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 61
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Mr. and Mrs. Crane became the parents of five children : Carrie, who died at the age of eleven years; William, at home: Leo, who is engaged in the automobile business in Milwaukee and also buys vegetables; Edmund, who was born in 1891 and died December 14, 1913; and George, who was born in 1893 and passed away July 2, 1916. Mrs. Crane was educated in the Cale- donia schools and the high school of Racine and is a lady of liberal culture. She began teaching in Milwaukee county and successfully followed that pro-
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fession for eight years. At the present time she is postmistress of Franks- ville, having been appointed in 1915.
In early life Mr. Crane learned the butcher's trade and has given his attention to that business throughout all the intervening years. IIe conducted a butchering business in Racine and later in Union Grove, and about 1876 removed to Franksville, where he has since been owner of a meat market. In this connection he has built up a substantial business and is known for his thoroughly reliable methods.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Crane are active and prominent workers in St. Louis' Catholic church and Mr. Crane gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. For one term he served as postmaster of Franksville, but he has never sought office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He is well known in the community where he resides and his many sterling traits of character have made him popular.
THE AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY.
The American Seating Company of Racine was incorporated under the laws of New Jersey in 1899 as the American School Furniture Company, but the name was changed to the American Seating Company in 1906. In the former year they took over the plant of the firm of Thomas Kane & Company at Racine, that company having been organized in 1894 by Thomas Kane and business associates. Prior to that date the business was carried on under the style of the Racine Hardware Manufacturing Company. It was instituted and organized about 1876 by F. H. Head, Thomas Kane, E. G. Durant and I. C. Clapp, of Kenosha, Mr. Kane and Mr. Head being Chicago men. This company failed in 1893, but the business was reorganized in 1894 under the firm style of Thomas Kane & Company and since that time they have engaged in the manufacture of furniture. Since the reorganization the business has been carried steadily forward along successful lines and the plant today covers eighteen acres, while the buildings average three stories in height and cover nine acres. Something of the growth of the trade is indicated in the fact that they employ three hundred people, most of whom are skilled laborers. The buildings are of mill construction and they are supplied with a splendid sprink- ler system. The output of the plant includes school furniture and veneer opera chairs and the product is today shipped to various parts of the world in addition to many of the chief markets of America. The buildings are well lighted and ventilated and are sanitary in every particular. In the conduct of the business the company has followed a plan that recognizes the individual as such and not as a part of a great machine. Appreciation of faithful service on the part of employes is shown in promotion when opportunity offers. The company pays a good wage and puts forth effort along many lines for the welfare of its workmen. There has been organized the American Study Club for employes and in the plant is provided a dining room, a parlor and reading room. Moreover, this company was the first to establish the Satur-
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day afternoon holiday in Racine and it has ever been their purpose to win co- operation, knowing that best results are attained thereby. Theirs has never been the command of the tyrant to go, but the call of the leader to come, and winning the support and allegiance of their people, they have built up a busi- ness of gratifying proportions.
FRANK I. LINGSWEILER.
Frank I. Lingsweiler was for many years connected with the grocery business at Corliss, Wisconsin, but is now living retired in Racine. His birth occurred in Racine county in February, 1854, and his parents were John and Christine Lingsweiler. Until about fifteen years old he attended school in Mount Pleasant township and then became a student in the high school at Rochester, from which he was graduated at the age of nineteen. He devoted six years to teaching, but when twenty-five years old embarked in the grocery business with W. E. Lee at Western Union Junction, now known as Corliss. He remained a factor in the business life of that town until the 1st of January, 1910, and all who had dealings with him acknowledged his sound judgment, his quick insight into a business situation and his integrity. On New Year's day, 1910, he retired and removed to Racine, where he enjoys well deserved leisure, living at 1552 Asylum avenue.
In 1879 Mr. Lingsweiler was united in marriage to Miss Ella Nobles, a daughter of George and Maria (Allen) Nobles. Mr. and Mrs. Lingsweiler became the parents of three sons, namely : Raymond, who married Miss Ada Galloway, of Racine, and is living in Corliss; Frank I., Jr., who married Miss Nellie Gillett, of Racine, and has a son, Frank I. III; and Harold M., who married Miss Gladys Bakener, of Racine, by whom he has a daughter, Bev- erly Jane.
