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 62
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On the 23d of June, 1906, Mr. Storms was married to Miss Edith Hanson, a daughter of H. I. and Anna Hanson. Her father was a retail meat merchant of Racine, but is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Storms have had two children, but Kathryn, their first born, died in infancy. William Wallace, the surviving son, was born May 20, 1909.
Mr. Storms is a prominent Mason, belonging to lodge, chapter, council, consistory and to the Mystic Shrine. Of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Raeine he is a past chancellor commander and he is also connected with the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. He is a member of the Elks and the Eagles and belongs to Rochester lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., in which his father and his grandfather held membership, the latter having been one of the first representatives of the order in the state. Mr. Storms is also con- nected with the Order of the Eastern Star and with two college fraternities, the Delta Tau Delta and the Phi Alpha Delta. He is a member of the Com- mercial club and of the Wisconsin Republican club. A recognized leader of the republican party in Wisconsin, he has served as a delegate to the national convention. His official record as district attorney is most creditable. In
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five years he has conducted but one case in which the verdict of not guilty has been returned. He conducted the grand jury investigation of the Com- mercial & Savings Bank of Racine, which was the first occasion on which the grand jury had been called in Racine in sixty years. Nature endowed him with keen mentality and he has used his talents wisely and well. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, is correct in their application to the points in litigation and has won a well deserved reputation as a most able and successful lawyer.
NELS M. CHRISTENSEN.
Nels M. Christensen, who passed away at his excellent home in Raeine after having moved from his farm of two hundred acres in Raymond township in 1905, was empty-handed and without influential friends when he came to Racine county, Wisconsin, at the age of twenty-two and his success was due entirely to his own efforts. He was born in Denmark, November 10, 1839, and after acquiring a common school education there he worked at farming until 1861, when he emigrated to the United States, making his way at onee to Racine county, Wisconsin. For ten years he worked as a hired hand, but by carefully saving his money was enabled at the end of that time to purchase sixty acres of land in Norway township. In after years he became the owner of two hundred acres in Raymond township, all well improved and under cultivation. He engaged in general farming, raising both grain and live stock. and received a good income from his land. He followed up-to-date methods, kept everything about the place in excellent repair and studied the markets carefully, ranking among the efficient agriculturists of his township and county.
In 1869 Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Anna Marie Larsen. a daughter of Lars Andersen, and they became the parents of eight children : Annie is now the wife of Henry Schuman, who owns and operates a farm in Raymond township, and they have five children; Martin, who is serving as county treasurer and resides in Racine, married Miss Sophia Frederickson and has one child ; James M., who owns and operates a farm in Raymond township. married Miss Annie Anderson and has two children; Benjamin married Miss Lillian Hay and died in Racine in 1910; Louis C., a farmer and business man of Raymond, married Miss Bertha Frederickson and has two children ; Joseph E. and Ezra H. are engaged in the stock and real estate business in partnership at Corliss, Wisconsin, where they own and manage three large farms and the latter is also a successful auctioneer, making on an average two hundred sales per year ; Joseph E. married Miss Nan Fink, and Ezra H. married Miss Hazel Fink ; Ilo, the youngest of the family, is serving as deputy register of deeds.
Mr. Christensen was a strong republican and acceptably served in several loeal offices. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in all the relations of life his conduct measured up to high moral standards. He had almost attained the Psalmist's allotted age of three score years and ten when he passed away in 1905 and his death was deeply regretted, for he was a loyal
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friend, successful farmer, a public-spirited citizen and a man of sterling worth. Mrs. Christensen still lives in their home at Racine, enjoying good health at the age of seventy years.
WILLIAM C. HOOD.
