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 56
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also engages in dairying to some extent, keeping about seven milch cows. He also raises a large number of pure blooded Silverlace Wyandotte chickens and as he co-ordinates the various branches of his business he receives a good financial return from his labor.
Mr. Biehn supports the republican party at the polls, but although he is not remiss in any of the duties of citizenship, has never taken active part in politics. He has preferred to confine his time and attention to his farming interests and has won a degree of prosperity that many an older man might well envy. His entire life has been passed in this section and the fact that those who have known him sinee boyhood hold him in the highest esteem is incontestable proof of his genuine worth.
ISIDOR FRIEDMAN.
The mercantile establishment of The Friedman Company, might well be termed the "Marshall Field" of Racine. Not only is it the largest store of its kind in the city but it institutes and adopts the most progressive methods and in all of its undertakings displays the spirit of initiative and progress.
The business was started in Racine about nine years ago and has been developed to one of extensive proportions and success in large measure crowns the efforts of the members of this firm.
Isidor Friedman, who is head of The Friedman Company, was born in Germany in 1854 and when nine years of age made the voyage across the Atlantic to the United States, and was reared in New York city. When a young man he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he entered the business world. Having attained success, he retired from active business in 1906, but being a man of extraordinary ambition, he was not satisfied to remain away from business activities, and in the year 1907 he came to Racine, where he embarked in the ladies ready-to-wear business, opening a store in the Masonic Temple building. Mr. Friedman and his store soon became very popular with the Racine public. The high class of merchandise carried, coupled with his straightforward methods, made it a successful enterprise from the beginning and the business grew with rapid strides.
In order to meet the demands of the trade, Mr. Friedman secured the build- ing adjoining his store on the north and connected it with his store. The busi- ness continued to prosper and was growing so rapidly that in 1912 Mr. Fried- man found it necessary to again enlarge and it was during that year he built an addition to his store which extended it from Main street through to Lake avenue, a depth of about two hundred and fifty feet, with a frontage on Main street of eighty feet, having also built an arcade front with show windows extending over one hundred feet, making it one of the most unique and best equipped outfitting stores for ladies and children in this part of the country.
The business was begun under the name of Friedman's Cloak & Suit Com- pany. The confidence of a public, appreciative of good values and painstak- ing service, soon led to a greater success, due to the advantages derived by an enormous purchasing power, and having added many departments of dry
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goods, shoes, ladies furnishings, etc., the name of the firm was changed to The Friedman Company, which enjoys the distinction of condneting an insti- tution which is a eredit and pride to the entire community.
Mr. Friedman's son, Arthur, is associated with him in this business. They have also recently established in Racine a high class photo-play house, The Palace Theatre the entrance of which is direetly south of the Friedman store. This new enterprise has proved to be a grand success and reflects credit on the Friedmans.
Mr. Friedman also has three daughters, all of whom are married. Mr. Friedman is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, also an Elk, and belongs to the Racine Commercial Club and Country Club, also several other charitable and social societies. He maintains an independent political attitude, but is deeply interested in affairs relating to the progress and upbuilding of the city and lends active aid and co-operation to all movements for the general good.
He is farseeing, honest and public-spirited and through all his career has held many important relations to the public interests and his present enviable position is the result of a well balanced mind and a sterling character.
S. H. HANSCHE.
It was in Mount Pleasant township, where he still resides, that S. H. Hansche was born on the 21st, of November. 1878, his parents being Frederick J. and Fredricka Hansche. Ilis home at the present time is on section 32, where he is engaged in farming, winning substantial success as a reward for his persistent and intelligently directed labor. At the usual age he entered the common schools and thus continued his studies to the age of fifteen. h the meantime he had received active training in farm work and after his text- books were put aside he continued to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he started out in business independently, form- ing a partnership with his brother, A. J. Hansche. Together they now farm one hundred and ten acres of land, which they carefully and successfully cul- tivate, raising the crops best adapted to soil and climatie conditions here. That their methods are at once practical and progressive is indicated in the success which has come to them.
