Grafted Together - Dillman and Wright

How the daily life decisions of our ancestors made it possible for two kids in Indiana to meet, marry and graft together their family lines. Some came from Germany, some from places yet unknown and some seem to have been in the United States before its inception as a country. Although they shared common joys, struggles and grief, they all had stories unique unto themselves. This is my attempt at telling those stories and honoring their lives so they will not be forgotten.

Showing posts with label Indianapolis. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

On This Day...February 7

Births:

1876 - Christophorus Seiter - Söllingen, Rastatt, Baden (Khris's collateral ancestor)

1913 - Orval Treamond Harrison - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

Marriages:

1919 - Charles Thomas Byrn & Ida Carroll - Harrison County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

Deaths:

1893 - William Henderson Landiss - Illinois (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

1908 - Christopher Seiter - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Khris's direct ancestor)

Monday, February 6, 2017

On This Day...February 6

Births:

1859 - Elizabeth Keys - Boone County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

1924 - Reble Hudson Reeves Jr. - Leavenworth, Crawford County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

Marriages:

1838 - Eleanor Batman & Ferdinand Scott - Crawford County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestors)

1915 - Edward Carl Harrison & Edna Dawson - Harrison County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestors)

Deaths:

1919 - William Schmalz - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Khris's collateral ancestor)

1949 - George Zimmerman - New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

Thursday, January 19, 2017

On This Day...January 19

Births:

1935 - Ronald Darwin Freiberger - New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

Deaths:

1887 - Wallace Harrison - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

1937 - Lillie Maud Shaffar - Dunklin County, Missouri (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

1967 - Benjamin Ova Byrn - Byrneville, Harrison County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

On This Day...January 18

Deaths:

1910 - Flossie May Mitchell Kern - Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana (Khris's collateral ancestor)

1914 - Reuben E Harrison - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

1961 - Nettie Belle Ray Dillman - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

On This Day...January 11

Births:

1925 - Patricia E Seiter - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Khris's collateral ancestor)

Deaths:

1864 - Celia Byrne Harrison - Byrneville, Harrison County, Indiana (Lisa's direct ancestor)

1875 - Lydia Fouts Ellis - Harrison County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

1901 - Thompson Van Meter Harrison - Clarke County, Iowa (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

1926 - James A Miner - Waymart, Wayne County, Pennsylvania (Khris's collateral ancestor)

Friday, January 6, 2017

On This Day...January 6

Births:

1909 - Sarah Geneva Cox - Boone County, Indiana (Khris's collateral ancestor)

1909 - Fern Virginia Kern - Brown Township, Montgomery County, Indiana (Khris's collateral ancestor)

1910 - Glidden E Byrn - Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

Deaths:

1871 - Martha Kersey Kern - Indiana (Khris's collateral ancestor)

1948 - Celia Anna Blythe Dillman - Everett, Snohomish, Washington (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

1962 - Rosa Swingle Wood - Canaan, Wayne County, Pennsylvania (Khris's collateral ancestor)

2008 - Bertha Lucille Dillman Cogell - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral ancestor)

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Wednesday's Child...Teresie Seiter

...lest she be forgotten.

Seiter Family Marker; St. Joseph Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana

Teresie Seiter Gravestone; St. Joseph Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana

Teresie was the fifth of ten children born to Christopher (Christoph) and Cecelia Stierle Seiter. She was born on Wednesday, August 27, 1884 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. By the time of her birth the Christopher and Cecelia had already suffered the death of their second born child, Anna, in 1879.

Christopher and Cecelia, both German immigrants, were a part of the large German population in Indianapolis during the late nineteenth century. At that time Indianapolis had several German language newspapers. I found the following record of Teresie's birth in The Indianapolis Tribüne, dated August 30, 1884:

Listed under the heading 'Geburten' (births);
Christian Seiter (I have, on several occasions, found his name listed as such), Mädchen (girl), 27, August.

Teresie's life was short. Teresie died on July 15, 1887 at the age of 2 years, 9 months, 19 days old. She is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her gravestone says:

Teresie Seiter

GEB 27 AUG 1884

GEST 15 JULI 1887

Notice that it is written in German.

I found the following notice of her death in The Indianapolis Tribüne, dated July 16, 1887:

Listed under the heading "The Small Town Herald".
"Mr. Christ Seiter and his wife have lost through death their nearly 3 year old little daughter."

Teresie's Certificate of Death Record lists her cause of death as "Dephtheria [sic] (2 Days)".

Diphtheria, a bacterial infection of the upper-respiratory system, was once call "The Strangling Angel of Children". Considered highly contagious, easily transmitted through contact with an infected person, this disease spread rapidly through families. Until the beginning of the 1920's diphtheria was one of the leading causes of death in children. The disease caused pain, swelling of the neck and lymph nodes and eventually suffocation and death.

Teresie Seiter's life ended too soon; her life story too short. But she hasn't been forgotten.

(Teresie Seiter - Khris's Grand Aunt)

Sources: Gravestone Photos (Lisa's Personal Collection); The Indianapolis Tribüne (Hoosier State Chronicles); Certificate of Death Record (Marion County Indiana Health Department)

Wednesday’s Child blog postings include photos of gravestones of children. A sad topic but posts can give life to the stories of these young souls.

Wednesday’s Child is a genealogical blogging prompt suggested by Thomas MacEntee at GeneaBloggers.

Friday, October 28, 2016

On This Day...October 28

Births:

1838 - Felix Wiseman - Crawford County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

1912 - Virgil Edison Corey - Greentown, Pike County, Pennsylvania (Khris's collateral relative)

1921 - Robert F Kern - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

1947 - Larry Dennis Harrison - New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

Deaths:

1923 - Thomas R Couch - Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana (Khris's collateral relative)

1930 - John Henry LaFollette - Seattle, King County, Washington (Lisa's collateral relative)

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Wednesday's Child...Benjamin Harrison

Telling the life stories of those who died too soon...lest they be forgotten.

Benjamin Harrison
Son of Reuben and Harriet Harrison
Crown Hill Cemetery
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Benjamin Harrison was the first and only child born to Reuben and Harriet Bright Harrison. He was born in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana on November 21, 1869 (based on his age listed in his obituary).

The following information given for the city of Indianapolis Ward #2 for the 1870 Federal Census was based on those living in the household as of June 1, 1870.

In this record I found Benjamin listed as 6 months old living with his father Reuben who was listed as a Lawyer. His mother is not recorded. Upon further research I discovered that she had died in February of that same year.

I then found this published in The Indianapolis Journal later that same year dated Friday, September 16, 1870:

The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana
Friday, September 16, 1870
Page 8 Column 4

Benjamin died of cholera infantum. The modern definition of cholera infantum is 'an acute infectious disease of infancy, characterized by diarrhea, and in severe cases by vomiting, rapid emaciation and extreme prostration.'

Benjamin was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery located in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is buried in a Harrison family plot. Notice his information on the gravestone is incorrect based on both the census and newspaper records. The others listed on the gravestone are an uncle (Temple C Harrison), a cousin (Celia Ellen Harrison*), his mother (Hattie B Harrison) and his half siblings (Florence Harrison and Child of R. E. Harrison).

Benjamin's life ended too soon; his life story too short. But he hasn't been forgotten.

(Benjamin Harrison - Lisa's Maternal 1st cousin 3X removed)

*- See Wednesday's Child - Celia Ellen Harrison - dated October 19, 2016.

Sources: 1870 Federal Census (Ancestry.com); The Indianapolis Journal (newspaperARCHIVE.com); Gravestone Photo Information (Eric McGuire-FindAGrave Contributor #46925829-September 2015-Used with permission).

Wednesday’s Child blog postings include photos of gravestones of children. A sad topic but posts can give life to the stories of these young souls.

Wednesday’s Child is a genealogical blogging prompt suggested by Thomas MacEntee at GeneaBloggers.

