Our Somers Family Heritage

Old Rowan County Courthouse in Salisbury, 1934 Marvin W. Helms - http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/nc/nc0300/nc0312/photos/102737pv.jpg Photographic view from the southeast of the Rowan County Courthouse, 200 North Main Street, Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina. Historic American Buildings Survey, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. (Source:  Rowan County Courthouse Salisbury North Carolina - Salisbury, North Carolina - Wikipedia ) Our "Little" family line has been traced back to Rowan County, North Carolina. This area is rich in history and the citizens were well known for their patriotism in the War for Independence. Please join me for a closer look at Rowan County and our ancestors who once lived there. We'll start with Samuel and Elizabeth (Boone) Little . Samuel Little was born around 1780 in Rowan County and Elizabeth in 1786 at Hunting Creek (Rowan County). Elizabeth is the daughter of Rebecca and John Boone . There is also speculation that we are relat...

  Annie Somers Gilchrist is the daughter of James Somers , a younger brother to John Somers Jr. the eldest son of Capt. John Somers and Catherine Arden of Caswell County, North Carolina  and who is the patriarch of our branch of the Somers family.  Annie was born March 30, 1841 in Dresden, Tennessee and went to be with the Lord on February 2, 1912 at the age of 70 years. She married John A. Gilchrist in 1859. (Source:  Annie Somers Gilchrist (1841-1912) - Find a Grave Memorial ) Annie had a unique perspective on the War Between the States and wrote about her experiences in the novel   Katherine Somerville Or The Southland Before and After the Civil War.    While using fictional names, the novel tells us what life was like for her and her family during this turbulant period in our nation's history. Annie begins by recounting her idyllic childhood and what it was like to grow-up on a Southern plantation, referred to as "The Oaks." She also gives ...

  Mose and Mary Ann Jones have been somewhat of a mystery to me. As you can see in this image of Grandma's Bible, she didn't have much information to record. However, due to today's interest in genealogy and technology, I have found some additional information on her great grandparents. According to Geni.com , Mary Ann's maiden name was Ballard. She was born on July 13, 1839 in Henry, Tennessee  and died December 13, 1929 in Ripley (County?) Missouri . (See also:  Mary A Ballard Jones (1839-1929) - Find a Grave Memorial ) She was the wife of J. Malachi Jones (Mose?) who was born March 26, 1826 in North Carolina and died in Ripley (County?) Missouri August 17, 1897 at 71 years of age. (You can view his gravesite at:  J. Malachi Jones (1826-1897) - Find a Grave Memorial ) Their daughter Nancy E. Wright was my grandmother's grandmother. Nancy's daughter Maggie Leona Weaver was grandma's mother.  I remember as a young child grandma telling me that we were Bla...

  Originally posted on Facebook  June 11, 2020 : While researching my family tree I found that many of my ancestors in the South actually fought for the North - in fact, some had to leave Tennessee and relocate in Missouri after the War. But removing historical monuments and statues, plus banning the Confederate flag is a blatant attempt to rewrite history. Why do this? I'm proud of the adversity my ancestors experienced as it made them better people and is an honorable legacy for their descendants. ~ Angela (Somers) Wittman These sentiments are still true today. Plus, I have always admired Gen. Grant - probably due to his St. Louis connection which is where I grew up; and while reading his memoirs I am impressed with his Christian ethics in private, as well as influencing his war ethics and public endeavors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 9, 1865; also ...

  My niece shared this picture of my dad taken when we celebrated his 86th birthday last July.  He was laid to rest at Jefferson Barracks yesterday (02/07/2022) with full military honors.  Pastor Geoff Ingrum of Heritage of Grace Church in Columbia, IL presided over the service.  It was a beautiful day and Dad would have been proud of the service and respect shown to him.  Thank you to all who attended and those who kept us in their prayers.  Christ was honored and glorified. Amen.

  Jesse C. Somers  Thursday, January 27, 2022 in Cuba, MO.   Beloved husband of the late Peggy Geneva (nee: Wallace) Somers. Beloved father of Angela (Jeff) Wittman, step father of Terry (Linda), Kenneth (Valerie) Davidson; grandfather of 9, great grandfather of 16, great great grandfather of 1. Jesse was born July 28, 1935 in Neelyville, MO the third youngest of 12 children born to William Henry and Lillian May (nee: Weaver) Somers of Butler County, MO Jesse was a proud Korean War Veteran in the United States Air Force. Retired Chief Master Sargent in the Missouri National Guard. Jesse was much loved by all who knew him. He was baptized into the Christian faith in 1978 and a member of the Christian Church. Visitation at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Road Monday, February 7, 9:30am until service at 10:30am. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Alzheimers Association, appreciated. Source:...

Wallace Franklin Somers (1944 - 2020) Wallace Franklin Somers, 75, of Harviell, Missouri, passed away September 22, 2020 at his residence. He was born November 18, 1944 at St Louis, Missouri to the Paul and Lorene Pickard. On October 17, 2007 at Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was married to Leah Johnson. She survives. Also Surviving are, His children, Kevin Michael Somers and wife Darlene of Matthews, North Carolina, Bryan Somers, Dawn Potter and Rebecca Siier. One sister, Velma Skates of Sand Springs, Oklahoma as well as two brothers; Paul Somers of Colorado and James Pichard of Alexandria, Virginia. His grandchildren; Joe Potter of Shelby Gap, Kentucky , Meagan Potter, Vero Beach, Florida, Sarah Fenimore (Richard), Jennifer Somers. Great grandchildren, Camden and Jayden and Brandon Potter. He is also survived by some special friends, Doug and Sandy Jones, Roy and Phyllis Stone and Irvin Kidd. He is preceded in death, by two sisters; Ruth Pennington and Phyllis Pickard. Mr. Somers had ser...

Taken in 1955 This photo was taken when Dad was stationed in Tripoli, Libya after joining the U.S. Air Force. He was 20 years-old. Dad was my first hero. Dad was a tough guy in his younger years and broke his hand while in the Air Force. He tells the story of going to the doctor and saying he broke it when he fell. The doctor replied that the guy he fell on was in the next room with a broken jaw. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dad has been living with my husband and me since August of 2018 and seems to be doing well considering his illnesses (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease). A couple of weeks ago Dad told me he had asked the Lord to forgive his past sins. This confession of faith in Christ Jesus came out of the blue during a moment of mental clarity. Praise the Lord! May God bless those who have prayed for us or who are going through similar circumstances. In Lord Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.

Photo is from the private collection of Ralph Womack, a great grandson. Great Grandmother Cotna (Coatney) was married to Francis Henry Somers, my Great Grandfather who was known as a "circuit rider" or traveling evangelist. *Re: Native Ancestry - I have almost ruled out Great Grandmother Coatney Cole, Harris, Tidwell, Somers, Bonn as having any Native American DNA as some of her descendants from the Tidwell marriage have contacted Dad via 23andMe and they have no NA DNA. However, some of those with direct bloodlines to Great Grandfather Francis Henry Somers appear to have a trace of Native American DNA. Please also take note that it is more likely Native American DNA will show up from the mother's DNA than from the father's ancestry.

Jesse (Jay) Somers - Early to mid 1950's. People often talk about standing for righteousness, but here is a story of my father literally taking a seat for what is right and good. Dad entered the Air Force in March of 1953 at the young age of 17 years. He tells the story of how hard it was for him to find work in his hometown of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the time. Prospective employers would tell him that they feared he would be drafted to serve in the Korean War when he turned 18 in July. So, Dad decided to join the Air Force instead of waiting for the draft. Dad was soon sent to a facility in Texas via a public bus. He remembers finding a seat in the very back and proceeded to relax and catch up on his sleep. Dad remembers crossing into Arkansas where public transportation was segregated. He tells of hearing the bus driver announce that all blacks were to move to the back of the bus. Dad stayed in his seat and the driver singled him out and ordered him to the front. Wel...

Larry Freeman Buhler was the 5th child and 3rd son of Clarence and Daisy (Somers) Buhler ; and the husband of Linda (Davis) Buhler. Larry was tragically killed in a car accident in July of 1996 at the young age of 42 years. Linda and Larry Buhler - 1985 Larry is remembered as being a gentleman with a kind heart and a noble spirit. Larry was also an outdoors man and his wife Linda shared these photos of him taken after squirrel hunting. Our Grandpa Somers was also an avid squirrel hunter and I have memories of him rising early to hunt when I was a child visiting. May the good Lord bless Larry's memory. In Lord Jesus Name, I pray, amen. Source: Find-a-Grave

Carl "Joey" Buhler  (April 1, 1956 - March 1, 1996) Carl Joey Buhler was the youngest child of Clarence and Daisy (Somers) Buhler. Clarence and Daisy Buhler's Children - Left to right: Jimmie, Henry, Clarence Everett, Paulette, Larry and Joey  I have fond memories of Joey as we were close in age, and frankly, he was quite unforgettable.  I remember him as fearless and full of adventure - he was cute and he knew it. Joey was a terrible flirt with the girls - which was part of his charm. He had a sweet enduring quality that I still remember to this day. I also remember that as young teens he wrote me a couple of love letters which my mother intercepted. She chalked it up to "puppy love," but she also kept her antennae up when it came to her nephew and daughter. Joey and Darla Buhler Joey eventually met a beautiful young woman, Darla, whom he fell head over heels in love with and married. They had one child together - a daughter, Malisa. ...

As recorded in the Somers Family Bible by Lillian (Weaver) Somers: Daisy Ellen was the third child of William Henry and Lillian Mae Somers, preceded by Cotna Lenoa  (10.18.1920 - 11.17.1920) and Mamie Irene (10.30.1921 - 2.14.2011). Clarence and Daisy Buhler Daisy Somers married Clarence Buhler on August 31, 1940. They had 7 children: Elsie Mae, Clarence, Jimmy, Paulette, Larry, Henry and Joey. Daisy Ellen went to be with the Lord on November 14, 1987 at 64 years of age. She was much loved by her family and is remembered as a godly woman and devout Christian. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fearet...

William Henry and Lillian Mae Somers oldest son "June" William H. Somers Jr. BIRTH: 22 Mar 1925 DEATH: 31 Jan 1969 William Sr. was a WWI veteran and his son William Jr served during WWII. William Henry Somers Sr . (Find a Grave) William Henry Somers Jr.  (Find a Grave)

Beloved Cousin  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121978365/sherilyn-g-weiler Sheri is the only child of Joyce and Harvey (Buzzy) Somers .  She was born June 24, 1958 and passed away on April 20, 2000. Sheri was married to Steve Weiler and they had one daughter, Christy. She is missed and loved by many.  Sheri had a love for adventure and life. I will always remember her beautiful brown eyes lighting up with laughter and joy when we played together as children.  I also remember sharing my Christian testimony with her a few years before her death and how she railed at me for becoming a Christian. Then when she became very ill with kidney failure due to Type I Diabetes, she graciously reassured me that she had made her peace with the Lord Jesus Christ and everything was "all right."  Sheri knew her health was failing and showed no fear of death. She had a true, saving faith and I look forward to our reunion in Heaven at the feet of ...

Left to right: Mamie Somers Shepherd, Lillian Mae Weaver Somers (mother), Daisy Somers Buhler, and Minnie Lorene Somers Pickard

This is our petite, but feisty Great Grandmother Maggie Leona (Wright) Weaver with Great Grandfather William Izear Weaver. He could very well be our "Blackfoot" connection - he looks native! Family folklore is he was such a good ball player that he was recruited to play professional baseball, but Great Grandmother wasn't going to have him off traveling the country while she farmed alone, so he wisely chose to stay in Arkansas with the lovely Maggie. Find a Grave Memorials: William Izear Weaver Maggie Lenoa Wright Weaver

Piedmont Trails has received a huge amount of questions and queries concerning free genealogy techniques. Due to the overwhelming response, Piedmont Trails made the decision to dedicate a blog segment covering the subject. This article will focus on the advantages and the “know-how” of researching without a paid subscription or any type of membership fee attached. Subscription fees can add up very quickly when it pertains to genealogy. Some companies charge as much as $400.00 yearly to acquire genealogy records and separate fees for DNA testing results. Family lineage software varies as well from $25.00 up to over $200.00 depending on the size and the capabilities of the software. You have to ask yourself, are the fees really worth it? Genealogy research is so much more than researching online references. It involves an adventure, an expedition, a journey that you may be totally missing. Continue reading here... Editor's Note: Please see also Piedmont Trails North Ca...

Willliam Henry Somers WWI US Army Photo

This photo was taken shortly before Great Grandmother's death estimated to be in the late 1930's or early 1940's. My father, Jesse C. Somers, was born in 1935 and remembers his grandmother living with them before her death.