Showing posts with label Morris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morris. Show all posts

Saturday, February 24, 2018

June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson (1898-1951), Adoptive Surname, 52 Ancestors # 8

June Gilliland
The eighth ancestor in my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks project is my maternal great-grandmother, June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson (1898-1951). Previously, I'd written about the details of her life in an Exploratory Data post.

June's origin story has been the subject of the first major mystery in my genealogy research.  Her daughter, my grandmother, told me that June was an orphan, but there was more to that story.  June's father's name remains unknown at this point, and this post will tell how she came to have the Gilliland surname. 

June's birth certificate
June was born in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana on June 11, 1898.   Her birth announcement lists the fact that she was born at the "Door of Hope", which was associated with the Wheeler Mission in Indianapolis.  Her birth certificate lists her as "Infant (female) Davis" and her parents are listed as Atkinson and Ida Davis.  The search for just exactly who June's father was continues, with previous posts on the subject here and here

Ida (Davis) Hancock Morris (1874-1900), June's mother, has an entire section devoted to the mysteries of her life on this blog.  She died when June was just two years old, leaving her an orphan.  June also had older sister, Pansy.

Both June and Pansy were taken in and raised by Ida's mother, Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis Gilliland (1854-1932).  Mary raised her two granddaughters, Pansy and June alongside the two children she had with her second husband, Robert Farrell Gilliland (1850-1916).

June Gilliland
I've not yet located any formal documentation that states that June was formally adopted by her grandmother and step-grandfather, or when exactly she started going by the Gilliland surname.  These records may either be located in Monroe or Owen Counties, Indiana.

June has not yet been located in the 1900 census, but her sister Pansy was found living with the Gilliland's and listed with the surname Davis in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.

At the time of the 1910 census in Richland Township, Monroe County, Indiana, June was listed as the step-granddaughter in the Robert Gilliland household as "June Gilliland".  According to newspaper accounts of her baptism at the Ellettsville Baptist Church in 1911, June was using the Gilliland surname.  When she married my great-grandfather in Monroe County, Indiana on June 28, 1917, she listed her surname as Gilliland.  Pansy was also using the Gilliland surname when she married Peter Decker in 1912.

Clemon and June Lambertson
It's pretty evident that June clearly went by the Gilliland surname from a young age, whether or not she was formally adopted by her grandmother and step-grandfather.  Whether she ever knew who her father was or his surname will never be known.

This explains why we have the Gilliland surname in our family tree though we do not have Gilliland ancestry.

The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge was created by Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small blog.  The premise is to write once a week about a specific ancestor - whether it be a story, a biography, a photograph or a research problem.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Marriage Record : Carvie A. Morris to Ida Hancock, 1900 Monroe County, Indiana

Monroe County, Indiana, Marriage Book 9, page 551



Received the copy of the marriage of my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida (Davis) Hancock to Carvie A. Morris that took place July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana.

The groom's name is a bit hard to read - is it Carvie A. Morris or Carrie A. Morris, or even Cardie A. Morris?  Anyone with better eyes than mine that could help?

Ida died less than two weeks later in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana of tuberculosis.  

Mr. Morris is indeed a mystery as well. There are Morris families in the area, but I've been unable to connect him with anyone.  I've also been unable to locate any other records of him than this marriage.  Who was he?  What happened to him after Ida's death?

As always, if you have any connection to this family, I would love to hear from you.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Death Notice : Ida (Davis) Morris, 1900

Ellettsville Farm, Ellettsville, Indiana
August 4, 1900, page 2
Mrs. Ida Davis Morris, daughter of Mrs. Bob Gilland, died at the home of the latter near this place on Wednesday.

---
This is the death notice of my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida (Davis) Morris.  She died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana of tuberculosis.  The Mrs. Bob Gilland (actually Gilliland) was Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis Gilliland.

Ida was only 26 years old when she died of tuberculosis, leaving two small children, Pansy and June, to be raised by Ida's mother and step-father.

I've been able to find a bit of good information lately through my NewspaperArchive subscription.  Newspaper columns like this were the Facebook of the early 20th century.


Monday, August 20, 2012

Where Was She Buried?


My latest post on the data I have collected for my 2x-great grandmother Ida had me re-examining some data (which was the point of the posts) I had collected about her .  Particularly, I was focusing on her death certificate in an attempt to determine where she is buried.

The death certificate only states the place of burial as “M.E. Cemetery” and the funeral director was “C.H. McNeely”.    The question in my mind is whether Ida was buried in Owen County or Monroe County.




Ida’s mother, Mary (Swafford) Gilliland is buried in Elletsville, Monroe County in the Methodist cemetery, and I believe that Ida may be buried there as well, but in an unmarked grave.  Photographs of Mary's tombstone are found at FindAGrave.  Also in the same cemetery is a Columbus Hale McNeely, whom I believe to be the C.H. McNeely listed on Ida's death certificate.

I reached out to the Monroe County Public Library in Bloomington and spoke to Christine at their Indiana Room (812-349-3080).  She was very helpful and told me she would check into the records they might have.  I was hoping that they  might have records on McNeely and the funeral home.

I also placed a call to the Monroe County History Center (812-337-2517) and spoke to their genealogy library.  They also told me they would do some research, and that the McNeely family was well known in the Elletsville area.

Doing some online checking, I also discovered that there is a Methodist Cemetery Association of Elletsville, located at 708 W. Vine Street.  No contact phone or email was listed, so I will have to write them to see if they have any information on who is buried in the plot.

I spoke to Christine later in the day and she was able to tell me about several McNeely's, but didn't have anything definite on C.H. McNeely as a funeral director.  She also did some checking on Ida, but had the same negative results that I did (ie. not found in 1900 census in Owen County).

I later received an email from the library manager at the Monroe County History Center who found an obituary for C.H. McNeely, which referenced him as an undertaker in Elletsville.  They were going to check with a local expert on Elletsville and get back with me regarding the existence of any funeral home records.

Hopefully these records are out there, I just haven't turned over all the leads. The letter to the cemetery association might turn up plot information about who is buried where, etc. and solve this mystery.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Exploratory Data Analysis: Ida (Davis) Morris (1874-1900)


Ida (Davis) Morris (1874-1900) was my maternal 2nd-great grandmother.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I've discovered about her.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana.  I do not have a copy of her birth certificate.  

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               I have not searched contemporary newspapers at the time for a mention of Ida's birth.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible records of the Davis family.  Will continue to reach out to extended family hoping that one does exist.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal record for Ida, though I do not know the church affiliation of the family.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Ida was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage license

          Ida was married August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana to Samuel G. Hancock.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.
         
          Ida was married July 19, 1900 in Owen County, Indiana to Carvie A. Morris1

          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper

               Will need to search out mention of their marriage in local newspapers on my next research trip.

          1.2.2. Anniversary notice

               Neither of Ida's marriages lasted long enough to reach an anniversary milestone that would be mentioned in a local newspaper.

          1.2.3. Divorce decree

               I do not have a copy of Ida's divorce decree from Samuel Hancock. A letter from a correspondent states that she filed for divorce in Monroe County, Indiana during the May term of 1894, that they were married August 27, 1892 and lived together as man and wife until February 3, 1893, when Samuel abandoned her.  This needs to be verified on my next research trip.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana3.  The cause of death was listed as tuberculosis.

          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper

               Have been unable to locate a mention of Ida's death in local newspapers.  Will continue to research hoping to find mention.

          1.3.2. Funeral home records

               I will need to research the local funeral homes at the time to see if they might have a record of her funeral. The funeral director listed was C.H. McNeely on her death certificate.

          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph

               Ida's death certificate states that she is buried in the "M.E. cemetery", but I have not located the exact cemetery.  I believe it may be the cemetery located in Elletsville, which would be in Monroe County.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1900 Federal Census

               On June 13, 1900, Ida was enumerated at the "Door of Hope" mission in Center Township, Marion County, Indiana2, as Ida D. Hancock, inmate, age 26, widowed, born in Indiana.  She was the mother of 2 children, both of whom were living and had been married 7 years.  Both of her parents were born in Indiana.  Her occupation was listed as doing house work.  She could read and write and spoke English.

          2.1.2. 1880 Federal Census

               I have been unable to locate Ida in the 1880 census.  She should be approximately 6 years old.  Her father, James Austin Davis, was enumerated in 1880 as a resident of the Owen County home in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.  Her mother, Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis, was enumerated as Ellen Swafford, single, living in the household of her father, Peter Swafford in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana.  Neither Ida or her sister, Delia have been located in the 1880 census.


     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, and 1919 and 1931.  These however, were merely for the purposes of determining legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet examined these types of census records to see what information might come to light.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Ida was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          Not applicable.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Owen and Monroe Counties, Indiana to see if any mention of Ida or her husband.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          County plat maps and/or townships maps will help me to understand where the household was living.  The Indiana State Library has plat maps of Owen County, though they are from 1876 and 1905, slightly beyond the years of my search.

5. Supplemental Records

     Supplemental records available to search for Ida include court records, will and probate records and city directories and newspapers.
     A search of city directories in Indianapolis (where daughter June was born) did find a listing for an Ida Davis in 1898 that might be her:
     Davis, Ida r 606 1/2 E. Wabash

     Ida has been the subject of previous post, wherein I spelled out some of the difficulties and lack of information I have obtained about her rather short life.

Sources:

1. Monroe County Marriage Book 9, page 551, Monroe County Clerk's Office, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
2. "Door of Hope" household, 1900 U.S. census, Marion County, Indiana, population schedule, Center Township, 7th Ward, ED 104, SD 7, sheet 9, dwelling 167; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 389.
3. Ida D. Morris, death certificate no. Book H-14, page 11 (1900), Owen County Health Department, Spencer, Indiana, USA


This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.

Thursday, August 02, 2012

On This Day : August 2

1675 - William PRITCHARD died in New Braintree, Massachusetts.  William was my 9x-great grandfather.


1689 - Mary STEBBINS died in Deerfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.  Mary was the daughter of John BROUGHTON and Hannah BASCOM.  Mary was my 9x-great grandmother.


1697 - George REED born.  George was the son of George REED and Abigail PIERCE.


1755 - Thankful MAXSON born.  Thankful was the daughter of John MAXSON and Sarah BURDICK.


1760 - Hubbard TAYLOR born.  Hubbard was the son of James TAYLOR and Ann HUBBARD.


1772 - Ernst Heinrich KAHRE died in Kummerdignsen, Westphalia.  Ernst was the son of Johann Friedrich KAHRE and Anna Marie Wilhelmine KIRSCHOFF.


1792 - Phebe STEVENS born.  Phebe was the daughter of David STEVENS and Mary COOK.


1793 - Philander McPHEETERS born.  Philander was the son of James Moore McPHEETERS and Elizabeth COALTER.


1812 - Mary PETRY born.  Mary was the daughter of Henry PETRY and Elizabeth WEHRLY.


1836 - Thomas J. BEALS born in Hamilton County, Indiana.  Thomas was the son of Nathan C. BEALS and Elizabeth CHEW.


1877 - John W. DAVIS died in Hamilton County, Indiana.  John was the son of Charles DAVIS and Hannah PIGGOTT.  John was my 5x-great grandfather.


1878 - Walter Joshua CARTER born in Cherokee County, Kansas.  Walter was the son of Emory CARTER and Elma COX.


1900 - Lyford L. CHEW born in Jay County, Indiana.  Lyford was the son of William Anderson CHEW and Emma Susan STRAIGHT.


1900 - Ida MORRIS died in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.  Ida was the daughter of James Austin DAVIS and Mary Ellen SWAFFORD.  Ida was my 2x-great grandmother.


1902 - Gladys Marie McLANE born.  Gladys was the daughter of John McLANE and Lillie Mae McGUFFEY.


1903 - Evelyn RUBLE born.  Evelyn was the daughter of John RUBLE and Malissa E. MORRISTON.


1933 - Helen Morris MAXON died in Greene Couny, Pennsylvania.  Helen was the daughter of Thomas Alexander MAXON and Lenora Belle BROWN.


1967 - Dean JUDSON died in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.  Dean was the son of Elza Carlisle JUDSON and Bertha RICHARDS.

Friday, February 03, 2012

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy : Life Experiences

Week 5 - Life Experiences : Sometimes the challenges in life provide the best learning experiences.  Can you find an example of this in your own family tree?  Which brick wall ancestor are you most thankful for, and how did that person shape your family history experience?

The brickwall ancestor that has intrigued me the most would be Ida Davis (1874-1900), my maternal 2x great-grandmother.  Though she died at a very young age, she left behind a lot of mysteries.  The biggest ones are the parentage of her two children, Pansy and June.  June was my great-grandmother.

Photo of Ida Davis (1874-1900) and daughter June





Though I've attempted to document her life through records I've been able to find, unfortunately there is no one left around who knows the true stories surrounding the parentage of her children.  Perhaps there is still a court record  to be found - an in-depth research trip to Owen and Monroe County, Indiana courthouses is on my "bucket list".

Probably the most intriguing recent find was locating her in the 1900 census of Marion County, Indiana staying at the "Door of Hope" rescue mission.  I'm 99% sure that this record is her.   Great-grandmother June's birth certificate in Indianapolis provides more mysteries when it spells out her parents as Atkinson and Ida Davis.   Was Atkinson a surname or a first name?

A few different men have been speculated as June's father through family legend.  Photographs of the mysterious gentlemen identified as either Frank Fletcher or Carrie Morris looks strikingly like my great-uncles.  The photograph's Mediterranean appearance, should he be my ancestor, may be the cause for the predominance of dark hair, eyes and skin tone shared by members of my grandmothers family on this side.  One day, I will have DNA testing done to see what interesting mysteries lie within.

When, by age 26, you have at least two husbands, two children and a mysterious past you leave plenty of clues for your descendants.  Ida has kept me intrigued for years, and someday I'm positive I will find the answers.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Surname Saturday : DAVIS

The DAVIS surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown at this time.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 15: June Kirk Davis a.k.a. Gilliland (1898-1951).  June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  She married June 28, 1917 in Monroe County, Indiana to Clemon Beals Lambertson (1898-1994).  Clemon was born October 27, 1898 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.  They raised 4 children in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Clemon died March 18, 1994 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  June died March 20, 1951 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 31: Ida Davis (1874-1900).  Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana.  She married August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana to Samuel G. Hancock (1867-     ).  They divorced and she married July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana to Carvie A. Morris (1853-    ).  The parentage of her two daughters remain unknown, though a Frank Fletcher has been speculated.  Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 62: James Austin Davis (c1850-1909).  James was born circa 1850 in Indiana.  He married July 2, 1873 in Monroe County, Indiana to Mary Ellen Swafford (1854-1932).  Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1854 in Monroe County, Indiana.  They raised two daughters in Monroe and Owen Counties, Indiana.  Mary Ellen died January 28, 1932 in Monroe County, Indiana.  James died June 12, 1909 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 124: Austin Davis (c1824-c1851).  Austin was born circa 1824 in Indiana.  He married February 9, 1850 in Monroe County, Indiana to Fanny Reynolds (c1830-1883).  Fanny was born circa 1830 in Indiana.  They had two children.  Fanny died February 2, 1883 in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana.  Austin died between November 1850 and August 1851 in Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 248: John Davis (unk-befNov1845).  John was born in Virginia.  He married before 1824 to Susannah ________ (c1801-aft1860).  Susannah was born circa 1801 in Virginia.  They raised 12 children in Monroe County, Indiana.  Susannah died after the 1860 census in Monroe County, Indiana.  John died before November 1845 in Monroe County, Indiana.


Related blog posts:


Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Monday, December 06, 2010

Ida (Davis) (Hancock) Morris (1874-1900)

Ida (DAVIS) (HANCOCK) MORRIS was my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, the wife of both Samuel HANCOCK and Carrie/Carvie MORRIS.


The following facts about Ida's life are known:

  • Birth: She was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana, the daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS.
  • Marriage: She married Samuel G. HANCOCK on August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana.
  • Census: 1900 - believe she is the Ida D. HANCOCK, inmate, at the "Door of Hope", Center Township, Marion County, Indiana.
  • Marriage: She married Carvie A. MORRIS on July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana.
  • Death: She died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana. Cause of death was tuberculosis.
  • Burial: She was buried August 2, 1900 in the M.E. Cemetery, Owen County, Indiana.
The following facts need additional research and/or documentation to complete my research:
  • Census: 1880 - I have been unable to locate her in the 1880 census.  Her father, Austin, was enumerated in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana - as insane.  Her mother, Mary, was enumerated in her father's household in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana as a single woman.  
  • Marriage: A copy of her marriage record transcript may provide additional clues.  Would also like to clear up information on Carrie/Carvie MORRIS, as I have been unable to locate records of him after the marriage.
  • Obituary: Have been unsuccessful in locating a copy of her obituary in any of the local newspapers of the time.
Ancestry of Ida (Davis) (Hancock) Morris, Ahnentafel # 30 in my ancestry:

Ahnentafel # 60 : James Austin DAVIS (c1850-1909); Monroe Co., IN>Cass Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 120 : Austin DAVIS (c1824-1851); Monroe Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 240: John DAVIS (unk-1845); Virginia>Monroe Co., IN

Related blog posts:

Monday, July 19, 2010

Family Milestones: July 19th

My maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida DAVIS, married on this date in 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana to Carrie A. MORRIS.  Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana, the daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS.  Carrie was born in 1853.  Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.

Friday, July 02, 2010

Family Milestones: July 2nd

My maternal 3rd great-grandparents, James Austin DAVIS and Mary Ellen SWAFFORD, were married on this date in 1873 in Monroe County, Indiana.  Austin was born circa 1850 in Indiana, the son of Austin and Fanny (REYNOLDS) DAVIS.  Mary was born August 30, 1854 near Stinesville, Monroe County, Indiana, the daughter of Peter Kirkpatrick and Mary Ann (CROCKETT) SWAFFORD.  They had 2 daughters.  They may have divorced circa 1880, as they are separated on the 1880 census, and Mary remarried by 1884.  Austin died June 12, 1909 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana.  Mary died January 28, 1932 near Dolan, Monroe County, Indiana.

My maternal 4th-great grandparents, James R. HEATON and Elizabeth JACOBS, were married on this date in 1829 in Brown County, Ohio.  James was born 1805 in Loudon County, Virginia, the son of Thomas and Susan (TAYLOR) HEATON.  Elizabeth was born June 30, 1811 in Adams County, Ohio, the daughter of James Thomas and Isabella (FEILY) JACOBS.  They raised 11 children in Brown County, Ohio and Schuyler County, Missouri.  James died April 9, 1885 in Schuyler County, Missouri. Elizabeth died January 29, 1889 in Schuyler County, Missouri.  Both are buried in the Darby Cemetery, Schuyler County, Missouri.

My paternal granduncle, John Leland LeMASTER, married on this date in 1920 in Jay County, Indiana to Dortha LeEtta DeLAUTER, daughter of W. Otto and Pearl (EARHART) DeLAUTER.  John was the son of Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (WEHRLY) LeMASTERS, and the older brother of my Ord Wehrly LeMASTER.  They raised 6 children in Jay County, Indiana, where John was a school teacher.  John died January 13, 1980.  Dortha died May 24, 1976.  Both are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

My paternal 2nd-great granduncle, Louis Napoleon METZNER, married on this date in 1871 in Jay County, Indiana to Henrietta WEAVER, daughter of Jeremiah WEAVER.  Louis was the son of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, and the younger brother of my John Adam METZNER.  Louis was born November 3, 1848 in St. Louisville, Licking County, Ohio.  Henrietta was born January 1854 in Indiana.  They had at least 4 children.  Louis died July 3, 1900 in Bearcreek Township, Jay County, Indiana.

My maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida DAVIS, was born on this date in 1874 in Owen County, Indiana.  Ida was the daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS.  Ida married August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana to Samuel G. HANCOCK, son of Joseph and Margaret (VAUGHN) HANCOCK.  Samuel was born October 17, 1867 in Owen County, Indiana.  They divorced.  Ida married secondly on July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana to Carrie A. MORRIS.  Carrie was born in 1853.  Ida had 2 daughters.  Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.

 

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Jacob Borror / Boyer (1763-1804)

Jacob BORROR / BOYER (1763-1804) is Corinne's maternal 6th-great grandfather. He was born circa 1763 in Hardy County, Virginia (now West Virginia), purportedly the son of another Jacob Borror. The family surname became Boyer by the time they came into Warrick and Vanderburgh Cos., Indiana.

