Reflections From the Fence: 2024

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Elizabeth "Lizzie" F. Dews Creekmore/Creekmor/Creekmur/Creekmour, Research Report, the As It Is Series

This continues a series of posts, done in a very efficient (make that speedy fast) manner to share some research on the ancestors. This is NOT intended to be the end all to end all report. It's a work in progress, to show you what I have found, right or wrong. Kind feedback is welcomed via comments.

Let’s begin - -

Meet - - Lizzie Dews, aka Elizabeth "Lizzie" F. Dews Creekmore/Creekmor/Creekmur/Creekmour.

**Yes, I know those spellings do not all show on this image, you will just have to believe me, I have found it spelled all these ways, maybe some I have not recorded or remember.

These notes copied directly from her bio:

According to her age as recorded in her marriage record, "Lizzie" would have been born ca 1858.

Lizzie and family are enumerated on the 1880 US census, of Kempsville District, Princess Anne County, Virginia. They are enumerated immediately after her mother Mary. They are shown as: F. P. Creekmour, age 28, farmer, born Virginia, parents both born Virginia; Elizabeth, age 23, wife, keeping house, born Virginia, parents both born Virginia; Loya, age 9 months, son, born Virginia.

ELMWOOD & CEDAR GROVE CEMETERIES

E. Princess Anne Road, Norfolk, Virginia

CREEKMORE, FRANK P I29081 Section ELM EXT, Block 32, Lot 13, Space 4SW 0 06/18/1917

AND:

CREEKMORE, LIZZIE I29091 Section ELM EXT, Block 32, Lot 13, Space 5SW 0 06/11/1898

(Note, death records for Norfolk County and Princess Anne County do not cover 1898)

No obituary was found in Virginian-Pilot or Virginia Chronicles, February 2021.

Found this however, in February of 2024 by searching her husband:

Frank P Creekmor

in the Virginia, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-current

Name Frank P Creekmor

Topic Human Interest

Residence Date 11 Jun 1898

Residence Place Norfolk, Virginia, USA

Newspaper Title The Norfolk Landmark

Today, just now, I was pleased to add her death report and funeral plans to her bio:

From the Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Virginia, published June 11, 1898:

“DEATHS

CREEKMOR - - At her residence, Outten street, Huntersville, Friday morning at 10:30 o’clock, LIZZIE CREEKMOR, aged 42 years, beloved wife of Frank P. Creekmore.

The funeral will take place THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON, June 11th, at 4 o’clock from the residence. Friends and acquaintances respectfully invited to attend.”

“Funerals.

…

Mrs. Lizzie Creekmor, wife of Mr. Frank P. Creekmor, died at 10:30 o’clock yesterday morning at her home on Outten street, Huntersville, in the 42d year of age. The funeral will take place from the residence this afternoon at 4 o’clock.”

I maintain her Find A Grave memorial, the memorial number is: 44655609.

Rest in peace Lizzie, I am happy to have added to your bio today.

* Disclaimers, I use Find A Grave, Ancestry dot com, FamilySearch, several newspaper subscriptions, free sites, such as Virginia Chronicles, Virginia Chancery Cases online at the Library of Virginia and more to research my ancestors. I pay for subscriptions, full price.

** My judgements may or may not be correct. Transcriptions may or may not have errors.

*** Links, URL's, for the most part will not be included henceforth on my posts, as so many of them change and then I have to come back and try to re-discover and relink. Frankly folks, I have no desire to spend my limited time here on this side of the sod with those kinds of do overs. As researchers, or just members of the internet community, sites such as Find A Grave are easy to find, some are free to use and with the information I am sharing with you, hopefully, you can duplicate the research/findings. That said, I have seen memorials at Find A Grave be removed. If you have questions, I suggest you leave a nice comment for me. OR find the method I have outlined on my blog for contacting me.

Friday, February 9, 2024

John Lashbrook, Research Report, the As It Is Series

Let’s begin - -

Meet - - John Lashbrook.

First with his parents and some of his siblings, note sibling Thomas.

Next, here is John with wife Lydia (maiden name unknown, yes we have suspicions, but, lack the proof we desire, even after a little over 30 years of research, sigh), and 2 children:

The names of John's children are family tradition, and are recorded in the work, "Lashbrooke, Lashbrooks and Lashbrook" by Mary K. Lashbrook, 1986. (If you have access to the book, or can find it, look at page 265, 266.)

I have never found a marriage record/mention for John and Lydia. I worked with the local historians in Clinton County New York, where I presumed a marriage may have taken place since the Lashbrook family lived there from about 1830 to mid 1840's. I may just have to revisit all of this and see if the historian of Wilmington, Essex County might be able to help - - as - -

We do find John in the 1840 census enumeration of Wilmington, Essex County, New York as follows: 1 male 10-15 years old, 1 male 15-20 years old, 1 female under 5 years and 1 female 20-30 years. We note that John would have been 25 years of age and the female (20-30) could be Lydia. Are the ages accurately recorded? Anyone's guess is as good as mine, so easy to mark one of those little hash marks in the wrong column. And, who are the others, 1 male 10 to 15 and one female under 5? Are they John's children or siblings? It is not clear is it?

John appears on the 1850 census for Byron, McHenry County, Illinois as follows: John, age 35, farmer, born England; Lydia, age 22 (hard to read), born Canada. No children enumerated with them. Had their offspring already passed?

John is enumerated on the 1855 state census in McHenry County, Illinois. Residing in his household are the following: one male age 10 to 20, 1 male 40 to 50 years of age and one female age 30 to 40. We believe the younger male could be the Oliver Jerrison, err, Jerome, found in the household in 1860.

John appears on the 1860 US census for Harvard, McHenry County, Illinois age 45, farmer value of real estate $6,000.00, value of personal property $1,000.00, born England; Eliza, age 43, born Canada E. Living with them was Oliver Jerrison (this is Jerome, not Jerrison), age 14. *See below.

John is enumerated on the 1865 state census for McHenry County, Illinois. There are 2 males and one female living in the home. The second male is between 10 and 20 years old.

John is enumerated on the 1870 US census of Harvard, McHenry County, Illinois as follows: John age 55, farmer, real estate valued at $7, 200.00, personal property valued at $1,520.00, born England, parents of foreign heritage, cannot read nor write; Lydia, age 53, born Canada, parents of foreign heritage, cannot read nor write.

John was found enumerated on the 1880 U.S. Census, Harvard, McHenry County, Illinois: John Lashbrook, age 66, farmer, born England, parents born New York; Lydia, age 63, wife, keeping house, cannot read or write, both Canada, both parents born France.

John's obituary appeared in "The Harvard Herald" (Harvard, McHenry County, Illinois) on Friday, March 27, 1891, copy provided to compiler by Rosemary Alewine of Delavan, Wisconsin in February of 1997.

His obituary reads as follows:

"JOHN LASHBROOK, who died at his residence in Harvard on Friday morning, was born in Devonshire, England, March 6, 1814. When 15 years of age he came with his father to America, settling in Clinton county York State, where he remained until 1844, when he came west and bought a farm in the town of Dunham on which he resided until twelve years ago. He then came to Harvard and resided here until his death. Mr. Lashbrook was a man who in early life shared the hardships and trials of a poor man, for he was poor when he came west, but by hard work and the patient, persistent and kindly influence of a devoted wife, who died a few years ago, he laid by considerable money, which nearly all became exhausted before he died. Mr. Lashbrook was a kind hearted man, but he had a sad failing. He had an unconquerable thirst for liquor, and he lived to see the fortune which he and a devoted wife had labored so hard to accumulate slip gradually away from him, and all on account of his strong appetite for liquor. About three years ago he received a paralytic stroke and he has been an invalid ever since, totally unable to help himself. His funeral services were held at the house on Sunday, the burial being in Jerome's cemetery."

Nothing I have found in the years of research ever mentioned John and Lydia having children, except as mentioned above, the work by Mary Lashbrook, 1986. On page 265-66, she states:
"John's tombstone says that he was 76 years 14 days at death. Two small stones without dates in the cemetery might be those of their children, Ernest and Ann."

On a visit to the cemetery a number of years ago, I did not see these two small stones near the burial spots of John and Lydia. The photos I took that day, also do not reflect any small stones. Small stones could easily be damaged, removed, lost to time.

Here is a photo of two Lashbrook stones, Richard and Ann, the parents and John and Lydia Lashbrook are all buried here in close proximity. Yes, the stones are leaning. We visited in September of 2004.

Other family charts, and write ups, including booklets I have been gifted may have mentioned these children. Nothing else, no census, no news clips, no probate cases, nadda, nothing, zip!

Until today, when typing up some more newspaper clippings, I came to this:

From the Waverly Democrat, Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, published March 26, 1891:

“Mr. Thomas Lashbrook received a dispatch on Friday from Harvard, Illinois, stating his eldest brother, John Lashbrook, of that city, died that morning of the grippe. He was about 80 years of age and had retired from active business some years ago. His wife died about four years previously, and their only child died in infancy.”

Only child! Not two, just one. But, it is the mention OF A CHILD. I'll take it - - for now - - and, yes, errors in news paper reporting do happen. You will note that there is no mention of the "gripe" in the obituary that appeared in the Harvard Herald. There was also NO mention of children. Is this definitive? Heavens no. But, I'll still take it. For now.

* Oliver Jerome is the son of one Emily Mary Rancour Fuller. Emily's first husband was Joseph Jerome, her second husband was Amos Fuller. Some researchers indicate that Emily is a sister of our Lydia Lashbrook. I do not disagree. I just would love something to connect them. Long story, left for another post, another day.

** No obituary has been located for John's wife, Lydia.

*** I maintain John and Lydia's Find A Grave memorials, his can be found via number 37424386, her Find A Grave number is 37424421.

**** Disclaimers, I use Find A Grave, Ancestry dot com, FamilySearch, several newspaper subscriptions, free sites, such as Virginia Chronicles, Virginia Chancery Cases online at the Library of Virginia and more to research my ancestors. I pay for subscriptions, full price.

***** My judgements may or may not be correct. Transcriptions may or may not have errors.

****** Links, URL's, for the most part will not be included henceforth on my posts, as so many of them change and then I have to come back and try to re-discover and relink. Frankly folks, I have no desire to spend my limited time here on this side of the sod with those kinds of do overs. As researchers, or just members of the internet community, sites such as Find A Grave are easy to find, some are free to use and with the information I am sharing with you, hopefully, you can duplicate the research/findings. That said, I have seen memorials at Find A Grave be removed. If you have questions, I suggest you leave a nice comment for me. OR find the method I have outlined on my blog for contacting me.

Monday, February 5, 2024

Thomas Lashbrook, Just Cannot Stay Out of the Newspapers.

From the Waverly Democrat, Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, published April 16, 1891:

“Mr. Thomas Lashbrook, annoyed at the importunities of travelling men, told one of them the other day “You fellows pester us with everything we have plenty of and don’t want; but I can’t find any clothes-pins in town. Why don’t you sell clothes-pins?” The drummer winked and left, and to-day the order was filled and Mr. L. had 12 gross of clothes-pins on his hands. Yet the boys say he is not satisfied, and is impatiently waiting for the drummer who sent them COD per express.”

Twelve gross?? That's 12 X 144. That's a lot of wet laundry to hang.

* Thomas Lashbrook, b. 1819 England, d 1904 Iowa.

* Image courtesy of Ryan McGuire of Pixabay.

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Clarence Emile Lashbrook, a Man of Many Jobs, Occupations and Investments, Research Report, the As It Is Series

Let’s begin - -

Meet - - Clarence Emile Lashbrook.

First image, his first wife, who died young, without issue, shown for reference and the full story.

Second image, his second wife, and the mother of his children.

I have been processing news clippings recently. Learning the little stories that have escaped the decades between the lives of the ancestors and now. Just this morning, I typed up several pieces concerning Clarence and, something I did not remember, he grew rice in Arkansas.

I started reviewing his notes. He certainly did work hard and invest and embraced advances in the world around him, witness (Note, I am highlighting in red the different occupations."

Clarence is found in the 1880 US census for Washington Township, Bremer County, Iowa living with his brother Watson. He is 19 years old, working on the farm, born in Iowa.

From the Waverly Democrat, Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, published November 19, 1886:

“Clarence Lashbrook has gone to Austin, Minnesota to open a billiard hall.”

From the Mower County Transcript, Lansing, Minnesota published August 20, 1890:

“ - - Don’t they go, corn or gloss starch, 7 cents a package. Four for 25 cents at C. E. Lashbrook’s cash grocery.”

“ - - C. E. Lashbrook pays cash for eggs.”

