Brickwall Comes Down: Gravesite of Henry M. Walker, Sr. (1829-1865), Part 3.

Lists and Databases

We need to talk about databases, and for this I will include all lists.  Lots, and lots of databases for the Civil War.  Some are published books, some are digital.  Some are public and some are private.  Some are indexed, some are searchable.  But it seems the one unifying factor of all of them is they are based on another list that went before them!  And as to that, some are updated, some are not.

The big daddy of all these databases for the Civil War is the Soldiers and Sailors Database maintained by the National Park Service and for my 2xg-grandfather Henry Martin Walker, Sr, it was in complete agreement with all the others.  It had him mustered, but not dead or buried.

What I knew was that the nine soldiers of the 33rd Illinois regiment that died in the train accident on March 2nd, 1865 three miles west of Boutte Station, Louisiana were on all the muster rolls of the living before the date of the accident, and after the accident they (except for one previously mentioned whose remains were shipped home) do not appear in any databases of the dead that we researchers routinely turn to for information.

 My idea was to sit down and begin taking apart the various databases to find their pedigrees, tracing the "ancestry" of the databases themselves, hoping to cover all bases at the root.  It would be simple enough to do, they are pregnant with misspellings and misinformation that are continuously shared from one generation of databases to the next.  You can identify which family of information a database belongs to by the misspellings and misinformation it contains.

The "Catacombs" (Well, not really.)

I am a history nut.  I love history, and seemingly can't get enough of it.  When I was in college one of my favorite activities was to go all the way down and back into the "catacombs" of the library where the oldest books were housed.  My eyes would open wide and my heart would come alive to handle and thumb through the centuries old books that for me represented a tangible connection to the past.

I venture that the vast majority of members of Ancestry.Com are not aware that the website too has a "catacombs" of sorts.  I am afraid most users limit themselves to doing perfunctory searches and then sorting through the results, rarely venturing past the home page.  But if you go to the deep recesses of the website via the "card catalog" instead of the search engine, you discover thousands of databases that never appear when doing searches.  And it was here my brickwall "fell down."

Eureka!

As I collected the databases (and lists) I would of course check them for the names of any of the missing soldiers, not just the name of my ancestor. I was adding the Chalmette, Louisiana edition of the Roll of Honor and searched for the sergeant Spillman F. Willis --

(Click to Enlarge.)

"Willis, S.F.......Sergeant..........Co. A ...........33d Illinois......"

Wait.  What?  Double-take.  He is listed?  I flip the page and look for Jerome Wolfe --

"Wolfe, -----......Private............Co. A ...........33d Illinois....."

My heart raced!  I flipped back three pages looking for my ancestor H.M. Walker --

"Walker, W.E....Private...........Co. A ............33d Illinois....."

I blinked and looked again.  The initials are wrong, but it is surely him.  He was the only Walker in Company A.  I sat back in my chair, my eyes got misty, and it felt like my heart stopped.  I had found him.  He is at Chalmette National Cemetery, as I suspected.

Or had I found him?  This was only one document.  I returned to the National Park Service's Soldiers and Sailors database.  No record for W.E. Walker, S.F. Willis, or ----- Wolfe, or any of the other men.  That is very strange!  That is the database that includes all the burials of all the national cemeteries!

Off to the Chalmette National cemetery website to search two of their databases one by name, and one by war.  No hits for any of the men.  Are you serious??  What the heck?!

Research showed that the Rolls of Honor were mostly compiled using the Quartermaster General's burial ledgers, again available in the "catacombs" of Ancestry.Com.

Handwritten in 1868, recording their dis-internment from their original burial site and re-internment at Monument National Cemetery (original name for Chalmette National Cemetery) in New Orleans, three years after their death, we have the following documentation.  Index, listing all eight of the missing soldiers --

(Click to Enlarge)

And the record itself, specifying the actual location of the graves --

Here I had their names, their ranks, company, and regiment; their date of death, the location of their original burial, and the location of their new internment at Chalmette including their grave number and section number.  Once again I returned to the Chalmette website and looked for the men in a third database, listing graves by section, and the men are still not there.

I sat with my mouth agape.  So the handwritten records contemporary to the death of my ancestor and his comrades show them buried, by name (albeit misrecorded for most) and grave number in Chalmette National Cemetery.  But none of the databases contemporary to us one hundred and fifty years later list them by correct name or incorrect.

Were the graves lost?  Were the records lost?  Were graves shared?

Well heck, time to contact Chalmette!

Tomorrow, PART 4, moving forward.


Bibliography
Roll of Honor United States. 1869. Names of soldiers who died in defense of the American Union, interred in the national cemeteries at Memphis, Tennessee, and Chalmette, (near New Orleans) Louisiana. Washington [D.C.]: G.P.O.
Burial Ledgers. The National Cemetery Administration, Washington, D.C. (Original records transferred to NARA: Burial Registers, compiled 1867-2006, documenting the period 1831-2006. ARC ID: 5928352. Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773–2007, Record Group 15. National Archives at Washington, D.C.
Burial Ledgers.  Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Quartermaster General. (09/18/1947–08/01/1962). Burial Registers of Military Post and National Cemeteries, compiled ca. 1862–ca. 1960. ARC ID: 4478151. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, Record Group 92. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Brickwall Comes Down: Gravesite of Henry M. Walker, Sr. (1829-1865), Part 2.

Location.  Location.  Location.

So I needed to identify the location of the accident.  All the reliable sources reported a number between three and four miles "west of Boutte Station."  I looked at many dozens of maps.  I was blessed that since we are dealing with an accident on a railroad, maps contemporary to the accident were plentiful.

(Click to enlarge.)

The reported location would have put the accident somewhere in the vicinity of what is now Paradis, LA.  Now what is interesting is that right around this point there is a canal with a crossing.  The witnesses to the accident said that there were a horse and a mule racing the locomotive on the track, and as they approached "a crossing" they expected the animals to take it, which the mule did and the horse started to, but changed its mind and turned back onto the track instigating the tragedy.  I can easily envision this being the site of the accident, and seeing the animals not wanting to enter the canal veering off.  Further, we are told that as many as six of the men "drowned" under the overturned trains, including my 2xg-grandfather.

In any case this is conjecture.  As of now, having broken through the brickwall, I no longer need to pinpoint the exact location except the desire to put a bow on this story.  So I believe inevitably I will return to finding the exact location.

The "enemy."

One of the most interesting eyewitness accounts by one of the soldiers describing the immediate action following the train accident, came from page 261 of HISTORY of the Thirty-Third Regiment Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry IN THE CIVIL WAR: 22nd AUGUST, 1861. to 7th DECEMBER, 1865 by General Isaac H. Elliott, published in 1902 --

The wounded and killed were removed as fast as recovered to the nearby farm house. There was a veranda on three sides of the house. On this and under the trees the dead and wounded were placed. Dr. Rex asked permission of the occupants of the house to use these and some tables. The request was refused. As a result of the refusal, the piano served as an operating table and the Brussels carpet deadened the sound of the feet of the operators as they moved among the furniture in the parlor.

This mean, heartless antagonism toward the hurt and dying is easy to envision as belonging to someone deeply committed to the Confederate cause.  Would this be, could this be a case of the Union Army burying their dead on their antagonists doorstep?

Feret, Ferret, or Freret?

For reasons of story cohesion I would like to jump ahead a bit here.  I discovered that the men who were killed in the train accident, including my 2xg-grandfather were originally buried on the "F.G. Ferret(sic) Plantation."  In other records this is spelled "Feret" and also "Freret."  I spent weeks putting flesh on this subplot, and am leaving much out of the story. I again returned to contacting local researchers in the New Orleans area, even a PhD anthropologist who wrote a paper on a related matter on a "G.F. Freret."

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Long story short, I discovered there was a Frederick George Freret who, along with his brother, owned two plantations in the area of Boutte (St. Charles Parish): the Louisa Plantation was east of Boutte and the Anton Plantation was west.  There is some question if the Anton Plantation extended far enough south from the Mississippi River to buttress the railroad tracks anywhere near the site of the accident?  But then again, it might not matter -- the Frerets owned a third piece of property that did.

As for antagonism toward the Union soldiers?  F.G. Freret owned over a hundred slaves, was a sergeant in the Louisiana cavalry, and a prominent citizen of New Orleans.  Following the war, his wife was a leading officer of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and on the committee to erect the Confederate War Memorial in New Orleans.

Sum.

Just as a reminder, these are the pieces of the puzzle I had and have on the research table right now.  Collecting all these pieces of the story and so many more, looking them over, evaluating them, got me through the brickwall.  I have not completely enjoined these last pieces together yet conclusively, because my goal was breaking the brickwall and finding where my 2xg-grandfather is buried.  But I seriously want to go back and completely put the puzzle together!  One day.  As time allows.

Tomorrow PART 3 -- the wall comes down.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Brickwall Comes Down: Gravesite of Henry M. Walker, Sr. (1829-1865), Part 1.

It seems like one of the most basic desires of a family historian is to know where ancestors and relatives are buried.  For research purposes, knowing could potentially open up a treasure trove of information.  However, on a personal level there is something more fundamental -- this is "family."  I may not have ever known them, but this is family!

In this regard, the location for the gravesite of my 2xg-grandfather Henry Martin Walker, Sr. has been the biggest brickwall for me.  As faithful readers of this blog remember, he was killed in a railroad accident outside New Orleans while serving in the Civil War.  I started looking for his gravesite well over ten years ago, and would keep coming back to the search off and on.  I know all the other researchers reading this understand what I am talking about.  You don't just give up when you start running into obstacles.  Often it is to ones benefit to put down your research and come back to it with fresh eyes.  Maybe new data will be made public.  But you don't give up.

I worked hard on it!

I did the fundamental research.  I ordered his service record and the widow's pension file from NARA.  I searched cemeteries, government databases, private databases, federal quartermaster's records.    I searched out newspaper articles from New Orleans, the hometowns of the soldiers, and as far away as New York.  I read all the regimental histories, and the testimonies of the eyewitnesses to the wreck.  I drove down to McLean County Museum and Library (twice!) where the records are kept from Co. C (my ancestor served in Co. A).  I contacted the head archivist at Illinois State University that held the records for the commanding officer of the regiment.  I paid a professional researcher to look through the state archives at the state capital, and in particular the quartermaster's records and journals.  I contacted various researchers in the New Orleans area, and historical societies. I couldn't find my answers anywhere.

Thousands of questions ran through my head?  What about misspellings?  Loss of records?  I read where the body of the sergeant of the Company was rendered "impossible to recognize as human" by the accident.  Had this happened to my 2xg-grandfather too and there was nothing left to bury?  What was the customary procedure for the disposal of the dead by the army during the Civil War?  All these questions and so many more had to be explored and researched.

I tried the F-A-N method (Friends-Associates-Neighbors) by researching my ancestor's comrades who also died.  Maybe the research has already been done on one of them?  No such luck. I started all over and tried tracking them, with one exception (a soldier's whose remains were returned home for burial),  I found all the other eight men killed instantly in the railroad accident were missing just like my 2xg-grandfather, and I found no other researchers descended from the soldiers who were looking for them.

You always learn.

But research is never a no-sum gain endeavor.  In addition to all the information about the crash itself, I did learn some things.  First, in the southern states it was unpredictable where the military would bury their dead, this was especially true toward the beginning of the war.  They might choose where the body lay, or an out of the way spot, or a nearby cemetery was always popular.  Sometimes the soldiers would be punitive and bury their dead om the land of confederate officers or leaders.  One location might be popular enough for soldiers to return to for burying more of their dead, but it was not the norm.  However, by and large there was no uniformity.

Second, after the war was over, the federal government made a concerted effort to reclaim and identify the remains of all their service dead and with few exceptions relocate them to National Cemeteries.  In the south these included national cemeteries at Alexandria, LA., Brownsville, TX, Louisville, KY, New Orleans, LA, Fort Donelson, TN, Jefferson Barracks, MO, Nashville, TN, Salisbury, NC, Shiloh, TN, and Springfield, MO.  The Quartermaster General's office, who was in charge of the process, reviewed records, interviewed living officers and comrades of the deceased, and did the best they could to find and identify the remains.  But frequently men were buried in mass graves and for that reason or another, individual identities could not be made.  Their remains would still be moved to a national cemetery, but they would be buried in a grave marked "unknown."

Sometimes you just get a feeling.

It was 2005.  Hurricane Katrina slams into the gulf coast.  Among the hundreds and hundreds of the descriptions of the devastation that I heard on TV, radio, and social media, one rang out the loudest, "Chalmette National Cemetery, home to thousands of Civil War dead, is under water and receiving damage."  I looked at the pictures.  I felt sure he was there.

Tomorrow, PART 2 -- it is all about location.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Death Announcement: Jane (Combs) Hall, 1814-1874

From the Wednesday, April 22, 1874 issue of The Weekly Reader (Bloomington, IL) --

 Mrs. Jeremiah Hall died on Thursday evening, of lung fever.  Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church on Saturday, 18th inst., by the pastor, Rev. B.W. Baker.

Mrs. Jane (Combs) Hall of Danvers, McLean, Illinois, was my 3xg-grandmother on my mother's maternal side.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

My Genealogy Laptop

Like most of us I wanted something digital to work on when I go to libraries, courthouses, museums, family history centers, conferences, society meetings, etc.

I thought about a Chromebook.  But I just could not be sure I would have WiFi everywhere I go.  I have an ASUS Transformer Tablet with attachable keyboard, and that is what I started with.  But the keyboard is tiny and I have fat fingers.  Everytime I went to hit the space bar I would miss and hit the touchpad, closing the window I was working in.  And if I wanted to use my flatbed scanner it would not work because the tablet was Android.

Here is my compromise, and old 14.1 inch Dell, with five-year old technology.  It can be had for $100 on the refurb market.  A slower quad-core processor and a smaller hard drive.  It came with Vista loaded, but I put Windows 7 on it.  I am going to do one thing and one thing only with it -- genealogy.  It has WiFi.  My flat-bed scanner will work with it.  And I will only keep a working family file on it, not my perfectly researched and sourced one I keep at home.

(Click image to enlarge.)

I went ahead and customized it with custom decals, including the principle surnames I am researching.  It looks cool, but I am not sure it is a good idea?  The possibility is I will run into others researching the same surnames.  But with false leads distracting me from my work, that could be bad more than good.   We will see.

Anyway, if you see this computer when you are out and about where family historians and genealogists congregate, come up and say hi.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Newspaper Account #3 of Railroad Accident that Killed Henry Martin Walker, Sr.

This is from The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana), Sat, Mar 4, 1865, Page 1.  The best I can figure this is the article The Pantagraph was citing in my last post of this series.  It is the only New Orleans newspaper I could locate called "The Times" for that time period.  And it was published on March 4th not March 3rd.  You will note that it is well written.  But overall it does not resemble the article The Pantagraph allegedly republished.

One thing I found interesting is that yesterday's article was published in a Union state in the hometown paper of most of the boys in the regiment.  This article was published in a Confederate state, that is under occupation by the same forces who were killed in the accident.  Very interesting to compare.  The former was full of emotion.  I find this one rather dry.

Railroad accident on the Opelousas Railroad. 

Nine Persons Killed 

Forty-Six Wounded 

(Click to Enlarge.)

     In these days of battles and death dealing marches, the loss of life consequent upon accidents by railway or steamboat seems insignificant in narration; Nevertheless, it has its horrors to us, when it comes near own door.

     Yesterday, about noon, a train bound down from Brashear, under the charge Mr Cregier, was coming along at a very moderate speed, had passed Bayou des Allemandes. and had arrived nearly to Boutte Station, when a horse and a mule, which had got upon the track, seemed disposed, as usual in such cases, to run a race with the train, but it was believed that they could hardly attempt to remain. The mule did leave, and so did the horse, but bewildered, it would seem, turned back and jumped upon the track directly before the engine as it was about to reach him, leaving no time for reversal or stoppage, and thus the locomotive, tender and first car passed over it.  The next car, a box car, was drawn cross-ways over the track, and the other cars were driven against it, and the great portion of them broken to pieces against it.

     In these cars, such as are, need for freight ordinarily, were the members of the 33rd Illinois Regiment, which had just been relieved from duty along the line of the railroad, and were on their way to this city.  The officers were chiefly in the passenger car, at the rear of the train.

     The only sufferers were members of this regiment, but one commissioned officer, Capt. H.H. Rosecrans, of Company D, being among them.Those in the passenger car escaped injury, though the shock was great.

     Nine of the soldiers were either killed or found in a dying condition on examining the wreck, and over forty-six seriously injured.  the surgeons of the regiment Drs. Rex and Antis, were happily along, and soon administered such relief as was possible to the injured.  Quite a number of amputations were required, one poor fellow losing both his legs.

     In the meantime advice was promptly sent to Algiers, and in due time a relief train arrived, and the injured, as well as the uninjured, were conveyed there last evening.  The regiment is now at the depot.

     Much praise is awarded to Col. Lippincott and his officers, to the conductor, Mr. Creiger, and in fact to all passengers and soldiers, black and white alike, for their attention to the victims of this accident.  All concur in saying that there was no neglect on the part of the engineer, firemen, or employees on the train.  The train was proceeding at even less than usual speed, and the accident can only be attributed to the perverseness or delirium of the hose in leaping back upon the track.

Please forgive me if the articles are getting repetitive.  I want to document on this blog this accident and the death of my 2xg-grandfather.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Status Update on Broken Brickwall: Grave of Henry Martin Walker, Sr.

I didn't want to keep readers in the dark.  As I relayed previously, according to records of the period, eight of the nine men killed in the railroad accident three miles west of Boutte Station (LA), including my 2xg-grandfather, were disinterred in June of 1868 from the plantation where they were originally buried, and moved to Chalmette National Cemetery in New Orleans for reinterment.  The original documents list the grave numbers and sections.

However, the soldiers are missing from all contemporary records.  Neither the National Park Service nor the officials at Chalmette National Cemetery have any current records of their burials or remains, by name, regiment, or cemetery section.

The curator of the cemetery is working with me to solve this mystery.  I will report back as soon as I have something worthwhile to post.  There seems to be agreement they are there!  The question is where.  The numbering system for the cemetery graves has been changed  somewhere during the last 150 years.
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Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Newspaper Account #2 of Railroad Accident that Killed Henry Martin Walker, Sr.

From the The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois) newspaper · Thursday, Mar 16, 1865 · Page 1 (click on image to enlarge):

The Great Accident. 

     The following well written account of the terrible accident to the 33rd Illinois vet. volunteers, will be read with great interest in this county.  It is from the N.O. Times of March 3d.
     One of the most terrible railroad accidents that has occurred in this or any other country, took place yesterday on the New Orleans and Opelousas railroad.  Fully fifty human beings were more or less injured, nine or ten have since died.
     The particulars are as follows:
     The train of conductor William Creigler left Brashear City yesterday morning at 8 o'clock, and consisted of some nine or ten freight (box and flat bottomed) cars, with a baggage and two passenger cars in the rear of all, the first passenger car being exclusively for the use of negroes. 

(Click on image to enlarge)

The Thirty-Third Illinois. 

     In the passenger car were fifteen or twenty citizens and about as many officers.  Among the latter were Col. C.E. Lippencott, of the 33d Illinois Infantry, Lieut. Col. Elliot, Major Pope, and the line officers of that regiment, and last, but not least, was Doctors Geo. P. Rex, and H.T. Antis.
     The 33d has for some time past guarded the road for a distance of fifty miles from Brashear City, but was recently ordered to report to New Orleans, and a negro regiment assigned to the duty which this gallant regiment has so long [   ] faithfully performed.  As the train stopped at the different stations, the various members of this regiment, who had previously been on guard in this neighborhood, scrambled on the cars, full of life and joy at rejoining their fellow comrades, and of the prospect of an early visit to New Orleans. 

How the Accident Occurred. 

