Uncle Henry & Aunt Ethel

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Jodi

Henry and Ethel Fowler, Hattie’s aunt and uncle

More of the Hattie Belle Grace story: this photo is of her uncle Henry with whom Hattie lived in 1910, along with her Fowler grandparents. That’s really all we know about Hattie’s interaction with her uncle other than she kept this photo of them. So let’s explore Henry and his wife Ethel.

Henry(i) A. Fowler was born on December 7, 1870 in Washington, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. On his birth record his “ethnicity” is listed as Canadian, just as Hattie Grace’s was. He was the oldest child of Clinton and Ellen Fowler. Like many NH residents of the time, Clinton was a farmer.

Henry married late for his time. At the age of 32 he married Ethel Barton in 1913. Ethel was 10 years his junior at 22. Later census show her to be even younger. In 1920, Henry and Ethel lived in Henniker, Merrimack, New Hampshire with little Andrew, age 5. Like his father, Henry was a farmer. By 1930, he’d changed professions and was working as a trucking teamster. Andrew appeared to be their only son. In 1930 Andrew as 15 and Henry 59.

Three years later in 1933 Henry died in Henniker. He was 62 and his son only 18. I’m not sure how Ethel was 22 in 1913 and managed to be 43 in 1940. She shaved off the years somewhere. No record of her death has been found yet. Andrew appeared to live until 1994.

The Demise of Willie Hopkins, solved!

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Jodi

The Obituary of William Hopkins

It was a mystery what happened to Hattie Belle Grace’s first husband William, but that’s been solved now! The generous woman who sent me the original photo also sent me this: Willie’s obituary.

Willie Hopkins, who died Feb. 21 at West Hopkinton, was brought to New Boston on the 30th of April and buried there. He was 45 years old when he died and was a long and painful sufferer. He is survived by a wife, daughter, mother, one sister and two brothers. At one time he made his home in Milford.

Definitely makes one wonder what exactly he died of at a young age that was so “long and painful.” Rest in Peace Willie.

One wild ride for Hattie Grace Hopkins Lashua Nantelle

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Jodi

Hattie Lashua of New Hampshire

Hattie Lashua is a name in my family tree that gives my constant grief when searching for information on her. Therefore, I was extremely disappointed when the “Hattie Lashua” identified in this photo turned out to be a totally different Hattie. My own disappointment aside, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to find out more.

The photo to the left is labeled Hattie Lashua, the young man is unidentified. A second photo was labeled Uncle Henry and Aunt Ethel Fowler. They were from New Hampshire. That was enough to find a treasure trove of information on Hattie and her aunt and uncle.

Here then is what I know about Hattie and her wild and crazy life! (I’ll have more photos and posts from this same album soon). A timeline is the easiest way to follow her trail, so here goes…

December 26, 1899 – Hattie Belle Grace is born the day after Christmas to George K. Grace and Addie B. Fowler. Her birth records state she is “Canadian” ethnicity even though she was born in Wilmot, Merrimack, New Hampshire.

1900 – the Merrimack, New Hampshire federal census shows that Hattie (age 6 months) lived with mom and dad.

1910 – By 1910, Hattie (age 9) is living with her mother’s family: grandparents Clinton and Ellen Fowler and Uncle Henry. An 8 year old Etta M. Grace also lives with them, her sister. What happened to her parents (George and Addie)?? Likely they died, but I haven’t found the proof of that yet.

March 16, 1916 – At the age of 18 Hattie married 39 year old William B. Hopkins in Milford, New Hampshire.

1920 – Hattie and William with baby new Christabelle Hopkins (age 9 months) lived in Hopkinton, Merrimack, NH next door to her sister Etta, now married to Jesse Hoyt. William worked in the local paper mill.

About 1921 – William either died or the couple divorced. His fate is still unknown.

April 24, 1922 – Hattie Belle Hopkins (age 22) married the much older Edward Lashua (50) in Canaan, New Hampshire. This was Edward’s third marriage. His first wife passed away, he divorced his 2nd wife – who coincidentally was the sister of my husband’s great grandmother! That’s as far as I’m connected to this Hattie.

1924 – Sister Etta Grace Hoyt dies.

Now it gets interesting…

1929 – A baby boy, Frank Nantelle, the son of Hattie Grace and Ralph Nantelle died shortly after birth. Hmmm? Is this our Hattie? Yes, but we only know this if we continue the time line…

1930 – A Hattie Nantelle with daughter Addie Nantelle and son Edward Nantelle live in Alexandria, Granfton, NH where Hattie works as a housekeeper. She’s listed as married but no husband is in the household. Not to forget about little Christabelle Hopkins. She is unfortunately living at age 11 in the Laconia State School in Laconia, NH. A home for the feeble minded, which some very non-pleasant stuff has been written on :( But why isn’t Hattie with Edward? He lived with his brother in 1930 and is listed as divorced. Where did “Nantelle” come from? Read on.

January 1933 – Edward Lashua died.

May 30, 1933 – Hattie Belle Grace (now 34) married Ralph Edward Nantelle (29) in Hinniker, New Hampshire. So, it appears she finally got to marry the man she was having children with. An odd situation all around, but we discover even more in 1940.

1940 – Ralph and Hattie are living in Ashford, Windham, Connecticut with John C. and Addie E. Lashua aged 16 and 15 respectively. These were the children of Edward. They are listed as Ralph’s step-children despite the fact that Hattie was using the last name Nantelle for Addie and herself in 1930. Where John was in 1930 is unknown. Hattie and Ralph also have children of their own: Edward Ralph (13) and Rose E. (7). That makes 6 children with 3 husbands in all for Hattie that we know of, including baby Frank who died early. Christobel (as her name was sometimes spelled) was still in Laconia State School too. The next question, where was Ralph Nantelle in 1930 when he and Hattie were obviously involved?

1957 – A newspaper article in Kentucky is the next clue. Edward Ralph Nantelle, son of Mrs. Hattie Nantelle died in Kentucky. He was a veteran and had most recently served in Korea. He left a wife and two small sons behind. Interestingly no Mr. Nantelle was mentioned in the article. Was Hattie divorced again?

1972 – a Ralph Nantelle born 12/3/1904 died in April of 1972. He was living in New Hampshire, although from Connecticut. Is this Hattie’s husband? Hard to know for sure. If so, they hadn’t lived together for some time.

1980 – Hattie Belle Nantelle died in Connecticut in March. She is said to be the Widow of Ralph. She is buried in West Stafford Cemetery.

Lots of questions remain, but a very interesting trail none the less. Hopefully family members can fill in the gaps. Despite the last name of Lashua on the back of the photo, it seems that it was not a name Hattie had for very long!

Melvin Beckett, a Macon boy to the core

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Jodi

Melvin Beckett, 1935 Macon High School

An Illinois boy through and through. This 1935 graduate of Macon High School in Macon, Illinois was a veteran like his classmate. He served his country for 5 years beginning in 1941. But at the time of this photo, Melvin was 18 years old, born on June 23, 1916. He lived with his parents (Alvin Ray and Icephenia Grupp Beckett) in Macon, Macon county, Illinois. He was the oldest child, with 2 younger sisters and 3 younger brothers.

The whole family was born in Illinois, including his parents. His father, Alvin, worked as a farm laborer and a Railroad carpenter. Melvin distinguished himself in Macon through the Post Office, serving ultimately at Post Master. Thanks to his obituary we know he married in 1947 and had children and grandchildren to surround him.

Melvin died in November of 2004 in Macon and is buried there as well. More surprisingly his mother, Icephenia Beckett, was born in 1894 and died in 1995. She lived to be 100 years old! Her obituary states that she married in 1915 at about age 20 and was preceded in death by her husband in 1975. What amazing changes she must have seen in her life! I wish I had a photo of her to go along with Melvin.

William Chynoweth, if only ALL the obituaries were this helpful!

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Jodi

William Chynoweth, one of the 10 in the 1935 class of Macon High School in Macon, Illinois. From his obituary in 2006:

William was born Oct. 2, 1917, in Macon, the son of Ray and Irene Chynoweth. He received his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1940 from the University of Missouri. Bill was a member of the Army Air Corps serving the Pacific Theater in World War II as squadron flight engineer to the 879th Bomb Wing. During his service, he was awarded the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. Bill attended the University of Illinois where he received his master of science in electrical engineering. After receiving his degree, he lived in Chicago, where he met Ruth Oakes of Summit, N.J. They soon married and, in their 52 years together, raised four children. During his career as an electrical engineer, he was instrumental in developing new technology for General Electric and Honeywell and was directly responsible for three patents. His sharp and inquisitive mind, his continual spirit of giving and his quiet, nurturing soul have been a help and inspiration to his family and friends. He was a resident of Good Samaritan Village and formerly lived in Fort Collins, Colo.

William R. Chynoweth, 1935 Macon High School, Illinois

I was going to write a full article on William, but his obituary is so complete it seemed redundant! Such rich genealogy detail in an obituary. Here’s an interesting tidbit though: if it weren’t for the 1940 census stating where someone lived in 1935 (the year of this photo) I may not have found him at all! William and his family moved around a lot. Luckily the lived in Macon, Illinois in 1935, because by 1940 they were in Columbia, Boone, Missouri where his father Ray was a traveling Salesman. And travel he did.

William’s youngest sister Virginia was born in South Dakota in 1931, where the family was registered in the 1930 census as well. They has been in Macon before in 1920. Ray was born in Arkansas. And, as you can see from the obit, William eventually resided in Colorado.

I hope this photo makes it’s way to willing descendants.

Aldyth Gregory, looks don’t lie, she was remembered kindly

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Jodi

Aldyth Gregory, 1935 class of Macon High School in Illinois

Aldyth Gregory, a great name, one you don’t hear anymore. Aldyth was one of 10 graduates in 1935 from Macon High School in Macon, Illinois. It’s a wonderful class photo; I can’t wait to share all the graduates with you.

Aldyth was born April 20, 1917 in Zion, Illinois to Luther Carl Gregory and Anna Jones. Carl and Anna were married almost 10 years before their first daughter was born, so it would seem. Robert followed Aldyth 4 years later, and Gertrude one year after Robert. Carl Gregory was a dairy farmer.

The family lived in Mount Zion, Macon, Illinois in 1920 and in South Wheatland, Macon, Illinois in 1930. Mr. Gregory passed away in 1939 and I was unable to find a 1940 census record of Anna and her children. In 1947, at the age of 30, Aldyth married Howard Kiesling. She became a step-mother and eventually had a daughter of her own.

Aldyth died on January 10, 2006 and is buried in Havana, Mason, Illinois where she had been a teacher for many years. One touching flower on her Find A Grave memorial says “my kindergarten teacher and was a very kind lady.”

I hope her name (Aldyth) lived on with descendants, as well as that sweet smile :)

Bespectacled Floyd Blum

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Jodi

Floyd Blum, 1923 Liberty Union High School in Ohio

Meet Floyd, as promised, the husband of Dorothy Cowan from the previous post. They were in the same class at Liberty Union High School in Baltimore, Fairfield county, Ohio. Whether or not they were high school sweethearts is unknown. Dorothy, we know, had 3 years of college before she married.

Like Dorothy, Floyd was born in Ohio. According to Find A Grave his birthday was April 14, 1906 and he lived until September of 1981. Unlike Dorothy, not all that time was spent in Ohio. The son of Charles Blum(e) and Nellie Strayer, both of Ohio, Floyd moved with his family to Michigan sometime before 1915. We know this because Floyd and his younger sister Relva (who is daughter is named after apparently) were both born in Ohio, but younger brother Paul was born in Michigan in 1915. Charles was working as a motor builder in Detroit during the 1920 census. Before that, in 1910, he had been an oil well drilling supervisor in Lancaster, OH. Clearly the family was back in Ohio by 1923 for this photo.

We know a bit about Floyd and Dorothy in 1930, they were married with one child, Relva. The directory of Newark, Ohio listed Floyd and Dorothy in 1927, 1929, 1931, and 1934. I believe it was 1935 when Dorothy was once again living with her family and the couple had divorced.

I was unable to find Floyd in the 1940 census, but we do know that in 1943 he joined the WWII effort from Philadelphia, PA. And, according to the SSDI, Floyd died in Parksburg, Chester county, PA. Whether he ever remarried is unknown. But he hadn’t by 1943 as he’s listed as “divorced with dependents” on the WWII draft registration card. Floyd is buried in Grandview Cemetery in Fairfield, the same cemetery where his mother is buried.

Dorothy Cowan, a survivor

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Jodi

Dorothy Cowan, 1923 Liberty Union High School

This is an absolutely wonderful class photo from 1923 – the seniors of Liberty Union High School in Baltimore, Ohio (near Lancaster in Fairfield county.) I’ve started with the lovely Dorothy Cowan. I don’t think the written name next to her photo is her signature though, as all the names are written in the same script.