Jacob is believed to have married circa 1788 to Magdalene STRADER (1767-1838), the daughter of Revolutionary War soldier, Christopher STRADER. Magdalene was born August 26, 1767 in Hampshire County, Virginia and died September 15, 1838 in Jackson Township, Franklin County, Ohio. Magdalene is purported to be buried in the Scioto Cemetery at Borrors Corners near Columbus, Ohio.

Jacob died June 2, 1804 in North Mill Creek, Hardy County, Virginia. One source states that he is buried in the Strader Cemetery, near Austin, Ross County, Ohio. Surely they didn't re-inter his body! Three of Jacob's sons, Martin, Jacob and Solomon moved to Franklin County, Ohio in 1809 and Jacob's widow, Magdalene, followed in 1811. They may have settled on bounty land from Magdalene's father's service during the Revolutionary War.

Most of this information remains unverified and comes from a single source - a family group sheet received back in 1992.

Known children of Jacob and Magdalene (Strader) Borror/Boyer are as follows:
i. Martin Boyer b. ca. 1793 Hardy Co., Virginia; d. August 1852 Boonville, Warrick County, Indiana; m. Anna BENNETT.
ii. Christina Boyer m. Patterson MORRIS
iii. Jacob Boyer m. Catherine CONROOD
iv. Solomon Boyer m. Catherine CLARK
v. Isaac Boyer m. Olive BABCOCK
vi. Myomi/Anna Boyer
vii. Absolom Boyer m. ______ SEEDS

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Obituary : Albert Hanley Pefley Sr.

Source : Wabash Plain-Dealer, August 18, 2007


Albert Hanley Pefley Sr., Peosta, Iowa, went home for eternal rest after a short battle with Burkitt's Lymphoma, complicated by a recent stroke. He passed away in the home of his daughter, Jill Zintz, Plano, Iowa, on Aug. 15, 2007. He was surrounded by family as he was ushered by his angels to Heaven to spend the rest of eternity with Jesus and passed loved ones.

"Ab" was born on Aug. 18, 1931, at home on the family farm near Lagro, to Homer and Flossie Lewis-Pefley. His mother often told the story of placing her small-for-size infant son in a shoebox in the bottom of an open bureau drawer as a makeshift cradle.


His parents and grandparents were farmers and instilled a deep love of nature and respect of the land in him. He told a story of himself as a child of raiding the farm kitchen drawer for spoons and "plowing" a small spot in his mother's garden. He would then ask his Mom for any seed or bean she could spare so that he could "farm" a spot. Although she was not enthused about transforming her flatware into "farm equipment," his mother supported his love for farming and supplied what he needed so that he could plant, nurture, and harvest "his crop."

He was a very spiritual person and credits this to his Grandfather Lewis. He would often talk of a special memory of his baptism in the Salamonie River in Indiana as a young boy alongside his brother, Robert. Currently, he attended the Word of Life Church in Dubuque, Iowa, where he helped with the Angel Food Outreach Program and participated in the Christian Mens' breakfast group. He was always willing to lend a hand in any committee or activity that needed volunteers. In his earlier years, he volunteered as a church usher and passionately taught Sunday school. He believed strongly in blood donation at the Red Cross and eagerly sought out donations for the American Heart and Cancer societies, and the Haiti Outreach Project.

After high school graduation, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he managed the sports department on base. It was there that he met and befriended Billy Martin and Zack Monroe, who went on to play professional baseball.

After his military discharge, he attended and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in agriculture-business. While in college, he met Barbara Schomers and they married soon after his graduation. To this union, they were blessed with five children, Al PefleyJr., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Debbie Wardlow, Centerville, Iowa, Kim Klinkhammer, Dubuque, Iowa, Jill Zintz, Plano, Iowa, and Jeff Pefley, Dubuque, Iowa.


With his new wife, he relocated to Austin, Minn., where he made a 35-year career with Hormel Foods. Through his career, he and his family found homes in Austin and Hutchinson, Minn., Centerville, Iowa, and LeCenter, Minn. He and Barbara retired to Peosta, Iowa, in 1998. Because Al found it difficult to sit still after retirement, he took on part-time jobs at Timberline Golf Course in Peosta as a greenskeeper through the summer and at Sundown Ski Resort, Asbury, Iowa, as a ski-lift operator during the winters.

