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 60
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Carl Mickelsen attended school in his native county until-he reached the age of fourteen years, when he began to provide for his own support, by working as a farm hand, in which manner he was employed for six years. Thinking that he would have better opportunities in the new world where com- petition is not so great and where advancement is more quickly secured, he bade adieu to friends and native land in 1886 and sailed for America. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his way at once into the interior of the country and for a year was employed at farm labor in Racine county. He afterward worked at odd jobs-tile ditching, dairying and in other ways- and was also employed in the shops of Racine for five years. Throughout this entire period he carefully saved his earnings, living most frugally, and at length by praetieing close economy and industry he acquired a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. The year 1906 saw the fulfillment of his hope in that regard, for he became owner of seventy-four aeres of land on seetion 27, Mount Pleasant township, to which he has since added a tract of ten acres. His place is all well improved and the farm presents a neat and pleasing appearance. The fields are carefully cultivated and indicate the eare which Mr. Mickelsen displays in carrying on his farming interests.
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In 1892 occurred the marriage of Mr. Mickelsen and Miss Margaret Olsen and to them have been born nine children: Arthur, Alma, Agnes, William, Nora, Harold, Edna, Carl and Viola. Mr. and Mrs. Mickelsen are members of the Lutheran church in Racine and in politics he follows an independent course, considering the capability of the candidate rather than his party al- legiance. He rejoices in the progress made by the county, but he has never been an office seeker, preferring always to concentrate his energies upon his business duties. He has worked hard and his indefatigable energy and un- faltering industry have been the basic elements in his growing and well de- served success.
THOMAS M. DAVIES.
Thomas M. Davies, a lifelong resident of Racine county, save for a brief period spent in Iowa, is now actively and successfully engaged in general farm- ing on section 34, Mount Pleasant township, where he has made his home con- tinuously since 1882. He was born April 2, 1851, in the town of Mount Pleas- ant, Racine County, a son of Morris and Mary Davies, who were natives of Wales and early in 1843 crossed the Atlantic, making their way at once to this county. The family home was established in Mount Pleasant township and there the father continued to engage in farming until his death, which occurred in 1886. His wife survived him for almost two decades, passing away in 1905, the remains of both being interred in Mound cemetery. They were both members of the Congregational church, the teachings of which guided them in all the relations of life, and in his political views Mr. Davies was a republican.
Thomas M. Davies was one of a family of six children, of whom four are now living. At the usual age he became a pupil in the district schools, which he attended until he reached the age of seventeen, after which he gave his un- divided attention to the work of the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He then went to Iowa and spent about eight or nine months in the vicinity of Iowa City, but on the expiration of that period returned and began farming on his own account on rented land. He carefully saved his earnings until his frugality and enterprise had brought him a sufficient sum to enable him in 1882 to purchase one hundred and twenty acres of land. Upon this farm he has since remained and in the intervening period, covering more than a third of a century, his labors have wrought a marked change in the appearance of the place owing to his progressive method of developing the fields, cultivating the crops and adding all modern improvements in the way of farm machinery and other equipment.
On the 12th of November, 1885, Mr. Davies was married to Miss Sarah Jones, a daughter of Edward H. and Sarah Jones, who were early settlers of this county, but were natives of Wales, where they were reared and married, coming to the United States about 1850. They at once established their home in Racine county and the father took up the occupation of farming, which he
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followed continuously until his death, which occurred in 1889. His wife sur- vived until 1905 and their graves were made in Mound cemetery. They were both worthy Christian people, holding membership in the Welsh Congrega- tional church, and in his political views Mr. Jones was a republican. They had a family of seven children : Edward, Ann, Harry and Solomon, all four of whom are deceased ; and Mary, Elizabeth and Sarah, who are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Davies were born six children: William, living in Mount Pleasant ; Annie, the wife of Elmer Acklam; Edna, the wife of Arthur Wilson : Elmer, living in Kenosha county ; and Eddie and Edgar, twins, at home.
