Edith Caroline (Dillon) Folger

Excerpts from History of Dillon, Fletcher, and Kindred Families by Henry Dillon; Feb. 23, 1909; pages 30, 31.] [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lukedillon/henry.html]
Labon, oldest of the children of this family, married Jane Holiday, born April 27, 1808, died April 24, 1849, and they had four children, as follows:

      Elizabeth Ellen - born April 19, 1833, died April 13, 1914, married James Anderson
      Sarah - died young
     {Robert Edmund - born January 1, 1837, died October 1908, married Julia Cully
     {Caroline Edith - born January 1, 1837, married Uriah Folger

Caroline Edith, twin sister to Robert Edmund Dillon, lived mostly with the Dillon family till she grew up:  made her home at my father's (Solomon Dillon) for about four years and was married from there to Uriah Folger.  He owned eighty acres of land in the edge of Edgar Co., Illinois, to which they soon moved.  They were getting nicely started when on a hot day in harvest he had a sun stroke and, though he lived to be over seventy, he could never stand the sun or work to heat himself up.  He sold the eighty acres and bought a small place adjoining Ridge Farm where he lived till they were both growing old.  Then sold and moved six miles west where he bought fifty acres in the timber, poor land.  Here he died in a few years.  This land Caroline sold and now owns a home in Vermilion Grove and is fixed very comfortable. They had no family.

1840 Federal Census - haven't located the widowed Jane Dillon with her three children.

April 24, 1849 - Death of Edith's mother, Jane (Holiday) Dillon.  The three surviving children were separated and lived with different families.

1850 Federal Census - District 19, Edgar Co, Illinois
Mary A Pugh, 31, female, born Orange Co, Indiana; Samuel Pugh, 3, male, born Edgar Co, Illinois; Ruth Holaday, 25, female, born Orange Co, Indiana; and Caroline Dillon, 13, female, born Park Co, Indiana.

1852 - Edith's unity with Quakers at age 15 (per biographical sketch below).

November 10, 1858 - Marriage of Edith C Dillon and Uriah Folger.

1860 Federal Census in Elwood Twp, Vermilion County, Illinois, Post Office - Ridge Farm, Ill.
Uriah Folger, 26, Real Estate valued at $350.00, born in Illinois
Edith Folger, 23, born in Indiana

June 1863 - Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865.  Uriah Folger, age 29, farmer, married, born in Illinois was registered in the 7th Congressional District including Twp. of Elwood, Vermilion Co, Illinois.

January 1864 - IRS Tax Assessment Lists.  District 15 of Collection District 7:
on Jan. 23rd - Uriah Folger of Elwood Twp., Quantity: 10 hogs slaughtered.  Rate 6, Class C.  Class C enumerated articles .60.  Total Amount Tax Due - $0.60

1870 Federal Census in Elwood Twp, Vermilion County, Illinois, Post Office - Ridge Farm, Ill.
Uriah Folger, 36, farmer, Real Estate valued at $2,400. and Personal Property valued at $1000. b. IL
Edith Folger, 33, keeping house, born in Indiana
Almira Dubree, 11, born in Illinois, attended school.

1880 Federal Census in Elwood Twp, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Uriah Folger, 46, married, retired farmer, born in IL, Father born in NC, Mother born in Mass.
Edith C Folger, wife, 43, Keeping house, born in IN, Father born in NC, Mother born in TN.
Horace G Dubree, adopted, 7, born in IL, Father born in IN, Mother born in IL.

1900 Federal Census in Elwood Twp, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Uriah Folger, born Apr. 1834, age 66, married for 41 years, born IL, father born NC, Mother born NY
Edith C Folger, wife, born Jan 1837, age 63, married for 41 years, no children born, born in IN, father   born in TN, mother born in NC

April 29, 1905 - Uriah Folger died.  Buried at Pilot Grove Cemetery, Ridge Farm, Vermilion Co., IL

1910 Federal Census in Elwood Twp, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Edith C. Folger, age 73, widowed, born in IN, father born in TN, mother born in IN.

1920 Federal Census in Elwood Twp, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Edith C. Folger, age 83, widowed, born in IN, father born in IN, mother born in IL, owns unmortgaged farm.

April 10, 1924 - Edith Caroline Folger, daughter of Laban Dillon and Holaday, spouse of Unol Folger, died at age of 87 years.  Burial at Pilot Grove Cemetery, Ridge Farm, Vermilion Co., IL

A portrait of Uriah Folger and his family -
Portrait and Biographical Album of Vermilion County, Illinois (Published in Chicago by Chapman Brothers, 1889), p.581-582
     ELDER URIAH FOLGER.  There is no other religious organization that embraces a greater number of consistent, true and devout Christians than that of the Friends' Church.  It is proverbial that the people of this denomination have done more to inculoate simple honesty than any other of equal numbers.  When William Penn came to this country the natives had possession of the most of it, and they were distrustful of the whites.  They had been deceived and stadiously imposed upon and had come to think that all white men were bad.  But when this simple Quake told them what he would do they believed him, for the sect to which he belonged was known to them as people incapable of deception.  A treaty was made, based upon the honor of the great founder of Pennsylvania, and its provisions were religiously kept.  It is a lamentable fact that before that time the contracts made with the Indians were drawn up with a view of being broken.  Thus the Quakers were largely instrumental in settling the difficulties that existed between the whites and the Indians, and the foundation for a great State were therefore laid.  All honor to the Society of Friends.
     Uriah Folger is an Elder in the Friends' Church and a typical Quaker.  He was born in Elwood Township April 23, 1834.  His father, Asa, a native of North Carolina, came to this county in 1831, settling in the Elwood neighborhood.  He carried on the business of tanning and shoemaking for many years, and did the work for the settlers who lived for miles around.  He employed at times four or five men, and as a business man he prospered.  He was one of the best of men.  His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Uriah Starbuck.  This worthy couple were the parents of ten children:  Walter, Erasmus, Matilda Haworth, Lydia, John, Mary, Sarah, Rachel and Thomas.  Thomas, the youngest, is forty-nine years old.  The father and mother died in 1850 and 1880 respectively.
     Uriah Folger received his primary education at the common schools, and later he attended the Bloomingdale Academy, where he studied under Prof. Hobbs.  He was an apt scholar and therefore received a good education.  On Nov. 10, 1858, he was married to Edith C. Dillon, daughter of Laban and Jane (Holliday) Dillon, both deceased.  The former died when Edith was an infant, while the mother passed away in 1859.  This worthy couple had many traits of character that endeared them to their neighbors, and their death was mourned by all their acquaintances.  Mr. and Mrs. Folger never had any children.  He owns twenty acres of land in Elwood Township and 640 acres in Crosby County, Tex., and also a town lot in Marriette, Tex.
     Mr. Folger was reared in the faith of the Quaker Church, while his wife united with that most excellent denomination at the age of fifteen years.  He is an exhorter of considerable note in his church, and devotes the most of his time to that work.  He is eminently successful in his labors to make the world better, and those who know him best are his most ardent admirers.  Mr. and Mrs. Folger never weary in doing good, and the respect in which they are held by their neighbors is well earned.
[Jane Holiday Dillon died in 1849, not 1859 as stated above.]

Ken and Doris Johnston



from Lillie (Gafvert) Johnston Poland's photo album
[Courtesy Dee Schuckers]



Siblings Ken and Doris Johnston

The oldest two children of Seibert Wallace Johnston and Lillie Gafvert -
Kenneth Seibert Johnston born 20 October 1928 and died 5 January 1975.
Doris May (Johnston) Johnston born 9 June 1930 and died 5 February 1999.

