Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday - John L. Spring

I don't have a photograph of John L. Spring's grave marker.  At the  Clay Co., Indiana Genealogy Society, in Center Point, Indiana, there is a Civil War History Binder that listed the Burial Places of Soldiers, surveyed May 1907.  One item was Hill Cemetery – John L Spring [Brazil].

From family records, John L. Spring was born 12 February 1794.  From various census records, John was born in Massachusetts.

1794 - February 12 -  Massachusetts - Birth of John L. Spring
1818 - August 27 -     Ohio, Harrison Co. -  Marriage to Margaret Williams of Virginia

John Spring to Margaret Williams
27 August 1818 in Harrison Co, Ohio
[Source:  Ray Beamer]

1830 - January 18 -    Ohio, Champaign Co - Death of Wife, Margaret Williams Spring
1830 -                         Ohio, Champaign Co, Mad River Twp. - Federal Census
1830 - Sept. 7  -         Ohio, Miami Co. - Marriage to Martha L. Moreland
1835 - Sept. 8 -          Ohio, Zanesville Land Patent Office to John Spring of Harrison Co, Ohio

John Spring of Harrison Co, Ohio
Dated 8 Sept 1835 under President Andrew Jackson
[Source:  Bureau of Land Management]
1838 - June 27            Indiana, Putnam Co, Madison Twp - Land Grant

John Spring
Madison Twp, Putnam Co, Indiana Patent Grants

1840 -                        Indiana, Putnam Co, Greencastle - Federal Census
1840 - Nov. 10 -        Indiana, Crawfordsville Land Patent Office to John Spring of Champaign Co, Ohio

John Spring of Champaign Co, Ohio
Dated Nov. 10, 1940 under President Martin Van Buren
[Source:  Bureau of Land Management]

1841 - August 12 -     Indiana, Putnam Co. - Death of Wife, Martha L. Moreland Spring
1848 - Feb. 29 -         Indiana, Owen Co. - Purchased Land, John Spring of Putnam Co., Indiana

29 Feb 1848 Land Purchase in Owen Co, Indiana
[Owen Co., Indiana Court House Deed Book 9, Page 665]
1850 - October -         Indiana, Owen Co, Jackson Twp. - Federal Census
1860 - July -                Indiana, Owen Co., Jackson Twp. - Federal Census
1860 - August 14 -      Indiana, Owen Co. - Sold land

1860 Land Sale in Owen Co, Indiana
[Owen Co.Court House, Spencer, Indiana ]

1866 - June 4 -           Indiana, Clay Co, Brazil - Last Will and Testament written
1870 -                           Indiana, Clay Co, Brazil - Federal Census, living with daughter
                                      Indiana, Clay Co, Brazil - Burial at Old Hill Cemetery
1872 - January 2 -      Indiana, Vigo Co. - Last Will and Testament entered into Probate
                               

Monday, November 14, 2011

Amanuensis Monday - Will of John L Spring

John L Spring is one of my brick walls.  He was the father of my 3rd-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Lowry (Spring) Rodenberger, with his second wife Martha L. Moreland.  From handwritten notes placed in a Dawson family bible, we have a birth date of 12 February 1794.  From various censuses, we believe his birth location to be Massachusetts.  The earliest we have place him is 27 August 1818 in Harrison Co, Ohio where John L Spring married his first wife, Margaret Williams, of Virginia.  His Last Will & Testament, dated 4 June 1866, was entered into Probate at the Vigo Co, Indiana Court House on 3 January 1872.

Last Will & Testament of John L. Spring of Brazil, Clay, Indiana
[Source:  FHL#1377996, Item 3 – Will Record, v.1, Mar 1853-Mar 1874, Vigo Co, Indiana; page 484-485]

Last Will and Testament of John L. Spring

Last Will and Testament of John L Spring

Know all men by These Presents that I John L Spring of Brazil County of Clay and State of Indiana, bring a sound mind and memory, do make and Publish this my last Will and Testament.
                First,        I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary A Getty         Four hundred dollars
Second.                  I give and bequeath to my son, John.  John F Springs, heirs Olivia Spring and Ellen   Spring.   One hundred dollars each.
Third.    I give and bequeath to my daughter Racheall B Holt’s heirs Albert Holt and Ellen Holt.     One hundred dollars each.
Fourth. I give and bequeath to my son William W Spring               Four hundred dollars
Fifth.     I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah W Rodenburgers heirs             Four hundred dollars to be equally divided among them.
Sixth:     To My daughter Elizabeth L Rodenburgers  heirs, I give and bequeath Four hundred dollars, each to have an equal proportion of same.

                Now it is herein understood by these presents, that at my death, that the Executor of this my last Will and Testament herein after named, cause[?] to be paid to my son William W Spring the Amount I bequeath to him, and also my daughter Mary A Gettys Amount I bequeath to her.  On my death should they or either be living at that time, but in care of their deaths, or either of them, said Amount I bequeath to them, to be equally divided with their heirs at Law.  And it is to be further understood, that no money is to be paid heirs until they arrive at the age of Twenty one years.
                I further ordain and appoint Eli Hendrix of Brazil Ind as Executor of this my last Will and Testament, and it is further understood, that if my moneys should fall short of Amounts as above mentioned then it is to be divided in proportion to Amounts of money and effects.  But in case of an increase of moneys and effects, it is to be equally divided between Sarah W Rodenbergers heirs and William W Springs heirs, and Elizabeth L Rodenbergers heirs.
                In Testimony Thereof, I have on this day, Set my hand and Soul, publish and declare this to be my Last Will & Testament in the presence of the witnesses named below this 4th day of June 1866.
                                                                                                                John L Spring  {SEAL}
This is signed in our presence and declared to be by John L Spring, his last Will & Testament and by his request and in presence of each other, we subscribe our names as witnesses
                John Hendrix Jr  {Seal}
                Thomas Desort  {Seal}
                Eli Hendrix  {Seal}

Proof of Will

State of Indiana}
Vigo County}
                Thomas Desart personally appeared before the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, and being sworn says that John L Spring signed his name to the above writing of date 4th day of June 1866, as and for his last will and that the same was attested and subscribed by said Thomas Desart, John Hendrix Jr and Eli Hendrix as witnesses thereto, in his presence, and by his request, that said Testator was not at the time of executing said will an infant, or of unsound mind, or under coercion.
                                                                                                                Thomas Desart
Subscribed and Sworn to before me this 3rd day of January 1872               
                                                                                                                Martin Hollinger Clerk
Attest the signature of said Clerk, and his Seal of Office, the date last aforesaid.                               
                                                                                                                Martin Hollinger, Clerk {Seal}
State of Ind. V.C.

Certificate of Probate
I, Martin Hollinger Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Said County, certify that the within last Will and Testament of John L Spring, late of Vigo County, deceased, has been duly admitted to Probate; that its due execution was this day proved by Thomas Desart, whose proofs, together with such Will have been duly recorded on 484th page of the Record of Wills Vo. 1, in our office.
                In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court, this 3rd day January 1872.
                                                                                                                Martin Hollinger Clerk {Seal}

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Sunday's Obituary - Ella Dillon Thompson

Ella Dillon, the daughter of Robert E and Julia (Cully) Dillon, was born 4 March 1872 in Edgar Co, Illinois.  
History of Dillon, Fletcher, and Kindred Families by Henry Dillon, Feb. 23, 1909, p.30
(http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lukedillon/henry.html)
"Robert Edmund, one of the twins of Labon and Jane (Holiday) Dillon, married Julia Cully. . . They had the following family:
        Jennie - married Israel Scott
        John
        Frank
        Ella - married Daniel W. Thompson
        Fred A.
        Albert
        Carl C.
        Edna - born December 9, 1882, married Charles Inskip. . .
Ella Thompson has one daughter, Julia Margaret, born May 13, 1901.