Mr. Lingsweiler is prominent in the local councils of the republican party and has served in a number of offices, including that of township supervisor, village supervisor, member of the town board, town elerk and member of the school board. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church, in which he served as deacon for years. Fraternally he is well known, belonging to Belle City lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M., at Racine and to the Modern Woodmen lodge at Corliss, in which he served as clerk and consul. All that he has accomplished was due to his own ability and initiative, and in attaining suc- cess he never did violence to his high standards of right and wrong.
DAVID F. GRISWOLD.
David F. Griswold, city editor of the Racine Journal, has been connected with newspaper publication since beginning his independent career and now ranks among the leaders in that field in the city of Racine. His birth occurred here on the 26th of December, 1854, and he is a son of Nelson A. and Jane
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(Wilson) Griswold, who removed to this city in 1850. The father was a ship carpenter by trade and was employed in the construction of some of the first vessels built in Racine. He passed away in 1856 and his wife five years ago.
David F. Griswold, or "Dave" Griswold, as he is familiarly called, was reared here and received his education in the public schools. When eighteen years old he began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Racine Weekly Argus, but when the Daily Argus was established in 1880 changed to the office of the Racine Journal, working at the case until the Daily Journal was started, when he became its city editor. He has since held that position and has made an excellent record, gaining recognition in newspaper circles for the efficiency of his work. All local events of interest are fully and reliably reported in the Daily Journal and the excellence of its city news service is one of its strongest points. He is financially interested in the Racine Journal Printing Company and is serving as a member of the board of directors.
Fraternally Mr. Griswold belongs to Racine lodge, No. 32, K. P., of Racine ; Beta council, No. 2, Royal league ; Racine lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A, M .; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Central Association, Y. M. C. A. His keen interest in the commercial and industrial expansion of his city is indicated by his membership with the Racine Commercial Club. He is inde- pendent in politics, and his religious faith is indicated by the fact that he belongs to St. Luke's Episcopal church. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his community and in many ways has been instru- mental in promoting the public welfare. He is widely known and his many admirable qualities have gained him the warm friendship of those with whom he has been closely associated.
L. P. VALENTINE, M. D.
Dr. L. P. Valentine, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Corliss, is one of the progressive and successful physicians of Racine county. He was born in New York city on the 20th of September, 1872, a son of Francis and Pauline Valentine, natives of France, who returned to that country when their son, L. P., was but three months old. He acquired an excellent education in France and did his college work in the Lycée Charlemagne in Paris, grad- uating at the age of eighteen. He then returned to New York, but after three months went to Louisville, Kentucky. where he remained for six years. He completed a medical course in the University of Louisville, receiving his pro- fessional degree at the age of twenty-four. For about a year he served as interne in a hospital in that city, after which he came to Corliss, Wisconsin, where he has since been located, or for two decades. Through his mem- bership in the county and state medical societies and through reading along professional lines he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and practice in the professional field.
Dr. Valentine was married on the 23d of December, 1898. to Miss Susan
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Plaee Tradewell, a daughter of Wesley and Jane (Place) Tradewell. Three children have been born to this union, namely, Eloise, Ernest and Jane.
In his political belief the doctor is a republican. He was chosen as the first president of the village and has for years been a member of the school board. Nothing affecting the general welfare is a matter of indifference to him, and he keeps well informed as to the problems, both local and national, that come before the public for solution. He attends the different churches in the village and gives his support to all movements that make for moral advancement. His chief interest, however, has always been in his profession and the large praetiee which he has gained is well deserved.
HENRY J. HERZOG.
Henry J. Herzog met with success as a farmer and is now living retired upon his well improved place on section 32, Mount Pleasant township. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 5, 1848, a son of John Adam and Mary (Eiler) Herzog, who in 1849 brought their family to Raeine, Wisconsin, where the father engaged in carpentering and contraeting until 1859. In that year he purchased one hundred and five aeres of land in Mount Pleasant township, which he cultivated until his death in 1891. He had survived his wife for twenty years, her demise oceurring in 1871. Both were buried in Mound cemetery. In polities he was a democrat and in religious faith a Lutheran.
