Forsythe, Kathryn Rogene

Notes:

It is believed that Kathryn (Katie) Forsythe was an adopted child. The actual parents are unknown.
Information from Marriage Certificate:
Father: Luther Forsythe
Mother: Calphurnia Forsythe
(Probably the adopted parents)
Married in Berlin, Green Lake County - Recorded in Green Lake.

Kathryn married Keefe, Thomas Martin 4 Jan 1882, Union Church, Berlin, Wisconsin, USA. Thomas (son of Keefe, John and Bateman, Mary) was born 6 May 1855, Poygan, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA; died 8 Jan 1936, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA; was buried 17 Jan 1936, Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Bef 1940
• Residence: Bef 1940, New York, New York, New York, USA

Notes:

Occupation:
Walter lived in New York and worked as an agent for theaters and performers. There were no known children.

Residence:
Walter lived in New York and worked as an agent for theaters and performers. There were no known children.

Walter married Unknown, Sally Aft 1902. Sally died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Walter married Macneill, Adele 6 May 1908. Adele was born Bef 1890; died Bef 1990. [Group Sheet]

Harry married Lewis, Jennie Aft 1905. Jennie was born 16 Nov 1887, , , Wisconsin, USA; died 27 Jan 1920; was buried , Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• News Mention: 15 Jun 1950; Congressional Record
• Occupation: Bef 3 Feb 1952; Lawyer, District Attorney Congressman
• Obituary: 6 Feb 1952; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

News Mention:
House Suffers Real Loss in Retirement of Frank B. Keefe
EXTENSION OF REMARKS of HON. GLENN R. DAVIS OF WISCONSIN IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Congressional Record of Thursday, June
15, 1950)
Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 13, I had the privilege of speaking over WHA, Wisconsin's State radio station, and its affiliated radio outlets. Because our distinguished and able colleague, FRANK KEEFE, who has announced his retirement from Congress at the end of this session, is a State wide indeed, a Nationwide figure, I used the occasion to pay a deserved tribute to his service here in the House. Some of the information contained will I believe, prove interesting to Frank's many friends here on both sides of the aisle. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I have asked permission to insert the text of my radio talk in the RECORD: (Opening Deleted) .......
In this connection, I wonder today how many of the people of Wisconsin realize the loss our State and our Nation will suffer at the end of the Eighty-first Congress, when one of the most influential Wisconsin Members ever to serve in Congress retires voluntarily from the position he has so ably filled for 12 long and action-packed years. I refer, of course, to Congressman FRANK B. KEEFE, of Oshkosh, who has represented the Sixth District, that adjoins the Second District on the north. For reasons of health, FRANK KEEFE is retiring from Congress at the end of his present term, and will seek to regain his once-vigorous health in the more quiet and peaceful surroundings of his home community.
Few people who have not experienced congressional life can realize what a hard task it can be, for a man who is conscientious, who tries to study the many problems and proposed solutions before him, and who devotes all the time and energy that the job demands. Too often those of us here in Washington have seen the flag over the House Office Building lowered to half-staff, in tribute to some Member who has pushed himself beyond the limits of endurance, and paid the price with his life. Just recently, the Congress has suffered such losses in the sudden deaths of Congressmen Lesinski, of Michigan; Lemke, of North Dakota; and Church, of Illinois.
The first vote I ever cast for a Congressman was for FRANK KEEFE. At that time, I was teaching in Waupun High School, and because I was rooming on the Fond du Lac County side of the city of Waupun, I was In the Sixth Congressional District.
As a matter of fact, FRANK KEEFE almost became a permanent resident of the Second Congressional District in his early career. After graduating from the University of Michigan in law he came to Portage, Wis., and became associated with the law office of one of Wisconsin's outstanding attorneys, Daniel H. Grady. But later, FRANK KEEFE decided to strike out on his own and he moved to Omro, where he opened a law office, and in 1913 he became a resident of Oshkosh, which has remained his home ever since.
When he was elected to Congress, he was named in his very first term to one of the most important committees in Congress, Appropriations, and he has served on that committee ever since. He thus broke all precedents; never before had a first-termer been named to that committee.
Being a member of the Appropriations Committee virtually seals a Congressman behind a wall of silence, as far as committee work is concerned. Its sessions are closed to the public and the press reporters are not permitted to attend its deliberations. When the Appropriations Committee finishes its hearings and files a report, it is in newspaper language "old stuff." The report is large and the contents dry, not the kind of material that lends itself readily to headline making. But there is no more important job in Congress than that of serving on the Appropriations Committee.
During these years, Congressman KEEFE has served as chairman of our Republican delegation from Wisconsin, as well as representing Wisconsin on the policy-making committee of the Republicans in the House. He also has served on two other prominent committees. He was one of the Congressmen named to make the investigation of the Pearl Harbor disaster, and a supplemental report which he wrote on that affair was highly praised by Historian Charles A. Beard. Congressman KEEFE also is serving on the committee to renovate the White House at the present time.
But it has been his work on the Labor-Federal Security Subcommittee on Appropriations that has brought him to most prominent attention in Washington. Much of the credit for Federal research projects in health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and arthritis, must be given to FRANK B. KEEFE, of Wisconsin. Just as the Wisconsin delegation usually looks to Congressman REID MURRAY, of Ogdensburg, to be our spokesman in agricultural debates in the House or Congressman LAWRENCE SMITH, of Racine, to inform on matters of foreign affairs, so has FRANK KEEFE been the first Wisconsin debater to take the floor in the House when matters affecting public health have been under consideration. He also has been one of the first to answer those who speak for socialized medicine plans.
In 1948, although this fact may not be well known in Wisconsin, there was some talk at the Republican national convention of a compromise ticket that would have included JOE MARTIN, of Massachusetts, for President and FRANK KEEFE, of Wisconsin for Vice President. It also was widely believed that if the Republicans had won the 1948 Presidential race, Congressman KEEFE would have been offered the post of head of the social-security agency, which probably would have led to a Cabinet position as Secretary of a new Department of Public Welfare.
All this goes to show that FRANK KEEFE is a recognized national leader of his party and serves to emphasize to Wisconsin how much of a loss our State suffers when a man of his prominence and ability leaves the field of public service. I think it will be Interesting to listen to some excerpts from letters that were sent to the recent testimonial dinner held for Congressman KEEFE in Wisconsin.
Said W. Stuart Symington, a Democrat who is chairman of the National Security Resources Board: "Although we were on opposite sides of the fence politically, I know that FRANK KEEFE always has been a fine public servant patriotic, forceful, and intelligent in his approach to the vital aspects of our national security in this air-atomic age." Now let me quote Dr. W. Palmer Dearing, Acting Surgeon General of the United States, who said that "both as an advocate of health legislation and as a friendly and constructive critic of the programs of the service, FRANK KEEFE has earned a permanent place on the roster of champions of better health." And United States Senator STYLES BRIDGES, of New Hampshire, said "FRANK KEEFE has been one of the most outstanding Members of Congress. He is one or those rare individuals who possess not only real ability and a keen understanding of public affairs, but he also has the courage of his convictions to speak out at all times."
Too often, Members of Congress never get to hear the opinions of their fellow Members. They die in harness, and so never get to hear the kind words that Congressmen express in memorial services for them. Perhaps some of those words are expressed in an effort to make up for our own failure to offer such expressions of appreciation while our friend was with us. In FRANK KEEFE'S case, he is merely retiring from the arena now because of ill health, at a time when his personal popularity is high and there would be no question of his reelection had he entered the coming campaign for Congress again, It Is well that we should take note as FRANK leaves the Congress, of his services to our State and our Nation during the last 12 years.
Except for the self-satisfaction that comes with a feeling that you have given something of your life to the Serving of your fellowmen, there is little recompense to being a Congressman. You are 1 of 435 Members, and unable by yourself to make much of an impression upon the laws of the land or the affairs of the world. Only a handful of men who have served in the House of Representatives in the previous generation are remembered today for anything they accomplished while Members of the House. Financially, there is little doubt but that men like FRANK KEEFE serve at a sacrifice. Since fame nor fortune seldom reward man for his services to the public, it is fitting that those of us who can should express the appreciation that the public should feel for his service.
Wisconsin has been a fortunate State, fortunate because nature gave us natural resources of untold value from which our industry, our agriculture, and our recreational business developed. But Wisconsin has been fortunate in another respect, in that she has produced many men and women who were giants like the mighty Norway pines of the upland forests. These men and women, at great sacrifice to their personal fortunes, at the expenditure of their energies and vigor, often at the cost of putting duty to State ahead of duty to family, have given of themselves to public service. Some of them, like Walter Kohler, Sr., and Oscar Rennebohm have known success in private life before turning to public service. Some of them have devoted their lives to public service and grown in stature with increased responsibilities, just as did Robert M. La Follette, Sr. But all of them, by enhancing good government, have brought credit to Wisconsin and reflected glory upon themselves.
In that book of records in which the lives of Wisconsin s prominent citizens are written, there's room for a chapter devoted to FRANK B KEEFE. But it is an unfinished chapter, for all in Wisconsin who know him well will join me in the hope that when he regains his health FRANK KEEFE may find further use for his talents and experience in public affairs in our Nation.
ARTICLE IN THE WINNECONNE NEWS - FEBRUARY 5, 1952
FRANK B. KEEFE, NATIVE SON, DIES SUDDENLY AT NEENAH
Atty. Frank B. Keefe, acknowledged by many to be Winneconne's most illustrious native son, died suddenly at Neenah Tuesday afternoon. He was stricken with a heart attack after addressing a womans' group at Neenah and collapsed when he entered his parked car. He was pronounced dead at Theda Clark hospital.
Former Representative Keefe was born in Winneconne September 23, 1887, the son of Thomas and Katherine (Forsythe) Keefe, immigrants from Ireland. (Note: This is not correct. His Grandfather, John Keefe, and Grandmother, Mary Bateman Keefe were the immigrants). The elder Mr. Keefe operated an implement store here for a time and later was a salesman for Lindsay Bros., an implement company of Milwaukee. He was the oldest salesman in his line in the state. The Keefe family resided in a house at the present location of the Al Broehm residence.
Frank Keefe attended the Winneconne schools. He had the reputation of being a good student and an excellent athlete. In races and other contests, it was often he who was the winner.
He attended the Oshkosh Normal school, graduating in 1906. The next year he was principal of the school at Viroqua. This was followed by his studies at the University of Michigan law school, from which he was graduated in 1910.
For a time Mr. Keefe practiced law at Omro and was president of the village. He married the former Mildred Virginia Steele of Berlin.
Mr. Keefe moved to Oshkosh in 1915 and joined the law firm of which he was senior partner at the time of his death. He served as district attorney from 1922 to 1928 and assistant district attorney in 1916 and 1917. He was elected Congressional representative from this district for six terms, retiring in 1950 on account of ill health.
Atty. Keefe was widely known as a colorful, powerful orator and a successful trial lawyer. His command of the language and his mannerisms made him an imposing figure on the platform.
In 1949 he delivered the principal address at Winneconne's centennial celebration. His last appearance here as a speaker was in May 1951 when he delivered the Memorial Day address at the village hall. The flag was flown at half-mast on the village hall Wednesday and Thursday in respect to Mr. Keefe.
The survivors are the widow; a son Bateman of Atlanta, Ga; two daughters, Mrs. Charles Nolan of Oshkosh and Mrs. Edwin Rosten of Madison; two sisters, Mrs. Katherine Craig of Green Bay and Mrs. Maude Hayward of Minneapolis; a brother, Rudyard Keefe of Oshkosh, and five grandchildren.
The funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at Fiss and Bills Funeral home in Oshkosh. The Rev. William Spicer of Trinity Episcopal Church will have charge and burial will be in Lake View Memorial Park.
(The Keefe home was located on Lots 5 & 6, Block 4, Ripon Addition).
Keefe Eulogized in House and Throughout State of Wisconsin
WASHINGTON(AP) --- Former Wisconsin Rep. Frank B. Keefe, who died Tuesday at Neenah, was eulogized Wednesday by members of the House. Keefe, 64, had been a congressman from 1938 to 1950.
"He was a strong character, a man of great convictions," Majority Leader McCormick (D-Mass.) told his colleagues.
Minority Leader Martin (R-Mass.) said Keefe "was one of the most outstanding men who ever came to Congress." ,
Rep. Van Pelt (R-Wis.), who succeeded Keefe last year when the Oshkosh legislator retired because of ill health, said his predecessor was "a great statesman, an outstanding American. He served his country well."
Rep. Smith (R-Wis.) said Keefe was "a casualty of public service. He gave himself without stint. He has left his imprint upon this body."
In the Senate Keefe was eulogized by Sen. Case (R-S. D.), Majority Leader McFarland (D-Ariz.) and Minority Leader Bridges (R-N. H.).
Messages Are Many
From the nation's Capitol, the state capitol, from every section of the country messages of sympathy and expressions of personal loss at the death of former Rep. Frank B. Keefe were reaching his family today.
The former congressman died suddenly of a heart attack, following a talk in Neenah Tuesday.
On behalf of Gov. Walter J. Kohler, Acting Gov. George M. Smith sent a message of sympathy, saying in part, "Wisconsin has lost a fine public servant, one who gave of himself unstintingly for the public good. During his many years of service as district attorney of Winnebago County and as Representative in Congress . . . he won the affection and respect of all who were associated with him. We all regret his passing."
En route to Oshkosh to attend funeral services to be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sixth District Rep. William K. Van Pelt, wired: "I join with the citizens of the Sixth District in mourning the loss of former Rep. Frank B. Keefe. It might well be said that his untimely passing was due in a great part to the public service that he rendered to his city, to his state and to the nation as a whole, His great determination provided for the nation many of the necessary facilities to protect and contribute to the health of his fellowman. His achievements in this field will be living memorial to the memory of Rep. Keefe. I join with his former colleagues in extending my deepest sympathy to his bereaved family."
"One of Finest"
"Frank Keefe was one of the finest and ablest members of the House of Representatives and he has left his mark there for all time," wrote Rep. John Taber, chairman of the appropriations committee, 80th Congress.
Said Rep. Philip J. Philbin, "Like other members of the House I held him in highest esteem. He was one of the great Americans of our time."
"Deepest sympathy" to the Keefe family was expressed by Gen. Glen E Edgerton, executive director of the Commission on Renovation of the Executive Mansion. Rep. Keefe had been one of the two congressmen appointed to the commission.
Many who had worked with Mr. Keefe on the public health measures which were a continuing interest to the Oshkosh man told of personal and public loss in his death. Msgr. John O'Grady, head of the National Catholic Welfare conference, expressed an undying admiration for the late representative. "I will never forget his contribution to voluntary social welfare in the United States." Albert Lasker of the Lasker Foundation and Mrs. Mary Lasker, co-chairman of the National Mental Health Committee, spoke highly of his "unique, unselfish and untiring service . . . under frustrating circumstances, even at the expense of his own health, toward bringing about fuller understanding of the needs of the nation's health."
"The achievement of his long career and the high esteem in which he was held will be a consolation to you in the years ahead," wrote Leonard Scheele, surgeon general, U.S. Public Health Service, with whom Mr. Keefe had dedicated the new cancer wing at Wisconsin General Hospital, Madison, recently.
Among the many other messages received were those from F. J. Sensenbrenner, chairman of the Board of Regents, University of Wisconsin; Robert G Wilke, department adjutant, American Legion; Editor John Chapple, Ashland Daily Press and national president Fighters for MacArthur; Mr. and Mrs. William J. Campbell; Steve Miller, Otis Gomillion and Thomas McCormack, McCarthy Club Committee, and Jack Rouse, GOP leader.
Congressional Record
Proceedings and Debates of the 82d Congress, Second Session
Washington, Wednesday, February 6, 1952 No. 19
THE LATE FRANK BATEMAN KEEFE
The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin .
Mr. VAN PELT. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sorrow that I bring word of the death of Frank Bateman Keefe, my predecessor, who served as a Member of the Congress, representing the Sixth District of Wisconsin from 1939 to 1951. He suffered a heart attack after delivering an address at Neenah, Wis., Tuesday afternoon and died en route to a hospital.
His passing leaves me with a profound sense of personal loss, just as I am sure it also affects many of you who knew and respected him during his long term of distinguished public service in this House.
Frank Keefe was a truly great American who literally gave his life for his country. He was one of the most conscientious Members of this body, accepting the heavy responsibilities of the office willingly and with unselfish disregard for his personal welfare. His devotion to duty impaired his health and prompted him to retire voluntarily from this body about a year ago. I am certain he was cognizant of the serious nature of his illness but continued to work vigorously since his retirement, for the preservation of this Republic, which he loved so well. He died as he lived, working for this cause, a real champion for Americanism. Prior to his election to Congress, Frank Keefe was an outstanding trial lawyer and served several terms as district attorney in his home community of Oshkosh, Wis. In his first term as a Member of this Congress he was appointed to the important Appropriations Committee and served as chairman of the Federal Security-Labor subcommittee during the Eightieth Congress. Deeply interested in public-health legislation, he devoted much of his great talent and ability to that program. The splendid service now being rendered in this field will long be a monument to his memory. An eloquent orator and a matchless debater, he was recognized as a leader here and was highly regarded on both sides of this aisle. He was a big man, physically and mentally, endowed with strong convictions and high ideals. He will be sadly missed by his many friends, his home community, State, and Nation. I join with you, his former colleagues, in extending my sincere sympathy to his bereaved family.
Mr. SMITH of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, Frank Keefe is gone. There was a man. Those of us who had the privilege of serving with him, know of his great ability. We know of his character. We know of the logic of his mind. And those of us who have opposed him in debate were always conscious of the fact at Frank Keefe knew his facts. During one of the first days after I became a Member of the House of Representatives, Frank talked to me about the activities here, and he said, "Young man I want to tell you when you get down into the well of the House, know your facts." We shall never forget his presence here, I am sure, as he often strode down this center aisle, and came into the well of the House. There was hardly a need for a microphone when he spoke --- but always the same serious attack on the problem that he was discussing. He was a big man physically, of course, we know, and his heart was almost as big as his body. There was nothing that he would not do for a friend. He never permitted himself to become cynical. He always believed that somewhere along the line, things would right themselves --- conditions would become better and that this was a great place in which to live.
Frank came up the hard way -- from a humble beginning. As a young lawyer in Winnebago County in Oshkosh, Wis., he was elected as the prosecuting attorney, and soon gained the reputation of being Wisconsin's most fearless prosecutor. I think all of us can understand just how he achieved that reputation. Then a little later, he presented himself as a candidate for Congress. He was defeated in his first attempt, but was returned to the Seventy-sixth Congress and served, I think, through the Eighty-first Congress. His service in this body was of such high caliber that he soon gained a national reputation for ability and integrity. He was sought all over the country as a public speaker.
Frank Keefe was an unusual personality. Whenever he was in committee, at the luncheon table, or in private meetings he always dominated, and not obnoxiously, but by virtue of his clarity of expression and logic. Whatever he undertook it was always with thoroughness and intensity.
I think it can be said that Frank Keefe was a casualty of public service: he died in the service of his people. He gave himself without stint as a Member of this body, and you will recall that when he first became ill it was while he was on his way home from a session of this House. He was at that time was giving unstinted attention to the problem of heart disease and he was a victim of that dread disease.
Frank Keefe has left his impact upon this body; he has influenced my own life considerably. I have personally enjoyed the hospitality of his home; I know the members of his family very well. No words I might say here this morning can add much to the service that Frank Keefe rendered while a beloved Member of this body.
Wisconsin will miss this great American and patriot. So will his own community and the Nation. We cannot afford to lose men like Frank Keefe. There are too few who can replace him. My only prayer, Mr. Speaker, is: "God give us men like him."
To Mrs. Keefe and his two daughters and his son my deepest sympathy. May they in their great loss be comforted in knowing that this husband and father has left his imprint on the sands of time.
Mr. MARTIN of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow I learned this morning of the death of my close friend and associate of many years, the Honorable Frank B. Keefe, of Wisconsin.
Frank Keefe was one of the most outstanding men in recent years in Congress. He was a prodigious worker and had an eloquent and powerful voice which made him almost invincible in debate. He was zealously devoted to the service of his constituents and what was of value to the country.
He was a man who loved to aid the causes of the weak, the infirm, and the afflicted. I recall his heroic battle to aid those who suffered from heart disease, his fight for cancer funds for those afflicted with that dreadful disease and for other humanitarian causes. Frank responded to the great human appeals of mankind and did his best to relieve suffering and make life a little better for those in need. He was Just as strong and vigorous a fighter to make America a strong Nation. He wanted to make the country strong enough so it could stand up unafraid before the world. We have all lost a good friend, a great leader, an outstanding legislator, and a great American. Wisconsin has lost one of its most outstanding citizens. Men like Frank Keefe are not too numerous. We do well to pay homage to a fine and useful life.
To his wife and other members of his family I extend my deepest sympathy in their hour of sorrow.
Mr. HALLECK: Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. VAN PELT. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.
Mr. HALLECK Mr. Speaker, it seems but a few short days ago to us who served with him in the House that the great statesman and outstanding American from Wisconsin Frank Keefe, was among us. When we learned of his decision to quit this body, we were disappointed; we hoped he would stay with us because in his career here we saw the finest example of what real service in this body can mean. Particularly did those of us who welcomed his support in debate here on the floor realize and understand that when he left this body we would lose a strong and able partner in our efforts.
As I watched Frank Keefe and his work here, it was most apparent to me that he had indeed had that early training and experience of which his colleagues from Wisconsin has spoken. He served on the great Committee on Appropriations and on subcommittees of the highest responsibility; he discharged his heavy responsibilities with distinction in the best interests of his country and the people he was privileged to represent. As has been pointed out, he did not confine himself to service on those committees; his interests were much broader than that. He concerned himself with all of the problems that came before the House of Representatives and the Congress of the United States, giving generously perhaps too much so of his energies in the search for solutions to many difficult and perplexing problems. With an alarming frequency, it seems to me, we are being called upon here on the floor to pay our tribute to Members currently among us who are leaving us at the call of death, and, yes, of Members recently among us much too young to die. Possibly it might be better understood by the people of the country whom we are privileged to represent that the conscientious performance of the work here in the House of Representatives is a difficult assignment wearing upon mind, intellect, and physical structure.
Certainly Frank Keefe demonstrated when he was among us his intense devotion to the work of the Congress of the United States. It was obvious to all of us, as he poured his heart, his mind, and his effort into that work, that he was literally burning himself up. Yet what better could be said of any man that in serving his country well he had performed for his Nation a great and useful service, a service of which his family may well be proud, a service from which as they go through the years ahead they can take a great comfort?
I join with my colleagues in mourning the departure of Frank Keefe. I wish he were yet among us, yet with us here in the Halls of the House of Representatives.
Mr. VAN PELT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts .
Mr. McCORMACK. Mr. Speaker, I was saddened and grieved to learn of the death of our beloved colleague, one whom I not only valued as a friend but deeply respected as an individual and as a legislator. I join with my colleagues in the expressions of regret at his death and in the expressions of sympathy to Mrs. Keefe and her children.
I can see Frank Keefe, as I am expressing these few extemporaneous remarks, sitting in the front row here or walking down the middle aisle to the well of the House. I can see him here making one of those masterful, powerful speeches that only Frank Keefe could make.
He was of strong character, and by that I mean a man of strong conviction. We all greatly respect men we meet in our journey through life who are possessed of strong convictions, particularly when those strong convictions follow noble thoughts and high principles. Frank Keefe was one of the most able Members I have ever served with in the House. He had a commanding mind, a commanding figure, and I believe he was one of the finest debaters in the House of Representatives. I respected his ability because I think I engaged in debate with our late beloved friend more than probably any other Member on either side of the House during his period of service here. Whenever I entered into debate with Frank Keefe I knew I was debating with a man of extraordinary ability, a man who would very quickly show the weakness of any argument I might make, but a man who when he asked me to yield, or any of my other colleagues to yield, did so for the purpose of making a constructive contribution, even when he did not agree in whole or in part with the remarks of a Member who had the floor at the particular time.
He was a man with a constructive mind, a man who looked ........

