A continuing but nearly finished series on the grandchildren of Jeremiah Crews and Elizabeth Harland. As usual, most of this information, unless otherwise stated, comes from Marian Kay Cruse Abbott. 

Amanda Cruse born 29 March 1865 in Prairieton, Vigo County, Indiana, was the only daughter born to Zachariah Cruse and Rachel Lane (1). She was between 11 and 15 when her parents died sometime between 1876 and 1880. I have been unable to determine who she lived with after her parent's death. 

On 24 August 1895, Amanda married Isaac Henry Burner, the son of Newton Burner and Sarah Fallon, in Clark County, Illinois (2). Henry was 21 years her senior, so that at the time of their marriage, Amanda was 20 and Henry was 41, having been born on 24 January 1854 in Licking County, Ohio. He was first married to Ida Dolittle of Crawford County, Illinois (3). Ida died on 22 September 1892, after which Henry married Amanda (4). Amanda and Henry had only one child - Blanche May Burner, born on 2 July 1899 (4). Amanda was 34 at the time of Blanche's birth. 

One of several pictures
found on Ancestry.com.

Amanda and Henry are found in the 1900 Clark, Johnson County, Illinois census, along with daughter, Blanche May Burner, who was a month shy of a year old (9). Nine years later, on 9 August 1906 in Illinois, Henry died. The following is an excerpt from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Clark County (4): 

The deceased was a Democrat, but had no ambition for office or public honors. He belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Orange Township, and was buried in the cemetery near the church. Mrs. Burner is also identified with the work of the Cumberland Church and is a lady of standing and influence. At the time of his death Mr. Burner was the owner of his original purchase of forty acres, which constituted the family homestead and upon which most of his children were born. Although he had leased the land to prospectors, no wells had been drilled; now, however, three fine wells are in operation, with an average flow of 250 barrels daily. 

Henry was buried in Butternut-Willow Creek, Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery (7).  

In the 1920 census, Amanda and Blanche are living with Amanda's brother-in-law, 75 year old John Lingafelter in Johnson, Clark County, Illinois (5). John was the husband of Henry's sister, Almeda Burner (8).  Amanda was 53 and Blanch was 20. By 1930, Amanda and Blanche had moved to Casey, still in Clark County, Illinois. Amanda owned her home on N. 10th Street (6).

Amanda survived Henry by 34 years, passing away on 19 January 1940 in Casey, Clark County, Illinois. She was buried beside her husband (1). 

Picture found at www.findagrave.com, entry
for Henry and Amanda.

1.  Ancestry.com. Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

2.  Jordan Dodd and Liahona Research, comp.. Illinois, Marriage Index, 1851-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.

3.  Ida Dolittle brought three children into the marriage - Earlie E Wilson, Arthur Wilson, and Sarah Wilson. It is possible her marriage to Henry was her third marriage. 

4.  Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Clark County. (Chicago: Middle West Publishing Company, 1907), biography of Isaac Henry Burner found on pages 711-712. 

5.  1920 U. S. Federal Census, Clark County, Illinois, household of John P. Lingafelter. 

6.  1930 U. S. Federal Census, Clark County, Illinois, household of Amanda Burner. 

7. Entries from ww.findagrave.com for both Henry and Amanda. They share a headstone. 

8.  Jordan Dodd and Liahona Research, comp.. Illinois, Marriage Index, 1851-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.

9.  Census records courtesy of Marian Kay Cruse Abbott. I could not locate the census record on Ancestry, which means it is likely an aberration/misspelling of the name on the original rolls. 

Joseph Cruse (1863-1934), possible grandson of Jeremiah Cruse and Elizabeth Harland

I am wrapping up a continuing series on Jeremiah Crews and Elizabeth Harland. Jeremiah was a son of David Crews of Madison County, Kentucky, and his first wife, Annie Magee. Unless otherwise noted, this information comes courtesy of Marian Kay Cruse Abbott. 

Joseph Cruse, the third son born to Zachariah Cruse and Rachel Lane, was born mid-way through the Civil War on 6 August 1863 in Vigo County, Indiana (1, 5). He was between thirteen and seventeen years old when his parents died. He went to live with his uncle, William Cruse, in Honey Creek Township, Vigo County, Indiana (13).  

On 15 April 1893, in Vigo County, Indiana, Joseph married Emma Rebecca Misner (2), daughter of Leander Misner and Martha Jane Davidson. Emma was born on 12 June 1869 in Carroll County, Indiana (7). 

Seven years after their marriage, in 1900, Joe and Emma were living in Crawford, Oblong County, Illinois, and Joe was farming. Living with them were nephew, Irwin Misner, aged 14, and niece Josie Cruse, aged 8 (7). 

Daughter Felma was born on 9 September 1909 in Vigo County, Indiana. Joe and Emma had been married sixteen years already, and Emma was forty years old. Whether Joe and Emma had moved back to Vigo County, or whether she was there on a visit, is not known (4). It is known that by 1910 they were living in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, on North 14th Street. Joseph was a grocery clerk. Living with them were nine month old daughter, Felma, and 18 year old niece, Josie (8).

Between 1910 and 1920, Joseph and Emma moved to Martinsville, Clark County, Illinois. They are found in 1920 living on Main Street in that town. Nineteen year old Felma was still living with them. Again, Joseph was a grocery clerk (9). They were still living there in 1930. Felma, at 29 years of age and unmarried, was still living with her parents (10). 

On 26 May 1934, Joe died in Martinsville, Clark County, Illinois. He was buried two days later in Ridgelawn Cemetery in Martinsville, Clark County, Illinois (5, 6).  His obituary, found in a Martinsville newspaper, is as follows: 

    Funeral services for Joseph cruse were conducted at the residence Monday afternoon at two o'cock by Rev. J. C. McMahon of the Methodist Church. Interment was at Ridgelawn.  
Mr. Cruse died Saturday night at eight o'clock following an extended illness of heart trouble. He was 70 years, 9 months and 6 days of age. Surviving are his wife, and one daughter, Felma. 
Mr Cruse was well known in the community. For man years he was employe by the Miller Store of this city. 
    Joseph Cruse, son of Zachariah and Rachel Cruse, was born in Vigo County, Indiana, August 20, 1863, and departed this life after a lingering illness, on Saturday, May 26, at his home in Martinsville, aged 70 years, 9 months, and 6 days. 
    He was united in marriage April 15, 1893 to Emma Misner. to this union one child, Felma, was born who with Mrs. Jose Daughterty, a niece who made her home with them from early childhood, consituted this happy family. Early in life Mr. Cruse lost his parents, both leaving this word inside of one week. It is only natural that he loved his home intently and was loved by all within his home. All who knew him speak in the hihest terms of respect concerning his integrity, fidelity and industry. A good neighbor and a tusted employee, having been employed by E. C. Miller Department Store for 21 years, he leaves behind a record that will be cherished by all. 
    Two brothers, John and Ed, preceeded him in death. He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, daughter Felma, niece Josie, three brothers, Frank of Independence, Missouri; henry of Colorado; and Thomas of Rosedale, Indians; one sister, Amanda Burner, of Casey, Illinois, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

After Joseph's death, Emma and Felma moved to Paris, Edgar County, Illinois, and they are found living there when the 1940 census was taken (11). On 9 September 1945, Emma died at her home in Paris, Edgar County, Illinois (3). She was buried beside her husband in Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clark, Martinsville Co., Illinois (12). 


1.  Obituary of Joseph Cruse (found above on page). 
2.  Ancestry.com. Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. 
3.  Obituary of Emma Cruse.
4.  A further look at tax records could determine this.  
5. Ancestry.com. Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
6. http://www.findagrave.com, entry for Joseph Cruse. 
7. 1900 U. S. Federal Census, Crawford, Oblong Co., Illinois, household of Joseph Cruse. Gives month and year only of birthdates. 
8.  1910 U. S. Federal Census, Terra Haute, Vigo Co., Indiana, household of Joseph Cruse.
9.  1920 U S. Federal Census, Clark, Martinsville Co, Illinois, household of Joseph Cruse.
10.  1930 U. S. Federal Census, Clark, Martinsville Co., Illinois, household of Joseph Cruse.
11.  1940 U. S. Federal Census, Paris, Edgar Couty, Illinois, household Emma Cruse.
12. http://www.findagrave.com, her entry.
13. Information courtesy of Marian Kay Cruse Abbott. 

Authors Helping Houston - Help for Victims of Hurricane Harvey

Many of you may not know that I live northeast of Houston. Yes, we survived Hurricane Harvey this past week.  Our house is one of the highest in our neighborhood, which sits alongside Lake Houston.

All in all we got 30+ inches of rain. The most we have ever had before was 14 during what is called The Tax Day Flood last year. We had electricity except for two days (not back to back) when trees fell on lines. (In contrast, during Hurricane Ike, we were without power for 27 days.)

Despite our good fortune, we still have had to scramble for milk and eggs in stores. We have to get gas while we can. We have had to reroute our drives through flooded streets, and hubby missed several days of work. But we had it much, oh so much easier than most.

Many, though, are suffering great hardships and face long recoveries. I have joined with several Houston authors to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Between September 4th and September 17th, any royalties earned on my first novel Keeping Secrets, will go to the Dickinson, Texas Relief Fund. You can click on the link to find out about the help and aid David and Maria Matties have given their community. They are truly heroes, as are so many others who are looking to rebuild their lives in the Dickinson area.

At Authors Helping Houston you will see not only Keeping Secrets, but other books as well. Peruse the list. Perhaps you will find a new, local author. Links for purchasing books are on the page.

Additionally, I have autographed paperback copies that can be purchased from me. Email me at donnahechlerporterbooks@wordpress.com. Books are $15, and payment can be made through Paypal.

For those that purchase, thank you so much for thinking of others during this difficult time. May Our Lord reward you a hundredfold for your generosity.

Throwback Thursday: Birth Certificate of Scott McQueen

Below is the birth certificate of my great-grandfather Scott McQueen. I have often lamented that birth certificates were not required earlier. I could have learned so much about those elusive ancestors if they had been, provided the paperwork was still around. 

Scott McQueen was the son of Jame Polk McQueen and his second wife Sarah Jane Lowe. His grandparents were Milton McQueen and Susan Simmons, and William Mallett Lowe and Francis Laird. The only grandparent he would ever have known would have been William Lowe, for he died in 1902 when Scott was seventeen years old. William Lowe also lived near the McQueens and Chester, Texas. The other three grandparents all died before Scott was born. 

It does appear this birth certificate was created "after the fact" in 1951 when Scott was 65 years old. 

And note - the county clerk's name was "Tom Sawyer." 

James Polk McQueen and Scott McQueen

Benjamin Franklin Cruse (1861-1944), possible grandson of Jeremiah Crews and Elizabeth Harland

I am winding down my series on the possible children and grandchildren of Jeremiah Crews and Elizabeth Harland. As usual, most of this information comes to me courtesy of Marian Kay Cruse Abbot. 

Benjamin Franklin Cruse was the second child born to Zachariah Cruse and Rachel Lane. His grandparents were David Cruse and Jane Jewell. He was born in July of 1861 (3), three months after the official start of the Civil War in April of that same year. He is sometimes seen in records as B. F., as Ben, and as Franklin and/or Frank. For consistency, I will refer to him as Ben.

According to family tradition, Ben's parents, Zachariah and Rachel, died between 1876 and 1880 and within two weeks of each other (4). Ben would have been between 15 and 19 years of age. I do not know how much care he and his older brother John Cruse gave to their younger siblings, but in later years it was Ben's younger brother, William Thomas Cruse, that saw to his funeral arrangements after his death (4).

In 1880, eighteen year old "Franklin Cruse" was living in the household of Henry Lansing in Honey Creek Township in Vigo County, Indiana, He was working as a farm laborer. Henry Lansing lived next door to Alexander Moore (1)  who has been mentioned in other places on this blog. Moore's sister, Edith Cruse, was married to James Cruse, son of David Cruse and Jane Jewell and uncle of Ben.

At some point, Ben left Indiana and moved to Illinois. In 1900 he was living in Macon, Maroa County, Illinois, in the household of William Cox. He was 38 years old, single, and working as a farm laborer (2).

For some reason, he is not findable in the 1910, 1920, nor the 1930 census. It is known that about 1918 he took a job as a night watchman for Penrod, Jurden and Clark which was a large lumber company in Independence, Misouri. He worked here for about 20 years before retiring about 1938 (7). 

By 1940, Benjamin was living in Independence, in Jackson County, Missouri at 319 South Spring Street. He was renting this home and at 78 years of age he was still single. He had apparently never married (5).

He subsequently moved to 505 East Pacific Street (7). On 12 March 1944, his home burned and he perished in the fire (6). Benjamin Franklin's brother, Thomas Cruse, as well as Thomas' son, Walter Cruse, traveled from Rosedale, Indiana, to Independence, Missouri, to make Ben's funeral arrangements (4). 

His obituary found in The Independence Examiner, 13 March 1944, page 3, reads as follows:

B. F. Cruse, 83 years old, was found dead in his little one-room home at 505 East Pacific Street by city firemen shortly after 7 o'clock Sunday morning, after the firemen had extinguished a fire in the place. The body was found on the floor between a stove and the south wall. Damage to the building and the contents was estimated at $150. According to the fire department report the fire was caused by a coal oil lamp. Pending funeral arrangements, the body was removed to the George C. Carson Funeral Home. Mr. Cruse was for twenty years a night watchman for Penrod, Jurden and Clark until his retirement seven years ago. 

The Kansas City Times, 1 March 1944, page 6, column 4, reads as follow:

Funeral services for Benjamin F. Cruse, 84, of 503 East Pacific, Independence, at 10 o'clock Wednesday at the Carson Chapel, Independence. He is survived by a brother, William T. Cruse, Rosedale, Indiana. Burial will be in Wooodlawn Cemetery, Independence.

Sources:

(1) 1880 U. S. Federal Census, Vigo County, Indiana, Honey Creek Township, household of Henry Lansing.

(2) 1900 U. S. Federal Census, Macon, Maroa County, Illinois, household of William Cox.

(3) Census records point to year with consistency. The 1900 census gives the month.

(4) Research of Marian Kay Cruse Abbott. 

(5) 1940 U. S. Federal Census, Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.

(6) Research of Marian Kay Cruse Abbott. She cites Missouri Death Certificates as the source. 

(7) Obituary of Benjamin Franklin Cruse, courtesy of Marian Kay Cruse Abbott and found in The Indepedence Examiner, 13 March 1944, page 3.

Throwback Thursday: The Descent from the Cross

This wood-cut is from the John Robert McQueen Family Bible. I had intended to post it around Easter, but I got busy with end-of-the-year activities with my boys. But, summer is here - so hopefully I will get back on my schedule!

And after these things, Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 

                                                                                                                                                   John 19:38

.

John Cruse (1859-1904) - Son of Zachariah Cruse & Rachel Ellen Lane

A continuing series on the probable children and grandchildren of Jeremiah Crews and Elizabeth Harland. This week we start a series on the grandchildren of David Cruse and Jane Jewell through their son Zachariah Cruse and Rachel Ellen Lane. A great portion of this information comes to me courtesy of Marian Kay Cruse Abbott.

John Cruse was born just before the outbreak of the Civil War in May 1859 to Zachariah and Rachel (Lane) Cruse in Vigo County, Indiana (1, 6, 10). Since his parents were living in Honey Creek Township the following year when the census was taken, it seems likely John was born there. Zachariah's mother, Jane Jewell Cruse. John was the oldest child of Zachariah and Rachel.

I have been unable to locate the family in 1870 census. According to family records it is believed that John's parents, Zachariah and Rachel, died between 1876 and 1880 and within two weeks of each other. John was between 17 and 21 years of age. He had six younger brothers and sisters behind him, with the youngest, William Thomas Cruse, having been born in 1876. In 1880, soon after his parents died, 21-year-old John is found living in the household of Edwin H. McPheters and working as a servant and farm laborer (2).

Not long after the 1880 census, John must have left Vigo County and moved to Illinois, for on 29 December 1884 he married sixteen-year-old Anna Miranda Misner in Crawford County, Illinois (3, 6, 7). Amanda, the daughter of Leander Misner and Martha Jane Davidson, was born in 1868 in Indiana (4, 5). It is possible that John and Miranda were part of the same family groups that left Indiana and moved to Illinois, for Leander and Martha Jane Misner's daughter, Stella Misner, was reported on the 1880 census to have been 8 months old and to have been born in Illinois. All their other children had been born in Indiana (4).

John and Miranda had three daughters. Lena Rachel Cruse, born 27 November 1887 in Annapolis, Crawford County, Illinois. Amy Jane Curse, born 7 May 1889 in Vigo County, Indiana. Josie Cruse born in 1892 (8).

Miranda passed away a day before Christmas on 24 December 1898 in Crawford County, Illinois (8). She was buried in the Prairie Grove Cemetery in Crawford County, Illinois (8, 9).

John was only 39 years old when Miranda died, but for some reason it appears as if he placed his daughters with others and moved in with his brother in Prairieton in Vigo County, Indiana, for he is found living there with brother Thomas Cruse when the census was taken in 1900 (10).  The census records him working as a farm laborer, so it does not appear at least on the surface of things as if he was sick and unable to take care of himself, so the reason for moving and sending his girls elsewhere to live is not clear.

That same year, 13-year-old Lena Cruse was a boarder in the household of Elva Williams and living in Crawford in Licking County, Illinois. Eleven-year-old Amy Cruse was living in Clark, in Melrose County, Illinois, in the household of Benjamin Wheeler. Eight-year-old Jose Cruse was living with her aunt and uncle Joe and Emma (Misner) Cruse in Crawford in Oblong County, Illinois (11).

John died four years later on 4 February 1904. He appears to have somehow "frozen" to death, as that is listed as the chief and only cause of death on the death certificate (6). Family members have stated that when John died, the winter weather prevented them from taking his body back to Crawford County, Illinois, for burial beside his wife. Consequently, he was buried in Hull Cemetery in Vigo County, Indiana, but there is no marker (8).

(1) 1860 U. S. Federal Census, Vigo County, Indiana, Honey Creek Township, household of Zachariah Cruse.

(2) 1880 U. S. Federal Census, Vigo County, Indiana, Honey Creek Township, household of Edwin H. McPheters.

(3) Illinois County Marriages 1810-1934, courtesy of Marian Kay Abbott.

(4) 1880 U. S. Federal Census, Crawford County, Illinois, household of Leaner Misner (as Mizener.) (5) Birthdate and father's name for Anna Miranda Misner from 1880 census (4). Mother's name courtesy of Marian Kay Abbott.

(6) Ancestry.com. Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. John Cruse's death certificate. It should be noted that the date was "unknown," but the month and year given as May of 1861. This year is obviously an error since John is found in the 1860 census with his parents. Parents names are stated on death certificate. Father's birthplace was Indiana, but mother's birthplace was unknown. 

(7) John's death certificate (6 above) gives Amanda's maiden name. 

(8) Information on courtesy of Marian Kay Abbott. 

(9) Find a Grave (website): https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=69314720&ref=acom.

(10) 1900 U. S. Federal Census, Vigo Couty, Indiana, Prairieton Township, household of Thomas Cruse. This census gives the birth month of May which coincides with the death certificate (6 above). 

(11) Census record research of Marian Kay Abbott.