William C. Hood, who since 1898 has been manager for the American Seating Company at Racine, was born in this city April 21, 1860, a son of Samuel and Alice (Coy) Hood. The father was a son of Thomas Hood, who came from New York to Racine in 1836, when the work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun in this section of the state. He secured government land and became one of the pioneer settlers of the district. Hood's creek was named in his honor. His son, Samuel Hood, engaged in farming to the age of twenty-one years and afterward entered the employ of J. I. Case, with whom he remained for several years. Subsequently he estab- lished a lumberyard which he conducted for many years, carrying on a growing and profitable business. Later he retired and spent his last days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, passing away after reaching the eightieth milestone on life's journey. His wife is also deceased. Mr. Hood had served as a member of the school board and was interested in all that pertained to public progress and improvement. At the time of the Civil war he became a member of the commissary department and in politics he was always a repub- lican, standing loyally by the party which was the defense of the Union dur- ing the dark days of civil strife.
William C. Hood acquired a public school education in Racine and made his initial step in the business world as a clerk, spending a year and a half in different stores. In 1880 he entered the employ of the Racine Hardware Manufacturing Company, which had been organized in 1876 by F. H. Head, Thomas Kane. E. G. Durant and I. C. Clapp. In 1893 that company failed, but the following year the business was reorganized under the firm style of Thomas Kane & Company. In 1899 it was incorporated under the laws of New Jersey as the American School Furniture Company, but in 1906 the name was changed to the American Seating Company and has so since continued. In this connection Mr. Hood has gradually worked his way upward and in 1894 was made superintendent of the plant, having in the meantime gained comprehensive knowledge of the business in principle and detail. He has been manager since 1898 and the successful control of the business in the operative department is largely attributable to his efforts. sound judgment, broad expe- rience and keen discrimination.
In 1891 Mr. Hood was united in marriage to Miss Cora G. Galliene, of Racine, a daughter of Captain John Galliene, who was a lake captain and one of the pioneer settlers of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Hood have four children, namely : Stanley, Coy, Vincent and Martha.
Fraternally Mr. Hood is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum. That he is interested in the welfare and improvement of his city is indicated in his hearty co-operation with the plans and projects
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of the Commercial Club. For the past seven years he has served as a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart cham- pion. He has always voted with the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was one of the organizers of the Racine Light Guards, which was mustered into the state service May 4. 1881, as Company F, Wisconsin National Guard. He served as private and sergeant until July 19, 1883, when he was elected second lieutenant. On the 7th of January, 1884, he was appointed first lieutenant and served as such until December 27, 1887, when he was commissioned captain. Owing to the increase of business cares he was compelled to resign in the summer of 1889. He belongs to the Baptist church and sterling principles have characterized his entire career. It has been through fidelity, industry and integrity that he worked his way upward from a humble position until he is now active in the control of one of the leading business enterprises of the city.
ALBERT HANSON.
Albert Hanson, a representative farmer of Norway township. residing on section 31, was born in that township October 19, 1865, his parents being Ole and Rosline (Thompson) Hanson, both of whom were natives of Norway. His paternal grandfather, Hans Olson, came from that country at an early day and settled in Raeine county, Wisconsin, developing and improving a farm in Dover township. The maternal grandfather of our subject spent his entire life in Norway. The father, Ole Hanson, was born in 1835 and was only eleven years of age when he erossed the Atlantic in 1846 and became a resi- dent of this county. In early life he learned the mason's trade, at which he worked for some time, but in 1862 located on the farm in Norway township now belonging to our subject. He owned one hundred and sixty aeres and was successful in his farming operations. Upon his place he erected good and substantial buildings and continued to reside upon the farm until his death. which occurred March 18, 1913. The republican party found in him a stanch supporter and both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. She was born in 1833 and died in February, 1912. Of the six children born to them four are still living, namely : Hans C., who is engaged in the hunber and saw mill business at Kennedy, Sawyer county, Wisconsin : Thomas, who is engaged with the Sterling Manufacturing Company, of Minneapolis, Minne- sota ; Albert, of this review : and Mrs. T. Thronson, whose husband is a farmer of Omemee, North Dakota.
