Somers Wisconsin Pioneer History: February 2023

Friday, February 24, 2023

Frank Matthias Feest

Matthias Feest (spelled Mathias Feast on the 1870 Census)

Born: March 4, 1820 in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Died: May 1, 1904 in Town of Somers, Kenosha County. Buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Racine County.

Obituary: Frank Matthias Feest, aged 84 years, died at his home in the town of Somers, Kenosha county, where he had resided 32 years. Before that he lived in Racine twenty-five years, and occupied what was known as the Feest vegetable gardens on the north side of the river. He was born in Germany and was one of the very earliest German residents. There survives him four daughters and three sons. The funeral will take place from St. Mary's church at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning. (Source: Published in the Racine Daily Journal; 2 May 1904)

Marriage:

Franzeska Hammer. November 24, 1844 in Baden-Wuerttemburg, Germany
Spouse: Frances (also known as Frazeska Hammer)
Born: July 11,1821 in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany

Died: February 17, 1908 in Town of Somers, Kenosha County. Buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Racine County.

Obituary: One of the oldest residents of southeastern Wisconsin, Mrs. Francesca Feest, of Somers, passed away at her home in Kenosha county yesterday, aged 87 years. Mrs. Feest came to Racine over fifty years ago, living for some time in this city, although then but a small cluster of houses marked the present site of Racine. Later they moved to Kenosha county where she has since resided. Deceased leaves three sons and four daughters, all well known residents of this community. The funeral will be held at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning from St. Mary's church. (Source: Published in the Racine Daily Journal; 17 Feb 1908)

Immigration Year

Matthias and Frances: 1845 (1900 Census)

Surviving Children of Matthias and Frances at their death

(Source: Find-a-Grave)

Theresa Feest Ploor (1845-1925). Born in Germany

Katherine (also known as Katharina) Feest Mura (1848-1931). Born in Germany

Odelia Feest Miller (1851-1924). Born in Germany

Caroline Feest Simon (1854-1943). Born in Ohio

John T. Feest (1856-1928). Born in Racine County

Frank Matthew Feest (1858-1927). Born in Racine

Joseph Feest (1861-1934) Born in Racine County

Property Owned - Somers 1887 Map

Frank Matthias (known as M. Feest on the map below)
50 acres located in Section 12, Town of Somers, Berryville Road just east of Wood Road. For reference, the school house to the south of the Feest parcel is Wood Road School.
J. Feest
30 acres located in Section 1, Town of Somers, at the intersection of Wood and Corbett Roads.

(Source: Partial 1887 plat map of the Town of Somers)

John and Magdalena Feest Family

1900 Federal Census (Note: Mathias (80 years old) and Frances (78 years old) lived with John and Magdalena
Children of John and Magdalena
Frank M. (age 10)
George H (age 7)
Celester (also known as Sylvester) (age 6)
Joseph L. (age 3)
Raymond J. (age 11/12)

Magdalena Feest Obituary

George and Alma Feest Family

Born: December 25, 1892
Died: June 9, 1958. Buried St. George Cemetery, Kenosha

Marriage - George and Alma

February 11, 1918 at St. John's Church in the town of Paris, Kenosha County. George Feest and Alma Terry (daughter of John and Louisa of Town of Paris, Kenosha County)

Alma Death