Occupation:
Lawyer, District Attorney Congressman

Obituary:
Page 1

Frank married Steele, Mildred Virginia 13 Dec 1912. Mildred was born 4 Oct 1894; died 10 Mar 1966; was buried , Lakeview Memorial Park, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Edith married Schissler, George Abt Nov 1917. George was born 22 Feb 1890; died 15 Apr 1971; was buried , Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• 1940 Census: 1940, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA

Notes:

1940 Census:
J W Hayward41
Maude K Hayward40
John T Hayward12
Mary K Hayward10
Barbara M Hayward8
Harold S Keefe20

Maude married Hayward, James W. Bef 1927. James was born 20 Jul 1898, , , Indiana, USA; died 15 Feb 1977, Hopkins, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA; was buried 28 Feb 1977, Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Anthony, Minnesota, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Obituary: 12 Jul 1952; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Page 14

Rudyard married Levy, Lucille Marie 24 Sep 1938. Lucille was born 10 Dec 1905, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA; died 8 Feb 1987; was buried 11 Feb 1987, Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Kathryne married Craig, Horace Bef 1930. Horace was born 27 May 1902, , , Texas, USA; died 11 Feb 1983, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Harry married O'byrne, Patricia [Group Sheet]

Burton — Henderson, Margaret. [Group Sheet]

Harold married Jackson, Margaret "Marge" Abt 1946. Margaret was born 18 Aug 1922, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA; died 15 Sep 2014, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Biography: Biographies of Prominent People of the Fox Valley
• News Mention: 28 May 1967; Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
• News Mention: 10 Apr 1970; The Paper
• News Mention: 8 Nov 1972; Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
• News Mention: 2 Jan 1974; Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

Notes:

Biography:
VIRGINIA L. NOLAN
Virginia L. Nolan is the first woman elected to the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors. Since her first victory at the polls in 1952, she has represented in succession the city's two most populated wards, been a member of the Taxation and Judiciary Committee, and Chairman of the Institutions Committee and of the Admittance Board for County Institutions, Sunnyview TB Hospital, Park View Mental Hospital and Pleasant Acres Health Center.
Mrs. Nolan was also appointed Chairman of the Special Building Committee to erect skilled nursing home, was Secretary of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee that compiled the first long range plan for Winnebago County. After retiring from the County Board after 22 years (11 terms), she was selected to serve on the Luthern Homes of Oshkosh Board.
Both training and instinct helped channel Mrs. Nolan's abilities into her current activities. The daughter of Atty. Frank B. Keefe, a member of Congress for 12 years, and Mildred Virginia Steele Keefe, Mrs. Nolan was born in Omro, Wis., on August 8, 1913 and moved to Oshkosh when she was six months old. She attended the University of Wisconsin Law School after attending WSU-O and Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., but left law school before graduation when she married Charles F. Nolan. Mrs. Nolan's activities in the community are legend. Among her more outstanding endeavors are co-founding of the Winnebago County Easter Seal Society and establishment of the Mercy Hospital Rehabilitation Center. She is also a Charter Member and Past President of the Curative Workshop and Past Volunteer Secretary of the Red Cross Chapter. Membership in the American Legion Auxiliary is due to her husband's position as Major in the U. S. Marine Corps during World War II. She has served the auxiliary as membership chairman, Americanism chairman, child welfare chairman and also was Vice-President of the Winnebago County Patriotic Council. Additionally, Mrs. Nolan was Vice President and President of the Citizens Advisory Council, Wisconsin State University-Oshkosh, and for four years was Membership chairman and on the Board of Directors of the Lawyers' Wives of Wisconsin. Well versed in United States and foreign travel, she has been twice to Europe, traveled through Canada and Mexico and all states in the United States with the exception of Alaska. She has organized panels for presentation of foreign student activities for Rotary International Service Committee. Mrs. Nolan was also a member of the council, Winnebagoland Council Camp Fire Girls; Daughters of the American Revolution; Vice Regent, Daughters of American Colonists in Oshkosh and Florida; has served as co-chairman of the Community Chest and United Fund Drives; and was a member of the valuation teams for all agencies and a member of the Community Council Committee on Education. She was Co-Chairman of the Steiger Addition Residential Drive of the Oshkosh Museum and was a member of the Kellett Commission for the Advancement of Higher Education in Wisconsin. Although not a member of the Wisconsin Catholic War Veterans, Mrs. Nolan was selected Wisconsin Woman of the Year in 1965 by that organization on the basis of her civic achievements. A life-long Republican, she is a Past President of the Winnebago County Federation of Republican Women and served as Sixth Congressional District Secretary. She has been a member of the Platform, Resolutions and Rules Committees at various Republican state conventions, has been a member of the Winnebago County Republican Executive Committee and is a former board member of the Wisconsin Federation of Republican Women. She is now a member of the Bradenton Country Club Republican Women and the Sara Bay Country Club Republican group. Mrs. Nolan was a member of Saint Mary's Church (Oshkosh) and has served as secretary of the Home and School Association. Mrs. Nolan has also been President of the Oshkosh Council of Catholic Women, and held most offices in the Wisconsin Council of Catholic Women. She was a director and vice president of Lake View Memorial Park for many years. Despite these notable positions and accolades, Mrs. Nolan is most proud of her three children, who are continuing the achievements of their parents into the next generation: Charles G. Nolan, the eldest son, is a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy and received his master's degree from George Washington University. He taught at the U.S. Naval Academy for 3 years during which time he was sailing coach. Married with one son, he has served eight years Naval service and is with IBM at the Goddard Space Center. Michael Keefe Nolan, also married, is a graduate of Villanova University. He spent six years as a Naval aviator, is a senior at the University of Wisconsin Law School and heads Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. Virginia Clare Nolan is currently a University student who spends her summers as a camp counselor. Mrs. Nolan has recently been appointed to serve on Region V, Health Advisory Board by the Secretary of H. E. W. Robert Finch. Meetings will be held in Chicago and jurisdiction re: Federal funds and grants for Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. We can easily imagine how busy Mrs. Nolan will be the next two years and congratulate her for this honor.

News Mention:
OSHKOSH DAILY NORTHWESTERN, May 28, 1967 MADAME CHAIRMAN She's the Republican Women's New President OSHKOSH"I've been a member of the Federation of Republican Women here since the chapter was started," said Mrs. Charles F. Nolan who has just been elected president of the Winnebago County Chapter. "Of course, I've grown up in politics," Mrs. Nolan continued, "and I've been on the Winnebago County Board for 15 years." (Mrs. Nolan, the only woman ever elected to the Winnebago board, is the chairman of the board's institutions committee and heads the admissions board.) "And there comes a time, I think, when all of ones accumulated experience in various US areas over many years can be helpful to someone else," Mrs. Nolan said. A Marvelous Political Background And her experiences have been marvelous ones. Not many women have her political background. The daughter of Frank Keefe, Republican representative from Wisconsin's 6th District, Mrs. Nolan remembers, "politics were what we mostly talked about "while I was growing up." Her father, in addition to being a banker and a lawyer, was County District Attorney for many years before he was elected to Congress in 1938. He represented the 6th District for 12 years and during that time, Mrs. Nolan, with her mother's encouragement, accompanied her father on his political comings and goings. "As a matter of fact," Mrs. Nolan said, "when Charles and I were first married, we spent lots of time going back and forth to Washington and working with him and for him. My mother had a family of course, and she was kept busy running the house here and the place in Washington and going back and forth. So she was delighted that I take over the politically-oriented things." Mrs. Nolan, spends most of her at-home time in her big den-office where a great portion of her father's library lines the walls. On her desk, piled high with books, pamphlets, p a p e r s, magazines and such, is a conspicuously incongruous frisbee. 'It was my Mother's Day present from my daughter who's a freshman at the University of Madison." In addition to her county board activities, Mrs. Nolan is also a vice president of the Citizen's Advisory Council for WSU-O, a vice president of Lake View Memorial Park, a member of the Lawyer's Wives of Wisconsin (for whom she was instrumental in setting up "four or five" county chapters), a charter member of the Curative Workshop, a vice president of the State Council of Catholic Women (she was named Woman of the Year by the Catholic War Veterans & their Auxiliary in 1965), has been a member of the VNA and the Red Cross and a host of other organizations.
Married To A Marvelous Man
"Most of all this has to do with my being married to an absolutely marvelous man who is a great person and an important one in his field." She referred to her husband, a corporation and probate lawyer here who has just been named a Fellow of the American Association of Probate Lawyers.
"I always kid him that I got my law education the hard way" Mrs. Nolan said. "I'd gone to school here in Oshkosh for a while, then transferred to Carleton for my baccalaureate and then went to the University of Wisconsin Law School. But I stopped before I got my degree and married Charles."
Just back from the federation's national convention in Washington and on her way to the State Convention in Wisconsin Rapids, Mrs. Nolan, who has been the federation's first vice president and is finishing a two-year stint as program chairman, said that as president she'll have for her "sort-of-motto", Everett Dirksen's recent "U for Unity comes before V for Victory."
Everyone's Opinion Welcomed
"I'm a great respecter of everyone's opinions," Mrs. Nolan said. And so are the other women in the Winnebago County chapter. Although we know of definite cleavages some members have worked for a candidate at one time or another and have old loyalties we all want to hear each others' opinions.
"I've got unity on my mind just like Dirksen," she continued. "We'll discuss each candidate back and forth and upside down. But I'd like us to center on one. Some members with definite preferences have told me they would be willing to switch if a better candidate than the one they favor presents himself.
"While the Republican Party is big enough to embrace all areas of opinion, I, personally, am a big believer in majority rule.
A Nucleus of Informed Citizens
"And I believe in a nucleus of informed women. At election time there should be someplace people can go to have issues explained and clarified for them.
"To this intent we have recently opened a Republican Headquarters. It is permanently staffed by volunteers. And last year Mrs. Jarret, who was president then, initiated a campaign bus that traveled all over Winnebago County. It was staffed by volunteers who
answered questions and distributed literature and it was a great success. We plan to repeat it again this year.
"To raise money for these activities," Mrs. Nolan said, "we hold an annual silent auction. And this year there will be a tour of the newly refurbished governor's mansion in July."
'We work selling tickets for the annual Lincoln's Day Dinner," she continued, and we've a special events committee to plan activities through the year. I've a wonderful group of officers working with me and I'm really looking forward to my term.
And there's a wedding coming in July. Wondering how she was going to manage a wedding in addition to all of her various activities, Mrs. Nolan explained. " Oh, I'm the lucky one this time. It's one of my sons (she has two, plus her daughter), and that's considerably easier."