Albert Hanson was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys and throughout his active business life has engaged in the occupation with which he became familiar in early life. He has met with success as an agriculturist and also possesses good mechanical ability, devoting considerable time to the repairing of machinery for neighboring farmers. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land. He fol- lows dairying to some extent and for this purpose keeps shorthorn Durham cows.
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In December, 1913, Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Ludwig, a native of Vernon, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and to them have been born two children, Ruth and Lucile. They hold membership in the Norway Lutheran church and by his ballot Mr. Hanson supports the men and measures of the republican party. He has taken quite an active and influential part in local politics and has served as assessor and treasurer of his township and is now chairman of the town board, having filled that office for three terms. Wherever known he is held in high esteem.
E. J. BOTTING.
One of the leading agriculturists and progressive citizens of Caledonia township is E. J. Botting, whose splendidly improved property indicates the spirit of enterprise that actuates him at every point in his career. He was born in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, July 4, 1858, a son of James and Caro- line (Blake) Botting, who were natives of Kent, England. The former was a son of Edward Botting, who died in that country. James Botting was born in 1824, and in his native county of Kent married Caroline Blake, whose birth occurred in 1829. They came to the United States in 1857 and settled in Mil- waukee county. Wisconsin, where they purchased ten acres of land, but after cultivating that tract for a time Mr. Botting sold the property and bought a farm of fifty-seven aeres, on which he lived for twenty-nine years. To the farm he added twenty acres and met with success through the progressive manner in which he developed and cultivated the property, living upon the place until 1892. He and his wife had but six cents when they reached Mil- waukee, and the prosperity which they won was the merited reward of their energy and well directed industry in later years. The wife and mother died in 1892, at which time the father went to live with his son, E. J. Botting, passing away at his home in 1895. They were the parents of seven children of whom but three are living: Fannie, the wife of Herbert Cheeseman, a farmer residing near Milledgeville, Carroll county, Illinois; Esther, the wife of Dan Lowers, of Milwaukee, who was section foreman for a number of years; and E. J. The parents held membership in the Episcopal church, in the work of which Mr. Botting took a very active and helpful part. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and he was a man of considerable influence in the community, liberally educated and well in- formed on current questions and possessing, moreover, many sterling traits of character which gained for him high regard.
E. J. Botting attended school in South Milwaukee, but from an early age devoted much of his time to the work of assisting his father in the develop- ment of the home place, and he early learned the value of industry and perse- verance as factors in the attainment of success. He has made good use of his time and opportunities and is now carrying on general farming on one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Caledonia township. The place is now well improved, for he has put up good buildings and has added to the productive- ness of his fields by laying seven miles of tiling. He was one of the first to
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establish a route from this locality to ship milk to the Horlick factory and he now has eighteen brown Jersey cows, some of which are full blooded. He has always been a very progressive man and employs the latest improved meth- ods of farming. A large silo on his place enables him to furnish green fodder for his stock through the winter months and he does everything possible to advance the worth of his farm, realizing that an immediate expenditure of money in improvements or for the introduction of advanced methods will often mean a most substantial return in the future. His home is one of the fine residences of Caledonia township.
In February, 1879, Mr. Botting was married to Miss Ella Stearns, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Mary (Dudley) Stearns. The father was born in Massa- chusetts in 1824, and the mother in Vermont in 1834. They were married in Oak Creek township, Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, where they settled in early life among the pioneer residents of that locality and there they spent their remaining days. The father died in 1889, while the mother passed away in 1870. They were the parents of four children, of whom three are living : Hannah, the wife of William Dallmann, a farmer of Montana; Mrs. Botting; and Harry, who served in the Spanish-American war and is now'living in the state of Washington. The parents were members of the Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Botting have become the parents of nine children: Sylvia, the wife of George Cooke, a poultryman of Caledonia township; James, a resi- dent farmer of Oak Creek township, Milwaukee county; Grace, the wife of Joe Guckenburg, of the same township; Harry, who follows carpentering; and Carrie, Lester, Rowland, Herbert and Ella, all at home.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Botting hold membership in the Episcopal church and do all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence, Mr. Botting having served as senior warden for a number of years. In politics he is a republican and has served as roadmaster, while for nine years he was a member of the school board. He is interested in all that pertains to the wel- fare of the community, and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the new burying ground. His entire life record is commendable and the sterling traits of his character are such as insure for him the warm and enduring regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
ARTHUR B. MODINE.