On the 2d of December, 1905, Mr. Hansche was married to Miss Emma Wensing, a daughter of John Wensing, one of the earliest settlers of Mount Pleasant township, who is now a resident of Racine. Mrs. Hansehe was born in Somers township, Kenosha county, in 1882, and by her marriage has become the mother of three sons, Norman, Oliver and Robert, all in school.
The parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. contribute generously to its support and take an active interest in its work. In polities Mr. Hansche is a republican where national issues are involved but casts an independent ballot at local elections. He has served as a member of the town board of supervisors for two years and was pathmaster for four or five years. He has ever been diligent and determined in carrying on his busi- ness, early recognizing the fact that industry is the basis of all honorable suc-
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cess. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with agricultural pur- suits in Mount Pleasant township and is now numbered among its most respected and worthy farmers.
FREDERICK J. HANSCHE.
That Frederick J. Hansche was an industrious and enterprising business man is indicated in the fact that at the time of his death he was the owner of an excellent property of one hundred and twelve acres, although when he first came to Racine county he had to earn his living by working as a farm hand. He was born in Germany on the 17th of October, 1837, and in that country acquired a common school education. About 1865 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and for a year thereafter was a resident of Cincinnati. He then came to Racine county and for a year or two was employed at farm labor, during which period he most carefully saved his earn- ings until his industry and economy had brought him a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase seventeen acres of land in Mount Pleasant township. Upon that tract he then engaged in truck farming and as his financial resources increased he kept adding to his holdings from time to time until at his demise he was the owner of one hundred and twelve acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, while to the farm he added many modern and sub- stantial improvements.
Before leaving Germany, Frederick J. Hansche was married to Miss Fred- ricka Tigges and to them were born six children: George, who is living in Polk county, Wisconsin, and has two children; Minnie, the wife of A. J. Sheckler, a resident of Raeine: Emma, deceased; Alfred J .: Samuel H., who is married and has three children; and Eda, the wife of P. J. Meyers, of Racine, by whom she has six children.
The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Hansche gave his political allegiance to the republican party. For several years he served as a member of the school board and for a number of years he occupied the position of roadmaster. He was interested in everything per- taining to the welfare and progress of his community and gave active and earnest support to all measures that he deemed of public value and benefit.
ALFRED J. HANSCHE.
Alfred J. Hansche, the second son of Frederick J. Hansche, now occupies and cultivates the old home farm in connection with his brother, Samuel H. He was born in Mount Pleasant township, February 28, 1874, and attended the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen or seventeen years. He then went to Racine, where he was employed for nine years in the meat market of A. J. Sheckler but on the expiration of that period he returned to the home farm, of which he has since had charge in connection with his
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brother. They have carefully and systematically cultivated the place, which is largely devoted to the raising of vegetables, and for their produet they find a ready sale on the market. The work is systematically and scientifcally carried on. They have studied the needs of the soil, know where the best results can be achieved for each crop and their annual sales now amount to a large figure.
In 1904 Alfred J. Hansche was married to Miss Jennie Bose, a daughter of William F. and Nellie (Breaid) Bose. Two children have been born to this marriage, Dorothy and George, who are with their parents on the old home- stead, and in the community the family is regarded most highly, occupying a position of prominence and influence. In his political views Mr. Hansehe is an earnest republican, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His record, like that of the others of the Hansche family, is most ereditable and through more than half a century the Hansches have borne a helpful and important part in the work of developing and improving this section of the state.
WILLIAM M. FOSTER.
Among the excellent and well equipped printing establishments of Raeine is that owned and conducted by William M. Foster under the name of the Lakeside Printing Company. He established the business in 1893 and during the intervening period of twenty-three years has built up a large and gratify- ing trade, while at all times he has kept his establishment as an exponent of the best in the printing business, his motto being "Printing as you want it, when you want it."
