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HAWKEYE HERITAGE APUBLICATION OF THE IOWA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY Volume 43, Issue 2 Winter, 2009 Five-generation picture Grandma Amos is seated front left. Her daughter Ora Conner is seated next to Grandma Amos. Ora’s daughter, Ina Hollingsworth is standing back left, Ina’s daughter, Ethel Whitlow, is holding her son Dwight.

Transcript of AWKEYE HERITAGE - WordPress.com...7 Feature Article “Grandma Amos” Mary Stephens Amos (and James...

Page 1: AWKEYE HERITAGE - WordPress.com...7 Feature Article “Grandma Amos” Mary Stephens Amos (and James Amos) in Warren County, Iowa by Marieta A. Grissom, CG The year was 1831, a pivotal

HAWKEYE HERITAGEA PUBLICATION OF THE IOWA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Volume 43, Issue 2Winter, 2009

Five-generation picture

Grandma Amos is seated front left. Her daughter Ora Conner is seated next toGrandma Amos. Ora’s daughter, Ina Hollingsworth is standing back left, Ina’s

daughter, Ethel Whitlow, is holding her son Dwight.

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HAWKEYE HERITAGE

WINTER, 2009VOLUME 43, NUMBER 2

PRICE

MEMBERS $5.00NON-MEMBERS $9.00

PLUS $3.00 POSTAGE FOR BOTH

EditorBarbara L. Hug

Editorial CommitteeDiane Densmore

Carl NollenSusan Claman

_______

IGS StaffLibrarian

Billie Murano

Administrative AssistantDebra Chase

Assistant LibrariansSusan Claman

IGS Executive Board - 2010

President, Barbara Hug

1st Vice President, Carla Anders

2nd Vice President, Kathy Gourley

Secretary, Diane Densmore

Treasurer, LaWanda Nepstad

Hawkeye Heritage is published by theIowa Genealogical Society (IGS).

Hawkeye HeritageContents

Research Assistance................................................................................... 6

Feature Article: Grandma Amos ................................................................ 7

United Spanish War Veterans.................................................................. 16

Library Acquisitions ................................................................................ 29

Iowa Genealogical Society Queries......................................................... 45

Name Index.............................................................................................. 46

IGS Membership - 2010$35.00 for a single membership$45.00 for a family membership

Send dues by mail or electronically using our websitewww.iowagenealogy.org/

Iowa Genealogical Society628 East Grand Avenue

Des Moines IA 50309-1924(515) 276-0287 - Phone

(515) 727-1824 - FAXE-mail: [email protected]

Copyright © 2009Iowa Genealogical Society

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Feature Article

“Grandma Amos”

Mary Stephens Amos (and James Amos)

in Warren County, Iowa

by Marieta A. Grissom, CG

The year was 1831, a pivotal year in United States history, even though the events are not memorized in school.The year also marked the birth of a child, Mary Emily Stephens, who became a remarkable woman.

Newspapers were numerous in 1831, spreading news of current events to the masses. On 12 February an eclipseof the sun was visible along the eastern seaboard, an event so heralded by the newspapers beforehand, that theeclipse itself seemed anti-climatic.1 Nat Turner, a Virginia slave, led a group of slaves on a murdering rampage.2

Congress and the Supreme Court considered the removal of the Cherokee Nation from Georgia,3

The feud between President Andrew Jackson and Vice President John C. Calhoun was fodder for newspapers.The two differed on the role of the Union and the states. Then a scandal erupted involving Jackson’s personallife, undermining his effectiveness. To regain control Jackson was forced to ask his cabinet to resign.4

Other items in 1831 probably didn’t make newspaper headlines across the country, but the events no lessimpacted history. On 4 July 1831, honoring the country’s fifty-fifth anniversary a choir in Boston sang “Mycountry, ‘tis of thee” for the first time.5 Cyrus McCormick, Virginia farmer, tested his mechanical reaper.6 InPhiladelphia, a steam-powered railroad car made its inaugural trip, one and a quarter miles.7 John JamesAudubon toured eastern states from New York to Florida, studying and drawing birds.8 And, protracted campmeetings fired religious revivalism.9

On 4 July, James Monroe, former President, died in poverty.10 And, before year’s end, a cholera epidemic enteredUnited States from Europe.11

Natural phenomena, politics, religion, industry, currency, mass media, racial struggles, transportation, and diseasewere all part of the lives of Americans in 1831.

Into this world, Mary Emily Stephens was born on 13 September in Virginia.12

© 2009, Marieta A. Grissom, Certified Genealogist; 505 West Jackson Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125-1119, [email protected]. Grissom has actively researched her many Iowa pioneer ancestors since 1979. She was awarded certificate no. 990 in March 2009 bythe Board for Certification of Genealogists.

1. Masur, Louis P., 1831 Year of Eclipse, New York: Hill and Wang, 2001, 3-8.

2. Ibid., 9-62.

3. Ibid., 115-135.

4. Ibid., 101-114.

5. Ibid., 160.

6. Ibid., 179-182.

7. Ibid., 169-179.

8. Ibid., 193-202.

9. Ibid., 63-88.

10. Ibid., 103-106.

11. Ibid., 202-206.

12. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 4:16, Mary Emily Amos died 18 February 1933, age 101 years, 5 months and 5 days old, birth

date calculates 13 September 1831.

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Mary lived to be 101, an awesome wonderment for a pioneer woman. As she approached centenarian status, thelocal newspapers duly noted her birthdays with an interview, likely a relished assignment for the reporter.“Grandma Amos,” as everyone called her, related her stories in straightforward manner. But the life events shedescribed probably awed the listener. Today her stories are still amazing. The family’s struggles, assiduous workethic, perseverance through hardship, resolve in adversity, and unique patriotism emerge. Because these storieswere printed in the newspapers, readers today know many details about her life.

None of Mary’s remembrances mention any of the national events that took place during her lifetime, let alone theones that took place during her birth year, but there is no doubt that consequences of many of the 1831 eventsaffected her life. Perhaps the first one took place when she was a mere infant.

She was born in Rockingham County, Virginia. When she was about one year old, her parents moved to MadisonCounty, Ohio, where she grew up. Whether her family fled Virginia in response to growing racial tensions is notknown, but they moved to a non-slave state. When she was about eighteen, her family moved further west toKnox County, Illinois.13 Her early life then became symbolic of the westward, anti-slavery movement.

Mary Emily Stephens and James Monroe Amos married on 27 August 1850.14 For four years, they lived on arented farm in Knox County, worked hard, and accumulated nearly $400.15

James Amos knew land in Iowa was cheaper than in Illinois.16 He wanted to take a look, then return for hisfamily if he liked it, 17 but Mary was spunky and wouldn’t hear of it. “I told him just to wait two or three weeksuntil we got the spinning and weaving done and could get our clothes ready and we would all come together andmake one trip do it.” Thus, in the fall of 1854, the husband, wife and two small girls, journeyed westward toWarren County, Iowa. 18

Mary continued, “We started for Iowa in a covered wagon drawn by horses. A great many others drove oxen, butmy husband always had horses. We arrived in Warren County in early November and entered three forties19…and preempted forty acres of timber. By preemption we were given first right to enter the land at a later date.”20

They selected a site in the timber, built a 12x14 foot log cabin with grass growing on the dirt floor, and lived therethe first winter. By living in the timber, James was close by as he spent the winter cutting logs for a house andsplitting rails for fences. Their two little girls, Orra and Laura, were joined by a third daughter, Ida. In the springthey built a house on their three forties’ farm and sold their rights to the timber forty for $100.21

She spoke on, “Money was scarce. I remember that Amos bought a spade from Mose Barker and Mose inquiredif he had the money to pay for it. One time he was worried over getting his corn planted. We had no money tohire hands. I told him to put the cover on the wagon and put the cradle in it. I put a couple of comforts in thewagon and we went to the field. The two little girls and the baby staying in the wagon and I dropped corn. Theygot along just fine. [Mr.] Amos would mark out the rows, I’d drop the corn, and then he would come along and

13. “Will Celebrate 100

thBirthday, Sunday, Sept 13,” The Indianola Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, September 8, 1931, p. 1, col. 4 and p.

7, col. 4-6.14

. Rev. W. C. Martin, D.D., History of Warren County, Iowa (Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1908), 425, “James Amos.”15

. “Will Celebrate 100th

Birthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.16

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 425. “Mr. Amos. … decided to come to Warren county, Iowa, as land was muchcheaper here than in Illinois at that time.”

17. “Will Celebrate 100

thBirthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.

18. Ibid.19

. James Amos (Warren County, Iowa), patent no. 9788; “Land Patent Search,” digital images, General Land Office Records,(http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch : accessed 8 October 2009) dated 1 June 1855 for 80 acres. Also, Henry Wayman, (Pvt,Capt. Johnson’s Co. 4

thReg. Virginia Militia, 1812), bounty land warrant 26208 (Act of 1850); “Land Patent Search,” digital images,

General Land Office Records, (http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch : accessed 8 October 2009), assigned to James Amos, dated1 June 1855 for 40 acres.

20. “Will Celebrate 100

thBirthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.

21. Ibid.

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cover it with his plow. I could drop as fast as he could mark and cover and we got the crop planted in good shapewithout paying out anything for hired labor.”22

During the national struggle between the North and the South, James and Mary struggled on their farm. And, liketheir country, they experienced both life and death. Five children were born: Nancy, John, James Liberty, Mary,and Lourena.23 Then, in June 1863 a severe epidemic of diphtheria tragically took the lives of Ida, 8, Nancy, 6,and John, 4, in less than two weeks.24 The local epidemic continued into the fall. A few miles away, between 22September and 8 October, tragedy struck six children in the Eberman family. “The father cut native timber tomake the six coffins. No funerals were held.”25

After several years, James and Mary sold this farm west of Indianola26 and James journeyed back to his nativeBaltimore, Maryland. One story of his youth is that his father died when he was a small boy. His mother, unsureof raising her sons in a city, found a good family moving to Ohio. The boys lived there until able to fend forthemselves.27

James and Mary’s granddaughter, Mary Amos Smith heard a different story. “My father [Sherman] told us thathis father said he was descended from French Royalty. Also[,] that one time he went to see his sister in Marylandwho had been adopted by wealthy aristocrats and she wouldn’t have anything to do with him. He also told myfather that a wealthy couple wanted to adopt him, but he told them he was older and could make his own way, andasked them to adopt his younger brother, John. So they did and gave him the education to be a minister.”28

In 1867 James traded for land on Otter Creek south and east of Indianola.29 They built a red house on theHammondsburg road where Grant, Sherman, and Alice were born. 30

George Hutt owned a farm just a short distance away and was not doing well. He was also a road supervisor andwas unhappy with that, as well. One day he made a remark in the presence of James Amos that if he “could get$30 an acre for the place, he would sell out and leave the d—n country.” Well, James had $100 in his pocket. Hehanded the money to Hutt and said, “Hutt, your place is sold, and George Pearson is a witness that I’ve paid you$100 to bind the bargain. We will go to town tomorrow and fix up the papers.” By the next day Hutt regrettedhis comment, but a deal was a deal to James Amos. 31 James and Mary took possession, built a large new house,and lived there until James died. This house was located at a crossroads. Many people in 2009 still know this asthe “Amos Corner” since members of the Amos family eventually owned the land on all four corners.

Whether James owned one of Cyrus McCormick’s reapers is not known. But, he most likely purchased a similarmachine as his farming operation expanded.

22. Ibid.

23. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426. Also, Lourena was known in later years as Lorena.

24. Cemetery and Death Records of Warren County, Iowa, Indianola Cemetery, 132. Ida V. Amos died June 7, 1863, Nancy E. died

June 11, 1863, John died June 24, 1863. Also, Indianola IOOF Cemetery (Indianola, Iowa on the south edge of Indianola on Highways 65 &69), gravestones for Ida, Nancy and John, as photographed by the author 28 May 2007.

25. Cemetery and Death Records of Warren County, Iowa, Hewitt Cemetery, 107-108. Mary B. Eberman died Sep. 22, 1863; Jane A.

died Sep. 29, 1863; Kate died Oct 1, 1863; Orion died Oct. 2, 1863; George E., died Oct 5, 1863; William J., died Oct. 8, 1863.26

. Warren County, Iowa, Deed Book Q: 382-383, James Amos and Mary E. Amos to Francis Cass, 6 January 1865. Also, Deed BookS: 429, James Amos and Mary E. Amos to James R. Reddish, 28 August 1866. It is unknown which of these land transactions Mary wasreferring to in her story.

27. “Will Celebrate 100

thBirthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.

28. Letter written by Mary Amos Smith, to “Our dear Relatives and Friends,” March 1, 1988, photocopy obtained by Thelma Butler

Pehrson probably in mid-1990s and a copy given to the author, approximately 2003. Also, John A. Amos obituary, Courier-Democrat,Seneca, Kansas, 28 September 1888, microfilm #S854 (7 October 1887 – 8 August 1890), Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas.John’s obituary does not verify the letter, except to say he was raised in Ohio and became a Methodist minister.

