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 9
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"In later years when I came to know Mr. Everett and Wisconsin better, I could appreciate that deep longing for the peaceful companionship of our
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wonderful green hills and sparkling water. It was then, too, that I also learned to call him 'Unk,' 'dear old Unk,' if you will. For although he has by his achievement in legislative activities well earned the title of 'Honor- able,' it is as 'Unk' he prefers to be known, and as 'Unk' that his intimate friends know him. Uncle to us all, old or young alike, a true friend, a clear thinker, harboring no resentment toward anyone, expecting only fair play, yet with it all, that forcefully quiet plodding toward the goal he set years ago-to do something for his state and his first love, the farmers of Wis- consin.
"Few citizens of the town of Turtle, Rock county, remember probably as far back as March 22, 1855. It is a good many years and Charlie, the little Everett boy, was nothing unusual, as boys go. As he grew up he helped his father on the farm and probably looked for left-handed monkey wrenches and attempted to milk the cow from the wrong side, just as most of us did when we were young. But even at that early age Charles took a keen interest in farming. He only had a common school education, but it seemed ample, for his active mind demanded knowledge, and when he could find no one to give him facts he hunted authorities in books. This constant seeking for the truth made him an indefatigable reader, and even today with a multitude of responsibilities, he can be seen almost any night he is in town, sitting in his easy chair, the gleam of the reading lamp shining out on the midnight dark- ness as page after page is put behind him.
"Reaching his majority, Mr. Everett started farming for himself, special- izing in live stock and breeding, as most farmers of Wisconsin do, but even then his desire to see better conditions on the farms of his state and his interest in farming generally, could not be satisfied by centralized activities-he must broaden by taking on Institute work. So for fifteen years, and until he be- came editor of The Wisconsin Agriculturist, he lectured before the Wiscon- sin Farmers' Institute. Travel wasn't easy then and many a cold journey he made in poorly heated cars or across the icy country behind a friendly far- mer's team. The need for men who would carry the teaching of modern agriculture abroad seemed constant, and the demand made on his time as a lecturer soon prevented his giving the proper attention to his farm, so he sold that in 1895 to take up his duties as an agricultural editor.
"Few who have not studied farm paper publishing first hand can thor- oughly appreciate just what attributes make for perfect editorship. Did one ask me to name the combined elements I would say, 'emulate Unk Everett.' He never gets flustered or carried away by clever argument on the part of a pretender. The new-fangled farm stunts all have to pass his exacting exam- ination for practicability before they receive his indorsement, and behind the whole, there lies that charm of character which is only given to act or writing by a really truly big man. I have heard him remark many times, when we were moved to say something pleasing about ourselves in the columns of the paper, 'Be careful now, boys, what we may be, or why, matters not so much as that we are what we seem to be.'
"Twice elected president of the Wisconsin State Dairymen's Association, secretary of the state board of agriculture, and member of the board for fif- teen years, president of the Wisconsin Live Stock Sanitary Board, and then
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successively state assemblyman and senator, Mr. Everett's publie services for his native state seemed to multiply with his age. But he is still hale and hearty and as interested as ever. Say 'agriculture' to him and his face brightens-add 'Wisconsin,' and the friendly gleam broadens into an inten- sive appreciable expression. The master mind moves quickly and the listener is charmed by a flow of simple but forceful English and a recitation which stamps the narrator as a leader in his chosen work."
JAMES CAPE, SR.
In taking up the history of James Cape, Sr., we present to our readers the life record of a substantial citizen whose well directed efforts brought to him all of the success which he enjoyed. His was an active and useful life and his record illustrates what can be accomplished when perseverance and determina- tion point out the way. He was a native of England, where his parents lived and died. He was reared in that country, was married there and in 1853 came to the United States, landing at New York city. He had learned the trade of shoemaking in England and began business along that line in New York city, carrying a stock of shoes as well as doing repair work. After about two years spent in that place he removed westward to Delavan, Wisconsin, and a short time afterward came to Racine. Here he entered the employ of John Beck and subsquently was employed by the Joseph Miller Shoe Company. At a later date he was joined by his sons in a teaming contracting business, in which he continued throughout his remaining days. He lived a life of industry and thrift and whatever success he achieved was attributable entirely to his own efforts. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and at one time he served as supervisor from the first ward. Both he and his wife died in 1909 and were laid to rest in Mound cemetery.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. James Cape, Sr., were fourteen children, of whom five are living, as follows: James, who is chief of the fire department of Raeine; Elizabeth, who is the widow of C. T. Williams and is living in Oklahoma City; Charles, who is president of the contracting firm composed of the Cape brothers; Albert F., who is a member of the firm ; and Benjamin P., who is also connected with the business.
It was in 1910 that the business was incorporated under the name of the James Cape & Sons Company, general contractors. They have made a specialty of taking paving contracts and their operations extend to various other sec- tions of the state and even beyond the borders of Wisconsin. Theirs is one of the important business projects of Racine and the brothers rank high in industrial circles.
Albert F. Cape, vice-president of the James Cape & Sons Company, was born in Racine, December 16, 1866, and attended school here. He was married in 1894 to Miss Louise Kammerer. The second brother, Benjamin P. Cape, secretary and treasurer of the company, was born in Racine, April 23, 1877, was educated in the public schools and throughout his business career has been connected with the contracting firm. He was married in 1905 to Miss
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Sina Bislow and they have four children: Benjamin M., Ruth, Donald and Gordon. Charles Cape, president of the James Cape & Sons Company, also resides in Racine. He was educated here, married Mrs. Mary Monroc and has two children, Marion and Marjorie.
In politics A. F. and B. P. Cape are stalwart democrats, following in the political footsteps of their father. Both sons and father served on the old call fire department for years, so continuing until 1896, and B. P. Cape still goes to the fires, having his helmet and his suit upon the wagon, with a bell in his office notifying him in case of fire.
The brothers are members of the Episcopal church and Benjamin P. Cape is identified with the Sons of St. George and also with the Elks and the Eagles, while Albert F. Cape is connected with the Sons of St. George and is also a member of the Royal League. Both are identified with the Firemen's Relief Association. The family has long been represented in Racine and is promi- nent here. The sons have followed the example of their father, becoming progressive and representative business men, and their contracting interests are among the most extensive and important in this part of the state. Their plans are always well formulated and carefully executed and they carry for- ward to successful completion whatever they begin.
ANTONY MEINHARDT.
No history of Burlington would be complete or satisfactory were there failure to make prominent reference to Antony Meinhardt, who was long a leading and valued citizen and the founder and promoter of the Meinhardt bank, which for a quarter of a century has been one of the strong financial forces of this part of the state. In this locality the name of Meinhardt is synonymous with enterprise, progress and business stability.
Antony Meinhardt was born in Cattaraugus, New York, on the 17th of October, 1830, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 27th of August, 1891, when he passed away in Burlington. He was a son of Francis Meinhardt, who was born at Hillgersdorf, Germany, June 19, 1801. Francis Meinhardt was a scientist and a man of deep learning and broad culture, and devoted much time to making valuable collections of various kinds of spe- cimens. He married Maria White, a woman of education and refinement, and in 1838 they became residents of Burlington. From that time to the present the Meinhardts have been prominently associated with the business develop- ment and growth of this city.
Antony Meinhardt, when a young man of nineteen years, went to Cali- fornia in 1849, crossing the continent in a light wagon. He was accompanied by several young men, including Samuel Toombs and Samuel Cooper, and they made a particularly fast trip. Mr. Meinhardt spent six years upon the Pacific coast, meeting with a moderate measure of success, and then, retracing his steps, again took up his abode in Burlington, where he purchased the store which his father had previously conducted and which was located on the present site of the Bank of Burlington. Later he removed his business to the
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opposite corner, where the store of J. Wein is now found, and there he con- tinued in active business for a number of years, winning a substantial measure of success. At length he retired from active merchandising and confined his at- tention to investments. In January, 1891, he established a private bank with which he was connected until his death, which occurred August 27, 1891. At the time of his demise the business was taken up by Edward Brook and Eda Meinhardt, who continued it as a partnership until 1897, when it was organized as a state bank and since that time all of the stock has been owned by the Meinhardt family, in possession of people residing under the same roof. Mrs. Elisa Meinhardt was chosen president and held the office until succeeded by Albert Meinhardt in 1908, at that time becoming vice president.
Mr. Meinhardt was united in marriage in 1858 to Miss Elisa Riel, a native of Prussia, and to them were born nine children. Of this family Dr. Francis W. Meinhardt was long a distinguished and honored resident of Burlington. where he had practiced dentistry for many years, continuing active in that field up to the time of his death, which occurred December 20, 1912. He was a very public-spirited man and took an active interest in everything pertaining to the work of beautifying this city by planting trees on the boulevards and otherwise enhancing its adornment. He it was who planned to erect the Lincoln monument at the Lincoln school, a bronze figure of heroic size, after the original design of George E. Ganiere, the famous sculptor. Death pre- vented him from carrying out his plans, which, however, were taken up by the Meinhardt family, and the Lincoln monument is today one of the objects of civic pride in Burlington.
Active in the management of the Meinhardt bank is Albert Meinhardt, who was born in Burlington, August 28, 1869. He was graduated from the high school of the city and from Beloit College with the class of 1891. He then entered his father's bank and therein received his preliminary training along that line. In 1894 he opened the Bank of Antioch, which he conducted until 1897, when he returned to Burlington and is now president of the Meinhardt bank, which is one of the strong and successful financial institutions of this part of the state.
The cashier of the Meinhardt bank is Miss Eda Meinhardt, who has occupied that position from the establishment of the bank to the present. A native of Burlington, she pursued her elementary education in the schools of this city and after completing the high school course attended the University of Wis- consin at Madison. Later she went to Nebraska and then entered the private banking establishment of Renard & Wells, with whom she continued until 1891, there receiving her initial training in the business to which she has devoted her life. Returning to her native city in 1891, the year in which the Meinhardt bank was established, she became her father's associate in the business, assuming the position of cashier, and the success of the institution is attributable in large measure to her ability, enterprise and careful manage- ment. Something of the growth of the business is indicated in the fact that in 1891 the deposits amounted to only thirty-five thousand dollars, while in 1916 they are eight hundred and twenty-nine thousand dollars. Perhaps no other woman in the world has a record of twenty-five years' service as bank cashier. and her position in banking circles is an enviable one. The bank occupies a
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building at the corner of Chestnut and Pine streets, which was erected for banking purposes by C. P. Barnes in 1847, and it is today the oldest building in the state built for a bank and still used for that purpose. The growth of the bank has been of a most substantial character and its record has been one of steady progress. Miss Eda Meinhardt, remaining as cashier from the beginning and thoroughly familiar with every branch of the banking business. has done much to promote the prosperity of the institution.
JOHN T. GITTINGS.
John T. Gittings, a well known lawyer of Union Grove. is giving particular attention to the probating of estates and has built up a large practice in that line. He also has extensive business interests. being secretary of The Green- house Company, which is capitalized for thirty thousand dollars, and vice president of the firm of John Meter & Company, owners of a sauerkraut fac- tory. His birth occurred in Caledonia, this county, August 9, 1870, and he is a son of William and Elizabeth (Gittings) Gittings and a grandson of William Gittings, of Utica, New York. The father, born in Wales, came to the states, and in 1855 purchased land in Caledonia township, and soon afterward was joined by his father and the other members of the family. William Gittings, Jr .. devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits and gained a competence which enabled him to live retired during his last years. He resided in Racine for some time, but his death occurred when he was visiting in Wales in August, 1911. The family came to America from that country, but is of English origin. To Mr. and Mrs. William Gittings, Jr., were born seven children, namely : Katharine, the wife of Captain John Pugh. of Racine; William G., who is manager of the Gold Medal Camp Furniture Company of Racine; Mellie, who became the wife of Charles E. Kittinger and died in South Dakota in 1886; Christopher C., an attorney of Racine; Elizabeth, living in Racine; John T., and Ward, who is treasurer of the Gold Medal Camp Furniture Company.
