Good morning,
It’s another warm day for Whitewater — partly cloudy skies, but a high of thirty-eight degrees.
The Wisconsin Historical Society’s ‘On This Day in Wisconsin History’ has an entry for today that just might be among its best:
1867 – Harry W. Newton Born
On this date war hero Harry W. Newton was born in Superior. The son of James and Matilda Newton, a pioneer family in Superior, Harry grew up on the city’s east side and attended public schools. He spent three years at Racine College. Prior to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, he enlisted in Company I, 33rd Wisconsin Volunteers. After his enlistment, he actively recruited for the company and he became its captain.
After his experience in Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War, Newton decided to pursue a military career. He enlisted in the 34th United States Volunteers which took him to the Philippines. In Luzon, in August 1900, he was promoted to captain. In February 1901 Newton was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Police in Manila.
Upon his return home, he was awarded a gold medal by the Wisconsin Legislature, in recognition of heroic conduct the Philippines. Harry W. Newton retired from military service in 1920 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He lived in Coronado, California until his death in August of 1946.
I’d never heard of Harry Newton until reading this entry, and most Wisconsin residents probably hadn’t either. A cynic might contend that Newton’s entry appears only because this was an uneventful day in our history.
I disagree. Men like this made our history, far more than any number of supposedly important people, politicians, people of influence, and so-called dignitaries.
Wisconsin belongs to no single group, but if any could claim pre-eminence, it would be common (yet truly uncommon) people like Newton.