Mary Jane Anderson was born on November 24, 1867 in Wabash, Illinois. She was the daughter of Samuel and Polly (Leet) Anderson. Samuel and Polly had six children; Jonathan Henry (1859), Julie C (1865), Ella (1866), Mary Jane (1867), Louis M. (1872), Laura E.(1875). In the 1880 Federal Census, Samuel and Polly are found in Leech Township, Wayne County, Illinois. They have five children living with them; John (Henry), Julia, Mary Jane, Louis (Lewis) M, and Laura E. Samuel lists his occupation as farmer.

Mary Jane Anderson married John W. Dalton on October 3, 1889 in Wayne County, Illinois . Eleven years later in the 1900 Federal Census, John and Mary Jane Dalton are found in Wayne County, Illinois. They have five children; Lizzie (Elizabeth, 1890), Henry (1892), Charley (1896), Clarence (1898), and Andrew (1899). The Census states that Mary Jane has had 6 children and one has died. John lists his occupation as a farmer.

The 1910 Federal Census, shows John and Mary Jane living in Romine, Marion County, Illinois. The census states that she has had nine children. Listed in the census are; Henry J, Christopher (Clarence Christopher – age 12) Charley (age 14), Andrew (age 10), Florence V. (1903), Hester (1907), Hazel (1909). Mary Jane’s brother, Lewis is living with them too. Charley is helping his father on the farm. Lewis is a laborer but working in “Timber” according to the census.

In the 1920 Federal Census, John and Mary Jane remain in Marion County, Illinois. They have Christopher, Andrew, Florence, Hester and Hazel living with them. In addition they a grandson, Lee Haizlip who is 7 years old, born in 1913 listed. Lee was the son of Lizzie. She died in 1919. The brother-in-law, Lewis remains with them. There is also a nine year old daughter whose name is Pearl Burkitt. I can not at this time determine who Pearl is. John is still farming and Andrew is working with him. Lewis is still working in Timber.

A side note…..Lizzie (Elizabeth Dalton) married Charles Haizlip. They had three sons. Carl, one of their son, died in 1918. Her husband, Charles Haizlip, died in November of 1918. He was a coal miner and it appears that he died in a mining related accident. Lizzie died six months later which is why Lee , Earl Lee, was living with his grandparents in the 1920 Federal Census. (This story might be a good research project for a future blog.)

In the 1930 Federal Census, John and Mary Jane have one daughter, Hazel Mount, living with them. John is no longer working. Hazel is divorced and works in a Shoe Factory.

Eighty four years ago on April 4, 1939, Mary Jane Dalton died in Marion County, Illinois. She was buried in Palestine Cemetery in Luka, Marion County, Illinios.

Rest in peace, Mary Jane!

Love Jan

Mary Jane is my first cousin 5 times removed on my Father’s Maternal line of his family. I have two DNA matches on Ancestry.com thru the Mary Jane Anderson Dalton line. These connections are thru daughters, Hester and Florence.