Chico Record (Chico, California) 15 Dec 1936, Tuesday Page 1: Mrs. C.J. Sommer, Pioneer California Woman, Succumbs. Mrs. C.J. Sommer, beloved pioneer of California and Chico, passed away yesterday at 12:15 P.M. at the home of her niece, Mrs. George E. Springer, in Piedmont. The crisis came after three months of intense suffering due to a fractured hip; the injury having been occasioned by a fall. During Mrs. Sommer's illness her only daughter, Mrs. Edward C. Gage of Chico, was with her almost constantly, and until a short time before her passing, confidently hoped that she would recover.
The remains will be brought to Chico this evening and the funeral services will be held at the H.C. Bicknell Funeral Home at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
Born in Wisconsin – The life story of Mrs. Sommer is one of exceptional interest, for she was one of the few yet living who came to California in the fifties and experience the hardships of pioneer life without breaking physically. She was a daughter of Dr. Willard and Sarah Hart Pratt, born April 21, 1853, near Madison, Wisconsin.
The outlook for a young man with a family at that time was not encouraging, and son after Dr. Pratt received his diploma of graduation from a medical school in Philadelphia, he decided to go west to seek a suitable place to establish a home. An opportunity appeared in 1853 when he was chosen to serve as the physician for an ox-team train headed for California. Arriving in California, he first located at Georgetown, El Dorado County, practicing medicine in several mining towns, then in Colusa, and finally at Chico, which he decided was the place for his family. It was in 1859 when Mrs. Pratt and three little daughters came west to join him in the new country. They came by way of the Isthmus of Panama.
Bought Chico Farm – Dr. Pratt purchased the Fairview farm about four miles north of Chico and later known Clark Four-Corners farm. This was the family home. He practiced medicine over a large area and was a leader in the community. Mrs. Sommer well remembered when her father organized a company and went in pursuit of the Indians who massacred the Hicok children near Chico.
After the hunt, the widowed Indian squaws and their children were held and cared for at the Fairview home. This exciting experience was ever fresh in Mrs. Sommer's memory. Her father served as a member of the State Legislature. On retiring from the practice of medicine, he purchased a large tract of land at Big Meadows, opened a resort, Prattville Springs, and started the town of Prattville, where Mrs. Sommer as a girl lived several years. Some years after his demise the Pratt holdings were sold to the Great Western Power Company and became part of Lake Almanor.
Married in 1877 – It was on April 16, 1877, that Wilhelmina W. Pratt became the wife of Carl Julius Sommer, who formed a partnership with Albert Hibbard to purchase the jewelry stock of Ramage and Company. The bought the lot at the northwest corner of Second and Broadway, built the Hibbard & Sommer Building, and enjoyed a lucrative business for several years. Sommer later bought the interest of his partner and conducted the business until a short time before his death in 1896, a man much loved and respected by all who knew him.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Sommer resided with her daughter, Mrs. Edward C. Gage in Chico and with her niece, Mrs. George Springer in Piedmont. She retained possession of her business and residence property until the last.
Attended Old Academy – Mrs. Sommer was a pupil in Woodman's Academy in Chico and then at Mills Seminary. Wherever she lived, she was ever interested in the better social life of the communities. She was a charter member of the Chico Art Club, a member of the Mills Club of Alameda County and an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
She was the mother of three children, Edith, Ray and Helen. Edith and Ray passed away in childhood. The latter, Mrs. Gage, and her daughter, Sibyl, survive her.
While there are but a few of her friends of pioneer days living, she made friends of young and old. A woman of culture and refinement, radiating good will and affection, she leaves a sorrowing multitude.
The remains will be brought to Chico this evening and the funeral services will be held at the H.C. Bicknell Funeral Home at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
Born in Wisconsin – The life story of Mrs. Sommer is one of exceptional interest, for she was one of the few yet living who came to California in the fifties and experience the hardships of pioneer life without breaking physically. She was a daughter of Dr. Willard and Sarah Hart Pratt, born April 21, 1853, near Madison, Wisconsin.
The outlook for a young man with a family at that time was not encouraging, and son after Dr. Pratt received his diploma of graduation from a medical school in Philadelphia, he decided to go west to seek a suitable place to establish a home. An opportunity appeared in 1853 when he was chosen to serve as the physician for an ox-team train headed for California. Arriving in California, he first located at Georgetown, El Dorado County, practicing medicine in several mining towns, then in Colusa, and finally at Chico, which he decided was the place for his family. It was in 1859 when Mrs. Pratt and three little daughters came west to join him in the new country. They came by way of the Isthmus of Panama.
