Nicholas was the son of Elijah Gorman and Susanna (Mosby) Holtonn in Mason, Kentucky. Elijah and Susanna had eleven children: Sarah A. (1799), Benjamin F. (1801), Martha Ann (1803), Susannah (1805), Nicholas Mosby (1807), Malinda (1809), Elijah Gorman (1811), Thomas Jefferson (1812), Patsy B (1815), Maria Abigail (1817), Robert Alexander (1821).

Nicholas married Lucy Dupuy in Scioto County, Ohio on January 8, 1834. Nicholas and Lucy had nine children; Mary Elizabeth (1834), Victoria (1838), George (1841), Robert (1842), Matilda (1844), Virginia Mosby (1846), James (1849), Laura (1853), Lucy (1855).

In the 1860 Federal Census, Nicholas and his wife and their children are living in Trenton, Grundy County, Missouri. Their children are George (1840), Miltida (1843), Robert (1841), Virginia (1847), Laura (1853), Lucy (1855). They have 12 tenants who are also listed in the census at the “Holton Hotel” or boarding house.

According to the obituary of Nicholas’s daughter Mary Elizabeth Robbins, Nicholas Holton conducted business at the famed McCormack House at Danville. The Census records seem to indicated that he was likely running a hotel or boarding house. The McCormack house was a favorite place to stay for Abraham Lincoln when court was in session in Danville during his early career as a Lawyer. It was located on the northwest corner of Main and Walnet Streets in Danville and offered lodging for many weary travelers and local businessman. It was on McCormack House stationary that Lincoln wrote his acceptance letter to James A Briggs in 1859 which would lead the way to his presidency.

Photo of the famed Hotel.

In the 1870 Census, Nicholas Holton and his children; George, Laura, Lucy, Robert and his wife Virginia are living in Danville. Nicholas is a Tavern keeper and Hotel Proprietor. There are 26 tenants in his building which I believe to be the McCormick House referred to in his daughters obituary.

In the 1880 Census, Nicholas declared that he is a retired merchant and is 73 years old. His thirty-nine year old son George is a Master Gardener and lives with him along with a 50 year old housekeeper whose name is Lizzie Smith.

One hundred and thirty one years ago today, Nicholas Mosby Holton died in Danville, Illinois. He is buried at Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville, Illinois.

Rest in peace, Nicholas!

Love, Jan

Nicholas is a fifth cousin four times removed. Interestingly enough Nicholas is 2 times Great Grandfather to Robert De Nero. We share 8 times Great Grandparents, George and Susanna (Sage) Alexander from Stirling, Scotland.

Note: Sorry about the difference in font size…I have pulled my hair out trying to figure out how to fix this… Fonts are the same on my original document.

Sophie Augusta Renkert was the daughter of Fritz and Freida (Jacobs) Renkert born in Jamestown North Dakota on November 26. 1914. Fritz and Freda Renkert had six children; Freida (1907), Augusta (1910), Otto (1913), Sophie (1914), Hilda (1918), Louis (1921).

In the 1900 Federal Census, Fritz and Freida are listed in Jamestown, North Dakota and they have two children; Freida (1907)and Augusta (8 months). By the 1915 North Dakota Territoial Census, the family lists; Fritz, Ida (Freida), Augusta, Otto and Sophie in Jamestown, North Dakota. The daughter, Freida, must have died.

In 1922, Fritz died. In the 1930 Census, Freida is living in Detroit. She is a widow and her oldest son is employed as a bookkeeper for a Construction Company.

Austin Rex Boyer and Sophie Renkert were married on June 1, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan. Austin and Sophie had two daughters; Florence Mae (1935) and Beverly (1938).

Sixty-six years ago today, Sophie died in an automobile accident in Midland, Michigan.

The Obituary listed below was provided by her Granddaughter, Christie Heine through the Findagrave.com website.

Boyer- Sophie Augusta Boyer, 2539 Paducah St., age 37, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 1952, at Midland, Mich. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm Saturday, Aug. 23, 1952, from Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Rev. Edward Jankens officiating. Burial in Sunset Hills Cemetery. The body will be at the Algoe-Gundry Mortuary until 12 o’clock noon, then at the church. Death was due to an automobile accident. She was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, November 26, 1914, daughter of Fritz and Freda Renkert, lived in Flint for 20 years. She was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Surviving are: Husband, Austin; 2 daughters, Florence Mae and Beverly, both at home; 3 brothers, Otto and August Renkert, both of Detroit, Louis Renkert of Boston, Mass.; sister, Mrs. Hilda DuPois, of Saginaw. Obit provided by Christie Henning Heine.

She was buried in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Flint, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Sophie!

Love, Jan

Sophie was the wife of my Great Grand Uncle, Austin Rex Boyer or my Great Grand Aunt.

James was the son of Francis Willard and Arena May (Straley) Smith. He was born in Yoder, Indiana on February 18, 1911.

Francis and Arena had two children; James W. (1911) and Dorothy(1917). Francis and Arena moved to Michigan where they were divorce by the 1920 Federal Census. In that Census, Frank, James and Dorothy were living with Alvin and Cora Smith, Frank’s brother and sister-in-law, and their children, Everett and James Fredrick, in Burton Michigan. Frank would build a home on Term Street in Burton with the other Smith family members and would stay for the remainder of his life.

Dorothy, James and Frank in Burton Michigan

James married Winifred (Daisy) Myers on March 23, 1934 in Indiana. In the 1940 Federal Census, James, Winifred, and Laurence (1937) are living in Flint where James is employed in the Auto Industry. He was employed by General Motors his entire life. Winifred died in 1973. James W married Patricia Moriarity on September 23, 1989.

Twenty two years ago today, James W Smith died in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is buried in the Garden of Memory Cemetery in Huntington County, Indiana.

Rest in Peace, James!

Love, Jan

James is my first cousin 2X removed.

Frank Hainer was the son of John W and Margaret L (Byers) Hainer born on December 8, 1875 in Brant Ontario. John and Margaret had seven children; FloraBelle (1869), Sylvester (1872), Amanda (1873), Frank (1875), Blanche (1881), Welby (1886) and Morley (1888).

In the 1881 Canadian Census, Frank is four years old and he has one brother, Sylvester, and two sisters, Amanda and Blanche. In the 1891 Canadian Census, Frank is fourteen and is attending school. He is listed with his three brothers, Sylvester, Welby and Morley, and three sisters Flora, Amanda, Blanche. They live in Burford, Ontario.

Frank married Bertha Brown on March 28, 1896 in Brantford,Ontario.  Five years later for the 1901 Canadian Census, Frank and Berta have a daughter whose name is Olive. They live in Burford, Ontario. Frank lists his occupation as Farm Laborer. In the 1911 Canadian Census, Frank and Bertha have two daughters; Olive (13) and Vera (6). By the 1921 Census, Frank and Bertha have three daughters, Vera (16) and Blythe 2 months) are listed in the Census. Olive has married Percy Posthill and no longer lives with her parents. There is also a farm hand listed in the Census, His name is Melvin Hill and he is sixteen years old.

Sixty five years ago today, Frank Hainer died in Burford, Ontario. He is buried in Northfield Cemetery, Brant County, Ontario,

Rest in peace, Frank.

Love, Jan

Frank Hainer is my second cousin three times removed