Racine County

This paper was first issued at Racine, Wisconsin, January 1, 1877, under the name of The Racine Agriculturalist. An introductory on the first page, signed by A. F. Sweetser, states that it is the object of the “proprietor” to benefit the farmers of the country “as much as possible in inserting in its columns such articles as will be of special interest to them in their business and by offering such suggestions as may lighten the labor of the farm.” It is frankly stated that the columns of the paper will be largely devoted to advertising, but only such articles […]

One of the foremost business enterprises of Racine was organized in 1908 and succeeded to the business of John Geller, who had conducted his interests under the name of the Westside Printing Company. He had established the business about 1906, and it was conducted under the original name until 1910, when it was incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin as the Western Printing & Lithographing Company. In 1908 Edward H. Wadewitz had bought out the Westside Printing Company and admitted William Bell to a partnership, while six months later Roy A. Spencer became a member of the firm and afterward

The Wallis Tractor Company, of Racine, was organized about 1912, with H. M. Wallis as president and treasurer; H. M. Wallis, Jr., secretary, and Oliver P. Conger, director. Later there were added to the directorate W. C. Quarles, of Milwaukee, and P. H. Batten, of Racine. The company manufactures farm and road tractors which were designed by R. O. Hendrickson. The factory was at first located at Cleveland. Ohio, but was later moved to Racine to be closer to the J. I. Case Plow Works, who are the distributors of its product in the United States. The chief distinctive characteristic

The E. C. Tecktonius Manufacturing Company is a corporation, established in 1891 and incorporated in 1904, with office and factory buildings at 1224 Thirteenth street, and 1231-1233 Washington avenue, Racine, Wisconsin. This company, like all other enterprises that have stood the test, was established in a small way in the rear of the residence of E. C. Tecktonius, and by his careful management has made possible a fastener for connecting or joining the two ends of a band on anything circular. This simple device is now in use throughout the entire United States and Canada, and many shipments have been

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

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

The work among the Catholic people of the district now comprised in St. Mary’s parish began in 1838 and for four years thereafter they were visited by mission priests, including the Rev. Thomas Morrissy, who first visited Racine in 1838, at which time there was no Catholic church in the County. Following the arrival of Rev. Martin Kundig in 1842, the Catholics began the erection of a little frame church on Fifth street, on the present site of the Times building and the telegraph bureau. The church was completed in 1843 and dedicated in May of that year by Father

S. C. Johnson & Son is the firm name under which is conducted one of the important manufacturing enterprises of Racine. The business was established in 1882 by S. C. Johnson, who began the manufacture of hardwood flooring. Gradually, however, the trade was developed along another line and the company now concentrates its energies upon the manufacture of wood finishes, one of the chief products being Johnson’s Prepared Wax, which is sold through jobbers throughout the entire world. Such was the value of the output that the trade steadily grew, covering not only America but every section of the globe,

With the development of the electrical industry there have sprung up various enterprises having to do with lighting equipment and such a concern is the Reliance Automatic Lighting Company, which was organized in Warren, Ohio, in 1909, but removed its business to Racine in 1911. The concern is owned and operated by Benjamin F. Flegel, who is engaged in the manufacture of an automatic time switch, a clock apparatus for turning lights on and off at prearranged times for store signs, windows and apartment house hall lights, etc., operating on one, two or three circuits. The device is most simple

The Red Cross Drug Company is one of the strong commercial enterprises of Racine. It was organized in 1905 by T. W. Thiesen, who bought out the Holmberg-Wichern Company, which was established about 1898 and which at one time owned four drug stores. Another was added in 1906 and business has since been conducted in these five establishments, which bring to the company a very extensive and gratifying trade. Each drug store is splendidly equipped with the latest and best products of the drug market, a competent force of salesmen and a manager is employed and the personnel of the