Wisconsin Genealogy

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…

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…

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…

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…