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 50
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
likewise done much work in street paving in Delavan, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Green Bay, De Pere, Port Washington and other places and has had con- tracts for similar work on some country roads. He employs from forty to one hundred men. He does nothing but contraet work and from the beginning his business has steadily increased.
On the 28th of December, 1887, Mr. Birdsall was married to Miss Har- riet Jones, a daughter of Richard and Martha Jones, of Union Grove. The children of this marriage are: William R .; Athaleen, who married Harrold D. Mann of Racine; Nettie E .; and Richard R. The family are members of the Plymouth Congregational church and Mr. Birdsall gives his political allegiance to the republican party, but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to give undivided attention to his business affairs. He is very well known, through his fraternal connections for he is a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Royal League, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Eastern Star. His deep interest in the welfare of the city is indicated by the fact that he is a member and a director of the Commercial Club, and he co-operates heartly in all plans of that organization to further the upbuilding of the city.
LYMAN WOOD.
The history of Lyman Wood presents an interesting connection with the manufacturing and commercial affairs of Racine, for during a long period he engaged in the manufacturing and jobbing of hardware specialties, not a few of which were his own invention, for he possessed a marked ability along that line. His initiative spirit was displayed in many ways and he came to rank with the foremost residents of Racine. Moreover he had back of him an aneestry honorable and distinguished and was fortunate in that his lines of life were cast in harmony therewith. He was born in Syracuse, New York, August 22, 1849, a son of Samuel B. and Almira (Delano) Wood. The mother's people were descendants of the royalty of France, the ancestral line being traced baek to Philippe de Lannoy, whose mother, a Huguenot, built the homes for the Pilgrim Fathers at Leiden, Holland. This line could be traced back to 476 A. D. Philippe de Lannoy came to America in 1621. landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts, a passenger on the "Fortune." He was the first Huguenot in New England to found a house and leave descendants. His seventh son, Jonathan, married a Miss Merey Warren, whose parents had come to the new world as passengers on the Mayflower, and it was from this ancestry that Lyman Wood traced his lineage on the maternal side. Philippe de Lannoy was only two generations removed from the reigning house of France and the Delanos were among the originators of the Order of the Golden Fleece, consisting of twenty-five knights of noble blood when founded by Philippe "le Bon." The house de Lannoy had seventeen knights of the Toison d'Or, three of whom were Founders and four were in the order at the same time (a greater number than any other family). Some of the Delanos fought for American independence. Among the descendants of the
500
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
Delano family was General Grant, while connected with branches of the Wood family were Presidents Fillmore and Taft. Howard Delano, an unele of Lyman Wood. was an inventor of note and became interested in many factories in Syracuse. It was he who invented the stove that was used in heating railroad cars in an early day and his nephew, Lyman Wood. also became an inventor of hardware specialties, possessing the same strain of genius displayed by his uncle. The Wood family was originally of Norman- French deseent, but in the eleventh century representatives of the family went from France to England with William the Conqueror. An ancestor of the Wood family came to American from England in 1640 and his descendants lived in Massachusetts and New York, some of the number serving with the Colonial army in the Revolutionary war.
Samuel Wood, father of Lyman Wood, was born in Syracuse, New York, April 10, 1811, and was educated in both law and medicine. In 1849 he went to California, going and returning by the way of the Horn, acting as ship's surgeon on the return trip. In 1850 he came to Racine from Buffalo, New York, by the way of the Lakes, and after looking around for a suitable loca- tion took up his abode in Paris township, Kenosha county, developing a farm upon which he spent his remaining days. He was married to Almira Angelina Delano of Skaneatles, New York, daughter of Jesse and Mary (Howard) Delano, August 28, 1835, and died October 21, 1863. The children from this union were: Henry Gardner; Benjamin Samuel, who died in the Civil war: Adelphia Almire; Alpha ; Lyman; Aaron; and Mead.
