In Memoriam - Eula Erkmann

Eula Faye (Huffstutler) Erkmann

Born: March 24, 1939, McLeansboro, Hamilton Co., IL

Died: September 26, 2024, Nixa, Christian Co., MO

Buried: cremated

Married: John Robert Erkmann, March 31, 1957

Children: 

Cheryl Janey

Dad's Notebook No. 10, Part 2

Anderson, Viginia. Pucketts, Vaughans, Harlans, Meeks & Allied Families, Wayne County, Illinois, 1988. 

Our earliest known Meeks ancestor was William Meeks, who came from England, according to the journal of a great grandson, Priddy Meeks (1795-1886). Two of William Meek's sons were William Jr. and John. We are descended from William Meeks, Jr., who married Molly Nolin / Nolan.  We do not have definite dates for the birth and marriage of William Jr., but it is thought that he was born around 1730 and married about 1750. He may have died in Greenville District, S.C.   There is a bill of sale in Greenville District, SC, Deek Book D, p. 359 from Wm. Meeks to his son Athe Meeks - 7 Jan. 1797. I have no record that William Jr. accompanied his children to Kentucky, so he may have died in South Carolina .

The children of William Jr. & Molly (Nolin) Meeks are believed to have all been born in Allens Creek, Hanover Co., VA. Their children are as follows:

1. Priddy Meeks, b. ca. 1751 md. Elizabeth Denny (our ancestors)
2. John Meeks b. ca. 1753 md. Elizabeth Walker
3. Susanna Meeks b. ca. 1755 md. Paul Meecham
4. Athe Meeks b. ca. 1756, md. Margaret Snead (parents of Priddy Meeks, who wrote

In Memoriam - Betty Porter

Betty Jean (Lathrop) Porter

Born: November 24, 1933, Wayne County, IL

Died: November 4, 2020, Lookout Mountain, GA

Buried: The National Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN

Married: June 19, 1955, Eshmal Porter, Wayne City, Wayne Co., IL 

Notebooks - Mom's Families No. 4, Part 3

Guthrie, Nelson. Genealogy of J.W. Nelson Slavens Guthrie, typescript, nd.

This information is very convoluted and in some instances contradictory to itself.

Generation 1
John Slavin b. 1723 Tyrone Co., Ireland, d. 1788 Highland Co., VA, md. Elizabeth Stuart b. 1726 Scotland, d. 1796 Highland Co., VA.  John was a weaver.  Lived for a time in Pocahontas Co., WV at Meadow Dale.

Generation 2
1. Isaac/Isaiah Slavens b. 1761 Augusta Co., VA, d. 1840 Putnam Co., IN, md. Martha Stuart.  Isaac was a soldier and moved to Kentucky then on to Indiana. - Isaiah Slavens in DAR b. 6/12/1752 Rockingham Co., VA, md. Martha /Patsy Stuart md. 2) Barbara Perkee. He was a Revolutionary War soldier, fought in the battles of Hot Water Springs, Jamestown. He was in the company of Captain KinCade of Colonel Moffet, Captain Thomas Hecklin, Company of Col. Simpson Mathias, Virginia Regiment, 1780.  Isaiah applied for a pension on April 26, 1833, died 1840.  Said to have had 17 children.
2. Comfort b. 11/4/1750
3. John b. 4/10/1760, soldier in American Revolution
4. William b. 6/3/1753 soldier in American Revolution

Fred Erkman

Fred Erkman

Born: Sep. 8, 1877, White Co., IL
Died: May 30, 1940

Buried: Danville National Cemetery, Danville, IL

Son of Jacob Erkman & Frederick (Probst) Dietz

Records:
1880 - June 30 - Illinois - White Co. 2 years old, living with his parents Jacob & Fredericka (Probst) Erkman

Fred Erkman #21777 

Enlisted 5/11/1899, St. Louis, MO, Corp., Co. D, 3 US Cav., discharged, 5/10/1902, Mariveles Bataan, Philippine Islands, E.T.S., disabilities when admitted to home 1036 ch nyosardites

Ahnentafel #434 - John Grove

John Grove

Born: July 17, 1750 York (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania
Died: Dec. 11, 1843 Monroe County, Missouri

Buried: Unknown

Married:

1. ca. 1782 Susan Fox in either Pennsylvania or North Carolina
2. Aug. 17, 1819 Margaret Ann (--?--) Newkirk in Jefferson County, Kentucky

Occupation: tanner, farmer

John Grove's namesake grandson, Dr. John Grove Speer wrote the following about his grandfather:

Both of my grand-fathers were in the Continental army and fought the British until the war closed and Independence was gained - when peace and joy reigned in the hearts of all, the lovers of freedom and liberty in the thirteen States of the Union.  This was obtained through a great sacrifice of life and treasure. History tells of hundreds whose lives were freely offered a sacrifice for the freedom we now enjoy. 

O! what a legacy is left us, and may we ever remember that vigilance on our part is necessary, that like those heroes, we may leave unimpaired to our children the same precious blessings of liberty, freedom of speech and conscience, peaceful, pursuit after happiness and other blessings of our kind and merciful Father. Therefore, let us continually give thanks to Him for his loving kindness and tender mercies to the children of men and pray for Him to bless us all along our journey through this world, and finally ransom us from the grave and give us a home on high. 

Robertson Mystery Obituaries

I'm still filing, but I'm in the R's so there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Another large file because the Robertson family is prolific.  I've come across two obituaries that were probably kept by my grandmother Grace (Butler) Robertson. They have no newspaper title or date.  

Obituary 1:

The Rev. A.A. Robertson Dies

Retired Congregational Minister of Chicago Former St. Louisan.

The Rev. Albert A. Robertson, retired Congregational minister, and a former St. Louisan, died Wednesday of a heart attack at his home in Chicago. He was 60 years old. 

Notebook - Missouri

Genealogical Society of Butler County, Inc. Butler County, Missouri Cemeteries, no imprint, 1980.

Vail Cemetery

Saltzman, Lutincya, b. 4 March 1877, d. 23 June 1949 (wife of Presley)
Saltzman, Presley, b. 20 Oct. 1871, d. 4 May 1946
Saltzman, Maliuda [Malinda?], 18 Feb. 1871 (only one date on stone)
Saltzman, Andrew, b. 25 Jan. 1844, d. July 188?
Saltzman, Armon, b. 26 Jan. 1900, d. 4 Jan. 1901
Saltzman, Mamie H. b. 2 Sep. 1905, d. 29 June 1906
Saltzman, Dora F. b. 15 Dec. 1903, d. 28 Aug. 1908
Saltzman, Archileus, b. 14 Aug. 1912, d. 22 May 1942

---

Glass, Therma & Betty Hanks.  1850 Butler Co., Mo. Federal Census, Poplar Bluff, MO: Glass & Hanks, nd

Hopkins, Luke, 51, farmer, b. KY in 1799 possible brother of John Hopkins?
Margaret, 32, b. KY
Nancy, 7, b. KY

Ahnentafel #190 - Peter Saltzman

Peter Saltzman or Salsman or Saltsman

Born: ca. 1765 in Pennsylvania or Kentucky
Died: Feb. 3, 1849, Pulaski Co., Missouri

Buried: Arroll Cemetery, Arroll, MO

Religion: probably Jewish

Married: 1) (--?--) before 1784, 2) Catherine Bailey ca. 1801 in Bullitt Co., KY

Immigration:
Probably started out in Pennsylvania, not sure when the family moved to Kentucky.  They moved to Illinois ca. 1834 perhaps they moved with John & Susannah (Saltzman) Hopkins or they moved because of John's death.  Peter moved on to the Waynesville, MO area in Pulaski Co. before 1840. 

No known military service.

Ahnentafel #90 - Samuel Clark

Samuel Clark

Born: March 11, 1768, Elizabeth, NJ
Baptized: November 16, 1768 St. John's Episcopal Church, Elizabeth, NJ
Died: October 7, 1854 Clinton Co., MO

Buried: Gash Cemetery, Kansas City, MO

Married: Mary Darby, March 13, 1791, Presbyterian Church,  Westfield, New Jersey

Occupation: a carpenter

Geography: 

Elizabeth, NJ west to Westfield, NJ, 7 miles 

Elizabeth, NJ west through Westfield to Scotch Plains, NJ, 10 miles 
Scotch Plains, NJ west to Ironton, OH about 600 miles 

Ironton, OH west to Clinton Co., MO about 730 miles

History of Lawrence County, Ohio:

Census records of birthplaces indicate that this family started moving westward about 1800.  Gilruth, in articles published in the Ironton Register, identified this family as having settled, by purchase of the land, near the mouth of Osburn's Creek.  Gilruth named the children and stated that the mother had died before they reached Ohio.  Research into land records show that Samuel was the original proprietor of 160 acres just east of Hanging Rock, where the Ohio Rt. 650 interchange with US52 is located. 

Excerpts from a series of articles "Gilruth on Early Settlers in Lawrence County" published in the Ironton Register between February 1 to July 18, 1872.

 In this vicinity below, lived old Mr. [Benjamin] Carpenter, a Baptist, and the first preacher of any kind in this bottom.  He had one son named William.  He became an ensign in Captain John Kelly's company of militia, learned surveying, kept the first store between Storms Creek and the French Grant.  He made one of the most intellectual men raised in those times in this vicinity; married Hannah Clarke; sold out and moved to Missouri.

Below Carpenter's settled Tilman Short, a tall, raw boned, active man.  After the Short family on the same place as, landowner lived Samuel Clark.  I never knew his wife's name, or that of her parent's; (she died before Clark moved on this place).  The children were Samuel, Cornelius, Joel, Hannah, James, Rebecca and Amos.  Mr. Clark was a house carpenter, and wrought at that business, there being no other in those days in that bottom.  He also wrought at building horse mills, in connection with Peter Lionberger, Sr., Samuel Jr. left and went to Letart Falls, and married Miss Darby and settled there.  Hannah married Mr. Carpenter; I lost track of the rest.

Ahnentafel #59 - Mary Parks

Mary Ellen Parks

Born: September 17, 1822, Ohio
Died: April 19, 1908, Delphos, KS

Mrs. Mary Ellen Edwards

Mary Ellen Parks was born in Muskingum County, Ohio September 17th, 1820 and died in Delphos, Kansas, April 19th, 1908; aged 88 years, 7 mo., and one day.

She was united in marriage to Solomon Edwards December 4th, 1845. To this union was born ten children, six girls and four boys, of whom one son and four daughters survive her.

Ahnentafel #58 - Solomon Edwards

Solomon Edwards

Born: 1820, Ohio
Died: between 1895 and 1900 in either Kansas or Nebraska

Buried: Unknown

Married: Mary Ellen Parks, December 4, 1845 in Muskingum Co., OH

Migration: 
Solomon grew up in Muskingum Co., OH.  He bought land in Bartholomew Co., IN in 1847 and began his westward migration at age 27.  Solomon and Mary sold their land in 1853 and moved to Illinois.  They settled in Clay Co., IL for a short time.  In 1858 they were living in Knox Co., MO where their son Thomas was born.  Solomon moved his family back to Clay Co., IL between 1866 and 1870 when they appear on the 1870 census.  By 1880 the family is living in Ottawa Co., KS.  Zanesville to Simpson, Kansas is 917 miles.  It is 279 miles from Edina in Benton Co., MO back to Louisville, IL. 

Occupation: farmer

Ahnentafel #1

Ahnentafel is a German word which translates to ancestor table.  This format originated in the 1500's (see, I'm back in the past again).  It's a kind of short hand for showing an individual direct lines backward.  The subject of the ahnentafel is listed as No. 1, so that would be me.  No. 1 can be either male or female.  Even numbers are always men.  Odd numbers greater than 1 are always women.  A person's father is their number doubled (1x2=2) and the person's mother is their number doubled plus 1 (1x2+1=3)

In Memoriam - December 29th

1750 James Loomis age 81 in Bolton, CT.   He was the son of Joseph & Mary (Chauncey) Loomis, born in Windsor, CT in 1669.

1894 Lida Speer the eighteen year old daughter of Charles & Anna (Runyon) Speer.  She was born in Kentucky in 1876.

1912 Levi Clark in Lawrence Co., OH age 74.  Born in 1838 in Lawrence Co., OH he was the son of Cornelius & Elizabeth (Lambert) Clark.  Levi married Emily Rose and they had four children: Delbert, John, Anolia and Alberta.  He is burie din Aid Cemetery in Lawrence Co., OH.

In Memoriam - December, no date

1644 James Morehead of Lauchope in Lanarkshire, Scotland.  He was the son of James & Margaret (Cunninghame) Morehead.  James married Margaret Somervell.

1645 Elizabeth (Ilbrook) Hobart in Hingham, MA age 37.  She was born in England in 1608 the daughter of Richard & Margaret Ilbrook.  Elizabeth married Peter Hobart and they had eleven children: Joshua, Jeremiah, Elizabeth, Josiah, Ichabod, Hannah, Hannah, Bathsheba, Israel, Jael and Gershom.  The family immigrated to New England ca. 1633.

1691 Samuel Leffingwell the son of Lt. Thomas & Mary (White) Leffingwell age 33.  He was born ca. 1658 in Saybrook, CT.

1795 Samuel Morehead in Fauquier Co., VA.  He was the son of John & Mary Morehead.  Samuel married Wilmauth --?-- and they had seven children; Sarah, Lydia, Mary, Elizabeth, Peggy, Charles and Samuel. 

1889 John Crutchfield in Clay Co., IL.  He married Martha Colclasure and they had ten children:  Mary, Nancy, John, Terry, Martha, Elizabeth, James, William, Marion and Savillah.

1917 Clarence Erkman the six day old son of William & Kate (Spencer) Erkman in White Co., IL.  He is buried in Carmi, IL.

In Memoriam - December 9th

1619 Richard Denton son of Richard & Gennett (Bannyster) Denton age 62 in England.  He was born in Halifax, England in 1557.  He married Susan and they had a son Richard.

1732 Samuel Lathrop age 82 in Norwich, CT the son of Samuel & Elizabeth (Scudder) Lathrop.  Samuel was born in New London, CT in 1650.  He married Hannah Adgate in 1675 and they had seven children:  Hannah, Elizabeth, Thomas, Margaret, Samuel, Simon and Nathaniel.  After Hannah’s death in 1695 Samuel married Mary (--?--) Edgerton.

1767 William Hinkle age 2 the son of Capt. Charles & Elizabeth (Johnson) Hinkle in Germantown, PA.  William was baptized in St. Michael's Church in Germantown, PA in 1765.  He is buried in the churchyard there.

1853 Cynthia (Powell) Lathrop age 60 in Lawrence Co., IL.  She was born in Hartford, VT in 1793 the daughter of Rowland & Mary (Janes) Powell.  Cynthia worked as a school teacher prior to her marriage to Russell Lathrop in Richford, VT in 1815.  They had 11 children:  Henry, Levi, Samantha, Hazen, Erastus, Lucy, Marvin, Clarinda, Mary, Martha and Ezra.  The family lived near the Canadian border and at least one child was born in Canada.  Russell moved his family to Decatur Co., IN in 1837 and to Lawrence Co., IL in 1841.  Cynthia is buried in Prairieton Lone Tree Cemetery in Lawrence Co., IL.

1909 Harriet (Gregg) Young in Grandview, MO age 94.  She was born in Shelby Co., KY in 1815 and married Solomon Young. They are Harry Truman’s grandparents.

1911 Rachel (Colclasure) Dennen in Clay Co., IL age 74.  Rachel was born 1837 in Illinois the daughter of Jacob & Mary (Trinkle) Colclasure.  She married 1) Andy Dennen and 2) Jacob Spiker.  Rachel was the mother of eight children:  Richard, William, Clara, Angeline, Otto, John SPiker, Joseph Spiker and Clara Spiker. 

In Memoriam - November 23rd

1896  Ezra Lathrop son of Levi & Louisa (Draper) Lathrop was born 1846 in Johnson Co., IL.  He served in the 63rd IL Infantry during the Civil War and was with Sherman on his march to the sea.  After the war he lived for a time in Wayne County, Illinois.  In 1884 he left the county and was not heard from again.  Levi asked his son-in-law Corbin Irwin to use his connections in the GAR to try to track him down.  Levi also left money for him in the will should Ezra return.  

In the 1990s I was contacted by a descendant of Ezra who said that Ezra lived in Missouri and changed his name to Patrick.  He married Nancy (Boly) Patton and they had seven children:  Myrtle, Ross, Maud, Louise, George, Helen and Alice.

The affidavit below confirms the death of Ezra aka Patrick Lathrop.  It was used in his minor children's attempt to claim his pension.

We, Mrs. Cora Cummins, 7043 Mitchell Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, and George Deala, Kirkwood, Missouri, both of lawful age, first being duly sworn, depose and say, that we knew Patrick Lathrop for fifteen years and six years respectively prior to his death; further that we were living in the same house with Patrick when he died on November 23, 1896 at Eureka, Missouri; further that I Mrs. Cora Cummins nursed Patrick Lathrop during the last eight weeks of his life, and I, George Deala, sat with Patrick Lathrop during the last night;

Further, we know that when Patrick Lathrop died a coffin was sent for to Pacific, Missouri, the coffin was hauled from Pacific, Missouri to Eureka, Missouri and Patrick Lathrop's body was prepared for burial by the family and no undertaker was employed; the body was buried at Allenton, Missouri, three miles from Eureka.

In Memoriam - November 18th

1702 Rev. James Fitch Grave inscription in Latin reportedly written by James’ son Jabez. ”In Hoc Sepulcro Depositae Sunt Reliquiae Viri Vere Reverendi D: Jacobi Fitch: Natus Fuit Apud Bocking in Comitatu Essexlae in Anglia, Anno Domino 1622 Decembr 24 Qui Post-Quam Linguis Literatis Optime Instructus Fuisset In Novangliam Venit Aetat. 16 Et Deinde Vitam Degit Harteordlae Per Sepennium Sub Institutione Virorum Ceeeberimorum D: Hooker Et D: Stone Postea Mtnere Passorali Functus Est Apud Saybrook Per Annos 14 Illinc Cum Ecckesiae Maiori Parte Norvicum Migravit Et Ibi Ceteros Vitae Annos Transegit In Opere Evangelico In Senectute Vero Prae Corporis Infirmitate Necessario Cessabat Ab Opere Publico : Tandemque Recessit Liberis Apud Lebanon Ubi Semianno Fere Exacto Obdormivit In Iesu Anno 1702 Novebr 18 Etat 80 Vir, Ingenii Acumine, Pondere Judicii, Prudentia Charitate, Sanctis Laboribus, Et Omnimoda Vitae Sanctitate Peritiaquoque Et Vi Concionandi Nulli Secundus.” 

Translated “In this grave are deposited the remains of that truely reverend man, Mr. James Fitch. He was born in Bocking, in the County of Essex, in England, the 24th day of December, in the year of our Lord 1622; who after he had been most excellently taught the learned languages came into New England at the age of sixteen, and then spent seven years under the instructions of those very famous men, Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone. Afterwards he discharged the pastoral office fourteen years at Saybrook. Thence he removed with the major part of his Church to Norwich, where he spent the other years of his life in the work of the gospel.

In Memoriam - November 2nd

1829 Louisa Morehead the 1 year old daughter of Charles & Fanny (Warder) Morehead in Missouri.

1895 Mary (Eichorn) Gurley age 35 in Sangamon Co., IL.  The daughter of Peter Eichorn she was born in Illinois in 1860.  Mary married J.J. Gurley in 1893, they were both deaf mutes and had no children.  Mary is buried in Zion Cemetery in Pawnee, IL.

1944 Uncle Wash Butler Dies; Rites Sunday

Washington Webster Butler, known as Uncle Wash died at the home of his eldest son, P.L. Butler, southeast of Wayne City at 9 a.m., Thursday at the age of 84 years, 11 months and 17 days.

In Memoriam - November 1st

1606 John Talcott in Colchester, England.  He was the son of John Talcott of Warwickshire.  John married 1) Mary Pullen and 2) ? Wells.  John was the father of nine children:  Robert, unnamed daughter, Thomas, Grace, Joanna, Marie, Eme, John and John.

1860 George Hocker the son of Nicholas & Sarah (Barnes) Hocker in Lincoln Co., KY age 74.  He was born in Maryland ca. 1786.  George married his cousin Nancy Hocker and they had ten children: Mary, Artemisia, Emily, Owen, Newton, George, Julia Ann, Joseph, Richard Weaver and Sarah.  He is buried in the Hocker / Goode Cemetery near Turnersville, KY.

1869 Washington Colclasure age 59 in Washington Co., IN.  He was born there in 1810 the son of Jacob & Elinor (Dennen) Colclasure.  Washington married Phoebe Stalcup.

1885 William Salsman in Missouri age 79.  He was born in Grayson Co., KY in 1805 the son of Peter & Catherine (Bailey) Saltzman.  William married CharityWalker and they had at least eight children: Catherine, John, Samuel, George, William, Jesse, Elizabeth and Elaxander.  He was originally buried in Grave Hill Cemetery.  In 1929 Bagnell Dam created Lake of the Ozarks.  Grave Hill Cemetery was emptied and William's remains were moved to New Freedom Cemetery in Camden Co., MO.