The Elwood Call-Leader, dated 2 May 1949, chronicled the horrific death of my paternal grandfather, Bert Allen Roberts.
Victims Die Near Elwood Early Sunday
Two bodies found burned to death at 3:30 o’clock Sunday morning in a wrecked semi-trailer truck 300 feet north of the P street road on state road 31 were identified today as Bert Roberts, 46. Detroit, and James F. Bollhoefer, 18, of Gas City.
The man and youth were burned to death when the truck in which they were riding crashed through a barricade in the state road, the front wheels dropping into a two and one-heir to three foot hole. The front wheels dropping into the hole allowed the trailer, loaded with shrubbery, to jackknife onto the cab of the truck. Pinning the driver and passenger inside. State Trooper Howard Bock said. It is believed that gas tanks burst and the flames from the flares around the barricade ignited the gas, Block said.
Apparently the driver Roberts, went to sleep before coming upon the barricade, Bock said. The truck had passed five or six similar barricades before crashing into the fatal hole. Bock described the torn partition of the road, as from two and one half feet deep, extending halfway across the road and about 14 to 16. feet in length. The state trooper said the flares were still burning when he reached the accident scene.
Heard Cries
Two men from Noblesville told the state trooper that they were following the truck at the time of the accident. They heard the cries of the men inside the cab to, “get us out,” but heat from the flames was too intense to attempt a rescue.
Both men were charred beyond recognition. Roberts was identified by his wife and William Bray, owner of the truck. The two come to Elwood from Detroit to make the identification.
Bollhoefer was identified after an address found in his charred billfold led police to the home of a sister in Gas City. He was identified by Harold Crage. a brother-in-law, and Eugene Bollhoefer. a brother, both of Marion. The Gas City youth was returning from Arkansas, and had apparently been hitch-hiking when picked up by Roberts, Bock said.
Call Fire Department
The Elwood fire department was called to extinguish the flames. The truck was described by Bock as a total loss, with the trailer frame and rear tires being the only parts not destroyed..
Bock and Deputy Coroner Robert Jackley investigated the accident.
Bollhoefer was born August 7, 1930 at Marion, the son of Oscar and Mary Bollhoefer. Surviving are two brothers, two sisters and the mother. . .
The body has been returned to the Needham funeral home in Marion, with funeral services Wednesday. Burial will be in Grant Memorial cemetery.
Roberts was born Sept. 7, 1903 in Sesor, Ill. the son of Hugh and Clora Roberts. Survivors include the widow, five children, one sister and one brother.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Jackley funeral home, Elwood, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, with Rev. Robert Sage officiating. Burial will be in city cemetery.
This week, for Photo Friday, I identified the people in four photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough and Saco, Maine. I desire to analyze the images and reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image. The originals in this collection are held by the Scarborough Historical Society.
The LaMontagne Girls, Philomène, Louise, Delvina, and Zélia.
The photo identifying information includes:
On the back it says,
Winthrop, ME”
2 girls 3 ouzela & Marie best looking girls in Winthrop
About 1908 or 1909
Marie L Lefebrne, Delvena L Landry
Lamontagne girls – their mother
Philomene Thibodeau Lamontagne
There is also a return address label for:
Grace P Curtis
28 Deer Hill Ave.
Westbrook, ME 04092.
Who was the apparent owner (a relative?) of the photo sometime after 1962?
Why I believe this to be these individuals.
A search of Family Search quickly found Marie-Rosalie Philomène Thibodeau, born in 1839 in Canada, lived in Winthrop, Maine in 1900, and Westbrook in 1920. It also indicates that she had eight children – five were daughters. Josephine died in 1878 leaving 4 other daughters. Her husband, André Lamontagne also died in 1878.
Marie Georgina Lamontagne (1866-___) – There was no marriage or death information on Family Search regarding Marie Georgina.
Marie Leonis Lamontagne (1869-1927) married Joseph M Lefebvre on 20 September 1886 in Westbrook, Maine.
Delvina Lamontague (1873-1912) married Alfred Landry on 12 September 1892 in Maine.
Marie Zélia Lamontagne (1874-___) – There was no marriage or death information on Family Search regarding Marie Zélia.
Ancestry trees add some clarification.
One Ancestry tree suggests Philomèna had a daughter, Zuzula (after 1875-___). There are no sources for that information. It also suggests she married Joseph Dostie. However, another Ancestry tree indicates Philomène’s daughter Zelia married Joseph Dostie. I believe Zélia and Zuzula are the same person.
