Birch, William and Minnie Witscheber

William and Minnie Birch
Oakewood Cemetery
(Source:  Photo by Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  Copyright October 2011)

Wedding Certificate for Wilhelm Birch and Wilhelmine Witscheber
June 10, 1888
Evangelical Lutheran Friedens Church, Kenosha, Wisconsin
(Source:  Original Certificate courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith.  Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

William R. Birch
"William R. Birch died at his home on Saturday morning July 17, 1920 following an illness of several months.  The funeral services will be held from his late home.  Burial at Oakwood Cemetery."
(Source:  Racine Journal Times, publication date July 22, 1920).

More About William R. Birch
William R. Birch, who is successfully engaged in farming on Section 18, Somers Township, is a native of the Dominion of Canada, and his natal day was the 28th day of July 1858.
His parents, Edward and Jane Birch, were both born in England, whence they removed to Canada.  In 1863 they came to the United States and located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, where the father purchased one hundred and ninety acres of land.  From that time until his (father) demise, which occurred in 1892, he devoted his time and attention to the operation of his farm and gained a gratifying measure of success in that connection.  His political belief was that of the Republican Party and for four terms held the office of Road Overseer.  In religious faith he was a Baptist.  His wife, Jane Birch, died in 1894, and both are buried in Kenosha.
William R. Birch attended the common schools until he was eighteen years of age, thus acquiring a good education, and after putting aside his textbooks he worked with his father for six years.  He was then for six months a hired hand in the employ of Ben Newman and at the end of that time purchased forty acres of fertile land on Section 18, Somers Township, where he has since made his home.  The place is well improved and everything is kept in an excellent condition.  He is both practical and progressive in his work and as the years have passed his resources have steadily increased.
Mr. Birch was united in marriage in 1883 to Miss Minnie Witscheber, and they have five children:  Paulina, a resident of Burlington, Wisconsin, and the wife of Peter Tennessen, by whom she has one child; Louisa, who is deceased and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery; William, Jr., a dairyman of Kenosha; and Christy and Frank, both at home.
Mr. Birch supports the Republican Party where national issues are involved but otherwise votes for the best man irrespective of his political allegiance. 
(Source:  The City and County of Kenosha, Wisconsin, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1916)

More About Edward Birch
Edward Birch was born in England in 1822.  He arrived in America in 1844, stopped in Canada West for a short time and in 1867 he came to Kenosha County.  He located a farm in Somers Township and has followed farming up to the present time.  He is a member of the M.E. Church.
Edward Birch has held the office of Road Commissioner four or five years.  He married in Canada in 1855, Miss Jane Thompson, a native of England. Edward and Jane had eleven children.  He is the owner of 162-1/2 acres of land in Somers Township, Section 16.
(Source:  The History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin, Chicago, Western Historical Company, 1879)

More About Christopher Birch Wedding to Kugler
"The marriage of Miss Ottilliege Kugler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kugler, to Mr. Christopher Birch, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Birch, was celebrated at the German Lutheran Church, Kenosha, on Thanksgiving Day at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  Rev C. Buenger officiating in the presence of immediate friends and relatives conducted the service.  The bride wore a white crepe de chine dress and bridal veil.  She carried white bridal roses, and was attended by Miss Amollion Holmes.  William Birch, Jr., brother of the groom was best man.  The bridesmaid wore pink crepe de chine and carried pink roses.  A reception was held at the home of the bride's parents following the ceremony.  The happy couple have gone to housekeeping on a farm in Somers and have the best wishes of a host of friends."
(Source:  Racine Journal Times, publication date December 6, 1916).