Moran

1887 Partial Map of Somers Township
Section 12
D. Moran Est. parcel
Click on map for closer view.

Dominick Moran
Dominick Moran, was one of the pioneers of Kenosha  County, Wisconsin, arriving here in the '40s, and for many years he carried on agricultural pursuits in Somers Township.  He was widely known and his demise was the occasion of much sincere regret.
A native of County Mayo, Ireland, his birth occurred in 1819, and his education was that afforded by the common schools of the Emerald Isle.  He remained there for several years after he had attained his majority, but in 1842 or 1843 he emigrated to the U.S. and located in Kenosha County.  He became the owner of a tract of land and at once began the improvement of his place, which became in time one of the valuable farms of Somers Township.  When he reached this country he was empty handed, but his enterprise and sound judgement enabled him to gain more than a competence.
About 1857 Mr. Moran was married in Kenosha to Miss Margaret Cunnane, also a native of Ireland, and they became the parents of six children:  Bridget Louisa; James, who resides on the home place; Ellen, the wife of D. Toner, by whom she has three children; John; Mary, the deceased wife of Michael Daley, by whom she had two children; and Margaret, the deceased wife of John Sherry.
Mr. Moran was a stanch advocate of Democratic principles and supported that party loyally at the polls.  He was a member of the Temperance Society and attended the services at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church.  He was a factor in the early development of the county, and his upright and useful life entitled him to a high place in the estimation of all who knew him.  He passed away May 11, 1874, and his community was the poorer because of his demise.
(Source:  Kenosha City and County Record of Settlement by Frank H. Lyman, Vol II, Chicago, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1916)

John Moran
John Moran, the second son of Dominick Moran, was born in Kenosha on the 10th of January 1863 and as a boy attended the common schools, continuing his education until he was fifteen years old.  He then concentrated his energies upon farm work, assisting his father until the latter's demise, and he is now operating the home farm in connection with his brother, James.  The place comprises seventy-three acres of rich land, and the buildings are modern and substantial.  He is recognized as one of the capable and prosperous farmers of his community and has never had occasion to regret his choice of an occupation.
Mr. Moran was married on the 31st day of July 1897 to Miss Theresa White, a daughter of Michael White, an old settler of this county.  To Mr. and Mrs. Moran were born two children, Robert and Walter, both of whom are attending school.  The wife and mother died on the 18th of December, 1903 and is buried in Kenosha.
Mr. Moran supports the Democratic party at the polls when national issues are involved but otherwise votes independently.  He was clerk of the school board for six years and has also served acceptable as Pathmaster.  His religious faith is that of the roman catholic church, and he is a communicant of St. James at Kenosha.  He has gained a gratifying measure of prosperity through his industry and careful attention to his farming operations and is highly respected throughout the county.
(Source: Kenosha City and County Record of Settlement by Frank H. Lyman, Vol II, Chicago, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1916)

"Funeral services for James Moran were held Tuesday at St, James church, Kenosha, with burial in St. James Cemetery.  The casket bearers were George P. Thomas, Frank Lichter, John F. Swartz, Edward Witschcber, William Thompson and Frank Feest."
(Source:  Racine Journal, June 23, 1934)