Ozanne, Mrs Minnie Grimshaw Teacher in Somers starting 1887

 

(Source:  August 6, 1946 Kenosha News)

1859 Warranty Deed Ozanne and Somers School District #7

Warranty Deed dated September 26, 1859

between Peter and Mary Ann Ozanne

and

Town of Somers School District #7 (Pike River School)

$30.00 for land which "shall be used for school purposes"

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(middle part of document)

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Thompson-Jensen Family Group Photos

Summer of 1909 or 1910
Normal Eugene Thompson - 52 years old
Julia B. Stetson Thompson - 53 years old
Wendell Rhodes standing in front row - 4 or 5 years old
Seated at left - Ned Ozanne, Jim Spencer, Normal E. Thompson, Jay W. Rhodes
Back row standing - Mollie Rhodes Spencer (2nd wife), Julia Stetson Thompson, Mabel Cook Rhodes.
Somers, Wisconsin

(©2014 Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  Photo Courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell)

 



Old School Mate Party for Christine at Laura Thompson's
Alice B. Bailey, Mabel Longmore, Sena Iverson, Emma Jensen, Christine Maegaard, Kathrine S. Pophal
Minnie Ozanne, Fannie Baker, Anna Jensen, Kittie Haigh
Somers, Wisconsin

(Source:  ©2014 Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  Photo Courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell)

 

 

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.)

Kelloggs Corners School

School District No. 14 - Kelloggs Corners School
(A joint district of Pike (later Somers), Mt. Pleasant, Yorkville, and Paris Townships)

"A meeting was held at the house of Chauncey Kellogg in Mt. Pleasant on Saturday, the 18th day of May 1844, to have and organize a school district composing the following sections in Mt. Pleasant, Section 31 and S.W. 1/4 of Sec. 32, T. 3 R. 22; and in the Town of Pike, Sec. 6 and W. 1/2 of Sec. 5, of T. 2, R. 22; and in Paris, Sec. 1and the E. 1/2 of Sec. 2 of T. 3, R. 21, and Sec. 36 and the E. 1/2 of Sec. 35, T. 3, R. 21, to be called the Sylvania School District, and known as such.

"Mt. Pleasant, Pike and Paris, May 18, 1844.
Gordon Secor, E.W. Washburn, George W. Parker, School Commission of Mt. Pleasant.
C. Marsh, S.C. Bacon, School Commission of Pike.
The above is a true copy of the original on file.
Oscar Hurlbut, Town Clerk"

The first school building constructed of logs and timbers hewn from the woods nearby, was built about a quarter of a mile south of The Corners.  After a time this building was sold and moved to the Daniel Coughlin farm.  A new site near the Methodist Church was purchased, and a new building was erected, which still stands.  This school was long known as the Sylvania School, and for many years had a large attendance of pupils.  Among the early teachers were Miss Adeline Wilson, M.P. Barry, who received $28 per month for three months, Miss Perkins, Miss Esther R. Shepard, E.W. Malone, Mary E. Spence, Helen Allan, Marinda Gager, Lorin Gould, Lavinia Goldsworthy, Will H. Spencer, David Powderly, Mary Burgess, Robert Pollock, Alice Murray Heidersdorf, and Nancy Murtagroyd.
Judge Roy Burgess, now of Racine, was a student at the Sylvania School.  Attorney Peter Meyers was an early student also.
Among the early settlers of this part of Our Town, then called Pike, following the coming of the Kellogg families, were the Peter Meyers family, who came in 1855, Christian and William Heidersdorf, and Eliza Heidersdorf, who came from Germany in 1848.  Christian Heidersdorf married Margaret Myers in 1857.
Their descendants are carrying on the homestead taken in the early days.  There were five girls and five boys in the Heidersdorf family.  Other families, the Alonzo Burgess', James Buckleys, the Fosters, the Holmes, the George and Horace DeLong families, the Coughlins, John and Jacob Haney, A.T. Gould, the Martins, and the Jason Davis's.
The water system at the Sylvania School was "The Old Oaken Bucket, the Moss Covered Bucket that hung in the well" at the rear of the A. T. Gould home.  How we children loved to "go for water" and stop at the blacksmith shop to and from, and watch the sturdy smith as he pumped the rude bellows, or put a shoe on the farmer's horse.  A.T. Gould loved the school children and they loved him.  A.T. Gould's blacksmith shop stood at The Corners for 70 years.
It is said, from these little rural school houses in Our Town, that more boys and girls laid the foundation for higher things in life, than in any locality of like area.  Many professionals were born and reared, descendants of those early pioneers, teachers, preachers, doctors, lawyers, missionaries, musicians, in fact, professionals in every walk of life.
Among the missionaries sent to foreign fields of work were Lucian Lee, who spent years in Turkey' Katherine Schaeffer (see below) devoted more than thirty years of useful labor in China; Herbert G. Ozanne did work in India for several years."
(Source: My Memoirs by Minnie A.G. Ozanne.  Copyright 1948 - Minnie A.G. Ozanne.  All Rights Reserved.)




(Source: My Memoirs by Minnie A.G. Ozanne. Copyright 1948 - Minnie A.G. Ozanne. All Rights Reserved.)

School History of Somers Township

Establishing Schools
"The establishing of our public schools in the Township of Somers (formerly called Pike) began more than a century ago, as the first school was kept in the winter of 1836, in the Longwell house (still standing), on the old Indian Trail, later the Green Bay Road, and was taught by Miss Brozee.  From this humble beginning, developed our present beautiful modernized state graded, and rural schools.


(Source:  My Memoirs by Minnie A.G. Ozanne, Copyright 1848 Minnie A.G. Ozanne.  All Rights Reserved.)

