From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 1051-1054
 
WILLIAM H. TYRRELL.  Deeds are thoughts crystallized, and according to their 
brilliancy do we judge the worth of a man to the country which produced him, 
and in his works we expect to find the true index to his character.  A worthy 
representative of that type of American business men who may properly be 
termed "progressive," that character which promotes public good in advancing 
individual prosperity and conserving popular interests, is William H. TYRRELL, 
well-known manufacturer and merchant of Delavan, Walworth county.  He has been 
prominently identified with the business interests of this locality for many 
years, and while his varied affairs have brought him success they have also 
advanced the general welfare by accelerating commercial activity.
 
Mr. TYRRELL was born at Racine, Wisconsin, November 8, 1857, the son of Henry 
and Jenette (WOOSTER) TYRRELL.  The parents came from near Fairfield, 
Connecticut, to Wisconsin, in 1843 and 1844 and located at Racine.  The 
TYRRELL family may be traced back to England, where the family was one of high 
standing, had a coat-of-arms, being the motto "Ventas Va Vitae."  There was 
one of three brothers who went to Ireland and became a general, his name 
appearing in Irish history, and there is a place named for him, TYRRELL's 
Pass.   Descendants of his brothers came to America in an early day and 
settled in the New England colonies, and some of the members of this family 
fought in the American Revolution.
 
Jenette WOOSTER is descended for a family that also came from England and 
settled in New England before the war for independence and her ancestors were 
also in the Revolution, one of them being an officer in the patriot army.
 
After coming to Racine, Wisconsin, the father of the subject engaged for a 
time at his trade of tailoring, then farmed for a time, later resuming 
tailoring, later going into the wholesale and retail grocery business, and 
later in life was in the real estate, loan and insurance business, and he 
spent the rest of his life in Racine.  He took an active interest in the 
affairs of the city and held some public offices, notwithstanding the fact 
that he was a Democrat, and after the Civil war the Republicans were in the 
majority.  He was quite active in the development of Racine, bought a large 
tract of land adjoining that city, platted and sold it under the name of 
TYRRELL and PALMERTER's addition.  He was one of the substantial and 
influential men of that section of the state, and was held in high esteem for 
his pubic spirit and exemplary life, his dealings with his fellow men having 
ever been above cavil.
 
William H. TYRRELL, of this sketch, grew to manhood at Racine, and there 
attended the common schools and the high school.  After leaving school he 
worked for the People's Gas Company, finally being placed in charge of their 
Racine office, when only about seventeen years old.  A year later, in 1876, he 
came to Delavan, accompanied by his mother, his father having died in 1875.  
He clerked three years in a grocery store here, for his brother-in-law, J. H. 
GOODRICH.  In 1879 he was united in marriage with Allie BRADLEY, daughter of 
William Wallace and Esther Ann (LARNERD) BRADLEY, a sketch of whom appears 
elsewhere in this work.  After his marriage he went into partnership with Mr. 
BRADLEY, who had a dry goods and clothing store here, and also one at Clinton 
Junction.  He took charge of the store at the latter place and remained there 
about eighteen months, then returned to Delavan and two stocks were 
consolidated.  About four years later John J. PHOENIX, a brother-in-law of Mr. 
TYRRELL, was also taken in as a partner, and that arrangement continued until 
after Mr. BRADLEY's death; his family still continued to hold his interest in 
the firm until March 2, 1906, when the partnership was changed to a 
corporation under the name of W. W. BRADLEY & Company, of which Mr. TYRRELL is 
president, which position he is filling in a manner that reflects much credit 
upon his ability, and under his able management the business has continued to 
grow until this store is today one of the most popular in the county.  They 
always carry an extensive, carefully selected and up-to-date stock of choice 
goods, and their hundreds of customers receive every courtesy and 
consideration.
 
Mr. TYRRELL has habitually endeavored to boost the interests of Delavan and he 
was largely instrumental in securing for this beautiful little city a knitting 
factory.  In order to induce it to locate here, he and Mr. PHOENIX and other 
local enterprising citizens took stock in it.  The concern did not seem to be 
a success, the original owner finally being compelled to give it up.  Messers. 
TYRRELL and PHOENIX, after much pressure, were persuaded to take hold of it.  
They secured a controlling interest and in November 1904, assumed control.  
Mr. PHOENIX is president and Mr. TYRRELL is secretary and treasurer.  Since 
then the company has prospered, growing rapidly.  They have had to build 
additions to the plant for the past there years, and in 1911 an addition of 
three stories, one hundred feet in length, was added, also a power house was 
built.  The plant is managed under a superb system and is thoroughly equipped 
with every modern appliance necessary in turning out high-grade work 
promptly.  They now employ about three hundred people and do an annual 
business of nearly a million dollars.  Their goods, owing to their superior 
quality, find a very ready market all over the world, shipments being made to 
Johannesburg, South Africa, Constantinople, Hawaii, the Philippines, and they 
are now arranging to cover Asia and Japan.  They make knit coats, jackets, 
caps and many other articles, one of the most popular and widely known being 
the "Bradley Muffler," designed and invented by the subject's son, Wallace 
Bradley TYRRELL, and was named for him.  He is usually known as Bradley 
TYRRELL.  He is vice-president and superintendent of the firm.  The muffler is 
patented and was largely copied by infringers, who were finally beaten in the 
courts in 1911.  It is admittedly the finest muffler in the world, and is sold 
by every representative dealer in England, in fact, may be found all over the 
world.  This factory would be a credit to any community, and its influence on 
this locality has been most beneficial.
 
Messrs. TYRRELL and PHOENIX and Bradley TYRRELL have also made several deals 
in Delavan real estate that are notable.  In October, 1911, they put on sale a 
plat of seventy-five city lots known as TYRRELL's subdivision, and sold them 
all in two hours' time at public sale.  It was not an auction, the price being 
previously put on the lots.
 
Although active in public affairs, Mr. TYRRELL would not under any 
consideration take any public office, preferring to devote his attention 
exclusively to his large business affairs.  About 1895 he and Mr. PHOENIX 
organized the Delavan Light & Fuel company, now the United Heat & Power 
Company.  After operating this concern about ten years in a most successful 
manner they sold out.  The buyer failed and Mr. TYRRELL was appointed 
receiver, and ran it two years, then sold it to the present company.
 
Two children, a son and a daughter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. TYRRELL, 
namely: Esther Marina and Wallace Bradley TYRRELL.  The former was born 
October 16, 1896, and the latter October 9, 1883.  He attended the schools of 
Delavan and was graduated from Beloit College in 1906, since which time he has 
been actively engaged in the business with Mr. TYRRELL and Mr. PHOENIX.  He 
was married on July 25, 1907, to Kate ROOT, of Elgin, Illinois, and to this 
union one daughter has been born, Katherine Bradley TYRRELL.
 
Fraternally, William H. TYRRELL belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.  He and his wife are members of the 
Episcopal church.  They have a beautiful and modern home in Delavan which is 
known as a place of hospitality to their many friends.
 
Mr. TYRRELL is by nature an organizer and promoter, a man of keen business 
discernment, sound judgment and broad views, yet plain, unassuming and 
unobtrusive, a very likable gentleman in every respect.
 
Submitted by Carol