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.

John Lambertson family - 1900 Randolph Co., IN

John V. Lambertson family appears in the 1900 census of Randolph Co., IN in Monroe Twp. He was living in the household of his father-in-law, William Oliver. By this time, John was married to second wife, Annie E. Oliver. John stated that his father was born in Germany and that his mother was born in Virginia. This conflicts with other data that shows his father and mother were both born in New Jersey.

John was born August 17, 1833 in Warren Co., NJ, and had married his second wife, Annie E. Oliver on April 20, 1882 in Farmland, Randolph Co., IN. Annie was born August 1853 in Ohio and died May 1, 1901 in Hamilton, OH. John died August 30, 1913 in Farmersville, Butler Co., OH. John is buried in the Municipal Cemetery, Farmersville.

John and Annie had one son, Ward W. Lambertson, born August 3, 1886 in Ohio.

There were other grandchildren of William Oliver listed in the household under the name of Lyst. They were Oliver, Annie and Ralph. I speculate that they may be the children of Millard and Hettie (________) Lyst, grandchildren of John and Sarah (Lambertson) Lyst. This would make another connection between Mr. Oliver and the Lambertson family.

Switching to RootsMagic

I've taken the plunge and have updated my genealogy software to RootsMagic 3. Previously, I have been using Family Tree Maker version 6.0. Over the years I've avoided updating and buying the seemingly endless updates and 'new versions' of FTM that seemed to grow like weeds.

So far, I am impressed by the ease in which I could import my data into RootsMagic. The source wizard is an easy interface to use, and I'm having fun playing with my database to see how new reports will look.

George G. Lambertson family - 1860 Mason Co. KY & 1870 New York City

The mysterious George G. LAMBERTSON and family was found in the 1860 census of Mason Co., KY. George was listed as age 28, born in New Jersey, and his occupation was that of M.E. [Methodist Episcopal] Minister. He appears with his wife Harriet, age 26, born Ohio; and two children : Isolina aged 2 and George L. aged 10 months.

In the 1870 census of Reily Twp., Butler Co., OH, Harriet LAMBERTSON is living with her brother Daniel JONES and his family. Only daughter Isolina is listed, so I presume that George L. died sometime between 1860 and 1870.

George G. LAMBERTSON appears in the 1870 census of 16th Ward of New York City as a Botanical doctor, aged 37, born in New Jersey. He has a new wife, Adelaide, aged 37, a Fortune Teller born in Connecticut.

Clemon Lambertson Family - Madison Co., IN

My maternal great-grandfather, Clemon Beals Lambertson, appears in the 1920 and 1930 census of Madison Co., IN as head of household in the 2nd ward of the city of Elwood.

In both records, he is listed as working at a cabinet factory, which matches his obituary that stated he worked for Sellers Cabinets in Elwood. In the 1920 census, he was renting his home, but by 1930 he owned a home. The family owned a radio in 1930.

It was interesting to see the record of my grandmother, Bonnie, and her brothers and sister on the census records in 1930.

Charles W. Lambertson Family - Hamilton & Madison Co., IN

The Charles W. Lambertson family was enumerated in the 1910 census of Hamilton Co., IN and the 1920 census of Madison Co., IN. Charles was my maternal 2nd-great-grandfather.

In the 1910 census, Charles' occupation was that of a painter and in 1920 he was a carpenter working for a contracting firm. They 1910 census states that his wife, Pearl, was the mother of 5 children with 5 living. This information excludes twins, Gerald and Geraldine, who were born and died in 1906 of milk poisoning.

In the 1920 census, daughter Leona was living as a lodger in the household of Freeman Harting on North A street in the city of Elwood.

Charles Wilson LAMBERTSON b. January 25, 1872 Preble Co., OH., d. May 24, 1958 Elwood, Madison Co., IN., m. April 18, 1897 Hamilton Co., IN to Pearl May BEALS. Pearl b. May 11, 1878 Westfield, Hamilton Co., IN, d. August 3, 1970 Elwood, Madison Co., IN.

