Ruth A Perry married John Walter Moyer not Henry "Al" Ludy

Ruth A Perry 1849-19??

John Walter Moyer 1849-1929

debbie.storbeck@gmail.com

I have found my 2nd great grandmother, Ruth A Perry who married John Walter Moyer in Ancestry.com family trees.  In a number of the trees she is incorrectly married to Henry "Al" Lundy. This blog is meant to prove that those trees are incorrect.  The proof follows:

1850 Schedule I—Free Inhabitants in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana. Enumerated on the 16^th day of August 1850 by Wm. A Neal, Ass’t Marshal.  Digital Image, Ancestry. Com (http://ancestry.com): Accessed 07 July 2015.  Roll: M432_158; Page: 18A; Image: 335. Page 17A, Dwelling Number 251, Family Number 251.  Line 47, Andrew Perry age 34, Male, White, Place of Birth Ohio, Farmer, $500 Real Estate.  PAGE 18 A Line 1 Sarah Parry, Age 28, White, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 2, John M Parry, Age 10, White, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 3, Rebecca Parry, Age 8, White, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 4, Elizabeth Perry, Age 7, White, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 5, Amanana Parry Age 5, White, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 6, Ruth A Parry, Age 1, White, Place of Birth Indiana.

1850 Schedule I—Free Inhabitants in Washington Township in the County of Clermont, State of Ohio enumerated by me, on the 15^th day of Nov 1850.  L A Logan Ass’t Marshal.  Digital Image, Ancestry. Com (http://ancestry.com): Accessed 07 July 2015.  Roll: M432_667; Image: 511. Page 49A, Dwelling Number 720, Family Number 720.  Line 34, John Moyer, Age 39, Male, Farmer, Value of Real Estate 200, Place of Birth Kentucky.   Line 35, Sarah Moyer, Age 36, Female, Place of Birth Virginia.  Line 36, Charlotta Moyer, Age 13, Female, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 37, William Moyer, Age 13, Male, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 38, Hester A Moyer, Female, Age 11, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 39, Adocpelas L Moyer, Age 9, Male, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 40, Melonstron Moyer, Age 7, Male, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 41, Mary E Moyer, Age 4, Female, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 42, John W Moyer, Age 2, Male, Place of Birth Ohio.

                                                                                                                        

1860 Schedule I—Free Inhabitants in Monroe Township, in the County of Madison, in the State of Indiana.  Enumerated on the 2^nd day of August 1860 by J W McAllister, Ass’t Marshal.  Digital Image, Ancestry. Com (http://ancestry.com): Accessed 07 July 2015.  Roll: M653_277; Image: 148; Family History Library Film: 803277.  Page Number 148-9, Dwelling Number 1049, Family Number 1049.  Line 37, Andrew Perry, Age 47, Male, Farmer, Real Estate Value 1200, Personal Property Value 700, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 38, Sarah Perry, Age 36, Female, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 39, Elizabeth Perry, Age 16, Female, Domestic, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 40, Amanda Perry, Age 14, Female, Place of Birth Indiana.  Page 149, Line 1, Ruth A Perry, Age 12, Female, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 2, Andrew Perry, Age 18, Male, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 3, Samuel Perry, Age 8, Male, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 4, James Perry, Age 5, Male, Place of Birth Indiana.

1860 Schedule I—Free Inhabitants in Monroe Township, in the County of Madison, in the State of Indiana.  Enumerated on the 3^rd day of August 1860 by J W McAllister, Ass’t Marshal.  Digital Image, Ancestry. Com (http://ancestry.com): Accessed 07 July 2015.  Roll: M653_277; Image: 154; Family History Library Film: 803277.  Page Number 155, Dwelling Number 1082, Family Number 1082.  Line 3, James Vinson, Age 34, Male, Farmer, Real Estate Value 3000, Personal Property Value 700, Place of Birth.  Line 4, Elizabeth Vinson, Age 30, Female, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 5, Joshua E Vinson, Age 3, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 6, Albert M Vinson, Age 2, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 7, Ruth A Perry, Age 10, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 8, James H Vinson, Age 20, Male, Place of Birth Indiana.  

I deduce the Ruth A Perry enumerated in the home of her sister Elizabeth (Perry) Vinson on 02 August 1860 and enumerated at the home of her father Andrew Perry on 03 August 1860.

Encarta Dictionary

Deduce 1.  To come to a conclusion, often without all the necessary or relevant information, but using what is known in a logical way

1860 Schedule I—Free Inhabitants in Washington Township in the County of Clermont, State of Ohio.  Enumerated on the 23^rd day of June 1860 by William Thomas, Ass’t Marshal.  Digital Image, Ancestry. Com (http://ancestry.com): Accessed 07 July 2015.  Roll: M653_945; Page: 449; Image: 285; Family History Library Film: 803945.  Page No. 56, Dwelling Number 402, Family Number 390.  Line 31, John Moyer, Age 48, Male, Farmer Value of Real Estate 300, Place of Birth Kentucky.  Line 32, Sarah Moyer, Age 46, Female, Domestic duties, Place of Birth Virginia.  Line 33, Adolphus Moyer, Age 19, Male, Farms, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 34, Wm Moyer, Age 25, Male, Farms, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 35, Melanethon Moyer, Age 17, Male, Farms, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 36, Mary E Moyer, Age 14, Female, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 37, Susana Moyer, Age 10, Female, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 38, John W Moyer, Age 12, Male, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 39, Eliza A B Moyer, Age 7, Female, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 40, Emma J Moyer, Age 1, Female, Place of Birth Ohio.

1865 Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio.  Historical Data Systems, comp. U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Accessed on Line 01 July 2015.  John W Moyer Age 18 Enlistment Date 10 Feb 1865 Rank Private State Served Ohio Survived the War Yes Enlisted in Company H, Ohio 184th Infantry Regiment on 20 Feb 1865.Mustered out on 20 Sep 1865 at Nashville, TN.

Anderson Bulletin newspaper, Anderson Indiana, Thursday 11 September 1958 page 4.  Accessed on-line www.Newspapers.com 4 February 2015.

MAN ABOUT TOWN

Miss Effie L Black, 910 W. 9th St., is the last local surviving member of a pioneer Madison County family.  Her maternal grandfather was John Moyer, (father of John Walter Moyer) who came to the county from Ohio after the War Between the States. 

I deduce the Place of Marriage for Jno Walter Moyer and Ruth A Perry to be in Ohio before 1870 because the 1870 census shows place of birth for William 11/12 as Ohio.  The 1900 US Census in Elgin Township for Anna Moyer Age 48 says she is the mother of 12 children, 10 living and that she was married March 1867.

No Marriage License found 04 July 2015—Ancestry.com, All Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 results for John Walter Moyer.  All Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 results for Ruth A Perry or Walter Moyer.  This database is a collection of Indiana marriage indexes from 86 counties in the State of Indiana, USA, covering various time periods between 1800 and 1941.  Next step:  write Madison County Clerk.

1870 Schedule I.—Inhabitants in Morgan Township, in the County of Mercer, State of Missouri Enumerated by me on the 2^nd day of August, 1870, Noble H Rogers, Ass’t Marshal.  Post Office:  Princeton Missouri.  Digital Image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com):  accessed 04 July 2015.  Roll M593_792; Image: 332; Family History Library Film: 552291.  Page 164B, Dwelling Number 157  Family Number 154 (erased)  Line 2, Walter Moyer, Age 21, Male, White, Farmer, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 3, Ruth A Moyer, Age 18, Female, White, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 4, William Moyer, Age 11/12, Male, White, Place of Birth Ohio.

AND Page 164 Dwelling 153 Family 149.  Line 11, Andrew Perry, Age 57, Male, White, Farmer, Value of Real Estate 1500, Value Personal Property 400, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 12, Sarah Perry, Age 39, Female, White, Keeping House, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 13, Samuel Perry, Age 18, Male, White, Farmer, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 14, Andrew Perry, Age 18, Male, White, Farmer, Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 15, James Perry, Age 16, Male, White, Place of Birth Indiana. 

AND Page 164 Dwelling 156 Family 153.  Line 33, Morris Perry, 44, Male, White, Farmer, Value of Real Estate 700, Value of Personal Property 1500, Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 34, Mary A Perry, Age 38, Female, White, Keeping House, Place of Birth Kentucky.  Line 35, Oliver H Perry, Age 14, Male, White, Place of Birth Missouri.  Line 36, Winfried S Perry, Age 13, Male, White, Place of Birth Missouri.  Line 37, Ida V Perry, Age 11, Female, White, Place of Birth Missouri.  Line 38, James B Perry, Age 8, Male, White, Place of Birth Missouri.  Line 39, Mary A Perry, Age 6, Female, White, Place of Birth Missouri.  Line 40, Matilda Perry, Age 1, Female, Place of Birth Missouri. 

I deduce Ruth A Moyer in the Morgan Township, Mercer County, Missouri 1870 US Census, page 164 B is the Ruth A Perry from the 1850 and 1860 Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Her father and mother Andrew and Sarah Perry and family are enumerated on page 164 of the Morgan Township, Mercer County, Missouri 1870 US Census.  The brother of Andrew Perry, Morris Perry and his family are also enumerated on page 164.

Further proof comes from The Portrait and Biographical Record of Madison and Hamilton County Indiana 1893 accessed on-line 05 July 2015 (http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009607853)

“Solomon Perry was the youngest of eight sons and 2 daughters, eight of whom are still living.  The eldest brother, Andrew, went to Missouri a quarter of a century ago and is still living there.”  This eldest brother of Solomon is Andrew Perry.  He is the father of Ruth A Perry.  See 1870 Morgan Mercer Missouri Census.

I deduce from the 20 February 1865 Enlistment of John W Moyer and his muster out on 20 September 1865, and the 11 September 1958 Anderson Bulletin Newspaper that says, “John Moyer, (SR) came to the county (Madison, Indiana) after the War Between the States.” that John W Moyer moved to Madison County, Indiana between October 1865 and 1869.

1880 US Census Antelope County, Nebraska.  Population Schedule West Cedar Valley, Enumeration District (ED) 129, Enumeration Date 26 June 1880, Enumerated By Thos Knjgen.  Digital Image, Ancestry.co (http://ancestry.com):  accessed 12 October 2014, citing National Archives microfilm publication Roll: 743.  Page 130 C, Dwelling Number 169, Family Number 171.  Line 31, Jno Moyer, White, Male, Age 31, Husband, Married, Occupation Farming, Can Read and Write, Place of Birth Ohio, Father's Place of Birth Ohio, Mother's Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 32, R. A. Moyer, White, Female, Age 28, Wife, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Can Read and Write, Place of Birth Indiana, Father's Place of Birth Indiana, Mother's Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 33, E Moyer, White, Male, Age 11, Son, Single, Attended School during the Census Year 3, Place of Birth Missouri, Father's Place of Birth Ohio, and Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 34, G.B. Moyer, White, Male, Age 8, Son, Single, Attended School during the Census Year 3, Place of Birth Missouri, Father's Place of Birth Ohio, and Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 35, J.B. Moyer,  White, Male, Age 6,  Son, Single, , Place of Birth Missouri, Father's Place of Birth Ohio, Mother's Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 36, Fnd Moyer, White, Male, Age 3,  Son, Single, Place of Birth Missouri, Father's Place of Birth Ohio, Mother's Place of Birth Indiana.       

AND Dwelling Number 158, Family Number 170.  Line 26, Sam Perry, White, Male, Age 27, Brother, Single, Farmer, Place of Birth Indiana, Father’s Place of Birth, Indiana Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 27, Andrew Perry, White, Male, Age 27, Twin, Brother, Single, Farmer, Place of Birth Indiana, Father’s Place of Birth Indiana, Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 28, James Moyer, White, Male, Age 25, Husband, Farming, Husband, Place of Birth Indiana, Father’s Place of Birth Indiana, Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 29, Sarah Moyer, White, Female, Age 22, Wife, Keeping house, Place of Birth Ohio, Father’s Place of Birth Ohio, Mother’s Place of Birth.  Line 30, L. E. Perry, White, Female, Age 1, Daughter, Place of Birth Nebraska, Father’s Place of Birth Ohio, Mother’s Place of Birth taped over.

Again, I can deduce R A Moyer in the West Cedar Valley, Antelope County, Nebraska 1880 US Census, page 130 is the Ruth A Perry from the 1850 and 1860 Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana censuses and the 1870 Morgan Township, Mercer County, Missouri census.  AND next door to RA Moyer and Jno Moyer are Ruth A.’s brothers Samuel, Andrew and James. 

1885 Schedules of the Nebraska State Census, Harmony Precinct in the County of Antelope.  Enumeration District 27, Enumeration Date 5 & 6 June 1885, Enumerated By Andrew Black.  Digital Image, Family Search (familysearch.com): accessed 12 October 2014, citing National Archives and Records Administration.  Schedules of the Nebraska State Census of 1885. M352. RG 29. 56 rolls.  Page 6, Dwelling Number 57, Family Number 59. Line 35, John Moyer, White, Male, Age 37, Occupation Farmer, Place of Birth Ohio, Father's Place of Birth Ohio, Mother's Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 36, Ruth Moyer, White, Male, Age 35, Wife, Place of Birth Indiana, Father's Place of Birth Indiana, Mother's Place of Birth Indiana.  Line 37, Edgar Moyer, White, Male, Age 17, Son, Place of Birth Missouri.  Line 38, Glen Sherman Moyer, White, Female, Age 14, Son, In School, Place of Birth Missouri.  Line 39, John Moyer, White, Male, Age 12, Son, In School, Place of Birth Missouri.  Line 40, Freddie Moyer, White, Male, Age 8, Son, In School, Place of Birth Missouri.  Line 41, Lillie Moyer, White, Male, Age 6, Daughter, Place of Birth Nebraska.  Line 42, Minnie Moyer, White, Female, Age 3, Daughter, Place of Birth Nebraska. Line 43, George Moyer, White, Male, Age 2, Son, Place of Birth Nebraska.  Line 44, Baby Moyer, White, Female, Age 1/12, Born May, Son, Place of Birth Nebraska.  Line 45, Mary Bird, White, Female, Age 70, Boarder, Place of Birth Michigan, Father's Place of Birth Michigan, Mother's Place of Birth Michigan.   Who is Mary Bird or Byrd?

Minnie Moyer is my great grandmother.  She married David H Stanton on 13 June 1900 in York, Nebraska (I have marriage certificate).  The oldest daughter of Minnie and David Stanton was Leta M Stanton, born March 30, 1901 in Waco, York County, Nebraska.  Letter From Leta Lonn, Thompsonville, Michigan to Debbie Storbeck 1 March 1978; Held in 2014 by Debbie Storbeck, 7432 Red Rock Trail, Kalamazoo, Michigan.  “I think being born in March in State of Nebraska was quite something for me.  Mother had 2 other children born in Nebraska.  They didn't live long.  I was first and made it to Michigan in a covered-wagon.  We wer'e 7 wks coming.  My father drove a span of mules.  They wer'e 3 and 4 yrs old.  Some Highway men tried to steal them from us one night Grandpa and Uncle Ed Moyer stayed under wagon with their guns.” 

1890 US Census January 10, 1921, a fire in the Commerce Department building, Washington, DC, resulted in the destruction of most of the 1890 census.

1900 Twelfth Census of the United States, Schedule No. 1—Population Elgin Township, Antelope County, State of Nebraska.  Enumerated by me on the 14^th day of June 1900 Thomas McCarty, Enumerator.  Digital Image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com):  accessed 12 October 2014Roll T623_916; Enumeration District: 8. Page 4B, Dwelling number 67, Family Number 67.  Line 81, Anna Moyer, Head, White, Female, Date of Birth Sept 1851, Age 48, Married 33 Years,, Mother of 12 Children 10 Living, Place of Birth Indiana, Father’s Place of Birth Indiana, Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana, Farmer, Months not employed 0, Years of School blank, Can Read yes, Can Write yes, Can speak English yes, Owned or Rented Rented, Farm or House House, Number of Schedule 69.  Line 82, George Moyer, Son, White, Male, Date of Birth Jun 1883, Age 16, Single, Place of Birth Nebraska, Father’s Place of Birth Indiana, Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana, Farmer, Months not employed 0, Years of School blank, Can Read yes, Can Write yes, Can speak English yes.  Line 83, Peter Moyer, Son, White, Male, Date of Birth May 1884, Age 16, Single, Place of Birth Nebraska, Father’s Place of Birth Indiana, Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana, Months not employed Blank Attended School Months 7, Can Read yes, Can Write yes, Can speak English yes.  Line 84, Percel Moyer, Son, White, Male, Date of Birth March 1886, Age 14, Single, Place of Birth Nebraska, Father’s Place of Birth Indiana, Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana, Farmer, Months not employed 0, Years of School blank, Can Read yes, Can Write yes, Can speak English yes.  Line 85, Susa Moyer, Daughter, White, Female, Date of Birth April 1889, Age 11, Single, Father’s Place of Birth Indiana, Mother’s Place of Birth Indiana, Farmer, Months not employed 0, Years of School blank, Can Read yes, Can Write yes, Can speak English yes.

1900 US Census Madison County, Indiana.  Population schedule Monroe Township, Orestes Town, Enumeration District (ED) 96, Enumeration Date 5 June 1900, Enumerated by James Reid, Sheet 5.  Digital image, Ancestry.com   (http://www. Ancestry.com: accessed 16 November 2014), citing National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) microfilm publication 386, FHL microfilm: 1240386. Dwelling Number 80, Family Number 88.  Line Number 10, Walter Moyer, age 43, Date of Birth, Apr 1857, Place of Birth Ohio, White, Male, Relation to Head of House Brother in Law, Married in 1878, Married 22 years, FPOB Pennsylvania, MPOB Ohio, Occupation Day Laborer, Can Read, Write and Speak English.

And William K Carver Age 39.  Emma Carver Age 41.  Gertrude Carver Age 20.

Lola Carver Age 14.  Arthur Carver Age 6. 

The Alexandria Times newspaper, Tuesday, 17 March 1908, Page 3.  Accessed 6 February 2015, www.newspapers.com  Asks For Divorce    Ruth Moyer, of this city, has brought suit against John Moyer for a divorce, and D.W. Black, as administrator of the estate of the late John Moyer, Sr., is made a defendant to the complaint also.  Note:  D.W. Black is the brother-in-law of John Walter Moyer.  He married Mary Elizabeth Moyer.
 

The Elwood Free Press newspaper, Thursday, 19 March 1908, page 8.  Accessed 10 February 2015 www.newspapers.com. Circuit Court, Ruth Moyer vs. John W. Moyer et al.: for support.  J.A. May, attorney.

June 15, 2015 Madison County, Indiana Courthouse.  The suit was closed on 9 June 1908.  No reason given.

Unable to find 1910 Census for Ruth A Moyer or John W Moyer.  It’s possible that John W Moyer was in Gregory County, South Dakota with sons, John Byrd Moyer and Ferdinand Moyer.

Benzie Record newspaper, 18 April 1915 Page 3, Column 3 ELBERTA  Mrs. Moyer of Copemish is staying with her daughter Mrs. Albert Clark.  Mrs. Albert Clark is Susa Moyer the youngest child of Ruth A and John Walter Moyer.  This is the last record I find for Ruth A Moyer.  The death certificate for John Walter Moyer in January 1929 says he is a widow.

