Samuel Billings Dix is the son of Samuel B. Dix and Mersilvia (Lawton) Dix. He was born on Febuary 16, 1819 in Saratoga, New York. Samuel and Mersilvia had two sons; James Lawton (1817) and Samuel Billings (1819). The earliest census record, that I find with Samuel and his wife, Mersilvia in Saratoga, New York is the 1820 Federal Census. And they have two sons and a daughter. By the 1830 Census, they are in Luzerne, Warren County, New York and they have two sons listed. The daughter listed in the earlier Census must have died between Census. In the 1840 Federal Census, they now live in Queensburg and have 2 sons over 20 years of age. In the 1850 Federal Census, both sons, James and Samuel are living in Glens Falls, New York with their parents and are not married. Samuel’s occupation was a wheelwright. In the 1855 New York Census, Samuel is living with his father and brother in Queensbury, New York. His mother, Mersilvia, died in 1853. Samuel’s occupation is a wagon maker in the 1855 New York State Census. Samuel’s father, Samuel B. Dix died in 1857. By the time of the 1860 Federal Census, I find a Samuel “D” Dix living with Ann Williams and her husband, Saul, in Queensbury, New York. It is likely him and a census taker wrote D for B for Samuel’s middle initial. In the 1870 Census, Samuel is living with his brother, James Lawton and his family in Queensbury. Samuel and his brother, James, list their occupation as farmers in this census.

Sometime before 1886, James and Samuel started an iron works foundry called JL & SB DIX. They specialized in plows, blades and iron pieces used primarly in the farming and the logging industries. James Lawton Dix died in 1888. In the 1888 Glens Falls Directory, James, Samuel, Charles and Walter all seem to be working together at JL &SB DIX. Charles is a draftsman and Walter is the bookkeeper. In the 1890 Glens Falls city directory for the business entry for the J L DIX Foundry Company all the owners of the company are now listed as Samuel B, Walter L, Charles B and Henry W Coffin. In the 1891 Directory, Charles B and Henry Coffin are now the owner the foundry.

In the 1892 New York State Census, Samuel is living with Charles Dix, his nephew, (son of James and Laura Dix). Also living with them is Henry Coffin and Anna Dix Coffin and their son, John and a sixty eight year old Sarah Dix. Upon further investigation Sarah is likely Laura the widow of James L Dix and the census taker wrote the wrong name. Samuel is listed next as a farmer. All these Dix family member list 143 Ridge in GlensFalls. Samuel never married or had any children. In his Will, Samuel left names, Charles Dix as the executor of his estate.

Samuel Billings Dix died one hundred and twenty years ago today on September 25, 1898. He is buried in the Glen Fall Cemetery in Warren County, New York in the Dix Family plot.

Rest in Peace, Samuel,

Love Jan

Samuel is my fifth cousin three time removed.

Ingeborg Helene Jakobsdatter – 1882 Wedding Photo

Ingeborg Helene was born September 13, 1856 in Notteroy, Norway. She was the daughter of Jakob Carlsen Lansrud and Helvig Kristensdatter. Jakob and Helvig had six children; Kristen (1845), Marie (1848), Even (1851), Ingeborg (1856), Karl (1858), Jens (1860).

Last entry on page – Hans Henrik Anderson married Ingeborg Helene Jakobsdattar

Ingeborg married Hans Henrik Andersen on February 7, 1882 in Notteroy, Norway. They had three sons; Andrew (1883), Hagbart (1888), Haakon (1891). Ingeborg and Hans lived in Grimestad on the Island of Tjome in Norway. Hans was a sailor.

One hundred and twenty four years ago today on September 18, 1894, Ingeborg died at the age of 38 years old. Her death record is in Norwegian but and no cause of death can be determined from this record. I was told that it was Typhoid Fever.  Hans was at sea when she died working aboard the vessel named “Lawrence”. The vessel left in April of 1894 and did not return until June of 1895. It is very likely that he did not know of his wife’s death until he returned home. The young boys lived with their Grandmother, Olava Jorgensen, whom they were very close to.

Ingeborg’s death record

Ingeborg taken in 1890 – 4 years before she died

She was buried in the Tjome Kirke Cemetery.

There are no longer tombstones for any of our Andersen family in this cemetery but they are here.  Ingeborg is my Great Grandmother.

Rest in peace, Ingeborg. I wish I had known you.

Love, Jan

Silas W. Densmore was born on May 21, 1871 in Ontario, Canada to William Thomas and Elizabeth (Laforge) Densmore. Wm Thomas and Elizabeth had eleven children; Peter David Daniel (1867), William T (1869-1869), Silas W. (1871), Flora J.(1873), Ellen May (1875), James Henry(1877), William Wallace (1879), Thomas Wm (1882) Lydia (1884), John Edward(1887), Harrison (1890). Thomas and Elizabeth moved from Canada to Michigan in 1872. They settled in Gilford Township, Tuscola County.  It is at this time when I started to notice the name change  from Densmore to Dinsmore to Dinsmoore.

Maggie & Silas 1899 – Likely a Wedding photo

This photo was shared on Ancestry by an family member. It is likely a wedding photo from 1899. Silas married Margaret Tahash on July 20, 1899 in Munger, Michigan. Silas and Margaret had eight children; Mary Eva (1900) William (1902), Herman (1905), Clarence (1907), Alfred (1912), Son (1913-1913), Margaret (1913-1913) Ethel May (1916), Chester (1923).

In the 1900 Federal Census, Silas, Margaret and Eva are listed in Gilford living with Andrew and Mary Ann Tahash, Margaret’s parents. Silas’s is working on the farm. In the 1910 Federal Census, they remain with Maggie’s parents where Silas is running the farm. By time of the 1920 Federal Census, they are still found in Gilford Township. They have five children living with them; William, Herman, Clarence, Alfred, Ethel May and Mary Ann Tahash, who became a widow in 1915 when her husband died. Mary Eva is twenty years old and appears to have already married.

In the 1930 Census, Silas and Maggie have Clarence, Alfred, Ethel, Chester and Mary Ann Tahash living with them. Silas remains in farming. In the 1940 Federal Census, a nearly seventy year old, Silas and Maggie have their widowed son, Albert and two of his children, Flora and James, living with them. They are still on the farm and Silas is still running it with the help of his seventeen year old son, Chester.

Seventy one years ago today, Silas died in Gilford Township, Michigan. He was buried in Gilford Township Cemetery with many family members.

Rest in peace, Silas,

Love, Jan

Silas is my first cousin three times removed.

George Richard was the son of Walter and Emeline (Losee) Kitzer born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania on July 2, 1926. Walter and Emeline had 6 children; William (1913), John G. (1915) Robert (1917), Charles (1919), Dorothy E. (1921) and George R. (1926).

In the 1930 Federal Census Census, a four year old George is found with his parent and 5 siblings. They live on Logan Ferry Road in Allegheny County, Plum township, Pennsylvania. George’s father, Walter, works for the Coal mines. In the 1940 Census, George is 13 and attending school. He is in the seventh grade.

Draft registration page 1

Draft Registration Page 2

George registered for the draft on the day after his eighteen birthday, July 3, 1944. At that time he was working for the Allegheny Pittsburgh Coal Company. He was 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighed 140 pounds.

Seventy four years ago today, George Richard Kitzer died. He was dead on arrival at the Allegheny General Hospital according to his death Certificate.

Death Certificate

He died of undetermined natural cases.  He is buried in Plum Creek Cemetery where the rest of the Kitzer family members are buried.

Rest in peace, George!

Love, Jan

George is my first cousin two times removed.

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

Charles Wesley Utter is the son of Thomas and Lydia (Leet) Utter born on November 16, 1847 in Wabash County, Illinois. Thomas and Lydia had three sons; Charles W (1847), William (1849), George (1851).

In the 1850 Federal Census, Charles is three years old and the Utter family was living in Bainbridge, Illinois. He has a one year old brother, William H. Utter. In the 1860 Federal Census, the Utter family is listed in Bompas, Wabash County, Illinois. It lists two sons; Charles age fourteen and William age eleven. George died as an infant.

Charles enlisted on February 1, 1864 in Mount Carmel, Illinois under Captian Adams. He mustered out on March 7, 1964. with the 46^th Illinois Infantry as a Private in Company G.

Charles died of chronic Diarrhea in the Regimental Hospital in Georgia on July 31, 1864. Charles was buried in the National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia. He was place in Section J, grave number 9948.

Rest in Peace, Charles.

Love,  Jan

Charles is my first cousin four times removed.

Daniel Leet was born on December 30, 1815 in Caneadea, Allegany County, New York, the son of Jonathan and Deborah (Hendryx) Leet. Jonathan and Deborah had ten children ;David (1808), Victor (1809), Nancy (1814), Daniel (1815), Lucy (1820), Maynarsia (1820), Lydia (1823), William (1831), Polly (1834), Amy.  The Leet family lived in Leicester, Genesee County, New York in the 1820 and 1830 Federal Censuses but shortly there after they relocated to Oakland County, Michigan where William and Polly were born. The 1833 Michigan territory Census shows that they were living in Petitioner, Michigan.

By the 1940 federal Census, Jonathan and most of the adult children had moved on to Wabash County, Illinois where Jonathan had received a Land Grant for his service in the War of 1812.

Daniel married Cecelia Hannah Anno on February 18, 1845 in Louisville, Clay County, Illinois. Daniel and Cecelia had nine children; Nancy(dies as a infant), Henry (1846), Cordila (1846), John (1848) Louisa (1858), David E. (1859), Mary (1862), Charles Russell (1869), Allen (1869).

I am unable to find Daniel and Cecelia in the 1850 Federal Census but Daniel is recorded in an Agricultural Schedule in Wabash County at that time. I believe that they would have had three or four children by the time of this Census. In the 1860 Federal Census, Daniel and his wife live in Friendville, Illinois with their children; Henry, Cordila (twins), John, Louisa, David E., and Olive Corry who is Daniel’s Aunt from his mother’s side of the Hendryx family. By the 1870 Federal Census, they are living in Mount Carmel, Illinois. Henry, Cordila and John are no longer listed on the Census but Louisa, Ednie (who I believe to be David E.), Mary and the twins, Charles Russel and Allen.

Cecelia died in 1875. Daniel remarried Elizabeth Jane Ragan. Jane was much younger that Daniel. In the 1880 Federal Census, Daniel and Jane have three minor children still living at home.  Are these Cecelia’s children and Jane is raising them? I cannot be certain at this time.  I am including them here and will continue to investigate. These children are; Lowvina (1862), Frances (1865), Charles (1872). I did not see evidence of these children in the 1870 Census, unless the names and birth dates are wrong in the 1880 Census.  These children would have been born when Cecelia was still alive and I find not divorce record for Cecelia and Daniel.

One hundred twenty four years ago today, Daniel Leet died. Daniel was buried in the Day Cemetery in Wayne County, Illinois next to his wife Cecelia who died 19 years before him. There is not a good photo available of this cemetery.

Rest in peace, Daniel!

Love, Jan

Daniel is my third Great Grand Uncle