“ - - I am here to stay and I am compelled to sell goods for a small profit to induce people to pay cash. Just try the experiment for one month at my store and be convinced that you can save from 10 to 15 per cent. C. E. Lashbrook, the Spot Cash Grocer.”

“ - - $500.00 reward given to any person who purchases a can of Century Baking Powder and an enameled or still dish for 50 cents at C. E. Lashbrook that does not get twice its money’s worth.”

“ - - Carter machine oil at C. E. Lashbrook’s for 40 cents a gallon. Other merchants ask 65 cents.”

*His ads in the local paper during this time of his career were prolific and entertaining to say the least.

From the Austin Daily Herald, Austin, Minnesota, published December 20, 1891:

“This. Lashbrook, of Waverly, Iowa, is visiting with his son, Clarence Lashbrook, the cash grocer, of this city during the holidays.”

From the Mower County Transcript, Lansing, Minnesota, published April 24, 1895:

“Notes from Exchanges.

Fairmont News: C. E. Lashbrook, an expert painter of Austin, was in the city last week looking the field over with a view to permanently locating here. He is well pleased with Fairmont and if he meets with sufficient encouragement will probably do so.”

Clarence is enumerated on the 1900 US Census of Clear Lake, Clear Lake Township, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa as follows: Clarence E. Lashbrook, boarder, born September 1860, age 39, widower, born Iowa, both parents born Iowa, general merchandise.

On his marriage record with his second wife, in 1901, he lists his occupation as "Business Merchant".

* Note: this is one half of the marriage register, yes, I have the other half.

Clarence is enumerated in the 1910 U.S. Census of Owen Township, Poinsett County, Arkansas: Clarence E. Lashbrook, age 49, married two times, married 9 years, born Iowa, father born England, mother born New York, agent in real estate - -

From the June 12, 1914 issue of the Jonesboro Evening Sun, Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas:

"C. E. Lashbrook, owner of the Rice Belt Telephone Co., of Weiner went to Otwell and other points down the Cotton Belt this morning, in the interest of his company."

From the Jonesboro Evening Sun, Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas published on October 14, 1914:

"Brings Sample of Rice

C. E. Lashbrook brought to the city today a sample of rice taken from his wife's plantation at Waldenburg. He has 100 acres of rice that will average seventy-five bushels to the acre. The rice crop generally this season is good."

From the Waverly Democrat, Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, published October 2, 1918:

“We are in receipt of an interesting letter from C. E. Lashbrook, of Jonesboro, Ark., a gentleman who was a former resident of Waverly and who will be remembered by many of our citizens. He went to Arkansas several years ago and has made a great success at farming and in the real estate business. One extract from Mr. Lashbrook’s letter reads: “We can raise everything under irrigation the same as in Colorado and it all does fine. Cotton will go 1 1/2 bushels per acres, corn 50 bushels and over and I never saw such tomatoes and other vegetables.”

C. E. Lashbrook is found on the 1920 US census Jonesboro Township, Craighead County, Arkansas as follows: C.E., age 59, married, born Iowa, parents both born England, farmer of rice - -

Clarence is enumerated on the 1930 U.S. Census of Jonesboro City, Jonesboro Township, Craighead County, Arkansas, ED 16-21, Sheet 7A, printed page number 100: Clarence Lashbrooke, owns home, valued at $2,000., age 69, married, age at time of first marriage 28, born Iowa, father born England, mother born New York, manager for Rice Belt Telephone - -

From the Waverly Democrat, Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, published September 4, 1931:

“Lashbrook Writes of Arkansas Cotton

C. E. Lashbrook, of Jonesboro, Ark., in writing to have his Democrat continued, says that things are very quiet in Arkansas. He is in the telephone business and says that his receipts have fallen off one-half.

The farmers in Jonesboro district have a good cotton crop but no market for it so things look as though there would be little change for the better very soon. A ball of cotton ginned Aug. 20 was the first of the crop to be brought in.”

His obituary in part - -

Clarence's obituary appeared in the Monday, September 27, 1937 issue of the Jonesboro Sun, Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas:

"C.E. Lashbrook

Passes Sunday

Funeral Services Held

This Afternoon For

Well Known Jonesboro

Resident

Clarence E. Lashbrook, 77, died in St. Bernard's hospital Sunday morning at 7:45 o'clock following a short illness. He suffered a stroke of paralysis at his home, 822 S. Church, Wednesday night and had been in a critical condition since that time.

Native of Iowa

He was born in Douglas, Iowa, moving to Waldenburg where he lived for a number of years. He moved to Jonesboro in 1912.

Mr. Lashbrook was president of the Rice Bell Telephone Co., of Weiner and was a representative of a fire extinguisher company in this territory. For many years he was an active member of the Masonic lodge."

I maintain his Find A Grave memorial, number 107138153.

Man and I visited Jonesboro in April of 2007, where I did some research and visited the cemetery.

As I continue my transcription of all these news clippings I may find additional occupations for Clarence. Really, such fun and so interesting filling in their lives.

** My judgements may or may not be correct. Transcriptions may or may not have errors.

Sunday, January 28, 2024

William N Lashbrook & Laura Jane Oakley, Research Report, the As It Is Series and One Short Newspaper Clipping.

Let’s begin - -

Meet - - William N. Lashbrook and his bride, Jane Oakley, and their children, Wallace, Eliza, Julia, Infant, and George.

I have been working newspapers, deep diving, for quite some time, oh, the interesting articles I have been finding.

This weekend, I found and typed up this jewel:

From the Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, published November 1, 1852:

“LIST OF LETTERS

REMAINING IN THE POST-OFFICE AT MADION (sic)

NOVEMBER 1, 1852

Persons calling for letters advertised below will please say “THEY ARE ADVERTISED.”

…

Lashbrook. Wm.

…

C ABBOTT, P.M.”

** We note with interest that his daughter, Eliza Jane was born the day after this notification ran in the paper.

I have written about Eliza before, see this link (you know I am no fan of links, but, well, sometimes one needs them). Her date of birth is as recorded in her mother's Bible. The Bible pages were kindly shared by the late Kenneth Lashbrook many years ago. Kenneth was a great-grandson of William and Laura Jane.

I love when I can find additional little pieces that help me place the families together, and/or in certain localities in specific time frames. I had been looking for something for placing William in Madison, Dane County for a few years. I will continue to look, but, for now, I am pleased with this "list of letters".

Happiness this weekend was short, sweet and a list of letters.

* 1852 - Wisconsin law required counties to record births, but this was largely ignored. I recently searched the data base at FamilySearch dot org for any birth record for any Lashbrook for the1820-1907, Index of births from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services in Madison. Index provided by Ancestry dot com. Nothing was found. I also searched Wisconsin Births and Christenings, 1826-1926 and found nothing.

** Disclaimers, I use Find A Grave, Ancestry dot com, FamilySearch, several newspaper subscriptions, free sites, such as Virginia Chronicles, Virginia Chancery Cases online at the Library of Virginia and more to research my ancestors. I pay for subscriptions, full price.

*** My judgements may or may not be correct. Transcriptions may or may not have errors.

**** Links, URL's, for the most part will not be included henceforth on my posts, as so many of them change and then I have to come back and try to re-discover and relink. Frankly folks, I have no desire to spend my limited time here on this side of the sod with those kinds of do overs. As researchers, or just members of the internet community, sites such as Find A Grave are easy to find, some are free to use and with the information I am sharing with you, hopefully, you can duplicate the research/findings. That said, I have seen memorials at Find A Grave be removed. If you have questions, I suggest you leave a nice comment for me. OR find the method I have outlined on my blog for contacting me.

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Origins, In Brief, Sorta, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Thanks to Amy Johnson Crow, who year after year posts "challenges" her followers to share thoughts and/or photos in whatever manner suits each individual. Blogs, social media, or just in your personal memories. I have played before, and will play along a bit this year, God willing and the creek don't rise.

This week's challenge is: Origins.

Right off I remembered this fun chart from 2016:

A bit of the back story on this - - in March of 2016, J Paul Hawthorne posted his chart on Facebook. It was wildly and delightfully duplicated. It was such a fun week or so. He even blogged about it over at his blog, GeneaSpy, see his post of March 26, 2016.

So, each block represents part of my pedigree chart. Yes, starting with me. You will see this goes back as far as my great-great grandparents.

Yesterday I studied each of these great-greats and traced those lines back as far as I could, did I have any idea where they may have come from before jumping the pond?

Yes, and no.

