Names are interesting. Some sound really good when you hear them. Others, make you wonder what the parents were thinking. And, others stick with you simply because they are unique or interesting. Such is the case with the man who is the subject of this article.
The Name
The man of interest is Marmaduke Horseman. Either name on its own might be interesting, but combined it really stuck with me. The name Horseman most likely came from an ancestor of his working with horses in some capacity. Still, it is not a name I have encountered elsewhere. Additionally, I have not encountered the name Marmaduke in any other family, although this family has multiple. The name is thought to be a variation of an old Irish name. It also has been interpreted of having the meaning “a mighty noble.” But, I have to admit that I always think of the dog Marmaduke of the Archie comics.
How Am I Related to Marmaduke?
To get from me to Marmaduke, one must go back ten generations. The family line is as follows:
Elma Pellett
Clifford Claney Pellett
Henry Pellett, Sr.
Seth Pellett
Eunity (Harrision) Pellett
Sarah (Bunting) Harrison
John Bunting, Jr.
John Bunting, Sr.
Abigail (Horseman) Bunting
Marmaduke Horseman
This would make Marmaduke my 8th great grandfather.
Who was Marmaduke?
First, I will say that researchers seem to have varying data about men named Marmaduke Horseman. That is likely because there appear to be several generations of men with this name. And, although unproven, it appears men with the same name may possibly be my 9th and 10th great grandfathers in that family line. Additionally, there is a at least one Marmaduke Horseman who is likely a grandson of this Marmaduke. And, possibly more. There was at least one Marmaduke Horseman living as late as 1877.
This Marmaduke Horseman was born in the mid 1660s in either England or Burlington County, New Jersey. There appears to be some belief of each location. This confusion likely arises because it appears that his family may have immigrated to America just before he was born or soon after.
Marriage
That said, I found a ship record for 1677 for a Marmaduke Horseman and his wife Sarah. However, although this Marmaduke had a wife Sarah, this record cannot be for him as he was not old enough to be married. His marriage didn’t take place until 1690 when he married Sarah Woods at the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends.
It appears that both Marmaduke and Sarah were members of the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting prior to their marriage. However, I do not know if Marmaduke’s parents were Quakers or not.
Land Ownership
In May following his marriage, Marmaduke purchased 100 acres of land from Mr. Davenport. The following November he purchased another 53 acres of land from Samuel, who was married to Susannah Horseman. The next year, Marmaduke purchased 50 acres of land from Francis Davenport. Then in 1695, he purchased another 100 acres from George Hutchinson. This land was adjacent to land he already owned. And, in 1701, he purchased 400 acres from Benjamin Field while selling him the original 153 acres that he had purchased in 1690. Lastly, in 1714, he sold 50 acres to Jacob Doughty.
Now, was it the same Marmaduke that bought and sold the lands? That is not 100% guaranteed. However, the description of the land indicated that the land from Mr. Davenport and Samuel Taylor was the same land that was sold to Benjamin Field. It is also likely that the 50 acres from Francis Davenport was the same land that he later sold to Jacob Doughty. Thus, several of these transactions are tied together.
Making a Living
Over the years, Marmaduke made a living as a yeoman or husbandman (both are words for farmer) on his plantation. In those days, farms were called plantations and did not have to be huge or focused on one specific crop. However, that ties into the land purchases.
Marmaduke was also a very active member of the community. He served as constable for Chesterfield. The record said that he served “for John Warren.” I assume that means John Warren was elected and he served instead. Additionally, in 1696, he was one of several men to lay out a new road from the town of Burlington to the Falls.
He was also mentioned in several wills in various capacities. In some cases, the estate owed him money and in others he owed the estate money. Another role was as bondsman for the executors/administrators of a will.
Another Marriage
Sarah died in Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth, New Jersey in 1742. Two years later Marmaduke married Mary Fitz Randolph. It is believed that he was Sarah’s third husband.
Marmaduke died March 25, 1748.
The Next Generation
Among Marmaduke and Sarah’s children, was Abigail, my 7th great grandmother. She inherited one quarter of the remainder of her father’s estate after other provisions (e.g. for his wife) were subtracted from the estate.
Records from the Society of Friends (Quakers) show that Abigail married William Bunting. Several more generations of this family belonged to the Society of Friends. The Quaker records were critical in tying my family back to Marmaduke and Sarah.
.
Featured Image adapted from work by iffany @ pixabay.com
This story started as a tribute to a boy, who the McCracken family has placed flowers on his grave for decades despite not being related to him. Along the way, the story got bigger, more complicated with people moving all over the place and using different names on different days of the week, and I found connections to relatives and neighbors. This just proves that you need to be cautious when opening a can of worms because the simplest of stories can lead to a place you never expected.
The Story
All I ever knew was that my Uncle Dewey wanted flowers to be placed on the grave of Arden Johansen each Decoration Day, which is now called Memorial Day. I knew they were friends, Arden had lived across the road, and that Arden didn’t have family in the area.
For years, Jackie, Dewey’s wife, put flowers on the grave. When she was no longer able, my mom, dad, and sister took over. And, for the last three years, I have taken on the job.
I was hoping to find out how why Arden died at age 15. I also hoped to learn why his family left and where they went. Well, the story was a bit more complicated than that.
Introduction to the Johansen Family
In order to understand Arden’s life, it is important to understand a bit about his family history.
Grandfather Johansen
On November 21, 1832, Arden’s grandfather Peter T. Johansen was born on the island of Zealand near Copenhagen, Denmark. He became a sailor at age 14. He sailed to Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Australia, where he participated in the Australian gold rush. Finally, he sailed for America.
Peter went to Effingham County, Illinois where he married Mary Jane Layton in 1871. He settled down there for much of his adult life. He was the school treasure for 43 years and was a very prominent member of the community. However, one day he pulled up stakes and moved much of his family to Arkansas. As you can see, he was adventurous. Apparently, that was a gene he passed down to at least part of his children of his children.
The Move To Arkansas
In the fall of 1903, the family moved to Sharp County, Arkansas. Peter stated that the reason he was moving was that in Illinois he could not acquire enough land to leave a sizeable piece to each of his children. Land was both cheaper and more readily available in Arkansas, where he purchased 560 acres.
Peter and Mary Jane were joined in Arkansas by their son John (William), daughter Flora Charlotte “Lottie,” daughter Mollie, daughter Tillie and son Grover. Their son Layton apparently didn’t have the travel gene or his wife wanted to stay in Illinois. Tillie also didn’t last long in Arkansas, moving back to Illinois and marrying there. Likewise, William didn’t stay long. Between 1906 and 1910, William moved to Ford County, Kansas. However, William and his wife Mary, and children did not stay long in this location. Their oldest two Gladys and Seth had been born in Illinois. Then Peter had been born in Arkansas. Now, it was time to go back to Illinois where their next child Lloyd was born in February 1911.
The property that they were living on when it was foreclosed is the SW 1/4 of Section 13, which in 1920 was marked as B.E. Perry. That is where the Zimmerman family lived when I was growing up. And, matches the description of where they lived when their son drank coal oil at Baldwin Barker’s house (B. Barker).
Bourbon County
By fall 1912, William and family were in the Hiattville/Pawnee area in Bourbon County, Kansas. William was making plans to move into Ft. Scott. It was reported that he moved his household goods. However, in April 1913, William was a visitor at Rocky Vale School #78. This is just up the road from where I grew up. Either the move wasn’t completed or they didn’t last long in Ft. Scott.
Coal Oil
At the end of November, William and Mary left their young son (I assume this was Lloyd) with Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin Barker, who lived a half-mile east of them, while they went to church. This would have been at the house where I grew up. Anyway, Mrs. Barker was cleaning with coal oil. She sat a cup of it on the table and the young boy got it and drank some of it. He became ill and Mrs. Barker realized what had happened. She immediately induced vomiting and called for a doctor. Miracle of miracles, he survived unharmed.
Peter’s Death
The following spring, William’s father Peter, who had still been living in Arkansas, stayed with William. After Peter died, William and his mother accompanied Peter’s body back to Illinois for burial. His estate was handled in Illinois. An article mentioned that he owned 160 acres of land near Hiattville and other interests. However, it did not call out any land in Arkansas, where he had been living. I don’t know if he had already distributed that land to his children, he no longer mentioned it, or Hiattville simply made the paper since that is where he died.
Peter’s wife stayed in Illinois for an extended period. The following year she traveled back to Kansas to live.
Life Goes On
In 1915, William and his wife Mary were still living in Bourbon County with their children Gladys, Seth, Peter, Jesse, and a son whose name appears to be Reward. I believe this is the son that is later listed in records as Lloyd R.
William’s mother Mary Jane was also living in Pawnee Township between two Deesler families. The head of the household appeared to be J.H. Johnson. Note that the name was written for his name and then the name Johansen followed for other members of the household. Thus, I assume that his name was Johnson and that this was not a typo. Other members of the household included Mollie, Caley, Lottie, and a one-boys name which is not decipherable. I assume Caley was Callie, Mary Jane’s youngest son’s wife. Likewise, I am guessing that the one year old was Callie’s son as that matches with his birth year. Additionally, Lottie was married, but her husband was not with the family.
Things began changing again in January 1917. Foreclosure proceedings were held for the property where William lived. Several different families, some of which were known to have lived on the property, were listed in the suit. Thus, a variety of issues may have arisen with paperwork or some non-payment. Before 1920, they would move to Nebraska.
Arden’s Life
Now enter William (Arden) Johansen who was also known as Billie. He was born July 17, 1917. But, where? And, to what parents? Before we can answer that question, let’s look into Arden’s life and continue to keep an eye on other members of the Johansen family.
Rocky Vale
The first mention I found of Arden in records or newspapers was in April 1922 when Arden and his brother Jack visited O’Ella and Ester McCracken. It was followed by a busy fall. Arden started school at Rocky Vale in September. The featured photo at the top of this article is Rocky Vale students in 1926. O’Ella, Ester, Dewey, and Howard are in the photo. Plus, two little McCrackens not yet in school. I believe the boy in front with suspenders might be Arden and the boy far in the back could be Jack. If you recognize those two boys as someone else, please let me know.
Then, in October of that year, Arden and Jack went with their Aunt Charlotte “Lottie” to Ft. Scott. And, in November, he landed on the sick list. Then, in December, when Arden’s grandmother Mary Jane Johansen, who suffered from arthritis and didn’t get around well, fell against a hot stove, Arden came to the rescue. At only five-years-old, he couldn’t help her directly, but he was able to run outside and find his Aunt Charlotte, who was able to assist his grandmother.
