The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-06-26
THOMAS M. KEARNEY.
Sketch of Life of 4th of July Orator al
DIN Settlers Celebration.

Sketch of Life of 4th of July Orator at
DIN Settlers Celebration.
Thomas M. Kearney, ESQ.,, of Ra-
cine, is to deliver the Fourth of July
Grafton before the people of Kenosha
county. It would be matter of in
terest to the people to know somewhat
of the orator when he appears before
them. In view of this thought brief
sketch of Mr.. Kearney is here present
ed by the Secretary of the Old Settlers
Club:
Thomas M. Kearney, of Racine, who
will address the Old Settlers Club of
Kenosha County and their friends on
July 4th is Wisconsin man from the
ground up. He was born in the town
of Raymond, Racine County, As years
ago, and has lived in that county ever
since. His father was farmer and
the son worked on the farm until he
grew to manhood. He taught school
for number of years, returning to
the farm and farm work during the
vacations.
In 1882 he began the study of law
with John T. Fish and Joshua E..
Dodge at Racine and in the Offices
which Mr.. Kearney and his firm now
occupy. In 1884 he was admitted to
the bar and moved to Burlington,
where he entered into partnership with
Ernst Merton under the firm name of
Merton & Kearney. This partnership
continued for several years, when it
was dissolved and Mr.. Merton re-
moved to Waukesha. Later on Mr..
Kearney formed a partnership with
Hon. H. A. Cooper, which continued
up to the time of Mr.. Cooper's election
to the State Senate. In 1893 he pur-
chased from Mr.. Joshua E. Dodge the
business and library of the Office at
Racine in which he had read law as
student ten years earlier. Since his
removal to Racine Mr.. Kearney has
earned and enjoyed one of the largest
and most lucrative law practices in the
State.
It is worth mentioning that Mr..
Kearney is not only successful
lawyer but that he is as we'll success
full farmer and business man. In 1896
he purchased from his father and his
brothers the farm on which he was
born. Later he bought more lands adj
joining until he now owns tract of
400 acres of the best land in the State.
Here he has built and equipped three
sets of fine farm buildings. with sep
arate water supply systems and all
modern conveniences. These farms
he not only owns but operates in a
most successful way.
Mr.. Kearney is president and half
owner of the Kearney-Roessler COM
pany, one of the leading creamery
companies of the State. At Racine
Mr.. Kearney is one of the principal
owners of the Hotel Racine, is a iii
rector of the Manufacturers National
bank, and stakeholder III various
local business concerns. Politically
he will not seek or accept any political
office. Years ago he acted as district
attorney for one term and for time
was president of the village board at
Burlington. He also acted as a
member of the school board. at Racine
and is at present president of the
board of directors of Racine public
library.
Mr.. Kearney was married ini1885 to
Katherine L. Rohr, of Raymond.
Their family consists Of three daugh-
ters and one son, all vending their
way through the public schools at Ra-
cine. The family home at Racine is
one of the finest in the west.