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 57
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Mr. Nelson has been married twice. In 1893 he wedded Rachel Sehrader. who died in 1896, leaving a daughter, Ruth Louise, who is now a teacher in the normal school at Muncie, Indiana. In 1900 Mr. Nelson was united in mar- riage to Miss Mae Mack, of Lewistown. Fulton county, Illinois. By this mar- riage there is one child, Wayne.
Mr. Nelson is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are well known socially in the community, being cordially received into those homes where intelligence and culture are accepted as the passports to good society. Mr. Nelson holds membership with the Sons of Veterans, being enti- tled thereto by reason of his father's service as a soldier of the Civil war, hav- ing served with the Union army as a first lieutenant of the Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry. Professor Nelson is also identified with various fraternal organizations, including the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias, the Court of Honor and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, which order he is now presiding over as exalted ruler. In Masonry he has attained high rank, having taken the degrees of lodge, chapter, council and
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commandery, and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind and the duties thereby imposed. In politics he votes for men and measures rather than party and he has neither filled nor sought political office, preferring always to give undivided attention to his professional duties, which he meets with a sense of conscientious responsibility and obligation, knowing how impor- tant it is through the impressionable age of youth to impress upon the mind those things which shall have permanent value. Racine's citizens on the whole highly indorse Mr. Nelson in his educational methods, and his colleagues and contemporaries attest his high rank as an educator. In 1914 and 1915 he was president of the Wisconsin State Teachers' Association.
JOHN O. THOMAS.
John O. Thomas, living on section 23, Caledonia township, manages an excel- lent farm property of two hundred and twenty-nine acres, devoting much of his time to dairying. He was born November 23, 1867, in the township where he yet makes his home, his parents being John W. and Margaret (Owen) Thomas, both of whom were natives of Carnarvonshire, Wales, born in 1826 and 1842 respectively. The paternal grandfather was John Thomas, a weaver by trade, who spent his entire life in Wales, and the maternal grandfather was John Owen, a sea captain, who also lived throughout his life in that little rock-ribbed country. In 1846 the father of John O. Thomas crossed the Atlantic, becoming a resident of Raeine county. Four years afterward, or in 1850. he went to the California gold fields and was quite successful in his work in the mines. He afterward returned to Wales, where he was married and then brought his bride to America, becoming a resident of Caledonia township in 1865. He purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-three aeres and after- ward extended its boundaries by the purchase of an additional tract of eighty acres. Much of this farm was still covered with timber and brush when it came into his possession, but he cleared it and brought the fields to a high state of cultivation, so that he annually gathered substantial crops. He worked diligently year by year, following progressive methods of farming, and thus as time passed he won a place among the substantial agriculturists of his community. In 1893 he built a beautiful country home upon his place and was there most comfortably situated until death ealled him in 1895. His widow still survives. In his political views Mr. Thomas was an earnest repub- liean and was a most publie-spirited eitizen, taking an active and helpful inter- est in all measures that promoted the general welfare or advaneed the best interests of his community. He was a well read man, keeping informed on all questions and issues of the day and the leading current events. He deserved much credit for what he accomplished. for his success was attributable entirely to his own efforts. Mrs. Thomas still survives her husband and she and her children are all members of the Welsh Presbyterian church. In their family were three sons and two daughters: Owen, Mary J. and John O., all upon the
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home farm : William, who is employed by the Pure Milk Company of Racine; and Alice, at home.
Reared on the old homestead farm, John O. Thomas pursued a district school education and afterward spent six months as a student in the Belle City Business College at Racine. He then took up the occupation of farming, which he has always followed, and he now manages the old home property, which comprises two hundred and twenty-nine aeres of rich and arable land. He makes dairying the principal feature of his business and has a good herd of high grade Holstein cows, with a full blooded male at the head of the herd. He has remodeled the buildings upon the place, erecting some new outbuild- ings, and altogether the farm is a valuable and attractive property, giving every evidence of the careful supervision and progressive methods of Mr. Thomas.