Lyman Wood remained upon the home farm through the period of his boyhood and youth, assuming the management of the place when but four- teen years of age, owing to his father's death, and continuing in charge until he reached the age of twenty-four. He then engaged in the hardware business in Union Grove, continuing until 1881, when he removed to Racine and opened a hardware store in the old Blake Opera House, continuing there until the building was completely destroyed by fire. He next engaged in the manufacture and jobbing of hardware specialties and continued actively and successfully in the business until his death, which occurred February 3, 1909, his remains being interred in Mound cemetery, while his parents were laid to rest in the Plank Road cemetery, Kenosha county.
Mr. Wood was a devoted husband and father. It was on the 20th of August, 1874, that he married Miss Savilla E. Jarvis, who was born at Wilmot, Stark county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Mesner) Jarvis, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. born near Philadelphia. The Jarvis family was founded in the United States between 1700 and 1725 and the name figures in connection with the annals of the Revolutionary war. Of the marriage of Lyman and Savilla Wood were born two children. Walter A .. who was born in Union Grove, June 5. 1877. obtained a publie school education, was graduated from the Racine high school with the class of 1898 and then joined his father in the business of manufacturing hardware special- ties, in which he still continues under the name of Lyman Wood Manufactur- ing Company. He has also devoted considerable time during the past eight years to compiling a genealogy of the Wood family in America, which he has almost completed and which he will publish in 1916. He is a member
501
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
of the Sons of the American Revolution, being descended from sixteen an- eestors who fought for the independence of the nation. He is also a mem- ber of the Chicago Chapter of the Sons of the War of 1812, a member of the Milwaukee chapter of the Mayflower, Society of the New England Historie & Genealogical Society of Boston, and has membership in the First Pres- byterian church of Racine. as do the other members of the family. The daughter, Arminda Wood, attended the public schools of Racine and grad- uated from the Racine high school. She also attended Milwaukee-Downer college and was an art student in Chicago. Her artistie skill is largely manifested in original ceramie designs, some of which have been published in a leading art journal. For the past four years she has devoted her time to newspaper work. She is a member of the Racine Woman's club, and she belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution, as does her mother. The family have long figured prominently in business, art and social circles of Racine and has done much to establish standards in the city.
Mr. Wood belonged to the Travelers' Protective Association of America and in every relation of life which brought him in contact with his fellowmen he won warm friendship, for his salient characteristics were such as ever to command regard and goodwill. A thorough gentleman, he stood as a high type of American manhood and chivalry.
FRANK E. KING.
Frank E. King, who has long been identified with farming interests in Mount Pleasant township, his home being on section 10, was born at St. Charles, Kane county, Illinois. April 27, 1860, a son of Edmund and Mary A. (Rice) King. The father was a native of Canada, born June 2, 1820, and his father, Edmund King, Sr., was a native of Massachusetts. The family is of Scotch descent and was planted on New England soil at an early day. Edmund King, Sr., was a young man when he removed from Massachusetts to Vermont, where he met and married Lucy Lathrop, who was born in that state. He followed shoemaking and by trade was a tanner and currier. On removing to Canada he took up the business of tanning and the manufacture of shoes and continued active along those lines until his death, which occurred in 1827, his wife having passed away about a year before.
Their son. Edmund King, was a boy of seven years when he left Canada and went to New York. He was employed at farm work in the vicinity of Syracuse, there remaining until 1844, when he arrived in Racine county. where for several years he cultivated a rented farm. He afterward removed to Kane county, Illinois, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1868. That winter he conducted a grocery store in Brodhead. Wis- consin, and in the spring of 1869 again became actively identified with farm- ing interests in Raeine county, settling upon an unimproved tract of land in Mount Pleasant township about four miles from Racine. His labors wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place, which he converted into productive fields, and as the years passed success attended
502
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
his efforts so that in his later years he was able to live retired without further recourse to labor. He passed away in 1904, while his widow survived until 1906.