Arthur B. Modine is identified with two of Racine's important manufactur- ing enterprises which have recently come into force as factors in the material development of the city. A native of Chicago, Mr. Modine was born on the 27th of October, 1885, the son of John A. and Amanda (Linstrum) Modine. The father, who was a contractor and builder, has now passed away, but the mother still resides in Chicago.
Their son Arthur obtained a public school education, mastering the work of the grades and then entering the English High and Manual Training School. He afterward studied in the Armour Institute of Chicago and matriculated in
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the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1908 with the degree of mechanical engineer. Soon afterward he accepted a position in the chemical engineering department of the Peoples Gas Light & Coke Company of Chicago and still later became engineer inspector at the pipe foundries for the same company. In 1910 he turned his attention to the building contract- ing business on his own account and in the fall of that year organized the Aero Sheet Metal Works. On the organization of the Automobile Radiator & Parts Manufacturing Company Mr. Modine became its treasurer and was active in the upbuilding of that business. This was the predecessor of the Per- fex Radiator Company, of which Mr. Modine became a principal stockholder. Mr. Modine was elected treasurer of the company and so continued until No- vember, 1915, when he became vice president. In '1912 he moved the plant from Chicago to Racine and located at Fifteenth street and the Northwestern Railway tracks. He was largely instrumental in building up the business of the Perfex Radiator Company and in May, 1916, he disposed of his interests in the company to form the Modine Manufacturing Company, organized for the purpose of manufacturing an improved radiator, with offices and factory in the Sattley building. In addition to his connection with the Modine Man- ufacturing Company, Mr. Modine is president of the Aerial Motors Corpora- tion, a company manufacturing rotary type motors for aeroplanes. This motor was invented by Lee Oldfield, of Minneapolis, and the plant is to be established at Racine.
On the 12th of June, 1915, Mr. Modine was married to Miss Margaret Bartlett, of Racine, a daughter of G. W. and Julia (Thomas) Bartlett. Mr. Modine is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He also belongs to the Elks, to the Swedish Engineers Society, to the Tractor Engineers Society and the National Gas Engine Association. He has studied closely many of the engineering problems encountered in his experience and his comprehensive knowledge, executive force and business ability in other directions have qual- ified him for the important duties now devolving upon him.
GEORGE W. NOTT, M. D.
Dr. George W. Nott, an able member of the medical profession, was born in Lodi, Wisconsin, January 2, 1872, a son of Welcome S. and J. L. (Phinney) Nott, who in 1854 arrived in Milwaukee, becoming pioneer settlers of the state. The former was a son of George W. Nott, of New York, who brought his family here, and both he and W. S. Nott were farmers. The latter, how- ever, carried on agricultural pursuits only until he reached the age of twenty- five years when he turned his attention to merchandising, to which he has devoted the greater part of his life. At the present writing, however, he is living retired.
Dr. Nott obtained a public school education and then, determining upon the practice of medicine as his life work, he entered Rush Medical college of Chicago, and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1896. Immediately
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afterward he came to Raeine, where he has since followed his profession, and while he continues in general practice he makes a specialty of surgery and there is heavy demand upon his time and energies for surgical work. In addi- tion to much private practice of that character he is acting as surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway company and for the Chicago & Mil- wankee Electric Railway company. He was professor of pathology in the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons during the years 1896 and 1897. He belongs to the Racine County, Wisconsin State and American Medical associations, to the Wisconsin Surgical society and the American Association of Railway Surgeons.
