Jim Fitzgerald - Native Son, Janesville, Wisconsin

James Francis Fitzgerald, Sr., passed away in Janesville in June, 2012.
He graduated from Janesville High School in 1944, served in the Navy, graduated from Notre Dame in 1947, and eventually returned to Janesville, where he operated a service station with Fred Weber, and oil jobbing business. He and his wife raised six children, and in 1956 he was voted Janesville Man of the Year.

With local businessman J.P. Cullen, they started the first two modern shopping centers in Janesville - Creston Park and Sunnyside Shopping Center.

In July 1961, he is part-owner of the new Holiday Inn hotel and swimming pool that opens at 2723 Milton Avenue, located at the current site of Toys 'R Us.

In May 1965, the new Oasis Restaurant, with a lake, opens near the I-90 interchange.  Bessie the cow graced its entrance.

In September 1966 he brought Total TV, Wisconsin's first cable television system, to Janesville. 

In October 1976 he bought the Milwaukee Bucks professional basketball team, hiring Don Nelson to replace Larry Costello as coach 18 games into the season. Nelson, who had no previous coaching experience, would guide the Bucks to the playoffs in 9 of his 11 years with Miwlaukee.

For complete obituary, view The Janesville Gazette online: http://www.gazettextra.com/obits/2012/jun/05/james-fitzgerald-sr/

--posted by sb

Susan B. Anthony - The Janesville Connection

Susan B. Anthony

February 15, 1820 - March 13, 1906

Janesville was involved with the women's rights movement in Wisconsin in the late 1800's. Susan B. Anthony, an American civil rights leader, lectured at the All Souls Unitarian church in Janesville, located on the northwest corner of Court and Bluff (now Parker Drive) streets, on March 27, 1878. "Woman wants Bread, not the Ballot", was the title of her talk.

Susan visited Janesville again, according to the Gazette of September 22, 1887. "Susan is Late: To-morrow morning is the date of the first session of the women's suffrage meeting. Miss Susan B. Anthony was to have made the opening address, but a telegram to the Gazette from the Rev. Olympia Brown states that Miss Anthony will not arrive in time to carry out this part of the programme", read the opening paragraph. The next day's paper announced that her lecture will be delivered at the woman's suffrage meeting in the Court Street M.E. church lecture room that evening, September 23, 1887.

Another article, from September 26, 1887, states that 'Susan B. Anthony took occasion Saturday night to draw the Rev. T. DeWitt Peake over the coals....'

On November 18, 1872 Susan was arrested for voting in the 1872 Presidential election. She went to trial, was fined $100, but not imprisoned, and refused to pay her fine.

She was born on February 15, 1820 and died on March 13, 1906.

--posted by sb 2/14/2012