Pioneers to Racine

Guernsey Evening Press and Star, Monday 17 February 1913. 'GUERNSEY ISLAND SENDS MANY PIONEERS TO RACINE. ROSTER OF IMMIGRANTS SHOWS SCORES WHO CAME FROM LITTLE ISLAND. (From the Racine Daily Times.)'

The little island of Guernsey, with an area of 25 square miles (or eleven square miles less than the standard township in Wisconsin) and a population of 41,000 (less than that or the city of Racine) lies off the north-west coast of France, one of a group of five rock-bound isles that form the Channel. Most of the inhabitants are farmers. They are a home-loving class. They are so separated from the mainland of Europe and the British islands by arms of the Atlantic ocean that intercourse with these neighbouring countries is not very frequent. The average wealth of the Guernsey people is small enough to dispel the idea that they are accustomed to travel much. The Guernsey folk have acres upon acres of greenhouses, and raise grapes, tomatoes, early potatoes, cauliflower, and other choice garden truck, as well as the famous white pinks and other flowers which are sent to the early markets in England. There is also quite a trade in blue granite, and there are large herds of blooded cattle on the island. Intensive farming has been practised for many generations, and every acre of land is utilised. The width of the island is but five and a half miles at its widest point. In some sections wheat and barley are raised. With such a location, such an environment, and such a population, one would hardly expect that Guernsey, on the eastern borders of the Atlantic ocean, would have any great influence upon the destinies of the New World city of Racine, Wisconsin, a third of the way round the world to the west, and far from the sea which washes the shores of the distant island, yet, as someone has remarked, the world is small. From that little island have come to Racine dozen after dozen of sturdy pioneers who helped to establish this progressive community. Scores upon scores of adventurous immigrants followed and have engaged in business, agriculture, or the professions, and have lent their aid in advancing the interests of the city and state. Many of the original pioneers from Guernsey are now dead; some still reside here ; others have returned to their native island to spend their declining years. But their children and their children’s children still are here, Americans to the core, and there are now many, many more Guernseymen who have come to Racine in late years upon the suggestion of the earlier arrivals. So it will be seen that distance has but little influence on destiny. When the fates decreed that the wavelashed island of Guernsey, nine and a half miles in length, was to contribute greatly to the upbuilding of a city which soon would surpass that entire island in population—why, Kismet, “what is to be, must be.” Owing to the large number of men and women who have come to Racine from Guernsey in the last twenty years, it is impossible at present to attempt a roster of them all. The Times, however, became interested in the phenomenon of the presence of so many of the Guernsey islanders here, and at its request James Robilliard, himself an early arrival from Guernsey, has devoted a great deal of time to the compilation of what he believes is a fairly complete list of those men and women who came to Racine from Guernsey from 1833 up to 1900. Among the early arrivals in Racine from Guernsey now living are Joseph Du Four, James Robilliard, William Carré, John Carré, Charles Brewer, John Bourgaize, and Mrs Joseph B Racine ; Thomas Corbett ; Thomas Corbett, jun., Peter lngrouille, and Mrs. Ozanne, Somers: Mrs. Rachel Carré and Mrs. Hélène Carré Tinker, Chicago ; George Langlois and Peter Du Four, California ; Daniel Carré, Nebraska ;: Chas. Guilbert, Mrs. Charles Guilbert, and Peter Le Ray, Guernsey ; John Bichard, Berryville ; Hirzel Dorey. Owing to its length, we are unable to reproduce the “roster’ in this issue. It will be published with the above introductory article, in the Guernsey Weekly Press of Saturday next.