Obituary for Dr. Aaron Walker (1815-1899)

From The Obituary Record of Graduates of Amherst College Academic Year ending June 28, 1899 (Published by the College, Amherst, Mass, 1899) --

AARON WALKER, the son of Aaron and Submit (Clark) Walker, was born in Belchertown, Mass., Aug. 20, 1815, and was fitted for college at Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vt., and at Monson Academy.

For more than twenty years he was a teacher of a private school in Ware, Mass, for one year, of the Eighth Grammar school, Lowell, 1842-1845, of the Winthrop school, Boston, 1845-1847, and of the Colburn Grammar school, Lowell, 1849-1864. He was in the service of the Christian Commission at New Orleans. La., in 1864. and from that year until 1866 was general agent for establishing and superintending government colored schools in that state.

Having previously studied medicine one year, he continued it at the Medical school of Harvard University, 1866-1867, and at the Homoeopathic Medical college of New York City, 1867-1868, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1868. He practiced his profession in Manchester, N. H., two years, and at Denver, Col., from 1870 to 1885. He then removed to Edgewood, a suburb of Providence, R. I., and spent the rest of his life in retirement there.  

He died of heart failure consequent upon an attack of the grip, in Providence, R. I., Jan. 22, 1899.

   Dr. Walker was married, (1) July 3, 1844, to Harriet, daughter of Samuel C. Oliver of Lowell, Mass., who died April 17, 1878; (2) Dec. 27, 1881, to Mrs. Lucina M. Smith, daughter of Welcome Sayles of Burrillville, R. I., who survives him. One child, not living.

-- Aaron Walker, Sr. was my g-g-g-grandfather.  Dr. Aaron Walker was the older brother to my g-g-grandfather Henry M. Walker, Sr. (1929-1865).


Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Tombstone Tuesday: Regina Baggott (1895-1905)

My wife's great-aunt who died prematurely from diabetes --

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Amanuensis Monday: "Stories Told by Dolores Waterman"

Genealogy can be a strange hobby sometimes.  Like I have written previously, I have a tendency to be myopic about it being "my" family history.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that not all my relatives share all my family history, as a matter of fact, only my brother shares exactly my ancestry.  I even have to remind myself that my ancestry is only half of what belongs to my two sons.  And that is the introduction for this post.

My wife's grandmother was Helen Marie (Baggott) Frank (5/29/1901 - 8/15/1973).  Her younger sister was Dolores Josephine (Baggott) Waterman (9/10/1905 - 10/01/1996).  Below are the "Stories of Dolores Waterman" as told by Joan Donlon and published The Baggott Family: A Family History (self-published, 2002) by Bert and Joan Donlon.

Mom shared a few stories about her family history and her childhood.  When I asked why not more she said that my Nana didn't like to talk about the "old" days because they were so "hard."  In fact my Nana found herself in a pasture one day with a bull ready to charge.  Nana took off at a fast clip, hoisted her long skirts, and cleared a six-foot fence with a foot to spare!  She said in later years as things got tough she sometimes wished she'd let the bull win the race.  Joseph and Edith Baggott, Dolores' parents, came to San Jose in 1900 after living in Kansas, Illinois, and Colorado.  They were farmers and Nana had vivid memories of trying to keep her sanity with five little boys cooped up in a tiny house during the Midwestern blizzards.  She carried a switch in her apron pocket as an aid to keeping order!  Their home in San Jose was at 820 Spring Street.  Grandpa had a dairy business for a while.  The boys sold the milk after school going around by horses and wagon.  He sold his dairy business to work as a contracting carpenter.  The most difficult part of any job was hanging doors.  He also found his asthma to be worse when sawing the wood for the projects.  He was also active in civic affairs.  Grandpa was just about blind by the time of his death in October 23, 1936 at the age of 81.  His funeral service was held at St. Joseph's Church and he is buried at Santa Clara Catholic Cemetery.

Nana and Grandpa had eight children, seven lived to have families of their own.  Regina died at the age of eight from diabetes.  Grandpa had heard that the water from the springs in Alum Rock Park was healthy so, on the weekends, he would hitch up the horse and travel the day to collect water.  Insulin had not yet been developed.

One of their most colorful children was Charles.  He had a love of adventure and horses.  One day he was brought home injured from riding bulls in the rodeo.  His injuries were serious enough to have the doctor come to the house.  He advised bed rest to allow Charles' knees time to heal.  While Nana walked the doctor to the door Charles climbed out the bedroom window and went back to the rodeo!

Mom remembered being at her brother George and Dell's wedding.  Mom was only six years old and this was an exciting event.  During the dinner Aunt Dell's dad was dishing up raviolis and mom had never seen any before.  Being a "suspicious" eater she wanted just a taste.   When Aunt Dell's dad didn't hear her timid request to stop, mom pulled away her plate and the raviolis ended up being served on the lace tablecloth.

Nana worked hard raising her children and running the household.  They raised cows, had a cherry orchard, and a vegetable garden.  She baked five pies, a cake or two, and batches of cookies every week on her wood stove.  She spent days canning produce.  Nana understood that a carpenter might not be able to earn money during the rainy season so she planned ahead toward the lean times.  Mom remembered not-so-prudent women asking for food to "tide their families over."  Knowing the generosity of my Nana I am sure they got a jar or two.

Mom went to St. Joseph's Grammar School and had her heart set on going to Notre Dame High School.  She needed to earn her tuition money so at age 11 1/2 she started working at the cannery.

As an adult, Mom realized her family didn't have much money but it had never been an issue.  It was a busy household with everyone pitching in.  Her parents managed to take a trip to Texas and Mexico and mom and Nana took trips together.  The first trip was back to Kansas in 1926 where Nana was reunited with her brothers and sisters after a thirty year separation.  The second trip was in 1928 when they went to Hawaii to visit Charles "King" Baggott and his family.  Those were happy memories!

Nana liked excitement and, as her son Louis said, she would have loved to ride on a fire engine.  She was active in civic affairs including the Woman's Civic League of San Jose.  In 1915 she was chairman of the league's charter committee.  She was also a member of the Women's Get-Together Club of the First Ward.  Nana enjoyed politics and worked on many projects for St. Joseph's School and parish.  She was also a very capable organizer of Whist parties for the benefit of the parish.

My brother Harold (Hal) and I were fortunate to have known her.  I remember: being rocked in the big chair, apple pies, feeding the chickens, a comfy nap to nestle in, a gentle hand, doll clothes made with love.  Her favorite word to get our attention was "Hark!"  We knew to be quiet and to listen-up.  I remember being sneaked a piece of candy to take the taste of soap out of my mouth!  Oh yes, mom was a disciplinarian and I must have had a sassy mouth!  A treasured memory: Nana took the airplane home from Los Angeles in time for my 3rd birthday.  I felt so loved!

Nana died on September 20, 1946 in San Jose, California.  Her funeral service was held at St. Joseph's Church and she is buried in Santa Clara Catholic Cemetery.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Obituary: LeRoy Strasheim 1922-2011

From the January 20, 2011 issue of the Wyoming Tribune Eagle --

LeRoy Strasheim

1922-2011

LeRoy Strasheim, 88, of Cheyenne passed away Jan. 19 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

He was born July 4, 1922, in Kimball, Neb., to John and Katherine Strasheim. He married Betty Jo Walker on Nov. 19, 1943, and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. They owned and operated a liquor store in Kimball before moving to Cheyenne in 1948 to work for Civil Service at WAFB and the VA. He retired from the Wyoming Liquor Commission after 28 years of service.

LeRoy's life was dedicated to his family. He was a loving caregiver to his wife, Betty, during her lengthy illness.

He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. LeRoy enjoyed sports, antique cars, woodworking, was an avid Wyoming football fan and pool player. He collected Jim Beam decanters, and in earlier years, enjoyed league bowling. He was an all-state athlete in football and track at Kimball High School.

He is survived by a son, Bob (Kim) Strasheim of Cheyenne; two daughters, Patty (Dean Haney) Strasheim of Jackson, and Nancy (Russ) Nagel of Cheyenne; five grandchildren, Kiphany (David) Hof of Kearney, Neb., Jessica (Paul) Wireman of Jackson, Joshua Haney of Manhattan, N.Y., Devin Strasheim and Maddison Strasheim, both of Springfield, Mo.

Mr. Strasheim was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents; and his siblings, Katherine Hofferber, John Strasheim, Emma Switzer and Alex Strasheim.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. John Christensen officiating. Interment will follow at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Russ Nagel, Dean Haney, David Hof, Joshua Haney, Paul Wireman, Jared Melton and Jeremy Payne.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, or the Laramie County Seniors Activity Center, Attn: Kim, 2101 Thomes Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001.

Friends may sign the online guestbook for LeRoy at www.wrcfuneral.com

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Obituary: Ann B. Shadel (1920 - 2004)

From the Callaway Courier, 20 Jan 2004

Ann B. Shadel   1920 - 2004 

Kearney -- Ann B. Shadel, 83, of Callaway, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004 at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Ann was born July 25, 1920, in Arnold, to Lynn C. and Bessie Ann (Hutchens) Walker.  She attended School at Arnold and graduated from Arnold High School with the class of 1938.  After graduation, she moved to Fort Collins, Colo., for a time and then back to Arnold.

On Aug. 11, 1946, she was united in marriage to Dean Shadel in North Platte.  The couple moved to Grant where she was employed as a telephone operator.  The couple moved to Callaway in 1948 and lived there until 1953 when they moved to Cozad.  They moved back to Callaway for good in 1957.

After returning to Callaway, she was employed by the telephone company until 1965.  An was then employed by the gas company, Dean's Market and the Loup Valley Queen.  She was an advertising setter for the next 27 years before retiring.

Ann was a member of the Callaway United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, The Birthday Belles, a Lioness and a member of the church circle.

She liked to attend school activities, enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader.  Most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of Callaway; a son, Neil Shadel of Pocatello, Idaho; two daughters, Charlynn (Dick) Behrends of Broken Bow and Sue (Randy) Stratton of Callaway; two brothers, Harold of Omaha and Gerald of Lexington; six grandchildren: Scott (Tina) Behrends, Stevi Wilson, Kimaree (Bernie) Woodward, Kara Shadel, R.D. Stratton, and Travis Stratton; four great grandchildren: Bridget Behrends; Rileigh Wilson, Travis Woodward and Brayden Behrends.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Beulah and Flora Mae; two brothers, Glenn and Norman.

Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at the Callaway United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gerald Schwarz officiating.

Interment is at Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway.

Memorials are suggested to the Callaway District Hospital and the Callaway Rescue Unit.

Timm - Reynolds - Love Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ann was my father's cousin.  My Dad came from a large family and because of the disparity in ages found himself in a lot of ways closer to Ann.

She was obviously my first cousin once-removed. I remember clearly visiting "Dean and Ann" when I was growing up.  I learned a lot about farm/ranch life.  I remember going to the county fair and hanging around as an "exhibitor" because they were competing with their farm animals.  I remember the tornado sirens being tested in the evening, and the coyotes calling back to them.  I remember having a huge crush on the girl who lived next door to them (and was about four years older than me).  I hope she is well.

Dean and Ann were instrumental, along with other Nebraska relatives, in getting me to fall in love with the state and get me to long to live there.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Genealogy Poem

This poem has been posted all over the web, but I know I have some readers who never go where this might appear, so I thought I would share it with them here.  The author is unknown --

I started out calmly, tracing my tree,
To find if I could find the makings of me.

And all that I had was Great-grandfather's name,
not knowing his wife or from where he came.

I chased him across a long line of states,
And came up with pages and pages of dates.

When all put together, it made me forlorn,
Proved poor Great-grandpa had never been born.

One day I was sure the truth I had found,
Determined to turn this whole thing upside down.

I looked up the record of one Uncle John,
But then I found the old man to be younger than his son.

Then when my hopes were fast growing dim,
I came across records that must have been him.

The facts I collected made me quite sad,
Dear old Great grandfather was never a Dad.

I think someone is pulling my leg,
I am not at all sure I wasn't hatched from an egg.

After hundreds of dollars I've spent on my tree,
I can't help but wonder if I'm really me.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Book Review: Annie's Ghosts by Steve Luxenberg

After yesterday's negative book review I felt compelled to present a positive alternative.  Last year I completed Annie's Ghosts: A Journey into a Family Secret by Steve Luxenberg (Hyperion, New York, 2009), an outstanding work in this genre.  Near the end of his mother's life, newspaperman Steve Luxenberg discovers that the long-held family assumption that she was an only child may be untrue.  The work follows Steve in his inquiry which in turn is a typical family history quest.  He interviews relatives, visits sites important to his family, follows leads on various documentation, and queries the government.  This last being perhaps the most interesting as he navigates the hurdles the bureaucracy has created, supposedly in the name of privacy, that prevent even close family members from reaching the truth, as well as where the government has dropped the ball on caring for the records (and remains) of those they seek to help. 

It is written in the first person, but personal politics and opinions are not an issue nor even see the light of day, especially about people and issues unrelated to his search.  Steve stays fully focused on the task at hand, although his personal remorse over the treatment of his ancestor and her records does come to the surface, as well as his personal feelings about his parents, his siblings, and other relatives.  And like any good writer, he makes us feel what he feels.

The book reads as much like a detective story as anything.  His experience as a journalist is evident, as he masters both primary and secondary sources.  But there are historical backgrounds relevant to the story that are in turn educational, in particular how society has in the past treated classes of people perceived to be less persons.

The book has extensive notes, an epilogue and an index, all of which proved valuable.  But as a someone actively involved in genealogy and family history myself, what I really got the most out of the book was encouragement.  The way he overcame the challenges and was able to reach reasonable and informative conclusions gives me hope in my work.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

I Have Enabled Comments on the Blog

I probably should have done this sooner but really didn't want to have to do the dance with the spammers.

If there were past posts you wished you could have commented on, I hope you will return to them and post now.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Book Review: Shaking the Family Tree by Buzzy Jackson

I just completed reading Shaking the Family Tree: Blue Bloods, Black Sheep, and Other Obsessions of an Accidental Genealogist by Buzzy Jackson (Touchstone, New York, 2010).  I picked it up on the recommendation of more than one other Geneablogger, and the title alone was enough to grab me.

I must say that I don't find it the least bit ironic that written in an era dominated by online social networking, that I thought the book read like a 200+ page post on Facebook or tweet on Twitter.  It is in fact sort of two books interwoven.  On one hand you have the almost ego-driven story of Buzzy herself as she goes about learning and practicing family research.  She tells us her opinion on practically everything -- guns, gays, cruises, cruise ship participants, the south, southerners, the use of the Confederate Flag, religion, the religious, the D.A.R., elites, and on and on.  And perhaps most of all -- her undying support for Barack Obama.  What does any of this have to do with family history, genealogy, or the search for it?  Nothing.  Yet that makes up at least half the book.

Contrast that to the other half, that which is relevant to her quest.  And I do mean "contrast," for it is engaging and engrossing; Masterfully written.  If you are a true genealogist, I dare you to put down the chapter on her trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City!  But those genuinely golden nuggets are few and far between, and the reader must put up with yet another liberal rant about this or that to find them.

I am politically and socially conservative, Buzzy is clearly from the other end of the political spectrum.  So I found all the political opinion irritating and irrelevant.   I suspect that those who agree with her politically will find it lesser so.

 
Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Roxa Rich (1785-1868) in D.A.R. Lineage Book

Lineage book, Volume 23 by Daughters of the American Revolution --

MRS. ROMELIA M. QUAYLE. 22376

Born in Dover, Ohio.

Widow of William H. Quayle.

Descendant of David Foote and of Capt. Divan Berry, Jr., of Connecticut.

Daughter of Lyman Perry Foote and Ruth Berry Smith, his wife.

Granddaughter of Thomas Foote and Dema Perry, his wife; Sylvanus Smith and Roxa Rich, his wife.

Gr.-granddaughter of David Foote and Betsey Hamlin, his wife; David Rich and Ruth Berry, his wife.

Gr.-gr.-granddaughter of Divan Berry, Jr., and Lydia Yale, his wife.

David Foote, (1760-1851-4), served at various alarms in the Berkshire county militia, 1777-80. He was born in Lee, Mass.; died in Dover, Ohio.

Divan Berry, Jr., (1735-83), served as ensign at the Lexington Alarm, as lieutenant in the New York campaign, 1776. He was appointed by the Assembly, 1778, captain of the Sixth Company. He was born in Wallingford; died in Meriden.

Also Nos. 2501, 10348, 16606.

There you go ladies!  If your maiden name is Walker and you are my direct relative, you are very likely eligible for membership in the D.A.R. (Men are eligible for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.)

Sylvanus Smith and Roxa Rich are my 4th great-grandparents.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Death Notice for Ralph E. Phillips (d. 1956)

Paper: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Deceased: Ralph E. Phillips, Sunnycrest, Ill.
Date: November 18, 1956

Ralph E. Phillips, Sunnycrest, Ill., beloved husband of Anna May; loving father of De Etta, Eugene Phillips, and Mrs. Barbara Vaughn; dear son of Maude E. and Joseph Bartosch; fond brother of Mrs. Gladys Butterfield. Service Monday 2 p.m., at funeral home, 18022 Dixie hwy., Homewood. Interment Cedar Park cemetery. Member of South Park lodge, No. 662, A. F. & A. M.

Gleaned: New family unit complete with names; New surname (Vaughn), and a fraternity membership.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Death Notice for Maude Bartosch (1883-1958)

From the June 25, 1958 issue of the Chicago Tribune.  Maude was my first cousin twice removed, and comes from an Illinois family line I desperately want to do more research on.  Her father Samuel C. Walker (b. 1860) was my great-grandfather Henry M. Walker's (1864-1952) older brother.

BARTOSCH-- Maude W. Bartosch of 624 E. 103d place, suddenly, June 24, beloved wife of Joseph I; fond mother of Gladys Butterfield and the late Ralph E. Phillips; grandmother of three; sister of the late Guy T. Walker.  At chapel, 214 E. 115th street.  Service Friday, June 27, at 1:30 p.m.  Internment Cedar Park.

Gleaned:  She was survived by a married daughter (look for contemporary descendants).  She was preceded in death by a son from a different marriage (so she was married before).  Her brother Guy had already passed before 1958. She is buried relatively locally.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

A New Genealogy Emotion, At Least New to Me

It seems a common and repeated refrain for genealogists to ask "Why do we do genealogy?"  And I think by now it is pretty much understood there is no one answer.  But I encountered something new, an emotion I really can't easily put my finger on.  And to be totally honest I am using this post in my blog to journal it, to see if I can't help my self understand it.

It seems to me that for years I have perceived that I have been doing genealogy in a virtual vacuum, a bubble if you will.  I saw it as just me, my relatives, and my ancestors doing our research in parallel and alongside a whole lot of others also doing their own research in their own bubbles.  Nothing entirely wrong with that, there is communication back and forth as we share research, give each other tips, etc. That is the way I perceived it.

I have run into a few indirect relatives along the way also researching the same family lines.  But, no offense intended, by and large, with few exceptions, there was an air of abstraction about them to me.  Unfair, I admit, they are real people.  However, it just seemed that unless someone was a part of my direct ancestry they were not inside my self-made bubble with me.  Then my bubble burst.

A lady recently contacted me saying that she had some documents to share on one of my g-g-grandmothers.  She said she was related by a previous marriage.  I had no evidence of any previous marriage!  But she insisted and I thought there was no harm so accepted the papers.  When the papers arrived, I was surprised, there it was in black and white, my g-g-grandmother had been previously married, and while my new found correspondent was not a descendant of my g-g-grandmother, she was descended from her first husband by a different marriage.  No threat to my bubble; Still intact.

However then I went to visit my g-g-grandmother's grave, and it began to hit me, something existentially awakening.  I sensed it when looking at the graves of my other ancestor's too.  These were not "my" ancestors per se.  These were the ancestors of dozens if not more descendants; People I don't know, but am yet related to hereditarily, genealogically, totemically, and every other familial way.  My perceived bubble was absurd.

A new emotion struck me.  I am not exactly sure what it is, but I liken it to "responsibility".  If my unknown relatives are anything like me, and some day down the road, which they may not yet be able to envision today, want to know something about their roots, they were counting on me.  If they were not counting on me, they were at least putting hope in me.  The hope I would do the work; That I would do the work right, and that I would be willing to share it.

Now don't get me wrong, I still do family history and genealogy for me.  And it is and will remain a "choice."  But I love it.  I love doing the research, I love the rewards.  But now the thought of it being practiced in a bubble is just plain absurd.  And I have a stronger sense of wanting to produce something worth sharing.

Copyright © 2010 by Kevin W. Walker

The Kind of Family Bible that is the Stuff that Genealogical Dreams are Made Of

I was given "the" Family Bible by my grandfather, something for which I am eternally grateful.  But it is really not "old" as it was started by him, and unfortunately research has proven he fudged some of the dates deliberately to hide some family peccadilloes.  So while I am deeply, emotionally touched to be the designated recipient, it has lost a bit of its luster.  Especially when I uncovered this about a different Family Bible belonging to his grandparents:

Testimony given by my g-g-grandmother Phoebe (Ward) Chesley (1830-1928) in the Civil War Widow's Pension File for her husband the late Charles H. Chesley (1829-1905).  --

On this 3 day of July 1905 before me a Notary Public  in and for the county and state afore mentioned personally appeared Phebe C. Chesley who being by me duly sworn swears there is no public record of any kind of fact or date of my marriage to Charles H. Chesley as no such record was by law required to be kept in the state of New York at date of our marriage.  I have a truthful record of my marriage in our family Bible. . . .

The testimony goes on at some length where, among other perfunctory statements like a listing of personal property, she swears there are no remaining witnesses to the marriage nor is she able to contact the minister nor would he have records.

Attached to the sworn affidavit are two more affidavits witnessing to the veracity of the first.  These are from her son-in-law Warren Denslow Copeland (1866-1942) and from a J. O. Mylor who says his age is 44 and his residence as Milldale, NE.

Finally we have an addendum from the attesting notary --

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3 day of July 1905 by Phebe C.Chesley, claimant for pension and the two persons above subscribing.  I have no interest whatever in the claim for pension by said Phebe C. Chesley widow.  I certify that at the same time said Phebe C. Chesley presented to me a Bible which she said on her oath contained a correct and true record of her family.  I have carefully examined said book.  It appears to have been printed in 1855.  The record is legibly written with no change or alteration from its appearance.  I believe said record is genuine and was probably written near the dates the respective events therein recorded are said to have transpired.  As to the marriage of Charles H. Chesley and Phebe C. Ward the record recites as follows

At top of page under heading of marriages in an old and badly worn and faded Bible appears the following:

Charles H. Chesley (Born Dec 26th AD 1828) x Phebe Ward (Born Feb 6th AD 1830) - August 13th 1848

also a list of others of family with apparent date of marriage set opposite as above.

THAT'S what I am talking about!   The stuff that a Genealogist's dreams are made of.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Description of Charles Henry Chesley (1828-1905)

For personal reasons I have been unable to find the time to update my blog for the last three months.  But with the holidays behind us, it is time to fire it up again.

My son was able to make it to Washington D.C., and graciously stopped in at the National Archives to copy off the Civil War pension records for four of our ancestors.  One such record was for my g-g-grandfather Charles H. Chesley, a Private in Company K, 8th Regiment, Illinois.  In the pension records we find the requisite medical report (formally known as "Surgeon's Certificate").  And from the medical report we get the following description --

Upon examination we find the following objective conditions: Pulse rate, 75;  respiration, 18;  temperature, 98 1/2;  height, 5 feet 10 1/2 inches;  weight, 165 pounds; age, 62 years.  Left eye globe collapsed - otherwise in reasonable good condition, the eye totally blind.  Right mucous membrane relaxed areas [     ] of right, eyesight normal.

Rheumatism right shoulder [  ] tender [    ] motion limited because of pain same description of right hip [  ].  No other sign of rheumatism, heart normal.

Supporting documentation appears to indicate he lost his left eye in combat during the Civil War, but I need to transcribe the handwritten documents before I will know for sure.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker