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Archival Collections ➔ Archival Collection #065 - Julius Sommer Collection
Identifier:
1992.78.1Description:
Archive Collection #65 - Julius Sommer Collection consists of an immigration document, 25 photographs, 2 negatives, and 3 mourning cards, all relating to the families of William R. Sommer and Marjorie Fetz Sommer from the period 1877 – 1921. The collection documents a middle class, West Side immigrant German family. It includes important mourning photos and cards, and a document useful in the interpretation of immigration to America. Because the subject worked for Bissell, one photo also relates to the history of the Bissell Company and family.William R. Sommer, married to Marjorie Fetz, was a millwright for the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company. Sommer helped build the Bissell ferris wheel display, and was the operator/engineer of the Bissell Company yacht. He also served as a volunteer firefighter. William died as a result of a concussion received in a fall. He left his widow and six children, including Julius Sommer. The family home at Lane and Douglas Sts. NW, Grand Rapids, was built in the 1880s and has been lived in continuously by the Sommer family.
A full listing of the contents of this collection can be found in the finding aid that is attached to the media section of this catalog entry.