Reflections From the Fence

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Sunday's Stories, 52 Ancestor Weeks, Week # 37, Elizabeth Isabella Chronic Lashbrook Leone Needs Parents!

This is week 37 of my participation Amy Johnson Crow's, once a week challenge to blog about one ancestor a week, tell their story, biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on that one ancestor. More about the challenge can be found at her Blog, No Story Too Small.

Elizabeth Isabella Chronic was born, we believe, Jun 4, 1885 in Fort Scott Kansas (per her headstone), or maybe Missouri, to parents UNKNOWN. If you look at her death certificate, it says she was born June 4, 1890. (Yes, indeed, we are already in trouble, aren't we?)

Here is what we do know, or have found. This is not in chronological order, but, in order of my research mind processing the "finds". A bit different approach.

On Jul 2, 1899 at Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas Isabell Chronic, age 15, married Ernest Lashbrook, age 19. This marriage record date was a recent index find, and a copy of the full record is needed. Maybe the names of the parents are included.

Isabell and Ernest had six children:

James Russell Lashbrook

John Ernest Lashbrook

Ralph E. Lashbrook

Nellie M. Lashbrook

George H. Lashbrook

Clarence Edward Lashbrook.

Isabell is enumerated on the 1910 US Census, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri in her husband's household as follows: Ernest, age 31, born Kansas, married 10 years, teamster; Isabel, 24, born Kansas, married 10 years, 5 children, 4 survive; James R., son, age 8, born Missouri; Ralph E., son age 4 (? hard to read?), born Missouri; Nellie M., daughter, could not read age, born Missouri; George H., son, age 1, born Missouri.

In 1918 Ernest died, his obituary lists his widow as Mrs. Belle Lashbrook.

Around 1920 (marriage record NOT found, YET), Isabell marries Stefano Leone. They have one child, Giacomo "Jack" Leone.

Belle was found on the 1920 U.S. Census of Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri as follows: Stefano Leone, rents home, age 33, married, came to the US in 1907, (cannot read status of naturalization), born Italy, both parents born Italy, laborer; Bell, wife, age 33, born Kansas, father born in United States, mother born Kansas; Carlo, son, age 7, born Missouri, father born Italy, mother born Kansas. Note: Carlo is actually Belle's son, Clarence Lashbrook.

The family has not been located on the 1930 census reports.

Bell Leone was found enumerated on the 1940 of Ward 1, Kansas City, Kaw Township, Jackson, Missouri, United States as follows: Steve Leone, age 52, born Italy, proprietor of fruit, wholesale liquor store; Bell, wife, age 60, born Missouri, clerk fruit, wholesale liquor store; and son, Jack, age 16, born in Iowa. In the same "house" but, listed as a second household, we find Clarence Lashbrook (see listing of Belle's children above) and his wife Lola and their children, Clarence Jr. and Joe Rita.

The search for her parents has been sporadic, time consuming and frustrating. For some time I have felt that this family * from the 1900 census was Belle and her parents. The age is close, but, if we believe she married in July of 1899, what is she doing here with her parents, showing as a unmarried young lady? It is interesting to note that I have not been able to locate her first husband, to whom she is presumably married, on the 1900 census.

* In the 1900 United States Federal Census of Kansas City Ward 11, Jackson, Missouri we find this family listing:
John P Chronie 44
Jane Chronie 40
William Chronie 17
Belle Chronie 15

* Look at the image, the last name is not Chronie, but, Chronic. Well, that's what I see, anyway.

In a great twist of fate/research, this William, aged 17, in the 1900 census, will marry the daughter of a Eliza A Lashbrook. Eliza is the sister of Ernest Lashbrook. Yes, the husband of Elizabeth Isabelle Chronic.

I prepared the following chart to try to graphically display the relationships or possible relationships. There is no question about the William Chronic marriage to Minnie Charlston (Charleston) or his parentage.

Alas, I have yet to find one document other than this 1900 census enumeration that I can use to tie Belle to this John and Jane Chronic. So far, I have not felt this one census enumeration is strong enough proof to enter John and Jane as her parents on my data base.

Elizabeth Leone died in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri on December 17, 1952. She is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri with her husband Stefano, who died in 1960.

