Wisconsin Biographies

by Debbie Rosendberg

Wisconsin has some interesting residents and it's always intriguing to find out more about famous or somewhat famous people.  Here are a few to get you started!

   Tailspin by John Armbruster  New Nonfiction  940.5472 Moran Armbruster 2022

World War II tail gunner Gene Moran fell four miles through the sky without a parachute and lived. This is on my TBR list, but I'll let you read it first. 

  On a Wisconsin family farm : historic tales of character, community, and culture by Corey Geiger   Nonfiction 630.9775 Geiger 2021

Corey Geiger has six generations of stories to tell about the Anna Satorie and John Burich pioneer family farm. 

  Love Wisconsin : stories from the place we call home Nonfiction 977.5044 Love 2018

Sourced from the online storytelling project "Love Wisconsin" these stories gather together what it means to be a Wisconsinite and how we can connect to each other.

  Ace of aces : the Dick Bong story by Mike O'Connor Nonfiction 358.414 Bong O'Connor 2019

The Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Kenosha County is named after Major Richard Bong, a Poplar, WI native who was America's leading air ace during WWII.  

  Once a professor : a memoir of teaching in turbulent times by Jerold Apps  Nonfiction 378.12 Apps Apps 2018

In his inimitable style Jerry Apps shares stories from his years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison between 1957-1995.

  Warriors, saints, and scoundrels : brief portraits of real people who shaped Wisconsin by Michael Edmonds and Samantha Snyder Nonfiction 977.5 Edmonds 2017

Bite-sized history of Wisconsinites, from the governor who saw ghosts to the first woman to practice law before the Supreme Court, these are stories that will touch your heart.

  The fathers we find : the making of a pleasant, humble boy by Charles P. Ries Nonfiction 977.569 R445 2015

Our narrator "Chuck" stumbles on his way with help from a series of delightful men on a journey that is hilarious, poignant, and nostalgic.

  Epilogue : a memoir by Will Boast Nonfiction 818.603 B63 2014

After the death of his last remaining relative at the age of 24, Will believes he's alone until he discovers his father's secret, another family.  While grieving his loss, Will is forced to reconsider the truths of his childhood and discover his new family.  

  Visiting Tom : a man, a highway, and the road to roughneck grace by Michael Perry Nonfiction 977.5043 P429 2012

What can we learn about life from Michael's 82 year old neighbor whose favorite hobby is firing his homemade cannons?  Tom Hartwig has an endless stream of stories dating back to his prize Model A.  Also available as a book club kit.

Debbie Rosenberg is a member of Fond du Lac Public Library's reference department.