29. Warren County, Iowa, Deed Book U: 353, James Amos and Mary E. Amos to James C. Graham, 17 January 1867. Also, Deed

Book 8: 605-606, Daniel Palmer and Abigal Palmer to James Amos, 11 April 1874.30

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 425-427.31

. “Will Celebrate 100th

Birthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931. Also, Warren County, Iowa, Deed Book 34: 222,George H. Hutt and Julia A. Hutt, to James Amos, 7 September 1885.

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James Amos sitting on the frontstep of his house and it appearssome of his women folk arepeering out of the second-storywindows.

James Amos was a self-made man. A Methodist, a Republican, a member of the Masonic Lodge and theIndependent Order of Odd Fellows, treasurer of the county school funds, and a township assessor, Mr. Amos wasa highly respected member of the community.32

“After we were married in 1850,” Mary continued, “Amos had 95 cents in his pocket. That was all he had in theworld; but God was good to us and seemed to help us get things together. When he came from Ohio to Illinois asa young man, he had saved a hundred dollars, which he had in his pocket. While he was asleep on a steamboatsomebody picked his pocket and he arrived in Illinois with almost nothing. Many a day he worked there, bothbefore and after we were married, for 50 cents a day, splitting rails.”33

One time a neighbor who lived a half mile away wanted to go back to Indiana to visit the home folks, so Marywalked the half mile morning and evening to milk the cows and look after everything. She churned the cream andsold the butter and with this money bought a set of dishes—English ironstone, Tea Leaf pattern, that was popularin those days.34 Mary also made trips back to see her folks in Illinois, 35 and her most likely means oftransportation was the steam-powered train.

James Monroe Amos was born on 4 July36 when James Monroe was President of the United States; this may havestarted a patriot naming pattern for the Amos males. Son, James Liberty, known as “Liberty” was also born on 4July.37 Sons George Grant Amos and William Sherman Amos, known throughout their lives as “Grant” and“Sherman,” respectively, undoubtedly were named for the famous Union generals.

James Liberty died 22 May, 1893. 38 Mr. Amos died May 8, 1898.39 For a time, Mary lived with her sonSherman and her daughter Ora, both in the Milo area. However, for the last 12 to 14 years of her life, she lived inIndianola, with her daughter Lorena Butler.40

32. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 425-427.

33. “Will Celebrate 100

thBirthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.

34. Thelma Butler Pehrson’s memories of her great-grandmother, probably written in the 1990s. A photocopy of this handwritten,

unpaginated document is in the possession of the author, Thelma’s daughter.35

. “Browns Chapel,” Advocate-Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, 29 April 1909, p. 2, col. 2, “Grandma Amos has gone to Illinois for a visit.”It seems that further newspaper research would probably find other similar items.

36. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 425.

37. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.

38. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, James L. Amos grave marker, photographed by author on 28 May 2007.

39. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 2: 3, James M. Amos, died 8 May 1898, Recorder’s Office, Indianola.

40. “Mrs. Mary E. Amos,” (obituary), The Indianola Herald, Indianola, Iowa, March 2, 1933, p. 3, col. 5-6.

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Grandma Amos smoked a pipe! One time her great-granddaughter, Thelma ButlerPehrson, asked her why she smoked. The answer was that when she and herhusband finished with their day’s work and relaxed after supper, they sat on theback step or back porch and each smoked a pipe and they reviewed the day orplanned the next day or year’s work, and it became a habit.41

Apparently, the evenings on the back step were time well spent. When James diedafter nearly 48 years of marriage, they owned 708 acres, held nearly $10,000 incash and notes, and owned more than $6,000 in household goods, livestock,machinery, and crops.42

Grandma Amos lost her sight at about 76 years of age, and she suffered a fall atabout age 93, after which she was confined to her bed.43 During her life, she sawthings that were once unthinkable or unheard of become luxuries and conveniences,then become so common place as to become necessities. Indoor plumbing andelectricity are examples. The world of transportation moved from the railroad thattested its steam engine during her birth year to automobiles. During her later years,while bedridden, she enjoyed hours of listening to radio stations KFNF and KMA.44

KFNF, started by Henry Fields, transmitted out of Shenandoah, Iowa, and KMAwas also a southwest Iowa station; both stations had programming of interest to rural women.

Thelma also remembered, “Grandma’s room was on the southeast corner of the second floor and was the nicestbedroom in the large house. Her room was adjacent to the bathroom, though she could not use it. I can stillremember hearing Grandma Amos yell for her daughter, ‘Ree-nee!’ [short for Lorena] to come tend to whateverwas her need at that time. Her sons Sherman and Grant would come periodically to lift their mother out of thebed so Lorena could change the bedding.”45

As children, Thelma and her brother always dreaded having to trudge up the stairs to visit Grandma Amos.However, Thelma said that she is sure Grandma Amos enjoyed having visitors, especially children.46

Thelma remembers that Grandma Amos still smoked after dinner and supper and Lorena could hardly wait untilher mother was finished smoking to come up to the room, open the windows wide, and air out the room!47

Mary’s surviving children apparently tried to visit their mother for her birthday or for the holidays. Ora lived inArtesian, South Dakota, Laura in Council Grove, Kansas, Mary in Marquis, Saskatchewan, Canada, and Alice inOmaha, Nebraska. Lorena, Grant, and Sherman all remained in the Indianola area.48

Among the 150 or so visitors at her one hundredth birthday was B. F. Lucas. He was a lad, who had helped drivea herd of 1100 sheep from Pennsylvania. The journey had been twelve weeks and three days. Upon arrivinghere, the owners of the sheep purchased Mr. Amos’s crop, made arrangements for the sheep to remain there forthe winter, left Ben Lucas to look after them, and boarded him with the Amos family. Ben wrote of hisexperience with Grandma Amos.

“I presume that I am as well, or perhaps better acquainted with Grandma Amos than any otherman in Warren county, having met her for the first time in the month of September, 1864. At thattime I was a boy of but fourteen years of age… and although my own mother was almost a

41. Thelma Butler Pehrson’s memories.

42. Warren County, Iowa, James Amos probate file, Box 3, Packet #1663, Clerk of Court, Indianola.

43. “Mrs. Mary E. Amos,” The Indianola Herald, March 2, 1933.

44. Thelma Butler Pehrson’s memories.

45. Ibid.

46. Ibid.

47. Thelma Butler Pehrson’s memories.

48. “Grandmother Amos Is 100 Years Old,” The Indianola Herald, Indianola, Iowa, September 17, 1931, p. 1, col. 4. Also, “Mrs.

Mary E. Amos,” The Indianola Herald, Indianola, Iowa, March 2, 1933, p. 3, col. 5-6.

Grandma Amos 1921

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thousand miles away, that deficiency could hardly be felt, or at least the situation was materiallyrelieved, as long as Mrs. Amos had charge of the boy’s welfare.

“I was the recipient of three well-cooked meals each day for six days in the week with somethingextra for the seventh. My clothes were kept clean, always mended and buttons well sewed on.All done cheerfully and with a motherly spirit, and when I dropped the washpan in the well, therewas no display of bad temper. Mother Amos just appointed J. Garlow a committee of one to godown and get it.

“…I have enjoyed many interesting visits with Mother Amos since she has been confined to herbed, each of which was an inspiration, and after I had visited her on her last birthday I came awayimpressed with the thought that Mother Amos really is not old, but has just simply lived ahundred years.”49

Grandma Amos died February 18, 1933, at the age of 101 years, 5 months and 6 days. Being born in 1831, theyear of the eclipse and many other significant national struggles, her long life reflected simpler concerns: familyand hard work.

Biographical Summary

1 James Monroe Amos was born 4 July 1823 in Baltimore, Maryland50 and died on 8 May 1898 in OtterTownship, Warren County, Iowa.51 On 27 August 1850 he married Mary Emily Stephens at Knox County,Illinois. Mary Stephens was born 13 September 1831 in Rockingham County, Virginia, the daughter of LewisStephens and Elizabeth Adler. She died on 18 February 1933 in Indianola, Iowa,52 both are buried at theIndianola IOOF Cemetery.53

James Monroe Amos and Mary Emily Stephens were the parents of eleven children.

49. “Grandma Amos Rounds Out Her Hundred Years,” The Indianola Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, September 15, 1931, p. 1, col. 1 and

p. 8, col. 5.50

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 425.51

. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 2: 3, James M. Amos, died 8 May 1898, Recorder’s Office, Indianola.52

. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 4:16, Mary Emily Amos, died 18 February 1933.53

. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, James M. Amos and Mary E. Amos grave marker.

Back row: Grant Amos, Alice Barnes, Orra Conner, Sherman Amos.Front row: Ellen Bacon, Mary Emily Stephens Amos, Lorena Butler.

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2 i. ORRA [aka ORA] ANN AMOS was born 3 July 185154 at Knox County, Illinois55 and died 11December 193356 at Artesian, South Dakota.57 Orra was buried at Hammondsburg Cemetery, OtterTownship, Warren County, Iowa.58 On 10 September 1871 she married A. J. “Andy” Conner inWarren County.59 Andy, as he was known, was born either 29 April 1842 or 22 November 1845.60

He died 29 April 1909.61 Andrew J. Conner was buried at the Hammondsburg Cemetery.62

3 ii. LAURA ELLEN AMOS was born 10 September 185263 at Knox County, Illinois,64 and died 14 April1933.65 On 27 April 1876 she married R. M. Bacon at the James Amos residence.66 Robert wasborn 9 September 1837 and died 29 September 1930. They lived near Council Grove, Kansas, andare buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Council Grove.67

4 iii. IDA AMOS was born 6 March 185568 in a 12x14 log cabin on a timber forty the first winter thefamily lived in Warren County, Iowa69 and died 7 June 186370 of diphtheria.71 Ida is buried at theIndianola IOOF Cemetery.72

5 iv. NANCY E. AMOS was born 15 February 185773 in Jefferson Township, Warren County74 and died11 June 186375 of diphtheria.76 Nancy is buried at the Indianola IOOF Cemetery.77

6 v. JOHN G. AMOS was born 22 April 185978 in Jefferson Township, Warren County79 and died 24 June186380 of diphtheria.81 John is buried at the Indianola IOOF Cemetery.82

54. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.

55. “Will Celebrate 100th

Birthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.56

. Hammondsburg Cemetery, (Otter Township, Warren County, Iowa; SE ¼ SW ¼ Section 11, Township 75N, Range 23W; 2 mileswest and 1 ½ miles north of Milo), Orra A. Conner grave marker.

57. Indianola Herald, Indianola, Iowa, 21 December 1933, p. 4, col. 3, brief death notice.

58. Corinne Butler scrapbook, unknown newspaper, 20 December 1933, Orra A. Conner obituary. Original in possession of the

author.59

. Warren County, Iowa, Marriage Book B: 172, A. J. Connor, 25, and Orra A. Amos, 20, 10 September 1871.60

. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 3: 153, Andrew Connor, died 28 April 1909, born 29 April 1842, age 64. Also, Andy Connorobituary, photocopy of a newspaper clipping found in Thelma Pehrson’s Amos family genealogy notebook, unknown newspaper,unknown date, gives a birth date of 22 November 1845. Also, Hammondsburg Cemetery, Andrew J. Conner gravestone lists died Apr 29,1909, age 63y 5m 7d, which calculates to be a birth date of 22 November 1845. Thus, Andy’s birth date needs further research.

61. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 3: 153, Andrew Connor, died 28 April 1909.

62. Hammondsburg Cemetery, Andrew J. Conner grave marker.

63. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.

64. “Will Celebrate 100

thBirthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.

65. Letter “Dear Cousin Esther” from “Frank & Luella Bacon” dated 17 December 1965. “Mother died April 14, 1933.” Esther was

Esther Butler Henry. Frank Bacon was a son of Laura Bacon. Esther and Frank were first cousins.66

. Warren County, Iowa, Marriage Book C: 225, R. M. Bacon, 37, and Laura E. Amos, 23, 27 April 1876.67

. Greenwood Cemetery, Council Grove, Kansas, Laura E. and Robert M. Bacon gravestone, photographed by author on 16October 2009. Cemetery is located on the western edge of Council Grove.

68. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.

69. “Mrs. Mary E. Amos” The Indianola Herald, 2 March, 1933. Also, “Will Celebrate 100

thBirthday,” The Indianola Tribune,

September 8, 1931.70

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.71

. “Will Celebrate 100th

Birthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.72

. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, Idevond Amos grave marker.73

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.74

. “Will Celebrate 100th

Birthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.75

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.76

. “Will Celebrate 100th

Birthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.77

. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, Nancy E. Amos grave marker.78

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.79

. “Will Celebrate 100th

Birthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.80

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.81

. “Will Celebrate 100th

Birthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.82

. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, John G. Amos grave marker.

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7 vi. JAMES LIBERTY AMOS was born 4 July 186183 in Jefferson township, Warren County84 and died 22May 189385 of typhoid fever at home in Otter township, Warren County.86 Liberty was buried atIndianola IOOF Cemetery.87 On 11 September 1888 he married Mary Baugh.88 She was born 11September 186589 in Iowa,90 apparently the daughter of James F. Baugh and Margaret J. --?--.91

She died 30 December 1890 and is buried at Christian Neck Cemetery.92

On 5 January 1893 he married Eva Pope in Warren County.93

8 vii. MARY NEVA AMOS was born 10 January 186494 in Warren County95 and died 11 April 1952 atMoose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.96 On 13 March 1888 or 25 March 189897 she married HerbertWorthley98 He was born 15 March 1860 at Henry County, Illinois.99 He died 20 July 1945 atMarquis, Saskatchewan, Canada.100

9 viii. LOURENA (aka LORENA) AMOS was born 28 March 1866101 northwest of Indianola102 and died 31July 1961, Indianola, Iowa.103 Lorena is buried at the Indianola IOOF Cemetery.104 On 11 January

83. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.

84. “Will Celebrate 100

thBirthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.

85. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, James L. Amos grave marker.

86. Advocate-Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, 25 May 1893, p. 3, col. 3.

87. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, James L.. Amos grave marker.

88. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.

89. Christian Neck Cemetery (aka Otter Creek Cemetery, NW corner of NW ¼, SE ¼ Section 28, Township 74N, Range 23W, Warren

County, Iowa), Mollie A. Amos grave marker. Birth date has been derived from age given on grave marker. Died 30 December 1890, age25 years, 3 months, 19 days.

90. 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Warren County, Iowa, White Oak Township, p. 6 [handwritten], dwelling 43, family 43,

James Baugh household, Ancestry.com digital image (http://ancestry.com : accessed 23 March 2009) citing NARA microfilm publicationM593, Roll 519. Also, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Warren County, Iowa, Liberty Township, p. 455 [stamped], p. 5[handwritten], ED 236, dwelling 40, family 49, James Baugh household, Ancestry.com digital image (http://ancestry.com : accessed 23March 2009), citing NARA microfilm publication T9, Roll 368; also FHL microfilm 1,254,368. Both census records indicate Mary was bornin Iowa.

91. 1870 U.S. census, pop. sch., Warren Co., Iowa, White Oak Twp., p. 6, dwell. 43, fam. 43, James Baugh. Also, 1880 U.S. census,

pop. sch., Warren Co., Iowa, Liberty Twp, p. 455, dwell. 40, fam. 49, James Baugh. Also, 1885 Iowa state census, population schedule,Warren County, Iowa, Lacona, p. 737 [stamped], dwelling 75, family 75, James Baugh household, Ancestry.com digital image(http://ancestry.com : accessed 28 March 2009), citing microfilm of Iowa State Censuses obtained from the State Historical Society ofIowa via Heritage Quest, roll IA1885-272. While none of these census records give relationships, it appears that Mary Baugh is likely thedaughter of James Baugh and Margaret Baugh. In addition, she is buried next to James F. Baugh and Margaret J. Baugh in the ChristianNeck Cemetery.

92. Christian Neck Cemetery, Mollie A. Amos grave marker. No death record has been located for Mary, thus, the only available

record is her grave marker.93

. Warren County, Iowa, Marriage Book H:16, J. L. Amos, 31, and Eva Pope, 18, 5 January 1893.94

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.95

. “Will Celebrate 100th

Birthday,” The Indianola Tribune, September 8, 1931.96

. Letter “Dear Esther” from “Alma” dated 14 November 1965, “Mother died April 11th

1952 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada.” Esther was Esther Butler Henry, a first cousin of Alma, Mary Worthley’s daughter. Author has a photocopy of the letter. Also,death notice “Former Resident Dies in Canada,” Record-Herald and Indianola Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, 15 April 1952, p. 1, col. 3.

97. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 802. This says “In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Herbert Worthley and Miss

Mary N. Amos,” however, the marriage of Herbert Worthley and Mary N. Worthley was recorded as taking place on 25 March 1898,Warren County, Iowa, Marriage Book I: 280 Recorder’s Office, Indianola. In the interim several children were born.

98. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426, 801.

99. Ibid., 801.

100. Photocopy of a newspaper clipping, unknown newspaper, unknown date, in Thelma Pehrson’s Amos family genealogy

notebook “Hub Worthley Dies in Canada.101

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.102

. Record-Herald and Indianola Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, 17 August 1961, p. 6, col. 5. Lorena Butler obituary.103

. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 5:470, Lourena Butler, died 31 July 1961.104

. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, Lorena Butler grave marker.

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1887 she married William T. Butler in Warren County, Iowa.105 He was born 28 December 1865 inOtter Township, Warren County, Iowa, the son of William H. Butler106 and Sarepta E. Truitt.107 Hedied 18 April 1919.108 Will is buried in the Indianola IOOF Cemetery.109

After her husband died, Lorena took care of her mother for many years. Then, Lorena lived to be95 years old herself.

10 ix. GEORGE GRANT AMOS was born 5 May 1869110 near Milo in Otter Township111 Grant lived hisentire life within five miles of his birth place.112 He died 21 May 1946 in rural Indianola, Iowa.113

Grant is buried at the Indianola IOOF Cemetery.114 On 18 August 1896 he married Mary EllenChumbley in Warren County, Iowa.115 She was born November 1878.116 She died 27 October1966, Indianola, Iowa.117 Mary is buried beside her husband at Indianola IOOF Cemetery.118

11 x. WILLIAM SHERMAN AMOS was born 7 December 1871 in Otter Township, Warren County119 anddied 13 October 1958, Indianola, Iowa.120 Sherman is buried in the Indianola IOOF Cemetery.121

On 21 August 1895 he married Lillian M. Woods at Indianola, Iowa.122 She was born 2 April1873. She died 17 November 1921. 123 Lillian is buried in the Indianola IOOF Cemetery.124

12 xi. ALICE V. AMOS was born 22 June 1874125 and died 31 July 1969126. On 21 August 1895 shemarried Harry L. Barnes at Indianola, Iowa.127 Prior to 1920 she married William H. Middleton.128

Alice is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska.129

105. Warren County, Iowa, Marriage Register 1880-1893: 80, Wm. T. Butler, 22, and Lurena Amos, 21, 11 January 1887.

106. Advocate-Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, 24 April 1919, p. 2, col. 3-4. William T. Butler obituary.

107. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 914.

108. Advocate-Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, 24 April 1919, p. 2, col. 3-4. William T. Butler obituary.

109. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, William T. Butler grave marker.

110. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 426.

111. George Grant Amos obituary, The Record-Herald and Indianola Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, 30 May 1946, p. 5, col. 3-4.

112. George Grant Amos obituary, The Record-Herald and Indianola Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, 30 May 1946, p. 5, col. 3-4.

113. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 5:111, George Grant Amos, died 21 May 1946.

114. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, Grant G. Amos grave marker [note name is different than on death record; apparently this because

he was generally known as “Grant Amos”].115

. Warren County, Iowa, Marriage Book I:12, Geo. G. Amos, 27, and Mary E. Chumbley, 19, 18 August 1896.116

. Mary Amos obituary, The Record-Herald and Indianola Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, 29 December 1966, p. 3, col. 6-8.117

. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 6:133, Mary Ellen Amos, died 27 October 1966.118

. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, Mary E. Amos grave marker, same stone as Grant G. Amos.119

. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 427.120

. Warren County, Iowa, Death Book 5:385, William Sherman Amos, died 13 October 1958.121

. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, Sherman Amos grave marker.122

. Warren County, Iowa, Marriage Book H: 439, W. S. Amos, 26, and Lillie M. Woods, 22, 21 August 1895. Note: this is the samedate that Sherman’s sister, Alice, married Harry L. Barnes.

123. “Mrs. Sherman Amos” obituary, Indianola Herald, Indianola, Iowa, 24 November 1921, p. 4, col., 1.

124. Indianola IOOF Cemetery, Lillian M. Amos grave marker.

125. Martin, History of Warren County, Iowa, 427.

126. “Deaths and Funerals,” World Herald, Omaha, Nebraska, 3 August 1969. The same death notice appeared on 1 August and 2

August, but did not appear on 31 July. Therefore, it is believed that she probably died on 31 July. Further research is needed for herexact death date.

127. Warren County, Iowa, Marriage Book H:438, Harry L. Barnes, 26, and Alice V. Amos, 21, 21 August 1895. Note: this is the same

date Alice’s brother Sherman married Lillie M. Woods.128

. 1920 U.S. census, Douglas County, Nebraska, population schedule, Omaha Ward 11, p. 244 (stamped),p. 13A (penned),enumeration district (ED) 121, dwelling 320, family 336, William H. Middleton; Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 25September 2009), citing NARA publication T625, roll 989.

129. Forest Lawn Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska, Internment #55463, Section 24, Lot #64, Grave #1; burial date 4 August 1969 from

http://www.forestlawnomaha.com.