Tombstone Tuesday ~ Lydia Hurd Truesdell

Lydia Hurd Truesdell is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois.

  This tombstone picture was taken by Alva Van Houten and found on Find A Grave at http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=90413567&PIpi=60273659.

Lydia Hurd Truesdell must have been a most fascinating woman! Her obituary is titled Grandmother Truesdell.  I have seen that title for two of my ancestors that passed away when they were very old.  It just makes me think that she was well respected but also loved.

Thanks to Alva Van Houten for posting this on Find-A-Grave with the tombstone picture. 

Lydia was born December 1791 in New York or Massachusetts depending upon which census you want to believe.  Her parents have not yet been found as of yet.

She married Solomon Truesdell on 22 April 1815 in Warsaw, Wyoming County, New York according to the book Elder John Crandall of Rhode Island and his descendants by John Cortland Crandall.  Solomon was born August 1789 in Massachusetts to Gideon Truesdell and Dorcas Crandall.  Solomon passed away 19 August 1850 in Warsaw, Wyoming County, New York.

Lydia and Solomon had eight children.  Erastus born 1817, Diana born 1818, Lucretia born 1820, Myron born 1822, Franklin born 1823, Lavina born 1825, Alvira born 1828 and Allen born 1830 (my ancestor).

In 1854 Lydia is selling 40 acres of land as the "widow of Solomon Truesdale deceased Private in Captain Nobles Company New York Infantry....War of 1812".  By 1860 Lydia and Allen are in Owen, Winnebago County, Illinois.  Lydia is written down as Mary in this census however all other records show her as Lydia or Grandma.  Allen married and Lydia then moves in her with her daughter Diana Truesdell Benson where she will eventually pass away.

So do you have Lydia Hurd Truesdell in your family?  Do you know more about her?  I would love to hear from you so that I have more to remember this part of my family!

One family and the month of October

Things are finally settling down with work and life that I finally have had time to get back to genealogy and my forgotten blog.  While looking at my family and trying to figure out what to write about something slapped me upside the head when I looked at my grandfather's family.  October was not such a great month for this family!

Vern John Plymesser 

and 

Frances Hazel Brackett Plymesser

My great grandfather was Vern John Plymesser.  Vern was born 6 December 1893 in Glidden, Carroll County, Iowa.  His parents were John Willis Plymesser and Mary Anna Dickey.  Vern married Frances Hazel Brackett on 30 April 1913.  Frances was born 23 March 1893 in Jefferson, Greene County, Iowa.  Her parents were  Benjamin Franklin Brackett and Martha Anne Truesdale.  

This is a scan of the Certificate of Marriage that was found in pieces in a box that my grandmother Margaret Hanson Plymesser had when she passed away.  Some pieces were not located but enough were found so that I could put it together and then scan with a Flip-Pal.  I then stitched it together so we will always have a copy!

Vern and Frances had 6 children.  

John Vern born 3 January 1914 in Churdan, Greene County, Iowa. 

Mildred Martha (Mick) born 2 June 1915 in Cedar Township, Greene County, Iowa.  

Lillian Maxine (Mac) born 10 June 1917 in Emmetsburg, Palo Alto County, Iowa.  

Dale Franklin born 30 December in Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa.  

Doris Arline (Arline) born 24 March 1922 in Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa.  

Donald Albert born 4 March 1924 in Center Grove, Dickinson County, Iowa. 

The weird part now comes in to play with October.  My grandfather John was the first to pass away on 5 October 1958 in Summit, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.  He left 7 children ranging in ages from 20 to a one year old.   Vern was next in this family to pass away.  He passed away on 12 October 1966 in Oconomowoc, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.  .  Frances did not live long after and passed away on 29 October 1967 also in Oconomowoc, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.  So right now three people of the same family have all passed away in October.  This might be a bit scary for those that are superstitious.  

The family had a respite though for a bit until 5 January 1973 when Donald passed away in Oconomowoc, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.  So maybe the "curse" was over and it was just a coincidence.  

Alas that was not to be on 5 October 1975 Dale passes away  in Tripoli, Oneida County, Wisconsin.  So now not only October but the fifth of October seems to be a day for holding your breath!  

The family once again gets a bit of a reprieve until Arline passes away in 1994.  However she passes away on 5 October 1994 in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.  I can remember my Aunt Mac talking about dreading October and especially the fifth of October years before Arline passed away but especially after.  

The family once again does not have long before another family member passes. On 13 March 1995 Mic passes away in Okeechobee, Okeechobee County, Florida.  It is truly a sad day for me as I was close to Mic and Mac.  Mic always came to see us when she came up to Florida.  Her and husband Luverne would come up and stay in the local motel in Oconomowoc.  They had the clothes hung in the back seat on the bar that would go from one back door to the other.  They would drive up to see the family in Wisconsin and then family in Iowa.  It was always a great time and they would always bring their dog with them.  However with Mic's passing this now left only Mac.  

Mac would be with us until 10 March 2006 when she passed away in  Milford, Dickinson County, Iowa. While I was sad to learn of Mic's passing the world seemed to drop out from underneath me when we heard about Mac.  We would drive to Iowa and get Mac and then drive her back to our house so she could stay with us. I always had to wash her hair for her as she could not do it.  She was a wonderful great aunt but we never called her that she was just Aunt Mac. She told great stories about growing up that would include her family but also my grandmother.  Mac was my grandmother Marge's friend.  My grandmother Margaret Hanson married John Vern Plymesser.  So Mac's stories were a double treat!  We would go see her in Iowa and of course have to go to the Gingham Inn for dinner.  There was always at least one stop at the Dairy Queen for a peanut buster parfait (even though she was not supposed to have them).  A trip to Okoboji to the park for fudge.  

So October was not the best month for this family but it does make those of us still here think about the awesome people that made us who we are.  It also provides us with so many ways to remember the family!  

Open Thread Thursday: Who Inspires You?

Interesting topic for Open Thread Thursday!  Thomas MacEntee from Geneabloggers set some rules though!  For those that know me I have this love/hate relationship with rules.  While I love rules in my everyday life at the same time I hate rules that make me think just a bit harder!

Basically Thomas stated that we could not choose him.  So of course being me I just have to bend the rules a bit!  (Sorry Thomas!)

See this is hard for me as Thomas has inspired me not only on a personal level to learn more about the latest technology associated with genealogy but also on a professional level with my job as the Administrative Assistant for the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society.

So I began to think...think...think!!! (I love Pooh!) Then it came to me!

Someone that has inspired me on both levels of my genealogical life is Lori Bessler from the Wisconsin Historical Society Library & Archives.  Here is a  picture of Lori for those that do not know her:

Lori and I met after I became the Administrative Assistant for WSGS.  We began to collaborate on a professional level which assisted me in doing the best job I could for WSGS.  Along the way I learned a great deal about how WHS could assist me with my research and in essence assist others to increase their knowledge of the many resources at WHS.  Her ability to inform and educate others in a way that makes sense is amazing.  She takes her knowledge and brings it to the level that is so easy to understand.

Lori has been there for me every step of the way and still continues to be there for me!  We do a great deal of sharing and bouncing ideas off of each other.  When we get together you never know what is going to happen!  Our ability to work so well together has benefited both of our groups but more importantly both of us personally.  I am glad to have her not only as a professional ally but also as a friend!  Thanks Lori for all that you have done for me and WSGS!

Samuel G. Dickey: Civil War Soldier

Samuel G. Dickey was born 9 November 1840 in Neshannock, Mercer, Pennsylvania.  He was born to David Lawson Dickey and Nancy Agnes Love.  The Dickey family moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa between 1850 and 1852.  In the 1850 census they are living in Neshannock, Pennsylvania but by 1852 they are in the Iowa State Census living in Bellevue, Jackson, Iowa.  (I am always so happy to have Iowa family as the Iowa State Census is a wonderful thing!)  The family continues to live in Bellevue and is found in subsequent census records including 1860.

On 18 August 1862 Samuel enlists in Company K of the 31st regiment of Iowa Infantry.  I was so excited to find another Civil War ancestor that I immediately sent for his pension records.  Hoping that they would assist in filling in the holes that I had on this man and his family.  That they did.  The marriage date was listed so that I could find that information and when his pension stopped due to his death.  This assisted me in finding his death date later in my story.  He went to many different states as can be seen by visiting Iowa Gen Web site that provides a historical sketch of his regiment.  This information at http://iagenweb.org/civilwar/books/logan/mil515.htm was taken from The Roster and Record of Iowa Troops in the Rebellion, Vol. 3 By Guy Logan.   On 27 June 1865 he was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky.

In his pension papers he states that he has chronic bronchitis which he incurred at Arkansas in the month of January 1863.  He further states that it was aggravated by hardships and exposure while at Young's Point near Vicksburg along with being at Butler Canal and Lookout Mountain.  In further reading the pension file it seems that he endured many nights of rain and snow while on guard duty.


On 16 October 1866 Samuel marries Margaret Boone in Jackson County, Iowa.

                                          Received 13 December 1994 from Clerk of District Court, Jackson County, Iowa.  License #878.


Margaret Boone was born in October of 1845 in Jackson County, Iowa.  She is the daughter of Urbain Paul Boone and Mary D. Lawless.  Urbain is the grandson of George Boone who is the brother to Daniel Boone.  (That is a story for another day!)  Margaret and Samuel move to Scotch Grove, Jones, Iowa by 1870.  By 1870 they have Cora Alfreda born in 1867 and Mary Anna born in 1869 (Mary Anna is my ancestor.)  They did not stay long in Jones County but instead moved on to Greene County and are living in Kendrick, Greene, Iowa in the 1880 census.  By this time they have added Don A born in 1872, Lawson David born in 1873, Trinvella born in 1876 and Venna Estella born in 1880.  Sad news hit also as Trinvella dies in 1878.  In 1885 they are living in Glidden, Carroll, Iowa and by this time their last child has been born Charles Henderson in 1882.  However once again sad news hits the family as Margaret dies 7 July 1884.  She and Trinvella are buried in the Dillavou Cemetery, Ralston, Greene, Iowa.  Sadly it seems her tombstone is now gone but luckily I had taken a picture of it when I was there many years ago.

Samuel remains in Glidden until at least 1900.  After that he seemed to be lost.  Lost until I received his pension papers that said he was last paid on 4 January 1907 and was dropped because of death 27 March 1907.  The clue I needed.  I then began searching everywhere to find him.  Some genealogy angel was watching over me as I finally found him in Oregon City, Clackamas, Oregon.  An obituary stating that he had died at his daughter's home.  He had moved out there six years before.

Some day I will locate his burial place and find the tombstone.  It is just a matter of time before my genealogy angel comes back to help me!

Happy Blogiversary to Me!!!!

Well one year ago I took the plunge to try and blog!  Looking back I did not do as well as I had wanted.  I guess I thought it would be easier but with family, work and school I found blogging just did not fit in!  Now with my BA in History completed I hope to write at least one blog a week.

How can I accomplish this goal???  I decided to look at my ancestors and see what interesting things pop up.  Just one of the interesting tidbits that I found was the family of siblings where three siblings died on the same day in various years.  I think the ancestor from Maine where I found the actual rifle that he used would be another interesting story.  There are so many stories that one can tell if you take the time.

The goal then is to take the next few weeks and sit down and make a calendar! Then start writing and posting!  Just remembering the family!!!!!

From Ireland to New York to Wisconsin: The Reid Family

Alexander Reid or Sandy as he was called was born in County Sligo, Ireland in March 1812.  He was the son of John Reid and Margaret Watts.  When I first started researching this family I found a book in our local library entitled Reid Family History by Maude Reid Tomlinson.  This book gave me a great deal of information to "chew" on.  Not knowing the author and just getting into genealogy I was skeptical.  I copied parts and put them away for some day down the road.  

Today was the day I decided to "chew" on them some more.  It only took me 30 years (you know how that is when life gets in the way of working on the dead people)!

Maude Reid Tomlinson was the granddaughter of John Reid who was the son of John and Margaret Watts Reid.  In reading Mrs. Tomlinson's accounts of the events that lead to John and Alexander to come to the United States it really seems to be a life long dream.  The boys were intrigued as they had friends in the U.S. that had stated they could find employment on the various public works projects that were going on.  Mrs. Tomlinson reports that they were told they could earn 75 cents to a dollar a day for this hard labor. (Imagine young men being told today that they could earn such money but that they would work hard for it.  How many would sign up???)  John and his other brothers were going to come here but Robin and James died of cholera in 1833.  This shook the John up pretty bad and he decided that he would offer Alexander the chance to come and John would pay his way.  Alexander took him up on it and the brothers left from the port of Ballina which most likely took them to Belfast and then on to New York.

The brothers landed in New York City but did not stay long.  They were moving west!  They found jobs as they moved and kept their money in money belts tied around their waist according to Mrs. Tomlinson.  She states that they did work on the canal projects which I find to be very interesting.  (If anyone reading this knows how to find out more about the workers on the canal projects I would love to hear about it!)

The brothers brought over another brother William and his family in 1840 but according to Mrs. Tomlinson they did not stop there.  They eventually paid for 15 other relatives to come to the United States!  How awesome is that?!

The brothers eventually purchased land in the Town of Ashippun, Dodge County, Wisconsin.  They were on opposite sides of Hwy P.  Alexander purchased many pieces of land with the earliest being July 1, 1848 according to the Bureau of Land Management records.  some of the purchases of land that Alexander made can be found at http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/results/default.aspx?searchCriteria=type=patent|st=WI|cty=|ln=reid|fn=alexander|sp=true|sw=true|sadv=false.   Alexander went on to marry Sarah Carpenter who was born 16 June 1820 in Balscott, Oxford, England.  She was the daughter of William Austin Carpenter and Mary Gardner.  Alexander and Sarah were married on 3 January 1850 in Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.  They had four children Alexander, Margaret Jane, William Alexander and Mary Ann.  William was my ancestor and he eventually took over the farm.  He was known in the area as "Concrete Bill".  He was not shy about using concrete on the property and it is still there today.

                                                      W.A. Reid farm (date taken unknown)

Sarah passed away on 27 October 1868 and Alexander lived until 9 March 1901.  Alexander's obituary in the Oconomowoc Enterprise dated 15 March 1901 states:

Alexander Reid, one of the oldest settlers of the Town of Ashippun, died on Saturday, March 9, after a week's illness, aged 89 years.  Deceased was a native of Ireland.  He came to the United States in 1839 and settled in the Town of Ashippun, Dodge County, this state in 1844 on a farm bought of the government   His residence in that town was continuous.  Alice Reid his wife died in 1868.  He is survived by three children -Mrs. Mary Broker, of Neillsville, Mrs. George Miller and William A Reid, of Alderely.  The funeral was held on Monday  the service being conducted at St. Paul's Episcopal church at Alderely, Rev. Mr. Van Duesen officiating.

How interesting that his wife is named Alice...that will be my next investigation.  Maybe a middle name, maybe an error on the part of the editor???  So not only do I have more information to start looking at but hopefully I can find some cousins along the way that might have a small piece of the puzzle.  Thank you to Mrs. Maude Reid Tomlinson for working on this project so I might learn just a bit more to help me remember this part of my family.

Three Marriages and Two Wives: Figuring It All Out

Samuel F. Brackett was born 1 August 1827 in Limington, Oxford County, Maine.  He is the son of Samuel Brackett and Susan Foss.  He grows up in Maine and marries Elizabeth Libby on 20 October 1848 in Scarborough, Cumberland County, Maine.  Elizabeth is born 26 June 1823 in Scarborough, Cumberland County, Maine.  She is the daughter of Cyrus Libby and Lois Libby (yes they have the same last name!!!).  Elizabeth and Samuel have a son George A born 6 June 1854 in Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  Their next child is Benjamin Franklin and he is born 31 January 1856 in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin.  By 1860 the family is in Richmond, Shawano County Wisconsin.  The last child is Alice Abbie born May 1862 in Wisconsin.  By 9 August 1862 Samuel enlisted at Shawano County in the Civil War.  He was in Company I 32nd Infantry Regiment.  7 February 1863 finds him mustered out.

On 21 August 1866 Samuel married in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan to Lucy Maria Ficke.  Lucy Maria Ficke was born 8 June 1847 in Canada.  Here's where things get a bit dicey!!!  In 1870 Lucy and Samuel are living in St. Anthony, Hennepin County, Minnesota by themselves.  There are no children and I have not seen where Elizabeth passed away.  So maybe a divorce?  On 1 March 1873 Samuel and Lucy once again marry in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska.  If they married in Michigan why on earth would they marry again in Nebraska????  On 4 August 1875 they have a daughter Esa Pearl who is born in Iowa.

Not being able to find any information about Elizabeth I sent away for the pension record of Samuel.  In his interview he gives the name of his wife Lucy M Fick and that they were married in 1866 in Port Huron. How interesting though that the license he submits for proof of the marriage is from Nebraska!! When asked if he was previously married he said yes to Elizabeth Libby in Scarboro (sic) Maine.  He states the names of his children but the years are all wrong for all of them.

In 1905 Samuel dies and Lucy applies for a Widow's Pension.  Her declaration also confirms the 1873 marriage date in Nebraska.  However she gives a bit more information on Elizabeth that she died July 1870. So now I have a date but it doesn't help me find her.  Elizabeth is still among the missing.  If Elizabeth and Samuel divorced I have not found that either.  Did she die in Wisconsin or in Maine??

In 1870 Elizabeth and Samuel's daughter Alice is living with Elizabeth's sister Lydia and Lydia's husband Phineas Foss.  She continues to live with them in 1880 and she is called their granddaughter.  Benjamin cannot be found in the 1870 census (YET!) but is living with his father and step-mother in 1880.  He eventually marries Martha A. Truesdell and they in turn have a daughter named Frances Hazel Brackett who is my great grandmother.  George is married in 1878 in Greene County, Iowa to Sarah Roberts.  Still no sign of Elizabeth.

So hopefully someone else will see this blog and maybe help find out where Elizabeth went after her and Samuel split up.  Until then keep digging and trying to bring her story to life!