From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 643 - 645
 
BARTHOLOMEW HOMAN.  To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural 
sections of our great country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy 
perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterizes the 
foreign element that has entered largely into our population.  By comparison 
with their old country surroundings, these people have readily recognized the 
fact that in America lie the greatest opportunities for the man of ambition and 
energy.  And because of this many have broken the ties of home and native land 
and have entered earnestly upon the task of gaining in the new world a name and 
competence.  Among the class may be mentioned Bartholomew HOMAN, who, by reason 
of indefatigable labor, and honest effort, has not only acquired a well merited 
material prosperity, but also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom 
he has been associated.

Mr. HOMAN was born in Leimich, Hinfield, Hessen-Cassel, Germany, on August 24, 
1821, and he is the son of Joseph and Katherina (FLORI) HOMAN.  He was reared 
in his native country, living on the farms of his community, in the labor of 
which he was employed during his youth.  His father died when Bartholomew was 
seven years old, and he began to do for himself at an early age.  Having heard 
much of the wonderful possibilities in the republic across the sea, he 
emigrated to America in 1847, locating first in the state of New York.  In 1849 
he removed to Wisconsin, landing at Milwaukee.  Later he came to Lyons 
township, Walworth county, and here sought employment, finally securing work on 
the large farm of John SPOOR, an early settler living east of the village of 
Lyons.  Later he rented a farm, in the operation of which he prospered, so that 
in the early fifties he was enabled to buy a tract of forty acres, around what 
is now known as Indian Knob, between Lyons and Lake Geneva.  Not long 
afterwards he bought a farm of eighty acres in the center of the south edge of 
Lyons township.  His industry and good management was rewarded and from time to 
time he added to his original eighty acres to the extent of one hundred and 
sixty-two acres, making a total of two hundred and forty-two acres in one 
tract, and this has been his family home ever since.  The place is well 
improved in every respect, being one of the most fertile and productive farms 
in the township, its present condition being due to the intelligent and wisely 
directed efforts of Mr. HOMAN, who, during his active years, gave practical 
direction to the operation of the farmstead in all its departments.
 
Coming here in 1849, he has been a witness of the development of this locality 
from a wild and virgin tract to one of the best agricultural sections of 
Wisconsin, in the transformation, of which he himself bore a definite part.  He 
has always had a deep interest in the upbuilding and development of the entire 
community and has not withheld his support from any worthy movement for the 
public welfare.  Thus he has gained a high position in the esteem of his 
neighbors and fellow citizens who appreciate his worth as a man.
 
While living in New York state, Mr. HOMAN was united in marriage with Ottilia 
VOGEL, who also was a native of Hessen-Cassel, Germany, near Mr. HOMAN's old 
home, and who came to America in the same company of emigrants as he.  To this 
union were born seven children, as follows: Caroline died in her second year; 
Katie is the wife of Oscar KRESS and lives at St. Joseph, Tennessee; Joseph, 
who was born on February 14, 1852, is engaged in farming with his brother John; 
Mary, who died in 1902, was the wife of Joseph MERTEN and left six children, 
Ottilia, Julia, Edgar, Joseph, Theresa, and Frederick.  Theresa is at home with 
her father; Margaret lives with her brothers, Joseph and John; Regene is the 
wife of Eugene RITTMAN, a farmer on the east side of Springfield, and they have 
five children, Frank, Margaret, Eugene, John, and Mary.  John, who was born 
September 12, 1866, is farming with his brother Joseph, as told above.
 
Joseph and John HOMAN remained on the paternal farmstead until 1897, when they 
formed a partnership and bought five hundred acres of choice land two miles 
east of Lake Geneva.  They at once established their home there and applied 
themselves to the cultivation of this fine tract of land, in the operation of 
which they have met with well deserved success.  In the spring of 1911 they 
purchased an additional forty acres, making their total holdings five hundred 
and forty-four and one-half acres, comprising one of the most valuable bodies 
of agricultural land in Walworth county.  They are numbered among the practical 
and progressive farmers of their community and have earned the high regard in 
which they are held.  As before stated, their sister Margaret lives with them 
and presides over their home.
 
The mother of these children passed away in 1906.  She was a woman of many 
commendable qualities and was beloved by all who knew her.
 
Bartholomew HOMAN and all members of his family are stanch adherents of the 
Catholic church and in their lives they strive to carry out the beneficent 
teachings of the mother church.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)