John T. Gittings attended the district schools, the Racine high school, from which he was graduated in 1889. and the State University of Wisconsin, in which he completed the law course in 1894. He began practice at Burlington in partnership with George W. Waller, under the firm name of Waller & Gittings, and three or four years later established a branch office at Union Grove. His practice here grew so rapidly that he decided to devote his entire attention to it and dissolved his connection with Mr. Waller. He has since been alone in practice and has gradually concentrated his energies largely upon probating estates. He knows thoroughly all the law relating to such matters and has gained a large clientage in that field. He still handles other kinds of cases, however, and has been admitted to practice in all the courts. He is also a director in the State Bank of Union Grove, vice president of the John Meter & Company sauerkraut factory and secretary of The Greenhouse Company, which ships about five thousand roses a day to Chicago and also large quantities of other flowers. It is capitalized at thirty thousand dollars and is one of the important business enterprises of Union Grove.
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Mr. Gittings was married in 1900 to Miss Aresteen Edgoose, a native of Union Grove, and to them were born two children, Elinor May and John H. The wife and mother died in 1906 and in December, 1910, Mr. Gittings was married to Miss Stella M. Sears, who was born in Racine and is a daughter of Martin Sears, also a native of this county, who engaged in farming for many years, but was residing in Racine at the time of his death. Mrs. Gittings was educated in the schools of Appleton and Ripon and is a woman of wide interests. She is very active in the work of the Congregational church and is now serving as an officer of the Ladies' Aid Society.
Mr. Gittings supports the republican party when national issues are at stake, but at other times votes independently. He has been secretary of the Old Settlers' Association for several years and is willing to give of his time and energy to the promotion of any project seeking the general welfare. Frater- nally he belongs to the Masonic lodge, in which he has filled all of the chairs, the Knights Templar Commandery and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, in which he has held all of the offices. He has recognized that in the professions as well as in business success depends primarily upon enterprise and industry and has given most careful study to his eases with the result that he has gained high standing among his brother attorneys. He has always been successful in his business undertakings and is generally recognized as one of the most able and progressive men of Union Grove.
VILAS H. WHALEY.
Among the well known and prominent members of the Racine county bar is numbered Vilas H. Whaley. Although he is yet a young man, he has at- tained in the profession a position which many an older member of the bar might well envy. Mr. Whaley was born at Benton, Wisconsin, October 28, 1886, his parents being Frank and Mary (McDonald) Whaley, who were also natives of Benton. The former was a son of Patrick Whaley, a native of Ireland, who in early life crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Lafayette county, Wisconsin. There he reared his family and became one of its pioneer farmers. After arriving at years of maturity Frank Whaley engaged in the grocery business in Benton and since that time has been prom- inently identified with the business enterprise and development of the town. He has also been interested in lead and zinc mining and is still the owner of mining properties in Lafayette county.
Vilas H. Whaley attended school at Benton and also at Platteville, Wiscon- sin, entering the normal school of the latter place, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1906. In the fall of 1906 he came to Racine and accepted a position as principal of the Harvey grammar school, thus continuing until 1909. In the fall of the latter year he matriculated in the law department of the University of Wisconsin, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in June, 1912. On the 19th day of June, 1912, he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the state of Wisconsin and in the district court of the United States for the western district of
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Wisconsin. In December of the same year he returned to Racine, engaging in the general practice of law. Since that time he has enjoyed a large and in- creasing clientele and has served as court commissioner since 1915.
Mr. Whaley is a communieant of St. Rose Catholic church and is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically Mr. Whaley is a democrat, but in local politics he maintains the attitude of a non-partisan, voting according to the dietates of his judg- ment and the exigencies of the case.
ELLIS J. GITTINS.
Ellis J. Gittins, vice president of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Com- pany, is a representative of that class of men whose life histories indicate the opportunities that are before the ambitious, energetic American youth. Start- ing upon his business career in a humble connection with the J. I. Case Thresh- ing Machine Company, through the steps of an orderly progression he has advanced until he occupies the second position in the great corporation, with control over its sales.
Mr. Gittins was born in Raeine county, December 13. 1867, a son of Ellis and Jane (Gittins) Gittins, both of whom were natives of Wales, but in 1842 he left that little rock-ribbed country to seek a home in the new world and settled in Utiea, New York. In Waterville, that state, he married Jane Gittins. who had come with her parents to the United States when twelve years of age. After a residence of about a year in Utica, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Gittins. Sr., eame to Raeine county and settled upon a farm. The father devoted his remaining days to general agricultural pursuits and here passed away in 1884. His widow still survives at the notable age of ninety years.
Reared on the old homestead farm, Ellis J. Gittins obtained a country school education, supplemented by study in the high school of Raeine. He was twenty-one years of age when on the 1st of December. 1888, he became an en- plove of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company and, closely applying him- self to the mastery of the tasks assigned him, he won promotion from time to time with its inereasing responsibilities but also its increasing remuneration. In March, 1889, he was sent to Fargo, North Dakota, to take charge of the office work of the branch house there established and subsequently he was given charge of the collection department. His next transfer took him to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he acted as loeal manager for the business for four years. Subsequently he spent two years in charge of the branch at Kansas City and then returned to Raeine in 1902 as one of the sales managers. His next advancement brought him to the position of head sales manager and in October, 1915, he was elected to the vice presidency, continuing at the same time as sales manager. He thus has aetive voice in directing the policy of this great corporation, the history of which is given at length on another page of this work. He is familiar with every branch of the business, which he has studied closely through the twenty-eight years of his connection with the house, and therefore he is able to plan ready adjustment for any difficulty
ELLIS J. GITTINS
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and find a correct solution for problems that arise. It has been said that a great corporation is not only a maker of money but a maker of men. It is the battle cry of trade that arouses the spirit of the individual and causes him to put forth his strongest, best effort to grasp the situation and come off vietor in the strife. The Case Company gave to Mr. Gittins his opportunity, but it also found that he was adequate to the demands made upon him and his con- stantly expanding powers and developing talents have brought him to the sec- ond executive position in its managing force.
Mr. Gittins is a republican in his political views, thoroughly conversant with the vital and significant issues of the day, and he has the fraternal spirit which finds its exemplification in Masonry. In that order he has advanced through both routes, proceeding from the lodge to the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and to the thirty-second degree of the consistory, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has also crossed the sands of the desert.
HARRY W. APPLE.
One of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of Norway township is Harry W. Apple, whose home is on section 26. He has been a lifelong resi- dent of that township, where his birth occurred June 29, 1875. His parents, Adam and Dorothy (Eekels) Apple, were both natives of Germany, the former born in 1839 and the latter in 1849. They were married, however, in Norway township, this county, and continued to make their home here throughout the remainder of their lives, the father dying in April, 1907, and the mother in February, 1913. In 1849 the father went to California and after his return from the Pacific coast, in the '50s, came to Racine county. He purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Norway township, and as time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his property from time to time until he had three hundred and forty acres. He was very successful in all his undertakings and became one of the wealthiest men of his community. He was quite prominent in public affairs and was called upon to fill all of the town offices, serving as chairman for a number of terms. He was state repre- sentative for twelve or fourteen years and state senator for two terms. His political support was given the democratic party and he was an honored mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He attended the Methodist church and was a man highly honored and esteemed wherever known. In his family were eight children, of whom seven are still living: Ella, now the wife of Charles Blakey, a farmer and real estate dealer of Estherville, Iowa; Josie, the wife of Daniel Clump, a farmer of Superior, Iowa; Anna, a resident of North Cape. Wisconsin; Andy, who is conducting a grocery and meat market in Chicago: Charles, a retired farmer of Waterford, Wisconsin ; Flora, a resident of North Cape, and Harry W., of this review.
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