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 53
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Mr. and Mrs. Skewes are both consistent and active members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee, and he is likewise serving as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a firm believer in prohibition, but where the liquor question is not involved supports the republican party. He has been a leader in the good roads movement in his eounty and has accom- plished a great deal of good in securing better highways. He takes a pro- gressive attitude in all matters and can be depended upon to support all projects intended to advance the general good.
PHILLIP EUGENE KIMPEL.
Phillip Eugene Kimpel, a highly respected farmer of Mount Pleasant township, was born in Buffalo, New York, June 18, 1865, a son of George and Mary Magdalena (Hettenmeyer) Kimpel, who in the year 1867 came to Raeine county, where the father worked at the butcher's trade until 1885. He then turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed, but in the mean- time also conducted a meat market in connection with his son, with whom he is living. He first visited Raeine about 1850, but returned to New York, and it was not until many years later that he once more established his home in this state. His wife passed away March 4, 1901. and was laid to rest in Mound cemetery. In their family were six children: Phillip Eugene ; Lydia, the wife of H. O. Frank, a farmer residing south of Racine, by whom she has three
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HISTORY OF RACINE COUNTY
children, Russell, Lillian and Theodore; Clara, the wife of S. H. Lohr, of Racine. and the mother of five children, Ruth, Conrad, Gertrude, Margaret and Robert; Emily, who died at the age of twelve years and was laid to rest in Mound cemetery ; George, who married Kate Martin and has five children, Emily, Mildred, Sanford, Oliver and Benjamin ; and Benjamin F., who married Agnes Beltz and has two children, Ben and Eleanor. Mr. and Mrs. Kimpel were members of the Evangelical church and his political allegiance has al- ways been given to the republican party.
Philip E. Kimpel acquired a common school education, pursuing his studies to the age of fourteen years, after which he began farming in connection with his father. "At present he is engaged in the cultivation of one hundred and two acres of land and his efforts have resulted in making his fields most pro- ductive, for he follows progressive methods and therefore gathers good crops.
On the 25th of November, 1889, Mr. Kimpel was married to Miss Elizabeth Breese, a daughter of Joseph Breese, and they have become the parents of five children : Laura, who is teaching in the Harvey school, and Elizabeth, Eugene, George and Harry, all at home.
Politically Mr. Kimpel is a republican and for seven years filled the office of town assessor. He has ever been deeply interested in the cause of education in his district and for nineteen years has served as a member of the school board and has also filled the office of clerk. His religious belief is evidenced in his membership in the Presbyterian church and the principles which have guided his life are those which measure up to the highest standards. He has won his success through indefatigable effort, in which honorable dealing has ever played a most important part, and his record shows what may be accom- plished through determination and energy.
REV. LEO F. GABRIELS.
Rev. Leo F. Gabriels, pastor in charge of St. Louis' Catholic church of Caledonia township, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a son of John P. and Mary (Lush) Gabriels, both natives of Prussia. When young people they came to the new world, settling in Milwaukee, and were there married in St. Joseph's Catholic church. The father was a cooper by trade and in his younger days had a business of his own and employed a number of people, but afterward worked at his trade in the employ of others. He was born in 1848 and passed away in 1911, while his wife, whose birth occurred in 1852, is still living. He was quite prominent and influential in early days, but did not take an active part in public affairs in his later years. In his family were five children, who are yet living: Rev. Leo F .; Mary, the wife of Dr. A. H. Machleith, a physician and surgeon of Milwaukee; Rev. Joseph H., a priest at Addison, Wisconsin : Elizabeth M., who is in the Training School for Nurses at Fond du Lac ; and Grace, who has charge of the candy and drug department in the store of William Steinmeyer & Company of Milwaukee.
Rev. Leo F. Gabriels pursued his early education in the ninth ward public school of Milwaukee, but at the age of seven years became a pupil in St.
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Joseph's parochial sehool. Early determining to devote his life to the church, his studies were directed toward that end at St. Francis seminary, St. Francis, Wiseonsin, and he was ordained to the priesthood in 1903. He was first given charge of Holy Trinity church at Milwaukee and afterward was assigned to St. Joseph's Catholic church in Fond du Lac as assistant. He next went to Addison, Wisconsin, and was pastor of the church of SS. Peter and Paul, there continuing for six years. On the 6th of May, 1914, he assumed the pastorate of St. Louis' church in Caledonia. The church building is a beautiful edifice and in addition the parish has a large school. The work of the church is well organized in its various departments and societies and under the guidance of Father Gabriels the influence of the church is growing. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and was very active in that order in Fond du Lac.
JOHN HENNEKE.