Somers Township has (1948) five State Graded Schools and three modernized one-room schools, employing 16 teachers for approximately 412 students.  The majority of students of our schools follow on into higher fields of learning.

School District #1 and Washington School
Organized in the early 1840's, School District #1 has been most prominent as an educational center in Our Town.  The first building was erected on the Green Bay Trail, where it stood until 1886, when a new site was purchased one-half  a mile west on the Somers highway.  Of this first school but little history is available, still we know that out from its doors came many of Our Town's professional men and women.  Among them were:  Rev. James Buswell, Congregational Minister; Rev. Moses Buswell, Jr. Baptist Minister; Ezra Buswell, Leader and Teacher in the Christian Science faith; Miss Belle Spence, teacher for many years, later becoming City Missionary of Chicago.  Among others who became prominent teachers were Mrs. Mary Spence Booth, William and George Spence.  Isaac T. Bishop, an early student, served as State Senator for some years.
This building was in use until 1925 (when it was sold to John Yunk and is a dwelling for his son's family), when a two-room State Graded School was erected on this site, which became known as the Washington State Graded School.  Two teachers are employed.
Note:  Moses Buswell was Clerk of District No. 1 for many years."
(Source: My Memoirs, by Minnie A.G. Ozanne. Copyright 1948--Minnie A.G. Ozanne. All Rights Reserved.)

Schools of Somers Township
"Schools of Somers Township were among the first to be established in Kenosha County.  The township now has five state graded schools and three modernized one-room rural schools.  Three of the units are joint districts - Hannan and Stephenson with Pleasant Prairie, and No. 14 Garfield-Columbia, at Kellogg's Corners, occupied jointly with Paris, Mt. Pleasant, and Yorkville.

Burr Oak School, District No. 5, was organized November 14, 1845, the first building being erected some time later in a grove on what is now the Thomas Birchell farm.  This building was sold about 65 years ago and moved to the Albert Hughes farm, where it is still in use as a granary and tool shed.  In the fall of 1869 a new site was selected, and a new building erected.  The building was enlarged in August, 1892.  Within the past year the schoolhouse has been entirely remodeled through the FERA and is now one of the township's modern buildings.  Officers of the district are Ernest Tabbert, director, J.W. Rhodes, treasurer, and John Haigh, clerk.

Records of Pike River School, No. 7, date back to November 30, 1846, when the district was organized.  Modifications and changes have taken place in the district several times.  In 1860 it was made a joint district with Mt. Pleasant.  The first building was completed late in the fall of 1848.  When the new building was constructed in 1905, its predecessor was moved to the L.E. Ozanne farm, where it is still being used as a granary.  The officers of the district at present are Arthur C. Bohm, director, John Klinkhammer, treasurer, and Mrs. L.E. Ozanne, clerk.

The original school at Kellogg's Corners, now the Garfield-Columbia district, was built in 1841.  After a decade of service the school was replaced by a new building, and the first structure converted into a granary on the Daniel Coughlin farm.  The new building stands east of the site of the first Methodist Church in the state of Wisconsin.  Officers of the district include Wiliam E. Tucker, director, Stanley Coughlin, treasurer, and Hardy Helding, clerk.

The growth of the city of Kenosha in recent years has brought about the absorption of one of the school districts formerly existing in Somers Township.  The old Grant School District No. 14 was organized in 1907, drawing from portions of the Berryville, Wood Road, and Hillcrest districts.  The district was in existence until 1924, when the new Grant School was constructed in the City of Kenosha.  The old rural school building, which stood one block north of the MacWhyte Company offices, is now being used as a storehouse by the C.J. Werwie Company.  Although there is no longer any schoolhouse in the district, a school board is still in existence.  This includes John Murray, director, Nick Schackmuth, treasurer, and W. J. Craney, clerk.  All of the officers now live within the city limits and direct the payment of funds for the tuition of the 15 pupils in the district who now attend the new Grant School.  Schackmuth has been treasurer of the district for the past 22 years.

According to W.S. Dearsley, one of the oldest settlers on the Lake Shore Road north of Kenosha, the first school in Berryville District No. 11 was built about 1835.  In 1855 an addition was built.  A new building was constructed in 1872, when 35 pupils were in attendance.  Both buildings occupied sites on the east side of the highway.  The first is being used as a granary on the J.W. Hansche farm, and the second is now part of the home of Emil Julius on the Dearsley Road.  A new two-room brick state graded school was erected in 1923, being enlarged to a four room structure in 1928, when a second story was added.  An auditorium is also provided in the building.  The present school board consists of Axel Mikkelson, director, W.L. Williams, treasurer, and Frank C. Van Thiel, clerk.

One of the five state graded schools in Somers Township is the Wood Road School.  The present modern red brick building was constructed in 1926 on the site purchased for the original school building in early days.  The first school building was sold in 1877 and is still being used on the Joseph Huck farm.  A second building constructed in that year was sold to George P. Thomas in 1927, after the present school was completed.  The board now consists of Harry C. Thompson, director, John F. Swartz, treasurer, and Frank P. Thomas, clerk.  Swartz has been treasurer for the past 23 years.

Prominent as an educational center in Somers Township is the Washington state graded school which has been in existence since the early Forties.  The first building was erected on the Green Bay Trail, where it stood until 1886, when a new site was purchased a mile west on the Somers Road.  The second building erected in that year, served until 1925, when a two-room state graded building was constructed.  The affairs of the district are now supervised by the following board: William Lauer, director, C.D. Christensen, treasurer, and George P. Leet, clerk.

The story of Hillcrest School, district no 2, is more than usual interest.  The site of the first building erected in 1841, about a mile east of the present structure, is still marked by the old foundation stones.  The original building was known as the Ridge School, and the first trustees included some of the best known of Kenosha's pioneers, Cephus Weed, Jonathan H. Talcott, and Jonathan Pierce.  In 1852 the log school house was superseded by a new structure on the present site.  About 10 years ago this one-room building made way for a modern two-room state graded school.  Members of the district board at present are Rudolph Haubrich, director, Harry S. Rogers, treasurer, and Frank Newman, clerk.

It was about 1850 that the first Bullamore Forks School was constructed, to serve the district for about 80 years, when it was moved away to be converted into a dwelling.  The present two-room brick building is thoroughly modern and a great asset to the township's educational facilities.  Roy O. Bullamore, treasurer, Russell Bullamore, director, and Mrs. Elizabeth Umland, clerk, comprise the board.
(Source:  Kenosha News, June 1935 Centennial Edition, Civic and Social section)

Ozanne Old Mill

The Old Mill, built in Somers by the Rev. James Ozanne in the early forties.
(Source: My Memoirs by Minn A.G. Ozanne, Copyright 1948 - Minnie A.G. Ozanne. All Rights Reserved.)

The Old Mill
"Another relic of those pioneer days of Our Town, is gone, when farmers carried their grain to the "Old Mill" in bags, and returned home with the same bags filled with the same grain, ground into flour.
This "Old Mill" was built by the Rev. James Ozanne, an experienced miller and baker, as well as preacher, who came to Somers, then called Pike, from the Isle of Guernsey, In 1842, and established his home on the Green Bay Trail.  Soon after his arrival he began the construction of this mill on his acquired property, one mile west of his home.
The "Old Mill" was an octagonal tower five stories high, built of heavy hand-hewn timbers, and beams, from the Ozanne woods.  The foundation stones were gathered from a nearby quarry.  Much time also went into the motive power, which as a huge windmill wheel also made of wood and strips of iron, while the sails on each arm were of adjustable canvas, that might be spread full to gentle breezes, and furled against threatening gales, thus controlling the speed of the wheel.
After all the timbers and the beams were methodically fitted and put together, and the mill ready for use, Rev. Ozanne hesitated to trust the selection of the grinding stones to anyone, so he journeyed to Boston, Massachusetts, where he knew desirable mill stones could be purchased.  This journey required many weeks.  Upon his return, he carefully placed the mill stones in position for the grinding of the farmer's grain.  These mill stones were imported from France.
The grain was carried to the fifth and upper floor of the tower by a rope windless turned by a hand crank.  Here it was emptied into a large hopper, and fed into the mill stones on the second floor.  The grist, as it came from the mill stones, was caught in bags on the floor below.  Here it was weighed on a Fairbanks-Morse scale, with a capacity of 1200 pounds, built in the Vermont factory, in 1850.  The scale is still in use.
Rev. James Ozanne operated the "Old Mill" until 1868, when he sold it to Joseph Nelesen, who took it down and moved three stories of it to his farm at St. Martin's, Milwaukee County.  It was reassembled, and until 1892 the heavy wheels kept turning.  It required 33 heavy horse-drawn wagons to carry the "Old Mill" and its machinery, including the mill stones, from Somers to St. Martin's.  For more than fifty years, the worn mill stones have lain idle.  The winds, and the rains, and the winter snows have preyed upon the heavy structure, and brought decay, and the birds have nested and found shelter among its beams.
Joseph Nelesen was a native of Holland, and came to America in 1851, when a boy of 14 years.  When your narrator (Minnie Ozanne), he was 93 years of age.
Note:  A large oak stump on the high hill (now in Petrifying Spring Park) served as a view point in those early days, upon which the farmers over east would climb to see if the Ozanne Mill was working.  This high spot overlooked the dense woods."
(Source: My Memoirs by Minnie A.G. Ozanne, Copyright 1948 - Minnie A.G. Ozanne. All Rights Reserved.)

Partial 1861 Somers Township Map
Section 10, See Ozanne parcel showing a notation marked "Windmill"

Ozanne Family

1877 partial map of Somer Township
Ozanne parcels, Section 9 and 10
Peter Ozanne, James Ozanne, Dr. James Ozanne, E.G. Ozanne, H.A. (Helena Ozanne) Hitler, A.C. Ozanne

James Ozanne
James and Rachel (Thoume) Ozanne were natives of Guernsey.  They were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter, namely:  James, Peter, John and Rachel of whom John died at the age of fifteen years, and Rachel died in childhood.  James Ozanne and his family came to America, landing at Racine, Wisconsin June 18, 1842.  On July 4th following, he bought 326 acres on land, located in Somers Township, Kenosha County, later dividing a portion of this land between his sons, James and Peter, and passed the balance of his life here, dying age at 72 years.
He was twice married, his first wife being the mother of  Peter and James.  After her death, he went back to Guernsey where in 1847 he married Mary Carre, who lived in Somers Township  four children were born to this union:  Helena, widow of H.A. Hitler of Somers Township whom she had one children, Clinton; Alfred, who died in Tempe, Ariz in 1916, leaving three children; Miss Emma, of Somers Township, and Edward G., also of Somers Township.
(Source:  Biographical Record of Prominent and Representative Men of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin, J.H. Beers & Co., 1906)

Dr. James Ozanne
Dr. James Ozanne (son of James and Rachel Thomne Ozanne) was born on the Isle of Guernsey May 21, 1825.  He was a physician.  He was a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, 1862.  He married September 21, 1851 in Princeton, Wisconsin, Miss Marie Fidelia Kellogg, the daughter of Austin Kellogg, one of the first pioneer settlers in Somers, Township and Kenosha County, also Kellogg's Corners neighborhood in Somers Township.  Dr. James Ozanne died in Somers July 24, 1891.  His widow, Maria, moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin with her son.  To this union six children were born: James Thoume Ozanne, Rachel Amelia, Walter Henry, Gail Austin, Irvine Eugene, and Herbert Giles.
(Source:  "The Kelloggs in the Old World and the News, Volume 2, by Timothy Hopkins, published in San Francisco, California 1903).

