Charles Henry (Moon) Anderson, son of Addie (Densmore) and Andrew Anderson, was born on March 5, 1925. Andrew and Addie had eight children; Olga Marie (1911), Ray Densmore (1916), Robert Wesley (1920), Andrew Fredrick (1922), Charles Henry (1925), Leah Mae (1928), Herbert William(1930), John (1932).

Charles and Leah -1929 in the yard in Marine City

In the 1930 Federal Census, Charles is listed with his parents and siblings at 242 North Elizabeth Street in Marine City. He is 5 years old and not attending school yet. By the 1940 Federal Census, he is an eight grader and attending school and the address is now 272 North Elizabeth.  .

This family Photo was taken in in either 1937 or 1939. In the back row standing is Andrew F, Robert W , Ray D. and Charles H. The front row is Addie (seated), John, Andrew (seated), Leah, Olga (seated), Herbert.

Charles enlisted in the Navy on June 24, 1943 and served throughout World War II until he was honorably discharged on April 6, 1946.

Charles married Carol Marzolf on February 19^th, 1955 in Marine City, Michigan. Charles was known as Moon. It was a nickname given to him by his mother, Addie. Unfortunately the story of why she called him that was not passed down. Perhaps she was “over the Moon” happy when he was born. Or his round face reminded her of the Moon. We will never know for sure but Uncle Moon is all I ever knew him by.  Moon and Carol had 4 children ; Connie, Cathy, Charles and Carrie.

Charles was a boiler operator for the Automotive Industry for 25 years. He was a member of the South Eastern Michigan Conservation Club and a member of the Marine City Fire Department.

Thirty years ago today, Uncle Moon died. He was sixty three years of age. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Marine City, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Uncle Moon!

Love, Jan.

Sarah Kathryn was the daughter of Howard and Ida (McDonald) Castor on August 4, 1907 in Hamilton County, Indiana. In the 1910 Federal Census, Howard and Ida had five children;  Clem (1898), Laurel (1901), Lois (1903), Mary (1905), Sarah Kathryn (1907). They lived in Noblesville, Indiana, Howard was a farmer.  By the 1920 Federal Census, Howard and Ida have added a son to their family, Mac born in 1913.

Sarah Kathryn, now known as Kathryn, married Harold Hedger on October 22, 1928 in Noblesville, Hamilton County, Indiana. An Indiana birth certificate for Patty Ruann Hedger shows that she was born on March 14, 1929. She was premature and died on March 18, 1929. By the 1930 Federal Census, they have moved to Pendleton, Madiosn County, Indiana. Harold is a truck driver.

In the 1940 Federal Census, Kathryn and Harold are living in Wayne, Hamilton County, Indiana.  Harold lists his occupation as a laborer. They have no children. Kathryn is thirty two and Harold is thirty three. On May 16, 1942, Kathryn and Harold had a son, Stephan Mac Hedger.

Twenty four years ago today, Kathryn died in Vermont where she was living with her son, Stephen.  She is buried in the Prairie Baptist Cemetery next to her husband Harold and daughter Patty.

Rest in Peace, Kathryn!

Love, Jan

Kathryn is the wife of my second cousin twice removed.

Daniel Fisher was born on June 14, 1826 in New Philadelphia (Dover), Tuscarawas, Ohio. He is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Crites) Fisher. Henry and Elizabeth had ten children; John (1822), Daniel (1826), Solomon (1828), George (1830), Joseph (1832), Anna (1835), Elizabeth (1839), Lydia (1840), Henry W. (1843), Mary (1845).

The quoted paragraphs come from Biographical Memoirs of Wells County” written in 1903 on pages 549 – 550

“Daniel Fisher was reared to farm life and was educated in the common schools; being an apt scholar and possessing a retentive memory, he succeeded in securing a good education and at the age of twenty-one years, on quitting school, he began learning the cooper’s trade, at which he worked one year, when, having saved sufficient funds, he came to Wells county and entered eighty acres of wooded land on the site now occupied by Jesse Crites. He returned to Ohio and remained at his trade two years longer. “

Jesse Crites and Daniel Fisher were first cousins. Jesse Crites is my three time Great Grandfather.

“Mr. Fisher was united in marriage in 1850, with Miss Sophia A. Myers and the young couple lived on the farm alluded to for seven years, when Mrs. Fisher was called to rest July 17, 1857, leaving three children, named Henry, Elizabeth and Margaret A. At the death of this, his first helpmate, Mr. Fisher returned to the home of his father in Ohio and remained on the old homestead, until his second marriage, which took place March 25, 1859, to Miss Sarah J. Shull. In April, 1859, he returned with his wife to Wells county, Indiana, and resumed the occupancy of his original farm, on which he resided until 1862, when he sold it and bought one hundred and twenty acres of his present farm, to which he has since added forty acres, having now a compact farm of one hundred and sixty acres of as good land as can be found in Wells county.”

In the 1860 Federal Census, Daniel and his new wife Sarah are found in Union Township, Wells County, Indiana. Daniel is a farmer and they have three children listed with them; Elizabeth, Henry Wm and Emmet H. It appears that Daniel served in the military during the Civil War. He and his brother Solomon, signed up at the same time. Daniel was 37 years old when he signed up. Daniel may have served in several Battalions during the conflict but I do not find a pension record. The pension record usually gives you the greatest amount of information on a soldier.

In the 1870 Census, Daniel and Sarah now have nine children living with them; Elizabeth (1851), Henry Wm (1853), Margaret (1855), Ellsworth (1859), Emmet (1859), Matilda (1861), Clare (1863), George (1865), Rachel (1869). Daniel is a successful farmer whose estimated real estate value is $6000.00 in farm land. By the 1880 Federal Census, Daniel and Sarah have ten children at home; Ellsworth (1859), Emmet (1859), Matilda (1861), Clare (1863), George (1865), Elmer (1866), Rachel (1869), Daniel B. (1871), Della (1875), Mary E. (1876). The three oldest children have married and moved on. In the census records, Emmet E who is twenty, George who is 14, Elmer who is 12 and Rachel who is 11, all list their occupation a farm laborers.

“In politics Mr. Fisher is a stalwart Republican and has been a zealous supporter of the party ever since its foundation, having probably cast more presidential votes than any other man in Wells county, at least in Union township, including candidates nominated by both Whigs and Republicans. Mr. Fisher thinks for himself and is possessed of strong convictions, but is not obtrusive and is a kindly neighbor, and has lived to witness Union township developed from a genuine wilderness into a blooming garden. His only neighbor, in fact, when he first settled here, was Jesse Crites, each owning a horse and wagon, and when necessary to go to mill, the two would hitch the animals together, thus making a double team, and while one of them carried an ax with which to hew a road through the woods, the other would drive the horses.”

One hundred and fourteen years ago on February 12, 1905, Daniel Fisher died in Huntington County, Indiana. He was buried at Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville, Indiana next to his wife, Sarah Jane.

Rest in peace, Daniel!

Love, Jan

Daniel Fisher is a first cousin 5 times removed.

Minnie A. Hartsock was born on August 5, 1867, the daughter of Jeremiah and Barbara (Rouch) Hartsock in Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana. Jeremiah and Barbara Hartsock had five children; Anna (1866), Minnie (1867), Harry (1870), Eason (1872), Lilly (1878). In the 1870 Federal Census for Jeremiah and his wife Barbara, three children are listed, Anna, Minnie,Harry and Daniel Hartsock, Jeremiah’s father.  By the 1880 Federal Census, the Jeremiah Hartsock family now has two additional children, Eason (1872) and Lilly ( 1878). Daniel is also still living with them. He is now 80 years old.

On January 13, 1887, Minnie A. Hartsock married Robert Franklin Hood in Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana. The next available Federal Census record is the 1900 Federal Census. Robert Franklin and Minnie Hood have two children; Thomas (1892) and Ellen(1898). In the 1910 Federal Census, Robert and Minnie now have three children; Thomas, Ellen and Robert (1904). Robert J Smith died of TB and Meningitis when he was 13 years old in 1917.

In the 1920 Federal Census, only Robert Franklin and Minnie are listed. They live at 310 North Washington Street, Columbia City according to all of the Census records which listed their address.   In the 1940 Federal Census, Minnie is alone, Robert died in 1935. She remained that the North Washington Street address the rest of her life.

Minnie A Hartsock Hood

Sixty years ago today, Minnie died on February 5, 1959 at the Barkle Nursing Home in Columbia City, Indiana. She had lived there the last three months of her life.  She died of Myocardial Degeneration and Senility. She is buried beside her husband in Green Hill Cemetery.

Rest in peace, Minnie!

Love, Jan

Minnie is the wife of my first cousin three times removed.

Charles Harvey was the son of Abraham and Cynthia (George) Hedger born in Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana on June 17, 1875. Abraham and Cynthia had two sons; Charles (1878) and John (1879). In the 1880 Federal Census, Abraham, Cynthia and their two sons live in White River Township, Hamilton County, Indiana. By the 1900 Federal Census, Charles is a twenty two year old farm laborer who lives in Green Township, Hancock County Indiana. He is living with and working for Thomas Franklin and his wife, Mahala.

On April, 17, 1906, Charles married Cora Alice Smith in Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana. In the 1910 Federal Census, Charles and Cora are living in Falls Creek, Madison County, Indiana. They have one son whose name is Harold. He is three years old. Charles is a wagon driver who delivers coal according to the census.

On September 12, 1918, Charles registered for the draft for WWI. He lists his birthday as June 18, 1873. That is different than the June 17, 1876 which is listed on his death certificate. He states that his occupation is farming and dairying. He registered with the Falls Creek Township Registor. He stated that he is tall, slender and has brown eyes and gray hair. He had no disabilities.

By the 1920 Census, Charles and Cora are living in Pendleton, Madison County.Indiana. It appears that he maybe a dairyman who delivers milk. They still only have one son, Harold who is now thirteen years old. In the 1930 Census, They remain in Pendleton, Indiana and Charles is a truck driver who is self employed. In the 1940 Federal Census, Charles is a sixty three year old truck driver. He and Cora still live in Pendleton, Indiana.

Seventy Five years ago today, January 29, 1944, Charles Harvey Hedger died. It appears that he had a heart attach but had chronic Nephritis which was a contributing factor. Charles Hedger is buried in Mendon Cemetery south of Pendleton, Indiana.

Rest in peace, Charles!

Love, Jan

Charles is the husband of my first cousin three times removed.

Simon Crites was born on December 24, 1842, the son of Daniel and Catherine (Benell) Crites, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Daniel and Catherine had eight children; Simon (1842), John (1844), Wesley (1847), William (1848), David (1850), Sylvanus (1852), Albert (1853), Jesse (1856).

In the 1850 Census Federal Census, Daniel and Catherine and their children are located in Salem, Tuscarawas, Ohio. They have six children living with them; Simon, John, Wesley, William, David and Ann. Ann is twelve years old and it appears that she is the daughter of George Crites, a niece to Daniel and Catherine. I do not see her listed with Daniel in later Census records.

In the 1860 Federal Census there appears to be a bit of confusion on the part of the Census taker. Two families are listed as one with the head of household listed first as Paul Crites, a wife Catherine and the names of all the Crites children; Simon, John, Wesley, William, David, Sylvanus, Albert, Jesse. Then listed under that same dwelling number and family number, they list Daniel and Catherine Crites with all of the same children. In my Crites research I do not have a Paul associated with my Crites line during this time period so I really think that this is an error on the part of he census taker. Daniel and his family have moved from Salem, Ohio to Halbert, Martin County, Indiana. Simon and John appear to be helping their father Daniel on the farm and are no longer attending school.

On December 31,1861, Simon joins Company B, Regiment 20, of the Indiana Infantry as a private in the Civil War in Lafayette, Indiana. This regiment was organized in July of 1861 in Lafayette Indiana and muster out to Indianapolis on July 22, 1861. They were a very active infantry participating in many battles in North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia. On October 6, 1864, Simon is discharges after being wounded near Alexandria, Virginia. He was declared disabled by the military and sent home to heal from his wounds. He returned to Martin County, Indiana where he married Sarah Elizabeth Manning on December 10, 1865.

In the 1870 Federal Census, Simon and Sarah are found in Perry, Martin County, Indiana. Simon is doing some farm labor. They have one son, Thomas Daniel who was born in 1867. By the 1880 Federal Census, Simon and Sarah have moved to Summit, Kansas. They have two children; Thomas (1867)and Simon (1879). Simon (Sr.) lists his disability in the Census and refers to it as damage to his shoulder.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Simon and Sarah are in Summit Kansas. They have their son, Simon who is twenty years old Simon and a granddaughter, Athena (1895), living with them. Athena is the daughter of Thomas Daniel and Cynthia Belle (Carpenter) Crites.  In the 1910 Federal Census, Simon and Sarah have a grandson named Albert living with them. He is eight years old. They live in Milton, Kansas. Albert is the son of Thomas Daniel and Cynthia B. Crites.  He was also counted with his parents in Holton, Kansas.

By the time of the 1920 Census, Simon and Sarah have two boarders living with them. They are Ray and Alice Sins. They are listed as boarders so I assume there is no family connection. Simon and Sarah are now 77 years and 73 years old respectively. By the 1930 Federal Census, Simon is widowed. He is 87 years old and lives alone in Burns, Kansas.

Eighty six years ago, on January 22, 1933, Simon Crites died. He is buried at Summit Cemetery in Burns, Kansas.

Eighty six years ago, on January 22, 1933, Simon Crites died. He is buried at Summit Cemetery in Burns, Kansas.

Rest in peace, Simon!

Love, Jan

Simon is a second cousin four times removed.

Dora Belle was born on March 22, 1877 in Wells County, Indiana. She was the daughter of James W. and Oella (Denney) Smith.  James W. and Oella had six children; William Frampton (1869), Alvin Oliver (1873), Della (1874), Dora Belle (1877), Etta Clare (1882), Francis Willard (1887). They lived in rural Wells County near Ossian, Indiana. James W Smith was a farmer.

In the 1880 Federal Census, James W and his wife, Oella and four of their children including Dora are living in Union Township Indiana. The older children, William and Alvin, are attending school. The younger daughters, Della (4 years)and Dora (3 years) are at home with their mother.

William H Jackson, Oscar Jackson, Dora Belle Smith Jackson – 1901

Dora Belle married William Harvey Jackson in Zanesville, Indiana on June 30, 1895. In the 1900 Federal Census ,William and Dora Jackson are found in Lafayette Township. Allen County, Indiana. They have two sons; Oscar (1897) and Charles (1900; 4 months old). William is a farmer. This picture of the Jackson family, William, Oscar and Dora, was likely taken around 1901 after Charles had died. He is buried in the Family plot in Hoverstock Cemetery.

In the 1910 Federal Census, William and Dora have two children listed; Oscar who is fourteen and Ruth who is seven.  The Jackson family lives in Jefferson Township, Whitley County, Indiana and William is a farmer. They are renting their home.

This photo is believed to have been taken around 1910 of the James W. Smith Family. Dora and William Jackson are the couple on the far left. Ruth is standing next to Dora. Oscar is the boy standing in the center of the photo directly behind his Grandparents James W and Oella (Denney) Smith. Oscar is the oldest of their grandchildren.

By the 1920 Census, the Jackson family has moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Oscar has married and no longer lives at home.  Ruth is 17 and still does lives with her parents. William is a butcher for a local Wholesale Meat Company. They live on Fox Avenue. In the 1930 Federal Census, William and Dora live on Oliver Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana. William works in a Tank Factory.  In the 1940 Federal Census, Dora and William remain found in Fort Wayne and their daughter, Ruth and her children, Lloyd (16), Walter(12) and Marlene(8), are living with them. Ruth is divorced.

Sixty six years ago on January 15, 1953, Dora Belle Smith Jackson died.of Cardiovascular Renal Disease in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is buried in the Jackson Family Plot in Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville, Indiana.

Rest in Peace, Dora!

Love, Jan

Dora Belle Smith Jackson is my Great Grand Aunt.