In 1899 Dr. Nott was married to Miss Mabel M. McDonald, of Lodi, Wis- consin, a daughter of Daniel and Gertrude McDonald, who were early settlers of this state, and they now have one child, Gertrude, ten years of age. Dr. Nott is well known in Masonie circles, holding membership in the Knights Templar commandery and in the consistory, while with the Nobles of the Mystie Shrine he has also crossed the sands of the desert. He is likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while in politics he maintains an independent course, preferring always to vote as a nonparti- san. His interests center in his profession and he keeps in touch with advanced thought and with modern research work, employing the latest scientific dis- coveries to promote his efficiency in his chosen field.
CLARENCE H. VAN VLIET.
Clarence H. Van Vliet was born in Racine, June 13, 1885, a son of John Wieher and Christina (Henry) Van Vliet, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. In the paternal line he is descended from one of the old New England families and his great-grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. In the '40s his father left the Green Mountain state and sought the opportunities offered in the middle west, establishing his home in Wisconsin. He was a carpenter and builder by trade. He died in 1904 and is still sur- vived by his widow, who yet makes her home in this city. They became the parents of seven children, four of whom are yet living.
Clarence H. Van Vliet, reared under the parental roof, became a public school pupil at the usual age and passed through consecutive grades to the high school, where his education was completed, for he then put aside his textbooks to become an active factor in business life and thereafter provided for his own support. He was first employed by the Racine Wagon & Carriage Company, but when twenty-three years of age he became interested in the West Side Printing Company, purchasing stoek in the business in the spring of 1909 and thus becoming a partner of E. H. Wadewitz and R. A. Spencer. This association has since been maintained, the company's name being changed to Western Printing & Lithographing Company in 1911. The company entered upon an era of very substantial advancement. The three men studied every phase of the business as related to the output, the extension of the sales and the building up of a name for the house. All were actuated by a spirit of
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enterprise and progress and the labors of one ably supplemented and rounded out the labors of the others. Along well defined lines they have not only kept abreast with the progress that has been made in the printing business, but have to a considerable extent been leaders in their line in the middle west, taking the initiative in bringing out high class and artistic work, not only in the matter of printing but also in binding and engraving. Their output has become an expression of the highest standards in their line. They make a specialty of the printing of fine books. During all of these years Mr. Van Vliet has concentrated his energies upon the business, putting forth every effort to improve upon the methods of the house in the conduct of actual work and in the character of the output, and he is today accounted one of the forceful and resourceful business men of the city.
In 1915 Mr. Van Vliet purchased an interest in the Whitman Publishing Company and was elected president of that concern. He has since devoted his time and energy to the publication of juvenile books.
On the 26th of June, 1911, Mr. Van Vliet was married to Miss Rose L. Reiman, of Racine, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Bowman) Reiman, who were early settlers here. Mrs. Van Vliet is a member of the Universalist church, and both she and her husband are well known socially in the city. Mr. Van Vliet is a Knight Templar Mason, holding membership in blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and also with the Elks and the United Commercial Travelers.
FRED W. BROWN.
One of the attractive homes in Caledonia township is the property of Fred W. Brown, who is engaged in general farming and dairying. He was born in Granville, Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, June 9, 1872, a son of William and Johanna (Schrader) Brown, both of whom are natives of Germany, the former born in 1850 and the latter in 1846. They were married in the land of their birth and their wedding trip consisted of a voyage to the new world with Milwaukee as their destination. The father served as a soldier in the Franco- Prussian war of 1870-71. After coming to Wisconsin he worked as a section hand for some time, for he arrived in the new world empty-handed, but eventually he rented land and in 1898 purchased a farm of fifty-five acres in Caledonia township, Racine county, and is now devoting his energies to the further development and improvement of that place. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and both he and his wife are consistent mem- bers of the German Lutheran church. Their family numbers two children, the younger being Augusta, the wife of Joe Olle, a farmer of Caledonia township.
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