1920 Fourteenth Census of the United States, Bracken County, Kentucky.  Enumerated by me on the 26^th and 27^th Day of January 1920.  Campbell B. Cline.  Accessed on-line @ Ancestry.com 05 July 2015.   Roll: T625_561; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 29; Image: 29.  Dwelling Number 45, Family Number 147.  Line 57 George H Moyer, Head, Home Owned and Free of Mortgage, Male, White, Age 60, Single, Able to read yes, Able to Write yes, Place of Birth Kentucky, Father’s Place of Birth Kentucky, Mother’s Place of Birth Kentucky.  Line 58 Anna M Moyer, Sister, Female, White, Age 58, Single, Able to Read yes, Able to Write yes, Place of Birth Kentucky, Father’s Place of Birth Kentucky, Mother’s Place of Birth Kentucky.  Line 59 Walter Moyer, Cousin, Male, White, Age 69, Widow, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Ohio, Father’s Place of Birth Kentucky, Mother’s Place of Birth Ohio.  Line 60 Lottie Perkins, Niece, Female, White, Age 34, Single, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Kentucky, Father’s Place of Birth Kentucky, Mother’s Place of Birth Kentucky. 

The Alexandria Times, Wednesday, 21 August 1926, page 4.  Accessed on-line www.newspapers.com 10 February 2015.  Orestes Notes-- Walter Moyer of North Dakota is in Orestes visiting old friends and relatives after an absence of six years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Eli Carver, Walter Moyer, Mrs. John Carver, Fern Waymire and Walter Carver visited in Fairmount Thursday.

Kentucky. Vital Statistics Original Death Certificates - Microfilm (1911-1955). Microfilm rolls #7016130-7041803. Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky.  Accessed on-line @ancestry.com 05 July 2015. 

Commonwealth of Kentucky

State Board of Health

Bureau of Vital Statistics         File Number 37 (written) 437 (stamped)

County Bracken

Vet. Pet. Brooksville       Registration District No. 120

FULL NAME:  John W Moyer

PERSONAL AND STATISTICAL PARTICULARS

SEX:  M    COLOR:  W    SINGLE MARRIED WIDOWED DIVORCED:  Widowed

HUSBAND OF Ruth Moyer

DATE OF BIRTH Feb 13, 1849

AGE 79 years

OCCUPATION OF DECEASED Farmer

BIRTHPLACE Clermont CO. Ohio

NAME OF FATHER John Moyer

BIRTHPLACE OF FATHER Pennsylvania

MAIDEN NAME OF MOTHER Sarras Leach

BIRTHPLCE OF MOTHER Ohio

INFORMANT G. H. Moyer

ADDRESS Brooksville

FILED Feb 5, 1929 Estelle M. Pope, Registrar

Right Side

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF DEATH

DATE OF DEATH Jan 14^th 1929

I HEREBY CERTIFY, That I attended deceased from Oct 1, 1925(8?) to Jan 13^th, 1929

That I last saw him alive on Jan 13^th, 1929.

And that death occurred on the date stated above at 6 P.M.

THE CAUSE OF DEATH was as follows:

Chronic ???????????? of 6 month duration

Did an Operation precede death? No

Was there an autopsy? No

Signed W B Wallace, M.D.

Jan 16^th, 1929 Address Brooksville, KY

PLACE OF BURIAL OR REMOVAL Concord Cemet DATE OF BURIAL 1/16/1929

UNDERTAKER Moore T Thomas ADDRESS Brooksville

Saturday Night Dective

Last night while looking for a certain photo of Louis Crosby. . . I came across this copy of a letter written by Ralph Crosby, brother of Louis.  There's no date with the letter, so I am guessing the 1970's, Ralph and wife Hazel were still living in Royal Oak. 
AH HA moment and I went looking for a Fuller obituary that I'd come across on-line one day, when looking for something else.  I remembered the obituary because the Fuller who had died, died just a few miles from our home here in Kalamazoo County.

Uncle Ralph's Letter

The obituary:

Published in Saginaw News on MLive.com on December 20, 2009

FULLER, Lawrence “Curly” C. of Saginaw, Michigan, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2009, at Covenant HealthCare-Cooper. Age 98 years. Lawrence C. Fuller was born on September 13, 1911 in Burt, Michigan to the late Francis James and Ethel M. (Crosby) Fuller. He married Ellen R. Hartman on September 17, 1949 in Saginaw; she survives him. As a young man, Lawrence began working as a farmer in Burt and various other farms. He served with the U.S. Army, being discharged as a Staff Sergeant. Throughout his military career, Lawrence received a variety of medals and ribbons. Upon returning from the service, he began to work for General Motors, where he worked for over 31 years. He retired from Delco Moraine in October of 1976. 

Surviving besides his wife, Ellen R., are his sons: Richard L., Edward C. and his friend Julie, Dennis A. (Kimberly), and Gerald W. (Cindy) Fuller; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Michael; a brother, Harold Fuller; two sisters: Laura McDermitt-Cole and Doris Cole.

FUNERAL: A funeral service honoring Lawrence will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State). Rev. Gerald Fuller, Lawrence’s son, will officiate. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

VISITATION: Friends may call at the Deisler Funeral Home on Monday, December 21, 2009 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the American Heart Association. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.

The Result.  Reverend Gerald W Fuller and Ralph Crosby were 2nd cousins through their Fuller line and 2nd cousins 1 time removed on their Crosby side.  

Chauncey Crosby			Chauncey Crosby			Samuel Fuller			Samuel Fuller
M:  Hannah Jane Hallock			M:  Hannah Jane Hallock			M:  Mary A Hinkley			M:  Mary A Hinkley
Child:  Dexter Crosby			Child:  Powell Crosby			Child:  Francis J Fuller			Child:  Charles L Fuller
M:  Emily Thayer			M:  Mary L Bailey			M:  Ethel Crosby			M:  Margaret Knight
Child:  Ethel M Crosby			Child:  Charles F Crosby			Child:  Lawrence Fuller			Child:  Charlotte Fuller
M:  Francis J Fuller			M:  Charlotte H Fuller			M:  Ellen Hartman			M:  Charles F Crosby
Child:  Lawrence Fuller			Child:  Ralph Crosby			Child:  Reverend Gerald Fuller			Child:  Ralph Crosby
M:  Ellen Hartman
Child:  Reverend Gerald Fuller

AND, of course the plot could get thicker... Dexter Crosby married Emily Thayer and Dexter's sister Luraina married Emily's brother Franklin W. Thayer.

Pedigree Chart for Leta Maude Stanton

                   I have branches that go out further.  Contact me if you are interested.

The Children of Leta Maude Stanton

Roger Keith Stilwell 1928-1997

Arlene Leta Stilwell 1924

Helen Beverly Lonn 1935-2000

Victor Elmer Lonn 1937

John Robert Lonn 1939

David Lonn 1945

Pedigree Chart for Leta Maude Stanton

This Pedigree Chart for Leta Maude Stanton shows 4 generations of her ancestors.  I have additional generations on some of the lines.  

My Grandmother, Leta Maude Stanton

Leta Maude Stanton-Stilwell-Lonn

March 30, 1901 to January 29,1982

debbie.storbeck@gmail.com

My Grandma Lonn was born Leta Maude Stanton in York County, Nebraska in 1901. She said being born in 1901 always made it easy to remember how old she was.  Her parents were 26 year old David Stanton and 21 year old Minnie Moyer.

Minnie Moyer and David Stanton
Nebraska 1900

In a letter dated June 16, 1978, Leta said, “I think being born in March in State of Nebraska was quite something for me.  Mother had 2 other children born in Nebraska.  They didn’t live long.  I was first and made it to Michigan in a covered-wagon.  We wer'e 7 wks coming.  My father drove a span of mules.  They wer'e 3 and 4 yrs old.  Some Highway men tried to steal them from us one night Grandpa and Uncle Ed Moyer stayed under the wagon with their guns.  I can remember our first snow I got up came to the door, there was mother standing in snow baking pan cakes on a laundry stove.  I imagine that was Mothers stove for awhile.”  The two children who were born and died in Nebraska were Nellie in 1903 and Charles in 1904. David and Minnie and their entourage came to Benzie County, Michigan between 1904 and 1907.

The Overland Route from Nebraska to southwest Michigan, likely followed by David Stanton Family.

Lilly Stanton was born in Michigan in 1907, son Burzell was born in 1908 and died in 1909.  In 1910 David & Minnie and daughters, Leta and Lillie, who later changed her name to Lillian, live on a farm that they have a mortgage on in Ireland Township, Benzie County, Michigan.  The family is living next door to David’s brother Isaac Stanton and his family.  In a letter dated June 10, 1965 Leta tells of her school days, “I started to school when I was 7 yrs. 4 mo. Old and was just 15 yrs. 2 mo. when I got through school.  Wasn't any high school where I attended school.  When I first started to school we lived on a farm near Bendon  I attended Bendon school and walked 1 1/2 miles a day.  Wasn't any cars or buses then, I wore leggins above the knees that had to be buttoned all the way.  Leggins we're black so was the buttons.  Then we wore a cloth like over-shoes that buckled up.  This was in winter.” 

The David Stanton Family.  L- R, David Stanton, Leta Stanton, Lillie Stanton, Minnie Moyer with Flossie  Moyer

In 1920 when Leta was 18 years old, David and Minnie Stanton were living in a mortgaged farm in Colfax Township, Benzie County, Michigan.  There were 4 children, Leta, Lillie, Flossie who was born in 1913, and who changed her name to Florence, and Harold, born in 1915.  Hard times were upon the family and David Stanton was living in a lumber camp in Haight Township, Ontonagon County, in Michigan’s northern peninsula.  In Colfax Township Minnie and the children were living next door to extended family, Henry & Goldie Dinger, whose son, Calvin was married to David’s sister Rosa, and Jerry and Ettie Timlick whose daughter Lulu would marry Warren Stanton, nephew of David.

On November 1 in 1922 Leta Maude Stanton and Albert Edward Stilwell, Jr. “Bud” were married in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, by Clergyman C.N.Babcock of the Bendon Methodist Episcopal Church.  Witness at the ceremony were Warren Stanton, Leta’s first cousin and Leta’s sister Lillie Stanton.  

Albert Edward Stilwell "BUD"

Leta Maude Stanton 

Leta and Albert "Bud" Stilwell, about 1922

According to the Muskegon, Michigan City Directories for 1924, 1926 and 1928 Leta and Bud Stilwell were living and working in the city of Muskegon.  Bud worked as a machinist at Continental Motors.  I remember Grandma saying that when she lived in Muskegon she sewed buttons on underwear.  She was likely employed by The Amazon Knitting Company that produced cotton underwear, gloves, hosiery, hooked rugs, and army shirts.

On April 3, 1924, a daughter, Arlene Leta Stilwell was born to Bud and Leta.  Yevone Alberta Stilwell was born on June 16, 1926; she died 2 weeks later on June 30^th.  Yevone is buried next to her great uncle, James H Merrill Jr., in the White Cloud Cemetery, White Cloud, Michigan.  On November 15, 1928, a son Roger Keith Stilwell was born. 

The death of little Yevone was the beginning of a period of grief and sorrow for Leta and Albert.  In September 1929 Bud was diagnosed with cancer of tongue and mouth, he died on December 6 at the home of his Grandparents James and Edith Merrill.

Leta and her 5-year-old daughter Arlene, and her one year old son Roger moved into the home of James and Edith Merrill in the Beecher Platt of Thompsonville, Michigan.  In a letter written on April 30, 2008 Arlene says, “G-Pa & G-Ma Merrill were great to help relatives.  They about raised my Dad—then took your Dad (Roger), Me and our Mother in during my Dad’s bout with cancer and after.”

Arlene Stilwell-Isaacson told me that Benzie County gave her mother a widow’s pension after Albert’s death, but “busy bodies” complained that James Merrill was receiving a veteran’s pension and that Leta should not receive county aid.

James and Edith Merrill

The Merrill Home in the Beecher Platt in Thompsonville,     Michigan,Edith Merrill, Della Merrill Hamilton, John Hamilton    
abt 1923.

    

The 1930 U.S. census shows Leta Stilwell, Arlene and Roger living with James and Edith Merrill.  The home, in the Beecher Platt, Thompsonville is owned by James Merrill and valued at $500.  Leta cared for Edith in 1932 and 1933.  Edith died December 1933 of cancer.  

Leta Stanton-Stilwell-Lonn and Yalmer Lonn 1945

In St. Joseph, County, Indiana on October 3, 1934 Leta married Yalmer Isaac Lonn, an immigrant from Finland and WWI veteran.  Leta and Yalmer lived in the Merrill home. The first child born to Leta and Yalmer was Helen Beverly Lonn born January 1935.  

In 1936 Leta and Yalmer bought “The Farm” and the family moved. The description in Benzie Banner on July 31, 1958 said it was an “80 acre farm, 5 room house cinder block, basement, barn, 50 ft. x 36 ft . . . . 120 acre farm level, mostly cleared, good for tree planting.  The directions from Thompsonville to the farm were “4 miles north, 1 mile west and 1 mile south.” That is 4 miles north to Wallin Road, turn left (west) and go 1 mile to Haze Road, turn left (south) and go 1 mile to Landis Road. 

At “The Farm” Victor Elmer Lonn was born in June 1937, John Robert Lonn was born in January 1939 and David Wesley was born in June 1945.  According to John Lonn, during their time on “The Farm” the family raised cash crops of beans, corn, cucumbers, and potatoes.  They began their farming with 2 horses and later bought a John Deere tractor.  One year they raised 200 turkeys.  They milked 14 milk cows every day, selling the milk the family did not need.  For family use they also raised pigs and chickens.  There was a root cellar for keeping meat, milk and produce for the large family.  John and Victor went to town for 50 pounds of ice about every three weeks.  They put the ice in the cellar on some boards covered with burlap, then covered the ice with burlap, put the meat on, covered it with some sort of vinyl then more burlap.  Later someone gave the family an ice box, but the trips for ice continued to keep it chilled. 

The Lonn Farm

The farm never had indoor plumbing or electricity.  Leta wanted a corner cupboard for storage on the farm and one Easter week son-in-law Rudy Isaacson built it for her.  When he finished Leta had a cupboard in the corner, not a corner cupboard.  Nothing was ever said and that cupboard made the trip to the Beecher Plat when the Lonn’s moved back into town in 1958 and is probably still sitting in the house.  During the farm years Leta sewed her sons’ overalls and flannel shirts using the Singer Treadle Sewing machine that originally belonged to Edith Merrill.  Leta gave the machine to Arlene Stilwell-Isaacson who gave it to Debbie Stilwell-Storbeck in 1976.  My dad, Roger, used to say his Mom could go to bed with a ball of yarn and wake up in the morning with a finished pair of socks.  Leta’s daughters Arlene and Helen became proficient dressmakers, winning 4-H awards.

The Stilwell and Lonn children always joke about walking 4 miles uphill to get to the school bus and 4 miles uphill to get back home.  The walk to county road 669 and Wallin Road was actually 2 miles.  Once during the 1940’s there was a snow storm and hay for the animals had been ordered and paid for.  The county sent a V plow normally used to clear the railroad tracks, pushed by 5 trucks through the 7-8 foot drifts; the plow broke a mile from the house and that is where the hay was dumped.  The boys had to haul it from there.

L-R Roger Stilwell, Victor, Helen and John Lonn

 According to an ad placed in the Benzie Record newspaper on October 6, 1955 Leta and Yalmer tried to sell the Merrill home and property, “For Sale—House with 8 lots in Thompsonville.  $1500 cash.  Yalmer Lonn, 4 miles north, mile west and mile south of Thompsonville.”  Then in 1958 there is an ad placed in the Benzie Record newspaper on July 31,  “For Sale—80 acre farm, 5 room house cinder block, basement, barn, 50 ft x 36 ft. $3000.  120 acre farm level, mostly cleared, good for tree planting.  $3000.  Yalmer Lonn, Thompsonville.” ( Benzie Record newspaper, 6 October 1955, page 10, column 4.)

 Leta and Yalmer moved back into the old Merrill home in Thompsonville in 1958.  In 1947 or 1948 the house had been covered with asbestos siding and the attached shed was torn down.  Before the move John Lonn and wife Mary tore out the wall between the second bedroom and the living room making the living room the width of the of the house.  The rest of the house was one bedroom and the kitchen/dining room.  The space that was to become the “indoor plumbing” was a pantry.  Burt Lemley and Dick Lafever wired the house for electricity, going into the attic through the front window, or maybe a hole in the ceiling in the bedroom.   Son-in-law Rudy Isaacson, a plumber, turned the pantry into a small bathroom that included a tub.  Victor Lonn and crew dug the septic and John Lonn dug the drain field.  The water was also brought into the house at this time.  Leta and Yalmer brought the fuel oil space heater they had been using on the farm.  Later a floor furnace from Don and Melva Swisher’s was added.  (Don and Melva were in-laws of John Lonn)  Eventually that furnace was replaced.  The house got a new roof.  In 1959 John Lonn and his wife Mary Swisher Lonn built a home across the street.

My Grandma' kitchen furnishings looked like these.

I remember when my sisters, brother and I walked from our maternal grandparent’s home to the Thompsonville post office we were told to walk uptown for the mail.  When walking from Grandma Lonn’s we walked downtown.  Our family spent many weekends and holidays in Thompsonville and my sisters, brother and I spent summers freely wandering from one set of grandparents to the other.  I remember Grandma Lonn’s pancakes, her brown sugar syrup and tall glasses of cold milk. There was always a contest to see who could eat the most.  Sometimes other cousins and uncles would be around to join in the challenge.

 The recipes are: 

Grandma Lonn’s Pancakes                             Brown Sugar Syrup

1 egg                                                                    2 cups brown sugar

1 cup flour                                                           1 cup water

1 to 1 ½ cup milk*                                              Boil good, don’t burn.

1 teaspoon baking soda

*Butter milk or sour milk or sweet milk with 2 teaspoons of baking soda.

Grandma and Grandpa had Sunday dinners.  My sister Beverly remembers once Grandma chopped the head off the chicken and hung it on the clothesline then plucked it. The chickens likely came from her neighbor, Belle Kessler.  Belle was scary, she dressed old fashioned, and always had a broom in her hand, leading us to believe she was a witch.  The Sunday family dinners were fried chicken, heaps of mashed potatoes with smooth creamy gravy, a necessary vegetable and pies for desert.  I liked Grandma’s venison mince pie best.  It was crowded when we all gathered around the big dining table.

When we were young Grandma Lonn made a lot of dresses for Beverly, Leta and me, and sometimes Roberta too.  The dresses were always exactly alike or the same pattern in different colors. 

Left photo L-R Deborah, Leta and Beverly Stilwell Christmas 1961.

Matching dresses made by grandma.

Right photo Deborah Stilwell

Dress made by Grandma.

Grandma crocheted a lot of fancy potholders.  I have one that she gave me for high school graduation.  Grandma taught Beverly and me to crochet and to knit. 

Pot Holders made and given to Beverly Stilwelll
and the sugar bowl from Grandma's table

The last time I saw Grandma was Christmas-time 1980 when Mike and I visited her at the Maples Nursing Home in Frankfort.  We took our 6 week old daughter, Sarah Jean Storbeck with us.