Mr. Davies is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp at Corliss. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and for six years he served as a member of the town board. He was also road commissioner for a number of years and has always been loyal in his duties of citizenship, doing everything in his power to promote public progress and to uphold those inter- ests which are a matter of civie virtue and civic pride. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and the community finds in him a rep- resentative citizen, a capable business man and a faithful friend. In all his business career he has ever recognized the faet that industry is the basis of all honorable success and upon his diligence and determination he has built his prosperity.
CHARLES H. BULL.
When Charles H. Bull passed away Racine county lost a citizen who had long been numbered with the representative agriculturists of this part of the state. He owned and cultivated a fine farm of eighty acres on section 31, Raymond township, and his business affairs were carefully and wisely man- aged. New York numbered him among her native sons, his birth having oe- curred in Cayuga county on the 6th of June, 1839. His father, De Grove Bull. was also a native of the Empire state, where he spent his youthful days upon a farm and later took up that occupation as a life work. In early manhood he wedded Amanda Crosby and they became the parents of eleven children. They retained their residence in New York until 1846, when they started for the middle west, making the journey by way of the Lakes to Racine county. where De Grove Bull purchased the farm upon which his son Charles resided for many years. At the time of the purchase the tract was wild land entirely undeveloped and unimproved and the first home of the family was a log cabin in which they lived in true frontier style, meeting all of the experiences and hardships incident to pioneer life. With characteristic energy the father be- gan the development of his farm, whereon he continued to make his home until called to his final rest in 1867, when seventy-two years of age. His fel- low townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, had several times called him to public office and he discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity but preferred to give his undivided attention to his business. In politics he
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was a democrat. His wife survived him for a number of years and died in Racine in 1880.
Charles H. Bull was one of their eleven children, six sons and five daugh- ters, and was a little lad of but seven years when he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin. His education was obtained in the pioneer schools of the county, but though his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited, his training at farm work was not meager. From an early age he assisted in the development of the fields upon the home place and when his father passed away Charles H. Bull, then about twenty-eight years of age, assumed the management of the farm and devoted his remaining days to the cultivation of a good tract of land of eighty acres on section 31, Raymond township. In ad- dition to tilling the soil he engaged in breeding horses and had considerable fine blooded stock upon his place.
It was in 1866, in Dover township, that Mr. Bull wedded Miss Mary Wilson, a native of the Empire state and a daughter of Andrew H. and Mary A. Wil- son. They became the parents of five children; De Grove; Andrew; May; Fred W., and Chas., deceased. In his political views the father was ever an earnest democrat from the time when he cast his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas. Fraternally he was a member of Corinthian Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., of Union Grove, and of the Modern Woodmen camp at North Cape. Practically his entire life was spent in this county and he possessed many sterling traits of character which won him the high regard and good will of all with whom he came in contact. He was found reliable in business, loyal in citizenship and faithful to the ties of home and friendship and thus it was, when he passed away on the 26th of November, 1914, at the age of seventy-five years, that his death was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret.
DE GROVE BULL.
De Grove Bull, living on section 26, Mount Pleasant township, was born in Raymond township, October 1, 1867, and in his youthful days enjoyed the educational advantages offered by the common schools, while later he attended Rochester Academy until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He en- gaged in farming with his father for three years and then went to Chicago, where he secured a position with Marshall Field & Company, serving in the shipping department for about seven years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Racine county and again worked upon his father's farm for three years. He then removed to Mount Pleasant township, where he culti- vated his father's place of one hundred and sixty acres, and now for fifteen or sixteen years he has lived upon this farm, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and improvement. From early spring planting until crops are harvested in the late autumn there is no feature of his farm work that is
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neglected. He watches all details pointing to success and his careful man- agement is bringing to him the merited reward of labor.
In 1906 Mr. Bull was married to Miss Anna Hay, a daughter of George Hay, of Racine, and they have two children living, Charles and George, and have lost one child. Mr. Bull belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Racine and the Woodmen camp at North Cape. His political indorsement is given to the republican party. He has many sterling characteristics and his fellow townsmen and those who have had business relations with him speak of him in terms of high regard, knowing that his word is ever reliable and that he may be counted upon at all times to do that which he believes to be right.
PHILIP BRAUN.
Philip Braun, owner of a farm of sixty acres on section 7, Caledonia town- ship, is carrying on general agricultural pursuits and dairying and both branches of his business are bringing him substantial success. His farm is well improved according to modern standards and his methods indicate a pro- gressive spirit. He was born in Germany, April 29, 1865, a son of Peter and Katherine (Rauguth) Braun, the latter a daughter of Jacob Rauguth, who came to the new world with the parents of Philip Braun and spent his remain- ing days in Caledonia township. It was about 1866 that the family crossed the Atltantie to the new world, settling first in Milwaukee county, whence a re- moval was made to Caledonia township, Racine county, where Peter Braun purchased ten acres of land. He died in the year 1867, while his wife, who was born in 1827, survived him for two decades, passing away in 1887. Their religious faith was that of the Catholic church. They had two children, the elder being a daughter, Maggie, who became the wife of James Peterson, a carpenter of Milwaukee county.
Philip Braun was educated in the parochial schools and when his text- books were put aside began earning his living at the occupation of farming, being employed as a farm hand until he was able to save from his earnings a sum sufficient to purchase a farm. He then bought forty acres, which he acquired when twenty-one years of age. To this he has added a twenty-acre tract, so that his place now comprises sixty acres. His land is arable and he brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, carefully tilling the soil so that substantial crops are annually gathered. In connection with general farming he carries on dairying, milking mostly Holstein cows. He makes butter, which he sells in Milwaukee, and the excellence of the product secures the highest market price. He has built a nice home and has good outbuild- ings upon his place, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. He has also put up a large silo, so that he is able to furnish green fodder to his stock throughout the winter.
In 1888 Mr. Braun was married to Miss Mary Searing, a native of this county, and to them have been born five children : Mary, who is now a sister in the Convent of St. Francis at Milwaukee; Agnes, Albert, Norbert and
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Marcella, all of whom are at home. The parents are members of the St. Louis Catholic church of Caledonia and in political belief Mr. Braun is a democrat. He has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man, for every dollar which he possesses he has earned, and in carrying on his farm work he has been diligent, determined and progressive. His life record therefore proves what may be accomplished by the individual who has the will to dare and to do.
WILLIAM T. DAVIES.
William T. Davies, who for five years has been engaged in general farming on section 33, Mount Pleasant township, was born August 14, 1886, in the township where he now makes his home, his parents being Thomas and Sarah Davies. He attended district school No. 7 in Kenosha county until he reached the age of sixteen years and afterward became a student in a business college in Racine, where he spent one year. Starting out to earn his own living, he went to River Forest, Illinois, where for a year he was employed on a game farm. He was afterward employed by the Case Threshing Machine Company in Racine for six months and later spent three months in the harvest fields of North Dakota. He afterward worked for four years in the signal department of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, but desiring to make farm- ing his occupation, he resigned his position and rented one hundred and twenty acres of land in Mount Pleasant township, upon which he has now engaged in farming for five years. He has made a substantial start in busi- ness for one of his age and is prompted by a commendable ambition that prom- ises well for the future.
In 1913 Mr. Davies was married to Miss Jane Acklam, a daughter of Thomas Acklam, and they have one son, Marvin. Mr. Davies belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and the North Western Mutual Life Insurance Company. His study of the politicial questions and issues of the day has led him to give his support to the republican party, while his religious faith finds exemplification in his membership in the Congregational church. He is a young man of ster- ling traits and his social qualities have won him warm friendship, while his business activity is gaining for him merited success.
ROBERT L. ANDERSON.
