Dr. Walter Silas Haven, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Racine, is a medical graduate of the Northwestern University and after two years’ hospital experience he came to this city, where he has since successfully followed his profession. He was born in Racine County, February 9, 1862, and is a son of George Silas and Jane (Jones) Haven, the former a native of Cheltenham, Ontario, and the latter of Caernarvonshire, Wales. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Haven, was also a native of England and was a veteran of the war with Napoleon, serving as surgeon in the English army and participating in the battle of Waterloo. He brought his family to the United States in 1845, settling first in Philadelphia but afterward removing to Milwaukee. George S. Haven had lived therefore in two different places in America before coming to Racine about 1863. He married Jane Jones, a daughter of Solomon Jones, who arrived in Racine County from Wales in the year 1845. The marriage of the young couple was celebrated in Racine and Mr. Haven was engaged in the business of blacksmithing and tool dressing, being connected with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company as head tool dresser for many years. Both he and his wife are yet living in Racine and their married life covers a period of fifty-five years. In their family were six children, three of whom died in early life, while those still living are Dr. Haven, Jennie and Frank.
At the usual age Dr. Haven became a public school pupil, continuing his education in Racine until he had completed the high school course. He then entered Beloit college, from which he was graduated in 1887, winning the degrees of bachelor of arts and master of arts. He afterward taught Greek and Latin in the Wayland academy at Beaver Dam for one year and, entering upon the study of medicine in the medical department of Northwestern University, he was graduated there from in 1891. He added to his theoretical knowledge practical experience in hospital work, spending two years in the Northern Illinois hospital, and in 1893 he came to Racine, where he has since engaged in general practice. He was also president of the United States pension board for many years. He has been accorded a liberal patronage and has ever been found most careful and accurate in diagnosing his cases and in employing the needed remedial agencies.
Dr. Haven exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican Party where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. His life has been guided by the teachings of the Baptist church, of which he is a member, and he is also an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity. He belongs as well to the Phi Kappa Psi and the Phi Beta Kappa, while along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Racine County Medical society, the Wisconsin State Medical society and the American Medical association, thus keeping abreast with the advanced thought of the profession and utilizing its latest discoveries and researches for the benefit of his patients.