Why I started this site?
While researching my own family history, I discovered there was no one single place to research the history of Somers and its early settlers. Since my family settled here in 1905, and me being the fourth generation living here, I began contacting Somers elders to gather information. I found people in their 80's and 90's very willing and supportive of preserving Somers history before it is all lost. As people sell their house, or clean out attics, they discover photos and documents from their ancestors that could date back to the 1800's. They cannot fathom throwing these items in the trash because they were so cherished by their grand parents or great-grand parents. That is usually the time they contact me. The Pioneer History website is the perfect place to honor their family. Once I scan and post the items, we usually have a discussion about whether or not their items could be donated to the UW-Parkside Archives and Area Research Center for permanent safekeeping.
These websites are successful because people trust that I will respect their information and I maintain strict quality standards regarding what does and what does not get posted. Practically all of the photos are submitted by families in the community and that makes means these websites have been truly created by the community.
These websites are successful because people trust that I will respect their information and I maintain strict quality standards regarding what does and what does not get posted. Practically all of the photos are submitted by families in the community and that makes means these websites have been truly created by the community.
Updates?
Updates on this site will be published when I have uncovered some new information. If you have something to share or if you simply want to say you like my web sites, email me at somershistory@wi.rr.com because I'd love to hear from you.Happy reading!
Jackie
While killing time on the internet, I typed in my surname to see what I could see. What I saw was the Somers, WI website, and through a link, your historical site. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI am curious about the origin of the name. Was it named for Richard Somers, the naval hero, (no kin of mine, so far as I know)?
Jackie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the work on this site. It is amazing! What dedication and abilities you possess. As a Gehring, I have used your website to trace and obtain information on my ancestors and their family farm between Kenosha and Racine, as shown on your Gehring page. My family's Somers and Kenosha/Racine history dates back to the late 1850's.
In many ways my father Richard and myself (Steven) are black-sheep, as my father moved away from the Kenosha area to NE Iowa, and I have settled in southcentral Alaska (Palmer, AK) for the last 20 years. My father and I were both born at the old St. Catherine's Hospital in Kenosha.
God bless you!
The Steven Gehring Family
Hi Jackie!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading many of your entries since first discovering your site this morning. I am descended from the Lichters, Thelens, Fuhrmans, Myers, Mungens, Kearneys, and Malones, all of whom first arrived in Kenosha and Racine Counties back in the late 1830s to early 1850s. I grew up on Lichter Road in Somers and have been interested in genealogy for many years now. If interested, you can contact me at lennieandmaria@yahoo.com. Lennie Lichter
Hi Jackie! I have enjoyed reading many articles on your site since I discovered it this morning. I am descended from the Lichters, Thelens, Fuhrmans, Mungens, Myers, Kearneys, and Malones, all of whom first arrived in Kenosha and Racine Counties from the late 1830s to the early 1850s. I grew up on Lichter Road (18th Street) and have been interested in genealogy for many years now. If you are interested in contacting me, you can reach me at lennieandmaria@yahoo.com. Lennie Lichter
ReplyDeleteJackie
ReplyDeletedo you have much info about Anna Mary Scheckler and her descendants in the Kirchner line?
as for John Gotlieb Scheckler's mysterious disappearance, it was reported to me that son JOHN SCHECKLER born 10-30-1851 who went out west and was last heard from in the Dakota Territory around the time of Lt. Colonel George Custer. He was probably the Scheckler who was killed by Indians. 'Gotteib' could have been 'John' since he was the oldest son.
Custer's Last Stand Battle of the Little Big Horn June 25, 1876
Richard
r.bovey@comcast.net
Hi Jackie! Thank you for creating this site!
ReplyDeleteThe Henry Bose Farm is still in the family and owned by me and my brother (David and Scott Rasmussen). Our mother is the daughter of Wesley Bose Senior. Neither of us live on the property but the house is being maintained and rented out to tenants.
Also, Wesley Bose Senior had two brothers - Arthur and Winifred Bose.
Regards,
Dave Rasmussen
rasmussen.david@gmail.com
I have been trying to find family history for many years. I stumbled across this page when jumping from a previous entry which Shows my Great Aunt Rose (Lotz) book. You have no Idea how happy I was to see her picture. She used to drive a Studebaker that was handicap equipped and walk with heavy braces and crutches. My father "Lawrence Joseph Lotz" Loved her to no end. Somebody sent me a clipping about her when she was a child and it told how my grandfather "Laurence Valentine Lotz" would carry her to school and back everyday, due to her bout with polio as a child. Thank you for providing this additional history.
ReplyDeleteLarry R. Lotz