He moved to Dakota Territory in 1878257 and was joined by his family in 1879.51 He was living separate from his family on the 1900 and 1910 censuses.10,85

Date March 10 1880
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper Weekly Telegraph
“About a year ago Lafayette Somers of Lutes Mountain, Moncton Parish (West. Co.) went out to Dakota Territory and soon after sent for his family, all of whom went except his son Bradley Somers who remained at Moncton till October last, when he too left for the same place. A brother of Lafayette named James Somers (or Marvin Somers) who had resided some years in Dakota, had urged Lafayette to go out, and subsequently induced him to send for his family; but it appears that trouble soon arose between them. A letter of Miss Somers, a daughter of Lafayette to P. STEEVES of Moncton gives the particulars of an attack on Lafayette and his son Bradley by James Somers. The latter fired at Bradley, wounding him fatally and was attempting to shoot his brother, Lafayette, when Bradley rose on his knee and shot his uncle dead. Bradley died about two hours afterward.”51

Date March 4 1880
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper The Daily Sun
“Lafayette Somers and family of Lute's Mountain (West. Co.) removed to Dakota Territory last year, being induced to immigrate by his brother, James Somers (or Marvin Somers) who had resided there some years. The following letter, written by Miss Amelia J. Somers to a friend in Moncton and published in the 'Times' gives the particulars of the terrible tragedy in which her brother, father and uncle participate. - Brule City, Dakota, 17th Feb., Dear Friend: I now sit down to write to you a few lines of very bad news. We have lost our eldest brother. Poor Brad Somers is dead, On the 13th day of Feb., father and Brad went out on the claim that father has taken up. I suppose Brad has told you of Jim (Marvin) Somers. He is that great uncle we started west to see. I will now tell you the rest of the shooting. Jim met father and Brad on the road, with hat and coat off and with a rifle and two revolvers and a belt full of cartridges. He stopped the horses and began punching them with his gun and then struck at Brad. Brad took the wagon stake from the wagon and warded off his blows. Then Jim (Marvin) stepped back and shot Brad. Brad fell, not dead. Jim (Marvin) then began reloading for father, but could not get the old shell from his gun in time, so he started to run when Brad rose up on his knee, pulled on Jim (Marvin) with his six shooter and shot him. He fell instantly dead. Father had nothing to shoot with and didn't know Brad had any either until he shot Jim (Marvin). They fetched Brad home. He lived about an hour and a half after he got home. He died happy and easy, like a man, and not with a shot in the back. He saved father's life after he was shot.”51

From his son Robert’s biogratphy:
“The father of our subject was born in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1826, and when a young man he removed to Robertstown, Maine, where he served an apprenticeship at the trade of blacksmith, after which he returned to his home in Canada. There he continued to follow his trade until 1878 when he emigrated with his family to the territory of Dakota, locating in Brule City, the prospective terminal of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, though by a later dispensation Chamberlain was made the terminus. He engaged in farming and stock growing and continued to reside in Brule City until 1898, when he removed to Chamberlain, where he is now living retired. His wife was likewise a native of Canada, and is one of the honored pioneer women of the state.”