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)

Somers Fire Dept.

Kenosha News March 8, 1978
Click on image to enlarge.
(Source: Original news clipping courtesy of Ernest "Bunky" Tabbert)

Somers, Wisconsin Volunteer Fire Department
Click on image to enlarge.
Men on the Fire Truck on the Left:  Standing behind headlight is Ed Wade, to the right, Archie Bush, Jim Nueloff, Bob Thomas with crossed hand and dark suit, Pete Lauer man standing in light suit and tie, to the right of him Wendy Rhodes and Mac NcNeil.  In front of the first aid kit is Fred Helding.

Men on the Fire Truck on the Right:  Man in front of truck is Ernie Tabbert.  Seated in the truck on the left is George Yunk and driving is Ed Tabbert.  Behind with the white helmet is Fritz Heide to his right is Ed Tabbert.  Standing left is Ed Prange, Ted Tabbert, George Tabbert, Louie Wilcox, and Franklin Thom
(Source:  Photo courtesy of Ernest "Bunky" Tabbert)

Kenosha News March 8, 1978
Click on photo to enlarge.
(Source:  Original news clipping courtesy of Ernest "Bunky" Tabbert)

Somers "The Village"

Somers, Wisconsin
Circa about early 1920's
View of the village on Highway E or Somers Road, west of the railroad tracks, looking south west.
The first two story building was the Wirtz tavern, now known as Tina's.
The building in front of the old car is the former Somers Superette, general store.
(Source:  Original photo and identification courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert.)

Somers Post Office History

(Source:  "My Memories" by Minnie A.G. Ozanne. Copyright 1948.)

The First Somers Post Office
"Standing today, on the Green Bay Trail, is an old frame building that was erected in the early days of Our Town, then known as the Town of Pike, which today is the Elmer Maxwell home - then it was the George Willis tavern.
It was there the first Post Office in Our Town was established, in 1836, the year that the present U.S. Postal Organization became effective.
At that time a weekly stage coach began to run from Chicago to Milwaukee, over the "Old Indian Trail."  This office also served Southport, now Kenosha, until 1840.
"Uncle Billy" Smith carried mail by horseback from Southport to Milwaukee, over the Green Bay Trail, in the early days.  he resided on "this trail" adjoining the Township House.

First Somers Postmaster
Lute Carpenter, first Postmaster, carried mail from Kenosha, keeping the Post Office in his house (now the Edmund Fink home), at a salary of $12.00 per year.


Early Somers Post Office Locations
After a time, a group of farmers moved an old building that had been started as a grist mill and turned into a cheese factory, by a spring of clear, cold water, on the Somers Road, and Lute Carptenter moved the Post Office into this factory.  Soon afterward, Abram Bishop began carrying the mail, the volume of which had increased sufficiently to warrant increasing the salary to $20. per year.  When winter came, it was too cold in the cheese factory, so the Post was moved into the nearby blacksmith shop owned by John Smith.  The fext fall, Abram Bishop moved it into his woodshed, a short distance west.  The Post Office was two feet wide and three feet long.  A few months later Abram Bishop added a room on to his house for a store, and put the Post Office into it.  This room soon became too small for his grocery business, so he erected a store building nearby, and moved the Post Office into it, where it remained for two years.
When in 1870 the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad was built through Our Town, the village of Somers was established.  Mr. Bishop then moved to the village, taking with him his store, and the Post Office.  Later, a larger store building was erected, and the Post Office was again moved."
(Source: My Memoirs by Minnie A.G. Ozanne. Copyright 1948)

Somers Postmasters

Postmasters following Mr. Bishop were Lafayette Cook, 1885; Ward E. Bain 1889; George Biehn 1893; N.E. Thompson 1897 to 1916; Mrs. Florence Fink, 1916-1929, and Albert E. Bullamore, 1929 to the present (1936), Mrs. Eunice B. Bullamore and C.C. Ruthe.

The Post Office now (1948) is now is the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Station house."
(Source: My Memoirs by Minnie A.G. Ozanne. Copyright 1948)

Rural delivery of mail over Route #1 was established in Somers in 1904. George Hamilton, a Spanish-American War veteran, was given the carrier's job, and he traveled the Route 30 years until February 1934, when it was discontinued.

(Source: My Memoirs by Minnie A.G. Ozanne. Copyright 1948)

George Hamilton Carrier Route No. 38 - 1904

George Hamilton has been appointed mail carrier for Route No. 38, his duties to begin on February 1. Just where the route would be laid out was a question with many, but the following is the official route as given recently and it will be published for the benefit of the Journal's readers.

