Christ and Anna (Couture)
Lamere’s eldest child was Dora Rosalea Lamere.
She was born on 20 February 1881, in Marshfield, Wood, Wisconsin. She grew up on the family farm in the town of
Lincoln and she received her education in Marshfield. Dora is my 2nd great grandmother.
On 1 July 1902, Dora married
Peter Herman Specht at St. John’s Catholic Church in Marshfield. After their marriage, the couple moved to
Stevens Point, Portage, Wisconsin, where Peter was employed as a furniture carver. By 1905, their family included sons Albert,
Harold, and LeRoy (my great grandfather).
The 1905 Wisconsin state census also shows that Dora’s sister Eva is
living with the family. Eva and Dora’s
mother, Anna Couture Lamere, passed away in 1898 when Eva was only four years
old. After Dora was married and
established, Eva came to live with her.
In 1906, a daughter, Leone was born.
This was followed by a son, Roman Frank, in December of 1907. Tragically, Roman passed away after only
seven weeks. Daughter Lucille was born
in 1909. In 1910, daughter Germaine was
born, but she passed away after only twelve days. The last child, a son Eugene, was born in
1917.
The 1920 Census has the family
living in the township of Richfield in Wood County, Wisconsin. Peter is farming; Dora is taking care of the
family. Five of the six kids are old
enough to be in school. Dora’s sister
Eva married in 1913 and has moved.
However, after selling his farm in 1914, Dora’s father Christ has moved
in with the family.
Dora’s father passed away in
1923. Dora and Peter owned their eighty
acres in Richfield until at least 1928.
However, the 1930 United States census shows the family living in
Tacoma, Pierce, Washington. Only son
Eugene made the move with his parents.
Peter is working as a wood carver.
They stayed in Washington until at least 1935 before moving again, this
time to Wildwood Township, Koochiching, Minnesota. Eugene is still living with his parents. According to the 1940 United States census,
Peter is back to farming and Eugene works for the Civilian Conservation
Corps.
After moving back to Marshfield
in 1950, Peter and Dora celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary. This occasion was also
special because it was the first time in over twenty-five years, that all of Peter’s
siblings were together again. A celebration
with over seventy people occurred which included a lot of visiting and a picnic
lunch. Also attending were three of
their children.
The year 1961 brought two
celebrations for Dora. She celebrated
her 80th birthday and her 59th wedding anniversary. Dora celebrated the birthday with three
parties spread out over a week. The
anniversary brought another party where their remaining five children were in
attendance. By this time the family
includes 25 grandchildren and 61 great-grandchildren. According to the article, Dora enjoyed crocheting
and knitting. She was a member of Sacred
Heart Catholic Church and their Christian Mother Society.
Peter passed away on 6 July 1964,
after being in ill health for about three years. He had been in the hospital for a month. He is buried at the Gate of Heaven cemetery
in Marshfield. After his death, Dora
made her home with her son LeRoy and his wife Clara before she had to enter the
nursing home. Dora passed away on 8 June
1975. At the time of her death she had
25 grandchildren; 80 great-grandchildren; and 22 great-great-grandchildren
(including me – I was 9 days old when she passed away). She is also buried at Gate of Heaven cemetery
in Marshfield.
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