Hart, Sands M.

The following data is extracted from Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement.

Sands M. Hart, son of John S. Hart, mentioned elsewhere, was sixty-three years of age at the time of his demise. He was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin, April 15, 1852, and was but a small boy when he came with his parents to Racine, at which time the family home was established upon a farm in the town of Mount Pleasant, on what is now known as the Rapids drive. After attending the district schools and later the public and high schools of Racine he continued his education in the Hillsdale (Mich.) College, from which he was graduated with high honors. He entered business circles in connection with the enterprise of which is father had been one of the founders, going upon the road as traveling representative of the Racine Woolen Mills. He afterward engaged in the wholesale jobbing of woolen goods and when his father, John S. Hart, severed his connection with the Racine Woolen Mills, resigned the offices of treasurer and manager and went to California, Sands M. Hart was elected treasurer and manager of the concern and remained as such until the business was closed out. He soon afterward organized the Racine Woolen Manufacturing Company, manufacturers and jobbers, and was at the head of that business to the time of his death, which occurred December 23, 1915, while he was upon the train en route for New York to look after business interests in that city.

In early manhood Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Stella Blake, a daughter of the late Lucius S. and Caroline (Elliott) Blake. Mrs. Hart passed away April 11, 1915, leaving two sons, Harold H. and John S. She was a highly educated woman, having graduated from the Racine high school and having also attended Vassar College, and she possessed much literary ability. She was a contributor to several magazines and in 1900 wrote a booklet on the Passion Play at Oberammergau and she was also the author of a pleasing article on the California missions. She was deeply interested in charitable and religious work and was for many years a member of the First Baptist church, taking a prominent part in its various activities. In this connection it is interesting to note that her marriage was the first service performed in the present church edifice. She was also a member of the Woman's Club and of the Daughters of the American Revolution and her influence was felt in the uplifting of the community in many ways. She was a woman of keen intelligence, of innate refinement, of wide knowledge and of strong character and her death was felt as an irreparable loss by her family and also by a host of friends and acquaintances.

Mr. Hart was a member of the Racine Commercial Club and was one of the most active members of the First Baptist church, in the work of which he was most deeply interested, doing everything in its power to promote its growth and aid in its upbuilding. He served as one of the trustees of the church and was also at one time superintendent of the Sunday school.

Source: Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

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