From Somers east 1/2 mile, north to Percy Fink's corner, 2 miles, west to T.B. Lewis' residence, 1-1/4 miles, east to corner 1/4 mile, south 1 mile, west to W.J. Rhodes corner, 3/4 mile, north to Sniffen corner, 1 mile, west to school #4, 1-1/4 miles south to Frederick corner,3-3/4 miles, southeast to Reitenback residence 3/4, northwest to Chapin, 1-3/4 miles, north to school #56, Paris 1-3/4 miles, east to school #5, Somers 2-3/4 miles, south to George Hanson, 2-3/8 miles, southeast and east to J. Eich, 7/8 mile, north to C. Nelson corner, 1-1/2 miles, east to J. Gray corner, 1 mile, north and west 1-1/2 miles to Somers. Length of route, 25 miles.

(Source: Racine Weekly, January 14, 1904)

Ralph Pedley, Route 34
(Source:  Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz)

Kellogg's Corners Post Office
Another Post Office in Somers Township was kept for many years in Amon T. Gould's blacksmith shop at Kellogg's Corners. The mail was placed in a box in the northwest corner of his shop, as it was brought from Winsor Station, now Sylvania. Each farmer sorted his own mail.
(Source: My Memoirs by Minnie A.G. Ozanne. Copyright 1948)


Berryville Post Office
A Post Office was kept at Berryville for many years by Mrs. Minnie Payne, Mr. and Mrs. William Scheckler, and for some time, was located in the Berryville Depot. When Nicholas Erickson, a Spanish-American veteran, was appointed mail carrier on the newly establish rural route No. #37 out from Kenosha, the Berryville Post Office was discontinued. Later No. 37 R.F.D. became R.F.D. #4."

(Article Source: Racine Journal Times, Publication January 8, 1936, by Mrs. Minnie Ozanne)

There is a new Rural Route #4 approved by the Postmaster H.J. Smith in Racine.

Route No. 4

Commencing at Station “A” Racine post office, the carrier will go thence south on Lake Road through Berryville to the School No. 11 (Berryville School) 5 miles; west to H. Linstroth, 5/8 mile; north to Piper’s corner on County Line Road, 1 mile; west one-half and east one-half, 1 mile; north to Saxe corner, 1-1/2 miles’ southwest to Burrough’s estate on County Line, 2-5/8 miles; west to F. Fink corner, 1-1/2 miles, north to F.C. Hunter corner, 1 mile; east to N. Williams corner, 1 ¾ miles; north to Hans corner, west to Chas. Bull residence, ½ mile; east ½ mile, northwester to Monroe estate, 1 ½ miles; east to Erskine corner 1 mile, south to J. Walsh corner, 1 1 /2 miles east to Karles corner, 7/8 milw; northeast to Station “A”, 1-1/2 miles.

Length of route, 24-7/8 miles.

Area covered – 18 square miles; number of houses on route – 175; population served 375.

(Source:  Racine Journal Dec. 25, 1903)


On account of two more Rural Routes being established in this county going out of Racine, the Berryville Post Office has been discontinued. The mail hereafter for the residents of that locality being carried by Peter Therson, will be known as Route 3. Thorson and a Mr. Merkle started out on rural deliveries this morning each covering twenty-five miles in their daily circuit. Merkle travels what is known as Route 4, out by the way of Corliss (Sturtevant). Both men make their headquarters at Station A., Racine Junction.

(Source:  Racine Journal Feb  2, 1904)



Berryville Depot, Somers Township
Location: East side of railroad tracks and north of Berryville Road, now County Road A.  Take note of the Hansche warehouse in the foreground.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Warren Kramer)



National Archives, Washington, D.C. Letter dated July 15, 1948
Somers Post Office History
Click on letter for larger view.
(Source: Original letter courtesy of E. Ruthe.)

Racine Journal Times photo
March 23, 1938
(Source: Original news clipping and text below courtesy of Ernest "Bunky" Tabbert.)

"Albert E. Bullamore has been Postmaster at Somers since January 1, 1929. Born in Benton, Illinois in 1870, he has resided in Somers many years. His parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. William Bullamore. He is a member of the Somers Congregational Church in which he serves as a deacon, and has been a church choir singer since he was 18 years old. George Hamilton, a Spanish-American War Veteran, carried the mail over Route 1, Somers, from 1904 until the route was discontinued in February 1934.

(Source: Racine Journal Times, March 23, 1938)



New Postmaster Name for Somers:  Office to be moved from old location
C.C. Ruthe, agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railway Co. has been named postmaster for Somers.  It is expected that the post office will be moved to the depot within a short time.  it has occupied the Bullamore property since 1929.  Mrs. Eunice Bullamore has been serving as postmaster since the retirement of her husband, Albert E. Bullamore.

Somers post office is one of the oldest in the State of Wisconsin.  In 1836, a weekly stage ran from Chicago to Milwaukee over the Green Bay Trail through Somers Township and the first post office was established at the George Willis Tavern, now the Elmer Maxwell home.