It was in Ottawa, Illinois, on the 25th of January, 1849, that Mr. King wedded Miss Mary A. Rice, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsyl- vania, but was educated in Princeton, Illinois, and in Raeine. She was a daughter of William W. Rice, a native of Rhode Island, who, however, was reared in Pennsylvania, and in New York wedded Susan Tozer, a native of the Keystone state. He died during the childhood of his daughter, Mrs. King, and about 1836 her mother removed to Illinois, where she afterward became the wife of Ezra F. Weed, who was born in New York and in 1838 became a resident of Wisconsin, settling near Racine. Mr. and Mrs. Edmund King became the parents of two sons and two daughters: Clara G., who died at the age of ten years; Fred L., who makes his home in Raeine county : Frank E., of this review; and Nellie J., the wife of Charles Martin, of Union Grove. The father always gave his political allegiance to the repub- lican party and was several times called to local office, serving as super- visor and as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife belonged to the Baptist church and during the long years of their residence in Raeine county they enjoyed the goodwill and high regard of all who knew them.
Frank E. King attended the common schools of Mount Pleasant township and throughout the period of his boyhood and youth was employed on the home farm. actively assisting in the work of developing the fields. He has always continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits and still makes his home on seetion 10, Mount Pleasant township, where he has land which he has carefully and wisely cultivated, the fields yielding good erops as a reward for the labor which he bestows upon them.
Mr. King has been married twice. He first wedded Madora Rowlands, a daughter of Richard Rowlands, and following her demise he was married in 1896 to Miss Kittie Ellison, a daughter of Charles Ellison, and they have one son, Rufus.
In his political views Mr. King is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Baptist church. Practically his entire life has been spent in this county and during the long years of his residence here he has gained a wide acquaintance. His fellow townsmen recognize in him a progressive farmer and one whose labors have been a contributing element to the agri- cultural development of this part of the state.
JOSEPH P. BRADAC, D. M. T.
Joseph P. Bradac, D. M. T., who through his active business career has been associated with banking and with brewing interests, now makes his home in Racine, where he occupies one of the beautiful residenees of the city. He was born in Bohemia, February 24. 1871, a son of Joseph and Agnes (Papik) Bradae, who were also natives of the same country and of Bohemian parentage, their ancestry being traced back through four hundred
503
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
years. In 1872 the father brought his family to the United States, estab- lishing his home in Chicago. He was a stonemason by trade and assisted in the rebuilding of the city after the great fire which occurred in October, 1871. He remained actively in business for many years but is now living retired in Chicago, where his wife passed away on New Year's day of 1912.
Joseph P. Bradac pursued his education in the Chicago public schools and in the West Side Business College of that city and also attended night school. He started to earn his living as a cash boy in the Boston Store when a little lad of twelve years and later he entered the employ of John MI. Smyth in the capacity of shipping clerk. Later he spent five and one-half years with the A. B. Company in Chicago and in 1906 came to Racine, since which time he has represented that company as agent here, in which connec- tion he has built up a business of extensive proportions. He has been inter- ested in the Commercial Bank and is now connected with the American Trust & Savings Company. He is also a doctor of mechano-therapy and is still in active practice.
In 1899 Mr. Bradae was married to Miss Mary Chilik and they have two children, Beatrice Ruth and Ruth Carrie, both at home. In 1907 he pur- chased and remodeled the old Christy estate, having now a fine home mag- nificently furnished, and its hospitality is also one of its most attractive features. In politics he is a strong protectionist and held an appointive office under Governor Tanner of Illinois in connection with the West Chicago parks. His religion is the golden rule and he ever attempts to do unto others as he would have them do unto him. Fraternally he is connected with the Racine Lodge, 252, B. P. O. E., Racine Lodge, F. O. E., the Columbia Cirele, the Foresters and the Workingmen's Aid Society and he is also a member of the Elks Marching Club. Starting out in life in the very humble capacity of a cash boy, he has steadily advanced in business until he today controls important commercial interests and is numbered among the prosperons eiti- zens of Racine.
WILLIAM H. LIEGLER.