Among the pioneer settlers of this county who have passed to the home beyond, but whose life's labors contributed to the development and substan- tial upbuilding of the district, is numbered John Henneke, who was born in Germany in 1811. His youthful days were spent in the acquirement of a common school education, after which he joined the army and served as an officer. At length he determined to try his fortune in the new world, and in the '40s crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way to Racine county. His first purchase of land made him owner of nineteen acres in Mount Pleasant township and upon that place he resided until his death, which occurred in 1885.
Mr. Henneke was married to Miss Caroline Bix, by whom he had seven children, as follows: William, who still resides on the home place : Pauline, the deceased wife of William Kramer; Christine, who is married and resides in Oregon ; Henry, at home ; Mary, who is a resident of Kenosha county : Mathilda, who gave her hand in marriage to Nicholas Thelen and resides in Mount Pleasant township; and Theresa, the wife of Adam Funk, of Mount Pleasant township. In his political views Mr. Henneke maintained an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment, without regard to party ties. In religious faith he was a Catholic, being a communicant of St. Mary's church.
WILLIAM HENNEKE.
William Henneke has practically spent his entire life in Mount Pleasant township, although born in Germany in 1846. During his infancy he was brought by his parents to the United States and following the establishment of the family home in Racine county attended the common schools until about fifteen years of age. Under his father's direction he was well trained in the work of the farm, early taking his place as a hand in the fields, so that broad
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practical experience qualified him for the careful management of his business interests when he began farming on his own account. He now owns eighty acres of land on section 36 which he rents. He has always voted with the republican party where national issues are involved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has filled the office of road superintendent, but has never been an aspirant for political preferment, feeling that his time and attention may well be given to his business affairs.
AUGUSTUS B. CRANE
No history of the pioneer development of Racine county would be com- plete were there failure to make reference to Augustus B. Crane, who arrived here in 1839 and continued to make his home within the borders of the county for nearly seven decades. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1823, and at an early age was left an orphan, after which he was reared by an uncle. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he came to Racine county in 1839, and throughout his remaining days was closely identified with the agricultural progress of his community.
It was at the Rapids, in January, 1843, that Mr. Crane was united in mar- riage to Lavina Baldwin, who was born in the state of New York, near Syra- cuse. With her parents she removed westward to Michigan, the family home being established at Kalamazoo, and later they came around the Lakes to Racine county, Wisconsin, making the journey with ox teams. It was in 1842 that they arrived in the county, and the next year Lavina Baldwin became the wife of Augustus B. Crane. They began their domestie life upon a farm in Mount Pleasant township and there continued to reside throughout their remaining days. It was a tract of new land covered with timber which Mr. Crane had to clear away before he could turn the furrows and plant the seed. In time, however, his labors wrought a marked transformation in the appear- ance of the place and as the years passed on he converted this into a valuable farm property from which he derived a gratifying financial income. Wherever known he was held in high esteem and most of all where he was best known. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office and he made an excellent record in the positions which he filled. He died on the 15th of February, 1908, and his widow survived him. for a year, passing away in April, 1909. their remains being interred side by side in the Mound cemetery.
JAMES H. CRANE.
James H. Crane, son of Augustus B. Crane, was born in Mount Pleasant township, July 7, 1848, and between the ages of six and seventeen years at- tended the public schools. He afterward became a pupil in Rochester, where he continued his studies for a year and a half. and for one term he was a stu-
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dent in the high school at Raeine. He then concentrated his energies upon farm work and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he went to Chicago, where he spent two years engaged in the bakery business. On the expiration of that period he returned to Racine county and has since been upon the farm. He now cultivates twenty-two acres, most of which is devoted to truck farming, and annually he produces a large amount of vegetables for which he finds a ready sale in the city market.
On the 6th of January, 1873, Mr. Crane was married to Miss Clara A. Cogswell, a daughter of A. W. and Eustatia Ann (Conner) Cogswell, who were natives of New York and in the '40s arrived in Racine. Mr. and Mrs. Crane have become parents of four children : Orton Albert, who married Grace Dick- inson and died leaving three children-Ella Leona, James Orton and Frances Mildred, all living in Racine; Archer B., who married Frances Parks and has one child, Clara Eleanor; Walter S., who married Katherine Dean and has . three children-Margaret Leonore, Loretta and Walter Dean: and Martin Elwin, who is living at home.
While Mr. Crane's political views accord with the principles of the repub- lican party, he does not hold himself bound by party ties and votes for the ean- didate whom he considers best qualified for the office. For thirteen years he. filled the position of elerk of the town and for five years was assessor. For twenty-nine years he served as school officer and for eight years occupied the position of trustee of the county asylum. He attends the Freewill Baptist church at Mygatts Corners and he has ever so lived that his life reflects credit upon that organization and its teachings.
EDWARD FRANK FREEMAN.
Edward Frank Freeman, the youngest of the Freeman Brothers, who con- stitute the S. Freeman & Sons Manufacturing Company, has spent his entire life in Racine, where his birth occureed on the 25th of June, 1877. Entering the public schools, he passed through consecutive grades to the high school, from which in due time he was graduated. The interest of the family had centered in the manufacturing establishment founded by his father and it was a natural and logical step that he should make his initial business effort in that connection. In 1897 he entered the factory and under the guidance of his seniors in the business acquainted himself with the details of the trade and for the past seven years has had charge of the purchasing department, a ... position of large responsibility upon which rests in great measure the eco- nomieal control of the business.
On the 19th of December, 1899, Mr. Freeman was married to Miss Mattie Pritchard, of Racine, a daughter of E. Pritchard, but after a short married life of less than five years she passed away in 1904. Seven years later, or on the 11th of June, 1911, Mr. Freeman wedded Addie Modjeska, of Racine.
Like his brothers, he is well known in Masonic circles, being identified with lodge and chapter. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, but in polities he follows an independent course, considering the
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capability of the candidate rather than his party affiliations. The Freemans have always stood for those things which are progressive in citizenship, supporting many plans and measures for the benefit and upbuilding of Racine, but their ambition has not been in the field of office holding, as they have preferred to give undivided attention to their business affairs. Started in a small way, the undertaking has been developed in accordance with the spirit of the times and they have met a public need in many of their lines of manu- facture, their output being accepted as standard, while their business methods have commended them to the continued patronage of the public.
EDWARD D. DAVIS.
A substantial proportion of the citizenship of Mount Pleasant township has come from Wales, being a representative of a Welsh emigration either in the first or second generation. Edward D. Davis, born near Llanfyllin, Mont- gomeryshire, North Wales, lived for many years on section 19, Mount Pleasant township, and was regarded as one of its substantial and worthy citizens, con- tinuing his residence there up to the time of his death. His birth occurred in January, 1831, and he obtained a common school education in his native land, there remaining until he reached the age of seventeen, when in 1848 he crossed the Atlantic with his parents, William and Alice Davis. The father died, however, while en route to the middle west, where the family home was estab- lished. On reaching Racine county the mother purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land and continued to reside upon her farm until her death. Her husband's remains were interred in the state of New York and she was laid to rest in Mound cemetery of this county.
Edward D. Davis attended the district schools and also pursued a course in a business college. With the removal of the family to Wisconsin he became active in the work of the farm and resided thereon until called to his final rest with the exception of about three years, from the fall of 1856 to the spring of 1860. About one year of that time he lived in Racine and the remainder in Milwaukee, where he was engaged in the grocery business. He then returned to the farm. He was diligent and his industry and perseverance were mani- fest in the excellent appearance of his place, which he converted into a val- uable tract of land, rich and productive.
In 1854 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Ann Owens, who was born in 1831 in Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, a daughter of Thomas and Jane Owens, and they became the parents of three children : John P., who died in Kenosha, May 11, 1904, at the age of forty-eight years, leaving a widow, and his remains were interred in Mound cemetery at Racine : Alice J., who was born in Racine; and Annie E., born in Mount Pleasant township. The two sisters attended the district schools and they now occupy the home farm. The mother died August 21, 1910.
In politics he was first a republican, but became identified with the pro- gressive movement at its inception, and continued to be a loyal progressive
EDWARD D. DAVIS
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up to the time of his death. Ile served as town treasurer for one term and for nineteen years filled the office of assessor. For forty years he served as a mem- ber of the school board and did everything in his power to further the cause of education in his locality. In 1848 he united with the Welsh Congregational church at Racine and for many years served as a deacon, treasurer and trusttee of that church, but when the Park Avenue Congregational church was organ- ized he became one of its members and served as senior deacon until his death. His life, upright and honorable, gained for him the respect and goodwill of his fellowmen. He owed his business success entirely to his own efforts and his upright life was the source of the high regard entertained for him. He passed away on June 20, 1912, and his family mourned the loss of a loving and considerate father and his neighbors the loss of a faithful friend.
WILLIAM HENKEL.
A valuable farm property of of one hundred and seventy-five acres situated on Sections 11 and 13, Raymond township, pays substantial annual tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner, William Henkel, who is a representative agriculturist of Racine county. His business affairs are most carefully and wisely managed and his splendid success is the direct and merited reward of his own labors. He was born in Germany, October 25, 1853, a son of Henry and Charlotte (Guth) Henkel, who were also natives of the father- land. On coming to the new world they settled in Raymond township, Racine county, in 1866, and the father purchased seventy-five acres of land, on which he continued to make his home until his life's labors were ended in death. He was a well read man who made good use of his opportunities and won sue- cess through business methods that neither sought nor required disguise. He had served for three years in the German army before coming to the new world and after reaching America proved himself a loyal citizen of his adopted coun- try. In politics he was a republican, while his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. To him and his wife were born four children, of whom but two are living, the surviving daughter being Lizetta, the wife of Simon Meiss- ner, of Raymond township.
The son, William Henkel, began his education in the schools of Germany ere the emigration of the family to the new world and continued his studies in the distriet schools of Raymond township, afterward taking up the occupa- tion of farming, which he has since followed. He has always worked persist ently and energetically and has ever realized that industry is the basis of all honorable success. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings and is today the owner of one hundred and seventy-five aeres of good land which is well improved. Ile has recently erected a fine new two story residence, supplied with all modern equipments and improvements. He carries on general farming and dairying and for the latter purpose keeps a good grade of cows, shipping milk to the Center factory of Raymond.
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In 1881 Mr. Henkel was married to Miss Emma Lange, a native of Racine and a daughter of Charles Lange, who worked in a tannery in Racine but afterward removed to a farm in Raymond township and now lives with his daughter, Mrs. Jacob Schattner. Mr. and Mrs. Henkel have become the par- ents of sixteen children, of whom thirteen are yet living: Albert, a resident farmer of Raymond township; Alvina, the wife of A. Steinmiller, who works in a shop in Milwaukee; Clara, who holds a position in Racine; Charles, living in Raymond township: Ida and Fred, both at home; Elizabeth, working in Racine; and Esther, Elsie, Ira, Fred A., Willie and Selma, all at home.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church and in that faith they have reared their family. In politics Mr. Henkel is a republican and for a number of years has served on the board of supervisors, being still the in- cumbent in that office. He never fails to do his full duty as a citizen and at the same time he does not neglect his business affairs but carefully and sys- tematically manages his interests and wins success in so doing.
SUSAN JONES, M. D.
Dr. Susan Jones, a graduate of Rush Medical College and actively engaged in practice in Raeine, her native city, since 1903, is a daughter of David and Margaret (Thomas) Jones, who were natives of Wales and became pioneer residents of Racine, arriving here in the year 1846. The father was a farmer by occupation and devoted his life to that pursuit, but both he and his wife have now passed away.
In early girlhood Dr. Jones attended the district schools near her father's home and afterward became a student in McMynn Academy. She next became a student in the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, matriculating in the medical department where she began preparation for her professional career. Later she entered Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and completed her course with the graduating class of 1903. She then returned to Racine for active practice and has since followed the profession in this city, her ability winning her wide recognition and success. She keeps in touch with the trend of modern progress in medical and surgical work and is a member of the County. State and American Medical Associations. She adds to scien- tific knowledge a keen intuition and ready sympathy which enable her to quickly understand her patients and in the diagnosis of cases she is most careful and accurate.
GEORGE MITCHEL.
George Mitchel, who for twenty-three years has resided upon his present farm in Raymond township, near Caledonia, has prospered in business because of his close application and untiring energy and a determined purpose to win success if it could be accomplished through diligence and honorable meth- ods. He was born July 8, 1866. in the township in which he still lives, his
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parents being Christian and Fredrica (Minzer) Mitchel, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who was born in 1818, passed away in 1892, but the mother, whose birth occurred in 1838, is still living. They were married in Racine, where they located in 1863. The father was a carpenter by trade but turned his attention to farming and purchased seventy aeres of land in Raymond township, whereon he established his home, giving his attention to the general development and improvement of that property. He could justly be called a self-made man, for whatever success he achieved and enjoyed was attributable entirely to his own efforts. His political alle- gianee was given the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Evangelical Association. To him and his wife were born six children : Kate, the wife of Gustav Borchardt, an implement dealer of South Milwaukee: George; Charles, who is employed by his brother George; William, who is engaged in the manufacture of barn equipments, having a factory in Mil- waukee; John, who is employed in Milwaukee; and Ella, who is living with her mother in that city.
George Mitchel attended the district schools and started out in business life as an employe in a Racine factory, where he remained for two years, but it was his desire to devote his attention to general agricultural pursuits and in 1893 he purchased a farm of eighty aeres in Raymond township, on which he has since lived. In 1916 he purchased thirty acres more, making his holdings one hundred and ten aeres. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and is also engaged in dairying, milking Durham cows. Both branches of his business are now returning to him a good income. IIe has improved the farm in many ways, erecting an attractive residence and good barn. while he utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He had to ineur an indebtedness at the time he purchased his place, but he has since discharged all of his financial obligations and as the result of his intelligently directed industry is now in comfortable circumstances.
In 1903 Mr. Mitchel was married to Miss Minnie Guetzkow, who was born in Greenfield. Wisconsin, and they now have two children. Roland and Eher, aged respectively twelve and nine years. The parents are members of the Evangelical Association and in politics Mr. Mitchel is a republican. He does not seek nor desire office, as it is his wish to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. However, his aid can be counted upon to further more- ments for the public good and in this county, where his entire life has been passed. his many friends speak of him in terms of warm regard.
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