Known children of Charles Wilson and Pearl May (BEALS) LAMBERTSON are as follows :
i. Clemon Beals LAMBERTSON b. October 27, 1898 Hamilton Co., IN., d. March 18, 1994 Madison Co., IN., m. June Kirk DAVIS, m(2) Helen B. DUNCAN
ii. Orville E. LAMBERTSON b. February 23, 1902 Hamilton Co., IN., d. May 23, 1984 Butte Co., CA., m. Mary E. HERTER, m(2) Martha STONER, m(3) Hassie HAWKINS
iii. Leona D. LAMBERTSON b. August 20, 1904, d. after 1920 census, m. Clarence FETZ, m(2) Joe CARPENTER
iv. Gerald LAMBERTSON b. June 28, 1906 Hamilton Co., IN, d. October 4, 1906 Hamilton Co., IN
v. Geraldine LAMBERTSON b. June 28, 1906 Hamilton Co., IN., d. October 5, 1906 Hamilton Co., IN
vi. Paul LAMBERTSON b. May 16, 1908 Hamilton Co., IN., d. May 18, 1994 Madison Co., IN., m. Goldie LAYCOCK
vii. Pauline LAMBERTSON b. May 16, 1908 Hamilton Co., IN., d. May 26, 1992 Madison Co., IN., m. Forrest VanNESS
viii. Elizabeth C. LAMBERTSON b. June 15, 1915 Hamilton Co., IN., d. March 23, 1906 Madison Co., IN., m. Ralph HERSCHBERGER

Carmen Lambertson Family - Montgomery & Darke Co., OH

The Carmen Lambertson family appears in the 1860 census of German Twp., Montgomery Co., OH and the 1870 census of Van Buren Twp., Darke Co., OH. While I have his name as being spelled 'Carmon', both census records spell it as 'Carmen'. Carmon was my maternal 3rd-great granduncle.

Carmen's occupation was that of a farmer in 1860 and a wagon maker in 1870. He and his wife Mary must have lost two children as during that time period as daughter Florence b. circa 1851 and son James b. circa 1853 were not listed in the 1870 census. The value of Carmen's personal estate was only $100 in 1870.

Carmen W. LAMBERTSON b. January 30, 1828 New Jersey, d. August 17, 1870 German Twp., Montgomery Co., OH, m. Mary Jane VANLUE circa 1851 in Ohio. Mary b. ca. 1835 Ohio, d. after 1870 Ohio.

Known children of Carmen W. and Mary Jane (VANLUE) LAMBERTSON are as follows :
i. Florence LAMBERTSON b. ca. 1851 Ohio, d. bet. 1860-1870 Ohio
ii. Curtis LAMBERTSON b. ca. 1853 Ohio, d. bet. 1860-1870 Ohio
iii. James LAMBERTSON b. ca. 1857 Ohio, d. after 1870 census
iv. Mary LAMBERTSON b. ca. 1864 Ohio, d. after 1870 census

Stivers Update

Jim Ed Prow of Hendricksville contacted me about the Stivers family, as he's looking for updates and photographs. His grandmother Roxie Stivers was a sister to Daniel Stivers who married Dealie Davis. Dealie was the sister of my 2nd-great grandmother, Ida Davis. Hopefully, we can share some information and expand my knowledge of this family.

Daniel Stivers' parents were John W. and Eliza Jane (Martin) Stivers, according to Jim Ed.

Find A Grave Photo Success : Daniel Adney

Member 'Buddy' has located the gravesite of Eileen's maternal 5th-great grandfather, Daniel Adney in the Woods Chapel Cemetery in Union Co., IN.

Daniel was born January 12, 1777 in Botetourt Co., VA and died May 2, 1862 in Union Co., IN. He married Anna Coger on February 3, 1798 in Franklin Co., VA.

Gegenheimer Update

Received an email from a cousin, Heidi Gegenheimer-Murphy who was able to update my data on the family of Sarah C. Haley who married August Gegenheimer. She was able to provide names of additional children as well as some death dates. Sarah C. Haley was the daughter of George J. and Rachel (GARY) HALEY.

