Have Photos of These People?

Henry Hahn, proprietor of Hahn’s Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, established in 1904 as a furniture store & undertaking business, later converted to a funeral home.

Door County Historical Museum is celebrating its 75th birthday this year. How was it promoted in its earlier years?

In 1949, museum curator Harry Dankoler held several contests for the Door County Historical Museum. Winners had their biographies and photos in the newspaper. Unfortunately the photos did not reproduce well so the museum is trying to locate copies of pictures of the winners to scan. Dankoler looked for the oldest native-born settler in the county. Winners were:

• Mrs. Josephine Mapes, age 91, Jacksonport (lived with the Sanford Clarks)

• Mrs. Y.V. Dreutzer, age 89, Bay Shore Drive (lived with the C.B. Dreutzers)

• John P. Simon, age 88, (lived at the J.W. Gillick farm)

• Frank Blakefield, age 88, Baileys Harbor

• Mrs. Martin Weis, age 87, Sturgeon Bay (lived with the Carnie Seilers)

Another contest in 1949 was for the person who had lived in Door County the longest. Winners were:

• George Heldman, age 92, Sturgeon Bay (91 years residency)

• Dennis Carmody, age 96, Sturgeon Bay (89 years)

• Mrs. William C. Betts Sr, age 96, Sturgeon Bay (84 years)

• James Curry, age 89, R. 2, Sturgeon Bay (83 years)

• Henry Hahn, age 84, Sturgeon Bay (81 years)

• Mrs. August Smith, age 79, Sister Bay (77 years)

• Bert Davis, age 86, Sturgeon Bay (74 years)

• H.C. (Bert) Scofield, age 89, Sturgeon Bay (71 years)

• William Maples, age 90, Sturgeon Bay (71 years)

• Mrs. George Heldman, age 92, Sturgeon Bay (71 years)

Some descendants of these early pioneers must still be in the area. If you have photos of these winners, contact the museum at 920.743.5809, [email protected], or stop by 18 N. 4th Avenue any day between 10 am and 4:30 pm.