Henry J. Herzog entered the publie schools in Racine at the usual age and continued his studies until he was about eighteen years old, when he turned his entire attention to assisting his father on the farm. He devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits and his thorough knowledge of practical methods, his progressiveness and his careful attention to his work enabled him to ac- cumulate a competence. He now leaves the actual work of the farm to others. although still residing upon his land.
Mr. Herzog was married in 1873 to Miss Julia Smith, a daughter of Mathew Smith, of Mount Pleasant township, and to this union four children have been born, namely : Mamie, the widow of Frank Weber, by whom she has a daugh- ter, Gertrude; Martin, who married Helen Wynhoff and has two children. John and Jeannette; Leslie, who married Lillian Fonk and has three children, Leslie, Grace and Henry ; and Edna, who married Joseph Wynhoff, by whom she has three children, Berniee, Agnes and Bernard.
The democratie party receives the political support of Mr. Herzog, and he takes a publie-spirited interest in everything relating to the welfare of the community. He has had years of experience in legislative affairs, having rep- resented his town on the county board of supervisors in 1881, 1891, 1897. 1898, 1899, 1900, as chairman of the county board in 1891, and in 1886 he was elected county treasurer, serving two years. He was one of the organizers of the Yorkville & Mount Pleasant Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1874, and is its present president, holding this position for the past twenty years. He was elected to the assembly in 1914. When he began his independ-
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ent career he had no capital, but he possessed the assets of energy and sound judgment and through the exercise of those qualities has won a place among the substantial residents of his township.
NELS CHRISTIANSEN.
Nels Christiansen is the owner of a good tract of land of forty-two acres in Mount Pleasant township and is now devoting his entire time and attention to agricultural interests. He was born in Denmark, December 26, 1869, a son of Hans and Sophia Christiansen. He pursued his education in the schools of his native country and afterward learned the blacksmith's trade there. In 1892 he came to the United States, making his way to Chicago, and after four months spent in the western metropolis removed to Racine, where he was employed at blacksmithing for a year and a half. At the end of that period he established a smithy of his own in Dover, Racine county, where he lived for three years, and later he purchased forty-two acres of land in Mount Pleasant township upon which he has since made his home, concentrating his efforts upon the further development and cultivation of his fields. His work is conducted along practical and progressive lines, in keeping with the most scientific methods of farming, and therefore he obtains substantial results as a reward for his industry.
In 1896 Mr. Christiansen was married to Miss Laura Christensen. They are members of the Danish Lutheran church and they possess sterling traits of character which have won for them high regard among their many friends in Mount Pleasant township. Mr. Christiansen was a young man of twenty- three years when he crossed the Atlantic, hoping to enjoy better business op- portunities in the new world, and while he started out in life here empty- handed, he has worked his way steadily upward and has gained a place among the substantial citizens of his community.
W. L. MUNROE.
W. L. Munroe, who is engaged in cultivating a farm of ninety-six acres in Mount Pleasant township, has been a lifelong resident of the locality in which he now makes his home, for his birth occurred in Mount Pleasant township, August 1. 1860, his parents being O. C. and Lavinia Munroe. The father, a native of Vermont, came to the west in 1844 and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Racine county, establishing his home at Mygatt's Corners, in Mount Pleasant township. The work of development and improvement in the locality was then in its primitive stages and he became active in the task of converting this district into a well developed and prosperous region. His wife was also a native of New England and they were married in Vermont.
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Upon the farm in Mount Pleasant township Mr. Munroe continued to make his home until called to his final rest.
At the usual age W. L. Munroe entered the district school near his father's home and afterward continued his education as a public school pupil in Racine. When his textbooks were put aside he devoted a year to work upon his father's farm and then began farming on his own account, now concentrating his efforts and attention upon the further development and cultivation of a good tract of land of ninety-six acres. His labors are resultant, for his methods are practical and in the conduct of his business he displays unremitting industry.
In 1884 Mr. Munroe was married to Miss Edith J. Bartlett, a daughter of J. O. and Editha Bartlett. They have a family of three children: Edwin Lee, Nellie Maude, and Inez Edith. Mr. Munroe gives his politieal support to the republican party, with which he has voted since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has held no political offices but has served on the school board and is helpfully interested in matters pertaining to the general welfare and upbuilding of the district.
CHRISTIAN ERBE.
The family name indicates the German nativity of Christian Erbe, who displays in his business career many of the sterling characteristics which mark the efficiency of the Teuton race. He was born in Saxony, Germany, January 29, 1839, a son of George and Catherine (Ungerecht) Erbe, who were also natives of Saxony. The ancestry is traced back to Christian Erbe, the great- grandfather. The grandfather was John Erbe, who died in Germany when his son George was but fourteen years of age. One of the family, Sebastian Erbe, served in the Revolutionary war, on the English side, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Trenton. George Erbe was born Spetember 26, 1800, and on the 24th of November, 1824, wedded Catherine Ungerecht, whose birth occurred May 10, 1802. They came to America in 1852, settling in Caledonia township, Racine county, Wisconsin, where the father purchased a farm of eighty acres. He brought with him considerable money and as the years passed he won a very substantial measure of success His political allegiance was given to the democratic party, but afterward he became a champion of the republican party and was chairman of the meeting called to ratify the nomination of Lincoln. His wife was a member of the Lutheran church. He died in 1892, having for a number of years survived his wife, who passed away in 1879. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, but only two are living, the surviving daughter being Mrs. Augusta Einwaldt, a widow living in Milwaukee.
Christian Erbe pursued his education in the public schools of Germany and for three years attended the public schools of Racine county. He was reared to the occupation of farming and determined to make it his life work and thus when he had reached his majority he concentrated his efforts upon the work of the fields. He now owns the old homestead farm upon which the
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family located on crossing the Atlantic, having ninety-four and a half acres of good land in Caledonia township. He has greatly improved the place and carries on general agricultural pursuits, although he makes dairying the prin- cipal feature of his business and for this purpose keeps high grade Holstein COWS.
On the 20th of November, 1866, Mr. Erbe was married to Miss Catherine Muehlfeld, who was born in Germany, and they have had eleven children, nine of whom are living; Carl, a resident of Caledonia township; Ernst, a farmer living in Milwaukee county ; Christian, a molder employed at Racine ; Emma, the wife of William Schwartz, a farmer of Milwaukee county ; Augusta, the wife of John Smader, a butcher of Racine; Rudolph, a resident farmer of Milwaukee county ; Louisa, the wife of Otto Schultz, of Caledonia township; Katie, the wife of Nelson Guenther, of Milwaukee county ; and George, at home.
Mr. Erbe exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party and for four years he filled the position of chair- man of the town board and for one term was a member of the side board. For twenty-five years he has filled the office of justice of the peace, in which eapaeity he is now serving, and for thirty years he was clerk of the school board. He has ever stood for those interests which he believes to be of the greatest value to the community and his work has been a factor in public progress. For almost two-thirds of a century he has lived in Racine county, witnessing its growth and development, and as the years have gone on he has won recognition as a worthy citizen of the community by reason of what he has accomplished for the public benefit.
George Erbe, the youngest son of Christian Erbe, was married on the 6th of March, 1916, to Miss Lorene Urban, a daughter of George Urban, a highly esteemed farmer of Caledonia township. Mr. Erbe is a republican in politics and is now acceptably filling the office of clerk of the school board. He is associated with his father in the management of the home farm and is recog- nized as one of the leading young agriculturists of the township.
LORENZO JANES.
Lorenzo Janes was a prominent figure in that notable group of sterling men from New England and New York who pioneered Racine, city and county, and gave to the settlements, the villages and the cities a tone and character that have survived the lapse of three-fourths of a century of time, as well as the influence of the flood of alien peoples that has poured into this section during the last forty years.
Mr. Janes was born in Washington county, Vermont, September 18, 1801. He married in Albany, New York, and practiced law and became a judge there before moving to Racine in August, 1836. After coming to this city he con- tinued the practice of law for some years, but became interested in real estate and began early to deal in it and to sell insurance. In 1839 he was associated with Gilbert Knapp and Gordon S. Hubbard in the ownership of the original
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plat of Racine. Since his death, which occurred June 13, 1873, the business has been successfully conducted by his son, David G. Janes.
Mr. Janes was a public-spirited man, identified with most of the big enter- prises of his time, and was one of those who contributed largely, from the beginning, to the substantial upbuilding of the city. He was one of the pro- prietors of Racine's first newspaper, in 1838, the Racine Argus; in 1839 he was elected a member of the Wisconsin territorial couneil; he was a colonel on the staffs of Governors Henry Dodge and James D. Doty ; he gave to the city the land on which the original fourth ward school was located. Later, when a much larger school was built on the site, it was named the Janes school, after the donor. Mr. Janes was one of the founders and a consistent member of the First Baptist church of Racine.
One of his sons, George S., was a member of Company K, Eighth infantry, during the Civil war, and gave his life for his country.
DAVID G. JANES.
David G. Janes enjoys the unique distinction of being the only man now occupying a dominant position in the business life of Racine, of whose father it may be said with equal truth that he was an important factor in the actual founding of the city eighty years ago.
Mr. Janes was born in Racine, April 2, 1852, and has lived here all of his life, getting his education in the public schools of the city. He is married and has three daughters and two sons, one of whom, Arthur R., is associated in business with him.
Mr. Janes is a real estate and insurance man by inheritance, by training and by experience, and he has probably handled more large "deals" in his line than any other man in the history of the city. The firm of which he is the head is almost as old as the city itself, having been established by his father in the real pioneer days.
Aside from real estate and insurance Mr. Janes is vice president of the First National Bank and an official in numerous manufacturing institutions to which he gives personal attention. He is also trustee for many estates, and director on the boards of semi-public institutions, the satisfactory performance of the duties of which require ability and high character.
Mr. Janes has not desired public office but has served the city as member of the school board in 1876-81 and in 1895-7 as mayor.
WILLIAM W. STORMS.
William W. Storms, who since January, 1911, has been district attorney in Racine county, was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, March 22. 1872, a son of Charles L. and Lucia C. (Spoor) Storms. The father, who was born in Wisconsin, was a son of Winslow P. Storms, of New York, who became one
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of the pioneer settlers of the southern section of this state, where he arrived in the early '30s. The supremacy of the white man had hardly been estab- lished in this district at that period and the work of civilization and develop- ment seemed scarcely begun. He aided largely in promoting pioneer progress and in the early days conducted a tavern on the old plank road. The maternal grandfather, John Spoor, was also a pioneer settler who came to Wisconsin in the '30s, establishing his home in Lyons township, Walworth county, where he carried on general farming. Charles L. Storms was a carpenter by trade.
In the public schools of Burlington, Wisconsin, William W. Storms pursued his education, the family having removed from Walworth county to Burling- ton about 1879. He passed through consecutive grades to the high school, from which he was graduated in 1888, and later he attended Beloit college, displaying special aptitude in his studies. Taking up the profession of teach- ing in Racine county, he was for five years principal of the high school at Union Grove, Wisconsin, and was assistant superintendent of the high school at Burlington, Wisconsin, for a year, making a most enviable record as an educator. He was afterward elected county superintendent of schools, which position he filled from January, 1899, until January, 1903, and during that period several substantial improvements were made in the school system of the county. He had previously read law and in further preparation for the profession he attended the law department of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. However, he was admitted to the bar in 1904 and entered upon active practice in Racine on the 17th of September of that year. He continued in the private practice of law for about six years and in 1910 was made the candidate on the republican ticket for the office of district attorney. The election returns proved that he was the choice of the people for the position, which he has occupied continu- ously since January, 1911. He has also during this period served as a member of the school board, remaining in that position for seven years.
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