News Mention:
THE PAPER, April 10, 1970
Mrs. Nolan on Committee
OSHKOSH Mrs. Virginia Nolan, chairman of the Winnebago County Board's institutions committee for 10 years, has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare's Health Advisory Committee for the Midwest region, Rep. William Steiger, R-Wis. announced Thursday. The committee reviews health problems and recommends actions for a five-state area. The states include Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin.
The committee meets four times a year. Mrs. Nolan's first meeting will be April 16-17 in Chicago.
Mrs. Nolan said Thursday the appointment "sounds like a tremendous challenge. It's quite stimulating and something I can contribute to."
The appointment was effective Jan. 1, Mrs. Nolan said, but the announcement was withheld until her first meeting.
She has served 18 years on the Winnebago County Board and has been secretary of the coordinating committee, chairman of the subcommittee for long-range planning, and institutions committee chairman.

News Mention:
OSHKOSH DAILY NORTHWESTERN, November 8, 1972
Mrs. Charles Nolan honored by Rotary Anns at Luncheon
International Friendships person to person were termed one of the great benefits of full participation in the program of Rotary International when Mrs. Charles Nolan, Oshkosh, wife of the district governor, accompanied her husband on his official visit to the Oshkosh organization, the chapter which he has served in many capacities during a long period of active membership.
Mrs. Nolan, who was entertained at luncheon by Rotary Anns while her husband met with Rotarians, remarked that she was the first district governor's wife who has been invited to make visits with the area official. Although wives have been invited occasionally in the past, the new policy was credited lo a former district governor whose wife died shortly after he completed his term in office. He contacted all the clubs in the district and recommended that the governor's wife be included in the organization's invitation to their executive.
The district over which Mr. Nolan has jurisdiction includes 46 clubs, and the Nolans have visited 25 of those groups since last April.
An orientation period last spring at Lake Placid, N.Y., illustrated to the Nolans the phenomenon which Mrs. Nolan calls ''Rotary instant friendship" as the couple met incoming district governors and their wives from 49 countries. Imagination and sincere interest overcame language and culture barriers as lasting relationships grew out of small kindnesses, according to Mrs. Nolan. She told the women that 600 Oshkosh B'Gosh bandanas, provided by the local club, opened communication with innumerable participants among the 328 incoming governors and their wives at the Lake Placid conference, and she spiced her account with amusing incidents precipitated by the bandana offerings.
In a serious note Mrs. Nolan commented that urgent pleas for emergency assistance from various parts of the world were doubly meaningful when she and her husband recalled memories of pleasant moments shared with district governors from the Philippines, England. Japan or Central America.
"The conference was held at the time that Pakistan and India were in a period of very strained relations," she reported. "But there were no incidents at the meeting. Sometimes there were obvious coolness and reservebut no aggressive unfriendliness.
The constraint in difficult situations only illustrated again to the couple the overwhelming ability of individuals to place Rotary ideals above private considerations.

News Mention:
OSHKOSH DAILY NORTHWESTERN, January 2, 1974
District 30 supervisor
Mrs. Nolan will not seek post
Mrs. Virginia L. Nolan, 531 Hazel St., Winnebago County supervisor for District 30, announced today that she will not seek re-election.
Her husband, Charles, a prominent Oshkosh lawyer is currently a member of the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association.
A member of the County Board since 1952, Mrs. Nolan was the first woman elected to serve in that capacity.
Mrs. Nolan said:
"Although the advent of the county executive has relieved many of the pressures and responsibilities of county supervisors, other commitments now make it inadvisable for me to continue. My busy husband's activities demand much time and travel.
"Also, I was recently elected president of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UW-O) Advisory Board, which anticipates a vital mission in the future of our fine university. This, coupled with running a busy household, dictated my decision.
"I will complete my term of office, hoping to assist in several areas which need finishing.
"The friendships made during these 22 years will always be cherished, and the experiences gained will be available whenever needed. I am grateful to everyone who placed confidence in me and hope I have lived up to their expectations. "
Secretary of the taxation committee for three years, Mrs. Nolan was vice chairman of judiciary for four years. For 11 years Mrs. Nolan was on the institution committee, eight years as chairman. She was chairman of the special building committee for the new Pleasant Acres Skilled Nursing Home. She was chairman of the admissions board for the home for five years after construction was completed.
Mrs. Nolan was secretary for a number of years of two important County Board committees which set policy the former personnel and coordinating committees. Other committee assignments were: vice chairman of the health committee (at the same Mrs. Nolan was on the Regional Health Advisory Board, Chicago, which involved six states): labor relations committee; secretary the past two years of health and social services; Day Care board and executive committee of ADVOCAP, Inc., as County Board representative, and on the subcommittee that established nutrition centers for the elderly.

