Time period: 1930 - present

Submitted by: Linda L. Jenks

Richard S. Jenks was born in 1930 in Baraboo to Walter T. and Anne Hadfield Jenks. He attended Baraboo schools and graduated from Baraboo Senior High School in 1947. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating from its Law School in 1953. He was a member of the Law Review. He immediately left for a two year tour in the Army Military Police at Fort Crowder, MO, where he served as defense attorney of courts martial.He returned to Baraboo in 1955 and formed a partnership with his father, Jenks and Jenks, with offices above the First National Bank. Richard remained in the Army Reserves, during with time he taught Military Law at the University of Wisconsin.

In 1972, Jenks and Jenks formed a new firm with Robert Greehalgh and John Dithmar, with offices above the Baraboo National Bank. Greenhalgh, Jenks and Dithmar partnered until 1988, when Richard joined Clyde Cross, Kareen and Jerome Mercer and Wayne Maffei. Cross, Jenks, Mercer and Maffei had offices on 3rd Avenue, in the remodeled former Mueller Wagon shop, where they built circus wagons for circuses, including the Ringling Brothers, since Henry and Corwin Mueller were first cousins to the Ringling and Gollmars.Richard practiced law with this firm for 22 years, focusing on wills, probate, estate planning, real estate, and income tax preparation. He wanted to help people, especially the elderly, and his clientele often spanned three generations.Richard celebrated 50 years of practicing law in 2003, retiring in 2010.