Elizabeth's Find a Grave memorial, which I manage, is here. There is a lovely photo of her gravestone on the memorial.

Wish list for Elizabeth Isabelle Chronic Lashbrook Leone: Photo. Copy of marriage to Ernest Lashbrook. Marriage data for marriage to Stefano Leone. Names of parents with substantial proof of same.

* Additional source data can be obtained by contacting me, see the right hand column for a yahoo email address.

** 52 Ancestors Weeks Button courtesy of Amy Johnson Crow.

*** I use many resources to research, FamilySearch.org is a free site. Ancestry.com is a pay site for which I pay, no discounts, etc. Fold3, is another site I subscribe to and pay for. None of these sites have asked me to review them, or use them. See my Disclaimers page for further details.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Sunday's Stories, 52 Ancestor Weeks, Week # 36, Letta Amelia (nee Clifford) Lashbrook

This is week 36 of my participation Amy Johnson Crow's, once a week challenge to blog about one ancestor a week, tell their story, biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on that one ancestor. More about the challenge can be found at her Blog, No Story Too Small.

Letta Amelia Clifford was born on Oct 27, 1856 (maybe, see further notes further into this biography) near Toronto, York County, Ontario, Canada (possibly in Whitby, Ontario County, Ontario), no birth record has been found. Her parents were Charles E Clifford and his wife Plutheria (Phoebe\Phebe) L. Clifford (yes, Plutheria's surname as given on her marriage record is Clifford, so, she was born a Clifford or was married to one prior to her married to Charles).

Letta is found on the 1861 census for Oshawa, Ontario County, Ontario, Canada in the home of her parents: Charles Clifford (bottom of page 28), finisher, born UC (Upper Canada), Christian, age 32, living in a frame home. On page 29, at the top, is the rest of his family: Phebe, born US, age 30, Christian; Ada, born US, age 6; Charles born UC, age 4; Letta, born UC, age 2; and Flora, born UC, age 1.

Between the 1861 census and 1870 this family seems to have been traveling about and in a great deal of personal turmoil, as I next find Letta on the 1870 U.S. Census living in Floyd Township, Floyd County, Iowa with one John Wesley Webster and his wife Lorinda H. Bemis. Family tradition and this census seem to support the story that Letta was "adopted" by John Wesley Webster. Also living in the house hold was "Georguit" age 7, David Webster age 69, Chas. F. & Amanda & Charles Bemus.

It is interesting to note that Lettie's maiden name is given as Webster on the death certificate of her daughter, Elizabeth Mae Stringer. On the death certificate of her daughter Etta A. Jensen, Lettie's name is given as Lettie Clifford. Lettie's name is given as Lettie A. Webster on the birth certificate of her daughter, Linnie Ruth, and as Lettie Clifford Webster on the death certificate of her daughter, Linnie Ruth.

Adoption records of Floyd County, Iowa are sealed so no additional data can be obtained from there. However, a record in the probate files has been located. In Book B, page 212 of Probate files, in Floyd County, Iowa the following entry is found:
"In the matter of the application of Phebe L. Cliford for Gaurdianship of her Children Charles N. Cliford, Ada L. Cliford and Lettie N. Cliford.
And now on this day to wit the first day March 1869 Phebe L. Cliford appeared in open court and the Defendant Charles Cliford not appearing but made Default and Phebe L. Cliford and John Webster being Sworn in the Cause and the testimony being Considered by the Court Whereupon it is Considered by the Court that the Said Phebe L. Cliford ought to be appointed Gaurdien of her said Children. It is thierfor adjudged by the Court that the Said Phebe L. Cliford be appointed Gaurdien of the Said Charles N. Cliford and Ada L. Cliford upon giving bond in the penal Sum of one hundred Dollars and that Letters issue the Cause as to Letta N. Cliford be dissmissed."
See the other records, as found in Book B, Page 205 and subsequent which states that Letta A. Clifford was 10 years old, in 1869, making her year of birth 1859, not 1856 as her death record would indicate. Note, according to the 1900, 1910, and 1920 US census, she was born in 1859.

On March 6, 1878, Letta married Wallace Henry Lashbrook in Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa. We have no idea how they met.

The announcement of Lettie and Wallace's marriage was found in the March 7, 1878 issue of the Charles City Intelligencer, Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa:

"MARRIED

LASHBROOK - - CLIFFORD - - At the Park Hotel in this city, Wednesday, March 6th by the Rev. J. Wadhams, Mr. W. H. Lashbrook and Miss Lettie Clifford, all of Floyd.

A number of friends of the young couple from Osage and Floyd were present. They left on the evening train for the north for their bridal tour."

(I have written about this marriage before, the post includes an image of the marriage record.)

Letta and Wallace had 5 children:

Archibald Norman Lashbrook, who would later be known as Arthur Norman Stevens, Sr.

(Many articles about "Archie" have shown up here on Reflections.)

Lillian L. Lashbrook, an infant, who was reportedly born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, whose birth record has not been found, but who was located in the death records of Jackson County, Michigan.

Elizabeth Mae Lashbrook

Henrietta Amelia Lashbrook

and, Linnie Ruth Lashbrook.

By 1880, we find Letta in the U.S. Census of Whalen, Fillmore County, Minnesota with her husband and her young son: Wallace aged 25, miller, born Illinois, parents both born England; wife Lettie aged 21 born Canada, parents both born Canada; and son Archibald, aged 1 year, born Minnesota. (This census was found early on in my research and was the beginning of a 20 plus year affliction called "researching the Lashbrook clan!)

During the mid to late 1880's we find Letta and Wallace living in Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan. The discovery of their residency in Jackson sent me into overtime research mania and field trip, as that is less than 45 minutes from where Man and I currently reside.

Letta is found on the following state and federal census enumerations:

1895 Minnesota State Census, Minneapolis, Hennepin County

1900 U.S. Census of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota

1905 Minnesota State census, Minneapolis, Hennepin County

1910 U.S. Census, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota

1920 U.S. Census, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota

1930 U.S. Census, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota

Lettie's obituary appeared in the Minneapolis Tribune on July 1, 1930 as follows:

"LASHBROOK, Lettie A., age 74 years, Res. at 3118 Morgan av N. passed away Sunday, June 29th, 1930. Survived by three daughters, Mrs. C. Brown, Mrs. Etta Barr and Mrs. W.A. Stringer; also 8 grandchildren. Funeral services Wed. July 2nd. 1930, 2:30 p.m., from the residence. Interment Crystal Lake cemetery."

Another version of Lettie's obituary, with photo, was provided by Ruth Stringer Beck, publication data unknown:

"Funeral Wednesday

For Mrs. Lashbrook

Funeral services for Mrs. Lettie Lashbrook, who died late yesterday, will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the family home, 3118 Morgan avenue N. Mrs. Lashbrook had been ill for about 4 months. She was 74 years old, and had been a resident of Minneapolis for 50 years. She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. E. Barr and Mrs. W. A. Stringer of Minneapolis, and Mrs. C. Brown of St. Paul, and five grandchildren."

Lettie's Will had this interesting stipulation, the second item: After payment of such funeral expenses and debts, I do hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my son, Archie N. Lashbrook, the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, in cash, to be paid to him, only, in the event that he is found or appears at the time of my death and the probating of my Will, and in the event that he is not found, or does not appear, at the time of my death or the probating of my Will, it is my wish and will that said sum of Five Hundred Dollars is to be returned back into my estate, to be divided pro rata among the beneficiaries hereinafter named.

The third item of Lettie's Will read: In the event my son, Archie N. Lashbrook does not appear and cannot be found, at the time of my death, or the probating of this my Last Will and Testament, it is then my wish and I do hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved granddaughter, Lettie Lashbrook, the sum of Three Hundred Dollars.

The Decree of Distribution of Lettie's estate, dated May 4, 1931, states: That Archie N. Lashbrook had not been found at the time of the death of the deceased.

Letta and Wallace are buried in the Crystal Lake Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Man and I visited there to pay our respects in 2005.

I manage Letta's Find A Grave memorial.

Wish list for Letta: Additional photos of her during her life. Related, I would love to find out what happened to her father, Charles E.