Reflections From the Fence: 2024

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Hannah Amelia “Millie” Lush, Died 1909, Well, MMM, Newp, Research As it Is Series

This continues a series of posts, done in an 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 - - Hannah Amelia "Millie" Lush - -

Two weeks ago in my data base, this was all I knew:

The source for the death information was the Missouri Death Index, pre-1910. There is surely a entry for such a Hannah Lush, mmmmm, ceptttttt, on review of the index and my data base, I remind myself, that the Hannah that died in 1909 was actually one Hannah Jane Alderman, wife of George Washington Lush. George is a full blood brother of Hannah Amelia Lush. So easy to see why researchers have confused the two. Especially when Hannah Amelia has been a bit difficult to chase round the genie globe.

So, after about a week of research (between gardening and such), let us see how Hannah Amelia is represented on my data base now:

From my notes:

Hannah A Lush

in the 1850 United States Federal Census

Name Hannah A Lush

Gender Female

Race White

Age 10

Birth Year abt 1840

Birthplace New York

Home in 1850 Byron, McHenry, Illinois, USA

Attended School Yes

Line Number 15

Dwelling Number 32

Family Number 33

Household Members (Name) Age

Hiram C Lush 45

Jane Lush 33

Louisa Lush 18

Asa T Lush 16

Eugene Lush 15

George W Lush 12

Hannah A Lush 10

Lymon L Lush 8

Lucius Lush 6

Oscar Lush 4

Rebecca Barker 77

SOOOOOOOO use some caution, noting I have not found Hannah Amelia on the 1860 census nor any indexes for 1860 (***** see below for possible info on presumed hubby, Lonson). I found no marriage at the Illinois Marriage Index, Office of the Secretary of State, (online) June 2024, nor any indication of a marriage anywhere else, for that matter:

Milley Manson

in the 1870 United States Federal Census

Name Milley Manson

Age in 1870 30

Birth Date abt 1840

Birthplace New York

Dwelling Number 303

Home in 1870 San Francisco Ward 11, San Francisco, California

Race White

Gender Female

Post Office San Francisco

Occupation Keeping House

Inferred Spouse Lucon Manson

Inferred Children Frank Manson

Ruby Manson

Household Members (Name) Age

Lucon Manson 39

Milley Manson 30

Frank Manson 6

Ruby Manson 4

Paul Albian 19

Millie Manzer

in the 1880 United States Federal Census

Name Millie Manzer

Age 39

Birth Date Abt 1841

Birthplace New York

Home in 1880 San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA

Street Pine St

House Number 2730

Dwelling Number 28

Race White

Gender Female

Relation to Head of House Wife

Marital Status Married

Spouse's Name Lonson Manzer

Father's Birthplace New York

Mother's Birthplace New York

Occupation Housekeeper

Household Members (Name) Age Relationship

Lonson Manzer 49 Self (Head)

Millie Manzer 39 Wife

Frank E. Manzer 16 Son

Rubena Manzer 14 Daughter

Minnie Manzer 9 Daughter

Lonson Manzer 1 Son

From the San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, published October 16, 1897:

“MANZER - - In this city, October 15, at 1625 Devisadero street, Amelia M., wife of L. M. Manzer, a native of Illinois, aged 58 years.

**Notice of funeral hereafter.”

From the San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, published October 17, 1897:

“DIED

(In order to secure absolute correctness in announcements of funerals, friends of the deceased should bring notices to the business office of “The Examiner,” 756 Market st., corner of Grant ave.)

…

Manzer, Amelia H. - - 58 y.

AND:

“MANZER - - In this city, October 15, Amelia H., beloved wife of L. M. Manzer, a native of New York, aged 58 years 3 months and 1 days.

*** Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral to-day (Sunday), at 2 o’clock p.m., from her late residence, 1623 Devisadero street. Interment, Masonic Cemetery.”

Next I chased the 4 children named in the various census enumerations, Frank, Ruby, Minnie and Lonson. For Frank, I found no references to his mother's name. However I did find him living at the same address on Devisadero street in the California, U.S., Voter Registers, 1866-1898 for the years 1892 and 1896.

