Barrows



Charles Barrows
Mr. Charles Barrows (Section 6) was born in Chautauqua County, New York on August 26, 1835.  He was a lad of only 6 years old when with his father he came to Wisconsin.  He is the son of La Prelate Barrows, a native of Massachusetts born in 1806.  On April 22, 1858 he married Miss Rhoda Rogers Sammis, who was born in Florence, Onondaga County, New York.  Her father died in New York in 1845 after which time her mother came to Wisconsin in 1850 when Rhoda was 10.  

Mr. Barrows enlisted in 1862 as a member of company H, 22^nd Wisconsin Infantry where he was promoted to Corporal, and served until the war ended.  He was captured at Spring Hill and held in Libby prison for 15 days.  He participated in battles in Georgia, New Hope Church, Chattahoochee River and Peach Tree Creek and many other skirmishes.  He participated in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C.  In 1875 Mr. Barrows moved to Santa Anna County, California during which time he engaged in carpentering.  He return to his boyhood home 14 months later.  He served as Somers Town Supervisor for five years, Somers Town Board Chairman for two years, and 20 years on the School Board.

Unto this worthy couple, 9 children were born and 4 survive.  Chester J., Jacob J., Maria, and Hiram.

Jacob J. Barrows

Mr. Jacob J. Barrows (Section 15) was a successful truck farmer and devoted his farm to garden products specializing in cabbage and beets. He is the son of Charles L. and Rhoda M (Sammis) Barrows, natives of Cattaraugus County, New York, of Section 6. He was born in Racine March 1869. Charles L. died in 1901 and Rhoda died in 1906.
As a young boy Jacob J. Barrows went to district schools and worked for his father for three years to the age of 21. He was ambitious to make his labors more directly to benefit himself and therefore rent 360 acres for four years. He was able to carefully save his earnings until he had enough to purchase 13 acres on County Line Road. To earn extra money he was employed by Racine Carriage Company for short time. He next moved to the old homestead at Berryville and remained there for two years after which he purchased 60 acres. As the years passed, he further extended his boundaries by purchased an additional 40 acres in 1915 and had all the conveniences of a model farm of the 20th century. While he raised grain he gave attention largely to the cultivation of garden produce for the city markets and had great fields of cabbage and beets.
On September 5, 1890, he married Miss Carolina Kohlmann, daughter of Louis Kohlmann of Racine. Five children were born of this union. Edna, who is the wife of H.C. Thompson, an early pioneer of this area, Louis H., Charles, Stanley R. and LaVerne. Jacob J. Barrows was a member of the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican and has served as Somers Town Treasurer and Chair of the Board of Supervisors. He was also a member of the School Board.

Louis J. Barrows, son of Jacob J. Barrows 
Louis J. Barrows, 84, 2031 30th Avenue, died Saturday at his home after a three week illness.
He was born July 16, 1893 in Somers, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob J. Barrows.
A lifetime resident of Somers Township, he was educated in Somers schools and at the College of Commerce in Kenosha.
On June 3, 1914 he married Laura Foster; she died on June 12, 1974.
He farmed in Somers and was a member of the Kenosha County Farm Bureau.  He also was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church and was a past treasurer of the Town of Somers.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Roy (Delores) Safransky of Kenosha; four grandchildren; two brother, Charles and Stanley, both of Somers; and a sister, Mrs. Paul (Laverna) James, Union Grove, Wis.
He was preceded in death by a son, Floyd, and a sister, Mrs. Edna Thompson.
(Source:  Racine Journal Times March 25, 1978)

Charles H. Barrows, son of Jacob J. Barrows
Charles H. Barrows, 82, 6601 12th St, died at his home Monday morning.  He was born on October 30, 1896 in the Town of Somers, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob J. (Caroline Kohlman) Barrows.
He received his education in Somers schools and was a lifelong resident of the Town.
On June 28, 1924 he married Stella Fink.  She died on Aug. 29, 1971.
He was an Army veteran of World War I, enlisting on Aug. 13, 1918 and receiving his discharge on March 18, 1919.  He was a sergeant first class in the Motor Transport Corps.
he was a farmer in the Town of Somers.  He was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Racine.
Surviving are a daughter, Miss Carol Barrows, Kenosha; a brother, Stanley R., of Kenosha, and a sister, Mrs. Paul (Laverna James, Union Grove.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Edna Thompson, and a brother, Louis J.
(Source:  Racine Journal Sept 24, 1979)

Mrs. Stella (Estelle) Barrows, wife of Charles H. Barrows
Mrs. Stella (Estella) Barrows, 73, 6601 12th Street, died Sunday morning at Memorial Hospital, following a long Illinois.
Born in Racine County on Aug. 29, 1898, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Fink.  She received her education in the schools of Mt. Pleasant, Wis. and was a graduate of the Union Grove Normal School.  She attended Whitewater State College.
She married Charles H. Barrows June 28, 1924.
Mrs. Barrows taught school in Racine and Kenosha counties, retiring ten years ago.
She was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church, Racine, and of the Royal Neighbors of Somers.
Survivors are her husband; a daughter, Miss Carol Barrows, Kenosha; a brother, Merton Fink, Racine; and a sister, Miss Merle Fink, Kenosha.  She was preceded in death by two brothers Everett and Clinton, and by a sister, Miss Julia Fink.  Graceland Cemetery.
(Source:  Racine Journal. Obituary date unknown on clipping)


Mrs. Stanley (Sorenson) Barrows, wife of Stanley Barrows
Mrs. Stanley Barrows, 61, Rt. 4, Box 566, Kenosha, died at Kenosha Memorial Hospital Monday night following a short illness.
She was born Myrtle Sorenson in Racine on Feb. 11, 1904, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. S.C. Sorenson.  In 1905 she came to Somers Township with her parents.  She attended school in Kenosha County, and graduated from Racine High School.
On October 1, 1927, she married Stanley Barrows.  She was employed at the Simmons Co. office for many years prior to her retirement in 1962.  She was a member of the United Church of Christ, Somers, and was active in the church Sunday school, serving as a teacher and supervisor for many years.  She was also a member of the church choir, and Christian Service circle, and the Simmons 20-Year Club.
Survivors besides her husband are one brother, Archie R. Sorenson, Vacaville, Calif., and one sister, Miss Marie Sorenson, Somers.  She was preceded in death by a brother, George R. Sorenson in 1945.
(Source:  Racine Journal Oct. 26, 1965)


Chester J. Barrows
"Chester J. Barrows, age 89, of Somers Township, passed away Saturday afternoon, April 23, 1955 in the Kenosha's hospital, following a month's illness.  Mr. Barrows was born in Mt. Pleasant, Racine County on April 13, 1866, and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Barrows.  He had been engaged in farming most of his life.  On November 13, 1888, he was married to the former Margaret Breaid (Braid) who preceded him in death on July 7, 1928.  Surviving are one son, Bert Barrows of Kenosha, two daughters, Mrs. Maude Sommer of Elkhorn, Wis. and Mrs. Alta Meekma of Racine; one brother Hiram Barrows of Fresno, California; one sister, Mrs. Maria Madson of Fresno, California.  A son, George Barrows preceded him in death.  Interment in Mound Cemetery in Racine.
(Source:  Racine Journal April 25, 1955)

Partial 1887 Map of Somers Township
Section 6, Barrows parcel (currently Kenosha Country Club)

"Mr. Hiram Barrows purchased 45 acres of land from Miss Delia Bishop. Consideration $4,500.00."
(Source:  Racine Journal March 30, 1906)




More About Barrows
Click here to read more about Barrows on the Oakwood Cemetery site.