Sarah C. HALEY b. November 1845 Ohio, d. February 12, 1926 Portland, Jay Co., IN., m. May 11, 1865 Erie Co., OH to August GEGENHEIMER. August b. November 1842 Germany, d. August 17, 1933 Portland, Jay Co., IN.

Known children of August and Sarah C. (HALEY) GEGENHEIMER are as follows :
i. George M. Gegenheimer b. May 5, 1866 Huron, Erie Co., OH
ii. William F. Gegenheimer b. August 7, 1868 Vermillion, Erie Co., OH
iii. John H. Gegenheimer b. June 25, 1871 Erie Co., OH
iv. Elizabeth R. Gegenheimer b. October 29, 1873 Erie Co., OH
v. Della P. Gegenheimer b. August 27, 1876 Florence, Erie Co., OH
vi. Sarah H. Gegenheimer b. June 3, 1879 Jay Co., IN
vii. Hanna A. Gegenheimer b. April 8, 1882 Jay Co., IN
viii. Lorenzo H. Gegenheimer b. March 30, 1885 Jay Co., IN
ix. Charles H.B. Gegenheimer b. February 18, 1888 Jay Co., IN
x. Arthur C. Gegenheimer b. December 10, 1893 Jay Co., IN

Find A Grave Photo Success : Edward Wildt

Member Kathy Current was able to obtain a photograph for me of Edward Ferdinand Wildt in the Locust Hill Cemetery in Evansville, IN. Edward is the maternal great-grandfather of my daughter. He and his wife Miriam Ruth (Miguet) Wildt both now have memorial pages at FindAGrave.

Kathy was also able to find the gravesite of Edward's brother, Gilbert D. Wildt at the Alexander Memorial Park cemetery.

Haunting Errors of World Family Tree

Back when I first started putting my genealogy data into Family Tree Maker, I made the novice mistake of importing data from the World Family Tree files that came along with the software. While this data provided many clues for further research, so much of it was not sourced that it is practically useless and full of errors. I have attempted to slowly and methodically eliminate any traces of this imported data from my database, but unfortunately some still remains.

Case in point is a recent WorldConnect post-em regarding a marriage record of Thomas Swafford and Nellie Howard. I have the date as 1800 in Bledsoe Co., TN with a source of WFT. However, as the poster pointed out, Bledsoe Co., TN was not even formed until 1801, so the location is wrong.

World Connect Postem : Sherrick Family

Received an update on World Connect regarding Jacob Sherrick whose daughter Barbara married Cyrus A. Baldwin. Midge Ryan contacted me to let me know that Jacob's name was also spelled Sherk, that he was born in Lancaster Co., PA and that his wife's name was Catherine Shock.

Jacob Sherrick and Catherine Shock were married January 13, 1825 in Wayne Co., IN. I'm not sure yet how he connects with my other Sherrick/Sherk lines. His daughter Barbara married my half 3rd cousin 6 times removed, Cyrus Baldwin. The Baldwins were Quakers and members of the West Grove MM in Wayne Co., IN.

Carey Lambertson - Butler Co, OH & Madison Co., IN

My maternal 3rd-great grandfather, Carey W. LAMBERTSON was enumerated in the 1870 census of Butler Co., OH, and the the 1910 census of Madison Co., IN. These two census records are bookends of his adult life.

In 1870, he was living in Madison Twp., Jacksonborough P.O., and his occupation was listed as a farm laborer. He was 24 years old, and his wife Clara was 22. Carey's father, John, aged 70, born in New Jersey was also living with the household.

In 1910, he and Clara were living alone in Pipecreek Twp., near Elwood. Clara was listed as the mother of 5 children, all of whom were living in 1910. Carey's occupation was listed as laborer and junk dealer. Clara's parents were listed as being born in Virginia, Carey's as being born in New Jersey.

His name was spelled Cary in 1870 and Carey in 1910. I prefer to use the Carey spelling.

Carey W. LAMBERTSON b. April 29, 1847 Butler Co., OH., d. March 18, 1918 Elwood, Madison Co., IN., m. October 1, 1869 in Butler Co., OH to Clara E. COOK. Clara b. November 16, 1848 Ohio, d. January 23, 1943 Atlanta, Hamilton Co., IN.

Bert S. Lambertson Family - Madison Co., IN

The Bert S. LAMBERTSON family was enumerated in the 1st ward of the city of Alexandria, Monroe Twp., Madison Co., IN in both the 1920 and 1930 census. In 1920 the family was living on East Monroe St., and in 1930 they were are Garfield St. Bert was my 2nd-great granduncle, the son of Carey W. and Clara E. (COOK) LAMBERTSON.

Bert's occupation was that of a carpenter and also a crewman on the electric railway. In the 1920 census he appears with wife Marie and two sons, Frank and Robert. By 1930, he was remarried to Lula McNETT, and appears only with son Robert. Also in the 1930 census was stepson Farrol McNETT and a lodger, Ralph FISHER. Ralph FISHER was Bert's nephew, the son of his sister Maud.

Bert Sigler LAMBERTSON b. August 29, 1886 Tipton Co., IN, d. June 4, 1971 Alexandria, Madison Co., IN., m. January 4, 1908 to Marie WILLIAMS; m(2) bet. 1908-1915 to Lula (________) McNETT; m(3) Susie SMITH; m(4) Leah Mae DUMONT.

Known children of Bert S. and Marie (WILLIAMS) LAMBERTSON :
i. Frank Raymond LAMBERTSON b. November 19, 1908
ii. Robert D. LAMBERTSON b. February 10, 1915

William F. Kirk family - Gage Co., NE & Madison Co., IN

The William F. Kirk family was enumerated in the 1900 census of Gage Co., NE and in the 1910 census of Madison Co., IN. William was married to my 2nd-great grandaunt, Mary Wright.

William's occupation in 1900 was that of a farmer, but by 1910 he was working at the paper mill in Alexandria. William was born in Indiana with his father being from Kentucky and his mother from Virginia. William and Mary had been married for 20 years in the 1900 census, and their children were born in Nebraska, so that is where I should look for them in the 1880 census.

The names of the children were spelled in various ways : sometimes going by their middle names or reversing the order (i.e., Earl J. or Jessie E.)

William Frank KIRK b. December 1855 Indiana, d. after 1910 census, m. circa. 1880 to Mary A. WRIGHT, daughter of Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT. Mary b. August 1858 Schuyler Co., MO., d. May 27, 1910 Madison Co., IN.

Known children of William Frank and Mary A. (WRIGHT) KIRK are as follows :
i. Ethel B. Kirk b. November 1880 Nebraska, d. after 1910 census
ii. Jessie Earl Kirk b. February 1884 Nebraska, d. after 1910 census
iii. Tillis Harry Kirk b. September 1893 Nebraska, d. after 1910 census

Willard B. King family - Madison Co., IN

The Willard B. KING family was enumerated in the 1920 & 1930 census of Pipecreek Twp., Madison Co., IN. Willard was the son of Thomas J. and Eliza J. (Johnson) King.

In the 1920 census, there is a 74-year old widow, Emma SIMMONS, born in Indiana, and her son, Charles, age 28 living with the family. I do not know how they are related. In the 1930 census, Lydia O. LITTLE, Willard's mother in law, was living with the family.

Willard's occupation was that of a garage mechanic. According to the 1930 census, he married at age 23 to wife Flossie. By 1930, they had two children, Winnifred and Willard.

Willard B. KING b. ca. 1892 Indiana, d. after 1930 census, m. April 5, 1913 to Flossie F. LITTLE, daughter of ________ and Lydia O. (________) LITTLE. Flossie b. ca. 1893 Indiana, d. after 1930 census.

Known children of Willard B. and Flossie F. (LITTLE) KING are as follows :
i. Winnifred A. KING b. ca. 1915 Indiana, d. after 1930 census
ii. Willard R. KING b. ca. 1921 Indiana, d. after 1930 census

The Widow Litha King - Madison Co., IN

The widow Litha King appears in the 1920 census of Frankton, Pipe Creek Twp., Madison Co., IN, aged 62, born in Indiana. She was the widow of David King, who died November 1, 1914.

Litha Ann Trumilis D'Amsel May was born November 1856 in Indiana, the daughter of Michael and Julie (Cawthorn) May. Her parents were from Virginia, according to census records. Litha married David King, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Shaw) King on July 26, 1876 in Frankton, Madison Co., IN. Litha died September 1954 in Madison Co., IN. and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Frankton.

Litha is listed as being enumerated on February 7th, apparently she was out of town at the time the census taker came around the first time.

John R. King family - Monroe County, Indiana

The John R. King family was enumerated in Washington Twp. in the 1860 and 1870 census of Monroe Co., IN. John was married to my 4th-great grandaunt, Dialtha Adaline Swafford.

John was a farmer whose P.O. box was Bryant Creek in 1860 and Bloomington in 1870. The value of his real estate was $2000 in 1860 and increased to $6000 by 1870. Neither John nor Dialtha could read or write.

There is an unidentified James M. King age 25, born in Kentucky, who was residing with the family in the 1870 census. Perhaps he is a nephew.

John R. KING b. ca. 1825 Kentucky, d. after 1870 census, m. November 22, 1849 Monroe Co., IN., to Dialtha Adaline SWAFFORD, daughter of Larkin and Nancy (________) SWAFFORD. Dialtha b. ca. 1830 Tennessee, d. after 1870 census.

Known children of John R. and Dialtha Adaline (SWAFFORD) KING are as follows :
i. Nancy C. King b. ca. 1854 Indiana, d. after 1870 census
ii. Sarah F. King b. ca. 1857 Indiana, d. after 1870 census
iii. Mary A. King b. ca. 1859 Indiana, d. after 1870 census
iv. Thomas L. King b. ca. 1862 Indiana, d. after 1870 census
v. John W. King b. ca. 1869 Indiana, d. after 1870 census

James Alfred King family - Indiana to California

James Alfred KING appears in the census as head of household in the 1900 census in Madison Co., IN; in the 1910 census in Delaware Co., IN; and in the 1920 census in Los Angeles Co., CA. James was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (SHAW) KING, born September 10, 1865 in Madison Co., IN.

James' occupation in the 1900 census was that of a laborer. In the 1910 census he was a dairy farmer, and by 1920 he was a moulder in a factory. The family moved to California between 1915 and the 1920 census, as his youngest daughter, Crystal, was listed as being born in Indiana.

In the 1910 census, James lists his father's place of birth as Pennsylvania and his mother's as North Carolina, neither of which seem likely based on other records. James was under 10 years old when his father passed away, so it is likely that he didn't know his father's origins.

James was married twice and had 3 children by his first marriage and 4 by his second. I have not located any records of the children of his first marriage, so they may have all died young.

James Alfred KING b. September 10, 1865 Madison Co., IN., d. June 10, 1933 California, m. October 1, 1887 Madison Co., IN to Ella Mae LOWERY; m(2) January 21, 1889 to Rosie M. DILL. Ella Mae LOWERY b. July 18, 1864 d. March 31, 1897. Rosie M. DILL b. March 28, 1881 Indiana, d. June 29, 1940 Bell, CA. Both James & Rosie are buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, CA.

Known children of James Alfred and Ella Mae (LOWERY) KING are as follows :
i. Leo King b. December 29, 1890
ii. Earl King b. December 27, 1892
iii. Goldie Marie King b. March 3, 1895

Known chidren of James Alfred and Rosie M. (DILL) KING are as follows :
i. Pauline Mildred King b. May 2, 1903 Indiana, d. after 1920 census
ii. Robert Eugene King b. May 25, 1905 Indiana, d. after 1920 census
iii. Mary Martha King b. April 5, 1909 Indiana, d. after 1920 census
iv. Crystal E. King b. February 8, 1914 Indiana, d. after 1920 census