1401 College Avenue

The Travels of the E. J. Gittins Family

E. J. Gittins was a vice president at Case, and he and his wife and his daughter went on some spectacular business trips and vacations, all documented in local society columns. Even after Mr. Gittins died at home February of 1944, Mrs. and Miss Gittins continued on multi-week trips to Canada and Europe. After her daughter got married and moved to the west coast, Mrs. Gittins continued traveling with her brother. Eventually she died at home in March of 1960.

E. J. Gittins, 1401 College avenue, vice-president of the Case company, has left New York, sailing for Cherbourg, France. Mr. Gittins will be abroad several weeks on business, traveling through Morocco and northern Africa.
November 9, 1929.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Gittins and daughter Nancy, 1401 College avenue, will leave tonight for Washington, D. C., to be gone a week or 10 days.
April 26, 1930.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Gittins, 1401 College avenue, with their daughter, Nancy, have returned from a trip to Yellowstone National park.
August 29, 1933.
Beverly Ann Nehoda, 1231 West boulevard, and Nancy Gittings, 1401 College avenue, are vacationing at Devil's Lake, Wis.
July 31, 1934.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Gittins and daughter, Nancy, 1401 College avenue, left by boat today for Duluth, Minn. From Duluth they will go to the Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada, where they will spend their vacation.
August 9, 1934.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Gittins and Miss Mary Gittins, 1401 College avenue, are cruising on the Great Lakes aboard the S. S. Octorara.
August 18, 1934.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Gittins and daughter Nancy, 1401 College avenue, will leave tonight for a two weeks' lake cruise to Buffalo, N. Y., and Thousand Islands.
August 14, 1935.
Break Into Residence. The lock of a basement window of the E. J. Gittins residence, 1401 College avenue, was reported to the police as having been broken Saturday night. Nothing was taken by the intruder as far as could be learned. The Gittins family is out of the city. August 26, 1935.
August 26, 1935.
Several Rings Missing. During the absence of the E. J. Gittins family, 1401 College avenue, from the city recently it was discovered that a burglar had entered the house. At that time it could not be learned if any valuables were missing. Yesterday Mr. Gittins reported to police that a number of rings were stolen. The loot is valued at about $250. August 31, 1935.
August 31, 1935.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Gittins and daughter Nancy, of 1401 College avenue, returned Sunday from a two months' trip to England and Wales.
September 2, 1936.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Gittins, 1401 College avenue, Miss Nancy Gittins and W. Gifford have returned from their vacation at Mason lake resort in Melvin, Wis. They also visited Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Witmer, of College avenue, at their lodge on Two Sisters lake near Rhinelander. July 22, 1938.
July 22, 1938.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Gittins, 1401 College avenue, with their daughter, Nancy, spent Thanksgiving day with Mr. and Mrs. Sam Laud at the Edgewater Beach hotel in Chicago.
November 25, 1938.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellis J. Gittins and Nancy, 1401 College avenue, are at home after a six-week vacation in Florida.
April 3, 1940.
Mrs. E. J. Gittins, 1401 College avenue, has returned from New Norway in Alberta, Can., where she visited with her brother, Tom Gittins. On her return journey, Mrs. Gittins stopped at Lake Louise in Banff for two weeks.
August 23, 1940.
Miss Nancy Gittins of 1401 College avenue, returned to Downer college, Milwaukee, Monday. Spending the mid-year vacation with her as house guest was Miss Janet Davenport of Creston, Iowa.
September 16, 1940.
E. J. Gittins, Industrialist, Dies Suddenly at HomeEllis J. Gittins, 77, active in Racine’s industrial, business and community life and in Masonic circles died suddenly at his home, 1401 College avenue, Friday night.Mr. Gittins was born in Racine county Dec. 13, 1866, of Welsh parents, and taught school until at 21 he became an employee of the J. I. Case company, starting work as a clerk in the blacksmith shop and progressing until he became chairman of the board of directors, which post he resigned in 1935.In 1899 he joined the Case branch factory at Fargo as a bookkeeper, and later became branch manager at Lincoln, Neb. He spent two years at Kansas City before returning to the home office in 1902. In 1915 he was elected vice president in charge of sales, and in 1920 he became chairman of the board of directors.Led Community Chest.In October, 1924, Mr. Gittins was given the highest office the National Association of Farm Equipment Manufacturers could bestow, that of chairman of the executive committee.During his association with the J. I. Case company Mr. Gittins saw wooden threshing machines progress to steel combines, and horse-powered implements change to mechanized equipment.Farming was his hobby and he raised purebred Guernsey cattle on his birthplace, “The Home Acres,” on Highway 38.At the time of his death Mr. Gittins was president of the Progressive Dairy company; director of the Young Radiator and Racine Tool and Machine companies, and chairman of the board of directors of International Resources Corporation of Mexico, holders of Mexican timber lands. He was president of the Racine community chest for two years.Funeral Services Monday.Mr. Gittins was a member of Racine lodge No. 18, F. & A. M.; Racine Commandery No. 7, K. T.; Wisconsin Consistory of Milwaukee, the Acacia and Kiwanis clubs.Surviving are his wife, formerly Elizabeth Gittins of Oswestry, Shropshire, England, and one daughter, Miss Nancy Jane Gittins, who is attending the University of Wisconsin.Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Monday in the First Presbyterian church, of which he was a member, with burial in Graceland cemetery. Friends may call Sunday afternoon and evening and until Monday noon at the Thronson funeral home. The body will lie in state in the church from noon until time of services.
February 19, 1944
Banff on Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies was the vacation spot chosen by Mrs. E. J. Gittins and daughter Nancy, 1401 College.
August 30, 1945.
After five weeks in Vancouver, B. C., and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies, Mrs. E. J. Gittins, 1401 College Ave., and her daughter Nancy have returned home.
September 21, 1946.
Mrs. E. J. Gittins, 1401 College Ave., announces the engagement of her daughter, Nancy Jane, to Peter G. Schwinn, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Schwinn, 1445 Wisconsin Ave. Miss Gittins attended Milwaukee Downer College and was graduated from the University of Wisconsin. Her fiance is attending Georgetown University at Washington, D. C. August 1, 1947.
August 1, 1947.