Thriller Thursday - Death in an Elevator Shaft

John Wesley Johnston, son of Irvin and Christina (Nelson) Johnston, was an older brother to my ancestor, Howard Johnston.  Researching the Johnston, Greenawalt, and Rudy lines in Huntingdon Co, Pennsylvania, I found this article on Newspaper Archive: The Daily News, Huntingdon, PA, page 2  - Monday, June 17, 1957's Looking Back section:

50 Years Ago

     "J. Wesley Johnston, formerly of Huntingdon County but for twenty years a resident of Minneapolis, was found dead May 16, in the bottom of the freight elevator shaft in the Andrus building, of which he was superintendent.  He had evidently gone to make repairs.  He lived in Huntingdon from birth to the time he was 27 years of age when he went to war with Company H, 184th Pennsylvania Volunteers from Wells Tannery."

Which led to finding the following articles . . .

The Minneapolis Tribune
May 17, 1907
Page 6

"BODY IS FOUND IN ELEVATOR SHAFT

------

J. WESLEY JOHNSTON DISCOVERED DEAD IN ANDRUS BUILDING.

-----

Son Makes Discovery on Investigating Search.

-----

Death is a Mystery and the Coroner is working on the case.

-----

     Searching for his father, who had not returned home, E. T. Johnston, janitor of the Westminister Presbyterian church, last evening, found the body of J. Wesley Johnston, superintendent of the building, lying cold in death, two feet below the freight elevator of the Andrus building.  The death of Mr. Johnston is one of the most mysterious with which Coroner Kistler has had to deal.

     After the examination of the body, Coroner Kistler found no bad bruises or anything which would indicate how Mr. Johnston met his death.  The elevator was at least a foot from the body, so, apparently, it had not been the cause of death.

     It had been Mr. Johnston's daily habit to reach home as soon after 6 o'clock as possible.  But last night he did not arrive at his usual hour.  Mrs. Johnston became worried, and telephoned to her son, asking him to go to the Andrus building and inquire as to his father's whereabouts.

     MAY HAVE LONG BEEN DEAD

     How long Mr. Johnston had been dead before being discovered, no one knows.  It was his custom, as superintendent of the building, to run the freight elevator, and he may have been dead since early morning.

     Mr. Johnson resided with his wife at 3240 Lyndale avenue south, and leaves three sons, E.T., E.J., and Howard Johnston, all of whom live in this city.

     "Mr. Johnston was one of the most methodical men I have ever known," said S. S. Thorpe, who has charge of the Andrus building.  "He has been with us for the past four years and was well liked by everyone who knew him.  He was a man about 60 years of age and was for ten years janitor of Westminister Presbyterian church, with which his son is now connected."

Followed by the article on May 19, 1907's issue of the Minneapolis Sunday Tribune, p.6:

J. W. Johnston, who was accidentally killed
in the elevator shaft of the Andrus building.

JOHNSTON'S DEATH WAS ACCIDENTAL

------

Demise of Elevator Victim Explained

-----

Must Have Fallen from Seventh Floor

-----

Foul Play Theory Disproved - Last Seen By an Employe. [sic]

     It has been definitely decided by relatives of the late J. Wesley Johnston, who was found dead at the bottom of the freight elevator shaft of the Andrus building last Thursday night, that contrary to the first reports, Mr. Johnston did not meet his death as the result of foul play, but that it was accidental.

     Those who have been looking into the facts of the case have come to the conclusion that Mr. Johnston either came to his untimely death while he was in the act of reaching for the elevator cable or else that he walked into the open shaft supposing that the elevator was in the same place where he left it a few moments before.  It had also been definitely established that he fell from the seventh floor.

     The most mysterious thing in connection with the accident, and one which for a time lead the relatives and authorities to believe that there had been some foul play, was the fact that Mr. Johnston's pocketbook, which was known to have contained $45 and his bunch of keys, which he always carried in one of his trousers' pockets, were found to be missing.

     No one has been able to account for the mysterious disappearance of these articles.

     The accident in all probability occurred in the neighborhood of 6:30 o'clock, as the watch which Mr. Johnston carried and which was broken to pieces was found and it had stopped at about that time.  The last person who saw him alive was a woman who was at work on the seventh floor about 6:05 and talked with him at that time.  It was about ten minutes later that the accident happened.

     E. P. Johnston, a son, who is sexton at Westminister church, started in search for his father after receiving a telephone message from Mrs. Johnston at 9 p.m. saying that her husband had not returned home.

     The elevator shaft, which is in the rear of the building, and which has always been looked upon as a dangerous place by the son, was the first place examined, and it was here that the dead body of the unfortunate man was discovered.

     The coroner was immediately notified and after viewing the body it was removed to the morgue and later to the home.

     The fact that the morgue keeper and the coroner both examined the body and say that there was not a cent of money and but one bunch of keys among the belongings makes the case a more mysterious one.

     Two facts which show that the death was purely accidental are the badly torn glove on one of the hands, indicative of the fact that Mr. Johnston had made a vain attempt to cling to one of the cables or the electric wires, and also that the wires were found in the bottom of the shaft, completely torn from the fixtures, and wrapped about his hands.

     Mr. Johnston is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary E. Johnston, three sons, E.P., J.E., and W.H., and one daughter, Mrs. Ida M. Rolfe, of Chicago, who arrived in the city Saturday.

     One brother, W. A. Johnston, of Streetor, Ill., and a sister, Mrs. Mollie Baumgardner, Wells Lammery, Pa., also survive.

     He was a member of Company H, 184th Pennsylvania Volunteers, of the First Brigade, Second division, Second Army Corps, and was a member of Well's Tannery post, G. A. R., at Fulton county, Pa.  He was nearly 62 years old.

     The funeral will be held from the residence, 3240 Lyndale avenue south, on Monday at 2:30 p. m.  Rev. Dr. J.E. Bushnell will preside at the services.  The interment will be at Lakewood.

and . . .

The Minneapolis Tribune
May 21, 1907
Page 6

LAST HONORS PAID

-------

J. W. Johnston, Victim of Elevator Accident, Is Buried - Beautiful Floral Tributes Cover Casket.

   

     Fully two score friends of the Johnston family gathered at the residence, 3240 Lyndale avenue south, Monday afternoon to pay the last tribute to J.W. Johnston, who met his death last Thursday night at the bottom of the elevator shaft in the Andrus building.

     The funeral services began at 2:30 o'clock and were solemn and impressive in their character, the sermon being preached by Rev. J. E. Bushnell of Westminister church.

     Dr. Bushnell paid glowing tributes to the sturdy character of Mr. Johnston, which had so endeared him to all who knew him, and told of his ever faithful service in whatever occupation he was engaged.  A short review of his life was given, and from the time of his early conversion back in Pennsylvania, down to the hour when he met his death he was shown to have been honest, upright, and thoroughly honored and respected by all who came in contact with him.  In closing Dr. Bushnell paid glowing tributes to his parishioner, telling of his connection with Westminister church and of his loyal and steadfast support of all religious work.

     During the services O. P. Hand sang two baritone solos, "Face to Face," by Herbert Johnson, and "One Sweetly Solemn Thought," by P. S. Ambrose, accompanied by Miss Condon.  Floral offerings completely covered the casket, and lay at the foot of the casket supports.  One exceptionally elaborate one was a pillow, bearing the word "Father," formed of roses.

     The pall bearers were L.K. Thompson, Nathaniel McCarthy, J.M. Martin, J.R. Lewis, J.S. Porteus, and S.S. Thorpe.

     Mr. Johnston is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary E. Johnston, three sons, E.P., J.E., and W.H., and one daughter, Mrs. Ida M. Rolfe, of Chicago.  A brother, W.A. Johnston, of Streator, Ill., and a sister, Mrs. Molly Baumgardner of Wells Lammery, Pa., also survive.

     Short and impressive services were held at Lakewood cemetery where the body was interred.

Andrus Building Post Card
Minneapolis, Minn.
circa 1910

The Andrus Building was, and is, a stolid resident of the corner of Nicollet and Fifth. By the time it was built in 1898, the retail and office core had moved from Washington Avenue up the street, and this was prime real estate. It has the feel of a Class-A pricey office block, even though the exterior decoration was done entirely in brick. No fancy terracotta for these lads; sturdy honest brick was sufficient.

The airy lower floors almost makes the building look as if it floats, no?

[Source:  http://www.lileks.com/mpls/andrus/index.html]

Andrus (Renaissance Square), 511 Nicollet.  Built 1898.  Architects:  Long & Long

Wednesday's Child - Rodenberger Children

The Winter of 1881 must have been extremely hard in the home of Paul and Sarah Williams (Spring) Rodenberger.  Three of their eight children died within 5 weeks.  All are buried at McKee Cemetery, Hallowell, Cherokee Co, Kansas.  Photos by Mary Parmele, FindAGrave.



Cassius L.

Son of
P. & S.W.
Rodenberger
Born

Mar 12, 1862

Died

Nov. 19, 1881



Martha A
Dau of
P. & S.W.
Rodenberger
Born
Oct. 28, 1864
Died
Dec. 15, 1881

Mary E
Dau. of
P. & S.W.
Rodenberger
Born
June 14, 1868
Died
Dec. 23, 1881

Tombstone Tuesday - "Famous Cartoonist Buried Here"

Weller Rodenberger
1860-1920
McKee Cemetery
Hallowell, Cherokee Co, Kansas
[Photo: Mary Parmele -FindAGrave]

Modern Light
Columbus, Kansas
June 10, 1920

Death of Weller Rodenberger.
     Weller Rodenberger died Friday, June 4, 1920, at his home in Allentown, Pa.  He was the son of Paul and Sarah Rodenberger and was born in Brazil, Ind., August 7, 1860.  He is survived by two brothers, Edgar and B.S. Rodenberger, and one sister, Jeannett Parkinson.  The body was shipped to Columbus from Pennsylvania.  Burial was made in the McKee cemetery at 3:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.  A short funeral service was held at the cemetery conducted by Reverend. Alphon Goodrick.

Modern Light
Columbus, Kansas
June 17, 1920

Famous Cartoonist Buried Here.
  Newspaper and magazine readers who have enjoyed the cartoons which appeared for many years signed “Rhoda” will be grieved to know that he is dead, and that his remains were brought to Oswego Monday evening for internment [sic] in the McPee cemetery east of town.  Weller Rodenberger,

was the man referred to.  He was born Aug. 7, 1860, at Brail, Indiana, coming to Cherokee county, Kansas, when small and lived for many years near Hallowell.  Later he moved to Oswego and was in the real estate business here with Geo. King.  He took up cartoon work and was employed on such publications as the St. Louis Globe, the Philadelphia Record and Puck and Judge and other magazines.  At the time of his death he was in charge of the circulation department for a number of states on the Philadelphia Record.  He had one brother, Ben, of Kansas City, and a sister, Mrs. Parkinson, of South Bend, Ind., both of whom were here for the funeral which took place at the McGee cemetery, the sermon being preached by Rev. Goodrick, of Columbus.  Archie Rodenberger of Baxter Springs and Ed. Rodenberger of Kansas City, cousins of the deceased were here also.

– Oswego Independent.

Several inaccuracies are in this article.  Weller Rodenberger was interred at McKee cemetery, not McPee.  He was born in Brazil, not Brail, Indiana.  He had two brothers, Ben, of Kansas City, and Ed Rodenberger of Kansas City (not his cousin).  Archie Rodenberger of Baxter Springs was Weller's nephew, not cousin.

Weller had been married, according to the 1910 Federal Census where his marital status was listed a widowed.

On ancestry's website, the 1890 St. Joseph, Missouri City Directory has an entry for Weller Rodenburger with an occupation of artist for the St. Joseph Herald.

I haven't been able to find any of Weller's cartoons.  I would love to see his artwork!

[Death and burial information, for Weller's brother John Edgar and sister Jennette, has been added to the FGS of Paul and Sarah Rodenberger's posting.]

Amanuensis Monday - Letters of Guardianship

This application for Letters of Guardianship is somewhat unusual.  Paul and Sarah W Rodenberger were preparing for their move from Clay Co, Indiana to Cherokee Co, Kansas.  For some reason, their two older children, ages 18 and 14, signed their authorization for their father to be their guardian.  Why?  Both parents were living despite the printed word "deceased" on the front placard of the application.

This documents was photocopied at the Clay Co., Indiana Court House in Brazil, Indiana - Fee Docket 2 Guardians (Mar 1867-Sep 1879), Box 26. 

No. 438
Application for Letters of Guardianship of
Paul Rodenbarger
for the minor heir of
Paul & Sarah W Rodenbarger, Deceased.
Filed Apl 18" 1873
Geo E Hubbard, Clerk





The State of Indiana, County of Clay:

  The undersigned applies for Letters of Guardianship on the estate of

John E Rodenbarger, born July 17th, 1855.

Carry J(x-ed out) N. Rodenbarger, born January 6th, 1859.

Paul W. Rodenbarger, born August 7th, 1860.

Cassius L. Rodenbarger, born March 12th, 1862.

Martha A. Rodenbarger, born October 28th, 1864.

Benjamin S. Rodenbarger, born Oct 29th, 1866.

Mary " Rodenbarger, born June 14, 1868.

minors heirs of Paul & Sarah Rodenbarger, late of

Clay County, Indiana; said minor.s

reside in Clay County, Indiana.  The probable

value of their estate is Four hundred Dollars,

as follows, viz:

       Real Estate - - - - - - -$------------

       Personal Estate - - - - $400.00.

      

that the minors over the age of twenty-one years have

given their consent to my appointment.

                           Paul Rodenberger

   Paul Rodenbarger, swears that the contents

of the above statement are true, as I verily believe.

                           Paul Rodenberger

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 14"day of April, 1872.

We the undersigned mineer heirs of Paul & Sarah
Rodenberger do hereby authorize the clerk of the
Clay Circuit Court to issue letters of guardianship
of our person & property to Paul Rodenberger.
April 12 1873
Sarah W Rodenberger [x-ed out]
C. Nettie Rodenberger
John E. Rodenberger.

Sunday's Obituary - Paul Rodenberger

Columbus Advocate, Jan. 26, 1911
Columbus, Kansas
[Source: Ray Beamer]

Hallowell News -
     Paul Rodenberger was born in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Feb. 16, 1826, ans was at the time of his death 83 years old, lacking one month and one day.  He was the son of John and Elizabeth Rodenberger, devout Christians, and members of the German Reformed church, in which church he was catechised and baptised.  In his early manhood he united with the Methodist Episcopal church and continued during his life a firm believer in the faith and a consistant Christian.  In the year 1873 he removed from Brazil, Indiana, to Cherokee county, Kansas, where he resided until the time of his death, Sunday, Jan. 15, 1911, at 4 o'clock p.m., surrounded by his family and administering friends.  He was united in marriage to Sarah Williams Spring, July 10, 1854, at Poland, Indiana.  The fruit of their union was nine children, four of whom survive.