Robert L. Anderson, who is engaged in blacksmithing in Caledonia, was born in Denmark, December 3, 1871, a son of Robert L. and Sophia (Shen- berg) Anderson. The father was born in Denmark, March 20, 1815, and the mother's birth occurred in Germany, February 20, 1843. Mr. Anderson be- came a detective of Odense, Denmark, and for twenty-eight years and three months he was connected with the military organization of his country, par- ticipating in the wars of 1848-50 and in the war of 1864. He died in Denmark,
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Janaury 24, 1881, and in 1895 the mother came to Racine, where she is still living. In their family were eight children, of whom five survive: Fred, a blacksmith of Emory, Wisconsin ; Robert L .; Thor, living in Racine ; George, assistant chief of the Case Fire Department of Racine; and Alexander, who is a clothing salesman in Racine. The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church.
It was in the year 1889 that Robert L. Anderson came to Racine, being then a youth of eighteen years. He worked for five months on a farm near Union Grove, after which he removed to Norway township and was employed by a cousin in a blacksmith shop. In 1908 he located in Kilbourn, where he en- tered a blacksmith shop, where he has since worked. Almost his entire life has been devoted to the trade and he has built up a good business which is bringing to him a gratifying financial return.
On the 25th of January, 1894, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Sena Beek, who was born in Denmark, and they have become the parents of seven children : Viola, at home; Alma, who works in a factory in Racine; and Rob- ert, Thomas, Helen, George and Kenneth, all at home.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church and closely follow its teachings. In politics Mr. Anderson maintains an independent attitude and has never been an office seeker, although for three years he served as deputy sheriff in Lincoln county. His entire life has been one of unremitting industry and thrift. He has worked persistently and energetically, knowing that he must win success by persistent effort. and the wise use which he has made of his time and opportunities has brought him a substantial measure of success.
ERNEST J. WUERZBERGER.
Ernest J. Wuerzberger, president and treasurer of the Racine Wholesale Wine & Liquor Company, was born July 31, 1881, in the city of Racine, a son of Ernest and Louisa (Birkholz) Wuerzberger, the former a native of New York city, while the latter was born in Racine. Her father was Robert Birk- holz, a veteran of the Civil War, who went to the front from Maine and after the cessation of hostilities came to Racine. Here he was successfully identified with industrial interests, occupying the position of assistant superintendent of the Mitchell Wagon Company for many years .- The paternal grandfather of Ernest J. Wuerzberger of this review also bears the name of Ernest Wuerz- berger and is now ninety-six years old. IIe came to Racine in 1862 and was well known as one of the early merchants of the city, having a grocery store and saloon on Milwaukee Avenue for many years. His son, Ernest Wuerz- berger, father of our subject, conducted the business until his death, which occurred March 28, 1910. His widow survives and in their family were five children : Ernest J .; Annie, the wife of William Robbins, a resident of Racine; Henry, who is in business with his brother Ernest and who married Sadie Kathousen, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by whom he has two children, Bernice and Ernest ; Henriette, the wife of Alfred Hanson, of Racine; and Lydia, the wife of Frank Yetmar, also living in this city.
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The children are all graduates of the public schools of Racine. After com- pleting his education, E. J. Wuerzberger of this review turned his attention to business affairs and on the 1st of January, 1905, opened business under the name of the Racine Wholesale Wine & Liquor Company, at 1131 Washington avenue, where in 1911 he was joined by his brother Henry, who is now his partner in the undertaking. This company was incorporated in 1906 under the state laws of Wisconsin and its present officers are: E. J. Wuerzberger, president and treasurer : Henry Wuerzberger, vice president; and J. Wuerz- berger, secretary.
On the 15th of June, 1904, occurred the marriage of E. J. Wuerzberger and Miss Josephine Zade, of Racine, and they have. two children, Ruth and Florence. Mr. Wuerzberger is connected with the fraternal order of Eagles and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party.
SAMUEL STEELE.
The demise of Samuel Steele, a well known resident of Mount Pleasant township, was deeply regretted, for he was recognized as a successful farmer, a good citizen and a man of sterling qualities. He was born in Ireland, De- cember 25, 1822, and began his education there, but when ten years old came to America and for several years attended school in Rochester, New York. In early manhood he took up the profession of school teaching, being so employed in Tennessee for several years and in Racine county, Wisconsin. He arrived here in 1847 and after dividing his time between teaching school and working as a farm hand for two or three years he went to Racine and was connected with the city schools for three years. He decided, however, that farming of- fered a greater opportunity for advancement and purchased ninety acres of land in Mount Pleasant township, to which he subsequently added until at the time of his death he owned two hundred and eleven acres, all of which was well improved and in a high state of cultivation. For many years he devoted his time to farm work and his well planned labors were rewarded by excel- lent crops, for which he received a good price. He gained more than a com- petence as the result of his enterprise and careful management and was also a factor in the agricultural advancement of his locality. He was a great fancier of horses and a breeder of high class. standard bred trotters and found this business very profitable.
In 1855 Mr. Steele married Miss May A. Osborn, a daughter of John and Rebecca Osborn, who located in Racine county in 1843. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Steele, namely : Jennie R., now the wife of John Davis; William J., deceased; John H., who married Susan Davis; Nellie M., William and Charles, all deceased; Arthur, who married Margaret Jones; and Mar- garet Elizabeth, who married Shirley Worthington, by whom she has two children, Helen Gertrude and Francis Steele.
Mr. Steele was a republican and was called to a number of local offices, serving for years as a member of the school board, for a considerable period as school superintendent, during which period he brought about many im-
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provements in the public schools, as assessor for nineteen years and as a mem- ber of the town board. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian, and fraternal- ly he was idedntified with the Woodmen. In all that he did he exercised sound judgment and energy, and his death in 1894 deprived Mount Pleasant town- ship of one of its valued citizens.
HENRY CRANE.
Henry Crane, who is engaged in the butchering business in Franksville, has been a lifelong resident of Raeine county, his birth having occurred in Dover township, January 25, 1848. His parents were William and Caroline (Sparks) Crane, both of whom were natives of Somersetshire, England, and about the year 1844 arrived in Raeine county, settling in Dover, where the father purchased government land. He had about three hundred acres ere his death, constituting a valuable farming property, which indicated what might be accomplished through energy, determination and elose application, for when he came to the new world he was in limited financial eireumstances. His remaining days were spent in Dover township and when death called him he was laid to rest in Union Grove cemetery. In political belief he was a demoerat, while in religious faith both he and his wife were Episcopalians. They had a family of seven children: William, a retired farmer living in Kenosha county ; Walter, deceased; Edward, who followed farming in Iowa; John, a retired farmer living in Union Grove; Emma Jane, who is the widow of John Spriggs and now lives with a daughter in North Dakota: Henry, of this review; and Robert, who is a butcher of Delavan, Wisconsin.
Henry Crane was reared under the parental roof and had the usual expe- rienees of the farm bred boy. In early manhood he wedded Jane Kerns, who was born in Kenosha county and who passed away in 1876. In 1878 he wedded Mary A. Fagan, a daughter of Patrick and Jane (Ryan) Fagan, both of whom were natives of Ireland, and in 1845 came to Raeine county. After a time they settled in Caledonia township and Mr. Fagan purchased a farm of forty acres, to which he added as his financial resources increased. He became quite sue- cessful in his business affairs and was widely and favorably known in his locality. His political allegianee was given to the democratic party, while his religious faith was evidenced by his membership in St. Louis' Catholic church. To him and his wife were born five children: JJames, who is living in Caledonia township; Mrs. Crane; Thomas, who was a prominent farmer of Caledonia and died in May, 1916; Katherine, who died in 1906; and Alice, who passed away at the age of seven years.
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