Wisconsin GenealogyThe Gold Medal Camp Furniture Manufacturing Company, founded in 1890 and incorporated in 1892, grew from a small line of six or seven items into a major maker of camp furniture and outing outfits. Now occupying two blocks in Racine, it employs 125 workers, ships worldwide, and supplies the U.S. army, navy, National Guard, and camping parties.
Founded in 1867, S. Freeman Sons Manufacturing Company grew from a small boiler repair shop into one of Racine’s leading industrial firms. The company expanded into farm implements and machinery, incorporated in 1886, and later moved to a six-acre modern plant. Today it employs 300 workers and sells boilers, steel pipe, and agricultural equipment worldwide.
F. J. Greene Engineering Works has helped make Racine known for industry since 1892. Located at Douglas and Prospect streets, the company employs more than 60 workers and manufactures special machinery, structural iron, and steel buildings, while also handling job work, repairs, electric plating, stamping, and screw machine work throughout the region.
The Elite Laundry of Racine, owned by Eager and Dunn, grew from a failed startup into a major modern laundry business with more than 50 employees, six wagons, two automobiles, and advanced machinery. Expanding repeatedly to meet demand, the firm emphasizes sanitary methods, high wages, and continual improvement in service.
The Commercial Press Company, organized in 1902 in Racine, grew from a small printing business into one of the city’s leading establishments. Through a series of ownership changes, the Miller brothers eventually acquired all the stock. Now located on College Avenue, the company prints the Wisconsin Agriculturist and handles commercial, catalog, and job printing for major corporations.
The Chicago Rubber Clothing Company operates one of the largest rubber clothing plants in the United States at Albert Street and Forest Avenue. With more than 200 employees, it manufactures rubber raincoats for all ages, as well as inner tubes and tire retreads. The Racine company has grown steadily and is known for quality products and reliable business methods.
The Carroll Coal Company, a leading Racine business, was organized in 1910 as the successor to Joseph C. Carroll and earlier to E. L. Hedstrom Company, which began in the coal, coke and wood trade around 1886. With large yards, dockage, railroad access, and team delivery, the company grew into one of the city’s foremost commercial enterprises.
Brehm Brothers Company, one of Burlington’s oldest and most successful firms, has operated since 1868 in storage, draying, heavy teaming, coal, salt, and draft horse sales. Founded by Bernard Brehm and later joined by his sons, the company became incorporated in 1909 and is known for its exceptional horses, large warehouse, and progressive operations.
Beffel Furniture Undertaking Company of Racine has carried on a family business for more than 40 years, evolving from Mathias Beffel’s original store into a modern furniture and funeral home enterprise. Now run by William J. Beffel and Edward Beffel, the company offers furniture, rugs, household furnishings, and funeral parlors in a prominent Sixth Street location.
Founded in 1871 as the First National Bank of Burlington, the institution evolved into the Bank of Burlington in 1891 and came under local ownership in 1902. The article traces its early leadership, steady growth, modern 1909 bank building, and expansion into savings banking, with deposits rising from $50,474 in 1873 to over $1.16 million by 1916.