Virginia married Nolan, Charles Francis 23 Nov 1935, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. Charles was born 9 Jul 1908, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA; died 29 Feb 1996, Bradenton, Manatee, Florida, USA; was buried , Lakeview Memorial Park, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Military Service: Bef 1946; WWII, US Army

Notes:

Attended Oshkosh Schools and Ripon College. Served as an Army Glider Pilot in World War II. Served in the U.S. Public Health Service in Lexington, Kentucky and Atlanta, Georgia, until his retirement.

Bateman married Fox, Margaret Aft 1940. Margaret was born 19 Dec 1922; died 22 Jul 1996, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; was buried , Lakeview Memorial Park, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Jean married Rosten, Edwin O. 22 Nov 1940, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. Edwin was born 20 Jan 1911, Madison, Dane, Wisconsin, USA; died 28 Apr 1983; was buried , Lakeview Memorial Park, Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Obituary: 19 Oct 2007; The Somerville Journal

Notes:

Obituary:
Memorial services for Rogene Ann Hantke, 86, of Harker Heights, will be at 2 p.m.. Saturday at St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Killeen. Private internment services will take place at a later date in the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
She died Oct. 17, 2007, in a Temple Hospital.
She was raised and educated in Oshkosh and Milwaukee, Wis. Rogene was a resident of the Harker Heights/Killeen area for more than 50 years. She was active in St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Killeen where she was a member. She was also a member of Daughters of the King; the Retired Officers Wives Club; the Wednesday Review Club and the Republican Women of Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Edith Schissler; two brothers, George Schissler and Tom Schissler.
She is survived by her husband, Russell C. Hantke; two sons, James Hantke and his wife, Terri and Jonathan Hantke and his wife Susan; a daughter, Judith Van Riper and her husband, George; six grandchildren, Geoffrey Van Riper, Nancy Howley, Christopher Hantke, Stephanie Watters, Jeremy Hantke and Katie Hantke and nine great grandsons.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Services have been entrusted to the care of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen.

Rogene married Hantke, Russell Aft 1938. Russell was born 15 Sep 1917; died 12 Dec 2012. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Obituary: 3 Jan 2007

Notes:

Obituary:
ROCHESTER -- The funeral for John T. Hayward will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina, Minn. A private interment will be in Sunset Memorial in St. Anthony, Minn.
Mr. Hayward, 79, a recent resident of Rochester and a longtime resident of New Brighton, Minn., died unexpectedly Tuesday (Jan. 2, 2007) at his home.
He was born May 10, 1927, in South Bend, Ind. He graduated from Washburn High School and the University of Minnesota. He worked as an entomologist and plant pathologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He married Mary Jo Peterson on May 3, 1952. Following his retirement, he volunteered at the Minnesota Zoo for 15 years. He was a member of the Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Rochester.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Tom of Bloomington, Minn., and Mark (Kathy) of Rochester; and a daughter, Nancy (Bob) Windels of Eden Prairie, Minn. Other survivors include five grandchildren, Laura, Megan and Katie Windels, and Ariel and Sam Hayward. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Maude Hayward; a brother, Harold Keefe; and a sister, Mary Huff.
Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes in Rochester, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel. A second visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, 50th and Vernon, in Edina.
John T. Hayward -- Rochester
Wed, Jan 3, 2007

John married Peterson, Mary Jo [Group Sheet]

Mary — Huff, John M.D.. [Group Sheet]

Barbara married Slater, Andrew Paul [Group Sheet]

Thomas married Lloyd, Mary Kathryn [Group Sheet]

Ann married Hoskin, Jerry L. [Group Sheet]

Jean — Kushel, Omar. [Group Sheet]

Timothy married Hester, Valarie [Group Sheet]

Steve married Hollihan, Margaret [Group Sheet]

Bridget married Pivo, Joe [Group Sheet]

Molly married Shilling, Gary E. [Group Sheet]

Kathleen — Boettner, Richard. [Group Sheet]

Charles married Smith, Eileen Mary [Group Sheet]

Michael married Rasmussen, Enid [Group Sheet]

Karen married Price, Bob [Group Sheet]

Nancy married Hoover, Ray [Group Sheet]

Nancy married Rhnes, Pat [Group Sheet]

Nancy married Sydow, Scott [Group Sheet]

Judith married VanRiper, George [Group Sheet]

James married Cain, Terri [Group Sheet]

Jonathan married Harris, Susan [Group Sheet]

Mark — Unknown, Kathy. [Group Sheet]

Nancy — Windels, Bob. [Group Sheet]

Elizabeth married Spencer, Mark Russell [Group Sheet]

Mary married Kenny, Patrick Geer [Group Sheet]

Melissa married Moon, Brian Robert [Group Sheet]

Patrick married Gould, Marie Therese [Group Sheet]