The Somerville Family
The name SOMMERVILLE or SOMERVILLE, is of local origin and was
probably taken by its first bearers from a village of that name in Normandy,
from which place the family went to England about 1066 A.D. in the train of
William the Conqueror. "The Roll of Battle Abbey A.D. 1066" lists
among the knights in Arms with shields who participated in the Battle of
Hastings the name "SOMERVILLE."
The family name is found in ancient English and early American
records in the various forms of Somervail, Somervell, Somenfield, Somerfale,
Somervill, Summerville, Summervill, Somervil, Sommervill, Sommerville and
others, of which the last spellings are those most generally used in America
today.
Families bearing this name were resident at early dates in the
British counties of Stafford, Gloucester, Devon, Warwick, Ayr and Lanark. These
families were, for the most part of the landed gentry and yeomanry of Great
Britain.
According to tradition all of the families of the name in England,
Scotland, Ireland and America trace their descent from Sir Gualter (Walter) de
Somerville, who was rewarded for his service at the time of the Norman conquest
of England, by grants of land at Wick-nor, in Staffordshire, and Aston
Somerville, in Gloucestershire.
Over the years, the family spread into Scotland and Ireland. The
Scottish and Irish branches of the family appear not to have had much contact
with each other.
One line of the family went to Ireland about the year 1692, in the
person of the Reverend William Somerville, an Episcopal Clergyman of Scotland.
He was accompanied by his wife, Agnes, daughter of Sir Patrick Agnew, and had
two sons, William and Thomas, of whom the latter became a clergyman and resided
in the County of Cork. By his wife, the Widow Anne (nee Neville) Perry, he was
the father of Thomas, William, Edward, John, James, Agnes, Alice, Elizabeth and
Judith. Of the sons of the Reverend Thomas, all but the first settled in
America.
A James Somerville came from Ireland to America about 1798. He
brought with him his wife, Mary Ann Linn, and settled first in Pennsylvania. He
later removed to Louden County, Va. and thence to Ohio. He left ten children;
Samuel, Mary Ann, John, Margaret,Floyd, Nancy L., Rebecca, Robert Linn, Azor W,
and William Clark.
Other Irish Somerville families also emigrated at about this same
time. A possible origin (not documented) of our branch of the family may be as
follows: One James Simmeral (all or whose descendants used the Som(m)erville
Form of the name) came from County Cork,
Ireland, to Delaware about 1788 and later settled near Cumberland,
MD. He is said to have left two sons, JOHN and ANDREW, in Ireland, but they
afterwards joined the family in the south. James also brought with him four
children: James, Nancy, Robert and another daughter, whose name is not certain.
(A note regarding the name SIMMERAL: Simmeral was the Gaelic, the language
spoken in Ireland at the time, pronunciation of Somerville.)
First of our line of Somervilles to arrive in the United States was John
Somerville.
John was born in Ireland in 1776 and came to the United States in 1793 as a
young man of 17. In 1798, he married Margaret Wilson. There is some Question as
to the birth place of Margaret Wilson. William Somerville, a son, states that
his mother was born in Scotland. (Page 1041, History of Olmsted County, MN.)
However, the U. S. census of 1850 for Ripley County, Indiana (Adams Twp.) gives
her birthplace as Maryland. Census records are generally accepted as accurate,
so it may be that she was born in Maryland of parents who came from Scotland.
Page 2
*Stories told by a great grandson of John Somerville tell of the persecution
his family endured before leaving for America. The Somervilles were of
Protestant faith living in Catholic Ireland. They told of their barn being
burned and cattle killed (poisoned) as well as many other persecutions at the
hands of hateful Catholic individuals in the community.
John and Margaret settled led in Beaver County, Pennsylvania (west
of Pittsburgh). The following children were born to them: John, Jr. (1803),
Nancy S. (1804), Margaret (1810), Rachel (1812), Thomas Wilson (1814), William (11/05/1819);
and Andrew Elliott (07/29/1822).
The family later moved to Ripley County, Indiana. The 1840 U.S.
census shows John, Jr. and William Somerville already living in Indiana. The
1850 U. S. census indicates the entire family was living in Ripley County,
Indiana.
The date of death of John Somerville is uncertain. According to
records of the director of Division of Vital Statistics of Ripley County, Ind.,
the "Estate of John Somerville was filed October 1, 1849 in Ripley County,
and named as widow "Margaret". However, the 1850 census of Ripley
County (83-83) lists John Somerville and Margaret as living and both age 74.
His death must have occurred at about that time, however because Probate 0rder
Book 1:77 for Ripley County, Indiana, dated 27 October 1853 states:
"John Somerville Estate"
Thomas W. Somerville, Administrator
Comes said Administrator, files his report (Here insert) and tenders
his resignation which report being seen by the Court is approved, and the court
hereby accepts said administrator's resignation."
Margaret Somerville survived her husband by a number of years. The
1860 census of Ripley County lists:
396-389 Harry Osborn 29
Martha Osborn 23
15 Margaret Somerville 89
Margaret Somerville would, in fact, have been age 84 at this time,
but she apparently was living with a younger couple who may not have known her
correct age, or like some older people she might have added a few years. This
is the last appearance of Margaret Somerville on census records.
By the late 1850's, most of the family of John and Margaret
Somerville had married and some had moved west.
John, Jr. moved to Helena Twp, Scott County, MN. and later to
Montana. (No record of marriage.)
Nancy S. married a Robert Johnson
Margaret married George Clark
Rachel married a man whose surname was Cheney, but first none
unknown
Thomas W. married Sarah McCleary
William J. married Rachel Caroline Cunningham
Andrew Elliott married Phoebe Jane Cunningham.
At this point, we shall follow only William J. and Andrew Elliott,
who married sisters, daughters of Robert and Rachel Dart Cunningham.
ROBERT CUNNINGHAM &
RACHEL DART
Robert Cunningham was born in Abbeville County, South Carolina May
4, 1797, and removed with parents to Hamilton County, Indiana, in 1810; thence
to Dearborn County of the same state in 1813; married in 1819; purchased
government land in Ripley County, Ind. remained there 40 years. He owned 500
acres of land there, but sold out and came to Viola Twp., Olmsted County, MN.
in 1861. He had sent his son, Robert F. Cunningham ahead in 1860 to purchase
land for him. The 1867 plat of Viola Township shows that he owned four separate
tracts totaling over 600 acres.
page 3
RACHEL DART was born October 2, 1802 in Garret County, Maryland.
Garret County is the west-most county in Maryland in the ‘panhandle’ extending
west under Pennsylvania. She and ROBERT Cunningham were married in 1819 and had
a large family with several children dying young in a childhood disease
epidemic, probably diphtheria.
The children were:
Martha (Mrs. Robert Chapman) Born 1820
Phoebe Jane (Mrs. Andrew Elliott Somerville ) Born 1826
Robert F. (Melinda Spradling, b. 1830) Born 1828
Rachel C. (Mrs. Wm. Somerville) Born 1828
Wm. J. W. Born 1831
Amos D. Born 1833
Mary E. (Mrs. L. H. Golding) Born 1843
Those who died as children were: Delilah (b. 1836), Rebecca (1839),
George B. (1841)
Richard H. (1842), Edward F. (1844) and Eliza Ann (1847).
Wm. J. and Amos D. Cunningham were "circuit riding
ministers" under the Methodist Conference. Amos D. later filled several
professors chairs in various institutions of learning and was at one time
president of South Bend, Indiana College. The Chapmans moved to Brown County. The
Goldings owned a farm directly south of the Oak Mill Cemetery in Viola
Township, Olmsted County, MN. Robert F. Cunningham owned a farm abutting on and
northwest of the Oak Hill Cemetery. The Goldings and Robert F. Cunningham are
buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Quoting from the obituary of Robert Cunningham as it appeared in the
Rochester (MN.) Union May 14, 1886:
"Robert Cunningham died in the town of Viola, Olmsted County,
MN. April 30, 1886 after a brief illness aged about 98 years.
"About the time of their marriage, they were converted and ever
after remained faithful servants of God. For many years their home was a place
of public worship as well as the itinerant's resting place.
"More than sixty-six years, they served their God together when
last July 7 (1885), Mother Cunningham passed away, after a long and painful
illness, leaving her aged husband to finish his course alone, yet not alone, as
he often said, for "God was with him at all times." With
conscientious punctuality he maintained the family alter, allowing nothing but
severe sickness to permit it to be deferred for a single day.
"He was stricken down with paralysis and seemed unconscious
from that hour and in about five days passed away. He was buried on Sunday, May
2, 1886 in the Oak Mill Cemetery near Viola, MN."
Quoting from the obituary of Rachel Dart Cunningham (Mrs. Robert) as
it appears in the Rochester, MN. Post July 18, 1885:
"Died Cunningham, July 7, (1885) as her home in Viola. Rachel
Cunningham, wife of Robert Cunningham, in her eighty-third year.
"Grandma, as she was always called, was born in Garret County,
Maryland, October 20, 1802 Her maiden name was Dart. In her early life, her
parents moved to Indiana, then a territory and settled in Dearborn County,
where she was married to her now bereaved husband, having lived in that
relationship more than sixty-six years.
page 4
In early life, she with her husband, sought and found ‘peace with
God’, and at once connected themselves with the M. E. Church, which has been
their home ever since. They at once threw open their doors to the itinerant
preacher and for many years their home was the only church in the community.
"Grandma lived to raise a large family, seven of whom grew to
be men and women, three son and four daughters. Of the sons, two of them, A. D.
and W. G. W. Cunningham, have passed on before. Both of whom died in the
ministry and at one time belonged to the Minnesota Conference. The remaining
son, R. F. Cunningham lives in Viola. Of the daughters, three of whom, Mrs. Golding
and the Mrs. Somerville's, reside in Viola, and the oldest daughter, Mrs.
Chapman, lived in Brown County, MN. At her death she had thirty-six
grand-children and sixty-eight great grandchildren living.
"In the earlier part of her sickness she had her arrangement s
made expected that soon she would depart and frequently spoke of her hopes of a
better life to come -- seemed to realize it would be her last sickness. She was
not permitted to have her mind in the last hours, but as long as she did it was
all bright for the future.
"Her funeral was attended by Rev. M. 0. McNiff and her pastor,
Re., W. I. Hackett, and a vast concourse of neighbors and friends. Thus passed
away a wife and mother full of years and good works. Our loss is doubtless her
eternal gain"
The Olmsted County (MN) History, page 1051. states: "Robert
Cunningham is one of the wealthiest farmers in Viola. "Yet little of this
wealth passed on to his children as the result of a family "WILL"
dispute which drained many of the assets of the Estate. The following article
appears in the February 4, 1887 issue of the Rochester Record and Union:
"In 1887, Robert Cunningham, senior, of Viola, made his last
Will, and left it for safe keeping with the probate judge in Rochester, By it
he left his property to his wife for life, with the remainder over to his two
sons, but his wife and one son died before he did, and in 1884 he made a new
Will, and left it for safe keeping with C. S. Andrews of Eyota. By the last
will he gave his property to the surviving son, R. F. Cunningham, and his four
daughters, Mrs. Wm. Somerville, Mrs. A. E. Somerville, Mrs. Chapman and Mrs.
Golding.
He had a farm in Viola of 280 acres and considerable personal
estate. He was 87 years old, but of vigorous constitution. In January, 1885, he
was somewhat exposed going home in a storm, and took cold, and was quite ill
for some time, and seems to have lost a measure of his mental capabilities. In
June following, his son took him to Eyota and he burned the second will. He
died in April, 1886, and the son presented the first will for probate. The four
daughters opposed, claiming the first will was revoked by the making of the
second, and that the second will was still in force, because he was incapable
of doing business when he destroyed it. The probate court over-ruled these
objections and in July last, committed the first will to probate.
The daughters appealed to the district court, where the decision of
the probate court was reversed and the old will was held to be revoked by the
second will, that the second will was not revoked by its destruction, and that
the old man was incompetent to do business when he destroyed it. We suppose the
probate court can now take proof of the terms and contents of the second will,
and establish it as the will of the deceased, although it had been
destroyed."
The Next Generation
William Somerville, son of John and Margaret Somerville, was born in
Beaver County, PA. Nov. 15, 1819. He removed to Indiana in 1835 and married
Rachel C. Cunningham, daughter Robert Cunningham and Rachel Dart Cunningham,
October 6, 18/2, He took an active part in the organization of the Republican
Party; in 1856 he was put on the "stump" to meet all opposition in
the fourth congress district of Indiana. He came to Viola in May,
page 5
1860 and took an active part in town meetings during the time of the
Civil War. He served as chairman of the supervisors three years and was elected
to the 13th Legislature of the State of Minnesota in 1871 representing District
12. His father came from Ireland to America in 1793, and in 1798 married
Margaret Wilson, who was born in Scotland in 1775. Mr. Somerville is a
house-carpenter by trade, but has engaged in farming most of the time since his
marriage; owned more than 200 acres of land with a good set of farm buildings
and a fine orchard of apple trees. He has devoted much time ornamentation of
his grounds by setting out hedges and evergreens.
(Olmsted County history). William. Somerville died Oct. 21, 1918 and
is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Viola Township.
ANDREW ELLIOTT SOMERVILLE youngest son of John and Margaret
Somerville, was born in Beaver County, PA. July 29, 1822, He came to Indiana at
the age of 13, and was married to Phoebe Jane Cunningham July 10, 1845, moving
to Minnesota in May 1860. The family came by boat on the Ohio-Mississippi
Rivers, landing at Reads Landing, in Wabasha County, MN.
The family moved overland to Jefferson Township, Winona County (now
Norton Twp.) where they appear in the 1860 census. Between the census date (June
1860) and winter of that year they moved to Viola Township, where they lived on
a farm in Section 26 owned by Phoebe Jane's father, Robert Cunningham. Andrew
Elliot was a self-taught "Horse Farrier and Surgeon", and made his
living both as a "horse doctor and farmer." In those days,
veterinarians received little in cash fees, so they often received a pig or
calf, etc. for professional services which they raised to market weight and
sold. The farm on which the A. E. Somervilles lived is located about one mile
east of the Oak Hill Cemetery and adjoins a farm owned by his brother, William.
Somerville. Both farms are in Viola township.
ANDREW
ELLIOTT and PHOEBE JANE started their family while still living in Ripley
county, Indiana. Born there were Rosetta (07/21/1850), Amor (1/15/1852), Robert
John 3/21/1853, Ledyard C. (8/14/55), Emily Jane (Emma)(4/15/57), Mary C.
(1/25/59). First of the children born in Viola Township, Olmsted County, MN.
was WILLIAM ELLIOTT (12/24/60), followed by Charles Oliver (3/12/64), and
Benjamin Franklin (6/18/66). The 1880 census for Brown County shows that most
of the family had moved to rural Sleepy Eye, MN. (Albin Township, Brown
County), by the date of that census.
In 1884, Andrew Elliott published a horse doctoring book called
"A TREATISE ON THE HORSE AND HIS DISEASES." It was published by A. E.
Somerville, Horse Farrier and Surgeon, and printed and bound at the New Ulm
Steam Printing Office, New Ulm, MN.
The children of the A. E. Somerville's married and settled in
several different locations.
Rosetta married Wilbur Turner and lived in Chatfield, MN.
Amor D. died at 13 months and is buried in a small cemetery 1.5
miles east of Penntown, Indiana (Ripley County).
Robert John married Martha Upson. He had moved to Brown County, MN.
by ox cart in 1867, later to rural Kandiyohi County, MN.
Ledyard married Ella Lent, moving to Brown County, Kandiyohi (Chippewa)
County, and later to the Vulcan, Alberta, Canada area.
Emily Jane (Emma) married Abram Mulholland and made her home in
Viola. She and her husband are buried in the Viola Cemetery (Oak Hill)
Mary C. married Jacob Duncan and made her home in Sleepy Eye, MN.
Their home was in the west part of Sleepy Eye in an area now occupied by the
right-of-way of Minnesota Truck Highway 4.
page 6
WILLIAM ELLIOTT married AGNES NAY WIGGIN, and later, following her-
death, MARY (Maria) MUECKL.
Charles Oliver moved to Brown County, later to the Bowbells, N.D.
area.
Benjamin Franklin moved to Brown County, married Cora Davis, later
moved to British Columbia, Canada.
The Movements of Andrew Elliott Somerville
Andrew Elliott Somerville was born in Beaver County, PA. July 29,
1822. His obituary in the Rochester (MN.) Union states he moved to Indiana at
the age of 13 (1835), and was married to Phoebe Jane Cunningham July 10, 1845.
The 1850 U. S. Census of Ripley County, Indicates on 432 Roll 69 that he and
his wife and children; Rosette (3 months), Robert E. Chapman (age 8, a nephew
of Phoebe Jane Somerville) and John Shields (25) a laborer from SWITZERLAND
(page 539) lived as a family unit in Adams Township., Ripley County, Indiana.
(Family 83-83 was his parents, John and Margaret Somerville). This
census was taken as of 26 August 1850.
The A. F. Somerville family moved to Minnesota in May 1860 Other
related families moved to Minnesota about the same time. The 1860 census (taken
early June 1860), shows the Andrew F. Somerville family living in Jefferson
Township (now Norton Township.), Winona County (page 26). Between the June
census date and later in the summer, the family moved to Viola Township,
Olmsted County, MN.
The 1870 U. S. Census shows that the A. F. Somerville family still
lived in Viola Township , Olmsted County. Listed in that census were: A. E. and
P. J. Somerville, age 47 & 44, R. J. (17), L.C. (14), E. J. (13), M.C.
(11), W. E (9) and 0. (6). The three latter are shown as being in "school"
By 1880, the A. F. Somerville family had moved to Brown County. The
1880 census for Albin Township, Brown County, MN. (Family 25) lists A. E.
Somerville (57), Phoebe J. (54), Oliver C. (16) and Benjamin (13). So by 1880
the family was living in rural Sleepy Eye, MN. Albin Township is in the
southern-most tier of Brown County and is directly south of the City of Sleepy
Eye. Several of the children of A. E. Somerville also lived in Albin Township
at that time.
While the 1880 census shows the A. E. Somerville family living in
Brown County, they apparently had returned to Viola Township in Olmsted County
a few years later. In 1884 when be published his book on horse diseases and
treatment, the booklet was printed in New Ulm, County seat of Brown County.
By 1885, he had evidently moved back to Viola. A special Minnesota
census was taken in 1885 - Minnesota Archives Roll 22, enumerated 18 May 1885,
lists these families as living in Albin Township:
No. 68 Charles 0. Somerville (21), Eliza L. (19), Alice N., (1), and
Andrew B. (0).
No. 67 L. C. Somerville (29), Ella (25), Nettle M. (4), Milo (2) and
Dell (1).
No. 58 Wm. E. Somerville (24), Agnes Mae (24), Earl (3), Mark 1,
Mark Wiggins (62) and Eva Mae Wiggins (15).
No. 62 R. J. Somerville (31), Martha J. (25), Jay (5), Lewis (4),
and Eddie (1).
Note that A. E. Somerville is not listed, so he had moved back to
Viola by this census. Also the obituary of Robert Cunningham, his
father-in-law, dated April 30, 1886, lists his daughter, Phoebe Jane
(Cunningham) Somerville (Mrs. A. E.) as being a resident of Viola Township.
page 7
The obituary of A. E. Somerville, as it appears in the Rochester
(MN.) Union and Record, Nov. 6, 1896, is as follows:
"Mr. A. E. Somerville passed away Sunday morning (Nov. 1, 1896)
after being ill quite a number of weeks. Mr. Somerville was born in Beaver
County, PA., July 29, 1822, came to Indiana at age 13, and was married to
Phoebe Jane Cunningham July 10,1845, moving to Minnesota in 1860. Nine children
were born to them, six boys and three girls. Seven children are still living,
thirty-eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
"Mr. Somerville was the youngest of eight children of whom only
one survives. He leaves a wife and seven children of whom three were down from
Brown County to attend the funeral which was held Nov. 3 in the town hall, Rev.
Miller officiating. The family have the sympathy of the entire community.
"Mr. Dugan of Eyota, came to the home of Mr. A. E. Somerville
one day last week and brought one of his little boys with him, and left him in
the buggy while he went into the house to care for Mr. A. E. Somerville. During
this time the little boy got out of the buggy to play with the youngest child
of Mr. and Mrs. Abram Mulholland. A large dog, which belonged to Mr.
Somerville, went out where the children were playing. The doctors boy began to
pat the dog, and the dog did not pay much attention to him, when a few moments
later a little dog came out where they were, and it being so small it attracted
the little boy's attention and he went to take it up when the large dog grabbed
him in the face and shook him quite a while before anyone knew anything was
wrong. Mr. Ledge Somerville was in the well house and hearing strange sounds
stepped out to see what was the matter. He was a long time getting the boy away
from the dog. The boy was quite badly bitten, and if there had been no one
around the boy would have been killed. The dog was killed soon after."
A. E. Somerville is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Viola Township.
It is interesting to note that A. E. SOMERVILL never used the final
E on his surname, and it so appears on his grave marker. He was a tall man,
well over six foot. His wife, Phoebe Jane was short in stature. It is said that
she could easily stand under his out stretched arm.
His widow, Phoebe Jane Somerville, later moved back to Sleepy Eye
where she bought a small house with a large garden area. My mother, Birdie
Somerville Hanks recalls visiting her grandmother in Sleepy Eye while teaching
school. This would have been in the 1906-12 period. Her grandmother was very
upset because a hail storm destroyed her garden, and she said, "What will
I have to eat this winter?" My aunt, Mrs. Viola Bond received a card from
her grandmother, Phoebe Jane, in 1910 post-marked at Sleepy Eye. Phoebe Jane
lived in Sleepy Eye until her death on June 30, 1913 after which she was
brought back to Viola Township for burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery beside her
husband, Andrew Elliott Somerville.
The Next Generation
William
Elliott Somerville, son of Andrew Elliott and Phoebe Jane (Cunningham)
Somerville, was born in Viola Township, Olmsted County, Minnesota on Dec. 24,
1860. He died on March 17, 1925 at Willmar, MN. and buried in Fairview Cemetery,
Willmar March 20, 1925. He suffered from a strangulated hernia and died of
complications.
William lived in Olmsted County until 1874 when he moved to Albin
Township, Brown County, and operated a farm owned by Mark Wiggin, whose
daughter, Agnes Mae he married on March 20, 1881 at Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. She
was born Jan. 24, 1861 Island Pond, VT., the daughter of Mark Wiggin of
Hethuen, Mass. and Eliza Jane Mansur of Island Pond, VT. She left Vermont at
age 12 (1873) and moved with her family to Brown County, Minnesota.
page 8
She had two sisters, Gertrude (Mrs. Orville Lent), and Evelyn (Evie)
(Mrs. John Woolleys of Lamberton, MN.
Four
children were born to William and Agnes May: Earl (b. Feb. 9. 1882), Mark
Wiggin (b. May 26, 1883), Lee Lot (b. Dec. 7, 1885) and Birdie Glen (b. March
12,1889). Agnes May was a quiet person, very good natured and a hard
worker, but not strong and bothered with throat trouble, also catarrh. She
eventually developed tuberculosis. She was a very religious person and her last
words to those at her bedside were, "Can't you hear the church bells
ringing?" While Agnes May was ill, and to care for the four young
children, William hired a recent immigrant from Germany, Maria Ann (Mary)
Mueckl , a sister of his farm neighbor, Mrs. Carl (Lena) Manderfeld.
Mary stayed at the home until the death of Agnes (Feb.13, 1890).
Following his wife's death, William cared for the three young boys, but asked
his sister, Mary (Mrs. Jacob Duncan) of Sleepy Eye to care for 11-month old
Birdie. After a few weeks, Jake and Mary Duncan wanted to adopt Birdie, but
William would not hear of it. He wanted to keep the family together, so he
asked Mary Mueckl if she would come back to care for the home and the children.
She did. Later that year, Sept. 14, 1890, William and Mary were united in
marriage. After his re-marriage, William called his boys together and said,
"Your mother is in heaven. I have a new wife and I want you to call her
'MOTHER', "which they did with love and respect all of their lives. Mary
was a real mother to Agnes May's four children, as much so as she was to the
children which she and William had later.
William and Mary Ann Mueckl were married on Sept.14, 1890 at Sleepy
Eye, MN. She was the daughter of Maxamilian Mueckl and Kresentia Hoffman. She
was born March 13, 1868 at Zenching, Bavaria, Germany. She attended common
schools; was an excellent student, and had she stayed in Germany, her teachers were
eager for her to go on to higher levels, which very few persons (women) did,
then. When she was only 14, she cared for her mother who had
"dropsy". She wanted no one but Mary to care for her.