"Uncle Billy" Smith carried mail by horseback from Southport now Kenosha, to Milwaukee over the Green Bay Trail in the early days.  The first Somers post master was Lute Carpenter who carried the mail from Kenosha and kept the post office in his home, now the home of Mrs. Edmund Fink on the Somers Road (Highway E). His salary was $12 per year.

After a time a group of farmers moved an old building that had been started for a grist mill, nearer to the highway and Lute Carpenter moved the post office into it.  After Abram T. Bishop began to carry the mail and as the volume had increased, the salary was raised to $20 per year.  In the winter, because the building was too cold, the post office was moved into John Smith's blacksmith shop.  Later Abram T. Bishop moved it into his wood house.  When Mr. Bishop added a room onto his home, the office was moved again.  Two men carried it.

In 1870 the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad was built through the village of Somers and Mr. Bishop moved to the village where he established a grocery store, taking the post office too.  Mr. Bishop was postmaster from 1868 to 1885.  He was followed by Lavayette Cook in 1885; Ward E. Bain, 1889; George Biehn, 1893, N.E. Thompson, 1897; Mrs. Bullamore 1929 to 1944; Mrs. Eunice Bullamore, the past year and a half.

George Hamilton, a Spanish-American War Veteran, carried mail over Rural Route 1, Somers, from 1904 to 1934 when the route was discontinued.

(Source:  Racine Journal Times October 1, 1945)

Sugar Beets

Sugar Beets, Somers, Wisconsin


Sugar Beet harvest loading from farmer wagons to the railroad cars in Somers, Wisconsin.
The sugar beets were "topped" or cut in the fields, and dug with a potato lifter.  The beets were then hand thrown from the field to the wagon and often times hand shoveled from the wagon to the railroad cars.
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert.)

Kenosha News article October 21, 1947
Original news clipping submitted by Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert.
Click on article to enlarge.

Somers Civic Association

First Officers of Somers Civic Association
Circa July 1947
(Source:  Original photo and identification courtesy of C.C. Ruthe.)

Sitting Left to Right:  George McClure, M.M. Meldahl, C.C. Ruthe, Earl Yule
Standing Left to Right:  Frank Newman, Archie Neysmith, Hugh Cox, Vernon Waltersdorf

Chat n Chew Restaurant

Chat n Chew Restaurant, Somers, Wisconsin
Owners,  Earl and Lil Yule

Place Mat for Chat 'n Chew, Somers, Wisconsin
Circa Late 1940's
Location of the Chat 'n Chew was on the old Modern Woodmen Hall property.
(Source:  Original courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert)

Back of the Place Mat
(Source: Original courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert. All Rights Reserved. Copyright Ernest Tabbert July 2012.)

"The Gang" at the Chat N Chew Restaurant in Somers, Wisconsin
Click on photo for larger view.
(Source: Original photo and identification courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert.
All Rights Reserved. Copyright Ernest Tabbert July 2012.)

Left to Right Around the Table:  Len Tabbert, Chuck Schultz, Arlo Funk, Leo Thomas, Bill Abresch, Dick "Richie" Miller, Don Penza, Al Middlecamp, Wally Meier, July Yule Thomas, Sue Funk, Jean Bush, Marion Edquist, Janice Christensen, Arlene "Fitz" Fitpatrick, Evelyn Ruthe, Dee Ruthe Tabbert, Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert, Jerry Sinnen.

Standing:  Owners of the Chat 'n Chew, Earl and Lil Yule.

"The Gang" at the Chat n Chew Restaurant in Somers, Wisconsin
(Source: Original photo and identification courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert.
All Rights Reserved. Copyright Ernest Tabbert July 2012.)

Left to Right:  Girl with black scarf Evelyn Ruthe, Bill Abresch, lady with print scarf unknown, Leo Thomas, man in front of sign, Chuck Schultz, man sitting, Wally Meier, Al Middlecamp is man with one eye showing, and Don Penza.  Waitress behind counter is unknown.

"The Gang" at the Chat 'n Chew, Somers, Wisconsin
Date of Photo February 1949
This is the back room of the Chat N Chew, where people would get together and play cards or shuffle board.
Click on photo for larger view.
(Source: Original photo and identification courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert.
All Rights Reserved. Copyright Ernest Tabbert July 2012.)

Left to Right Men Sitting in Front: Ernie Tabbert, Sam Burnett (also the barber in town), Frank Helding with glasses and Walt Middlecamp in the white shirt on the far right.

Standing Left to Right:  Ed Longmore, Ed Tabbert, Lura Brunet (Weighmaster on the scale at Cox), Helen Schlitz, Mabel Longmore, Ella Tabbert (diamond print dress), lady behind Ella is Lil Yule, Marcella "Toots" Ruthie (right of lady in diamond print dress), Laverne Helding, Alice Middlecamp, Alice Tabbert (with pearls), Gladys Bush, Archie Bush, Albert Schlitz, and Earl Yule.  The man standing in the back was Casimir "Cappy" Ruthe.

Somers Legion Post 552

Members of Somers Legion Post #552 setting flags on graves at Sunset Ridge Cemetery in honor of Memorial Day
Left to Right:  Unknown man, Unknown man, Unknown man, W. Gias, children and young girl unknown, 5th man Verna Waltersdorf, Wally Meier, Wally Regnery, Al Middlecamp, Mike Middlecamp, and last is Bob Sinnen.  The little girls kneeling on the right is Carrie Middlecamp.
Click on photo to enlarge.
(Source:  Original photo and identification courtesy of Ernest "Bunkie" Tabbert.)

Central Park

Farmers Stage Tri-County Meet
Representatives of Wisconsin Political Parties Address Picnic Group
Approximately 300 farmers from Racine, Walworth and Kenosha attended a picnic at Central Park, Somers,  yesterday and took part in a program of games and contests.  A series of addresses were presented to the group by representatives of the major political parties of the state.
During the forenoon hours, yesterday, an extensive program of picnic games and contests was held.  The features of the afternoon picnic program were the services of speeches and a baseball game.  The evening was devoted to music and dancing in the pavilion at the park.
(Source:  Racine Journal, August 30, 1934)


Central Park May Be Closed
Town of Somers Voted Against Liquor License at Tuesday Election
Officers of the Town Say the Park Must Close
One of the Most Popular Resorts in This Section of the County
About $10,000 Improvements Have Been Made
"Central Park, one of the best known resorts in this section of the country, located on the Lakeshore Road, between Racine and Kenosha, will in all probability be closed, so far as the selling of intoxicating liquors is concerned.
The Park is located in the Town of Somers, Kenosha County.  At the election on Tuesday the question of license or no license was submitted to the voters.  No license was carried by 34 votes, which was a great surprise to those in favor of beer.
One of the officers of the town said yesterday that Central Park would be closed so far as the selling of beer was concerned, or any kind of intoxicating liquors, and perhaps it would be closed to the holding of amusements and wrestling matches on Sunday.  In view of the large majority against the sale of liquor in the Town it was determined to stop it at all hazards and it is claimed that more liquor was sold at the Park than in the whole town combined.
The buildings on the Park were built and the place opened by Peter Steinbach some years ago.  Mr. Steinbach had considerable trouble and his health failed.  For a time he was confined in a private asylum, but he recovered and is again in business.
The handsome park is now owned by Mr. Steinbach and the Schlitz Brewing Company of Milwaukee.  It is estimated that the improvements put in cost something over $10,000.00.
A report reaches the city that Mr. Steinbach has stated that he will continue to run the Park and  dispose, of liquor as heretofore, and that if arrested the case will be fought in the courts to the bitter end.
Hundreds of people, both in Racine and Kenosha counties, will be much interested in the affair, for nearly all of the large societies generally lease the Park for mid-summer picnics and large gatherings."
(Source:  Racine Daily, publication date April 3, 1902)

Partial 1908 Somers Township Map
Central Park, Somers Township, Kenosha County

Batting Averages of Central Park Leagues

A number of baseball fans werre asking some of the managers of the Central Park League how the batting averages stand.  At that time not much of a record was kept, but during the last six weeks the following averages were reported.

(Note:  Somers listed only - list does not include other teams)

Irving, Somers Greys, 342

Morin, Somers Greys, 334

W. Thomas, Somers Greys, 304

Wood, Somers Greys, 300

H. Gascoyne, Somers, 204

F. Gascoyne, Somers, 224

A. Werve, Somers Greys, 278

G. Werve, Somers Greys, 211

G. Thomas, Somers Greys, 278

Rice, Somers, 182

Nelson, Somers, 178

Braid, Somers Greys, 173

Birch, Somers Greys, 161

Dorey, Somers Greys, 220

Drissel, Somers, 257

Tabbert, Somers, 247

Ford, Somers, 230

(Source:  Racine Daily, publication date August 24, 1907)

Glacial Lake Map 1921

Information below sourced:

The Geography and Economic Development of Southeastern Wisconsin

by Ray Hughes Witbeck

Madison, Wisconsin, Published by the State, 1921

Influential factors for pioneer settlement
The most influential factor in the industrial development of Wisconsin has been its frontage on Lake Michigan.  Along this water front the most important group of cities in the state has grown up.  From these cities the chief lines of transportation have been built into the interior, and so the lake ports became the commercial gateways of the state.

The second geographic factor making for economic unity has been the fact that the region is plain-like in character.  No deep valleys, separated by steep divides, have interposed barriers.  Therefore, roads and railroads have been readily extended in any direction.  The wide stretches of level or gently rolling land have made agriculture attractive and profitable.  The dominantly clay loam soils and the summer rainfall have combined to make dairy farming successful.  More than 90 per cent of the manufacturing was done in the lake shore cities and consequently manufacturing was handicapped in towns away from the lake.

This map shows the position of the shore line of glacial Lake Chicago at the Glenwood stage when the present sites of Kenosha and Racine were submerged.  This old shore line can still be seen plainly.
Click on map for larger view.
Click here to see historical marker on Highway E by UWParkside.

Recession of West Shore of Lake Michigan

The western shore of Lake Michigan is formed of glacial drift:  this loose material has little power to resist the attacks of the waves, which in times of storm dash against the soft bluffs causing the ground to give away and slide into the lake.  This has gone on most notable from Racine southward.  In Racine, the shore receded at the rate of 9.73 feet over a 24 year period.  A report by U.S. engineers stated thast the recession of the coast at Racine was at times as much as 12 to 16 feet a year.

As shown on the map above, the present sites of Kenosha and Racine and the lowest ground in Milwaukee were all covered the waters of Glacial Lake Chicago.  The old shore line extends north and south through the western part of the City of Racine and is a little west of the City of Kenosha.  On an average, it is from one to two miles west of the present shore of Lake Michigan.  The strip of land lying between the present lake and the old shore line of Lake Chicago is quite level.  Glacial Lake Chicago, at its highest stage, rose to a level 55 feet above the present surface of Lake Michigan, submerging the low land along its margin including the present sites of Chicago, Kenosha, Racine, and part of Milwaukee.

 

Minerals:  Limestone and Clay

The most important minerals in this area were limestone and clay. When limestone is burned in kilns it becomes lime.  In the pioneer days and immediately following, there were many of these lime kilns scattered throughout the region, and hundres of thousands of barrels of lime were burned yearly for use in making plaster and mortar.  A great deal of limstone is reduced to crushed stone and used in road construction.  Sand and gravel beds are very numerous throughout this region.

A large amount of glacial drift in Wisconsin is clay, mixed with sand, pebbles, and boulders.  The eastern half of Kenosha and Racine counties contain numberous clay beds which vary in depth from a few inches to a dozen feet or more.  These clays are used for making brick.  The clay is of a reddish color but when burned, turns a light yellow, producing the cream colored bricks which were so generally used in Milwaukee buildings that the city was known as the Cream City.  Besides brick, large quantities of drain tile and small amount of pottery for plant pots and jugs were made from this clay.

Soil Survey 1919 Map

1919 Partial Soil Survey Map of Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source:  U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils)
Click on map for sharper view.
Grass Green: Waukesha Loam, sandy at 30"
Tan: Fox Silt Loam, sandy at 2-3'
Rose: Clyde Silt Loam, sandy below 3'
Orange:  Miami Silt Loam, sandy clay at 2'
Bright Yellow:  Clyde Clay Loam, sandy material in places below 3'
Light Yellow: Carrington Clay Loam, drab silty clay subsoil

Introduction
The State of Wisconsin, working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, made a study of soils and agricultural conditions throughout Wisconsin.  The object of the survey was to make an inventory of the soils which would be of practical help to farmers, offering suggestions for management of their land.  Tracts of 10 acres and over were mapped but often smaller areas were shown.  Trained men traveled the counties and examined soils by boring to a depth of 36 inches and reports were made. 

Source of information:

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

Bulletin No. 56A, Soil Series No. 28

By A.R. Whitson, W.J. Geib and T.J. Dunnewald of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils.  Madison, Wisconsin, Published by the State in 1919.

Different Soils Require Different Land Management
Before the greatest success in agriculture can be reached, it is necessary that the farmer have a thorough knowledge of the soil upon his own farm.  A soil may be well adapted to one crop, and poorly adapted to another crop, therefore, failure is certain to be invited when such important facts are disregarded or overlooked.
Soil fertility depends upon two factors:  physical characteristics such as water holding capacity, workability, etc. and second, the chemical composition of the material composing the soil.
Water holding capacity and other physical properties of soil all depend chiefly upon texture, which refers to the size of the individual soil grains, or particles.  A course sandy soil, for example, will not retain moisture so long as a loam soil, or clay loam, because the finer the soil grains, the greater will be the  total soil-grain surface area to which moisture may adhere.  Texture is determined in the field by rubbing the soil between the thumb and fingers, and with experience one soon becomes expert at judging the size of soil grains.

