"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep to know our heritage - to know who we are and where we came from. Without this enriching knowledge there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness".



ALEX HALEY, ROOTS



Monday, January 30, 2012

Reuben Thompson Crosley

 Born April 7, 1836 in Vigo
His parents were
Josiah Crosley, born 1805 & Priscilla Thompson, born 1812
In 1850 Reuben is living in Vigo, Co. Indiana with his parents and siblings.
Sometime before 1857 he moved to Grant County Wisconsin.

On May 10, 1857, he married Minerva Ellie Bass in Grant County Wisconsin. 
This information can be verified at the Wisconsin Historical Society

In 1860 Reuben and Minerva are living in Beetown, Grant County Wisconsin 
with  their first two children: Sarah and Jesse (my Great Grandfather).

The Civil War
On September 12, 1861 Reuben enlisted as a private in Company F, 10th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin.

10th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
The Tenth Wisconsin Infantry was organized at Camp Holton, Milwaukee, WI, and mustered into the service of the United States on October 14, 1861, it left the state November 9, and arrived at Louisville, KY, November 11, where it was sent to guard the line of the Louisville & Nashville Railway and engaged in this service until February 1862, when the Tenth participated in the general southern movement of the Union forces which reached south as far as Huntsville, AL; and who shortly thereafter were compelled to retrace their steps north through Middle Tennessee and Kentucky until the hostile forces met in combat at Chaplin Hills or Perryville, KY, October 8, 1862, in which engagement the Tenth participated. This was followed by another march southward by the Union forces which the Tenth accompanied, and the hostile armies again engaged in battle at Stone's River or Murfreesboro, TN, December 30-31, 1862 to January 1, 1863. After this engagement the Tenth was assigned to duty guarding railways until the latter part of June, and joined with the forces under Gen. Rosecrans in the Tullahoma Campaign June 23 to July 7, 1863, a part of the Army of the Cumberland. This was followed by the advance on Chattanooga and the hostile forces again met at Chickamaugua, GA, September 19-20, 1863. A little later in the year the Tenth participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge November 25, 1863, and from February 22 to 27, 1864 participated in the demonstration on Tunnel Hill and Buzzard Roost,GA.
On May 24th the Tenth again rejoined its division and as a part of the Fourteenth Army Corps took part in the Atlanta Campaign, participating in the Battle of Dallas, GA, May 13, 1864, at and around Kenesaw Mountain June 10 to July 3, 1864, and Peach Tree Creek July 20, 1864. In October the time for which the regiment had enlisted expired, those recruits whose terms had not expired were transferred to the Twenty-first Infantry. On October 16th, the Tenth left Marietta, GA for Wisconsin, reaching Milwaukee on the 25th and was mustered out and disbanded.
The histories above, unless otherwise noted, are adopted from Charles E. Estabrook, ed., Records and Sketches of Military Organizations, (Madison, 1914).
For more general information on Wisconsin's Civil War units, we suggest the following works:
  • Dyer, Frederick, Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, (Des Moines, 1908).
  • Love, William DeLoss, Wisconsin in the War of the Rebellion, (Chicago, 1866).
  • Quiner, E.B., The Military History of Wisconsin, (Chicago, 1866).


The Battle at Stones River Tennessee
[Rosecrans at Stones River by Kurz and Allison - Courtesy of Wikipedia]
Reuben was transferred out of the 10th Wisconsin on August 1, 1863
and transferred into the Regiment U.S. Veterans Corps.


Life after War
In 1870 Reuben and Minerva are living in Brownville, Nemaha, Nebraska.
Reuben lists his occupation as a Teamster.
They now have 6 children. 
Sarah born 1859 WI., Jesse born 1860 WI., Reuben born 1862 WI., Lucinda born 1866 WI.,
Priscilla born 1868 WI., and Henry born 1869 NE..
So I believe that they moved to Nebraska in late 1868 or early 1869.

In 1880 Reuben and Minerva are living in Peru, Nemaha, Nebraska.
Reuben now lists his occupation as a farmer, and they have 3 more children:
Charles born 1871 NE., Benaga born 1876., NE. and James born 1878 NE.

In 1883 at age 41 Minverva dies. She is buried at the 
Valparaiso Cemetery in Saunders Co. NE. 
 From Find A Grave website

In 1888 Reuben re-marries. To Mary L. Mohaney (from Nebraska marriages 1855-1995).

In 1890 Reuben is living in Denver Colorado at r. 44 S. 1st Street, Jerome Park.
from the 1890 Denver, Colorado City Directory.
He is listed as a Laborer. This same year, he is also listed as living at r. 759 Fairview Avenue Highlands,  Denver Colorado. 
On a side note, his brother Isaac J. Crosley is listed at this same address. 
Also, Isaac is near him in Nebraska, and they served together in the 10th Wisconsin Infantry. 


In the 1891 Ballenger and Richards Denver City Directory Reuben is listed as a Teamster
 living at r. Rochester ne cor. Nevins s. Fairview Add. 



Death

Reuben Thompson Crosley died in on December 13, 1907 at the age of 71.
He was buried at Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo Colorado on December 14, 1907.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Elihu Sutton

Elihu Sutton

Elihu Sutton my 3rd Great Grandfather was born in New York about 1820. Not much is known about his early life until we find him in Indiana in 1842 where he marries Caroline Elizabeth Call born in 1821 in Vermont. 
They are married in Steuben County Indiana on
 July 3rd of that year. 

 Marriage certificate from Steuben County Indiana
I mentioned in an earlier post that I believe Elihu might be living in Kendall County Illinois in 1860. 
While the ages are wrong, the names seem to fit. And I can't find Elihu anywhere else at this time. 
 1860 Census Kendall County Illinois

In 1870 Elihu and Caroline are in Jo Daviess County Illinois
near their daughter Harriet and her husband George Heath. These are my Great Great-grandparents. 
 1870 census Jo Daviess County Illinois
After their daughter Harriets death in 1873, Elihu and Caroline moved to Iowa. They are living in South Fork , Jackson County Iowa in 1880.  Their son in law George  Heath and Grand Children are living with them.
 1880 census Jackson County Iowa
In 1885 we find Elihu and his family still living in 
Jackson County Iowa. 
1885 census Jackson County Iowa
After 1885 I have no idea what happens to Elihu. Caroline died in 1900 and it seems as though Elihu has already passed away.



Caroline Sutton, February 4, 1900

Caroline Call was born in the state of Vermont, March 2, 1821; was married to Elihu Sutton, July 3, 1842; and to this union was born seven children, two boys and five girls. Two children survive, one boy and one girl, to mourn the death of this loving mother. Mrs. Sutton died at the home of Mr. Wynkoop February 4, 1900. Words of comfort were given by Elder John W. Said from St. John 3-17.






Saturday, April 2, 2011

Loretta Ann Krebs Steinbauer


While browsing an antique store, I stumbled on some antique photos (big surprise). Well, I've decided to try to find homes for them. Some of them actually have writing on the back. 
This is one of those. 
Miss Loretta Ann Krebs Steinbauer, taken when two years old, June 15/12
I have no idea where it was taken, but I purchased it in LaSalle County Il.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Mattie Belle Boling

 My Aunt Mattie was my Mother's sister. She was born in Tennessee on June 7, 1921.



Mattie Belle was the eighth child born to a family of 11 children. Her parents were Shade and Melvina Boling. 
 Mattie and Melvina Boling

Aunt Mattie's first husband was Walter Kirk. They had one son. Jack. Walter Kirk died before I was born, so I don't really know anything about him. I have heard family say he was very kind.  


Aunt Mattie's second husband was John Kereszturi. 
They were married in about 1969. 

 John & Mattie Keresturi
In the late 70's Aunt Mattie and Uncle John adopted a daughter, Lisa.

Aunt Mattie passed away on February 2, 2005 in Seymour Tennessee. Uncle John passed August 11, 2010

                                         Aunt Mattie's Obituary

MATTIE BELLE KERESZTURI

Mattie Belle Kereszturi, age 83 of Seymour died February 2, 2005. She is preceded in death by her parents: Shade and Melvina Boling. Survivors include her husband of 36 years, John J. Kereszturi of Seymour; children: Jack Kirk of Seymour, and Lisa Kereszturi of Memphis; brother: Shade Boling of Nashville; sister: Flori Crosley of FL; 3 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and many friends and relatives. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Sunday, February 6, 2005 at Mountain View Church of God, 209 Ogle Rd. Seymour with Pastor Dennis Donnaly officiating. Memorial Funeral Home of Maryville in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be emailed to memorialfh@yahoo.com.



Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Where do you think they are?

Well, as I have stated before, I inherited most the pictures on my Fathers side long after my Grandmother Clara passed. So I've had to piece together some of the names and places.


Here are a few that I find especially intriguing. 





These seem to be taken on a family trip, possibly the 1920's. When I found the pictures they were all together and all were large pictures (6" X 10").
The first one above, seems to be the hotel. I have no idea where it could be, but think it may be Colorado.  If anyone recognizes anything, I'd love to know. I am basing this on Jesse Walker Crosley and his wife Elizabeth Wire Atkinson moving to Colorado in the early part of the 20th Century.
 Picture two is a group of people. I believe they are: Cora Belle Crosley, Unknown Man (he appears to be with Cora, so I think he may be a husband. I'm not sure which, since I don't know the year). Unknown Woman, Harriet Crosley Baumgartner, Unknown Woman, And I think the Man holding the child is My Grandfather Reuben Thompson Crosley III. 
Bottom row left to right: Ruth Crosley Bennett, Mabel Crosley Baumgartner, Elizabeth Atkinson Crosley
and Cora Belle Crosley. Back row left to right: Reuben Thompson Crosley III, Jesse Walker Crosley and Unknown man. 

The woman in the car looks like Cora Belle Crosley, I'm not sure who the men are.

The same happy group, left to right:
Unknown man Cora Belle Crosley, Unknown woman, Unknown woman, Unknown man with child, and I think Harriet Crosley

I'd love to learn more about these pictures, so any help would be appreciated!



Saturday, January 8, 2011

Harriet Sutton Savage Heath

Harriet is a such a sad story, but every ones story should be told.
Harriets Parents were Elihu Sutton and Caroline Call .  She was born in Indiana or New York. I think it was Indiana because her parents were married there. 

In my last post I mentioned Harriet and her husband George were living in Woodbine Twp. Jo Daviess County IL in 1870.  Well, Harriet's parents were also living nearby.
We know this is Harriet's family because in the 1880 census George is living with his In-Laws.
Harriets first husband was Thomas Savage. Their marriage is listed in Illinois Statewide Marriage Index
as having occurred on two separate dates April 20, 1859, and April 20, 1863. 
Because they are married in the 1860 Census. I believe the first date to be correct.


Thomas and Harriet had one daughter, Arminda (born 1861). Then
Thomas was called to war. He was  mustered in at Old Ripley Illinois. 
Thomas Savage was killed in the Civil War.
I believe that Thomas Savage immigrated from Ireland in 1851. 


Sometime between 1861 and 1865 Harriet came back to Northern Illinois. I'm not sure where her parents Elihu and Caroline are living in 1860. But I think it may be Kendall County IL. 
Harriet married George Heath in 1865, and had four more children John (born 1866), Caroline (born 1868), Bertha (born 1870), and  Charles (born 1873). I believe that Harriet died shortly after the birth of Charles. She was approximately 29 years old.


Friday, January 7, 2011

George Heath


Well, I thought that I wold elaborate more on George Heath. As stated in my previous post most people who are doing research on George believed him to be the son of Uriah Heath. 
But I know now that this is not the case. He is in fact the son of John H. Heath.

This is how I came to that conclusion. As most people know Genealogist work backward in time. 
So...
I knew the name of my Great Grandfather Charles Heath, and the name of his Sisters, Bertha, and Caroline. So, I look for them in the 1880 Census
 page 1
 page 2
So we know now, Charles Father's Name, George Heath. Georges lists his place of birth as New York here. But I've learned with the census, that these mistakes were easily made. 
Maybe George wasn't home when the enumerator came to call, and someone (who ever was answering the questions ) believed that George was born in New York. Or perhaps when the census was being taken the other years, a  mistake was made. 


So now we go to 1870 ( we are still traveling back in time ). 
In 1870 George is living with his wife and children in Woodbine Township, Jo Daviess  County IL. 
Now we know that sometime between 1870 and 1880 Harriet dies. 
I went to the research library in Galena Illinois, and with the help of a wonderful volunteer, I found out when Harriet died, and where she was buried. 

 Harriet E. Wife of George Heath

Still traveling back in time....
George in the 1860 census
Now we have a name for George's Father, John H. Heath. 
How do we know this is our George Heath? We try to find some other record. 
Thanks to Ancestry.com a quick search one day turned up what I had been looking a while for. 
A  marriage record for George and Harriet.  Wisconsin Marriages, 1835-1900. 
That's where the Wisconsin Historical Society comes in!
I did a genealogy search, ordered the record and waited. A few weeks later, there is was:
While I am not legally allowed to make it available to the public, and can report what is said.

Name of Husband ~ George H. Heath
Name of Father of Husband ~ John H. Heath
Name of Mother of Husband ~ (Very hard to read) looks to be Aoaline Heath
Residence of Husband ~ Shabbona 
Birthplace of Husband ~ Vermont
Full name of the wife previous to marriage ~ Harriet E. Savage
Time when the marriage was consummated ~ February 4th 1865
The place, town or township, and county, where the marriage was consummated ~ Boscobel
The color ~ White
By what ceremony was consummated ~ Justice of the Peace
Name of the person pronouncing marriage ~ Peter Rar
Residence of the person last named ~ Boscobel
Name of the person signing the certificate ~ Peter Rar
Date of certificate ~ February 6th 1865
Date of registration ~ February 21st 1865

So there you have it, George is the son of John H. Heath living in Shabbona, DeKalb county IL in 1860.
And this same family is living in Beekmantown New York in 1850.
George died at the home of his daughter, Bertha (Joseph) Bentley in Maquoketa Iowa, on February 18th 1896.