I was recently talking with a Civil War researcher and mentioned that Minnesota’s Civil War experience was quite a bit different than most of the rest of the country. Because of the War, many of the supplies promised to Native Americans by treaty were redirected to support the war effort, leaving the Native Americans to starve. Because of that, many Native Americans attacked the settlers in Minnesota in search of food, blankets, and other necessities. An uprising of the Santee Sioux in August 1862 caused the deaths of 490 settlers, including women and children. In retaliation, the United States hung thirty-eight Dakota Indians in Mankato, Minnesota, in the largest mass hanging in American History. After the hanging Continue reading →
I’ve been researching the siblings of Rufus Holton Darling and had three left to research. Sally Ann Darling, Hannah Darling, and Franklin C. Darling. I haven’t been finding much on any of them. I suspected that a Franklin Darling in Minnesota might be Franklin, the brother of Rufus Holton Darling, but hadn’t found any definitive evidence that they were the same person. In searching for Franklin on Newspapers.Com, I encountered an amazing article about the death of Franklin and Rufus’ brother, Abner C. Darling.
On Monday, Sept. 20, 1880, at his residence, in the town of Grand Chute, near this city, Abner C. Darling, for more than 40 years a resident of Wisconsin, over 30 of which were spent in this city, departed this life at the age of nearly 68 years.
This death created a profound sensation among the old settlers, all of whom were personally acquainted with the deceased.
Mr. Darling was born near Rome, N.Y., October 29, 1912, went with his father’s family, a very large one, to Michigan, when he was a boy. in 1825 was married in Western New York to Miss Nancy A. Green, at the residence of her uncle, Robert Green, who has resided with Mr. Darling for many years, and still survives him at an advanced age; emigrated in 1840 with his wife and their only daughter, now Mrs. L. S. Colman, of Milwaukee, to the very new village of Racine; removed in 1850 to Appleton, then almost a dense forest, and speedily erected a store on College Avenue, which still stands with its red front as one of the few land marks left of Appleton’s early days, and embarked in business. His wife, a most estimable lady, died in the spring of 1867, and some years subsequently he married Miss Sarah Green, daughter of Robert Green, who with three children survives him. Only two of his brothers are living, Henry Darling of Fox Lake, Wisconsin, and Franklin Darling, of Minnesota.
The great fire of 1873, which swept the old Crescent Hotel and many other business buildings, originated in the building he then occupied, about where Schroeder’s furniture now stands and destroyed $4,000 worth of uninsured goods. This loss, with the subsequent depreciation of real estate that followed the Great Panic of 1873, left him nearly penniless, and from that time to his death, it has been a constant struggle with financial disappointment and disaster until the strongman succumbed. Always active ever seeking to rise above the pressure of events, he has commanded sympathy and respect, and this announcement’ of his demise elicited on every hand the most earnest regrets. Mr. Darling, during nearly all the years of his manhood, was an active yet unobtrusive communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church, and all who know him intimately will bear testimony that he was sincere and sought to do right. On Wednesday, a large number of citizens and friends, including most of his old neighbors, gathered at his dwelling to pay their last tribute of respect to his genuine worth, and on that beautiful autumnal day, they placed his remains in their resting place, Riverside cemetery, his life work all done, his eternity begun.
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New Facts
This article suggests many new facts. Facts new to me are identified as bold. Questionable facts are identified as red and in italics.
1812 – Abner C. Darling was born near Rome, NY 29 Oct 1812.
1825 – Married Nancy A. Green in 1825 in Western New York. – Question fact. Abner would have been 13 years old in 1825 and Nancy 9 years old.
1840 – Moved to Wisconsin c. 1840 with wife and only daughter. Although not false, the fact appears to be incomplete. Abner and Nancy’s son, Ned, was born before 1840 in New York and died about 1840 in Racine Wisconsin, so it appears that Abner moved to Wisconsin c. 1840 with his wife and two children.
1850 – Moved to Grand Chute c. 1850 and built a store on College Ave.
1873 – Fire destroyed his stock and the Great Panic of 1873 left him penniless.
1880 – Abner C. Darling died 20 Sep 1880 in Grand Chute, Mich.
1880 – Buried Riverside Cemetery.
Religion: Methodist Episcopal
First Wife:Â Nancy Green (niece of Robert Green)
1867 – Nancy Died
Daughter is Mrs. L. S. Colman lives in Milwaukee in 1880.
Uncle Robert Green lived with the family for “Many years” prior to 1880.
Abner married Miss Sarah Green (Daughter of Robert Green) some years after 1867. Sarah and her father Robert are living in 1880
Brother Henry Darling of Fox Lake, Wisconsin is living in 1880
Brother Franklin Darling of Minnesota is living in 1880.
Because Abner’s sisters are not mentioned at all, It appears that they probably had passed before September 1880. Abner’s sisters were Deidamia [Limbacker], Sally Ann, and Hannah.
Conclusion
This obituary provided eight new facts including proof that Franklin located to Minnesota.
The oldest of my half-brothers (I now have four known half-brothers) asked if I might take a look at his maternal line (we share a common father). Of course I said, “Sure,” and started on my merry way researching. I began with his great-grandfather, Thomas Frederick Spry. I learned that Thomas didn’t live to 100, or even 99 as many records indicate. He lived to be 98, dying two days before his 99th birthday.
Research Family 2017 – Ancestor #14
List of Grandparents
Grandmother: Viola Lorraine Spry
1st Great-grandfather: Thomas Frederick Spry
2nd Great-grandfather: Johny M Spry
Thomas Frederick Spry (1875-1974)
Thomas Frederick Spry was born in Michigan (probably Detroit) on 19 May 1875. He was the fifth of nine known children of Johny M. and Catharine Spry. Ulysses S Grant was president and shortly after Thomas’ birth President Grant announced he would not run for a third term.
Thomas’ siblings included:
Name
Born
Alice Spry
Jan 1869
William Spry
1870-1871
Benjamin F. Spry
Aug 1973
Robert J Spry
1876
Thomas Frederick Spry
19 May 1875
Ethel Spry
1877-1878
Harry (or Henry) Spry
Jan 1880
The 1880 Census shows the entire family living at 538 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, Mich. Johny, Catharine, and all seven children were living together. Today 538 Michigan Ave is a parking ramp.
By 1895, the 20-year-old Thomas worked as a press feeder and boarded at 134 Locust, the same place as his older brother Benjamin. He was listed as being a printer in the Detroit 1898 City Directory living at 81 Plum Street. If you were heading east on the Fisher Freeway and took the off-ramp to the John C. Lodge Freeway, 81 Plum Street is about where the split to go north or south on the John C. Lodge Freeway is today. (Across the Lodge freeway from the MGM Grand.).
Thomas had been an usher for his oldest sister, Alice’s wedding and the family ties seem to have been close. The 1900 Census finds Thomas, and his brother Benjamin, living with their sister Alice, her husband and her five kids at 1027 Hudson Ave. Today, most of this part of Hudson Ave is replaced by the E. Edsel Ford Freeway.
Marriage
Thomas married Ottilie Saleske in 1901. Ottilie was also known as Tillie, Lillie, Tilly, and even Matilda in various records. Likewise, Ottilie’s surname is spelled Saleski and Salesky in different documents.
Adulthood
The Four Children of Thomas and Ottilie Spry
Child Name
Birthdate
Date of Death
Ethel H Spry
03 Sep 1902
07 Apr 1985
Baby Boy Spry
26 May 1904
26 May 1904
Viola Lorraine Spry
06 Dec 1908
28 Jun 2002
Isabel Spry
07 Aug 1918
04 Dec 1992
It isn’t clear exactly when, but by 1902, when their first daughter, Ethel, was born, the couple was living 30 miles away in Ypsilanti. Thomas was still working as a printer, an occupation he would have his entire adult life.
In 1904 tragedy struck. Ottilie had a baby boy on 26 May 1904; the child only lived 5 hours. It appears that shortly the baby’s death the family moved back to Detroit.
The 1910 Census finds Thomas and Otillie living at 671 Buchanan St. Thomas. With them are their two children Ethel and Viola. Also living with them is Otillie’s brother, Otto.
The Spirit of Detroit – Photo by PeRshGo – CC BY-SA 3.0
The 1916 Detroit City Directory indicates that Thomas had his print shop, Spry Printing Company located at 50 Woodward. Today, that location is known to have a marvelous statue known as “The Spirit of Detroit.” The statue was the largest bronze statue cast since the Renaissance when it was installed in 1958. I’ll never be able to see facsimiles of the statue on Detroit city vehicles and offices without thinking of Thomas Spry’s print shop. When Thomas registered for the World War I draft, he was 5’5-1/2” tall, medium build, blue eyes and he had light hair.
In 1920, Thomas was renting a home at 1417 25th, Detroit and he was working as a printer. Living with him was his wife and his three daughters, Ethel, Viola, and Isabel.
5727 Missouri Ave, Detroit, MI – Photo by Google Maps
Before 1930, Thomas and family had moved again, this time to 5727 Missouri Ave, Detroit.  The Missouri Street house was a two-story home with nearly 4,000 square feet of living space. Living with him are his wife and two of his daughters. Viola and Isabel. Viola had married three years before; I don’t know why Viola and Albert Dion were living apart. By 1938, Thomas had moved his printing shop to the 3rd floor of 216 Monroe. (Today this is a vacant lot at the corner of Monroe and Randolph Street—across from the Cadillac Center People Mover Station.)
Daughter Viola was joined by her husband and they had a daughter. In 1940, the three of them were living with Thomas and Ottilie in the house on Missouri Ave.
Thomas Frederick Spry died on 21 May 1974. He was survived by his wife and his three daughters. His burial location is unknown.
Sources
1880 Census, Family Search, 1880 – Johny M Spry – Detroit, Wayne, Michigan – ED 295, Page 42. Year: 1880; Census Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: 613; Page: 45B; Enumeration District: 295.
1900 Census (FS), Family Search, 1900 – Thomas Salmoni – Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M917-3KH : accessed 6 May 2018), Thomas Salmoni, Detroit city Ward 12, Wayne, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 141, sheet 13A, family 294, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,752.
1910 Census, Other, Thomas Spry – Detroit, Wayne, Michigan – ED 211, Sheet 9B. Year: 1910; Census Place: Detroit Ward 14, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T624_686; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 0211; FHL microfilm: 1374699
1920 Census (A), Ancestry.Com, Thomas Spry – Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. Year: 1920; Census Place: Detroit Ward 12, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T625_811; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 363.
1930 Census (NARA), Ancestry.Com, 1930 Census – Thomas Spry Head – Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, Precinct 16.
1940 Census, Ancestry.Com, Thomas Spry, Head. 1940; Census Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: m-t0627-01856; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 84-527.
City Directory (A), Com, Detroit, Michigan – 1895, Page 1279 – Spry. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
City Directory (A), Com, Detroit, Michigan – 1898, Page 1382 – Spry. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
City Directory (A), Com, Detroit, Michigan – 1900, Page 1470 – Spry. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
City Directory (A), Com, Detroit, Michigan – 1906, Page 1980 – Spry. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
City Directory (A), Com, Detroit, Michigan – 1916, Page 3671 – Spry. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
Michigan Births, 1867-1902, Family Search, Ethel Spry – 3 Sep 1902. “Michigan Births, 1867-1902,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQFN-9XY : 10 March 2018), Thos. F. Spry in an entry for Ethel Spry, 03 Sep 1902; citing item 1 p 419 rn 1673, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw, Michigan, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,363,098.
S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Ancestry.Com, Thomas Spry (1874-1974). “United States Social Security Death Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JYKD-8PF : 20 May 2014), Thomas Spry, May 1974; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Ancestry.Com, Thomas Frederick Spry. “United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6XQ-X74 : 13 March 2018), Thomas Frederick Spry, 1917-1918; citing Detroit City, Michigan, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,675,372.
Saturday Night Genealogy Fun
Brown/Montran Research
Roberts/Barnes Research
By Don Taylor
Randy Seaver, of Genea-Musings, suggested taking a look at our third great-grandparents lifespan. When were they born; how long did they live? Randy’s suggestions often make me think about my tree and point out where I have holes or other problems in my genealogical research, so I thought I’d give it a try. Randy’s suggestion this time was no different.
Of my 32 great-grandparents, I only have 23 named in my database. Two are women for whom I only know their married surname.   Only 13 of them, do I have birth and death dates. I have much more work to do to fill in the blanks.
NEW & on my “Want” list.
My earliest born 3rd Great’ was John Calvin Roberts, born 3 March 1795; the most recent born was Andrew Haley born 1837. I was surprised there were 42 years between two ancestors in the same generation.
The youngest to die that I know about was Joel Cruff Taft who died at the age of 48. Barney Daney Brown was born about 1814 and died sometime between 1860 and 1870 could have died at age 46, age 56 or any age in between.
My longest living 3rd great-grandparent was William Sanford who lived to 92. However, I must mention that my great-grandmother Mary (Manning) Brown lived to be 105.
The average age at death for my 3rd great-grandparents was 70.6 years old.
My Ancestors for whom I know their birth and death dates include:
As is so often the case with Randy’s exercises, Randy reminds me how much more genealogical work I still need to do. I’d love to learn the birthdates and death dates of all my 3rd great-grandparents. Then again, my genealogical goal is not to fill in the blanks; instead, my goal is to get to know my ancestors, to try to understand them, and to appreciate their lives.
During Part 1 of this study, I followed the Vinson family through the 1880 and 1870 Census records. In doing so, I established four Vinson family units in Halifax County during the 1880 Census.
1870-1880 Family Units
Looking at the 1870 and 1880 Censuses together I previously identified the following families:
Widow Elizabeth Vinson (b. 1815-1817)
Littleburg Vinson (b. 1857-1858) Married J. D. Unknown (b. 1858-1859)
Unnamed Vinson girl (b. 1879 – d. April 1880)
William G. Vinson (b. 1858-1959)
J. Robert Vinson (b. 1847-1848) – Wife, L. N. Vinson (b. 1853-1854)
R. Vinson, (b. 1871-1872)
Fannie Vinson, (b. 1872-1873)
H. Vinson, (b. 1873-1874)
Emmett Vinson, (b. 1876-1877)
Robert Vinson (b. 1824-1825) – Wife, Martha, (b. 1828-1829)
John H. Vinson (b. 1850-1851)
Thomas L, (b. 1853-1854)
Albert L. Age 14 (b. 1855-1856)
Laura E “Lizzie” Vinson (b. 1865-1866)
Littlebury Geo Vinson (b. 1815-1816)
1860 Census
The 1860 Census again shows the names of individuals in a household; however, it does not provide relationships. The following individuals were identified, the relationships are either guessed by me or come from subsequent Census records:
Littleberry Vinson
Halifax County, North Carolina.
There were three Vinson families during the 1860 Census.  The Elizabeth Vinson of the 1870 Census is with Littleberry Vinson during the 1860 Census. This seemed extremely strange to me. Upon further investigation, it appears that the Littlebury and Elizabeth Vinson were enumerated on two separate pages during the 1870 Census and were not noted as such. That suggests that Littlebury of the 1870 Census was still with his wife and children and Elizabeth was not widowed until after 1860. With that in mind I have consolidated the Littleberry (b. 1815-1816) entries. The 1860 Census adds two more children to the Littleberry and Elizabeth Vinson family.
A second connection is also apparent from the 1860 Census. Robert Vinson, age 12 appears to be the same person as J. Robert Vinson of the 1870 Census.
Littleberry Vinson     44       Connected + Elizabeth Vinson       44
           Laura Vinson            14       New
           Robert Vinson            12       Connected
           Littleberry Vinson     2
           William Vinson         11/12
Robert Vinson
The Robert Vinson Family adds Turner Vinson as a youth. It appears that Turner may have died before 1870. Another interesting entry for the family is that a Susan Wilson is living with them. Her age is 22 and she is a seamstress. Her relationship is unknown. She might be old enough to be a sister of Robert. Hopefully, the 1850 Census will shed light on her place in the family. The Robert Vinson family unit is:
Robert Vinson (b. 1824-1825)
+ Martha, (b. 1828-1829)
John H. Vinson    (b. 1850-1851)
Thomas L, Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (b. 1853-1854)
Albert L. Vinson  (b. 1855-1856)
Turner Vinson  (b. 1858-1859) – New
Laura E “Lizzie” Vinson (b. 1865-1866)
John Vinson
This family group is the really important group for my research. John Vinson is my wife’s 2nd great-grandfather. None of the individuals in this 1860 Census appear in the 1870 or 1880 Census records for the Vinson surname in Halifax County, North Carolina. The 1860 Census indicates the following:
John Vinson               43
+ Ellenior Vinson         35
Virginia Vinson         14
Elizabeth Vinson      13
Susan Vinson            12
James Vinson            8
Benja Vinson             5
Barkhead Vinson      2
Elizabeth Vinson      75
This family unit appears to be a husband, wife, six children, and John’s mother. The question is where are they in the 1870 and 1880 Censuses?
The family unit is “Vincent” in the 1870 Census. The 1870 Census shows the head of the household is Leanora living with five children,
Elizabeth, Age 23
James W., Age 17
Benjamin I, Age 14
Joseph B., Age 12
Ellen B., Age 9.
With that in mind, the new John Vinson/Vincent family consists of
John Vinson             (b. 1816-1817) + Ellenior/Lenora [Vinson] (b. 1824-1825)
           Virginia Vinson      (b. 1845-1846)
           Elizabeth Vinson    (b. 1846-1847)
           Susan Vinson          (b. 1847-1848)
           James W. Vinson    (b. 1851-1852)
           Benjamin I. Vinson (b. 1854-1855)
           Joseph Barkhead Vinson  (b. 1857-1858)
      Ellen B. Vinson       (B. 1860-1861) (from 1870 Census
(It is also likely that John is the son of Elizabeth [Vinson]. I will pencil that in for now.)
Elizabeth Vinson    (b. 1784-1785)
Conclusion
I was able to reduce the Vinson Family lines in Halifax County from four to three in the 1860 Census. My wife’s Elizabeth/John/Susan Vinson line (bolded below), A Robert Vinson line. Robert is the correct age to potentially be a brother to John. Thirdly, a Littleberry Vinson line which is also potentially a brother to John. Next time, I’ll roll the 1850 Census into the study.
Vinson Families in Halifax County 1860 thru 1880.
Elizabeth Vinson    (b. 1784-1785)
John Vinson             (b. 1816-1817) + Ellenior/Lenora [Vinson] (b. 1824-1825)
Virginia Vinson         (b. 1845-1846)
Elizabeth Vinson      (b. 1846-1847)
Susan Vinson          (b. 1847-1848)
James W. Vinson       (b. 1851-1852)
Benjamin I. Vinson   (b. 1854-1855)
Joseph Barkhead Vinson      (b. 1857-1858)
Ellen B. Vinson          (B. 1860-1861)
 Robert Vinson (b. 1824-1825)
+Martha, [Vinson] (b. 1828-1829)
John H. Vinson          (b. 1850-1851)
Thomas L Vinson      (b. 1853-1854)
Albert L. Vinson        (b. 1855-1856)
Turner Vinson          (b. 1858-1859)
Laura E “Lizzie” Vinson (b. 1865-1866)
Littleberry Vinson     (b. 1815-1816)
+ Elizabeth [Vinson]Â Â (b. 1815-1816)
Laura Vinson (b. 1845-1846)
J. Robert Vinson (b. 1847-1848)
+ L. N. Vinson (b. 1853-1854)
, I encountered an amazing article about the death of Franklin and Rufus’ brother, Abner C. Darling.
During Part 1 of this study, I followed the Vinson family through the 1880 and 1870 Census records. In doing so, I established four Vinson family units in Halifax County during the 1880 Census.