Flett

James and Ann Heddle Flett
Oakwood Cemetery
(Source:  Photo by Larry & Linda Kopet, USGenWenWebWisconsin)

Henry S.  Flett
Oakwood Cemetery
(Source: Photo by Larry & Linda Kopet, USGenWenWebWisconsin)

George and Carrie Bradley Flett
Oakwood Cemetery
(Source: Photo by Larry & Linda Kopet, USGenWenWebWisconsin)



John  Flett
Oakwood Cemetery
(Source: Photo by Larry & Linda Kopet, USGenWenWebWisconsin)

Partial 1861 Map of Somers Township, Kenosha County
Section 29
80 acre parcel of Heddle and Flett
Click on map for larger view

James Flett
James Flett, one of the early settlers of Kenosha County, and a respected citizen of Somers Township, owns and operates a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres on Section 29.  He is a native of Scotland, born April 22, 1822.  His father, James Flett, Sr., who was also born in that country, there married Jane Annel, likewise a native of Scotland, and in that land they spent their entire lives.
Our subject was reared to manhood under the parental roof and received received such educational advantages as the common schools afforded.  In 1845, he married Miss Ann Heddle, a daughter of David Heddle, and a native of Scotland, where the days of her maidenhood were passed  for a number of years. Mr. Flett followed the life of a sailor and became a quarter-master in the employ of the Oriental Navigation company.  For three years he served in that capacity, after which he resigned.  During that time he had made a trip around the world and visited many of the great cities and other places of importance on the face of the globe.  After severing his connection with the company mentioned, he made a trip to Australia at the time of the gold discoveries in that country and spent a year and a half in the mines, meeting with fair success.  In 1855, he returned and after spending a few weeks in England and Scotland, bade good-bye forever to the land of his birth and from Liverpool sailed to New York.
On the 9th of September, 1855, Mr. Flett arrived in Kenosha and purchased eighty acres of wild land, and turned his attention to agricultrual pursuits.  Upon that farm he has since made his home, though its boundaries have been extended to one hundred and twenty acres and pays a golden tribute to his care and cultivation for thirty-six years it has been his home, and during that time it has been transformed from a barren tract to one of the best cultivated places in this part of the country.  The fields are well tilled and the improvements, which are many, are both useful and ornamental. A commodious and substantial residence is situated on a beautiful lawn and surrounded with evergreen trees, shrubs and flowering plants.  In the rear are good barns and other buildings.  There is also a large orchard and the whole appearance of the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who in following farming has won success and beome a substantial resident of Somers Township.
In politics, Mr. Flett is a Republican, having been identified with that party since he cast his first vote for John C. Fremont.  He has held a number of local offices of honor and trust, has been a member of the Town Board of Supervisors and for the long period of twenty-two years has been a member of the School Board, eighteen years of which time he has served as lerk of the district.  He believes that to all the means of securing an education should be extended andhis labors in behalf of the schools have been instrumental in advancing their excellence.  He and his wife were among the first members of the Somers Presbyterian Church, in which they are still faithful workers.  Mr. Flett is one of its Elders.
Unto this worthy couple have been born nine sons, six yet living, namely; David H., who is now a prominent lawyer in Racine; James, a farmer of Wright County, Iowa; John, who died in early childhood; William H., who is engaged in the practice of law in Merrill, Wisconsin; Henry S. who graduated from Rush Medical Colege, engaged in the practice of his profession in Merrill, Wisconsin, for two years and died at that place; A.L. who is engaged in teaching in Tower, Minn.; Robert who died at the age of nineteen years; George C., who is now pursuing a course of law in Madison, Wis.; and Charles, a teacher of recognized ability, regarded as one of the abblest instructors of Kenosha County.
(Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Racine and Kenosha counties, Wisconsin, Chicaog, Lake City Publishing Co., 1892)

More about the Flett Family
(Source:  1870 U.S. Federal Census)
James Flett, born about 1822
Ann Flett, born about 1925
James Flett, born about 1849
William Flett, born about 1856
Henry Flett, born about 1856
Andrew Flett, born about 1859
Robert Flett, born about 1862
George Flett, born about 1864
Charles Flett, born about 1866

David Flett, born about 1844 was listed in the 1860 Census.
David Heddle, born about 1826 lived with the Fletts on the 1860 Census.

Other Information About the Flett Family
James Flett, born 1822 in Kirkwall, Orkney County, Scotland.
Ann Heddle Flett born 1825 on Orkney Islands, Scotland.
(Source:  Ancestry.com)

"The sad news of the death of Attorney William H. Flett late of Seattle, Washington was received here last week.  William H. Flett was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Flett and was born in Somers fifty-five years ago.  he was graduated from the law school at Madison University in 1884 and going to Merrill opened a law office.  He became active in the political welfare of our state and served in prominent positions.  Later he settled in Seattle, Washington.  Mr. Flett had been ill for about a year and a half.  He is survived by a widow and several brothers.  Interment was at Seattle on Friday.
(Source:  Racine Journal, publication date September 12, 1911)
See where the Flett and Heddle family lived.

Google Maps showing Orkney, Scotland. See town of "Heddle"