Peter Ozanne (son of James and Rachel Thoume Ozanne)
"Peter Ozanne was born on the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel on March 27, 1827, and died March 6, 1905, lacking but twenty-one days of being seventy-eight years old.  He was one of the pioneers in this section of Kenosha County and for many years was a very prominent and influential man in Somers Township.
James and Rachel (Thoume) Ozanne, the parents of Peter Ozanne, were natives of Guernsey.  They were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter, namely:  James, Peter, John and Rachel of whom John died at the age of fifteen years, and Rachel died in childhood.  James married and reared a family; he became a physician.  James Ozanne and his family came to America, landing at Racine, Wisconsin June 18, 1842.  One July 4th following he bought 326 acres of land, located in Somers Township, Kenosha County, later dividing a portion of this land between his sons, James and Peter, and passed the balance of his life here, dying aged seventy-two years.  He was twice married, his first wife being the mother of our subject.  After her death he went back to Guernsey where he married Mary Carre, who still lives in Somers Township; she has been blind for some years.  Four children were born to this union:  Alfred C. of Tempe, Ariz.; Helena, widow of H.A. Hitler of Somers Township; Miss Emma, of Somers Township; and Edward G., also of Somers Township.
On March 28, 1849, Peter Ozanne was married to Miss Mary Ann LeMessurier, who was born April 17, 1832 in Guernsey, and six children were born to them, as follows:  Mary Ann, Pierre T., Lawrence E., Clarence F., Rosa A. and Charles H.  Mary Ann died aged five months.  Pierre T. is single, and lives on the old homestead with his brother Lawrence E.  Clarence F. twin brother of Lawrence E. died in 1884, aged twenty years and three days.  Charles H. died in 1877 aged nine years, eleven months and twenty-four days.  Rosa A. married Fred L. Holmes, lives at South Haven, Michigan and has five living children: Bertrand M., Harry R., Fred B., Beatrice R. and Mary L.
For a period of nineteen years Peter Ozanne was Somers Town Clerk continuously; for a number of years he was Somers Town Treasurer; was Clerk of School District No. 7; and for a few years was Secretary of the Somers Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
The farm which Mr. Ozanne originally owned in Somers Township, a gift from his father, contained eighty-seven acres, two acres having since been sold.  To have lived in one locality for sixty-three years and to have, during that time, gained the respect and esteem of one's fellow citizens and preserved it to the end, is a pretty fair test of a man's quality, and such was the case with Peter Ozanne.  His remains rest in Oakwood Cemetery.  He was a member of the Methodist Church.
Mrs. Ozanne, who still survives, is much esteemed in Somers Township where she is well known for her many admirable qualities of mind and heart.  Her parents were Abraham and Mary (Le Prevost) Le Messurier, and her maternal grandparents were Daniel and Elizabeth (La Huray) Le Prevost, the family evidently being of French descent.  The three daughters of Abraham and May Le Messurier were:  Mary Ann, Mrs. Ozanne; Margarate, deceased, formerly the wife of Thomas Le Poidevin; and Matilda, widow of Fred Graham, now residing in Racine.
The father of Mrs. Ozanne died in Guernsey (where he was born) aged thirty-nine years.  He was by trade a boot and shoe manufacturer, but gave up much of his time to music, for which he had considerable talent, being a fine performer on the cornet and the clarinet; his services were frequently in demand in musical organizations.  After his death his widow came to America, in 1847, settling in Racine, Wisconsin., where she died in 1886, at the age of seventy-five years.  She married (second) William Graham, who had been a soldier in the Mexican War.  He was a ship carpenter by trade and lived at Racine for many years, dying aged about seventy-nine.  The two sons of Peter Ozanne carry on the farm, both being capable agriculturists and good citizens."
(Source: Biographical Record of Prominent and Representative Men of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin, J.H. Beers & Co., 1906)

Peter Ozanne
He served 19 years as Somers Town Clerk and also several years as Somers Town Treasurer.  He was served a number of years as Secretary of the Somers Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

"Mrs. Holmes (nee Rosa Ozanne) and children of Chicago are visiting with her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ozanne."
(Source:  Racine Journal, July 11, 1900)

Edward G. Ozanne (son of James and Mary Carre Ozanne)
Edward G. Ozanne, who was engaged in farming in Section 10, Somers Township, was born August 30, 1854, in the township where he now resides, his parents being James and Mary (Carre) Ozanne, who were natives of the Isle of Guernsey, whence they came to the United States in 1842.  Edward went to local school until 16 years old.  he has since inherited a portion of his father's farm and has purchased the interest of the other heirs in the property.  Later he sold off part of his land but at present owns 80 acres. In 1881 Edward G. Ozanne married Miss Ida Clemens, who died in 1895, leaving two children, Edward C. and Mary E.  The former is married and has two children.  Mr. Ozanne was married again October 6, 1898, the lady of his choice being Miss Minnie A. Grimshaw, daughter of Joseph and Bessie (Lee) Grimshaw, the former a native of England.  The mother, who was born in Somers, is still living in that town.
(Source:  The City and County of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Volume II, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1916)

"E.G. Ozanne has put up a windmill for the purpose of cutting feed.  It is one manufactured by the Winship Co., of Racine.
(Source:  Racine Journal December 3, 1896)

"E.G. Ozanne left on Tuesday fro Beatrice, Nebraska where Mrs. Ozanne is spending a few weeks for the benefit of her health."
( Source:  Racine Journal Aug. 18, 1905)




