1953-54 High School Tuition & Trans Costs Somers - Pleasant Prairie

1954 Proposed New Somers - Pleasant Prairie High School

1953 Kenosha Cty Assessed Valuations for All School Districts

Note:  Joint District 14 was dissolved - included Town of Somers areas

1960 Election Results - Somers School District Consolidation

1960 Election Results
Town of Somers School Districts Consolidation

1959-60 School Year Enrollment Count Somers Districts

Town of Somers, Kenosha County, Wisconsin
School districts enrollment count (Berryville School not included)
1959-60 school year

4 Town School Districts Consolidate in 1960

1960 Racine Journal Times news article
4 Town School Districts Consolidate

1891 Joint School Distr #6 - Somers and Pleasant Prairie

January 1891 Towns of Somers and Pleasant Prairie
Joint School District #6
Alteration of the boundaries of district

1880 Somers Teachers Contract

October 1880 Somers Teachers Contract
Miss Helen N. Hastings

1897 Somers Teacher Contract

October 18, 1897 Teacher's Contract Town of Somers
Alma Cook
Term of 5 months to be paid $35.00 per month/20days teaching shall constitute a month

1854 Somers School District Philander Briggs Treasurer

October 1854
Philander Briggs, Treasurer of Town of Somers
$350 surety bond

Somers School Distr #4 changed to Distr #8 dated November 1854

November 1854 notice to SOmers Clerk of School District from Alson Felch, Somers Superintendent of Schools
Change District #4 to District #8

1889 Kenosha County Third Grade Teaching Certificate

April 7, 1889 Kenosha County Third Grade Teaching Certificate
for Anna R. Gallagher

Somers Teacher and School Board 1954-55

Page 5 - Somers Township - Kenosha County Teacher and School Board Directory
(Original 6 page report of all Kenosha County School Districts located at the UW-Parkside Archive Center)

Somers School Teacher & School Board Directory 1960-1961

Source:  Kenosha County Teachers & School Board Directory 1960-1961 compiled by the Office of Kenosha County Superintendent of Schools, Court House, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Linstroth

1908 Partial Map of Somers Township
Section 6, H. Linstroth parcel
(Note:  Also is Section 6, parcel owned by H. Klapproth is relative and Section 6, parcel owned by C.F. Krueger is relative. See this web site for further information)



Frank and Matilda Krueger Linstroth October 20, 1892
(Photo: Courtesy of Ancestry.com public site of kaybriggs53)

Frank Linstroth
Frank Linstroth, who is operating a farm on Section 6 in Somers Township was born upon that place on the 22d of September 1866, a son of Henry and Mary (Rapp) Linstroth, both natives of Germany.  The father, whose birth occurred on the 19th of July 1828 began working as a farm hand in his native country after completing his public school course.  He remained there until 1855, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way to St. Louis, where he remained for a year.  At the end of that time he came to Kenosha County, Wisconsin where he lived during the remainder of his life.  He worked at the shoemaker's trade and also operated the forty-seven acres on which he lived.  He supported the Republican party at the polls and served as a member of both town and school boards.  In religious faith he was a German Lutheran and belonged to the church of that denomination at Racine, being one of its oldest members at the time of his demise.
He was married on the 12th of May, 1858 to Miss Mary Rapp, who survives and resides with our subject.  Mr. and Mrs. Henry Linstroth became the parents of five children:  Fred and Henry, deceased; Chris, who married Helen Rode and has three children; Frank, a twin of Chris, and one who died in infancy.
Frank Linstroth received his education in the common schools of Somers Township, which he attended until he was fifteen years of age.  From that time until his father's death he assisted the latter with the operation of the home farm, and he still resides upon that place, which he is now farming on his own account.  He keeps everything about the place in excellent condition and as he is enterprising and practical is meeting with gratifying success as an agriculturist.
Mr. Linstroth was married on the 20th of October 1892, to Miss Mathilda Krueger, and they have four children:  Fred, Edward, Gladys, who is attending business college, and Wesley, at home.  In religious faith he is a Methodist.
(Source:  City and County of Kenosha A Record of Settlement by Frank H. Lyman, Vol. II, Chicago, S.J. Clark Publishing Co., 1916)

More about Mathilda "Tillie" and Frank Linstroth
Date of Marriage"  October 20, 1892 at First Evangelical Church in Racine
Children:
Friedrich Heinrich (Fred) born September 25, 1893 in Racine
Edward H. born about 1897
Gladice Louise (Gladys) born January 31, 1899 in Somers
Frank Wesley born october 4, 1900 in Somers
(Source:  Personal Family History of Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson







1877 Partial Map of Somers Township
Herman Linstroth parcel, Section 6, Berryville
Note: Kenosha County Land Records state Henry Linstroth purchased acres February 21, 1856 and February 20, 1867, March 17, 1873, January 17, 1882, and October 22, 1886.

Linstroth and Rapp
Note:  See additional information about the Rapp family, who were neighbors of the Linstroth's on this web site.

Linstroth and Krueger
Note:  See additional information about the Krueger family, who were neighbors of the Linstroth's on this web site.

More About Linstroth
"The apron sale at the home of Mrs. Frank Linstroth of Berryville should be well attended as the proceeds are to go toward the payment of a piano recently purchased by the PTA of Berryville School."
(Source:  Racine Journal March 29, 1922)

"Wanted:  Onion weeder.  Take North Shore Line south to Berryville Road.  Good wages.  Fred Linstroth, farmer."
(Source:  Racine Journal June 14, 1919)

"Man leaves rig at Berryville after departing at night.  Queer actions.  Residents of Berryville reported the queer actions of a young man who drove into that place yesterday afternoon and left his horse and buggy at the farmhouse of Frank Linstroth.  The fellow took the first car that came along for Kenosha , saying that he was going to Kenosha first, then to Racine, and would be back after the outfit at 6 o’clock.  He failed to return last night and the rig was still there at 10 o’clock this morning, and the farmers are now wondering what has become of the owner.  Some are of the opinion that the outfit was stolen and abandoned and others that the owner came to this city, became intoxicated and forgot all about his property."
(Source:  Racine Journal October 31, 1907)

"Yesterday was a notable day in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Linstroth of Berryville, it being the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day.  While they had made arrangements to spend the day in quiet at their home near the new electric line at Berryville, their son and friends had arranged differently and the celebration which was held came as a great surprise to the aged and popular couple.

Mr. and Mrs. Linstroth were united in marriage May 12, 1857 in the German Lutheran Church on Villa Street, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Jacob Conrad who was the pastor at that time.  To them were born two sons, Frank, of Berryville, and Chris of this city.  For fifty years they made their home on the farm where they now reside and regularly attended divine service at the church in this city.  Yesterday they attended the service in the morning and remained for the special service immediately after.  At this service attention was called to the fact that it was their golden wedding anniversary and they were congratulated by their many friends and acquaintances.

In the afternoon fifty of their local friends called on them at their home where a regular service was held, being conducted by Rev. Emil Wauther, who is taking the place of Rev. Conrad Jaeger, the regular pastor.  At this time a letter from Rev. Jaeger was read in which was contained his congratulations.  The residence was beautifully decorated with yellow flowers.  They were presented with a number of fine gold gifts, tokens of the high esteem in which they are held by their many friends, both in the city and county."

