Wisconsin Genealogy

Racine is constantly drawing to it new industrial and commercial enterprises. Its development along manufacturing lines within the past few years has been notably rapid and among the concerns which have been started in the city in less than a half decade is that operating under the name of the Racine Hosiery Company, with W. R. Anderson as president, Alexander R. Anderson as manager and treasurer and J. H. Brinsley, secretary. The success of this undertaking was insured from the beginning, for its officers are men of long and broad practical experience in connection with every phase of the knitting … Read more

With a trade that extends to all parts of the United States, the industry conducted under the name of the Racine Iron & Wire Works is manufacturing household supplies, chemical fire extinguishers, and wire and iron railings and fences. Wherever man has felt a need, ingenuity has sprung into the breach and genius has brought forth something that has met the need. Thus in our constantly developing and complex civilization the manufacturing interests have multiplied and here and there have sprung up cities that. are largely given over to supplying the world’s demand for labor saving devices. Such a concern … Read more

The business now conducted under the name of the Racine Manufacturing Company was organized about 1910 under the present form but was established about 1902 under the name of the Racine Novelty Company by George W. Jagers. The business was thus conducted until December, 1909, when the plant was destroyed by fire, and in 1910 the company was reorganized with George W. Jagers, F. K. Bull and Fred F. Blandin as the incorporators. Since that time changes in ownership have occurred and the present officers are: John Reid, Jr., president: Charles F. Barndt, vice president, and F. J. Kidd, secretary … Read more

The Racine Paper Goods Company was organized in 1894 by Lucius J. Elliott, Byron B. Blake, Richard T. Robinson and O. L. Parmenter. This was started as a partnership affair, the plant, being located at No. 612 Wisconsin Street. They manufacture paper cigar pockets, patented by O. L. Parmenter. The company was incorporated in 1902 with L. J. Elliott as president; R. T. Robinson, vice president, and O. L. Parmenter, secretary and treasurer. The company also manufactures packages for putting up silk, chocolates and other kinds of candy, etc. Their product is sold all over the world and this business … Read more

The Racine Puttyless Window Company, one of the recent additions to the business circles of Racine, was organized in 1914, at which time Gustave Bahnemann was chosen president, with Walter S. Goodland, secretary and treasurer, and Dr. J. S. Beech as vice president. There has been no change in the personnel of the firm since that time. The business is conducted at No. 1117 Main street, where they occupy a building two hundred by one hundred and fifteen feet and two stories in height with a four story factory on the west side of the street that is fifty by … Read more

The Racine Rubber Company was organized March 12, 1910, its first officers being C. F. U. Kelley, president ; Frank L. Mitchell, vice president ; Stuart Webster, treasurer, and J. H. Dwight, secretary. Mr. Kelley severed his connection with the business in 1912, at which time George B. Wilson became the president and so continued until January, 1914, when he, too, withdrew from connection with the business. At that date H. L. McLaren became president and advertising manager and in that position so continues, with Stuart Webster as vice president, general manager and treasurer ; H. C. Severance, secretary ; … Read more

Among the important business enterprises of Racine which have contributed in large measure to the substantial development of the city is the Racine Shoe Manufacturing Company, which was organized in 1902 with Sands M. Hart as president, L. J. Elliott, secretary and treasurer, and Fred C. Goff as general manager. The plant of the company was located originally at the corner of Wisconsin and Seventh streets, but with the demand for larger quarters, a removal was made in 1906 to 1320 Clark Street. In 1914 Mr. Goff was elected president of the company and in 1916 Jens Jensen became president, … Read more

Racine has called to her midst many captains of industry, men who are controlling extensive and important commercial and industrial interests, and their efforts have given to the city its well earned reputation as a great manufacturing center. One of the important undertakings of Racine is that conducted under the name of the Racine Tool & Machine Company, which was organized in 1908. In December, 1910, it was purchased by J. M. Jones, who is the president, treasurer and general manager of the company, with F. E. Koebler as vice president and L. Jones as secretary. The company manufactures high … Read more

St. Rose Catholic church, of which Rev. John M. Naughtin is now pastor, was established October 6, 1885, when the corner stone. was laid, and the church was dedicated January 31, 1886. This was regarded only as a temporary structure, however, and the growth of the congregation soon led to a demand for a larger church. The corner stone of the present edifice was laid May 24, 1903, and the church was dedicated February 14, 1904. It is an excellent structure, well appointed and beautifully adorned, and the work of the church has been carefully organized through its various societies … Read more

T. Driver & Sons Manufacturing Company is one of the old established industrial enterprises of Racine, business having been begun in 1867 by Thomas Driver, as a sash and door manufacturer. At that time he bought out Lucas Bradley, who had established the business in the ’40s and who was then located at Sixth and. Campbell streets. When Mr. Driver took charge he used every energy toward the further development of the trade and success was crowning his undertakings when, on the 17th of January. 1870, his plant was destroyed by fire. Although he suffered considerable loss, he met the … Read more