Jack’s 1923 Letter to Santa
The next year included day to day life with additional visits to other neighborhood families. His brother Jack wrote letter to Santa that year that was printed in a Ft. Scott newspaper. It is much like the ones that children write today except that he didn’t ask for an iphone or video games.
Illnesses & Injuries
In the spring of 1924, Grandma Johansen was not well and was confined to bed. Her son William came from Nebraska to see her and his sister Charlotte. It was believed that William was going to buy a farm east of Pawnee. However, I have not found any indication that the purchase took place.
Just before his birthday, Arden had a significant mishap when he somehow got two large nails stuck in his foot. That keep him in bed for a few days so that the foot could heal. Around Christmas of that year, a newspaper in Illinois reported that two of Grandma Johansen’s children were traveling to Kansas because their sister had died of pneumonia. I believe this is a misunderstanding because none of their siblings died at that time and the next February it was reported locally that Charlotte was still recovering from pneumonia.
Location, Location, Location
In the 1925 state census, Arden and Jack were shown living with their Aunt Charlotte and their grandmother Mary Jane, where I suspect they had been living since at least 1922. They were listed with one household between McCracken family and them. The map shows the property of Roy Cornelius, Charlotte’s husband. So, Arden did indeed live right across the road from Dewey.
In December 1925, Charlotte filed for divorce from her husband, who I had never found to be living with her. She stated that he had abandoned her in Chicago some years earlier. The land she lived on had belonged to her parents. Her husband Leroy (Roy) Cornelius had made a deal with her mother that he would get the land in exchange for taking care of her mother for the remainder of her life. He not only hadn’t taken care of her mother. He hadn’t been present in her life for at least five years as the last record I have of them together was when they were renting property in Miami County, Kansas in 1920. Thus, her divorce suit asked for the land to be awarded to her as compensation. She had taken care of herself, her mother, and the land. She was awarded the property.
Sometime between the time the divorce was finalized and the end of 1927, Charlotte married Stanley Calvert. They continued to live in the Hiattville/Pawnee area. In January 1928, Charlotte required surgery and she died a few days later. She was buried at Hiattville Cemetery.
Moving Away
Apparently, Stanley continued to care for Arden, Jack, and Grandma Johansen. Later that year, Mary Jane’s son Layton and her son-in-law John Hanna came and moved Grandma Johansen back to Illinois to be cared for by their families. The next March, Stanley and the boys moved to Waverly, Kansas where Stanley had family.
Arden’s Death
On June 29, 1933, Arden died in Waverly, Kansas. The cause of death of the boy who was not yet 16 was typhoid. His body was brought back to Hiattville for burial. He is buried next to his Aunt Charlotte, who helped raise him. It is assumed that his aunt’s second husband had purchased two plots and used the second one for him. Like in their days of youth, Arden, Billie as Dewey called him, is right across the road from Dewey. The two friends are buried only a few feet apart.
Arden’s Parents
Now, lets turn our attention back to the question of who were Arden’s parents? And, where was he born. We know that he was a grandson of Peter and Mary Jane (Layton) Johansen as there are multiple references to this relationship. We also know that Charlotte was said to have been Arden and Jack’s aunt. References also indicate that Arden and Jack were brothers. We also know that Jack was born around 1914 and Arden was born in July 1917. Additionally, a couple of references list Jack as Heber or a similar name. I also saw one article that said that they lived with Charlotte after their mother died. However, other articles about her caring for the boys do not mention this piece of information.
For completeness, let’s consider all of Peter and Mary Jane’s children that were living at the time that the boys were born. Layton and his wife lived in Illinois the entire time. They never had children and both lived to be over 80. Likewise, Tillie and her husband lived in Illinois. They had one son and whom they raised. Thus, it seems extremely unlikely that they would ship subsequent children off to live with an aunt in another state. Charlotte is a consideration even though they claimed she was an aunt. However, they were not living with her in 1920 and there is no reason that she wouldn’t have claimed them as her own since she raised them.
Now that we have removed half of the Johansen siblings as possible parents, let’s consider the other three more likely ones.
William and His Wife Mary
I considered William and Mary as their parents. They had a son Jesse E., who was about the age of Jack and who also used that nickname. But the questions that immediately came to mind was, “Why have Jack with them at times, but never Arden? And, why these two of all their children?” Even if they would have been the youngest two, that would have made more sense.
While living in Nebraska, William did come to visit, but it never mentioned that he was visiting his sons. Additionally, Mary did not die young. I looked at that fact over and over with such a common name. However, evidence points to him being married to the same Mary Lane throughout their life while living in at least six states (Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Mississippi, and Virginia).
This possibility although interesting as their son Jesse/Jack was the right age shows up too much with his parents. He is with them in each census and shows to be consistently living in Lincoln, Nebraska. Thus, I believe they are not his parents.
Mollie
Mollie it seemed had some type of issue as she shows up at the state hospital at Osawatomie in records from 1920 throughout the rest of her life. I don’t know the first date that she was there, but it was after 1915 and before 1920. That said, I also found records for a woman with her name and birth year living in Fort Scott in the 1950s. So, perhaps she was in and out of the hospital. Could she have been their mother? This seems possible. Jack could have been the one-year-old boy that is listed in the 1915 state census. However, he is listed after Caley (Callie) and not with Mollie. Additionally, I don’t know where they would have been in 1920 since they weren’t with Charlotte and Grandma Johansen.
Grover & Callie
The woman Caley (Callie) in the 1915 census with Grandma Johansen would appear to be son Grover’s wife. I am assuming that the one-year-old boy was her son. In September 1918 when Grover registered for the draft, they were living in Arizona. He was working as a miner at that time. It is possible that she had another son and then she died. Tracing Grover and Callie has been very difficult. This makes me wonder if are the parents.
UPDATE: I believe I can now conclude that Grover and Callie are his parents. I remembered seeing Arizona somewhere in the records. I dismissed it at the time because I had not found any of the family to have been in Arizona and other records appeared to indicate that they didn’t know. However, that aligns relatively closely with the draft registration.
What it was like for Arden?
I am trying to imagine what life was like for Arden. He may have never known his parents at all. And, if he did, it would have been only when he was very young. He was raised by an aunt, who I imagine loved him as her own. But, still not the same. Then, she died. And, Grandma moved away. He was left with his brother and his aunt’s husband. Then, the three of them moved away.
It must have been even worse for Jack as he would have been a bit older. And, on top of all that Arden went through, he lost his brother, too!
Afterward – The Connections
While living around Hiattville/Pawnee, William was mentioned in the company of C.C. Callow, L.F. Lozier, Mr. Runkle, and Elias Deesler.
McCracken
The first McCracken connection to his associates came through L.F. Lozier. His daughter Fern married Grandpa Joseph Andrew McCracken’s brother Lemuel Lewis “Lem” McCracken.
Deesler
I researched the name Deesler, as I knew this family. Well, it turns out that William didn’t just associate with Elias Deesler; he was related to him. William’s mother Mary Jane Layton’s sister Christina had married William Henry Deesler, Elias’ father.
I knew Elias’ son Raymond (Earl) and his wife Pearl. Matter of fact, in high school, I took care of Pearl, who was elderly, when her daughter’s family was away.
McCracken via Deesler & Barton
The Deesler family had another connection to our family. William Henry and Christina (Layton) Deesler’s son Pomeroy married Ada Maude Barton whose brother Fred Franklin Barton married Florence Edna McCracken, Andrew McCracken’s brother William T. McCracken’s daughter.
Old obituaries intrigue me. Some are extremely blunt while others are written with such flair that you do not see in obituaries today. The obituary of interest is one that is very artistic and beautiful. It was clearly written by a writer and not just a newspaper reporter giving the facts. It was so elegant that I checked to see if it had a byline.
The Obituary
The obituary is reprinted in its entirety for ease of reading. It is written as close to the original as possible. Thus, grammar and capitalization may not be as expected.
Beautiful Spirit
Crosses the Sea From Beulah Land to the Shining Glory Shore.
The phases of human nature and of human life are infinite in their variety. While death waits upon the footsteps, and claims some almost before the breath of life has been given, and walks beside others throughout length of days until the supreme summons is heard in the evening of a long life, his form invisible and his step unheard, he witnesses all the emotions and experiences of which human nature is capable. He sees those who weather the storms and those who dwell beneath sunny skies; those who lurk in the shadows of the valleys and those who dwell upon the mountains heights; those whose eyes are ever cast downward, and those who are looking upward and forward and whose faces are glorified by the visions of the heavenly home as seen from Beulah land by those who walk with God.
One of the most beautiful lives to which his call has come in this city was that of Mrs. Susan Phillips Kearsley, who fell asleep at 6:13 o’clock Sunday evening, Oct. 13, 1912. Mrs. Kearsley had long been feeble, bending under the weight of years. She had passed into a serene old age, and tranquilly watched the lengthening of the shadows, and realized that her feet were treading the dark pathways of the valley of death. Yet she feared no evil, leaning upon the rod and staff which comfort His people. She dwelt upon the heights, her spirit in constant communication with the Infinite, and she grew in grace, in beauty of character, in content and peace until the messenger beckoned and she entered into the rest prepared for them that love and serve Him. Her illness, like her life, was tranquil, and she fell into her final slumber with a smile upon her lips, like a tired child into the restful sleep of infancy.
The funeral will be held from her late residence corner of Land and Mansfield streets, at 3 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. The services in accordance with her own request will be very brief and simple, and will be conducted by Rev. H. G. Wilkinson and Rev. F. H. Keller. Interment will be made in Oakwood cemetery.
Susan I. Phillips, daughter of Isaac and Maria (McCracken) Phillips, was born at Salem, Columbiana county, on April 5, 1827, her earthly pilgrimage continuing for 85 years, 6 months and 8 days. Her father died when she was a babe, and in 1828 her mother came to Bucyrus to be near relatives and friends. She was for a long time a member of the family of John Moderwell, an uncle, the father of Major F. C. and Mr. John Moderwell who were as brothers to her. When the Union school building in this city was put in service she began teaching here and continued in the service for two years. The Moderwell family removed to Genesco, Ill., and she accompanied them there, and for three years was a teacher in the public schools of that city. On Sept. 7, 1875, she was united in marriage with the late Edmund R. Kearsley of Bucyrus, and the remainder of her life was spent in this city.
After Major Kearsley’s death a few years ago she remained in the old home, with members of the Moderwell family as companions.
No woman in Bucyrus was more widely known or more highly honored than Mrs. Kearsley. Her charity was broad and embraced all mankind. Her heart was filled with kindly good will toward all, and she employed the means that had been placed in her hands to lighten the burdens and cheer the hears of those about her. In this there was no ostenation, and thoroughly as her charitable disposition was known, only the recipients of her kindness and bounty could relate the story of her benefactions. Even they could not tell it all, for she never let her left hand know what her right hand did, and many were the comfortable and happy days spent by those who did not know to whom they owed their blessings, beyond that primarily it was to the Giver of All Good.
In social life she was an unquestioned leader, though she never put herself to the front. Her liberal education, her versatile talents, her tact, and her kindliness made it inevitable that she should be called into positions of prominence. She was a member of the Round Table, the first successful woman’s club of the city, and for many years was a member of the New Era club, of which she was honorary president at the time of her death. When the Bucyrus clubs were federated she became the oldest member of the Ohio Federation of [Women’s] clubs. This distinction she held as long as she lived. She was interested in the public welfare and in every movement for the moral uplift and for the material and intellectual improvement of the community. The institution of the Y.M.C.A. was made possible by her liberality, and she was deeply interested and a great helper in the establishment of the public hospital and the public library.
Mrs. Kearsley was from childhood a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church. Her faith was simple and trusting and undisturbed by doubts. She was active all her life long in every department of church work, and in the Ladies’ Aid society of which also she was a valued member. Her service was unceasing and was attuned to the longing expressed in the beautiful hymn, in the line, “Oh, that my Saviour were your Saviour too.” Her disposition was sweet and her life as pure and true as her character. In all things she was unselfish and loyal seeking rather to give than to receive service. She was loved by all who knew her, and respected by the entire range of her acquaintance. In her passing her church, her friends and her community have sustained a great loss. She will be long remembered by those left behind. As she believed in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, so she has been garnered into the eternal treasure house, into the perfect peace which is assured to her whose mind was stayed on Him.
Telegraph-Forum, Bucyrus, Ohio, October 15, 1912 (via newspapers.com).
How Is Susan Related?
The exact relationship to Susan isn’t proven. However, she is a member of the family that DNA has led me to identify as Lemuel’s McCracken’s (my great-great grandfather) McCracken branch.
Susan’s mother Maria (McCracken) Philips was the daughter of James McCracken and Rachel Kelly. Members of my family match descendants of several of Maria’s siblings. Although Lemuel used the name McCracken, Y-DNA indicates that his father was a Peppard. Thus, based on our many matches to this family, it appears that Maria is either the sister or aunt of Lemuel’s mother. This would make Susan Lemuel’s first cousin or first cousin once removed.
Susan Ianthe (Philips) Kearsey was the second child of Maria and her husband James Philips. (The obituary says his name was Isaac. Perhaps it was James Isaac. However, their marriage record lists him as James.) Susan’s father died the same year that she was born and her mother died seven years later. That left Susan and Samantha, her only sibling who was two years her senior, orphans at ages 7 and 9.
As mentioned in the obituary, after her mother died, Susan went to live with her Aunt Nessie (McCracken) Moderwell’s family. Nessie and her husband John welcomed Susan into their home and treated her as their own child. Over the years, they raised several children besides their own. I am not sure if her sister Samantha also lived with the Moderwell family or not. In 1850 and beyond, Samantha is living with her cousin Susan (McCracken) Huston, a daughter of Maria’s brother Nathaniel.
Illinois Bound
In 1870 the Moderwell’s household included Susan, John and Nessie Moderwell and one of their children, Susan’s aunt Susan McCracken who was unmarried, a son of Nessie’s brother John, Ohio Supreme Court justice Josiah Scott who had married Nessie’s sister Elizabeth, Josiah’s daughter and his second wife (Elizabeth had died), and a teenage girl who does not appear to be a member of the family. It must have been interesting with so many different people living in one household.
Around 1872, the Moderwell family moved to Genesco, Illinois to be closer to John and Maria’s sons who had previously moved to the area. Susan went with them. Around the same time, Samantha and the Huston family also moved to the same location.
Marriage
Susan married Edmund Roberts Kearsley of Bucyrus, Ohio on September 7, 1875 in Henry County, Illinois. To say that she married well if you base it on wealth would be an understatement. However, the same also applied if you based your assessment on how well respected he was, as well. Susan, herself, was quite well known and respected.
Edmund had lost his first wife a year and a half earlier. During the time leading up to their marriage, Susan was in Illinois and he was in Ohio. I don’t know if they courted via correspondence prior to the marriage or if he just took a notion and went to Illinois to ask her to marry him. In any case, the marriage appeared to receive the approval of the Bucyrus Journal, which described them as follows . . .”both the bride and groom are well known, and are favorites for their many estimable qualities.”
It was said that Edmund “looks the high-bred and wealthy man he is.” He and his family were very well known. He signed the hotel register with his last name only, which was seen as a sign of his importance. Everyone knew who he was. (Source: Telegraph-Forum, Nov. 23, 1888)
Edmund and Susan (Philips) Kearsley Home, circa 1900. Source: Telegraph-Forum, Bucyrus, Ohio, June 3, 1989. Via newspapers.com.
Married Life
After Edmund and Susan married, they moved back to Bucyrus, Ohio. Susan became the lady of the house or perhaps I should say, “Lady of the mansion.” The home at 309 E. Mansfield, designed with Victorian architecture, was quite large for the two of them and his daughter Rebecca.
Due to the age at which they married, Edmund and Susan had no children. Susan did help raise Edmund’s daughter Rebecca and Rebecca’s daughter Margaret Sarah White who lived with them for some time. In addition, they put their energy into local clubs, philanthropy, volunteering, and other endeavors.
They also kept in close touch with the Moderwell family. When Nessy was ill just prior to her death, Susan went to her bedside to be with her in her last days. After all, she was a mother to her.
Susan (Philips) Kearsley’s Will. Source: The Bucyrus Evening Telegraph, Bucyrus, Ohio, October 21, 1912. Via newspapers.com
Their legacy
Upon Edmund’s Death
When Edmund died, he willed everything to Susan except several properties that went to his daughter Rebecca.
Rebecca had sued several years earlier for a large sum of money ($900,000 in the 1880s) saying that Edmund tricked her into signing away her rights to property he inherited from his father. She said that her grandfather’s will stated the property belonged to Edmund during his life and would go to his descendants upon her father’s death. She also claimed that he had sold some of the properties owed to her.
I am not sure the outcome of her lawsuit. However, Edmund’s will stated that if his daughter did not accept the properties offered to her in his will as her full inheritance, the properties would then go to Susan.
Upon Susan’s Death
Susan continued to live in their home after Edmund passed away. When she died, Susan spread the family’s wealth to various people who were important in her life. You will notice that Susan’s sister Samantha was not included in the will. That is because Samantha had died in Illinois some years earlier without any children.
The Elks Lodge
Edmund and Susan (Philips) Kearsley Home in Bucyrus, Ohio after the Elks owned it. Image courtesy of ahaslip333 on ancestry.com.
After Susan died, the family home, which Margaret Sarah White (Edmund’s granddaughter) inherited, was purchased by the Elks Lodge. They added a sizeable addition to the rear of the home. They reported that at one time they had between 500 and 600 members. That demonstrates how large the home was. Over the years, the number of members dwindled and the Elks considered selling the property and purchasing a smaller facility. However, they continue to own the property today.
Major Kearsley School
After both Edmund and Susan had died, a new school was named after Edmund. Other schools in the area had been named after significant figures in the area’s history. The decision to name it after Edmund was unanimous. The school was named “Major Kearsley School” and commonly called “Kearsley School.” Susan would have been very proud to have her husband’s name on the school as in her younger years, she had taught school in both Bucyrus and Genesco.
The school sat on several acres and had a unique design with no hallways. Between the six classrooms was a large auditorium with a stage. It was designed to be used as a multi-purpose room and also as a community center. The school served the city’s students from 1920 until 2009. Photos of the school at the time it was closed can be found on Flickr.
Kearsley Street, although just a few blocks long, still exists in Bucyrus today!
Featured Image: Susan (Philips) Kearsley. Courtesy of ahaslip333 on ancestry.com.
Have you ever visited a church where your ancestors got married? Many people have. You may even attend the same church? But, how about one where they married more than 200 years earlier?
The Wedding
On September 14, 1784, Stephen Stackhouse and Amy Vandyke (Rod’s 6th great grandparents) said their wedding vows at the Presbyterian Church in Newtown, Pennsylvania. We had the opportunity to visit this church in 2014 although we were not able to go inside.
Founded in 1734, the church, session house, and graveyard sit above Sycamore St. in a beautiful setting. The first Presbyterian Church built in Newtown had been replaced in 1769 with the current church. It had been remodeled two years before their marriage, which was likely required due to the building being used by George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Since, it was one of the largest buildings in the small town, Washington used it as a hospital, jail and housing for P.O.W.s from the Battle of Trenton. It is said that several hundred P.O.W.s were kept in the church, but it seems that was likely an exaggeration. Although large for its day, the church was limited in size. See the end of this article for links to additional information about the church.
Who Were They?
Stephen’s Background
Having been born August 12, 1761 in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Stephen was 23 when he married. He is believed to have been the son of John Stackhouse and Elizabeth Hendricks Buckingham.
Stephen descended from John Stackhouse, who had come with his uncle and brother to Pennsylvania from England in 1682. They had located in Falls Township in Bucks County near the Neshaminy Creek. Read more about their early days in America.
Amy’s Background
Less information is known about Amy’s background. She may have been born in Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. There is some belief that she was a couple of years younger than Stephen. However, the 1800 census would imply that Amy was older than Stephen, assuming the woman in the household is Amy.
I also know of possible birth parents. However, I have not been able to confirm any specific details about Amy’s parents or her birth.
Their Life Together
Stephen and Amy set up housekeeping in Bucks County. However, it appears that Stephen owned no real estate at the time. However, by 1801, he had acquired 12 acres. By the end of the decade his acreage had grown to 22. In the next decade it nearly doubled. The property size is interesting as Stephen primarily worked as a weaver and not as a farmer.
Over the years, Amy gave birth to at least nine children. All but one child, a daughter, lived to adulthood. And, at least two of their sons followed in Stephen’s footsteps.
On September 20, 1804, only a few days after Stephen and Amy’s 20th wedding anniversary, Amy died. She left Stephen with eight children, four under the age of ten. Her youngest, Elizabeth, was only 2 1/2 years old. Read more about Elizabeth.
Life Without Amy
In 1810, Stephen is found with a man and a woman, both close in age to Stephen, living in the household. This could be siblings of Stephen or Amy, a sibling and their spouse, or hired hands. By 1820, a man close to Stephen’s age is no longer in the household. A woman still resides at the home. As far as it is known, he never remarried. Thus, she is likely a sister or servant.
Stephen died May 1, 1834. He is buried in Bristol Township in Bucks County at the Bristol Friends Cemetery. This is a bit confusing. Although he came from Quaker heritage, Stephen married Amy in the Presbyterian Church. It was not uncommon for early Quakers to join with the Presbyterians. However, it is a bit surprising that he is buried with the Friends. Amy’s burial location is unknown.
Session House at Newtown Presbyterian Church.
Old Newtown Presbyterian Church Today
The church changed in small ways over the years. The session house that sits apart from the church on the same grounds was built in 1798 as a place to conduct church business. Then in 1842, it was repaired. Over 200 years after Stephen and Amy married at the church, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places (1987).
Today, this church is known as the Old Newtown Presbyterian Church. Worship services are still held in the church, but only in the summer.
How often is it that a train coming through town is a reason for a family reunion? That was the case for the Thomson family.
Story of The Thomson Family & The Liberty Bell, The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, NE, July 9, 1915 via newspapers.com
1915 Liberty Bell Tour
Trains played a big part in the history of the Thomson family, as Blanche Thomson, a city girl from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania had met her future husband Herbert Thomson on a train platform in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1905.
So, it seemed appropriate that the family would visit any trains that related to their family. The first significant visit to a train was in 1915.
The Request
Blanche (Klinefelter) Thomson, Rod’s great-grandmother, heard that the Liberty Bell was going to be loaded on a train for travel across the county to an exposition in San Francisco. She was very interested in this happening. She had seen the famous bell when she visited Philadelphia as a child and it remained a special memory. Moreover, she heard that it was going to make a stop in Lincoln, Nebraska, a few miles from their home near Palmyra. So, she did what any descendant of the most famous bell ringer in the country would do when the most famous bell in the country came to town. She put in a request for her family to attend the festivities.
Blanche wrote to the Lincoln Commercial Club asking if they could reserve seats for her family. She explained her connection to the Liberty Bell and said that “[S]he wanted her children to see the world-famous emblem, this sacred relic which their direct ancestor had rung.”
William Hurrie Lineage
Blanche and family’s viewing of the Liberty Bell was nearly 140 years in the making. It all started on July 8,1776 when Andrew NcNair was away from his role as doorkeeper to Congress for the day. William Hurrie, who would later hold that position, substituted for Andrew. And, it was on that day that Congress asked for the people of Philadelphia to be called together to hear the first official public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
As a result of Blanche’s request, Blanche, her husband Herbert Thomson, and their children were guests of honor at the Commercial Club Luncheon. The date of the event in Lincoln was 139 years and 1 day after Blanche’s ancestor rang the 2080 pound bell declaring independence.
They were guest of the president of the Commercial Club and were also greeted by the mayor and the secretary of the Commercial Club. After the luncheon, the family was taken to the site of the Liberty Bell program and were seated on the platform where speeches were given.
The Program
Security was tight with National Guard and police in charge, but that didn’t stop people from pushing past others for their chance to see the famous bell. The time allotted in Lincoln simply could not accommodate everyone who wanted an up-close view. However, the number of people that got within a half-a-block from the bell and who were considered close enough to get a glimpse of it, range from 25,000 to 40,000.
The program that day was cut a bit short mostly because people simply could not hear over the crowd. Of course, it was also 88 degrees and several people fainted or had heat-related issues. No one was afforded the opportunity to hear the sound of the bell. However, it had been rung the previous February to proclaim liberty throughout the land. This time it wasn’t just heard in Philadelphia, instead, the tones of the bell were sent over the transcontinental telephone line, which had just been completed. As the bell was struck with a mallet, the sound of the bell was heard in San Francisco. It was also recorded. Note: In 1944, they rang the Liberty Bell again for D-Day. It rang out seven times – once for each letter in the word “Liberty.”
The Crowd In Lincoln, NE at the Liberty Bell Source: Nebraska State Journal, July 10, 1915 via Newspapers.com
Liberty Bell 1915
Liberty Bell 2003
Photo taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during our visit in 2003.
1948 Freedom Train Tour
Thomson family at the Freedom Train in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1948.
Having been honored guests when the Liberty Bell had come to town in 1915, many people were aware that the Thomson family had a connection to the days of the American Revolution. So, when in 1948 the Freedom Train put Lincoln, Nebraska on their list of scheduled stops, it only seemed fitting that the Thomson family again be honored guests. However, Blanche and Herbert’s children were now grown with families of their own. Thus, it an opportunity for a family reunion.
Why An Exhibit
In 1948, the Attorney General of the United States “became concerned with the complacency of the American people, their lack of appreciation of the freedoms that have been won for them during the last 160 years…” Thus, an exhibit traveling by rail called the Freedom Train was born. It was to travel to 300 cities across the nation.
The train consisted of seven cars. Three held exhibits, one was for baggage and equipment, and the other three were for the crew. Thirty or forty men traveled on the train, with a significant majority of them being Marines that guarded the train 24 hours a day/7 days of the week.
Ad for a commemorative book about the documents on the Freedom Train.
The Museum
The Freedom Train was a “moving symbol of America’s year of rededication to the ideals and practices of democracy.” This train carried 127 exhibits including many documents of American’s heritage: such as,
The Declaration of Independence (Jefferson’s rough draft with changes marked on it)
The Constitution (George Washington’s personal copy of the draft of Constitution with his corrections marked on it)
The Bill of rights (original copy)
The Gettsburg Address (actual copy he read when he gave the address)
A letter Christopher Columbus wrote about discovery of America
WWI & WWII documents
A flag that flew at Iwo Jima
To protect the precious artifacts, the train and everything on it was fireproof with the exception of the artifacts themselves. To ensure that the documents remained safe, they were put in envelopes that were waterproof, fireproof, and shatterproof. Then they were placed in steel cases with multiple layers of glass that protected them from damage from light.
Rededication Week
Each city held its own activities focused on rededication to the principals on which this country was founded. They held Rededication Week in the days leading up to the arrival of the Freedom Train at their location. The goal was to remind everyone of the value of their heritage and their own responsibility in preserving those freedoms.
Daily Theme
In Lincoln, Nebraska each day had a specific focus with rallies, speeches, music, and other events planned around the specific topic. The focus areas were:
Sunday – Freedom of Religion
Monday – American Justice
Tuesday – Veterans
Wednesday – Women
Thursday – Labor and Industry
Friday – Schools (Including both teachers and students)
Saturday – Municipal
Sunday – I am an American Day. Dedicated to those 21 and over that had been naturalized within the previous year.
The Pledge
Everybody got into associating with the Freedom Train. Even Kellogg’s cereals.
During the weeks leading up to the arrival of the Freedom Train and for some time after, films were shown at clubs, organizations, etc. about the documents and history of the founding of the country. There also were radio programs on the subject. Additionally, the newspaper ran articles, not only about the event, but also focused on some of the key documents aboard the Freedom Train. During the week, people were also encouraged to take the following pledge:
I am an American.
Free to speak – without fear.
Free to worship God in my own way.
Free to stand for what I think right.
Free to oppose what I believe wrong.
Free to choose those who govern my country.
This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold.
For myself and all mankind
After the week of rededication, the red, white, and blue Freedom Train was to be parked at the Missouri Pacific railroad station on Sunday. The public could view the document from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., but could only accommodate approximately 10,000 people. Therefore, it was recommended that families only bring children age twelve and up as the documents would not be meaningful to youngsters and both time and space for viewing the exhibit were limited.
Viewing The Exhibit
Special Showing
Judge Klinefelter signs the register at the Freedom Train in 1948
A special showing between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. before the doors opened to the public was held for by-invitation-only guests. Most of the guests were city, county, and state officials, and the press. However there were a few special guests. Among them were Blanche, her father Judge Sharpless Klinefelter, and 24 of her descendants. The only other guest with the distinction of having a connection to the documents on the train was a woman whose grandfather worked on the original draft of the 14th Amendment.
As the family exited the exhibit, they were invited to sign the rededication scroll.
The chairman in charge of the train said, “A family rich in American tradition as this one, certainly deserves a little special treatment.” It was mentioned by someone present, however, that a history researcher claimed that Andrew McNair was the bellringer who called together the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. To which, Judge scoffed and replied, “Andrew McNair, eh? Hump!” Following the viewing of the exhibits on the Freedom Train, Judge and his descendants enjoyed a picnic dinner at Antelope Park.
The General Public
At 10 a.m. the public started boarding the train. The first ones on had been in line since 5:45 a.m. The line varied from two to three blocks in length. However, with every Lincoln police office on duty and the fire department assisting, the crowd remained orderly.
High school bands played to entertain the people waiting. Meanwhile veteran groups sold refreshments. However, no peddlers or others who followed the train were allowed to sell their wares as it was considered a serious subject and the people organizing the events did not want a circus environment.
By the end of the day, 8,241 people would board the train and view the exhibits. And, a half-hour after the last person exited the exhibit, the train was on its way to its next destination.
People waiting to see the exhibits on the Freedom Train. Adapted from The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, NE, May 17, 1948, via Newspapers.com
One More Freedom Train
The Bicentennial brought about another Freedom Train. It was bigger. Since it stayed longer at many locations, the train traveled in both 1975 and 1976. This time, they charged admission ($2 for adults, $1 for children) to defray costs.
The Thomson family didn’t hold a big reunion for the Bicentennial Freedom Train. This is likely because Judge and Blanche, who seemed to be the biggest voices for the family’s history in Philadelphia, had all died prior to this date. Still, when the train came through Omaha, my husband’s mother took him and his siblings to see the Freedom Train.
Location, Location, Location
The Wedding
