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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 History of Racine County, Wisconsin Businesses American Mangle & Roller Company American Seating Company American Skein & Foundry Company Arnold Electric Company Bank Of Burlington Beffel Furniture & Undertaking Company Brehm Brothers Company Carroll Coal Company Chicago Rubber Clothing Company Commercial Press Company E. C. Tecktonius Manufacturing Company Elite Laundry F. J. Greene Engineering Works Gold Medal Camp Furniture Manufacturing Company Hartmann Trunk Company Henricksen & Jacobson Higgins Spring & Axle Company Horlick Malted Milk Company J. I. Case Plow Works J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company Junction Hardware Company Lavine Gear Company Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company Mohr-Jones Hardware Company … 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 J. I. Case Plow Works grew from a small blacksmith shop into one of the world’s largest independent implement companies, built on quality, service, and dealer support. With more than 600 skilled workers, strict inspection, experimental field testing on a 300-acre farm, and modern factory safeguards, the company set high standards for farm machinery.
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