FGS - Paul and Sarah Wiliams (Spring) Rodenberger

Family Group Sheet for Paul Rodenberger and Sarah Williams Spring

Husband – Paul Rodenberger

                                Born:                     16 February 1826 in Ohio

                                Married:              10 July 1854 in Owen Co, Indiana

                                Died:                     15 January 1911 in Cherokee Co, Kansas

                                Buried:                 McKee Cemetery, Hallowell, Cherokee Co, Kansas

                                Parents:                Johannes “John” Rodenberger and Elisabeth _________

Wife – Sarah Williams Spring

                                Born:                     1 December 1826 in Piqua, Ohio

                                Died:                     28 June 1915 in Cherokee Co, Kansas

                                Buried:                 McKee Cemetery, Hallowell, Cherokee Co, Kansas

                                Parents:                John L Spring and Margaret Williams

Child 1 – John Edgar Rodenberger

         M                   Born:                     17 July 1855 in Indiana

                                Spouse:                Sarah J “Sadie” Davis

                                Married:              About 1891

                                Divorced:             Before October 1900

                                Died:                    1942

                                Buried:                 Rebekah IOOF Home Cemetery, Riley Co, Kansas

Child 2 – Margaret Myra Rodenberger

          F                     Born:                     About 1858 in Indiana

                                Died:                     24 October 1860 in Brazil, Clay Co, Indiana

                                Buried:

Child 3 – Carrie Jeannette Rodenberger

          F                     Born:                     6 January 1859 in Indiana

                                Spouse:                Napoleon Bonaparte Parkinson

                                Married:              11 March 1884 in Cherokee Co, Kansas

                                Died:                     18 September 1921 in South Bend, St Joseph Co, IN

                                Buried:                 Riverview Cemetery, South Bend, St Joseph Co, Indiana

Child 4 – Paul Weller Rodenberger

         M                   Born:                     7 August 1860 in Brazil, Clay Co, Indiana

                                Spouse:

                                Married:              Pre-1910

                                Died:                     4 June 1920 in Allentown, Lehigh Co, Pennsylvania

                                Buried:                 McKee Cemetery, Hallowell, Cherokee Co, Kansas

Child 5 – Cassius L Rodenberger

         M                   Born:                     12 March 1862 in Indiana

                                Died:                     19 November 1881 in Cherokee Co, Kansas

                                Buried:                 McKee Cemetery, Hallowell, Cherokee Co, Kansas

Child 6 – Martha A Rodenberger

         F                     Born:                     28 October 1864 in Indiana

                                Died:                     15 December 1881 in Cherokee Co, Kansas

                                Buried:                 McKee Cemetery, Hallowell, Cherokee Co, Kansas

Child 7 – Benjamin S Rodenberger

         M                   Born:                     29 October 1866 in Indiana

                                Spouse 1:            Sarah J “Sadie” Davis

                                Married:              6 October 1900 in Columbus, Cherokee Co, Kansas

                                Divorced:

                                Spouse 2:            Lenora _________________

                                Married:

                                Divorced:

                                Died:    

                                Buried:

Child 8 – Mary E Rodenberger

          F                     Born:                     14 June 1868 in Indiana

                                Died:                     23 December 1881 in Cherokee Co, Kansas

                                Buried:                 McKee Cemetery, Hallowell, Cherokee Co, Kansas

Wednesday's Child - Dottie Dawson

Dottie Maude Dawson, oldest child of William Taylor and Iona C.S. (Rodenberger) Dawson, was born June 4, 1875 near Hallowell, Cherokee Co, Kansas.  She died on January 2, 1885.  Her obituary was posted on Oct. 15, 2011.

Dottie had two younger brothers and two younger sisters at the time of her death.  In the 1880 Federal Census of Sheridan Twp, Cherokee Co, Kansas, the Taylor Dawson family was enumerated on 17 June 1880:  Taylor Dawson, 30, farmer, b. Ill.; wife Iona S. Dawson, 24, keeping house, b. Ind.; daughter Dottie M. Dawson, 5, b. Kansas; son Judge L, 3, b. Kansas; daughter "not named", b. April, 1 month old, b. Kansas; and Jasper Reid, 21, works on farm.

Dottie and her mother, Iona (Rodenberger0 Dawson
Tintype in the Dawson Family Bible

Some items in a Iona's scrapbook:

Dottie Dawson
November 23, 1883 Monthly Report
Reading 100; Spelling 100; Penmanship 100
No. of Days Present 19; Deportment 85
General Average 100
Nov. 24, 1883 by Ad H. Gibson, Teacher

Dottie Dawson
Apr. 11, 1884 Monthly Report
Spelling 100; Arithmetic 100, Penmanship 100
No. of Days Present 20; No of Times Tardy 1; Deportment 95
General Average 98+
Apr. 12, 1884 by Ad H. Gibson, Teacher

A poem, that is not scanned into the computer, NINE YEARS OLD.  "In pencil, and some of it is too worn and faded to decipher, is written: "To Dottie Presented on her Birthday June 4th 1884 By Her Mother."  Along side of this poem Iona has written her own poem:

Gone is the house sad the hour

Since her sweet smile is gone

But on a brighter home than ours

In heaven is her own."

A transcribed letter from Dottie with her signature photocopied:

[Dawson Family History, 1976]



A Bit of Experience
Dottie's recitation on Dec. 25th, 1884.





A Bit of experience. Rec. by her
at the Friendship Christmas tree, Dec. 25th 1884.
For which she received praise
even at her Funeral for speak-
ing it so calm and nicely,
at nine years of age.

                       

Also from the Dawson Family History:  "But most heart wrenching, and almost overlooked is the next insert, a pencil written poem with this note at the top - "This her last Declaration at school, 2 hours before her death Jan. 2nd, 1885."  Dottie's last declaration was Polly Perkins.

Another item from the Dawson Family History:  "In the center of this page a beautiful card with cut out paper lace, inside is glued a newspaper cutting: A little girl by the name of Dottie Maud Dawson, about ten years old, whose parents reside in Sheridan township, was drowned in a cistern last Friday evening, by accidently falling in while attempting to draw water.  It is supposed she slipped upon the ice, thereby losing her balance."

And, "pasted in the seam of the album is a receipt for a picture to frame in 8x10.  The price $4.50 to be delivered April 1st 1885.

"There was always an old type enlarged photograph, something like a tintype, of Dottie hanging in our living room.  I can still see that photograph.  I was always unduly impressed with the extraordinary stockings that she had on.  The were outlined by multicolored circular, wide bands, and had the appearance of being made of heavy wool."
Challis Dawson to his son Gerard, 1947; page 65.

Transcription of a letter from Taylor Dawson's father, Thomas Lewis Dawson, in the Dawson Family History:

"Scottland Edgar Co.  Jan the 15th   Dear Children   yourse of the 11th to hand which brings us the sad news of little dotty death.  The shock of her death is so great that i hardly know how to express my feelings we just received her and judz (sic) fine letter and was thinking how fine they were progressing in their school and we was refuging (?) with your happy proposals but alas the newest news brings us to morning with yourselves it is hard to reconcile our feelings to such hard Strokes of Providence but the least if only thing we can do is to reconcile our feelings as best we can i trust we will not mourn as them that have no hope.  The question is asked if a man die well as it is one of God old persons that asks the question i will let him answer Jobe as though skin worms destroy my flesh yet with these eyes i shall see God not that i may see but i shall see him so you can those is great consolation to the Cleven i think we all sympathize with you in your bereavement but in my own case am fully prepared to feel all pangs of affliction as i have suffered like losses myself and have learned through life that trouble awaits us of course it being accident is harder than if other wise but it is don and cant be helped well Iony you want dotty dear little letter i will copy it off and send you the likeness as it was the first & last i want to keep a copy myself in rememberance. T.L. Dawson All well & hope you the same."

[Thomas Lewis Dawson had five children die early in their lives:  George Washington Dawson, age 15; Nelson Dawson, age 2 months; Stillborn twin daughters, Effie and Esther; and Ethel Dawson, age 1.]

Lastly, a family portrait after Dottie's death.

Taylor and Judge
Dixie, Tally, Lois, Iona (holding Dottie's portrait)

Dottie was buried at McKee Cemetery, Hallowell, Cherokee Co., Kansas.

[Source: Find a Grave, photo by Mary Parmele]