The Life & Legacy of Adolph Ansay
“Name just about anything good that’s happened in Ozaukee County in the last 50 years, and you can bet Adolph Ansay had something to do with it,” proclaimed former CEO of Port Washington State Bank, Ronald Schowalter in Ansay’s obituary written in September 1995.
The accomplishments achieved by our company founder in his 86 years made their mark not just within his businesses (yes, plural) but all throughout Ozaukee County. Today, decades after his passing, his work continues to make a positive impact on all who visit the area.
Adolph Ansay was a third generation American of Luxembourg descent born January 25, 1909, to Michael and Anna (Klas) Ansay. He was raised on a farm in rural Port Washington, Wisconsin with his two brothers and a sister.
His business adventures began in 1932, smack dab in the middle of the Great Depression, when he took his newly minted Marquette University business administration degree out into the world and landed a job at Port Washington State Bank.
Milwaukee Journal pic of Adolph replicating his holdup pose after robbery 8.3.1936
Young Adolph Ansay
A few years later, in 1936, already promoted to bank manager and VP of PWSB’s new Belgium Branch, he found himself staring down the barrel of one of two guns pointed at his head as bank bandits threatened,
“Be quiet and stick ‘em up and there’ll be nothing to it.”
Luckily, he kept his wits about him and survived the robbery unscathed.
Marie and Adolph Ansay
Adolph and Marie with their children as the Honored Family at Belgium’s Luxembourg Fest
A Brain for Business
Following his near-death experience, Adolph went on to successfully grow the bank’s customer base and was the first in the company to start automobile loans.
Like many bankers in the ‘30s, he started selling insurance, starting A.N. Ansay Agency, Inc., which grew to be one of the largest independent insurance agencies in southeastern Wisconsin.
Additionally, he started selling real estate early in his career, starting A.N. Ansay Real Estate out of an office on Belgium’s Main Street. His family described this company as his passion project.
November 21, 1940, he married the love of his life, Marie Krier. The pair was the first to hold their reception in the Port Washington Country Club (later known as Squires). The couple would go on to become parents to four daughters and two sons, including our current President, Mike Ansay.
A HEART FOR SERVITUDE
Adolph receiving an award
Scout charter
You would think running a bank, starting two new companies and raising a large family would keep Adolph busy but he had so much more to do. In 1948 he won a seat as the county supervisor of the Village and Town of Belgium, a position he held onto for nearly a half century until 1994, earning him accolades from Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson for his many years of public service. The Ozaukee Press once quoted County Board Chairman Leroy Bley as remembering Adolph as “the voice of prudent spending. And he was almost always right… When you talk about leadership, you’re talking about Adolph Ansay.”
As a public servant, he played lead roles in choosing a site for the Ozaukee County Justice Center and assisting with the addition and renovation of the courthouse downtown when it became the County Administration Center. He helped develop two county golf courses-Hawthorne Hills and Mee-Kwon. He was also instrumental in founding Harrington Beach State Park in 1968, which now boasts the Adolph and Marie Ansay Welcome Center, donated to the park by their son Mike in their honor.
On top of all that, Adolph volunteered with the Belgium Fire Department, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake Church, Wisconsin, and the Belgium Lion’s Club.
Adolph managed the daily operations at the bank until age 78 and remained a director of the bank and its holding company, Port Bankshares even beyond that.
It is clear Adolph lived a full and fruitful life, but most poignant of all is the legacy he left to those who he loved most after his death at age 86 on Tuesday, September 5, 1995.
His family remembers him with this, “He impressed on us his values, integrity, work ethic, and a sense of responsibility toward his community and most importantly, to his family.”
Article written by Tara Williams with special thanks to Michele Weiland for her research on gathering articles and images for this biography. Many photos are courtesy of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society archives.
Adolph Ansay at his desk at Port Washington State Bank in Belgium, Wisconsin
Ansay Welcome Center at Harrington Beach in Summer
Adolph at Groundbreaking of Belgium Post Office from LACS archives
Adolph with Port Washington State Bank Board of Directors- from LACS archives
Adolph’s Ozaukee Impact
Adolph’s legacy, “You’ve got to Give to Get” as inspired three generations of Ansays to remain steadfast in their mission to give back to the world around them that has been such a prolific environment to live and raise future generations.
From creating inclusive housing developments to supporting cultural preservation efforts, Ansay investments have shaped Ozaukee County into a model of progress and opportunity.
As “Your Ozaukee County Partner,” the Ansay family exemplifies how generations of commitment to community, philanthropy, and innovation can leave a legacy.
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