RACINE BELLE CITY OF THE LAKES AND RACINE COUNTY WISCONSIN-ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement
FANNY S. STONE Supervising Editor CHICAGO:
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1916
Contributed by Diane Kaye
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Edward T. Billings
Edward T. Billings is a Racine photographer, who is familiar with every phase of photograpjhic work both in its mechanical and artistic lines. He keeps in touch with the latest improved processes of photography and his ability is manifested in his substantial and growing success. A native of Ontario, Canada, he was born April 12, 1852, his parents being Bradish D. And Eliza ( Harry ) Billings, who were natives of New York and of Cornwall, England, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Ira Billings, visited the United States on various occasions but spent his last days in Canada where he passed away at the age of eighty-two years. The maternal grandfather, a native of England, crossed the Atlantic to Canada and there followed the carpenter’s trade throughout his remaining days.
Bradish D. Billings was reared to the occupation of farming and upon his arrival in Racine county, in 1860, purchased land in Yorkville township, on which he resided for several years and then took up his abode in the city of Racine, where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest, in 1899, when seventy-six years of age. His wife passed away May 18, 1911. They were members of the Episcopal church. Their family numbered two sons and two daughters: Edward T. And William F., both residents of Racine; and Margaret and Agatha, twins. The former is employed as a bookkeeper and stenographer, while the latter has become the wife of Thomas Rowley, of Racine county.
When a youth of eight years Edward T. Billings came with his parents to Racine county and spent his youthful days upon the home farm, his boyhood experiences being those which usually fall to the lot of the farm bred boy. He supplemented his early education, obtained in the district schools, by further study in the public schools of Racine and afterward took up the study of photography, believing that he would find that vocation an interesting one and hoping, through business ability and enterprise, to make it a profitable. In 1872 he opened his studio in Racine and in the intervening years has made continuous progress until he is now one of the foremost photographers of the state. There has been marked advance in photographic processes and methods and with these he has always kept in touch. He knows how best to utilize light and shade and position and he has the faculty of catching an expression that is characteristic of the individual and therefore makes of the picture an excellent likeness.
On the 20th of March, 1877, Mr. Billings was united in marriage to Miss Mary Easson, a daughter of Captain Larry and Alice ( Green ) Easson. They have become the parents of two children, Harry and Edna. Mrs. Billings is a member of the Baptist church, while Mr. Billings is well known in Masonic circles, holding membership in Racine Lodge No. 18, F. & A. M., Orient Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M., and Racine Commandery, No. 7, K. T. He has always maintained an independent political attitude nor have the honors and emoluments of office ever had attraction for him. The family residence is an attractive home at No. 924 Lake avenue. At all times he has been actuated by the spirit of advancement and each forward step he has taken in his business career has brought him a wider outlook and broader opportunities.
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