Arnt Hendrik Riis
1874-1934
Born: Lillesand, Aust-Agder, Norway
Died: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA
1874-1934
Born: Lillesand, Aust-Agder, Norway
Died: Lake Geneva, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA
Arnt was a sailor from Norway in his younger years. He came to America in 1902 and continued to work on the boats. His wife Andrea came to America in 1904 and they were married in Newberry, MI. Arnt continued to work on the boats for a few years. The story is that Andrea convinced him to find another form of work because she wanted him home more. He worked several other jobs in his lifetime, but was always sad about leaving the sea.(A family story told to me.) He worked in the lumber camps of Northern Wisconsin, moved to Beloit, WI where he worked various jobs, then moved to Racine, WI where he eventually became the janitor of Janes School. Although his name was officially Arnt Hendrik Riis, he changed it to Harry Rice because there was too much confusion about the pronunciation of his original name. Arnt died at Lake Geneva, WI on a family outing. We were told he dived in the water and could not be revived.