Denessen, Cornelius

Other Events:

• Birth - Church Record: 7 Oct 1867
• Biography: Abt 1913; History of Brown County, Wisconsin Page 200

Notes:

Birth - Church Record:
Name:Cornelius Dennison
Birth Date:17 Aug 1867
Birth Place:Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin
Gender:Female
Race:White
Father's Name:John Dennison
Mother's name:Antonia Degreef
FHL Film Number:1306424

Biography:
CORNELIUS DENESSEN. Cornelius Denessen is one of the foremost men in mercantile circles of Green Bay, where for the past ten years he has been conducting a large grocery store. For many years his name was also connected in a promi- nent way with steamboating on the Great Lakes and he has taken an important part in the development of this representative industry. A native son of Wisconsin, Mr. Denessen was born in Fort Howard, October 7, 1867, and has lived his entire life in this part of the state. His father, John Denessen, was a native of Holland but came, at the age of twelve, with his father, Nicholas Denessen, to America, coming directly to Green Bay by sailing vessel by way of Quebec. Nicholas Denessen farmed for the remainder of his life in Bay Settlement and there the father of our subject attended school for a short time. At the age of sixteen he became interested in steamboating and was one of the first men to conduct a ferry across the Fox river, between Green Bay and Fort Howard. At first he took his passengers across by a rowboat but later built the first steamboat ever used for ferrying purposes on Green Bay or on the Fox river. He married Miss Nettie De Graff, of Belgium. Both have passed away. To their union were born nine children : Anna, the wife of H. Berensteen, a grocer in Green Bay; William, captain and owner of a vessel on Green Bay; Joseph, owner of a vessel, and a marine engineer, who resides at 867 Elmore street ; Captain Theodore J., also a vessel owner; Cornelius, of this review; Josephine, the wife of Ernest Schwartz, of Green Bay ; Henry, who is also engaged in passenger and freight navigation on Green Bay; Mary, who married L. Rondou, of Green Bay; and John, who resides in the same city. Cornelius Denessen acquired his education in the public schools of Green Bay and when he laid aside his books engaged as fireman on a lake vessel until 1888, when he was promoted to the position of engineer. In this capacity he traveled all over the Great Lakes and became familiar with the conditions and the best methods of navigation. In 1893 he bought a line of boats, which he called the Denessen Steamboat Line, and operated it until 1897, when lie sold the enterprise and built at Manitowoc, in partnership with John Johnson a steamboat which he called the "Two Myrtle." This vessel was used during the spring and fall months for freighting fish and carrying fishermen's supplies and during the summer time was in the fruit trade. For some time Mr. Denessen owned also an .interest in the steamer "Liberty," which was used mainly for carrying fish. In 1902, however, he sold out all his steamboat interests and bought a grocery store in Green Bay, which he has conducted since that time. He has built up a flourishing business, for his integrity and ability are well known and he has achieved a degree of success which places him among the leading business men of the city. He is also interested as a stock- holder in the McCartney Bank. Mr. Denessen married Miss Anna Zegers, who was born in Holland and came to America as a child with her parents, Peter and Mary (Tevoren) Zegers. Mr. and Mrs. Denessen have eight children: Hiram, aged twenty-two, who married Miss Mabel Conroy, of Neenah, Wiscon- sin; Arthur, nineteen years of age, and Myrtle, seventeen, who live at home; Elmer, aged fifteen; Ethel, thirteen; Dominick, ten; Raymond, eight ; and Magdalene, six. The family are devout adherents of the Roman Catholic church, holding membership in St. Patrick's church of Green Bay. All during his active life Mr. Denessen's interests have been closely associated with those of Green Bay and his work has been a factor in the city's development.

Cornelius married Zegers, Catharina Johanna "Anna" 28 Nov 1889, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. Catharina (daughter of Zegers, Peter and Tervooren, Maria Petronella) was born 7 Jul 1868, Overloon, , Noord-Brabant, Netherlands; died 8 Dec 1942, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• 1920 Census: 1920, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA
• 1930 Census: 1930, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA
• 1940 Census: 1940, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA

Notes:

WWI Draft Registration Card:
Name:Hiram John Denessen
County:Eau Claire
State:Wisconsin
Birthplace:Wisconsin,United States of America
Birth Date:17 Nov 1890
Race:Caucasian (White

1920 Census:
Hiriam J Denesson29
Mable Denesson35

1930 Census:
Hiram Denessen38
Mabel Denessen44

1940 Census:
Hiram J Denessen49
Mabel Denessen55

Hiram married Conroy, Mabel Bef 1911. Mabel was born Abt 1890; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Death Record - Civil: 25 Oct 1893

Notes:

Death Record - Civil:
Name:Myrtle Rose Denessen
Death Date:25 Oct 1983
Location:Brown (May be abbreviated)
Certificate:025222

Other Events:

• Military Service: Between 8 Jul 1918 and 30 Sep 1921

Notes:

Military Service:
Name:Elmer Denessen
Gender:Male
Birth Date:21 Oct 1896
Death Date:13 Jan 1984
SSN:396037851
Enlistment Date 1:8 Jul 1918
Release Date 1:30 Sep 1921

Magdalene married Burke, Patrick Raymond Aft 1924. Patrick was born 29 Aug 1903, Casco, Kewaunee, Wisconsin, USA; died 15 Sep 1982, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; was buried , Allouez Catholic Cemetery, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]