Examples (partial list) of Different Kenosha County Soils
1.  Carrington Clay Loam (light yellow color on the map).  This, part of the heavy soil group, is the most extensively developed in the area.  It is the predominating soil in all areas except those bordering Lake Michigan and those bordering Walworth County.  The surface soil of the Carrington Clay Loan consists of 12 inches of dark brown to almost black heavy silt containing organic matter.  Variations occur.  Drainage is somewhat deficient on account of the heavy compact nature of the subsoil and tile drains have been installed in a number of places to compensate.  At the time of this study (1919) the greater proportion of farmers on this soil did not follow any definite system of crop rotation.  Stable manure and commercial fertilizer is used.
1919 Sale Price:  Farms on the Carrington Clay Loam had a selling value of $75 to $250 per acre depending upon drainage, location, improvements, and character of the soil.

2. Clyde Silt Loam (rose color on the map).  This is one of the most extensive soil types in Kenosha County is is classified as naturally very poorly drained. When drained, this soil is probably the best corn soil in Wisconsin.  This soil which occupies the Lake Michigan terrace is devoted chiefly to sugar beets, cabbage, onions and potatoes.  This portion has a high value that the central and western locations.  The selling price ranges from $250 to $500 per acre where the land is improved.  This is mainly due to the high crop yields.

3.  Waukesha Loam (grass green color on the map).  This is somewhat limited, covering a total of 3,648 acres, the most numerous are found upon the Lake Michigan Terrace and along the Des Plaines and Fox Rivers.  The surface soil to a depth of about 10 inches consists of a dark brown to nearly black loam which contains considerable more organic matter of upland soils.  At about 30 inches stratified beds of sand or gravelly material are often found.

Civil War List of Somers

Click on image to enlarge.

Biehn

Elma Cook Biehn and Frank Biehn
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)

Hazel Biehn in 1917
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)

Hazel Biehn (Perkins) in 1966
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)

Roy and Alan Biehn
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch) 

Elliott Cook and Caroline Burgess Cook
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch) 



The Biehn Family
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)
 

Alan Elliott and Roy F. Biehn, sons of Frank Joseph Biehn and Alma Irene Cook Biehn
Alan Elliott Biehn (1901-1972)
Roy Frank Biehn (1904-1988)
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)



Roy Biehn
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)


 

Roy Biehn
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)


 

Alan, Hazel, Roy Biehn
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)

Frances Heidersdorf and Henry Biehn wedding photo
(Source:  Ancestry.com submitted by Beth Christoffel 10-17-2010 on family site)

Biehn
(Note:  Although the Biehn family are pioneers of Paris Township, Kenosha County, this biography is added for those researching the Heidersdorf and Myers families of Somers Township)

Among the well-to-do farmers and stock raisers of Paris Township is Henry Biehn, who owns and operates a valuable farm of eighty acres.  A native of Kenosha County, he was born in Paris Township, on the 1st of November, 1858, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Myers) Biehn, both natives of Germany, the former born in 1825 and the latter in March, 1836.  The father served for two years in the German army and then came to the United States, as he had heard much concerning the unusually good opportunities offered the young men in this country.

He located in Kenosha County and for several years worked as a farm hand but following his marriage bought eighty acres of land, which he cleared and brought under cultivation as soon as possible.  he built a substantial residence and also erected barns and other buildings and made many improvements upon his farm.  After our subject was married the father bought 120 of land in another part of Paris Township and took up his residence there, where he passed his remaining days, dying in November, 1892.  He was a member of the German Lutheran Church and in all relations of life sought to follow the teachings of Christianity.  In politics, he was a Democrat and held a number of offices, service as Town Chairman, and Assessor of his township.  He was well informed and public-spirited and supported all movements seeking the general welfare.  He had a wide acquaintance throughout the county and was highly respected.  His father,  William Biehn, passed his entire life in the fatherland and gave his attention to farming.

Henry Biehn, Sr., was married in Kenosha County to Miss Margaret Myers, a daughter of George Myers, an early settler of Paris Township, and to this union were born 11 children, of whom nine survive, namely:  George, who is engaged in farming and fruit raising in the State of Washington; Henry; Carrie, the wife of C.E. Heidersdorf, who is foreman in the Belle City shops in Racine; Jacob, a real estate dealer of Milwaukee; Mary, the wife of John Adams, secretary of the YMCA at Fond du Lac; Maggie, who married Otto Schuetz, a farmer of Racine County; Frank, who is conducting a meat market and grocery in Union Grove; Emma, the wife of George Kruescher, a farmer of Paris Township; and John, who is a contractor living in Tacoma, Washington.

Henry Biehn, of this review, attended the district schools in his boyhood and youth and also early became familiar with agricultural work.  After putting aside his textbooks he devoted his entire time to assisting his father until his marriage, which occurred in 1882, when he began farming independently.  In 1888 he purchased the old homestead farm of 80 acres of rich land in Paris Township and he has since tiled it, thus adding to its value.  He has made many other improvements upon the place and takes justifiable pride in keeping everything in a good condition.  He does general farming but gives special attention to the raising of thoroughbred Shropshire sheep.
Mr. Biehn was married in 1882 to Miss Fannie Heidersdorf, a daughter of Christian and Margaret (Meyers) Heidersdorf, early settlers of Somers Township.  Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living at the age of 80 years.  Mr. and Mrs. Biehn have two children:  Camilla, the wife of Charles Fonk of Paris Township; and Howard, at home.
(Source:  City and County of Kenosha Record of Settlement by Frank H. Lyman, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1916)

Oakwood Cemetery Burials, Somers

Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Source: Photo Courtesy of Larry & Linda Kopet, USGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Source: Photo Courtesy of Larry & Linda Kopet, USGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

 

Cook - Biehn Marriage
"On Wednesday November 2, Miss Alma Cook, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Cook was united in marriage to Frank Biehn by the Rev. A.M. Sanford of the Rescue Mission, Milwaukee in the presence of a hundred invited guests.  The bride was attended by her sister, Mabel.   The bride has been a successful teacher in Kenosha County; the groom a prosperous farmer and proprietor of the Star Creamery.  They will take a brief wedding trip to Madison.  They will make their home in Paris Township."
(Source:  Racine Journal Nov 9, 1898)

Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Source: Photo Courtesy of Larry & Linda Kopet, USGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Additional Information
 Some members of the Biehn family are buried at Sylvania Cemetery in Yorkville Township, Racine County.
1.  Heinrich (Henry) Biehn, Sr. was born on December 5, 1827 in Ketzenbach, Rheinbaum, Germany.
2.  He served two years in the German army before coming to America in April of 1851.
3.  Margaret Myers was born March 11, 1836 and she died May 13, 1897.
4.  Henry died November 9, 1895 in Paris Township.
5.  Caroline (Carrie) Biehn was born May 4, 1861.
6.  Jacob Biehn was born April 5, 1863.
7.  John Biehn was born March 3, 1867.
8.  Mary Elizabeth Biehn was born June 17, 1869.
9.  Frank Joseph Biehn was born October 4, 1871.
10.  Margaret Biehn was born January 22, 1873.  She married Otto Schultz June 5, 1895 at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Paris Township.
11.  Emma A. Biehn was born April 17, 1875.  She married George Kreuscher May 25, 1893 at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Paris Township.
(Source:  Sylvania Cemetery records, copyright 1991, Mary Ann Culshaw Falk, and the Sylvania Cemetery Board of Trustees)


Biehn Family "In the News" in Somers
"John W.  Fink sold the east 113 acres of his farm with the buildings to Jacob Biehn.  Mr. Fink retains the west 40 acres."
(Source:  Racine Daily Aug. 16, 1899)

"Mr. and Mrs. George Biehn and family, formerly of Somers, but who have spent a number of years in the State of Washington, arrived in Somers last week and will make Racine their future home."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Mar. 1, 1898)

"Jacob Biehn is out with a new Champion binder."
(Source:  Racine Daily July 31, 1900)

"Jacob Biehn has recovered from his late illness and is able to be out again."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Feb 6, 1900)

"Mr. and Mrs. Frank Biehn spent Thursday at the Pet Stock Show in Chicago and visited with Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Fink at Forest Glen, on their return."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Jan. 29, 1900)

"Somers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. was organized Sept 12, 1873 and commenced business on that date.  Amount of insured in force on Dec. 31, 1899 was $582,355.  Officers elected for year 1900 are:  President, Samuel S. Strong; Secretary Isaac T. Bishop; and Treasurer Jacob Biehn."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Jan. 11, 1900)

"Mr. Jacob Biehn put up a windmill last week for pumping water."
(Source:  Racine Journal Jan 13, 1904)

"Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Biehn placed a new piano in their home Friday afternoon."
(Source:  Mar 21, 1904)

"William E. Tucker, of Sylvania, has sold his two creameries located at Kellogg's Corners and Union Grove, to Frank Biehn, former owner of the Star Creamery and Paris Corners Creamery.  Mr. Biehn will take possession about Aug. 1.  The price paid for the property is said to be $7,000.  Those creameries are admitted to be the finest in the county and the butter supply is taken exclusively by Racine parties.  Mr. Biehn retains the services of the present butter makers."
(Source:  Racine Journal July 24, 1903)

"A doctor was called to attend a very sick horse for Jacob Biehn last week.  The animal has about recovered."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Dec. 26, 1901)

"Mrs. Jacob Biehn was taken to the Sanitarium in Kenosha last week."
(Source:  Racine Weekly March 29, 1904)

"Mrs. Jacob Biehn who lies very low with tuberculosis of the bowels and stomach, was removed to St. Mary's Hospital in Racine."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Aug. 23, 1904)

"Mr. Jacob Biehn will have an auction on Friday this week, November 23."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Nov. 20, 1906)

"Mr. Jacob Biehn is unloading brick at Somers for the foundation of his new barn.  Mr. Biehn moved into his new home Monday afternoon."
(Source:  Racine Weekly Nov 30, 1907)

"Mrs. Louisa Shenkenberg, formerly of Milwaukee and Mr. Jacob Biehn of the Town of Somers were united in marriage at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a few relatives and friends.  The Rev. Williams of the Presbyterian Church performed the ceremony.  Mr. and Mrs. Biehn will reside in Somers where they have built a fine residence."
(Source:  Racine Weekly, Nov 13, 1907)

"The creamery station in the Town of Paris just south of Union Grove, belonging to Frank Biehn, was destroyed by fire last night at about eight o'clock causing a loss of about $2,000.  The station was in charge of Mike Perry, who discovered the fire and gave the alarm, but as there was no protection and the fire had gained a headway there was nothing to do but watch it burn.  The station was used by Mr. Biehn for receiving milk from the farmers, and the cream was separated and sent to the Union Grove creamery to be manufactured into butter.  Mr. Biehn was called to the place and will doubtless soon make arrangements for another station there.  There was some insurance on the building."
(Source:  Racine Weekly, Apr. 9, 1907)

"One of the notable weddings of the summer in southern Wisconsin will be the marriage of Miss Mary Biehn, only daughter of Mrs. Margaret Biehn of the Town of Somers, and John W. Adams, general secretary of the Kenosha branch of the Young Men's Christian Association.  The wedding will take place on next Wednesday afternoon, July 9.  More than a hundred guests will be present at the wedding, the guests including many well known Y.M.C.A. men from all parts of the state.  Mr. and Mrs. Adams will go west for a wedding trip and will spend their honeymoon in the shadow of Pike's Peak.  The groom is one of the best known Y.M.C.A. workers.  He was for some time superintendent of the Y.M.C.A. at Ravenswood, Illinois but when new life was given to the Kenosha Association, Mr. Adams came to Kenosha to accept the position of general secretary here.  Through his influence a splendid $25,000 building was built and new interest was aroused in the work of the the Association in Kenosha until at the present time the Association is the third largest in Wisconsin."
(Source:  Racine Weekly, July 8, 1902)

"Gertrude and Dorothy Biehn, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Biehn of Somers, Kenosha County, who disappeared from their home on Monday night, were found in Racine last night and they were not kidnapped from their home.  Gertrude was at the home of O. Parker, 2815 Washington Avenue and Dorothy at the residence of L.K. Sears, 1715 Washington Avenue, where they had secured positions as servants.  After reading in the local papers of the disappearance of the Biehn girls, Messrs. Parker and Sears became suspicious of the two strange girls in their homes and at once communicated with Attorney Peter J. Myers, uncle of the two missing girls, and it was not long before the identity of the girls was established.  Mr. Myers at once notified the parents of the girls where they could be found and the story of kidnapping was exploded.
The two girls made a statement that they believed they were worked too hard on the farm and that disagreements often prevailed between them and their stepmother.  Believing that they could better themselves, the girls decided to leave home and seek to improve their conditions.  Plans were laid for the departure, unknown to their parents and successfully carried out.
On Monday afternoon they packed what clothing they could in two grips.  Early in the evening they entered their rooms.  Waiting until their father and mother were asleep they quietly got out of the house, intending to get the last electric car into Racine, but missed it.  The walked to a brick yard and found the watchman, a colored man, and asked if they could not remain in his shack until morning, explaining that they were going to Racine and missed the car.  Consent was readily given the girls.
When daylight came the girls, appearing to be well supplied with money, offered to pay the colored man for his kindness, but he refused to received pay.  Catching the first electric car north the girls reached Racine early Tuesday morning.  Immediately they searched for employment and were engaged at the Parker and Sears homes, where servants were desired, given fictitious names.  Then came the publication of the disappearance and possible kidnapping and the notification to the uncle Peter J. Myers.  The girls state that they got away from home alone, that no persons assisted them and that there was no man and carriage in the deal at all.  It was simply dissatisfaction at home and a determination to leave.  They are still at the Parker and Sears homes.  Whether the parents will take them home remains to be seen."
(Source:  Racine Journal, Aug. 25, 1908)

Tractor Owners in Somers 1919

Prairie Farmer's Directory of Kenosha and Racine Counties, Wisconsin
Directory of tractor owners, showing the name of the farmer and the make of tractor.
By The Prairie Farmer Publishing Company.  Copyright 1919.
(Source:  wisconsinhistory.org)

Farmer's Directory 1897-1897

Smith's Business and Farmers'  Directory of Racine and Kenosha Counties for 1897-1898
Shown below is the list of the farmers in Somers Township.
Following the name is the amount of property for which each is assessed and the Post Office of the farmer.
(Source:  wisconsinhistory.org)