Friday, April 1, 2016

52 Ancestors – Cornelia Jane Dove (82-2016)

Cornelia Jane Dove
Cornelia Jane Dove, daughter of John E. Dove and Eliza Amanda Holland, was born February 1872 in Hart County, Georgia. She was one of six children—John William Dove, Carrie Ann Dove, Cornelia Jane Dove, Elizabeth (Lizzie) A. Dove, Sallie M. Dove, and one child that did not survive. According to the 1900 Hart County, Georgia census record, Amanda Holland Dove was the mother of six children, five of which were living at that time. It is unknown to me when this child was born/died or the sex of the child. Cornelia Jane Dove went by Janie and was my great-grandmother.

John Dove and Amanda Holland were married about 1868 and the family grew quickly after they wed. Their oldest child John was born in 1869, followed by Carrie in 1870, both of which were born in South Carolina. Janie, born in Georgia, soon followed in 1872. Had the family moved to Georgia sometime between October 1870 and February 1872? Or were they living in South Carolina and for reasons unknown to me, Janie was born in Georgia? That’s certainly a possibility. Her parents were both from Anderson County, South Carolina which isn’t far from Hart County, Georgia. Assuming it was a move, sometime after Janie’s birth, the family moved back to South Carolina where her sister Elizabeth was born in October 1874. They were still living in South Carolina when Janie’s youngest sister Sallie was born in January 1877.

I’ve been unable to find Janie and her family in the 1880 census records. However, on June 10, 1880 her brother John was living in the Broadway Township of Anderson County with his paternal grandparents, Henderson and Cynthia Dove. Where was the rest of the family? I’ve been told that her father deserted the family and eventually started a second family. In previous blog entries, I wrote that Janie’s father (John Dove) left home in 1893 and went to live with John Joseph Hall’s family (brother of Cindarilla Darliska Amanda Hall, Leroy Thomas Holland’s second wife). However, in researching John E. Dove for this blog entry it appears that he married his second wife Sarah (Sallie) A. Fields, daughter of Joseph Fields and Angeline Powell, in 1882. According to the 1900 Militia District 842, Milton County, Georgia census record John and Sallie had been married for 18 years. This would mean that Janie’s parents probably divorced sometime between January 1877 and June 1880 and John remarried two years later. After John’s second marriage to Sallie, Janie gained at least four more siblings—Joe Dove, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dove, Walter David Dove, and Alfred Clifford Dove.

Apparently Janie’s mother moved the family to Hart County, Georgia after the divorce as I once again found Amanda Dove listed in Hart County, Georgia property tax digest records for the period 1881–1887. The record recorded her living in the Ray’s Mill district of Eagle Grove, Hart County. She was listed in the same district in the 1890 Georgia property tax digest.

In 1892, Janie, her mother Amanda, and sister Sallie left Hartwell, Hart County, Georgia and moved to Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia where Amanda’s brother Leroy Thomas Holland lived. Sallie’s future husband, Boone Bowers, traveled with them. They lived on part of 80 acres of land owned by Leroy but later moved to land owned by George Brownlee, a friend of Leroy’s.

On March 12, 1894, Janie married her first cousin Elijah Jeffers Holland, son of Leroy Thomas Holland and Amanda Elizabeth Scott, in Whitfield County, Georgia. Janie’s mother was Elijah’s father’s sister. Together Janie and Elijah had four children—Roy Holland, Nellie Holland, Samuel Jackson Holland, and a fourth child that did not survive.

Marriage record for Janie Dove and Elijah Holland

On June 14, 1900, Elijah, Janie, Roy, Nellie, and Janie’s mother Amanda Dove lived in Hart County, Georgia. There was also an 18 year old boarder named Charley Williams living in the home. His occupation was farm laborer so maybe he helped Elijah on the farm. Janie was enumerated as the mother of three children, two of which were living. Elijah was a farmer. They lived seven houses from Janie’s sister Sallie and her family.
The family lived in this house in 1904

Sometime between 1900 and 1910, the family moved back to Whitfield County. My aunt remembers hearing the story of Elijah and his family traveling to Dalton in a covered wagon. My grandfather, Samuel Jackson Holland, was born in Whitfield County on October 13, 1904.

On May 4, 1910, Janie and her family lived in the Ninth District of Whitfield County, Georgia. Janie and Elijah had been married 15 years. The census records shows that Janie was the mother of four children, three of which were living. Janie was enumerated as a farm laborer on a home farm, as was Roy and Nellie. Elijah was a farm laborer on a general farm. Her sister Sallie and her family lived four houses away.

The next few years brought tragedy to Janie and her family beginning with the death of her husband Elijah who died in Dalton on March 4, 1915. He was buried near his father at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton. His death was reported in the newspaper as “Elijah Holland, a highly respected resident of the Deep Springs section, this county, died last Thursday. Interment was made in Deep Springs cemetery Friday.” There was no celebration in the home New Year’s Day 1919—only sadness as Janie’s son, Roy, died in Dalton on January 1. He was buried at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery near his father and grandfather. The local paper ran a death notice: “Roy Holland, aged 21 years, a popular young resident of the Deep Spring section, died Wednesday. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. C. Maples, interment being in Deep Spring cemetery.”

Janie Dove Holland and child
The census enumerator came again on January 29, 1920 and found a widowed Janie in Whitfield County, Georgia. She was enumerated as Cornelia J. Holland (age 48)—the only time I’ve seen her first name listed. Janie was a farmer on a home farm. Her daughter Nellie (age 21) and son Sam (age 15) were both living with and helping her on the farm. Before the year ended, Janie lost her mother on November 5, 1920. Amanda died in Royston, Franklin County, Georgia and was buried at Redwine Cemetery in Hart County.

The year 1921 was another sad year for Janie when her daughter Nellie died on May 6 in Varnell, Whitfield County. The local paper ran a death notice: “Miss Nellie Holland, aged 22 years, died Friday at her home at Deep Spring. The body was interred Saturday in Deep Spring cemetery.” Now only one child survived, Janie’s youngest son Sam—my Granddaddy. Thankfully he didn’t have the same fate as his three siblings or I wouldn’t be here today to blog about my ancestors. I wonder if he worried that he too would die young. I hope he didn’t have any anxiety over this. My aunt tells me that Granddaddy didn’t talk much about his family who had suffered a lot of heartache so perhaps he didn’t want to think about such sad memories. Thankfully he went on to enjoy a full life filled with family and love. We lost my Granddaddy in 1972.

Headstone for Janie's father, John E. Dove at
Silver Brook Cemetery
Janie’s father John Dove died in Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina on October 10, 1926. A Confederate veteran according to his wife Sallie’s obituary, John was buried on October 11 in the Confederate Soldiers Section of Silver Brook Cemetery in Anderson. It’s unknown as to whether Janie had any contact with him since he left the family.

Janie died of angina petoris in Varnell, Whitfield County, Georgia on September 19, 1930. The Dalton News ran her obituary: “Mrs. Jannie Holland is Buried Saturday—Mrs. Jannie Holland, 57 years of age, died at her home near Deep Springs at an early hour Friday morning. Funeral services were held at the Deep Springs church Saturday morning at ten o’clock. Rev. Joe Rackley officiating. Interment was made in the local cemetery. Surviving Mrs. Holland are her son, Sam Holland; one grandson, W. L. Holland; and two sisters, Mrs. Boone Bowers of Deep Springs; and Mrs. Lizzie Allen, of Texas. Kenemer Brothers were in charge of funeral arrangements.” Her son Sam was the informant on her death certificate.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

52 Ancestors – NINE ZERO—celebrating a milestone year (81-2016)

I’m posting this blog entry from my home state of Georgia where I’ve come to celebrate my Daddy’s 90th birthday. That’s right—NINE ZERO—my Daddy, Samuel Terrell Lankford, is 90 years old today! He’s as old as Methuselah as he likes to say. For years, I’ve heard Daddy say he was going to live to be 115 years old because he still had a lot of people to “piss off” (his words, not mine). But now he spends his days in a nursing home and as far as I know, is not upsetting anyone. Our family came together (from Georgia, Virginia, New York, and Florida) to celebrate his milestone this weekend. Most of us were there but some couldn’t make it for health reasons or work. Two joined by phone. I’m sure the ones that couldn’t make it were there in spirit though.

Daddy didn’t give us much time this afternoon. Not long after we arrived he told us it was his nap time and that he was ready for “la la land” so we had to hurry the party along. We chatted a little while and took a few pictures. After pictures he read his cards, blew out the candles, took one bite of cake, and then patiently waited for us to eat our cake. By that time, I think he was tired of waiting so two of my sisters and I wheeled him to his room so he could get his nap. I hadn’t been home since he was moved from assisted living to this nursing home so was happy to see a beautiful dogwood tree in full bloom just outside his window. He always loved springtime and the trees and flowers blooming. I knew he would enjoy that.

Daddy has told me many stories over the years and it’s time to put words on paper. But I’m not there yet so for now, will just share some of the pictures I have of him through the years.

Happy 90th birthday Daddy … I love you! 
 
Me, Jennifer, Daddy, and Michael

 
Me, Jennifer, Daddy, Michael, Vanessa, and Bonita

Daddy, me, Bonita, Jennifer, Vanessa, and Michael
 
Daddy and Vanessa (in front).
Me, Jennifer, and Michael.


Friday, March 18, 2016

52 Ancestors – John Thompson Smith (80-2016)

John Thompson Smith, son of John Milton Smith and Amanda Larimer Horne, was born December 21, 1901 in the Washington Township of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He the youngest child of seven—Benjamin Gordon Smith, George Nelson Smith, Edith McCrum Smith, Howard Stanley Smith, Helen Margaret Smith, Bertha Edna Smith, and John Thompson Smith. John’s paternal grandfather was also named John Thompson Smith (born on November 7, 1810 in St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio). John was my husband’s great-uncle.

Just before John’s fifth birthday, tragedy struck the Smith family when his 18 year old sister Edith, blind as the result of measles, died on October 24, 1906 of typhoid fever at Mercy Hospital. She was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.

On April 26, 1910, the family lived in Paulton, Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. A neighbor two doors away was John A. Stewart. Mr. Stewart was also a neighbor in 1900 so they must be living in the same house. His father and brothers Ben and George worked in a sheet mill. Two years after this census was taken, his father died in Westmoreland County on March 9, 1912. His father was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo.

After suffering with endocarditis (an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart) for two years, John’s sister Helen died in Paulton on March 18, 1913. She was just 17 years old. Helen was buried on March 20 in the family plot at Apollo’s Riverview Cemetery. She shares a tombstone with her parents and sister Edith.


On January 26, 1920, 18 year old John lived with his 60 year old widowed mother in the North Washington District of Washington Township. The home was located on Greensburg – Apollo Road. Three of John’s siblings still lived in the home—Ben (age 37), George (age 34), and his remaining sister Bertha (age 22). All were able to read and write. John, Ben, and George all worked in a steel mill with John being an addressgrapher. According to Wikipedia, “an addressograph is an address labeler and labeling system” so I assume it’s how they marked the steel. Ben was a “catcher” and Ben a “ruffer.” Bertha wasn’t working. I assume she spent her time helping her mother take care of the house and her brothers.

John married Virginia Kimmel Johnston, daughter of John Frank Johnston and Emma Agnes Uncapher, about 1924 or 1925 in Pennsylvania, most likely in Westmoreland County. John was 23 years old and Virginia was 22. Together they had two children—Lois Kimmel Smith and Russell W. Smith. Lois was given her mother’s maiden name as her middle name. Kimmel was also the surname of Virginia’s paternal grandmother Sarah A. Kimmel so I guess you could say they were carrying on a family tradition.
 
Verda Hilty Smith, Bertha Edna Smith Athya,
Virginia Kimmel Johnston Smith,  John Thompson Smith,
George Nelson Smith
In 1925, John’s sister Bertha gave birth to her first child—a boy she named John Thompson Athya—a nod to her brother, their father John Milton Smith, and their grandfather John Thompson Smith.


On April 12, 1930, John, Virginia, and Lois (age one and a half) lived on the “right side” of Paulton in the Washington Township. I have no clue what the “right side” means but that’s what the census enumerator wrote. Maybe he meant the west side of Paulton. He owned his house which was valued at $5,000. They also owned a radio. John still worked in a steel mill but was now a clerk.

On April 5, 1940, John and his family still lived in Paulton, in the same house they had lived in since 1935. The family was complete now having added their son Russell in May 1934. There were two boarders living in the home—Grace Gally and Mary Witherspoon—both 30 year old teachers—the same occupation as Virginia.

Amanda Horne Smith, John Thompson Smith,
Electra Smith Jack, Howard Athya, and John Athya
John’s mother, Amanda Larimer Horne Smith, died on January 11, 1943 following a stroke in Washington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. She was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo with her husband and daughters Helen and Edith.

On December 15, 1957, John’s brother Ben died from a heart attack at the Elks Retirement Home in Bedford, Bedford County, Virginia where he had been living. Ben was buried in the Elks National Cemetery in Bedford, a section of Oakwood Cemetery designated as the burial place for residents of the Elks National Home.

John’s brother George died on April 24, 1959 in the Washington Township. He was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo.

John’s brother Howard died at his residence on January 14, 1961 after suffering a heart attack. King Funeral Home handled his funeral with the Rev. Warren Martin, pastor of the Apollo Presbyterian Church, in charge of the service. Howard was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo.

Virginia Kimmel Johnston Smith, John Thompson Smith,
Verda Hilty Smith, Bertha Edna Smith Athya, and George Nelson Smith
John retired from the Vandergrift plant of United States Steel Corporation after working more than 40 years in the payroll department. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Vandergrift.

John died at the age of 67 at the Belair Nursing Home on September 23, 1969 in the Lower Burrell Township of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He was buried at Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell. John was survived by his wife Virginia, daughter Lois Smith Hilty, his son Russell Smith, three grandchildren, and his sister Bertha Smith Athya. After his death, Virginia moved to Florida to live with Lois.





Friday, March 11, 2016

52 Ancestors – Paul Augustus Hobbs (79-2016)

Paul Augustus Hobbs, son of Nathan Augustus Hobbs Jr. and Lethia Ollie Kendall, was born October 12, 1920 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He was the first born child of Nathan and Lethia who were married in Bradley County, Tennessee on March 18, 1918.

Prior to Paul’s birth, his parents lived with his paternal grandparents, Nathan Augustus Hobbs Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Pitts, so it’s most likely they were still living there in October 1920 and that Paul was born in their home. If they in fact still lived with Paul’s grandparents, he would have been surrounded by many family members, including several young aunts and uncles—Eula B. Hobbs (age 17), Mary Lou Hobbs (age 12), Nancy H. Hobbs (age 10), Edna Hobbs (age 7), and Charlie B. Hobbs (age 4 8/12).

According to the January 22, 1920 Glade District, Oglethorpe County, Georgia census record, Paul’s mother Lethia, who was born in Tennessee, was 18 years old at the time of his birth. His father, Nathan Sr., was 28 although the census enumerator recorded his age as 26. Paul’s father was a farmer on a general farm.

Like my post on his uncle Reuben Hobbs last week, little Paul’s life ended way too soon when he died from bronchopneumonia with encephalitis as a contributing factor on May 3, 1922 in Point Peter, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. The Oglethorpe Echo reported his death in two articles on May 12, 1922:
Sympathy of our entire community (Millstone) goes out to Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Hobbs in the death of their nineteen month old son which occurred Wednesday morning.
We were saddened last Wednesday to hear of the death of little Paul Hobbs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Hobbs. He had been very ill for several days with some kind of brain trouble. He was buried at the Glade cemetery last Thursday. It was doubly sad as this was an only child.
Paul was buried at the Glade Baptist Church Cemetery in Point Peter. 

Friday, March 4, 2016

52 Ancestors – Reuben Hobbs (78-2016)

Reuben Hobbs, son of Nathan Augustus Hobbs Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Pitts, was born May 19, 1904 in Georgia, most likely Oglethorpe County. At the time of his birth, Reuben’s parents already had seven children—John Henry Hobbs, George Hobbs, Nathan Augustus Hobbs Jr., Joel Garland Hobbs, Robert Lee Hobbs, William Drew Hobbs, and Eula Bell Hobbs. Reuben became a “big brother” a month before his third birthday when his mother gave birth on April 12, 1907 to a daughter they named Mary Lou Hobbs. Sadly, the excitement of a new baby in the home was shattered six months later when on October 12, 1907, Reuben died in Oglethorpe County. The Oglethorpe Echo reported his death on October 18, 1907:
After a short illness, with membraneous croup, the death angel came Saturday night to relieve the suffering of Reuben, the sweet little son of Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Hobbs. Although less than four years old, little Reuben possessed the intelligence of a much older person and by his sweet winning ways won the hearts of all who knew him. On Monday afternoon the funeral services were conducted by Rev. M. S. Weaver and the remains laid to rest in the Colquitt burying ground.
The epitaph inscribed on the back of Reuben’s tombstone reads:
     We had a little treasure
          once
     He was our joy and pride
     We loved him oh perhaps
          too well
     For soon he slept and died
According to Find A Grave, the Colquitt Cemetery in Sandy Cross is also known as the William H. Colquitt Cemetery. Of the 18 graves recorded in Find A Grave, 16 have the last name Colquitt. The two that don’t were children—Reuben Hobbs and an infant named Zilpha Terlula Stevens. Now I need to figure out how little Reuben fit into the Colquitt family and why he was buried in their family cemetery.

Friday, February 26, 2016

52 Ancestors – A family heirloom—a special baby quilt (77-2016)

I was pregnant with my oldest son Chris in 1983. As all expectant parents do during a pregnancy, we were preparing a room for the baby. The room was directly across the hall from our bedroom and was perfect except for one thing—it had a big, ugly gray circuit breaker box on the wall. The breaker box was the first thing you saw when you walked into the room and somehow I had to cover it. It just so happened at the time that my co-worker Peggy Brouse was giving lunchtime quilting lessons to three other co-workers. In my mind, the breaker box could be covered by a wall hanging so I told them I had the perfect project if they were interested. I guess they thought it was a good idea and that became their next project.

We didn’t know the sex of the baby so when thinking about how I wanted to decorate the room, I decided to cover all bases and went with a pink, blue, green, and yellow color scheme which I shared with the quilters. They huddled together, came up with a plan, and got to work.

Anita Bieler, Evelyn Ferro, Peggy Brouse, and Ruth Buys
I worked with a wonderful group of people and that December, the entire department held a baby shower for me. The four quilters had finished their project by then and presented it to my husband and me that day. They were very proud of the work they had done, as they should have been. They took my color scheme to heart and created a beautiful piece of art that will always be cherished. Each quilter took one color and quilted an individual block. When all four blocks were finished, they worked together to sew the blocks to the top and back panels. When presenting the baby quilt to me, they included a card that contained the following details: 
"There are 46 different fabrics in the quilt. Approximately 320 separate strips of fabric were hand sewn to form the blocks. The back of the binding is machine sewn, and that’s the only machine sewing on the quilt. It took over 200 hours of stitching to complete. Each person signed the block that they stitched."
- Peggy Brouse, Anita Bieler, Ruth Buys, and Evelyn Ferro.

In August 1984, Peggy borrowed the quilt and entered it in the handicrafts competition at the Prince William County Fair in Manassas, Virginia. The baby quilt took third place!

The baby quilt remained on the wall for years, probably eight or so. Chris eventually moved into a larger bedroom when his brother Kevin was born and he took over that room. Kevin doesn’t remember the quilt hanging in his room. He remembers a picture of an elephant hanging on his wall instead (I don’t) so at some point the quilt came down and was replaced with something more suitable for a little boy vs. a baby.

I consider this baby quilt to be a family heirloom—something I hope will be passed down many generations in our family—so I keep it tucked away in a safe place until it’s time for the next generation. I hope they will treasure it as much as I do.

Friday, February 19, 2016

52 Ancestors – Erastus C. Smith (76-2016)

Erastus C. Smith, son of John Thompson Smith and Jane Gordon, was born October 11, 1842 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the second child of six—Electra Burnette Smith, Erastus C. Smith, Eunice Alvira Smith, Martha Jane Smith, Minerva Smith, and John Milton Smith. Erastus also had four half-siblings from his mother’s first marriage to John McIlwain—Margaret McIlwain, James Xenophon McIlwain, Eva McIlwain, and John S. McIlwain. He was sometimes called Ras. My husband descends from his brother John Milton Smith.

By 1848, the family had moved to Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania where Erastus was exposed to the local political world. His father John, a local innkeeper, was elected a town councilman on May 3, 1848. According to the book From 1816—1916: History of Apollo Pennsylvania—The Year of a Hundred Years by Thomas James Henry, M.D., the “voters were commanded to meet at the house of John Smith and elect a burgess and five councilmen.” The book further stated that “For many years the election was regularly held at the home of J. T. Smith and Mrs. Smith always served a turkey dinner to the board.” By the spring of 1850, John was serving on the first board of school directors.

It was in Apollo that Erastus learned the reality of life and death at an early age. He was just seven years old when his one year old sister Minerva contracted cholera and died on May 17, 1850. Minerva was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo. Later that year on November 7, 1850, the census enumerator recorded the family in Apollo. The family home was valued at $2000. Erastus’ 20 year old half-sister Margaret McIlwain and 14 year old half-brother John McIlwain lived in the home with the family. T. J. Henry noted in his book that during the 1850s, Erastus played the tenor drums in a martial band which performed on drill days such as the 4th of July.

1880 Soundex Card for Erastus and his family
Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
On July 5, 1860, Erastus and his family still lived in Apollo. His father John had a personal estate valued at $500 and the value of his inn, located on the corner of North and Canal Streets, was unchanged since 1850 at $2000. Seventeen year old Erastus was a laborer, most likely working in the inn.

The Civil War began in 1861 and on September 1, 1862, Erastus mustered into Company E of the 139th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment as a private in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Perhaps wanting to make sure his spiritual life was in order before entering the war, Erastus joined the First Presbyterian Church in Apollo. The church register shows that Erastus was admitted to the church by “Escamination” on October 10, 1862. Erastus had served a little over a year when on May 3, 1863 he was wounded in the Battle of Salem Heights in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. While still serving during the Civil War, Erastus lost his father John who died on March 11, 1864. His father was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo. I wonder if Erastus was allowed to go home to mourn with his family. Or when he even learned of the death of his father. The following year on May 18, 1865, Erastus was promoted to full corporal. He mustered out of service on June 21, 1865 at Washington, DC. According to his discharge papers, Erastus was five feet seven inches in height. He had a light complexion, gray eyes, and sandy hair.

Erastus married Jane Rachel Anderson, daughter of Samuel Anderson and Mary Mawheny, on March 24, 1869 in Apollo. Together they had four children—Elsie Augusta Smith, Mary Jane Smith, Florence G. Smith, and Richard Barton Smith.

On June 24, 1870, Erastus, Jane, and their daughter Elsie lived in the Kellys Station subdivision of Apollo. Erastus, 25 years old, was painting houses. His father-in-law Samuel Anderson lived in the home with Erastus and his family.

Erastus was suspended from the First Presbyterian Church in Apollo on March 21, 1872.

Erastus’ mother Jane died on March 11, 1877. She was buried in the family plot at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo.

On June 21, 1880, Erastus, Jane, and his four children continued to live in Apollo. Erastus was a house painter.

Erastus’ life was cut short at the age of 43 when he died from erysipelas in Apollo on April 13, 1886. According to About Health,* “Erysipelas is a superficial infection of the skin, which typically involves the lymphatic system. Erysipelas is also known as St. Anthony’s Fire, an accurate description of the intensity of this rash. Erysipelas was a feared disease in pre-antibiotic days.” Erastus was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo. His youngest son Richard was just seven years old having celebrated his birthday the day before—the same age as Erastus when his little sister Minerva died. Sometimes life repeats itself.


* Erysipelas—St. Anthony’s Fire, About Health; http://dermatology.about.com/cs/infectionbacteria/a/erysipelas.htm.