Lyman Keith Somsen (1909 – 1976) &

Viola Anna Anderson (1906 – 1990)

Lyman Keith Somsen

Born: 2 January 1909 at Garland, Box Elder Co., Utah

Died: 6 March 1976 at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Burial: 9 March 1976 at Murray City Cemetery, Murray City, Utah

MARRIED: 12 September 1933 at Nephi, Utah

Viola Anna Anderson

Born: 30 January 1906 at Murray City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Died: 26 January 1990 at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah

Burial: 28 January 1990 at Murray City Cemetery, Murray City, Utah

Two sons born 1935 and 1936

Keith Lyman Somsen was fourth of ten children born to Levi J. Somsen (1877 – 1951) and Isabelle Maud

Tanner (1877 – 1975).

Lyman Keith Somsen Father’s Sided Ancestors

During the mid 1800’s Keith’s Great Grandparents, from his Father’s side, emigrated from the

Netherlands and settled in the Fox River Valley, Sheboygan Co, Wisconsin. The Grooteboer’s family

later, 1860’s, moved on to Southern, Minnesota. The Somsen’s moved to Northern, Iowa 1865-70 and

then during 1903-04 on to North Dakota.

Before the Somsen family moved to North Dakota (1903-04), his Father, Levi H. Somsen (1877 – 1951),

born at Lime Springs, Iowa; had moved on to Southern Idaho, Northern Utah. He met Isabelle Maud

Tanner and they were married 25 Nov 1902 at Clover, Tooele Co, Utah.

Lyman Keith Somsen Father’s Sided Ancestors

Ancestors immigration year

/ 2 GREAT GRANDFATHER Hendrick Jan Somsen (1801 – 1862) 1851 3 GRANDFATHER Arent Jan (Aaron John) Somsen (1848 – 1930) 1851

/ \ 2 GREAT GRANDMOTHER Johanna Berendina Rensik (1811 – 1863) / 1851

4 FATHER Levi John. Somsen (1877 – 1951)

| \

| \ / 1 GREAT GRANDFATHER John Grooteboer (1822 – 1876) Before 1849

| 3 GRANDMOTHER Antonia or Jane Grooteboer (1856 – 1930)

| \ 1 GREAT GRANDMOTHER Bernadena Berring Before 1849

|

Lyman Keith Somsen (1909 – 1976) 4th

of 10 children

Lyman Keith Somsen Mother’s Sided Ancestors

Keith’s Child’s: ancestors emigrated from England during late 1820’s and first settled at Philadelphia,,

Pennsylvania. Then in the late 1930’s they moved to Belleville, Illinois area. There they became members

of the LDS Church and joined the immigration to Salt Lake City during during 1853. They settled in to

area of Clover, Utah.

Keith’s Stookey ancestors immigrated to U.S.A. “many” years ago and lived in the Virginia,

Pennsylvania, Maryland area. During late 1790 they moved to Bellville, Illinois. Enos Stookey married

Jemima Elizabeth Child. She was a member of the LDS Church and they joined her Father and sibling

immigrating to Salt Lake City during 1855. They also located at Clover, Utah.

Keith’s Tanner ancestors live in southern England, near London. During 1843 they became members of

the LDS Church and departed England March 1851 and arrived in New Orleans April 1851. From there

they took a riverboat to St. Louis, Missouri arriving May 1851. They stayed in the St. Louis area to

replenish resources and joined wagon trains during June of 1853 arriving in Salt Lake City during

September 1853. They settled in Tooele, Utah, at town near Clover, Utah.

Keith’s Grandparents’, Joseph Tanner married Isabel Stookey during 1872. Their daughter, Isabelle

Maud Tanner married Levi John. Somsen 25 November 1902. They settled in Garland, Box Elder Co.,

Utah

Lyman Keith Somsen Mother’s Sided Ancestors

Lyman Keith Somsen (1909 – 1976) 4th

of 10 children Ancestors immigration year

|

| / 3 GREAT GRANDFATHER Thomas Tanner 28 June 1807 Newbury, Berkshire ENG

| / 1851 - 53

| 3 & 4 GRANDFATHER Joseph Tanner (1844 – 1923) Born 21 July 1844 Newbury, Berkshire, Eng

| / \ 1851 - 53

| / \ 3 GREAT GRAND MOTHER Mary Cruse (1812 – 1851) Born 1 December 1812

| / Whyfield, Boxford, Berkshire, England

| / 1851 - 53

MOTHER Isabelle Maud Tanner (1877 – 1975) Born 3 May 1877 Clover, Tooele, Utah

\

\ /2 GGF Enos Stookey (1839 – 1889) Born Belleville, St. Clair Co., Illinois 1855

\ /

2 & 4 GRANDMOTHER Isabel Stookey (1854 – 1889) Born 26 June 1854 Belleville, Illinois 1855

\

\ /1 GGGF John Child (1797-1869) Born 7 Sept 1797 Middlesex, England 1853

\ /

\ 2 GGM Jemima Elizabeth Child (1827 – 1914) Born London, Middlesex, England

\ 1855

\

\ 1GGGM Eliza Newport (1798-1843) 21 July 1798 London, England DIED 1843

Keith Lyman Somsen was fourth of ten children born to Levi J.

Somsen (1877 – 1951) and Isabelle Maud Tanner (1877 – 1975).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garland,_Utah

Garland, Box Elder Co., Utah was originally named Sunset and

settled in 1890. The first settler was David E. Manning. It was a

company town and was renamed after William Garland, the

contractor who built the Utah Sugar Company factory at the

location, completed in 1903.

The company donated land to the LDS Church for a "ward

chapel and amusement hall" and also built 14 homes, a hotel,

and other buildings. The town had a general store, a bank, a

post office, and a newspaper named The Garland Globe in

1906. By 1920s there were other merchants, a flour mill, a

Carnegie Library, and a high school

When Keith was about age four or five, 1912 – 1915, the family moved to Salt Lake City.

http://www.beginnersguide.com/utah/salt-lake-city-history/the-early-

1900s.php

In the early 1900’s Salt Lake City’s population tripled in size and

many of its residents were affluent thanks to the booming mining

business. During this time many buildings were constructed in the

city such as the state capitol. Many parks were also built as well

as streets being paved. Sewer lines and street lights were also

installed in the city.

The Great Depression however halted construction in the fast

growing city. Many businesses were forced to shut down and

several wealthy families lost everything.

That all changed however with the start of World War II. The war brought about revitalization to the

city with war industries and military operations in the city. Several shops, restaurants, and theatres

opened in the city during this time

Trolley lines are installed around a statue of Eagle Gate (Salt Lake City, UT)

Brigham Young in Salt Lake City in early 1900s.

http://www.utah.com/cities/slc_history.htm

Salt Lake began to assume its present character in the early 1900s. The State Capitol and many other

historic buildings were constructed. Electric trolleys, garaged at Trolley Square (now a popular shopping

mall), were installed to transport people living in the Avenues, Capitol Hill, Liberty Park, and Sugar

House areas to downtown. The trolleys were gradually replaced in the 1930s by buses. The last streetcar

line was discontinued in 1941.

Eagle Gate, which had served to mark the entrance to Brigham Young's estate, was reconstructed to

allow traffic flow. City parks were built, sewer systems and street lighting were installed, and streets were

paved. Between 1900-1930, the city's population nearly tripled.

At age of 17, during 1926, Keith joined the U.S. Navy

and achieved the rating of Aviation Machinist's Mate,

Third Class, U.S. Navy before completing his

enlistment in 1930.

Aviation Machinist's Mates are usually assigned to

billets concerned with the maintenance of aircraft

engines and associated equipment. They are

responsible for the maintenance and replacement of

aircraft engines and accessories, as well as

performing the duties of flight engineers.

1926 – 1930 was the beginning of carrier based aviation in the U.S. Navy

Keith also spend a year aboard the U.S.S. Holland AS-3 Submarine Tenders. Tenders are available to

repair, replace or rebuild virtually any part on a submarine in need of service.

The USS Holland (AS-3) a submarine tender. The Holland was launched by the Puget Sound Naval

Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, 12 April 1926. She was assigned to base at San Diego, California,

tending submarine divisions there with periodic tours to Panama to service submarines based at the

Canal Zone.

Keith suffered a spinal injury while in the Navy. He was awarded an Honorable Discharge and received a

small pension.

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http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/from_war_to_war/thegreatdepression.html

Utah was among the states hit hardest by the Great Depression of the 1930s. That claim surprises many

people, who assume, for various reasons, that it was spared the worst. A few statistics make the point. In

1933 Utah's unemployment rate was 35.8 percent, the fourth highest in the nation, and for the decade as

a whole it averaged 26 percent. By 1932 the wage level for those who had not lost their jobs had declined

by 45 percent and the work week by 20 percent. Annual per capita income dropped 50 percent by 1932,

and in 1940 had risen to only 82 percent of the pre-depression level. By the spring of 1933, 32 percent of

the population was receiving all or part of their food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities from

government relief funds: 32 of Utah's 105 banks had failed; and corporate business failures had

increased by 20 percent.

Completing his service with the Navy, Keith returned to Salt Lake City at the start of the “Great

Depression”.

Time were tough, unemployment high, finding work difficult. However, believing youth conquers all,

Lyman Keith Somsen and Viola Anna Anderson MARRIED: 12 September 1933 at Nephi, Utah.

Keith worked for a time at Allis Chambers then started work with Yellow

Cab Company, which opened for business during 1930. He was promoted to

night manager. During 1946-47 Yellow Cab became the Salt Lake City

operator/dealer for Avis Rent A Car. Later, Avis decided to directly take

over operations and hired Keith to manage and run the Salt Lake City

operation.

http://www.helium.com/items/1940255-history-of-avis-rent-a-car

History of Avis Rent A Car Avis Rent A Car was founded in 1946 by a man named Warren Avis. Avis

became the first car rental company to rent vehicles from airport locations.

In 1954, Warren decided to sell Avis. Throughout the history of Avis, the

company changed hands many times. [ … ]

Keith became the Manager for Avis Division, Salt Lake Transportation Co.

1947 to 1972 when he retired: (25 Years). Over the years Keith received

considerable praise for his dedication and management skills.

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VT4F-YDF

1940 Lyman K Sonsen, "United States Census" name: Lyman K Sonsen

event place: Ward 6, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Precinct, Salt Lake, Utah, United States

gender: Male age: 31 marital status: Married race (standardized): White

relationship to head of household (standardized): Head

birthplace: Utah estimated birth year: 1909

residence in 1935: Same Place

Household Gender Age Birthplace

head Lyman K Sonsen M 31 Utah

wife Anna W Sonsen F 34 Utah

son Gary K Sonsen M 5 Utah

son Robert L Sonsen M 3 Utah

enumeration district number: 30-41 family number: 226, sheet number and letter: 12B line number: 55

nara publication number: T627 nara roll number: 4224, digital folder number: 005459997 image number: 00029

Citing this Record

"United States Census, 1940," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VT4F-YDF : accessed 01 Dec 2012),

Lyman K Sonsen, Ward 6, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Precinct, Salt Lake, Utah, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 30-41, sheet

12B, family 226, NARA digital publication T627, roll 4224.

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Viola Anna Anderson Viola Anna Anderson was the third of eight children born to Alfred

John Anderson (1872 – 1948) and Anna Erickson (1880 – 1947).

Viola’s parents were both born and spent their childhood in Västra

Vingåker, Södermanland, Sweden. Viola’s father emigrated from

Sweden to Salt Lake City during 1895-96 and her mother emigrated

from Sweden to Salt Lake City during 1900. They had not known

each other in Sweden, but soon meet and were married during 1901.

Alfred J. Anderson had been working in the mines at Park City,

Utah. There was a large group of Swedes in Park City. In fact part of

the town was referred to as Swede Alley. The Swedes like to get

together at large socials and at one of these Alfred J. Anderson meet

Anna Erickson. A short time later during 1901, they were married.

1906 Alfred J. Anderson’s at sister Carolina “Lena” Westling home in Murray City, Utah

Alfred, his mother, brother and sisters frequently got together for food, conversation and fun.

1906 Father Alfred J. Anderson holding Viola Anna Anderson

Several of Alfred’s family lived in Murray City, Utah, so they moved there. They rented various homes in

Murray, Then on 30 January 1906 their third child, daughter Viola Anna Anderson, was born. Alfred J.

Anderson found steady employment at Murray smelter. By about 1909-10 they had saved enough to

purchase a one acre plot of land in Murray City and build a nice wood frame house at 4612 So 2nd

West.

Alfred’s sister Brita Christina and husband Fritz Emil Forsberg lived next door.

One bedroom, no indoor bathroom, 2 living rooms,

one big kitchen, front and back porches. Later a

second bedroom was added for the children and the

front porch was enclosed.

Viola’s Mother, Anna, was hard working and totally

dedicated to her family and LDS Church. She hand

washed everyone’s clothing. She had a big tub and

metal scrubbing board with corrugated ridges with

which she scrubbed everything. She had water from

our flowing well, with a fire going under another tub

and outside clothes lines.

She prepared three meals every day for the family.

They also built a small cow barn & pig pen and a

small chicken coup (about 40 X 25 feet). There was an irrigation ditch running along the back, west side,

of the property. They set about to raise their own potatoes & vegetables, their own milk, except when the

cow had the dry period; then they would buy from some neighbor. There was always a 50 gal. wooden

barrel with well salted pork to preserve it. They had chickens for eggs and meat. They also loved fish and

it was inexpensive in those days.