Bought Chico Farm – Dr. Pratt purchased the Fairview farm about four miles north of Chico and later known Clark Four-Corners farm. This was the family home. He practiced medicine over a large area and was a leader in the community. Mrs. Sommer well remembered when her father organized a company and went in pursuit of the Indians who massacred the Hicok children near Chico.
After the hunt, the widowed Indian squaws and their children were held and cared for at the Fairview home. This exciting experience was ever fresh in Mrs. Sommer's memory. Her father served as a member of the State Legislature. On retiring from the practice of medicine, he purchased a large tract of land at Big Meadows, opened a resort, Prattville Springs, and started the town of Prattville, where Mrs. Sommer as a girl lived several years. Some years after his demise the Pratt holdings were sold to the Great Western Power Company and became part of Lake Almanor.
Married in 1877 – It was on April 16, 1877, that Wilhelmina W. Pratt became the wife of Carl Julius Sommer, who formed a partnership with Albert Hibbard to purchase the jewelry stock of Ramage and Company. The bought the lot at the northwest corner of Second and Broadway, built the Hibbard & Sommer Building, and enjoyed a lucrative business for several years. Sommer later bought the interest of his partner and conducted the business until a short time before his death in 1896, a man much loved and respected by all who knew him.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Sommer resided with her daughter, Mrs. Edward C. Gage in Chico and with her niece, Mrs. George Springer in Piedmont. She retained possession of her business and residence property until the last.
Attended Old Academy – Mrs. Sommer was a pupil in Woodman's Academy in Chico and then at Mills Seminary. Wherever she lived, she was ever interested in the better social life of the communities. She was a charter member of the Chico Art Club, a member of the Mills Club of Alameda County and an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
She was the mother of three children, Edith, Ray and Helen. Edith and Ray passed away in childhood. The latter, Mrs. Gage, and her daughter, Sibyl, survive her.
While there are but a few of her friends of pioneer days living, she made friends of young and old. A woman of culture and refinement, radiating good will and affection, she leaves a sorrowing multitude.
Chico Record (Chico, California) 15 Dec 1936, Tuesday Page 1: Mrs. C.J. Sommer, Pioneer California Woman, Succumbs. Mrs. C.J. Sommer, beloved pioneer of California and Chico, passed away yesterday at 12:15 P.M. at the home of her niece, Mrs. George E. Springer, in Piedmont. The crisis came after three months of intense suffering due to a fractured hip; the injury having been occasioned by a fall. During Mrs. Sommer's illness her only daughter, Mrs. Edward C. Gage of Chico, was with her almost constantly, and until a short time before her passing, confidently hoped that she would recover.
The remains will be brought to Chico this evening and the funeral services will be held at the H.C. Bicknell Funeral Home at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
Born in Wisconsin – The life story of Mrs. Sommer is one of exceptional interest, for she was one of the few yet living who came to California in the fifties and experience the hardships of pioneer life without breaking physically. She was a daughter of Dr. Willard and Sarah Hart Pratt, born April 21, 1853, near Madison, Wisconsin.
The outlook for a young man with a family at that time was not encouraging, and son after Dr. Pratt received his diploma of graduation from a medical school in Philadelphia, he decided to go west to seek a suitable place to establish a home. An opportunity appeared in 1853 when he was chosen to serve as the physician for an ox-team train headed for California. Arriving in California, he first located at Georgetown, El Dorado County, practicing medicine in several mining towns, then in Colusa, and finally at Chico, which he decided was the place for his family. It was in 1859 when Mrs. Pratt and three little daughters came west to join him in the new country. They came by way of the Isthmus of Panama.
Bought Chico Farm – Dr. Pratt purchased the Fairview farm about four miles north of Chico and later known Clark Four-Corners farm. This was the family home. He practiced medicine over a large area and was a leader in the community. Mrs. Sommer well remembered when her father organized a company and went in pursuit of the Indians who massacred the Hicok children near Chico.
After the hunt, the widowed Indian squaws and their children were held and cared for at the Fairview home. This exciting experience was ever fresh in Mrs. Sommer's memory. Her father served as a member of the State Legislature. On retiring from the practice of medicine, he purchased a large tract of land at Big Meadows, opened a resort, Prattville Springs, and started the town of Prattville, where Mrs. Sommer as a girl lived several years. Some years after his demise the Pratt holdings were sold to the Great Western Power Company and became part of Lake Almanor.
Married in 1877 – It was on April 16, 1877, that Wilhelmina W. Pratt became the wife of Carl Julius Sommer, who formed a partnership with Albert Hibbard to purchase the jewelry stock of Ramage and Company. The bought the lot at the northwest corner of Second and Broadway, built the Hibbard & Sommer Building, and enjoyed a lucrative business for several years. Sommer later bought the interest of his partner and conducted the business until a short time before his death in 1896, a man much loved and respected by all who knew him.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Sommer resided with her daughter, Mrs. Edward C. Gage in Chico and with her niece, Mrs. George Springer in Piedmont. She retained possession of her business and residence property until the last.
Attended Old Academy – Mrs. Sommer was a pupil in Woodman's Academy in Chico and then at Mills Seminary. Wherever she lived, she was ever interested in the better social life of the communities. She was a charter member of the Chico Art Club, a member of the Mills Club of Alameda County and an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
She was the mother of three children, Edith, Ray and Helen. Edith and Ray passed away in childhood. The latter, Mrs. Gage, and her daughter, Sibyl, survive her.
While there are but a few of her friends of pioneer days living, she made friends of young and old. A woman of culture and refinement, radiating good will and affection, she leaves a sorrowing multitude.
The remains will be brought to Chico this evening and the funeral services will be held at the H.C. Bicknell Funeral Home at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
Born in Wisconsin – The life story of Mrs. Sommer is one of exceptional interest, for she was one of the few yet living who came to California in the fifties and experience the hardships of pioneer life without breaking physically. She was a daughter of Dr. Willard and Sarah Hart Pratt, born April 21, 1853, near Madison, Wisconsin.
The outlook for a young man with a family at that time was not encouraging, and son after Dr. Pratt received his diploma of graduation from a medical school in Philadelphia, he decided to go west to seek a suitable place to establish a home. An opportunity appeared in 1853 when he was chosen to serve as the physician for an ox-team train headed for California. Arriving in California, he first located at Georgetown, El Dorado County, practicing medicine in several mining towns, then in Colusa, and finally at Chico, which he decided was the place for his family. It was in 1859 when Mrs. Pratt and three little daughters came west to join him in the new country. They came by way of the Isthmus of Panama.
Bought Chico Farm – Dr. Pratt purchased the Fairview farm about four miles north of Chico and later known Clark Four-Corners farm. This was the family home. He practiced medicine over a large area and was a leader in the community. Mrs. Sommer well remembered when her father organized a company and went in pursuit of the Indians who massacred the Hicok children near Chico.
After the hunt, the widowed Indian squaws and their children were held and cared for at the Fairview home. This exciting experience was ever fresh in Mrs. Sommer's memory. Her father served as a member of the State Legislature. On retiring from the practice of medicine, he purchased a large tract of land at Big Meadows, opened a resort, Prattville Springs, and started the town of Prattville, where Mrs. Sommer as a girl lived several years. Some years after his demise the Pratt holdings were sold to the Great Western Power Company and became part of Lake Almanor.
Married in 1877 – It was on April 16, 1877, that Wilhelmina W. Pratt became the wife of Carl Julius Sommer, who formed a partnership with Albert Hibbard to purchase the jewelry stock of Ramage and Company. The bought the lot at the northwest corner of Second and Broadway, built the Hibbard & Sommer Building, and enjoyed a lucrative business for several years. Sommer later bought the interest of his partner and conducted the business until a short time before his death in 1896, a man much loved and respected by all who knew him.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Sommer resided with her daughter, Mrs. Edward C. Gage in Chico and with her niece, Mrs. George Springer in Piedmont. She retained possession of her business and residence property until the last.
Attended Old Academy – Mrs. Sommer was a pupil in Woodman's Academy in Chico and then at Mills Seminary. Wherever she lived, she was ever interested in the better social life of the communities. She was a charter member of the Chico Art Club, a member of the Mills Club of Alameda County and an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
She was the mother of three children, Edith, Ray and Helen. Edith and Ray passed away in childhood. The latter, Mrs. Gage, and her daughter, Sibyl, survive her.
While there are but a few of her friends of pioneer days living, she made friends of young and old. A woman of culture and refinement, radiating good will and affection, she leaves a sorrowing multitude.
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