went west

Charles Fries b. 1820

/ Kirstin Miller

Charles Fries, my 2nd great grandpa on RootsMagic tree

Charles Fries was born about 1822 and probably came to America from Baden, Germany around 1840. Charles married Emma. On the 1860 census, they lived in Kenton, Kentucky and had 4 kids. Charles was a teamster, in 1860 Teamsters drove a team of animals: ox, horses, mules.  By the 1880 census, Charles was a widow and married to Mary Moore, also a widow. Charles and Mary lived in Cave In Rock, Illinois, across the Ohio River from Kentucky. Charles and Mary, along with a hired man to help out on the farm, Charles’ youngest son, Mary’s son and daughter and their shared 4 daughters, were a family of nine.

Charles’ farm is on the 1880 US agricultural census. The Hardin County, Illinois farm was owned- not rented, with 60 acres tilled land, 20 acres meadow, 15 acres woodland and 10 mown acres. The farm value was $2000 total, with $20 machinery, $400 of livestock, $30 spent on buildings and repairs. $80 is the total amount paid for wages for 25 weeks hired labor. $1135 is the total value of all farm productions which are: 8 tons of hay, 2 mules on hand, 2 working oxen, 2 cows, 1 other cow, 1 cow born, 2 cows sold, 1 cow purchased. And 175 lbs. of butter, 100 pigs, 20 chickens with 175 dozen eggs, 20 acres of Indian corn produced 800 bushels, 20 acres of oats produced 150 bushels, 5 acres of wheat produced 160 bushels, 7 acres of Irish potatoes produced 1200 bushels. 3 acres of apple trees had 60 fruit bearing trees and 25 cords of wood were cut.

Charles probably lived to age 70 or so and died around 1890.

Sources

  • 1860 and 1880 United States census database at FamilySearch.org
  • Illinois Agricultural Census 1850-1880 at FamilySearch.org

Elbert Howard b. 1791

/ Kirstin Miller

Elbert Howard 5th great grandfather on RootsMagic tree

Elbert Howard was born in Georgia around 1791. In 1811 he was in Knox, Kentucky, in 1820 Lawrence, Indiana, 1840 in Lake, Illinois and by 1855 in Floyd County, Iowa. Elbert married Phone McNeil in 1811 in Kentucky, after her death he married Rachel Burlingham. Rachel and Elbert’s marriage was ‘the first marriage license granted by the County of Lake issued out of the Commissioners’ Court under date of September 10, 1839’. A history of Lake County, Illinois page 71 a free ebook at HathiTrust.

On June 15 1855 Elbert purchased 160 acres of land. Certificate 23,975 Elbert Howard of Floyd County, Iowa, 160 acres, 15 June 1855. Howard, Elbert 1855 land purchase

In 1857 he was appointed postmaster of Howardville, Iowa. Elbert Howard and some of his family are buried in the Howardville Cemetery. 

Ancestry . co sources: U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971, Kentucky, County Marriages, 1783-1965 and U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907.

 

Peter Miller b. 1827

/ Kirstin Miller

Peter Miller, 3rd great grandfather on RootsMagic tree

Update: In June 1898, Peter and daughter in law Fiana Druckenbrod Miller traveled to family reunions in Stark County, Ohio. Fiana attended the Bair reunion, Fiana’s mom was Elizabeth Bair. Peter attended the Miller reunion, which was in the newspaper and gives details on Peter’s father and siblings. Peter’s family left Pennsylvania for Ohio, and migrated from Germany. Peter’s mom’s, possibly his dad’s family have a lot of history.

Miller family reunion 1898

Peter Miller was born Feb 2, 1827 in Stark County, Ohio, and lived in Canton. He grew up on a farm. On June 3, 1949 Peter married Esther Young. Around 1867 at the age of 40, Peter, Esther, and their 9 children moved to a farm near Waverly, in La Fayette Township, Bremer County, Iowa. Peter died on August 25, 1912 in Amery, Wisconsin. He was living with son William, and family. Peter is buried in Andrews Cemetery outside Waverly, Iowa. Some of Peter’s life is documented in the Waverly, Iowa  newspapers of the time.

1892 Aug 25 page 5 of the Waverly Republican –https://is.gd/TofPAp.
Peter Miller is painting his house and barn on his farm in La Fayette and fixing up generally

1887 Mar 11 page 5 of the Waverly Democrat –https://is.gd/Y5sXr4.
Peter Miller living in LaFayette has a cow that is worth bragging about, It is twenty one years old and during her lifetime has given birth tp 19 splendid calves the last two being a pair of twins. And what is more she is still a good milker and promises yet to live many years.

1898 September 15 page 4 of Bremer County Independent –https://is.gd/phWT6v.
Peter Miller was appointed as judge for the upcoming General Election in Lafayette township.

1901 August 22 page 5 of the Waverly Democrat –https://is.gd/JodKen
Peter Miller will leave Monday for a visit to his old home at Canton, Ohio. He will be gone about 6 weeks.

Peter visited Canton, Ohio often, so did his wife Esther and their daughter in law Fiana Druckenbrod. Peter happened to be in Canton for the funeral of President William McKinley 

1901 October 3 page 5 of the Waverly Democrat –https://is.gd/ADVOwn.
Peter Miller returned Thursday morning from his visit at Canton, Ohio, the home of the late President. Mr Miller was present at his burial services, which he describes as being “grand beyond description”.

Canton, Ohio public square

Public Square in Canton, Ohio c. 1907-1915, US historical postcard snapshot

William Knapp b. 1809

/ Kirstin Miller

Update Winter 2020 William Knapp is most likely NOT the grandfather of William Cable. A marriage record for Violetta Cable lists Eliza Frey as mom. Violetta was the youngest child of Jonathan Cable, so Eliza Frey Cable is probably the mother of all the Cable kids. Census records show Charlotte Knapp and Eliza Frey about evenly as he mom, but the 1908 marriage record is most likely correct with Eliza Frey, first wife of Jonathan Cable as mom of the William Cable and siblings.

William Knapp b. 1809, dad of Charlotte Cable, 2nd wife of Jonathan Cable.

William is the father of Charlotte Knapp who is probably  NOT the mother of William Cable. William Knapp was born in New York and married Rhoda Bower at age 20. William and Rhoda lived in Orange County, New York until about 1849, when they left for Dane County, Wisconsin where Rhoda’s brothers and sisters had settled. Rhoda died soon after arriving in Dane, Wisconsin in 1850. The Knapp children were in their teens and 20s when their mom died. William may have drifted or may have stayed in Wisconsin with the Bowers.

In 1864 William enlisted as a private in the 129th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K. The 129th was right there in Atlanta September of 1864 when the city was burned then occupied by the troops. William was a Union soldier until June, 1865 and fought battles in Kentucky, Tennessee, Atlanta and Raleigh, North Carolina.

William’s next residence record is the 1880 US census, he’s in Charles City, Iowa a gardener living on his own. Five years later the Iowa 1885 census shows him living with his daughter Charlotte Knapp Cable and family including grandson William Cable. William’s final home was in Marshalltown, Iowa in what was then the Iowa Soldiers Home. He may have lived in one of the small cottages. William died at age 79 on January 1, 1889 and is buried at the Iowa Veterans Home Cemetery.

Sources: Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1879-1903 at Ancestry; Civil War soldiers and sailors system (CWSS) at National Parks Service.

Charlotte Knapp b.1831

/ Kirstin Miller

Charlotte Knapp was probably the mother of William Cable so probably 2nd great grandmother.

Charlotte’s husband Jonathan Cable was definitely the father of William Cable, who was father of Gladys Cable. Jonathan was married first to Eliza, after her death he married Charlotte. Jonathan and Eliza were definitely the parents of John Cable, John’s death certificate proves this. The mother of the younger Cable children Chancey, William, Sarah and Violetta is not definite. Most likely Chancey’s mom was Eliza and Charlotte Knapp was the mom of William, Violetta and Sarah. No records prove this, on some records William’s mother is Eliza, on others his mother is Charlotte.

If Charlotte Knapp is the mother of William Cable, his ancestors go all the way back to the 1630s Winthrop Fleet, 11 ships that sailed from England to America.

For sure Charlotte was born in New York around 1831 and married a first husband. Then as a single woman (widowed, divorced) she joined her brothers and sisters in Dane County, Wisconsin where around 1850 she married William Cable, there is no marriage source. In 1870 Jonathan age 60, Charlotte age 36, Chancey age 20, William age 18, Sarah age 15 and Violetta age 13 live in Pleasant Grove, Floyd County, Iowa.

Charlotte and Jonathan were Methodists and helped get a church started in Pleasant Grove in the summer of 1867. “A gentleman named Swan … was the first preacher during the summer of 1867. The next summer Methodists of Charles City sent one of their local preachers … at the first meeting there were about fifteen present, including Jonathan Cable’s family. Link to History of Floyd County, Iowa on HathiTrust

In 1885 Charlotte’s dad William Knapp lived with the Cable family. Cable, Jonathan, Charlotte, William and William Knapp screenshot1885 Floyd, Pleasant Grove, Iowa the Iowa census, Cable, Jonathan, Charlotte, William and William Knapp screenshot.

Charlotte most likely died in Chicago on June 2, 1899 and is buried in Dane, Wisconsin near her brothers, sisters and mom, Rhoda Bowers in a tiny, very rural cemetery in the middle of cornfields, link to Google maps location. Her husband Jonathan Cable’s death and burial info are unknown.

 

Allen Preston Gaines b. 1900

/ Kirstin Miller

Allen Preston Gaines 1st cousin 1x removed (1 generation back) from Faber Miller who married Gladys Cable. Allen’s aunt Mary Ella Gaines Miller was grandmother to Faber Sr.

Allen Preston Gaines was born September 25, 1900 in Wadena, Minnesota, the oldest child of Charles and Mary Trewie Gaines. Allen and his family were in Lane, Oregon when Allen was 10 years old, then in Everett, Washington by 1920 when Allen was 20. Allen married Mary Ingram April 4, 1925, they settled in Boise Idaho, raised a family then in later years moved back to the Everett, Washington area where both are buried.

Allen was an apprentice mariner on the SS Emergency Fleet Corporation at the Port of Seattle and has a record: Applications for Seaman’s Protection Certificates, which includes a photo, thumbprint, physical description and identifying details, including tattoos if any. This application was a passport and provided protection on sea voyages from -forced recruitment by navies of other nations-. The Protection Certificates began in the American Revolution, disappeared for a while, returned around WW 1 then were obsolete by the 1940s, more at Wikipedia: Protection papers

Gaines, Allen 1919 page 2 application for Seaman's protection

Allen Preston Gaines March 7 1919

James Davis Miller b. 1845

/ Kirstin Miller

James Davis Miller, my 2nd great grandpa on RootsMagic tree.

James Miller was born June 27, 1845 in Elkhart, Indiana to Jacob and Sarah Davis Miler. The 1850 US census shows James with his parents and 7 siblings, living on a farm. In 1854 after James’ dad died, his family trekked from Indiana to Nashua, Iowa about 400 miles. In 1870 James was 25, his family farmed near Janesville, Iowa.

Miller, James and Ella snapshot
James Miller and Ella Gaines marriage certificate.

In 1878, James, or JD, married Mary Ella Gaines in Waverly, Iowa on November 13. JD and Mary Ella lived near Greene, Iowa where they farmed and had 2 sons William and James. Later in life they visited the west coast where Mary Ella’s two sisters lived. In 1905 JD and Mary Ella travelled to the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in Portland, Oregon. The Expo lasted 4 months with 1.6 million visitors- it was a big deal. From the local newspaper September 20, 1905, ” Mr and Mrs James Miller living west of town have been enjoying the wonders of the Portland fair for the past week and Mr Miller’s brother Jake has been helping care for things on the farm during their absence”.

Agricultural Palace Lewis and Clark Expo 1905
Agricultural Palace 1905 Lewis and Clark Expo in Portland.

JD was a widow in 1917. In 1925 he lived with his son William and family including grandson Faber b. 1905. JD lived to age 84, he died in 1929. From his obituary, “He has been industrious and has prospered through the years. He was honorable in his dealings with his fellows and is highly respected by those who knew him.” James Davis Miller is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene, Iowa.

Sources

Leonard Cable b. 1889

/ Kirstin Miller

Leonard Cable b. 1889 brother of Gladys Cable who married Faber Miller. Leonard in RootsMagic tree.

Leonard was the son of William Cable and first wife Nellie Stroud. Leonard was born in Pleasant Grove Township near Greene, Iowa in 1889. The Cable family lived on a farm. In Senior Grammar School Leonard and his sister Ruth were listed as perfect school attenders, never tardy never absent for at least 2 years.

Cable, Leonard and Ruth

Leonard’s jobs included railroad mechanic, paper hanger, machinist and a shipping clerk at a furniture store. He stayed in touch with his dad after his parent’s divorce and in 1915 stopped for a visit in Greene, Iowa on his way home to Kansas. Leonard’s WW 1 draft card shows him in Chicago, 1503 E 64 St, a machinist, living with and taking care of his mom. Leonard stayed single and died in 1920, age 31, of lobar pneumonia.

Emma Wisbar b. 1886

/ Kirstin Miller / 2 Comments

Emma Wisbar great aunt on RootsMagic tree.

An update for Emma Wisbar and Lee Cheney: Both Emma and Lee had a child prior to their 1920 marriage. Emma had a son, Vernon, on September 18, 1908, she was 20 years old, there is no record of a father. An Iowa delayed birth record for Vernon shows his birth date and place, mom and no father’s name. sister Lena Wisbar was a witness on this record. In the same year 1908, Lee Cheney married Winifred Thompson and in 1909 they had a daughter Irma Cheney and must have divorced soon after. Lee’s ex-wife and daughter were also in California, living in San Diego in 1930.

Emma Wisbar was was the youngest child of Martin and Mary Walters Wisbar. She was born in Butler County, Iowa April 7, 1886. The 1900 US Census shows Emma attending school, she could read and write. In her home both German and English spoken. In 1910 Emma was 22, living with her parents and 2 of her 7 siblings. She was a server in a restaurant.

The 1920 US census has Emma living in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Louis at 312 East 1st Street in Waterloo, Iowa with 3 other boarders. Emma was 33 years old and a waitress in a hotel. Lee Cheney was another boarder. He was 36 and a barber. The 1920 census was taken on January 7 and Emma and Lee Cheney were married on September 9, 1920.

screenshot

On the 1930 US census Emma and Lee have moved to Oakland, California, both still working, Lee a barber, Emma a waitress at the YMCA Their rent was $22 each month. They lived about 20 miles west of San Francisco and probably traveled to see the Golden Gate Bridge being built from 1933-1937. Both Emma and Lee lived into their 70s. Lee died on January 27, 1962 and Emma exactly 2 weeks later on February 10th. Both are buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Oroville, California, Find a Grave Memorial 

Ancestry. Iowa, Marriage Records, 1880-1937
L H Cheney, barber age 38 m. Emma Wisbar 33 years, Fort Dodge, Iowa September 9, 1920.

Henry Gaines b. 1612

/ Kirstin Miller

Henry Gaines 8th great grandfather of Faber Miller who married Gladys Cable.

Henry was born about 1612 in England, near Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. On May 17, 1634 Henry married Jane Partridge. Around 1637 Henry and his brother in law William Partridge sailed to America. Their spouses may have sailed with them or come later.  In the Massachusetts Bay Colony on March 14, 1638 Henry and William become Freemen: they vowed to defend the Colony and to not overthrow their British rulers.  

Lynn Marshes

Henry settled in Lynn, Massachusetts where he was a juryman, owned land and farmed. The Gaines family probably lived near the seashore. Both Henry and Jane died in their 30s. Henry didn’t leave a will but Jane’s will gives and inventory and information on the 3 son’s apprenticeships. John was apprenticed to Francis Dowse of Boston, a shoemaker. Daniel was apprenticed to Luke Potter of Concord a tailor. Samuel was apprenticed to Nathaniel Handforth. 

Sources