Aaron and Mary were married July 2, 1913 in Statsman County North Dakota.
****Aaron John Somsen's father's history:***
ID: I751
Name: Arent Jan (Aaron John) Somsen
Given Name: Arent Jan (Aaron John)
Surname: Somsen
Sex: M
Note:
AS A TODDLER TO AMERICA IN 1851
by Gree van Daatselaar-Somsen [P53]
He learned walking at the Japikshuis in IJzerlo near Aalten, the rootof the American Somsens, where we also planted a lime-tree at ourgreat reunion in August 1997 to commemorate all the Somsens whoemigrated to America in the last century.
Arent Jan (Aaron John) Somsen emigrated as a two-year old toddler,together with his parents, brothers and sisters to America in 1851.That must have been a drastic event for everyone involved.
His parents: Hendrik Jan Somsen (1801-1863) and Johanna BerendinaRensink (1811-1862) departed from the Japikshuis with four youngchildren to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 1852 another son was born there.
Arent Jan learned walking in the quiet Achterhoek, but he had to learnto stand on his own feet in distant America. He succeeded quite well.Arent Jan is such a name, same as of so many emigrants, which is hardto pronounce. Very soon he was called Aaron John and later shortly:John. John married Antonia Grooteboer, also of Dutch descent, in 1873.Her name became Jane.
John and Jane got fourteen children. Their daughter JosephineHenrietta (1890-1975) was their tenth child and at a later age shewrote down several interesting details from the life of her father.
THE LIFE OF AARON JOHN SOMSEN
(1846-1930) - [P753]
Josephine Henrietta Somsen Schaumburg
(1890-1975) - [P869]
I know little of Dad's childhood; his parents died when he was about15. Think both had "lung fever". I have heard him say he wished he hadbeen brought up Catholic so he could have had some religious training;evidently his was not a religious family.
I have no idea when he moved to southeastern Minnesota: FillmoreCounty. Probably after his sister married and moved. I think he workedfor the Bolands. My mother worked for Aunt Lizzie and it seemsprobable they met there. He was 25 when he married, Mother was 17 whenthey were married on September 2, 1873. I am sure he had at least onesweetheart with whom he quarreled, as I remember hearing that he toldher "she could go to hell". They lived in Lime Springs, Iowa at firstwhere Dad worked in a store for Uncle Gerrit (I think). "Little Aaron"and Levi were born in Lime Springs. The next 3 or maybe 4 childrenwere born on the farm in Minnesota. Later the family moved back toLime Springs where the rest of the family of 14 kids was born. I thinkDad and Uncle Gerrit were in partnership in the store for a while, butas far as I personally remember, the sign on the store was JohnSomsen.
About 1898, part of the family moved out to the farm, which had beenrented. The 3 older boys did the farming and the 2 older girls kepthouse. I remember spending part of my time on the farm; wonderfulmemories.
In 1904 (no, 1903) the family moved to Dakota. Fire had destroyed theoriginal store building, also another one to which the business hadbeen moved. The 1st 3 years were hard, my Dad planted corn every year,though few people raised corn. The climate was not consideredsuitable. I'm sure we all, including Eleanor's Mother and brothers,remember the long, pleasant summers together.
In 1930, the machinery, stock, etc. were sold and Dad and Mother livedin part of the house while the farm was rented.
From my own experience, I feel my Father had arthritis for severalyears before he died. He was a large man and hard for women to takecare of so he was taken to a nursing home in Valley City. During theyears his mind gradually failed so at times he was confused in histhinking. He died in V.C. on July 25, 1930.
My Dad was a quiet person, not given to loud hilarious conversation.In fact, he didn't talk a great deal. Maybe he didn't get a chance,with the family he had. He was ambitious for his children, but after adisastrous attempt to educate the oldest son as a doctor, decided tolet the others take their own course. He was modest in the extreme. Inever heard him tell a shady story and he disliked to hear others tellthem. He didn't believe in making a great to do about birthdays orChristmas, but if a neighbor's child needed shoes or some othernecessity, he tried to see he got it.
I was an adult before I knew he was afraid of a thunder storm; didn'tbelieve in making us afraid even if he was.
Could mention (Barend H.Kroeze) as president of Jamestown College,said Dad was the brainiest man he had ever met.
****Aaron John Somsen's father's history:***
ID: I751
Name: Arent Jan (Aaron John) Somsen
Given Name: Arent Jan (Aaron John)
Surname: Somsen
Sex: M
Note:
AS A TODDLER TO AMERICA IN 1851
by Gree van Daatselaar-Somsen [P53]
He learned walking at the Japikshuis in IJzerlo near Aalten, the rootof the American Somsens, where we also planted a lime-tree at ourgreat reunion in August 1997 to commemorate all the Somsens whoemigrated to America in the last century.
Arent Jan (Aaron John) Somsen emigrated as a two-year old toddler,together with his parents, brothers and sisters to America in 1851.That must have been a drastic event for everyone involved.
His parents: Hendrik Jan Somsen (1801-1863) and Johanna BerendinaRensink (1811-1862) departed from the Japikshuis with four youngchildren to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 1852 another son was born there.
Arent Jan learned walking in the quiet Achterhoek, but he had to learnto stand on his own feet in distant America. He succeeded quite well.Arent Jan is such a name, same as of so many emigrants, which is hardto pronounce. Very soon he was called Aaron John and later shortly:John. John married Antonia Grooteboer, also of Dutch descent, in 1873.Her name became Jane.
John and Jane got fourteen children. Their daughter JosephineHenrietta (1890-1975) was their tenth child and at a later age shewrote down several interesting details from the life of her father.
THE LIFE OF AARON JOHN SOMSEN
(1846-1930) - [P753]
Josephine Henrietta Somsen Schaumburg
(1890-1975) - [P869]
I know little of Dad's childhood; his parents died when he was about15. Think both had "lung fever". I have heard him say he wished he hadbeen brought up Catholic so he could have had some religious training;evidently his was not a religious family.
I have no idea when he moved to southeastern Minnesota: FillmoreCounty. Probably after his sister married and moved. I think he workedfor the Bolands. My mother worked for Aunt Lizzie and it seemsprobable they met there. He was 25 when he married, Mother was 17 whenthey were married on September 2, 1873. I am sure he had at least onesweetheart with whom he quarreled, as I remember hearing that he toldher "she could go to hell". They lived in Lime Springs, Iowa at firstwhere Dad worked in a store for Uncle Gerrit (I think). "Little Aaron"and Levi were born in Lime Springs. The next 3 or maybe 4 childrenwere born on the farm in Minnesota. Later the family moved back toLime Springs where the rest of the family of 14 kids was born. I thinkDad and Uncle Gerrit were in partnership in the store for a while, butas far as I personally remember, the sign on the store was JohnSomsen.
About 1898, part of the family moved out to the farm, which had beenrented. The 3 older boys did the farming and the 2 older girls kepthouse. I remember spending part of my time on the farm; wonderfulmemories.
In 1904 (no, 1903) the family moved to Dakota. Fire had destroyed theoriginal store building, also another one to which the business hadbeen moved. The 1st 3 years were hard, my Dad planted corn every year,though few people raised corn. The climate was not consideredsuitable. I'm sure we all, including Eleanor's Mother and brothers,remember the long, pleasant summers together.
In 1930, the machinery, stock, etc. were sold and Dad and Mother livedin part of the house while the farm was rented.
From my own experience, I feel my Father had arthritis for severalyears before he died. He was a large man and hard for women to takecare of so he was taken to a nursing home in Valley City. During theyears his mind gradually failed so at times he was confused in histhinking. He died in V.C. on July 25, 1930.
My Dad was a quiet person, not given to loud hilarious conversation.In fact, he didn't talk a great deal. Maybe he didn't get a chance,with the family he had. He was ambitious for his children, but after adisastrous attempt to educate the oldest son as a doctor, decided tolet the others take their own course. He was modest in the extreme. Inever heard him tell a shady story and he disliked to hear others tellthem. He didn't believe in making a great to do about birthdays orChristmas, but if a neighbor's child needed shoes or some othernecessity, he tried to see he got it.
I was an adult before I knew he was afraid of a thunder storm; didn'tbelieve in making us afraid even if he was.
Could mention (Barend H.Kroeze) as president of Jamestown College,said Dad was the brainiest man he had ever met.
Aaron and Mary were married July 2, 1913 in Statsman County North Dakota.
****Aaron John Somsen's father's history:***
ID: I751
Name: Arent Jan (Aaron John) Somsen
Given Name: Arent Jan (Aaron John)
Surname: Somsen
Sex: M
Note:
AS A TODDLER TO AMERICA IN 1851
by Gree van Daatselaar-Somsen [P53]
He learned walking at the Japikshuis in IJzerlo near Aalten, the rootof the American Somsens, where we also planted a lime-tree at ourgreat reunion in August 1997 to commemorate all the Somsens whoemigrated to America in the last century.
Arent Jan (Aaron John) Somsen emigrated as a two-year old toddler,together with his parents, brothers and sisters to America in 1851.That must have been a drastic event for everyone involved.
His parents: Hendrik Jan Somsen (1801-1863) and Johanna BerendinaRensink (1811-1862) departed from the Japikshuis with four youngchildren to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 1852 another son was born there.
Arent Jan learned walking in the quiet Achterhoek, but he had to learnto stand on his own feet in distant America. He succeeded quite well.Arent Jan is such a name, same as of so many emigrants, which is hardto pronounce. Very soon he was called Aaron John and later shortly:John. John married Antonia Grooteboer, also of Dutch descent, in 1873.Her name became Jane.
John and Jane got fourteen children. Their daughter JosephineHenrietta (1890-1975) was their tenth child and at a later age shewrote down several interesting details from the life of her father.
THE LIFE OF AARON JOHN SOMSEN
(1846-1930) - [P753]
Josephine Henrietta Somsen Schaumburg
(1890-1975) - [P869]
I know little of Dad's childhood; his parents died when he was about15. Think both had "lung fever". I have heard him say he wished he hadbeen brought up Catholic so he could have had some religious training;evidently his was not a religious family.
I have no idea when he moved to southeastern Minnesota: FillmoreCounty. Probably after his sister married and moved. I think he workedfor the Bolands. My mother worked for Aunt Lizzie and it seemsprobable they met there. He was 25 when he married, Mother was 17 whenthey were married on September 2, 1873. I am sure he had at least onesweetheart with whom he quarreled, as I remember hearing that he toldher "she could go to hell". They lived in Lime Springs, Iowa at firstwhere Dad worked in a store for Uncle Gerrit (I think). "Little Aaron"and Levi were born in Lime Springs. The next 3 or maybe 4 childrenwere born on the farm in Minnesota. Later the family moved back toLime Springs where the rest of the family of 14 kids was born. I thinkDad and Uncle Gerrit were in partnership in the store for a while, butas far as I personally remember, the sign on the store was JohnSomsen.
About 1898, part of the family moved out to the farm, which had beenrented. The 3 older boys did the farming and the 2 older girls kepthouse. I remember spending part of my time on the farm; wonderfulmemories.
In 1904 (no, 1903) the family moved to Dakota. Fire had destroyed theoriginal store building, also another one to which the business hadbeen moved. The 1st 3 years were hard, my Dad planted corn every year,though few people raised corn. The climate was not consideredsuitable. I'm sure we all, including Eleanor's Mother and brothers,remember the long, pleasant summers together.
In 1930, the machinery, stock, etc. were sold and Dad and Mother livedin part of the house while the farm was rented.
From my own experience, I feel my Father had arthritis for severalyears before he died. He was a large man and hard for women to takecare of so he was taken to a nursing home in Valley City. During theyears his mind gradually failed so at times he was confused in histhinking. He died in V.C. on July 25, 1930.
My Dad was a quiet person, not given to loud hilarious conversation.In fact, he didn't talk a great deal. Maybe he didn't get a chance,with the family he had. He was ambitious for his children, but after adisastrous attempt to educate the oldest son as a doctor, decided tolet the others take their own course. He was modest in the extreme. Inever heard him tell a shady story and he disliked to hear others tellthem. He didn't believe in making a great to do about birthdays orChristmas, but if a neighbor's child needed shoes or some othernecessity, he tried to see he got it.
I was an adult before I knew he was afraid of a thunder storm; didn'tbelieve in making us afraid even if he was.
Could mention (Barend H.Kroeze) as president of Jamestown College,said Dad was the brainiest man he had ever met.
****Aaron John Somsen's father's history:***
ID: I751
Name: Arent Jan (Aaron John) Somsen
Given Name: Arent Jan (Aaron John)
Surname: Somsen
Sex: M
Note:
AS A TODDLER TO AMERICA IN 1851
by Gree van Daatselaar-Somsen [P53]
He learned walking at the Japikshuis in IJzerlo near Aalten, the rootof the American Somsens, where we also planted a lime-tree at ourgreat reunion in August 1997 to commemorate all the Somsens whoemigrated to America in the last century.
Arent Jan (Aaron John) Somsen emigrated as a two-year old toddler,together with his parents, brothers and sisters to America in 1851.That must have been a drastic event for everyone involved.
His parents: Hendrik Jan Somsen (1801-1863) and Johanna BerendinaRensink (1811-1862) departed from the Japikshuis with four youngchildren to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 1852 another son was born there.
Arent Jan learned walking in the quiet Achterhoek, but he had to learnto stand on his own feet in distant America. He succeeded quite well.Arent Jan is such a name, same as of so many emigrants, which is hardto pronounce. Very soon he was called Aaron John and later shortly:John. John married Antonia Grooteboer, also of Dutch descent, in 1873.Her name became Jane.
John and Jane got fourteen children. Their daughter JosephineHenrietta (1890-1975) was their tenth child and at a later age shewrote down several interesting details from the life of her father.
THE LIFE OF AARON JOHN SOMSEN
(1846-1930) - [P753]
Josephine Henrietta Somsen Schaumburg
(1890-1975) - [P869]
I know little of Dad's childhood; his parents died when he was about15. Think both had "lung fever". I have heard him say he wished he hadbeen brought up Catholic so he could have had some religious training;evidently his was not a religious family.
I have no idea when he moved to southeastern Minnesota: FillmoreCounty. Probably after his sister married and moved. I think he workedfor the Bolands. My mother worked for Aunt Lizzie and it seemsprobable they met there. He was 25 when he married, Mother was 17 whenthey were married on September 2, 1873. I am sure he had at least onesweetheart with whom he quarreled, as I remember hearing that he toldher "she could go to hell". They lived in Lime Springs, Iowa at firstwhere Dad worked in a store for Uncle Gerrit (I think). "Little Aaron"and Levi were born in Lime Springs. The next 3 or maybe 4 childrenwere born on the farm in Minnesota. Later the family moved back toLime Springs where the rest of the family of 14 kids was born. I thinkDad and Uncle Gerrit were in partnership in the store for a while, butas far as I personally remember, the sign on the store was JohnSomsen.
About 1898, part of the family moved out to the farm, which had beenrented. The 3 older boys did the farming and the 2 older girls kepthouse. I remember spending part of my time on the farm; wonderfulmemories.
In 1904 (no, 1903) the family moved to Dakota. Fire had destroyed theoriginal store building, also another one to which the business hadbeen moved. The 1st 3 years were hard, my Dad planted corn every year,though few people raised corn. The climate was not consideredsuitable. I'm sure we all, including Eleanor's Mother and brothers,remember the long, pleasant summers together.
In 1930, the machinery, stock, etc. were sold and Dad and Mother livedin part of the house while the farm was rented.
From my own experience, I feel my Father had arthritis for severalyears before he died. He was a large man and hard for women to takecare of so he was taken to a nursing home in Valley City. During theyears his mind gradually failed so at times he was confused in histhinking. He died in V.C. on July 25, 1930.
My Dad was a quiet person, not given to loud hilarious conversation.In fact, he didn't talk a great deal. Maybe he didn't get a chance,with the family he had. He was ambitious for his children, but after adisastrous attempt to educate the oldest son as a doctor, decided tolet the others take their own course. He was modest in the extreme. Inever heard him tell a shady story and he disliked to hear others tellthem. He didn't believe in making a great to do about birthdays orChristmas, but if a neighbor's child needed shoes or some othernecessity, he tried to see he got it.
I was an adult before I knew he was afraid of a thunder storm; didn'tbelieve in making us afraid even if he was.
Could mention (Barend H.Kroeze) as president of Jamestown College,said Dad was the brainiest man he had ever met.
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