On This Day - January 31

ARTHUR JOHN KALLEMBACH was born on January 31, 1902. Arthur was the youngest of four children born to Charles Kallembach (1858-1926) and Lenora or Elnora Watson (1872-1920).  Henry was born in Clark County Indiana.

In the 1910 census, Arthur is eight years old and living on the family farm. He did attend school. His oldest brother had married the year before and his 17 year old brother is a laborer on the farm.  By 1920 Arthur's sister has married and has three children.  Arthur is 18 and working on the family farm with his brother.  His mother at the age of 48, dies in October of 1920. A month later Arthur marries Mary Elizabeth Sands. His brother Theodore married in 1923. Then in 1926, Arthur's father dies.

Arthur and Mary have three sons: Elvin Eugene in 1921, Raymond Leslie in 1923, and Arthur Ivan in
1936. Son Elvin served during World War II and was wounded. Raymond also served.

The Daily Chronicle, 09 Mar 1944, Thu, 

Page 5, DeKalb, IL, newspapers.com

On the 26th wedding anniversary of Arthur and Mary, their son Raymond was married.  Arthur was  the sheriff of Scott County Indiana in 1947-48. From 1949 to 1954 he is a police officer. By the time their youngest son is married, in 1959, Arthur and Mary are divorced.  In 1969 he marries Mary Barrett Deaton.  In 1973 Arthur dies at his own hands. 

The Tribune, 13 Jul 1973, Fri, Page 3, 

Seymour, IN, newspapers.com

Things get a little confusing at this point.  The obituary mentions a son at home, Arthur E. Barrett. This son was born in 1956, long before the marriage of Arthur and his second wife. His death certificate does state that his parents are Arthur J. Kallembach and Mary Barrett.

In 1978 Arthur's son Raymond also runs for Sheriff but is defeated.


Arthur is my husband's first cousin 3x removed.

On This Day - January 30

JOHN E MASON was born on January 30, 1866 in Hardin County, Kentucky. John's parents are  Joseph J. Mason (1839-1926) and Emily A. Perry (1835-1915). He was an only child.  The 1880 census shows a 14 year old John with his parents. His father is a farmer, his mother is keeping house and John attended school.  No marriage record has been found but about 1889 John marries. His wife's name is Nannie Williams (maiden name from son's death certificate.) Their son Joseph Clifford Mason was born January 15, 1890.  The family can not be found in the 1900 census.  John died October 28, 1906. In 1910 his wife is the head of household and their 20 year old son is living with her. Neither shows an occupation. In 1930 Joseph is head of household with a home valued at $2000 and his mother is living with him. He is a farmer. In 1940, it once again switches and Nannie is the head of household. They are now living on Main Street in Sonora, Kentucky.  She is working as a waitress and Joseph is living with her but does not have an occupation, he indicates he is unable to work.  Joseph dies in 1954. His death certificate says that he was a telegraph operator for the railroad and he never married. John's wife dies in 1958 at the age of 84 from pneumonia. The family is buried in the Sonora Cemetery in Sonora, Kentucky

John Mason is my 1st cousin 4x removed.






1870 census ?
1880 census wife 2 child John farmer john attended school
1900 census 2 ad servant

On This Day - January 29

CARILDA SUSAN SERGENT was born on January 29, 1860 in Morgan County, Kentucky.  Her father was Joseph Tomas Sargent (1822-1870) born in Virginia. Her mother was Sarah Ann Blair  (1825- ?). Cardila was the fifth of six children.  When she was born, her widowed grandfather Elijah Sergent was living in the household. Cardila's father joined the Kentucky volunteers in October 1861 but  by March was in the hospital in Nashville.  He was medically discharged with hydrothorax in June 1862.  The family goes to Crawfordsville, Indiana (about 250) miles from their home, to a poor house. Joseph dies there in 1865. The family moves back to Morgan County, Kentucky. In 1870 Carilda is living in the household of Elizabeth Sargent. Not sure of the relationship. Her mother and youngest sister are living with Sarah's brother and his family. In January 1878 Carilda marries Green Adam Sergent.  He is her second cousin once removed.  Green and Carilda raise their 14 children on the family farm in Morgan County, Kentucky. Cardila dies in 1926 at the age of  66 and Green dies in 1930, age 77. 

Cardila Sergent is my 3rd cousin 4x removed.

On This Day - January 28

JONATHAN PERCIVALL was born Janaury 28, 1680.  He was the son Samuel Percivall (1648-1684) and Elizabeth Porter (abt 1660-aft 1681).  They were married in Manchester, Lancashire, England, the same place that Johnathan was born.  On January 6, 1703 Jonathan married Mary Hatton in Cheshire, England where Jonathan was a butcher. Son Benet was born in 1704 and died a year later. Peter was born 1706 and died in 1732. Thomas was born in 1707 and Benjamin in 1708. Unfortunately, Mary died shortly after the birth of Benjamin.  Johnathan remarried later that year to Mary Mills.  They had seven children between 1710 and 1723. Johnathan died in November of 1723 in Over Parish, Cheshire, England.

Jonathan Percivall is my 7th great grandfather.

On This Day - January 27

MALINDA BOONE was born on January 27, 1839 in Greene County, Indiana. Her parents are Jeremiah Boone (1813-1850) and Elizabeth Ann Simmons (1818-1900).  She was the third child of seven born between 1835 and 1849.  In the 1840 census the family is in Green County, Indiana and in the family of five Malinda is the baby.  The family has expanded by four children in the 1850 census. Unfortunately the census was taken in August and Jeremiah had died in April. Malinda's father died of typhoid fever at the age of 37 leaving children aged 15 to 2.  Malinda's mother remarries in 1852.  But during the next eight years, three more of her children die, including Malinda in 1853.  Two of her brothers serve during the Civil War and one did not survive.  

Malinda Boone is my 2nd cousin 4x removed.

On This Day - January 26

HENRY DIEDRICK WAYNE BOVENSCHEN was born on January 26, 1908 in Linton, Greene, Indiana.  He is the son of William Bovenschen (1866-1947) and Gesena Heitman (1867-1933).  He went by the name Wayne.  He was the youngest of seven children and the only boy.

In the 1910 census he is 2 years old and living on the family farm in rural  Greene county.  His oldest sister is 18. By 1920, his oldest sister has married and his 78 year old paternal grandmother has moved in. The 1930 census has just Wayne, a student, and his youngest sister at home. There were four weddings in the 10 years since the previous census. Wayne's mother died in 1933 when he was 25.  In February 1935, Wayne marries Margaret Parrett in Vigo County, Indiana. 

The couple was married by Margaret's brother, Olin Edgar Parrett. At the time of his marriage Wayne was working as the assistant manager of Terre Haute Brewery.  In 1940 they are living in St. Louis, Missouri. At the time of the census in April he is unemployed and looking for work as a superintendent of brewery. He had worked for 30 weeks the prior year. His family has increased by two - a son born in 1936 in Terre Haute and a son born in 1940 in St. Louis. In July 1940 he is back in Indiana and working on a three month WPA project.

Linton Daily Citizen, 

11 Jul 1940, Page 1, 

Linton, IN, newspapers.com

The next move for the Bovenschen family is to Wilmington Delaware.  The 1940 military registration has him working for the Delmarvia Brewing Company. They were there until 1946 when they moved back to Terre Haute.  The 1948 Terre Haute directory has Wayne once again working for the Terre Haute Brewery and he is still there in 1958.  Wayne dies in 1980 in Terre Haute.  Three of his sister survive him. His wife dies in 1998. 

Wayne Bovenschen is my first great uncle.

On This Day - January 25

WEAVER PETER "PETE" SLOAN was born on January 25, 1884 in Pike County, Indiana. Weaver is the youngest child of six born to Alexander Campbell Sloan (1840-1926) and Paradine Woolsey (1842-1922). In 1900 Weaver is 16 and helping his father on the family farm. Seven years later he is married to Maggie Pearl Beck in the neighboring Gibson County and their first son arrives shortly after.  Son Donald follows in 1910.  Both sons indicate on census records that they were born in Illinois, but I can not find Weaver in any 1910 census. In Dec 1911 Weaver marries for the second time to Florence Cannon in Knox County, Indiana. He was living in Vincennes and working as a laborer. He had two children with Florence, a son and daughter. In 1918 he indicates an occupation of travel agent, I believe it means he is a traveling salesman.  Weaver's 1918 military registration says he is working for Cappel-Gerrard Produce Co. that is located in Peoria, IL which is 225 miles away from his residence. In the 1920 census the family is living in Vincennes and he is working as a traveling man for a poultry house. In 1928 he is living in Indianapolis and working as a poultry man. It appears that Weaver has no further contact with his children from his first marriage. In their marriage announcements and obituaries, Weaver is never mentioned. In 1930 the family is living on a farm in Brown  County, Indiana. By 1940, Weaver and Florence have moved to Monroe County, Indiana.  Both of their children had married. At the time of the census, Weaver had been out of work for 13 weeks and is seeking employment, and he had only worked 30 weeks the prior year for $360.  He does own his home that he values at $800. In 1942 he is living in Bloomington, Indiana and is self employed but does not indicate what type of business.
Weaver's wife dies in 1982 at the age of 86.  Weaver dies in 1985 at the age of 101.

The Vincennes Sun-Commercial, 08 Mar 1985, Fri, Page 9, 

Vincennes, IN, newspapers.com

I was unable to find anything about his baseball years.  There were no newspaper articles about it. 

Weaver is my 3rd cousin 2x removed.

On This Day - Janaury 24

RACHEL HOUCHIN was born on January 24, 1841. She is the daughter of Preston Houchin 1(818-1893) and Elizabeth Bessie Bonnine (1821-1873). Preston was born in Kentucky but his parents moved to Illinois about 1829 where he married Elizabeth in 1938. Preston and Bessie lived the rest of their lives there.  Rachel was the first daughter and second of 13 children born to Preston and Bessie. 

In 1859 Rachel married Samuel Tallman in Livingston, Illinois.

The 1860 census shows Samuel, Rachel and a 4 month old daughter living with Rachel's parents and six of her siblings. In 1863 Samuel registered for the military. There were no children born between 1862 and 1865 but I found no record of Samuel serving in the war.

By 1870 the family has expanded to six children, ages 10 to 3 months.  They are living near Odell, Livingston County, Illinois and Samuel is farming. Twins, Ira and Ida, were born in 1866 but only Ira survived.

In 1880 Rachel and Samuel have four children at home, two were born since 1870 and son Ira has died as well as his sister Hattie.  Daughter Mary married in 1880.  Living next to them is the Larkin Houchin family, a cousin of Rachel's. Another daughter marries in 1885 and then in 1891 there is a double wedding with Elmer and Mahala marrying on January 8.

Rachel's husband dies at age 56 in 1892.  I have not been able to find Rachel in the 1900 or 1910 census.  Her son John was in North Dakota between 1904 and 1907 and in Orange County, California in 1910.  But Rachel is not with them.  Nor is she living with any of her other children. John dies in California in 1910.  In 1920 Rachel is living in Pontiac, Illinois where John's wife and children are.

Rachel Houchin Tallman died April 16, 1926 in Overland, St. Louis, Missouri.  She is buried next to her husband in Swygert Cemetery in Livingston County, Illinois.


Rachel is my 2nd cousin 3x removed.

On This Day - January 23

RECIL HERMAN HISE was born Janaury 23, 1901 to James Richard Hise (1874-1958) and Colista Smith (1877-1902,  in Logan County, Arkansas. His parents had moved to Arkansas from Marion county Tennessee. Recil was the middle of three boys. However his older brother died before Recil was born. Recil's mother died six weeks after the birth of her third son.  Recil's father remarried a year later. By 1910 Recil had a half sibling, another brother.

In 1918 Recil married Ola Garner. In 1920 they are renting in Logan County Arkansas and he is a farmer. Their first daughter is born in 1920 and followed by a second in 1923.  In 1930 Ola and the two girls are living with her parents in Arkansas. She is listed as married but Recil is not with her.  He is enumerated in Okalahoma City as a lodger and working as a salesman for a tailor company. There is also a Helen L Hise age 20 that indicates she was married at age 19.

In 1933 Recil's son, Lloyd Vance Hise, is born.  His mother is Merle Lahoma Horne. I haven't found a marriage record but they were divorced in 1938.  Recil is listed as a tailor and living at 1121 NW 11th St in Oklahoma city along with Merle and his daughter Magdalene in 1939.

The 1940 census has Recil as a loger in Oklahoma City working as a tailor in a tailor shop. It also indicates he is divorced. In  the 1942 directory he is living on 24th street with Nora. He is a tailor.  The same names appear on  his World War II registration and Nora is listed as his wife.

There is a 1950 marriage record for Recil and Lydia Mary/May  Maloney in Logan, Arkansas. She died in 1967.  In 1971 Recil marries Gladys Beulah Cook but that marriage ends in divorce in 1974 in Tulare, California.  Recil dies there in 1977. He is buried in Logan County, Arkansas beside Lydia May.

Recil is my husband's second cousin 2x removed.

On This Day - January 22

SAMUEL W RAULSTON was born January 22, 1810 in Marion County, Tennessee. Samuel is the son of James Roulston (1778-1844) and Jane Simmons (1783-1870).  Samuel was the fifth of 14 children in the family.  The Raulston's and Bean's (Beene) were two of the prominent pioneer settlers in the Sequachee Valley and there were several intermarriages between the two families.  Samuel married Mildred "Millie" Beene about 1835.  (Due to a courthouse fire in 1922 there are no marriage or probate records for Samuel Raulston.) In 1840 they are a family of four with a son and a daughter both under five years of age, and Samuel is engaged in agriculture. Samuel received a land grant for 5,000 acres in 1841 in Marion County in Sweeden's Cove. He raised corn, wheat, oats, cotton, timber, cattle, hogs, sheep, horses and mules and had a large orchard.  By 1850 they had added three more sons to the family.  Samuel also has a 21 year old farm laborer living with them. He values his real estate at $2000. In 1860 he estimates a real estate value of $5500 and personal property at $2000. They raised a large family, 10 children born between 1836 and 1864.  Two of their sons fought for the Union and son William Henry Harrison Raulston, age 21, died of typhoid fever in Nashville just three months after enlisting in September 1862.  Three and a half years later, May 1866, Samuel dies in Marion County.

Samuel Raulston is my husband's 3rd great grandfather.

On This Day - January 21

ROBERT CLEATON HALL was born on January 21, 1894 in Burns, Dickson County, Tennessee.  He went by his middle name Cleaton.  His parents were William Pullen Hall (1868-1958) and Laura F. Austin (1868-1953).  Both were life long residents of Dickson County.  Cleaton was the thrid  of nine children in the family, four boys and five girls.  In 1910 Cleaton was 7 years old, attending school and living on the family farm. In 1920 he is 16 and while attending school he is a farm laborer on the home farm.

In 1915 he is mentioned in the local newspaper, The Dickson Herald "Cleaton Hall of Burns spent Thursday Jan 21 with Connie and Homer Tidwell. They enjoyed a delicous dinner, it being the birthday of all three."  He again makes the newspaper on June 25 of the same year " Cleaton Hall and Charley Stuart, who are employed by the Telephone Co.were with home folks here Sunday."  And six months later there is another mention, " Cleaton Hall of Louisiana is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Hall." 

In 1917 he registers for the draft:

He is described as medium height, stout, blue eyes and dark hair.  On the other side of the form he indicates he is a farmer. But here there is a notation that he "follows telephone and railroad work."  Just two months later there is the following article:

The official announcement followed:

They got their marriage license on August 1st and then on the 2nd at 6:00 drove to the Justice of the Peace and were married IN THE CAR.  Cleaton has a military headstone indicating he served in the Army during World War I, so he may have been about to go into the service when he got married.

The couple had moved to Nashville, Tennessee by 1920 where they are renting a house and Cleaton is working as a brakeman on the railroad. They have two boarders, age 14 and 15, who are working as laborers on the steam railroad. By 1930 they are renting at a different location but Cleaton is still a brakeman on to the railroad. In 1940 they have once again moved. This time they own a home valued at $5000.  Cleaton continues to work as a brakeman.  The 1950 Nashville Directory lists Cleaton and Maude with his occupation of conductor on NC&StLRy - Nashville Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway. In 1959 he is not listed in the Nashville directory. Cleaton dies in 1968 in Dickson County.

The Tennessean,  23 Jul 1968, Tue,  Page 25, Nashville, TN, newspapers.com

Robert Cleaton Hall is my husband's great uncle.

On This Day - January 20

BERTRAND MARION HOUCHIN was born on January 20, 1874 In Logan County, Illinois to John Bourbon Houchin (1848-1937) and Margaret Ann Jones (1849-1915).  He was the third of eight children, however only five lived to be adults.  Bert was born in Lincoln, Illinois but in 1899 he was living in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was there in that year that he married Stella Stroble.  Bert was a store owner and ran the following ad in 1901 in the Indianapolis News:

By 1903 he has expanded to selling shoes and has moved the store from Virginia Ave to Washington Street and runs this ad in the Indiana News:

And later that year, he runs a large ad. It looks like his business is doing well.

In 1904 their son Herbert is born. by 1910 they have moved to Jefferson City, Missouri where his brother James A. Houchin lives.  James own the Star Manufacturing Company and Bert is working as a clerk for that company.  He also assists his brother in his campaign for Governor of Missouri in 1912. When he registers for the draft in 1918 he is living in St. Louis and is a self employed salesman. The 1920 census has the family of four renting a house and he is an agent for manufacturing. But in a Sept, 9, 1921 article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the Star Manufacturing has run into trouble and Bert is involved in a suit.

When the Star Manufacturing went to trustee, James started the Houchin Sales Company.  James was the president, and Bert's wife Stella was the vice president. In 1922 that company was also in bankruptcy.  Then in 1923 there is a marriage record for Bert and Ethel A. Mittleburg on June 9th. In 1925 Stella and her son are enumerated in the New York census. They are still there in 1930. Bert and Ethel are in Jefferson  City, Missouri in 1930 and he is a sales manager for manufacturing company. In 1940 he is living in Maplewood in St. Louis County with Ethel and is an insurance agent.  Bert died November 30, 1949:

His second wife is living in California at the time of his death and continues to live there until her death in 1979.  His first wife and son lived in St. Louis where she had died in 1957.  His son Herbert married in 1940 but he and his wife did not have any children.

Bertrand Houchin is my 3rd cousin 2x removed.

On This Day - January 19

ARTHUR WOOD TOWLES was born on January 19, 1866.  He was the second of seven children born to Joseph S. Towles (1836-1893) and Sallie S. Wood (1842-1899).  Arthur's ancestors had migrated to Warren County, Tennessee from Virginia in 1818 and was he was third generation born there. In 1887 he married Emma Campbell. 

In 1887 they had their first child, Leta Belle, followed by Henry Clay in 1894 and Homer Wood in 1898. The 1900 census shows them owning their farm in Warren County, Tennessee. By 1910 they have moved to Ennis, Ellis County, Texas.  His brother Joseph is also in Texas. Arthur has given up farming and is a janitor in a public school and is renting a house.  Emma indicates that she has given birth to four children and only two are living. Their daughter Leta died in 1907 and fourth child must have been born and died between 1900 and 1910.  They have purchased a home by 1920 and Arthur continues as a janitor. In 1940 Arthur says that he is unable to work. Arthur died of a stroke on 19 Nov 1943 at the age of 77.  Emma died in 1954 in Dallas, where their son Henry was living.

On This Day - January 18

GESENA ROSANNA MEMERING was born on January 18, 1815, near Hanover, Germany.  Her parents were Kasper and Anna Lale (Breher) Memering. There were at least six children born to them and Gesena was the youngest.  Gesena's father had purchased land in Greene County, Indiana in 1841. That same year Gesena Rosanna marries William Henry Heitman.  William was also a native of Germany and had immigrated with his parents in 1830. By 1850 William and Gesena had three children.  William  died before May of 1852 when Rosanna married John Henry Funk. They had three children. In 1860 John and Rosanna have their three children and Rosanna's three from her first marriage living with them. In 1870 her oldest son, Henry Heitman, is married and son William Heitman is living with Rosanna's brother Ferdinand. The rest of the family has not been located in the 1870 census.  By 1880, Rosanna age 63 and John age 68 are living alone.  Rosanna dies 3 Mar 1893.

Bloomfield Democrat, 10 Mar 1893

On the same day this notice was printed, there was also the statement, "Mr Funk is very sick with not much hopes of recovery."  In fact he died on March 10th just a week after his wife.

Gesena Rosanna Memering Heitman Funk

Gesena Memering is my 3rd great grandmother.

On This Day - January 17

CASSIUS MUSGROVE SARGENT was born on January 17, 1845 in Bethel, Clermont, Ohio.  He was the second child and second son of Temple Sargent (1806-1879) and Rebecca Colthar (1819-1890).  However this was Temple's second marriage, his first wife died in 1835 or 1839 after giving birth to two sons.  Temple had a total of ten children.  By 1850 Temple had moved his family from Ohio to Moultrie, Illinois. In 1871 Cassius married Catherine Virginia McJilton. They had seven children,  four daughters and three son between 1872 and 1890.  Cassius was a farmer.
   It is said that Cassius was name for Cassius Marcellus Clay who was born in Kentucky but freed his slaves and paid them a wage and worked for the abolition of slavery.  Abraham Lincoln appointed him minister to Russia during the Civil War. Our Cassius' father became acquainted with Clay and admired his so much he named his child after him
    Cassius Sargent died in 1901 when only 56. He had written his will the year before and described his land holding.  His wife outlived him by 36 years.
    The following article was in the Bloominton, Illinois newspaper on June 6, 1913 describing Cassius' orchard:

 Cassius Sargent is my 2nd cousin 4x removed.

On This Day - January 16

WILLIAM HARRISON WOOLSEY was born on January 16, 1832. He was the oldest child of Temple Woolsey (1811-1898) and Mariah Jane Johnson (1813-1859) and the only one of their eight children born in Edmondson County, Kentucky.  Shortly after his birth they moved to Pike County, Indiana where Temple acquired a 1000 acre farm. Three brothers and then four sisters followed. William married Sarah Frances Huffman in 1853.  By the 1860 census William in farming and has real estate that is valued at $1200 and his family includes three children. In 1870 his family has grown to seven children. They will have two more children but Sarah dies just five months after the birth of their last child. William remarries Matilda Wallace nine months later.  In 1880 there are six children in the household, three from his first wife and three from Matilda's first marriage.  By 1900 Matilda and William have had three sons of their own.  In 1901 William is appointed the postmaster for Augusta, Pike, Indiana. William died on 11 April 1909 in Pike County and is buried in the Barrett Cemetery there.

Winslow Dispatch, April 16, 1909, pg 1, Winslow, IN, from newspaperarchive.com

William Harrison Woolsey is my 2nd cousin 3x removed.

On This Day - January 15

SAULSBURY McLEAN HOUCHIN was born on January 15, 1948 in Illinois.  His parents were William Jackson Houchin (1820-1854) and Elizabeth Gray Strange (1826-1891).  His father was born in Indiana and his mother in Kentucky and they were married in Illinois.  He most likely was named after his Uncle Saulsbury who died in Nebraska in 1917. He also had a cousin Salsbury, son of Ervin.  This Salsbury,  also named a son Salsbury.

I reaally didn't know anything about Saulsbury other than his birthday when I started this post. Several trees show that he died in 1953.  But then I found this article:

Jefferson City, MO

 I did know that his brother was John  Bourban Houcin as they were enumerated in the 1850 census in Logan County, Illinois in 1850.  After the death of his father, I had no other informaiton on Saulsbury. So this obituary started a search to find more information on Saulsbury.  And now I'm  confused.  It will take a while to sort out the various Saulsbury's. I could not find him in the Riverview Cemetery in Jefferson City. But I did find him in the 1930 census in White Hall, Illinois. He is listed as the uncle to the head of the family, Wm. F. Houchin.  He was listed as Silas Houchin, age 84 and single. So I don't think he was ever married.  But I can't find him 1860 -1920. So there will be more searching to be done to sort it all out.

Saulsbury Houchin is my 2nd cousin 3x removed.

On This Day - January 14

EMMA ANN LICHTSINN was born on January 14, 1907 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was the baby of the family of nine children born to William Fredrick Christian Lichtsinn (1866-1929) and Anna Augusta Caroline Moehlmann (1869-1944).

 The first mention of Emma is in the newspaper for the wedding of her oldest brother. It was 1915 and Emma was just eight years old and was a "flower maid." Five years later in the census she is at home with six of her sisters and attending common school. 

Emma attended the Emmerich Manual Training High School and 1924 was in the cast of a comedy play.  Emma is the first person in row two. She was also very involved in the Lutheran church. She was the corresponding secretary of the Walther League (youth group) in 1928. 

Emma's oldest sister was leaving for California to get married and Emma threw her a bridal shower. Then in 1930 it was Emma who married in Cook County, Ill. Her husband was Arnold Richard Twietmeyer.  They are enumerated in Oak Park, Cook, Illinois in the 1930 census. Her husband is a salesman for Marshall Field. By 1940 they have three sons. This is the two-family house they are renting for $40.  

Arnold is now a salesman for dairy. A fourth son is born in 1946 completing their family. Arnold dies in 1971 at the age of 63.  Their four sons have married by this time. They are spread through Oregon, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio.Emma died in Medford, Oregon, in November 1986 at the age of 79.

Emma Lichtsinn is my 1st cousin 2x removed.

On This Day - January 13

SNOWDEN LANDORPH GIRDLEY was born January 13, 1898 in Martin County, Indiana.  He was the first born of Alexander Bradford Girdley (1875-1963) and Julie Ann Scott (1876-1961).  He was followed by five siblings, 3 sisters and 1 brother.  In 1900, he and his parents are living with his widowed paternal grandmother. His grandmother is also raising three grandchildren whose parents had died.  His father had his own farm by 1910 and had added 5 siblings. They were living next door to his Uncle Lafayette. When he completed his World War I registration he was a student and was described as medium height, medium build, grey eyes and dark brown hair. In 1920 he was living at home along with all his siblings and he was working as a farm laborer, not on his father's farm.  His 79 year old maternal grandmother was also in the household. There was a 1922 article in the Loogootee Tribune:

 Plainville was about 18 miles away.  By 1930 he was once again living at home. His brother, his wife and child are also living at home and uncle Lafayette lives next door. Snowden did not indicate any occupation. About 1936 he married Elizabeth (Pennington) Osburn.  Her husband of 12 years had died the previous year. There were no children from that marriage.  The 1940 census has Snowden and his wife living in Burns City, Martin County. Also in their household is Elizabeth's 72 year old widowed mother.  Snowden is working as a foreman in the government. He owns his home which is valued at $500.  In 1946 Snowden again gets his name in the newspaper.  This time he is a member of the jury for a federal court in Evansville in a case that is accusing a wealthy oil man of violating the national back act. They were sequestered in Evansville for the trial and they found the man guilty. In 1962 Snowden was again in the news:

That's right he is in the Hall of Gourd Greatness. Not in first place but place of honor. His name was in the news next when he sent a letter to the editor's in 1967.  He is responding to an opinion piece written by Rev Bates in which the reverend was discussing whether God was for or against man going to the moon. His opinion was that man is intelligent and curious and if God wills it man will go to the moon some day.  Snowden's response was:

In 1971 his wife, at age 72, dies and she is buried with her first husband. Snowden dies in 1980 of cardiac arrest.  His death certificate says he was a retired  foreman for the Navy railroad. He worked at Crane Naval Station in Martin County.  He died of cardiac arrest and was buried in the Burns City Cemetery.  

His obituary indicate he is survived by a daughter, but that is actually his sister. 

On This Day - January 12

FAUSTINA LARKINS was born on January 12, 1870 in Charlotte, Dickson, Tennessee. Her parents were Joseph Henry Larkins (1843-1905) and Elizabeth Frances Corlew (1842-1919). Faustina was the second of nine children, six girls and 3 boys. Faustina was still living at home in the 1900 census along with six of her siblings, just two of sisters having married.  In 1905 Faustina became the second wife of Van Jackson Eleazer.

Van's first wife was Emma Larkins, a third cousin to Faustina, had died five years prior. Faustina became the step-mother to three girls aged 14, 11, and 9.  She and Van then had four children of their own, one boy and three girls, between 1906 and 1916.  In May of 1931 Van was diagnosed with tuberculosis and succumbed to the disease in November of the following year at age 68. Their four children were still living at home. By 1940 Faustina is living in a home valued at $175 with one daughter and a lodger.  She outlives her husband by 34 year and dies in 1966 at the age of 96.

Faustina is my husband's 3rd cousin 3x removed. But Van Jackson Eleazer is also his great grandfather and Faustina helped to raise his grandmother.

On This Day - January 11

HENRY A, ADKINS was born January 11, 1878 in Martin County, Indiana. Henry is the son of Abner C. and Jane (Sargent) Adkins. Henry was the oldest of five children born to the couple. Henry grew up in Martin County and in the 1900 census was living at home and working as a laborer on the railroad.  He married Nora Clementine Waggoner there in 1908.

By 1910 he was a farmer renting a farm in Martin County and had his 64 year old mother-in-law living with them.  When he registered in the World War I draft he was living in Odon, Daviess, Indiana. He was still a farmer and it described him as medium height, medium build with blue eyes and dark hair. In 1920 the family has grown to four, a six year daughter and a two year old son. In addition, Henry's 67 year old father in living with them. His mother is still living and can be found in the household of his sister and her family.  By 1930 he has once again moved. This time back to Martin County.  He has also changed occupation. He is the owner of a general store. Their children are now 16 and 12.  His daughter married in 1931 and his son in 1938. The 1940 census shows Henry and Nora as empty nesters. Henry still owns the general store. In June of 1945 Henry dies of coronary occlusion. His death certificate indicates he was a retired merchant.  He is buried in Trinity Springs Cemetery in Martin County. His wife outlives him by 13 years.

Henry is my first cousin 2 times removed. I am also related to his wife Nora is my 2nd cousin 3 times removed.

On This Day - January 10

THOMAS SARGENT WAS born on January 10,  1848 in Martin  County, Indian. His parents were  Elisha Sargent (1813-1866) and Sarah Boyd (Skeen) (1822-1901. Thomas was the first child of this marriage but Elisha has been married before so there were eight half-siblings older than Thomas. In addition there were six more younger siblings.  Thomas' father died when he was 18. By that time four of his siblings had also died.  In 1869 he married Emily Jane Dillion. In the 1870 census he and his wife are living with his mother on the farm. By the 1880 census, they have built a home next to his mother and they have six children. Another child was born in 1878. Then in 1883 Emily died during child birth at the age of 33.  In Mary 1884, Thomas married Elizabeth Sims. Six children were born between 1885 and 1898.

Transcription from Odon Journal, 27 Sep 1912, pg 1, Odon, Indiana:

THOMAS SARGENT 

              DIES SUDDENLY.

Well-Known Burns City Merchant Drops Dead While Fox Hunting.

   

   Thomas Sargent, a well known Burns City merchant died suddenly Monday night about nine o'clock.

  Mr. Sargent, with his son and several others, was on a fox hunt, and were about four miles from home, when he suddenly fell to the ground. His companions started to assist him to rise and found that he was dead. His death was due to paralysis of his heart, he having previously suffered two slight strokes of paralysis.

  Mr. Sargent spent the greater part of his life in Martin county and was well-known.  Had he lived until January he would have been sixty-five years of age. He was twice married, his first wife dying several years ago, leaving him with eight children, seven of whom yet survive. He was then married to Miss Lizzie Sims, a daughter of Capt. Sims of Dover Hill and to them six children were born, four of whom are living. He also leaves two sisters, one half brother and two half sisters, Miss Mollie Sargent of Odon, Mrs. Ziba Webster of Campaign, Ill. Daniel Sargent of Mrs.  Katherine Roach of  Calo and Mrs. Jane Girdly of Blankenship.

  Mr. Sargent was a member of the M.E. Church and the Masonic order of Odon.

  The funeral services were held Wednesday morning at Old Salem with Rev. A.F.Hogan in charge. The Masons had charge of the services at the Old Salem cemetery where burial was made.

  Thomas Sargent is my 1st cousin 3x removed.

  

On This Day - January 9

EDWARD CHARLES WILLIAM WISCHMEIER was born January 9, 1886 to Charles Henry (1842-1902) & Johanna Wilhelmina (Ruske) (1850-1910) Wischmeier in Indianapolis, Indiana. Both of his parents were natives of Germany.  The family consisted of two daughters and two sons with Edward being the youngest. Edward, his brother and parents are in Indianapolis in the 1900 census. His father was a flagman. Edward married Louise C. Krentler on June 30, 1909, in Indianapolis.

  In the 1910 census the newly weds are living with Louise's parents and two of her sisters and Edward is a clerk at a bank. This is the Krentler family home as it was in 2007.

  In 1913 Edward and Loise welcome their first child, a daughter and in 1915 a son. When Edward's mother died in 1910 they moved into her home. In 1920 Louise became ill and she died April 12, 1922.

 Edward married a second time to Emma Joanna Rogers. Edward continued to advance in the banking industry.

    In 1941 his son joins the Navy and is stationed in New Orleans, where he marries in 1943. When he leaves the service he make his home in Houston, TX.

 Also in 1941 his daughter marries, and his granddaughter is born in 1943.  Just two years later his daughter dies.

   Edward retires in 1950 after 50 years in the banking industry and becoming the vice president of Indiana National Bank.  In 1961 he died of heart disease and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.  His second wife lived until 1993.

Edward is an in-law - his first wife Louise Krentler is my 1st cousin 3x removed.

On This Day - Januaray 8

 MARJORIE VIRGINIA NOLTING was born 123 years ago on January 8, 1896 in Clay County, Indiana to William Henry Harrison Nolting (1866-1928) and Alma Shaw (1867-1932).  She was the first of four children. William had immigrated from Germany with his parents in 1844. Marjorie married Carl Wayne Gillespie on 3 Apr 1914, in Clay County, Indiana. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Terre Haute, Indiana. Wayne was a salesman for an auto company. Four children were born while living in Terre Haute. By the 1930 census the family was living in 1930. Wayne was a salesman for a furniture company. One more son was born in Colorado.  Marjorie died at age 56 in Denver, Colorado. Her husband died 10 years later.

Marjorie Nolting is an in-law.  My second great aunt, Sophie Tendick married George Nolting who is a brother to Marjorie's paternal grandfather. 

  

On This Day - January 7

CANDUS ANNA DAVIS was born on January 7, 1834, in Gibson County, Indiana. Her parents were Jesse Gross Davis (1792-1859) and Nancy Mason (1795-1896). Candus was the eighth of 13 children - five boys and eight girls. Both of her parents were born in Kentucky and lived there until 1819 when they moved to Gibson County, Indiana. In 1938 they moved to Pike County, Indiana. On 11  Apr 1847 she married James Carter (1827-1899). Six children born before James enlisted in the 143rd Indiana Infantry Company I in the Civil War. He served nine months and in  later years received a pension for his service.  Two more children followed. In 1880 they were enumerated in Pike County, Indiana. In 1885 they bought a farm in Ellis County, Kansas. Her husband died there in 1899 and stayed on the farm until 1911 when she moved into Hays, Kansas. The following news article appear in the Hays Free Press, 10 Nov 1917 during World War I:

"Here's a dollar to buy something good to put in that box for the lonesome boys at Camp Funston." said Mrs. Candas Carter, better known as Grandma Carter to this reporter, the other day as she stepped into our kitchen for a morning call.  She sat down and gave us the following little history that seems interesting enough to pass on.

"I know something about what war means and I know it's the boys who go to war and never get any letters or anything from home or friends are the ones that are so glad to be remembered if its only once.  My father fought in the battle of New Orleans and when the war was over he started home a foot to Kentucky; but because of a shoulder wound, he had to live six months in a Cherokee Indian camp before he was strong enough to continue his journey.  I had a brother who with five sons fought in the battle of Pittsburgh Landing.  My second brother was in the regiment of cavalry men that spike the cannons of the enemy at the battle of Nashville and after doing his part, his horse whirled and threw him and before he could rise, the cavalry horse trampled him to death.  My youngest brother stood guard over General Grant one night while he slept and he was only fifteen years old when the war was over and he marched with Sherman to the sea.  My husband served also and was at Stone River when the news came that Lincoln was assassinated. I had six children when he went to war and the oldest boy was not yet able to harness a team. Oh I know something about hardship.  I had to raise the crops of corn, potatoes, and tobacco, but we had plenty when he came home.  Then I bore two more children and adopted four more so in all I raised twelve children. I am eighty-five years old now and have a good health.  I have 60 great grand children, and 2 great-great grandchildren.  I used to go to church when the services were preached by the first Methodist Preacher that ever was in the state of Indiana.  His name was Jesse Alexander.  Well, I guess I'll be getting back home now."  And as she went down the steps from the porch, the thought came to us that here is in our town was a woman whose life has been touched by the wars of 1812, 1861, 1898 and 1917, whose heart goes but to our boys in the camps at Funston, because she knows something of what being a soldier really means.

James & Candas (Davis) Carter

    Candus was in Pike County, Indiana at the home of her David in the 1820 census. However, she was living with her son Warren in Abilene, Kansas when she died in 1924 at the age of 92.

Obituary

 McCracken Enterprise, 25 Apr 1924, Fri, Page 5, McCracken, KS, newspapers.com

CHILDREN OF CANDUS DAVIS CARTER:

1. John William Carter (1849-1925)

   John married Nancy Frazier in 1868. They are enumerated in 1870 in Pike County, Indiana and in 1880 in Chautauqua County, Kansas. They had six children.  In 1921 there was a mention in the local newspaper at Winslow, Pike, Indiana - John Carter of Topeka, Kansas and W.S. Carter of Abilene, Kansaa are visiting friends. John Carter has not been here for 45 years. These men were both reared here on a farm south of town known as the Freshour farm.

2. Jesse Thomas Carter (1853-1910)

    Thomas moved to Kansas with his parents. After the death of his father he took care of his mother. He never married. The following is his obituary in the Hays Free Press, 28 May 1910:

   Last Saturday J. Tom Carter died at the home of his mother, Mrs. Candas Carter of the south Smokey Hill country, at the age of 58. He has been having serious spells for some time, and would get better and come to town, but finally death stretched forth his hand and bade him come. He was a bachelor and leaves his mother and several brothers and sisters to mourn his departure. The funeral was held on Tuesday and the body laid to rest in our cemetery. Many friends attended and sympathized with the dear old mother, as Tom was her home boy in her declining years.

3. James Marion Carter (1854-1885)

  In 1875 he married Mary Black. They were enumerated in Pike County, Indiana in 1880 with one child. They had two more children before his death in 1885 in Indiana.

4. David Newton Carter (1855-1935)

  David married Hulda Mason in 1883 in Pike County, Indiana. They had three children. David was involved in several law suits due to default on taxes. He also disposed of his portion of his father's homestead that he inherited. He did this while his mother was still living there. There was a lawsuit that went to the Kansas Supreme court and ultimately David won on appeal.  The following article from the Winslow Dispatch in Winslow, Indiana was printed in July 1923 (Sylvester is David's son):

5. Sarah N. Carter (1860-1891)

  Sarah married James Mason in 1879.  They lived in Pike County, Indiana. There were six children born to Sarah and James. After Sarah's death James remarried and had 5 more children.

6. Mary Carter

   Mary's first husband was Samuel Cobb. Family tradition says he was Cherokee.  He worked in the mines but died at age 24 of malaria.  They had one child. This was the same year her parents moved to Kansas. Mary moved with them with her infant.  She met and married George Schade. They moved back to Pike County, Indiana and Mary lived there the rest of her life. She and George had three children.  He died in 1892. She married for a third time to Joseph Redden Kinder. He was a Civil War veteran 40 years older than her. He died in 1904.  Mary married a fourth time to James Spradley in 1908.

7. Henry Franklin Carter (1867-1946)

  Henry Deloria Belle Ward in  1892. She is 1/4 Cherokee and their children on the Cherokee Rolls.

 They had 10 children and lived their lives in Oklahoma.

8 Warren Stinson Carter (1869-1939)

   Went by the name Dick. He lived in Ellis County, Kansas for 28 years and them moved to Clay county in 1913. He moved again in 1931, this time to Colorado. He married Francis Irene McDonough in 1889. They had six children.  After Frances' death he married Amanda Brewer in 1899 and had three more children.

Candus Davis is my 3rd great aunt. Her brother, Jesse Gross Davis, Jr., is my 2nd great grandfather.

  

   

  

On This Day - January 6

STEPHEN SERGANT, my first cousin six times removed, was born on the 6th of January 1789 in Caswell County North Carolina.  His parents were Stephen Sergant (1742-1815) and Margaret Gold.  There were 10 siblings in the family with Stephen being the youngest.  Caswell County is along the northern border with Virginia.  The Sargent's settled in this area when it was Orange county.  In 1777 Caswell County was created from Orange and then in 1805 Pearson was created from Caswell.  So although the family has been listed in all three counties, they never moved. Stephen Sr. did, however, move to Russell County, Virginia as his will was probated there in 1815.
   Stephen Jr. is enumerated in Pearson county in 1820 along with four slaves and indicating that two people are engaged in manufacture. Stephen's father had been a blacksmith and possibly he was carrying on. He married Anne Payne Ware in 1828. This was her second marriage. Her first husband, James Richardson died in 1826. In 1830 they are a family of 10 with 20 slaves. Anne's children by her first marriage (there were 7) are included. By 1850 it is just Stephen, Ann and their youngest daughter. In 1860, Stephen is 70 and he and his wife indicate real estate valued at $10,000 and personal property of $10,000. The would equal a value of over $600,000 in 2018 dollars. Stephen donated land for the Providence Baptist Church. In January of 1864 Stephen writes his will and leaves everything to his wife Anne during her lifetime.  He then leaves the homestead where he resides to one daughter and the plantation on the Dan River to his other daughter. All other possessions are to go to all his grandchildren equally.  His two sons-in law are the executors of his will.
  Stephen's wife died on a train en route to Mississippi to visit her son Edmund Richardson in Mississippi.  Edmund was an extremely wealthy cotton grower in Mississippi and Louisiana.


CHILDREN OF STEPHEN SERGANT

1. MARGARET DELPHIA SARGENT (1829-1908)
   Margaret was born in December of 1829. She married James Kerr Lea 16 Dec 1848. He was 50 years old at the time and it was his second marriage. They lived in Mississippi near her Richardson half-siblings.  They had seven children. When her husband died in 1872 she returned to Caswell County.

2. AGNES WARE SARGENT (1832-1916)
   Agnes was born  She married Dr. Josiah Asbury Stanfield in 1852. The homestead that Agnes inherited from her father was the home originally built by James Richardson and Ann. It was called the "Brickhouse."  They renamed it "Connally Place."  It was a large tobacco farm. Her husband was a doctor and had a second degree in "delivering babies."  They had nine children.

#52 Ancestors - FIRST

   What came to mind FIRST was FIRST born.  We have all heard the theories about FIRST born and the personality characteristics that they typically exhibit. Some of these characteristics are: reliable, conscientious, structural, cautious, controlling, achieving.  I'm a FIRST born as is my father. So I decided to see how many generations back this FIRST born streak goes. But I'm going to go forward to with my grandson and then back.

                                      1 Nathan - first child of   (also first grandchild and great grandchild)
                                         2 Jeannie - first child of (also first grandchild and great grandchild)
                                             3 Lynda - first child of
                                                  4 Arnold Sargent 1923-2008 m. Esther Jane Moehlmann

So there are four generations of FIRST born. Does that increase the likelihood of the characteristics? It's not evident at this point. Nathan is a pretty laid back kind of 19 year old.  Then I decided to look at all of his great-great grandparents to see if any of them were FIRST born. And guess what - there were more on the maternal side.

         5 Alfred Moehlmann 1896- 1974 - Nathan's 2nd great grandfather (father of Jane)- son of
            6 Frederick August Henry Moehlmann- (1868-1941) - Nathan's  3rd great grandfather - son of
               7 Frederick Henry Wilhelm Mohelmann (1837-1911)- Nathan's 4th great grandfather

Frederick Henry Wilhelm Moehlmann, Sr. certainly had many of the characteristics generally applied to first-born's.  At the age of 30 in 1867 he married and immediately embarked on an adventure. He and his bride boarded a ship at Bremen Germany and immigrated to the United States. He worked on the railroad when he first arrived and then for 25 years at a hat factory. They raised nine children. By the early 1900's he owned his own business, a cigar stand in the federal courthouse.  He was certainly reliable and achieving.

Whether it is nature or nurture or simply an unproven theory, looking at birth order and personality characteristics is intriguing especially when there are seven generations.

Frederick Henry Wilhelm Moehlmann

Ida Sophia (Krentler) Moehlmann

                                You can only have one first born child.

                You may love all your children deeply 

   and with passion. 

  But there is something 

                     unique about the first born.

                                              Raymond E. Feist