Now, the disclaimer, for the past couple of years, I have not done any updating, or review of research on these ggggg (however many greats) grandparents, or their origins. So, this is information collected in prior research. There is nothing like review and more review of prior research. By doing so, we may find new ideas, information, hints, and new documentation. However, for now, this is what prior research has told us about the possible origins of my 16 great-great grandparents.

(By square number, starting at the top right, and working down that entire row.)

1. Wales

2 thru 6, have no clue

7. England

8. England, or possibly Wales

9. Possibly Alsace France

10. Germany

11. Germany

12. Possibly Germany.

13. Switzerland

14. France

15. Switzerland

16. England (possibly French Hugenots prior to England.)

Interestingly enough, these do remind me of the heritage claims of my grandparents when asked.

And, I will admit, I am now itching to review and see if I can discover more. Will I?? Stay tuned.

* Remember, links fail. They change, they morf, they disappear. That is why for the most part, I no longer use them. I made and exception in this post.

** The chart was worked on a spreadsheet, see the blog post by J Paul.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Alexander McFarland, Research Report, the As It Is Series

Let's begin - -

Meet - - Alexander McFarland:

What we know, he was a writing professor/teacher and we can find nothing about him after the 1880 census, at least as of today:

From the Mitchell County Press, Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, published October 11, 1877:

Prof. A. McFarland begins his writing school this week. As a teacher of penmanship he has a good reputation, and we heartily commented his efforts, and consider them worthy of success.”

From the Mitchell County Press, Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, published December 20, 1877:

A. McFarland closes his second term of writing school this week, which has been successful and every body is satisfied.”

From the Mitchell County Press, Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, published December 27, 1877:

“WRITING SCHOOL. - - Prof. McFarland holds his school Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at the M.E. Church, Mitchell. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights at Wardall School House, 5 miles east of St Anagar. 27w2”

From the Mitchell County Press, Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, published January 3, 1878:

“Prof A. McFarland is having his usual success in his writing school. He has about 125 pupils in his Mitchell school.”

From the Mitchell County Press, Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, published January 10, 1878:

“Prof. McFarland is meeting with success. He has a large class and is giving good satisfaction. We understand he will commence next Tuesday to teach the Osagers to make hieroglyphics. We recommend him as one who throughly understand the profession he teaches.”

From the Mitchell County Press, Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, published February 14, 1878:

“WRITING SCHOOL - - Prof McFarland will open his writing school at Armory Hall next Monday night.

AND, same paper, same date:

“Prof. McFarland’s writing school is in progress and is being largely attended.”

From the Mitchell County Press, Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, published February 21, 1878:

“Stacyville

…

Prof McFarland has a large class of students, whom he is instructing in the science of penmanship. Now the prof not only likes his profession, but, he has taken a very strong liking for Miss Lashbrook, so strong indeed that about fifty guests were invited to witness the ceremony by which the Rev. Mr. Barrows made them though twain one. This was a very interesting affair, and reflects considerable credit on Mr. and Mrs. Grettenburg at whose residence the party was, for their careful and judicious management in the way of invitations and entertainment.”

AND, just a few lines later in the same column, same paper, same date:

“FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT

The event of the season has come off at last. Prof McFarland, who has for the last few weeks been teaching writing in Stacyville, was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Annie Lashbrook, of Mitchell. The wedding took place at the residence of Mr S. E. Grettenburg, brother-in-law to the bride. Over a hundred invitations were issued and accepted, and everything passed off very pleasantly.”

In 1880 Alexander McFarland and Ann, his wife appear on the census of West Mitchell, Mitchell County, Iowa enumerated just before Julia's mother, Jane, and her brother, George B. This entry shows Ann McFarland age 25, born Wisconsin, father born England, mother born New York. It also shows a one year old son, Ernest. Alexander is shown as 32 years of age, a writing master, born in New York, father born Scotland, mother born Iceland.

In his son Ernest's obituary (provided by Marilyn O'Connor of Mitchell County, Iowa), it is stated that Alexander died when he (Ernest) was very young. Julia was remarried (October 15, 1883, Mitchell County, Iowa) and had a daughter, Pearl Celestial Cummings, by July of 1884.

In the 1925 Iowa Census, Ernest states Alexander was born in Michigan, and shows no age, indicated Alexander was deceased.

