Crops

Kenosha News September 1952
Record Tomato Crop At Somers
(Source:  Original news clipping courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert)

The freight station at Somers has been the scene of much activity the past two weeks as this year's record tomato crop, over 8,000 tons, was shipped to canneries.  The left photo shows a truckload of tomatoes being inspected by Joseph Peek, federal inspector for the state.With Peek are Bernard, left, and Frank Lichter, Somers, who harvested the tomatoes on their farm.

The right photo, Carl Iverson of Somers, receives a receipt for his truckload of tomatoes from Mrs. Lura Brunet, Somers, who acted as Weigh master.

Kenosha News September 1952
Record Tomato Crop At Somers
(Source: Original news clipping courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert)
C.D. Ruthe, Somers Station Agent, and Donald Tiedman, a canning company representative, are shown checking a loaded box car in the left photo.  Shown on the right photo are Frank Lichter on the left and Thomas Birchell on the right, both Somers farmers of long standing, reminisce about tomato crops of other years when local farmers were not as fortunate.  Lichter stated this was his best tomato harvest since 1935.

Tomato Yield In This Area Huge Success
"Tomato growers from this area are wearing smiles these days, in sharp contrast to their frowns the past two years.
Top-quality ripe tomatoes are pouring through the Somers freight station in record volume as harvesting of the best commercial crop in years nears completion.
Heavy yields, lack of disease, and a good price spell success at the market for tomato farmers here.  Disease all but destroyed the crop in 1950 and 1951.
Shipments through the Somers Station are expected to reach a total of well over 8,000 tons.  At $32 a ton, this means tomatoes will bring an income of about $264,000 to Kenosha and Racine County truck farmers.
The average yield has been about 11 tons an acre, it is reported.  Over 750 acres were planted this summer.
All told, the 1952 crop probably will surpass the 1949 harvest.  Blight, which wiped out the bulk of the tomatoes in the past two years, had little effect this year.  Warm, dry weather gave the disease no chance to thrive.  Ideal conditions for the spread of blight are muggy, cloudy days and cool nights.
State experts call this year's crop the finest in several years.  Fifteen thousand hampers, or half a million pounds of tomatoes, a day have been shipped from fields in the southeastern Wisconsin region.
Racine and Kenosha counties lead the state in production of commercial tomatoes.  The biggest portion of the crop grown here is produced for canning companies.  Part of the harvest is processed in Wisconsin, but a large segment goes to canneries in adjoining states.
(Source:  Kenosha News, September 1952)

"The oat crop which is now being threshed is the heaviest in years.  Some prices are yielding as high as sixty and non yet reported have hone less than forty bushels per acre.
(Source:  Racine Journal Aug. 18, 1905)

"Our entertaining farmer, M.A. Rasmussen had about forty boys from Kenosha every day last week helping him gather his onion sets of which he will have about 2,000 bushels."
(Source:  Racine Journal, Aug. 18, 1905)

"Although but little grain has been threshed, the yield so far is satisfactory, as high as 50 to 60 bushels per acre being reported."
(Source:  Racine Journal Aug. 18, 1905)

"Mmes. Frank Thomas, John Swartz, and Ben Robinson, all of the Berryville, were among those awarded ribbons for the best iris blooms at the Kenosha County Garden Club show, held at the Kenosha County Courthouse Tuesday evening."
(Source:  Racine Journal June 23, 1934)

Bullamore Forks School

School District No. 8 - Bullamore Forks
"The early history of this school is not available, but in a review we find that the first building was constructed by James Petrie about 1850 and the substantial building served the district some eighty years when it was sold and moved a short distance away and remodeled into a dwelling house.
In 1929 a new two-room modern red brick building was erected on the original site and accommodates some 90 pupils.
John Umland served the district as its clerk for twenty years.
Among the earlier students were the seven Flett brothers.  James taught school many years.  David studied law and later was appointed Judge of the first Municipal Court, Racine.  George was, for many years, a minister in the Presbyterian Church.  Charles followed teaching for some years, later studying medicine, locating in Milbank, South Dakota.  Among other students were the Winslow's, the Hermann's, the Bullamore's, the Eick's, the Murray's, and the Ozanne's."
(Source: My Memoirs, by Minnie A.G. Ozanne.  Copyright 1948--Minnie A.G. Ozanne.  All Rights Reserved.)

Kids at Bullamore Forks School, about 1924.

The boy in the back on the extreme right is Oren S. Bullamore, born 1912.

If anyone can identify any other children in this photo, please click here to email Jackie.

(Source: Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz.)

Bullamore Forks School, Town of Somers
Bullamore Forks neighborhood was a "v" on Highway 158
Teacher on the right is Ione Smith Kreamer (sister of Merlyn Smith)
Photo taken September 15, 1939
(Photo courtesy of Jim smith)

Kids at Bullamore Forks School, about 1920.
Lucille (Bullamore) Swartz is the 3rd from the right, in a big hat.
Allan Bullamore is front, ceneter.
(Source:  Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz.)

Baseball-Somers Cardinals Softball

Somers Cards Softball Team
Top Row L to R: R. Thomas; J. Schacht; B. Covelli; F. Molinaro; V. Thomas, Manager; E. Larsen, Bus. Mgr.
2nd Row L to R:  J. Birchell; G. Frederick; W. Alstead; E. Lobacz; B. Mochrke; J. Rosko
Front Row L to R: E. Meier; N. Thompson, Capt.; V. Woltersdorf; G. Georno
(Source:  Photo courtesy of the Robert Thomas Family)
Click on photo to see larger.  

Somers Cardinals Softball Team
State Fair 1935
"The first woman from the left is unknown (possibly Vi Smith), second is Lucille Bullamore (Swartz in two years), then Ruth Thompson (Bishop most of her life).  Two unknowns and then Marge (Mrs. Unk) Larson.  Then, second from right is Gerda Iorns and the lady on the end is unknown.  The woman in the middle is unknown.
First man on the left is Bob Lotz, the man seated is Vern Iorns, then Norbert Lichter, then Ernest "Unk" Larson."
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Caption courtesy of Robert Swartz and Paula Thomas)

Somers Cardinal Softball Team
Date of photo and date and source of news clipping unknown

Norb Lichter and Glenn Swartz
Somers Cardinals Softball
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz.)

Somers Cardinals about 1935, labeled.
Click on photo to enlarge.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Robert Swartz.)

Somers Cardinals - estimate late 1940's
See image below noting handwritten notes identifying players.  This was written on the back of this photo.
Click on photo to enlarge.
(Source:  Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz.)

Handwritten notes identifying players in photo above.
(Source:  Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz.  Copyright February 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

(Source: New clipping courtesy of Robert Swartz.  January 2012.)
Click on article for larger view.

(Source: News clipping courtesy of Robert Swartz. January 2012.)
Click on article for larger view.

(Source: News clipping courtesy of Robert Swartz. January 2012.)
Click on article for larger view.

Glen Swartz
Somers Cardinals
(Source:  Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz.)

State Fair 1937
Binnie, Sophie, Buzzie, Agnes, Lightening
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz.)

Somers Cards news, undated.
(Source: News clipping courtesy of Robert Swartz)
Click on new clipping for larger view.

1939 Cards Beat Waukegan Steels
new clipping, not dated
(Source: News clipping courtesy of Robert Swartz)
Click on clipping for larger view.

1938 State Fiar Champs
(Source: New clipping courtesy of Robert Swartz)
Click on photo for larger view.

Presentation of Cup, 1938
(Source: New clipping courtesy of Robert Swartz)
Click of photo for larger view.

Mary Ellen Thompson, Ruth (Thompson) Bishop, Sophie Jensen, Gerde Irons, Marjorie Larson (wife of Unk), Ethel (girlfriend of Bud Birchel) , Sis Lichter (wife of Norb), Agnes Hughes
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz.)

News clip June 12, 1939
(Source: New clip courtesy of Robert Swartz)
Click  on article for larger view.

Somers Cards news clipping May 26, 1938
(Source: News clipping courtesy of Robert Swartz)
Clip on article for larger view.

Swartz, John Frederick and Martha Pedley

John F. Swartz and family
From left, Glenn sits on mother Martha's lap.  Twins, Roy and Loretta, are sitting on the ground.  Sister Louella stands behind father, John F.  It is believed the eldest brother, Harold, can be seen leaning up against a tree in the background.
(Source:  Original photo and caption courtesy of Robert Swartz.  Copyright February 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

John Frederick Swartz and Martha (Pedley) Swartz
John Frederick Swartz, son of John Jacob Swartz, was born October 29, 1867 in Town of Somers, Kenosha County, Wisconsin.  He died February 19, 1962 in Town of Somers, Kenosha County, Wisconsin. He married Martha Eva Pedley on May 11, 1892 in Town of Somers.  Martha was the daughter of John Pedley and Delilah Burton. She was born September 20, 1869 in Town of Somers and died February 01, 1944 in Town of Somers.

John F. and Martha Swartz
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright January 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

In the 1870 census of the Town of Somers, he was listed in the home of his parents. His birth and baptism were recorded in the records of the German Methodist Church of Kenosha, Wisconsin. An anonymous document, written in 1953, stated the following:

"His father was always interested in fruit growing and immediately after returning from the Civil War planted a 10 acre apple orchard which was considered unusually large at that time. He also grew cherries, grapes, currants and gooseberries and was the first to introduce red raspberries in Kenosha County. They had the first orchard sprayer in the neighborhood and were able to produce worm-free cherries, which were unusual at that time, and so became well known for the quality of their fruit. The family operated under the name of Swartz & Sons Fruit Farm, and John F. Swartz grew up with the desire to learn everything possible about this end of horticulture.
At the age of 8, John was given a few strawberry plants by a neighbor and raised a small strawberry bed, and then became interested in propagating fruit. At the age of 21, John was given an acre of land by his father which he could use for propagating fruit. He then went to the Phoenix Nursery of Bloomington, Illinois, and secured the agency as a dealer for Kenosha and Racine Counties.
He purchased young fruit trees from the Phoenix Nursery to line out the acre in young stock and use this as a sales lot, and sold trees for orchards throughout the two counties. The price of trees at that time was $.25 each or $18.00 per hundred. The trees cost him $.07 each which gave him a profit of $11.00 per hundred on the trees. He began to think that the nursery business was a good side line for fruit growing.
As a few flowering shrubs could usually be added to the fruit tree order, he began growing ornamentals, and eventually this line became the main item in the nursery. John Swartz first attended the Horticultural Society convention at Madison in the fall of 1898 and has missed very few conventions since that time. He was active in forming the first Horticultural Club in Kenosha and was a charter member in that branch. In later years, after his sons were able to take over the nursery and landscaping end of the business, John Swartz devoted his time to raising strawberries. He introduced the Thomas variety to the public and at present, at 86, is growing about 12 acres of Thomas and Robinson strawberries.
Over the course of the years, he transformed the family livelihood from a truck-farm that grew some trees, to a major nursery. In the early 1920s, the business became interstate, with a great deal of work being done in the wealthy suburbs north of Chicago. The depression hit the nursery very hard but it survived and all debts were eventually paid to all creditors."

Swartz Farm Daily Log
From February, 1908, to May, 1911, he kept a daily log. It was very brief, with only one short line per day, but it does give some idea of what his life was like, on an annual basis. His yearly cycle is summarized as follows:
January
Some butchering and hauling wood. He trimmed cabbage. In January, 1909, cabbage sold for $27/ton. In January, 1909, he was laid up with "lumbago" for 8 days and could only walk with canes.
February
Hauled coal and wood. Trimmed cabbage. In Feb., 1908, cabbage sold for $8/ton.
March
Trimmed cabbage, cut wood. Got nursery stock from Tennessee and Bloomington. In March, 1910, cabbage sold for $20/ton.
April
Trimmed raspberries. Took trees to town. In 1908, cabbage sold for $15/ton.
May
Planted nursery stock, dug grapes, planted strawberries and muskmelons.
June
Hoed strawberries and melons. Picked strawberries and hauled them to Racine and Kenosha.
July
Picked strawberries the first week or two. Picked raspberries in late July. Mowed prairie hay.
August
Picked the last raspberries. Mowed hay and prairie hay. Stacked grain and thrashed. Got honey.
September
Picked pears, plums, melons and tomatoes. First grapes in late September.
October
Picked grapes and pears. Grew celery in 1909.
November
Hauled coal. Cut and hauled hay. Shredded corn and dug trees. Butchered at his father's.
December
Trimmed cabbage and got coal. "Canvassed" in Racine and Kenosha. Once he noted taking Christmas trees to Kenosha. In 1908, cabbage sold for $23/ton. in December.
(Source:  Family information above courtesy of Robert Swartz.  January 2012.)

The Swartz Nursery sign located on Wood Road, Somers Township
(Source:  Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz.  Copyright January 2012.  All Rights Reserved)

Tree on truck in front of Swartz house
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright January 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

Kenosha Garden Club, photo taken at the Swartz house in Somers.
Identifications made by Mr. Swartz as shown.
Click on photo for larger view.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Robert Swartz.  Copyright February 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

Tree on truck in winter
Swartz Nursery
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright January 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

More About the Swartz Family

Click here to view more about Swartz on the Oakwood Cemetery website.

Swartz, Frederick August and John Jacob

John F. Swartz homestead
Somers Township
(Source:  Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz.  Copyright January 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

John J. and Emma Swartz
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

Frederick August Schwarz
Frederick August Schwarz was born in 1804 in Usingen, Germany.  He was the son of Johann Philipp Schwarz.
Frederick was united in marriage in 1825 to Miss Marie Christianne Enders, who was born in Heringen, Nassau, Germany.  Of this union, six children were born:
Wilhelm (William) born about 1828
Katharine Christiane born about 1830
Christian August born about 1832
Marie Katharine born about 1835
Marie (Wilhelmina) Christiane born about 1835
Johann (John) Jacob, born January 9, 1842

"According to a letter from William Schwartz, written in 1899, the family sailed from Antwerp, Belgium on about March 15, 1849. They arrived in New Orleans, about mid-May.  In the July 7 Missouri Republican, there was printed a report from the German Society which indicated that during March, April, and May, there were 4,520 German emigrants who arrived in America.  Of that number, 3,520 had come via New Orleans.  From New Orleans, the Swartz family traveled up the Mississippi River to St. Louis.  They arrived facing a cholera epidemic where Frederick's wife, Marie Christianne, died.  Marie was buried in St. Louis."
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

Immigration Story Told
On July 24, 1924, John Frederick Swartz told his sixteen year old son, Glenn, the story of the Schwarz family journey from Germany.  That evening, Glenn wrote the story down so he would not forget it.
"The following may seem queer to some but it was new to me when I first heard it today while we (Pa and I) were picking cherries, and so I am writing it down, knowing it will be interesting later.
John Swartz, my father's grandfather (it was actually Frederick August) came to America in 1849.  While in Germany, he was rather well-to-do but hearing of wonderful chances in America, he decided to come over.  And so, he packed his belongings and with his family (his wife, William and John Jacob) set out for America.  He took with him a relative and two other men, who agreed to work out their passage bill later.
In those days, ocean travel was very different from now.  It also took much longer and living conditions were disagreeable.  Also each family had to carry its own provisions and had to cook there.  As these provisions had to be of a nature which could be kept for a long time, they cost a great deal.
Grandfather (John Jacob) was then seven years old and his brother William, some older.  The family first went to St. Louis.  Here a cholera plague started and my great-grandmother died, also two of the men whom had come over with them, and the third ran away.  And so my great-grandfather not only lost the amount he had spent to bring them over, but also had to bury them.  He then decided to go to Milwaukee and so he packed his goods on a canal boat and headed for Chicago by way of what is now the Chicago Drainage Canal.  On the way, my grandfather had a touch of the cholera and was nursed by his brother, William.  When they arrived at Chicago, they took a boat to Milwaukee where their baggage was dumped on the pier.  My great-grandfather now had just one dollar left.  A dray man came along, loaded up the luggage and asked where to do.  They told him to go anywhere a dollar would take them.  He drove up what is now Grand Avenue and dumped off the luggage on a side hill by the Milwaukee River.  At the time, Milwaukee was a little burg and any land that did not have a house on was free to anyone.  There was only one other shanty on the hill so the three put up a canvas and settled down.  They soon were able to gather enough drift boards to build a little shanty.  All worked.  William worked at a slaughter house from which he was occasionally able to bring home a beef's head.  Grandfather worked up a piece of ground into a garden.  The next summer someone came wanting to buy land and the garden and shack was sold to him for $50.  With this money and with what they had made during the winter, they came to Southport (Kenosha)."

With the proceeds from the shanty sale, they moved to the City of Kenosha.  Glenn Swartz recalled being told that John Jacob, age seven, and his sister Wilhelmina, age eleven, gathered wild strawberries on the prairie and sold them in Kenosha for $0.25.  On October 15, 1851, Frederick August purchased a lot on Broad Street (now 45th Street).  He owned this land until August 14, 1858, when he sold it to William.  Glenn Swartz (1924) reported that Frederick August then purchased land in Section 12 of Somers Township.  This land was referred to as the "Stanbridge farm" and was located on the corner of what is now Wood Road and Dorey Road.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright January 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

1887 partial map of Somers Township
Section 12,  J.J. Schwartz parcel

Partial 1861 Map of Somers Township
Section 12, W. Schwarz parcel

   

1908 Partial Somers Township Map
Section 12, J.J. Schwartz parcel

Civil War:  John Jacob and his brother William
Tullahoma, Tenn. on March 24, 1864.  On April 19, at Fayetteville, Tenn. he transferred from Company I to Company B so he was in the same unit as his brother, William.
His first combat was on May 15, 1864 at Resaca, Georgia.  On May 25, at Dallas, Georgia, the regiment suffered a number of casualties.  In Company B, one was killed and fifteen were wounded, including John Jacob's brother, William.
On April 1, 1865, he was promoted to Corporal.  The Third Wisconsin was on Sherman's "March to the Sea" and marched in the "Grand Review" through Washington, D.C.
They encamped at Camp Slocum through early June, 1865.  On June 11, they left for home.  They took a train and the steamer, "Nevada", to Louisville, Kentucky where they arrived on June 16.  They encamped in a beech tree grove three miles southeast of the city.  On July 18, the regiment mustered out and on July 21 everyone crossed the Ohio River and took trains back to Wisconsin, arriving in Madison on July 24, 1865.  On the Company muster-out roll, it indicates that John Jacob owed the government $84.63 for clothing allotments and that he was owed $120 in bounty payments.
(Source: Story courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

Family Civil War Stories
Some stories from the war have been passed down through the generations.  In some cases, it is not certain whether the incidents happened to John Jacob or his brother, William.  Two incidents were attributed to John Jacob.  One was that he was once hit by a minnie ball in the buckle of a strap, but not injured.  The second incident may be related to the first.  It was said that he was once carrying one end of a stretcher, carrying a wounded man.  A strap broke and as he stumbled forward, a ball went through his kepi.
Another story had to do with the division of food.  When Sherman's army went through South Carolina and North Carolina, they were very hard pressed for food because much of the land was pine forest, rather than the productive farms that they had found in Georgia.  They took to eating horses and devised a lottery system to decide who would get which parts of the horse.  The men were grouped in "mess" units and each mess unit would be able to decide if they wanted to keep the part of the horse that was up for consideration, or pass on it.  One time John's mess unit got the horses head.  They put it in a cauldron to boil.  The horse's head would roll around in the boiler water and sometimes an eye would come to the surface and "wink".  The "winking" was probably a muscular contraction related to going from one temperature to another, but it was remembered as unsettling to see your dinner winking at you.
John Jacob became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 21, 1900.
(Source: Story courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

William and John Jacob Swatz
Civil War uniforms
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

John Jacob Swartz
John Jacob Swartz was born January 9, 1842 in Heringen, Nassau, Germany. He is the son of Frederick August Scharz and Marie Christianne Enders Schwarz. John Jacob came to America with his family in 1849.
John Jacob was united in marriage to Emma Becker, daughter of Johann Becker and Marie Fries Becker, on November 6, 1866 at the Immanuel Methodist Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Emma Becker was born February 15, 1846 in Friedewald, Germany.
After working nine years in the construction trade in Kenosha, Jacob purchased a farm in Somers Township and began fruit growing. A ten acre apple orchard was planted in addition to cherries, grapes, currants, gooseberries, and the Swartz farm was one of the first to plant red raspberries in Kenosha County.
(Source: Story courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

John J. Swartz
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright February 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

Emma Becker Swartz (Mrs. John Jacob)
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright February 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

John Jacob, Emma, and daughter Emma
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright February 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

1880 U.S. Federal Census with side notes
John Jacob and Emma were married in 1866 and six children were born of this union:
John, born about 1867 (died Feb. 19, 1961 in Somers.  Married Martha Eva Pedley)
Charles, born about 1869 (died Oct. 9, 1948 in Kenosha. Married Louisa Carrie M. Otto)
Edward, born about 1873 (died Oct. 16, 1939 in Kenosha. Married Bessie Elizabeth Hansche, daughter of John W. and Minnie Hansche of Berryville)
Emma, born about 1874 (married John Abresch of Somers Township)
Arthur, born about 1882 (died Mar. 20, 1974 in Kenosha. Married Amelia "Millie" Bittorf)
Carrie, born about 1884 (died Aug. 13, 1930 in Kenosha.  Married Benjamin Bose, son of Henry and Frederica Bose of Berryville)

The Swartz Family
Ed, Art, Charlie, Emma, John F.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright January 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

Carrie Swartz, daughter of John Jacob and Emma Swartz
 Click here to read about Bose family. Carrie married Benjamin Bose, son of Henry and Frederica Bose
(Source:  Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz.  Copyright February 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

Carrie Swartz, daughter of John Jacob and Emma Swartz
Click here to view Bose family.  Carrie married Benjamin Bose, son of Henry and Frederica Bose
(Source: Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz. Copyright February 2012. All Rights Reserved.)

Swartz and Hansche Wedding
"The home of Mr. and Mrs. John Hansche of Berryville was most artistically decorated last evening, the occasion being the marriage of their daughter, Miss Bessie Hansche to Mr. Edward Swartz, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Jacob Swartz of the Town of Somers. The bridal party descended the stairs and entered the parlor, taking their places under a wedding bell and canopy composed of evergreen and white roses, while Miss Anna Bose, played the wedding march. Rev. F. Kaneem, using the impressive ring service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, spoke the words which united them in the bonds of matrimony. The bride was very prettily and daintily attired in white. At the conclusion of the ceremony a sumptuous wedding supper was served. The bride is one of Berryville's most popular and charming young ladies and is very efficient in church work. The groom is one of the progressive farmers of Somers who has built a beautiful new home for his bride.
(Source: Racine Journal Times, publication date February 7, 1907)
1870 Agricultural Census for John Jacob Swartz
65 acre farm worth $1,800
Value of implements was $60.
Three horses, two milk cows, five other cattle and one pig.  Total of livestock was $440.
He produced 80 bushel of spring wheat, 150 bushel of corn and 30 bushel of oats.
He produced two pounds of wool and 250 pounds of potatoes.  Total value of market good was $8.
Cows produced 375 pounds of butter.  He grew fourteen tons of hay.
Value of all farm production was $758.

1880 Agricultural Census of Wisconsin
36 tilled acres, 15 pasture acres, 10 woodland acres and 19 unimproved acres.
Farm value $3,250.  Value of implements $200.  Value of livestock $350.
In 1879, he spent $40 to repair fences and paid $40 in wages for four weeks of hired labor.
Estimate value of all farm production was $1,000.
He mowed 15 acres of pasture and produced 20 tons of hay.
He had four horses, three milk cows, and five other cattle.  His cows dropped two calves.
He sold four cattle live and slaughtered one.
His cows produced 400 pounds of butter.
He had two pigs and 30 chickens.

John Jacob Swartz Obituary
John Jacob Swartz, one of the pioneers of the Town of Somers, died at his home near Stetson's Corners at an early hour this morning.  Death resulted from an attack of heart disease.  Mr. Swartz had been in failing health for some time but death came very suddenly.  The deceased was 71 years of age and a native of Germany.  He had resided in this country for many years and had conducted a nursery at the homestead in Somers.  He is survived by his widow, four sons and two daughters.  The children are: John, Edward, and Arthur of Somers; Charles of Kenosha; Mrs. Ben Bose and Mrs. Emma Abresch of Somers.  The funeral will be held from the German Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon, the hour to be announced Saturday.  Burial at Greenridge Cemetery.
(Source:  Kenosha Evening News, September 19, 1913)

Bose

The Bose Family
The Bose family is one of the earliest pioneer families who settled in Somers Township.  The family is very large and as a result of marriages, the Bose family is related to many other Somers pioneer families:  Braid, Wensing, Hansche, Donsing, Birch, Tennessen, Kramer, Witscheber.  Most of these families settled in the Berryville area of Somers Township.
Additional biographical sketches and other information is posted on the Oakwood Cemetery web site.

The first to arrive in Wisconsin was William Bose who arrived in 1846.  He stopped in Cleveland, Ohio for a short time, met William Hansche and both came to Racine County in 1846.  The next year, his father Conrad , mother Mary, and six (6) siblings arrived at the Port of New York on October 25, 1847 joining William in Racine County. 

New York Passenger List, Port of New York, Arrival October 25, 1847
Conrad Bose, age 52 (born about 1795)
Ann Mary Bose, age 46 (born about 1800)
Charlotte Bose, age 21, daughter, born about 1828

• Note: Charlotte married Jacques Jacob Bertschy in Frank Wisconsin.  They moved to Meeme, Manitowoc, Wisconsin where Charlotte died, March 7, 1886.

Isabella Bose, age 14, daughter, born about 1833

• Note:  The only place Isabella is shown on the original passenger list of 1847.  Starting with the 1850 U.S. Federal Census, it lists a daughter named Eliza born about 1835.  It is unknown if Isabella and Eliza are the same or different daughters.  For the record, Eliza married George Blodgett, perhaps a brother of her sister-in-law Hannah who married her brother Charles.  Eliza died in Racine April 25, 1898.

Frederick Bose, age 12, born about 1835.

• Note:  Frederick married Sophia.  Children:  William born 1861, Minnie (married Jacob Kramer), Fred Bose, born about 1867, Frank Bose, born about 1869, Ella Bose born about 1877, and Albert Bose born about 1879.  Minnie Bose and her husband Jacob Kramer lived with Minnie's parents in the Bose homestead on Lathrop Avenue (13th Avenue) in Berryville.  The  Fred Bose/Kramer homestead still stands today although it is no longer owned by the family.

Henry Bose, age 10, born about 1838

• Note:  Henry married Fredricka Hansche.  Children:  Ernest born about 1865, Amelia born about 1874, Henry born about 1881, Lydia born about 1878, Matilda (Tillie?) born about 1875, and Benjamin born about 1882 married Mary and they had two sons, Arthur and Wesley.  Wesley Bose married and raised his children on the Henry Bose homestead.  The Henry/Wesley Bose homestead farm is located directly east of the Fred Bose/Kramer homestead on County Line Road and it still stands today although it is no longer owned by the family.

Edwin Bose, age 6, born about 1840
Charles Bose, age 4, born about 1843

• Note:  Charles married Hannah Blodgett.  They had two children: Florence born about 1867, and Adebert born about 1873.  The 1880 U.S. Federal Census shows that Charles, Hannah, Florence and Adebert lived with Conrad (age 87) and Mary (age 82) on the Section 5-East parcel on the lake shore.  Charles Bose died at the age of 58 on February 2, 1900.  "Charles Bose, an old citizen of Berryville, died on Friday Feb. 2.  Funeral services were held Sunday at the church.  His wife, son, daughter, and one brother survive him and his many friends and neighbors will miss his familiar face. (Source: Racine Daily Feb. 6, 1900)

William and Ann Bose
Grandparents of Clarence Bose
Great Grand Parents of Albert and Marjorie Bose
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith.)

William and Ann Bose
Click here for complete history of William and Ann Bose.
William Bose (born about 1825)
Ann Bose (born about 1810)

Children of William and Ann:

Edward Bose (born about 1854)
William F. Bose (born about 1857)
Mary Bose (born about 1959)

Ann's first marriage to Hansche ended with the death of Mr. Hansche.  The 1880 US Federal Census show Ann's children from the Hansche marriage were living with Ann and William Bose.

Herman Hansche, step son to William, age 31, born about 1849
John Vincent, son in law to William, age 33, born about 1847
Mary Vincent, step daughter to William, age 21, born about 1859
Ann Vincent, step grand-daughter to William, age 3, born about 1877

William F. and Nellie Braid Bose
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith.)

William and Nellie Bose
Click here for the complete information about William and Nellie Braid Bose.
RECAP
William F. Bose (born about 1856)
Nellie Braid Bose (born about 1856)

Children of William F. and Nellie
Jennie Bose born about 1880
Anna Bose born about 1878
William Bose III born about 1883
Clarence Charles Bose born about 1889
Everett Bose born about 1899

Children of William and Nellie Bose
William F. Bose III (standing) and Clarence Bose (seated)
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith.)

Allie and Clarence Bose
Loading Cabbage for shipping on the railroad at the Birch Road station stop.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith.)

Bose Cabbage Wagons parked on Birch Road waiting to load on the Railroad.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith)

Clarence and Audrey Bose
Loading potatoes to ship on railroad on Birch Road station stop.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith)

Art Bose, Ellsworth Rolfs (Daniel's cousin) and Daniel Klapproth
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

1911 Ford Convertible
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

1914 Ford and the Bose Children
Marjory and Albert Bose (Children of Clarence and Audrey Bose and Grand-Children of William F. and Nellie Bose.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith)

Partial 1887 Map of Somers Township
Bose parcels primarily located in Berryville area
C. Bose
F. Bose
H. Bose
W. Bose
Wm. Bose

Bose:  In the News
"Carpenters began work last week to erect a new residence for Mr. William Bose."
(Source:  Racine Journal, August 2, 1900)

"Miss Anna Palskill, a well known young lady of Racine, married Mr. Barney Bose of Berryville at St. James Church.  A reception followed at their new home in Berryville."
(Source:  Racine Journal, January 24, 1902)

"A very charming wedding was that of Miss Josephine Palskill, of Racine to Mr. Joseph Bose, of Berryville, which took place at 8 o'clock this morning at the Holy Name church, in the presence of a large number of friends and relatives.  The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Annie Palskill, and the best man was her brother, Mr. Barney Palskill.  The bridal gown was of white organdie, trimmed with lace and the bride carried bridal roses.  The bridesmaid wore white Swiss, trimmed with chiffon.  As the bridal party entered the edifice Prof. Henry Shulte, assisted by Mrs. Schulte, played the wedding march, and Rev. Father S. P. Schwinn performed the ceremony.
After the ceremony was performed a large wedding reception was held at the new home of the couple located near Berryville, and over two hundred were present to extend congratulations, many being from abroad.  A wedding dinner was served and Mr. and Mrs. Bose received a large number of handsome and costly presents.  They will not depart for a wedding trip, but immediately settled down to housekeeping.
The bride is a well known young lady of the south side and has always been prominent in the social and religious circles where she mingled and was popular with all classes, and a most estimable woman.
The groom is a young farmer who has lived in the southern part of this county all of his life.  He is known for miles as an honest, upright and prosperous tiller of the soil and to him and his estimable bride is extended the best wishes of all for a long and happy wedding life."
(Source:  Racine Journal, November 26, 1901)

"Clarence Bose, who was recently married, has rented the Becker farm southeast of the village.  He will take his bride to their new home in the near future."
(Source:  Racine Journal, February 12, 1914)

"Miss Lydia M. Bose and Mr. Winfield S. Jackson were united in marriage at the Methodist parsonage in Racine by Rev. Haylett, last Wednesday at 5 o'clock.  The young couple were attended by Miss Grace Dearsley and Mr. Ernest Bose.  The bride was becomingly attired in white and wore white roses, and the bridegroom wore the conventional black.  Mr. Jackson is a very prosperous gardener."
(Source:  Racine Journal, June 21, 1899)

"This afternoon Miss Jennie Bose and Mr. Alfred Hansche were united in marriage at the home of the bride near Berryville.  It was a very quiet affair, only intimate friends and relatives being in attendance.  Both are well known in that section of the county and will have the best wishes of their hosts of friends."
(Source:  Racine Journal, August 24, 1904)

"Charles Bose, an old citizen of Berryville, died on Friday, February 2.  Funeral services were held Sunday at the church.  His wife, son, daughter and one brother, survive him and his many friends and neighbors will miss his familiar face."
(Source:  Racine Journal, Feb. 6, 1900)

"Mr. William Bose, one of the pioneers of Kenosha county, died at his Somers home.  The funeral took place from the Berryville Church on Sunday afternoon and was largely attended.  Mr. Bose was 75 years of age.
William Bose was one of the early pioneers of the county.  He was born in Prussia February 13, 1924.  In 1846 he left Germany and emigrated to the U.S.  For many years he worked as a farm hand but later purchased a part of Section 6 and built upon it one of the first houses erected in the Town of Somers.  Here he lived only a short time when he purchased a farm in Section 7 where he has since resided.  He leaves a widow and three children:  Edward, William F. and Mrs. John (Mary) Wensing, all of the Town of Somers.  Mr. Bose was a quiet and unassuming man.  He was strictly honorable and upright in all his dealings and was honored and respected by all who knew him."
(Source:  Racine Journal, April 11, 1899)

"Mary Rose Ann Bose, age 22, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bose died yesterday morning at Sunny Rest Sanitarium.  She is survived by her parents and three sisters.  The sisters are Mrs. Sam Gascoigne of Berryville; three sisters living in San Francisco; four brothers, Joseph, Barney, John, and Emil all of Berryville.  She was born on the family homestead in Berryville and lived there all her life."
(Source:  Racine Journal, February 24, 1916)

"Charles Birch, Edward Bose, Edward Lotz, and Benny Bose, motored to Mercer last week where they enjoyed several days of fishing.  Mr. Birch brought home a Muskie, measuring 32-1/2" long.
(Source:  Racine Journal, September 11, 1929)

"Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Bose spent Wednesday afternoon with later's mother, Mrs. Jacob Swartz."
(Source:  Racine Journal, Jan. 10, 1914)

"William Bose expects to leave for Florida this morning accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. Alfred Hansche, who was ordered by her physician to make a prolonged stay in a different climate owing to her ill health of late."
(Source:  Racine Journal February 12, 1914)

"The herd of sheep of J.E. Bose which was stricken with some kind of disease, has recovered.  Mr. Bose lost 12 head."
(Source:  Racine Journal, April 10, 1914)

"Wesley Bose is employed on the Albert Scheckler farm.  Arthur Bose has returned here after working the past two years for William Fink at Somers."
(Source:  Racine Journal, April 20, 1940)

"Marjorie Bose of St. Ann's Hospital in Chicago is spending her vacation at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bose."
Mrs. Jack Meekman spent the day with her aunt, Mrs. Nellie Bose, whose health is slowly improving at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bose."
(Source:  Racine Journal, August 9, 1934)

"Richard Bose fell the later part of last week and broke his shoulder blade and Mrs. Ed Bose, Sr. also fell and is bruised and may have broken bones."
(Source:  Racine Journal, September 23, 1932)

"Mrs. Edward Bose called on her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Gascoigne."
(Source:  Racine Journal, December 31, 1912)

Swartz - Bose Marriage
(See photos below)
"The marriage of Miss Carrie Charlotte Swartz, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. J. Swartz, to Benjamin F. Bose of Berryville, was celebrated at the home of the bride's parents in Somers on Wednesday evening, February 10th at eight o'clock in the presence of a large company of invited guests.
As the strains of Lohengrin's wedding march played by Miss Margaret Becker of Kenosha, floated through the rooms, the wedding party took their places in the west parlor. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Bech of Kenosha.
The house was decorated for the occasion, sweet peas, and smilax being used in profusion. The bride was tastefully gowned in white and carried white sweet peas. Miss Luella M. Swartz acted as bridesmaid and also wore white and carried pink sweet peas.
The groom was attended by Edward Bose. After the usual congratulations, the guests sat down to a sumptuous wedding dinner at which the Misses Pauline Birch, Mina Henscher, Etta Pedley, and Mrs. J.F. Swartz, Jr. served.
The gifts were numerous and beautiful. The bride and groom are both popular young people and have a large circle of friends who extend their best wishes. Mr. and Mrs. Bose will be at home to their friends after March 12, 1909."
(Source: Racine Journal, February 16, 1909)

Ben and Carrie Swartz Bose Wedding Photo
Benjamin Bose is the son of Henry and Frederica Bose
Carrie Swartz is the daughter of John Jacob and Emma Swartz
(Source:  Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz.)

Ben and Carrie Swartz Bose Wedding Photo
(Source: Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz)

Arthur and Winifred Bose, about 1917
Children of Benjamin and Carrie Swartz Bose.
(Note:  Wesley, the third child of Benjamin and Carrie is not pictured)
(Source:  Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz)

At 10:45 o'clock this morning Miss Ella Bose died at her home, 1001 Fourteenth Street, aged 32 years.  Deceased was born in Somers, Kenosha County, but has been a resident of Racine since a small girl.  She was a young woman highly esteemed by a large concourse of friends and her death will be learned with sorrow.  There survives to mourn her demise, a mother, brothers, William, Frank G., Fred, E., H., W., and Albert C. Bose, and one sister, Mrs. Jacob Kramer of Somers.  Time of funeral will be announced.
(Source:  Racine Journal, January 11, 1910)

"There was a pretty church wedding At. St. George Church this morning at 9 o'clock, the contracting parties being John Bose, one of the best known young farmers of the Town of Somers, and Miss Rose Koch, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Koch.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Ellskamp in the presence of a large number of the friends and relatives of the contracting parties.  Following the ceremony an all day wedding reception was held at the home of the bride.  Mr. and Mrs. Bose will make their home in the Town of Somers and they will have the best wishes of a large circle of fiends."
(Source:  Racine Journal, May 7, 1908)

"At 8 o'clock last evening at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Donsing of Somers, Wisconsin, Miss Hattie Donsing was united in marriage to William F. Bose, Jr. of Berryville, Wisconsin.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Williams of Chicago in the presence of about fifty friends and relatives of the contracting parties.  The home was decorated for the occasion with flowers and potted plants.  Following the ceremony a wedding repast was served after which the happy couple left on a short wedding tour in the northern part of the state.  The bride is a popular young woman of Somers and the groom is the son of William F. Bose of Berryville.  Mr. and Mrs. Bose will reside at the old Bose homestead at Berryville.
(Source:  Racine Journal, January 20, 1909)

"A very pleasant outing was enjoyed on Sunday by about fifteen Racine young people at the Bose farm near kenosha.  The party left on the 8:30 o'clock.  The C.M. electric train, and return on the 10:30.  The weather was ideal for the occasion.  Baseball was played as was horseshoe and other sports, including sack races. 
After supper was served a moonlight marshmallow roast was held."
(Source:  Racine Journal, August 24, 1915)

"William Bose, Sr. is suffering from a severe attack of blood-poisoning."
(Source:  Racine Journal, April 28, 1915)

"Mr. and Mrs. William Bose, Jr. attended the Knights Templar conclave held in Chicago this past week."
(Source:  Racine Journal, August 16, 1910)

"Miss Mary Blodgett of Racine and Mr. E.H. Bose of Berryville were united in marriage last evening at the Second Methodist church int he presence of relatives.  The Misses Clara and Emma Hanson were the maids of honor while Harry and Benjamin Bose officiated as best  men.  The bride was attired in a gown of light blue and carried white roses.  After the ceremony, a wedding supper was served."
(Source:  Racine Journal, January 5, 1905)

"Mr. Joseph Bose is very sick with pneumonia."
(Source:  Racine Journal, May 10, 1899)

"William Bose, Jr. has been suffering from inflammatory rheumatism for some weeks is slowly recovering."
(Source:  Racine Journal, April 16, 1912)

"Two children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bose who have been seriously sick with diphtheria are slowly convalescing."
(Source:  Racine Journal, July 4, 1911)

"Henry J. Bose, age 73, of Somers, died this forenoon of heart trouble.  He leaves a wife, three sons and three daughters.  Funeral Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house.  Interment in Mound Cemetery.  Deceased was a native of Germany and had resided at Somers for some fifty years."
(Source:  Racine Journal, June 25, 1911)

"Clarence Bose has been busy the past 2 weeks moving his farm implements."
"Mrs. J.E. Bose spent Sunday evening with her mother, Mrs. Christ Koch it being her fifty-third birthday."
"Mrs. C. Bose has purchased an excellent phonograph."
(Source:  Racine Journal, March 10, 1914)

"Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bose  moved into their new home last week."
(Source:  Racine Journal, March 17, 1914)

"Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bose and daughters, Anna and Wilma, left Saturday for California (Los Angeles) where they will spent the winter.  Miss Wilma Bose is in poor health and it is hoped the mild climate may be beneficial."
(Source:  Racine Journal October 17, 1911)