Marriage Certificate for Maternal Grandparents Cecil Oscar and Ada Grace (Colby) Werst: Post 4 Women's History Month

Dear Grandfather Cecil and Hoo Hoo,
Today we are asked if we have marriage records for our grandparents. Luckily you were married in Washington state and your marriage certificate was easily located at www.digitalarchives.wa.gov

We do not have any photographs from your wedding. I do not know if you had planned the event for a long time, or if it was more spur of the moment. I imagine two confident young people, secure in their occupations of salesman and secretary, were ready to take the next step in their lives. Your signatures seem to suggest that.

Cecil Oscar Werst

Ada Grace Colby

Your witnesses, the Bakers, were friends and there were no family members to watch and support your vows to each other. Grandmother, I wonder if there were some wistful feelings remembering the weddings of your sisters that had taken place at home. Knowing about your difficult relationship with your step-mother helps me understand your choice. But what about other family?  After all, your sister Madge and Cecil's brother Clem lived across the street from each other in Pendleton, Oregon. Just thinking...

Love,
Cecily

March 3, 1967: A Day that Changed My Life

Dear Grandparents,
Sometimes we are so wrapped up in our normal routines that we only identify through the haze of time those days that have enormous influence in our lives. Friday, March 3, 1967 was such a day for me.

"Resolved: That the foreign aid program of the United States should be limited to non-military assistance."  This was topic that my partner, Margie Sussman, and I were prepared to argue when we traveled the ten miles to Mount Holly and Rancocas Valley Regional High School that day as members of the John F. Kennedy High School (Willingboro, New Jersey) chapter of the National Forensic League. Traveling to different high schools and colleges was a typical activity for Fridays during debate season. Students from several schools would meet at one school each Friday for these competitive debates which were judged for content and effectiveness. One side, pro or con was determined to have bested the other.

National Forensic League Chapter 1967
John F. Kennedy High School, Willingboro, New Jersey
Photograph from 1967 Gryphon Yearbook in my possession.
I am center front with partner Margie Sussman second from my left.
Terry Galvin is the young man in the far right of the photo.

After arrival, we were herded into a room and introduced to the RVRHS students who would be our guides for the day. They would be responsible for leading us to the various rooms scheduled for our debates which were presented to English classes. Earlier Mr. Brokaw, the resident debate coach, had recruited students from his classes to act as guides. Innocently sitting in his senior honors English class was Edward Kelly, not shy about volunteering to get out of class for a day. He was introduced as our guide.

Edward "Ed" William Kelly
Senior photo from  1967 Red Oak Yearbook
Rancocas Regional High School
Mount Holly, New Jersey

We enjoyed talking to each other as we moved from class to class. One of the members of our debate team, Terry Galvin, had attended grade school in Mt. Holly with some of the members of their team. As it was often done during that time, Ed asked him to find out if I would be willing to "go out." When word was received back through channels that I would, he called and asked me out. Suave and sophisticated in his approach, he asked if I would like to go out Saturday night. Not willing to be a push over, I countered "What would we be doing?" Without  missing a beat, Ed replied, "Let's run away and get married." Very much caught off guard, I just said no. Then Ed suggested the much safer bowling.

It is hard to imagine that it has been 48 years since that date. After 4.5 years of dating, 43 years of marriage, two children, two grandchildren, 30 years with the U. S. Navy, and 22 moves, I am still in love with the twinkle in his eyes. Today I am celebrating how a chance encounter changed our lives.

Love,
Cecily

Was Lydia Hornell Clarke part Native American: Women's History Month - Post #2

Dear Grandmother Lydia,

The second of the Women's History Month's blog prompts us to post a photograph of a female ancestor and discuss it. I have two photographs of you that I have chosen.

Lydia (Hornell) Clarke circa 1880 probably in Nobles county, Minnesota

Lydia (Hornell) Clarke circa 1860 probably near White Lake,

Lydia (Hornell)(Ford) Clarke, as my paternal 3rd great grandmother there are lots of things about your story that have intrigued me: your youth in Hornellsville, New York, then the wilds of Michigan, your first marriage, the rough prairie life of Minnesota and finally, are you the source of our family's American Indian ancestor mythology. The tin-type photograph has been damaged over the years and your image is not very visible. It is the photo above that has intrigued your descendants. Our family, like many American families, has the story that there is Native American blood in our lines. Of course, you already know the answer to what is mysterious to the rest of us. It takes your descendants a few more steps to make such a determination.