William H. Liegler engages in the plumbing business in Racine, his native city, and was born July 19th, 1877, son of Frank and Nettie (Frich) biegler, both of whom were born in Bohemia near Prague. The father came to the United States when about six or seven years of age and established his home in Racine. Some years afterward he engaged in the hardware business in which he continued for many years but about seven years ago retired and is now enjoying a well earned rest. Both he and his wife are residents of Racine.
In this city William H. Liegler was reared and in his boyhood estab- lished a paper route. The spirit of enterprise and activity actuated him from his early youth and he was successful as a vender of papers and afterward he built all the shoe shining parlors in the city and conducted business along that line for a number of years. Twelve years ago he established a plumbing
504
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
and heating business in which connection he has won a liberal patronage. Ile does sewerage and drainage work and his plumbing establishment is bringing him a substantial measure of success because of his ability. unfal- tering determination and honorable methods.
Fifteen years ago Mr. Liegler was married to Miss Emma Krayneck, the daughter of Anton Krayneck, a retired shoe dealer. In politics Mr. Liegler has maintained a non-partisan attitude, nor has he been very active as an office seeker, although he served for a term as alderman from the first ward. He has never been neglectful of his duties as a citizen and for seven years was a member of the call fire department, during which time he only missed three calls. He is now a member of the Fire Relief Association and fra- ternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Elks, Eagles, Gradual Club and Calumet Club. He has ever worked hard, prompted by his ambition of attaining sueeess, and the prosperity that he has thus far obtained is the direct result of his own labors.
ORLANDO CANFIELD MUNROE.
Many years have come and gone since Orlando Canfield Munroe was called to his final rest, but the result of his labors is still manifest, as he was for many years a most progressive and energetic agriculturist and succeeded in transforming a large tract of land in Mount Pleasant township into rich and productive fields. He was born in Bennington, Vermont, December 12, 1818, and was in the seventieth year of his age when he passed away in this county on the 9th of June. 1888. He had obtained a common school education in the east and in 1845 came to the west. after which he was continuously connected with the farming interests of Racine county.
It was in 1844, at Shaftsbury, Vermont, that Mr. Munroe was united in marriage to Miss Thalia Lavina Buck and he brought her as a bride to the west in 1845. They became the parents of ten children: Lugene Adelaide Phelps, who died leaving seven children ; Harriet Juela Foster, who passed away leaving four children ; Frances Anna, who is a widow and lives in Racine ; Llewellyn, who died December 26, 1851; Thalia Lavina; Mary Piccadilly : Fred William, who is married and has one child ; Ellen Emily Ellarson, who is deceased and left one child ; Alice Marie, who married and has one child, and Will Lee, who is married and has three children. Mrs. Munroe died in No- vember, 1906.
Following his arrival in this county Mr. Munroe purchased three hundred and fifty acres of land and afterward added to his holdings until he had al- together four hundred and eighty aeres, of which four hundred was in Mount Pleasant township. Upon that tract he resided until his death, devoting his time and energies to farming, and his labors brought to him deserved success, his farm presenting a most attractive appearance following the spring plant- ing when summer suns had brought forth the harvests. In addition to tilling the soil Mr. Munroe engaged in the raising of blooded horses and sheep and
ORLANDO C. MUNROE
507
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
was a very successful man, becoming one of the most prosperous citizens of his community.
In public affairs Mr. Munroe was also deeply and helpfully interested and on many occasions he was called upon to serve the public in some capacity of trust and honor. He always voted with the republican party and upon that ticket was twice elected to the general assembly in Madison, being called to the office in 1861 and again in 1863. He was chairman of the county board of supervisors and was a member of the town board for a number of years. In fact he held nearly all of the town and county offices and for a considerable period was a member of the school board. He attended the Freewill Baptist church and the sterling traits of his character found their root in his Christian faith. For forty-three years he continued his residence in this county, during which period he gained a wide acquaintance, enjoying in substantial measure the confidence and goodwill of all who knew him.
MOHR-JONES HARDWARE COMPANY.
The Mohr-Jones Hardware Company of Racine was organized April 1. 1899, by Jacob Mohr and J. W. Jones and succeeded to the business owned by Jacob Mohr, who in 1888 had become successor to the firm of Griffith & Mohr. That partnership was established about 1874 by W. T. Griffith and Jaeob Mohr, but Mr. Griffith withdrew from the connection about 1885. In 1889 J. W. Jones became an employe of the house and in 1899 became finan- cially interested in the business. Jacob Mohr died January 9, 1909, and Mr. Jones then took over the Mohr interests. In the same year G. G. Jones pur- chased stoek in the company, which was reorganized under the name of the Mohr-Jones Hardware Company, with J. W. Jones as president and treasurer, G. G. Jones, vice president, and C. C. Gittings as secretary. The company's store is located at Nos. 315 and 317 Sixth street and they also have a factory and warehouse at Eleventh street and the tracks of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. The factory is fully equipped, is one of the largest of its kind in the state and manufactures sheet metal. The firm sells to some extent to the wholesale trade and has an extensive retail trade. their interests being among the most extensive and important in this line in Racine.
JOHN W. JONES.
John W. Jones, who was one of the organizers of the Mohr-Jones Hard- ware Company, of which he is now the president, was born in Racine, Deeem- ber 21, 1862, a son of Captain Hugh W. and Laura (Thomas) Jones. The parents were natives of Wales but were married at Remsen, New York, remaining residents of the cast until 1854. when they came to Racine. The father was a lake captain who sailed for thirty-two years and at different
508
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
times commanded the well known lake vessels Active, Hamlet, Ethan Allen and Onward. In this connection he became widely known and was accounted one of the prominent representatives of navigation interests on the inland waters.
John W. Jones obtained a public and high school education and afterward attended MeMynn's Academy. When his education was completed he sailed with his father and was on the Lakes for ten years, working his way upward until he became mate of vessels. He afterward entered the employ of the H. Channon Company of Chicago, with whom he continued for two years, and subsequently he was with the Goodrich Transit Company as warehouse clerk. Later he spent a brief period with the American Express Company and then entered the office of the J. 1. Case Plow Works. In 1889 he secured a position in the hardware store of Jacob Mohr and found the business con- genial. Gradually he worked his way upward in that connection and in 1899 was admitted to a partnership, in which year the Mohr-Jones Hardware Com- pany was organized. Ten years later Mr. Mohr passed away and Mr. Jones took over the Mohr interests and was joined by G. G. Jones, at which time the company was reorganized, John W. Jones becoming president. He has since so continued and under his wisc direction the business of the company has grown and developed along substantial lines.
Mr. Jones has always maintained an independent attitude in politics, voting for the man rather than the party. He has been called upon for public service and for six years filled the position of alderman from the third ward, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many plans and measures for the general good. For the past six years he has been a mem- ber of the school board and has done much to further the interests of public education. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Plymouth Congregational church and he is a member of the Commercial Club. In him the interests of life are well balanced and he gives due consideration to all those questions which are important features in the life of the community. Starting out in the business world as a seaman, he has progressed step by step, each change in his business connection indicating a forward move.
ERNEST KLINKERT.
Ernest Klinkert, who for many years has been identified with the brewing business in Racine, was born in Germany on the 11th of November. 1844. He obtained a common school education in the fatherland and between the ages of twenty and twenty-five years came to the United States. Making his way to Kansas, he was there employed at farm labor and later he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he secured employment in a brewery. He after- ward spent two years in similar work in Milwaukee and in 1875 he arrived in Racine county. Here he worked for the Heek Brewing Company until his labors had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business on his own account. In 1881 he built a brewery in Racine and has
509
HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
since been engaged in the manufacture of beer in this city, having now a well established plant which brings to him a substantial profit.
In 1871 Mr. Klinkert was married to Miss Sophia Walter and they have six children, Louis, Hattie, Frank, Ella, George and Jennie. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and as Mr. Klinkert has pros- pered in his undertakings he has contributed more and more largely to the church and to benevolent projects.
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.