Bose, William and Ann

William and Ann Bose
(Source:  Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith.  Copyright 2010.  All Rights Reserved.)

William Bose and Ann  Bose
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers
(Photo by Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  Copyright October 2011)

William Bose
"William Bose, one of the pioneers of Kenosha County, an uncle of Policeman Bose, of this city, died at his Somers home, and the funeral took place from the Berryville Church Sunday afternoon, and was largely attended.  Mr. Bose was 75 years of age.
William Bose was one of the early pioneers of the county.  He was born in Prussia February 13, 1824.  In 1846 he left Germany, and emigrated to the United States, and was one of the men who assisted in changing Kenosha from a wilderness to a place of civilization.  For many years he worked as a farm hand, but later he purchased a part of section 6 and built upon it one of the first houses erected in the Town of Somers.  Here he lived only a short time, when he purchased a farm in Section 7 where he has since resided.  He leaves a widow and three children - Edward, William F. and Mrs. John Wensing, all of the Town of Somers."
(Source:  Racine Daily Journal, publication date April 10, 1899).



William and Ann  Bose

(Photo Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties. Lake City Publishing Co. Chicago.  Published 1892).

More About William Bose
 William Conrad Bose, a retired farmer living on Section 7, Somers Township, is one of the honored pioneers of Kenosha County; and with pleasure we present his sketch to our readers.  A native of Prussia, Germany, he was born February 13, 1824, and is the son of Conrad Bose.  His father was born in Westphalia, where he grew to manhood and wedded Mary Ann Bose, daughter of Henry Bose, a landowner of Prussia.  The father of our subject was an agriculturist and upon his farm all of the children were born.  In 1847, he emigrated with his family to the new world and in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, joined his son William, who had come to the United State two years before.  He located in the Town of Somers on a very slightly improved farm which he cleared and fenced and upon which he made many improvements.  It continued to be his home until his death which occurred about 1881. His wife survived him some time and died in December, 1890.  Both are buried in Racine in Mound Cemetery.  In their family were five sons and two daughters who grew to mature years.

William Bose was reared to manhood in his native land and when twenty years of age in his native land and when twenty years of age crossed the Atlantic to America, arriving in New York in August, 1846.  He made his first location in Cleveland, Ohio, where he joined William Hansche and with that gentleman came to Wisconsin, reaching Racine in January, 1846.  With Mr. Hansche he went to the farm of Huron Beebe, and for the first few years after his arrival worked as a farm hand by the month.  When the family came he joined his father and aided in the arduous task of opening up a new farm.  He afterward bought a piece of wild land on Section 6, Somers Township and began farming on his own account.  As his means were limited he could purchase only eleven acres but this he cleared and improved, building a comfortable log house upon it.  In this way he go a start in life and climbing higher and higher has a length reached a position among the substantial citizens of the community.

In Racine County, in 1852, Mr. Bose was united in Marriage with Mrs. Mary Ann Hansche, a native of England, and a daughter of Richard Canvin, who spent his entire life in England, his native land.  Mrs. Bose came to this country in 1840, with her brother, Matthew Canvin.  She gave her hand in marriage to Herman Hansche, their union being celebrated in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Mr. Hansche died in Racine County, in 1849, leaving one child, John W., a resident farmer of Kenosha County.  There were also two other children, one who died in infancy and Herman, who grew to manhood and went to Salisbury, N.C., where he died in 1888.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bose have been born three children – Edward, a prosperous farmer now operating the old homestead; William F., who is also a substantial farmer of the Town of Somers, and Mary, wife of John Wensing, a substantial agriculturist of Somers Township, by whom she has three children – Anna, Emma and Willie.

As the years passed and financial resources of Mr. Bose increased he made additional purchased of land and is now owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and seven acres, which his son William operates.  He resided thereon until 1879, and then bought an improved farm on section 7, which has since been his home.  He here owns one hundred and sixty acres and another tract of forty acres situated on the same Section yields to him a golden tribute.  The farm is well improved having all the accessories and conveniences furnished by the nineteenth century and gives evidence of the thrift and industry which have been among the owner’s chief characteristics through life.

He has done much for the development of the county, has aided in its up building and been an eyewitness of its growth for the long period of forty-five years.  In politics, Mr. Bose is a Republican.  He cast his first vote for James Buchanan but ere the next election his views had undergone a change and he supported Abraham Lincoln.  Every enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit receives his support and hearty-co-operation and he is indeed a useful and valued citizen of the community.  After long years of labor he is now living a retired life, residing with his daughter in the enjoyment of the rest that he has so well earned and so truly deserves.  His sterling character and integrity have made him a trusted man among his fellow-men and his children and grandchildren will have reason to cherish his memory long after he has passed away.

( Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties.  Lake City Publishing Co.  Chicago.  1892).