In political cireles Mr. Thomas is also prominent, being a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party in this county. He served as town clerk from 1896 until 1899 and in 1904 was elected to the general assembly, where he made so ereditable a record during the first term that he was re-elected and during two sessions left the impress of his individuality, ability and public spirit upon the work of the lawmaking body of the state. He stands for progress and improvement in public affairs as well as in private life and in his political activities has ever subordinated personal interests to the public good.
GUSTAVE V. KRADWELL.
Gustave V. Kradwell, the president and treasurer of the Kradwell Drug Company, displays those qualities which make for strong commercial organiza- tion, development and success and his well defined plans and purposes have resulted in the upbuilding of one of the largest enterprises of this char- acter in southern Wisconsin, as he is at the head of a company owning and controlling seven different drug stores. In his business career he seems ready to meet any emergency and he never fears to venture where favoring oppor- tunity points out the way. He was born in Boscobel, Wisconsin, July 6, 1867, a son of V. J. and Elizabeth (Weibel) Kradwell, the former a native of Austria and the latter of Switzerland. The father was a son of Albert Kradwell, also a native of Austria, who came to America some time after the arrival of his two sons, V. J. and Charles Kradwell, who crossed the Atlantic and east in their lot with the early settlers of Boscobel. Albert Kradwell followed farm- ing in his native country and afterward in Wisconsin, where he passed away in Grant county at the age of eighty-eight years, after rearing a large family. His son, Vandy J. Kradwell, ran away from home when but twelve years of age in order to escape service in the Austrian army and when he came with his brother Charles to the new world made his way to Grant county. Wiscon- sin, where he grew to manhood. In early life he learned and followed the shoe- maker's trade and for a long period was prominently connected with the com- mercial interests of Boscobel as a boot and shoe merchant, but both he and his wife are now deceased. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the
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country's eall for aid, enlisting as a member of Company I, Twentieth Wiscon- sin Infantry, but was rejected on account of his age. However, as a sutler he went to the front. He occupied the position of postmaster at Boscobel under the administration of President Cleveland and in many ways was connected with the substantial improvement of that city, doing all in his power to uphold its status. He died while serving as postmaster in 1895, and his widow has since passed away. She was a daughter of Benjamin Weibel, a native of Switzerland. Her religious faith was that of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Kradwell was a communicant of the Catholic faith. However, he joined the Masonie and Odd Fellows fraternities. To this worthy couple were born seven children : Gustave V., Ida C., Frank A., Wieland W., Benjamin S., William T. and Louis J. The daughter, Ida, was appointed to fill out her father's unex- pired term as postmaster.
Gustave V. Kradwell, having attended public and high schools of his native city, was graduated from the University of Wisconsin with the class of 1891 on the completion of a course in the pharmaceutical department. He was employed for two years in a drug store in Madison, Wisconsin, and on the 2d of May, 1892, arrived in Racine, where he engaged in clerking for a short time. He was ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and in 1895 became one of the incorporators of the Robinson Drug Company, his associates in the enterprise being R. T. Robinson, M. D. Morris and T. W. Thiesen. This company established three stores, and with the change in ownership the firm style of the Kradwell-Thiesen Drug Company was adopted. Some time afterward Mr. Thiesen withdrew and the business was reorganized under the name of the Kradwell Drug Company, which is today carrying on an extensive and growing business, owning now seven stores, six of which are located in Racine, with the seventh in Kenosha. Of the com- pany Gustave V. Kradwell is president and treasurer, with Nettie C. Kradwell as vice president and secretary. They control one of the foremost commercial enterprises of the city.
On the 6th of November, 1895, occurred the marriage of Mr. Kradwell and Miss Nettie Clark, of Boscobel, a daughter of Harvey and Eliza Jane (Skiff) Clark, who were early settlers of that place, where her father engaged in the drug business and afterward in contracting. He, too, was a veteran of the Civil war and both he and his wife have now passed away. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kradwell were two sons: Richard Gustave, who died in infancy : and Frederick Clark, now thirteen years of age. Theirs is one of the fine homes of Racine, situated at No. 1705 Wisconsin street.
Mr. Kradwell is a democrat in his political views and he is a member of the Commercial Club, his activity being indicative of his interest in the welfare and growth of his city. He belongs to various fraternal organizations, inelud- ing Racine Lodge, No. 32, K. P., the Royal Arcanum and the Maccabees, but is most prominently known through his association with the Masonic fraternity, having membership in Grant Lodge, No. 169, F. & A. M., of Boscobel; Orient Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M .; Racine Commandery, No. 7, K. T., of which he is past eminent commander: and the Scottish Rite Consistory of Wisconsin, in which body he presides in the nineteenth degree. He is likewise a member of Tripoli Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and is one of the officers of this shrine.
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In April, 1908, Governor Davidson appointed Mr. Kradwell a member of the Wisconsin State Board of Pharmacy, through the recommendation of the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Association, for a period of five years and at the expiration of that term, Governor McGovern reappointed him for another term of five years. His life has been purposeful and resultant, far-reaching in its influences and beneficial in its effects. In business he has been a per- sistent, resolute and energetic worker, possessing strong executive power and strictly conscientious in his dealings with debtor and creditor alike. His sound judgment has enabled him to focus his energies in directions where fruition is certain, and his native justice has expressed itself in correct prin- ciple and practice.
MATHIAS MUELLER.
Mathias Mueller, who is serving for the third term as poor commissioner of Racine, has done effective work in this office, looking to the interests of those under his charge and also guarding the interests of the city from fraud. Mr. Mueller is a native of Germany, born March 28, 1862, his parents being Michael and Gertrude Mueller, who in 1868 came to Racine. The father had followed merchandising in Germany but on reaching Wisconsin took up his abode upon a farm in Kenosha county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for a num- ber of years, later removing across the line into Racine county. IIe died in 1910, having for almost a quarter of a century survived his wife, who passed away in 1886.
Mathias Mueller obtained his education in the parochial school connected with St. Mary's Catholic church and when fourteen years of age he began to earn his own living. He afterward learned the molder's trade, which he fol- lowed for twenty-seven years, being a member of the local molders' union, Branch No. 310, and his efficiency as a workman and his fidelity and loyalty as a man are demonstrated in the fact that he remained continuously with the American Seating Company for twenty years and nine months. At the age of fifty years, or in 1912, he was appointed poor commissioner of Racine and made such an excellent record during his first and second terms that he was again chosen for that position. He has been a model officer in this capa- city, displaying good judgment in his care of those whom untoward circum- stances have forced to be dependent.
On the 9th of November, 1886, Mr. Mueller was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Hochguertel, of Racine, a daughter of John and Margaret Hoch- guertel, who were early settlers here, arriving in 1856. The children of this marriage are : Hubbard J., a resident of Racine, who is married and has two sons : Katherine, the wife of Mathias Thoennes, of Racine, by whom she has one daughter and one son ; and Joseph M., also married and living in this city.
In exercising his right of franchise Mr. Mueller votes for men rather than party, never holding to a strictly partisan course. Through his religjons fa'th Mr. Mueller became a member of the Holy Name Catholic church in 1884 and has always taken a great interest in Catholic societies, being a member of the
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St. Michael's Society, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights of Wis- consin and the German Catholie Young Men's Society, all of Racine and in all of which he has always been an active member, being a leader and holding office often, long and faithfully, and as a result thereof he is well known throughout the state. Almost his entire life has been spent in Raeine and he is widely known and respected because of his industry and trustworthiness in business and his fidelity and eapability in public office.
JOHN SHECKLER.
For twenty-seven years John Sheckler was actively identified with farming interests in Racine county, where he took up his abode in 1856. He was born in Germany in 1836 and after acquiring a common school education in that country came to the United States at the age of twenty years, hoping that he might enjoy and benefit by some of the advantages which he heard were offered in the new world to young men of enterprise and industry. He made his way at onee to this eounty and took up the occupation of farming, in which he was actively engaged to the time of his demise, making his home in Mount Pleasant township, where he brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, transform- ing his land into a rich and productive traet.
In 1859 Mr. Sheckler was married to Miss Elizabeth Hansche, a daughter of Ernest and Kathrina Hansche, who were early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Sheckler became the parents of seven children, namely : Ernest. Fred, Elizabeth, John, Minnie, William and George. In his political views Mr. Sheckler was a republican, supporting the party from the time that he became a naturalized American citizen. Ilis religious faith was evidenced in his mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a belever in the public school system and for three years served on the school board, doing everything in his power to make the school in his district one which would be of value in preparing young people for life's practical and responsible duties. He died on the 2d of January, 1883, at the comparatively early age of forty-seven years, but left a family to continue the good work which he had begun.
GEORGE SHECKLER.
George Sheckler, son of John Sheckler, whose sketch is given above, was born on the old family homestead in Mount Pleasant township, January 14. 1873. and at the usual age entered the district schools, continuing his educa- tion there until he reached the age of sixteen years. He was a lad of but ten years when his father died and after his textbooks were put aside he worked on the old homestead and afterward took over the management of the prop- erty, upon which he has since lived, having thirty two aeres of land which he devotes to truck gardening. The vegetables which he produces are of fine size and quality and therefore find a ready sale on the market. In all his business
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dealings he is thoroughly reliable, his transactions ever measuring up to honor- able standards.
On the 8th of March, 1900, Mr. Sheckler was married to Miss Grace Dears- ley, daughter of William and Lena (Wyman) Dearsley, and they have two children, Irwin and Ethel, both at home. Like his father, Mr. Sheckler votes with the republican party and like him has served as a member of the school board. Ile belongs also to the Methodist church and is true and loyal to those principles which govern honorable manhood. His success is attributable entirely to his own efforts, for his life has been one of industry and diligence and upon those qualities he has builded the prosperity that he now enjoys.
GEORGE H. HERZOG.
George H. Herzog is postmaster of Racine, to which office he was ap- pointed March 10, 1915, but this is not his first connection with public affairs, as he had previously served for three terins as register of deeds. He is prompt, faithful and determined in the execution of his duties and the worth of his citizenship is widely acknowledged.
Mr. Herzog was born in Racine, October 4, 1867, a son of Jacob and Frances (Hoffman) Herzog, the former a native of New York and the latter of Wisconsin. The family is of German lineage and was founded in America by the paternal grandfather of George H. Herzog, who arrived in the United States in the '50s, after having previously served as a member of the regular army in Germany. He remained a resident of St. Lawrence county. New York, until he brought his family to Wisconsin, but in later years he returned to the east. Jacob Herzog accompanied his parents on their westward re- moval, the family home being established upon a farm in the town of Mount Pleasant in Racine county in 1860. He devoted his attention to the work of the fields for several years but eventually became a resident of Racine, where as a wood worker he entered the service of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, and was an employe of that corporation almost up to the time of his death, December 27, 1913. His first wife died in 1872 and subse- quently he was twice married. The mother of George H. Herzog was a daughter of John Hoffman, a native of Germany, who lived for a time in the Empire state before arriving in Wisconsin in the '50s. He became a teaming contractor of Racine, where he carried on business up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was more than seventy years of age. In early manhood he married Catharine Steiner, who reared a large family and reached a very advanced age.
After completing his education in the high school of Racine, George H. Herzog was employed by the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company until 1893, when he became connected with newspaper publication, spending about six years as a member of the reportorial staff and as telegraph editor on the Racine Journal. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he joined the army and also acted as correspondent for the Journal while at the front. He was a member of Company F, First Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infan-
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try, which was attached to the Seventh Army Corps under General Fitzhugh Lee and was stationed at Jacksonville, Florida. After he was honorably dis- charged he continued with the Journal until the fall of 1898, when he was elected to the office of register of deeds of Racine county, entering upon the duties of the position on the first Monday in January, 1899. His course in office received the indorsement of the public generally, for although a democrat in a strongly republican county, he was twice re-elected to the position by large majorities. In the spring of 1905 he was elected alderman of Racine from the seventh ward and took an active part in shaping the welfare of the city through municipal legislation. His capability as an official received further recognition when on the 10th of March, 1915, he was appointed by President Wilson to the office of postmaster of Racine, in which capacity he is now serving.
On June 23, 1891, Mr. Herzog was united in marriage to Margaret MI. Deischler, daughter of Joseph and Amelia (Smith) Deischler. Two children have been born to this union, Harry J. and Frances J. The family residence at No. 1628 North Main street was erected by Mr. Herzog in 1903. Frater- nally he is identified with Racine Lodge, No. 92. A. F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Moose and the Eagles. He has also been promi- nently connected with the athletic societies of Racine for many years and was vice president of the Racine Athletic Association when that organiza- tion was at its zenith. He was also one of the organizers of the Raeine Baseball Club and has always been an advocate and patron of clean, manly sports. If one were to chracterize Mr. Herzog in a single word, that word undoubtedly would be fidelity, for he has displayed faithfulness to every trust whether of a public or private nature, never regarding lightly the duties that have devolved upon him but fully weighing his responsibilities and meeting each with the conscious strength of strong manhood.
WILLIAM H. GIFFORD.
In the year 1886 William H. Gifford established a dairy farm, and he sup- plied one of the first eans of milk to the Horlick Malted Milk Company. He has continuously engaged in dairying and is today one of the chief representa- tives of that industry, which has long constituted a source of the county's greatest wealth. His birth occurred in Caledonia township, September 25, 1866, his parents being William and Catherine (Morris) Gifford, both of whom were natives of Cambridge, Washington county, New York, the former born September 14, 1822, and the latter September 16. 1831. The paternal grandfather was Joseph Gifford, who died in New York, but the maternal grandfather, John Morris, became a resident of Caledonia township in the '40s and bought a farm which was afterward purchased by Mr. Gif- ford. He thus became identified with the early pioneer development of this district. The marriage of William Gifford and Catherine Morris was celebrated in Washington county, New York, and in 1861 they came to
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Racine county, where they purchased two hundred and thirty-five acres of land in Caledonia township. Throughout his remaining days Mr. Gif- ford devoted his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits and afterward added a tract of fifty acres to his original purchase. He was a very industrious, energetic man, and though he had little to a d him at the outset of his career, he gradually worked his way upward and became one of the prosperous citizens of his adopted city. From the age of seven years he was dependent upon his own earnings, for at that time his father d.ed and the mother was left in straitened financial circumstances. His life record certainly indicates what may be accomplished by industry, energy and determined pur- pose. He died in the year 1888, at the age of sixty-six, while his wife passed away in 1895. They were both consistent members of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they took an active and helpful part, Mr. Gifford doing much to further its growth and influence. In politics he was a republican but was never ambitious to hold office. To him and his wife were born seven children, of whom four are yet living : Mary, the wife of Joe Cooper, a retired farmer of Racine who is now representing the Humane Society there; E. E., a retired farmer living on Washington avenue in Racine; William H .; and A. M., who resides in Yorkville township.
William H. Gifford, spending his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, divided his time between farm work and the acquirement of an educa- tion in the district school. He took up farming and dairying and in connec- tion with his brother purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home- stead property. He today has one hundred and twenty acres of fine land on which he has erected a nice residence and good outbuildings. He already has one silo and is now building another which will be one of the largest in the county. In 1886 he began dairying and hauled one of the first cans of milk to the Horlick Malted Milk Company, which at that time had use for scarcely all of the milk which he took to them-two cans per day. In faet they refused to take so much milk. Mr. Gifford has remained continuously in the dairy business and milks now about forty-five cows. all high grade Holsteins. He bought his farm at fifty dollars per acre but it is today worth much more than that and is a splendidly improved property. He has tiled it, thus enhancing its productiveness, and it is well fenced. In fact everything about the place indicates his careful supervision and practical and progressive methods.
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