Throughout the Wisconsin 4-H Centennial, we hope to collect stories of 4-H connections and experiences from around the state. In this remembrance, Iron County Board Member Gerald Luke recounts his 4-H experience in Kenosha County and how 4-H helped him throughout his life.
“I grew up in the unincorporated village of Wheatland, Kenosha County, Wisconsin. I was the fifth generation of the Luke family in the area. At an early age, like four years old, I was able to play with the kids in town. It was a fun time for me. the Soo Line Railroad went through town, all steam engines at that time; the trains would not stop in our small town. We kids were always around the train tracks.
A 4-H display at the Wisconsin State Fair.
In 1951 almost all the kids in town belonged to 4-H. I was was the youngest kid, 9 years old, the age was 10 to join 4-H at that time. They made an exception for me, so I joined the Wheatland Willing Workers 4-H Club at about 9 1/2 years old. My dad was a carpenter so he became the woodworking leader in our club. I joined woodworking as a project. Our club met in the Wheatland Town Hall in New Munster, Wisconsin. My first woodworking project was to make a tie rack which I gave to my grandfather, Frank Luke. After Grandpa died years later I saved the tie rack and still use it to this day. Other projects I did through the years included a chest of drawers, letter holders, gun racks, etc.., all of which I use to this day. I also took part in projects such as electricity where we learned to wire and repair items like lamps, and, electrical cords.
We would look forward to the Kenosha County Fair where we would exhibit our projects. We would obtain a weekly pass for he fair and at 10 years old this was always fun. I remember my first dayalone at the fair, my mother gave me a nice shiny new half dollar and when I went through the gate, a man running the games told me how easy it was o knock the bottles down and win a prize, and at a dime for three throws, I soon had no more half dollar and no prize.
At the fair all the 4-H clubs would participate in demonstrations, where the member would go to the front of the spectators and demonstrate how to do such things as saw wood, do electrical wiring, or for the girls sewing etc. At the time I hated it, however it taught me self confidence and throughout my life after I was never afraid to do anything.
I was in the Wheatland Willing Workers 4-H Club up to the time I was 18 years old and feel it helped me all my life
A boy learns the inner workings of an engine through a 4-H project.
since then. It gave me abilities that I used even when I went to war in 1965, and it helped me to be a people person and that was a benefit when I became a municipal judge in Kenosha County. I was a mechanic and some of the skills required for this came from 4-H.
All in all I support 4-H and recommend all young people to participate.”
Gerald Luke
Iron County Board Member