1909 Anderson Family Alfred J. and Anna Anderson

1912 Anderson Family 1914 Anderson Family LtoR: Viola, Elsa (back), Elmer (front)

Irvin (back), Ruth (front)

Viola’s parents were hard working but found time for family activities. Father would rent a surrey from

the livery stable once a year and take the family (10) to a birthday party in Salt Lake, at 7th W. and 7th

South. His brother (Erick) and sister (Lena) lived in that area. They would leave early in the morning,

and get home before dark.

Another yearly trip was to Nibley Park on 7th E. and 27th So. They would take a streetcar and go on a

few concession rides and have an ice cream

1. .

Businesses in Murray City, Utah early 1900’s

Viola Anna Anderson (1906 – 1990)

1906 1909 1912

1914 1932 1935

1931 Sister Ruth, Mother Anna and Viola Anderson

Girls all dressed up ready for dancing or a Church Social

Families frequently got together Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve

Keith & Viola and Jack & Ruth were

married during – 1933

1935 Viola Anna Anderson Parents, Brothers & Sisters

1947-48 Family picnic in the canyon

Throughout their lives the Anderson brothers and sisters got together frequently over holidays or

anytime for a little Swedish Fika: for Kaffe Kluch (visiting, a little Swedish conversation,

laughing, storytelling, coffee or cocoa, some fruit, cakes & sweet rolls).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fika_(coffee_break)

Fika is a social institution in Sweden. It means taking a break from one's activities and

having coffee and sweet rolls with one's friends and colleagues. Fika breaks in Sweden are

sacred and there are usually two or three every day.

Family Swedish Kaffe Kluch - Fika

1940 Lyman K Sonsen, "United States Census

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VT4F-YDF

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/84014/DEATH--VIOLA-A-SOMSEN.html?pg=all

Deseret News Published: Saturday, Jan. 27 1990 12:00 a.m. MST

Anna Viola Anderson Somsen,

83, passed away January 26, 1990 in a Salt Lake care center.

Born January 30, 1906 in Murray, Utah to Alfred and Anna Erickson Anderson. Married

Lyman Keith Somsen September 12, 1933 in Nephi, Utah; he died in 1976. Active member

LDS Church serving in many positions. Her most cherished times were spent being

mother and grandmother to her children.

Survived by sons, Gary Keith; Robert L., both Salt Lake City; eight grandchildren; three

great-grandchildren; brothers and sister, Elmer J. Anderson, Midvale; Milton A.

Anderson, Murray; Harry M. Anderson; and Ruth E. Gabbott, both Salt Lake City.

Graveside services will be held Monday, 11 a.m, Murray City Cemetery, 5600 South 700

East. Friends may call Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State, Monday, 10-10:45 a.m.

Your tombstone stands neglected and alone.

The name and date are chiseled out on polished, marbled stone.

It reaches out to all who care. It is too late to mourn.

You did not know that I exist. You died and I was born.

Yet each of us are cells of you in flesh, in blood, in bone.

Our heart contracts and beats a pulse entirely not our own.

Dear Ancestor, the place you filled so many years ago.

Spreads out among the ones you left who would have loved you so.

I wonder as you lived and loved, I wonder if you knew

That someday I would find this spot and come to visit you.

Author Unknown

Find A Grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56151

Lyman Keith Somsen Birth: Jan. 2, 1909, Garland, Box Elder County, Utah, USA

Death: Mar. 6, 1976, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA

Burial: Murray City Cemetery Murray, Salt Lake County,Utah, USA

Plot: 11 132 8

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=36803

Anna Viola Anderson Somsen Birth: Jan. 30, 1906, Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA

Death: Jan. 26, 1990, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA

Burial: Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA

Plot: 11 132 7

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http://www.deseretnews.com/article/472317/DEATH-GARY-KEITH-SOMSEN.html?pg=all

Deseret News Published: Sunday, Feb. 18 1996 12:00 a.m. MST

SON Gary Keith Somsen, age 60, passed away February 16, 1996 at a Salt Lake care center.

Born March 15, 1935 in Murray, Utah to Lyman Keith and Anna Viola Anderson Somsen. Married

Marcia Crawford, later divorced. Married Shirley Larsen, later divorced. Married Janet Hawke, later

divorced. Graduate South High School, where he was a member of the track team and held a long

standing 4x4 state relay record. He was a salesman, a member of the LDS Church. He dearly loved his

children.Survived by children of Gary and Marcia: Scott J., Stacey A., Stephanie S., G. Brent, Erica J.;

brother, Robert L.; grandchildren: Zachary K., Maxx V., Shaylyn E., Megan.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, February 20, 1996, 10 a.m., Veteran's Section, Salt Lake City

Cemetery, 4th Ave. & N St. Friends may call Monday 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday 9-9:30 a.m. at the Jenkins-Soffe

Mortuary, 4760 So. State.

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