     The train had been running very slowly nearly the whole distance from Brashear to Bayou des Almonde, and so difficult was it to get steam up that it was only after leaving the latter place that the speed could be increased to from between twelve to fifteen miles an hour.  When about three miles from Boutte Station a mule and a horse were discovered near the track, and as the train approached they galloped [   ] still keeping some distance from the track.  The country at the point was open, and there appeared to be little or no danger of the horses running up on the track, as a few yards ahead was a crossing which it was supposed they would take.  The mule did take this path but the horse turned suddenly, sprang upon the track in front of the engine, and before it could be reversed or a signal of alarm sounded, the locomotive, [  ], and first car had passed over it.  The next instant, the car following (a box car) sheered crossways from the track, the coupling broke, the other cars crowded upon it, and in this manner the accident occurred. 

The Scene in the Passenger Car. 

     Before entering upon an explanation of the scene of this wreck, and the poor mangled human beings who were buried beneath, I will describe the shock in the passenger car.  Almost ever passenger was thrown from his or her seat, then the car moved on a few feet, was [   ] again, but not so violently as before. moved a few feet again, was [   ] a third time, and remained stationery.  It was all over in sixteen seconds, and thank God not a passenger received the slightest injury. 

The Scene on the Train -- Human Suffering. 

     Several of the male passengers, including the officers, at once sprang to the doors of the car and started for the center of the train, or rather for the heap of broken cars which had crushed and ground against each other, forming a terribly pyramid, one above the other, several yards in height; and fifty human beings lay beneath them [   ] more or less crushed, bruised or injured by springing to the ground in time to escape the second and third crash, by having the presence of mind to take the warning of the first and jump for dear life from the crashing cars.  The moans and the groans of the wounded and dying appealed to the sympathies of those who had escaped injury, and like true men each rushed to the rescue, citizen and soldier, black and white. 

Saving Life. 

     Col Lippencott, collected around him, for a moment al who were able to render any assistance, and the next moment they were at work under the direction of Mr. Creigler, the conductor, and the officers of the regiment when the noble work of saving life commenced with an earnestness [   ] will highly commendable to all parties engaged.  The wreck was [   ] cleared to allow the men to work and in a few moments twenty of the injured lay around.  The majority had received internal injury, or complained of a terrible pain in the back or head.  [   ] fellows many were crushed and broken and nine have died.  Legs and arms broken, cuts in the head, and torn and mangled bodies could be seen in every direction, but in an incredibly short time every man was taken from the ruins. 

The Surgeons. 

     As I have stated before there was fortunately on board the train Dr. Rex and his assistant Dr. Antis.  Both these gentlemen commenced operating upon the injured, and in three hours every man had received surgical aid.  One poor fellow had both his feet amputated at the ankles, while several others were compelled to submit to the severing of an arm or a leg if the broken limb was too badly injured to set.  One by one the wounded were transferred to a house near by, according to the extent of their injuries, and soon all were there and attended to as the urgency of their case demanded.  The surgeons deserve the highest praise. 

The Injured on Their Way to New Orleans. 

     The news of this terrible accident was telegraphed to New Orleans from Boutte [   ] in about half an hour Conductor Mile's train arrived, and returned to Boutte with the news.  It then came back to the scene of the accident, took on board the injured, as well as passengers of the other train, and waited the arrival of the special train from Algiers, which left the city at 2:45pm.
     About half past four this train arrived, having on board Mr. E.K. Johnson, master of transportation, and other officers belonging to the road.  The Superintendent, Cap. Morse was unable to leave as he was confined in New Orleans by sickness. 

Arrival of the Train in Algiers. 

     Nothing worthy of not occurred until the arrival at Algiers, except that the train was compelled to come almost to a "standstill" three or four times, on account of the number of horses, mules, and cattle which appeared determined to remain upon the track to be run over.  On one occasion a horse and mule were so obstinate in remaining upon the track that, although the whistle was repeatedly sounded, they were only compelled to evacuate by the appearance of the fireman at the head of the engine, throwing pieces of wood at them.
     It was easy to perceive that the news of the accident had preceded our arrival, for there were hundreds of soldiers and citizens assembled and patiently waiting for us.  There was a string of eight or ten ambulances too, for the purpose of transferring the wounded to the hospital in this city, Dr. Rex, having telegraphed ahead to Dr. Alexander, the medical director, to have ambulances ready for "forty badly wounded men."
     This with the following list of the dead and injured, closes the account of one of the most heart-rendering accidents of railroad traveling on record.  The Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, several of the private soldiers, and Conductor Creiger, who witnessed the accident, exonerated the engineer and the fireman from all blame and consider it unavoidable.  The train was running twelve or thirteen miles an hour when the accident occurred.

The editors of The Pantagraph say this article first appeared in the N.O. Times on March 3.  Not quite.  I pulled it and will be posting it to this blog next.  It was on March 4, and is only vaguely similarly written.  Maybe I am wrong, but I couldn't find a different edition.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Grace Combs (1803-1892)

"Grace Combs Danvers Illinois"

Another share from my cousin Tony.  Grace was my 3xg-grandaunt, sister to my 3xg-grandmother Jane Hall (nee. Combs, 1814-1874).  Grace and another sister Sarah resided in Danvers with my 3xg-grandparents, including Jeremiah S. Hall (1809-1882).

Grace never married.  She was a devout Methodist and an active member of the American Bible Society.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

The Rewards of Genealogy - Treasures of Every Type

Genealogy has brought me a lot of reward; Discoveries, self-satisfaction, education.  Even tangible rewards as other historians come into items belonging to my ancestors and find me to give them to.  Emotionally, genealogy has impressed on me the importance of family; My sense of place, not just in my family tree, but in humanity.

Interesting how all that relates to what is perhaps my greatest reward so far -- meeting my second cousin Tony.  My great-aunt Jennie Long (nee. Hall, 1879-1968) was a family historian herself, and she passed all her research and treasures onto her grandson Tony.  Fortunately she also passed on an interest in the hobby, which is also a treasure.  Tony blesses me, continuingly sharing treasures from great-aunt Jennie's files and collections.

Here is another (click on images to enlarge) --

D.S. Leach, Corpral(sic) W. Bishop, Both members of Co. C 33rd Regt Ills Vet. Vol  

Jan the 2nd, 1865 

This is SUPER interesting to me and requires further research.  Great-aunt Jennie's father, my 2xg-grandfather George Hall (1845-1908) was in the 26th Illinois.  He also re-enlisted as a Veteran.  But as faithful readers of this blog know, way over on the other side of my family tree my 2xg-grandfather Henry Martin Walker, Sr. was serving in Co. A of the 33rd Ills.  And this CDV is dated EXACTLY two months before these two soldiers were in the railroad accident that killed my ancestor!

What I do know is this, the 33rd Ills was nicknamed "The Normal Regiment" because most of its members were from the Bloomington-Normal area of Illinois.  GG-grandfather George Hall might have been in the 26th Ills but guess where he was from?  You guessed it, the Bloomington-Normal area.  First guess is these are his friends.  In any case, my intuition tells me there is a lot of back story.

And here we have another thing Genealogy gives me -- excitement, hope, and a sense of anticipation about what new discovery might be right around the corner.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Hear the Earth Rumbling? A Brick Wall Falls!

After more than TEN years looking, I have FINALLY found the gravesite of my 2xg-grandfather Henry Martin Walker, Sr.!  He is apparently interred in an unmarked grave at Chalmette National Cemetery in New Orleans. (The recorder got the initials wrong in the above record book.)

There are a lot more details I need to gather before updating this blog with a proper post; Including calling the cemetery superintendent's office tomorrow to confirm the record.  There is no listing for any of the men from the trainwreck on any public National Park Service database.  Does the NPS not include men in unmarked graves? 

But this news was way too big for me to not shout it to the world! 

Genealogy Happy Dances all-around!

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Newspaper Account #1 of Railroad Accident that Killed Henry Martin Walker, Sr.

From the The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois) newspaper · Mon, Mar 13, 1865 · Page 1 (click on image to enlarge):

TERRIBLE RR ACCIDENT

between Terrebonne and New Orleans

 ________________

  The 33d Ill. Vet. thrown off a railroad track.

 ________________

                Nine Men Killed and 72 Wounded

 ________________

(Special Correspondence of the Pantagraph.)
Algiers, La., (Opposite New Orleans)
                                         March 3d 1864(sic)

     ED. PANTAGRAPH: -- A terrible railroad accident occurred yesterday on the U.S. military railroad leading from this place to Brashear City, by which a large number of men of the 33d Illinois regiment were killed or severely injured.  Bloomington being the original headquarters of this regiment, and three of the companies having been chiefly raised in McLean County (Cos. A, Capt. Dutton, formerly Capt. Potter; C, Capt. Lewis, formerly Capt. Roe; and G, Capt. Russell, formerly Capt. Moore,) I embrace the earliest leisure to send you and account of the sad affair;

     The 33d has been, as your readers know, for several months guarding stations on this railroad.  Having been relieved and ordered to join A.J. Smith's corps, near New Orleans, they were loaded in the regular train yesterday morning, and came on eastward without accident, until a point was reached twenty-seven miles west of this place.  Here a horse which had been for some distance running ahead of the engine near the track, suddenly attempted to cross, and was [ ] run over and torn to pieces.  The engine, tender and first two (flat) cars passed over the obstruction and remained on the track; but half a dozen or more of the following cars (box and flat) loaded with troops, were thrown off and piled together in a horrible mass of fragments; beams, trucks, baggage, guns and equipments in inextricable confusion, intermingled with crushed, dead, and dying men.  Several of the rear cars, with the passenger cars containing most of the officers and the citizen passengers, remained on the track and no one was injured on them except by jumping off.  This was the case with Cos. C, Capt. Lewis; F, Capt. Gray, formerly Capt. Roberts; I, Capt. Lyon, formerly Capt. Lawton; and K, Capt. Higgins, formerly Capt. Lippincott.  Co. B, Capt. Gill, formerly Capt. Morgan, was on the two forward cars and suffered but little.  The chief injury was sustained by Cos. A, Capt. Dutton, formerly Capt. Potter; D, Capt. Rosengrant, commissioned but not yet mustered, formerly Capt. Pope;  E, Capt. Pratt, formerly Capt. Elliott; G, Capt. Russel, formerly Capt. Moore.  The company (H, Capt. Smith, formerly Capt. McKenzie) st Boutte station, was not on the train, the accident having occured(sic) three miles west of that place.

     The moment the train stopped, the officers and all the men who were not completely disabled, rushed to the rescue, and began laboring with Herculean energy to extricate their mangled comrades.  After an hour's work in the wreck, all the dead and wounded were got out and the most severely injured were conveyed to a neighboring house, where Drs. Rex and Antis, the regimental surgeons, performed the needful operations and dressed the wounds.  The train from [ ] city having means while arrived, the regiment, with the surviving wounded were loaded on a boat and transferred to the hospital.  The accident appears to have been one of those unavoidable ones for which no blame can be properly attach to the officer of the train, and certainly after its concurrence all was done that could be, and in the promptest manner, to remedy the effects.

     Orderly Sergt. Spillman F. Willis, of Co. A, was instantly killed and crushed out of all sembance of humanity.  Five or six others were taken out dead; and others died within a few minutes after being carried to the house.  Charles Howell, of A, with severe internal injuries, died on the train on the way to the city.  Nine were dead when I made up the list last night, and I shall probably have others to add before closing this.

     I append a list of the dead and wounded, made up by a careful and thorough canvass of the train by myself, and by conference with company commanders after our arrival here.  I think my old readers know my accuracy in my old trade as reporter, well enough to accept this list as reliable.  It includes a few or none who are not for the present disabled for duty, although many will be able again in a few days.  Scores were more or less bruised, jarred and sprained, who are not on the list.  Of Cos. A and D, scarcely a man escaped unhurt.  With these preliminary remarks, I submit the list to the anxious eyes of the hundreds of your readers who had near and dear friends killed on the train.

KILLED
Spillman F. Willis, .......1st Sergeant, Company.......A
Charles G. Howell.........Private.............."...............A
Charles Greening...........Recruit.............."..............A
H. M. Walker...................."..................."...............A
Jerome Wolfe......................"..................."..............A
John B. Melvin..............Private..............."..............D
Joseph Waldon..................."..................."..............D
Walter Webster..............Recruit.............."..............D
Robert Barkley......... .....Private..............."........ ....[ ]
WOUNDED
[  ]

     March 3d., 10 A.M -- I have just heard from the hospital.  Maj. Pope has visited the wounded boys this morning, and reports all are doing well.  He did not, however, find Zuraf of A, who was one of the severely wounded.  This young man lay for nearly an hour under a pile of heavy trucks and rubbish, with as large force of men working at him who could get to him, before he was extricated.  Although thus held down, and considerably cut and bruised, he seemed much less hurt when taken out than was suspected, and no bones appeared to be broken.  In his case as in others, however, some days may pass before the full extent of his injuries will be manifested. 

     Every one speaks with astonishment of the courage and cheerful endurance of Pettibone of Co. D, a recruit of only a few days standing, both legs amputated below the knee.  He bears his mutilation like a hero, and will have all the chances of recovery that a strong spirit can give him, but the result is of course doubtful at best.  Adam Willis of D, has a frightfully extensive laceration in the flesh in the region of the hips, and is in great danger.  Several others of the severely injured may yet die; but I am glad to report that up to this hour no additional deaths are reported.

     It is not impossible that this accident may delay the departure of our regiment to the front.  -  Respectfully [ ], 

                                                   Edward J. Lewis

As a reminder, Henry Martin Walker, Sr. was my 2xg-grandfather, and the Capt. Dutton named above was my 2xg-granduncle, and brother in law to Henry.

This is the first in a series of three or four newspaper articles I will be posting on the railroad accident.  I am sorry for the omissions illustrated with the empty brackets, but the bottom half of the scan is very poor, and the smaller the font the more impossible to read.

From the description of the location, I used Google Earth and I think I have a good idea where it occurred.  More to follow on that subject.

My search for my 2xg-grandfather's grave continues.  I am going to search where the remains of those killed with him are interred.  He might also be there.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

A Lot of Hard Work for Little Reward? : The Essential Need for "Hope" in Genealogy

Presented here is the marriage record for my 4xg-grandparents Sylvanus Smith and Roxa Rich.  It is impossible for me to express the difficulty in locating it!  Note the groom is in the bride's place, and the bride is in the groom's place.  Note that Sylvanus's name has been made into a nickname and Roxa's first name is completely different.  Ugh!

And then, when I finally find the card, after all the hard searching, what is my reward -- all the treasured boxes are blank. :-(  Double Ugh.

But wait!  I did get a date, and from that I can search periodicals and local records.  I can research the name of the minister and find out his church, and look for records there.  Finally, I now also have alternative names for my ancestors to research with, especially Roxa's alternative name of Constant.

"Glass half full," you might say rolling your eyes.  Perhaps.  But I see potential and possibility!  "Hope" is essential to the hobby of genealogy.  It is a treasure hunt where we hope for the next big find, and are rewarded with little nuggets as we follow the trails.  Without hope there is no heart, and without heart, the only people willing (literally from human "will") to play the game would be paid professionals.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Brothers Israel W. Hall (1799-1865) and Jeremiah S. Hall (1809-1888)

From page 11 of Danvers, Illinois community history, 1987 (Danvers, IL: Danvers Historical Society, 1987) (click on the images to enlarge) -- 

ISRAEL W. HALL

    Israel W. Hall was born February 5, 1799 in Salem, New Hampshire, the son of Joseph and Hester Woodbury Hall, both of English descent.  Israel was a shoemaker by trade.  he came to Illinois in 1834 by way of Detroit, Michigan settling where Danvers now exists.  In 1836 he and Matthew Robb laid off the town of Concord which later became Danvers.  He was a justice of the peace and also the first postmaster of the village.  He was a member of the Methodist Church, his home being used as a church for fifteen years.
    Mr. Hall married Polly Stickney in Salem, New Hampshire on April 27, 1834.  There were three children, Alice, wife of Jacob McClure, Otis W. Hall, and Cynthia H., widow of Thomas C. Dodge, then wife of John R. Morrison.
    Mr. and Mrs. Israel Hall are buried in Stouts Grove Cemetery, Mr. Hall dying in 1865 and Mrs. Hall in 1888. 

JEREMIAH S. HALL

    Jeremiah S. Hall, a brother of Israel Hall was born April 21, 1809 in Salem, New Hampshire.  When seventeen he went to Boston to learn the brick layers trade.  He worked in various towns in New England before bringing his family into Illinois in 1834.
    Jeremiah was married in 1832 to Miss Jane Combs of  Nashua, New Hampshire.  They were the parents of five children.
    Jeremiah was among the first to successfully establish a prairie farm in the Danvers area rather than from timber land.
    Jeremiah's wife died in 1874 and he died in 1888.  Both are buries in Stouts Grove Cemetery.

Jeremiah Smith Hall was my 3xg-grandfather and his brother Israel was quite obviously my 3xg-granduncle.  In terms of Danvers history, Israel is considered a "founder" and Jeremiah an "early settler."

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Pride

As I have previously documented my 2xg-granduncle Harvey Dutton was a genuine hero at the Battle of Cache River also known as the Battle for Cotton Plant.  I found this picture of the historical marker on the web --

I burst with pride whenever I read those words "Thirty-Third Illinois."  At last count I have found four relatives who fought in the 33rd Illinois.  Two behind my mother served in Company "C," and two behind my father served in Company "A."  Remarkable when you consider my Mom was born in Arizona and my Dad in Nebraska, and they were married in California.  Not much there to point to Illinois.  Except a lot of research.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Eyewitness Account of Death of Henry Martin Walker, Sr. (1829-1865)

I have previously documented the tragic death of Henry M. Walker, Sr. my 2xg-grandfather in a Civil War railroad accident near New Orleans, in March of 1865.  I was blown away to find this eyewitness account, not just of the railroad accident, but the death of my 2xg-grandfather!

From page 261 of HISTORY of the Thirty-Third Regiment Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry IN THE CIVIL WAR: 22nd AUGUST, 1861. to 7th DECEMBER, 1865 by General Isaac H. Elliott, published in 1902 --

All those who were able soon commenced the work of relieving the suffering. Under the command of Col. Elliott the men moved like well-regulated machines. Ropes were procured and the cars were pulled apart and held in place until men could gather up the dead and wounded. Several of the boys were thrown into ditches and held down by the cars until drowned. We could hear their cries but could not get at them until too late to save them. One, a member of A Company, a nephew of Capt. Dutton, who had been with us but a short time, thus gave up his life. How different the ending from what his imagination had pictured it!  He was drowned like a rat in a trap, even without having seen an armed rebel. After the body of the poor boy had been removed from the ditch, the scene of Capt. Dutton standing over him, the tears running down his face as efforts were being made by the comrades to bring back the young life that had been snuffed out so quickly, and the earnest appeals of the Captain to work faster, will remain with me as long as life lasts.

Capt. Harvey Dutton was my 2xg-granduncle and a true hero of the Civil War as I have documented on this blog.  But this soldier above erred in his account.  Let's return to Capt. Dutton's own account of the tragedy in the same book --

The killed were: 1st Sergt. Spillman F. Willis, Vet.; Private Chas. G. Howell, Vet.; Private Chas. Greening, Private H. M. Walker, and Private Jerome Wolf.  A peculiarly distressing feature of this affair to me was not only that Company A had lost its noble, brave and efficient Orderly Sergeant, and another veteran of three and a half years of faithful service, but that of the five new men from my home, as before mentioned, three of them, one my brother-in-law, now lay dead.

There was no nephew of Capt. Dutton killed.  There was no nephew of Capt. Dutton serving in the same company!  The "nephew" whose body the soldier saw Capt. Dutton shedding tears over was in fact Capt. Dutton's brother-in-law and my 2xg-grandfather Henry M. Walker, Sr.!!!

His grave is not listed in the National Park Service database or the Sons of Union Veterans database.  I am one step closer to finding his grave in that the soldier also relays the "dead and wounded" were carried to the nearest farmhouse.  More research is necessary.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

3/28/1889 Kansas Obituary for Norman Dutton (1810-1889)

From the March 28, 1889 edition of the Barton County (KS) Democrat --

Obituary.

    Deacon Norman Dutton, who departed this life on the 18th day of March, 1889, was born in LaMoille county, Vermont, Feb. 14th, 1810. In early life he removed to the state of Ohio, where be resided some two years, when he went to Illinois, and after visiting a short time in Morgan county, he settled permanently in Metamora, Woodford county, Illinois, where he lived until 1888. In February of this last named year, be removed to Great Bend, Kansas, near which city he purchased a farm, on which he lived until he was called to close his earthly career.
    Deacon Dutton, while yet quite young, became a christian, and united with the Congregational church, in which church he labored and served as deacon for over 40 years.
     He was a man of deep convictions, firm fidelity to his principles. He understood that to be a christian meant full devotion of life, its energy, its time and its highest thoughts and efforts to advance the cause of righteousness and truth on earth and to make men better and holier. Moved by such principles he in early life espoused the anti-slavery cause and labored for the destruction of American slavery 'till its overthrow. Being an early abolitionist he knew for long years what it was to be despised and persecuted for righteousness'sake. This treatment he meekly bore in the spirit of his Master knowing the cause was the cause of truth.
    Deacon Duton was also a life-long laborer in the cause of temperance. In an early day he became a believer in prohibition and labored for its advance ment 'till 'he died. So earnest was his life, that all his long life he bore a prominent part in the struggle for the advancement of these great movements, and in all christian work. He was truly a Soldier of the Cross.
    A pioneer spirit pervaded his life so that he, when 78 years old, came to this new country and began to improve a farm with the ardor of a youth. .
    Although be resided here only a little more than one year, be had gained the respect and the friendship of all his neighbors as a very large attendance at his funeral services, testifies, His action, earnestness and his mild, christian spirit will ever remain a benediction on the lives of his new friends in this community where he spent the last year of his life.
    Deacon Dutton lived to enter his 80th year. Death came to him suddenly and called him to his mansion where Christ is.
    He leaves behind him a companion. two children and several grand children, and a host of relations and, friends, who mourn their loss, but not without being fully persuaded that he has departed to be with Jesus. 

    "For so he giveth his beloved sleep."   J. J. A. T. Dixon.

I have documented previously in this blog that Norman Dutton's body was exhumed from Kansas and re-interred in Oakwood Cemetery, Metamora, Illinois.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Gyle "Dean" Haney (May 14, 1946 - December 6, 2014)

Longtime valley resident Gyle "Dean" Haney died December 06, 2014 at his home in Jackson, surrounded by his entire family. He was 68. His family and friends provided the following. 

Dean was born in Emporia, KS to Jefferson Haney and Jeanne Fleming (nee Irwin) on May 14, 1946. As children, he and his four siblings learned to appreciate the art of travel early. 

While his father pursued his own education and then later worked as a school administrator, Dean's family moved from Kansas to Japan, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Michigan and finally to Worland, Wyoming in 1960. There he devoted his energy to basketball, hunting and fishing. After graduating from Worland High School in 1964, Dean traveled extensively throughout the West, Mexico, and Alaska before meeting his wife, Patty Strasheim, in Jackson in 1973. Jackson would remain a base for the rest of his life as he balanced his love for the hills of Wyoming with a passion for the ocean and sailing. 

Dean always sought hard, challenging work as a commercial fisherman, logger, driver, and road construction supervisor. He worked on jobs from the Alaska Pipeline in the 1970's to the Jackson Lake Dam in the mid 80's and the Mystic Seaport Museum in 2002. And between those jobs he worked in every corner of Wyoming building dams, roads and runways. 

He was gifted with a profound intellect and was a voracious reader who was passionate about ideas, books, music, politics, and sports. 

Above all, Dean was immensely proud of and devoted to his family, including his parents, wife Patty, daughter Jessica (born 1980 in Juneau, AK) and son Josh (born 1983 in Ft. Smith, AR). He felt fortunate to have spent his last month enjoying the company of friends and family from Colorado, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Utah, Oregon, and Hawaii. And the highlight of that month one last road trip to his sailboat in CA with Josh, Jessica and her husband, Paul. 

As one lifelong friend put it, "Here's the thing about Dean: He lived life as few people do. A man with not much higher education, he was one of the most intelligent guys I have ever known, truly a Renaissance man in the sense of having a powerful curiosity, an engaging wit and an all consuming passion for life. Oh, yeah, he was also one of the best friends a person could ever have." 

We will miss him. We are glad we knew him. 

He was preceded in death by his father in 1988 and a brother, James Jay in 2000. 

He is survived by his wife Patty, daughter Jessica Haney Wireman (Paul) of Jackson, son Josh of Brooklyn,NY., his mother Jeanne I. Fleming, sisters Carol Carden (Pat) and Mary Kay McCoy, a brother Joe Haney (Elaine) and Sister-in-law Ginger Haney Burnham and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. 

A small celebration of Dean's life was held on December 13th at the Old Wilson School House. 

A Memorial Fund has been established through Jackson Youth Hockey and charitable donations may be made online in Dean's honor to the Dean Haney Memorial Fund at jyhockey.org. Donations may also be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society online at donate.lls.org or by phone at (888) 557-7177.

This obituary was obtained at the website for the funeral home here: http://www.valleymortuaryjackson.com/fh/print.cfm?type=obituary&o_id=2857141&fh_id=13508

Dean was my first-cousin Patty Strasheim's husband.  Patty's mother Betty Jo was my dad's older sister.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

When Genealogy Records become Family Treasures

So much of my public genealogy is done as "cousin bait."  This very blog included!  I have documented how it has rewarded me, as both genealogists and non-genealogists find my blog with search engines, connections are made, research is sent to me, family records, some in my ancestor's own handwriting.

One of the cousins I discovered by continually crossing paths researching the same family lines, is Tony from Arizona.  Tony introduced me to the records of his grandmother Jennie (Hall) Long (1879-1968) who was my great-grandaunt and a family historian in her own right!

And so here is where we cross the line.

I emailed Tony to find out what great-aunt Jennie had on on her great-grandfather Joseph Hall of New Hampshire?  There are a few and I am trying isolate specifically which one is our ancestor.  He sent me this --

-- A copy of aunt Jennie's notes in her own writing.  Now keep in mind my great-grandaunt was born in 1879 and died in 1968.  How old is this?  At least fifty years.  Maybe a hundred.  And look at the words on the page.  She called her granduncle Israel "Uncle Billy."  My 3xgreat-granduncle Israel Woodbury Hall was nicknamed "Billy."  How would I have known that if it wasn't for this genealogy record?