Isle of Guernsey - About
"Off the northern coast of France lies Guernsey, from which many early settlers came to Racine and Kenosha Counties.  The island is high-cliffed and topped with living green and lies amid the swirling tides of the English Channel.  It was called Sarnia by the Romans.  Guernsey has an area of about 25 square miles, much less than a standard township in the state of Wisconsin.  It is about 5-1/2 miles at its widest point and 9-1/2 miles in length.  Its inhabitants are dairy and garden farmers who have acres of greenhouses where the choicest garden crops are raised.  Famed are the White Pinks and other flowers raised for the English  markets.
The little isle is the home of "a beautiful streamlined creature, straight of back and clean of limb" - the famous Guernsey cow.  In 1831 Capt. Prince of Boston brought two heifers and a sire back with him from Guernsey and sent them to his brother on a tiny island in Lake Winnepesaukee.It was questioned whether these imported cattle could stand a more severe climate, but they proved to have endurance and adaptability.
Tragedy came to the isle in 1940 when the Germans invaded it.  Many of the natives were evacuated but others refused to abandon their cows-most of these gentle-eyed creatures disappeared into the conquerors' stew pots.  America is making plans to return this breed of cattle to native soil."
(Source:  Plight of Guernsey in Dark Days of War Revealed in a Letter to Lawrence Ozanne. Article written by Minnie Ozanne, Racine Journal Times, published September 28, 1945).

Minnie Ozanne

(Photograph Courtesy of  Minnie Ozanne from her book "My Memoirs")

"Surreys and buggies were the vogue in transportation when Miss Minnie Grimshaw, now Mrs. E.G. Ozanne, began writing news and "personals" for the Racine Journal-Times and its forerunners.
At 85, Mrs. Ozanne is a living history book.  Her memory is as keen as her interest has been all her life in the everyday events going on about her in Somers Township.  Although her "beat" hasn't been of spectacular nature, her faithful recording of the daily events has produced thousands of newspaper clippings which overflow more than 10 scrap books.
Mrs. Ozanne has lived all her life among the friends who have produced the daily gist for the copy which she began submitting to the Racine Journal in August, 1896.  At the time she was teaching in the one-room Burr Oak School after returning from Nebraska where she completed high school and had taught for several years.
Her first teaching job was offered to her while she was still in high school.  But, as now, teachers were in short supply and the county superintendent certified her and Miss Grimshaw lengthened her skirt and put up her hair and took the job.  She was boarded for $1 a week on a 600 acres cattle ranch where part of her chores included getting up early enough to wash the breakfast dishes before leaving for school.  After supper she also had to clean up the kitchen.
After three months teaching to complete the spring term, Miss Grimshaw moved to Jefferson County, Nebraska, and a one-room school isolated in the center of a corn field with the only entrance a footpath.  "My superintendent was an Indian," recalled the sprightly reporter.  "I was afraid of him, although I'd never seen him.  I sent my credentials in to him and they were returned in due time.  But one day while I was teaching, in he walked.  He was a tall man, the tallest man I think I've ever seen.  He sat in the back of the room and never said a word.  After school was over he came up to my desk and his only criticism was that I stood up too much while teaching.  I never saw him again."
Back in Somers Township, Miss Grimshaw took up her teaching job at Burr Oak School where she had attended as a youngster.  Three years later she was married to E.G. Ozanne, who died in 1936.  She continues to live on the Ozanne Homestead on Highway 31, south of the entrance to Petrifying Springs.  The homestead includes the site of the first log cabin in southeastern Wisconsin.  The homestead dates from 1842 and often is visited days by members of neighboring historical societies in their study of early Wisconsin history.
since the death of her husband her only companions have been her canaries and a dog which she now has outlived.  But life has never been dull.  She also is a notary public and secretary of the Somers Cemetery Association.
A few years ago she published her first book, "My Memoirs" which records the early history of her area as she lived it and knew it firsthand.  Until this summer, Mrs. Ozanne took care of her own lawn and the many flowers which surround her home.  A fall earlier this year, however, has cut down on her physical activity.  "And,", she observed, "the work for the newspapers seems to be getting to be more and more, and, I'm quite busy without taking time out for the yard."
Her present handicap annoys her.  She pointed out she had been ill only twice in her life.  Once was with the measles and the other was with whooping cough.  Both times were while she was teaching and after she cam down with each illness, "the whole school got it."
Like the poem, Mrs. Ozanne has lived her life by the side of a road.  The Green Bay Road has had a historical past, significant in the movement of the nation from east to west.  The road is marked with a bronze plaque, noting that it was established in 1832.  Over it moved the early settlers and pioneers who opened up the vast expanses of the rich Midwest and prairie lands.
From her home, Mrs. Ozanne has watched "the march of progress."  Not all of it has please her, either.  Probably the most severe blow was several years ago when the need for a wider roadway cut keep into her front yard.  Highway engineers took off 60 feet and brought the edge of the road to within a stone's throw of her front door.
Among modern inventions, Mrs. Ozanne has no time for television and she never has been in an airplane.  Inf act, she isn't sure all the new mechanical devises and gadgets have made life any pleasanter than her early days."
(Source:  Racine Journal Times, publication November 4, 1956.)

Somers Mutual Fire Insurance

"1905 Somers Mutual Fire Insurance Company's Annual Meeting"
The Somers Mutual Fire Insurance Company held their annual business meeting at the Town Hall last Tuesday.

The following officials were elected for the ensuing year:
President - W.J. Rhodes
Secretary - I.T. Bishop
Treasurer - G.F. Jordan

The following Directors were elected for three years:
W. J. Rhodes
G.F. Jordan and Herman Boelter

During the past year, 100 policies were written, making a total of 356 policies now in force; $204,830 the amount written; $171,432 expired and cancelled; $1,910.39 is the average amount of policies written; $239.45 amount paid for loss during the past year.  The Company is free from debt."
(Source:  Racine Journal, January 13, 1905)

1914 Annual Meeting
"The annual meeting of Somers Mutual Fire Insurance Company was held at the town hall on Tuesday.  The following trustees were elected for a term of three years.  Henry Lytle, Nicholas Lichter and Herman J. Boelter.  The following trustees elected to fill vacancies, Jacob J. Barrows and William F. Bose, Sr.
The Board of Trustees now comprises Isaac T. Bishop, James E. Spencer, Jacob J. Barrows, William F. Bose, Sr., Lawrence E. Ozanne, Nicholas Thomas, Henry Lytle, Nicholas Lichter, and Herman J. Boelter.
The following officers were elected:
President - James E. Spencer
Secretary - Isaac T. Bishop
Treasurer - Henry Lytle

Somers Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized September 12, 1873, and has insured since that time $6,711.945.  The amount of policies written during the year of 1913, $263,060.
Amount in force on December 31, 1913, $935,050.
Since its organization the company has paid out for losses $25,572.04.
During the year 1913 the company has paid out for losses $3,835.75.
The number of policies in force at present time 365.
The average amount per policy has increased from $1,831.72 in 1902, to $12,561.78 in 1913."
(Source:  Racine Journal January 9, 1914)

Barns of Somers

The Nicholas Thomas Barn
Wood Road, unpaved, in front of barn.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of the Robert Thomas Family)

Introduction
One way we can document the settlement of Somers Township is knowing when our pioneers built houses and barns.  We know by the biographical sketches I have provided in this blog, settlers in the early 1830's built log cabins and lean shelters as their first homes and shelters.  These structures provided temporary shelter while our first settlers cleared the land so planting could begin.  Once the pioneer became settled and earned money, a more modern and permanent house and barn were constructed.
When were the barns in Somers Township built? 
To answer that question I researched the "Neighborhood News" columns, published by the Racine Journal News or Racine Daily Journal.  The "Neighborhood News" column was written by Minnie Ozanne, the news reporter that represented Somers. This list represents information I could find - not a complete list.  The date in parenthesis represents the date the post was published in the newspaper.

Who built the barns?
Most of the barns in this area were built by Mr. Lauer or Mr. Yule. They also were Somers pioneers and you may find their biographical sketches in this blog of interest.

What makes old barns so appealing?
Could it be that it represents a hardworking, gritty way of life.  A visit inside an old barn immediately draws you in and captures a way of life that no longer exists.  The hand hewn timbers, the smell, the odds and ends that have been hanging on a old nail for the past eighty years all peak the interest of those who visit a barn.  Somers Township, still today, has some fine examples of old barns.

I would welcome an invitation to take photographs of some of our old pioneer barns still standing, inside and out. This is the perfect place to preserve and share history.

Somers Barns

Anderson (05-05-1908) "M.A. Anderson received a car load of lumber for a new barn. William Lauer will do the carpenter work."

Anderson (04-18-1911) "M.A. Anderson had a large barn raising Monday morning.  This barn, when completed, will be one of the largest in this section of the county.  Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen served dinner to about 40 men."

Barrows (01-06-1905) "Jacob Barrows has received a car load of brick for a basement under his barn."

Biehn (03-15-1907) "Jacob Biehn is unloading brick at Somers for the foundation of his new barn."

Biehn (05-23-1917) "Henry Biehn had a barn raising Friday.  50 neighbor assisting.  William Lauer has the contract."

Boelter (03-02-1906) "Mr. Herman Boelter has received his lumber for a new barn he will build in the spring."

Bohm (03-29-1904) "August Bohm is drawing sand from Kenosha for the foundation of his new barn."

Bush (03-21-1901) "Emory Bush received two car loads of  lumber last week for his new barn."

Bush (05-30-1901) "Emory Bush's barn was raised Thursday afternoon."

Chaffee (06-13-1900) "William Miller is drawing stone from Mr. Chaffe's farm for the foundation of his new barn."

Christensen (05-23-1917) "A barn dance will be held at Theodore Christensen's new barn on Saturday evening."

Corbett (09-15-1914) "James Due of Racine is building the foundation of Thomas Corbett's new barn."

Drew (09-21-1909) "Eric Jensen met with a distressing accident Monday afternoon while at work on William Drew's new barn. It seems while he, with other carpenters, were moving a barrel of oil which slipped and his hand was caught between the building and barrel. Two fingers were badly crushed. Dr. Belting put four stitches in one finger and three in another."

Fink (02-24-1921) "Edward Fink expects to build another new barn."

Fink (10-31-1911) "Edward Fink is building a new barn.  William Lauer and his force of carpenters are doing the work on the County Line Road."

Gitzlaff (03-27-1907) "Mr. August Gitzlaff received a car load of lumber last week for his new barn.  The barn will be 30 x 70.  B.F. Yule has the contract for the building."

Gross (04-06-1909) "William Lauer and his carpenters are building a barn for William Gross."

Hamilton (08-16-1909)  "William Lauer and George Hamilton visited Chicago recently where Mr. Hamilton will purchase lumber for his new house."

Hansche (05-16-1899) "Carpenters are at work at the Hansche Bros. storehouse."

Hughes (02-08-1911) "Marvin Hughes had a large barn raising Tuesday afternoon.  William Lauer and his carpenters are doing the work.  Mr. Hughes will build an addition to his house this spring."

Jensen (05-07-1914) "Chris A. Jensen had a barn raising on Saturday afternoon.  About 35 of his neighbors and friends were there to assist.  A bountiful dinner was served after the raising.  Erick Jensen is doing the carpenter work."

Knudsen (03-27-1903) "Hans Knudsen has completed his barn and as soon as the weather permits he will begin building his new house."

Leet Bros. (09-07-1910) "The Leet Bros. are hauling lumber from Racine for anew barn they expect to build this spring.  B.F. Yule and Fred Heddle have the contract for carpenter work."

Lichter (10-9-1912) "George Lichter is going to build a new barn on the farm he recently purchased, known as the Soens farm.  William Lauer has the contract on the carpenter work."

Mutchie (05-10-1910) "John Mutchie had a big barn raising Thursday forenoon.  About 75 men was present and assisted in the raising.  At noon a bounteous repast was served.  Mr. Mutchie will have one of the largest and most convenient barns in this vicinity when it is finished."

Newman (06-30-1898) "A large company of men aided at the barn raising at Mrs. Marcia Newman's on Monday afternoon.  Tables were set and a bountiful supper was served."

Pedley (02-21-1902) "John Pedley is hauling lumber from Racine for a new cattle barn."

Porter (11-06-1898)  "The barn on the Porter farm is undergoing repairs.  B.F. Yule is doing the work."

Rhodes (01-05-1909) "Mr. Jay Rhodes had a barn raising Wednesday."

Lavin (04-13-1906) "Mr. Lavin is drawing lumber from Racine for a new barn."

Lee (12-21-1906) "Rollie Lee expects a barn raising Friday afternoon."

Leet (06-07-1901 "Mrs. Jessie Leet had her barn raising Saturday."

Leet (04-06-1909) "The Leet Bros. are hauling lumber from Racine for a new barn they expect to build in the spring. B.F. Yule and Fred Headie have the contract for the carpenter work."

Lichter (04-10-1914) "Mr. Frank Lichter built a new barn.  Will Lauer and his men did the carpenter work."

Miller (05-31-1900) "Wm. Miller received two car loads of lumber for his new barn last week."

Miller (06-27-1900) "Dan Pedley began work on Wm. Miller's new barn Tuesday. B.F. Yule and F. Heddle are building a large barn at Milburn, Illinois."

Miller (07-17-1900) "Wm. Miller barn raising will happen today."

Mutchie (05-10-1910) "John Mutchie had a big barn raising Thursday afternoon.  About 75 men were present and assisted in the raising.  At noon, a bouteous repast was served.  Mr. Mutchie will have one of the largest and most convenient barns in this vicinity when it is finished."

Ozanne (06-16-1905) "Pierre and L.E. Ozanne received a car load of lumber for their new barn last week.  B.F. Yule will do the carpenter work."

Ozanne (07-04-1895) "Perhaps it would be a little interesting to the readers of this journal, especially to those of the eastern part of Kenosha County to know that the first barn ever built in the Town of Somers was until recently, still in existence.  The barn was built about the year 1838, and now owned by E.G. Ozanne, who has taken it down, using some of the hard wood timbers for a new building.  On June 18, 1842, James Ozanne and family arrived at Racine from the Isle of Guernsey and on July 4th following, purchased the farm of 335 acres, on which the barn stood.  The farm was afterward's divided up into three."

Rasmussen (02-25-1907) "Matt Rasmussen received a carload of lumber on Monday morning for a new barn to be erected on farm No. 2.  The building is to be 54 x 40.  William Lauer will do the work."

Rasmussen (07-29-1920) "William Lauer and his force of carptenters are building a barn on the M.A. Rasmussen north farm."

Rasmussen (12-08-1905) "Mr. Martin Rasmussen is building an addition to his barn.  William Lauer is doing the carpenter work."

Smith (05-02-1911) "Samuel Smith is building a new barn iin which a large dance will be held next month."

Spencer (09-15-1910) "James E. Spencer received a car load of crushed stone last week for the concrete work in the new barn he recently built."

Spencer (10-27-1910) "James E. Spencer is having concrete floors built in his barn."

Swartz (07-18-1911) "William Lauer and his carpenters will soon begin work on a barn for Jacob Swartz."

Thompson (06-23-1916) "Thompson Bros. are building a large barn.  William Lauer and his force of carpenters are doing the work."

Woodward (06-10-1914) "Woodward Bros. are hauling gravel for their new barn."

Yonk (02-24-1921) "John Yonk is installing a water system in his dairy barn."

1877 Map and Minnie Ozanne Somers History

Partial Plat Map of 1887 Somers Township

The purpose of this blog page is to identify (1887 Map) some of the earliest settlement in Somers - along the Green Bay Trail.  The Green Bay Trail can be identified on the map above as the center north-south road in the middle of the map.  The intersection showing the "M.E. Church" is Highway E or Somers Road.
A few historical building photographs are shown below and are considered some of the oldest evidence of our historic settlement.   Although the landscape and structures have changed, you can take a ride and see for yourself where our history began.  I hope you enjoy finding the names on the map!

Click on this link to read Somers history written by Mrs. E.G. (Minnie) Ozanne, one our pioneers,  published in "Souvenir, Kenosha County Court House: and bits of yesterday, foundations of today" by Otis L. Trenary. 1925.

"Among the early settlers of Somers (1835) were Benjamin Felch, Hugh Longwell, Griffin and William Allen, Charles Leet, and William Smith.  Jacob Montgomery and his two sons built a log cabin near the present site of E.G. Ozanne's residence, the first in the town and in the county.  In the southeast part of the town Cephus Weed began his farming and on Pike River, Thomas Parsons built a sawmill (near Berryville).  This early immigration followed the Indian Trail which later became the Green Bay Road.  The plank road running from Racine and connecting with the plank road west out of Kenosha followed part of the old Green Bay Trail and ran near Petrifying Springs in Somers.  A toll gate was placed near the present home of George Leet.

In 1836 a weekly stage began to run from Chicago to Milwaukee over this Green Bay Trail, and the first Post Office was established at Willis's.  This tavern was located in the southwest corner of what is now the intersection of the Prairie Avenue Road with the Green Bay Road, Maxwell's Corners.  In this year, too, the first school taught by Miss Brizee was held in the Hugh Longwell house.  In the spring of 1837 the Kelloggs' - Chauncey, Seth H., and Thaddeus - with their families built their shanties and held their first religious meetings.  The result of the first Sunday School is shown when in 1860 a festival was held with an attendance of 300 children.

The Methodist Episcopal Church completed in 1840 was not only the first in the town of Somers, but we believe, the first in the state.

A Government observatory was built in 1860 on the William Robinson farm to a height of 72 feet.  This is on the present John Salentine farm on the hill about one mile south of the Somers Cemetery and Town Hall.  It is the highest point between Chicago and Milwaukee on the Green Bay Trial.  A pile of stones shows today where the tower stood.

The first frame barn built in the town was built for Rev. James Ozanne, and a part still stands.  By act of the state legislature, the town was named "Pike", April 15, 1843.  In 1851 "Pike was changed to "Somers".

On May 1, 1843, the first town meeting was held in the house of Charles Leet.  Joseph P. Hurlbut was chosen moderator of this meeting and Oscar Hurlbut, Clerk.  Tax raised in 1843 - $372.39; 1924, $96,594.  A farm of 88 acres in Somers in 1836 was valued at $1,040, the amount of taxes on this farm was $10.79."

Charles Leet Home
Contributor:  C.E. Dewey
This home was built in 1842 and it is believed that this picture shows the house in its original state.  It was remodeled in the 1860's at the close of the Civil War.  This property had been in the Leet family for one hundred years at the time this slide was produced. (1940).
(Source:  Photo Courtesy of Minnie Ozanne Family)

The Longwell House, residence of Hugh Longwell.
Southern Wisconsin's first public school building, erected in Somers Township in 1836, was held in the Longwell home with a Miss Brizee as the teacher.  In 1846 the Pike River school district was formed.  A new school building was constructed and opened in 1849.  Mr. Hugh Longwell, the first settler of Somers made a claim in March 1835 and settled where he resided with his family until his death.
(Source:  Minnie Ozanne Family)

Hugh Longwell Biographical Sketch

Hugh Longwell was born in New York about 1798.  He married his wife Letta in New Jersey and the couple had six children.  Hugh Longwell's sister, Sarah Maria Longwell, was born in Somers Township in 1841 and married William Toase (a neighboring land owner in Section 2).  William's mother married a second time to George Haigh of Somers Township, a substantial farming family in Section 8.

Methodist Episcopal Church
Built by Austin Kellogg and his brothers around 1837 and was completed in 1840.  An addition was added at the front of the building some years later.  The church was torn down around 1910.  The timbers were hand-hewn out of solid oak.
(Source:  Photo Courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Historical Images)



 

Somers Presbyterian Church 1839

Presbyterian Church, circa 1800's, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell)

The Reverend John Gridley
Pastor of the Somers Presbyterian Church, which was formed in 1839 and was located on the Green Bay Road near Petrifying Springs.  He served as a Pastor for 17 years from 1855 to 1872.  He was born May 23, 1787 and died December 27, 1876.  John Gridley was not only a doctor of divinity, but also a doctor of medicine.

Somers Presbyterian Church
Photo Courtesy of Kenosha County Historical Society, Inc.
Contributor:  Mrs. Minnie Ozanne/Kenosha Vocational School
c. 1839

History of the Somers Presbyterian Church

Among the oldest churches in this vicinity was the Presbyterian Church in Somers.  Rev. S. Peet was the organizer of the Presbyterian congregation, and it was under his direction that the church structure was erected in 1839.  The building was most substantially constructed with heavy oak timbers that were hand hewed from the neighboring woods.

It originally stood beside the Old Indian Trail, a road established by the government from Chicago to Green Bay, on land a short distance south of the Somers town hall donated by “Uncle Billy” Smith.  (Please read the blog entry for William Smith for additional reference and map).

It remained there until 1845, when it was moved half a mile north to a site given by Rev. James Ozanne and Charles Leet.

As persons entered the building they faced the congregation, so it was well to be on time.  The pulpit was in an elevated alcove in the front of the church, and the choir apartment was at the rear.  A dark red curtain of heavy material was drawn in front of the choir after each song.  The congregation turned around in the pews when they sang.

An early custom was for members to buy their pews and received deeds for them.  Doors were at each end.  In the front of the building, to the right and left of the pulpit, were square pews.  The late Mr. and Mrs. James Flett, early Scotch settlers, with their eight sons, occupied the southeast square pew.  Among the sons was the late David Flett, judge of the first municipal court in Racine.  Mr. and Mrs. William Robertson and their seven children had the northeast square pew.

In the summer of 1886 the church was moved to the village of Somers.

Rev. O.F. Curtis, who served to 1840, was the first pastor.
(Source:  Kenosha News June 15, 1935 Centennial Edition)




"Fred and George Leet have built the cement walks at the Presbyterian Church."
(Source:  Racine Journal Times publication October 27, 1910)


"One hundred years ago on December 3, 1839, the Presbyterian church of Somers was organized by Rev. S. Peet, and was built on the Green Bay trail, the land being donated by William Smith.  In June 1846 the building was moved a half mile north to a site given by Charles Leet and Rev. James Ozanne.  It stood there until 1886 when it was moved to the village of Somers.  The first pastor was Rev. O.F. Curtiss, who served 1839-40, and the first four members of the church were Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Spence and Mrs. and Mrs. James Hurlbut.

In 1863 a Methodist Church was established near the intersection of the Somers Road and the Green Bay trail and this too after many years was moved to the village.

On July 21, 1918, these two bodies united, continuing as the Somers Federal Church until December 11, 1921, when the organization became Congregational.

The main portion of the present building is the original part of the Presbyterian Church built in 1839."
(Source:  Racine Journal, publication date December 4, 1939)