Andrew Houston, b. between 1775 and 1780, died about 1850,

probably in Jackson County, Iowa was my gr gr gr grandfather.

In October, 2009 Joy Sinkey found this web site.

http://www.popenoe.com/NYfamilies/carr.htm

A couple of clicks down from the top you will find some Houston people who are, to say the least, very interesting.  Perhaps someone can give us more information about them.

Many of the descendants of Andrew and Elizabeth (Green) Houston are buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery in Jackson County, Iowa.  Here are two listings of the graves in Hickory Grove; one listed alphabetically, the other by row and lot.

Hickory Grove Grave-Alphabeticaly Order.pdf

Hickory Grove by row and lot.pdf

There is an inconsistency in these two documents.  The alphabetical listing has Daniel Boone Sinkey, his wife Sarah Jane Heath and a 17 month old son named Donald buried in row 21 lot 24.  The listing by row and lot have them buried in row 21 lot 4.  The latter of these two is correct.  This listing also has Daniel listed as a "vet" which he was not.

Here is a thumbnail of a sketch of the layout of Hickory Grove.  Click on it to enlarge it.  From this sketch, one can tell how the rows and lots are numbered.  One can use the flag pole as a point of reference.  I  have made a video of Hickory Grove.  It focuses on some of my relatives and descendants of Andrew and Elizabeth (nee GREEN) Houston.  A copy resides in the Jackson County Genealogical Library in Maquoketa, Iowa.

This information about Hickory Grove Cemetery was supplied by Richard "Dick" Burkey of Maquoketa, Iowa.  Dick is the President of the Hickory Grove Cemetery Association.  A copy of this information resides now in the Jackson County Genealogical Society library.  Below is the inside of their brochure which includes their email addresses and telephone numbers.  All questions, comments, etc., about this information should be directed to the Jackson County Genealogical Society.

Some Jackson County History.

One of the many old-time recipes from Jackson County folks.

Below is a map of Brandon Township, Jackson County, Iowa with Black Hawk Creek outlined in red.

Here's an 1893 Brandon Township map.  Black Hawk Creek is to the right of Canton.  I have it highlighted in red.  Click on this thumbnail to enlarge it.

There are other maps like this on this site.  They are smaller than this one.  This one can be used as a reference.

Andrew Houston's wife was Elizabeth Green, my gr gr gr grandmother.  She is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Johnstown, Ohio.  As mentioned elsewhere herein, her parents were Rignal Green Sr. and "Sarah (?) - wife 2 of Rignal Sr.",  making Bazil's wife Mahala (Green) Butt, Elizabeth's niece.  This is the stone of Elizabeth (Green) Houston in Green Hill Cemetery, Johnstown, Ohio.

The mtDNA of a lady who descends from this Elizabeth (Green) Houston through mother-to-daughter relationships has been tested.  The results of that test are that this lady is Euro-British which means all the other women in this line, including Elizabeth, her mother and so on were Euro-British as well.  As mentioned in the Summary Section, not all agree that DNA analyses are conclusive.  Here's a note from Jeanne Eppley (aka Snow Flower) about this and the GREEN's, including Elizabeth.

Although Elizabeth Green Huston's descendant DNA states the she was 
European, there is evidence to the contrary.

1. Several family members have mentioned having seen her Book of Indian 
Medicines. It is my understanding that this was a hand written Recipe book. 
While it might be possible for her to have acquired this knowledge as a 
"white" woman, it is not very likely.

2. Her Father is known to be buried in a mound on top a hill in what is 
now Lancaster, Ohio. I know this to be true because I have personally 
backed the city of Lancaster down when they planned to cut back into the hill 
and use the "saved" land for a Rec. Center. The only thing I said in the 
meeting I had with them is, "I am a direct descendant of Rignal Green". The 
plan was never implemented nor has it been discussed since.

3. The Green family including Elizabeth, came to what is now Lancaster in 
1798 and moved into what was then Tarhe's Town. Tarhe being a Wyandot 
Chief. His town was established there in 1796. From Lancaster, this family 
moved to Raccoontown, which was just outside present day Johnstown, Licking 
County, Ohio. Other members helped establish Zanesfield, Logan County, 
Ohio with Zebeneezer Zane and his wife Meeyra who was Tarhe's daughter. 

The information on Tarhe's Town was taken from HISTORY OF OHIO: THE RISE 
AND FALL OF AN AMERICAN STATE Emelius O. Randall and Daniel J. Ryan, 
Century History Company, NY 1912-1915. This is a five volume set of Ohio 
History which is no longer in print.


4. I have long held the belief that Ruhama Nichols Bilderback married one 
of her captors. I have actually discussed this with Alan Eckert who 
agrees with me that this is a strong possibility. Her husband was John Green, a 
member of this family. John and Rahama lived on Beck's Knob near 
Lancaster. Beck's Knob is the tallest hill around and stands alone. I believe 
they served as lookouts for the Wyandot and Shawnee in Tarhe's Town, Something 
they would not be doing if they were "white".

Eckert is the author of THIS DARK AND BLOODY RIVER which tells the story of 
Ruhama;s capture and Charles Bilderback's death.

 

5. THE HISTORY OF THE LOWER SHENANDOAH VALLEY

COUNTIES OF FEDERICK, BERKELEY, JEFFERSON AND CLARKE; J. E. 
Norris ed. published by A Warner and Company Chicago 1890 states that Berkeley 
County was Tuscarorus with the exception of a Shawnee Village on the 
Opecuan Creek - exactly where the Green Family came from.

These are several of the many reason that I can not accept the conclusion 
that the Green family were "White" and not Shawnee.

 

 

 

Note in the Who Was Bazil Butt section of this site, Bazil's first know residence (1810), between Swan Pond and Bilmire's Mill, was 4 miles from the mouth of the Opecuan (various spelleings) Creek.

Elizabeth Green died 2/12/1844.  You'll note below that Andrew acquired land in Iowa on 11/2/1848, so it appears as though after his wife died, Andrew picked up and along with some of his kids, went West.

Like Bazil Butt, the parents and birth place of Andrew Houston are unknown.  Andrew's grave site along with those of his daughter Isabella Jane and her husband Rolla Green have never been found.  They are all thought by some at least, to have died in Jackson County, Iowa.  Rolla and Isabella Jane (Houston) are my gr gr grandparents.

I have been searching the Crabbtown area for these graves.  Recently I came across a posting that a Ken Wright made for the "Said Cemetery" just north of Crabbtown.  It was the first I knew of that Cemetery.  I sent Ken Wright the following message.  His reply is at the top.

----- Original Message -----

From: Ken Wright

To: Dennis Butt

Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 10:58 PM

Subject: Re: Locating graves

 

Dennis:
It is my understanding that there was a cemetery at Crabbtown that was bulldozed by a farmer and no longer exists. You might find something at the Genealogy library at the fairgrounds.
Ken
______________

Ken:

My gr gr grandfather was Rolla Green.  His wife was Isabella Jane Houston.  Her father was Andrew Houston.

It's almost certain that they were all in Jackson County when they died but none of their graves have ever been found.   Andrew Houston came to Jackson County, near Crabbtown in 1848.  His wife Elizabeth Green died just before that and she's buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Johnstown, Ohio.  Rolla and Isabella inherited some of Andrew's ground up by Crabbtown and in later years sold it to family members.

Catherine Clarissa Green, a daughter of Rolla and Isabella was raised there on that ground near Crabbtown.  She later married Elijah Gould.  They had three kids and then divorced.  Catherine then married my gr grandfather Morgan Green Butt.

 

I have volumes of information about my family.  BUT, no one has ever been able to find these three graves.  I just visited the SAID cemetery up by Crabbtown.  I'd never heard of it until I saw your posting on FindAGrave.  You're doing very good and valuable work.  I for one appreciate it very much.

 

If you ever run on to these three graves, I sure would appreciate knowing about it.

Thanks,
D Butt

Many have reported that Andrew was born in Kentucky.  Some say Ireland.  Others seems to think it might have been Pennsylvania.

Here is part of a message I received in about 2000 from Mary Hicks, who by the way, is also a descendant of Andrew Houston and wife Elizabeth Green.

Andrew Huston born between 1775 and 1780, died about 1850, last known place was a hotel in Iowa where he was staying, while presumably visiting his son.  He is not found after that time, and no one knows what became of him.  He appears mysteriously in Lancaster, Fairfield Co, Ohio, January 30, 1803, when he married Elizabeth Green.  So, he appears mysteriously, and disappears the same way.

  Elizabeth Green, wife of Andrew, is a different story.  She was born 1780, Berkeley Co., VA, now West Virginia.  She Died Feb 12, 1844, Monroe Twp, Licking Co, Ohio.  Her parents were Reginal (Regnal) Green and Sarah (thought to be Sarah), of Virginia.  The Greens have been traced back to the day the first Green stepped on American soil - Andrew is not with them, nor did he live anywhere near them, that anyone can see. Children of Andrew and Elizabeth:

1. Thomas

2. Samuel

3. Mary (Polly) born 1805, Licking Co, Ohio, died Oct 6, 1881, Johnstown, Licking Co, Ohio. married John r. blamer, Aug 27, 1822, Licking Co, Ohio.

4. Sarah born 1803, Fairfield Co, Ohio, and died March 25, 1880, Licking Co, Ohio. She first married John Butt, and then Peter Hartsock.

5. Ferby born Dec 25, 1804, Fairfield Co, Ohio, and died July 28, 1873, Farmer's Creek, Jackson Co, Iowa. She married John Streets July 11, 1822, Licking Co, Ohio.

6. George H. Huston born Oct 10, 1810, Licking Co, Ohio, died March 22, 1881, Brandon Twp, Jackson Co, Iowa, of rheumatic fever. Married Leah Stickley about 1835.

