Smith and Drinkwater Family of Somers Pioneer Relatives

Ella May Drinkwater, daughter of William Drinkwater and Mary Ann Toase

Born 1865 in the Town of Yorkville.  She married Henry H. Blackburn in 1892 in Racine County.  She died September 10, 1915 and is buried in Union Grove Cemetery.

(Info from Sylvania Cemetery Exploring Family Ties by Mary Anne Culshaw Falk)

Photo taken by Charles F. Urner of Janesville and Racine, Wisconsin

(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Ann Toase Drinkwater
Daughter of William and Mary Toase. Born July 15, 1838 in England.  She married William Drinkwater (his 2nd wife) on December 26, 1860. She died April 28, 1893. Buried in Sylvania Cemetery, Yorkville.
Photo taken by Billings, 501 Monument Square, Racine, Wisconsin
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Birney Smith, World War I calvary
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Birney (also known as Barney) Smith
WWI US Army from 1917 - 1919
1886-1962
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Birney Smith
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Photo courtesy of USGenWebArchivesWis by Larry and Linda Kopet)

Barney Bose
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Addie Smith Kirsch
1879 - 1958
Rowley, Iowa
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Barney Smith Obituary
Harmon Smith Obituary
Smith-Drinkwater Family Reunion

Harmon Smith
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Photo courtesy of USGenWebArchivesWis by Larry and Linda Kopet)

Grandmother Catherine Fiddler Smith
Photo taken by Thomas Studio, 1219 College Street, Racine, Wis.
1825-1911
Blairstown, Iowa
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Samuel Smith and Catherine Fiddler Smith Children

Alfred Born 1847 in New York. Died in Racine at 18 years old

Henry born 1848 in New York.  Married Sarah Jane Drinkwater. He died 1916 in Racine. Buried in Oakwood, Somers.

John born 1850 in Sylvania, Racine County. Married Helen Phelps.

Samuel born 1852 in Sylvania, Racine County. Buried Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Married to Jennie and Mary.

Charles born 1854 in Sylvania, Racine County.  Buried Cook County Cemetery, Illinois

Emily born 1860 in Sylvania, Racine County. First to go to Iowa. Married Hugh Smith. Buried Iowa.

Annie born1860 in Sylvania, Racine County. Married William Beatty. Buried Independence, Iowa.

Carrie born 1865 in Sylvania, Racine County. Married James Davis. Died 1928 buried Blairstown, Iowa.

Katie born 1869 in Sylvania, Racine County. Married Harry Jonas. Died 1897 in LeMars, Iowa.

Henry Smith and Sarah Jane Drinkwater Smith Children
Frank born 1877 in Union Junction, Racine County. Married Emily Watkins and Mildred Woltersdorf. Frank died 1968. Buried Oakwood Cemetery, Somers.
Alfred born 1879 in Union Junction, Racine County. Married Louise "Lutie" Thomas.  Alfred died 1964. Buried Sunset Ridge.
Florence born 1881 in Union Junction, Racine County. Died 1982. Buried Oakwood Cemetery, Somers.
Harmon born 1883 in Union Junction, Racine County. Died 1972. Buried Oakwood Cemetery, Somers.
Edna Mae born 1885 in Union Junction, Racine County.  Married Matt Schmidt. Died 1973. Buried Oakwood Cemetery.
Samuel born 1891 in Union Junction, Racine County. Married Thora Mikkelsen. Samuel died in Holland 1963.  Jim Smith is directly related to this family.  Samuel and Thora were his grandparents.
Earl born 1893 in Union Junction, Racine County. Married Sal Baher. Earl died 1984 in Phoenix, Arizona. Buried at Sunnyslope in Arizona.
Almeric (Allie) born 1895.  Died 1988. Buried Oakwood Cemetery.

(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)
Click on photo for close view.

Frank Smith, Emily Watkins Smith (first wife) and Mildred Woltersdorf Smith (second wife) obituaries

Frank E. and Emily Watkins Smith
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin

(Photo courtesy of USGenWebArchivesWis by Larry and Linda Kopet)

Mildred M. Smith buried at Wilmot Cemetery

Milton F. "Bud" Smith Obituary (some of Frank and Emily Watkins Smith)

Milton Smith is buried at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park 

Sarah Jane Drinkwater Smith
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Sarah Smith tradition of family reunions.
Relatives listed - useful for family history.
Celebrated on homestead on Wood Road
1940's

Samuel Smith homestead in Sylvania, Racine County, Wisconsin
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Obituary for Catherine Fiddler Smith, Carrie Smith Davis, and Emily Smith

Catherine Fiddler Smith (Mrs. Samuel)  Obituary
Carrie Smith, daughter of  Samuel and Catherine Smith
Click on image for closer view.

Carrie Smith, daughter of Samuel and Catherine Fiddler Smith
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Grandfather Samuel Smith
Born September 17, 1819 in New York and died June 29, 1897 in Moline, Illinois
Married to Catherine Fiddler December 29, 1845 in Hudson New York (Episcopal Church)
Photo taken by Thomas, 1219 College Street, Racine, Wisconsin
Moline, Illinois
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Emma Beatty Bushel
Photo taken by G. B. Wittick Photographer in Moline, Illinois
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Carrie (1863-1928) and Delpha (California) and Grandmother Smith
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Aunt Mary Drinkwater
1861-1946
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Cora Drinkwater Wilkins
1882-1924
Photo by Henry W. Reith, Kenosha, Wisconsin
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Emily Smith, Emma Beatty, Annie Beatty, Grandmother Smith
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Original Marriage Certificate for
Henry smith and Sarah J. Drinkwater
1875
Union Grove, Wisconsin
(Image courtesy of Jim Smith)

Aunt Annie Smith Beatty
Photo taken by Ensminger Bros. Independence, Iowa
1863-1940
Independence, Iowa
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Curtis and Elsie Donsing Smith
Curtis born 1889 in Union Junction, Racine County. Died 1969.
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Photo courtesy of US GenWEbArchivesWis by Larry and Linda Kopet)

Glenn W. and Anne Smith Obituaries

Buried at Sunset Ridge Cemetery

Buried at Sunset Ridge

Allie Smith, son of Henry and Sarah Jane Drinkwater Smith

Allie Smith, son of Henry and Sarah Jane Drinkwater Smith
(Photo courtesy of USGenWebArchives Wis by Larry and Linda Kopet)

Family of Anna Smith Beatty, daughter of Samuel and Catherine Smith

Anna Smith was born in Racine County, Wisconsin on September 3, 1863. She passed away at her home two miles south of Independence on October 3, 1940 at 2:45 pm.  In 1879 she came with her family to Buchanan County.  On October 29, 1884, she married William Beatty of Rowley, Iowa, who preceded her in death by only four days, after nearly 56 years of wedded life.  They farmed near Rowley for many years.  In the fall of 1907 they moved to Independence, later moving to the farm south of town which was their home until their death.

Anna and William had three children.  Emma Bushel, who passed away on July 2, 1919; Mabel a teacher in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Harold who lived on the home farm.

Emma, Mable, and Harold Beatty
Children of Anna Smith (Somers, Wisconsin) and William Beatty
Iowa
(Photo courtesy of Jim Smith)

Bose, William F. and Nellie

William F. and Nellie Braid Bose
50th Wedding Anniversary Photo
(Source:  Original Photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith.  Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

William F. Bose and Nellie A. Braid Bose
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin

William F. Bose

William F. Bose engages in general farming on section 6, Somers Township, Kenosha County.  He can boast of a fact which is true of few, that he is living on the farm which was his birthplace.  He first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 17^th of May, 1855.  His father was William Bose and mother Ann.  In the usual manner of farmer lads our subject spent the days of his childhood and received the advantages afforded by the public schools of the neighborhood.  Under the parental roof he remained until he attained his majority, giving his father the benefit of his services and when he had reached man’s estate he aided in carrying on the home farm until his marriage.

On April 9, 1878, Mr. Bose was joined in wedlock with Miss Nellie Breaid, daughter of John Breaid[1].  The lady is also a native of Kenosha County, and the young people, boys and girls together, were reared in the name neighborhood and attended the same school.  Mr. Bose brought his bride to the old home farm which he rented for a few years until he was able to purchased one hundred acres.  His land he now has under a high state of cultivation and the improvements, which are many, are both useful and ornamental and stand as monuments to the enterprise of the owner.  The home is a large and substantial residence, there is also a good barn and other necessary outbuildings and a fine bearing orchard.

Four children have come to brighten the home by their presence and the family circle yet remains unbroken.  They are two sons and two daughters and in order of birth are as follows: Jennie Belle, Anna Margaret, William Frederick Jr., and Charles Clarence, the youngest.

In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Bose are Methodists, holding membership with the Lake Shore Church.  To its support they contribute freely and in its work and progress take a deep interest.  They are also liberal with their means for charitable and benevolent purposes and are highly respected people whose social qualities have won them many friends.  The Bose household is the abode of hospitality and the members of the family rank high in social circles.  Mr. Bose is an enterprising and progressive farmer and a public-spirited citizen who is ever ready with his influence and co-operation to aid in the advancement of those interests which are calculated to upbuild and benefit the town and county.  In politics he is a Republican, having supported that party since he cast his first Presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes.  He is a warm advocage of its principles and a stanch believer in its politics.  He has taken quite an active part in local politics and is now serving as a member of the Town Board of Supervisors, also as a member of the School Board.[2]

 More About William Frederick Bose
William Frederick Bose, a widely known and prosperous farmer of Somers Township, was born in that Township on the 17th of May, 1854, of the marriage of William and Anna (Canvin) Bose, natives respectively of Germany and Northamptonshire, England. In 1846 the father came to Kenosha County, Wisconsin, and from that time until his demise on the 9th of April, 1898, followed agricultural pursuits in Somers township. His wife passed away on the 15th of April 1900, and both are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township. To them were born three children, namely: Ed, who is married; William Frederick; and Mary, the deceased wife of John Wensing, by whom she had four children. Mrs. Bose also had two children by a former marriage, namely: John Hansche, who is married; and Herman Hansche, deceased. Mr. Bose was a Republican in politics and held the office of road overseer. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Church.

William Frederick Bose entered the common schools at the usual age and received a good education. For some time he worked for his father, but when twenty-wo years of age he rented the homestead which he farmed on his own account for a decade. He then bought the place, comprising one hundred six and forty-eight hundredths acres, and for many years he devoted his time to its operation. However, on the 10th of January, 1909, he rented that farm to his son, and purchased forty acres of land on Section 12, Somers Township, which had also belonged to his father’s estate, and there he has since lived. He has made many improvement upon the farm and it is in a high state of development. The house is one of the finest farm homes of the Township, and the barn and other buildings are commodious and substantial. He understands everything connected with farming and is progressive in his methods.

On the 7th of April, 1876, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bose and Miss Nellie Braid, a daughter of John and Jeanette Braid. Mr. and Mrs. Bose have five children, as follows: Jennie married A.F. Hansche and has two living children, Dorothy and George; Annie is the wife of Walter Derby of Racine County and has two sons, George and Robert; William married Hattie Donsing; Clarence, who resides in Somers, married Audrey Wilsey and they have two children, Marjorie and Albert Clarence; Everett is a bookkeeper for Simmons Company, of Kenosha.

Mr. Bose indorses the Republican policies but often votes independently. For five years he was a member of the Town Board and for eight years served on the School Board, proving very efficient in both capacities. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of Lodge No. 18, A.F. & A.M., of Racine, in which he has held several offices. He is respected for his ability and integrity and, moreover, those who have been brought in close contact with him hold him in warm personal regard.

[1] John Breaid has a biography listing in this book. Under his picture, in his own handwriting, he spells his name Breaid. Later, the family changed the spelling to Braid.

[2] Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties. Lake City Publishing Co. Chicago. 1892. Page 540

[3] Source: City and County of Kenosha, Wisconsin, A Record of Settlement, Vol. II, pages 567-568, Frank H. Lyman, Chicago, The S.J. Clark Publishing Co. 1916.

Rasmussen

Emma M. Rasmussen (wife of M.A. Rasmussen)
Oakwood Cemetery
(Source: Photo by Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson. Copyright October 2011)

Emma M. Rasmussen
June 15, 1917, Mrs. Emma Mary Rasmussen died early this morning at her home in the village of Somers. The cause of her death was due to a lingering illness with a complication of diseases.
Emma Mary Donsing, daughter of Fred W. and the late Mary Donsing was born in Lake, Milwaukee County, March 26, 1888, and came with her parents to Somers when a little girl and passed most of her young life in this community where she was highly esteemed. Her joyous nature had its influence over all with whom she came in contact and in her passing our vicinity loses one of its most prominent and noble women - one who will be missed in all walks of life.
During the six years of failing health, she manifested those qualities of womanhood that will ever endear her to the hearts of all who knew her. In all her brief life she has taken an active part in social and civic affairs and was ever ready to do her part in the various undertakings of her church and the society's to which she belonged. Earl in life she united with the Presbyterian Church.
March 12, 1905 she was united in marriage to M. A. Rasmussen, who with two little daughters, Dorothy and Bernice, her father, one brother, Fred W. Donsing, three sisters, Mrs. William Lauer, Mrs. William F. Bose, Jr., and Mrs. Curtis Smith, survive her.
The funeral services will be held from her late home in the village on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
(Source: Racine Journal News, publication date June 15, 1917)

Matt Rasmussen-Donsing Marriage
A pretty wedding was solemnized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Donsing, Tuesday, December 12th when their daughter, Emma, was united in marriage to Mr. M.A. Rasmussen. Rev. Broudy officiating in the presence of the immediate friends and relatives. After a sumptuous dinner the happy couple departed for the south where they will spend several weeks, after which they will be at the home of their new residence, east of the village.
(Source, Racine Journal, publication date December 23, 1905)

Matt Rasmussen Death
"Sadly the story of the "Cabbage King" Matt Rasmussen, ended in tragedy when Rasmussen took his own life December 2, 1932."
(Source:  Kenosha News, text linked to the Neumiller Tower)
(Note:  No records other than this date can be found to confirm Matt Rasmussen's death.  No burial records, gravestones, news articles, or court records can be located.)

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).

Witscheber

Christian and Louisa Witscheber
Oakwood Cemetery
(Source:  Photo by Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson. Copyright October 2011)

Christian Witscheber
C. Witscheber was long numbered among the representative farmers of Somers Township, having become a resident of Kenosha County in 1858.  He was born in Germany in April, 1838, and was but four years of age when his father died, while his mother's death occurred at his birth.  He obtained his education in the common schools of his native country and at the age of sixteen years crossed the Atlantic to the United States.  He made his way at once into the interior of the country, settling first at Kewanee, Wisconsin, and afterward at Sheboygan.  For four years he was employed in sawmills and in 1858 removed to Kenosha county, where he hired out to William Bose, for whom he worked for two years.  He was anxious, however, to engage in business on his own account and rented land in Racine County, which he cultivated for two years.  He afterward spent the winter in Kenosha and then purchased twenty-six acres of land in this county, upon which he engaged in farming for twenty years.  On the expiration of that period he sold the property and bought forty acres on Section 13, Somers Township, making his home thereon until his death, which occurred January 18, 1903. 
In early manhood Mr. Witscheber was married to Miss Louisa Rinehardt, a daughter of Max Rinehardt, and to them were born five children: Minnie, who became the wife of William R. Birch, a resident of Somers, by whom she has four children; Paulina, wife wife of L.J. Morehouse and the mother of one child; and Edward, Frank and Louise, all at home.
He was a devoted member of the German Lutheran Church.
His youngest son, Louis Witscheber, was born on the old homestead farm in Somers, January 20, 1871, and obtained a common school education, dividing his time during his boyhood between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground, and the work of the fields.  He has always followed the occupation to which he was reared, and in connection with his brothers is now cultivating the old home place.  They have made all of the improvements upon this property and are now extensively engaged in raising cabbage, potatoes, beets and grain, their practical, progressive methods bringing good results.
Louis Witscheber was a Republican and belonged to the German Lutheran Church.
(Source:  The City and County of Kenosha Wisconsin, Vol. II, S.J. Clark Publishing Co., 1916)

Louisa Witcheber (Mrs. Christian)
"Mrs. Louisa Witscheber departed this life on Friday, July 31, 1914, after a lingering illness of many moths.  Mrs. Witscheber was born in Germany, December 15, 1841.  She, with her husband, the late Christian Witscheber, came to this country over fifty years ago and settled in the Town of Somers.  She was a woman of generous, unselfish, sympathetic nature and a sincere friend, untiring in her devotion to her family.  To the surviving sons, Edward, Frank and Louis, and daughters, Mrs. William Birch and Mrs. Louis Morehouse, is extended the sympathy in their hour of sorrow.  The funeral services will be held from the late home on Sunday afternoon with interment in the family plot in Oakwood Cemetery."

(Source:  Racine Journal July 31, 1914) 

About Louis Witscheber
"Louis Witscheber passed away at age 80, on June 18, 1951, in St. Catherine's Hospital after an illinois of several weeks.  He was born in Somers Township on January 20, 1871.  He was the son of the late Christian Witscheber.  He had farmed in Somers Township his entire lifetime.  Surviving are four nephews: Christ Birch, Frank Birch, Louise Morehouse, and Frank Witscheber, one niece, Miss Anita Witscheber all of Somers.  Burial at Oakwood Cemetery."
(Source:  Racine Journal Times, publication date June 18, 1951)



Louis Witscheber
(Source: Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith. Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved)

More about the Witscheber family

Frank Witscheber
Oakwood Cemetery
(Source:  Photo by Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  Copyright October 2011)

Frank Witscheber
(Source: Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith. Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved)

Etta L. Witscheber
Oakwood Cemetery
(Source:  Photo by Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson.  Copyright October 2011)

Etta, Frank, Sr.-Jr. Witscheber

(Source: Original photo courtesy of Jim and Sharon Bose Smith. Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)