Mary then went to a nearby town and became an apprentice to learn
cooking at a hotel. She was from a line of school teachers.
She was an immigrant to America in 1888 and to Sleepy Eye on March
13, 1888. She was of Catholic background. She had a brother Maxamilian Muecki,
who lived in Sleepy Eye and raised a family. He was a carpenter. Her sister,
Lena, married Carl Manderfeld, a school teacher and later Clerk of Court for 35
years in Brown County New Ulm, MN.) They had a daughter, Viola, a graduate of
Columbia University, and holding a master's degree. She taught at first in the
Laboratory School of The University of Chicago, then became an associate
professor in the German Department of the University proper. The Manderfelds
also a son, Emanuel who had a master's degree from the University of Minnesota,
worked as an electrical engineer in laboratories of RCA in New York and later
California.
Cecelia Muecki, Mary's other sister never married. She worked for
her entire life as a professional cook in wealthy families, primarily in
Cincinnati. It was from her estate that Mary's children, and children of Ray
Somerville inherited small amounts of money when she died. She spent her last
years in the St. Alexander Home in New Ulm, MN.
Seven children were born to the union of William and Mary: Emma
Cecelia (b. 4/18/1891), Max William (b. 12/9/1893), Alexander Ray (b. 6/4/1895
- died 11/5/1895), Esther Caroline (b. 9/17/1896), Isabel Ruth (10/1/1898), Ray
Alexander (b. 8/6/1904) and Viola Daisy (b. 3/22/1907).
William and Mary continued to live on Albin Township farm for a
short time after their marriage, but William soon purchased a 160 Acre farm of
his own in home Township, Brown County, MN. which is northeast of the City of
Sleepy Eye.
Page 9
In 1898, William sold the Brown County farm and bought a 320 Acre.
farm in Woods Twp.,Chippewa County, MN. He received enough from the sale of the
Brown County farm to pay for the Chippewa County farm and have enough left over
to build a new house and barn. In moving from Brown County to Chippewa County,
William shipped the furniture, machinery and livestock by railroad. The two
cider boys, Earl and Mark, rode in the box car to feed and water the livestock
and look after the other items. The rest of the family drove overland by buggy
and wagon. It was a two day trip. The first day, they drove until late
afternoon. They stopped at a likely looking farmstead where the farm family
took them all in to bed and board for the night.
There were no improvements on the Chippewa County farm except for a
large granary which the family lived in until the new house was built. The
house was built under the supervision of Max Mueckl, Mary's brother. William
paid his brother-in-law as head carpenter $2.50 per day and helpers $1.75 per
day. The house cost approximately $1,000.
In 1904, William, then 45, thought the several young children at
home could receive a better education if he moved to town. He moved to Willmar
and left the farm in the hands of the two older sons, neither of whom was
inclined to farm, so he sold the farm for $10,000. Only Isabel was born on the
Chippewa County farm. All the older children were born in Brown County, and the
younger children in Willmar.
When he moved to Willmar, to about 6½ acres, William immediately put
in a huge garden. Nary Somerville always treasured her large strawberry bed.
One year she canned 150 quarts of berries--a gargantuan task. She also canned
peas, beans, fruits. William had potatoes, corn, squash and an apple and plum
orchard. Everything was kept free of weeds. The garden products filled a large
storage area of the dirt-filled cellar, which also served as a shelter in times
of windstorms. Nary whisked the children (and quilts) to the safety of that
area. The garden was a godsend in keeping food on the table for a large family.
In the course of making a living, once he left the farm without a
trade, William did odd jobs, usually involving his teem of horses. He met and
won the affections of townspeople. Not only was he extremely outgoing, but he
had a full-blown sense of humor. He never forgot a good story--and must have
created many of his own.
He might be traveling down Becker Avenue, past the bakery, when Dr.
Branton would come by. "What's your latest story, Bill?" In the
twinkling of an eye, Bill would relate a tale that would end in a punch line
that "took in" his hearer. He'd catch the hearer in a tale, then go
on, "But, putting all joking aside . ." and off he'd go to catch him
all over again in a second tale. Wit seemed to be a common characteristic of
many of the older Somerville clan.
A recollection by grandson Merrill Chesebrough of a visit to Grandpa
Somerville’s home is as follows:
"Grandpa always made his own root beer. He would save and fill
the hires extract bottles with root beer for the grandchildren. Grandpa would
lead a parade around the house, then down into the basement where he would pass
out bottles of root beer to each of the grandchildren. Then he would lead the
parade up the stairs out onto a porch where he would give each youngster a
thrill ride on his foot, lifting his leg up high, as he told stories to the
children."
Following his early death (age 64) in 1925, Mary Somerville was left
with a world of good friends and neighbors in addition to a devoted family.
(Only Viola was still at home). She had extremely limited financial resources.
When Viola considered going to college-this would leave Mary alone--in her
truly unselfish manner, she said, "of course, I'd like you to stay, marry
and have a family. But when I look at your friends who have page 10done just
that and see what problems they have, I can’t ask you to do that. It is your
life and you should do with it as you will." In ensuing years, she told
everyone she was so happy that Viola had made the choice of attending college.
Left alone, she could no longer afford the house. For a time, she
responded to widowed neighbor's call for help with his five motherless
children.
To be near the church, she rented a small apartment downtown. She
could walk to church, ladies aid, and funerals. She spent several summers with
Isabel and Jessie Aarvig, also several with Birdie and Earl Chesebrough where
she looked after grandson, Merrill, while Birdie worked at the Le Roy Independent.
She visited other families too from time to time. Always, she kept in close
touch with the grandchildren, whom she adored. Even though writing in English
was not easy for her, she corresponded with the ones in service, and baked
goodies and sent packages to them.
She never formally joined the Methodist Church. Yet when there was
an anniversary and the list of oldest living members was printed, their name
was among them. Perhaps the Rev. John L. Parmeter added her name as she always
lent support. She furnished hundreds of sandwiches and dozens of cakes when
"solicited"
At her funeral--by choice in the Methodist Church--the Rev. Roland
Hohn mentioned that Mother Somerville's hearing was impaired. He quoted her as
saying, "I can’t always understand the words, but they sound nice
anyway."
Mary Somerville was a woman with a heart of gold. She loved and was
loved by all who knew her. Her spirit of forgiveness was exemplary. She was
always a peacemaker, ready to give another the benefit of the doubt.
She passed away March 16, 1944, and was buried in Fairview Cemetery,
Willmar, beside her husband, William.
The Children of William. Elliott Somerville and Agnes Mae Wiggin
EARL - born February 9, 1882, in Albin Township, Brown County, MN.
He was married to Agnes Theresa Hultgren at Kerkhoven, MN. June 1, 1904. She
died June 19, 1908, of complications of childbirth when son, Irwin was born.
Mary Somerville cared for Irwin until he died in infancy.
Earl then married Edith Emelyn Hultgren, Agnes' sister, January 3,
1912. Two sons were born to this marriage: Earl, Jr., born March 25, 1915 and
Wayne, born January 31, 1919.
Following Edith's death, Earl married a third time to Jessie Bernice
Collinson Jones from Willmar. They lived at Bird Island until Earl's death,
then she lived in Willmar until her death.
Earl lived for many years at Raymond, MN. where he owned a jewelry
store and operated the theater. His sons were born here.
MARK WIGGIN SOMERVILLE - born May 26, 1883, in Albin Twp., Brown
County, MN. He married Ethel May Doble at Montevideo, MN. Oct. 1, 1904. She
died in 1905. He then married her sister, Edith Doble on Aug. 16, 1906 at
Montevideo. Mark died Oct. 27, 1918 from tuberculosis, but his actual death was
hastened by an attack of influenza in the first year of the influenza epidemic
in 1918. He is buried at Fairview Cemetery, Willmar, MN.
Mark Somerville's
Obituary 1918
page 11
Children of Mark and Edith Somerville were: Harold Elliott (b. March
16, 1907 - died June 30, 1977), Florence Evelyn (b. June 10, 1909, died
September 8, 1995 in Brainerd, Minnesota),Violet Mae (b. 3/16/1911), Evangeline
Grace (b.8/26/1913 died March 31, 1994 in Bremerton, Washington) Derwin Mark
and Dorothy, (b. 9/21/1916). Dorothy died 07/10/1917).
LEE LOT SOMERVILLE - born 12/7/1885 in Albin Twp., Brown County, MN.
He married Mathilda Olena Berg 9/25/1912. She was born 6/30/1893 in Minnesota
and died 5/11/1977 in Canoga Park, CA. Lee died 10/5/1975, also at Canoga Park,
CA. Children of this marriage are: Stanley C. Somerville (b. 7/6/1913 at
Willmar), Alice Vivian (b. 11/4/1915 at Willmar), Eugene Victor (b. 2/3/1918)
died 11/30/1996 at age 78 in Anaheim, California after a long illness, and
Debris Corinne (b. 1/10/1924).
BIRDIE GLEN SOMERVILLE - b. 03/12/1889 in Albin Twp., Brown County,
MN. As her mother died when Birdie was so young, she remembers no other but
Mary, to whom she was exceedingly devoted. She married Earl Mathewson
Chesebrough, b.07/04/1870 in Plainfield, Conn., but later of Willmar, on June
27, 1912 in the Somerville home on West Litchfield, Ave, the Rev. John L.
Parmeter officiating. Earl died of a stroke Nov. 28, 1937. One son, Merrill
Earl, was born to this marriage (03/27/1919).
After being a widow for several years she married George Selbin
Ecklund. He passed away March 17, 1960 after a long illness.
On August 20, 1964, she was united in marriage to Howard B. Hanks at
the Little Brown Church, IA. This was an unusually happy and companionable
marriage. Birdie passed away Dec. 11, 1981 at her home in Le Roy.
Earl and Birdie first owned the Grant County Review at Herman, MN.,
then purchased the Le Roy Independent, Le Roy, MN. Birdie, together with her
son, Merrill, continued to publish it until 1969.
