John M. Regner Biography
As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement,
Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.
John M. Regner has been numbered among the Kenosha's merchants since the 1st of
April 1914, on which date he opened a jewelry store at No. 325 Main street. He
was born at West Bend, Wisconsin, August 11, 1882, a son of Mathias and Barbara
(Detling) Regner, natives of Germany and of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, respectively
Coming to the New World in early life, the father engaged in the piano business,
which he followed for many years.
John M. Regner supplemented his pubic school education by a course in the
Spencerian Business College of Milwaukee, from which he was graduated with the
class of 1900. He then started out to make his own way in the world and was
employed at the jewelry business in his native city, there acquainting himself
with the trade in large measure. In 1904 he came to Kenosha and entered the
employ of Mr. Dale, a jeweler, with whom he continued for about a decade. During
this period he not only further added to his knowledge of the business, but also
formed a wide acquaintance in Kenosha that qualified him for the conduct of a
business of his own. He carefully saved his earnings, ambitious to enter
mercantile circles on his own account, and on the 1st of April 1914 he opened
his store at No. 325 Main street. Here he carries an attractive line of jewelry,
and his business is constantly growing. He is a licensed optometrist.
On the 14th of September, 1910, Mr. Regner was married to Miss Caroline Fonk, of
Kenosha, a daughter of Michael and Marie (Eppers) Fonk. In their family are
three children, Aletha, Marion, and Leon. The parents are members of St. James
Catholic church, and Mr. Regner is connected with the Knights of Columbus, which
draws its membership from the communicants of the Catholic faith. He is also a
member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Sons of Veterans. He has gained
many friends during the twelve years of his residence in Kenosha, and is popular
in both business and social circles.
Typed by: Michelle Laycock