22 August 2014

The Interesting Case of Carsten Tietjen (1848-1932)

From Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 82, Number 103, 19 December 1891 --

THE POOR.
Contributions Coming In—C. Tietjen's Generous Act. The appeal on behalf of the poor is bearing good fruit, the following donations having been received yesterday by the Howards: Mrs. Duden, 1023 L street, clothing; Mrs. Joseph, 1120 Eighth street, clothing; Mrs. Redington, 1426 H street, various articles; Mrs. L. G. Shepherd, 1220 Seventh street, various articles; No. 712 H street, clothing; Mrs. Charles J. Ellis, 93l M street, clothing; Mike Smith, clothing; Telegraph Mill, J street, Twelfth and Thirteenth, wood; Mrs. Albert Johnson, clothing; C. H. Stevenson, clothing; A. Rodegerdts, Third and M streets, clothing and blankets; unknown lady, bundle of bedclothing; Dr. Clayton, clothing; F. L. Forbes, bedstead and mattress; Mr. Bonte, clothing. 
In addition to these contributions many citizens and families, who do not care to have their names published, have sent packages of articles to the Howards to be distributed among the poor. 
So, also, in the case of the orphans— contributions of money, clothing, toys, etc, are being sent direct to the asylum by people who prefer to give their mite without ostentation or desire for public credit. Hence there is more real charity being bestowed than the published statements in the newspapers would indicate. This is fortunate alike for the poor and the orphans. 
C. Tietjen, an employe of the Buffalo Brewing Company, has come to the relief of Mrs. Elizabeth Buck, the mother of a family of five children, residing at 1802 Q street, who is in destitute circumstances and bedridden with cancer of the breast. Mr. Tietjen is the owner of a fine piano, which he offers at raffle for $500 for the benefit of Mrs. Buck and her children, knowing them to be worthy objects of charity. 
The family were deserted by the husband and father a year ago. This is one of the cases that appeals to the heart of every person who has a thought above his own comfort and well-being. The $500 worth of tickets in the piano raffle should be applied for eagerly.


From the Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 84, Number 102, 17 December 1892 --

MADE HOMELESS BY FIRE.
A Mother and Her Five Children Have a Narrow Escape. 
An Exploding Lamp Sets Fire to Their house-The Family Rendered Destitute
Mrs. Buck, a widow, and her five children had a narrow escape from a terrible fate at 3 o'clock yesterday morning, the house occupied by them at Eighteenth and U streets having caught fire in such a way that the occupants barely escaped in their night-clothes. 
Mrs. Buck had been in the habit of keeping a kerosene lamp burning low in her bedroom, and at the hour named it exploded, setting fire to the beds and the room. The screams of the woman and children aroused Carsten Tietjen, a lodger, who also had barely time to escape in his night-clothes, and in this condition he ran to the Buffalo Brewery, several blocks away, and turned in an alarm. 
In tho meantime Mrs. Buck was engaged in getting her children out of the burning building, and their escape was almost miraculous. The night was bitter cold—the coldest of the season—and the little ones were nearly frozen before they were able to reach the shelter of a neighbor's house. 
The Fire Department responded promptly to the alarm, but owing to the long run the house was nearly destroyed when the firemen reached the spot. Nothing but a couple of trunks were saved the burning building. The latter was owned by Thomas Kenny. It was valued at $1200 and was insured for $700. 
Aside from the physical suffering to which Mrs. Buck and her five children were subjected at the time, the family's loss is complete, not even their clothing being saved. Our citizens have always been prompt to respond to calls for relief when people in distant places had been rendered destitute by fire or flood, and it would seem that here is a most deserving case right at home where help is needed. 
A remarkable correspondence of occurences one year apart.  Carsten Tietjen was originally married to Mary Goebel (1854-1888).  A widower, the record shows Mr. Tietjen eventually married the Mrs. Elizabeth Buck, the subject of the two articles above.  Because Carsten Tietjen went on to own his own saloon, my premonition is that there is a wealth of records surviving him.  I am just beginning.

Carsten Tietjen was my wife's 2xg-grandfather.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

21 August 2014

Obituary: Michael Kenneth Evans (1946-2014)

As published in the Fairmont (MN) Sentinel August 6, 2014 --
Michael Kenneth Evans
OROVILLE, Calif. - Michael Kenneth Evans, age 68, of Oroville, Calif., and Mesa, Ariz., passed away Sunday, July 27, 2014, from cancer at his home in Arizona with Bonnie, his wife of 38 years, with him. Per his request, there will be no services.
Mike was born July 4, 1946, in Fairmont, Minn., to Kenneth and Joyce Evans. His spirit and love of life touched many lives from coast to coast and beyond and he will be greatly missed.
Survivors include: his wife, Bonnie; father, Kenneth of Fairmont; children, Lisa (Mark), Jodi (Craig), and Kenny, all of Calif.; six grandchildren who have that special memory of bass fishing with Grandpa Mike on Lake Oroville; niece, Laura (Dan); step-brother, Doug (Sharon); sister-in-law, Linda (Paul); cousin, Phyllis (Doug); many great friends whom he considered part of his family; and his dog, Brandy.
Mike was my step-mom's brother in law, the husband of her sister.  I only met the gentleman a couple times at family gatherings and was struck by how young at heart he was.  Much like his wife.  He will be missed.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

12 August 2014

Citizenships for James Derfler (1882-1962) and Karolina Derfler (nee. Vykouk, 1887-1971)



James and Karolina Derfler were my step-mother's maternal grandparents.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

04 August 2014

Amanuensis Monday: Will of Francis Gibson (1774-1858)



In the name of God Amen. I Francis Gibson of  Neshannock Township Laurence County and State of Pennsylvania considering the uncertainty of this present life and being of sound mind and memory Blessed be God for the same do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Viz.

1st of All I commend my immortal spirit into the hands of God who gave it and my body to be buried in a deacent (sic) and Christen (sic) like manner and of the worldly good with which it has pleased God to bless me in this world I dispose of as follows

2nd  I give unto my Eldest son Isaac Gibson the tract of land containing 117 acres 84 perches (?) as this day deeded to him and he is to pay the $200 consideration money to my son William M. Gibson. I give unto my son Samuel Gibson the west end of the farm where I now reside dividing by the line run by James Oliver to be for his proper use and benefit during his natural lifetime and then to be the property of them their heirs or assigns and on consideration of his paying unto each of my daughters Ester Parters (Porters) Elizabeth Wilson Martha Hannah (Hanna) Anne Morehead Mary Fisher Sarah Johnston and Rebecca Wilson the sum of one hundred dollars and the sum of three hundred dollars unto my son William M. Gibson

3rd I give and bequeath unto my Son Francis Gibson the East end of the Tract as run off by James Oliver To be for his use and benefit and his heirs or assigns forever

And 4th I give and bequeath unto my son William M. Gibson the sum of five hundred dollars as mentioned above two hundred dollars to be paid by Isaac and three hundred dollars to be paid Samuel 
5th. I give and bequeath unto each of my daughters Ester Elizabeth Martha Anne Mary Sarah and Rebecca Jane an equal share of the Household and Kitchen Furniture not otherwise disposed of the property to be appraised and offer at public sale after my decease by my Executors in after named and proceeds after paying the expenses to be divided among all my daughters above named share and share alike.  And I allow my daughter Anne Morehead in addition to the sum of one hundred dollars and her equal share of the proceeds of the sale of my household furniture to have my clock it is my will that the stoves and grates be left in the house.  And I further give and bequeath the remainder of all my personal property money due me on notes books account or in any way after defraying all expenses paying all my Just debts funeral expences (sic) and putting up a tomb stone to my late wife’s grave to my grand children herein after named Viz Francis Wilson Francis Gibson Francis Fisher and Francis Gibson and any other grand children tat are called by the name of Francis or may be so called during my lifetime to be divided among them share and share alike

I hereby constitute and appoint my son Isaac Gibson and Thomas Pomeroy the Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and declaring null and void all other wills I do declare this to be my last Will and Testament.  In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of February A.D. 1856 
Francis his X mark Gibson seal
Francis Gibson was my 4xg-grandfather on my Dad's maternal side.  Research has yet to be done, but every indication is these Gibsons were related to the Gibsons behind my mother. 

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker