Our Somers Family Heritage

  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 known

  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:  https://www.kutisfuner

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.

I've read other Somers family historians who believe our patriarch Capt. John Somers was with General Washington at Valley Forge. If this is true, he might have very well been at this encampment. Enjoy this article and give thanks to God for men like these who fought and died for our freedom. - Angela Somers Wittman By Sheila Vance - Posted at The Journal of the American Revolution: William Trego’s painting The March to Valley Forge is iconic. Where the Continental Army marched from has been largely overlooked. That march was from The Conshohocken or Gulph Hills, in Upper Merion Township, about seven miles from Valley Forge, where the army encamped from December 13 to 19, 1777. As one historian noted, "These grounds were the threshold to Valley Forge, and the story of that winter—a story of endurance, forbearance, and patriotism which will never grow old—had its beginnings here, at the six days encampment by the old Gulph Mill." Those six days were a microc