The Children of William Elliott Somerville and Mary (Maria) Mueckl
EMMA CECELIA - b. 04/18/1891 in Home Twp., Brown County, MN. She was
married to Benjamin Wesley Parmeter on July 17, 1915 in the family home in
Willmar, the Rev. John L. Parmeter, the groom's father, officiating. Ben and
Emma lived for many years at New Ulm, MN., where Ben was employed by the New
Ulm Wholesale Grocery Co. They later moved to Dade City, FL. Two sons were born
to them at New Ulm: Lincoln (b. 02/23/1919) and Burton Monroe (b. 09/22/1921).
MAXIMILIAN WILLIAM - b. 12/09/1893 in Home Twp., Brown County, MN.
Max married Ruth Pond of Pipestone, MN. March 11, 1916. Max worked for the U.
S. Postal Service, for a time on a rail train to Pipestone, later in St. Paul.
Three children were born to this marriage: Marjorie (b. 12/6/1916), Darrell (b.
03/16/1920) and Geraldine (b. 07/03/1924).
ALEXANDER BAY - b. 06/04/1895. (Died 11/05/1895).
ESTHER CAROLINE -- b. 09/17/1896 in Home Twp., Brown County, MN. She
married Edmond Nolan Carrell, a rancher, on May 26, 1922 in Livingston, MT. Two
children were born to this marriage: Joyce Elaine, 08/15/1925 and Edmond N.,
Jr., 07/23/1931. Ed and Esther ranched in the Shields River Valley between
Wilsall and Clyde Park, MT. until selling the ranch and moving to Livingston.
During many of these years, Esther taught school, for a number of years in the
Brackett Creek School, Joyce married Robert Bonnell and Edmond., Jr. married
Margie McClung (07/23/1949).
ISABEL RUTH - b. 10/01/1898 in Woods Twp., Chippewa County, MN. Died
07/29/1985 in Willmar. Isabel married Jesse Aarvig May 24, 1919. They farmed in
the Willmar area all of their married life. Jesse died 04/8/1968. Both are
buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Willmar in lots adjoining the William and Mary
Somerville lot. One son was born to this marriage, Dean Hartley Aarvig on Oct.
15, 1920.
page 12
RAYMOND ALEXANDER - born 08/06/1904 at Willmar, MN. Ray married
Doris Szymanski in Waukegan, IL. on July 16, 1921. He died May 28, 1933 from
tuberculosis. He is buried In Concordia Cemetery in Forest Park, IL. Ray
attended Coyne Electrical School In Chicago, later Lane Technical High School.
He was in electrical work during his working years, first winding armatures for
G. E., later working for a company which installed sound systems in the Chicago
Opera House, Morrison Hotel, Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago
and others. He 'moonlighted' in several jobs, overworked himself and developed
TB.
Children of this marriage are: Ray Arthur, b. 08/16/1922; Dorothy
LaVerne, b. 03/09/1924;
Patrick Dean, b. 06/27/1926; and Robert Hugo, b. 04/26/1930.
VIOLA DAISY - born 03/22/1907 in Willmar, MN. She married Cyril
Barclay Bond of Hutchinson, Kansas on Sept. 10, 1934 at Chicago, IL.
Viola was graduated from Willmar (MN.) High School; the Chicago
Training School (later merged with Garrett Theological Seminary); and holds a
Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Religion from the University of Chicago. In a
45-year career, she held secretarial, editorial, supervisory, or administrative
positions in such firms as the International City Managers' Association; Foote
Bros. Gear & Machine Corp.; Booz-Allen & Hamilton; Borg-Warner
(Ingersoll) Research Center.
At Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. she was executive
secretary to the Development Fund, then to President (now Bishop) Dwight E.
Loder and later to Dr. Orville H. McKay. She ended her career as administrative
assistant in Nursing Service at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL.
Cyril was graduated from Hutchinson (Kansas) High School; holds a
Bachelor of Arts degree from Kansas City University (English major); and a
Bachelor of Divinity degree, Bonebrake (now United) Theological Seminary in
Dayton, Ohio. He pursued graduate studies in the University of Chicago Divinity
School and professional training in the School of Social Service
Administration, prior to becoming a social worker for the State of Illinois,
then the Chicago Welfare Administration.
His career included a period of professional fund raising for
hospitals, but his major work was as a civilian in the signal Corps, Air Force,
and finally the Defense Supply Agency (DCASR), where he was a contract
administrator. He was retired in 1969. The Bonds, who live at 1020 West Villa
Drive, Des Flames, IL., have spent their summers at their cottage which is part
of the Lake Louise Christian (Methodist) Community, Boyne Falls, Michigan.
Contributing to the foregoing Somerville family history are:
As of 1/9/1997 Viola who is now a widow lives at: The Moorings; 811
East Central Road #409; Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005.
M. E. Chesebrough, F. 0. Box 119, Le Roy, MN. 55951
William Wesley Harden, 1902 NW 6 Ave., Austin. MN. 55912
Viola Somerville Bond (Mrs. Cyril B. Bond), 1020 West Villa Drive.,
Des Plaines, IL.
Dr. Paul Somerville, 5 Village Drive, west, Odieda, FL. 32765