Free! LUNCH • DINNER - KIDS MENU BISTRO BAR • DESSERT Hours: Open Tue s.-Sun.
Wednesday, JUne 10, 2015 DISPLAY ADS (262) 877-2813
Volume 1 • Number 31
CLASSIFIEDS (262) 728-3411
DELIVERY (262) 728-3411
147 E. Main Street, Twin Lakes, WI 53185 • Published By Southern Lakes Newspapers, LLC
at 11:00 am Celebrating 5 Yea rs!
883 Main Street, Antio 847-603-1196 • ww w.david ch, IL sbistro.com
196464
Serving KENOSHA, PLEASANT PRAIRIE, BRISTOL, WINTHROP HARBOR, ZION and WAUKEGAN
History written in stone Green Ridge cemetery is a who’s who of Kenosha’s past By Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT
Throughout the state there are hundreds of cemeteries large and small where those who have come before us have been interred. Some of these cemeteries are large city cemeteries, while others are small. Some are so small that they are tucked into a corner of a farmer’s field, where members of only one specific family are buried. A visit to a cemetery is a visit to the history of the area. Just by reading the headstones, it is possible to learn much of the history of the area. In the 19th century and early 20th century people had a much shorter life expectancy than those of us who are alive today. Children especially were vulnerable to illness that today is preventable by vaccine. Young women often died during childbirth. Times of war are easily seen by the number of young men who died in a specific time period. Green Ridge Cemetery in Kenosha is one of those burial places that is a history of the families that settled Kenosha and helped it develop into a thriving city. Green Ridge is recognized as the oldest cemetery in Kenosha County. In 1838 shortly before her death, Catherine Durkee, first wife of Sen. Charles Durkee expressed to her husband a desire to be buried on the north end of his property. This property was in the city then known as Southport but today after a change of name, is Kenosha. Durkee not only allowed Catherine to be buried in this location, but donated several acres to the city to be used as a cemetery. Catherine’s burial was not the first at this location. According to cemetery records burials dating back to 1836 and possibly even earlier occurred on this land. Over the years, the cemetery became the place for prominent Kenosha families to purchase large plots to ensure their families would be accommodated in the same area. Large mon-
SPORTS CENTER
847-395-6216 927 Main Street Antioch, IL
ORIGINAL SALE PRICES TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 20% OFF* *Does not include Blackhawks apparel
FOOTBALL & SOCCER CLEATS Reg. $76.99 Sale $59.88 NOW $ 47.90
AUTHENTIC JERSEYS ORIGINAL $199 99 SALE $149 99
NOW $11988 Famous brands:
Adidas, Reebok, Rawlings, Wilson, New Balance, Glove, Etnie
Team Jerseys:
Blackhawks, Bears, Packers, Cubs, White Sox and many more
uments marked the family plots. The Durkee family monument stands on a slight hill and can be seen from the entrance. In 1906, a nine-member board was elected to oversee the cemetery. The board became known as the Kenosha Cemetery Association. The members became the custodians of Green Ridge Cemetery. Over the years, the board has not only maintained the cemetery but has sponsored cemetery walks over the last few years, bringing the history of the families buried here to life. Among the interesting persons buried at Green Ridge is Mary D. Bradford, who made her mark on the city when she became the first woman to serve as superintendent of schools. Her memorable contributions include adding kindergarten and introducing manual and household arts classes to the curriculum. Summer programs were added during her term of service. Also in the education field was Michael Frank, a territorial legislator who on Feb. 24, 1845, secured the enactment of legislation that assured free public education in Southport. This would be the first free school outside of New England. The school opened to students on June 18, 1845. Frank was not finished with his work. He continued to encourage the development of free schools in Wisconsin, according to the Kenosha Historical Society. Others buried include, businessmen Charles Willis, and Henry Cooper of the Jockey Company, Thomas Jeffries, inventor of the steering wheel for automobiles, and Zalmon Simmons of Simmons Mattress, to name a few. A conductor on the Underground Railroad, Reuben Deming, who was a Methodist Minister, is also buried here. The cemetery has a large number of veterans interred, many of them from the Civil War. Most of their graves can be visited along Veterans
Above: This stone building located on the northeast corner of Green Ridge Cemetery holds the records of the burials and is the working office of the cemetery. Left: The Durkee monument, marking the Sen. Charles Durkee’s family burial plot, stands on the north side of the cemetery on a slight hill. SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Hi-Liter
See CEMETERY, Page 7
After 43 Years
STORE CLOSING SALE
SELLING STARTS TODAY - 10:00 AM
FASHIONS FOR MEN
847-395-6212 931 Main Street Antioch, IL
MEN’S SUITS SALE $14988 to $ 59988 $ 88
NOW
119
to $ 47988
Mon.-Fri. 10-6 • Sat. 10-5 SPORTCOATS Start Your Christmas Shopping Now! $ 88
NOW IN PROGRESS
TAKE AN ADDITIONAL
20% OFF LOWEST PRICE STOREWIDE* *Does Not Include Blackhawks Apparel
EVERY THING Will Be Sold!
99 to $ NOW 7988 to
SALE
$
$
29988
23988
FAMOUS BRAND SPORTSWEAR Entire Inventory
20%-60% OFF! By: Fusion, Zanetti, Mantoni, Austin Reed, Hart Schaffner and Marx and many more 208119