not busy with his textbooks worked upon the home farm with his stepfather until he reached the age of twenty-one. Starting out in life on his own account, he was employed as a farm hand for three years, but ambitious to engage in busi- ness for himself, he rented land in Mount Pleasant township. Fifteen years were passed in the cultivation of land belonging to others and during that period he saved sufficient money to enable him to purchase his present farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in Mount Pleasant township. In the interven- ing period of almost a quarter of a century he has made many excellent im- provements upon his place, which is now most attractive in appearance and which responds readily to the care and labor he bestows upon the fields, for he keeps his land in good condition through the rotation of his crops and cultivates the place according to modern methods.
In 1877 Mr. Acklam was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Roskelley, a daughter of Richard and Jane (Rule) Roskelley. To them have been born nine children, as follows: Edmond, living in Racine, who wedded Miss Maud Osborn and has one child : Alice May, who is the wife of John A. De Moulpied
THOMAS H. ACKLAM AND FAMILY
497
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
and has two children; Elmer W., who married Miss Annie Davis, by whom he has two children; George W., who wedded Miss Charlotte Dean; Jane Esther, the wife of William Davis, by whom she has one child, and Clarence Stanley, Harriett MeKinley, Herbert Lester and Ella Elizabeth, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Aeklam is an earnest republican and for twenty years has served as pathmaster, doing much to keep the roads in good condition. For a similar period he has been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He likewise attends the Con- gregational church, which indicates his interest in the moral development and progress of the community. That his has been a well spent life is attested by the fact that his fellow townsmen speak of him in terms of high regard.
W. W. KRADWELL.
W. W. Kradwell, secretary and general manager of the Kradwell Drug Company of Racine, is bending his energies to the successful direction of a business that is growing steadily in volume and importance and takes rank with the chief commercial enterprises of this city. He was born in 1875. a native of Boscobel, Wisconsin, although of Austrian and Swiss lineage. His paternal grandfather, Albert Kradwell, was a native of Austria, while his maternal grandfather, Benjamin Weibel, was born in Switzerland. After following farming for many years in Austria the former became a resident of Grant county, Wisconsin, following the arrival of two of his sons there. and in that locality he continued to engage in farming until his advanced years caused him to put aside the active work of the fields. He and his wife reared a large family and he passed away at the age of eighty-eight. His son Vandy. to escape service in the Austrian army, ran away from home when but twelve years of age and accompanied his brother Charles to the United States, after which he was reared in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he learned the shoemaker's trade. He was afterward successfully engaged in that business as a boot and shoe merchant there for a number of years. Under appointment of President Cleveland he became postmaster of Boscobel, in which position he was serving at the time of his death in 1895, when he was fifty-five years of age. He was a member of the Catholic church although he joined the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges. His widow, who survived him for a number of years, held membership in the Lutheran church.
In their family of four children W. W. Kradwell was the fourth child and third son. His youthful days were spent under the parental roof in Boscobel and he supplemental his public school training there received by a course in a business college at Marinette, Wisconsin. He afterward turned his attention to general merchandising and became connected with the firm of Mead & Kradwell at Marinette. He put aside all personal considerations, however, at the time of the Spanish-American war, when he joined Company 1. Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the invasion of Porto Rico, serving with the rank of sergeant until the close of hostilities.
498
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
the period of his enlistment extending until the close of the war in the fall of 1898. when he was honorably discharged.
Mr. Kradwell continued in Marinette until 1902, when he went to Denver, Colorado, where he spent three years in the employ of the postoffice. In 1905 he arrived in Racine and became connected with the Kradwell Drug Company as general manager. The business proved congenial and called forth his latent powers and talents and he manifested marked ability in that connection. In April, 1910, he was elected secretary, adding the duties of that office to those of general manager, and to the dual position he now gives his undivided time and attention.
On the 20th of October, 1915, Mr. Kradwell was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Nelson. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and while he does not seek nor desire political office, he co-operates in organized effort for the city's benefit as a member of the Commercial Club. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Deutscher Club and he is also identified with the United Commercial Travelers, with the Spanish-American War Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has membership with the Loyal Order of Moose, belongs to Lodge No. 252. B. P. O. E., at Racine, and has advanced to high rank in Masonry, being now a Knight Templar and a thirty-second degree Mason of the Consistory, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert as a member of Tripoli Temple. In these interests and associations are found the needed balancing element to concentrated business activity, making his a well rounded character. The advancement which he has made in commercial eireles has brought him to a prominent place in the business life of Raeine, where as secretary and general manager of the Kradwell Drug Company he is one of the owners of six of Racine's drug establishments, to- gether with a well appointed drug store in Kenosha.
RICHARD R. BIRDSALL.
Richard R. Birdsall, a contractor of Racine whose business has reached gratifying proportions, was born in Toronto, Canada, February 12, 1864, and is a son of William and Mary Jane (Arthurs) Birdsall, the former a farmer by occupation. He obtained a public school education and in his youthful days worked on a farm in Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, but in 1882 arrived in Racine, where he remained for about a year. He then returned to Toronto. where he continued for another year and on the expiration of that period he again came to Racine, where he was married. Once more he returned to Toronto and for the third time came to Racine in 1890 and for two years thereafter was engaged in the hardware business. He then took up street paving as a contractor and has continued in that line sinee or for a period of twenty-four years. He has done much work in this connection paving North Main, High and Sixteenth streets, Kinzie avenue, North Wisconsin street, Barber street, Marquette, Eleventh. Tenth streets and Asylum avenue. He has also executed other contracts of a more minor character. He has
499
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.