Wirtz

(Plat Book Racine and Kenosha County, Hennessey & Co., Delavan, Wis. 1908)

John B. Wirtz
"John B. Wirtz, a well known citizen of Somers, has been a lifelong resident of this county, his birth occurring in Somers Township near Kenosha, on the 10th of April, 1870.  His parents were John and Mary (Eberhardt) Wirtz, who were born in the Rhine country of Germany, where they were reared and educated.  The father was forty-two years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way to this county, settled just outside the city limits of Kenosha.  There he purchased land and engaged in farming for a time but afterward took up his abode in the city and worked at the blacksmith's trade, continuing his residence there until his life's labors were ended in death.  His widow survives and yet makes her home in Kenosha.
John B. Wirtz spent his youthful days in that city and after the common schools had prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties.  He secured employment in the Bain Wagon Works, where he remained for twelve years.  He then went to Racine, where he was engaged in the grocery business for a year, but afterward returned to the trade of wagon making and for eight years occupied the responsible position of foreman in a Kenosha factory.  On the expiration of that period he removed to Somers, where he opened an inn and has now been identified with the hotel interests of the town for twelve years, during which period he has built up a trade of large and gratifying proportions, being now accorded a liberal patronage.
On the 9th of October, 1905, Mr. Wirtz was united in marriage to Miss Margaret De Frang, a daughter of John and Margaret (Weiler) De Frang, who were early settlers of Kenosha.  Her father was baggageman at the Northwestern depot for several years and the family is well known.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wirtz; Marie, Isabel, Adeline and Elizabeth.
The family are communicants of the Catholic church and fraternally Mr. Wirtz belongs to the Catholic Knights and the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Kenosha.
(Source:  City and County of Kenosha Wisconsin, Vol. II, Chicago, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1916)

St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconsin
(Source of Photo:  USGenArchivesProjectKenoshaWis by Larry & Linda Kopet)

St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconsin
(Source of Photo: USGenArchivesProjectKenoshaWis by Larry & Linda Kopet)

St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconsin
(Source of Photo: USGenArchivesProjectKenoshaWis by Larry & Linda Kopet)

St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconsin
(Source of Photo: USGenArchivesProjectKenoshaWis by Larry & Linda Kopet)

St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconsin
(Source of Photo: USGenArchivesProjectKenoshaWis by Larry & Linda Kopet)

Wirtz-Rassmussen
The marriage of Miss Isabelle Wirtz to Mr. M.A.  Rasmussen is announced for July 10, 1919.
(Source:  Racine Journal July 9, 1919)

Children of John B. Wirtz and Margarethe E. DeFrang Wirtz
Marie Margaret Wirtz born about 1896/1897
Isabel B. Wirtz born about 1898, died in Kenosha, Wisconsin December 15, 1971
Adeline B. Wirtz born 1899/1900
Elizabeth Wirtz born 1904/1906

Children of the father, John Wirtz -1880 U.S. Federal Census
Elizabeth, born about 1869
John, born about 1870
Anthony, born about 1873
Mathias, born about 1874

Map of the "village" of Somers.
Wirtz parcel on the south side of Highway E, west of the RR tracks.