Mabel Condon 1893-1923-My Great Grandmother

One of the greatest resources I have for my family tree is my Grandfather’s Autobiography. It isn't anything fancy but gives some names and places of events that occurred in his life. Some accurate, some not so accurate but I love the insight it gives in the life he and his family lived. 

This has proved to be extremely helpful in finding out information about my Great Grandmother, Mabel. She was 30 when she died and had four boys under the age of 10 at the time.

Mabel Rose with her two sons; Charles (top left) and William (on her lap) circa 1915

Mabel was born in Rushville, Indiana on June 16, 1893 to James Henry and Cordia (Cowger) Condon.

The first record I have of Mabel is the 1900 census¹. She lives with her parents and two siblings: Charles and Lorene in Rushville, IN. It also states they live on 3^rd Street.

Figure 1 http://libx.bsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/InHisAtls/id/1097

In the next census, 1910², we find Mabel living with her father James and her brother Clarence in Indianapolis. She is listed as being a milliner. How cool is that, she made hats!

She met and married Clarence Rose on April 27^th, 1912 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was 18 and he was 26. I wish I knew how they met, he was living in a boarding house in Columbus, IN and was a common laborer. I am going to go ahead and put it out there that they had to get married as their first son Charles Everett was born on January 6, 1913. Just shy of 9 months, maybe he was born early…..

In the 1913 City Directory³, Clarence (and I presume Mabel) were living at 908 Church Street in Indianapolis. There isn't a house there anymore but Lucas Oil Stadium is in the backyard now.

Mabel stood by her man as she had another child in 1914, William James. The family then picked up and moved to Chicago. Charles wrote:

Excerpt from Autobiography of Charles Rose, 1993

The only record I have of the family living in Chicago is Clarence’s WWI Draft Registration Card⁴ that states they lived at 2317 Indiana Avenue Chicago, Illinois and Mabel is his family contact.

Eventually Mabel and her boys moved back to Indianapolis and she divorced Clarence. I don’t know when this all happened but I have found Mabel, Charles and William (Bill) living in Indianapolis in what is known as the Fairview Settlement. Charles called it Hawville in his autobiography.

Excerpt from Autobiography of Charles Rose, 1993

According to The Family Service Association of Indianapolis Records 1879-1971:

It was located next to Crown Hill Cemetery just south of Butler-Tarkington. Mabel and her boys lived in a boarding house with 7 other people.

In February of 1920, a third child was born to Mabel and Clarence, Robert.

So Mabel had three boys, her husband deserted her and according to Charles, Mabel was working at the PREST-O-LITE Battery Company in Indianapolis making batteries. PREST-O-LITE started in Indianapolis in the early 1900s making headlights for electrified buggies using the gas, Acetylene. Not until 1927 did PREST-O-LITE begin the manufacture of batteries. Whether battery acid had anything to do with her demise could be true, it could have been other chemicals the factory used as well. They weren’t too keen on safety back then: http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/articles/prest-o-lite

I believe her and the boys were living with her father outside of Speedway in his garage according to Charles:

Excerpt from Autobiography of Charles Rose, 1993

Going by what Charles stated, Grandfather (Mabel’s father) lived on Luett Avenue in Indianapolis at this time. Luett Avenue runs parallel to a set of railroad tracks and just on the other side of those tracks is now the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course and Motor Speedway.

She married again (I use this term loosely as I don’t think she married, as there is no record of this marriage) to George Washington Keller sometime around 1921. As with all the other women in my family tree, many marriages I believe were due to convenience. Mabel had three boys and needed help, I get it.

With this union between Mabel and George, a fourth son was born: Arthur Raymond Keller.  They were still living in Indianapolis. 

Excerpt from Autobiography of Charles Rose, 1993

Mabel died July 15, 1923. George Keller kept his only son Raymond, Robert was adopted by Mabel’s Aunt; Della (Delila) Heisel. Charles and William were sent to an orphanage that subsequently sent both to work on farms. *Update-Della was Mabel's Aunt, not her sister. 

Excerpt from Autobiography of Charles Rose, 1993

Mabel was buried in Rushville, Indiana in East Hill Cemetery where Charles and Bill eventually placed a headstone. It reads “Mother Mabel Rose Keller 1895-1923”.

1. 1. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004
2. 2. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
3. 3. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
4. 4. United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

Edith Florence Morra Cabanaw Hackbirth Walter Harlos-one tough (or mean) lady!

I have been trying to keep up with "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" and so far so good! This week's theme is "Tough Woman". As I think all of the women in my tree were tough, I still get drawn to my father's side of the tree. I don't know very much about that side of the tree but have enjoyed researching and sharing my findings with the family.

I have decided to share the story of Edith Florence Morra Cabanaw Hackbirth Walter Harlos.

My dad and his siblings grew up with Edith in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She lived with them until they moved to Lafayette, Indiana. He remembers her being mean! Let's see if we can find out why she was so mean....

My first record of Edith is the 1880 U.S. Federal Census 1. She lived on Lincoln Street in Reed City (Richmond), Michigan and is listed as Edith F. Shelpman. Listed are:
Robert Shelpman-33 years old
Abigail A. Shelpman-25 years old
Edith F. Shelpman -4 years old (this puts her birth year around 1876)
Charles Shelpman-3 years old
Anna M. Shelpman-8 months


The next record I have of Edith is her marriage license 2. On September 18, 1893, she married Arzen Jacob Cabanaw in Plymouth, Indiana. Listed are her parents Frank Morra and Abigail Topper.  So now I know her father was Frank Morra even though she is listed in the 1880 census as Shelpman. So Frank must have died or Abigail had Edith out of wedlock. Funny thing is, I can't find any record of a Frank Morra anywhere!

Another interesting tidbit....in the 1880 census she is listed as being 4, but this marriage license lists her as being 19. A fluctuating age.......

Edith also was to marry Arzen earlier but he had an affair with Edith's sister Anna. She had a child and Edith would not let Arzen out of the engagement. Edith and Arzen had one child, Vida Bell. Sometime before 1897, Edith and Arzen were divorced. Arzen went on to marry Edith's sister, Anna.


On March 25, 1897, Edith married Frederic John Hackbirth in St. Joseph County, Indiana 3.

Fred and Edith Hackbirth

She appears again in the 1900 census 4 living in Grant, Indiana with Fred and her two children: Vida who is 5 and Pearl who is 2.5. It also lists their marriage year as 1893. I guess Edith didn't want anyone to know that she had been married before! (Edith and Fred also had a son, Earnest, born in 1902 and Pearl does not show up in any other census, I am presuming she is deceased.)

On October 18, 1909, a decree 5 was granted to Edith for a divorce from Fred. Imagine getting a divorce in 1909, this was virtually unheard of! The reason for the divorce was that Fred was cruel, non-supportive and a drunk!

Never fear! Edith married again, this time to Arthur Walters on November 29, 1909 in Berrien, Michigan. This time Edith listed her name as Edith Shettman (Shelpman) as her maiden name. She is also listed as being the age of 34.

Edith and Art

Edith and Art are still living in Berrien, MI in the 1910 census 6. They are listed as having one child, just Hackbirth (Ernest). You will notice that Vida Bell is not listed, you can find out all about her here. This census also has the Edith had 3 children, 2 living confirming that Pearl died sometime between 1900 and 1910.

In 1920, I found Edith still in Michigan, this time in Avon 7. She is living with the Cross (Kroff) family as a housekeeper and also has Edith L Walter listed as 6 years old. Edith L Walter is Edith F Walters granddaughter, the daughter of Vida Bell.

And lastly, Edith married Henry Harlos on February 11, 1927 in Fulton County, Ohio. This marriage license has some great information in it.

Edith and Henry Harlos

• She lists her age as 45. If we are going by the birth date from the 1880 census, she should be 51. 
• She lists her father as Robert Shelpman, Not Frank Morra as stated on her first marriage license. 
• She lists her mother as Abigail Hoover. In the first marriage license, she lists her mother's maiden name as Topper. This is a mystery for another post!
• She states she is a widower and does not have a living husband. She married Art in 1910 and according to his obituary, he died in 1956.
• She also states she was previously married only once. 

In 1930, Edith, Lucile (her granddaughter) and Ernest (her son) are all living in Butler, Indiana 8. It states she is married but there is no husband listed. 

In 1940 Edith is living with Lucile and her new husband Charles Rose in Butler, Indiana 9. 

Edith

Edith died March 4, 1952. I know she spent her last days in the Indiana Poor Asylum in Allen County, Indiana. 

So I didn't find out why she was so mean! I should also mention that Edith was raised Catholic but at the end of her life was a member of the United Brethern Church. I would guess her many marriages led her to changing her religion. 

I would like to find out if she is the daughter of Frank Morra or Robert Shelpman!

1. Year: 1880; Census Place: Reed City, Osceola, Michigan; Roll: 600; Family History Film: 1254600; Page:115B; Enumeration District: 223; Image: 0241
2. "Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch
3.St. Joseph County, Indiana; Index to Marriage Records South Bend City Marriage, W. P. A. Book Numbers Indicates Location of Record; Book: 15; Page: 241
4. Year: 1900; Census Place: Center, Grant, Indiana; Roll: 373; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0028; FHL microfilm: 1240373
5. Ancestry.com. Michigan, Divorce Records, 1897-1952 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
6. Year: 1910; Census Place: Oronoko, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: T624_638; Page: 9A; Enumeration District:0084; FHL microfilm: 1374651
7. Year: 1920; Census Place: Avon, Oakland, Michigan; Roll: T625_789; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 159; Image: 282
8. Year: 1930; Census Place: Butler, De Kalb, Indiana; Roll: 585; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0027; Image:1087.0; FHL microfilm: 2340320
9. Year: 1940; Census Place: Butler, DeKalb, Indiana; Roll: T627_1036; Page: 16B; Enumeration District: 17-28

John Michael Easterday (Ostertag)-Hessian Soldier turned American Patriot

I always thought that my ancestors were the group of immigrant that flowed through Ellis Island in search of a better life in America.

