July 25, 1922

     Albert LeRoy Wright and his wife, Nina Frances Borden Wright, became the parents of the first of their eight children on July 25, 1922. They named the baby LaVerne William Wright. I never knew anything about the LaVerne name, but the William was for his maternal grandfather, William Davis Borden.  Dad once told me his grandpa Borden was his favorite grandpa. Dad was given his pocket watch when his grandfather died. Dad was eight.

     Dad, known to most as Vern, hated his first name of LaVerne. One of his sisters was saddled with the name LaVonne. I think she felt about her name as Dad did his. She was always known as Bonnie. ( Readers will remember her from the recent DeHart adventures to West Virginia)

     Albert and Nina lived in Lake City, Iowa when their first child was born. This was home to Nina's parents, William and Emma Susan DeHart Borden, as well as Nina's DeHart grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other extended family. Albert and Nina lived  places other than Lake City, but as a boy, Dad  spent a lot of time there. He told me not many years before he died that he thought he knew almost everyone in town at one time.

      Much to my surprise, I learned only a few years ago that Albert and Nina baptized their first child in the Baptist Church in Lake City. Some of my research has indicated that George Jackson DeHart, grandfather to Nina, was a dedicated member of that church. Was that a factor? Nina's Grandpa DeHart moved from Lake City to Texas when Nina was a girl. However, I think his influence might have remained. I don't know anything about the other seven children. Were they baptized too?

      Not much of my research time has been spent on Albert and Nina, my dad's parents. What I mostly know is from family stories or personal experience.  They lived many places and had many children. I was only three years younger than their youngest child.  Even though I was their first grandchild. I was nothing special.
Nina and I were both only children, but unlike her I did not want eight children.





Photo from 1943


Ina, Vern, Bonnie
Darlene, Al
Nina, Lee, Albert
Evie, Gene

 Happy Birthday, Dad.

Aunt Mae-Sister of Emma Susan DeHart Borden

Within walking distance of the home of my great grandmother, Emma Susan DeHart Borden (1869-1956), was the residence of her younger sister, Mae (1883-1974). She was my great great aunt and was a sweet, sweet lady.  In another post, I mentioned their sister, Alice (1866-1950). These three girls had six brothers and two half siblings.

Aunt Mae was fourteen years younger than Grandma Borden. One family story says Grandma Borden (Emma Susan) accompanied Mae to Chicago for some reason and that is where she met William Borden. Some records says Emma and William were married in Lake City. They lived in Chicago in their early married years because this is where their only child, my grandmother Nina, was born September 19, 1900.

Aunt Mae married Arthur Henry Corey. Their children were Howard, married to Hester Bowles. Audrey, married to Ted Bean, and Carl, married to Phyliss Devitt.  Although to most of my readers, these are just names. Growing up, I often heard the names Howard and Hester. I think I just liked the ring of the H's. I remember Audrey and her family for several reasons. Audrey made a crude remark once when I was probably less than 10 years old. It was so gross in my little mind that I remember it clearly to this day.  She and her husband, Ted, also had a boy about my age, Teddy. I don't remember him fondly either. He was my second cousin once removed. I remember a big family reunion in Lake City where the old parents (they were probably in their 30's) played a wild game of softball and all the kids walked to the uptown theater to see the movie "Oklahoma". Oklahoma came out in 1955.

The movie theater in Lake City, Iowa is still in operation. I guess this is where my grandmother, Nina, sat during the silent movie days and helped with the music. From silent movies a hundred years ago in grandma's youth to a theater which now only runs films on the week-ends. Times change. However, this theater hangs on with town volunteers manning the concessions and admissions. What a town legacy!

Back to Aunt Mae

Mom and I spent the night at Aunt Mae's home one night when either she or Grandma Borden was ill. The house was full of cuckoo clocks which caused us not to sleep much due to the unsynchronized elements of the clocks. Mom was a bit fussy the next day I remember.

Aunt Mae lived to be around 91. She came to my wedding in 1966 when she was around 84. I have a picture of her in the receiving line and even remember the wedding gift she gave us.

Elizabeth Mae Dehart Corey
1883-1974
Younger sister of my great grandmother, Emma Susan DeHart Borden

Emma Susan Dehart Borden

As much as I like researching and uncovering lost pieces of family history, I especially like writing about family members who I actually knew. I hope to make them come across as the real people they were. Emma Susan Dehart Borden was my great-grandmother who lived in Lake City, Iowa. Her daughter, my grandmother, Nina, was her only child. I knew them both.

I never knew G'ma Borden's husband, William, but my dad carried his name as a middle name. My dad told me once that his Grandpa Borden was his favorite grandfather. This surprised me because Dad was only about 8 or 9 when his Grandpa William Borden died
(1865-1930). Dad was given his grandfather's watch and Dad passed it to me a few years ago.

My cousin, Sue, was named for both our great-grandmother, Emma Susan, and our grandmother, Nina. Her name was Nina Susan but she always used the Susan part of her name. I wished I had been named "after" someone. Amazing the odd things we can decide are great on the other side of the fence.

