The Pioneers who Became Knights

They came from every walk of life, every age group, social strata and background. From the earliest days in 1902 throughout the first third of the 20th century, hundreds of Catholic men worked hard to build the Knights of Columbus in Racine. The K of C 697 Heritage Series will include profiles of these pioneers from the first decades of the Council. Check back often as we add new profiles.

Heritage Series

Martin J. Gillen

(1872-1943)

  1. •Founding Grand Knight

  2. •Attorney

  3. •Business entrepreneur

  4. •Economist

  5. •Philanthropist

  6. •Notre Dame benefactor

Martin James Gillen, circa 1900 (left) and around 1935 (right). – Photos courtesy University of Notre Dame Archives.

John O’Laughlin

John O’Laughlin  

(1856-1913)

  1. •Founding Knight,  Aug. 3, 1902

  2. •Business entrepreneur

  3. •Quarry owner

  4. •Limestone innovator


A simple glance out the window of a Chicago & Northwestern train in 1895 helped John O’Laughlin launch an empire and develop Wisconsin’s stone quarry industry. Read More