Friday, October 21, 2016

On This Day...October 21

Births:

1843 - Henry Clay Fouts - Harrison County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

1846 - Edward D Harrison - Boone County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

Marriages:

1903 - Iola Fouts & Elmer Mitchell - Washington County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relatives)

Deaths:

1918 - Dewey Temple Byrn - Downing, Schuyler County, Missouri (Lisa's collateral relative)

1922 - Lucy Jane Landiss Grant - Crawford County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

1987 - Elsie May Dillman Satterfield - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Wednesday's Child...Celia Ellen Harrison

Celia Ellen Harrison 1852-1868
Crown Hill Cemetery
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Celia Ellen the eighth child born to Benjamin and Celia Byrne Harrison was born sometime before October in 1852 near Byrneville, Harrison County, Indiana. She died on October 21, 1868 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana at the age of sixteen. Celia Ellen didn't leave much of a paper trail, but I believe much of her life story can be gleaned by following the trails left be others in her family.

This is her story.

The 1850 Federal Census enumerates the Benjamin Harrison household as follows: Benjamin-age 45, his wife Celia-age 39 and seven children; Temple-age 16, Reuben-age 14, Easick-age 12, Mary Ann-age 11, Sarah-age 6, Theodore-age 5 and Tillman-age 3. They are living on a farm near Byrneville in Morgan Township, Harrison County, Indiana. Benjamin is listed as a Farmer with real estate valued at $1000.

Into this family sometime before October in 1852 Celia Ellen is born. She is named for her mother Celia. The joy that a newborn brings into a family is short lived when in December of that same year Benjamin, her father, dies. He is only 47 years old. Celia Ellen's mother is now left with a farm to manage and eight children to raise.

Celia doesn't remain alone for very long. On May 24, 1855, when Celia Ellen is 3 her mother remarries to Alexander Barfield. Celia is 44 and Alexander is 25. They continue to live on the Harrison family farm near Byrneville.

I can imagine little Celia Ellen taking this all in stride as only a child can. I'm sure with older siblings around and a farm to explore that she is quite a busy child.

In May 1856 disaster strikes Celia Ellen's family. The following is published in The Daily Ledger newspaper from New Albany, Indiana on Wednesday, May 7, 1856.:

The Daily Ledger-New Albany, Indiana
Wednesday, May 7, 1856

Notice the article describes how Celia Ellen is snatched from among the flames as the house burns down around the family. Thankfully, although considerably singed and with virtually nothing left of their possessions, no one is seriously injured. I have no idea where the family lives in the near term after this fire, but I imagine that friends, neighbors and relatives all pitch in to make sure that the family doesn't go without the necessities.

Unfortunately, disaster soon strikes again when in August, 1856 the family's barn also burns down. The following is published in The New Albany Daily Ledger on September 10, 1856.:

The New Albany Daily Ledger
Wednesday, September 10, 1856

Still living on the family farm at the time of the 1860 Federal Census enumeration the household of Alex and Celia now consists of Alex, Celia and six of Celia's children-Reuben, Mary Ann, Sarah, Theodore, Tillman and Celia Ellen. Celia Ellen's oldest brothers are now both living on their own. Interestingly, her stepfather Alex is listed as a Show Actor. The real estate is now listed with a value of $3000 with personal property valued at $400. Both the real estate and personal property values are listed as Celia's, not Alex's. Celia Ellen at age 8 is now attending school.

In August of 1862, with the Civil War raging on, Alex, still relatively young at age 32, enlists in the Union Army. Once again, Celia Ellen's mother is left alone to manage the farm and raise her family.

The year 1864 is a tragedy filled one for twelve year old Celia Ellen. Sickness invades her family and on January 11 her mother Celia dies. She is 52. She is buried in Byrneville Cemetery next to her first husband Benjamin. Then while her stepfather Alex is furloughed home to take care of his family he himself becomes ill and dies.

The following is published in The New Albany Daily Ledger on April 21, 1864. The sadness his fellow soldiers feel upon hearing of Alex's untimely death is palpable.

The Daily Ledger, New Albany, Indiana
Thursday April 21, 1864

One can imagine that Celia Ellen too will miss the tunes her stepfather, the only father she's ever known, will no longer play.

Although I don't know where Celia Ellen lives during the next few years I do know that by 1868 she is living in Indianapolis with her older brother Temple and his wife Francis.

The following article detailing the sad event of her death is published in The Indianapolis Journal on Tuesday, October 20, 1868.:

The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana
Tuesday, October 20, 1868

Celia Ellen Harrison dies at the age of 16 at the home of her brother on Monday, October 19, 1868 of Typhoid Fever. She is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Celia Ellen Harrison's life ended too soon. Her life story too short. But she hasn't been forgotten.

(Celia Ellen Harrison - Lisa's Maternal 3X Great Aunt)

Sources: 1850 Federal Census (Ancestry.com); 1860 Federal Census (Ancestry.com); Indiana, Marriage Index, 1800-1941 (Ancestry.com); U.S.,Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 (Ancestry.com); The Daily Ledger, New Albany, Indiana (NewspaperARCHIVE.com); The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana (NewspaperARCHIVE.com); Celia Byrne Harrison Barfield Gravestone Information (Photo in my possession); Celia Ellen Gravestone Information (Gravestone photo credit: Eric McGuire-FindAGrave Contributor #46925829-September 2015-Used with permission).

Wednesday’s Child blog postings include photos of gravestones of children. A sad topic but posts can give life to the stories of these young souls.

Wednesday’s Child is a genealogical blogging prompt suggested by Thomas MacEntee at GeneaBloggers.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

On This Day...October 12

Births:

1838 - Lucy Jane Landiss - Crawford County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

1885 - Robert Waite Harrison - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

1906 - Ralph W Byrne - Georgetown, Floyd County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

1920 - Karl F Striby - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Khris's collateral relative)

Marriages:

1972 - Hedwig 'Hattie' Seiter (Kern) & Henry Clark Kern - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Hattie - Khris's direct ancestor)

Deaths:

1911 - Katharine Enslin Robinson - South Canaan, Wayne County, Pennsylvania (Khris's collateral relative)

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

On This Day...October 11

Births:

1840 - Abraham Wiseman - Crawford County, Indiana (Lisa's direct ancestor)

1930 - Joseph R Kern - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Khris's collateral ancestor)

Deaths:

1926 - Patience Jewel Dillman - Crawford County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

1969 - Charles Edward Dillman - Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

Monday, September 19, 2016

On This Day...September 19

Births:

1863 - Mary Olive Gleason - Indiana (Lisa's direct ancestor)

1965 - Kevin Lee Wiseman - Crawford County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

Deaths:

1914 - Sarah Selmon Harrison - Clarke County, Iowa (Lisa's collateral relative)

1972 - Hedwig 'Hattie' Cecelia Seiter - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Khris's direct ancestor)

Marriages:

1844 - Chauncey Carter Byrn & Arsula Vahne - Harrison County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relatives)

1945 - Maurice Byrn & Sarah Elizabeth DeVore - Indiana (Lisa's collateral relatives)

Friday, August 26, 2016

On This Day...August 26

Births:

1922 - Roy Maynard Harrison - Morgan Township, Harrison County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

Deaths:

1875 - Ruby Florence Harrison - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Lisa's collateral relative)

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

On This Day...August 10th

Births:

1686 - Peter Hubbell - Colony of Connecticut (Khris's direct ancestor)

1923 - Margaret Anna Striby - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Khris's ancestor)

Deaths:

1895 - Casimir Seiter - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana (Khris's ancestor)

1908 - Harriet Melville (Harrison) Tibarghien - Sac County, Iowa (Lisa's ancestor)

Marriages:

1871 - Adam Kern & Angeline Rebecca Saunders - Boone County, Indiana
(Adam Kern - Khris's direct ancestor)

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Wednesday's Child - Anna B Seiter

Anna Seiter was the second of ten children born to Christopher and Cecelia (Stierle) Seiter. She was born on Wednesday, March 6, 1878 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.

Anna lived a short life. She died on Thursday, July 3, 1879 at home in Indianapolis. She was not quite 16 months old. According to her death record Anna died of 'Osteomalacia' - more commonly called 'Rickets' in children.

Anna is buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Note that Anna's grave marker is written in German; her parents both having emigrated from there.)

In rickets, the growing bones of children fail to mineralize properly, which means they are too flexible. Caused by inadequate calcium and phosphorus bone levels this causes pain, tenderness and bones to break easily. Once the child starts to walk the long bones bend under the weight of the child, resulting in the bowed legs characteristic of the disease. If the child is crawling, rather than walking, the arm bones can also be affected. Rickets was a common childhood disease in 19th century America.

(Anna Seiter - Khris's Maternal Grand-Aunt.)