1405
College Avenue  Doing
a little research on the web tells me that E. R. Burgess was Ezra
Roy Burgess, who lived at 1344 College Avenue, very close to 1405
College Avenue. In fact, I believe that 1344 College Avenue was among
two or three houses that once stood in Winslow School's playground,
and now is a parking lot for St. Luke's Hospital. According to this Mound Cemetery archive, Elmer's mother Jane died on December 17, 1919, aged 93 years. Elmer himself died not much later on September 16, 1929, which would have made him only 49 years old at his death. Elmer's obituary is below in the 1929 entry of newspaper articles about 1405 College avenue. Newspaper
articles from Newspaper Archives, thanks to Rip Holly, another Racine
history buff: Judge
E.E. Gittins Dies Here Today Death
Follows Stroke Sunday Popular
Jurist, Beloved Citizen, Will Be Missed In All Walks of Life Born,
Reared On Racine Co. Farm Welfare
of City Ever at Heart, His Services Were Invaluable Judge
Elmer E. Gittins, aged 49, judge of the Racine county and
probate court, died at 12:30 o’clock this afternoon
at St. Luke’s hospital to which place he was removed,
following a stroke of paralysis at his home, 1405 College
avenue, shortly before 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon. Judge
Gittins was one of the most popular jurists to hold that position
of great trust and the news of his death as a shock to Racine
professional, business, and industrial [illegible] and to
the many widows and orphans who had learned first hand of
the straightforwardness of his dealings in the handling of
[illegible] their estates. The
Son of a Farmer He was
a native of Racine county. He was born a farmer and during
his boyhood he added to the conduct of the farm of his father.
He was the son of Ellis and Jane Gittins, residents of the
town of Caledonia. He was born in that town Aug. 31 1869,
and attended the rural school. Upon his graduation of the
latter he entered Racine high school, from which he also graduated. He won
the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1895 upon his graduation
from the University of Wisconsin and in 1897 he graduated
from the law school of the university. Coming here in 1898,
he entered a partnership with Judge E. Roy Burgess, of the
municipal court, under the firm name of Gittins & Burgess.
This partnership continued until Judge Burgess assumed the
duties of the position he he now holds. Mr. Gittins
was a thorough student of the law. He delved deeply into his
extended law library and became exceedingly well versed in
all of its many branches. He was a common figure in the Racine
county courts even in the early days of his professional life
and he was elected district attorney of Racine county which
position he held for six years. There were many serious criminal
cases during his incumbency in the office of county prosecutor
and he won a large share of them, retiring from that office
with an enviable reputation. Attorney
for the City His success
as district attorney was for him the office of city attorney
and for several years he acted as the city’s legal advisor. Previous
to his entry upon the latter position he served as a member
of the fire and police commission and for one year he acted
as president of that body. His interest
in public affairs did not end there, however, and he aspired
to a judgeship. Running for the office of county judge he
was elected and had held that post nearly four years. Judge
Gittins was one of Racine’s public spirited citizens.
He extended his support, both moral and financial, to every
activity which contained merit and which served toward the
upbuilding of the city, of which was benefit to the needy.
His advice, given to those whose interests were adjusted and
settled in his court, was valuable in all instances and they
learned to love and trust him their most personal matters. Interested
in Fraternities Deceased
was a member of several Masonic organizations, including the
lodge, chapter, council and commandery, and he was a past
master of Belle City lodge No. 18, F. & A. M. He also
was a member of the Kymric club and the Racine County Bar
association. Surviving
are two brothers, Ellis and John, both of this city, and one
sister, Mrs. Williams, a resident of Chicago. The body was
taken to the Thronson Funeral home and funeral arrangements
will be announced later. 10/21/1956 |
I
mentioned on the home page of this site that I grew up in 1405 College
Avenue in what was a beautiful white Queen Anne-style house, built
in about 1900. I have a lot of fond memories of our neighbors, of
Winslow School, our yard, and all the nooks and crannies for exploration
in our house.
Elmer
E. Gittins was reared on his father's farm in Caledonia township,
and first attended the district schools, and graduated from Racine
High School in 1889. He then entered the University of Wisconsin,
at Madison, graduating in 1895, after which he entered the law school
of the university, from which he then graduated in 1897, being admitted
to the Bar the same year. He began practice in Racine, where he has
since continued. In 1898, Mr. Gittins formed a partnership with Mr.
E. R. Burgess, the firm being known as Gittins & Burgess. In 1902
Mr. Gittins was elected district attorney, the duties of which office
he took up in January, 1903. Politically, Mr. Gittins is a Republican.
Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 18, F. & A. M., and is also
a member of the Kymric Club and the Racine Business Men's Club. Mr.
Gittins resides at No. 1405 College avenue, with his mother.
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