1923 class of Liberty Union High School in Ohio

Dorothy, I presumed, was born about 1905 given she would have been 18 in 1923. I found a Dorothy Cowan living in Liberty, Fairfield county, OH in 1910, 1920, 1935, and 1940. She was the only surviving child of Charles G. Cowan and Emma Olive Sager born on May 7, 1905 in Ohio. It appears that Emma had several children die, but at what age is unknown. She was 34 when Dorothy was born. On the 1910 census the number of children born is difficult to read, it could be 3 or 5. Dorothy is the only one who made it to adulthood. That must have been tough on everyone.

In 1910, four year old Dorothy lived with her parents and maternal grandmother (Rebecka Fultz Sager.) By 1920, the three lived on their own; Mr. Cowan was a farmer. But Dorothy’s paternal grandparents, Amos and Lucinda Cowan, lived only a few houses (or farms) away. Three years after this lovely high school photo was taken, Dorothy married Floyd R. Blum* at the age of 21, and after 3 years of college. And in 1930 they had an almost 2 year old daughter Relva J. Blum and were living in Lancaster.

However, something goes amiss. By 1935 Dorothy had moved back in with her parents, little Relva with her. In 1940 she was an elementary school teacher still living in Liberty with mom and dad. Dorothy listed her self as a widow. But Floyd wasn’t dead. As a matter of fact he became a WWII vet and lived until 1981.

Her Ohio death certificate indicates that Dorothy Mae Cowan Blum died on July 5, 1994 in Richland and that she was divorced. It seems silly to indicate a marital status of divorced when she was married for less than 10 years of her whole life! Dorothy is buried at Union Evangelical Cemetery in Baltimore, OH.

It would be easy to characterize her life as sad. But the truth is that these bare facts tell us very little about how Dorothy weathered what may have been rocky times. She very well could have been the happiest woman on earth. And I hope she was!

*A follow-up post will cover Floyd. He’s also in the 1923 class photo with Dorothy!

The Short Life of Edward Gibis

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Jodi

Edward J. Gibis, age 18

Edward J. Gibis is 18 in this handsome photo. He was the oldest son of John Gibis and Maria/Mary Libich. Born on October 2, 1913 he appears to have had a tragic end to his life.

The family, John, Maria, Edward, and younger brother Julius lived in Chicago from at least 1920-1940. That is where Edward, in 1931, was photographed at St. Michael Central High School here as a Senior. Father John worked mainly as a mail carrier for the US Post office. Edward was still living at home at age 26 in 1940. He worked as a shipping clerk. Younger brother Julius was married with a child, but still in Chicago.

Moving on, Edward enlisted in the Army on June 12, 1942; he was still single. Only one more piece of documentation follows Edward after that WWII enlistment record. A Rockford, Illinois newspaper article titled “Discharged Soldier in Fall from Train Dies.” That appeared on November 2, 1945. The article states that Edward J. Gibis, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gibis of Chicago fell from a New York Central Passenger train on his way home. He had been discharged from the army at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. How or why he fell is unknown. He died that evening at a Lafayette hospital. I’ve not found a death certificate or a burial record. The only odd thing is that the article says Edward was 20, when he would have been about 32.

Edward had no family of his own, but Julius lived until 1999 and had a large and loving family. Hopefully some of them will be interested in this long lost uncle.

Mildred Burch, a hometown girl for life

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Jodi

Mildred C. Burch, 1931 Plymouth High School

Mildred C. Burch, was a very studious looking 18 year old in 1931! She was born in Michigan in June of 1913 and lived her entire live in Canton, Wayne County, Michigan. She died there on May 13, 2006.

She was the youngest child of Elmer Burch and Catherine Kobbeman. The family consisted of brother Ralph (4 years older) and sister Henrietta (2 years older). Elmer was a farmer. He married Catherine, a much older woman, in 1908. Elmer was 26 and Catherine was 38 – at least according to 2 out of 3 census records. Catherine’s brother, Mildred’s uncle, lived with the family for many years.

According to her obituary, Mildred married Albert Foege and they had 3 children. She died in Canton where she has was born and raised and is buried in Riverside cemetery in Plymouth – probably not far from where this photo was taken. Find A Grave reports that husband Albert passed away 33 years before she did! I hope this photo is a welcome new addition to the family collection.

Unclaimed Ancestors

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