Founded in 1903 by Willis L. Cahoon and E. E. Cahoon, the American Mangle Roller Company of Racine manufactures laundry mangles and handles all kinds of laundry machinery. Based at Racine Junction, the company sells nationwide by mail and through jobbers, supplying hotels, public buildings, and institutions with complete laundry equipment.
The American Seating Company of Racine, founded in 1899 as the American School Furniture Company, grew from the former Thomas Kane Company plant into a major furniture manufacturer. By the early 1900s, it employed 300 workers, shipped school furniture and opera chairs worldwide, and was known for fair wages, employee welfare programs, and progressive labor practices.
The American Skein Foundry Company helped establish Racine’s reputation as an industrial and manufacturing center. Founded in 1900 and reorganized in 1904, the company operates a modern five-acre plant producing wagon skeins, drop-forgings, jackscrews, anvils, and piano plates. Employing 170 workers, it sells nationwide and is known for quality products and sound business practices.
Founded in 1904 in Racine, the Arnold Electric Company grew from a one-room operation into a major manufacturer of motor-driven household devices and small power motors. It pioneered products such as vacuum cleaners, massage vibrators, hair dryers, drink mixers, washing machines, electric signs, and phonograph motors, and now employs about 250 people with worldwide sales.
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.
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 Elite Laundry of Racine, owned by Eager and Dunn, grew from a failed startup into a major modern laundry business with more than 50 employees, six wagons, two automobiles, and advanced machinery. Expanding repeatedly to meet demand, the firm emphasizes sanitary methods, high wages, and continual improvement in service.
F. J. Greene Engineering Works has helped make Racine known for industry since 1892. Located at Douglas and Prospect streets, the company employs more than 60 workers and manufactures special machinery, structural iron, and steel buildings, while also handling job work, repairs, electric plating, stamping, and screw machine work throughout the region.