WI BIO - Kenosha Co - REGNER, John M.

History of Kenosha and Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman. Chicago: Clarke 
Publishing, 1916, vol II, p 212

John M. REGNER, Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, has been numbered among 
the city's merchants since 01 April 1914, on which date he opened a jewelry 
store at No. 325 Main street [renamed Sixth Avenue about 1926]. He [John M. 
REGNER] was born 11 August 1882 at West Bend [Washington County], Wisconsin, 
a son of Mathias and Barbara (DETLING) REGNER. Mathias REGNER was born in 
Germany, and Barbara (DETLING) REGNER was born in Milwaukee [Milwaukee 
County], Wisconsin. 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 town [West Bend, 
Washington County, Wisconsin], 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 [John M. REGNER] 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 01 April 
1914 he opened his store at No. 325 Main street [now Sixth Avenue]. Here he 
carries an attractive line of jewelry, and his business is constantly 
growing. He is a licensed optometrist.

On 14 September 1910 Mr. [John M.] REGNER was married to Miss Caroline FONK, 
of Kenosha, a daughter of Michael and Marie (EPPERS) FONK. In their family 
[the family of John M. and Caroline (FONK) REGNER] are three children, (1) 
Aletha, (2) Marion, and (3) 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.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly