Lauer



William Lauer
(Source: Photo courtesy of Bonnie Helgeson, granddaughter of William Lauer)

Minnie Donsing and William Lauer wedding portrait
(Source: Photo courtesy of Bonnie Helgeson, granddaughter of William Lauer)

Minnie Donsing Lauer
(Source: Photo courtesy of Bonnie Helgeson, granddaughter of William Lauer)

Left to Right:  Wilma, Wilfred, and Louise Lauer.  Children of William and Minnie Donsing Lauer.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Bonnie Helgeson, granddaughter of William Lauer)

William Lauer played an important role in the growth in the Township of Somers in the early 1900's.  Today, if you drive the Somers Township countryside, you will see barns still standing today built by William Lauer.  Scroll down on this page and see a sample of barns built "In the News" below.  Find more barns and homes built by William Lauer and B.F. Yule on my Somers Pioneer website, barns of Somers link.

William Lauer built a barn in the Township of Paris, 1/2 mile west of the Star Creamery.
Date of postcard:  April 1914
See front of postcard below.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

William Lauer built this barn in the Township of Paris, 1/2 mile west of the Star Creamery.
Date of postcard: April 1914
See front of postcard above.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)



William Lauer's saw-rig used to work of John Herzog barn in the Town of Somers
Date of postcard:  June 1915
See front of postcard below.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

William Lauer's saw-rig used to work of John Herzog barn in the Town of Somers
Date of postcard: June 1915
See front of postcard above.
Notice the hat, vest, and white shirt on the man running the saw on the left.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

William Lauer built a silo for Wm. Bose near Berryville.
(Note:  Berryville is a community located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Somers Township)
Date of postcard October 7, 1916
See front of postcard below.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)
 



William Lauer built a silo for Wm. Bose near Berryville.
(Note: Berryville is a community located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Somers Township)
Date of postcard October 7, 1916
See front of postcard above.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

William Lauer built a house in the Township of Somers for Matt Frederick located on the west line of Somers.
Date of postcard January 17, 1916
See front of postcard below.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

William Lauer built a house in the Township of Somers for Matt Frederick located on the west line of Somers.
Date of postcard January 17, 1916
See front of postcard above.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

William Lauer built a house in the Township of Paris, east of the Star Creamery, for Nic Frederick.
Date of postcard June 5, 1914
See front of postcard below.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

William Lauer built this house in the Township of Paris, east of the Star Creamery, for Nic Frederick.
This is the front of a postcard above.
(Notice the chickens in the front yard.)
Date November 23, 1914
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

Bill Lauer fishing at Lake George with some of his carpenters.
This is the front of a postcard sent to his nephew in Oregon
Date November 23, 1914
See below.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

Bill Lauer fishing at Lake George with some of his carpenters.
This is the postcard sent to his nephew in Oregon
Date November 23, 1914
See photo above.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mullen, granddaughter of Mattie Lauer Bassindale, sister of William Lauer)

William Lauer and Minnie Donsing Lauer
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source: Photo courtesy of Larry and Linda Kopet USGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Mathias and Mary Lauer, parents of William Lauer
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source:  Photo courtesy of Larry and Linda Kopet USGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

1905 U.S. Federal Census (Somers Township)
William Lauer, age 34, born about 1871
Minnie Lauer, age 22, born about 1883

1870 U.S. Federal Census (Kenosha, Wis., Ward 3)
Mathias Lauer, age 22, born about 1847
Mary Lauer, age 23, born 1847 in Canada

1870 U.S. Federal Census (Kenosha, Wis., Ward 2)
Nicholas Lauer, age 58, born about 1812
Ann Lauer, age 55, born about 1815
Jacob Lauer, age 14, born about 1856
Catherine Lauer, age 12, born about 1858

1850 U.S. Federal Census (Chicago, Ill.  Ward 7)
Nicholas Lauer, age 38, born about 1812 in Germany
Catharina, age 35, born about 1815 in Germany
John, age 7, born about 1843 in Germany
Maria, age 5, born about  1845 in Germany
Mathias, age 3, born about 1847 in Illinois
Nicholas, age 1, born about 1949 in Illinois

NOTE:  Catharina Lauer is buried in St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconisn.  Her gravestone  notes date of birth March 15, 1817 and date of death July 1, 1930.

NOTE:  Nicholas Lauer is buried in St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconsin.  His gravestone notes date of birth March 12, 1912 and date of death Aug. 25, 1879.

NOTE:  Nicholas J. Lauer is buried in St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconsin.  His gravestone notes date of birth Aug. 9, 1849 and date of death July 17, 1929.

NOTE:  Elizabeth, wife of N.J. Lauer, is buried in St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Her gravestone notes date of birth Jan 28, 1852 and date of death Aug. 25, 1925.

Peter Lauer Obituary

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lauer, Husband of Miss Myrtle Gardinier.

(Source:  Kenosha News.  Clipping has no date)

Lauer "In the News" including barns built
"William Lauer is putting up the machinery building for Henry Lytle & Son.
(Source: Racine Journal April 26, 1900)

"Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bassidale of Idaho are visiting the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Lauer."
"Tom Corbett is building an addition to his house.  William Lauer is doing the work."
"William Lauer has improved the looks of his barn with a good coat of paint."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Sept. 10, 1901)

"W.J. Rhodes is building an addition on his barn.  William Lauer is doing the carpenter work."
(Source:  Racine Journal Dec. 3, 1902)

"William Lauer began work of Jack Biehn's house Monday morning. It is being remodeled."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Aug. 8, 1900)

"Mrs. Lauer is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Harry Bassendale of Racine."
(Source:  Racine Weekly June 12, 1899)

"Christ Rasmussen has put up an ice house.  William Lauer did the carpenter work."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Jan 13, 1905)

"Mrs. Harry Bassendale, nee Miss Mattie Lauer, is visiting among friends and relatives in this vicinity.  Mrs. Bassendale will depart for southwestern Idaho in a short time where they will make their future home"
(Source:  Racine Weekly Oct. 30, 1899)

"Mr. Frank Lauer sold his farm known as the Salentine farm, to a Mr. J.P. Terkelsen of Kenosha for $8,500.  He has also sold on acre of land at Somers to Mr. Isaac T. Bishop."
"Mr. William Lauer is getting home his wood for the coming season."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Feb. 23, 1903)

"Mrs. S.S. Strong is having her barn shingled.  William Lauer is doing the work."
(Source:  Racine Daily June 11, 1901)

"Mr. William Lauer is putting up a large barn for Matt Wyres which is now nearing completion."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Nov. 19, 1901)

"Christ Tasmussen is remodeling his barn.  William Lauer is doing the carpenter work."
(Source:  Racome Daily July 3, 1905)

"Henry Lytle and Sons are having their mill re-shingled.  William and Robert Lauer are doing the work."
(Source:  July 24, 1899)

"Miss Mattie Lauer and Mr. H. Bassindale will be united in marriage at Somers, November 10."
(Source"  Racine Weekly Nov. 19, 1896)

"William Lauer fell from the roof of a house last week and was badly hurt although his injuries are not of a serious nature."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Nov. 4, 1903)

"William Lauer began work on Mrs. Grimshaw's house this week."
(Source:  Racine Journal Sept. 20, 1900)

"William Lauer and his men are at work shingling the Presbyterian Church."
(Source:  Racine Journal Sept 20, 1900)

"William Lauer is working on Matt Rasmussen's new barn on farm Number 2, the building to be 54 x 40.  A carload of lumber was received."
(Source:  Racine Journal Feb. 19, 1907)

"William Lauer who has been ill with pneumonia is improving."
(Source:  Racine Journal Mar 13. 1907)

"The lumber was hauled for Mrs. Mary Gascoigne's new house Monday.  William lauer has the contract for the building."
(Source:  Racine Daily May 5, 1908)

"Mrs. William Lauer who underwent an operation at the Kenosha Hospital last Monday is improving as fast as can be expected."
(Source:  Racine Daily Aug. 29, 1909)

"Miss Minnie Lauer, age 44, died at St. Mary's Hospital yesterday.  There survives a father and mother, four sisters and three brothers.  Funeral services from the family home on Milwaukee road are at 8:30 o'clock.  Burial at St. Joseph in Kenosha."
(Source:  Racine Journal Feb. 9, 1909)

"William Lauer and his carpenters are building a large barn for John Ryder."
(Source:  Racine Journal Feb. 9, 1909)

"Frank Lauer purchased a team of horses in Milwaukee on Friday.  He will work his mother's farm and also James S. Nelson's place this year."
(Source:  Racine Daily April 20, 1909)

"Edward Fink has a barn raising last Wednesday.  William lauer is doing the carpenter work."
(Source:  Racine Daily Jan. 25, 1909)

"William Lauer and his gang of carpenters are enjoying a week's camping and fishing at the lakes in the western part of the county."
(Source:  Racine Daily July 27, 1909)

"William Lauer and his carpenters went to South Milwaukee the first of the week to build a large barn."
(Source:  Racine Daily April 10, 1906)

"William Lauer sold his farm of 33 acres to Andrew Oleson.  consideration $122.00 an acre."
(Source:  Racine Daily, Aug. 5, 1907)

"Mrs. William Lauer returned home from the Kenosha Hospital where she has been for two weeks."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Sept. 7, 1910)

"William Lauer and his carpenters are building a barn for William Gross."
(Source:  Racine Daily, April 6, 1909)

"Jay W. Rhodes is having timbers hewn in the woods for a large barn he will build.  William Lauer has the contract for the building."
(Source:  Racine Daily Dec. 29, 1908)

"Mr. and Mrs. William Lauer buried their infant son on Sunday."
(Source:  Racine Weekley, Sept 7, 1906)

"Mr. Frank Lauer aged 41 died at St. Mary's Hospital in Racine on Tuesday Nov 24 after a short illness of paralysis.  Funeral services were held Thursday morning from the residence of his brother, Joseph Lauer and at St. Lawrence Church in Milwaukee.  The decease leaves a widow and several children.  Interment at Calvary Cemetery in Milwaukee."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Dec. 1, 1908)

"The next building to be constructed in the village will be an ice house for Peter Anderson.  William Lauer will do the work."
(Source: Racine Weekly Jan. 15, 1907)

"William Lauer and his force of carpenters are building a barn for Fred Donsing."
(Source:  Racine Daily Feb. 21, 1910)

"William Lauer and his force of carpenters have been remodeling Edward Fink's barn on his farm on the County Line Road."
(Source:  Racine Daily Feb. 21, 1910)

"William Lauer and his carpenters will building a new modern house for John Gehring of Berryville."
(Source:  Racine Daily April 16, 1912)

"William Lauer and his carpenter's returned home on Saturday afternoon after a weeks camping at Silver Lake."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Aug. 27, 1913)

"William Lauer and his force of carpenters are building a large barn for Ira Burgess at Kellogg's Corners."
(Source:  Racine Journal Sept. 25, 1911)

"George Thomas is re-modeling his house and also building an addition to it.  William Lauer and his force of carpenters are doing the work."
(Source:  Racine Journal Mar. 25, 1912)

"August Gitzlaff is making some improvements on his house.  William Lauer and his men are doing the work."
(Source:  Racine Journal June 18, 1912)

"William Lauer and his men have been at work the past week on John Herzog's tenant house which they have remodeled."
(Source:  Racine Journal June 11, 1912)

"William Lauer and his force of carpenters have finished Joseph Lotz's new barn and have gone to Tuesdell to work."
(Source:  Racine Journal Sept 30, 1913)

"Mrs. Smith is building a new barn.  William Lauer and his forces are doing the work."
(Source:  Racine Journal June 13, 1911)

"John Blackmon is building a new house.  William Lauer and his force of men are doing the carpenter work."
(Source:  Racine Journal Sept 19, 1912)

"William Lauer and his force of carpenters have finished the large cold storage for M.A. Anderson.  They will build a barn for Arthur Murray."
(Source:  Racine Journal Nov 7, 1913)

"William lauer and his force of carpenters are building a house for Nicholas Frederick."
(Source:  Racine Journal May 26, 1914)

"Chris A. Jensen has been hauling lumber for a new barn that he intends to build this spring."
(Source:  Racine Journal April 16, 1914)

"Through his persistency to conduct a saloon without a license, Frank Lauer has at last run into the meshes of the law, as he and Mrs. Lauer were arrested recently on the charge of selling liquor without a license. The warrants were issued for their arrest and placed in the hands of Constable Truesdall who served them on the 25th of July. The accused parties had a hearing before Justice Rhodes and the trial set for last Saturday. The defendants retained Attorney Slater of Kenosha, and the District Attorney, A. E. Buckmaster, represented the state. The prosecution was in possession of evidence that resulted in establishing the guilt of Mr. Lauer, and Justice Rhodes gave him the full extent of the fine, which was $100 and costs, amounting to $121. It is said, however, that an appeal will be taken to the Circuit Court. Mrs. Lauer was discharged for the reason that one of the important witnesses for the state was absent from home and could not be located in time for the trail."
(Source: Racine Journal, August 4, 1902)

Lauer/Thompson (1-23-1902) "Another important real estate deal has been closed within the last few days in the village, Frank Lauer having purchased the property of Frank Thompson, which consists of 37-1/2 acres of land and the buildings, located on the east side of the railroad tracks. It is said that Mr. Lauer will open up a meat market and probably a hotel in the near future."

"Mrs. Peter Lauer (nee Miss Myrtle Gardinier) was removed to St. Mary's Hospital in Racine on Thursday, where she underwent a very serious operation. At this writing she is improving as rapidly as can be expected."
(Source: Racine Journal March 25, 1922)

"Tuesday evening occurred a very pretty home wedding at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Donsing, when their eldest daughter, Minnie, was united in marriage to William Lauer in the presence of the immediate friends and relatives of the contracting parties. The Rev. E.D. Kohlstedt of Racine officiated. The bride and groom are popular young people of the community and have the best wishes of their many friends for a happy and prosperous journey through life. After a short wedding trip northward, Mr. and Mrs. Lauer will be at home in Somers."
(Source: Racine Daily April 15, 1901)