52 Week Challenge #13 Ingham Starkey

INGHAM STARKEY

Bob's 3rd Great Grandfather

or

~Bob's Mother's Father's Father's

Mother's Father~

Ingham Starkey was born circa 1820 in Ohio,

possibly Muskingum County, to

John Starkey and Polly James Starkey.

There were 9 children that we are aware of

born to John and Polly Starkey, of which

Ingham was the 4th eldest.

Ingham's younger years were spent in 

Ohio, the family moving to Indiana circa 1829.

Ingham's father, John, died circa 1838-1839, and 

Guardianship papers were filed for Ingham Starkey,

granting guardianship to John Parker on the 13th of September, 

1839.

Ingham was soon to find his future wife, Ruelma Rowe.

( http://bobdebbiebiggs.blogspot.com/2014/02/52-week-challenge-5-ruelma-rowe.html )

They were married on the 5th of May in 1842

in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.  The ceremony was

officiated by A. M. Roe, Justice of the Peace.

Above is a copy of the Marriage Record for Ingham and Ruelma.

Ingham and Ruelma were blessed with 3 children, Harriet,

John W. and Mary Elizabeth or "Lib," as she was called.

(Bob's line flows through Harriet.)

Ingham is a Sawyer by trade.  A Sawyer was a

carpenter, or someone who worked with wood.

One of Bob's cousins, who

has worked diligently on the

family genealogy, found what I feel

is a wonderful

bit of documentation;

on

November 5, 1850

Ingham Starkey purchased a Bible

for his wife Ruelma in 

Wyandotte, Indiana for $1.50.

Ruelma faithfully entered the family's events

into her treasured Bible.

What a lovely gift for Ingham to give.

Ingham and Ruelma did not have many years

to share together . . . .

 Ingham died at the young age of 33.

It was Christmas Eve, December 24, 1853 that

Ruelma entered into her Bible for the date

of her young husband's death.

The above article was found in the Lafayette newspaper,

The Daily Courier, December 27, 1853.

Below is a photo that is believed to be Ingham Starkey and his 

son John W. Starkey.

Ingham is interred in Dayton Cemetery,

in Dayton, Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

52 Week Challenge #12 Claus Oscar "C.O." Carlson

Claus Oscar Carlson

(Klas Oskar Carlsson--Swedish spelling)

a.k.a.

C.O. Carlson

or

Oscar Carlson

Claus Oscar Carlson was my

Great Grandfather, my

Mother's Father's Father.

He was most often called Oscar or C.O.

Claus Oscar Carlson was born in Oja, Flen,

Sodermanland, Sweden.  He was born on the 

24th of March in 1869.

Oscar's parents were Karl Erik Eriksson

and

Johanna Augusta Andersdotter.

Oscar was one of 10 children, Karl Johan "Charlie", Elin Augusta,

Erik Gustaf "Gust", Klas Oskar "Oscar", Anders Axel "Axel", 

August Conrad, Vilhelm Tonnes, Anna Maria, Erika Johanna

and Olivia Viktoria.

The family is pictured below:

Oscar is the young man on the far right.

The photo was taken circa 1880 in Sweden.

As children most of, or all of, the children of the family played

a musical instrument and/or sang.  I can imagine that

it was a lively and joyful household

I wish that I knew more about Oscar and his sibling's growing up years.

I have been able to find birth and death records, written in the

original Swedish! I am still looking for

the marriage record for Oscar and Anna. 

Circa 1892, Oscar married Anna Christian Carlsson.

( http://bobdebbiebiggs.blogspot.com/2014/03/52-week-challenge-9-anna-christina.html )

Two months to the day before Oscar and Anna's first child was

born, (June 30, 1893) Oscar left Vadsbro, Sodermanland and on

July 4, 1893 he boarded a ship in Gothenburg that was

bound for America.

Oscar went to Chicago, Illinois, where a couple of his siblings had

already immigrated to.  Oscar found work, a place to live and made ready

to receive his little family.

Within what seemed like 2 long years, Oscar's wife Anna, and their 

sweet little daughter Ellen Maria Olivia Carlson joined him

in Chicago.

Within approximately a 10 year period, 8 of the Carlson siblings

had immigrated to America, most living in the Chicago area.  Two 

siblings stayed in Sweden, Tonnes and Conrad.

A photo of the "American" Carlson siblings:

In the back row, from the left: Gust, Axel, Elin and Oscar.

 In the front row, from the left: Charlie (he was not able to be there for the photo, so the photographer inserted his image to complete the group), Erika, Anna and Olivia.

The family was close-knit and gathered frequently, entertaining one another with music, songs and 

plays!

In this photo below, Oscar is the gentleman in the back row with the violin.

I had mentioned how the Carlson family were all musically inclined . . . .

When my Great Grandfather Oscar Carlson immigrated to

America, he paid his way on the ship by playing his violin for

the entertainment of the passengers.

Oscar was a Foreman in Construction in the Chicago area.  

One time my Grandfather (Evar, the elder son of Oscar and Anna's)

told of being allowed to "go to work" with his Father.

Oscar was working on a roof not too far from

their home.  He had Evar climb up the ladder first and asked for a

hammer . . . . . . Well, Grandpa Evar handed his Father the 

hammer, but let go before Oscar had an opportunity to get a hold

on the hammer, and the hammer promptly fell on Oscar's head!  

Grandpa Evar was sent on home, and he 

said that was the last time that he was invited to 

"go to work" with his Father!

The Oscar Carlson Family.
Oscar and Anna seated in front.
Back, left to right:
Herbert, Ellen, Evar and Florence.

Oscar and Anna had at least 9 children,

only 4 of whom, lived to adulthood.

When Oscar was just over 50 years old, he changed careers.

He, Anna and their sons Evar and Herbert, moved from Chicago to

Amber, Michigan, where their eldest daughter had just been widowed.

Oscar took over the farming of his daughter

Ellen and her late husband's farmland.

It was on this farm that both Oscar and Anna

lived out their days, lovingly cared for by their children. 

Oscar died of Acute Myocardial Failure on the 

8th of April in 1953.

He was laid to rest in Brookside Cemetery in Scottville, Michigan

beside his wife Anna and surrounded by their children.

C.O. Carlson, circa 1952

Below is the Obituary that ran in the Ludington Daily News, 

April 8, 1953, Page 5, Column 3.

In Lewisville, Texas For a Bit!

We have been in the Lewisville area 

now for the past month.

It has been great to spend time with

family here!

Plus we get to do fun things like 

take Grizz and Bailey to 

the Vet for their 6 month

checks . . . . 

Get our dental and physical

checks . . . 

all fun stuff!!!  :-)

 We spent a month at a campground that

we stayed in quite a bit when

we first moved down 

to Texas, Pilot Knoll Campground.

We really enjoy it there,

the sites are large, lots of trees, lake view from most all sites,

just really lovely.

Above, Robert has the fire pit ready

and going . . . .

Heather, Kevin, Mace and Kaelan

and Mary Ellen and Kelcy

were able to come out for the

evening and we

cooked "Hobo Dinners" over

the fire, and rounded it out with 

S'mores!  YUM!

Mace looks like he is telling a story . . . . 

and below, 

KJ and Kev pose for a photo.

Mary Ellen and Kelcy and Mace in the background
There was much laughing, of course!

Mary Ellen and Kelcy--- we all had a good time!

 We don't get to see MaryEllen and 

Kelcy as often as we would

like, as they live 

a bit further, 

in North Richland Hills.

They both have busy

work schedules . . . . . . . 

(We can relate  . . .)

We were just missing Jason

and family and Derek

and family. . . . 

Next time!

We also had the treat of being able 

to go to another Track Meet!

This Meet was one of Mace's ----

his very first in fact!

Mace throws Discus for his track 

team.

"The Wind-up"

Mace does 2 "wind-ups" and on the 3rd time,
he throws

Above, when he threw the discus, his glasses came up onto his forehead!

Power!

Checking his throw distance

Mace took 4th place in the Meet and

came in 3rd place for his team.

Pretty good for his first time!

Mace is in 7th grade now.  He 

is taking all the pre-AP classes that he can.

He is in his 2nd year of playing viola

in his school's orchestra.  (He has improved

so much since last year, and he loves it!)

He is the grandchild who used to

say "Grandma, do you have any

music without words. . . .

you know, like a soundtrack to

Lord of the Rings"!

(He is also the one who knew that I would 

love the PianoGuys!)

He loves school, loves reading, researching

and has been working on writing

his own "Marvel" type comic strip.

Kaelan is in 1st grade.  He loves school, 

adores his teacher (Heather said that

she learned early in the year not to

challenge anything that his teacher said!)

 and 

cannot read enough!

He is still a lover of cars of all sorts,

and planes.  He knows most cars

and planes on sight . . . .

he is quite the gamer---playing racing games!

He is energy incarnate!

He talks non-stop . . . .   Gramps says you can

tell when KJ (his nickname) is asleep . . . 

he is quiet!

KJ is also a lover of music, but tends to

go for "Mom's Music"---rock.  :-)

He loved the song "What Does the Fox Say"! 

Good-bye from Texas. . . . .  

Till Later, Y'all!

52 Week Challenge # 11 Edith Esther Koup

Edith Esther Koup (Coup) Stetler

Edith Esther Koup

was Bob's Father's Mother's Mother,

Bob's Great Grandmother Stetler.

I find it difficult to write a bit of a bio for someone

whom I know little about.

That is where I find myself this evening.

I have Edith's

date of birth,

her date of marriage,

her date of death

and 

the pertinent census records,

and yet I feel as 

though I really do not have 

much of a feel for who she was . . . . .

There have been no family stories

that have been passed down

about Edith, to color in the facts a bit,

making her come a bit more alive.

Just recently, I found Edith's

 Obituary . . . .

At last, a teeny tiny glimpse of this 

dear woman from whom

my husband descends!

Edith Esther Koup was born to 

George W. Koup and Letitia Patrick 

in March of 1835.

The Koup family was in Pennsylvania

at the time of Edith's birth, and had perhaps even

begun their westward travels

to Rossville, Clinton County, Indiana.

Edith had at least 8 brothers and 

sisters, and was the eldest 

daughter.

Edith grew up in Rossville with her siblings.

A gentleman by the name of 

Simon Peter Stetler 

came into Edith's life in the mid-1850's.

Simon and Edith were married in 

Clinton County on the 24th of 

September in 1854.

Edith and Simon lived most of their 

married lives in Howard County, Indiana, 

moving to Tippecanoe County, Indiana

prior to 1895.

The 1900 U.S. Federal Census states that 

Edith had 12 children, and that in 

1900, 7 of those children

were yet living.

Four of their little babies died

very young,

 leaving a mother

and father with breaking 

hearts.

In April of 1895, Edith became a widow, losing her 

husband of 41 years.

Twenty one years later, Edith passed away, 

stepping from this life into life eternal

and the open arms of her Lord.

Edith died March 3, 1916 in Independence,

Fountain County, Indiana at the home of 

her son, Oscar Stetler.

Above is the Obituary for Edith Esther Koup Stetler.

It ran in the Williamsport Review Republican

on March 9, 1916, 

on page 4 and column 4.

52 Week Challenge: #10 Etta E. "Ettie" Flood

Etta E. "Ettie" Flood

Ettie Flood was my paternal Great Grandmother.

The Mother of my Father's Mother.

As a family, we know very little of Ettie, we know of

no photos of her.  

Her story is short, but fraught with pain and

heartache.

Little Ettie was born at home in August of 1867.

Home was in Lake County, Ohio and her parents were

Franklin Flood and Jerusha Kirby Flood.