Al's hobbies included barbecuing, fishing, gardening, golfing, woodworking, antiquing, furniture restoration and Bible study. He was active with Emmaus, Lions Club, Jaycees, Odd Fellow Lodge, Disciples and many church committees. In addition to volunteering at church, the Dubuque Rescue Mission and Food for the Soul, Al always "loved God's people" and never knew a stranger. Al often sought out those in need and befriended them, never forgetting a face or a name.

Al is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Dean, and an infant stillborn brother, Henry.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, Peosta, Iowa; brothers, Harvey, Kokomo, and Robert, Lagro; a sister, Bonnie Ramey, LaFontaine; his children; three sons-in-law, Sean Wardlow, Tim Klinkhammer and Bill Zintz; and 13 grandchildren, Crystal, Caitlyn and Nick Howe, Stephen and Sawyer Wardlow, Tony, Troy, Tara and Tyler Furlin, Brittney and Hilary Morris and Joe and Chloe Zintz.

Arrangements are being handled by Behr Funeral Home, Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007, at Behr Funeral Home, with services at Word of Life Church at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007.

The family wishes to thank Mercy Medical Center-Hospice of Centerville, Pastors Loren Hirschey and Kay Singley for frequent visits, powerful prayers and communion, Dr. Garber, Emma Leopard (Al's home health aide), Lois Hays and Doctors Paulsen, Loukinen, Bek, Ringold, Kukla, Caceres and Horwitz, in addition to the nurses at Mercy Health Center of Dubuque who cared lovingly for Dad, for the fellowship, friendship and support shown by friends at Timberline Golf Course and Sundown Ski Resort. Thanks for the prayers from Emmaus, First United Methodist Church of Centerville, Word of Life Church of Dubuque and numerous prayer chains that gave Dad hope, the visits that brightened his days and lessened his suffering and the steady stream of cards that made him smile when we didn't think he had a smile left to share.

A memorial fund has been established to Mercy Medical Center-Hospice of Centerville.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Today in my database : Elizabeth Henderson (b. December 18, 1698)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 8th-great grandmother, Elizabeth Henderson.

Elizabeth was born December 18, 1698 in Logie, Perth, Scotland, the daughter of James and Janet (Alexander) Henderson. Elizabeth married June 14, 1718 in Logie, Perth, Scotland to Robert Wright, son of Alexander and Mary (Fergus) Wright. Robert was born April 23, 1688 in Logie, Perth, Scotland and died December 13, 1749 in Foodie, Fife, Scotland. Elizabeth died April 22, 1790 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.

Know children of Robert and Elizabeth (Henderson) Wright are as follows :
i. Robert Wright b. June 3, 1719 Fife, Scotland, d. May 18, 1769 Foodie, Fife, Scotland
ii. James Wright b. January 11, 1720/21 Falkland, Fife, Scotland, d. August 13, 1800 Logie, Perth, Scotland, m. Betty Hamilton, m(2) Isabel Kid
iii. Alexander Wright b. August 4, 1723 Freuchie, Fife, Scotland, d. March 14, 1772 Fredericksburg, VA
iv. Janet Wright b. December 12, 1725 Kettle, Fife, Scotland
v. John Wright b. February 10, 1726/27 Freuchie, Fife, Scotland, d. June 1772 Anamaboo, Ghana, m. Hannah Fessenden
vi. Mary Wright b. December 19, 1729 Falkland, Fife, Scotland, m. James Anderson
vii. William Wright b. January 26, 1731/32 Falkland, Fife, Scotland, d. July 9, 1775 the Ottis, North America
viii. George Wright b. November 7, 1733 Fife, Scotland, d. December 17, 1758 Philadelphia, PA
ix. Elizabeth Wright b. March 21, 1734/35 Dairsie, Fife, Scotland, d. ca. 1806 Scotland, m. Alexander Brown
x. Peter Wright b. December 10, 1737 Foodie, Fife, Scotland m. Robena Crouse
xi. Charles Wright b. December 30, 1740 Fife, Scotland, d. September 23, 1785 Cupar, Fife, Scotland, m. Peggy Morris
xii. Jessie Wright b. September 18, 1742 Foodie, Fife, Scotland, d. May 18, 1794 Lanoy, Scotland, m. Phoebe Ruly

I descend from Robert and Elizabeth (Henderson) Wright through their son, John, as follows :
Elizabeth Henderson and Robert Wright
John Wright and Hannah Fessenden
John Wright and Sarah Fleming
George Wright and Elizabeth Robins
John Wright and Anna Wardlaw
Joseph W. Wright and Rebecca Ann Heaton
John William Wright and Ellen King
Virgil Lee Wright and Edna Muriel Pierce (my great-grandparents)

Monday, October 16, 2006

Ida Davis (1874-1900)




These photos came from cousin Lloyd Adams in Florida, and were part of his mother Marie's collection of family photographs.

Both of these purport to be photographs of Ida Davis, daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis.

Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen Co., IN and died August 2, 1900 in Owen Co., IN. She was married to Samuel G. Hancock on August 28, 1892 in Monroe Co., IN and later divorced. She married secondly to Carrie A. Morris on July 19, 1900 in Clay Twp., Owen Co., IN. Ida had two daughters, Pansy and June. June was my great-grandmother, and her parentage has been a subject of much mystery and debate in the family.

It is quite possible that these photographs are not of Ida, but actually her mother, Mary Ellen.

Monday, October 09, 2006

Mystery Man : Frank Fletcher or Carrie Morris?

This photograph was given to me by my cousin, Lloyd Adams, of Florida. It was part of a collection that his mother, Marie (Gilliland) Adams possessed. The identity of the man is not known for sure, but the photograph was labeled "Fletcher or Morris" suppossedly June Gilliland's father.

June Gilliland (aka Davis) was my great-grandmother. She was the daughter of Ida Davis born July 2, 1874 Owen Co., IN; died August 2, 1900 Clay Twp., Owen Co., IN. Ida Davis was married at least twice : first to Samuel G. Hancock on August 28, 1892 in Monroe Co., IN, and secondly to Carrie A. Morris on July 19, 1900 in Monroe Co., IN.

My great-grandmother, June, was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN. Her birth certificate lists her parents as Atkinson & Ida Davis. At the time of June's birth, her mother, Ida was divorced from Samuel Hancock and had not yet married Carrie Morris.

June had an older sister, Pansy Davis, born December 11, 1894. In her obituary in the January 27, 1968 Monticello, IN Herald-Journal, it states that Pansy was born in Elletsville, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Frank Fletcher. Who was this mystery Frank Fletcher? How does he fit into the family?

I have found a Frank Fletcher, living in nearby Greene Co., IN in the 1900, 1910 & 1920 with occupation listed as salesman. He was born in Ohio circa 1852-1857, listed as single and living as a boarder in each of these records.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Today in my database : Mary Ellen Swafford (b. August 30, 1854)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 3rd-great grandmother, Mary Ellen Swafford.

Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1854 near Stinesville, Monroe Co., IN., the daughter of Peter Kirkpatrick and Mary Ann (Crockett) Swafford. Mary Ellen married July 2, 1873 in Monroe Co., IN to James Austin Davis, son of Austin and Fanny (Reynolds) Davis. James was born 1850 in Monroe Co., IN and died June 12, 1909 in Logansport, Cass Co., IN. They divorced before 1884. Mary Ellen married secondly on November 15, 1884 in Monroe Co., IN to Robert Farrell Gilliland, son of William John and Margaret Ann (Wilson) Gilliland. Robert was born November 27, 1849 in Pulaski Co., KY, and died August 4, 1916 in Whitehall, Monroe Co., IN. Mary Ellen died January 28, 1932 near Dolan, Monroe Co., IN.

Children of James Austin and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis are as follows :
i. Ida Davis b. July 2, 1874 d. August 2, 1900 m. Samuel Hancock m(2) Carrie Morris
ii. Dealie Davis b. July 1877 d. 1961 m. Daniel Stivers

Children of Robert Farrell and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Gilliland are as follows :
iii. William Everett Gilliland b. August 24, 1885 d. July 7, 1963 m. Maude Arthur
iv. Mary Florence Gilliland b. July 8, 1887 d. May 6, 1924 m. Thomas Franklin Crane

I descend from James Austin and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis through their daughter, Ida, as follows :
Mary Ellen Swafford and James Austin Davis
Ida Davis and _________
June Kirk Davis and Clemon Beals Lambertson (my great-grandparents)