William Borden was a carpenter by trade and built many structures. Not very many years ago, my dad showed me a barn that his grandfather had built. Grandma Nina wrote in Grandma's Own Words that the family had gone to Texas for a year to help George and Sarah build a homesite.

I have several heirlooms from these great-grandparents. I will photograph them another time and post them.  My two favorites are a cup with William's name on it and a silver thimble that Emma used for sewing. The thimble is tiny. I think I have always liked it because of its size and the tales of her darning my dad's socks. In addition to the cup and thimble, I have a chair, a small table, and a few dishes.

As a little girl, my parents spent a lot of time in Lake City or so it seemed to me. We lived about 20 miles away. Just a few years ago when dad was still alive we drove to Lake City for some reason. He commented that there was a time when he thought he knew everyone in that town and now he knows no one. As I have researched the collateral relatives, I am beginning to understand his point.

Before I continue, I must make a clarification here. The general rule of thumb is to write out the names of the grandparents being discussed instead of saying Grandpa or Grandma. I have accomplished that in some posts but it is just not working here.
Grandma Emma Borden's house was on Woodlawn Avenue. It was the last house on the left on the edge of town just before going down a rather large hill. A modern brick home now stands in that spot. Grandma Borden's house was across the street from her sister's home. Aunt Alice and Uncle Sherm lived there. They would actually be my great-great aunt and uncle and as old as that sounds...they really were. One my life's most boring afternoons was spent in their living room. It smelled like old people and there was nothing to do. I lay on the piano bench fingering the keys carefully as to not make a sound. A couple of times I was not successful. I was visiting them with my grandmother, Nina, and she wasn't happy with me. I have no idea where my mother was.

I don't think I would have felt as bad if my mother had been there.

My great grandma Borden

William C. DeHart

Here is the obituary copy which I found in my Aunt Bonnie's papers that I mentioned in the post Those Collaterals. Remember, I said it was the first thing I looked at in those documents.  William C. DeHart was a brother to my 2nd great grandfather George Jackson DeHart. Enjoy this read. I don't really even know how to describe the flowery language. It is just very different from obituaries of today and even of some other obituaries which are as old.

Obituary

 

     William C. DeHart was born in Union, Monroe County, West Virginia January 24, 1832; died at the family home near Lake City, Iowa March 9, 1912 thus making his earth habitation 80 years, 1 month and 15 days.  He was one of a family of ten children, all of whom were professed Christians and four of them had preceded him to the celestial shore.

     He was reared on a farm among the hills and the then wilds of West Virginia, where educational advantages were very meager.  Yet in the midst of these circumstances he resolved to make the very best of his life, and by lending his influence to the noble things of his day soon won for himself the respect and esteem of all who knew him.  While yet a boy he became a friend to all and a welcome visitor in every home.  When he arrived at his maturity he had equipped himself with those noble virtues that so beautifully fitted him for the noble life that he so well spent in service to his fellow beings.

     He was married to Miss Elizabeth Skaggs of his own community in October, 1853.  To this union were born two children and they were a happy family until God in his infinite wisdom saw fit to call his loving companion to the Heavenly city.  This occurred near the beginning of the great Civil war when he, like other noble citizens of his day, was not disobedient to "his country's call".  Loyal and brave, he shouldered his musket and marched in defense- I say it, yes I will - marched in defense of his country.  This I say because he was associated with a people who were loyal and brave sons of the South, who were fighting for what honest hearts told them was a righteous cause.  During the war he was captured and for months suffered the hardships of prison life until about a month before the surrender, he was released, being more dead than alive

    April 15, 1863 he was again married, to Miss Mary E. Cooper of Pulaski county, Virginia, who proved to him a loving and affectionate companion the remainder of his life's journey.  To this union were born three children, who together with the two children by former marriage, have been a great pleasure to him during the declining years of his life.

     In 1866 he moved to Somers county, West Virginia, where he lived until the fall of 1887, when he moved to Iowa, stopping on a farm about five miles from Lake City, where he lived until 1900, then moved to the present home, where he passed a happy life until the Lord saw fit on Saturday morning about 11 o'clock to open the wings of the cherubim and call him home.

     In his early life he became a Christian and voluntarily enlisted in the Master's service.  As a Christian soldier he was a welcome visitor in every home  His presence brought peace to the troubled, pleasure to the distressed and comfort to the sorrowing.  His ear was sensitive to the call of his neighbor, his eye was keen and could see afar off the welfare of his brethren.  His feet were always ready to go upon errands of mercy.  Such noble characters never die, but "Oh, how are the mighty fallen."

     For many months he has been growing weaker and more tired, patiently ,but anxiously awaiting the summons that would call him to his reward.  He was confined to his bed for only a few days.  Kind and loving hands did all that could be done for his comfort and to restore him, but his race was run, his earthly end had come, and without a struggle he steeped into the chariot of death and the horseman bore him to the arms of Jesus.
    
     He leaves to mourn his loss a loving and devoted wife, five affectionate children-Sam DeHart of Ottumwa, Mrs. Rose Boyer of Lowell, West Va., Rufus DeHart, Martin DeHart and Mrs. Allie Sievert all of near Lake City.  Also there are sixteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren, a large family connection and a multitude of sorrowing friends, with all of whom we want to sympathize in this their sad hour of bereavement.
     The parting indeed is hard to bear, but let us be comforted in the knowledge that our loss is his gain, and should he be permitted to speak to us at this moment we might hear him say, "Nay, do not weep, my joy is complete and you will all come soon."
     A large body of friends gathered at the family residence Monday at one o'clock and accompanied the sorrowing friends to the Baptist church, where the funeral services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. T.A. Searcy, from whence the remains were followed to Lake City cemetery and there laid in the silent city of the dead.


Whew!

I am thinking about my grandmother, the one pictured in the Featured Post, on the right hand side of the page.  William was the brother of her grandfather, George Jackson DeHart.  William died in 1912 when my grandmother was around 12, and they lived in the same small community. I don't think it is too much of a leap to assume she knew her great-uncle. I almost get the chills when I think of someone I knew knowing these ancestors whom I am just discovering.

The Featured Post changes periodically. I mentioned that my grandmother is pictured there. However, this will not be the case eventually when another post is featured.


 

    

 



Off a little

Does anyone notice when I fall off my regular schedule of posting on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. One week it was Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or so I thought. Upon further review I discovered it was Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday. Did anyone notice? I doubt it. It really shouldn't matter, but I feel like I missed an assignment. I suppose it is the old teacher in me.  I think I might be off my schedule for awhile but still posting three times per week. I just thought I should warn my regular readers. 

My time is being taken up with rabbit trails down holes that contain information on the Olmstead family and the DeHart family.  Nathan and Anna DeHart had a daughter named Jennie who married Charles Howard Wright. Jennie and Charles are my great-grandparents.  I recently read an article or heard a speaker mention that just because one's great-grandparents are no longer living doesn't mean they aren't still your great-grandparents. Thus, the present tense is accurate.

I am also in the midst of discovering more about great-grandma Jennie's parents and ancestors. This has been one of my goals for a long time. I think a lot of this information has been out there. I just had to discover it. The Olmsteads promise to be an interesting family.

Jennie and Charles had a son named Albert, who is my paternal grandfather. He married Miss Nina Frances Borden. Her parents were Emma Susan DeHart Borden and William Borden.

The DeHarts lived in Lake City, Iowa and the Olmsteads and Wrights lived in Sac City, Iowa just up the road.  I wish to concentrate on these families for awhile. These are the ancestors of my father on both his mother and his father's side of the family.

I am disappointed with how this pedigree chart looks. I will be working on another way to present it. I hope it will help in clarifying whom I will be talking.

Those Collaterals (siblings, etc. of direct line)

My whole purpose with writing this blog is to record and share with my cousins what I know about our family's ancestors. It is a way of organizing the papers, pictures, pedigree charts, and assorted slips of paper that came from my mother, the saver of everything. And in the case of genealogy, how glad I am that she did.

Growing up where my mother's family had lived for generations, I was very familiar with my maternal collaterals. My great grandmother's brother and sister-in-law lived close by. Their daughter, my first cousin twice removed, is the source of much of the Vorhies genealogy.

I thought I knew about my dad's side. He was born in Lake City where my great grandmother Emma Borden lived when I was young. She had a couple of sisters, Great Great Aunt Mae and Great Great Aunt Alice. They were the children of George J. DeHart. He seemed to be quite a prominent member of that community. He left Iowa and moved to Texas with his second wife and daughter ( GGrandma Emma Susan DeHart Borden's  half sister). I have written about George Jackson DeHart and found his grave in Dalhart, Texas a year or two ago. There is quite a lot of research already done on the DeHart side. The needed information for membership in Daughter's of the American Revolution traces back to Abraham DeHart. This is not new information.

So where am I going with this, you might ask. I mentioned in my Easter 2016 that I had recently received (on loan) some of my aunt's genealogy papers. I am just starting to look at them. The very first paper I read is a photocopy of the obituary of William Calahill  DeHart. I have come across that name when doing DeHart research but I would need to do a little more to confirm what I think. I think he is George Jackson DeHart's brother. And he lived in Lake City.
 
Who Knew? More collaterals in Lake City to explore.

The same thing has happened on Dad's side. I have mentioned in  Cousins  I knew very little about the origins of my Great Grandmother, Jennie Emily Olmstead Wright. After some late night obsessive explorations, I have found her parents. I learned that they along with Jennie's younger siblings  moved from Illinois to Sac City, Iowa.  This was about the time Jennie and her new husband, Charles Howard Wright, settled in that same community.

Who knew?

I am still amazed at the geographical closeness of these collaterals. Lake City and Sac City, both, had more ancestors and collaterals than I realized.

Thanks to my Aunt Bonnie, I now have more information on the DeHarts, the Wrights, and the Olmsteads.

My Aunt Bonnie and me.
She is so pretty, and I have a stupid curl on top of my head.

I imagine the  furtherest thing from her mind was that I would be picking up her genealogy research about 65+ years after this photo was taken.