Racine County

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

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

Another of the business enterprises which have to do with the attainment of Racine’s present greatness and prosperity is the Racine Traveling Bag Company, which was established in 1890 by Herbert Van Bree, Theodore Van Bree and other stockholders. The business was at that time incorporated with Theodore Wadewitz as president and with Herbert, Theodore and H. Van Bree and Herman Wadewitz as directors. The present officers of the company are: Herbert Van Bree, president; Mrs. Joseph Van Bree, vice president; and Mrs. H. Van Bree, secretary and treasurer. The factory is fifty by eighty feet and is three stories … Read more

Among the large manufacturing enterprises of Racine which have brought the city to its present position of distinction as a great industrial and commercial center is the Racine Trunk Company, which has passed through an era of prosperous existence covering thirty-one years. The company was organized April 1, 1885, by John F. Wadewitz, T. C. Wadewitz and Herman O. Wadewitz together with A. B. Augustine. The business was carried on under firm organization until 1895, when it was incorporated with John F. Wadewitz as president, T. C. Wadewitz as vice president and Herman O. Wadewitz as secretary and treasurer. No … Read more

The Racine Woolen Manufacturing Company was organized to take over a business that was founded in 1863 by Lucius S. Blake and John S. Hart and was conducted under the name of Blake & Company at Bridge and Ontario streets. They started business on a small scale in a little building, but the trade steadily grew and in 1877 the business was incorporated with L. S. Blake as the president, John S. Hart as treasurer, James J. Elliott and A. W. Tillapaugh as stockholders and directors. At that time the plant was known as a two set mill, having about … Read more

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 … Read more