Roberts Line
By Don Taylor

I always feel frustrated when I am unable to find an ancestor in all of the census records. Such is the case with Nimrod Lister.  I found him in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 Census records but have been unable to find him in the 1830, 1840, or 1850 Census Records.  I also feel frustrated when I can’t find a source for death information on an individual. The 1900 Census indicates that his wife, Malinda, was a widow. The questions that arises in my mind: Was she actually a widow? Did she say she was a widow after Nimrod ran off for one reason or another?  Unfortunately, the 1890 Census is largely missing and searches of available online newspapers and other sources have been unsuccessful in my finding him after the 1880 Census.

Research Family 2017 – Ancestor #96

List of Grandparents

• Grandmother: Essie Pansy Barnes (1903-1982)
• 1^st Great-grandmother: Marada Mae Lister (1867-1932)
• 2^nd Great-grandfather: Nimrod Lister (c. 1826-c. 1890)
• 3^rd Great-grandfather: William Lister (c. 1802- ? )

Nimrod Lister (c. 1826-c. 1890)

It is not clear when Nimrod was born. The 1860 Census indicates he was 34 years old; the 1870 Census indicates he was 43 years old and the 1880 Census indicates he was 55 years old. Suggesting he was born sometime between 1824 and 1827. I have settled on 1826 as my preferred date because it is most consistent with the earlier censuses. It appears that he was born in Pickaway County, Ohio. His father possibly was William Lister and the name of his mother is still unknown.

Childhood

Other researchers indicate that he had at least three younger siblings, Sarah, William, and James. I have not been able to confirm that information.  Also, I have not been successful in identifying him in the 1830, 1840, or 1850 Censuses. I hope to determine his earlier life better when I research William Lister.

Marriage

Nimrod married Malinda Evans on 17 March 1854 in Pickaway County, Ohio, in a ceremony performed by James Roland, a minister of the Gospel.[i] Nimrod and Malinda had eight children.

In the 1900 Census, Malinda indicates that she had eight children, seven of whom were living, so either James, Nancy, Charles, Eliza, Mary, or Sarah died before 1900 but the other children were still living.

Adult

Nimrod and Malinda moved from Ohio to Sullivan County, Indiana in the fall of 1859. Thomas Wolfe mentions that in his book, A History of Sullivan County, Indiana.[iii] Additionally, their son Charles was born in Sullivan County. Other records indicate he was born sometime between November 1859 and January 1860.

The 1860 Census finds the family in Indiana, Turman Township, Sulivan County, using the Graysville Post Office.  The family consisted of Nimrod and Malinda with their three oldest children, James, Nancy, and Charles. Nimrod is a farm laborer and six-year-old James was attending school.  The census records their surname as Lustre.[iv]

The 1870 Census finds the family still in Turman Township with seven of their children. Nimrod was a Farmer and owned real estate valued at $660.  Malinda was keeping house. James both worked on a farm and attended school. Nancy, Charles, and Eliza were attending school while Charlotte, Marandy and William were too young to attend school.[v]

The 1880 Census again finds Nimrod and Melinda. Nimrod is a Farmer, and Melinda is keeping house. Twenty-five-year-old James is a Huxter. Meranda, William, and Sarah are at home and attending school.[vi]

Death

Melinda (Evans) Lister is widowed before the 1900 Census. So, I believe that Nimrod died sometime between 1880 and 1900. I use circa 1890 as his death date as it fits between 1880 and 1900. I have not been successful in finding his death date nor his burial location.

Further Actions / Follow-up

• Further Research Nimrod’s birth.
• Research Nimrod’s early life through researching his parents.
• Research Nimrod’s later life through researching his children.

ENDNOTES

[i] Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013, Family Search, Nimrod Lister & Malinda Evans. Pickaway, Marriage Records 1839-1855 Vol 4, Page 282. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZ28-JL9.

[ii] 1880 Census (FS), Nimrod Lister – Indiana, Sullivan, Gill Township, ED 329, Page 5, Line 18. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHSF-ZKC.

[iii] Wolfe, Thomas J., History of Sullivan County, Indiana, A, Files (Personal), Pages 234-236. A history of Sullivan County, Indiana, closing of the first century’s history of the county, and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. New York: The Lewis Pub. Co.

[iv] 1860 Census (FS) (NARA), Family Search, 1860 Census – Nimrod Lustre [Lister] – Turman Township, Sullivan, Indiana – Page 140, Line 36. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4NV-DFM.

[v] 1870 Census (FS) (NARA), Family Search, 1870 – Nimrod Lister – Indiana, Sullivan, Turman, Page 12, Line 24. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX6Z-4N3.

[vi] 1880 Census (FS), Nimrod Lister – Indiana, Sullivan, Gill Township, ED 329, Page 5, Line 18. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHSF-ZKC.