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!

Vida Bell Cabanaw, a Life Cut Short.

I recently met some wonderful cousins that had a beautiful picture of my Great Grandmother, Vida Bell Palmerton/Moritz (nee Cabanaw) as a child around the turn of the century.

Vida Bell Cabanaw possibly around age 4

When I started researching her, I had a name (misspelled), and a few photos. Not much to go on, I was also told that she died young, right after she gave birth to my grandmother. What unfolded was a turbulent short life that my Great Grandmother led. Whenever I think of my ancestors, I think of an idyllic life on a farm with a loving family. Unfortunately, this was not the case for Vida Bell. 

 Although I knew she was no longer with us, I felt like I got to know her and her family and then was overwhelmed by great sadness when I found her final resting place.

Vida Bell Cabanaw possibly around age 7

I can only give a timeline of events and don't know how they transpired, it makes me wonder...Did she have a mental illness? Was her mother the culprit of her instability? Was she a wild child that couldn't be controlled? I will never know. 

The bits and pieces I have uncovered are interesting to say the least.

Here is what I do know. Her existence started out unlike any other. Her father Arzen Jacob Cabanaw met and was engaged to marry her mother, Edith Florence Morra. But during this engagement, Arzen had a daughter with Edith's half sister Anna Mayo Shelpman. That daughter was Mary Mabel Cabana (b. 1894). Edith would not release Arzen from his engagement to her, so despite the affair, he married Edith in 1893. Daughter Vida Bell was born in 1895. After a while, Edith and Arzen were divorced at which time Anna Mayo and Arzen were wed. 


Vida Bell first shows up in the 1900 census living with her mother Edith and Edith's new husband, Fred Hackbirth.

Fred and Edith Hackbirth circa 1897

Also showing up on this census is another daughter, Pearl, although she does not show up again in any other records. The family lived in Grant County, Indiana.

The marriage between Edith and Fred began in 1897 and dissolved in 1909 on the grounds of cruelty, non-support and drunkenness. Vida Bell had a half brother, Ernest Hackbirth who was born in 1902. 

In 1910, Vida Bell is listed as an inmate at the State Reform School for Girls in Adrian, Michigan. (Her mother Edith is now living in Berrien, Michigan with her third husband Art Walters.) This school was founded in "1879 for the reception, care, and training of convicted female juvenile offenders between the ages of seven and twenty. Each girl is detailed for a certain period to look after all the domestic duties in the cottages, all becoming proficient in this important branch of household lore. Washing, ironing, mending, cleaning and decoration are also looked after. A sewing school is in operation, and every girl is taught to sew, put garments together and make calico dresses. During this preliminary instruction, when any girl shows an aptitude for sewing, cutting, and fitting, she is advanced to the dress-making department where custom work is done. There is a horticultural department, and all learn the cultivation and propagation of plants,shrubs, and flowers. Music is taught in many branches, and all the ordinary accomplishments so acceptable and necessary in a happy home, are sought to be developed as much as possible. There is a fine orchestra selected from among the girls with musical talent in the Home."

I don't know why Vida Bell was sent (or sentenced) to the reform school. It could have been that her mother filed for a divorce in 1909 and was unable to care for Vida Bell and her half brother by herself. Or Vida Bell could have been an unruly girl that warranted being placed in the girls home. 

In the 1906 Biannual Report of the Michigan State Industrial School for Girls, the cause of commitment to the school were listed as: prostitution, disorderly conduct, larceny, willfully wayward, lounging on streets, attempted suicide or some were mothers. The records for this school are sealed and can only be accessed by the person themsleves. Well, that isn't going to happen, so we will not know why she was committed to this school. 

Vida Bell was eventually released from the State Reform School for Girls. On December 30, 1912, Vida Bell was married to Harley Palmerton in Auburn, Indiana. 

On December 29, 1912 the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reported: 

"Mr. Harley Palmerton who has served three years in the navy returned home this week from China, for a visit with relatives. He thinks of re-enlisting."

Hmmm.....I wonder why they got married. Clearly he did not want to be at home. How did they meet? It was a short engagement...or did they already know each other? 

Right after they got married, Vida Bell's father fell ill. 

On March 17, 1913 according to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:

 "Mrs. Harley Palmerton was called to South Bend this week on account of the illness of her father, Arzon Cabana."

There were happy times ahead. On October 17, 1913 Lucile Edith Palmerton was born!  

Top Photo: Harley, Lucile and Vida Bell Palmerton. Bottom Photo: Vida Bell on right, her mother Edith in the middle holding Edith Lucile and Abigail Topper, Vida Bell's grandmother on the left. 

From what I can tell, she was living the high life! Traveling to see relatives in nearby counties, always in the paper, The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reported on March 31, 1914;

 "Mr. and Mrs. Harley Palmerton and daughter Lucile returned home from Auburn, where they were the guests of their aunt, Mrs. E.H. Crooks."

However, in 1914, Harley Palmerton had joined Company K and was stationed in the Philippines. This was the demise of Harley and Vida Bell's marriage. Harley was "tired of traveling in double harness." (I admit, I had to look that up....it means being married.) Vida Bell was alone. Did Harley still support her and their daughter? Why did he leave her?

The Fort Wayne Sentinel April 12, 1917

It must have been too much for Vida Bell as she tried to commit suicide around Thanksgiving in 1915.

The Fort Wayne News, November 26, 1915

 It was in all the papers, it even made it into the Indianapolis Star. Vida Bell said she was treated badly by her family when she went to visit her daughter. She was not allowed to take her daughter home with her even though her employer was allowing her to bring the baby with her to the farm she worked on. She was despondent and declared to Joseph Moritz, (more on him later) that she was going to take her life. She drank carbolic acid and badly burned her throat and mouth. She was not expected to recover.

Ernest Hackbirth on left with Lucile Palmerton in the middle and her mother Vida Bell Palmerton on the right. 

Vida Bell did recover from her suicide attempt and asked for a divorce in 1917 along with custody of their daughter, $20 a month and her maiden name back. It took 3 years for Vida Bell to request a divorce from the time that Harley left her to rejoin the Navy.

Vida Bell in an undated photo

It wasn't easy for a woman to request a divorce from her husband in the early 1900s. I can only speculate that she was not able to keep her child as she didn't have the means to do so. Unless I can find the divorce papers, we won't know for sure. We do know that their daughter Edith Lucile (or Lucile Edith) was raised and cared for by her grandmother.

Remember Joseph Moritz? He was the man that Vida Bell told she was going to die. He claimed that he only knew her as she lived in the same area and he just happened to be outside washing his car when she drank the acid. Well, they got married in 1917, after she received a divorce from Harley.

Joseph and Vida Bell Moritz sometime between 1917 and 1919.

Joseph and Vida Bell lived in Fort Wayne at 1319 Summit Avenue (It's still standing!). Joseph was a clerk at Wolf & Dessauer (a department store famous for its Christmas lights and was eventually sold to the L.S. Ayers family. He also had two brothers that owned a prosperous fruit and dry goods store.) I have spoken to a relative of the Moritz family and he said Vida Bell was known to be very colorful. The Moritz family also thought she married Joseph for his money and was very suspicious of her. He did say she always had a good time!

If she finally did find love, it didn't last very long. Vida Bell died of tuberculosis in the morning of September 16, 1919 at the Irene Byron Hospital in Fort Wayne. She is buried at Lindenwood Cemetery. She was 25 years young.

Fort Wayne News Sentinel, September 16, 1919, page 10

I felt sorry for her, I rooted for her, I was saddened when she tried to commit suicide and then I was heart broken when she finally met her demise. It was a life I was just learning about and it ended abruptly.

Poor Vida Bell, we will never know the full, true story.  I hope I did her life story justice, I just wish I knew more.

Undated photo of Vida Bell

One Rose at a Time.....

I am trying to find the earliest Rose branch in my family tree and I haven't gotten very far.

The earliest Rose I can find is William James Rose. He is my Great-Great Grandfather. 

The first document that I have found pertaining to William Rose is his marriage license to his first wife Rebecca Jolly. 

1857- On September 8th, William Rose and Rebecca Jolly were married in Jennings County, Indiana. 

1860- The Federal Census lists William Rose as a laborer on the Jourdon Farm in Vernon, Indiana. He, along with Craig Jolly (Rebecca's brother) both work on this farm. This census also says William in 27 (born in 1835) and cannot read or write. 

What I do not find is any other mention of Rebecca Jolly Rose. I have found Rebecca's parents, William and Prudence Jolly, and they list a Mary Rose, age 1 living with them in the 1860 census. This is more than likely William and Rebecca's daughter. I cannot find any other mention of Mary Jolly after the 1860 census. 

1861-William was mustered into Company B, Indiana 6th Infantry Regiment on April 25th. He was a musician. He mustered out on August 25, 1861. William joined in Bartholomew County, Indiana. 

1861- On September 3rd, William was mustered in again into the 6th Infantry, Company B. He was a participant in the Civil War and his Regiment's footsteps are traced in the book: History of the Sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 

1864- On September 22, William was mustered out of the infantry. 

1868-William was married for the second time on March 7 to Catherine (also listed as Katherine or Kate) Burdan (also listed as Bardon and Birddon) in Jennings County, Indiana. 

1870-The Federal Census lists the following in North Vernon, Indiana:

• William Rose, 35, Teamster
• Catherine Rose, 21, Keeping House
• Ada B Rose, 5
• Harry Rose, 1

This census also notes that neither William or Catherine can read or write. It is also interesting that living next to the Rose's is none other than Craig Jolly and his wife Hannah.

If you are doing the math in your head, you will also notice that William and Catherine were married in 1868 and then in 1870 there is a child, Ada-age 5. Catherine was actually married before William. Catherine's maiden name is Skinner and she married Eugene Birddon (Burdan) sometime around 1865. Catherine and Eugene had a daughter, Ada Fern Birddon, aka Ada Rose. 

1880- The Federal Census lists the following in North Vernon, Indiana:

William Rose, 45, Laborer, born in Ohio, parents born in Ohio

Kate Rose, 27, keeping home, born in Indiana, parents born in New York

Ada Rose, 13

Henry (Harry) Rose, 12

Everett Rose, 8

Redonia Rose (male), 3 months

William and Kate went on to have two more children:

Burtha Rose born 1883

Clarence Rose born 1888

One note, William applied and was awarded a pension for his service in the Civil War. He continually went before the United States of America Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions to increase his pension. He started out at 8 dollars per month and at the time of his death, had increased it to 17 dollars per month. William suffered from chronic diarrhea, piles and resulting disease of rectum and disease of liver and resulting disease of heart....poor guy!

William Rose died on December 18, 1896. 

I believe Kate died on February 3, 1890. This date also coincides with the date William put on the intake papers for Clarence into the Soldier's and Sailor's Orphanage.

I have traced Ada up until 1930 and then I lost her. She lived in Chicago, married twice, and no children are known. 

Harry joined the Army and was an engineer at Fort Snelling in Minnesota and drowned on July 15, 1901. 

Everett married Daisy Biddinger and had two children; Bernice Marie and Hazel. He was a switchman on the railroad. He divorced Daisy and at one time lived in Chicago with Ada. 

I do not know what happened to Redonia. I assume he did not live as there is no other reference of a Redonia in Jennings County, Indiana. 

Burtha Rose died in 1887 and is buried in a pauper's grave in Greensburg, Indiana. She was 4 years old. 

Clarence went on to have three boys with Mabel Condon; Charles, William and Robert. 

In 1943 William's youngest son, Clarence, filled out an application so that William's grave could be marked with a proper veteran's tombstone. It is displayed in North Vernon, Indiana

DNA results

One part of my Dad's side of the family tree has very short branches.

I can only find up to my great-great-grandparents. Before that.....who knows!

To hopefully help rectify short-branch syndrome, my dad took a DNA test so we could hopefully find out where we came from.


It took about 4 weeks for the results to come back and here are the results!

Great Britain and Ireland are no big surprise. I mean, have you seen my fair skin and red(ish) hair!?

 The 1% of America in our DNA confirms family lore that we are part Native American.

A recently discovered 3x Grandfather is quite possibly from Italy.

I didn't expect Finland/NW Russia or Asia. I wonder how this falls into the family tree?

As many answers as I was hoping to find were overshadowed by the many more questions this test revealed!

I haven't yet found that long-lost relative that will answer all my questions on the short branches of the family tree but I do know now where I (at least half of me!) came from.

I can only keep searching!