E. C. Deane, 1844-1924

E. C. Deane first came to my notice when I saw a registered mail form from 1895 on Ebay:

This seems to be a registered mail receipt from 1895 in Racine. It shows that something has been sent from the Journal Printing Company to E. C. Deane. I wonder what was in the package that was sent on November 4, 1895.

Once I started researching E. C. Deane in my 1895 Racine City Directory, it became obvious that he was a very busy man.

Newspaper section of the 1895 Racine City Directory

At this point, a relative of E. C. Deane spoke up on the Racine History Facebook group:
Susan Petersen: My second great grandfather was named EC Deane and lived in Racine.

E. C. Deane was the president of the Badger Electric Company in the 1895 Racine City Directory
E. C. Deane was president of the Humane Society in 1895.
And as if he were not busy enough, he was also a notary public at the newspaper building 328 Main Street.

Racine Journal News, March 4th, 1924
Edmund C. Deane Called By Death
Passes Away Monday Afternoon at His Home, 1444 Wisconsin Street; Burial Thursday.
Long Prominent In Business Circles
Edmund Clarke Deane, one of Racine’s oldest and best known business men, retired for some time past, died Monday afternoon at his home, 1444 Wisconsin street.
Mr. Deane was born in Franklin, Mass., June 13, 1844, and had been a resident of this city for more than 40 years. He had always taken an important part in the upbuilding of Racine. He possessed excellent business ability and many commercial and manufacturing industries received advice and aid from him that resulted in success.
Mr. Deane was for many years at the head of the old Union National bank and for two years he was the editor and owner of the Journal-News. He was a member of the First Presbyterian church and one of its trustees for many years. He had always been prominent in the business and fraternal life of the city.
He was a life member of Racine lodge No. 18, F. & A. M., Orient chapter No. 7, R. A. M., Past Eminent Commander of Racine Commandery No. 7, Knights Templar, and Past Eminent Commander of the State of Wisconsin; Wisconsin Consistory and Tripoli Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Past Exalted Ruler of Racine lodge, No. 252, Elks, and also was a member of other organizations.
There survive Mr. Deane his widow, three sons and one daughter — William Gardner Deane, of Bogoata, N. J.; Edmond Earnest Deane, of Chicago; John Roy Deane and Grace Amelia, wife of F. Lee Norton, of Racine, and one sister, Mrs. Robert William McAfee, of San Gabriel, Calif.
The funeral will be conducted by the Masonic fraternity at 2 o’clock, Thursday, March 6, at the Thronson chapel. Friends are requested not to send flowers.

March 5th, 1924. Edmund C. Deane. Former prominent banker and business man who died at his home here on Monday. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Thronson chapel, Main and Eighth streets under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity.