Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

he removed to Massachusetts, and learned
the trade of shipwright. As was entirely
natural, the atmosphere of the shipyards
was a keen incentive to the lad toward
travel by sea. On March i, 1849, when
the first California gold fever was at its
height, he took a sailing vessel bound
around Cape Horn, and in due course
reached the Western coast. He located
on the Sacramento river, and built there
the first steamboat constructed on the
Pacific coast. He spent some time in
the gold district, and when he returned
East brought some gold nuggets which
are still in the possession of the family, al-
though, in truth, he came back much richer
in experience and practical knowledge of
the world than in material wealth. He remained
on the Western coast for about
two years, returning overland to Mas-
sachusetts, where he rejoined his family.
The call of the West was not to be en-
tirely forgotten, however, and on June 8,
1852, he started for Racine, Wisconsin,
with his family. At that time Racine was
a typical New England settlement in the
then Far West. In the development of
the little frontier town the young man
was to be a prominent figure. He helped
to establish one of the early industries of
the town, organizing, in 1863, the firm of
J. I. Case & Company, which manufactured
threshing machinery designed by
Jerome I. Case. His first threshing ma-
chine, which was the first ever built in
the West, was a great improvement over
any theretofore built, and in the rapid
development of the immense fertile prai-
ries into productive grain fields, the
machinery found a waiting market. Not
long after this start, Mr. Erskine designed
the first combined thresher and separator
built in the West. He had practical
charge of the marketing end of the busi-
ness, which became the leading industry
of Racine, capitalized in the millions and
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
265
having five hundred agencies in North
America. Mr. Erskine is considered the
father of the exclusive agency idea, which
now generally governs the marketing of
special products, such as talking ma-
chines, automobiles, office specialties, etc.
He also founded the Racine Wagon and
Carriage Works, which he developed to
the largest business of its nature in his
time. He was a man of broad interests
and quick sympathies, interested in all
public affairs, and always ready to do his
share in public matters. He was treasurer
of the Taylor Orphan Asylum for a number
of years, served as school commis-
sioner and supervisor; was mayor of
Racine in 1869, 1870 and 1871 ; was a
trustee of the First Presbyterian Church
and was a member of the Masonic Lodge
in Racine. He was far from being a poli-
tician for the game's sake, but held that
obligation to public service rested upon
every citizen in proportion to his abilities.
In every way in his power he furthered
every movement for the public good, and
with the indefatigable energy and keen
business acumen which made him a power
in the business world made him a force
for progress in the world of public life,
and in organized benevolence. A record
of his life would lack simplest justice
without saying that in all his business
interests, as well as in public and private
life, he was actuated by the highest principles,
holding lofty ideals and demanding
of himself that every word and deed
should measure up to these ideals. Upon
such a foundation he built the success
which was due entirely to his own efforts.
On April 7, 1841, Mr. Erskine married
Susan Perry, of Matick, Massachusetts,
daughter of William and Hannah (Leland)
Perry (see Leland). Mrs. Leland
was a descendant of the old Massachusetts
family, originating in England.
(VI) Charles Edwin Erskine, son of