Who We Were, Are & Will Be Our Family: 2021

24 July 2021

Obituary for Louisa Victoria Dutton (nee. Brindsen 1840-1915)

The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, Missouri), February 14, 1915, Sunday, Page 5 --

Mrs. Lou Dutton Dies After Short Illness
After a short illness of pleuro-pneumonia, Mrs. Lou V. Dutton of 432 West I.ocust street, 75 years of age. died yesterday morning at her residence.
Mrs. Dutton was the wife of Captain H. J. Dutton of Company A. 33rd Illinois Infantry, a Civil War veteran. Besides the husband, Mrs. Dutton is survived by one son, Clarence A. Dutton, of Los Angeles, and four daughters. Mrs. A. O. Mack, Mrs. R. E. M. Mack, Mrs. G. A. Coover of this city, and Mrs. F. A. Dunlap of Kennewick, Wash.
Mrs. Dutton was born in Burford, Can, October 17, 1840. Left an orphan at an early age, she went to relatives in Illinois and was married at Metamora, Aug. 29, 1866. In 1869 she moved to Cedar county, Mo., where she lived until 1884, when she moved to Springfield.
Funeral services will be announced as soon as word is received from the son and daughter living in the west.

Louisa was the wife of my 2xg-grandfather Harvey J. Dutton, whom I blog about often.

23 July 2021

John Scott Farm, Scott County, Iowa (ca. 1875)

John Scott (1805-1883) was my 2xg-granduncle.

22 July 2021

Signature of 9xG-Grandfather Capt. Samuel Walker (1639)

(Click to Enlarge.)

This is the signature of my 9xg-grandfather Capt. Samuel Walker (1615-1684). He was the first of my Walkers to come to North America, we think immigrating in 1637, seventeen years after the Mayflower. Because he was a Scottish Presbyterian, the English Presbyterians would not let him settle in Massachusetts Bay Colony. So he and his fellow travelers went to Exeter, New Hampshire for some years, before moving back to Reading, Massachusetts and finally settling in Woburn, Massachusetts.

The document is The Exeter (New Hampshire) Combination of 1639, pledging loyalty to God and King, but also saying "We are not like those from Massachusetts."

21 July 2021

Wordless Wednesday: Ira Gibson (ca. 1950)

Ira Gibson (1890-1966) was my granduncle on my mother's paternal side.

20 July 2021

Tombstone Tuesday: Emma (Gibson) Calkins Waggener Boll

Emma Gibson Calkins Waggener Boll
Born: September 3, 1898, Kansas
Died: May 7, 1975, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California
Buried: Glen Haven Memorial Park, Sylmar, Los Angeles County, California

Emma was my much beloved grandaunt on my mother's paternal side. Not much of a "tombstone," but a beloved ancestral relative.

19 July 2021

Another Case of Family Tree Serendipity (years 1668 and 1855)

"In 1668 Thomas Dutton [of Woburn] brought an action of slander against Michael Bacon Jr., who had charged him with being a thief…The following paper also appears as evidence in this case and is very valuable for its autographs: Wee whose Names are under written testyfy that Thomas dutton having lived amongst us in the Towne of woburne nere the space of tenne yeares, has bine very Industrus in his calling and and has not to our knowledg bine any way given to steall or to take any thing that is not his owne. Josias Conuars, William Johnson, Mathew Johnson, James Conuars, Samuell Conuars, John Broockes, Thomas Peirce, Samual Walker senyer, John Russell Junior, henry broockes, Isack Broockes, Edward win, Richard Gardner, John Russell Sen., John Carter.
"The plaintiff obtained a verdict of fifteen pounds."

-- Johnson, E. F. (1906). Woburn Records of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. United States: Andrews, Cutler, & Company, 3:83, footnote to Dutton.
-- AmericanAncestors.org,, Middlesex County, MA, Abstracts of Court Files, 1649–1675 (online database, 2003). Unpublished abstracts by Thomas Bellows Wyman, "Abstract of Middlesex court files from 1649," n.d.: 2:48, Dutton vs. Bacon.

Thomas Dutton (1621-1687) was my 8xg-grandfather, and Samuel Walker, Sr. (1615-1684) was my 9xg-grandfather.

One hundred and eighty-seven years later, in 1855, in the small town of Metamora, in central Illinois,

my 2xg-grandfather Henry Walker, Sr. (1829-1865) married my 2xg-grandmother Louisa Dutton (1833-1913). Direct descendants of Samuel and Thomas.

18 July 2021

Leroy Needham Family (1940)

(L to R) Grace Needham (nee. Auterson, 1872-1942), her husband Leroy Needham (1873-1959), their son Arthur Needham (1908-1975), and his wife Ethel Needham (nee. McKenzie, 1911-1999).

17 July 2021

Visit to Family in Nebraska (1964)

In 1964 my Dad, Paul Walker (1929-2019), took his budding family back to Nebraska to visit all the family. Our Mom Brenda Walker Cox (nee. Gibson, 1938-1989) is holding my brother. That is me wearing my new Dix (Nebraska) High School sweatshirt (when it was obviously summertime warm outside), and trying to show off my missing tooth. We are at Lee and Linnie Wistrom's (1906-1986) home in Kimball, Nebraska. Lee (nee. McNeil Walker, 1907-1980) was my Dad's oldest sister.

16 July 2021

Dutton marries Dutton? Be Careful.

From The Silver Blade (Rathdrum, Idaho), April 19, 1907, Friday, Page 3 --

April 18. -- S. S. Dutton 71, of Sagle, and Mrs. Mary S. Dutton, 60; of Rathdrum.

It would be very easy to presume this is the announcement of a husband and wife marrying. But just a little bit of digging discloses that Mary Dutton was in fact the widow of William Allen Dutton (1847-1905). Samuel Smith Dutton (1835-1914) was marrying his newly widowed sister in law Mary Sofia Dutton, (nee. Else, 1846-1926).

15 July 2021

Small Town Joy Evident in the Social Page (1941)

From the social pages of the Arnold Sentinel (Arnold, Nebraska), June 5,1941, Thursday, Page 4 --

Herald and Jerald Walker visited Sunday with their brother, Norman Walker,
and their cousins, Wayne and Paul Walker, of Dix, Nebraska.

What is so special about this? Norman is 14 years old, Paul is 12, and Wayne, Herald, and Jerald are all only 10 years old. And this is reported in the social pages of the local newspaper. In 1941, Arnold was the home to about eight-hundred souls.

A good friend of mine said jokingly, and with a smile on his face, that "Hedda Hopper had nothing on this reporter." But that is the point of it, isn't it? Small town charm versus the action, drama, and celebrity of high society.

To each their own, but give me the small town.

14 July 2021

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Kids Football (1940)

I date this circa 1940 in Dix, Nebraska. Left to right -- Bobby Wistrom (1930-1999), Wayne Walker (1931-2018), and Paul Walker (1929-2019).

Bobby was my first cousin, Wayne was my uncle, and Paul was my father.

13 July 2021

Tombstone Tuesday: Herold C. Walker (1892-1892)

Herold C. Walker

Born: January 13, 1892, Custer County, Nebraska

Died: April 13, 1892 (aged 3 months), Custer County, Nebraska

Burial: Powell Canyon Cemetery, Custer County, Nebraska, USA

Had he survived, Herold would have been my granduncle.

12 July 2021

Amanuensis Monday: Postcard Home

(undated: Circa 1915)

Mrs. K.G. Walker

Dix, Neb.

Show this to some of them so will know where I am at. Keith

"Well, geesh Kevin, that is not much of a transcription." Yeah, I know but for me it is an emotional one. My Grandpa Keith Walker (1894-1980) lived and worked on the Union Pacific Railroad. But in his heart he was a family man. He was writing home to his wife and large family wanting them to know where he was.

This day it was Rawlins, Wyoming.

11 July 2021

Another Shooting in the Family Tree: John McGill Shoots Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Gurwell (1909) Part 1

The Humboldt Daily Herald (Humboldt, Kansas), April 22, 1909, Thursday, Page 1 --

INTENDED MURDER
FAMILY QUARREL IS ENDED WITH FIRE ARM
SHOOTS SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW, AT ROSE,

THEN GIVES HIMSELF UP TO SHERIFF

A serious shooting affray occured about nine miles west of Humboldt yesterday afternoon. From what we could learn, Irvin Gerwell and wife had gone over to visit John McGill, who is a brother of Mrs. Gerwell. It is supposed that the three got into some dispute, which became so serious that McGill shot his sister and brother-in-law with a revolver.
It seems that Frank McGill, who lives near where the shooting took place, was the first to hear of it and he phoned the news to the home of Jake Gerwell. A brother of Irvin Gerwell immediately jumped on a horse and rode to the home of the injured man. Finding no one there he rode with all haste into Humboldt, supposing that the injured people had been brought here.
Instead, however, Irvin Gerwell, who is not seriously hurt, took his wife to the home of her parents, who live one mile north and four miles east of Rose. Dr. Dingus, of Yates Center, was immediately called and made an examination of Mrs. Gerwell's wound.
The bullet penetrated her right side, but the doctor does not think it touched any vital part. He says her injury is not dangerous. The bullet which was fired at Mr. Gerwell hit a button on his clothing and glanced off without doing any harm.
John McGill, the man who did the shooting, went directly to Yates Center, where he surrendered himself to the sheriff. He is now in jail at Yates Center. The authorities will make a full investigation of the affair today.

Irvin Gurwell was my 1st Cousin, twice removed, on my mother's paternal side. There is a lot more to be fleshed out about this story, like why and what were the consequences? Stay tuned.

10 July 2021

Probate Announcement for Samuel Day (1861)

From The Monroe Sentinel (Monroe, Wisconsin), July 10, 1861, Wednesday, Page 2 --

County Court of Green County in Probate.
In the matter of the estate of
Samuel Day, deceased.
NOTICE is hereby given that James Hickman has filed an application in this court praying that letters of administration of said estate be granted him and that said application will be heard before the County Judge on Monday the 5th day of August, A.D. 1861 at 10 o'clock A.M. of said day at the probate office in Monroe, said County.
Dated July 3d, A.D. 1861.
D. Dunwiddie
County Judge

Samuel Day (1784-1861) was my 3xg-grandfather.

09 July 2021

Death of Sadie Armor Reported Back in Butler County, KS (1920)

From El Dorado Republican (El Dorado, Kansas), December 17, 1920, Friday, Page 2 --

SADIE ARMOUR
Miss Sadie Armour, age 18, formerly a resident of Rosalia, but who has been living with her mother, Mrs. William Armour, at Wichita, for the past several months, died last night after a short illness caused by diphtheria. The girl's father lives in El Dorado. The body was taken to Rosalia this morning where services will be held tomorrow and burial made in the Blankinship Cemetery.

Sadie Armor was my 1st cousin 2x removed on my mother's maternal side. You might notice I use the spelling "Armor" instead of "Armour." I am trying to follow the convention that the family used at the time according to written records, not the form that sources like newspapers used. It is not easy. It was during Sadie's generation the family made the switch.

08 July 2021

Traumatic Experience for Josie (Surpluss) Armor at Death of Daughter (1920)

From The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kansas), December 12, 1920, Sunday, Page 5 --

Stricken While Caring for Her Dying Child, Woman Near Death
Mrs. William Armour Suffers Stroke While Administering Anti-Toxin;

Does Not Know of Death

Having suffered a paralytic stroke a week ago as she was assisting in administering anti-toxin to her dying child, Mrs. William Armour, 1218 S. Main street, is in a dangerous condition from which her recovery is not expected.
Her daughter, Sadie Ellen Armour, 17 years old, died at 2:45 o'clock Saturday morning, after an illness of two weeks of diphtheria. Over exertion from constant attendance at her daughter's bedside diminished Mrs. Armour's strength and the stroke followed.
During the girl's illness Mrs. Armour was taken to her room in a wheel chair. Because of the serious ness of her illness, Mrs. Armour hasn't been told of Sadie's death.
Sadie's parents are said to be separated, the father residing outside the state. She was born at Rosalia Kans., January 1, 1903, and came to Wichita in 1916 from El Dorado. Besides her mother and father she is survived by a sister, Mrs. Mabel Owings, Woodward, Okla., and three brothers. J. W. Armour, 1915 Gold street; Frank Armour, 303 West Dewey street, and Everett Armour 1218 South Main street.
The body will be taken to Rosalia at 9:40 o'clock Monday morning for funeral services and burial. Wichita Undertaking company has charge.

Anna Josephine "Josie" Armor (nee. Surpluss, 1866-1958) was my great-grandaunt on my mother's maternal side. Her daughter Sarah "Sadie" Armor was my 1st Cousin, 2x Removed.

07 July 2021

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Paul E. Walker (1929-2019) and His Son Kevin (Circa.1960)

06 July 2021

Tombstone Tuesday: Infant Child Surpluss (July 25, 1905)

"Infant Child of J.A. and E.R. Surpluss Died July 25, 1905"

Birth: 1905
Death: 25 Jul 1905
Buried: Blankinship Cemetery, Butler County, Kansas

The initials belong to my maternal g-grandparents James Alexander Surpluss, and Elsie Rue (Hall) Surpluss. This was a recent "discovery" for me. My cousin Tony who also does genealogy already knew about it and told me. This one kind of hit hard emotionally. Maybe the deaths of little ones are supposed to bother us? This child would have been my grandaunt or granduncle, the sibling to my maternal grandmother.

05 July 2021

Wayne Needham Walker (1931-2018) Decorated Graduate

From The Western Nebraska Observer (Kimball, Nebraska), May 22, 1952, Thursday, Page 10 --

Wayne Walker of Dix.
Son of Keith Walker of Dix, Wayne is a cum laude graduate at Kearney with a major in mathematics and minors in physics and chemistry. Affiliated with the Caledonian fraternity; Lambda Delta Lambda fraternity; national honorary physical science organization; XI Phi, national honorary scholarship and leadership fraternity; and the Men's League, Wayne has also served as president of Lambda Delta Lambda and on the Men's League Council. Following graduation, he plans to attend Naval Officers’ School.

Wayne Walker was my paternal uncle.

04 July 2021

Happy Independence Day 2021

03 July 2021

Divorce of Josie (Surpluss) Armor from William Armor (1910)

El Dorado Daily Republican (El Dorado, Kansas), June 10, 1910, Friday, Page 4 --

Mrs. Josie Armor of Rosalia, has filed suit for divorce from William Armor, alleging cruelty.

El Dorado Republican (El Dorado, Kansas), November 11, 1910, Friday, Page 2 --

Josie Armor is granted divorce from William Armor and given custody of two minor daughters.

Anna Josephine Armor (nee. Surpluss, 1866-1958) was my great-grandaunt on my mom's maternal side. The two "minor daughters" are Tillie Jane (1899-1968) and Sarah Ellen (1903-1920). The marriage also produced four other siblings who had grown and moved out.

02 July 2021

Printed School Program, 1908-9 (Custer County, Nebraska)

Mackley School

Elim Township, Custer County, Nebr

1908-9

Compliments of Kathryn Powell, Teacher

Listed among the pupils is Bessie A. Hutchens (1894-1936), my grandaunt, or more accurately wife of my granduncle.

01 July 2021

"Looks Like Murder" : L.W. Decker (1842-1913)

From The Southwest Mail (Nevada, Missouri), October 13, 1913, Friday, Page 8 --

LOOKS LIKE MURDER
L. W. Decker Found Dead in Bed Monday Morning--His Hands and Feet Tied With Rope.

L W. Decker, a coal miner, who resides three miles south of Amsterdam, was found dead in his bed Monday morning between six and seven o'clock and all indications are that he was murdered. When his body was found by neighbors his hands were tied tight with a rope behind his back, his feet tied together and a handkerchief tied around his face and neck says the Butler Democrat.
Sheriff Johnson and Coronor Crabtree were immediately notified and they left Butler for the scene of the crime Monday morning between eight and nine o'clock, where an inquest was held.
From parties who live in the neighborhood we learn that Decker was last seen on Saturday night and no one was seen about his premises. Decker was 74 years of age and was a widower, his wife having died about one year ago.
The above megaer particulars are all we have been able to secure over the phone.

Lawrence W. Decker was the husband of my 2xg-aunt Margaret Ann (Maclean) Decker. So far I have found no information as to motive or perpetrator.

30 June 2021

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Best Buds Keith Walker and Lindsay Mylar

Best friends Keith G. Walker (seated, 1894-1980) and J. Lindsay Mylar (standing, 1894-1976),

in 1912 on left, and in 1967 on right.

Keith G. Walker was my grandfather on my paternal side.

29 June 2021

Tombstone(less) Tuesday: Pvt. Henry M. Walker, Sr. (1829-1865) at Chalmette National Cemetery, New Orleans, LA.

I have made several big discoveries as a genealogist and family historian. But probably my proudest, most emotional, and most rewarding was finding the grave of my gg-grandfather Henry Walker, Sr. who died in a railroad accident during the Civil War. Another part of the circle closing the story has been fulfilled. My son Paul went to the grave and placed American flags over his burial spot, and the spots of those who died along his side and are buried with him.

He is buried at Chalmette National Cemetery outside New Orleans. In the second picture you can see that he and his fellow comrades who died in the railroad accident do not have grave markers. The cemetery did not even know they were buried there until I found records from the 1880s at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Now we negotiate getting them grave markers.

Step 1, he is found; Step 2, thanks to Paul, we have acknowledged him; Now it is time for step 3, for the government to give him his marker. By federal law, all veterans are entitled to one.

28 June 2021

"Card of Thanks" RE: Death of Margaret Ann Decker (nee. MacLean, 1840-1913)

From the Pleasanton Observer-Enterprise (Pleasanton, Kansas), February 13, 1913, Thursday, Page 2 --

Card of Thanks.
We thank the friends and neighbors who was ever so kind in helping to care for our wife, sister and aunt.
L. W. Decker.
Sarah Surplus.
Lucy McClure.
Josie Armor.

Margaret Decker was my 2xg-aunt on my mother's maternal side. "L.W." was her husband Lawrence; Sarah Surpluss (1843-1913) was Margaret's sister, and my 2xg-grandmother; Lucy McClure (1851-1920) of Oklahoma was another sister; and Josie Armor (1866-1958) was Margaret's niece, Sarah's daughter, and my great-aunt.

Less than one year later Margaret's husband Lawrence will be murdered. More about that soon.

27 June 2021

William Scott (1771-1849) First Justice of the Peace for Mercer County, Pennsylvania

From The Record-Argus (Greenville, Pennsylvania), April 8, 1876, Saturday, Page 8 --

COURTS OF JUSTICE

Previous to the election by a vote of the people, the office of Justice of the Peace was filled by appointment by the Governor and his council. The first appointment for this office in the town of Greenville, was Mr. William Scott, (the term of office being for life or during good behaviour). Mr. S. held forth in a small store-room on High street, near the present residence of Josiah Kughler. The manner of conducting court at that day differed from this, in as much as the laying of penalties was mostly devolved on the justice. For instance: A countryman was one day brought before the court for some misdemeanor, and using profane language on the street. His punishment was to dig three stumps out of Main street, on the hill west of the U. P. church. Whether this was the method in which the street was finally cleared of this nuisance we know not, but if so, we would recommend it to the Burgess and Council as the bust method of grading and paving the streets at the present day. As at the same ration of penalty quite a fund of labor might be accumulated.

William Scott (1771-1849) was my 3xg-grandfather on my father's maternal side. He is a recent discovery for me and I am just now beginning research on this line.

26 June 2021

Future Families Mixing (1900)

From The Walnut Valley Times (El Dorado, Kansas), February 27, 1900, Tuesday, Page 4 --

A pleasant surprise was given by the members of the Walnut Valley Sunday School on Mrs. James Knox at the home of her brothers In Rosalia township Monday evening, February 19. Alex Surplus in behalf of the Sunday school presented Mrs. Knox with a lovely parlor table. The evening was pleasantly spent and refreshments formed a part. The company dispersed at a late hour with a cordial invitation to visit Mr. and Mrs. Knox in their new home on the Purdy farm a mile south of Harmony church. Those present, Mr. and Mrs. J Knox, Mr. and Mrs. George Hall, Mr. Bonnel, Mary Bonnel, Miss McKee, Carrie Young, Elsie Hall, Agnes Long, Arthur Young, Alex Surplus, George Clark, Will and John Long.

Have you ever sat in a crowded and room and just people watch? It is a beautiful thing! We are enlightened beings that puts us above the beasts, but at our base, we are still animals, and every thing we do, we say, we gesture, has a meaning to communicate. And for those of us who enjoy people watching, the above get-together would have been pure, almost choreographed, theater.

Mr. and Mrs. George and Miriam Hall are my 2xg-grandparents. I am assuming "Miss McKee" is Candace McKee, my2xg-grandaunt and Miriam Hall's sister. Elsie Rue Hall is George and Miriam's daughter, she would shortly marry Alex Surpluss, and they would become my g-grandparents. The John Long mentioned would marry Elsie's older sister Jennie.

25 June 2021

Obituary for Leo Gibson (1892-1967)

From Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock, Texas), January 6, 1967, Friday, Page 37 --

Leo Gibson's Funeral Slated

ANDREWS (Special) — Leo Gibson, 71, longtime resident of Eunice, N.M., died at 11:05 a.m. Thursday in Permian General Hospital at Andrews.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday (MST) in the First Baptist Church at Eunice with the Rev. G. A. Magee, pastor, officiating.
Graveside services will be at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the Andrews Cemetery. Burial will be under direction of Singleton Funeral Home.
Gibson had been a resident of Eunice the past 30 years, and was a native of Kansas. He retired from Sunray Oil Co. in 1957 after being a pumper for 22 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church at Eunice.
Survivors include his wife. Mary Josephine; a son, Lewis Doyle, Roswell; a sister, Mrs. Emma Ball of Glendale, Calif.; and two brothers, Bruce, Bcrkeley, Calif., and Wallace, Danville, Calif.

Leo Gibson was my grand-uncle on my mom's paternal side. I don't remember ever meeting any of my grand-uncles, but I remember attending one funeral, for Wallace "Hoot" Gibson (1905-1968). Our relationship with my mom's extended family was always kind of odd. We were super close to her immediate family, my grandparents and her siblings, visiting them frequently, but we almost never saw anyone else.

24 June 2021

Death of George Hall (1845-1908) in Newspaper Back Home

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), November 3, 1908, Tuesday, Page 3 --

Danvers
DEATH OF GEORGE HALL OCCURS AT ELDORADO, KAS.
Remembered by Older Residents

The news of the death of George Hall was received here Monday from Eldorado, Kas. Mr. Hall was born here about 70 years ago, was the son of Jeremiah Hall. He was wounded in the army and this was the cause of his death. For many years he resided near Gibson City and Fairbury. He later moved to Kansas. His wife was Miss Marion McKee, a daughter of William McKee, near Oak Grove. He will be remembered by the older residents here and at Carlock.

George Hall was my 2xg-grandfather on my mother's maternal side. I did not know he lived near Gibson City and Fairbury! Clues for more research.

23 June 2021

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Close Cousins

My uncle Wayne Walker (1931-2018) on the left; My dad Paul Walker (1929-2019) on the right, and their cousin Anne (Walker) Shadel (1920-2004) in the middle. Circa 1945. My Dad said of all his cousins he felt closest to Anne. This picture sort of shows that, the way he tilts his head in toward her.

22 June 2021

Tombstone Tuesday: Martha (Scott) Porter, 1824-1909

In honor of the recent discovery of my g-grandmother Martha (Scott) Porter's picture, I thought it would be appropriate to post a picture of her grave marker this week.

Born: June 1824, in Mercer, Mercer county, Pennsylvania

Died: 5 Sep 1909 in Leavenworth, Chelan county, Washington

Buried: Leavenworth North Road Cemetery, Leavenworth, Chelan county, Washington

21 June 2021

Amanuensis Monday: Divorce Record of Lucy M. (Chesley) Walker against Henry M. Walker (1897)

(Click on images to enlarge.)

In the District Court of Custer County Nebraska

Lucy M. Walker

vs.

Henry Walker

Comes now above named plaintiff and for cause of action against the defendant alleges that she and said defendant have been residents of Custer County Nebraska for upwards of ten years last part and that said plaintiff and defendant are now residents of said county and residing therein
That on or about the 26th day of October 1884 she was married to the defendant

That there are three children now minors resulting from said marriage to wit;

Lynn C. Walker aged 9 years

Norman A. Walker aged 7 years

Keith G. Walker aged 2 years

That during all of this time since said marriage that this plaintiff conducted herself toward said defendant as a kind and indifferent wife.

That said defendant not keeping his marital duties and vows at various times and repeatedly was guilty of repeated and extreme acts of cruelty by the use of acts of personal violence and other means against this plaintiff

That defendant is a person of loose and dissolute habits and that it is dangerous to the lives of the children herein named and of plaintiff to live with defendant or to continue further in the marriage relation with said defendant

That said defendant is not a proper person to have the care and custody of said children by reason of his vicious and immoral habits

That plaintiff is a person fitted and able to take charge of said children and their care custody education and control

That the defendant has been convicted of a felony in the District Court of Custer County Nebraska and has been sentenced to imprisonment in the penitentiary of this state for the term of three years and over by said court and no error has been persecuted therein

Wherefore plaintiff prays for an absolute decree of divorce from said defendant and for the court to award to her the care custody and control of said children absolutely and without any interference on the part of said defendant and for such other further and different reliefs as to the court may be just and understandable.

Lucy M. Walker

By J. R. Bean, Atty.

________________

The State of Nebraska

Custer County

Lucy M. Walker brings forth duly sworn deposes and says that she is plaintiff herein that she has read and swears the contents of said petition; that the facts stated herein are true as she verily believes

Lucy M. Walker (signed)

Inscribed in my presence and sworn to before me this 11th Day of December 1896.

J.R. Rhoades

County Judge

_________________

In the District Court of Custer County Nebraska

Lucy Walker

vs. ANSWER

Henry Walker

Comes now the defendant Henry Walker and for answer to the petition of the plaintiff filed herein -- admits the marriage of the plaintiff and defendant as alleged in the plaintiff's petition -- But denies each and all of the other allegations therein contained.

Henry Walker

By Cameron & Reece

His Attorneys

Verification waived

J.R. Bean (signed)

Atty for Plaintiff

20 June 2021

Happy Father's Day Paul E. Walker (1929-2019)

I miss you.

Arthur Herrick Needham Laid to Rest (1921)

Click to Enlarge.

A. H. NEEDHAM IS LAID TO REST IN ARNOLD CEMETERY.
Died at Home of Son In Forest Grove Ore.— Nearly Ninety Years Old.

A. H. Needham, father of Frank Needham, passed away at his son's home in Forest Grove Ore., on Thursday March 24th. Funeral services were conducted from the First Methodist church in Forest Grove, Ore. last Saturday afternoon, March 24th. The pastor, Rev. C. R. Carlos assisted by two former pastors of the deceased, Rev. Nathan English and Rev. L. W. Chandler. The remains were shipped to Arnold where services were held at the Methodist church on Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The service was conducted by Rev. Johnson and internment was made in the Arnold cemetery by the side of his beloved wife.

Obituary.

A. H. Needham was born In Lawrence, N. Y., September 7, 1831 and departed to his heavenly home from Forest Grove, Ore. on Thursday morning, March 24, 1921, age 89 years 6 months and 14 days. He moved with his father’s family to Cleveland, Ohio in 1834, where he grew to manhood working on his father’s farm. He was educated In the public schools and at Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio. His chosen profession was Pedagogy. After teaching four years in northern Ohio, he went south to Knoxville, Tcnn., as private tutor, from 1855 to 1857. He taught In the high school of Warrenton, Mo., from 1857 to 1860. When the Civil war came he enlisted in 1861 in the Second Regiment Iowa Cavalry, as hospital steward and served for five years. He was a member of the G. A. R. and had a deep affection for all his comrades. He was married to Camilla E Porter, in April, 1864, and was discharged from the service of his country in 1865. He moved to Iowa and engaged in farming and teaching during 1866-67. In September 1868 he moved to Lincoln, Neb., and took up a homestead. He taught the second term of school in what was then called the Wallingford District, in Lancaster county. Here he resided until 1883 when he moved to Arnold, Neb., and took up 320 acres of Government land and settled down to rear and educate his family. He was the father of four children: Frank E Needham of Arnold, Neb., Mrs. Keith Walker of Dix, Neb., and Mrs. E. G. Mills and Leroy Needham of Forest Grove, Ore. Eleven years ago his wife a dear companion and true helpmeet took her departure for the better land. He then made his home with his children and four years ago he came to Forest Grove, Ore., where after an illness of two months he peacefully passed away to his eternal reward.

He was identified with the Methodist Episcopal church for sixty years. His early Christian life dates back to the time when his sainted mother would gather her children around her and tell them of the love of Jesus. The loyalty that characterized his devotion to his family and his country, was manifested in his country was manifested in his relation to Christ. He was an intelligent student of history and sustained his interests in the current events of the day, to the last. He leaves a large circle of relatives and friends. His four children are living and besides them he had great delight in his fifteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. But the company of dear ones that have greeted him on the other shore, exceeds even in number that which he leaves behind.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish in this manner to thank the many friends and neighbors for the kindness and sympathy extended at the time of death and burial, of our father A. H. Needham

Signed: The Needham Family

Arthur Herrick Needham (1831-1921) was my g-grandfather on my father's maternal side. He was an extraordinary man. I have often considered writing his biography.

19 June 2021

Zeroing In on British Ethnicity with LivingDNA

All my DNA tests have indicated I am by far mostly British, Scottish, and Irish. Knowing this I was excited to get tested by LivingDNA, a British-based DNA service that specializes in getting specific about the regional results in the British Isles. Well my results are in. It seems I am mostly East Anglian, originally the home to the Anglo-Saxons. Then coming in second are the Scots and Orange Irish (Protestant Northern Ireland). My grandmother always told me she was Welsh, there is a little bit of that too. This dramatically confirms my paper research, and opens up opportunity to dig deeper. More follow up later. (Click on image to enlarge.)

18 June 2021

The Railroad Comes to Danvers, Illinois in 1869

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), November 26, 1869, Friday, Page 4 --

The depot at Danvers will be on the north side of the railroad, upon ground formerly owned by Mr. Otis Hall, southeast of town. Mr. Hall donated eight acres for this purpose and the town two more, and the whole was presented to the railroad company.

We predict a bright future for Danvers, now that she has the railroad. Two years ago the township voted $30,000 for the road, with only eleven dissenting votes, while some of our townships refused to vote a cent. Last winter the village was incorporated, and now contains about 600 population. Several new homes have lately been erected; Mr. Washburn is about completing one at a cost of $3000; Jeremiah Hall one costing about the same amount; a Congregational parsonage is just being finished at a cost of $2500; Rev. James Mitchell has just occupied a new $3000 house, and Mr. J.C. Vockrodt has just finished a dwelling house costing $2500.

My 3xg-grandfather Jeremiah Smith Hall (1809-1882) was an early settler of Danvers, a town founded by his older brother my 3xg-granduncle Israel Woodbury Hall (1799-1865). Israel had died four years earlier, so I suppose you could say he was represented above by his son Otis Taylor Hall (1828-1899). Otis was my first cousin 4x removed.

17 June 2021

William McKee's Horse is Stolen

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), April 17, 1873, Thursday, Page 2 --

----We have a novel case of horse-thieving. A man named Wm. Barret stole a horse below Forest City, Mason county, rode him up toward Green Valley, stopped at a stable where he was well acquainted with the stock, swapped for the best horse in the lot, road on into Dillon and doubled his stock by stealing another from Wm. McKee, and thence pushed on to Mackinaw. There he traded again. By this time men were in pursuit, and one man got into town in time to see McKee's horse ridden in by a boy. He took possession and told the boy that he had his horse. The boy told him that his father had traded for it, and that he could show him the man, and the horse that he had let the fellow have. Search was made and the horse found, but the man had smelt a mice and "broke for tall timber." One man too McKee's horse and rode to Delavan, another pursued the thief to Hopedale, where he had just taken the cars south. The lightning went ahead of Constable Cobean, who met the gentleman in the cars at Delevan, and took him into custody. He gave his name as Hudson. He is now in jail in Pekin awaiting trial.

Wow. I am not used to the use of catchwords in news stories. I am guessing that means the story is mostly for amusement? I am guessing "cars" means railway cars. I am guessing "lightning" means telegraph. I am guessing "smelt a mice" is what we mean when we say "smelled a rat."

One thing I am not guessing -- William McKee (1810-1873) was my 3xg-grandfather on my mother's maternal side.

16 June 2021

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Lucy May Walker Copeland (nee. Chesley 1866-1940) and Warren D. Copeland (1859-1942)

At their homestead in Custer County, Nebraska. Lucy was my g-grandmother on my father's paternal side. Warren was her second husband, and reportedly a great father to my grandfather.

15 June 2021

Tombstone Tuesday: John Needham (1799-1893)

John Needham
Born: July 31, 1799, Fort Ann, Washington County, New York
Died: August 24, 1893, Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Buried: Brecksville Cemetery, Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

John Needham was my 2xg-grandfather on my father's maternal side.

14 June 2021

Gurwells Implicated in Attempted Lynching

From The Kansas Chief (Troy, Kansas), August 23, 1894, Thursday, Page 3 --

The Highland Station Scrape-- A number of citizens of Highland Station and vicinity were arrested and brought to Troy, lost week, and had their trial before Justice Hawley, on Thursday, on complaint of Lute R. Mead, the man who was recently almost lynched at Highland Station. The persons arrested were N. N. Gallagher, Charles Sage, George Miller, Robert Sampson, James Gurwell, and Ralph Gurwell. There was no evidence showing that Gallagher, Miller, or Ralph Gurwell had any hand in the affair, and they were discharged. Sage, Sampson, and James Gurwell were permitted to plead guilty to assault and battery, and were fined $10 each, and costs. The report that the express money package that was stolen had been found, is a mistake. It is the prevalent belief that the partner of the complaining witness in this case got the money. He did not come over to participate in the trial. It seems, from their own story, that he raised the window of the depot, and got a drink of water.

James G. Gurwell (1834-1926) was my 2xg-grandfather. Ralph Wesley Gurwell (1873-1959) was his son, and my great-granduncle.

13 June 2021

Grace A. Hembree (1911-2005) Pledges Life to Christian Service

From The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kansas), June 13, 1928, Wednesday, Page 3 --

PLEDGE LIVES TO CHURCH
Four young people pledged themselves for life service in Christian work at the seventh annual Christian Endeavor banquet of South Lawrence Avenue Christian church Monday evening. They include Miss Grace Hembree, Miss Eva Whitney, Miss Oma Lamb, and Harold Lovitt of Iola, who was In Wichita attending the state convention.

Grace Abigail Sims (nee. Hembree, 1911-2005) was my first cousin 2x removed on my mother's maternal side. Grace researched her ancestry too and I was able to use her work in mine.

12 June 2021

Picture of Grace Abigail Hembree (1911-2005)

Grace Abigail Hembree was born July 27, 1911 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. She passed on January 21, 2005 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles County, California. She was the daughter of my great-grandaunt Mary Hembree (nee. Surpluss, 1870-1957), making Grace my 1st cousin 2x removed. The picture is from her Wichita High School yearbook when she was seventeen.

I like to think I am honoring my ancestors and relatives by remembering them, and Grace deserves remembering. She was another one of my ancestral relatives who started doing genealogy, and I was able to build on her work. Thank you Grace.

11 June 2021

Why Do I Love Nebraska? Because Nebraska Loved Me First!

Sixty-years ago, from The Western Nebraska Observer (Kimball, Nebraska) --

Mr. and Mrs. Dick Wistrom received the announcement of the birth of a son to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Walker of California on Jan. 22. He has been named Kevin Wayne. Paul Is the uncle of Dick Wistrom. He graduated from the Dix High School.

I was born in California, but they were talking about me in Nebraska! I do genealogy because of family. My family roots are in Nebraska. In many ways I consider it my home state, but I have never lived there.