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 54
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WILLIAM KITTINGER.
The enterprising methods of William Kittinger, a representative agricul- turist of Caledonia township, are indicated in the fact that he had nine acres of the best wheat raised in Racine county in 1916. His is a well improved farm, supplied with all modern equipments to facilitate the work and render farm life comfortable and attractive. He came to Wisconsin from New
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York, his birth having oeeurred in Niagara county, about ten miles east of Niagara Falls, on the 10th of December, 1847, his parents being Isaac and Priseilla (Burnette) Kittinger. The father was born in Harrisburg, Penn- sylvania, April 7. 1818, and passed away in Caledonia, January 29, 1867. while his wife, who was born in Niagara county June 18, 1823, died on the 29th of July, 1913. They were married in her native county and became the parents of four children. of whom the eldest. Franklin, is now deceased. The others are: William; Loretta, the wife of Morgan E. Price, who is employed in a camp chair factory in Racine; and Charles E., who is the owner of a grocery store in Denver, Colorado, but is living in Lincoln, Nebraska. Franklin, the eldest son, was born Mareh 29, 1846, and enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company H. Twenty-second Wiseonsin Volunteer Infantry, August 12, 1862. He died at Murfreesboro. Tennessee, September 23, 1863, and was there laid to rest in the national cemetery. in a grave marked No. 2223. The valor of the family was further demonstrated in the father's enlistment. He went to the front as a drummer and afterward became a fifer and on the 25th of March, 1863. at Brentwood, he was taken prisoner and held at Libby prison for two days. He became one of the best carpenters of Racine county and led an active and useful life. His wife was a member of the Congregational church of Caledonia. Both were highly esteemed by all who knew them and both represented old families of the east. The father was a son of Abraham Kittinger, a weaver by trade. who was born in Pennsylvania and there spent his life. The maternal grand- father, William Burnette, was born at Morristown, New Jersey, in 1776, the family there living at the time that Washington made his winter quarters there.
William Kittinger had only such educational advantages as the district schools afforded, but through his own efforts has become a well informed man, reading broadly, thinking deeply, observing keenly and gaining many valuable lessons in the school of experience.
It was on the 11th of March, 1880, that Mr. Kittinger was married to Miss Katie Kleinschmidt, who was born in Raeine, a daughter of John and Katherina Kleinschmidt, natives of Germany, the former a farmer by occu- pation. To Mr. and Mrs. Kittinger have been born three children, of whom two are living: Frank, who is farming in Caledonia township; Arthur, resid- ing with his parents; and Nellie, who died in Lincoln, Nebraska, August 13, 1913.
At the time of the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south William Kittinger watched with interest the progress of events and his patriotic spirit aroused, he enlisted as a member of Company II. However, as he could not remain in the army without his mother's consent, on account of his age, and as she refused to give it he had to return to civil life after serving only five days. His desire to go to the front was incontestable evi- denee of his patriotism and his courage. He purchased his home farm in October. 1865. and now has two hundred and twenty-five aeres of land, hav- ing added to the original traet as opportunity has offered. Every cent he has made himself and his position indicates the spirit of enterprise which has characterized him throughout his entire life. He has worked diligently and
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persistently, utilizing his time and opportunities to the best possible advan- tage, and in the conduct of his business has displayed sound judgment. Hle carries on general farming but devotes his attention principally to dairying. However, he is very successful in the cultivation of his fields, as is indicated by the fact that Racine county in 1916 possessed no better wheat than he raised on a nine aere tract. For dairy purposes he keeps a mixed breed of cows of high grade, for some of them having paid two hundred and two hundred and fifty dollars. He is enabled to give his stock green food through- out the winter, for he has two silos upon his place. He has sold cream to the amount of twenty-eight thousand dollars in twenty-two years to one man in Milwaukee. He also has upon his place a fine apiary of Italian bees, hav- ing from three hundred and fifty to four hundred stands, and through a long period he has engaged in the cultivation of bees, the honey finding a ready sale upon the market because of the excellence of the product. There are ample and substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and for his family he has provided a beautiful home, which he erected in 1910 at a cost of six thousand dollars. It is supplied with hot water heat and all modern conveniences.
Mr. Kittinger votes with the republican party and is inelined to prohibi- tion principles, for he has always been a believer in the cause of temperance. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs and of which they are loyal and consistent members. In every relation of life they have displayed sterling traits of character which have gained them the confidence, goodwill and high regard of those with whom they have come in contaet. In business affairs Mr. Kittinger is known to be thoroughly reliable and his life record, crowned with success, should serve to inspire and encourage others, for it illustrates what may be accomplished through indefatigable effort.
CHRISTMAS E. EVANS, D. V. S.
The veterinary profession in Raeine finds a worthy representative in Dr. Christmas E. Evans, whose ability to successfully administer remedial agen- cies is manifest in the excellent results which have attended him in general practice. He was born in Utica, New York, November 2. 1860, and is a son of Evan R. and Margaret (Roberts) Evans, who came to Racine in 1874. The father was a veterinary surgeon and continued in active practice in Racine until July, 1908, when his labors were terminated by death. He had for four years survived his wife, who passed away in 1904.
Dr. C. E. Evans was a youth of fourteen years when the family came to Racine and he supplemented his public school training by study in the MeMynn Academy, while later he became a student in the Veterinary College of New York and won his degree with the class of 1883. For thirty-three years he has practiced here and his pronounced ability has kept him at the front in professional circles. For a third of a century he has practiced, the years chronicling his increasing ability and registering his success. He has
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also been farm and herd inspector for the Horlick Malted Milk Company for the past fifteen years.
On the 11th of March, 1891, Dr. Evans was married to Miss Fannie Jones. Her father, Captain Owen D. Jones, came to the United States from Wales when ten years of age, in 1846, and was one of the early settlers of south- eastern Wisconsin. He was a lake captain but is now deceased. He was married in Racine to Miss Fannie Roberts, who removed to this county from Utica, New York, in 1856, being a representative of one of the pioneer families here. She survives and still makes her home in Racine. Dr. and Mrs. Evans have become the parents of a son and a daughter: Russell C., who is a graduate of the Chicago Veterinary College and practices with his father and who is a member of the Masonic fraternity; and Lillian, who is attend- ing college at Lake Forest.
The family are members of the Congregational church. Dr. Evans is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has attained high rank. having taken the thirty-second degree. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and his name is on the membership rolls of the Knights of Pythias lodge in Racine. In politics he is a republican and for four years he served as alderman from the second ward, during which period he gave careful study to municipal conditions, needs and opportunities, working diligently and effectively to further those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
RUDOLPH HANSCHE.
The name of Hansche figures extensively and prominently in connection with the history of Mount Pleasant township, and Rudolph Hansche was among those who were active in promoting the early agricultural develop- ment of this region. The work of progress and improvement had scarcely been begun in this locality when on coming to the United States in 1841 he made his way to Racine county and here purchased eighty acres of land. He was born in Germany in 1814 and was there reared and educated, being a young man of about twenty-seven years when he crossed the Atlantic. With characteristic energy he began to till his fields and brought the farm to a high state of cultivation. He was truly a self-made man, for when he arrived in the county he was practically empty handed and for some time worked at a wage of twenty-five cents per day. Later he secured better wages. however, and, carefully saving his earnings, was at length enabled to invest in the farm which he owned at the time of his demise.
In 1859 Mr. Hansche was married to Miss Anna Seorgel, a daughter of John Seorgel, and they had a family of nine children: Sophia, who became the wife of Norbert Grabher, of Mount Pleasant township, by whom she has five children; Mrs. William Piper; George, who married Lucy Olle and has passed away ; Fred William; Katherine, who is the wife of Anton Lund and is living in Mount Pleasant; William J., who is married and resides in Racine county ; Clara, who is the wife of Carl Sheckler, of Kenosha county, and has
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two sons; Lottie, who is upon the home place; and Ernest, who married Mario Jorgensen and died leaving two sons, who are with their mother r' Mount Pleasant. Mr. Hansehe passed away September 8, 1882. when sixty- nine years of age, while his wife long survived, her death occurring April 14, 1901.
In his political views Mr. Hansehe was a republican, always strongly indo ?.. ing the principles of the party. His religious faith was that of the Evan- gelical church and its teachings guided him in all of his relations with his fellowmen, so that his was an honorable and well spent life, gaining for him the respect and goodwill of all with whom he was associated.
FRED WILLIAM HANSCHE.
Fred William Hansehe, the second son of the family, was born in Monht Pleasant township. August 25, 1863, and at the usual age began his eduro- tion in the common schools, continuing his studies until he reached the age of seventeen. He developed habits of industry and perseverance while work- ing with his father upon the home farm. and since his textbooks were put aside he has continually carried on agricultural pursuits, winning a substan- tial measure of success which is the merited and just reward of earnest, per- sistent effort.
On the 6th of December, 1904, he wedded Theresa Grobner, a daughter of Tom and Katherine Grobner, who were natives of Bohemia. Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Hansche have become parents of seven children : Warren, Raymond. Rachel, Melvin, Elvira, Naomi and Ernest.
In political belief Mr. Hansche is a prohibitionist, having long been a stalwart advocate of the cause of temperance, putting forth every effort to further that interest. For six years he has filled the office of school elerk and he belongs to the Pentecostal Mission church, guiding his life by the principles of Christianity. He is straightforward in all business dealings and honorable in every relation of life and his many sterling traits have won for him the confidence and goodwill of all who know him.
THOMAS JAMES MCCRORY. M. D.
Dr. Thomas James MeCrory is one of the younger physicians of Racine, having engaged in practice here for only a decade. He was born in Fond du Lae, Wisconsin, on the 30th of December, 1878, and is a son of Thomas and Bridget MeCrory, the former also a native of Fond du Lac, while the latter was born at Chilton, Wisconsin. The paternal grandfather, John McCrory, was a native of Ireland and during the pioneer epoch in the devel opment of Wisconsin became a resident of this state after which he turned his attention to farming. His son, Thomas MeCrory, was engaged in the machinery business and also dealt in musical instruments.
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After completing his education in the publie and high schools of Racine, Dr. MeCrory entered the Northwestern University at Evanston as a medical student and was there graduated with the class of 1905. He has since taken post graduate work at the Chicago Lying-In Hospital, of Chicago, and in the Provident Hospital, of Chicago. Later he was at Waukesha, Wiscon- sin, with the Waukesha Springs Sanitarium for nine months and in 1906 he came to Raeine where for the past decade he has engaged in general practice. He carefully analyzes and considers his cases, is never hasty in reaching a conclusion and the soundness of his opinions is borne out in his successful practice. He is medical examiner for the Prudential Insurance Company and alternate examiner for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur- ance Company.
Dr. MeCrory is a member of the Knights of Columbus, which draws its support from the adherents of the Catholic faith, he being a member of St. Rose Catholic church. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Moose, while in polities he main- tains an independent course, keeping, however, well informed upon the lead- ing questions and issues of the day.
AUGUSTUS PIPER.
A large proportion of Raeine county's substantial citizens have been of German birth or of German descent, and the enterprise and efficiency which have characterized that country have been manifest in these sons of the father- land who have sought to enjoy the opportunities of the new world. Such was the record of Augustus Piper, a native of Prussia, Germany, who was born on the 19th of August. 1825, and lost his father when but six months old. In 1840 his mother, with her children, took ship for the United States. but the vessel was wrecked at the island of Hayti and the family remained in San Domingo for several months. The mother died there of yellow fever. Augustus Piper at length came to the United States and settled at Cleveland, Ohio, where he made his home with an old friend, Mr. Hansche. After re- maining in the Buckeye state for three years he went to New Orleans, where he spent six months, at the end of which time he returned to Ohio. In 1849 he drove from that state to Wisconsin and for two years thereafter worked in this state as a farm hand. He carefully saved his earnings and as soon as possible bought a tract of land on time, making a payment with the capital which he had saved. Gradually, as his resources inereased. he added to his holdings until he owned in all three hundred and fifty acres of good land. This he brought to a high state of cultivation, carefully tilling the soil and displaying marked industry in the development of his erops.
On the 8th of November, 1852, Mr. Piper chose as companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Margaret Braid, a daughter of Thomas Braid, a native of Scotland, and to them were born four sons and two daughters, namely : William, Ellen, Thomas, Frank, Augustus J. and Jane. The death of the father occurred in 1896 and in his passing the community lost one of its
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substantial and representative citizens. He was a republican in his political belief, casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and continuing an active supporter of the party principles until called to his final rest. He served in several local offices, including that of supervisor, and he was a member of the school board, doing effective work to further the interests of publie education in his locality. He was a man of unusual energy and busi- ness ability and those qualities enabled him to win substantial success although he started out in life empty handed.
HENRY WUERZBERGER.
Henry Wuerzberger is well known in Racine where he has spent his entire life. He is now the viee president of the Racine Wholesale Wine & Liquor Company, of which his elder brother Ernest J. Wuerzberger is the president and treasurer. He was born on the 17th of November, 1885, and is a son of Ernest and Louisa (Birkholz) Wuerzberger, who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the history of their son Ernest J. Wuerz- berger.
At the usual age Henry Wuerzberger became a public school pupil in Raeine and worked his way upward through consecutive grades until he felt it incumbent upon him to earn his living following his graduation from the publie schools. As a young man he worked with his father and later he trav- eled all over the United States. Following the death of his father he returned to Raeine and assumed the management of the grocery and saloon business which his father had long carried on and which was established by his grand- father. Henry Wuerzberger continued in that business for about four years and then joined his brother, Ernest J., in the Racine Wholesale Wine & Liquor Company. This business had been incorporated in 1906 and he is now active in its management as the vice president.
CHARLES MASON REED.
. Charles Mason Reed, who is engaged in farming on section 18, Mount Pleasant township, was born in Ontario county, New York, and in his youthful days obtained a common school education. He was but seven years of age when he accompanied his parents, Ezra and Emeline Reed, from the cast to Wisconsin, the family home being established on the plank road in Mount Pleasant township. There they lived for a few years and the father conducted a hotel at Ives Grove. Later he purchased a tract of land in Mount Pleasant township, upon which he resided until 1865, when he removed to a farm of eighty aeres on section 18 in the same township and occupied that place until his demise. which occurred in 1899. For two years he had survived his wife. who passed away in 1897. Both had attained ripe old age and were numbered among the valned and respected pioneer settlers of the county.
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Charles Mason Reed was reared under the parental roof and in early man- hood, responding to the country's call for troops, joined the Union army as a member of Company H, Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served throughout the period of hostilities, participating in a num- ber of hotly contested engagements. Following his return from the war he resumed farming in Mount Pleasant township, where he has since made his home.
Mr. Reed had been previously married, in 1862, in Mount Pleasant town- ship, to Miss Emily S. Phelps, a daughter of Seth P. and Angeline O. Phelps, who were natives of Hannibal, Oswego county, New York. In 1839 they arrived in Racine county, where they remained until 1843 and then drove back to the Empire state. In the spring of 1844 they once more came to the middle west and established their home in Mount Pleasant township. They had a family of seven children, as follows: Emily S .; Barton H., who served in the Union army as a member of Company H, Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry ; Viola J., living in California : Hortense, who is deceased ; Byron P., a resident of Alberta, Canada ; Helen J., who makes her home in St. Louis: and Bert J., of Racine. The father passed away in 1891, while the mother survived for almost two decades, her death occurring in 1910. They were consistent and earnest members of the Baptist church and were recognized as people of the highest respectability, warm regard being entertained for them by all who knew them. In his political views Mr. Phelps was an earnest republican and always cast his vote for the candidates of that party.
To Mr. and Mrs. Reed have been born eight children, namely: Estella, Clarence, Hortense and Louie, all of whom have passed away ; Byron C., Hal- sey J., Isabelle, and Edna, who is deceased. Mr. Reed exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church and both are widely and favorably known in this locality.
HENRY F. HERRICK.
Henry F. Herrick was formerly engaged in the manufacture of hardware specialties, but since 1909 has lived retired, enjoying well deserved leisure. His birth occurred in Racine on the 10th of November, 1847, and his parents were Charles and Anna (Ball) Herrick, natives respectively of Westford, Massachusetts, and New York. The father became one of the capitalists of Racine, holding title to a large amount of real estate in this city and in the state of Nebraska and elsewhere, and served as vice-president of the First National Bank of Racine. He was always willing to promote the public welfare in any way possible and was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.
Henry F. Herrick attended the public schools in Racine, Racine College and the University of Chicago, thus securing a thorough education. On begin- ning his independent career he became a traveling salesman for the Geiser Threshing Machine Company, of which he was a stockholder, and later traveled
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for the Sawyer Manufacturing Company of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Upon leav- ing their employ he went into business with his brother, C. B. Herrick, under the name of C. B. Herrick & Company, and this association was continued until his brother's death, in 1887. Our subject carried on the business alone until 1909, when he sold his interest and retired. C. B. Herrick & Company engaged in the manufacture of hardware specialties, and their product found a ready sale upon the market as it was of high quality and reasonable in price. The growth of the business was due mainly to the enterprise and sound judg- ment of Mr. Herrick, who concentrated his time and attention upon its man- agement.
Mr. Herrick was married on the 8th of December, 1875, to Miss Gertrude A. Lukes, of Racine, who passed away in July, 1912. To them were born the following children : Sylvia Holt died when a year old ; Philip P. enlisted in the First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served in the Spanish-American war. later becoming a member of Company A, Thirty-fifth United States Volunteer Infantry at Los Angeles. He has spent some time in the Philippines and is now connected with the customhouse at Manilla. Marjory is the wife of F. A. Vogel. Charles is living in Philadelphia and is employed by the Mitchell Motor Car Company. Henry L. is at home. Donald Lukes is a student in the State University of Wisconsin.
Mr. Herrick is a democrat in politics and has served acceptably as alder- man of the sixth ward and as a member of the school board. He is public- spirited to a marked degree and no movement for the advancement of his community along commercial and civic lines lacks his heartiest support. His residence, which is the oldest in that part of Racine, was erected in 1846 by Captain Thomas J. Cram, U. S. N., and was purchased by Charles Herrick, the father of our subject, in 1857. At that time the property included one hundred acres of land, all of which is now a part of Racine. The house is mainly built of oak, although there was some pine used, and many of the sills and main timbers are a foot square. It is excellently constructed throughout and is a fine example of the old style residence. Mr. Herrick spent the year 1911 in the Philippines and during that time gained a great deal of first hand information concerning conditions in the Islands. Practically his entire life, however, has been passed in Racine, and here he intends to continue his resi- denee. He has a wide acquaintance in the city, and his genuine worth has gained him the unqualified respect of all who have been brought in contact with him.
THOMAS P. OWENS.
Almost a quarter of a century has come and gone since Thomas P. Owens departed this life but he is yet remembered as a substantial and valued citizen of Racine county, where for many years he actively and successfully engaged in farming. He was born in Wales, September 20, 1820, a son of Thomas Owens, Sr. In the common schools of Wales he pursued his education and was a man of thirty-one years when in 1851 he crossed the Atlantic to
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the U'nited States. Ile immediately made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Racine county, where he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Wales, where he spent four years and then in 1859 again came to the United States, once more establishing his home in Raeine county. Here he purchased seventy-five acres of land which he con- tinued to cultivate for a decade. Hle next purchased one hundred and eight aeres and removed to that farm, upon which he continued to reside until his demise, his attention throughout the entire period of his residence in Racine county being given to general agricultural pursuits.
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