Where Do We Go From Here?

Does the song from Evita surge through your head as you read the name of this post?  It does mine. I love that song and that musical.

I am obviously brainstorming the next direction with my blog. Of what should I write?

I had planned to memorialize the more that a dozen family and friends that departed life in 2015. I had even started gathering the funeral cards with pictures. However, it is really just too soon. Sadness continues in so many directions.

I could make some Genealogical New Years' resolutions. I could tease the reader about what is to come (if I only knew).  I do want to write about great-grandma Stella Smith's brother, LeRoy. I never finished that segment of the family.

Or I could talk about Cousin Bait. I am learning about Cousin Bait. Maybe there is a distant cousin out there who will connect with me, and we can advance each other's research. Actually, I have snagged a couple in just the last few weeks. I stumbled across them and have communicated with one. 2016 is looking promising for additional genealogical research.

I have made several promises about getting into the Wright side of the family (no pun intended). My husband says that when he married Miss Wright, he didn't know my first name was Always. O.K. I can hear the groans.

Then, there is that whole DNA testing direction which I have finally participated in.  Results in 4-6 weeks.

I could (and do) thank my readers: my cousins, my second cousins, my son, assorted relatives, friends, and complete strangers for reading my ramblings. I have enjoyed this enterprise immensely.

But really, where do I go from here as I wrapped up 2015 and embark on the 2016 posts of the blog called Cousins.

Stay tuned...An idea is beginning to develop.

End of Exam

So, how have you been doing so far on the exam which my mother-in-law took at age almost twelve to complete eighth grade.

The first section can be reviewed in May 1 and 2, 1930.

The second section in Eighth Grade Exam (continued).

The third section in The Exam Goes On.

Today is the fourth and final section completing the test with Music and History.   

If I had taken this test, I would have had a couple of questions.  1. What are the missing parts of the Arithmetic test? and 2. Who proof-read the history section?

December 25, 2015

                         

                             Merry Christmas

The Exam goes on.....

Today's feature on the Iowa Eighth Grade Examination from 1930 is Grammar and Hygiene.

Eighth Grade Examination (continued)

Friday, December 18, I shared the first two parts of the eighth grade exam taken by my mother-in-law just before her twelfth birthday in 1930.  Here are the sections on Civics and Geography.

I think it might be interesting to compare the Iowa Exam with that of other states.

 

 

 

Next Sections - Grammar and Hygiene

May 1 and 2, 1930

Samples of eighth grade tests can be found in historical societies and genealogy libraries.  I have seen them at Quester meetings and other informational gatherings.  However, the one I came across recently is special. Why? It is special because it is the actual test that my mother-in-law took May 1 and 2, 1930 when Herbert Hoover was president.

If you have never read one, I think you will enjoy testing yourself.

Each of my posting days over the next week or so will feature parts of the test. It is Christmas time and there are numerous interruptions to my genealogy quest. I intend to get back to the DeHarts and then move on to some of the memories of my grandmother, Nina Frances Borden Wright, in the new year.

The questions below were answered by Doris Fern Augustus just before her 12th birthday. Her birthday was May 4. I bet it was a celebration since the test was over.

 

 

The cut off portion above was how the questions appeared in the booklet.

 

Next week, be ready for Civics and Geography 

Happy Anniversary - December 16

My parents were married December 16, 1941. So if Mom hadn't died 12 years ago and Dad hadn't died almost 6 years ago, they could celebrate their 74th wedding anniversary this year.  They did almost make it to 62 years. Mom died just a couple of weeks before we could have had this celebration.

However, they did celebrate 25, 40, 50, and 60 with parties. In my current cleaning and sorting mood, I uncovered congratulatory cards from December 1981- their 40th anniversary. Of course, mom kept them. Of course, I kept them. All my family is asking "Why." So I have thrown out a few. It was nice to read familiar names of friends that were prominent in their lives at the time. Many of those names belong to the deceased now as well as do Mom and Dad. Some of the cards contained nice letters which I think could be shared on this genealogy blog at some point in the future.  Don't we wish we had old letters of other ancestors. It won't be long before these old letters are ancient. I am saving parts of some cards for my signature project. ( just a little teaser).

What do I know about my parents marriage? I understand they were married in the Methodist Parsonage in Scranton, Iowa. My mother's mother, Nina Grisso, was their witness.  The date was December 16, 1941 just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Mom shared that she had been to Cedar Rapids, Iowa with her Aunt Ardea and Uncle Steve that day. They had probably gone for the week-end due to the distance. Cedar Rapids is where mom's uncle and Ardea's brother, Merroll lived.  They were on their way home when they heard the news. She had purchased her wedding blouse on this trip.

A couple of dozen years ago as we were driving through the tiny burg of Farlin, Iowa. Mom pointed out a house that she said they stayed in after they were married. I have no idea if this was a day, a week, or longer. I also know they spent time living with Mom's parents and 5 other siblings across the road from where they started farming. The farm they were to live on would not be available until March 1. This was an established date when renters vacated and a new tenant occupied  the farm they were to work the next growing season. March 1 gave them some time to get settled and work the ground before time to put in the crop. The farm was owned by Estella Vorhies Smith, my mother's grandmother. She inherited the farm from her father, John MacVorhies. This farm was part of the original homestead purchased by Joseph Withrow, my 3x great-grandfather.

Vern and Mary
December 16, 1941

Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary

Mom's and Dad's rental farm 1942-1959
"The Sixty"
(where it all began)

The farm they bought in 1969.
(Still in the family)

Mondays With Mary - December 1994

'Tis the season....

At the Wright household that meant, it was deer season. When I was little, my uncles would point out the individual deer hanging in the basement and call them by their names. There was Donner and Blitzen. Some years Comet and others were there. My biggest fear was descending  the old cement stairs to see a big, beautiful deer hanging there with its tongue out just under its red nose. I suppose it was some form of child abuse, but I seemed to have grown up and turned out O.K. (at least a few people think so).

December 1994-Deer Season

Friday, Dec. 9

14 degrees at 5:30 a.m. vacuumed- washed
load of clothes.  Went to library for book in p.m.
John G and Eldon B came about 5 p.m.
Dean here at 7 p.m. played cards to-nite

Saturday, Dec. 10

18 degrees @ 5:30 a.m.  boys out hunting deer
1st day-2nd season-  no luck.
Whimpy Lewis out in a.m. saw a lot of
 does but no bucks. played cards to-nite
getting colder.  Jon B out to feed cows.

Sunday, Dec. 11

8 degrees below @ 5:30 a.m.
dropped to 13 degrees below by day-lite
boys hunted all day.  Eldon shot me a doe.
Played cards to-nite.   Chili at noon.  Meatloaf tonight.

Monday, Dec. 12

8 degrees @ 5:30 a.m.  I went to quilt. The boys
still hunting deer. No luck on bucks but
 lots of deer seen.  Baker's preg checked cows
5 open.  Talked to Scottie to-nite.  Cats eating
on deer - put in basement. Cards again tonight.

Tuesday, Dec. 13

2 degrees @ 4 a.m.  warmed up to 8 degrees by
6 a.m.  trees all frosty - cut the deer up and took a
back ham to Glidden to be dried.  Boys hunted till
noon and then went home.  I put up the x-mas
tree. Cooked some deer bones.  Dean and Eldon took
rest of deer home with them.


So, another deer season came to an end on the same day Mary's grandson, Scott, left for the Navy. He was back to join the hunters nine years later. Sadly, that was the first deer season without Mary. As much as the hunters enjoyed the hunt, the camaraderie and the card playing, everyone knew Mary loved the season as much as they did...maybe more.

The Dehart Children

George Jackson Dehart, one of my Friday Features was the father of nine children with his first wife, Sarah Frances Skaggs Dehart. As noted in George Jackson Dehart (1835-1916) part two, he remarried after the death of Sarah Frances to Sarah Caroline Corey and they had two children.

I came across this picture in some documents handed down to me. The inscription on the back indicates this is George and Sarah Frances Dehart. I see a strong resemblance between Sarah and her daughter, Emma.

Emma Susan Dehart Borden

(March 15, 1869----30 March, 1956)

My direct line is with their 5th child, Emma Susan Dehart, who was born in Monroe County, West Virginia.  Her four older siblings were also born in Monroe County, West Virginia.  Sometime between March 1869 and July 1870 the family moved west. This is clear because of the birth of Emma in West Virginia in 1869 and the census form of 1870 in Illinois.

The family moved several more times as indicated by the birth places of the children, census records, and the biography from Calhoun County, Iowa.  Before featuring my great-grandmother Emma Susan Dehart Borden, I would like to introduce  her siblings.

James Floyd Dehart (1861-1920)
    
     This first child of George and Sarah was born October 2, 1861 in Palestine, Virginia. This is very near Monroe County where the other children were born. James's father, George, fought in the Civil War. This accounts for the next child not being born for several years.  This is only an assumption because I have not researched the length of the service of George.  I am currently doing some research on James Floyd Dehart. I think there are some long lost cousins on that family branch. 
     James Floyd Dehart was married to Aunt Blanche. One time I remember meeting her when I was a little girl. I have no idea why, but I really liked her. I didn't quite get how she was related, and I knew she was from far away.That faraway place was Nebraska, not really so far by today's standards but remember when I was a little girl, it was the "olden days". I knew Aunt Blanche was actually related by marriage.  She was the wife of my great grandma Borden's oldest brother, James Floyd Dehart.  The picture below is of my great grandmother, Emma Borden, and her sister-in-law Blanche Dehart.

I find the gloves in Aunt Blanche's hands interesting. They look like driving gloves. It looks like the picture was snapped just before she took off in her car.  Was she headed back to Nebraska? Had she driven to Iowa on her own. For some reason, I think so. Could this picture been taken on the day I remember with Aunt Blanche?

Fletcher C. Dehart (1865-1867)  

     The second child of George J. and Sarah lived only two years and a few more months.

Virginia Alice Dehart (1866-1950)

     Aunt Alice faired better than her brother. She was just past one when he died. I will be more writing a little more about her. I actually knew her when I was young.

Oto C. Dehart (1867-1869)

     Oto was born March 5, 1867 less than one year after Alice (March 22,1866) came into the world.  Oto only lived two years too.  He died two months after yet another sibling was born. This sibling was my great-grandmother, Emma Susan.

(to be continued)

    
    

Wordless Wednesday-December 9, 2015

The year is 1965.
The place is Portland, Oregon.
Me and my two "little" cousins.

George Jackson Dehart (1835-1916) part two

On Friday, I started a post featuring my 2nd great grandfather, George Jackson Dehart.  This article is taken from a book about Calhoun County, Iowa and can be found in the local library at Lake City, Iowa.

(continued from Friday)

     Mr. Dehart's first wife died in this county, October 20, 1885, leaving five children, namely:  James F., who is now married and resides in Kansas;  Virginia Alice, wife of Sherman Peterson, of Lake City, Iowa; Emma Susan, wife of William Borden, of Chicago, Illinois; Frank, who is with his brother in Kansas; and May, at home.  On the 5th of June, 1888, Mr. Dehart was again married, in Calhoun county, his second union being with Miss Sarah Corey, who was born and reared in DeKalb county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Daniel Corey of the county.  By this marriage two children have been born:  John C. and Mary Caroline.
     Always a strong temperance man Mr. Dehart is now identified with the Prohibition party and is a stanch supporter of its principles.  He takes an active interest in educational affairs and most efficiently served as a member of the school board for some years.  He and his wife are both earnest and consistent members of the Baptist church of Lake City and are held in the high regard by all who know them.

I wonder who wrote this. I think I need to make a trip back to the Lake City library and check on this book.  The article infers that in
1885 when Sarah Skaggs Dehart died, her daughter, Emma Susan was married to William Borden. However, my other sources say Emma and William were married Nov. 2, 1897. Their only child, Nina, was born in 1900 so this makes more sense.

Some of my other thoughts have to do with 2 Great-Grandma Sarah Frances Skaggs. Some papers say Francis and others say Frances. Whichever... it seems that her granddaughter, Nina Frances Borden Wright, was named for her as well as her great granddaughter, LaVonne Frances Wright Grisso Tubra. I think following the names is fun. It shows the respect and love passed down the generations.

 It seems 2nd Great Grandma Sarah was buried in Lake City, Iowa.  Her father, David, is buried there as well. Now this is interesting. I wonder when David Skaggs came to Iowa from West Virginia. Had his wife died? Where is she buried?  Questions, questions.

My uncle and I were wondering about George Frank Dehart.  His sister, Mae, was only 2 when their mother, Sarah, died and George Frank was only 3 1/2. He must have gone to live with
his brother, James who was about 24 and now married according to the biography. However, James Floyd Dehart first married in 1888 according to other family records. Confusion. Problems to be solved. More confusion.

The following pictures are from the cemetery in Dalhart, Texas where George Jackson Dehart is buried.

The top part of the stone is not sitting on the bottom as it should.  It was not easy to photograph the front. Too bad all the descendants of George Jackson Dehart couldn't take up a collection and have the stone fixed.

The keeper of the cemetery was very, very helpful. The cemetery is also in excellent condition.

The plot itself is very large. It is surrounded with a stone border. It appears that there are only two interments, George Jackson Dehart and his daughter, Mary Caroline Dehart. Is the second wife of G.J Dehart, the mother of Mary Caroline buried here as well or did she return to Calhoun county in Iowa?

Any additional information about the above writing is welcome.

George J. DeHart - Friday's Feature

The following article was taken from a book found in the city library of Lake City, Iowa.  I failed to make a copy of the cover. The only title I have is The Biographical Record.  The ancestor featured here is my great-great grandfather and is related to me in this way.

George J. Dehart (2nd great grandfather)
       Emma Dehart Borden (daughter of George, my great g'ma)
            Nina Borden Wright (daughter of Emma, my grandmother)
                 Vern Wright (son of Nina, my father)
                        Margie Wright Tolsdorf (daughter of Vern, me)



                                         George J. Dehart

     George J. Dehart, one of the leading farmers of Calhoun township, whose home is on section 23, came to this state about 1874, and has made his home in Calhoun county since May, 1881.  He was born on the 10th of September, 1835, in Monroe county, West Virginia, of which county his father, Samuel Dehart, was also a native.  His paternal grandfather Abraham Dehart was born in France, and with two brothers came to the new world with General La Fayette, all of them aiding the colonies in their struggle for independence as soldiers in the Revolutionary war.  When peace was restored Abraham Dehart located in Monroe county, West Virginia, being one of the first settlers of that section.  There his son, Samuel , grew to manhood and married Sophia Spade, a native of Virginia and a daughter of John Spade, who was also a soldier of the Revolutionary war. [ I find this following part a little confusing. I think John Spade is the German but I am not sure who settled in Virginia, but was married in Maryland.] He was a German by birth, being one of the soldiers employed by the English in their efforts to subdue the colonies.  He was captured by the colonial forces and paroled, but remained with the American army, not caring to be exchanged.  Later he settled in Virginia, but was married in Maryland.  During his active business life Samuel Dehart followed farming and continued to make his home in West Virginia until called to his final rest in 1882.  His wife survived him some time and passed away in 1894.
     Upon the old home farm in West Virginia George J. Dehart passed his boyhood and youth, remaining with his father until grown.  He then worked by the month as a farm hand for a few years, and subsequently bought a farm in his native county, which he operated for several years.  In early life he entered the state militia, and rose to the rank of second lieutenant.  After the Civil war broke out he was induced to join the Confederate army and become a member of Company D, Twenty-seventh Virginia Infantry, which was first under the command of General Stonewall Jackson, and later under General Robert E. Lee.  During the first battle of Bull Run he received a gunshot wound, but was not disabled, and remained in the service for nearly three years.
     Mr. Dehart was first married in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, August 28, 1860 to Miss Sarah F. Skaggs, a daughter of David J. Skaggs.  She was born in Indiana, but was reared in West Virginia.  In 1869 Mr. Dehart removed to Alton, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for two years, and then spent a year and a half at Bloomington.  Coming to Iowa in 1874 he first located in Carroll county, where he engaged in farming one season, and then removed across the boundary line into Sac county where the following three years were passed.  At the end of the period he returned to Carroll county and made his home there until coming to Calhoun county in 1881, locating on a tract of eighty acres in Calhoun township, which he had purchased several years previously.  After building a small house upon the place he began to break the land and improve his farm, and subsequently added to it until he now has a quarter section.  Mr. Dehart has since enlarged and improved his residence, has erected convenient outbuildings, has set out fruit and shade trees, and made many other useful and valuable improvements.  He raises a good grade of stock, and although he started out in life with no capital he has steadily prospered through his own well directed efforts, being a good business man and a thorough and systematic farmer.

The rest of this article will be continued next week. This will tell us about his wives and children.  A few years ago, I located his grave in Dalhart, Texas.  When did he move to Texas and why did he move to Texas?  I wonder if I will ever find the answer.

Wordless Wednesday - Rest In Peace, Mom

Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying, " All I am or hope to be, I owe to my mother". I keep the picture below in a frame with this quote. It truly speaks to me.

                                Mary Louise Grisso Wright
                                Oct. 27, 1921-Dec. 2, 2003