[p. 965] one of New Castle's substantial business men, who has been engaged in a general contracting line here for a number of years, is also a veteran of the great Civil War and a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1845.
Mr. Somers was a babe of one year when his parents removed to Mifflin County, and there he was reared and attended school. In 1861 he enlisted in the service of his country, entering the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three months. After a short period of rest at the close of this term he re-enlisted for three years as a member of the Twentieth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. He saw many hardships incident to the life of a soldier. In July, 1864, he was made a prisoner by Mosby's band of guerrillas, at Ashby Gap, but as he was sick he was willingly paroled. He was on the skirmish line when General Lee surrendered, and witnessed the stirring scenes of that eventful time.
After the close of his military service, Mr. Somers returned to Mifflin County and followed railroad work until 1877, and then went into business first as a farmer, but later as a contractor. Since 1879 his business has been general contracting, and when he came first to New Castle, in 1897, he was foreman on several very important contracts, and after they were finished he went into the business here for himself. Mr. Somers built the Lindall Street sewer, the largest and most important of these public utilities at New Castle, and other like structures, together with innumerable buildings of all kinds. He has given his personal attention to his contracts and has completed them honestly and punctually. Mr. Somers is a Republican, but no longer takes any very active interest in politics, although formerly, while living in Westmoreland County, he was an important factor therein.
In 1872 Mr. Somers was married (first) to Miss Rosa Jennings, who, at death, left three children: Mary, now deceased; Jennie, wife of Smith Sankey, of New Castle, and John L., who is associated with his father in business. In 1898 Mr. Somers was married, secondly, to Sarah Harris.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 11 Feb 2002