That is it. Even after numerous research dives at Ancestry dot com, FamilySearch, and Find A Grave as well as digitized newspapers via the CommunityHistoryArchive project. Frankly, I am befuddled. Alexander was seemingly a popular teacher/professor, who after his marriage had one child and then goes poof into the upper stratosphere of a place unknown.

I searched the Mitchell County Death Registers for 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884. Zip, nadda, newp.

Mystery man, what happened to you? Are you really Alexander McFarland? Did you change your name before or after your marriage? Where were you before you start teaching in Mitchell County Iowa? Oh, the questions.

Now and then, I will revisit Alexander and search again. Hopefully some day - - -

** My judgements may or may not be correct. Transcriptions may or may not have errors.

**** I hope the usual happens, within hours, sometimes minutes, I do another search and something shows up. Well, I can hope.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

More Lashbrook Newspaper Fun

I may have mentioned a time or two - - I LOVE NEWSPAPERS - -

Lately, I have been processing through 3,166 hits, give or take, from a newspaper collection available via the Community History Archive Digital newspaper collections. Ya, that many hits. Takes a while, but, the family tidbits have been more than worth the journey. In late December I found this.

First, a Lashbrook school?? Frankly, I do not remember hearing about this before. Of course, look at that date, wahhoooo, 1870!!

Next, I have so many questions while I read this. Who are these people? Not names I recognize from my, cough, cough, years of researching the Lashbrook clan. (Since 1991, again, give or take.)

Here, take a read while I do some internet snooping - - -

From the Waverly Republican, Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, published March 24, 1870:

“SCHOOL EXHIBITION. - - The Lashbrook school closed on Friday, but owing to the bad weather in the beginning of the week, the exhibition was postponed until Saturday evening following.

The school was conducted by D. W. Edgar, to the general satisfaction of the parents and scholars, and many happy remembrances of bygone days will be remembered by both scholars and teacher.

The classes in Algebra, Book-keeping, and the first class in Arithmetic nearly finished their studies.

The exhibition opened with greeting song, by the entire school, followed by declamations, dialogues; vocal and instrumental music by Alfred and Wesley Broadie, added much to the evening’s entertainment.

Most of the speakers were young, and their ‘maiden’ effort was highly creditable. Among the latter was Carrie Stockwell, Katy and Fannie Potter and Ida Curtis. The ‘Universal Melody’ was sung by the Broadie boys, and was cheered by the audience. Mary Broadie sung “I’m Ninety-Five,” and was loudly applauded.

The Tableaux, ‘The Family Reunion,’ and ‘Good Night’ we’re called for the second time.

The exercises closed by singing the ‘Good Night’ song by the school.

As a whole the exhibition was a decided success, agreeable to scholars and teacher, and highly enjoyed by the large audience in attendance.

The scholars return the sincere thanks to Mr. Broadie for the use of his organ.

CEDAR”

OK, I'm back from my soooping. I decided to take just a moment or two with the song names, decided on "Good Night" as my first snoop.

Right off, I found hits to the Library of Congress. Here is the link. (You know how I feel about links, I dislike them, cause they morf and change and later all you see is Error 404, but, here it is anyway, good luck. See my disclaimer below sig line.)

Good Night.

NOTE: The Library of Congress Music for the Nation: American Sheet Music, ca. 1870 to 1885 collection is in the public domain and is free to use and reuse.

AND:

Title

Good night! Love! Good night; Serenade

Names

Haig, Alex

Created / Published

Cincinnati : Church & Co., John, 1883. (**Not sure why the 1883 vs my search for 1870, sigh.)

Notes

- Record created through migration from the Performing Arts Encyclopedia Database.

Medium

1 online resource (1 score)

Repository

c-Music Electronic resource

Library of Congress Control Number

2023847770

Credit Line: Library of Congress, Music Division

There are 6 pages digitized, here is the first one - -

The next 4 pages, in the collection consist of the music and the words.

Disclaimer, when I searched for the "words" of the song in 1870, the hits list was LONG. I'll pass on that for now.

OK, that was fun. Now, I have more news articles to type up. I may return to this one and do some additional research in the future, I'll try to remember to update you if I do that.

Meanwhile - - YEA NEWSPAPERS and DIGITIZATION!

** My judgements may or may not be correct. Transcriptions may or may not have errors.

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