Mr. Foster was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, August 15, 1862, and is a son of Leonard M. and Martha M. (Spur) Foster. The father died in 1865, and the mother afterward became the wife of Charles Garfield, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and removed to Racine on the 14th of March, 1876. She was born in New York state and came to Wisconsin with her parents in 1843, the fam. ily home being established in Walworth county. She died in Racine in 1906.
William M. Foster attended the third ward school in Raeine, Racine Col- lege, and the Marsh Business College but in the interim had begun to earn his living when a youth of ten years. When but a boy he not only provided for his own support but also aided in the support of his mother. In 1879 he began to learn the printing business, working on the Raeine News until 1881 and during the succeeding year on the Advocate. On the 30th of October. 1883, he started and managed the Times, with offices in the Knight building, 510 Main street. It is still published under the name of the Raeine Times-Cail. Mr. Foster was employed on the Times and Journal from 1884 to 1893. In the latter year he organized the Lakeside Printing Company and established the business which he still conducts and of which he is now exclusive owner. He carries on a general commercial job printing business, and his establishment is liberally patronized, the volume of trade having now reached a large figure.
On the 16th of September, 1902, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Jennie F.
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Dickson, who passed away in March, 1904. For his second wife he chose Gussie R. Shields, whom he wedded November 29, 1908. She is a daughter of Mrs. Mary Syrich Shields, one of the early settlers of this part of the state.
Mr. Foster is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Uniform Rank. the Pythian Sisters and the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. He belongs to Isaac Taylor Lodge of the Sons of St. George, and also to the Royal Arcanum, the Elks and Charles Filer Camp, No. 31, Sons of Veterans, while to its ladies' auxiliary he has been judge advocate for several years. IIe was likewise dictator and deputy supreme dictator of the Moose. He became a charter member of the Racine Commercial Club and is much interested in its well defined plans and purposes for the material development and progress of the city. In trade relations he is identified with the Racine Retail Merchants Association. He is an associate member of St. Luke's Episcopal church, a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and an honorary member of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union. All these indicate the breadth and nature of his interests, showing that his life is guided by high and honorable principles and that his purposes find expression in those projects which are for the benefit and uplift of mankind. His has been an active and useful life. reaching out along beneficial lines for the material, social and moral progress of the community.
NORBERT GRABHER.
Norbert Grabher, who was formerly identified with industrial interests in Racine for many years, is now living upon a farm of seventeen acres on sec- tion 37, Mount Pleasant township, where he has a fine home. Ile was born in Austria, November 9, 1855, and is a son of Jerome and Katrina Grabher. He attended the common schools to the age of twelve years and afterward worked upon the home farm and throughout the locality as a farm hand until about twenty-five years of age. It was in 1882 that he crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Philadelphia, and through the succeeding summer he was employed at farm labor near that city. He then made his way westward to Chicago, where he worked in a wholesale house for two years, after which he came to Racine and was employed in the chicory factory for a year and a half. He then went back to Chicago. where he held a position in a malt house for eight months, after which he again came to Racine and occupied a position in the chicory factory for six or seven months. Subsequently he spent a year with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company in the plow works and for eight or ten years was employed in the carriage shop. At the end of that time he bought seventeen acres of land and has occupied his farm continuously since 1906.
In November, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. Grabher and Miss Sophia Hansehe, a daughter of Rudolph Hansche. They have become parents of five children : Benjamin F., living at home; Emily, who is the wife Chris Nelson and has one child : Viola, who married Dave Sorensen, of Mount Pleasant. and has two living children : and Flora and Ernie, both at home.
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Mr. Grabher belongs to the Pentecostal church of Racine and he gives his political allegiance to the prohibition party, thus giving evidence of his stal- wart support of the temperanee cause, the work of which he has advocated both by precept and example. He is a self-made man who in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons and who from the age of twelve years has depended entirely upon his own resources. He has worked dili- gently and persistently and his close application to his business affairs has been the source of the substantial success which he now enjoys.
EDWARD T. BILLINGS.
Edward T. Billings is a Raeine photographer, who is familiar with every phase of photographic work both in its mechanical and artistic lines. He keeps in touch with the latest improved processes of photography and his ability is manifested in his substantial and growing success. A native of Ontario, Canada, he was born April 12, 1852, his parents being Bradish D. and Eliza (Harry) Billings, who were natives of New York and of Cornwall, England, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Ira Billings, visited the United States on various occasions but spent his last days in Canada where he passed away at the age of eighty-two years. The maternal grandfather, a native of England, crossed the Atlantic to Canada and there followed the carpenter's trade throughout his remaining days.
Bradish D. Billings was reared to the occupation of farming and upon his arrival in Raeine county, in 1860, purchased land in Yorkville township, on which he resided for several years and then took up his abode in the eity of Racine, where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest, in 1899, when seventy-six years of age. His wife passed away May 18, 1911. They were members of the Episcopal church. Their family numbered two sons and two daughters: Edward T. and William F., both residents of Raeine; and Margaret and Agatha, twins. The former is employed as a bookkeeper and stenographer, while the latter has become the wife of Thomas Rowley, of Racine county.
When a youth of eight years Edward T. Billings came with his parents to Racine county and spent his youthful days upon the home farm, his boyhood experienees being those which usually fall to the lot of the farm bred boy. He supplemented his early education, obtained in the district schools, by fur- ther study in the public schools of Racine and afterward took up the study of photography, believing that he would find that vocation an interesting one. and hoping, through business ability and enterprise, to make it profitable. In 1872 he opened his studio in Racine and in the intervening years has made continuous progress until he is now one of the foremost photographers of the state. There has been marked advance in photographie processes and metho is and with these he has always kept in touch. He knows how best to utilize light and shade and position and he has the faculty of catching an expression that is characteristic of the individual and therefore makes of the picture an excellent likeness.
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On the 20th of March, 1877, Mr. Billings was united in marriage to Miss Mary Easson, a daughter of Captain Larry and Alice (Green) Easson. They have become the parents of two children, Harry and Edna. Mrs. Billings is a member of the Baptist church, while Mr. Billings is well known in Masonic cireles, holding membership in Racine Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., Orient Chap- ter, No. 12, R. A. M., and Racine Commandery, No. 7, K. T. He has always maintained an independent political attitude nor have the honors and emolu- ments of office ever had attraction for him. The family residence is an attrac- tive home at No. 924 Lake avenue. At all times he has been actuated by the spirit of advancement and each forward step he has taken in his business career has brought him a wider outlook and broader opportunities.
OWEN P. PRITCHARD.
One of the valued citizens of Mount Pleasant township of Welsh birth was Owen P. Pritchard, who during the pioneer epoch in the history of the county cast in his lot with the early settlers here and continued his residence in this locality until his death. He was born in Wales on the 11th of May, 1827, and was a youth of fifteen when in 1842 he crossed the Atlantic with his parents, Robert and Margaret Pritchard. The father purchased one hundred acres of land in Mount Pleasant township, Racine county, and continuously and successfully engaged in general farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1882.
Owen P. Pritchard became the active assistant of his father in the farm work and so continued until 1855, when he was married and began farming on his own account. He purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Mount Pleasant township and he, too, devoted his energies to the work of tilling the soil until his life's labors were terminated September 13, 1894. He early realized that diligence is the basis of all honorable success and he based his prosperity upon indefatigable energy and close application.
In 1855 occurred the marriage of Mr. Pritchard and Miss Sallie Ann Bell, who was born September 6, 1827, a daughter of Captain John Bell. of West Allis, Wisconsin, who came to this state in 1842. Two children were born of this marriage: Stella, whose birth occurred August 14, 1856, and who passed away September 7, 1898: and Ginevra, who was born September 29, 1862, and became the wife of Thomas R. Williams. Mrs. Pritchard died October 2, 1908. and rests in Mound cemetery, where her husband and daughter, Stella, are also buried.
The family home was a log cabin until 1871, when this was replaced by a more commodous briek residence. There were difficulties and obstacles to be encountered in the early days, but in time these gave way before persistent effort and unremitting diligence. Before purchasing his farm Mr. Pritchard was in partnership with Daniel Slosson in the work of getting out ship timber, which they sent by way of the water route to Buffalo, New York. In religious faith Mr. Pritchard was a Congregationalist, while his political belief was' that of the republican party. He was always interested in everything per-
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taining to the general welfare and for years was a member of the school board. He also served as town treasurer for one term and for several years was super- visor. That he was regarded as a man of honor and integrity is indicated in the fact that he was chosen administrator of various estates. Those who knew him entertained for him the warmest regard and no trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree.
THOMAS R. WILLIAMS.
Thomas R. Williams, a representative farmer of Mount Pleasant township, living on section 18, was born in Wales, September 8, 1859, a son of William and Elizabeth (Richards) Williams, who in the year 1870 came to the United States, reaching Racine on the 1st of August. The father worked at the ear- penter's trade until 1881 and then purchased thirty acres of land in Mount Pleasant township, on which the family home was established and maintained until the parents were called to their final rest. The mother died in 1908 and the father passed away in 1915, the remains of both being interred in Mound cemetery at Racine. The father gave his political allegiance to the republican party and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams had a family of five children: Thomas R .; Annie, who became the wife of Burns Rork, of Franksville, and died leaving a daugh- ter, Laura ; Emily, who became the wife of Richard Rowland and died leaving a son, Byron ; Trinnett, deceased ; and William.
Thomas R. Williams was a lad of about eleven years when his parents left Wales and came with their family to the new world. He attended the distriet sehools in Raymond township until he reached the age of fifteen and he afterward devoted his attention to work upon the home farm until 1888. He then began farming on his own aceount in Mount Pleasant township and in 1892 he married Ginevra Pritchard. They have an excellent tract of land in Mount Pleasant township, which is now in a high state of cultivation. In 1904 he retired, renting the farm and is residing in West Racine. In politics he is independent, while the religious faith of himself and wife is that of the Congregational church. They are highly esteemed in the community in which they live, having a large circle of warm friends who extend to them the gener- ous hospitality of their homes.
BURTON E. NELSON.
Burton E. Nelson is prominent among the educators of Wisconsin who have devoted their time and energies to publie school instruction and for twelve years he has been the valued superintendent of schools in Racine, where sub- stantial improvements and advancement have been made under his guidance and direction. He holds to high ideals in his chosen life work and puts forth
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every effort to reach the standards which he has set up. Professor Nelson is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Bedford county, July 30, 1867, his parents being John and Susan (Cypher) Nelson, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. The father was a miller by trade, acquaint- ing himse'f with that business in early life, but afterward he took up the pro- fession of law and for ten years served as associate judge of his district.
Liberal educational advantages were accorded Burton E. Nelson because of his evident desire to advance along the lines of intellectual development. He was a student in the military academy at Whitehall, Pennsylvania, before entering the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Millersville, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1884. Later he entered the Western Normal College at Bushnell, Illinois, and was graduated therefrom in 1891, but in the meantime he had entered upon the profession of teaching, which he had followed successfully for a number of years, early proving his ability to impart readily and concisely to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Ile afterward became principal of the high school at Bushnell, Illi- nois, and later was made city superintendent of the schools at that place. In 1893 he accepted the position of city superintendent of schools at Lewistown, IlInois, and that he was popular as an educator there was indicated in the faet that his services were retained until 1900, when he resigned to become superin- tendent of schools at Lincoln, Illinois, where he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period in 1904 he came to Racine as city superintendent of schools and has so continued to the present time, covering a period of twelve years. Each change has marked a progressive step in his professional career and throughout all the period of his identification with educational work he has been a close student of the plans and projects which have been put forth by noted educators to render the intellectual training of the young a more effective force as a preparation for life's practical responsibilities and duties. Under his direetion the schools of Racine have been well organized, the work carefully systematized and new standards introduced. The system of instruc- tion, too, has been modified to meet changing conditions and the publie recog- nizes the fact that his labors have been of far-reaching and permanent benefit.
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