What I have found is that the majority of my ancestors have been in America for hundreds of years!

One ancestor in particular came to America, not of his own free will was John Michael Easterday/Ostertag.


He is thought to have been born in Guenzertsreuth, Germany around 1754, as many documents point to a Michael Ostertag being born in that town around that same date but many of the dates don't match up to the American dates.

He was brought to this country to fight for the British in the American Revolution.

Page 4 of Descendants of Michael Easterday of Washington County, Maryland by Dr. Howard G. Lanham Edition 1 for Ostertag/Easterday Family Association International Reunion Included with family history In possession of Anne Smittle

In America, Michael fought against George Washington for Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Sometime during this siege, Michael decided to leave his position and fight with George Washington. It is not sure if he was captured along with the rest of his regiment and imprisoned in the "Hessian Barracks" in Frederick, Maryland or if he was drawn to the area as this is where most of his comrades were. But we do know he did not leave America. He opted to settle in Frederick County, Maryland and start a family.

He married twice, had eighteen children, became a naturalized citizen, owned and operated a flour mill and bought and sold many tracts of land in the Frederick/Washington Counties located in Maryland. He died in 1837 and is buried in a cemetery in Boonsboro, Maryland.

John Michael Easterday is my 4th Great Grandfather on my Father's side. He had a daughter, Tracy Easterday who married William Henry Topper. They had a child, Letitia Topper who married John Wesley Palmerton. They had a child, Harley Palmerton who married Vida Bell Cabana.

A Fresh Start: Katherine "Kate" Skinner

Happy New Year!

The word of the year for me is "Focus". For genealogy, I am going to focus on what I've found which may lead to answers. Or at least a historical document or two!

It is a fresh start for 2015 (and hopefully some fresh eyes!) in filling out my family tree.

I am somewhat obsessed with my Dad's Dad's side of the family. I have gone back many generations on other lines, but this side only goes back 2 generations and I am stuck. Hopefully writing out what I have could lead to some more answers.

Katherine "Kate" Skinner is my 2nd Great Grandmother on my Dad's side. She was married to William Rose and lived in Jennings and Decatur counties. Family lore was that William was married to a Katherine Burdan and had a mistress named Katherine Skinner. As I untangled this web, I found out that this was not true. She was the same person!

I am not sure where or when Kate was born, I am guessing somewhere around 1849 in Indiana.


The first record I have of Kate is her marriage to William Rose. She is listed as Kate Burdan. Kate and William were married on March 7, 1868.

In the 1870 Federal Census, Kate is listed as being 21. She is the spouse of William Rose and they have 2 children. Harry who is 1 and Ada who is 5.

Wait.

Ada is 5? William and Kate were just married. Ada would have been born about 1865.

Well, in researching Ada, she lists in a marriage license that her parents were Eugene D'Birddoon and Katherine Skinner. Ada's death certificate also states she was born in Richmond, Virginia.

So it looks like Kate's maiden name was Skinner and her  married name was D'Birddoon (or Burdan) and Ada's father was not William.

In the 1880 Federal Census, Kate is listed as being 27. She lives will William, Ada, Harry, Everett (8) and Rhedonia (3 months).

Within 10 years, Kate only aged 7 years. Something doesn't add up in those census records. Since both Kate and William could not read or write, I would imagine she really didn't know her true age. I am going to guess she was born around 1849, this would put her at age 18 when she had Ada. I could be wrong....

I also  know that Kate had two other children: Bertha born in 1883 and died in 1887. And Clarence, my Great Grandfather, born in 1885.

I believe I have also found Kate's obituary. It does not list her full name, only Mrs. Rose, and initially states she is "colored". This was corrected in a follow-up a few days later. The date in the paper in Decatur County, Indiana is the same date that William lists as the death of Clarence's mother when he was admitted into to Sailor's and Soldier's Orphanage.

On February 5, 1890, The New Era newspaper in Greensburg, Indiana reported:

On February 8, 1890, The Saturday Review in Greensburg, Indiana reported:

On February 15, 1890, The Saturday Review in Greensburg, Indiana reported:

I have inquired at the Jennings County Courthouse and the Decatur County Courthouse for a death certificate for Kate, but none were found. I also have not found any record of her burial in Vernon, IN. I did find our that her daughter Bertha was buried in a cemetery in Vernon in a pauper's grave. I would assume Kate is also buried in a pauper's grave.

What I would like to find out:
1. Who are her parents
2. Where was she born
3. When and where did she marry Eugene.
4. Where is she buried

Hopefully 2015 is the year for the answers!