(Source:  Racine Journal May 13, 1907)

"Miss Gladys Linstroth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Linstroth of Berryville, and Harold Smith, of Kenosha, were married Saturday afternoon, September 25.  L.M. Hargett performed the ceremony."
(Source:  Racine Journal September 29, 1920)

"Mr. and Mrs. Frank Linstroth of Berryville celebrated their 20 year wedding anniversary.  The high school orchestra furnished the music for the occasion.  The home was decorated in autumn leaves, flowers and leaves."
(Source:  Racine Journal October 24, 1912)

"On the 21st day of April 1910, Mr. Henry Linstroth of Berryville passed away at the age of 82."
(Source:  Racine Journal April 21, 1910)

"Mrs. Mary Linstroth, widow of the late Henry Linstroth, died at her home in Berryville, at 10 o'clock Saturday night at the age of 84 years and 6 months.  She was born in Germany in 1833 and came to this country when a young woman.  She was married on May 12, 1857 to Henry Linstroth.  Two of the four children survive:  Frank who is living on the homestead and Chris of Racine.  Mrs. Linstroth was a charter member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church on Villa Street in Racine.  She was a kind and loving wife and mother and a woman of a quiet-disposition."
(Source:  Racine Journal June 24, 1918)



Frank Linstroth Obituary
(Source:  Racine Journal cut out from personal collection of Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson)

Fred Linstroth
(Photo Source: Personal Collection of Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

Gladys Linstroth, circa 1917
(Photo Source:  Personal Collection of Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

Dutch Linstroth
(Photo Source: Personal Collection of Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

Haigh

Enoch Haigh
Enoch Haigh, a well known and representative farmer of Somers Township, living on Section 8, represents one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Kenosha County.  He was born in Paris Township, on the 24 of February 1844.  Three years before this his parents, John and Sarah (Lawton) Haigh, natives of England, had taken up their abode in this county after crossing the Atlantic to the new world.  The father purchased forty acres of land, on which he engaged in farming until 1849, and then, attracted by the gold discoveries on the Pacific coast, he made the long and arduous trip across the plains to California, hoping to win a fortune in the mines.  He was lost, however, in the mountains and undoubtedly starved to death.  His widow retained her residence in Kenosha County throughout her remaining days, passing away in 1892.  In their family were four children:  Enoch; Mary Jane; John, deceased; and Elizabeth.
Enoch Haigh spent his youthful days amid pioneer conditions and surroundings.  He was but eight years of age at the time of his father's demise and from early youth he has known earnest toil.  He attended the common schools through the winter seasons to the age of fifteen years and in the summer months worked on the farm, and when his textbooks were put aside he devoted all of his attention to farm work on the old homestead until he attained his majority.  He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Somers Township and has resided thereon continuously since, his home being on Section 8.  At every point in his career he has been actuated by the spirit of laudable ambition that has resulted in steady progress along business lines.  From time to time he has invested his earnings in more land until today he has five hundred and seventy acres, constituting a very valuable and productive farm.
In 1871 Mr. Haigh was married to Miss Charlotte Bowers, and they have become the parents of three children; John; Charlotte, who married Thomas Birchell and has two children; and Sadie, the wife of Harry Dixon.
In his political views Mr. Haigh is a Republican.  He has served as Chairman of the Town Board for eight or ten years and has been a member of the School Board.  His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian Church. 
(Source:  City and County of Kenosha A Record of Settlement by Frank H. Lyman, Vol. II, Chicago, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1916)

Partial 1887 map of Somers Township
Section 8
E. Haigh parcel

Marriage of Haigh and Birchell
"A very pretty home wedding was solemnized Thursday evening, December 29 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Haigh when their eldest daughter, Charlotte Edna was united in marriage to Mr. Thomas Birchell of Yorkville.  Rev. McNary of the Presbyterian Church officiated in the presence of about one hundred invited friends and relatives.  After the usual congratulations and best wishes a bountiful wedding dinner was served.  The display of gifts was both useful and beautiful showing the high esteem in which the young couple is held.  After the wedding trip the happy couple will be at home  on the Birchell farm in Yorkville."
(Source:  Racine Journal publication date January 6, 1905)

Marriage of Haigh and Dixon
One of the prettiest home weddings that ever occurred in Somers was solemnized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Haigh on Wednesday evening, December 2, 1903, when their youngest daughter, Sadie May, was united in marriage to Harry Raymond Dixon of Wilmington, Delaware, in the presence of over 80 invited guests.
The bridal party, moving to the sweet strains of the wedding march from Lohengren played by Miss Mabelle Laura Cook, entered the tastily decorated parlor and took their position under a beautiful arch and here exhanged the vows which made them one.  Rev. McNary of the Presbyterian Church performed the ceremony.
The bride was most becomingly attired in cream crepe de chine with ribbon trimmings and carried bride's roses.  The little ribbon girls wore white.  After the usual congratulations, the guests repaired to the dining room, where a most sumptuous dinner was served.  They were the recipients of many beautiful and costly presents.  The bride was reared in Somers and the groom is a young man whose prospects are of the brightest.  They will make their home in Joliet, Illinois where the groom has fitted up a beautiful home.
(Source:  Racine Journal publication date December 8, 1903)

Enoch Haigh Obituary:  November 19, 1917
Enoch Haigh for many years chairman of the Somers Town Board and one of the most prominent farmers in the community, died Monday (1917) at his home near Somers at the age of 73 years.  He had been in failing health for over a year and had been confined to his bed for many months.  Enoch Haigh was born near the Town of Paris and was the son of Mrs. Mrs. John Haigh, early pioneers of Kenosha County.  Early in his life he moved to his farm near the Town of Somers, where he has spent the greater part of his life.  He was one of the most prominent men in the history of the Somers community.  In addition to being Chairman of the Town Board for several terms he served as Commissioner and as School Officer of the Township.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, one son, John Haigh, and two daughters, Mrs. Thomas Birchell and Mrs. R.H. Dixon.  The funeral services will be held Thursday morning from the house near Somers, after which interment will be made at the Sylvania Cemetery.

More About Enoch Haigh
Enoch Haigh was born in Paris Township on February 24, 1844.  His parents, John and Sarah (Lawton) Haigh had come to America in September of 1841.  In 1849, Enoch's father went to California during the Gold Rush.  He never returned.  This left his wife Sarah with four children to raise; Enoch, Mary Jane (married John Henderson-Block 1, Lot 4, SD), John, and Elizabeth.  Sarah married again to James Buckley and he was awarded guardianship of the children.  Enoch worked on the family farm until he became of age.  Then he purchased land in Section 8 of Somers Township where remained for the rest of his life.  He married Charlotte Bowers, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Lee) Bowers, in 1871 and they had four children.  Enoch died November 19, 1917.  Charlotte died on January 12, 1936.

Children of Enoch Haigh and Charlotte Bowers
John Haigh.  Born September 1, 1874 at Sylvania.  Married Katharine Lytle, daughter of Henry Lytle on April 5, 1900.  They had four children.   Farmed his father's farm.  Died April 12, 1944 and is buried in Sunset Ridge Cemetery in Kenosha.
Charlotte Edna Haigh.  Born March 24, 1882 in Somers Township.  Married Thomas R. Birchell, son of James Birchell on December 29, 1904 at Somers.  They had two children.  Died December 22, 1943 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Somers.
Sadie M. Haigh.  Born July 31, 1883 in Somers Township.  Married to Harry R. Dixon on December 2, 1903.  They had 3 children. Sadie died April 28, 1951 buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Somers.
Jesse Harold Haigh.  Born November 30, 1890.  Died November 10, 1910.  Buried at Sylvania Cemetery,.
(Source:  Mary Ann Culshaw Falk and the Sylvania Cemetery Board of Trustees)

Breaid

John Breaid (name later changed to Braid)

John Breaid, who is engaged in general farming on Section 6, Somers Township, Kenosha County, has for forty-one years made his home in this locality. He was born near Edinburg, Scotland, November 20th, 1820. His father, Thomas Breaid, was also a native of that land and a man of superior intelligence, well educated.  By occupation he was a contractor.  He married Ellen Greig, also a native of Scotland and they crossed the Atlantic to America in 1853, joining our subject in Kenosha County, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

John Breaid was also well educated for the times and when a youth learned the flax dresser’s trade, which he followed for several years. He was married in Scotland in 1843, to Jane Whitelaw, daughter of John and Anna (Drummond) Whitelaw, who was born in Scotland. The young couple began their domestic life in that land but after several years Mr. Breaid came to America leaving his family behind. He arrived in New York in May, 1850, and by way of the Hudson River to Albany, Erie Canal to Buffalo, and the Great Lakes to Racine, he reached the state which has since been his home, in June of that year. Nearly all of his means had been exhausted in paying the expenses of his journey and he was willing to engage in any honest labor. He stopped for a short time with a Scotch family on the lake shore near Racine and worked by the day at anything he could do. By industry and economy he had saved enough to send for his family at the end of a year and Mrs. Breaid crossed the Atlantic with her three children, the oldest a lad of six and the youngest a child of eighteen months, joining her husband in the fall of 1851.
Mr. Breaid had built an humble dwelling for his wife and family in the shape of a log cabin, located in the town of Mt. Pleasant, Racine County, and they began life in the New World in true pioneer style. The husband and father engaged in cutting cord wood and also raised a few vegetables for the market. He there made his home for two years, during which time his financial condition was somewhat improved, after which he located on a farm on the county line, where was a comfortable home. He cleared and fenced about forty aces of land and upon that farm made his home for about three years; during which time he saved about $800. In Kenosha County we next find him after his purchased of 20 acres of land on Section 6, Somers Township. This was a timbered tract but with characteristic energy he began to clear and improve it and where once stood the monarchs of the forest were soon seen fields of waiving grain. From time to time he made additional purchases until he now has a valuable farm of one hundred acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. It is improved with a commodious brick residence, an orchard, good barns, and all the other accessories of a model farm.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Breaid have been born seven sons and three daughters; Thomas, a railroad engineer, is married and resides in Savanna, Illinois; John is married and engages in merchandising in Waukesha, Wisconsin; Andrew was married and went to North Carolina, where he did an extensive business, shipping lumber to the North. He is now deceased. The three children just mentioned were born in Scotland and the remaining members of the family were born in Wisconsin. Katie is the wife of Charles Windsor, of Racine; Nellie is the wife of William Bose, a farmer of Kenosha County, James who is married and lives in Savanna, is also a railroad engineer; William died in infancy; George is a telegraph operator and real estate dealer of Chehalis, Washington; William, the second of that name is married and resides on the home farm; and Maggie (Margaret) is the wife of Chester Barrows, an agriculturist of Mt. Pleasant Township, Racine, Wisconsin.
Mr. and Mrs. Breaid are prominent members of the Methodist Church and in politics he is a stanch Republican. He has supported each Presidential candidate since casting his first vote for John C. Fremont, but has never sought or desired public office for himself. However, he served for two years as Assessor and has been an efficient member of the School Board for a number of years. In the earlier days, he and his family endured many hardships and privations but industry, perseverance and good management on the part of Mr. Breaid have secured him a comfortable competence and he is numbered among the well-do-do farmers in the community.
(Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties. Lake City Publishing Co. Chicago. 1892. Text and Photo)

John Braid Bio

Lived in Section 6 (Berryville).  Born in Scotland in 1821.  Came to America in 1850 and located in Mt. Pleasant.  He remained there until 1855 when he removed to Kenosha County purchasing a farm, then very heavily timbered, which he cleared, having at present 75 acres under cultivation.  He was Assessor for the Town of Somers in 1869.  March 18, 1854, he married Miss Jane Whitley, a native of Scotland.  They have had ten children, nine still living.

(Source:  History of Racine and Kenosha Counties 1879)

More about the Breaid's

"Mrs. John Breaid, who has been very sick, was a little better this last week."

