Dead People Files Wrap Up

I am in the last quarter of my Dead Files project.  This has been a yearlong project I embarked on

I have started a new tradition of choosing a birthday project or a yearlong project. Last year was 50 sunsets and sunrises.  I decided this year to choose a genealogy project.  I am calling it the Dead People Files.  I have written my progress in red.

Goals

Research 13 ancestors and present that information on the blog. I will be using some of the 52 ancestors in 52-week writing prompts. Below is the start of the ancestors that I will for sure be researching.  I ended up researching 18 

   Lulu Pearl Howard Liston (Hoyt/Liston Tree) Complete- link

    John Lendman (Lendman) Complete - link

    Eliza Greene Perkins Doane (Hoyt/Liston ) Complete- link

    John Christian Brenneman (Hoyt/Liston) Complete - link

    Ida Shadwell Lendman (Lendman) Complete-link

    Charles Bourck Liston - link

    Hannah Hopkins - link

    Mary Carver Knight - link

    Abel Sutliff Jr -link

    Great Grandma's - link

    Joseph Colburn Pringey - link

    Cornelius Howard - link

    Jim Inhofe - link

    Abigail Overman Pike - link  

    Zaccheus Gould - link

    Frank R Lendman - link

    Barclay Mahlon Bond - link  

    Jane Marie Devault Hoyt - link  

    Samuel Mellor - link

Do a DNA test on myself - I am interested in learning more about this COMPLETE

Improve my genealogy research - I plan on reading some genealogy books that are from the required reading list from the BYU and Boston University Genealogy programs. I think a good goal would be at least 3 books. Below is what I had done at the half way point

I am actively searching for books on Quakers and the book below is one my library had. I have a bunch of Quakers in my tree. I hope that helps in my understanding of Quakers.

Did not reach this goal. Below are the books on my reading list.

Do one genealogy field trip? I think this might be open to interpretation COMPLETE

I attended an in-person genealogy conference and visited a local genealogy library. Link

Find a better way to share or present my genealogy research 

I still think the 52 ancestors in 52 weeks is a great way to research. I plan on continuing to do as many as I find interesting. I think this is a good way to learn and share.

write better genealogy stories.

See above. I do think when I add more details about the time period it is more interesting.  This goes back to being a good genealogist you need to be a good historian.  I do think project life scrapbook pages have a place in the story telling.

I have updated my 52 Ancestors Organization List - This has all the ancestors I have written about on this blog.

Scan more photos and become more proficient in this  

I did scan a few photos. I started following Krista K on Instagram and I really am ready to dive into this more. I think photos are a great part of writing the story.

52 Ancestors - Ancestor I Would Like to Meet

This prompt has me overthinking. I have a couple of ancestors that I have a lot of questions I want to ask.  I don't know necessarily if I would have wanted to meet them in the flesh. This was the very first prompt of 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks in 2023.  I have hesitated to pin down an ancestor I wanted to meet. It might be more of an interrogation. I choose John Lendman

John Lendman was born in Austria, Dec. 27, 1839. In 1856 he came to America, landing in New Orleans. From there he went to Chicago, where he remained two years, then went to Freeport, Ill. Four years later he came to Clayton County and has been engaged in improving and selling farms here since. He now owns a fine farm of 210 acres in Sperry Township, of cultivated land and abundantly stocked. He was married in this county Dec. 29, 1865, to Anna Kerr, who was born in Ireland in 1842. Four children have been born to them, viz.: Anna Maria, Thomas K., Mary Jane and William John. In politics Mr. Lendman is a Republican.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1099

http://iagenweb.org/clayton/index.html

There is very little I can verify about John Lendman before he arrived in Iowa.  He has listed his birthplace has Austria, Graslide, Germany, and one child identified it as Bohemia. Germany was not a unified place when John was born. His brother Joseph was most likely born in Baden Germany. 

I cannot verify when he exactly came to the US and what ship or what port despite the article above saying New Orleans.

Here below is some of the verifiable information I have about John Lendman.

John Lendman was born to Therese and John "Wentzel/" Lendman on December 27, 1839.  He probably had 7 siblings. It appears he immigrated here with his parents and siblings.  I think they most likely arrived in the US around 1853 as his brother Fred was born in Iowa. I can only verify 4 siblings. However, in a census Therese indicates that she had 8 children.  John married Anna Kerr in 1865.  Ann Kerr died in 1886.  They had 4 children together.

Mrs John Lendman

Yesterday Morning at about four o'clock, occurred the death of Mrs John Lendman, at her home in Sperry township, after having suffered a long time from a cancer in the Stomach. Mrs L. was a native of Ireland and was nearly 45 years of age. She was married to Mr L, in 1865, and by him has had four children, all of whom we believer, are living. They have resided in Sperry township for nearly a quarter of a century, and she was highly respected by all who knew her, and her death will be greatly mourned. The funeral occurs tomorrow, Friday, at ten o'clock and her remains will be laid away in the Volga Cemetery. - newspaper clipping.

On July 12, 1889, he married Ida Shadwell (1863-1937).  Their marriage was announced in the local paper. 

John Lendman of our prosperous farms was married last Friday, July 12th, 1889, to a young la

dy of this township. Rev Seifert performed the ceremony in the presence of over fifty invited guests. All were served with an elegant dinner. - Elkrader Weekly Register July 1889 page 8

Ida came from Germany.  I think she was most likely from the same village/town that John was originally from. I cannot verify that information. They had 6 children together including my Great Grandfather Frank Rudolph Lendman.  On his death certificate, the occupation is listed as farmer. John died of heart disease and died in Grant County Indiana in 1914. John was 74.

Dead People Files - Revolutionary Ancestors Part 2

In honor of Veteran's Day, I decided to highlight two of my Revolutionary ancestors. I have 2 ancestors on my Hoyt/Liston tree who Revolutionary War Soldiers. One I have written about before was Basil Prather but not his Revolutionary War service. Part 1 of my Revolutionary ancestors is here.

Rachel Gaither married Thomas W Prather. Rachel and Thomas Prather are my 5th Great Grandparents. Both of their fathers were Revolutionary War Soldiers.  Rachel's father, John Gaither was a captain of Montgomery County Maryland Militia. Thomas's father was Basil Prather who was part of the North Carolina Milita.  Basil and John are my 6th Great Grandfather. Below is some brief biographical information.

Interesting Fact

You have 128 -5th Great Grandparents.

You have 256 - 6th Great Grandparents

Captain John Gaither V1

 

Captain John Gaither was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland in 1740 to John Gaither and Anne Ruley. John married Anne Jacobs who was born in 1740s also in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  They married most likely in 1761.  Their first child, Jeremiah Gaither was born 7 Sept 1762 in Maryland. 

John Gaither was a Lt of Flying Camp and Captain of Montgomery Co, Maryland Militia. He served as a Captain and Patriot. He was enlisted by Thomas Mayo.

**** I am having trouble proving this and even in DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) has a warning that this doesn't have collaborative information.  To make matters more complicated there are quite a few John Gaither's in the time period.

Basil William Prather

Basil Prather and his twin brother Baruch William Prather served during the Revolutionary War in the North Caroline Militia. Basil served in the Army as a Private under General Gates. He was in the Battle of Camden where he took a rifle ball to the knee on Aug 16, 1780. He was to limp the rest of his life. The Battle of Camden was a win for the British. General Gates troops were suffering from dysentery and this majorly depleted General Gates troops.  Over 2,000 Patriots died in this battle. More info about the Battle of Camden.

Basil was born in Maryland to Aaron and Jane Prather in Maryland and moved west after the war. Basil lived in several states eventually residing in Utica Township, Indiana near what is now Watson, Indiana. When Basil moved here Indiana was not a state but part of the Northwest Territory.  Basil died at age 79 - Oct 7, 1822.

*** Basil has a DAR record

Dead Files - Genealogy Conference Field Trip

I was lucky enough to attend a local Genealogy Conference in Roswell NM put on by the Wilson-Cobb Genealogy Research Library last Saturday. The Speaker was John A Sellers - "The Magic of Rabbit Holes".  It was "Alice in the Wonderland" themed.

I was lucky enough to visit the Wilson-Cobb the day before and meet some of their lovely volunteers and explore their collection.  I thought the event was well attended and held at the Roswell Museum event space.  I think there as around 60 attendees.  I will say the average age was around 75 so I felt in the minority.  However, it was privilege to spend the whole day learning about genealogy with people as passionate about the subject as myself. I just love the stories. 

One thing that stood out to me was when John Sellers said, "To be a good genealogist, you must be a good historian." John Sellers is a wonderful and knowledgeable speaker.  He left me wanting to dig into some more records.

I was hesitant at first to attend. I literally only knew 3 people who I met the day before. I am glad I got out of my comfort zone. I signed up and committed without knowing anyone. Genealogy conferences can connect you to others and also spur on your own research. 

Dead Files - DNA Test

 

I finally sent for a kit. I got a Labor Day deal.  I spit into the tube. It seemed like a lot of spit but was only 1/4 teaspoon. I mailed it on Sept 15. I got my results Oct 18th. Ancestry keeps you informed of every step. I thought it was pretty quick. Below is a quick snapshot of my results.

There was nothing terribly unexpected in my results.  What is interesting is that none of my Germanic, Europe side was found in my parental DNA.  Which was really interesting as I believed my father's side was more German than my mother's. I have a lot to learn.

Dead People Files - Killers of the Flower Moon Connection

 Sometimes when I read nonfiction my genealogy definitely relates to the topic. I have been reading Killers of the Flower Moon with the Sharon Says So Book Club.  I was wondering if any genealogy connections existed.  Some of my ancestors did have a connection to Oklahoma.

I did have a Great Great Grand Aunt that settled in Oklahoma in the early 1900s Abigail Martin. 

My Great Great Grandmother Candance Liston might have made a claim in Oklahoma/Texas in the early 1900. She never resided there.  Her son, John P Liston, also made a homesteading claim too in the same general area.

The closest and not very close connection to Osage/ Oklahoma is Joseph Colburn Pringey. He is a 1st cousin 4 times removed to me. 

Joseph Colburn Pringey or as people called him "Uncle Joe" was a mover and shaker in Oklahoma in the early 1900s. He as a pioneer homesteader, loan and insurance salesman, Postmaster, 4-minute man, Congressman, County Clerk, farmer.

Joseph Pringey homestead near Chandler, Oklahoma when the Sac and Fox lands opened for settlement in 1891. Joseph made the run with his brother, George. Joseph was also a Loan and Insurance Salesman during this time. Joseph was the first Postmaster of Kendrick, Oklahoma. As a Republican he was a member of the Oklahoma Territorial Senate in 1893. Jospeh attended the Republican Nation convention in 1900. Joseph was the County Clerk of Lincoln County, Oklahoma from 1912 to 1920. He was active politically at both the state and national levels. During World War I, he served as a 4 Minute Man Speaker.  He gave 4-minute speeches at theatres, churches, lodges etc. in Oklahoma. These were basically public service announcements about the war. Joseph was elected as a Republican for the 4th District to the 67th Congress. He defeated Tom McKeown a Democrat.  He served on 3 committees, Expenditures in the Department of Labor, Pensions, and Public Buildings and Grounds. Joseph was a strong advocate for compensation for soldiers who had served in World War 1 and called for a tariff to protect the farmer and laborer. Joseph was unsuccessful in his run for the 68th Congress. Tom McKeown won that race. Joseph returned to agricultural pursuits. 

Despite much research, I know very little about Joseph's personal life. Joseph Colburn Pringey was born to George and Effie Pringey in Pennsylvania in 1858.  Colburn is his mother's maiden name and Joseph's middle name. Joseph was one of nine born to this union. Effie was George's second wife. His parents came to Iowa in the late 1860's. The family is shown living in Iowa in the 1870's. Jospeh was educated in rural schools. He attended business college in Sedalia, Missouri in 1870s. Joseph was fairly educated for his time. However, he is quoted as saying he graduated "with distinction from the university of hard knocks" in the Washington Post (June 26, 1921) in an article titled," Present Congress Has Many Distinctive Members". 

Joseph was married three times. He first married Anna Phillips who died in 1884 in Iowa. Then he married Zona Maxson.  Lastly, he married Amanda "Joesphine" Young Harp who was at least 20 years younger than himself. It is known that Josephine and Joseph continued to be involved in local affairs after he lost bid to be reelected to Congress. Jospeh was a Mason, Odd Fellow, and Knight of the Pythias. He died February 11, 1935, of a heart attack. He was interred in Oak Park Cemetery in Chandler, Oklahoma. 

***Connection to Osage Indians and the Reign of Terror

While he probably did not engage directly with the Osage Indians. It is most likely he knew what was happening to the Osage and their headrights. Congress very much thought the Osage were becoming too wealthy because of oil profits.  He was in the House of Representatives during the Osage Reign of Terror where at the very least 24 wealthy Indians were murdered for their headrights. There seemed to be a widespread conspiracy to deprive the Osage of these lucrative headrights. While Osage Indians had headrights to the oil all their wealth was controlled by white guardians. The 4th District of Oklahoma does not include Osage lands.  It is more in the southern part of Oklahoma. Joseph represented the 4th District of Oklahoma in the House of Representatives.

What don't I know about Joseph Pringey?

One of his obituaries mentioned a son and a daughter.  I can find no known record of either. I am curious to see his local obituary and feel like that may shed some light on whether not he was a parent. I also didn't find his last wife Josephine obituary either. There is no mention of children in the census. I would love to know some more personal information about him.

How I am related to Joseph Pringey?

This is where I draw this really great chart. Sometimes charting it out makes me see it clearer. Basically, Joseph Colburn Pringey is a cousin to my 2nd Great Grandmother Candance Pringey Liston.

Resources

David Grann and Killer of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon

 Osage Indian Murders - Wikipedia

Osage Indian Murders - Oklahoma Historical Society

Oklahoma 4th Congressional District - Wikipedia

Joseph Pringey - Oklahoma Historical Society

52 Ancestors - In the News

 I am once again participating in Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors.  The writing prompt was "In the News". I chose to research my 3rd great grandfather Cornelius Howard. I have had two news articles not credited in the research I received from my parents. So, I thought it might be interesting to research this further.

Cornelius Howard was born to Leven Howard and Tabatha Dyson 19 June 1822 in North Carolina. He married Mary Ann Prather on 9 Dec 1842. They had at least 6 children. Cornelius was killed in a land dispute 16 March 1868 in Hancock County, Illinois.  He was 45 years old, and his youngest son was 2 years old. Below are two articles about happened to Cornelius Howard with headlines like BEAR CREEK MURDER, A BRUTAL MURDER, and OUTRAGEOUS MURDER IN LIMA TOWNSHIP. Two uncredited articles below.

Bear Creek Murder

March 20, 1868; Monday, March 6, a man named Cornelius Howard was killed at Bear Creek by a man named Willson. Willson had been living on a farm owned by Howard and had built an addition to the house. On Monday Willson was to have moved and commenced tearing down the addition. As he was owing Howard for rent, Mr. Howard interfered and a difficulty ensued in which Willson struck Howard on the head with a club, form the effects of which he died in a few hours. Willson was captured at this point on Wednesday, while fleeing from justice, by two young men who volunteered their service, and he was subsequently brought before Squire Chittenden, who held him to the grand jury and he is now in jail at Carthage.

A BRUTAL MURDER - The southern portion of this county was thrown into a painful excitement on Monday 16th inst by the intelligence that a most brutal murder had been committed on that day in a locality not far from the Hancock and Admas county line. From all we can learn, the murder was committed in Walker township in this county, although the Quincy Herald gives the locality in Lima township in Adams count. The Hearld says:

" We are indebted as an attentive correspondent for the particulars of a brutal murder that was perpetrated in Lima township, in this county about six miles from the village of that name, on Monday last of which Cornelius Howard, an old and highly esteemed citizen, was the unfortunate victim. It appears that a man named S Wilson, who had been only a short time residing in the township, had rented some land from Howard, on which the former put up a small building and being about to move away, was in the act of tearing it down to remove it, when Howard came up and forbid his doing it. A dispute arose in consequence, during which Wilson, infuriated with devilish passion picked up a handspike and rushing up on Howard, struck him several blows on the head, felling him to the ground and fracturing his skull in several places, from the effect of which death resulted in the course of an hour. Wilson made instant escape to the woods, and managed to get a good distance start before the terrible deed became fully known. The news spreading the entire neighborhood became greatly excited over the terrible deed, and a pursuit was organized with the determination to overtake and lynch the murderer on the spot.

The murderer succeeded for a time in making good his escape; but the pursuit was unremitting, and on Wednesday he was arrested at Warsaw by two young men who had volunteered their service. A preliminary examination was had before Esq Chittenden and murderer sent to jail in this city for safe keeping until the next term of court.

I have a few questions.

We don't know where Corneluis Howard was buried.  - Family Search suggests Brenneman Cemetary also known as Sanderson Cemetary in Hancock Ill.  I did some research and Cornelius's father and mother are buried here.  Find a Grave estimates only 65 percent of the graves are accounted for.  It does appear that the cemetery is in rough shape.

We also don't know what happened to Wilson the man who killed Corneluis Howard - I did research some of the free library newspaper archives in Adams County Ill and Hancock County without much luck.  I did find one article very similar to the ones above. It had the headline OUTRAGEOUS MURDER IN LIMA TOWNSHIP (page 4 of The Daily Quincy Herald, Friday March 20th, 1868)

52 Ancestors - Birthday

I have been participating in 52 Ancestors in 52 Week by Amy Johnson Crow. This week's prompt is Birthday. So, I chose someone who shares my birth month of November. I chose Frank R Lendman. Frank is my Great Grandfather. I met him when I was just a young girl.  

Frank R Lendman was born in Hancock Iowa on November 14, 1891 to John Lendman and Ida Schadwell. The 1900 census has Frank living in Orthel Iowa but by 1910 he is a farmhand in Wascott, Wisconsin. Eventually he made it to Grant Indiana. He married Delight Baldwin 30 June 1915 at her parents' house. 

Delight and Frank, and ?

Delight and Frank had 2 sons - Harold "Tony" and Frank Jr. In 1920 has Frank working at a Glass Plant in Grant Indiana. I am unsure what Glass factory he worked for. It quite possibly was Standard Glass Company based in Marion, Indiana. Standard Glass Company made high grade prescription bottles. By the 1930 census, the family was living in Lancaster Ohio and Frank worked for Anchor Hocking Glass Company. By 1950 Frank was a foreman in the Furnace Room for Anchor Hocking.  The 1950's census has his son Frank Jr also working for Anchor Hocking. In 1957, his wife Delight would pass away. Frank would pass away in 1982 in Lancaster Ohio and be buried in Marion Indiana. He would live until 90 years old!

52 Ancestors - Random

 I am joining Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks. The writing prompt this week is Random.

I took a look at Barclay Bond. He is my 3rd Great Grandfather. What piqued my interest is I have a page from Bond Genealogy by Samuel B Garrett but the page does not match another one that is very similar but not credited with an author and contains some really interesting biographical information.

Edited version of Bond Genealogy

Bond Genealogy by Samuel Garrett

Barclay Mahlon Bond

Barclay Mahlon Bond , son of Samuel and Mary (Harrold) Bond, born 21 Mar 1836. Letter shared on Ancesty.com that does a pretty good job of giving  a biography of Barclay. See below

Enclosed by Dora Warner

 in my mother's own handwriting

Barclay Bond Son of Samuel and Mary Bond born 3-21-1836 in Wayne County Indiana. Lived there until he was about 3 years old. His mother hung herself which broke up the family of 5 children and the father. The child's names were Issac, Ahjah, Barclay, Margaret, Mahlon. He and his older brother were bound to a man named Hawkins remained there until his father married again. He married Elizabeth Comer, there the two boys with their sister lived with their father. Mahlon lived with his grandfather until he was of age, then he went to Kansas where he was killed by lightening.

Do not know here Ahjah lived. They moved from Wayne Co to Hamilton Co. Where they remained until Samuel's death (4 Mar 1863)

Barclay was married 8th of 12th Month 1859 to Sally Lancaster daughter of Robert and Martha Lancaster. They lived in the county and lived there until Sally's death with occurred 3 mo 1864. He was left with 4 children.(Albert, Mahlon, Ruth, Robert) He had no way of keeping them together so hired them kept. He stayed in the Co for about 3 years then with his children moved to Vermillion Co where he lived about 2 years there married again. Was united with Elizabeth Thornton daughter of Joshua and Sarah Thornton on 31th day of 3rd month 1869. They lived there until the fall of 1879. where they moved to Butler Co Kansas, where they lived for some time. While there he practiced medicine he seemed to have a gift in that direction never had studied medicine but seemed to be natural for him to want to be with the sick if there was any in the neighborhood whether he treated them or not. He was sick a great deal himself at times. Once while in Ill had lung fever was thought by the Dr to be in critical condition. On being told by his wife he said he was not alarmed and he had not saw but what he would get well, but if he did not all would be well with him. In a few days he was better but about the time he was able to sit up there was two abscesses came under his right arm which was very painful yet he bore all with patience and was not heard to murmur in the least. At another time he had erysipelas in his head and face and went inside his ears. It hurt him so bad he did not know all the time what he was doing and saying for some day. After he went to Kansas he seemed to have better health for some time about 7 years before his death he moved.

I also thought this article about a lightning strike and what Barclay suffered was interesting. 

This occurred just over a year before his death in May 1987.  Barclay died in 1 Jan 1889. Apparently according to no less than 3 newspaper articles he died when some of his children(Bob and Miles) were visiting probably for Christmas holiday.  The Galena Times reported he died of typhoid-pneumonia fever. He was sick only 5 days.

Helpful Research 

Family Search Wiki for Kansas Genealogy

52 ancestors - So Many Descendants

 

The 52 ancestor prompt from Amy Johnson Crow's 52 ancestors in 52 weeks was "So Many Descendants". I chose my ancestor John Christian Brenneman.  John C Brenneman is my 4th Great Grandfather.  He had at least 24 children and was married twice. I estimate he had 190 grandchildren. I am continuing to research. 

I had a hard time pinning down birthdates. This isn't a complicated tree but there is not much collaborating information. After several months of research this is the best, I could come up with.

John Christian Brenneman was born 1 May 1770 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Daniel Brenneman and Barbara Menard. John grew up on his father's farm in Virginia, later moving with him to Westmoreland Count, Pennsylvania. John married Maria Catharina Schmidt about 1793. John began farming in North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. About 1810 John purchased a large tract of land in Clarion County and moved there, settling on the Clarion River jus wet of the county seat. Listed below are the children believed to be born to this union.

1-Barbara J McNaughton 1798 -1882

2-Mary Ann (Polly) Walters 1800-1866

3-Elizabeth McNaughton 1801-1854

4-Daniel Brenneman 1801 - 1883

5-John Brenneman Jr 1804-1864

6-Frederick Brenneman 1805-1861

7-*Henry Smith Brenneman 1805-1861

8-Christian Brenneman 1810-1891

9-Peter Brenneman 1810- 1900

10-Frances "Fanny" Paul 1812-1870

11-Esther Fitzgerald 1816-1899

12-Sarah Ann Smith 1817-1877

13-Catherine Dunlap 1819-1860

14-Henry Brenneman 1820-1891

15-David Brenneman 1822-1826

16-Susan Brenneman 1823-1907

17-Elizabeth Brenneman 1824-1826

18-Campbell Brenneman 1825

19-Adam Brenneman 1822-1908

20-Hannah Dahle 1825-1907

In 1826, John married Sylvia Silvis Adams. Their children are below

21-Elmira Dunkle 1827-1898

22-Susan Elder 1830-1887

23-Rachel Rowena Brenneman 1832-1870

24-? Daughter Brenneman 1835

John died on October 29, 1837.  Sylvia died on August 5, 1870

*my 3rd great grandfather

52 Ancestors - Brick Wall

 I have written about various brick walls I have in my genealogy - Geneva Mae Wolfe

My current one is Jane Marie Devolt (Devault) Hoyt.  I do not know who her parents are. I actually know a bit about her teenage years through the census records(1850). I found a land bounty that I believe is for her brother, Abraham Johnson Devolt who died 1846 a causality in the Mexican American War.  The land bounty lists his only heirs as his brothers and sisters - Lewis, Jesse, Sarah Clifford, James Hiram, and Jane. George Virgin is listed as the Guardian of the infants (minors) James, Hiram, and Jane

These are facts below

In the 1850 census, Jane is found in the census living in the household of Kinsey and Eliza Virgin. (my 3rd great grandparents) in Ohio. This household is a mixture of relatives living together.  I cannot tie her to the Virgin household as a relative. Interesting her purported older brother Hiram Devault and older sister, Sarah Clifford, lived with another Virgin relative, George Virgin. Yes, the same George who died by mixing up his colic medicine and vermin poison. This same George who is listed as the guardian of in the Land bounty. Jane is listed as age 14 in the census.

1855 (July 5) married William Hoyt in Mason Illinois.

Jane's married life is fairly well documented in Census records.  Jane and William Hoyt had 7 children - 4 boys and 3 girls.

Jane died February 4, 1894, in Cass County, Iowa where she and her husband homesteaded.  She was only 55 years old. William Hoyt would live until 1898.

What I have researched

I have researched the various siblings all seem to have limited information if none at all. I have read the entire land bounty.  I do find it interesting the Virgin family connection but after much research I can't connect the Devault's )Devolt's to the Virgin's .  The lack of mother and father seem to be a common denominator. Other than the census records, there is no death certificate and she does not appear in the local newspaper that I can find. 

52 Ancestors - Bearded

I am participating in Amy Crow Johnson's 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks.  This also part of a project I am working on for the year called Dead People Files. This week's prompt was Bearded.

I chose Samuel Mellor for this week's prompt. Samuel is my 5th Great Grandfather. He is bearded.

I kept finding the picture above on various genealogy sites but not the biographical sketch. I believe the picture is from History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. There is a biography in the aforementioned book.

Samuel Mellor was born March 3, 1794, in Liverpool, Lancashire, England as the son of George Mellor and Leah Colley. He married Margaret E Young on August 31, 1817, in Washington, Ohio. They were the parents to 4 sons and 1 daughter. Samuel farmed and work at the trade of coopering. Coopering is making barrels and casks. After Margaret passed in 1839. Samuel married Susannah Bacon and they had Henry. He died in 1880 and was 86 years old.

Children

George V Mellor - Teacher, Sailor, Miner - Doubled Cape Horn

Almira Keyser

*John Benjamin Mellor - tinsmith had shop in Malta Ohio

William E Mellor- Doubled Cape Horn with his brother George and Washington McConnel

Samuel W Mellor

Henry L Mellor ( mother Susannah Bacon)

*My 4th grandfather

Dead People Files Project Update

 We have reached the 6 months check in for my project. Details about my project are below.

Goals

Research 15 ancestors and present that information on the blog. I will be using some of the 52 ancestors in 52-week writing prompts. Below is the start of the ancestors that I will for sure be researching. (5/15) I have written 8 biographies out of 15.  

    Lulu Pearl Howard Liston (Hoyt/Liston Tree) Complete- link

    John Lendman (Lendman)

    Eliza Greene Perkins Doane (Hoyt/Liston ) Complete- link

    John Christian Brenneman (Hoyt/Liston)

    Ida Shadwell Lendman (Lendman) Complete-link

    Charles Bourck Liston - link

    Hannah Hopkins - link

    Mary Carver Knight - link

    Abel Sutliff Jr -link

    Great Grandma's - link

Do a DNA test on myself - I am interested in learning more about this

Improve my genealogy research - I plan on reading some genealogy books that are from the required reading list from the BYU and Boston University Genealogy programs. I think a good goal would be at least 3 books. I am actively searching for books on Quakers and the book below is one my library had. I have a bunch of Quakers in my tree. I hope that helps in my understanding of Quakers.

Do one genealogy field trip? I think this might be open to interpretation.

Kinda of completed. I attended two library meeting on Family Search and Genealogy. However, I would like to do a for real field trip of some kind. I also attended Roots Tech 2023 virtually.

find a better way to share or present my genealogy research. work in progress

write better genealogy stories. work in progress

scan more photos and become more proficient in this.  

52 Ancestors -starts with a vowel

 I am writing below about Ida Schadwell Lendman Betchel. This week's prompt for 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks with Amy Johnson Crow is starts with a vowel.

Ida Schadwell was believed to be born in Prussia/Germany to Rudolph Schadwell and Ida Moxie in 1863. Ida came to America in 1889 at age 26. We know Ida traveled on the ship Werra from the port of Bremen Germany to Southampton England and onto New York, New York.  Ida arrived in New York April 16, 1889.  Ida would marry John Lendman in Clayton Iowa July 12, 1889. John was 49 and Ida was 26. This was believed to be basically an arranged marriage. Both Ida and John are believed to be from the same area of Prussia, later part of Germany. Clayton Iowa was home to a large German community. More information about Iowa's German Heritage. John Lendman was a land dealer/farmer who lost his first wife, Ann, in 1886. They had 4 children together. The details of the wedding between John and Ida were reported in the local newspaper. 

John Lendman, one of our prosperous farmers, was married last Friday July 12, 1889, to a young lady of this township. Rev Seifert performed the ceremony in the presence of over fifty invited guests. All were served with an elegant dinner. -Elkader Weekly Register July 18, 1889, pg8

Shortly after John and Ida married, they moved to Hancock County, Iowa near the town of Britt. They had their first child Frank Rudolph Lendman in 1891 in Hancock Iowa. Then they proceed to have John Earl in 1892, Theresia H 1893, Harry in 1896, Ida in 1899 and lastly Hilda in 1902. By the 1910 census, John and Ida were living in Wascott Wisconsin. In 1910 is also when John and Ida became naturalized citizens. Eventually John and Ida would come to reside in Indiana. John would pass away May 25, 1914, in Grant County, Indiana. Ida was 51 years old. She would remarry to James Betchell on Feb 14, 1917.  According to the 1930 census, Ida’s husband, James, worked in a radio factory and her daughter Eda was living with them with her two children in Marion, Indiana. Her daughter Theresia would pass away in 1930. In 1933 her youngest daughter Hilda would pass away. Ida would die February 4, 1937, in Marion Indiana

Dead People Files Project - Women's History Month

I thought because March was Women's History Month, I would highlight my Great Grandmother's.  Why generally the census categorized these women as housewives. There were much more than that. I thought they might have more commonalities. I have not met any of these ladies. Only one was alive when I was born.

Some facts about this group of great grandmothers. Three of them died in their 60's. My Great Grandmother Mollie Hoyt lived until 91.  

3 of these Great Grandmother's had 3 children leaving only one having 2 children.

Below are my Great Grandmother's listed.

Delight Baldwin Lendman 

* The blurb on this card above is a bit misleading. She died in Lancaster Ohio, but her service was in Detroit Michigan, and she was buried in Indiana.  

Burnelle "Nell" Eva Crutcher Ross

Bettie and Burnelle

Lulu Pearl Howard Liston

more information

Joseph Liston, Marvel Hoyt, Lulu Liston, and Devere Hoyt

Mollie Hoyt Hoyt

**** all the blurbs on the name cards are taken from the lifestory feature in Ancestry. The cards are made in Project Life. 

Dead People Files - Encounter with William Penn

I was doing some research way back in one of my ancestor lines and find that these ancestors would have known William Penn. This caught my interest.

 First off, I have no relation to William Penn. However allegedly some of my ancestors did come to America with William Penn.  I come from a long line of Quakers also known as The Society of Friends on my paternal side. The story below is about my seventh Great Aunt Mary Carver Knight.

Quaker Symbol

William Penn is considered the founder of Pennsylvania.  His father, Sir William Penn, was owed debts from the King.  So, William Penn was gifted what we know today as Pennsylvania and Delaware. Well as it happens that my ancestors came with William Penn to America in 1682. There is no proof they sailed on "The Welcome" with William Penn, but the circumstances would indicate they did. It took The Welcome 57 days to make the crossing from England to the mouth of the Delaware River.  This was considered slow for the time. About 1/3 of the passengers died of smallpox.

 John Carver came with his brother's, William, Joseph, and Jacob and his wife Mary Lane.  John Carver is my 8th Great Grandfather. They all were members of the Society of Friends. Most interesting is that John Carver's wife gave birth to a little girl, Mary, in a cave in 1682 near Philadelphia approximately 5 days after the landing of William Penn though Oct 27, 1682, is her birthday most noted. This also the day that William Penn landed in what is known as New Castle, Delaware.  

YES, A CAVE!  Mary Lane Carver gave birth to her first born a daughter, Mary, in a cave. Her daughter is considered the first child of English parentage born in Pennsylvania. John Carver was granted 690 acres from William Penn along Poquessing Creek in the Northeastern part of Byberry. Mary's father, John, was a maltster by profession and he did this in Pennsylvania. A maltster provides malt to be made into beer. John Carver's daughter, Mary, would marry Isaac Knight. Isaac Knight came to Pennsylvania with his grandmother, Elizabeth Shorter. She was a maker of gloves and owned a store. Mary and Isaac would marry and have 8 children. Mary Carver Knight would become a noted minister in the Society of Friends.  Mary traveled extensively as a minister. She was well known. She died in 1769. Mary was 86 years old. 

I have been trying different ways to convey my stories.  Her is a doodle type attempt below.

Dead People Files Project - Roots Tech 2023

 

RootsTech 2023 is happening March 2 -4.  This is a large genealogy conference that happens in Salt Lake City, Utah once a year and put on by Family Search. What is nice is you can attend virtually.  Attending virtually is free. I have attended virtually that for a couple of years. One year I watched various videos in my car while my son worked. I am looking forward to hearing various speakers including Amy Johnson Crow. 

52 Ancestors - Gone too Soon

 I have been participating in Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks project. The prompt was "Gone Too Soon."  

"Glider Men Shoot Way Out in Wild's" was the headline of Gazette of Cedar Rapid, Iowa on March 19, 1944. Lt Charles Bourck Liston had been in a glider crash.  Two Gliders had crashed in Burma.  The article goes on to tell of their life and death game of hide and seek with the enemy in a nigh chase through the jungle.  Charles was to injure his leg in the crash. They were to walk half mile to the bank of the Chindwin only to hear three shots behind them. Liston said, "we couldn't find anything to make into a raft and Evans and myself were the only person who could swim."  On this day Lt Charles Liston would survive. 

The headline was much different May 2, 1944, "15 Iowa Yanks Missing".  Lt Charles Liston was listed among the missing.

Below is the article that was in the Dallas County News, Adel, IA; Wednesday 14 June 1945. 

" The secretary of war desires to express his deepest regret that your son, First Lieutenant Charles Be Liston, died in Burma, April 2, 1944, a prisoner of the Japanese government. In reports received says your son was captured in Burma March 6th, 1944. Confirming letter follows."

The above telegram was received Monday night by Mrs Minnie Liston, Route 3, Adel from J.A. Adjutant General, and brought untold sadness to the mother and many friend of the young man.

For many months (since April 1944) Mrs Liston had been anxiously awaiting news of her son. At one time a message was received stating that he had been reported missing since March 6th of the same year. Nothing more was heard from then until the wire came Monday. 

Luit Liston, 35, entered the service more than four years ago and was a glider pilot and such saw some thrilling experiences according to the news dispatches from, where he was associated with Jackie Coogan, former movie star. he received his training at Victorville, Cal., was commissioned a second Lieutenant at Bowman Field, KY., and advanced to the first lieutenant after going overseas.

Charles served as a First Lieutenant and Pilot on a Glider, 1st Air Command Force, U.S. Army Air Force during World War 2.

He resided in Los Angeles County, California prior to the war. He was born on Aug 16, 1909, in Union, Iowa to Charles R Liston and Margaret Louise Bourck.  His mother, Margaret, died during childbirth. The mother referenced in the article above is his father's second wife, Minnie who raised him from a very young age. At his family's request Iowa was put on the Tablets of the Missing.

Charles was on a secret mission flying on a Glider on March 6, 1944 into Burma. After landing they were captured by the Japanese and sent to the Rangoon POW camp in Myanmar {Burma). 

Charles died while POW of the Japanese Army at Rangoon. He was awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart, and the Prisoner of War medal. 

Crew of this Glider

Fletcher E Hart, M/Sgt (survivor)

Charles Liston, 1st Lt , Pilot (MIA)

Julius F Yackie Corp (MIA)

In 1946 Charles' remains were recovered from a burial at the Rangoon POW camp. Tragically, his remains, along with others were being transported from Rangoon to Calcutta, India by a C-47 which crashed on May 17, 1946. Charles remains were not recovered from this crash.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Interesting Fact

Jackie Coogan, actor, who Charles served with during WW2 later played Uncle Fester on 1960s sitcom The Addams Family

________________________________________________________________________________

What I read February

I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  Check out what everyone else is reading.

 

The Revolutionary Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff

Listen, my children, and you shall hear

Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, 

On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five: 

Hardly a man is now alive

who remember that famous day and year.

The book opens with the ride of Paul Revere. A lot of us are familiar with the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem.  But do we know who specifically Paul Revere is riding to warn the British are coming? I probably wouldn't have picked up this title on my own. It was a book club read and it is challenging. I think this is the slowest I have read a book in a while. That being said, it is a worthwhile read. Samuel Adams is very interesting and not to be confused with his younger cousin John Adams. Samuel Adams is described as, "all the smoke, flame, and lava."  This was also said about Samuel Adam, " if there was a subversive act, he was somewhere near or behind it." I think the vast contributions that Samuel Adams made are somewhat lost to history. Maybe that is what he intended. This made me think differently about the Revolutionary War.  We have such a sanitized version we are taught. 

Who Do You Think You Are? by Megan Smolenyak

I am reading this as part of my genealogy education. This book was published in 2010 so there are many more digital resources now, but the information is a good foundation for a family history buff.  I would like to get a thrifted copy to have as a reference.  Megan makes family history accessible to all. It also made me watch a lot of Who Do You Think You Are? on tv.