I learned from her father's Military Pension

file that her Grandmother, Julia Ann Rossman Kirby

attended her birth.  (Julia was said to be a nurse in the

Military Pension file of her son, Oscar.)

Ettie had one sibling, a brother,

Eugene Franklin Flood, who was about 10 years her junior.

Ettie's father, Franklin, had fought in the Civil War

and was wounded at the battle of Rocky Faced Ridge, losing

about 2 inches from one of his legs.  The injury

never healed properly, and Franklin soon  found himself

in the Dayton National Home for Soldiers.

Franklin died on the 14th of February, 1880.  Ettie

was just 12 years old, and her brother just 2.

In the 1880 United States Federal Census, Ettie and Eugene

are not listed with their mother, and I have not found them

living with neighbors or relatives as of yet.

What a difficult time for this little family.  The pension that

Jerusha received was very small, making day to day life

quite difficult for them.

I find Ettie next in marriage records.

On the 25th of February in 1885, Ettie married

John Purtell/Purtil.  She was just 17 years old.

The marriage documents (left side) for John Purtil and Etta Flood.

With the help of a very sweet volunteer in Painesville, we

found that Ettie and John divorced in December of 1895.

I have a copy of the divorce file.

Ettie filed, and won the case, retaining the right to 

return to her maiden name.  She filed for gross

neglect.  John had ceased to care for her, and she charged him

with drunkeness, he had stopped working and had lost all that 

they had. She had begun to rely on her own family for sustenance.

(Information from the divorce file.)

In January of 1896, on the 16th, Ettie Flood married

William H. Gaffney, my Great Grandfather, the son of Patrick H. Gaffney

and Julia Maria Mosher Gaffney.

They were married at home (most likely the Gaffney/Mosher home) in

Leroy, Lake County, Ohio.  The Reverend R. J. Hibbard was the

officiating minister.

The marriage documents for William Gaffney and Etta Flood

William and Ettie had 4-5 children between 1897 and 1903.

Two of these babies died at birth,

Katie Estell died in her infancy, only 2 months old

and little Frances lived a bit longer,

but was not yet a toddler, being very young when she died.

Only one of their children lived to adulthood,

my Grandmother, Evelyn Frances Gaffney, born in 1902.

How heartbreaking, to lose so many sweet little babies . . . . .

The end of May in 1904, Ettie became ill.  She

had Grip, or La Grippe.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary (online)

says of grip:  "grippe: an acute febrile contagious disease . . . . . Influenza."

In a few days, Ettie was dead, leaving a 

grieving and heartbroken husband and a little 2 year old

who didn't really quite know where her Mama was.

(A note here: my Grandma said that her first recollection was

not really a memory, but a sense . . . . . a sense of deep sadness.)

Grandpa Will buried Grandma Ettie in Evergreen Cemetery

in Painesville, Lake County, Ohio.

Perhaps the Lord felt it was time to relieve Ettie from the pain of loss,

 . . . . time to hold her close, perhaps for her to hold her

babies and to give her

eternal comfort.

Two of Ettie's very cute Great Great Grandchildren visiting her grave site in Ohio.

52 Week Challenge # 9 Anna Christina Carlsson Carlson

Anna Christina Carlsson

Anna Christina was my Mother's Father's Mother.

Grandma Carlson.

Anna was born on the 28th of August

in 1870.  She was born to

Carl Johan Carlsson and Johanna

Charlotta Petersson.

Carl and Johanna were living in  

Sankt Nicolai, Nykopings, Sodermanland,

Sweden.

This is a screen shot of Anna's Record of Birth. It is written in Swedish, and the writing is faint in
some spots. Anna is the 2nd listing, and her parents' names are the 3rd and 4th listings right across from her name,
under the heading: Forsamling.

Anna had 2 elder brothers that we

know of, but more research is needed

on the family during the 1800's in Sweden.

(How I wish I knew how to say more than

"Good Day," "Welcome," and "I Love You!")

Anna married Klas Oskar Carlsson in Sweden

circa 1891-1892.

I have not found the record for their marriage

as of yet.

Shortly after their marriage, Klas Oskar (known as

Claus Oscar, Oscar or C.O.) immigrated

to America---to Chicago, where he had several

siblings who had already immigrated.  

Klas Oskar immigrated in 1893, found work and 

secured a place for the family to live, and

sent for his wife, Anna, and their tiny 

daughter, Ellen Marie Olivia.

Anna came to America with little Ellen, who was 

not quite 2 when they left Vadsbro in Sweden 

on the 20th of April in 1895.

Photo taken circa 1895

In the photo above, 

Anna Christina and Ellen Marie Olivia Carlson, just before

joining Klas Oskar in Chicago.

Anna and Oscar Carlson (Americanized names)

had at least 8 children.  Only 4 of their children lived to 

adulthood: Ellen, Florence, Evar (my grandfather) and 

Herbert.

Edwin was 5 years old and playing by the side of the

curb of the road, and was kicked in the head by

the horse of the milkman.  He died soon after.

Olga and Rudolph were twins.

Rudolph died of pneumonia before he was 1 year old.

I believe that Olga died of Scarlet Fever.

Aunt Ellen remembered there being a black 

wreath on the door as a notice to others.

And the baby of the family, little Esther, died before

she was 1 year old, again of pneumonia.

How difficult for Anna and Oscar, the death of

even 1 child is beyond traumatic, but they lost 4 within 

a very few number of years.

In the mid 1920's, Anna and Oscar moved north,

to Amber Township in Mason County, Michigan. 

Their eldest daughter, Ellen, had just suffered the loss of 

her husband, and his mother, with Ellen being 

the care-giver to both.  Ellen had lost a great deal of

weight, and her health was at risk, so her family, including her

younger brothers, Evar and Herman came north

to help out on the farm that she lived on.

The Techloff Farm became the Carlson Farm, 

Old Homestead.

Photo of the Carlson Farm, ca. 1970. Old Homestead is painted on the barn.

Anna was a very social person, involved in her church

and with the Ladies Aid groups there, as well

as in her community.

Throughout her life she kept in close contact with her 

family back home in Sweden, as well as her

family in Chicago.  Family was of utmost importance 

to her.

Anna loved to laugh, and to have a good time . . . .

passing that joy along to her children 

and the generations that follow.

A photo of Anna and her son Evar at the World's Fair in Chicago.

The Carlson family.
In the front, seated, Oscar and Anna.
In the back, from the left: Herbert, Ellen, Evar and Florence.

Anna Christina Carlsson Carlson died on the 9th of March, 1937.

The cause of death was Chronic Vascular Hypertension and

Auculer Fibrilation causing a Cerebral Hemorrage (information

from Anna's Certificate of Death).

Anna is buried beside her husband, Claus Oscar

and their family in Brookside Cemetery 

in Scottville, Michigan.

Life in Our 5th Wheel . . . .

Bob and I will mark our 9th month of

living in our RV this month.

We often get asked if we are

"still enjoying it."

Yes, yes and yes!!!!

We are so grateful for the opportunity to make 

this decision . . . . .

It fits us just right.

Family ~ Ah, family!  One of God's greatest gifts!

We have been able to spend much more

time with our children and grandchildren . . . . 

we will be going to Indiana this spring to spend

time with Bob's Mom, without having to turn around and

head home because of work.

We look forward to spending time with 

family that is scattered hither and yon in this

amazing country  . . . . .

and to be able to see friends that we have

not had the opportunity to see in way too long!

We have been able to slow down, 

and live at a less stressful speed, to enjoy

the moments that each day brings.

As far as living in a small space, we really do 

enjoy it.  I still cook, we eat out less.  And who

can beat a meal cooked out over a wood fire????  (In the photo above,

I am making hash browns with onion and jalapeno

to be added to Migas that I was making

for breakfast.  Yum!!!)  I do have a convection/microwave oven.

I am still experimenting with the best way to cook various things

in my convection oven.  (It only goes up to 425 degrees, so 

I bake some things a bit differently.)  

The above photo is in my kitchen, I have a few very special family

things that I put out each time that we set up.

It is a daily joy to see a few things that remind us of our

parents and grandparents, as well as our kiddos and grandkiddos!

As Bob and I discussed the possibility of this change in our way of living, 

we spoke of the things that we did not want to give up

in the moving from a house to an RV.

For myself, genealogy and quilting were up there at the top, as well

as cooking.  This winter, Bob and I figured out how to set

up a "sewing center" for me----it takes a bit of floor space in the 

kitchen, but works great!  Above are some "mug rugs" that 

I made, here in the 5th wheel, as a gift.

Trying to figure out what to do about a computer and genealogy

area was rather tricky.  We tried one fold away table 

that really was just too large for the livingroom (that became

my sewing table).

One evening we went to the local IKEA store with Heather, Kevin, the boys,

and Kevin's parents, Calvin and Marsha.  Kevin and I were both

looking for something to resolve laptop using issues.

We looked and looked at all sorts of possibilities, when Marsha

said, "What about this smaller sized ironing board?"  

PERFECT!!!!

Bob wanted to be able to have our bikes to ride, to 

walk more and to read more----

maybe take up fishing eventually.

Well, we found perfect cruiser bikes for us, and a carrier for

the back of the 5th wheel.  Bob loves riding---

I am trying to build up my "knee power" slowly, he can

ride circles around me . . . . . literally!!!!  :-)

And we both keep our Kindles busy with reading.  Bob just re-read

"Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly and is reading

Charles Krauthamer's new book.

Grizz and Bailey delight in any walk we might want to take,

and they certainly benefit us all!  

And so, as the sun sinks slowly in the west . . . .  .

~ Chuckle ~

We send you all big hugs!

Till Later . . . . .

52 Week Challenge # 8 Clara Belle Stetler Biggs

Clara Belle Stetler,

Bob's paternal Grandmother.

Clara Belle Stetler was born on

the 16th of August in 1880

 to Simon Peter and Esther Edith Koup Stetler.

The Stetler family was living in Clay,

Howard County, Indiana.

Clara Belle was the next to the

youngest of her siblings, and had the

nickname of "Clarrie."

According to the 1940 Census, Clara had

an 8th Grade education.

Clara married Elias Martin Biggs on

November 2, 1897 in Lafayette, Tippecanoe County,

Indiana.  Elias was the son of 

Green and Olive Young Biggs. 

 ( http://bobdebbiebiggs.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-teeny-bit-of-biggs-family-history.html )

Clara Belle Stetler Biggs

Clara and Elias lived in Warren County, Indiana, in Green Hill, a

small town in Medina Township.  

Clara Belle and Elias' marriage was blessed with 9 children.

Clara was widowed at 59, but did not remarry.

I am told by grandchildren who knew Clara, that she loved

her flowers and that she was quick to smile.

One recalled her being a wonderful cook, and 

how they loved her beans!

But most of all, they remember her love,

her gentle ways with them,

her protective spirit encircling them.

She loved to sing the old hymns, and at least one of

her sons, used to think of her

every time he heard or sang

"In the Garden."

She was deeply loved by her children

and by her grandchildren, a gift without measure.

Clara in the center (noted as Mama) and 5 of her children.

Clara Belle had a particularly 

interesting habit that her grandchildren

recall with smiles . . . . .

She smoked a corncob pipe.

However, she only allowed herself

to smoke after all the chores were done. 

One grandchild recalls her 

and her pipe while she was fishing,

another special love of hers.

Clara Belle Stetler Biggs died May 29, 1957 in Green Hill,

she was 76 years old.

She is buried by her husband Elias in 

Davis Cemetery in Green Hill, Indiana.