(Source:  Racine Journal publication date July 27, 1899)

"Mrs. Jane Breaid, wife of John Breaid, died at her home in Berryville at 11:30 last night.  Besides a husband she leaves three sons and five daughters, and a large number of relatives and friends to  mourn her loss.  The funeral will take place Friday afternoon at one o'clock from the house and the remains will be interred in Mound Cemetery, Racine."

(Source:  Racine Daily Journal publication date November 29, 1899)

"The funeral of Mrs. Breaid was held on Friday last at the residence.  The services were conducted by Rev. Coldstead after which the friends tenderly laid the aged form to rest in Mound Cemetery at Racine.  Mr. and Mrs. Breaid were among the first to settle at Berryville and have spent a long and useful life among us.  She leaves a host of friends, her husband, eight children, twenty-four grandchildren and one great-grandchild."

(Source:  Racine Journal publication date December 7, 1899)

About William Braid (spelling of named changed from Breaid)

Among the successful farmers of Somers Township is William Braid, who is operating the family homestead on Section 6.  He was born upon that farm on the 5th of October 1862, a son of John Braid, who birth occurred in King Horn, Scotland, on the 8th of November, 1820, and who received his education in his native country.  In 1850 he emigrated to the United States and located in Kenosha County where he worked at ditching and as a farm hand for two or three years.  He then rented land, which he cultivated for a similar period of time, and next bought seven acres of land in Somers Township, to which he added as he was able from time to time.  At his death, in 1904, his farm comprised one hundred acres.  He was united in marriage to Miss Jean Whitelaw and they became the parents of eight children.  Thomas, who married Mary Joerey and has four children, is a resident of Savannah, Illinois.  John, deceased, married Agnes Casey, who, with her four children, is living in Waukesha, Wisconsin.  Andrew married Olive Commander and both are deceased.  Their daughter married Lewis Markeson of Somers Township and has two children.  Katherine, who married Charles Wensing (Wensing family of Somers), deceased, has six children and resides in Racine.  Nellie married William F. Bose of Somers and they have five children.  James married and his wife passed away, leaving two children.  he resides in Milwaukee.  George, who is married and has one child, is a resident of Portland, Oregon.  William, of this review, is the youngest of the family.  The father, who is a stalwart Republican, served as a member of the School Board, was a member of the Town Board and also held the office of Road commissioner and proved very efficient in these capacities.  He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.  His wife preceded him in death two years, her demise occurring in 1902, and his in 1904.

William Braid attended the common schools until he was eighteen years of age, when he gave his entire attention to assisting in the operation of the farm.  He worked for his father at a wage of two hundred dollars a year until he attained his majority, when he purchased the homestead, which he has since operated on his own account.  The place comprises one hundred acres and is one of the well improved and valuable farms of Somers Township.  He is progressive in his methods and receives a good financial return from his land.

On the 13th of June, 1889, Mr. Braid was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sorensen, a daughter of Nels Sorensen.  Mr. and Mrs. Braid hava a son, Roy W., who is connected with an automobile tire manufacturing concern in Racine.  Mr. Braid is a stalwart Republican in politics and for ten or twelve years has been a member of the School Board.

(Source: City and County of Kenosha Record of Settlement by Frank H. Lyman, Vol II, Chicago, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1916)

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)

Thomas

Nicholas and Susanna Anne Zirbes Thomas
(Source:  Photo courtesy of Edwin "Red" and Marcella Thomas Mueller)

The Nicholas Thomas Barn
The road in front of the barn is an unpaved Wood Road.  The view is looking toward the west.  The barn was built without a nail and when the decision was made to take the barn down, it was so structurally sound that the barn could not be demolished; it had to be burned.
The small addition to the left of the barn was a milk house that had a well in it that provided water in the barn for the cattle.  When the barn was taken down, lots were created for three homes.  The well inside the old milk house served all three homes when they were built.  Today, the well cap is inside the wishing well on the front front lawn and can be seem today.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of the Robert Thomas Family.  Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

Nicholas Thomas

Nicholas Thomas is a self-made man whose business record is most creditable, being characterized by marked devotion to duty, by indefatigable industry and unfaltering perseverance.  Whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own efforts.  He now lives on Section 1, Somers Township, where he has a well developed farm property from which he is deriving a substantial annual income.

He was born in Kenosha County, March 9, 1855, a son of Peter Thomas, who was one of the early settlers in Paris, Grant, Wisconsin.  At the usual age he entered the common schools and therein pursued his studies until he reached the age of fifteen years, after which he concentrated his efforts upon agricultural pursuits on his father’s old homestead until the death of the father.  He has since purchased two hundred and forty acres of land which is rich and productive and upon this farm, which is situated on Section 1, Somers, Township, he still makes his home.  His labors have wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place, for he has added many improvements and has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation.

In 1878 Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Anne Zirbes, who passed away August 17, 1900 in Somers, Wisconsin.  They became the parents of six children, as follows:  Frank, who wedded Miss Sadie Blondy, by whom he has three children; George, who married Magdalene (Lena) Feest and has four children: Joseph, who wedded Miss Bertha Schuster; Will, who married Theresa Weyers; Bert, who married Miss Gretchen Seftig and has one child; and Paul, at home.  There are also eleven grandchildren.  For his second wife Nicholas Thomas chose Bertha Blondy, who he wedded in 1902.  The family are communicants of St. George’s Catholic Church.

While in his political views Mr. Thomas is a Democrat, he does not hold strictly to party lines at local elections where no issue is involved.  He has filled the office of Town of Somers Supervisor and for eleven years was School Treasurer.  He neglects no duty of a public character and at the same time finds ample opportunity for his private business interests.  In addition to his agricultural pursuits he has for fifteen years been a Director of the Town Insurance Company.  He certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished.  When twenty-one years of age he was working for his mother at a salary of two hundred dollars per year.  Since then his steady progress has brought him to a position among the prosperous and representative agriculturists of Somers Township.

(Source:  City and County of Kenosha, Wisconsin, A Record of Settlement, Vol. II, pages 544-545, Frank H. Lyman, Chicago, The S.J. Clark Publishing Co, 1916)





Roy, Burt, Frank, Bob, and Saddie Thomas
(Source:  Photo courtesy of the Robert Thomas Family)

Copy of Original Land Cert #18534 where Nicholas Thomas purchased 120 acres from the U.S. Government on 4/24/1820
(Source:  U.S. Bueau of Land Management)
Click on document for larger view.



Copy of Original Land Cert #19048  where Nicholas Thomas purchased 40 acres from the U.S. Government on 4/24/1820
(Source: U.S. Bueau of Land Management)
Click on document for larger view.

Partial 1877 Somers Township map
See two of the Nicholas Thomas parcels.

Susan Thomas
"Susan Thomas, the beloved wife of Nicholas Thomas, died yesterday at her home in the Town of Somers, Kenosha County, of tuberculosis, aged 45 years.  Six sons and one daughter survive her, besides three brothers, Michael, William and Joseph Zirbes, and two daughters, Mrs. M. Wagner and Miss Lizzie Zirbes, all residents of Racine.  The funeral will be held from the St. Mary's Church, Racine, Monday morning at 10 o'clock."
(Source:  Racine Daily August 18, 1900)

In The News
"More than 100 friends and relatives gathered at the home of Mrs. George P. Thomas on the Wood Road, Sunday to meet two of her sons home on furlough.  They are Pfc. Joseph Thomas, hospitalized at the New Brooke hospital, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, and Pvt. Jerome Thomas, from Camp Hood, Texas.  Pvt. Jerome Thomas left Thursday night to report to Camp O' Dare, Oregon.
(Source:  Racine Journal Sept. 27, 1945)