C. Witscheber
Biography
As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement,
Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.
C. Witscheber was long numbered among the representative farmers of Somers
Township, having become a resident of Kenosha county in 1858. He was born in
Germany in April 1838, and was but four years of age when his father died, while
his mother's death occurred at his birth. He obtained his education in the
common schools of his native country and at the age of sixteen years crossed the
Atlantic to the United States. He made his way at once into the interior of the
country, settling first at Kewanee [Kewaunee], Wisconsin, and afterward at
Sheboygan. For four years he was employed in the sawmills, and in 1858 removed
to Kenosha County, where he hired out to William Bose, for whom he worked for
two years. He was anxious, however, to engage in business on his own account,
and rented land in Racine County, which he cultivated for two years. He
afterward spent the winter in Kenosha and then purchased twenty-six acres of
land in this county, upon which he engaged in farming for twenty years. On the
expiration of that period he sold he property and bought forty acres on Section
13, Somers township, making his home thereon until his death. which occurred
January 18, 1903. His was an active, useful life, and the success which crowned
his efforts was the direct result of his close application, energy and ability.
In early manhood Mr. Witscheber was married to Miss Louisa Rinehardt, a daughter
of Max Rinehardt, and to them were born five children: Minnie, who became the
wife of William R. Birch, a resident of Somers Township, by whom she has four
children; Paulina, the wife of L. J. Morehouse and the mother of one child;
Edward; Frank; and Louis, all at home.
The death of Mr. Witscheber was deeply regretted, not only by his immediate
family but also by the many friends that he had won during the fifty-five years
of his residence in this part of the state. He was laid to rest in Oakwood
Cemetery. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, and he was
a devoted member of the German Lutheran church, guiding his life by its
teachings.
His youngest son, Louis Witscheber, was born on the old homestead farm in Somers
township, January 20, 1871 and obtained a common school education, dividing his
time during his boyhood between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of
the playground, and the work of the fields. He has always followed the
occupation to which he was reared, and in connection with his brothers is now
cultivating the old home place. They have made all of the improvements upon this
property and are now extensively engaged in raising cabbage, potatoes, beets,
and grain, their practical and progressive methods bringing good results.
In politics Louis Witscheber is also a Republican where national issues are
involved, but casts an independent local ballot. He belongs to the German
Lutheran church and is a representative of a family that for many years has
figured prominently and honorably in connection with the history of Kenosha
County.
Typed by: Michelle Laycock