Mathias H. Broesch, Jr.
Mathias H. Broesch, Jr., a native of Kenosha County, is engaged in farming on Section 13, Somers Township, and believes that the opportunities here offered the energetic man compare favorably with those to be found elsewhere. he was born in the city of Kenosha on the 20th of February 1879, a son of Mathias Broesch, Sr. The latter was born in the Rhine province of Prussia on the 23d of August, 1845. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Forman) Broesch, passed their entire lives in the fatherland. As a boy and youth he attended the common schools in Germany and after putting aside his textbooks gave his father the benefit of his labor until he was twenty-one years old. He then served in the army for four years and was at the front during the entire Franco-Prussian war. He conducted himself with such gallantry that he received three medals in recognition of his bravery. He was wounded three times and there were none of the hardships of war that he did not experience. In 1873 he came to the United States and located at Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he was employed in a malt house for five years. He next purchased twenty-five acres of land in Somers Township and at once began to prepare it for cultivation. Before he could operate the place it was necessary to grub out the stumps, and he made all of the improvements upon the place, erecting substantial buildings. He has since resided upon that farm and has brought it to a high state of development.
On the 20th of May 1878 Mr. Broesch was united in marriage to Miss Mary Woever, a daughter of Phillip Woever and a native of Racine County. Mr. and Mrs. Broesch have four children: Mathias H., Jr.; Annie, the wife of Theodore Lucher of Racine, by whom she has three children; Elizabeth, who married John Klinkhammer and has two sons; and Henry, who married Katie Klinkhammer.
The father is a democrat and in religious faith is a Roman Catholic, belonging to St. George's Church. When he came to the United States he had only twenty-five dollars capital but he was willing to work and possessed sound judgment and is now in excellent circumstances.
Mathias H. Broesch, Jr., attended the common schools of Kenosha until he was about twelve years of age and since that time has concentrated his energies upon farm work, with the exception of one winter which he spent in Milwaukee as an employee of the Beyers Manufacturing Company. For a number of years he assisted his father but is now farming independently, owning twenty acres, and he has never had occasion to regret his choice of occupation, finding agricultural pursuits both congenial and profitable.
Mr. Broesch endorses the principles of the democratic party but votes independently when he believes that he can best further the general good by so doing. He has served as Road Commissioner and takes a keen interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare. He is a communicant of St. George's Roman Catholic Church and contributes to its support. He is energetic and practical, and the success which he has gained as a farmer is well deserved.
(Source: City and County of Kenosha Record of Settlement by Frank H. Lyman, Vol II, Chicago, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1916)
More About Broesch
"Mrs. M. Broesch entertained a company of relatives on Sunday afternoon. Her guests included Mr. and Mrs. A. Thelen and Raymond Thelen and Mr. and Mrs. John Klinkhammer."
(Source: Racine Journal publication dated August 24, 1921)
Mrs. Henry Broesch
"Mrs. Henry Broesch, Somers Township, age 71, passed away December 3, 1954. Surviving are her husband, Henry; one son, Joseph T. of Somers; two sisters, Mrs. Veronica Mueller of Racine and Mrs. John Lichter of Somers; two brothers, Michael Klinkhammer of Burlington and Joseph Klinkhammer of Caledonia. Interment in St. George's Cemetery, Kenosha."
(Source: Racine Journal December 4, 1954)
