The Family of Charles Howard Yeomans and Mary Belle Raney

Charles Howard Yeomans Family; Paxton, Illinois; about 1895.
Mary Belle (Raney), Fred Raney, Cora, Charles Howard and Nellie.
Photo from Harry Bobbitt.

Introduction

      I recently discovered a new third cousin, Harry Bobbitt, via the miracle of DNA matches. Our most recent common ancestors are James Yeomans Jr. and Sarah Haines Redfield. I am descended from their daughter Meroa Yeomans and he is descended from their son Edwin James Yeomans. 

      James Yeomans Jr. and Sarah Haines Redfield had 5 children: 
Albert Redfield Yeomans, 1845-1855, died at age  9.
Charles Howard Yeomans, 1846-1919.
Meroa Louisa Yeomans, 1848-1917. 
Edwin James Yeomans, 1850-1917.
Frederick Wright Yeomans, 1854-1876, died at age 21.
The subject of this blogpost is Charles Howard Yeomans, the brother of my great-grandmother the brother of Harry's great-grandfather. 

Harry had 2 photos of members of this family, including the photo above! Whenever I see a photo of several family members together, I feel an imperative to tell their story! Plus, this family is of special interest to me because I am descended from 4 of the Pilgrims, including John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, through Sarah Haines Redfield. Plus, I have always felt a kinship of temperament with Meroa Yeomans.

So here's Charles....

Early Life of Charles Howard Yeomans

      Charles Howard Yeomans was born December 2, 1846, in Kortright, Delaware County, New York, which is in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. He was the second child of James Yeomans and Sarah Haines Redfield. His siblings were Albert Redfield (b. 1845), Meroa Louisa (b. 1848), Edwin James (b. 1850) and Frederick Wright (b. 1854). In 1850, the family was living in Delhi, Delaware County, New York. The father, James, was working as a farmer and his real estate was worth $1800.

      In about 1851, James moved his family to Shabbona Grove in DeKalb County, Illinois, where he farmed. In April 1854, Charles' youngest sibling, Frederick, was born. In January 1855, his older brother, Albert, died. Charles attended the country district school, which he supplemented with study in his spare time. He was no doubt aided by his mother, Sarah, who had taught school back in Delaware County.

      By 1860, the family had moved to Sugar Grove, Illinois, in Kane County. Evidently, James was in ill health and financially crippled by the panic of 1857.  Charles fitted himself out with horses and a plow, and broke prairie near Peotone, Illinois, in Will County, in order to help the family out financially. About this time, the land along the Illinois Central Railroad was being opened to settlement, hence the need to break prairie. At the age of 17, he began teaching school, but was not able to save any money from that occupation.

Education and Early Career

      In the fall of 1864, he entered Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin, utilizing $100 he had earned several years before. When he was 11 years old, he took a scythe to a marsh, cut 2 loads of marsh hay and sold it, using the proceeds to buy two steer calves. When they were 3 years old, he sold them for $100.  While going to school, he also taught school, in order to defray expenses.

      In 1869, before the completion of the college program, he studied law under the direction of the Honorable Jerry Dobbs, a leading lawyer in Ripon. During vacations, he read law in the office of Honorable C. H. Wood in Onarga, Illinois. (In the 1870 census, he is living with his family in Onarga and is listed as a law student.)

Ancestry.com. 1870 U. S. census; Onarga, Iroquois, Illinois; page 54.  James Yoemans.

He was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar on October 10, 1870.  In June 1871, he graduated with the degree of B. A.  When he returned to Ripon College in 1880 to deliver an annual address, he was granted an M. A. degree, which I suspect may have been an honorary degree.
   
      After graduating in 1871, Charles worked as principal of the Onarga graded schools for a year. In July 1872, he moved to Gibson, Illinois in Ford County, where he was the first lawyer. In September 1872, he was admitted to the Illinois bar at Ottawa, Illinois.

Marriage and Family, Life in Gibson City and Girard

      On October 1, 1874, Charles Yeomans married Mary Belle Raney, the daughter of Dr. Henry A. Raney and Susan Hunt. (Henry delivered Charles Crooks, my grandfather, in 1883.)  Mary Belle was born May 26, 1855, in Chillocothe, Illinois, so would have been about 8 years younger than her husband.

      Charles and Mary Belle had 3 children: Fred Raney, born October 7, 1877; Cora, born November 3, 1879; and Helen Virginia "Nellie", born February 14, 1884. All 3 children were born in Gibson City. According to the 1900 census, Mary had 4 children, of whom 3 lived. It seems likely that the deceased child may have been their firstborn.

      In 1876, his youngest brother and father both died. Frederick died in January and James died in March. When his father died, his mother Sarah went to live with her widowed brother, Joseph Barlow Redfield, in Chicago. Later, Sarah went to live with her daughter, Meroa Crooks, in Gilman, Illinois.
             
      Charles was actively involved in the civic life of Gibson. He was a City Attorney of Gibson for several years. He was a Supervisor from Gibson in 1882 and Chairman of the Ford County Board of Supervisors in 1883. He was also a Trustee of Gibson. He was also a member of the board of education and was master of ceremonies for the 1880 public school graduation in Gibson. Charles was public-spirited and enterprising and worked for the social and commercial advancement of his community.
   
      Charles and his family continued to live in Gibson until there was sickness in his family, which compelled them to try a change of climate. On September 18, 1884, Charles sold his practice in Gibson, Illinois, and moved to Girard, Kansas. In the 1885 Kansas census, there was a domestic servant in the household, who may also have served as a nurse. Charles practiced law in Girard until the spring of 1889, when his family had recovered, and they moved to Paxton in Ford County.

      Since the move to Kansas was right after the birth of his youngest child Nellie, I initially wondered if  Nellie was ill. Later, I wondered if Cora was the sick child based on her appearance in the above photo and her long residence with her parents! But, based on a news article, the sick child must have been Fred!

      My best guess is that Charles' wife Mary took her son Fred to Gilman, Illinois, when he became ill. I know that Mary's parents were living in Gilman in 1883, because her father delivered my grandfather in June 1883 in Gilman!

Life in Paxton

      In Paxton, he worked in the title abstract business and had a full set of abstracts for Ford County. He was also associated with Day Brothers in the real estate business. (I thought that the Day family was related to the Yeomans, but cannot find the connection right now.)  He no longer pursued law except as it related to title of real estate.

      The Dunnan-Hampton House, a single family private home in Paxton, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1897, purchased by the Dunnan family in 1900, and later restored by the Hampton family. Charles Howard Yeomans is listed as the architect, builder or engineer! If so, that is a new talent!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunnan%E2%80%93Hampton_House

      Charles was also active socially. He was a Knight Templar Mason, a member of Paxton Lodge No. 416, A. F. & A. M. (Ancient Free and Accepted Masons). He was also a member of Ford Chapter No. 113. R. A. M. (Royal Arch Mason).  He was also a member of the Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T. (Knights Templar). Charles served as a chief officer in all of these groups. (The Knights Templar is a Christian-oriented fraternal organization.)

      Charles Yeomans was known as a tireless worker, who provided prompt and effective attention to all of his business pursuits. He was noted for his integrity. 

       The photo at the top of this blogpost was taken while they were living in Paxton. The photographer was P. A. Rasmus and the photo had 'extra finish'. The handwriting on the back of the photo states 'Uncle Chas Family'.  Since most of the handwriting on the photos appears to be from the perspective of Bertha Louise (Yeomans) Gorton, this must be the family of Charles Howard Yeomans, brother of Bertha's father, Edwin James Yeomans.

      We know that Charles Yeomans moved to Paxton in 1889. We also know that his son, Fred Raney Yeomans, married in Paxton in 1898.  I am speculating that the photo was taken about 1895. If so, the children would have been 18, 16 and 11 years of age, which seems feasible. 

Later Years

      In 1900, Charles was living in Danville, Illinois, in Vermilion County, although I have no idea what took him there. His occupation was listed as abstractor and he owned his home free of a mortgage. He was living with his wife and 2 daughters. Cora was 19 and Nellie was 16. His son Fred married in Paxton in 1898 and was living in Ford County. 

      In 1905, Charles and his wife and his daughter Cora were living at 45 Columbia Flats in Lafayette, Indiana. The information is from the Lafayette City Directory, but no occupations are listed.

      On July 19, 1919, Charles died in Wheaton, Illinois, in Du Page County, at the age of 72. (The death record states July 20, but the tombstone states July 19.) At the time, he was living at 201 Washington Avenue in Wheaton, which is about 30 miles west of Chicago.  On June 22, he was buried in Drummer Township Cemetery in Gibson City, Illinois.

Ancestry.com.  Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947.  Charles H. Yeomans.

Newspapers.com. Gibson City Courier, 26 June 1919, Page 4. Obituary, C. H. Yeomans.

      In 1920, Charles' wife Mary was still living at this address with her daughter Cora, who was 39 years old and listed as single. Mary owned the home free and clear.
 
      On August 13, 1925, Mary Belle (Raney) Yeomans died in Chicago, at the age of 70. She was living at 552 N. Waller at the time. She was buried 2 days later in Gibson City, presumably next to her husband Charles.
    

Child #1: Fred Raney Yeomans 

Fred Raney Yeomans; probably in Gibson, Illinois; about 1881.
Photo from Harry Bobbitt.

   

      There is nothing on the card stock to identify the photographer or the location where the above picture was taken. The handwriting on the back of the card says 'Chas Crooks'. However, Charles Henry Crooks is my grandfather, and this just does not look like him!

      When I compare this photo with the previous photo of the Charles Howard Yeomans family, I believe this photo is for Fred Raney Yeomans! Fred was born in 1877, whereas Charles Crooks was born in 1883. In both photos of Fred, the subject has widely spaced eyes and the same set of the jaw. If Fred's age is about 4, the photo would have been taken in 1881, when the family resided in Gibson City, Illinois.

Photo to be identified

Fred Raney Yeomans, from family photo

Charles Henry Crooks

   






      Fred Raney Yeomans was born October 7, 1877, in Gibson City, Illinois, to Charles Howard Yeomans and Mary Belle Raney. As a child, he presumably lived with his family in Gibson City, Girard, Kansas, and Paxton, Illinois.

     On September 26, 1898, he married Amy Berth in Paxton, Illinois.  In 1900, they were living in Wall Township, slightly north of Paxton. Fred worked as a farmer and owned a 160-acre farm with a mortgage. They did not yet have any children, but there was an 18-year old servant, of Swedish ethnicity living with them. In 1905, he was elected as a school trustee in this township.

      I have not found Fred in the 1910 census, but in 1920, he was living in Saint Charles, Illinois, with his wife Amy and 5-year old son, Marvin, who was attending school. Fred was again working as a farmer. When Fred registered for the World War I Draft, his description was given as medium height, medium build, blue eyes and brown hair.

      Fred died on October 21, 1929, at age 52. He died in Geneva, Illinois, which was in Kane County, like St. Charles. He was buried 3 days later in St. Charles. At the time of his death, he was working as a realtor.

      I have not been able to readily find much about his wife Amy or son Marvin, although Marvin evidently died in San Diego in 1969.

Child #2: Cora Yeomans

       Cora was born November 3, 1879, in Gibson City, Illinois, to Charles Howard Yeomans and Mary Belle Raney. As a child, she presumably lived with her family in Gibson City, Illinois; Girard, Kansas; and Paxton, Illinois. In 1900, she lived with her parents and sister Nellie in Danville, Illinois. She was listed as 19 years old, but no occupation was listed. At age 26, she was living with her parents in Lafayette, Indiana. In 1920, at listed age 39, she was living with her mother in Wheaton, and was working as an office clerk in the 'Auditor of Dept St'. (Her father had died the preceding year.)

Ancestry.com; 1920 U. S. census; Wheaton, Du Page; Illinois; Sheet 10B. Mary Yeomans. 

      Cora's mother died in 1925, and in that same year, at age 45, she married Alexander Otto Enke. This appears to be the first marriage for Cora, but it was the third marriage for Alexander! He first married Emma Burdorf, but they appears to have gotten divorced, because she subsequently remarried. His second marriage was to Selma Schlies, who died in June 1925! Alexander was born in Latvia, but was a naturalized citizen. He worked as an attorney in the title examination business, so Cora may have met him through her father. 

      In 1930, Cora and Alexander were living in Chicago at 550 Waller Street. By 1935, they were living in La Grange, Illinois, in Cook County. They were living with Alexander's mother, Libby, who owned her own home, worth $4500. Alexander still worked as a lawyer for a Title Company. His annual salary was $2332. In 1942, when Alexander registered for the World War II draft, he gave F. R. Crooks, his cousin, as the person who would always know his address, rather than his wife!

Ancestry.com; 1940 U. S. census; La  Grange, Cook, Illinois; Sheet 4a; Libby Enke.

      Cora died March 6, 1944, at age 64, in Berwyn, in Cook County. She was buried 2 days later in Gilman Cemetery, in Gilman, Illinois.

      Alexander died 24 years later, in January 1968, in La Grange, Illinois .

Child #3: Helen Virginia "Nellie" Yeomans

      Nellie was born February 14, 1884, in Gibson City, Illinois, to Charles Howard Yeomans and Mary Belle Raney. As a child, she presumably lived with her family in Gibson City, Illinois; Girard, Kansas; and Paxton, Illinois. In 1900, at age 16, she lived with her parents and sister Cora in Danville, Illinois, and was attending school. 

      On April 2, 1902, at age 18, Nellie married Edward Arnold Seiwell at her family's home in Danville.  Edward was the manager of the branch office of Standard Oil Company in Danville.

Newspapers.com. The Decatur Herald, 3 Apr 1902, Page 5.  Marriage of Miss Nellie Yeomans.

They had 3 children together: Helen Virginia (b. 1904), Charles Y. (b. 1909) and Mary Belle (b. 1911). Clearly, Nellie was instrumental in naming the children who are named after herself, her father and her mother! Daughter Helen Virginia was born in Indiana, possibly in Lafayette. By 1909, the family was living in Danville, Illinois, again and Edward was working as a cashier for the Light and Heat Company. Son Charles was born in Danville.

      By 1911, they had moved to Colorado, where daughter Mary Belle was born. In 1920, they were living in Colorado Springs,where Edward worked as an office assistant for a garage. In the 1924 city directory, Edward is listed as an assistant manager.

Ancestry.com; 1920 U. S. Census, Colorado Springs, El Paso, Colorado, Sheet 5A. Edward A. Seiwell.

      In 1925, Nellie's mother, Mary Belle Yeomans, died. In 1929, Nellie's older brother, Fred Raney Yeomans, died.  By 1930, Edward, Nellie and their daughters, Virginia and Mary, were living in Glendale, California. Virginia was married and had 2 sons, but by 1940, she was listed as divorced. Edward worked as a foreman in a garage and his daughter Virginia was working as a stenographer in a music store. Meanwhile, their son Charles was living with his wife in Amarillo, Texas, and worked as a manager of City Drug Stores. In 1940, Edward and Nellie were living in Los Angeles and renting. Edward worked as a stock clerk in the retail automotive business.

      On September 28, 1954, Nellie's husband, Edward Arnold Seiwell, died in Hemet, California. Hemet is in the San Jacinto Valley in Riverside County. He was buried in the San Jacinto Valley Cemetery.

      On February 7, 1967, Nellie died in Hemet and was buried next to her husband.

Summary

1. Charles Howard Yeomans was born in Delaware County, New York, in the foothills of the Catskills, but lived most of his life in Illinois, with brief stints in Kansas and Indiana. 
2. He received an undergraduate degree from Ripon College in Wisconsin. He also studied law under lawyers in Ripon and in Onarga, Illinois.
3. For a while, he taught school and served as a school principal. His primary occupation, though, was lawyer. Later, he went into the title abstract business and real estate. He may have been the architect of a home in Paxton, Illinois.!
4. Charles was actively involved in the civic life of the communities he lived in. He was also a member of several Masons groups. 
5. Charles married Mary Belle Raney and they had 3 childen together: Fred Raney, Cora and Helen Virginia or 'Nelllie'. 
6. Fred Raney Yeomans, the son of Charles and Mary, appeared to have been ill as a young boy, which prompted the family's move to Kansas. Fred later worked as a farmer and realtor. He died on October 21, 1929, 3 days before the Stock Market Crash of 1929. He was just 52 years old. I am not sure if his early illness contributed to his death or if changes in the economy had an impact. Fred appears to have just left 1 son.
7. Cora Yeomans lived with her parents until the death of her mother. In that same year, at age 45, she married, but never had any children.  
8. Nellie Yeomans married Edward Seiwell and had 3 children. Her family lived in Colorado Springs; Glendale, California; and Hemet, California, in Riverside County.

Sources

CENSUS DATA

New York. Delaware County. 1850 U. S. census. Ancestry.com. 2009.  
- James Yeoman [sic].

Illinois. Kane County. 1860 U.S. census. Ancestry.com: 2009.
- James Yumans [sic].

Illinois. Bureau County. 1870 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2009.
- Henry Roney [sic].
Illinois. Iroquois County. 1870 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2009.
- James Yoemans [sic].

Illinois. Ford County. 1880 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2010.
- Charles Yeomans.

"Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925"; Database and images. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., www.Ancestry.com : 2009.
- 1885: C. H. Yeomans.

Illinois. Ford County. 1900 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2004.
- Fred R. Yeomens [sic].
Illinois. Vermilion County. 1900 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2004.
- Charles H. Yeomans.
- Alexander O and Selma D Enke.

Illinois. Cook County. 1910 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2006.
- Mary Yeomans.
Illinois. Vermilion County. 1910 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2006.
- Edward A. Seiwell.,

Illinois. DuPage County. 1920 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2010.
- Mary Yeomans.
Illinois. Kane County. 1920 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2010.
- Fred Yeoman [sic].
Colorado. El Paso County. 1920 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2010.
- Edward A Seiwell.

Illinois. Cook County. 1930 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2002.
- A. O. Enke.
California. Los Angeles County. 1930 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2002.
- Edward A Seiwell.

Illinois. Cook County. 1940 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2012.
- Libby Enke.
California. Los Angeles County. 1940 U.S. census. Ancestry.com : 2012.
- Edward A Seiwell.

MARRIAGE RECORDS

"Illinois, County Marriages, 1800-1940". Database. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., www.Ancestry.com : 2016.
- Fred Raney Yeomans and Amy Buth.

"Illinois, Marriage Index, 1860-1920". Database. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., www.Ancestry.com : 2015.
- Fred Raney Yeomans and Amy Berth.  

"Michigan, County Marriages, 1822-1940"; Database and images. Ancestry.com Operations Inc.; 2016.
-Alexander O Enke to Emma L. Burdorf. (1902)

DEATH RECORDS

"California, Death Index, 1940-1997". Database. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., www.Ancestry.com : 2000.
- Helen V. Seiwell.
- Edward Arnold Seiwell. 

Find A Grave. www.findagrave.com.
- Charles A Yeomans [sic], #59334217.
- Mary R Raney Yeomans, #59334243.
- Cora Yeomans Enke, #74390483.
- Helen Virginia Seiwell, #65380200.

"Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947." Database. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., www.Ancestry.com : 2011.
- Charles H. Yeomans.
- Mary R. Yeomans.
- Fred Raney Yeomans.
- Cora Enke.

"U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014"; Database, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., www.Ancestry.com : 2011.
- Alexander Enke.

NEWSPAPERS

Illinois. Gibson City. Gibson City Courier. www.newspapers.com.
- 25 Jun 1880, Page 5, "School Closing". (C. H. Yeomans master of ceremony for school graduation.)
- 25 Jun 1880, Page 5, "Local Matters". (C. H. Yeomans gives address at Ripon College.)
- 13 Oct 1882, Page 5, "Local Matters". (C. H. Yeomans goes to Dakota [to visit brother].)
- 10 Dec 1884, Page 4, "Those Rebel Flags Again! The People of Girard Kansas, Highly Indignant over the sensational story of C. H. Yeomans".
- 28 Mar 1902, Page 7, "Local Matters", (Invitations to marriage of Edward Seiwell and Helen Virginia Yeomans.)
- 07 Apr 1905, Page 8, "Town Elections". (Fred Yeomans elected school trustee for Wall in Ford County.) 
- 26 Jun 1919, Page 4, "Obituary, C. H. Yeomans".
- 31 Jan 1929, Page 3, From 26 Jan 1883. "Forty-Six Years Ago". (C. H. Yeomans returns from Gilman visit to see sick son.)

Illinois. Decatur. The Decatur Herald. www.newspapers.com.
- 03 Apr 1902, Page 5, "At Danville: Conductor Seiwell's Son Married to Miss Nellie Yeomans".

MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS

History of Ford County, Illinois: from its earliest settlement to 1908; Gardner, Ernest Arthur; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1908; p. 285.  Internet Archive.  https://archive.org/details/historyoffordcou01gard
- p. 285, Charles H. Yeomans.

National Register of Historic Places. Ford County, Illinois. Dunnan-Hampton House. http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/il/ford/state.html

Portrait and Biographical Record of Ford County, Illinois; Chicago: Lake City Publishing Company; 1892. Google Books. 
https://books.google.com/books?id=V8xMAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA416&lpg=PA416&dq=Charles+Howard+Yeomans+Paxton+Illinois&source=bl&ots=UxkSwYIamN&sig=NShmrFEywS59KcLWNIT86tpSnD4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwimn9KC1N_aAhVhdt8KHWXaAM0Q6AEIOTAD#v=onepage&q=Charles%20Howard%20Yeomans%20Paxton%20Illinois&f=false
- p. 416-17, Charles Howard Yeomans. 

U. S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Digital images. www.ancestry.com : 2011.
- 1905; Lafayette, Indiana; Charles H. and Mary B Yeomans, Cora Yeomans.
- 1906; Danville, Illinois; Charles H. and Mary Yeoman [sic], Cora Yeoman.
- 1924: Colorado Springs, Colorado; Edward A and Helen V Seiwell.

"U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918"; Database and images. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., www.Ancestry.com : 2010.
- 1901: Wall, Ford County, Illinois; Fred R. Yeomans.

"World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1919." Database and images. www.ancestry.com.
- Fred Raney Yeomans.

"World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942." Database and images. www.ancestry.com.

- Alexander Otto Enke.

Early photos of the children of Thomas Crooks and Meroa Yeomans

Introduction

      I recently discovered a new third cousin, Harry Bobbitt, via the miracle of DNA matches. Our most recent common ancestors are James Yeomans Jr. and Sarah Haines Redfield. I am descended from their daughter Meroa Yeomans and he is descended from their son Edwin James Yeomans. 

      Meroa Yeomans married Thomas Armor Crooks and they had 3 children, all born in Gilman, Illinois, in Iroquois County. Charles Henry Crooks was born June 16, 1883. Helen Redfield Crooks was born February 8, 1885. Fred Raymond Crooks was born December 15, 1888. 

Charles Crooks as a young child

      The first photo is of Charles Crooks, my grandfather. We do not have the original cabinet card, but this is a print probably made from a cabinet card. For many years, this photo was on the bedroom wall of my parents. I am assuming the photographer was H. W. Lawhead of Gilman and Onarga.

      I am estimating that Charles was about 2-3 years old.

Charles Henry Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1885-6; photo in possession of Dorothy Crooks. 

H. W. Lawhead, Photographer

     The subsequent 2 photos of Helen and 2 photos of Fred Raymond were taken by H. W. Lawhead, Photographer, Gilman and Onarga, Illinois. (The Crooks family lived in Gilman, but the Yeomans were originally from Onarga.) Evidently, the photographer was in Gilman on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and in Onarga on the other days. Hiram Lawhead was a photographer in Onarga from at least 1870 - 1900, based on census data. 

      The 4 photos are all cabinet cards, which became popular in the early 1870's. They were usually albumen prints, mounted on cardboard backs measuring about 4.25 inches by 6.5 inches.

Helen Crooks as a young child

      The first known H. W. Lawhead photo is of Helen Crooks. ('Helen' is written on the back.) I am quite certain this is Helen Crooks, based on her eyes! She looks about 2-3 years old, so the photo may have been taken in 1887 or 1888. 

      The back of the card lists the year 1887, but this could be the date the stock was created, rather than the date of the photo. This card has gold beveled edges, but no studio identification on the front of the card.  (Gold beveled edges were popular from 1885-1892.)

Helen Redfield Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1888; photo from Harry Bobbitt.

Back of above photo.

      

Fred Raymond Crooks as a baby

       The next photo is a photo of Fred Raymond Crooks as a baby. ('Ray' is listed on the back.) Since Ray was born in late 1888, the photo was probably taken in 1889... The back of the photo has a unique motif relative to the other photos.
      Fred Raymond is sometimes listed as Fred Raymond and sometimes as Raymond Fred, but he appears to have gone by 'Ray'. My father, Raymond Charles Crooks, was named after his uncle Ray and his father Charles. 

Fred Raymond Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1889; photo from Harry Bobbitt.

Back of above photo

      

Helen and Ray Crooks as young children

      The next 2 photos appear to be taken at the same time. The names on the back are 'Helen Crooks' and 'Ray Crooks'. These photos are clearly similar to the baby pictures mentioned above! Helen and Ray look about age 9 and 5, so the pictures were probably taken about 1894.

      At this time, H. W. Lawhead is listed as providing artistic photography. Both pictures involve stylized background scenery and curtained screens.

Helen Redfield Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1894; photo from Harry Bobbitt.

Fred Raymond Crooks; Gilman Illinois; about 1894 photo from Harry Bobbitt.

Back of Helen's photo

Back of Ray's photo

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_card.
Photos in possession of Dorothy Crooks.
Photos from Harry Bobbitt.

William and Jane Crooks of Meigs County, Ohio: Exploring a new branch of the Crooks tree

Introduction

      The purpose of this blog is to identify the parents of the William Crooks who lived and died in Meigs County, Ohio. He had 3 wives, but Jane was the mother of all of his children: Samuel, Elizabeth, Joseph, Thomas, Alexander, John, James, Nancy, Andrew Jackson and Alonzo. Some have speculated that her maiden name is Bell, others that it is Mitchell, and a reference has also been seen to Moore. This post, however, will only focus on William Crooks.

DNA Opens the Door

      Based on an Ancestry DNA test, I matched to bleeson81 as a 4th - 6th cousin with a high degree of confidence.  In spite of his having a small tree, we actually shared 12 surnames. But the surname that stood out was Crooks! His earliest Crooks ancestor was William Crooks, married to Jane , both of whom resided in Meigs County, Ohio. William and Jane are his great-great-grandparents and he is descended from their son Alonzo. I have encountered William and Jane Crooks during past research, but did not have a strong basis for concluding that they were related to me!

      When I looked at shared matches with bleeson81, I saw a match to E.M., who I already know is a 4th cousin on the Crooks side.  E.M. and I share great-great-great-grandparents, Andrew Crooks and Elizabeth Jeffrey.

     A second shared match was for a gstone512, also listed as a 4th - 6th cousin. Although her tree was small, she said that her mother's maiden name was Crooks! She is a great-great-granddaughter of William and Jane Crooks and is also descended from their son Alonzo.

Finding out more about William and Jane of Meigs County

      I then attempted to contact as many cousins as possible that appeared to have a tie to William  and Jane Crooks in Meigs County, Ohio. I examined Ancestry trees, Rootsweb message boards, known Crooks cousins and a write-up by Virginia (Turley) Willis. Several items stood out for me.

1. William Crooks was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on January 31, 1801, per the Meigs County Telegraph, 4 April 1888, obituary. (This was reported by Virginia Willis.)
2. William and Jane's eldest son, Samuel, was born December 25, 1828, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. (This was reported by Virginia Willis, based on Samuel's obituary.)
3. According to the 1880 census, William's father was born in Maryland and his mother was born in Pennsylvania.
4. According to the 1850 census, William's son James was born 1843-1844 in Pennsylvania and his daughter Nancy was born 1846-1847 in Ohio. So William must have moved to Ohio between 1843 and 1847.
5. Everybody appeared to hit a roadblock with William and Jane Crooks and were not able to identify the parents of William Crooks. 
6. Virginia suspected that this William Crooks was the son of William, who was a son of Henry Crooks, Sr.  
7. Don Harper, one of my fifth cousins who has done significant Crooks research, thought that the William Crooks of Meigs County might be the grandson of one of Henry's 2 brothers, Thomas or Robert. (Thomas and Robert, along with Henry Senior, both moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, from Harford County, Maryland.)