One ancestry tree suggests a Marie Leonis’s name was Louise Leonise instead. Another Ancestry tree suggests that “Louise” is a nickname for Leonise. I believe Marie Leonis and “Louise” are also the same person.
I am confident this photo includes Marie-Rosalie Philomène Thibodeau sitting in the front. Behind her are three of her daughters, Marie Leonis “Louise,” Delvina, and Marie Zélia “Zuzula.” The back does not indicate the order of the three daughters.
The back says, “Dorothy 5½, Donald 3, Ruth 1½ – Merry Christmas to Aunt Laura.”
In another hand, and in pen, it says “Morse’s.”
Why I believe this to be these children.
Family Search quickly found Dorothy M, Donald Curtis, and Ruth E Morse living in Saco, Maine. Their parents were Frank Edward and Calista (Milliken) Morse. Ruth was born on 28 March 1898, which dates the photo to the fall of 1899.
Frank Morse had a sister, Laura Georgieanna (Morse) Milliken. (Calista did not have a sibling named Laura.)
I am confident this photo is of the three oldest Morse children taken in 1899.
The photographer was H. P. Poisson, 95 Maine Street, Biddeford, Maine. The back of the photo says:
Katherine Evelyn Morse
April 22, 1905 – 2 yrs. Old.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Katherine E Morse was born on 22 April 1903 in Saco, York County, Maine, the fourth child of Frank Edward and Calista E. (Milliken) Morse.
I am confident this photo is of Katherine and was taken on her 2nd birthday.
I uploaded this photo to Katherine Morse’s Family Search Memories.
Edwin Prescott Sampson, circa 1897.
The photo identifying information includes:
The photographer is Philbrick, Biddeford, Maine.
Handwritten on the back is “Edward P Sampson.”
In another hand, it says “Head master – Prof @ Thornton.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The Biddeford Journal Tribune, dated 23 June 1905, page 6, indicated that Principal Edwin P. Sampson resigned in June 1905 after 16 years of service.
The McArthur Library Archives & Special Collections, Photographers & Studios indicates that Gardner & Philbrick studio operated between 1886 and 1893. From then until 1904, Newland M Philbrick operated a studio himself.
Edwin Prescott Sampson was born on 10 May 1849 and died on 8 March 1930.
I believe this photo is of Edwin Prescott Sampson (1849-1930), probably taken between 1893 and 1904.
I identified all nine individuals in these four photos. All have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories.
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search have higher quality than those linked here.
This week, for Photo Friday, I identified the people in four photos from the Linwood Dyer Collection. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people, many of whom lived in Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. This week, only one of the photos is of a person from the Greater Portland area, North Yarmouth. The other three appear to be people from LaSalle County, Illinois. I desire to analyze the images and reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image. The originals in this collection are held by the Scarborough Historical Society.
Dr. Everett H. Butterfield, September 1898.
The photo identifying information includes:
On the back, handwritten is, “Dr. E. H. Butterfield – Sept 1898.”
The front indicates the photo studio is Gerding Studio in Ottawa, Ill.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1910 US Census[i] enumerated Everett H. Butterfield, a physician & Surgeon living in Ottawa, Ward 2. Everett was 47 years old, was born in Illinois, and lived at 126 Columbus St. with his wife Letitia, and one-year-old son, Everett R.
I am confident this is a photo of Everett taken in September 1898, when he was about 35 years old.
Ancestry has 10 public trees that refer to Everett Henry Butterfield. Family Search has the profile LYTB-GQZ for Everett H Butterfield. I uploaded this photo of Dr. Butterfield to his Family Search Memories.
Probably Daisy Butterfield, but possibly Miss Farley.
The photo identifying information includes:
The studio is A.M. Rothschild & Co., State Street – Van Buren Street – Chicago.
On the back, in pencil, which you have to hold just right to the light, you can read, “Daisy E Butterfield.”
Also, on the back, it says “Maidie Farley – Mid – loh – hain.”
What I learned about this photo:
I have been unsuccessful in finding evidence for either. Possibly someone can read the writing for Miss Farley and help me translate her first name or the words beneath.
My initial search for Daisy E Butterfield failed to result in any likely candidates.
Likewise, my search for a Maidie or Nadie Farley failed to result in any candidates.
Fannie Butterfield Eddy, Dec. 1908 (age 20).
The photo identifying information includes:
Handwritten on the back is “Fannie Butterfield Eddy – Dec. 08.
The photographer was Gerding, Ottawa, ILL.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
A search of Ancestry Family Trees for Fanny Butterfield with a husband with the surname Eddy quickly found Fannie Jean Butterfield who married Lewis M Eddy. Fannie Jean was born in 1863 and would be too old to be the young woman in the photo taken in 1908.
Lewis & Fannie Jean had a daughter, Fannie Butterfield Eddy, born 26 December 1888 in Marseilles, La Salle County, Illinois. Marseilles is about eight miles east of Ottawa, Ill, where the photo was taken.
I am quite certain this photo is of Fannie Butterfield Eddy, taken in 1908 when she was 19 or 20 years old.
Ancestry has 36 public trees that refer to Fannie Butterfield Eddy (1888-1964). Family Search has profile 9HMJ-6SR for Frances Butterfield Eddy. I uploaded a photo of her to her Family Search Memories.
John Manning Britt, Jr., 1904 (age 15).
The photo identifying information includes:
Handwritten on the back is, “John M. Britt, Jr. – North Yarmouth, Maine.”
The front includes “Season’s Greetings” and a 1905 Calendar.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
A quick search of Ancestry Trees found John Manning Britt, Jr, son of John Manning and Mary (Caswell) Britt. John was enumerated in North Yarmouth in the 1900 and 1910 Censuses. John, Jr., was born in 1889, so he would be about 15 years old in this photograph.
Ancestry has 13 public trees that refer to John Manning Britt (1889-1915). Family Search has a profile LVCF-JVS for John Manning Britt, Jr. I uploaded this photo of John, Jr. to his Family Search Memories.
Lynnford Butterfield, Dec 1889 (Age 21).
The photo identifying information includes:
Handwritten on the back is “Lynnford Butterfield – Dec 1889 – 95.27.571.
Also on the back is a stamp F.D. Tobey, Photographe. 145 22nd St., Chicago Ill, Enlarging a Specialty.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
A review of Ancestry public trees found a Lynnford Clare Butterfield, son of Leavitt Merton and Esther B (Parr) Butterfield. He was born on 2 March 1878 in Manilus, La Salle County, Illinois.
In 1899, Lynnford would have been 21 years old, which fits the image of the young man in the photo.
I am confident this photo is of Lynnford Clare Butterfield taken in December 1899 when he was 21 years old.
Ancestry has 28 public trees that refer to Lynnford Clare Butterfield. Family Search has profile LRYZ-VSL for Lynnford. I uploaded this photo of Lynnford to his Family Search Memories.
Conclusion
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search have higher quality than those linked to here.
Endnotes
[i] 1910 US Census – Place: Ottawa Ward 2, La Salle, Illinois; Roll: T624_301; Page: 12a; Enumeration District: 0126; FHL microfilm: 1374314.
Timothy Daly’s surname was often mistaken to be Daley and Daily, however, his naturalization record, obituary, and grave marker all say “Daly” which is the spelling I prefer. I looked at Timothy Daly’s birthdate in, “What is Timothy Daly’s Birthdate?” and came to the conclusion 21 February 1867 is his birthdate. He was born in County Cork, Ireland.[2]
During the Great Famine, from 1845 to 1851, Ireland’s population fell by millions due to starvation, disease, and emigration[3]. Following the Great Famine, the “Land War[4]“ that followed created an environment where emigration became entrenched in Irish culture. Timothy was a part of that emigration, arriving in Boston, on 23 September 1882. He was only 15 years old. He then made his way to Biddeford, Maine, before 1885, where he lived the rest of his life.
Marriage
Timothy married Mary Eliza Lyons on 1 November 1886. She too was from County Cork, but I’ve found no evidence that they knew each other when they were still in Ireland, and they did arrive at different times to the United States.
Children of Timothy and Mary Eliza (Lyons) Daly.
Name
Born
Married
Died
Julia Anne Daly
1890
Francis Aubury Welch 1917
1973
Mary E Daly
1893
–
1940
Bridget Daly
1895
NM
1897
Nora Daly
1901
–
1988
Adulthood
1890 – Daughter, Julia Anne, was born on 7 April 1890. 1890 – Timothy became a US Citizen on 4 September 1890. 1893 – Daughter, Mary E. was born in July 1893 1895 – Daughter, Bridget, was born on 11 Aug 1895 1897 – – Tragedy, struck on 31 August 1897 when their two-year-old daughter, Bridget, died.
1900 – It was a tough life for Timothy and Mary. The 1900 Census found Timothy, Mary, and their two daughters, Julia and Mary renting a home at 51 Water Street in Biddeford. Timothy was a Day Laborer and he had been unemployed for 2 months during the preceding year.
1910 – In 1910 the couple lived at 17 Clifford. Timothy was a laborer. The oldest of their three daughters, Julia, was working as a clerk at a fancy goods store. 1917 – Daughter Julia married Francis Asbury Welch. Timothy was working as a tinsmith. 1918 – Timothy was on the Finance Committee for the Biddeford Firemen’s Association. 1919 – Timothy was called for Jury Duty.
1920 – The 1920 Census found Timothy & Mary living with their younger daughters, Nora & Mary at 73 Pool Street. Timothy works in a machine shop and the daughters are salespeople at a variety store.
1921 – Timothy became a ladderman with the Biddeford “Welcome Hook & Ladder” (fireman). 1922 – Timothy & Mary hosted a 4th birthday party for their grandson, Francis, at their home on Pool Street. Timothy also became a Clerk for the Welcome Hook and Ladder Company. Meanwhile, Timothy worked for the Saco-Lowell Shops.
Death/Burial, etc.
Timothy Daly died on 19 January 1923. His funeral was held on 24 January. The pallbearers were all firemen, and his body was borne to the cemetery on the fire department’s hose pung; Rev. Dennis J. O’Brien officiated. Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
His wife, Mary, and his daughter, Mary, joined him in 1940. His infant daughter, Bridget, preceded him in 1897, but her grave is unmarked.
Events by Location
Ireland, County Cork – Birth USA, Massachusetts, Suffolk, Boston – Immigration USA, Maine, York, Biddeford – Marriage, Lived, Death, & Burial
Biddeford Daily Journal (Biddeford, ME,), Newspapers.com, 1918-04-04 – Page 7, Relief Association of the Fire Department Is in Good Financial Condition – Timothy Daily is on the Finance Committee. Accessed 29 March 2024. https://www.newspapers.com/image/864196041.
Biddeford Daily Journal (Biddeford, ME,), Newspapers.com, 1919-04-15 – Biddeford Daily Journal, Retrenchment Demanded in City Departments by Order Introduced in City Council, column 2, Ward two – —Jury Duty – Timothy Daley. Accessed 29 Mar 2024.
Biddeford Daily Journal (Biddeford, ME,), Newspapers.com, 1922-04-04 – Biddeford Daily Journal, Page 3 – Gene Ricker Captain of the Richards – Timothy Daley is Clerk for the Welcome Hook and Ladder Company (N). Accessed 29 Mar 2024.
Biddeford Daily Journal (Biddeford, ME,), Newspapers.com, 1923-03-03 – Biddeford Daily Journal – Page 6 – Large Number Register In this City – Names Stricken – Timothy Daley, 73 Pool. Accessed 29 March 2024.
Find a Grave, Find a Grave, Timothy Daly (1867-1923) and his wife – Mary Lyons (1866-1940
daughter Mary E (1894-1940). Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154681457/timothy-daly: accessed March 29, 2024), memorial page for Timothy Daly (1867–19 Jan 1923), Find a Grave Memorial ID 154681457, citing Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Biddeford, York County, Maine, USA; Maintained by Suki Davey (contributor 47883436). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154681457/timothy-daly.
Index to New England Naturalization Petitions, 1791-1906, Family Search, Timothy Daly – Naturalized 4 September 1890. “United States, New England Petitions for Naturalization Index, 1791-1906”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXR3-P9Q : Sun Mar 10 17:30:00 UTC 2024), Entry for Timothy Daly, 1890. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXR3-P9Q.
Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Family Search, Julia Anne Daley – April 7, 1890. See Image 1743 of 3977.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Death – Bridget Daly – 31 Aug 1897. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ3R-HQG : Fri Mar 08 06:56:17 UTC 2024), Entry for Bridget Daly and Tim Daly, 31 Aug 1897. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ3R-HQG.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Marriage – Frances Asbury Welch & Julia Anna Daley – 11 June 1917. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24J-6MFZ : 2 March 2021), Frances Asbury Welch and Julia Anna Daley, 11 Jun 1917; citing Biddeford, York, Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24J-6MFZ.
Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Family Search, Marriage – Timothy Daily & Mary Eliza Lyons – 1 Nov 1886. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q283-BG4R : Fri Mar 08 23:27:06 UTC 2024), Entry for Timothy Daily and Mary Eliza Lyons, 1 November 1886. *ALSO* “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HJ5-DXH : Sat Mar 09 03:43:43 UTC 2024), Entry for Timothy Daily and Mary Elisa Lyons, 01 Nov 1886.
Maine, Cumberland County, Portland, Superior Court Naturalization Records, Family Search, Timothy Daly – Citizen – 4 Sep 1890. V 8, Petition No. 1-275 B, ca. 1890-1891. Film # 007351086 – Image 385, 386, & 387 of 825.
[1] Ancestry Public Trees – This number changes. It is the number of trees on the day I was writing this sketch. [2] Maine, Cumberland County, Portland, Superior Court Naturalization Records, Family Search, Timothy Daly – Citizen – 4 Sep 1890. V 8, Petition No. 1-275 B, ca. 1890-1891. Film # 007351086 – Image 385, 386, & 387 of 825. [3] Internet: Wikipedia – Ireland – History – Union with Great Britain. [4] Internet: Wikipedia – Land War.
Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 009 Photo Friday By Don Taylor
This week for Photo Friday, I’m looking at five photos with identifying comments indicating Bragdon. The 1920 US Census indicates there were 27 people with the surname in Cumberland County, so I hope this group will be easy to identify. They come from Linwood Dyer Collection, which includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Westbrook. My desire is to analyze the images and reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image. The originals in this collection are held by the Scarborough Historical Society.
Elsie Louise Bragdon, 1919.
The photo identifying information includes:
On the back, “Elsie Bragdon, Westbrook High School, 1919.
The Photographer is Fenley (Studio), Portland, Maine.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1920 US Census lists the Minnie E Bragdon family living at 319 Warren Ave in Westbrook[i]. The family includes:
Minnie Bragdon, Head, Widow, Age 50.
Ralph M Bragdon, Son, Age 22.
Harold L Bragdon, Son, Age 19
Elsie L Bragdon, Daughter, Age 18
Evelyn A Bragdon, Daughter, Age 14
Philip O Bragdon, Son, Age 8
Marr Charles A Bragdon, Father, Age 82
And two boarders, Walter H Miller, Age 22, and Ralph E Miller, Age 21.
I am confident this is the high school graduation photo of Elsie Louise Bragdon taken in 1919.
Ancestry has 29 public trees that refer to Elsie Louise Bragdon, daughter of George and Minnie (Marr) Bragdon. Family Search has profile 9F3M-HNW for Elsie Louise Bragdon (1901-1976).
Evelyn Ardelia Bragdon, circa 1923
The photo identifying information includes:
On the back, handwritten it says Evelyn Ardelia Bragdon
The photographer was The Marshall Studio, Westbrook, ME.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The FamilySearch Profile, LYRK-419, has this photo. The photo there is a little askew, but the same.
I am confident this photo is of Evelyn Ardelia Bragdon taken about 1923 in Westbrook, Maine.
Elsie & Evelyn Bragdon, circa 1910
The photo identifying information includes:
On the back is written “Evelyn Bragdon – Elsie Bragdon | of Westbrook.
The photographer is Stone Studio – Boston & Portland, ME.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1920 US Census lists
Elsie L Bragdon, Daughter, Age 18
Evelyn A Bragdon, Daughter, Age 14
The younger of the two girls, Evelyn, appears to be about 4 years old, suggesting the photo was taken circa 1910.
Harold Bragdon, circa 1918.
The photo identifying information includes:
Handwritten on the back, “Harold Bragdon.”
The photographer is Fenley Studio, Portland, Maine.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1920 US Census lists the Minnie E Bragdon family living at 319 Warren Ave in Westbrook[ii]. The family includes:
Minnie Bragdon, Head, Widow, Age 50.
Harold L Bragdon, Son, Age 19
I am confident this photo is of Harold Bragdon, son of George and Minnie (Marr) Bragdon, circa 1918.
Philip Osgood Bragdon, circa 1929.
The photo identifying information includes:
Handwritten note on Back: Philip Osgood Bragdon | Westbrook High School | Class of 1929.
Handwritten note below photo: Best Wishes P. O. B.
The photographer is The Albert Studio, 463 Congress St. Portland, ME.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1920 US Census lists the Minnie E Bragdon family living at 319 Warren Ave in Westbrook[iii]. The family includes:
Minnie Bragdon, Head, Widow, Age 50.
Philip O Bragdon, Son, Age 8
I am confident this photo is of Philip Osgood Bragdon, son of George and Minnie (Marr) Bragdon, circa 1929.
Conclusion
I identified all four of the individuals in this photo group. All are from the same family and were taken between 1910 and 1929.
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.