We have crossed the line where a family history document has become a family treasure.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Mark A. Walker (1955-2008)

From the Lincoln Journal Star (NE), Tuesday, April 22, 2008 --

Mark A. Walker, 52, Waverly, died Sunday (04/20/08) at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. Born November 26, 1955 to Gerald and Ima Jean Walker at Lexington. He attended school at Paxton and Ogallala, completing his education at Job Corps in Chadron. He was an avid Husker fan and enjoyed camping; fishing; car mechanics; and video games. He also was an avid reader and family jokester. 

Survivors include: wife, Susan; mother, Ima Jean Hillyer; sister, Sandra and her husband, Ron, Harrison; two brothers, Carl Walker; and Don Gillespie and his wife; Rose; three stepsisters; three stepbrothers; four sons, Justin Knepshild; Travis and Matthew Walker; Justice Wallace and his wife, Sara; four daughters, Tonya and her husband, Stan, Alexander; Natasha and her husband, Aaron, Greenwade; Jacinda Harvey and her fiance, Benito Morales; and Ariel Wallace; grandchildren, Bo and Jody Alexander; Tristan Walker; Devan Bourne; Arianna Harvey; and Isabella Greenwade; nieces; nephews; and other relatives. Preceded in death by son, Mark A. Walker Jr,; stepfather, Chester "Pete" Hillyer; and mother-in-law, G. Marie Harvey. 

Memorial Services: all day, Saturday (05/03/08) at his residence in Waverly. Adams and Swansons Funeral Home, North Platte, is in charge of arrangements.

Mark's father Gerald is my father's first-cousin, that makes Mark my second-cousin.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Helen Marie Casattas Mohr (nee. Frank) 1926-2014

Helen Marie Frank Mohr, aged 88 passed away peacefully on November 24, 2014 at the Devonshire Oaks nursing home in Redwood City, Ca. She was a long time resident of San Jose, Ca. 

She lost a slow battle with cancer in the final year of her life.

Helen was born in Fort Sam Houston, (San Antonio), Texas on February 6, 1926. She was the daughter of Helen Marie Baggott Frank and Clarence Archibald Frank. Her father was a graduate of the US military academy and was a Colonel in the Army. As a child, her family was stationed in numerous locations including: Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas; Fort Eustis in Warwick, Virginia; Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland, Fort Lewis in Pierce, Washington and finally Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. She attended college at San Jose State University and graduated with a degree in education in 1948. 

She married Gilbert Mohr on Dec 29, 1983 in Santa Clara, California. Together they shared a passion of playing cards with local friends and bridge clubs.

Gilbert preceded her in death on October 30, 2004.Helen is survived by her two children, Anne Marie Piscatelli of Phoenix, Arizona; Sherri Walker of Wheaton, Illinois; Her siblings Eugene Frank of South Saint Paul, Minnesota; Virginia Frank of Morgan Hill, Ca and Dorothy Frank of Redwood City, Ca. Additionally her seven step-children, Bill Mohr of Piedmont, Ca; Pamela McKenna of Waimea, Hi; Mary Crawford of San Mateo, Ca, Mike Mohr of Honolulu, Hi, Pattie Jacobson of San Carlos, Ca; Steve Mohr of Danville, Ca and David Mohr of San Jose, Ca.

She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, five great grand children and many nieces and nephews. Our family will remember Helen for her kind and gentle spirit. A private family service will be held in honor of her life at a later date.

The obituary was obtained from the funeral home Crippen and Flynn Woodside Chapel website here http://www.crippenandflynnchapels.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1465684 I have no record yet of the obituary being published in a newspaper.

My mother-in-law.  She was cremated and her ashes were scattered on family property in Redwood City.

The obituary fails to mention her first marriage June 26, 1954 to Paul Stephen Casattas (1926-1998) which ended in divorce.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Obituary for Sara Ella (Gurwell) Gibson 1865-1918

 From the Augusta (KS) Gazette, Dec. 31, 1918 --

INFLUENZA PROVES A SCOURGE IN CITY

....After an illness of seven days' duration, Mrs. Gibson, wife of Charles Gibson of this city, died at her home on Dearborn Street last Friday afternoon.  In addition to the husband, she is survived by four sons and one daughter.  the funeral services and burial occurred Tuesday at Humboldt, Kans., to which city the body had been sent.  The Gibson family has lived in Augusta a number of years.

Sara Gibson was my great-grandmother on my mother's paternal side.  Thank you to my cousin Rick for thinking of me when he found it in research.

The timing of receiving this was serendipitous, I had just finished doing some lengthy research into the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 in relation to a relative on the other side of my tree who died because of it.  

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Barbara Jane Butler, 1931-2014

From the December 17, 2014 issue of the Napa (CA) Valley Register --

Barbara Jane Butler, 83, of Calistoga and St. Helena, died Tuesday, Dec. 16. 

She was born to the late Thelma and Bruce Gibson, March 27, 1931, in Phoenix, Arizona. Barbara graduated from El Cerrito High School in 1949 and subsequently received her R.N. from the Sanitarium in Independence, Missouri. She married the late Richard K. Butler in 1955, and then resided in Hayward, California, until her husband’s passing. 

Barbara worked in various routine and supervisory nursing roles in the East Bay. 

Looking for a challenge, she applied to and was accepted to Stanford School of Medicine’s inaugural class of Physician’s Assistants in 1971. As a P.A. and C.N.P. she worked in family practice and emergency medicine in San Jose, Nevada and Merced until her retirement in 2000. 

After relocating to Calistoga, Barbara was active in ensuring seniors’ access to affordable housing. She was an animal lover and loved to read and discuss religion and politics. 

Barbara is survived by two children: Rhett Butler of Guadalajara, Mexico, and Cynthia Butler of Calistoga. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Hana Butler and Elijah Egger. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Vet Dogs. 

A celebration of life gathering will be held at Silverado Orchards, 601 Pope St., St. Helena on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, from 2-4 p.m. 

Condolences may be shared with the family online at TulocayCemetery.org.

My aunt Barbara, my mother's sister.  As you can see from her obituary she was quite accomplished.
This is a big one for me.  I was not close to a lot of relatives, but I was close to aunt Barbara.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Wordless Wednesday: Dorothy Grace (McNeill Walker) Nitzsche (1912-1948)

Circa 1928

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

I am a new Grandfather: Birth of Anna Rose Walker

Sometimes I am not sure of this blog.  Is it genealogy or family history?  If I err, if it is indeed an error, then it will be to the side of family history.  If I can post about the death of my daughter-in-law three months ago I can post about the birth of my first grandchild.

Born August 31, little Anna Rose Walker. Seven pounds and six ounces of health.  Mother is also doing fine.

Welcome into the world little one.  I already find you beautiful.  I already love you.

I am going to write you often before you even know how to read, then when you are old enough to be interested I will share.  I want to tell you some things about where you came from and what you came into.  I want you to have joy, hope, and faith.  I am not worried about you having love.  I know your family.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker