ANOTHER LEAD FROM A READER ~ A photo of young William Gillen who drowned in 1930 - leads to more information

I’ve been very fortunate the past couple of months.  First a contact from Ron’s side of the family and the Jeremiah Hall house in Massachusetts JEREMIAH HALL house built 1727 in Wrentham, Colonial Massachusetts

Now, I’ve received more information on a young man I’ve written about in the past.  He is a 3^rd cousin twice removed on my maternal side.  His name, William Dillon GILLEN, born 29 May 1913 and sadly, died 18 May 1930 in a drowning accident in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Here is my original post about him SUNDAY’S OBITUARIES ~ I’ve been busy finding obituaries this week for my Gillen line

When I wrote that particular blog post I had let my subscription to Genealogy Bank expire.  I was using newspapers.com and that was the article I located.  Now that I’ve renewed my subscription to Genealogy Bank, and thanks to the reader who contacted me, I have located more articles and pictures of young William D. Gillen.

Here's what I found when I entered William Gillen, 1930 in Louisiana and Ohio, in the search filters for Genealogy Bank. There are 23 different newspaper articles referring to William’s death, his burial etc. 

Among the 23 articles I located the one that was sent to me by my reader.  It was from the New Orleans States newspaper, page 1 on 19 May 1930.  The photo of William is no more clear than the one that was sent to me, but I am happy to have the entire article.

Two boys went out on Lake Pontchartrain around 2 p.m.  They were in a boat purchased by William with his savings.  He named the boat the Flaming Youth.  The boys worked together at the firm Arthur Duvic’s & Sons, dealers in boat supplies.

William’s nickname was apparently “Speedy” and the friend that was with him, Edward Delaney, age 15, was nicknamed “Cotton.”

Here are photos of both boys from the newspaper.

They purchased soft drinks from a lady selling them at Spanish Fort before heading out.

A brisk gale with high waves came upon the lake that afternoon which they believed caused the boat to capsize.

I searched but did not locate any articles that said they ever located the body of young Edward.  How sad for the family.

William is buried at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans.  You may visit his memorial at #23405167.  May both boys rest in peace.

My takeaway from this, is we never know where we’ll locate newspaper articles for our family.  I know we cannot always afford the expense of more than one subscription.  However, keep in mind that many libraries do offer free use of their subscriptions to genealogy sites, to patrons.   

If you are related to or connected to anyone in this blog post, please get in touch.  Let’s exchange information.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2022   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

 

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ My maternal grandfather, Joseph A. Milne

Today I’m writing about a small article featuring my maternal grandfather, Joseph A. Milne.

He is mentioned as a member of the Alpha Dramatic Club, both as stage manager and floor committee member.

This article is dated 5 May 1901 and was published in the Detroit Free Press.  My grandfather would have been 18 at this time.

Alpha Dramatic Club will give an informal hop at Milburn Hall Tuesday evening, for which music will be furnished by Finney's orchestra. The officers of the club are: President, Miss Bess Mylles Davis; secretary and treasurer, Miss Eva May Curtis; business manager, A. Bruce Atwell; stage manager, Joseph A. Milne. Members: Inez Frazer, Katherine Carroll, Charles Drummons, John J. Heasley. Floor committee: Charles Drummond, John J. Heasley, Joseph A. Milne, A. Bruce Atwell, Roy Baker.

My grandfather was listed as a Typesetter in the 1900 U.S. Federal census.  In 1903 and 1904 he was living with his grandparents and mother at 189 Helen Ave., in Detroit, working as a Clerk.

He and my grandmother, Florence L. Bowden didn’t marry until 11 Apr 1906.

I wonder if my grandmother was interested in the drama club?  I never heard anything to indicate this was an area of interest for her. My grandfather, Joseph, died when I was just 7 years old.  I never got to really know him or ask him any questions.  I do remember him.

There is a particular picture of my grandfather, dressed in a costume, along with others who are also in costume. There is no date on the photo, nor any other identifying information.

Could this have been his drama club group?

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2022   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION 

A WONDERFUL WAY TO BEGIN 2022 ~ A morsel of new information on my brick wall, John C. Gould

 

All of us have them.  Brick walls.  Genealogical mysteries that we are unable to solve……yet.

In my case I’ve written blog posts about my brick walls and you can read those posts here Mystery Monday - Who's Your Daddy - My Brick Walls

The number ONE most frustrating genealogical brick wall for me, is not knowing my paternal 2nd great grandfather’s parents or siblings.  Who were they? Where did they live?

People don’t just drop out of the sky via the stork, so the answers are out there someplace.  But WHERE????? So, John C. Gould, who is your family?

New information to shed light on this mystery has not been easy to come by. In fact, based on my notes in Legacy, which I date, the last little tid bit was about John Gould being mentioned on a deed for Rose Hill Cemetery in Armada, Michigan.

Here is my note

2/27/16 - Located a website for Armada Township today http://www.armadatwp.org/CommunityInformation/Cemeteries.aspx
The site had cemetery information.  Rose Hill, Hadley and Willow Grove Cemeteries were listed.  I contacted the sexton for Rose Hill, Marv Wolak 586-784-5537 and left a message. He called me back and said that he found no actual burials in either Hadley or Rose Hill for John C. Gould or Sarah Gould.  However, he did find a John Gould mentioned on a deed along with Warren Tibbits (1798-1861) at Rose Hill Cemetery.  Warren Tibbits is buried there.  No record of a burial for John is indicated.

Fast forward to December 2021.  Met a nice woman in a Facebook group.  Her name happens to be Melinda Gould. We began communicating trying to figure out if we are related.  Of course, that meant I had to mention that I had no idea of my Gould line beyond my 2nd great grandfather, John C. Gould. She said she would love to help me figure out who his parents were AND that she knows a lot of great researchers in Michigan.

On New Year’s Eve she posted a request “calling all genealogy researchers, especially those with Michigan roots!”

Within a few hours one of the researchers, Deb, had posted a newspaper article about the burial of John Gould at Rose Hill Cemetery! 

WHAT?! Oh my gosh! I had searched newspapers many times and never found this. Did I miss it? Was the newspaper for the particular year and date recently updated?  I don’t know and don’t care. 

The article reads – ARMADA – The remains of John Gould, of Detroit, were brought to Armada for burial, Wednesday. He left many relatives in this community. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Rev. R. J. Chase officiated.

First question I asked – Which newspaper and what was the date of the article?

It was The Times Herald, Port Huron, Michigan and the date the article was published was 23 May 1919.  WOW! I have a death certificate that I’ve always believed to be John’s.  Date of death 19 May 1919.  Port Huron is just north of Armada and Detroit. AND, the article states that his remains were transported on Wednesday to Rose Hill Cemetery in Armada.  That Wednesday date would have made it 21 May 1919, two days after his death.

Conclusion – This is DEFINITELY my John Gould.

He, according to Rose Hill cemetery records, co owned a plot there. Many family members are buried there.  I’ve been to Rose Hill three times on visits back to Michigan.  I’ve looked at every headstone in this small cemetery.  There is no Gould headstone.  However, we know that may mean there wasn’t one, or that it has disappeared, or sunk into the earth.  I have many ancestors with no headstones. Next time I visit, I will try to find out which plot was on the deed and use a device that allows me to poke into the ground to locate sunken headstones.

In the meantime, I am seriously happy to have found a new piece of information in my ongoing search.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

Those Places Thursday – Armada

Those Placed Thursday - Towns or roads in Michigan using the name Gould

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2022   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

SUNDAY’S OBITUARIES ~ I’ve been busy finding obituaries this week for my Gillen line

We all know that obituaries can be a great source of information about our ancestors.  This week I’ve been working on my GILLEN line and have located several obituaries that I didn’t previously have.  These have all been located on newspapers.com, my favorite newspaper source.

Here are the obituaries I’ve located and their relationship to me.  I hope they can be helpful to other family members.

CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.

GILLEN, Clinton A. – 2 Dec 1860 to 25 Mar 1939 – My 2nd cousin 3 times removed

GILLEN, Frank Martin – 1 Sep 1876 to 29 Mar 1958 – My 2nd cousin 3 times removed

GILLEN, Silas Sr – 6 Feb 1851 to 3 Aug 1931 – My 1st cousin 4 times removed

GILLEN, Silas Sr - Times Picayune - 4 Aug 1931, page 2

GILLEN, William – 1 Jun 1833 to 16 Dec 1906 – My 1st cousin 4 times removed

Gillen, William - obituary - The Champaign Daily News, Illinois - 18 Dec 1906, page 1

GILLEN, William D. – 29 May 1913 to 18 May 1930 – My 3rd cousin twice removed - This young man was only 16 yrs. old.

GILLEN, William D, obituary - Times Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana - 23 May 1930, page 19

If you are related to anyone mentioned here, I’d love to hear from you.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2021   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

SUNDAY’S OBITUARY ~ Cornelia B. R. SMITH (1838-1897) –my husband’s paternal great grandaunt

Cornelia B. R. Hall is my husband’s paternal great grandaunt.  She is the daughter of Rev. George Hall and his first wife Almira ROSETTE.  You can read about their wedding here WEDDING WEDNESDAY–Rev. George Hall & Almira Rosette married March 11, 1834

 (please click on any image to enlarge it)

Obituary - Cornelia B. Smith - The Algona Republican, Algona, Iowa, 26 May 1897, page 5

Here is my transcription of the obituary:

MRS. CORNELIA B. SMITH
Widow of the late A.A. Smith of Irvington Dies at Her Irvington Home Last Saturday
Mrs. Cornelia B. Smith, widow of the late A. A. Smith died at her home in Irvington Saturday last, after an illness of about seven months.  The funeral was on Sunday, the services being conducted by Rev. J. W. Innes of the Presbyterian church. The remains were buried in the Irvington cemetery.
Cornelia B. Hall was born in Hoboken, N. J., in 1839.  She was the daughter of a Congregational minister.  She married in 1859 to Almon A. Smith and with him came to Iowa and settled on the Irvington farm in 1868.  Her husband died some five years ago.  Three children are living, F. W. Smith, R. R. Smith and Mrs. Etta, wife of O. W. Cleary, all of Irvington.  Two brothers of Mrs. Smith have died during the past year.  They were Dr. G. F. Hall of Brazier Falls, N.Y., and Thos Hall of Saratoga. The news of the death of the latter, a younger brother to whom she was strongly attached, came during the critical period of her illness, and she was not told of it.  One sister of the deceasd survives.  The family wish to express their thanks for the kindness of their neighbors in their days of trial and sorrow.

Cornelia was the second oldest child and had five siblings, Dr. George F. Hall, Charles A.B. Hall, Thomas Cornelius Hall (husband of Cora who kept the scrapbook I'm writing posts about), Susan Emily Hall and Ellen M. Hall.  I have written other blog posts about her siblings.  I will list them at the end of this post.

Cornelia’s mother died when she was a young girl of 20.  Cornelia married Almon A. Smith about 1859 (date given in the obituary).  They had 3 sons and 1 daughter; Fred W. (abt 1863-1929), Robert R. (1864-1935)m Clara Lloyd and second Mina G. Bliss, Ettie L. (abt 1867- ?) married Omer W. Cleary, and Howard M. (abt 1879 – 1881).

The 1860, 1870 and 1880 census records all have Almon working as a Farmer or a farm laborer.  In 1860 & 1870 he appears to be working on his father’s farm.  Almon recorded a personal estate worth $3500 in the 1870 census.  By 1880 he was a Laborer and no estate or personal worth is listed.

The only items I’ve located in the newspapers for Cornelia (other than her obituary) are these 3 notices for letters remaining at the post office.  Sadly, the last one is dated after her death.

22 Jun 1877 from the Muscaltine Weekly Journal and 6 Oct 1894 from The Gazette  both publications in Iowa

Mr. or Mrs. Smith - letters remaining at post office, Steamboat Rock Echo, Iowa, 25 Feb 1898

Cornelia was just 59 years old at the time of her death.  I have not located a death record that can tell me the cause, yet. Her husband Almon was only 57 when he died of heart disease.

AS PROMISED HERE ARE OTHER POSTS ABOUT THIS FAMILY

MILITARY MONDAY ~ THE CIVIL WAR PENSION FILE OF GEORGE F. HALL–1837-1896 

FOLLOW UP FRIDAY - How I located the probate record for George F. Halll - Civll War Veteran, died 1896

AMANEUNSIS MONDAY ~ The Last Will & Testament of George F. Hall–1837-1896 

CIVIL WAR PENSION FILE ~ Cora E. Hall widow of Thomas C. Hall ~ What gems does it contain?

FRIDAY FINDS ~ The 6th child of Rev. George Hall & his wife Almira–Meet Ellen M. Hall 

If you think you might be related to anyone mentioned in this blog post, or have additional information, please contact me.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2021   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ My maternal grandmother, Mrs. Florence Milne injured in an auto collision 2 May 1933

This was a small news article I located back in 2018.  While it isn’t dramatic and barely newsworthy, it was printed in the paper.

Here is the article.

The Ludington Daily News, page 3 - May 2, 1933

Here is my transcription

Eight are Injured in Auto Collision
Grand Rapids, May 2 - J.C. Beck, 65, of Lansing was cut and bruised severely in an auto collision at 12:30 a.m. today, and seven residents of Detroit received minor injuries.  The accident occurred on US 16 near Cascade, during a heavy rain.
The Detroiters are Gordon Allyn, 50, his wife Nellie, 30, their three children, and Mrs. Florence Milne, 43, and Mrs. A. Allyn, 76, Mr. Allyn's mother.

This article appeared in the Ludington Daily News.  Interestingly, I had never heard of Ludington, Michigan, until about 3 years ago when we met a couple from there, on our Alaskan cruise. We became friends and still communicate today. 

As a reference regarding the location.  Grand River Ave., which is a major road in, not only Detroit, but other nearby cities, was also called US 16. 

US Highway 16 (US 16), also called Grand River Avenue for much of its length in the state, was one of the principal roads prior to the post-World War II construction of freeways in the state of Michigan.
U.S. Route 16 in Michigan

US Highway 16

Length - 210.643 mi (338.997 km)

Existed - November 11, 1926–1962

History - Replaced by I-96

This would be an approximate location for the intersection of Cascade & I-96 today.

I have checked the 1930 and 1940 census records for Detroit and find no other Florence Milne’s.  Although her age of 43 is two years off, I still believe this to be her.  We all know that not everything in newspapers is correct all the time.  Still the same today.

I wonder where these people were headed?  Who were the Allyn’s?  It’s not a name I’m familiar with, so I don’t think they are related to us.  This could certainly have been some church or other social friends of my grandmother.

I’m happy no one was injured badly.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2021   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ Carl E. Lindhorst, age 17–Dead in a car crash, 1954, Illinois

Carl E. Lindhorst was the son of Edwin Lindhorst (1912-1996) & Helen Marian Hunter (1917-1994).  Carl is my maternal 2nd cousin once removed.

Carl was born 24 Jul 1937 in Illinois.  He is the only recorded child I have for Edwin & Helen.  How very difficult this must have been for them.  I had basic information in my database about Carl, until doing more research while writing this post.

First though, here is the article about Carl’s death in an accident between a car & a truck, on 12 Aug 1954.  Both Carl and another young man, Michael Mernick were killed in this tragic accident.

St. Louis Dispatch 13 Aug 1954, page 14A

Transcription:

2 Dupo Youths Killed as Auto, Truck Collide – Carl Lindhorst and Michael Mernick, Dupo(Ill) youths, were killed and two other persons were injured last night in a head-on collision between a truck and an automobile on Illinois Route 3 near Columbia, 15 miles south of St. Louis.

Lindhorst, 17 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Lindhorst, was driving the automobile.  Mernick, 15, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Mernick, was a passenger. 

The injured – Stanley Hudson, 16, and DeWayne Davis, 17, both of Dupo also were riding in the dar driven by Lindhorst.  Hudson suffered injuries of the neck and wrist, Davis cuts.  They were taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in East St. Louis.

Paul R. Miller of Charleston, Mo., driver of the truck was not injured.

I was able to locate his high school annual on MyHeritage and found a photo of him with his basketball team in 1953.

Carl Lindhorst in the front row - 3rd from left

Then I located an entire page in the Dupo High School yearbook from 1955, dedicated to Carl and a bio about him.  He sounded like a promising young man with many friends.  Like the death of anyone at age 17, you wonder what his future would have been.

1955 Dupo High School yearbook - Honoring Carl Lindhorst

Transcription:

We, the members of the class of 1955 of D.C.H.S. dedicate this page of our yearbook in loving memory of Carl Edwin Lindhorst, who was a member of our class until his fatal accident near Columbia on August 12, 1954, had been chosen editor of the 1955 El Tigre. He had been on the annual staff for two years and took part in many other activities.  He played center on the football team, and was student manager in other sports.  Popular and well liked, Carl’s friendly smile is missed in the halls of D.C.H.S.

While Michael Mernick may not be one of my ancestors, I will still honor him today by posting the memorial page from Dupo High School in 1956, the year he would have graduated.

1956 Dupo High School yearbook - Honoring Michael Mernick

I have also located a court case that was filed on behalf of those young men who were killed.  The case alleges misconduct and negligence on the part of the truck driver.  You may read the article here Mernick vs Chiodini - 1956 court case

You may visit Carl’s memorial on FindAGrave here #104355292.

It’s always sad for me to share these stories from our ancestors lives. But, as in our own lives, not everything or everyday is all ice cream and cake.  I share all of their stories to honor & remember them. 

If you are connected with anyone mentioned in this post, please get in touch.  I’d love to hear from you. 

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

ELECTION DAY ~ HEADLINES FROM 1904–1944–How much has really changed?

It’s a BIG day in this country, every four years.  We have the privilege of electing who will be our President for the next four years. In addition many congressional seats are also decided.

It is most always controversial and contentious. With each side wanting their candidate to win.  Much is always at stake.

I thought I would take a look at some headlines from the Detroit Free Press for each election day from 1904 through 1944.  This will consist of 10 front pages.  I am missing the 1932 edition as it has not yet been scanned and added to newspapers.com.  I picked the Detroit Free Press.....well, because I am Michigan Girl, born in Detroit. 

Tell me what you see as you read through this very brief clip of what made the headlines during those ten years? 

I see that the issues really haven’t changed too much. 

• There is encouragement for people to get out and vote.
• I see worry about election fraud
• I see each side predicting their candidate will win

Is this any different than today?  I don’t think so.

Here they are.  Detroit Free Press headlines from 1904-1944.

(Please click on any image to enlarge it)

1904 Detroit Free Press front page

1908 Detroit Free Press front page

1912 Detroit Free Press front page

1916 Detroit Free Press front page

1920 Detroit Free Press front page

1924 Detroit Free Press front page

1928 Detroit Free Press front page

1936 Detroit Free Press front page

1940 Detroit Free Press front page

1944 Detroit Free Press front page

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ A Newspaper Query from 1971 for Susannah BOWEN, my maternal 4th great grandaunt (abt 1776-1834)

Today I’d like to share a newspaper article I located for my maternal 4th great grandaunt, Susannah Bowen.

 

Susannah is the daughter of my 5th great grandparents, Anthony BOWEN (my DAR patriot) and Alice HAMILTON.  She was one of 8 known children born to this couple.  She and her sister, Hannah both married men named Andrew Elliot BOGGS.  Imagine how confusing that was, when I began my research.

Here’s what I located on newspapers.com.  This query was placed in 1971, back before the internet.  Back when our family histories took a lot of ground work, letters along with newspaper and periodical queries in hopes of finding information.  I have total respect for those genealogists who came before us.  We still need to do the groundwork, in person, as well, but oh my, we have it so easy.

The Indianapolis Star had a column by Pearl Brenton, called HOOSIER ANCESTORS.  This column took up half of page 103 of the paper, except for a couple of large advertisements.

Here’s the whole page with the portion mentioning Susannah Bowen highlighted.  What I like about this column is that the author had all the surnames capitalized.

 

Kind of difficult to see the article when viewing the entire page.  So here it is cropped.

Now, here is my transcription of the query:

Q-0402 - Where in Henry County is burial place of Susannah (BOWEN) BOGGS who d. 5-4-1834?  Wife of Andrew BOGGS and mother of Jane Sharp who m. Joel LONG and settled in Kosciusko County.  Was also mother of Anthony Bowen BOGGS b 8-12-1795 Greenbrier County, Virginia, d 1873, Geyserville, Calif., m. Mary FRIEND 9-17-1816 Gallia County, Ohio?  Did Anthony own land and run saloon in Henry County?  Was he brother to Cynthia BOGGS b 10-26-1803, d 5-22-1857 near Leesburg, m. 10-25-1824 to James Hale in Jackson County, Ohio?  Will exchange - Mrs. Marilyn Schuelzky, 2530 North Lyon Street, Springfield, Mo 65803.

How valuable is this query?  Let’s evaluate the information contained in this one little short entry.

• We have a possible location of Susannah’s burial
• We have her date of death
• Her husband’s name
• The name of a daughter, Jane, and who Jane married and where they settled.
• Another child, Anthony is listed as well as his birth and death date and locations,
• Who Anthony married, when and where
• Reference to a business that Anthony may have owned in Henry County
• Question regarding a possible sister, Cynthia Boggs with her birth & death date and who she married and where

Holy cow!!!  I don’t know about you, but I’m excited.  This is a lot of information that can be followed up and verified.

Some of the information I already have, but not all of it.  I’m looking forward to following the leads from this article.  I can’t enter the data in my tree until I VERIFY all of it.  But, I have wonderful leads to follow.

I wonder if Marilyn Schuelzky of Springfield, Missouri ever got any responses to her query?

I LOVE newspapers.  How about you?  What have you found lately that can help you in your research?

A link to my other Ancestors in the News posts is here

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ Isaac D. Hart takes Bay City Traction Co., to court for damages - Michigan 1905

Today I was looking more closely at Isaac Doten Hart, the oldest child of my 3rd great grandparents, Henry Hart and Olive Doten.  It’s through Olive’s line, the Doten’s, that I hope to be accepted into the Mayflower Society.

Isaac Doten Hart is my 2nd great granduncle.  He was born 18 Mar 1834, probably in Canada.  He married Eliza Maria Richards on 20 Apr 1860 in Lapeer, Lapeer Co., Michigan.  They had one child, a son, Ellis.
 
I was searching for an obituary for Isaac when I came across a couple of other interesting tidbits.  I enjoy finding newspaper articles about my ancestors that tell me more about their daily lives.
 
In this case, Isaac D. Hart was struck by a street car and thrown from his rig, while delivery butter & eggs in his “wagon.”  The incident took place on 13 Jul 1905 in Bay City, Michigan while he was crossing Columbus Street.  He was not badly injured, but did sustain bruises.

Article 1 – Isaac Hart Dumped out of His Wagon

Bay City Daily Tribune, 14 Jul 1905, page 5

Article 2 – Says he want $2,000 in damages

Bay City Times, 31 Jul 1905, page 4

Article 3 – The case goes to trial and now the damages are $2,500

Bay City Times, 11 Oct 1905, page 3

Article 4 – The jury decides on $50 - I'm sure, a disappointment to the plaintiff, Isaac

Bay City Times, 13 Oct 1905, page 1

I’m happy that no one was seriously injured in this mishap.  I’ve certainly learned that taking people or companies to court is nothing new.  It’s been happening for centuries and usually makes for interesting reading.

Have you found newspaper articles or other references to your ancestors going to court?  I’d love to hear about them.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

WHAT I NEVER KNEW ABOUT COURTHOUSE RECORDS

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

ANCESTORS IN THE NEWS ~ Gillen & Brother furniture business 1850’s-1860’s Ohio

Today I located several references to Gillen & Brother furniture business on Newspapers.com.  The business is also called Gillen Brother in some of the ads.

These ads were taken out in the Spirit of the Times newspaper in Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio.  This is consistent with where by Gillens lived during that time.

Martin Gillen is my maternal 3rd great granduncle, son of William Gillen & Rachel Frampton.

I know that Martin Gillen (1811-1879) was enumerated as a Furniture Dealer in the 1870 census.  He and his wife Sarah were living in Ironton, Ohio at that time.  Going back to the previous census records; in 1850 Martin & his wife Sarah were living in Upper Township, Lawrence Co., Ohio.  Sadly, his occupation is not listed on that census.  In the 1860 census in Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio, Martin is enumerated as a Furniture Merchant.

Ad from Feb 1853

Ad from Sep1853

Although I don’t see the name of the owner of the Gillen & Brother furniture business in the ads, I am concluding that it was Martin.  Ironton wasn’t that big during those years. 
The question is, was he in business with one of his brothers or not?

• John, his older brother (1804-1880) was always listed as a Farmer.
• Isaac F., his younger brother (1823-1907) was also listed as a Farmer in 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.
• That leaves Martin’s younger brother Capt. Elijah Fisher Gillen (1822-1896). In 1850 Elijah is listed as a Merchant (what kind of merchant?).  The 1860 census lists him as a Clerk and he’s living in Ironton, Ohio.  In 1870 no occupation is listed and in 1880, Elijah is listed as a Bookkeeper.

Conclusion:  It’s possible that Martin was in business or associated with his brother, Elijah, at some point.  I need to locate business licenses or other newspaper articles that would shed some light on this question.

Martin’s obituary does say he was in the furniture business and retired from it 10 years prior to his death in 1879.

I’d love to hear from you if you are connected to this family.  Or, if you have any further information on the articles I’ve mentioned or the Gillen Furniture Business in Ironton.

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2018   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION