Edquist

1908 partial map of Somers Township
Section 27, J. Equist parcel
Click on the map for a larger view.

John Edquist
John Edquist has been identified with general agricultural pursuits in Kenosha County for twenty-eight years and is now the owner of an excellent farm comprising one hundred and eleven acres on Section 27, Somers Township.  His birth occurred in Sweden on the 24th of February 1867 his parents being Gust and Mary Edquist, the latter of whom still survives and makes her home in Sweden.
In the acquirement on an education John Edquist attended the common schools of his native land until twelve years of age and subsequently worked for his father until he had attained the age of fifteen, after which he was employed by others.  In 1888, on attaining his majority, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing in New York after a pleasant voyage.  He made his way at once into the interior of the country and took up his abode in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, where he has remained continuously to the present time.  During the first ten years of his residence in the United States he worked as a farm hand and then in 1899 bought a tract of eighty acres in Somers Township to which he has since added by purchase until the property now comprises one hundred and eleven acres of rich and productive land.  As the years have passed by he has won a gratifying measure of prosperity in the conduct of his agricultural interests and it is attributable entirely to his own well directed industry and unfaltering perseverance. 
In 1890 Mr. Edquist was united in marriage to Miss Clara Carlson, daughter of Fred Carolson.  They now have five children, namely: Arthur who wedded Miss Nellie Curvey; Ever, a resident of Kenosha; Roy, at home; Lila and Ethelyn, who are attending school.
Mr. Edquist is a Republican in his political views but does not consider himself bound by party ties at local elections, always supporting the candidate whom he believes best qualified.  His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Lutheran Church.  He was one of the organizers of the Order of Warsaw and is serving as its cashier.  The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in the new world has been more than realized, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has won a place among the successful and representative citizens of his community.
(Source:  City and County of Kenosha Record of Settlement by Frank H. Lyman, Vol II, Chicago, The S.J. Clark Publishing Co. 1916)

1900 U.S. Federal Census
Household Head:  John Edquist
Birth Date:  Feb. 1867
Home in 1900:  Somers
Immigration Year:  April 1888, Port of New York
Marriage Year:  1891
Spouse:  Clara born about 1861
Son: Arthur born about 1893
Daughter: Eva born about 1895
Son: Roy born about 1896
Daughter: Lily born about 1900
Daughter: Lulah born about 1900
Daughter: Adaline W. born about 1906 (shown on 1910 Federal Census)

Bisher

1908 Partial Map of Somers Township, Kenosha County
Section 7, Bisher parcel

John Bisher
John Bisher, who is one of the most esteemed residents of Somers Township, has reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years and can look back upon a long life of honorable and useful activity. He followed the carpenter’s trade for twenty-five years and was known as a skilled and conscientious worker. He is also entitled to mention as a veteran of the Civil War, having served throughout the entire conflict.

Mr. Bisher was born on the isle of Guernsey, in the English Channel, in April, 1829, a son of Peter and Mary Bisher. He received a common school education there but when fourteen years of age came to the United States and located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. For a number of years he worked as a farm hand, but in 1861 he proved his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting in the Union Army, becoming a member of Company B, Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was at the front with that command for four years and took part in a great deal of hard fighting. After being mustered out of the Army he returned to Kenosha County and for a quarter of a century he worked at carpentering. He erected many residences in the County, and as he managed his business affairs well., his capital grew steadily. At length he retired from active life and is now residing on twenty-two acres of land which he owns in Somers Township and is enjoying a well deserved leisure.

In 1876 Mr. Bisher married Miss Annie Lawson. He supports the Republican party at the polls and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose teachings have guided his life. He began providing for hi own support at an early age and throughout his active career was dependent entirely upon his own efforts for success. He is widely known and the honor in which he is held is fully deserved as he has measured up to high standards of morality in all relations of life.
(Source: City and County of Kenosha, Wisconsin, A Record of Settlement, Vol. II, pages 394 and 397, photo also page 395, Frank H. Lyman, Chicago, The S.J. Clark Publishing Co. 1916.)

More About Bisher
Anna Bisher was born about 1831 in Sweden.
Immigration Year for John Bisher is 1846
Immigration Year for Anna Bisher is 1866
(Source:  June 1905 Census)