As generations continued, the high cheek bones and dark eyes like are evidenced in your first photograph are often enough to suggest Native American background. The first step in this type of investigation is to look for opportunity. In other words, did the family live near Native American populations. In this case, your father, Reverend George Hornell, Jr. was a missionary to the Mackinac Indians on Mackinac Island, Michigan during your youth.

Though neither New York state nor family records give a marriage date for your parents George and Sarah (Thacher) Hornell, it seems safe to assume that it was sometime before the birth of your oldest brother, George Thompson Hornell, in 1815. My granduncle William Laurance Cone, who knew your daughter (his grandmother) Mary Elizabeth (Clarke) Newton well, gives your birth date as 4 November 1819. This was before your family went to Mackinac Island to live among the Indians.

Today we have another tool that might reveal Native American background. DNA testing does provide evidence of Native American blood in our family. My brother, sister and I all have been tested and we each carry a very small amount of Native American DNA. The small amount would be indicative of an ancestor 5-7 generations proceeding. As my 3rd great grandmother, your parents or their parents would qualify. Another 3rd great granddaughter descendant of your grandson John Reuben Newton and a 2nd great granddaughter descendant of your granddaughter Helen Brown Newton had their DNA tested. No Native American DNA was found in their results. As my mother's mtDNA test also showed Native American markers, I have to conclude that my siblings and I have the Native America background on our maternal side and not from your high cheek bones and dark eyes.

So now I'll focus my efforts to learn more about the other parts of your life that continue to intrigue me..

Love,
Cecily

Fearless Females: Following Lisa Alzo's Women's History Month Blogging Prompts

Dear Grandparents,
For the last six years, Lisa Alzo who writes "The Accidental Genealogist", has provided suggestions to help us share the stories of our female ancestors during March which is National Women's History Month.  Lisa's first question asks if I have a favorite female ancestor. I am fascinated by the stories of all my ancestors however, my grandmothers have been important influences in my life.

Hazel Bynon (Allen) Cone
(image was incorrectly labeled Hazel "Bynom" Allen)

My paternal grandmother, Hazel Bynon (Allen) Cone, daughter of Chester Bynon and Ida Mae (Dye) Allen, was born 5 February 1896 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She grew up in Knoxville and Johnson City, Tennessee before her family finally settled in Memphis. Her mother was injured in a train accident and was an invalid for many years. Young Hazel cared for her mother and raised her sister Dolly who was ten years younger. She became an elementary school teacher and taught until she married Charles Newton Cone. After a whirlwind romance of two weeks, Hazel and Charles were married 4 September,1926 and she left friends and family for Seattle, Washington.

Petite, red-headed, and strong-willed, Hazel was a force to be reckoned with. It was clear from birth that I was going to be short of stature, so I admired her influence over my grandfather, father and uncle all of whom were six feet or more. She convinced me that I could achieve anything I wished for and was willing to work at.

Ada Grace (Colby) (Werst) Branchflower

My maternal grandmother, Ada Grace (Colby) (Werst) Branchflower, daughter of William Wallace and Mary Elizabeth (Hugunin) Colby, was born on the family farm near Kirwin, Phillips county, Kansas 21 October 1902. She was the fifth and final daughter born to her parents and a full ten years younger than her next sibling. She was doted on by her older sisters, three of whom became teachers.

Her mother was suffering from polycystic kidney disease and was often away seeking treatment in Kansas City or Denver. After an operation at the Swedish Hospital in Kansas City, the family was advised to move to Oregon where the milder climate was supposed to have been beneficial to Mamie Colby's health. They settled on "Pine Lawn Farm" outside of Newberg, Yamhill county in 1911.

Grace's world changed terribly at age 15 when her mother died suddenly. The distraught young woman kept house for her father while continuing high school. He gave her a dog to help ease her loneliness. When she left home for Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University), her father married her mother's best friend and her own namesake Ada (Keeler) McNay. Evidently, Grace was only informed of the marriage after the fact. Any hope of a successful step-mother relationship ended when one of Ada's first acts was to give away Grace's beloved dog. Heartbroken, Grace never forgave her stepmother and never set foot in her father's home again until after Ada's death.

There is much more to tell of Grace's story but for now I want to focus why she is one of my favorite female ancestors. I inherited my love of family history from her. As the oldest of the grandchildren, I was over napping when most everyone else was still required to sleep in the mid-afternoon. I was allowed to look at the scrap books filled with carefully preserved photographs of her family. She was happy to answer my questions about life on the farm, Kansas, her parents and her sisters. She told me of her grandfather's service in the Civil War and his grandfather's service in the Revolutionary War. The stories fascinated me then and do to this day.

More stories will be shared.
Love,
Cecily

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 2 Robert Milner Echols 1798 - 1847

Dear Grandparents,
I'm currently re-reading James Michner's Texas. I was living in San Pedro, California when I first read Texas and never dreamed that I would some day live in Texas. Michner was famous for his meticulously researched sweeping historical epics that focused on specific areas. His books make reading area histories more enjoyable. Reading the chapters about the war between the United States and Mexico reminded me of my grandchildren's ancestor Robert Milner Echols who took part in that war.

Though many of General Echols' descendants have ended up in Texas, he was a Georgian, born 18 March 1798, about 4 miles outside of the town of Washington, Wilkes County. His parents, Milner and Susan (Sansom) Echols, were Virginians who migrated to Wilkes County about 1782. The family moved on to Walton County shortly after Robert's birth.  He married Mary "Polly" Melton, daughter of Jonathan and Tabitha (Stroud) Melton of neighboring Clarke County 8 February 1816.

Walton County, Georgia is shown in red  on this map from www.wikipedia.com

Robert's long career of service to the state of Georgia began with his election as 2nd sergeant in Captain Abner Bradley's Company of the Clarke County Militia. He went on to serve over 20 years in the General Assembly of Georgia, first in the House 1824 -1829 and then in the Senate 1830-1844 where he spent several terms as President. He sought to take his experience to Washington, D. C. but was defeated by General Howell Cobb by the slim margin of two votes.

Robert Milner Echols 1798 - 1847

This would not be his last opportunity to serve. When the United States went to war against Mexico in 1846, Echols, a Brigadier in the Georgia Militia was asked to recruit a regiment. He was appointed Colonel in the 13th United States Regiment. After participating in the Battle of Vera Cruz, Robert was thrown from his horse during the victory parade at the National Bridge. He died of his injuries the next day, December 5, 1847.

"Battle between the Mexican and the allied invaders, at the National Bridge, near Vera Cruz
from an illustration in Harper's Weekly 22 February 1863
in the Library of Congress Digital Collection

Robert's  association with Georgia does not end at National Bridge. Though, he is initially interred there, the Georgia State Legislature passed a bill to have his body exhumed and transported home for reburial in Walton County. They followed his reburial with the creation of a new county along the Georgia - Florida border, taking parts of Clinch and Lowndes counties and naming it Echols County.

Robert and wife Polly Melton Echols were the parents of 12 children, all but one of whom lived to adulthood. Robert is my son-in-law's maternal 4th great grandfather.

Love,
Cecily

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Charles Shepard Newton Principal of the Manual Labor School at the Sisseton Agency in 1877

Dear Grandparents,

I am a week behind in starting Amy Johnson Crow's "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Challenge" but determined to make it to the end. Last year, I made a good start but got bogged down in my desire to make everything perfect and to tell each ancestor's entire story (of course, moving did not help). This year, I have decided to tell interesting stories about ancestors whether I know the entire life story or not. Here goes... first up my second great grandfather, Charles Shepard Newton.

Cousin Mary Newton and I have been researching the family and she reports her grandfather Leslie Charles Newton was taught a Sioux prayer as a child. I imagine that his father John Reuben Newton and my great grandmother Helen Brown (Newton) Cone learned the prayer as children when their father Charles Shepard Newton was the Principal of the Manual Labor School at the Sisseton Agency in the Dakota Territory beginning in 1877.

Unsigned letter to J. C. Smith, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
from "U. S. Ind. Agt" dated 23 June 1877 reporting the employment
of Mr. C. S. Newton of Worthington, Minna as principal
Manual Labor School, Sisseton Agency
(Family Search microfilm #1661559)

                                                                                                        Sisseton Agency Dak,
                                                                                                        June 1st, 1877
Hon. J. C. Smith
       Com. Indian Affairs

Sir,
     I have the honor to report that Mr. C. S. Newton of Worthington, Minna, has been employed as principal of the Manual Labor School, vice Mr. A. H. Kimball, suspended. I respectfully request that the employment of Mr. Newton as Temporary Service at $800 per annum be approved, until such time as Mr. Kimball's discharge is approved. I shall recommend the permanent appointment of Mr. Newton, and submit his testimonials as to fitness and ability.
     Henry A. Linn, Agency Storekeeper was temporarily detailed to take charge of the school but his services are indispensable at the Agency.
     I deemed it highly important to maintain the school without any break and am able to report it in good working condition with about 40 pupils.

Very respectfully,
your obt servant


U. S. I Agent

A second letter reveals that Charles Shepard Newton began his service at the reservation 16 May 1877.

Charles Shepard Newton circa 1902 Mapleton, Utah

Who was this 35 year old, married father of three young children who was willing to take a position on a Reservation in the Dakota territory less than a year and a couple of hundred miles removed from Custer's Last Stand? A story for another day.

Love,
Cecily

Genealogy Goals for 2015

Dear Grandparents,
Here we are at the beginning of 2015 so I thought I should let you know about the genealogical puzzles I hope to solve and the projects I am determined to complete next year. Focusing on the lines of each of my grandparents, I am creating a "Top Ten List" a la David Letterman. Beginning with my paternal Cone and Allen lines then moving on to my maternal Werst and Colby lines.

Elizabeth Jane Jones Gibson 1821 -1895
(Photograph from family Bible in
 possession  of third great granddaughter)

• Number 10: Identify the parents of the Lydia Hayes who is said to have been born 2 February 1771 in New London, Connecticut and married Ira Cone. She had two children who survived to adulthood: Lyman Cone born 18 April 1799 in Laurens, Otsego County, New York, and my 3rd great grandfather Naaman Cone who was born 11 September 1801 probably in the same community. Was Lydia's family Quaker? Ira became a leader of the Quakers in Otsego County.
• Number 9: Complete application for the Mayflower Society for Stephen Hopkins. Naaman Cone's wife was Joanna Warner, her mother Rhoda Hopkins is a direct descendant.
• Number 8: Find proof that Ira Cone is the son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Stuart) Cone. Family records have him born 22 May 1768 in East Haddam or Millington, Connecticut. Compare the Y-DNA results of my brother with those of proven descendants of Daniel Cone.
• Number 7: 5th great grandfather Salmon Champion has a rejected Revolutionary War Pension application. Included in the papers are a detailed recounting of the when, where and with whom he served. Prove him as a DAR Patriot. 
• Number 6: 3rd great grandfather William Freeman Allen is supposed to be the son of Elijah Marshall Allen born about 1780 in New Jersey according to a family pedigree chart created in the early 20th century. I need to find records in New Jersey pertaining to this family who settled in Hector, New York before 1830.
• Number 5: Another 5th great grandfather, Richard Hunnewell, also served in the Revolutionary War. In fact, he was involved in the Sons of Liberty and part of the Boston Tea Party. For some reason, a Richard Hunnewell of Charleston, West Virginia is supposed to have been the participant in the tea party. I am working to prove that it was our Richard, who was living in the Charleston section of Boston. Prove him as a DAR Patriot
• Number 4: My 2nd great grandfather Simpson Barnes married Angelina Burgoyne 15 November 1848 in Hillsdale, Michigan. He was born in New York 10 February 1825. Who were his parents?
• Number 3: Angelina's parents were Wesley Burgoyne and Sarah Herron. Family lore would like to connect Wesley with General Burgoyne of Revolutionary fame. Family lore failed to remember that General Burgoyne was an English peer who returned to England after his loss in America. It is unlikely that Wesley is one of his descendants.
• Number 2: Who are the parents of the William Henry Colby who married Fannie Hutchinson Hunnewell 11 May 1855 in Lake County, Illinois. These illusive 3rd great grandparents have frustrated family researchers for three generations.
• Number 1: Who are the parents of the Elizabeth Jane Jones who was born 2 May 1821 in Tennessee and married Newsom Gibson 29 December 1840 in Davidson County, TN? Recent DNA results on my maternal line have revealed that Elizabeth's mother or grandmother was Native American. There have been no stories on this side of the family about a "Cherokee Princess" in the linage. 

This is an ambitious list of goals for me and I hope that in publishing them here, it will help me keep my research focused. Of course, these are just the goals for my family tree. Then, there are also the Kelly, Propes, Black, and Haas family lines that I am researching. There are also your interesting stories to share here. As always, any serendipitous hints you provide are most welcome.

Love,

Cecily