1880 Federal Census of Brouilletts Creek, Edgar Co, Illinois:  Robert E. and Julia A. Dillon were enumerated with their childen Sarah J., John L., Frank B., Ella, Fred A., Albert L., and Carl C. Dillon.  Ella was 8 and attended school.



1900 Federal Census of Bruilletts Creek, Edgar Co, Illinois
[Source:  Ancestry]

1900 Federal Census of Bruilletts Creek, Edgar Co, Illinois was enumerated by Albert Dillon, brother of Ella.  Livingwith Robert E and Julia A Dillon are their children Sarah J. Scott, Ella Dillon, Albert L Dillon, Carl C.Dillon, Edna E. Dillon and grandchildren Clarence C Scott and Kenneth M Scott.  Ella was 28 years old, single, and a school teacher not employed for 3 months during the year.

Ella married Daniel W. Thompson on 5 June 1900 in Edgar Co., Illinois. 
  Thompson, Daniel W., 32, b Iowa, res of Randolph, IL, attorney, 1, s/o Wm Thompson & Mary M Jones to Ellen Dillon, 28, b. IL, res of Scottland, 1, d/o Robert E Dillon & Julia Culley, m. 5 Jun 1900 at bride's home in Ed. Co. by Albert G Blunk, MG., witnesses Josie B Harlan and Carl Dillon. bk II, p208
[Abstract Source:  Edgar Co. Historical Society, Paris, Illinois]

They had one child, Julia Margaret Thompson.

1910 Census for Randolph Twp, McLean Co, IL May 2, 1910
Daniel W Thompson, head of household, age 42, married 10 yrs, born in IL, parents born in OH, Farmer
Ella D Thompson, wife, age 38, married 10 yrs, 1 child born and surviving, born in IL, parents born in IN, teacher, rural school
Julia M Thompson, daughter, age 8, born in IL, parents born in IL

*******
from Julia (Thompson) Strange's typed Remembrances:
     "Dr. Frederick Allen Dillon was appointed as a Government Physician to the Indians in Territorial New Mexico.  His designated area covered the Indian villages of Laguna, in which he was based, Acoma, Paquate, Mesita, Casa Blanca and Pareje.  There were numerous Mexican villages and outlying settlements which, while not included in his territory, were, nevertheless, served by him.
      . . . I lived in Laguna [New Mexico], in the white village.  In 1911 the white school in Laguna was without a teacher.  With the backing of Mr. Marmon, and others of the village, Dr. Fred [Dillon] sent for his sister, Mrs. Ella D. Thompson, a teacher in Illinois, to come.  Mrs. Thompson was my Mother, and it was with a great deal of anticipation that I, a child of ten, accompanied her to what was truly, for me, "The Land of Enchantment".
[many thanks to Susan Patterson for sharing Julia's Remembrances with me.]

Ella D. Thompson and students at Laguna, New Mexico
[Source:  Susan Patterson]


Ella D. Thompson
at Mt. Taylor, New Mexico
July 1912
[Source:  Susan Patterson]
*******
In 1920 Federal Census, Julia and her mother were enumerated in Champaign, Champaign Co, Illinois living at 203 West Church Street.
Ella B Thompson, , boarder, age 47, married, born in IL, parents born in IN, teacher in  public work
Julia M Thompson, boarder, age 18, single, born in IL, father born in Iowa, mother born in IL


I haven't located Julia's father, Daniel W. Thompson in the 1920 Federal Census.  I assume that he was living in McLean Co, Illinois on his farm.


1930 - Ella D. Thompson, was enumerated in Champaign, Champaign Co, Illinois at 203 W Church as head of the household with 15 roomers, rents her house for $35.00, age 58, married 28 yrs, born in Illinois, parents born in Indiana, and is a Teacher in Public Schools.  Once again, I can't find Daniel W. Thompson enumerated. [Daniel W. Thompson died April 18, 1941 in Bloomington, Illinois.]

Obituaries -

Sister of Drs. A. L. and F. A. Dillon Passes Away Thursday
     Word was received here this morning of the death of Mrs. Ella D. Thompson of Houston.  She was the sister of Drs. A. L. and F. A. Dillon of this city.  Mrs. Thompson had visited in Clovis for years and had many friends here.  Funeral arrangements are pending.
[Source:  Clovis News-Journal, Clovis, New Mexico; Thursday, April 6, 1944, p.2]
**************

Ella Dillon Thompson Obituary
Houston Post, April 7, 1944, Section 2, Page 10
[Source:  Houston Public Library]
THOMPSON - Mrs. Ella Dillon Thompson, 72, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Vernon L. Strange, 2037 Branard, at 2:50 a. m. Thursday.  She had been a resident of Houston since 1939 and was a member of the Methodist church.  She was a charter member and past matron of Vesper chapter, Order of Eastern Star, of Champaign, Ill.  Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Vernon L. Strange of Houston; two sisters, Mrs. C. E. Inskip of Wallace, Idaho, and Mrs. Jennie D. Scott, of Pocatello, Idaho, and three brothers, Dr. F. A. Dillon and Dr. A. L. Dillon, both of Clovis, N. M., and Dr. C. C. Dillon of Sidell, Ill.  The body was sent at 8 p.m. Thursday via Southern Pacific M----- to Champaign, Ill. for burial there.  Geo. H. Lewis & Co., Houston directors.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Veterans' Day - Thank you to all who serve our country.

This list of family members who served our country is not complete . . .
Raymond H Beamer, Jr.
George W. Blevins
Gene Perry Brock
Loren Brock
Robert W Burford
Charles S Burr
Nicholas Chiaro
Alba Ernest Craft
Al Dante
Alva O. Dawson
Challis C H Dawson
Charles Hardin Dawson
Dewey M Dawson
Drexel Dawson
Dudley T Dawson
Hollus E Dawson
Wayne Dawson
William L Dawson
William W. Dickenson
Albert L Dillon, Jr.
Edmund G. Dillon
Frederick A Dillon
Jackson C. Dillon
Robert L. Dillon
Nicholas Everts
Robert S. Graham
Reuben Greenawalt
William Henry Harrison
David Irvin
Howard I Johnston
John Wesley Johnston
Kenneth S Johnston
Lloyd H. Johnston
Raymond Johnston
Ronald Johnston
Wayne Johnston
William A Johnston
John H Lossing
Alvin W. McGuire
Riley A. Park
Santo Quatra
Thomas J. Roberts
Cecil O Rodenberger
Charles A Rodenberger
John S. Rodenberger
Kenneth M Rodenberger
Levi C Rodenberger
Moses Rodenberger
Noah Rodenberger
Paul Rodenberger
Samuel D Rodenberger
George Rudy
David Sack
Walter Sack
Paul G Skirvin
Andrew Stoner
Mary Frances Southard
Jack S Spieth
Claude F Spring
Earl Wilson
Henry Wilson

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

1936 Delegate to Republican National Convention

In honor of Election Day . . .


Clovis Evening News-Journal
Clovis, New Mexico
Wednesday, March 4, 1936
Page 2
[Source:  NewspaperArchive]

   Dr. A. L. Dillon returned to Clovis yesterday from Albuquerque where he was elected delegate to the republican national convention.


Is this from the same convention as reported above?
Dr. A. L. Dillon is on the left wearing a hat, dark blazer, white slacks.

From The Political Graveyard: Dillon, A. L. — of Clovis, Curry County, N.M. Republican. Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Mexico, 1936. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
[http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/dilas-dills.html#618.15.83]

Who were the candidates for President in 1936? 
The incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Republican Alf Landon of Kansas.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Amanuensis Monday - Bond of Paul Rodenberger

As a follow-up to the October 24, 2011 Letters of Guardianship post, here is the Bond of Paul Rodenberger Guardian of the Minor Heirs of Paul & SW Rodenberger.
No. 438
Court of Common Pleas, Clay County.
Bond of Paul Rodenberger Guardian of the Minor Heirs of Paul & SW Rodenberger, deceased.
Filed Apl 18' 1873; Recorded in Record of Guardian's Bonds, No. 3, page 4D
[Source:  Clay Co. Court House, Brazil, Indiana]


     We, Paul Rodenbarger, H. Wheeler and Dillon W. Bridges are bound unto THE STATE OF INDIANA in the sum of Eight Hurndred dollars, for the payment of which, we bond ourselves, jointly and severally firmly by these presents.  Sealed and dated this the 16th day of April, 1873.
     If the above bound Paul Rodenbarger will faithfully discharge his duties as Guardian of the person and property of John E., Carry N. - Paul W. - Cassius L. - Martha A. - Benjamin S. and Mary Rodenbarger minor heirs of Paul & Sarah W. Rodenbarger, deceased[x-ed out], then the above obligation is to be void, else to remain in full force.
                                                         Paul Rodenberger seal
                                                         H. Wheeler           seal
                                                         D. W. Bridges      seal
     Approved by me the 18th day of April, 1873.
                                                         Geo E Hubbard, Clerk of the Court of Clay County.

THE STATE OF INDIANA, Clay COUNTY, SS:
     I, Paul Rodenbarger, swear that I will honestly and faithfully discharge the duties of my trust as Guardian of ther person and property of John E. Rodenbarger, Carry N. Rodenbarger, Paul W. Rodenbarger, Cassius L. Rodenbarger, Martha A. Rodenbarger, Benjamin S. Rodenbarger & Mary Rodenbarger minor heirs of Paul & Sarah W. Rodenbarger, according to law; so help me, God.
                                                         Paul Rodenberger
     Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 18th day of April, 1873.
                                                         Isaac M. Compton, Notary Public.




The State of Indiana, Clay County, SS:
     I, H. Wheeler, swear that I am worth in real estate in Clay County, Indiana over and above my indebtednefs One Thousand dollars, so I believe; so help me, God.
                                                        H. Wheeler
     Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 16th day of April, 1873.
                                                        I. M. Compton, Notary Public

The State of Indiana, Clay County, SS:
     I, Dillon W. Bridges, swear that I am worth in real estate in Clay County, Indiana over and above my indebtednefs _____________, so I believe; so help me, God.
                                                        _____________
     Subscribed and sworn to before me, this ___ day of _____, 18__.
                                                     

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Sunday's Obituary - Arthur Sokofski

SOKOFSKI Arthur Sokofski, 90, of Bridgeport died Friday, November 4 at Bridgeport Hospital. Born March 19, 1921 in Scranton, PA. Arthur and his wife Ruth moved to Bridgeport in 1942. On November 22 they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. During WWII Arthur served in the Navy's 33rd Construction Battalion (Seebees) in the Pacific Theater. Upon discharge he worked at Acme Shear of Bridgeport and Ductile Iron Foundry of Stratford where he was General Manager upon his retirement. He was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeport where he served in several capacities including President of Church Council for many years. Golfing and watching the Yankees were favorite activities. He is survived by his loving wife Ruth and daughter Carol; two brothers, Irvin Sack and his wife Vera of CA and Walter Sack and his wife Rita of PA, and two sisters, Irene Minella of PA and Bertha Bell and her husband Donald of NJ as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Adolf Sack, Jr, Julius Sack, Rudolph Sack and Nelson Sakowski, and two sisters Mildred Boyer and Lavina Malecky. Friends are invited to attend his Funeral on Monday at 9:00a.m. (directly) at the Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeport. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Scranton, PA. Friends may call at the LARSON FUNERAL HOME, 2496 NORTH AVE, BRIDGEPORT on SUNDAY from 2 to 5 p.m.. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 612 Grand St. Bridgeport, CT 06604

[Published in Connecticut Post from November 5 to November 6, 2011]

Carol, Ruth, Arthur Sokofski
November 2006