Ruby, I found 2 references, one on the Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Mother: Amelia H Lush and in the Nevada Death Index and the death certificate: Mother: Amelia Manzer, maiden name, Lush.

Minnie (oh, we will deal with her in depth in a future post). No reference to her mother's name has been located, but, her obituary does state the names of her siblings.

Lonson (Jr.) I found no reference to his mother's name anywhere. His father is mentioned by name.

So, the results - - mixed - - and yes, that does tend to leave me ever so slightly hesitant.

If we review the last newspaper clipping for Amelia we note the intended burial place, Masonic Cemetery.

I find the following at Find A Grave:

Masonic Cemetery

San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA

Turk, Fulton, Parker and Masonic Streets

San Francisco, California, USA

Coordinates: 37.77670, -122.45040

The Masonic Cemetery (1864-1901) was located between Turk, Fulton, Parker and Masonic Streets on what is today the University of San Francisco. The tombstones were used as fill on the approaches to the Golden Gate Bridge.

In June of 1901 an unknown number of bodies from the Masonic Cemetery were moved to the Japanese Cemetery in Colma.

The rest of the remains from the Masonic Cemetery were moved to Woodlawn Cemetery in Colma.

** Our Hannah Amelia is not listed on Find A Grave in this cemetery as of June 2024.

Per Find A Grave, she is not listed at Woodlawn either, June 2024.

* 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.

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

***** I did find a Lonson Munger in the 1860 census index for Pine Grove, Sierra, California, which states a gentleman by that name resides there, is 30 years of age, born New York, married (no wife to be found on that enumeration), working in a fruit store. I am treating with reservations. I do note, however, that Lonson Manzer's reported parents are buried in McHenry County, Illinois, Hannah Amelia's home in 1850, this does add to my comfort level on the research.

****** This study is a great example of "spelling don't count". Just sayin - -

Monday, June 10, 2024

Thelma Mildred Fanning, Found Infant, Reunited, Research 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 - - Thelma Mildred Fanning.

The back story:

For about the last year and a half I have been immersed in a review process, and it is ongoing. It has been a challenge, fun, frustrating at times, productive, worth while and, did I say ongoing?? It started when I decided to go all in with Apple, no more Windows and Parallels add ons on the computers. Well, that was the plan. Cept, I did not plan well, or think it out, and the GEDCOM from Legacy to Reunion went, poorly, to say the least. I lost literally thousands of links to research/multimedia. Sources, I am a lumper, jumped from around 2000 to well over 7000. Of course, I did not realize how bad it was and I started changing the data base by adding peeps, and so forth. I may have tried doing input to both Legacy and Reunion at the same time, I do not advise, it is, or was for me, a nightmare.

I am happy to say that I have made a lot of progress and for the most part, I am very happy with the results. I did say, it is on going, right??

As I work, undoing the messes I made, I tend to do a bit of research along the way. And, thus, I discovered Thelma this past weekend.

Her parents marriage did not last long and both married again. She seems to be an only child.

This is all I could find on Thelma, a short life, no story, just a death certificate.

There is no memorial for Thelma at Find A Grave. No death notice or obituary was found at Genealogy dot com or Newspapers dot com.

So, little, but, welcome home Thelma, found and reunited with your parents, at least on my database.

** 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.

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Rosa Isabelle Lashbrook, Died When ? Research Report, the As It Is Series

Let’s begin - -

Meet - - Rosa Isabelle Lashbrook

Rosa has been known to this researcher for many years, here is what we know:

From the Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, published January 21, 1876:

“Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors

[Continued from last week.]

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1876.

Board convened pursuant to adjournment. Members all present.

…

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STEWARD OF THE BLACK HAWK COUNTY POOR HOUSE FOR THE YEAR 1875.

…

Rosa and Hattie Lashbrook admitted Oct. 29: discharged Nov. 28, 1875.

…

I find during the year there has been admitted at the pro house, 95; discharged (?? cannot read) … 15; number died, 3; number births, 3; the number weeks of substance furnished, 740 and 4 days.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

H. A. HENDERSON.”

* we note that the article was long and the image was at times difficult to read. Hattie is Rosa's sister.

Rosa Lashbrook

in the 1880 United States Federal Census

Name Rosa Lashbrook

Age 8

Birth Date Abt 1872

Birthplace Iowa

Home in 1880 East Waterloo, Black Hawk, Iowa, USA

Dwelling Number 62

Race White

Gender Female

Relation to Head of House Stepdaughter (Step Daughter)

Marital Status Single

Father's Birthplace Illinois

Mother's Name Lucy A. Cook

Mother's Birthplace Iowa

Household Members (Name) Age Relationship

William E. Cook 51 Self (Head)

Lucy A. Cook 26 Wife

George Cook 20 Son

Rosa Lashbrook 8 Stepdaughter (Step Daughter)

Hattie Lashbrook 5 Stepdaughter (Step Daughter)

I have a death register record out of Black Hawk County, Iowa. That record can be accessed at FamilySearch dot org.

Rosa Isabella Dashbrook, 1880.

Name Rosa Isabella Dashbrook

Sex Female

Age 8

Birth Year (Estimated) 1872

Birthplace Waverly

Death Date 11 Jul 1880

Marital Status Single

Race white

Event Type Burial

Event Date 12 Jul 1880

Event Place Waterloo, Black Hawk, Iowa, United States

Source Details bk1 p1 cn3

Reference Items 3-5

* we note the slight error in indexing her surname.

Recently when digging around in newspaper data bases I found this:

Found in the June 8, 1899 issue of the New Hampton Gazette, New Hampton, Iowa. These three children all died in July of 1880. The newspaper was located via the Community History Archive, Chickasaw Iowa, web site.

“Three Children Drowned.

Waverly Independent: The Daily Waterloo Reporter, extra, published Sunday afternoon, gave an account of the great wreck and storm the night before, and closed with the following paragraph: One of the saddest features of the day was the drowning of three children - - all playing or wading in the various ponds left by the receding waters. Freddie Siberling, son of P. J. Siberling, was wading, in a place at the foot of West Sixth and stepped into water beyond his depth. His only companion was a little six year old boy and he failed to give an alarm soon enough to permit a rescue. Charles Merwin, son of Henry Merlin, was drowned in a sand hole across the Illinois Central tracks on the Independence road, while wading. Cora Lashbrook, a step daughter of W. E. Cook, living about four miles north of town was drowned in a pond while wading in it, and dropping into a hole.”

*We note her given name is said to be Cora, it is not, it is Rosa.

I will confess that I brooded over this article, dated 1899, for a couple of weeks. How could a death from 1880 be recorded in a newspaper dated 1899, as if she had died in 1899? One explanation, in hindsight, is that many newspapers ran "50 years ago" type articles. Or, 20 years ago, or 30 years ago, or 40 years ago. You get the idea.

Now and then, over the last month or so, I searched Ancestry dot com and FamilySearch dot org again, and again, and again. Found : Nadda new. Finally, I reviewed the death records/register of the county (FamilySearch) and all three of these children did in fact die in 1880. Their deaths are all recorded on the same page of the register, recorded as items 3, 6 and 7 of that page. I still have no explanation of this article suddenly appearing in 1899.

I did search for the Waterloo paper named, and found copies of several different papers published at Waterloo via the NewspapersArchive. I finally did stumble upon this (I admit to being quite clumsy using the search facilities of NewsapersArchive.) The search did not find her with the surname Lashbrook as my search querie, but, searching Cook did. (Her mother married William E. Cook in January 1878 in Black Hawk County, Iowa.)

From the Waterloo Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, published July 14, 1880:

“Obituaries

…

ROSA I LASHBROOK

A stepdaughter of Wm. E. Cook, living about four miles northeast of the city, was drowned about half past twelve o’clock Sunday. It appears that the little girl, who was about 8 years, 8 months, and eight days old, went out with another girl to take a walk, and on their way they came to the bank of a creek about one-fourth of a mile south of the house. The water had filled up the banks and gullied out many deep holes. This girl, while walking along the bank, slipped into one of these holes and sank. Her companion ran back to the house and gave the alarm. Mr. Cook went to the place where she was drowned and after considerable effort succeeded in getting the body out of the water. The funeral services were held last Monday afternoon.”

I searched all Waterloo papers at NewspaperArchive for 1899, hoping to find the article referenced by the New Hampton Gazette, so far, nadda.

In review for writing this blog post, I did, once again, visit Ancestry dot com where I located this article, not seen in any of my prior searches. Do overs/reviews can result in "goodies" now and then:

From the Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, published July 16, 1930:

“FIFTY YEARS AGO

Wednesday, July 14, 1880.

Following a cloudburst Dry Run rose to a record height last Saturday night. The fire bell early Sunday morning called the people out of their homes to battle with the rising waters. People living along the run left their homes. Street Commissioner S. M. Hoff estimates 12,000 feet of board sidewalk was either washed away or displaced. Bridges over the run were washed out and plank crossings floated away. The most thrilling feature of the flood was the rescue of marooned persons. Some of these were done at great peril to life.

Three persons were drowned in Waterloo and vicinity last Sunday. They were Fred Siberling, 10-year-old son of P. J. Siberling; Charles H. Merwin, 13-year-old son of Mr and Mrs. H. E. Merlin, and Rosa Lashbrook, young stepdaughter of W. E. Cook, living four miles northeast of here. It was reported that three others lost their lives that day by drowning, John Carney, 17, of Eagle township, and two young children of La Port City, but we have been unable to obtain any particulars.

The body of the Siberling boy was found Sunday afternoon near the foot of Sixth street west. The Merlin boy was drowned in a gravel pit one-half mile east of town along with I. C. Railway and the Lashbrook girl was drowned in a creek into which she accidentally slipped while walking along the bank. She was 8 years old.”

Rosa has no Find A Grave memorial of of June 2, 2024. No memorial found at BillionGraves.

I am left with mixed emotions, it is always fulfilling in a genie kinda way to know more about the lives and deaths of ancestors. It is also frequently very sad, as in Rosa's story.

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

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Nellie (Mae ?) Lashbrook Gregory, Research Report, the As It Is Series

Let’s begin - -

Meet - - Nellie (Mae?) Lashbrook Gregory:

Many years ago when Man and I visited and researched in Iowa we visited the Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. We could not find a headstone for Nellie. I also, over the years, could find no obituaries. Recently, thanks to the Community History Archives program, I found her obituary, plus a few other articles in the weeks prior to and after her death. Here are my notes and a couple of documents from my database:

Nellie appears on the 1880 census for Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa with her husband James Gregory, she is 25 years old, James' age cannot read, and Frances, their son, born Sept. 1879. Her mother Betsey Lashbrook Leaman is enumerated immediately before Nellie.

Nellie appears on the 1885 census of Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa as follows: James Gregory, 41, drugman, born Illinois; Nellie, age 30, keeping house, born Illinois; Frank, age 5, born Floyd County; Nellie, age 1, born Floyd County. Note: Nellie, the 1 year old child, is not mention in the 1900 census, and Nellie the mother, claims to have had only 2 children, both of whom are living in the 1900 census. However, we do find May Nellie Bean, on the 1925 Iowa census, who claims her parents to be James Gregory and Nellie Lashbrook. Where this child was in 1900 is not known.

Nellie lived in Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa in 1893 when John Lashbrook's estate was being settled.

Nellie is on the 1895 census of 3rd Ward, Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa as follows: James Gregory, age 52, born Canada, occupation cannot read due to tight binding of the original book, Methodist religion, served in the Iowa 6th, Company B; Nellie, age 38, born Illinois, Methodist religion; Frank, male, age 15, born Floyd County; Nettie M. female, age 11, born Floyd County; Charles, male, age 6, born Floyd County.

Nellie is enumerated on the 1900 US Census of Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa as follows: James Gregory, born March 1842, 58 years old, married 23 years, born Canada, parents both born New York, came to US in 1871, teamster; Nellie, wife, born June 1855, 44 years old, married 23 years, 2 children, both survive, born Illinois, father born England, mother born New York; Frank F., son born Sept 1879, age 20, born Iowa; Charles H., son, born Jan. 1889, age 11, born Iowa.

Nellie was found on the 1905 Iowa State Census of Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa. However, she is enumerated alone, not with the rest of the family unit, James and Charles. Seeing that this census is just a listing of names, no ages, no places of birth, nothing more than a simple list of names, we cannot be positive this is our Nellie. See image attached.

Nellie died about 1906, per the Civil War Pension file of her husband James. In 1922 he states that she had been dead about 16 years.

The record of Nellie Gregory from Iowa, Death Records

Name Nellie Gregory

Event Type Death

Event Date 13 Jan 1905

Event Place St. Charles, Madison, Iowa, United States

Event Place Charles, Iowa, United States

Gender Female

Age 49

Birth Year (Estimated) 1856

Father's Name R L Lashbrook

Mother's Name Besty Mitchell

"Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPFX-5H48 : 25 September 2018), R L Lashbrook in entry for Nellie Gregory, 13 Jan 1905, St. Charles, Madison, Iowa, United States; citing certificate #, State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines; FamilySearch digital folder 102869837.

From the Charles City Intelligencer, Charles City, Iowa, published January 5, 1905:

“Additional Miner Happenings

- - Mrs. James Gregory is in ????? health.”

From the Charles City Herald, Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa, published January 15, 1905:

“Mrs. Nellie Gregory, wife of James Gregory, was born in Moringo, Ill., June 10th, and died in Charles City, January 13, 1905. In 1870 she came here with her parents and in 1877, she married her husband, and three children were born to them, Mrs. Mary Bean, who lives in Cedar Rapids, Frank of Dubuque; and Charles, of this city. Deceased was a faithful mother and loving wife. The funeral services were held from the late home last Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Wilson Denny.”

From the Charles City Herald, Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa, published January 18, 1905:

“Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Mandell, who were called here to attend the funeral of Mrs. Mandell’s sister, Mrs. James Gregory, returned to their home in Hampton Monday.”

From the Charles City Intelligencer, Charles City, Iowa, published January 19, 1905:

“Mrs. Geo. Wolvert, of Waterloo, attended the funeral of Mrs. James Gregory, returning home Monday evening.

Mrs. W. H. Muffley, who was called here by the death of her sister, Mrs. James Gregory, returned home to Osage Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Mendell, of Hampton, who had been here to attend the funeral, of Mrs. James Gregory, returned home Monday.”

From the Charles City Intelligencer, Charles City, Iowa, published January 19, 1905:

“GREGORY - - Died, at her late home in Charles City, Iowa, January 13, 1905, of cancer, Nellie, wife of James Gregory, aged 49 years 7 months and 3 days.

Deceased was a native of Illinois having been born in that state at Marengo June 10, 1855. She came to this city with her parents in 1870, where she has since resided. She was married in this city in 1877 to James Gregory, who with one daughter and two sons survive her. Three sisters and one brother also survive her.

Mrs. Gregory lived a quiet, retired life, but was loved by all who knew her. Her home was her world.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Wilson Denney at 2 o’clock p.m. Sunday, at the house.

The house was filled with neighbors and friends to mourn her death. Interment was made at Riverside.”

Nellie has a Find A Grave memorial, # 17205913, as stated above, there is no photo of a headstone.

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

**** The question of her middle names derives from the fact that her Find A Grave memorial states her middle name as Mae, however, in all the years of my research I have not found any reference to a middle name.

*****Mrs. Geo. Wolvert, we note the surname is actually Wolverton.

Sunday, February 18, 2024

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

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.

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

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.