NOTE: Since William is such a common name among the Crooks family, I will refer to the William Crooks who lived and died in Meigs County, Ohio, as "William of Meigs" or WM.

Candidates for father of William of Meigs.

      Since I am a DNA match to descendants of William of Meigs, William of Meigs must be a descendant of one of my direct ancestors.

   

      My 5-great-grandparents are William and Mary Crooks, where Mary's maiden name was likely Weir. William certainly died in Harford County, Maryland in December 1776. Mary most likely died in the same area. According to William's will, written in 1776, he had 3 sons: Henry Crooks, Thomas Crooks and Robert Crooks. All three brothers appear to have moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, sometime between 1780 and 1781. (Henry is selling land in Harford County in November, 1780, and is listed as "of Harford County". Henry's daughter Jane is born in May or June 1781 in Washington County, Pennsylvania.)

      My 4-great-grandparents are Henry Crooks and Jane Howlett. They were married in about 1768 or 1769 in Baltimore County, Maryland, part of which later became Harford County. According to Henry Senior's will, he had 4 sons: William Crooks (b. about 1770 in Maryland), Andrew Crooks (b. about 1773 in Maryland), Henry Crooks Junior (b. about 1777 in Maryland) and John  Crooks (b. about 1790 in Washington County, Pennsylvania). Andrew Crooks is my 3-great-grandfather.

      So if William of Meigs is related to me, these are the candidates for his father:

1.             A son of Thomas Crooks, son of William and Mary.
2.             Thomas Crooks himself.
3.             A son of Robert Crooks, son of William and Mary.
4.             Robert Crooks himself.
5.             William Crooks, son of Henry and Jane.
6.             Andrew Crooks, son of Henry and Jane.
7.             Henry Crooks, son of Henry and Jane.
8.             John Crooks, son of Henry and Jane.

Scrutinizing records of southwest Pennsylvania

       Since my Crooks lineage lived near the intersection of Washington, Allegheny and Beaver counties, it was necessary to review census data for all 3 counties. So I examined the census data from 1790-1840 for all Crooks families in the 3 counties. Since this census data only lists the name of head of household, and then tallies for the number of persons in various gender/age categories, it is a puzzle to correlate the tallies to actual people... I also revisited some of the wills that were available.

PA County U.S. Genealogical Survey Maps;
http://usgwarchives.net/maps/pa/county/pausgs.htm

Townships of Beaver, Allegheny and Washington Counties.

Eliminating candidates for father

John Crooks, son of Henry and Jane, #8.

      John could not be the father of William of Meigs because John was born in 1790, and would only have been 11 years old when William was born in 1801. (Furthermore, John was born in Pennsylvania and William's father was born in Maryland.)

Henry Crooks, son of Henry and Jane, #7.

      First, Henry wrote a will dated June 13, 1861. The sons named as heirs are Richard, Alexander, William, Perry and H. H. [Henry Harrison.]. There do not appear to be subsequent records for son William, but it is believed that he was born in 1813.

      Second, in the 1810 census, Henry IS living in Robinson Township, Washington County, but there are only 2 males listed in the household,  1 male 26-44 and 1 male under 10.  This matches Henry (33) and Alexander (5).

      Third, in the 1820 census, Henry is still living in Robinson Township. Males listed are 1 male 26-44, 1 male 16-18 and 4 males under 10. This matches  Henry (43), Alexander (15?), Henry Harrison (6), Perry (infant) and 2 other unidentified males born after 1810. Presumably, one of these unidentified males is the William named in the will. However, this age category is too young to represent William of Meigs.

Name	Henry Crooks
Home in 1820 (City, County, State)	Robinson, Washington, Pennsylvania
Enumeration Date	August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10	4
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18	1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25	1
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44	1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10	2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15	2
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44	1

Andrew Crooks, son of Henry and Jane, #6.

      First, Andrew made a will January 5, 1849. Named heirs were wife Margaret; sons Henry, Samuel Jeffrey and Andrew; and daughters Jane, Hannah, Martha, Margaret, Elizabeth, Nancy and Ellin. No son is named William.

      Second, Andrew followed the traditional naming pattern of the time, naming his first son after his father, his second son after his wife's father and his third son after himself. This corresponds with Henry (b. 1805), Samuel Jeffrey (b. abt 1813) and Andrew H. Crooks (b. abt 1831). Following this convention, a son would only be named William after Andrew's 1831 birth.

      Third, in 1810, Andrew was living in Fayette Township in Allegheny County. Males in the household are 1 male 26-44, 1 male 16-25 and 1 male under 10. This matches Andrew (38), UNKNOWN and Henry (5). The unknown male could be a relative or hired hand, but is too old to be William of Meigs.

      Fourth, in 1820, Andrew was living in Moon Township in Allegheny County. Males in the household are 1 male 45+, 1 male 10-15 and 1 male under 10. This matches Andrew (47), Henry (15)  and Samuel (7). No counts match William of Meigs, who would have been 19 years of age.

Name	Andrew Croks
Home in 1820 (City, County, State)	Moon, Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Enumeration Date	August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10	1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15	1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over	1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10	3
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15	3
Free White Persons - Under 16	8

Thomas Crooks, son of William and Mary,  or a SON of Thomas. (#2, #1)

       First, Thomas was living in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1790. Three males were listed in the household, 1 male 16+ and 2 males under 16. He also appears to have had 2 daughters. Thomas married his wife Jane on January 31, 1780, in Harford County, Maryland. So either of these 2 sons of Thomas could have been old enough to have fathered William of Meigs. And it is possible that at least one of these sons was born in Maryland, like the father of William of Meigs.

      Second, in 1800, Thomas was not living in the 3-county area. (There is a Thomas Crooks in West Bethlehem Township in Washington County, but this is a DIFFERENT Thomas.) Since William of Meigs was born in 1801 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Thomas is very unlikely to be his father. If one of Thomas's sons was the father of William of Meigs, we would expect to see him in Washington County in 1800. Although there are  5 Crooks households in Washington County in 1800, all the names can be accounted for and there are not multiple older males in any of those households.

      Although possible, it seems quite unlikely that one of Thomas's sons would have been the father. The sons likely moved when their father Thomas moved.     

Robert Crooks, son of William and Mary,  or a SON of  Robert (#3 #4)

      In 1783, Robert lived in Nottingham Township in Washington County, per a tax list. He is listed as a single man. In 1790, Robert was living in Washington County, with listed males being 1 male 16+ and 1 male under 16. There also appears to be a young female child. Assuming Robert married later in 1783, this male child would have been no more than 18 years old in 1801, when William of Meigs was born. He was probably several years younger. Plus, he would have been born in Pennsylvania, whereas William of Meig's father was born in Maryland.   

      In 1800, a Robert Crooks lived in Robinson Township in Washington County. The only persons in the household are 1 male 26-44 and 1 female 10-15. It appears that the wife and one son are deceased! So the one son no longer appears to be a candidate for the father and Robert would need to marry quickly to give birth to William of Meigs in 1801!

      In 1810, there is no record of a Robert Crooks in the 3-county area.   
           

William, the likeliest candidate for father (#5)

      On the other hand, there is a lot of positive evidence for William, son of Henry and Jane Crooks, being the father of William of Meigs. Since no will has been found for William, there is a lot of potential for unidentified lines. Also, since William is the eldest child of Henry and Jane, there are more options for him having a son born in 1801.

1.  William was born in 1770 in Harford County, Maryland. WM's father was born in Maryland.                                                                                                                                                              
2.  In 1800, William was living in Robinson Township in Washington County, PA. Household members were were 1 male 26-44, 1 female 26-44 and 2 males under 10. WM was born in Washington County on January 31, 1801.                                                                                         
3. In 1810, William was living in Moon Township in Allegheny County, PA. Persons listed are 1 male 26-44, 2 males 10-15, 2 males under 10, 1 female 26-44 and 2 females under 10. This corresponds to William (40), 2 males from 1800 census (one being Thomas), UNIDENTIFIED MALE (Under 10), Andrew (1), Elizabeth (38) and 2  UNIDENTIFIED FEMALES. Since WM would have been 9 years old in 1810, he is a viable fit for the UNIDENTIFIED MALE under the age of 10. No other known son of William fits that age category.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

   

   Ancestry; Moon Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; William Crooks.

                                                                                                                                                                       
4. In 1820, William is living in Greene Township in Beaver County. Males listed are 1 male 45+, 2 males 16-25, 2 males 10-15 and 2 males under 10. This matches William (50), 2 MALES 16-25, Andrew (11), likely James (about 10), John B. (5) and Samuel (3). There are actually 3 candidates for the 2 males 16-25. Two are the males from the 1800 and 1810 censuses that would be 20-25 (one being Thomas) and the third candidate is WM, who would be 19!                                                                                                                                                                                       
5. In 1830, there are 2 William Crooks in Beaver County. The William in Hanover Township matches the William being discussed and the eldest non-adult male is 15-19, which is younger than WM....... The second William lives in Greene Township. Household members are 1 male 20-29, 1 male 15-19, 1 male under 5 and 1 female 20-29. This matches WM (29), Samuel (1) and Jane (21). The male 15-19 is unidentified, but is clearly not their son. Since Samuel was born in Beaver County in 1828, it makes sense that WM is living in Beaver County in both 1820 and 1830!                                                                                                                                                 
6. In 1840, there is a household in Hopewell Township in Beaver County, headed by William Crooks (of Meigs). Household members are 1 male 30-39, 1 male 10-14, 2 males 5-9, 1 male under 5, 1 female 30-39, 2 females 5-9 and 1 female under 5. The males match known family members for William of Meigs! They are William (39), Samuel (11), Joseph (7), Thomas (5) and Alexander (3). The women match Jane (31), Elizabeth (8), UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE 5-9 and UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE UNDER 5. The Unidentified Female Under 5 fits nicely into a 4-year gap without a birth. This female probably died young. The Unidentified Female 5-9 does not show up again, so could have either married or died... William the father was still living in Hanover Township.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

   

   Ancestry; Hopewell Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania; William of Meigs County.

                                                                                                                                                           
7. In 1850, the only William Crooks in the 3-county area is the William being discussed. WM has since moved to Chester in Meigs County, Ohio.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

   Ancestry; Chester Township, Meigs County, Ohio; 1840 U. S. census, William Crooks.

                                                                                                                                                             
8. If WM is the son of William Crooks, he would be the third son. Conventional naming patterns involve naming the third son after his father.

Summary

      Although not proven, the evidence for William Crooks of Meigs County being the son of William Crooks, son of Henry Crooks Sr., is very compelling! The census data from 1800-1850 is a wonderful fit  for WM as son of William Crooks. Furthermore, the locations are all consistent with what we know about WM.

Sources

"Ancestry Family Trees," database, Ancestry (Ancestry.com).
      -"Crawford/Roy/Green/Crooks/Singley/Schonemann Grubaugh/Snyder/Hedden", by KarenScott614, entry for William Crooks (1770-1853), accessed 14 Oct 2016).
      -"Leeson Family Tree", by bleeson81, entries for William Crooks and Jane Bell, accessed 20 Feb 2018.

Brumbaugh, Gaius Marcus. Maryland Records: Colonial, Revolutionary, County and Church, from Original Sources. originally published 1915 edition. 2 volumes. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Lancaster Press, Inc., 1928. Vol. 2, pg. 114.

Find A Grave, Inc. Find A Grave. Digital images. www.findagrave.com.
      - William Crooks, #159120733, Chester Cemetery (Chester, Meigs, Ohio).

Leamond, Maria. "USGenWeb, Ohio, Meigs County, Chester township, Chester cemetery." Typescript. 2000.

 Maryland. Harford County. Wills, Liber AJ 2, p. 85-86.
      - Last Will and Testament of William Crooks.

Ohio. Meigs County. 1850 U.S. census. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com: 2009.
      - William Crooks, p. 61B, dwelling 891, family 891, Chester Township.

Ohio. Meigs. 1860 U.S. census. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com : 2009.
      - Wm Crooks, p. 153, p. 271 (stamped), dwelling 1148, family 1122, Chester Township.

Ohio. Meigs. 1870 U.S. census. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com : 2009.
      - William Crooks, p. 39, p. 330A (stamped), dwelling 280, family 280, Salisbury Township.

Ohio. Meigs County. 1880 U.S. census. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com: 2009.
      - William Crooks, p. 28, dwelling 249, family 251, Pomeroy (E.D. 114).

Ohio. Meigs. Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998. Digital images. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. www.Ancestry.com : 2015.
      - Will of William Crooks, p. 555-558.

Pennsylvania. Allegheny County. 1790 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com. NARA microfilm series M637, roll 9.
      -  Henry Crooks, p. 210-211.

Pennsylvania. Allegheny County. 1810, U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com. NARA microfilm series M252, roll 44.
      -  Andw Crooks, p. 287, line 27, Fayette Township.
      - William Crooks, p. 264, line 4, Moon Township.

Pennsylvania. Allegheny County. 1820 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com. NARA microfilm series M33, roll 97.
      -  Andrew Croks (Crooks), p. 81, line 41, Moon Township.

Pennsylvania. Allegheny. 1830 U.S. census. Digital images. Ancestry. www.Ancestry : 2010.
      - Andrew Crooks, p. 284, line 26, Findlay Township.

Pennsylvania. Allegheny. 1840 U.S. census. Digital images. Ancestry. www.Ancestry.com : 2010.
      - Andrew Crooks, p. 202, line 3, Findlay Township.
      - John Crooks, p. 193, line 1, Fayette Township.

Pennsylvania. Allegheny County. Probate File. FHC microfilm #1654025.

      - Andrew Crooks, Volume 6, page 454, document #317.

Pennsylvania. Beaver County. 1820 U.S. census. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com : 2010.
      - Wm Crooks, p. 107, line 25, Greene Township.

Pennsylvania. Beaver County. 1830 U.S. census. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com : 2010.
      - William Crooks, p. 266, line 19, Greene Township. (William of Meigs)
      - William Crooks, p. 268, line 28, Hanover Township.

Pennsylvania. Beaver. 1840 U.S. census. Digital images. Ancestry. Ancestry.com : 2010.
      - Wm Crooks, p. 87, line 25, Hopewell Township. (William of Meigs)
      - Wm Crooks, p. 71, line 4, Hanover Township.

Pennsylvania. Washington County. "Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801",  digital images, www.Ancestry.com. Citing Records of the Office of the Comptroller General.
      -  1783, Nottingham Township, Robert Crooks, p. 219.

Pennsylvania. Washington County. 1786 Septennial Census, . Digital images. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. www.Ancestry.com : 2012.
      - Robinson township, families 38-40; Henry, Robt, Thomas.

Pennsylvania. Washington County. 1790 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com. NARA microfilm series M637, roll 9.
      - Robert Crooks, p. 176.
      - Thos. Crooks, p. 178, line 1.

Pennsylvania. Washington County. 1800 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images.
www.Ancestry.com. NARA microfilm series M32, roll 44.
      - Robert Crooks, p. 85, line 3, Robinson Township.
      - Henry Crooks, p. 85, line 1, Robinson Township.
      - William Crooks, p. 85, line 2, Robinson Township.
      - Andrew Crooks, p. 84, last line, Robinson Township.

Pennsylvania. Washington County. 1810 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com. NARA microfilm series M252, roll 57.
      - Henry Crooks, p. 26 (top corner), line 10, Robinson Township.
      - Henry Crooks, p. 26 (top corner), line 11, Robinson Township. (Henry Crooks Jr.)

Pennsylvania. Washington County. 1820 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com. NARA microfilm series M33, roll 113.
      - Henry Crooks, p. 211, line 31, Robinson Township.
      - Henry Crooks, p. 211, line 27, Robinson Township. (Henry Crooks Jr.)
      - John Crooks, p. 211, line 20, Robinson Township.

Pennsylvania. Washington. 1830 U.S. census. Digital images. www.Ancestry.com : 2010.
      - Henry Crooks, p. 261, line 5, Robinson Township.
      - Henry Crooks, p. 260, line 19, Robinson Township. (Henry Crooks Jr.)
      - John Crooks, p. 260, line 21, Robinson Township.

Pennsylvania. Washington. 1840 U.S. census. Digital images. Ancestry. www.Ancestry : 2010.
      - Henry Crooks, p. 87. line 8, Robinson Township.  (Henry Crooks Jr.)

Pennsylvania. Washington County. Will Book.
      - Book No. 4: p. 575-6, Henry Crooks Senior; FHL microfilm 0863625.
      - Volume No. 9: p. 362, Henry Crooks Junior.

Willis, Virginia (Turley), "William Crooks" (research paper), 21 August 2005.
      - obituary of William Crooks, citing The Meigs County, Telegraph, 04 April 1888.
      - obituary of Samuel Crooks.