Miss Gittins Is MarriedMrs. Peter George SchwinnMilwaukee, where the bridegroom is studying business administration at Marquette University, will be the home of Peter George Schwinn and his bride, the former Nancy Jane Gittins, after Oct. 1.The couple, now honeymooning in northern Wisconsin for two weeks, was married Saturday at 11:30 in St. Rose rectory, with Rev. Daniel Garvey reading the service.The bride, daughter of Mrs. E. J. Gittins, 1401 College Ave., was given in marriage by her cousin, W. Leroy Gittins. Her husband is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Schwinn, 1445 Wisconsin Ave.White larkspur and glads provided the decorative background for the ceremony, followed by a breakfast for 25 at Park Place and a reception for 150. Out-of-town guests were present from Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Delaware, Ohio; Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, River Forest, and Minneapolis.For the ceremony and reception, the bride wore a champagne lace dress over pink blush satin and a headdress of lace and satin. White roses, stephanotis, and feathered mums were in her bouquet. Her only attendant, Miss Beverly Schwinn, appeared in lime green satin, with hat to match. Her bouquet was an arrangement of elk roses, pink larkspur, and feathered mums. Mrs. Gittins received in a gray lace dress and matching hat trimmed with gray velvet and ostrich feathers. Pinned to her dress was a natural colored orchid.Richard Fox attended the bridegroom, who was a student at George Washington University before going to Marquette.When the couple departed on their wedding trip, the bride was costumed in a beige gabardine suit, brown accessories, and a brown hat.(Photo credit: Charles Portrait) August 25, 1948.
August 25, 1948.
Mrs. E. J. Gittings, 1401 College Ave., returned aboard the S. S. Empress of France to Montreal en route home from three months spent in England and Wales. September 21, 1949.
September 21, 1949.
Mrs. E. J. Gittins, 1401 College Ave., returned Wednesday from a 7-week visit in Palm Springs and Pasadena, California. May 1, 1952.
May 1, 1952.
Mrs. E. J. Gittings, 1401 College Ave., has returned from a visit with her brother, Thomas Gittings, London, Ont. Her trip included a stop at Rochester, N. Y., where she attended the Welsh musical festival. September 21, 1953.
September 21, 1953. [Ed.: notice the switch to the Gittings spelling.]
Mrs. E. J. Gittins Found DeadMrs. Ellis J. Gittins, of 1401 College Ave., was found dead in her bed Thursday night by police who were called by a neighbor to investigate. Coroner Bernard Evenson estimated the elderly woman had been dead several days.Mrs. Gittins was the widow of the former chairman of the board of the J. I. Case Co. Gittins retired as Case board chairman in 1935. He died in February, 1944.Funeral arrangements are to be announced. March 4, 1960.
March 4, 1960.
OBITUARY AND FUNERAL NOTICESGITTINS, MRS. E. J. (ELIZABETH) 1401 College Ave.Age 73. Passed away March 3, 1960, at her residence. Mrs. Gittins was born in England on Nov. 10, 1886 and had resided in Racine for 45 years. She was a member and deaconess of the First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Racine Woman’s Club, YWCA, Racine County Historical Society and the Racine Garden Club. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schwinn; two grandchildren, Michael and Ann Schwinn, all of Hampstead, Md.; three sisters in England; one brother, Thomas G. Gittins of St. Catherine’s, Ontario, Can. Funeral services will be held Monday, 2 p.m., in the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, Dr. Francis P. Ihrnan officiating. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Friends may call at the MARESH FUNERAL HOME, Main at Eighth St., Sunday afternoon from 3 until 5 o’clock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to favorite charities. March 5, 1960.
March 5, 1960.

Other Happenings at 1401 College Avenue

D. A. R. to Meet The Racine Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet with Mrs. Fancer, 1401 College avenue at 2:30 Saturday. January 11, 1912.
January 11, 1912.
The Misses Grace and Louise Cahoon of Detroit, and Carolyn Cahoon of Elgin, Ill., are at home for the Easter vacation with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Cahoon, 1401 College avenue. April 3, 1926.
April 3, 1926.
Permits issued for the building of new houses follow: E. J. Gitting, 1401 College avenue, $18,000.
May 8, 1926. “Permits issued for the building of new houses follow: E. J. Gitting, 1401 College avenue, $18,000.” I think that 1401 College Avenue was originally a wood frame house like 1405 College Avenue, but in 1926, it was torn down and the present brick house was built. That’s my theory about this building permit in 1926.
THREE-YEAR-OLD BOY IS BADLY BURNEDDonald, three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Romayne Driver, 1404 College avenue, received serious burns about the hands and body at 10 o’clock this morning when his play suit became ignited. In some manner he had obtained possession of a match which he took out on the front porch and proceeded to play with.E. J. Gittins, 1401 College avenue, happened to be outside of his home at the time and noticed the child’s clothing burst into flame. He ran to give aid as the little fellow screamed and, with his bare hands, began to tear the flaming apparel from the little body. He also took recourse to his coat in his efforts to extinguish the flames and in saving the child’s life he experienced badly burned hands.Doctors were summoned and treated the burns received by the child as well as those of Mr. Gittins. While the burns experienced by the child are serious fatal results are not feared and it was not found necessary to remove him to a hospital. September 6, 1927.
September 6, 1927.
Pleading Guilty to violating the state dog quarantine by permitting his pet to be loose without a muzzle or leash, Ellis J. Gittins, 74, of 1401 College avenue, paid $10 and costs in municipal court this morning. The arrest was the first on the quarantine charge since a week ago, when 36 dog owners were arrested.
August 29, 1940. I’m surprised that dog owners were being arrested and I’m surprised that someone of E. J. Gittins’ influence would have had his arrest make it into the newspaper.
One of Several The accident was one of several on slippery highways reported to the sheriff's department. Harold Erskine of 2300 Washington avenue was cut about the face, and E. J. Gittins of 1401 College avenue received cuts and bruises when their automobiles skidded together on Highway 38 Wednesday afternoon.
January 23, 1941. E. J. Gittins would have been 75 at the time of this wintry car accident.
Miss Nancy Gittins, 1401 College avenue, entertained about 50 young persons at tea Tuesday afternoon at her home with Miss Patricia Cox as assisting hostess.
December 31, 1941.
For Sale 7 Room House on Wisconsin Ave. Double garage. Inquire 1401 College Avenue.
February 21, 1945. After E. J. Gittins died in 1944, it appears that Mrs. Gittins began liquidating some real estate she owned, including a house and a bakery.
March 4, 1945. Bakery store and storage building for sale.
Seek Racine Man’s Testimony In Death of Suspected NaziDeath of a suspected Nazi collaborator four years ago in the Belgian village of La Hamaide has entangled a Racine man in a complicated international problem. The Racine man is Richard E. Wright, 26, of 1401 College Ave., a quality control engineer at the Belle City Malleable Iron Co.Richard WrightWright had been a bombardier on a B-24 Liberator which was shot down on a mission over Belgium June 14, 1944. He parachuted into an open field near the village of La Hamaide, then under German control.The lieutenant’s ankle was broken in the jump but he was rescued by members of the Belgian underground. They had a doctor dress his ankle and then hid him in various homes from the Germans.Patrols SuspiciousOne family at great personal risk to themselves, kept Wright for several weeks. “Several times German patrols came to the door of the home searching for allied airmen,” Wright said, “while I was hiding inside, but the family always managed to head them off. One time they hid men in the woods for several days when the German patrols became particularly inquisitive.”Just as Allied troops liberated the area, a neighbor of Wright’s hosts, suspected of Nazi collaboration, was beaten to death. Belgian police believe that members of the family who harbored Wright, had killed the man but so far have been unable to prove their case.Two years ago the Belgian consul sent a “rogatory commission” requesting that the answers to about 150 questions be obtained by deposition from Wright for the information of the Belgian police.Refuses RequestWright preferred not to become entangled in the affair and consulted Atty. Jerome J. Foley, Jr. Foley contended that there was no treaty or law by which the Belgian government could require a deposition by an American citizen. From there the matter was kicked around from one government office to another.Finally the U. S. State Department told Wisconsin Atty. Gen. Grover Broadfoot that the Belgian embassy asked it for help in getting the deposition. The state department referred the case to Broadfoot.Wright and his attorney still maintain that Wisconsin cannot deal directly with a foreign country, nor can the United States require one of its nationals to testify in a foreign criminal case, despite Wright’s immunity in this case.Broadfoot pointed out that Wisconsin law is not clear as to depositions in foreign criminal cases and he has no duty or official interest in the matter. September 15, 1948.
September 15, 1948. Mrs. Gittins lived until 1960. Was she renting out rooms or floors in her house at 1401 College Avenue? This is a very interesting story about Richard Wright and his adventures after being shot down over Belgium on June 14, 1944.
October 25, 1948. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wright, 1401 College Ave, a son, Oct. 23, St. Mary's Hospital.
October 25, 1948. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wright, 1401 College Ave, a son, Oct. 23, St. Mary’s Hospital.
September 10, 1954. Obituary of Patrick John O’Connell of 1401 College Avenue.

[March 4, 1960, Mrs. E. J. Gittins found dead in her bed by police.]

March 27, 1960. Mrs. P. J. O’Connell, grandmother of the bride, still living at 1401 College Avenue.