Annie McLenegan, the only daughter of Henry and Sarah Reigart McLenegan, was born April 12, 1875, in Turtle Town-ship. She attended Strong School and then entered Beloit High School in 1889, but graduated from a high school in Milwaukee in 1893. She went to the University of Wisconsin where she received her bachelor’s degree in 1897.

After teaching English in Beloit for three years, Annie return to the University in 1903 with a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree. While at the University, Annie worked on the editorial staff of the literary monthly, “Aegis”, was editor of the 1897 Badger and served as president of the Women’s League and vice-president of the Fortnightly Literary Club. She was already in demand as a lecturer and speaker.

Annie taught in Milwaukee for one year before returning to Beloit as a history and English teacher at the high school. She also served as the director of senior dramatics until 1915 and developed the high school orchestra. During this time Annie wrote several plays and a historical novel, “Pioneer Life in Fox Valley.” She was instrumental in the development of the Pageant of 1916. Annie retired from teaching in 1923 and completed her doctorate in the following year. She wrote “The Harvey Play,” a biography of Governor Louis Powell Harvey and the “Centennial History of the Town of Turtle.” Annie lived out her retirement years in a small house on Shopiere Road, not far from the new school which bears her name. She died in 1962 at the age of 87.