Who We Were, Are & Will Be Our Family

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 Unpublished abstracts by Thomas Bellows Wyman, "Abstract of Middlesex court files from 1649," n.d.: 2:48, Dutton vs. Bacon.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.