7. Nancy born Nov 22, 1817, Licking Co, Ohio, died Nov20, 1890, Jackson co, Iowa. Married Matthew Sinkey about 1839.

8. Elizabeth born 1819 Licking Co, Ohio, died Jackson Co, Iowa, date unknown. Married William Green June 5, 1838

9. Isabella/Isabelle J. born 1821, licking Co, Ohio, died (probably) Jackson co, Iowa. Married about 1840 in Licking Co, Ohio, Rolly (Rolla) Green

10. Andrew born 1822, Licking Co, Ohio, died March 10, 1884, Jackson Co, Iowa. He married Sarah Ann (Hartsock) Heath

11. Lovina born 1835, Licking Co, Ohio, died Sept 10, 1870, Johnstown, Licking Co, Ohio. She married Demas Lewis 1835.

12. John

13. Jonathan

Descendants of Andrew Huston

Generation No.1

1. ANDREW HUSTON was born 1776 in Kentucky, and died 1849 in Lancaster, Fairfield Co, Ohio. He married ELIZABETH GREEN 13 Jan 1803 in Fairfield Co, Ohio, daughter of REGNAL GREEN and SARAH DUNCAN [I'm referring to her as "Sarah (?) - wife 2 of Rignal Sr."] . She was born Abt. 1780 in Berkeley, W. Virginia, and died 12 Feb 1844 in Johnstown, Ohio.

More About ANDREW HUSTON:       

Property: 02 Nov 1848, Land Warrant Jackson County, Iowa

More About ANDREW HUSTON and ELIZABETH GREEN: Marriage: 13 Jan 1803, Fairfield Co, Ohio

Children of ANDREW HUSTON and ELIZABETH GREEN are:  

i.  ELIZABETH HUSTON, b. 1819; d. 1834; m. WILLIAM GREEN, 05 Jun 1828, Licking County, Ohio; b. 1808, Ohio; d. 17 Sep 1871, Jackson Co., Iowa.

More About WILLIAM GREEN and ELIZABETH HUSTON: Marriage: 05 Jun 1828, Licking County, Ohio.

ii.  SARAH HUSTON, b. Abt. 1803, Ohio; d. 25 Mar 1880, Licking County, Ohio; m. (1) JOHN BUTT; m. (2) PETER HARTSOCK, 06 Dec 1846, Delaware County, Ohio.

More About PETER HARTSOCK and SARAH HUSTON: Marriage: 06 Dec 1846, Delaware County, Ohio

iii.  FIRBE HUSTON, b. 25 Dec 1803, Ohio; d. 25 Ju11873; m. JOHN STREETS, 11 Jul1822, Licking County, Ohio.

More About JOHN STREETS and FIRBE HUSTON: Marriage: 11 Jul 1822, Licking County, Ohio

iv.  MARY "POLLY" HUSTON, b. Abt. 1805, Licking County, Ohio; d. 06 Oct 1881; m. JOHN BLAMER, 29 Oct 1822, Licking County, Ohio.

More About JOHN BLAMER and MARY HUSTON:  Marriage: 29 Oct 1822, Licking County, Ohio

v.  GEORGE HUSTON,  b. 10 Oct 1810, Licking County, Ohio;  d. 22 Mar 1881, Jackson County, Iowa.

vi.  JOHN ANDREW HUSTON, b. Abt. 1812, Island Creek Twp., Jefferson Co, Ohio; m. JANE T. FLEMING.

vii.  ISABELLA HUSTON, b. Abt. 1817, Ohio; m. ROLLA GREEN

viii.  NANCY HUSTON, b. 22 Nov 1817, Licking County, Ohio; d. 21 Nov 1893, Jackson County, Iowa.

ix.  ANDREW HUSTON, b. Abt. 1818; m. SARAH ANN HEATH.

I think, since the time of Deb's writing, she may have changed her mind about the birth place of Andrew Houston.  I think she's one who may now think it was Pennsylvania.  

Here's the information De Vaughn has on her site.

Note above, that Mary Hicks lists 13 kids for Andrew and Elizabeth, De Vaughn has 12 and Deb lists 9.  I've never been able to reconcile these differences, nor those with respect to dates and places.  Work continues to learn more about this family.

I have some comments from noted researcher B J Denahey to insert here.  I will get that done as soon as I get the final approval from her.  B J's the one who corrected the record for R. M. Green and others regarding the parents of Rolla Green.

B J's comments go here.

Here' a 393 page .pdf file that describes much of what is known about the Andrew Houston family.  A whole host of his descendants are listed here.  As with all such documentation, there are errors and omissions in this listing.  This document was prepared by Linda Booker.  Corrections/additions have been made to this document since I made this posting.  Linda will send me an updated copy at which time, I will delete the old and add the new.

Andrew Houston Descendants.pdf

Here are two land patents of Andrew Huston Sr.  The first of 160 acres on February 11, 1847, the other for 40 acres on March 3, 1850.  He had another for 160 acres which I cannot find as I did these on the web site of the Bureau of Land Management - General Land Office Records.  All three are outlined on the Brandon Township map below.

Here's a message from B J Denahey that mentions these properties.

The following is what I copied from the Abstract of Original Entries book at the Jackson County Court House. I can't account for the difference in dates.

p. 80

Part of Section: W ½ of NW & W ½ of SW
Section: 14 Township: 85 Range: 1E 160 acres
Name of Purchaser: Andrew Huston Sr.
Date of Sale or Location: Nov'r 2, 1848
Land Warrant #8767

p. 83

Part of Section: W ½ of SE & E ½ of SW
Section: 24 Township: 85 Range: 1E 160 acres
Name of Purchaser: Andrew Huston Sr.
Date of Sale or Location: April 17, 1849
Land Warrant #33912

p. 83

Part of Section: SE ¼ of SE
Section: 24 Township: 85 Range: 1E 40 acres
Name of Purchaser: Andrew Huston Sr.
Date of Sale or Location: April 17, 1849
Cash - Cert. of Purchase #10224 Rate per Acre: $1.25

Below are two maps I've marked up that describe that part of Jackson County, Iowa where Andrew Houston acquired land in 1847/48, where Rolla Green and wife Isabella Jane Houston lived, where three of their children were born, and where Morgan Green Butt and his family lived.  The first of these is one I made up of two separate maps, one of Jones County, Iowa and the other of Jackson County.  You will note that the two were different colors and do not join exactly right in the middle.

Note the heavily wooded area in Brandon Township.  This was part of what was referred to as "The Big Woods".  Few people risked going into The Big Woods after many who did never returned.  This area was infamous for being an "outlaw haven".  Among the visitors to The Big Woods, was Jesse James.

You will see Ozark in the upper center of this map.

Note Crabbtown in the upper right hand corner.  As mentioned in her obituary, this is where Clarissa Katherine (Green) (Gould) Butt grew up.  It is also where Rebecca and Serepta V. "Rena" were born.  Crabbtown no longer exists.  At one time there were, among other structures in Crabbtown, a saw mill and kiln.  The house I live in is a school house that was built in 1882.  The lumber came from the Crabbtown mill.

I have driven all around this area thinking I might be able to locate a grave yard where Andrew, Isabella and Rolla might be found.  Many others have done so as well.  None of these graves have ever been found.  I've talked with the few people who live in the area.  They know nothing of a grave yard.  This area is so rough yet today that the roads are impassable with snow on the ground and passable only in good weather with a four wheel drive vehicle.  At one point, the road goes straight up the side of a 50 foot bluff!  It could well be that there is a grave yard in that area.  If there is, it would take a major effort to find it and the graves would have had to have been dug with dynamite as the area is practically all rock.

Here's an 1848, 80 acre land grant for Mathew Sinkey (note is was spelled "Matthew" then changed to "Mathew") in Section 21 of Brandon Township (Township 85), Jackson County, Iowa.  

Here's a map with these properties outlined in Red (Andrew Houston) and Blue (Mathew Sinkey).  Note the property of M. G. Butt in the lower left-hand corner of this map.  That's where Morgan raised his family and where my father and his six brothers were born and raised.  Somewhere in the large area outlined in red, probably nearest Crabbtown is where Clarissa Catherine Green grew up.

Here's the warrant for Matthew Sinkey that's outlined in pink above..

Here's an array of other Sinkey Land Warrants.

The next map is a satellite view of the area.  I've added to it an array of known landmarks.  I have labeled my current residence "Château de Derrière - D Butt's place".  Château de Derrière is French for "The Butt country home" - everything sounds better when you're saying it in French.  It's just to the left of the blue line that marks the approximate location of Pine Run an Horse Thieves Cave.

Jackson County, Iowa now owns ~ 950 acres known as the Pine Valley and Buzzard Ridge Nature Areas that practically surrounds my place.  All this was part of The Big Woods.  In these nature area's massive rock outcroppings and 60+ foot bluffs are common.  I doubt that in the ~1,000 acres or so that includes my property, there is one square inch that is flat.  It is not uncommon for hunters to get lost in and have to call for help to get out of The Big Woods yet today.

As mentioned, at one time, certainly in 1847 when Andrew Houston bought land here, this area was heavily populated with Black Bears.  Note the Big Bear Creek in the lower part of this map.  Rattlesnakes were common in this area as well.  The snakes were mostly removed in large part by people building pens around the dens and putting pigs in the pens.  The pigs eat the snakes.  But now the Rattlesnakes are protected, and even though the County has stocked the area with wild turkeys that also raid the snake dens, the Rattlesnakes are returning.  One should be very careful yet today in The Big Woods.

Indeed, I doubt that it would be possible to exaggerate the fearsome nature of this place when Andrew Houston arrived.  He had to be just one hell of a man.  But those women who came here and grew up here were even more remarkable in my view.

The straight vertical white line I have drawn here to mark the Jackson/Jones County line.  My brother and I drove all thru this area recently attempting to verify all the information on this map.  We found the old Midland Line RR right of way and found where it crosses the Jackson/Jones county line.  That's where Morgan Butt and wife Clarissa Katherine first lived and where Squire Butt was born. I have more old land marks to put on this map as well, if I can fit them in.  Perhaps I need yet another map.  

One Saturday night when Morgan Green Butt was in town in Monmouth, Iowa some of the residence there were sitting on a bench along main street talking.  One told the gathered crowd that he fished often in the Maquoketa River and that the fish in that river where huge!!!  He said the way he fished was he'd go to Millertown and when a big fish came by, he'd drop one of his sons off on the back of the fish, and then he himself would hurry on down to Royertown.  He said the fish were so big in that river that the son, while riding the fish from Millertown to Royertown could cut ten or twelve pounds of fillet's off the side the fish.  All he had to do when the boy and fish came by Royertown, he said, was snatch the boy and his take off the back of the fish and they'd have enough fish to feed his family for a week.

Morg listened to the story and when the guy was finished Morg said:  "Hell that ain't nuthin".  Last Saturday I came to town and bought a sow and eight piglets, enough feed for them for a week, enough cedar posts and rails to build a 30 foot by 30 foot pen for them and enough lumber to build them a 10 foot by 10 foot shed.  I put every thing I bought on my back" Morg said, "and carried it all home afoot.  The load was so heavy", he said, "when I walked up that hill North outa Monmouth, I sunk in that hard clay clear up to my ankles".

Don Wentworth of the Jackson County, Iowa Historical Society asked me to contribute to a book he was writing.  I did so and following is what I contributed.

 

Don Wentworth; I have researched this to the extent I’ve found possible.  I’ve acquired and read both books you recommended.  They being The Banditti Of The Prairie and Changing Of The Guard.  I didn’t find anything in either of them to use as references.  Accordingly, all I can provide to substantiate any of this are my own life experiences and the stories my father, grandmother, et al, told me about all this.

 

I have no pride in authorship here.  Please use what is consistent with your project.  Also, I would be happy to stop by soon after you received this to discuss it with you.  I can alter it if you would like that done.

 

D Butt

July, 2009

 

 

Jesse James and The Big Woods

 

My father was Henry Morgan “Toad” Butt.  He was born 8/20/1906 in a stone house on about 76 acres in the southwestern most corner of Brandon Township, Jackson County, Iowa.  My father had 6 brothers.  Dad had a great memory and was always anxious to tell me all he knew about his life before I had any memories, and I was always more than anxious to listen.  I was able to get him to write in his later years and he wrote a lot, including a bunch of poems my cousin had made into a book.

 

My father’s mother was Hattie Eva Nettie (née Wilman) Butt.  She was born Christmas day, 1883 in Canton, Iowa where her father Hank Wilman was a renowned cabinetmaker.  Hattie died when I was 23 years old, so I knew her very, very well.  She too was always anxious to tell me all about her life experiences.

 

My father’s father was Squire George Butt.  I never knew Squire Butt.  He died in 1924.  Squire was born 1/5/1880 in Moore’s Hollow, Jones County, Iowa, which was just north of the Midland Line of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad right-of-way and a mile or so west of Monmouth, just across the Jackson/Jones County line.  Squire’s parents were Morgan Green “Morg” and Catherine Clarissa “Katy” (née  Green) (Gould) Butt.  Morg and Katy were second cousins.  As indicated, Katy had been previously married to Elijah Gould and together they had a family.  Morg had also been previously married to Mary Isabelle (née Sinkey)  

 

Morg’s parents were Bazil and Mahala (née Green) Butt.  Katy’s parents were Rolla and Isabella Jane (née  Houston) Green.  Mahala and Rolla were second cousins.

 

Rolla’s parents were George and Martha “Patsy” (née Butt) Green.  Isabella’s parents were Andrew and Elizabeth (née Green) Houston.  Elizabeth Green was Mahala’s aunt.  Elizabeth and Rolla were first cousins once removed.

 

Indeed, all these GREEN and BUTT people were genetically related in various ways.  These two families came to this continent from England in the 1600’s.  They settled in Maryland near the current Andrews Air Force base.  They inter- and intra-married from the early 1700’s.

 

During the 1700’s these two families moved to what was then Virginia and now Berkeley County, West Virginia.  Then in the early 1800’s they moved to Licking County, Ohio, in and around the Johnstown area.  Then when Iowa became a state my gr gr gr grandfather Andrew Houston came to Jackson County, Iowa.  Then later my gr grandfather Morgan Green Butt came here as well.

 

Andrew Houston purchased in 1847 and 1848, three military land warrants for property near Crabbtown which was on the North Branch of the Maquoketa River just north of Emeline.  Andrew’s wife Elizabeth died in 1844 in Ohio and is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Johnstown, as are scores and scores of my other ancestors.  When Andrew moved to Iowa, he brought with him a passel of kids including the above mentioned daughter Isabella Jane who married Rolla Green.

 

An early 1880’s Brandon Township, Jackson County map reveals that about half the people living in the Township were in some way related.  There were the following relatives:

 

The Willison – the mother of the above mentioned Mahala (née Green) Butt was Diadema Willison.  The Willison’s in Brandon Township descend from that same Willison family.

The Houston’s

The Sinkey’s

The Ralston’s

The Ripperton’s

The Bickford’s

The Street’s

J. H. Hardin

The Stickley’s

The Edward’s

The Butt’s

 

My father was related either genetically or thru marriage to all these people.  He and his mother Hattie knew all these people very well.

 

There’s an area in Jackson County that used to be called The Big Woods.  It was impassable then except along the creeks and rivers that ran thru it.  Some of it is impassible yet today except on foot or horseback.  Back then it was infested with Black Bears, Rattlesnakes and other such pesky critters like my ancestors.  The bears and my ancestors are gone now but the Rattlesnakes and I remain.

 

Lots of folks had moonshine stil’s back in The Big Woods and everyone pretty much did what ever else they pleased.  It was a lawless place into which few uninitiated ventured; law men in particular.  Stories abound of venturesome folks who for some reason or another, put themselves into The Big Woods and were never seen again.

 

The now extinct town of Emeline was on an East/West road that ran west from Maquoketa on past Emeline, thru Canton and beyond.  This road is now called The Caves Road.  It passes along just north of the Maquoketa Caves State Park.  It used to be called “The Ridge Road”; it’s on high ground near the north edge of The Big Woods.

 

There’s a creek called Pine Creek that runs Southwardly through the heart of The Big Woods.  Back then Pine Creek started it’s journey south a few miles northwest of Emeline and crossed under The Ridge Road.  Pine Creek empties into the South Branch of the Maquoketa River less than a mile as the crow flies, down river, or to the east of the Millertown bridge.  The area surrounding Pine Creek used to be called Pine Run.

 

The Mineral Creek meanders Eastwardly south of Canton and empties into the South Branch of the Maquoketa River just upstream a mile or so as the crow flies from the Millertown Bridge.

 

The road that crosses the Millertown Bridge used to be called Buzzard Ridge Road.  For centuries, Buzzards have nested on the bluff just upstream from the Millertown Bridge.

 

There was a stagecoach route that ran from Canton down the east side of the south branch of the Maquoketa River to Millertown.  From there it went up Buzzard Ridge Road a half mile or so then turned east and meandered on thru part of The Big Woods to Emeline.  From there it turned west and went back to Canton.

 

There is a creek called Bear Creek that runs Easterly just South of Baldwin, Iowa through Eden Valley.  Bear Creek was the approximate Southern border of The Big Woods.  Bear Creek converges with the Maquoketa River a few miles as the crow flies to the east of the confluence of Pine Creek and the South Branch of the Maquoketa River.

 

One way to get thru The Big Woods from the south was to follow one of these waterways to near the confluence of Pine Creek and the South Branch of the Maquoketa River, cross the Maquoketa River, then travel up Pine Creek to The Ridge Road.  From there one could easily get to Crabbtown or Ozark, both of which were on the North Branch of the Maquoketa River.

 

Pine Creek runs directly in front of the opening of Horse Thieves Cave.  Pine Run was a great place to hunt, fish and trap, which my ancestors did incessantly.  Horse Thieves Cave was a great place to sit awhile and have lunch or just rest.

 

When I first visited Horse Thieves Cave I was very young, just old enough I suppose to be able to do the difficult walking that was required to get there.  I do recall traveling thru that area sitting on my father’s shoulders.  In any event, on this particular occasion, I was with my father, a couple of his brothers and others I do not remember.  When we walked into the cave, my father and his brothers shouted in unison, and in harmony, as if they had rehearsed it for a performance at the Metropolitan Opera:  “JESSE…`YOU IN HERE?”  Everyone laughed and laughed and laughed and when I could I asked what it was all about.  It was the first time I heard any of the stories about Jesse James.  I heard this story many, many times since from family and family friends.

 

Every time I have entered Horse Thieves Cave since this first time, I’ve paused and shouted, “JESSE…`YOU IN HERE!!!!”  On occasion, I’ve visited the cave with my brother and on those occasions we’ve both shouted the same in unison.

 

Jesse and Frank James, the Younger Brothers, and most others in the mid-West, were upset about what the railroads were doing.  Landowners didn’t like the fact that the railroads had the “right-of-way” thru their property. But what caused them to rebel as the James’, Younger’s and others did was the fact that the railroads were paying for the land used as the “right-of-way” with railroad stock, which at the time was worthless.  Landowners considered that neither more nor less than grand and blatant larceny.  The James and Younger brothers decided that they would do what the Sheriff’s would not.  Hence the “James/Younger gang of outlaws”.

 

Winners write history books.  The government won.  Had the citizens won, the James and Younger brothers would today be called honorable citizens who had the courage to do the right thing in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.  Indeed, that’s exactly what they were considered by my ancestors.

 

I imagine that when the James and Younger boys traveled north, they would find one of the waterways mentioned above that run along the south edge of The Big Woods.  They would then find the confluence of Pine Creek and the South Branch of the Maquoketa River.  They would cross the Maquoketa River near there and from there travel up Pine Run to Horse Thieves Cave where they would spend the night.  All the while avoiding the stagecoach route.  The people in the area, including my ancestors took them food for themselves and the horses.  It’s about 4 days by horseback from Horse Thieves Cave to Elkader, Iowa where the James and Younger boys had another hideout (see picture below) and where they could stock up again on food and other supplies.

 

My father grew up with two brothers named Roy and Karl Frisby.  Roy Frisby became a renowned banker in Chicago.  Among other things, Roy helped found the Harris Bank.  His daughter was Assistant Press Secretary under Reagan and Brady.  Both Frisby brothers and their wives visited my parents from time to time.  When my father graduated High School, he went to the state of Wyoming.  Karl Frisby went with him.  Karl gave the eulogy at my fathers’ funeral.

 

When I was living in the Chicago/Milwaukee area, I went to visit Roy where he lived in Wilmette, Illinois.  He was a very, very wealthy man.  He had done some spectacular things in his life, other than banking.  He and some others for example had a vocal quartet, which did the sound tracks for Walt Disney cartoon movies.  He was a great singer.  I have some very memorable recollections of the visits I made to Roy.  I’d get there early on a Saturday morning; he’d fix us some breakfast and proceed to tell me stories about his youth, my father, my father’s brothers, their parents, and many others in the area where he and my father grew up.

 

I asked Roy in particular if he knew anything about Jesse James staying in Horse Thieves Cave.  He happily replied that he did and went on to independently confirm everything my father and others told me.

 

July, 2009

D. Butt

Buzzard Ridge Road

Brandon Township

Jackson County, Iowa

 

 

These two pictures came to me from Myra Voss of Elkader, Iowa and a cousin who descends from Andrew and Elizabeth (Green) Houston.  Directly below is part of a message I recieved from Myra along with the first of these pictures.

 

The Museum in Missouri claims this was taken near Strawberry Point, IA.
But, the lady, Leona Popenhagen Medberry (she was connected to the Cline
family), who I interviewed in 1991 claims she remembers the cabin which was
on their 'Quigley Farm' west of Elkader, IA.

I have several articles that I printed in the newspaper. Created a lot of
interest in 1991.

Myra Voss

This hideout, wherever it was located, was about 4 days by horse back from Horse Thieves Cave along Pine Run in the Big Woods.

Here's some history of Jackson County, Iowa that describes the area where Andrew Houston acquired property in 1847/1850.  Geo. Houston, Thos. Houston and Andy Houston, the former two probably sons of the latter, are mentioned in the second paragraph on page 690 below as are many others from Licking County, Ohio. 

688                                                      HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY -- Volume I

 

OZARK FIFTY YEARS AGO.

(By Levi Wagoner.)

 

     As early as 1847 there was a settlement begun around what is now the village of Ozark. At this point was found an excellent water power on the North Fork of the Ozark or Maquoketa River. This site was first improved by one Joseph E. Hildreth in about 1848. Mr. Hildreth built a dam of brush and logs to dam the water sufficient to run a sawmall. It was in 1850 that the writer first visited the place. The town consisted of five slab shanties. They were built of slabs set on end in a trench dug in the ground, instead of being set on a stone foundation. The walls were double, the slabs were placed face to face and solidly nailed together, which left the walls as rough on the inside as they were on the outside, but it made a strong and warm house. These shanties were one story high with shed roof which was also made of slabs. Thus equipped, Mr. Hildreth with a crew of half a dozen stalwarts began his career as pioneer of this part of Jackson county.

     It was soon after this that emigration began to pour into Iowa, and lumber was in large demand, and Mr. Hildreth was unable to supply the demand with his present force of help, and he found it necessary to build more slab houses and double his force of men around the mill that he might run at night as well as day time. It was in 1850 that the writer first visited the place and found everything in running order as above described.

     Mr. Hildreth was a man of great energy and business ability, and withal one of the kind that did not leave his religion on the east side of the Mississippi River, but in his little village early established a preaching point to be supplied by the itinerant missionaries as they made their rounds. His moral and Christian zeal was quite as great as his business energy, and altogether he made this first settlement a model community. And as the surrounding country was being settled by sturdy farmers whose first aim was to raise as much wheat as they could, for wheat in those days was king, Mr. Hildreth soon learned that a flouring mill was the next great necessity. This he pro­ceeded to build in 1853, five years after he built his first slab shanties, but this was not a slab affair; it was a first class structure two stories high with a capacity of sixty barrels of flour per twenty-four hours, for it, as the saw mill, ran day and night, and still was not sufficient to keep up with the con­stant increasing business for the reason that there was not then a flouring mill north or east, short of the Mississippi River, twenty-five miles distant.

     In addition to the mills Mr. Hildreth found it necessary to establish a general store. This enterprise he began on a small scale which he increased as the business increased, until the stock in the store amounted to fifteen thou­sand dollars, and he employed four clerks.

     The first settlers throughout the country almost invariably kept sheep enough for the wants of the family for clothing, which was spun and woven in nearly every house, which was the case in all parts of our country before we had woolen factories, as at the present day. Mr. Hildreth being a man that was always up to date, now began to see the necessity of a woolen factory in connection with his other business, and this industry he brought into activity about 1858.

     It was now full ten years since Mr. Hildreth had begun his career at Ozark, and it looked now like being fully developed as a village of over one hundred population. There were no other inducements to build up a town at this point outside of the mills that were already there. Among the employes at the flouring mills were Mr. A. Boyd, Mr. Harry Spray and A. Heister. The woolen mills were run under the supervision of John Reynor & Sons. All these mills were run to their full capacity and the little village was one of the busy places of Iowa, notwithstanding its tender age. 

 

 

________________________________________

 

 

                                                   HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY -- Volume I                                    689

      It was at this time that the village received its death blow. Mr. Hildreth, together with Mr. Heister, his miller, were making repairs in a breech of the dam, and Mr. Hildreth with a heavy crowbar, was trying to dislodge a large boulder on the bluff to be used in mending the breech. The rock in rolling down struck the crowbar in Hildreth's hands and the bar in turn struck his head and scattered his brains over several yards of ground. This catastrophe acted as a pall over the village and also affected the settlement of the country around. The property was now placed in the hands of administrators, and when finally settled was sold to parties in Dubuque, under whose management the decline was steady from start to finish. Now there is scarcely a vestige of its former importance remaining. Among other industries of the town the cooper business also deserves mention. In those days flour was all packed in wooden barrels; of these the mill used daily from forty to sixty, and of pork barrels that were manufactured here, Dubuque and Galena furnished the market. The number of coopers that found steady employment at this point often exceeded twenty, that is including those who manufactured shingles which were made from the fine native oak that could be found for a number of miles around are village. In this forest the native hoop pole was also found in great abundance.

     Among the first settlers of Ozark and its vicinity may be named, James Ryan, John Hayden, Tom Mulford, the Howard brothers, Tom Boyd, Geo. Turner, Snyder Horton, E. Harding, Sam Bickford, A. Hildreth, A. Heister,  E. Ralston, ]. Ralston, Chas. Basely and others.

     Of other settlers who came to the vicinity when Jackson county had its greatest boom in 1850, the following may be named: Geo. Duel, John Sinkey, Jack McCullough, John M. McCullough, Sr., Van Shirley, Geo. McCullough, Joe Pennell, Millen Ralston, Rube Jacobs and others; for the most part these early settlers have lived in this vicinity continuously since that time, but by far the greater number are now dead and their places occupied by the generation that followed.

     Having now given a brief description of the early settlement of Ozark and its vicinity, we will follow the river down stream in quest of another early settlement that was made near the beginning of 1845, and is at the present time best known as Crabbtown, which I will describe in the following article.

 

CRABBTOWN FIFTY YEARS AGO.  

 

        Leaving Ozark, we will now go southeast and follow the river, for in the early settlement of Jackson county as in other places, the first aim of the settlers was to get as near as possible to the water courses; not that the land was better or even as good as on the adjacent ridges, but was almost invariably rough, but the water privileges seemed to outweigh the advantages of the uplands. There was a prevalent idea among the first settlers that the man who owned a good strip of the river had a bonanza, and a mill site, that only needed development to make him rich. So prevalent was this idea that the river land and that which lay along the creeks was the first to be occupied, and in due time the best of the water powers along the Maquoketa Rivers were improved. Sawmills usually preceded flouring mills, and it was about the year 1845 that a Rev. Dr. Blackburn from Licking county, Ohio, built a sawmill three miles below Ozark on the north Maquoketa River.

     This gentleman was no exception to the general rule, but like others who im­proved the water power along this stream, was a man of energy and grit, and well calculated for a pioneer leader. A doctor who stood at the head of his profession, and as a teacher his ability was second to none of the pioneer ministers in those early days, and withal a No. I mechanic, and was also in every way affable and easy of approach. On one occasion the writer took the liberty to question him as to his adaptability to the different professions he had acquired. To this he re-

 

 

________________________________________

 

690                                                    HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY -- Volume I

plied, a man must be a natural mechanic to be a successful doctor or a successful preacher, and if he lacks mechanism he should seek some other profession.

     Almost simultaneous with the building of this first sawmill, the adjacent country began to be settled. It was about 1848 when a large portion of the land was set­tled by emigrants from Licking county, Ohio. Among these may be named Shep­herd Caven, Ezariah Clark, Geo. Houston, Thos. Houston, Andy Houston, I. W. McCullough. Tom Oliver, Tom Saunders, Nathan Said and sons, James and Rev. J. W. Said. But by far the most numerous among these first settlers were the Edwards and Streets families. With these the writer had not sufficient acquaintance to correctly call them by their given names, but their offspring are quite numerous and still outnumber in name all others in this community.

     And now after a lapse of eight years after the first sawmill was built by Mr. Blackburn it became apparent that a flouring mill was needed at this point, which the proprietor was not slow in building. The new mill was a fine building with a capacity of about twenty-five barrels per day. But this mill did not do the business that was expected by the proprietor, for the reason that the territory was somewhat circumscribed by other mills above and on the same stream, and for this reason the custom work of the neighborhood was all the patronage that centered at this place.

     It was about fourteen years after the first sawmill was built that Dr. Black­burn began to be infirm and old. He sold or traded the mill property to Isaiah and Washington Crabb. They were brothers and practical millers as well as practical mechanics, and were men of energy and push in all their under-takings, and withal were men of unblemished character, strictly honest in business and thoroughly Christian in sentiment. These two brothers conducted the business for a number of years to which they added a fairly good country store. Finally the senior partner died and the property became an estate, and is now operated by the grand­sons of Isaiah Crabb, deceased. The boys seem to have inherited all the char­acteristics of their forefathers and bid fair to perpetuate the good name of their progenitors.

     In the fifteen years that elapsed from the first settlement of Rev. Dr. Black­burn, the county was fairly settled. The war of the Rebellion soon followed and patriotism among the boys around Crabbtown ran extremely high as it also did all over the western part of Jackson county. Nearly all the boys who were of proper age and muscle around Crabbtown enlisted at the first call of the government. Al­though Brandon township had at that time a population of less than nine hundred, all told, out of this population seventy-seven men, the cream of the township, went into the service of Uncle Sam during the four years of that war, or nearly nine per cent of the entire population.

     Of these in the immediate vicinity of Crabbtown were, T. J. Houston, Amby Harden, Richard Clark, Alfred Baty, Eli Heath, Daniel Heath, Chas. Said, J. W. Said, James Said, Christopher Barger and brother, Zackariah Said, Tom Edwards, Tom Post, Abe Post, Chas. McCullough, Jacob Lusere, Geo. Johnson, James John­son (nineteen, all toId of the Crabbtown school district). Of the other fifty-seven of Brandon's soldiers no less credit is due. If patriotism can be measured by the large proportion of the brave men who responded to the government's call, then this part of Jackson county stands in the front row with any other district of like population in the state. By far the largest number of the Brandon boys were in the Twenty-sixth Iowa Regiment, and among all these there were killed or wounded from which they died, John Sinkey, Jr., Leonades Miller, Harvey Swift, Chas. Said. Of those who died of disease while in the service were the following: John Cooley, Ambrose Robins, James Johnson, Charles Johnson, Tom Mulford, Admant Cooley, Sam Alberry, and a Mr. Boyd, eight men in all.

     It will be readily seen how the industrial interests would be affected by so heavy a drain on the breadwinners of the overpatriotic districts. The young men who composed the bone and muscle which makes business win, were now in the sunny south, and the farmers were hard put to secure necessary help to run their

 

Here are some Houston stones in Hickory Grove Cemetery.  These two are George Houston.

These two are Thomas J. Houston and wife Sarah E. DeMoss

Here are two pictures of Thomas J. Houston, grandson of Andrew and Elizabeth (nee Green) Houston, provided by BJ Denahey.

This one is of Thomas J. Houston on the right and John Dillrance seated on the left.  I do not know the connection between these two men but it appears there was some bond of some kind between them.

This is the back of the T J Houston/Sarah DeMoss stone.  The John Dillrance inscribed on the monument is John Dillrance Houston, the son of Thomas and Sarah (DeMoss) Houston who died at the age of 4. The John Dillrance in the picture above died in 1891 and is buried in Hickory Grove with his wife, Serepta Potter.  Note also that this stone marks the grave of Amy Josephine, another child of T J Houston/Sarah DeMoss who died at age 2 years, 4 months and 8 days. 

    This one is of an older Thomas J. Houston. 

The following documents were sent to me by Mr. Don Clary of Newark, Ohio.

This comes from "Portrait and Biography, Album of Jackson County, Iowa."  Originally published in 1889 by Chapman Brothers of Chicago, Illinois.

I have received this note about the following from noted researcher B J Denahey.  "One thing I am sure of is that Andrew Huston was not born in Ireland. At least one of his children still living in 1880 (there were 3) would surely have remembered if their father was born outside the US; they all stated either Kentucky or Virginia."

Vanity pages such as this one are often incorrect.

The book that contains this article is in the Library in Maquoketa, Iowa and in the Genealogical Society.

The following two documents are the pedigree of Mr. Don Clary.

Here are Family Group Sheets for Andrew Huston and John Blamer.

Andrew Huston

John Blamer

This document transfers ownership of land in Jackson County, Iowa from Sarah (nee Houston) Hartsock to Charles Hill.

BJ Denahey has this document.  Here are her comments about it.

...the source is Jackson Co. Deeds, Book 37, pages 100-101. There is a second deed between Charles Hill and Samuel Blamer for the same land and again mentioning that Sarah Hartsock inherited the land from Andrew Huston although it does not state that Andrew was her father. The citation for that deed is Jackson Co. Deeds, Book L, page 219; transcription below.

Jackson Co., Iowa Deeds

Book L p. 219

Hill Charles Know all men by these presents, That we Charles Hill and Caroline Hill, wife of said 

To Deed Charles Hill of the County of Licking Ohio in consideration of the sum of One 

Blamer Samuel hundred dollars in hand paid by Samuel Blamer of the same place, do hereby remise, release and forever quit claim unto the said Samuel Blamer his heirs & assigns forever all our tith, interest and estate legal and equitable in the following premises with the appurtenances, Situated in Jackson County, State of Iowa, and being the equal undivided one fourth part of the South West quarter of the South East quarter of Section twenty four (24) Township Eighty five (85) North of Range One (1) East and being the same land inherited by Sarah Hartsock by Will from Andrew Huston decd and conveyed by her to Charles Hill by Quit claim deed dated the 17th day of November AD 1853 In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and Seals this 16th day of November A. D. 1855

Executed in presence of Charles G Hill

James Johnson her

Eliza Johnson Caroline Hill

mark

Here's a map showing the location of this property.

This document is a court case wherein Rignal Green sued the Heirs of Charles Green to have land divided.

Rignal Green vs Heirs of Charles Green Dec'd.pdf

I think this Charles Green is the one who was married to the sisters Louisa and Maxe/Masse Butt.  He was a son of Rignal Green Sr. who was married several times and had kids with at least two women.  I think this Rignal Green is also a son of Rignal Green Sr. and a half brother to Charles.

This stone is for the children of T. J. and S. E. (DeMoss) Houston.

This one is for Corpl. Thos. J. Houston.

Here's a photo of the headstone of Ferby (Houston) Streets.

There is a headstone in the Streets Cemetery for a John Streets.  However, the dates do not match those of the John Streets who was Ferby's husband.

Ferby Houston and John Streets had a daughter named Mary who married Ezra Edwards.  Ezra and Mary Edwards had a son named Sanford Richard Edwards who married Ida Alice Batey.  Ida Alice Batey was the daughter of Amby Mann Batey and wife Nancy Green, the latter of whom was the daughter of my gr gr grandparents Rolla Green and wife Isabella Houston.

Here's the head stone of Ezra Edwards, son-in-law of Ferby Houston and husband John Streets.  Ezra was a member of Company F of the 31st Iowa Infantry.

There has been some question about whose grave this stone marks.  Some say it is the grave of William and wife Mary (McCartney) Sinkey, others say it's Matthew and Nancy (Houston) Sinkey.  In any event it has the words MOTHER and FATHER carved in it.  Plus there is a carving on the opposite side of the word MOTHER that I cannot discern.  

The "V" shape to the right of the word "FATHER" is clearly chiseled into the stone.  I am unable to see whether or not there are words there.

Directly below are pictures of the William and wife Mary (nee McCartney) Sinkey stones.  These pictures seem to indicate that the above natural stone with the words MOTHER and FATHER inscribed in it marks the grave of Matthew and Nancy (Houston) Sinkey; Nancy being born 11/22/1817 in Licking County, Ohio; Mathew Sinkey being b, 9/25/1808 in Huntingdon, PA.  This Mathew Sinkey was an Uncle of Mary Isabelle Sinkey, the first wife of Morgan Green Butt.

See more pictures of the Orrin Sinkey stone below.  Orrin was a son of Eldad Sinkey.  Orrin is pictured as a young man, below in the picture of Eldad and his family.  I use the stone here of Orrin Sinkey as a point of reference.

As I understand it, this stone was donated by and placed here by the Daughters Of The American Revolution. 

More pictures of the stone of Orrin Sinkey.

This Gilmore stone is directly to the East of the stones of Wm and Mary (McCartney) Sinkey.

Among the children of Mathew and Nancy (Houston) Sinkey was Daniel Boone Sinkey.  He married Sarah Jane Heath.  Here is a picture taken by Dennis Butt and Joy Sinkey of the stones that mark these graves.  These stones are on the far South side of the Cemetery as far from the other Sinkey's as possible.  They are in row 21 lot 4.

I am leaving the next picture full size.  Behind Sage you can see the grave of Dock Bickford and wife Rinda.

The stone on the far right of this picture is of "Zena Clark" and "Howell Ralston".  This grave does not appear to be listed in the document supplied by Mr. Burkey.

Here's a Pedigree chart of Joy (Sinkey) Pellegrin who is my 4th cousin 1 time removed, our common ancestors being Andrew and Elizabeth (GREEN) Houston.

These pictures are of Joy (Sinkey) Pellegrin's ancestors.

Below is Melvin Sinkey.  He moved from Jackson County, Iowa to Camanche, Clinton County, Iowa.  He and his wife Lurilla/Luella are buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Camanche, Iowa.  See the maps and photo's below of Rose Hill Cemetery and the Sinkey's who are there.

These are the death certificates of Daniel Boone Sinkey and wife Sarah Jane Heath.

These are Wayne Sinkey, son of Urban and Nina (Duncan) Sinkey.  He was Irish/Indian/English.  He and his wife Sandra moved to Louisiana when their daughter Joy moved there.  Wayne died and is buried there near Abbeville.

                                                                 Wayne Sinkey - in his `20's                                            later on an Island in the Mississippi River near Comanche, Iowa

These pictures are of Joy "Sage" (Sinkey) Pellegrin and her family.  Joy is the daughter of Wayne and Sandra (Mace) Sinkey.

The many looks of Sage.

Indian/Irish Joy "Sage" (nee Sinkey) Pellegrin

                              This is Joy (Sage as she is called.)

This is Joy's daughter Sonja and her son James.                                         This is Joy's family; her husband Duane on the left,

                                                                                                           Joy on the right and James and Sonja in the middle

Here is the Estate of Albert Sinkey - List of Heirs and Real Estate.

Cover

List of Heirs and Real Estate of Albert Sinkey.

As mentioned above, Melvin Sinkey moved from Jackson County to Camanche (Clinton County), Iowa.  He and wife Lurilla "Luela" (nee Shockey) died in Camanche and are buried in the Rose Hill cemetery there.  Here are two maps of where Rose Hill Cemetery in Camanche, Iowa is located.

Here's a sketch of the South entrance to Rose Hill Cemetery.  Rose Hill Avenue, going North, enters the cemetery.  This sketch is of the South end of the Cemetery where the Sinkey graves are located.  The other entrance of Rose Hill is from Old Highway 67 (now N. Washington Blvd.).  I have included the GPS coordinates of the Rose Hill Avenue entrance and Sinkey graves as well.

These are the Sinkey graves looking East.  The car on the road in the distance is on N. Washington Blvd (old Hwy 67) traveling South.

Here's a little closer view.

Nina (Nee Duncan) Sinkey married a Rolston after Urban Sinkey died.  Hence the name on her headstone.

This is looking North from the fence on the South side of the Cemetery.

These three graves in the center are, from right ->Left: Dan & Bev. Sinkey; Ernst and Carma Sinkey; and Ed and Jo Sinkey.  The grave nearest the road is not a Sinkey.

Here I have labeled the Sinkey graves, except for Urban and Nina.

 From here down are Sinkey stones in Rose Hill cemetery, except for Urban and Nina.

Note above and below, the name is spelled "Lurilla".

 Here is the marriage license information for Melvin Independence Sinkey and wife Luella Shockey taken from the Clinton County recorders office.

REGISTER OF MARRIAGES                         BOOK3, PAGE 66

CLINTON COUNTY

License number      By whom affidavit            Groom                         Age next B’day            Father                         

16367                          Lena Wallace                    Mell Sinkey                  24                                 Daniel Sinkey             

4 Sept, 1901                                                           Iron Hill, Iowa              White                          Mother                        

                                                                                Farmer                         Place of Birth               Sarah J Heath              

                                                                                                                        Iron Hill, Iowa           1^st marriage                                                          

Bride                       Age next b’day            Bride’s parents                         Where and when married             Date of Return

Luella Shockey      21                                   Father William Shockey         Clinton, Iowa; 4 Sept, 1901            5 Sept., 1901

Residence                White                           Mother Mary DeLong             Witness                                             When Registered

Clinton                     Place of birth              Bride’s 1^st marriage                  S. E. Stebbins                                   7 Nov., 1901

                                  DeWitt, Iowa                                                                   By whom Certified

                                                                                                                            Charles H. Judd JP

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Note above, the bride's name is spelled "Luella".

The above taken from referenced book by Joy (Sinkey) Pellegrin and Dennis Butt in the Clinton County Recorders Office in the Clinton County Administration Bldg., Clinton, Iowa, Dec 18, 2009.  These pages could not be copied.                   

Here's an obituary for Melvin Independence Sinkey.

Here's the death certificate of Melvin Independence Sinkey.

Here is an array of pictures provided to Sage by Carma Bergert Sinkey.

This picture is of Andrew Jackson Sinkey, son of Matthew/Mathew Sinkey and Nancy Houston.  Andrew Jackson Sinkey and Mary Isabella Sinkey, the first wife of Morgan Green Butt were 1st cousins.  Andrew Jackson Sinkey and the above mentioned Daniel Boone Sinkey were brothers.

Andrew Jackson Sinkey was married twice.  First to Mary Jo "Cass" Heath (7/4/1865) and then to Mary C. Meister on 11/20/1893  Here is his second marriage liscence.

A couple of my favorite Sinkey's were Ode (we pronounced it Odie) who ran the pool hall in Canton, Iowa and Ode's uncle Eldad, a well-known "Indian" after whom my favorite fishing hole called "Eldad's Hole" on the Mineral Creek was named.  Odie was also the barber in Canton.  Here's Eldad, his wife Mary Mason Sinkey with their kids Orrin, Harry Louis, Jim Q, Albert, Lephietta (Etta), Lee and Ross.

Here's a picture from Birdie (deceased September 30, 2009), daughter of Albert Louis Sinkey.  It is of Lephietta (Etta), her husband John Yarolem and their three kids.  This picture was taken at their home near Monmouth, Iowa.  The boy child in this picture is John Yarolem.  He married Gracie Ripperton, my dad's first cousin.  Gracie being the daughter of Frank and Lutie Mahala (nee BUTT) Ripperton.  Lutie Mahala was a sister of my grandfather Squire Butt.

The following pictures are of Mary Lovina (Potter) Ralston and husband James Alexander Ralston.  Mary was the daughter of Elizabeth (Sinkey) Potter and William Potter III.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Nancy (Houston) Sinkey and Mathew Sinkey.

James Alexander Ralston was the son of Nancy Agnes (McLane) Ralston and John Ralston Jr.

This is the headstone in Hickory Grove Cemetery in Jackson County, Iowa of Nancy Agnes McLane Ralston.

Here are some pictures from Jennifer Porter.  This one is Nancy Agnes Ralston and daughter Alvira.   

This is a picture of Ivan Ralston, Jennifer's grandfather.

This is William Alfred Ralston on the left and William Edward Butler.  William Alfred Ralston was the son of Millen and Eliza (Sinkey) Ralston.  Eliza (Sinkey) Ralston was the daughter of Matthew and Nancy (Houston) Sinkey.  Alvira Ralston, pictured above with Nancy Agnes Ralson, was William Alfred Ralston's sister.  William Alfred Ralston was Ivan Ralston's father.  William Edward Butler, was Jennifer Porter's grandmother's father, or Jennifer's gr grandfather.  Nancy Agnes Ralston (above) was William Alfred Ralston's grandmother.

As indicated, Mary Isabelle Sinkey was the first wife of Morgan Green "Morg" Butt.  Mary's parents were Daniel M. and wife Margaret (née Clayton) Sinkey.  Daniel M. Sinkey was a brother of Matthew who married Nancy Houston and Richard who married Helen Wheeler.  The parents of Daniel M, Mathew and Richard were William and Mary (née McCartney) Sinkey.  Here's some information about this William Sinkey.

Note below, third from the bottom is William Sinkey.  He died September, 1849 after being ill for 4 days with Congestive Fever.  It says he was 83 years old which would make his birth date 1766.  Obviously, either this document or the inscription on his stone is incorrect.

Here are three pages of the 1860 census of Brandon Township, Jackson County, Iowa that include various familiar families, including the Sinkey's.

Here is a picture and document supplied to me by Snow Flower.

    This is a Sinkey House on Sinkey Road between Croton and Centerburg, Ohio.

    This is a vanity page (805) from the history of Trenton Township, Delaware County, Ohio.  Note D. S. Sinkey, 2nd column, second paragraph.

Turning now to Rolla Green; his parents were George Green and Martha "Patsy" (Butt) Green.  The parents of this George Green were William Green Jr. and wife Ann (aka Mary Ann) Butt, the couple who founded the current Greensburg, WV.  This information was included in the above mentioned corrections to R M Green's book.

At the time R M Green published, he was nervous about the long gap between the birth dates of Rolla and who R M Green thought at the time was Rolla's next elder sibling, Nancy (see page 81, "A Branch from The Green Tree").  Researcher B J Denahey found the following and provided same to R M Green which resulted in the correction made by R M Green.

Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, Thursday, March 4, 1897

Died.   Another Old Citizen Passes Away.

(From the Newark (0.) Journal)

Hon. George Green died Monday, Feb. 1st, 1897, at his residence in Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio. He has been a constant sufferer and an invalid for three years, caused by a runaway team in 1894. Deceased was born in Ohio in 1810---aged 87 years and 6 months. He was married to Lizzie A. Green in 1885. In 1840 he with many others went to seek his fortune in the gold regions in California, but the trip proved to be a failure, and after a few years abroad he returned to his home in Ohio. His wife died about 1870. In 1876 he married Julia A. Johnson, who with three step-daughters, Mrs. Kim Tigh of Thompson, III.; Mrs. John Willison, of Cedar Grove, Jackson county, Miss Helen, who remains at home with her mother, survive and mourn his loss. Deceased was an uncle of Hon. Jerry Green, the democratic speaker of Maquoketa, Iowa; also an uncle of Mrs. John Doty, Mrs. Alonzo Templeton, of Emeline; Mrs. George Stickley and Mrs. Morgan Bott [this should be Butt], of Monmouth. He is a brother of Wm. Green, of near Iron Hills, Iowa. He was a loving husband, a kind father, a good neighbor and a generous giver. He was strictly honest in all his dealings. No man ever heard him swear or knew of him telling a lie. He was honored and respected by all who knew him and his death, though long expected, has cast a gloom of sadness over the entire community seldom felt. His funeral services were held at the schoolhouse and his remains were laid to rest in the Johnstown cemetery by the side of his first wife and daughter, and was followed by a large concourse of sympathizing friends, neighbors and relatives, where he will await the first resurrection morn.

B J provided the following additional information about this article.

"George Green married Siggy Ann in 1845 not 1885; she died in 1875.  George and Siggy Ann had a daughter Angeline who died in 1882.

 

Relatives mentioned in the obituary:

Jerry Green was a son of James Green.

Mrs. John Doty was Mary Green daughter of Rolla Green.

Mrs. Alonzo Templeton was Emma Green daughter of Elijah and Diana (Green) Green. (Elijah was son of Allen Green)

Mrs. George Stickley was Lydia Green daughter of Rolla Green.                        .

Mrs. Morgan Butt was Clarissa Catherine Green daughter of Rolla Green. William Green of Iron Hill. This William Green married Philena Gould and died on 9 Dec 1897.

 

What we [B J and R M Green] finally came up with was that the parents of Rolla Green (b. 1815) were George Green and Martha "Patsy" Butt and that Rolla's known siblings were James Green (b. c. 1819; d. 1893), William Green (b. c. 1819-1823; d. 1897), Diana Green (b. 1820; d. 1873) and George (b. 1810; d. 1897). In the 1856 census there was a George Green aged 78, born in Virginia in the household of James Green. In the 1860 census there was a George Green, aged 86, born in Virginia in household of Elijah and Diana Green. This George Green is assumed to be James and Diana's father.

 

I am not sure if there is any additional evidence to support that George Green and Martha Butt were Rolla's (and James, William, Diana and George's) parents."

I have the following as well:

1860 Brandon twp, Jackson co, [roll 326, pg 137] has the h/h of Rolla Green 45 Va. Isabel 43, Oh.  Children all born Oh. are Nancy 17, Andrew 15, Eveline 12, Catherine 10, and Mary E. 8.  Born Ia. are Rebecca E. 5 & Serepta V.

Andrew is aka Hardin.

The newspaper article is convincing as are B J's comments.  Rolla Green, according to the above is a 2nd cousin to Bazil's wife Mahala.  George Green, Rolla's father was a 1st cousin 1 time removed, and Rolla's mother, Martha "Patsy" (Butt) Green was Mahala's 2nd cousin as well.

Here's some substantial information that establishes an historical perspective.

ROLLA GREEN   ISABELL JANE HUSTON

Rolla Green was born about 1815 in Virginia. Rolla is believed to be the son of George and Martha “Patsy” (Butt) Green. He married Isabell Jane, who is believed to be a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Green) Huston. Isabell was born about 1821 in Ohio. It appears Isabell may have died between 1870 and 1873 as she is recorded in the 1870 census but is not a party to a warranty deed executed by Rolla on 20 September 1873. No record has been found of Rolla after this date.

Proof of Rolla’s parentage is based on research by Robert Green and the obituary of a George Green which lists daughters of Rolla as nieces of George.

Proof of Isabell’s parentage is sketchy. There was a possibility that her maiden name was Hardin because of a son of that name listed in the 1850 and 1860 censuses. No connection has been found with the Jackson Co. Hardin family. The marriage record of her daughter Sarepta in 1885 gives her name as Isabella Hustion. Additional evidence that Isabell was the daughter of Andrew Huston is in Deed Book M, Jackson Co., Iowa, page 474. The land sold, the north half of the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 14 in Brandon Township, was originally purchased by Andrew Huston in 1848.

Children:

Lydia Margaret Green, married George A. Stickley

Nancy L. Green, married Amby Mann Baty

Hardin Green

Eveline “Emma” Green, married Richard S. Doty

Catherine Green, married 1st Elijah Gould; married 2nd Morgan Green Butt

Mary E. Green, married 1st John H. Doty; married 2nd Frank L. Rhoades

Rebecca E. Green, married William Harter

Serepta Victoria Green, married Riley James Stowers

***************************************************************************************************

PUBLIC RECORDS

Jackson Co., Iowa Deeds Book M, p. 474

Green Rolly Know all men by these presents, That we Rolly Green and Isabel J. Green his wife

To Deed of Jackson County, State of Iowa, In consideration of the sum of one hundred &

Hill M. J. Eighty Dollars in hand paid by M. J. Hill of Marion County State of Iowa, do hereby sell and convey unto the said M. J. Hill, the following described premises, to wit The North 1/2 of the W 1/2 of the North West 1/4 of Sec. fourteen (14) Township Eighty five (85) Range One (1) East of the 5th principal Meridian containing twenty acres more or less. And we do hereby covenant with the said M. J. Hill that we are lawfully seized of said premises, that they are free from incumbrances, that we have good right and lawful authority to sell and convey the same; and we do hereby covenant to Warrant and defend the said premises against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever; And the said Isabel J. Green hereby relinquishes her right of dower to the premises herein before conveyed. Signed the first day of June A. D. Eighteen hundred and fifty seven.

In presence

B. Tracy, Rolly Green, Isabel Tracy , Isabel Green, her Mark

State of Iowa On this first day of June A. D. 1857 before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace

Jackson County in and for said County personally came Rolly Green & Isabel J. Green his wife to me known to be the identical persons whose names are affixed to the above deed as grantor and acknowledge the same to be their voluntary act and deed. Witness my hand and Seal this first the day and year the last above written

Bazzel Tracy Justice of the peace

 

Jackson Co., Iowa Deed Record Book 36, p. 255

Warranty Deed

Rolly Green to Amby Baty Filed for record the 30 day of July A. D. 1874, at 1 o’clock PM.

J. R. Griffin Recorder.

Know all Men by these Presents, That I Rolly Green of the County of Jackson and State of Iowa in consideration of the sum of four Hundred Dollars, in hand paid by Amby Baty of Jackson County, and State of Iowa do hereby sell and convey unto the said Amby Baty and his heirs and assigns the following described premises, situate in Jackson County, Iowa: To wit: The West half of the South West of the North West of Section (14) fourteen Township (85) Eighty five North of Range (1) one East of the (5) fifth PM Containing (20) Twenty acres. And the South West of the South West of Section (14) fourteen Township (85) Eighty five North of Range (1) one East of the (5) fith PM containing (30) thirty acres more or less To Have and To Hold the premises above described, with all the appurtenances, unto the said Amby Baty and His heirs and assigns forever. And I do hereby covenant with the said Amby Baty that I am lawful seized of said premises; that they are free from incubmrance; that I have good right and lawful authority to sell and convey the same; and I do hereby covenant to Warrant and Defend the title to said real estate and appurtenances thereto belonging against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever.

Signed the 20th day of Sept. A. D. 1873

Rolly Green

State of Iowa, Jackson County, ss:

on this 25th day of Sept A. D. 1873, before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally came Rolly Green to me personally known to be the identical person whose name is affixed to the above deed as grantor, and acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed.d

Witness my hand and Seal the date last above written.

Samuel Clark

Justice of the Peace

Amby Mann Baty (various spellings) mentioned above was the son-in-law of Rolla and Isabella Green.  Amby Mann Baty's wife was Nancy Green.  Many descendants of this family remain in Jackson County, Iowa and the surrounding area.

Here's an 1850 Monroe Township, Licking County, Ohio census that includes Rolla and family.  They are at the bottom of page 1 and top of page 2.

Here's an 1860 Brandon Township, Jackson County, Iowa census that includes the Rolla Green family, Amby Baty and others.

And here's an 1870 Brandon Township, Jackson County, Iowa census that includes Rolla Green at the very bottom.

Here's an 1870 Wyoming Township, Jones County, Iowa census that includes Streets, Edwards and Stickler families.

More about this family.

GEORGE A. STICKLEY                                LYDIA MARGARET GREEN

 

        George A. Stickley, son of Jacob C. and Sarah A. (Miller) Stickley, was born on 18 January 1833 in Licking Co., Ohio.  He died on 31 December 1914 in Monmouth, Iowa and was buried in Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouth, Iowa.  He married Lydia Margaret Green, daughter of Rolla and Isabella (Huston) Green, on 29 November 1859 in Jackson Co., Iowa.  She was born in April 1841 in Ohio and died on 25 November 1912 and was buried in Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouth, Iowa.

 

Children:

        Sarah A. “Della” Stickley, married William Hannahs

        Ada J. Stickley, married Leonard L. Gee

        Elizabeth “Fon” Stickley, married Daniel Propst

        Estella Jane Stickley, married Manley Jackson Mann

        John W. Stickley

        George Allen “Al” Stickley

        Lydia M. Stickley, married Burt R. Dye

        Henry W. Stickley

        Bertha Myrtle Stickley, married Arthur Garrett

        Delbert Everett Stickley, born 25 Oct 1880, Jackson Co., Iowa; died 15 Mar 1884

        Mary Blanche Stickley, born 14 Nov 1883, Iowa; died 5 Jan 1930, Jackson Co., Iowa

 

CENSUS RECORDS

 

1860 U. S. Census            Jackson Co., Iowa

Brandon Twp.            17 August 1860

Geo Stickler                      27                                M                                Farmer                                Ohio

Lydia                                19                                F                                                                                “

Jacob Lozier                     14                                M                                                                               “

 

1870 U. S. Census                                Jones Co., Iowa, Wyoming Twp.                                9 June 1870

Stickley  George                    37                M                Farmer                Ohio

                Lydia M                39                F                Keeping House     Ohio

                Sarah A                  9                F                                             Iowa

                Ada J                     7                F                                              Iowa

                Elizabeth                 5               F                                              Iowa

                Estella J                  3               F                                              Iowa

                John W                  1               M                                             Iowa

                George A            2/12             M                                             Iowa                b. Mch

 

1880 U. S. Census                Jones Co., Iowa, Wyoming Twp                16 June 1880

Stickley  George                M          49          M                Farmer                Ohio                Virginia                Vir

              Lydia M               F          39          Wife            Housekeeper        Ohio                Virginia                Ohio

              Ada I.                  F          17         Daughter                                   Iowa                Ohio                    Ohio

              Elisabeth F           F          15         Daughter                                   Iowa                Ohio                    Ohio

              Essie Jane            F          13         Daugh                                       Iowa                Ohio                    Ohio

              John W                M         11         Son                                          Iowa                 Ohio                   Ohio

              George A             M        10          Son                                          Iowa                 Ohio                   Ohio

              Lydia M                F          8          Daugh                                       Iowa                Ohio                    Ohio

              Henry W.             M          4          Son                                           Iowa                Ohio                    Ohio

              Bertha M              F           1          Daughter                                   Iowa                Ohio                    Ohio

 

1885 Iowa State Census                   Jones Co., Wyoming Twp.

Stickler   George        53         M             M           Farmer                Ohio                Twp 84   R 1   Sec 13   NW NE

                Lydia M    43          F              M                                         “

                Ada           22         F                S                                    Jackson

                Elizabeth    20         F                S                                         “

                Ethe          17          F                S                                      Jones

                Lydie        14          F                                                            “

                John         16          M                                                           “

                Allen        15          M                                                            “

                Henry       9            M                                                            “

                Birthy       6             F                                                             “

                Mary B    1             F                                                             “

 

1895 Iowa State Census                   Jones Co., Wyoming Twp.

George Stickler      62                M                M                Ohio                Farmer

Lydia M                 58                F                 M                  “

Henry                     19                M                              Jackson Ia

Merty                     16                F                                     “

Blanch                    11                F                                 Jones Ia

 

 

1900 U. S. Census                Jackson Co., Iowa, Monmouth Twp.                11 June 1900

Stickler   George W    Head  M   Jan 1833      67    M-40     Farmer        Ohio         Virginia      Virginia

               Lyddy M      Wife   F   April 1841    59    M-40      11-10         Ohio         Virginia       Ohio

               Henry W       Son   M   July 1875     24        Farm laborer          Iowa         Ohio           Ohio

               Bertha M      Dau    F    Oct 1878     21                                     Iowa          Ohio           Ohio

               Marry B       Dau    F    Nov 1883    16                                      Iowa          Ohio           Ohio

 

1910 U. S. Census                Jackson Co., Iowa, Monmouth Twp.

Stickley  George W        Head          M          77        M1-50       Farmer       Ohio       Virginia       Virginia

              Lydia M           Wife           F           69         M1-50      11-10         Ohio        Ohio           Ohio

              Mary B            Daughter     F           26                                             Iowa       Ohio            Ohio

 

PUBLIC RECORDS

 

Deed Record      Book 36      Jackson County, Iowa p. 254 Warranty Deed   Filed for record the 30th day of July

Geo Stickler & wife Etals            A. D. 1874, at 1 o’clock P M.

               To                        J R Griffin   Recorder.

Amby Baty

Know all Men by these Presents, That We George Stickler & Lydia M Stickler my wife & Richard Doty & Evaline Doty my wife & John H Doty & Mary E Doty my wife & William Hurter & Rebecca J Hurter my wife John Doty and May E Doty his wife Elijah Gould & Catharine C Gould & Serepta Green of the County of Jackson and State of Iowa in consideration of the sum of Ten Dollars Each Dollars, in hand paid by Amby Baty of Jackson County, and State of Iowa do hereby sell and convey unto the said Amly Baty his heirs and assigns the following described premises, situate in Jackson County, Iowa:  to wit:  The West Half of the South West of the North West of Section (14) fourteen Township (85) Eighty five North Range (1) one East of the (5) fifth PM Containing (20) Twenty acres and the South West of the South West of Section (14) fourteen Township (85) Eighty five North Range (1) one East of the (5) fifth PM Containing (30) thirty acres more or less.

To Have and to Hold the premises above described, with all the appurtenances, unto the said Amly Baty and his heirs and assigns forever.  And we do hereby covenant with the said Amly Baty that we are lawful seized of said premises; that they are free from incumbrance; that we have good right and lawful authority to Quit claim and convey the same; and we

And Lydia M Stickler wife of said George Stickler hereby relinquishes all her right of dower, and all her right under the Homestead Laws of the State of Iowa, in and to the above described premises.

Signed the 23d day of September A. D. 1873            George Stickley

                                            Lydia M Stickley

                                            William Hurter

                                            Rebecca J Hurter

                                            Richard Doty

                                            Elijah J Gould Evaline Doty

                                            Claricy C Gould John H Doty

                                            Serepta V Green  Mary E Doty

State of Iowa, Jackson County, ss:

            on this 24 day of September A. D. 1873, before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for

                        23                                                                             Notary Public

Richard Doty                                said County, personally came George Stickley and Lydia M Stickley to me

Eveline Doty                                personally known to be the identical persons whose names are affixed to the

John L Doty                                above deed as grantors and acknowledged the same to be their voluntary act and

Mary E Doty                                deed.

William Harter                                      Witness my hand and Notarial Seal the date last above written.

Rebecca J Harter                                  Witness my hand and seal                                H. Green  Notary Public

Eliza J Gould                                         Samuel Clarke J. P

Cluricy C Gould

Serebtu V Green

 

Births   Book 1   Jackson Co., Iowa, p. 8

Stickley                  male                25 Oct 1880                Monmouth          10^th

Lydia A Stickley (Green)   40                b. Ohio

George Stickley      farmer     47                b. Ohio

p. 96

Stickley                  female                14 Nov 1883        Jones Co.          11^th

Lydia Stickley (Green)   48                b. Ohio

Geo. Stickley                farmer                52                b. Ohio

 

Probate Record    #3374      Jackson Co., Iowa

George Stickley        died 31 December 1913

        Della Hannahs        dau        53        Monmouth, Iowa        (Mrs. William)

        Ada Gee                dau        51        Monmouth, Iowa

        Fon Propst            dau         49        Jones, Mont.        (Alfonzo)?

        Estella Mann          dau         47       Monmouth, Iowa

        John W. Stickley    son         45       Onslow, Iowa

        Allen Stickley         son         43       Monmouth, Iowa

        Lilly Dye                dau         41       Monmouth, Iowa        (Mrs. B. R. Dye)

        Myrtle Garrett       dau          35       Colfax, Iowa

        Blanche Stickley    dau          30      Andrew, Iowa    Jackson County Home

        Henry Stickley       son          38      Monmouth, Iowa

 

Probate Record   #3300    Jackson Co., Iowa

Blanche Stickley, a person of unsound mind

   Mrs. Della Hannahs, guardian        dated 9 June 1913

        Della Hannahs, died 7 July 1923

        Lillie Dye appointed guardian

 

PRINTED SOURCES

 

History of Jackson County Iowa  1910  by Ellis, Vol. II, page 627.

George Stickler to Lycher Green, November 29, 1859, by J. W. Black, justice of the peace.

 

Excelsior-Record, Maquoketa, Iowa, Friday, November 29, 1912

   DIED---Lydia Margarst Green Stickley was born at Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio, April 11, 1841, died at Monmouth, Nov. 25, 1912, aged 71 years, 7 months and 14 days.  She moved to Iowa with her parents in 1852 by team, there being no railroad west of the Mississippi.  Her parents settled near Emeline where she shared the hardships of a frontier life being one of eight children.  At Emeline, Nov. 28, 1859 she was united in holy wedlock to Geo. Stickley.  To this union wete born eleven children, namely:  Mrs. William Hannahs, Mrs. Len L. Gee, Mrs. Manly Mann, Mrs. Bert Dye, Mr. Henry Stickley, Miss Blanch Stickley all of Monmouth also Mrs. Daniel Propst of Baldwin, Mr. John C. Stickley of Onslow, Mr. Allen Stickley of Emeline, Mrs. Arthur Garet of Colfax, and Mr. Delbert Stickley deceased.  She leaves to mourn besides her aged husband, who has been an invalid for forty years, all of her children except one, twenty-one grand children, six great grandchildren and a host of friends.  On Nov. 28, 1912, they would have ended 53 years of wedded life.  Only once has the death angel entered the family circle.  They spent their first winter of married life at Emelice.  In the spring of 1860 they moved to the Eldad Cooley farm in Jones cotnty near Canton where their two oldest children were born.  Three years later they moved to Jackson county to the farm now owned by Elijah Streets, where Fawn, Essie and John were born.  They lived their with the exception of one year, until the spring of 1899, then they bought the Cromwell farm one-half mile north of Monmouth residing there until the spring of 1911, when they moved to Monmouth where they have since resided.  She was a kind and affectionate wife and mother, a good neighbor, and a firm believer in Jesus Christ, being a member of the M. E. church at Monmouth.  She has now passed from the church militant to the church triumphant. May we all meet her in that beautiful beyond.

 

Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, Thursday, January 8, 1914

   George Stickley was born in Licking county, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1833, and died at Monmouth, Iowa, Dec. 31, 1913, lacking only 19 days of being 81 years old.

   He came to Iowa when a young man, settling near Emeline.  In 1859 he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Green, to this union being born eleven children, Mrs. Della Hannahs, Mrs. Ada Gee, Mrs. Elphonse Propst of Montana, Mrs. Stella Mann, John of Onslow, Allen of Emeline, Mrs. Lilly Dye, Henry, Mrs. Myrtle Garret of Colfax, Iowa and Miss Blanche, one, Elbert, dying in infancy.  Father and mother Stickley lived on different famrs in the vicinity of Monmouth until three years ago when they moved to town where they resided until Mrs. Stickley died Nov. 25, 1912.

   Soon after this Mr. Stickley went to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Della Hannahs, where he found a refuge and care until death claimed him.

   Father Stickley was a kind, loving husband and father, a good neighbor and citizen.  Coming to Iowa in the early '50s, he had to contend with the hardships incident to the early development of the country.  By accident he was injured which developed a cough which afflicted him for 50 years.  In all these years of affliction and strenuous labor necessary to rear a large family he was most patient and many will cherish his memory and mourn his passing.

   The funeral was held at the Monmouth Methodist church Jan. 2, 1914, Rev. Jesse Smith of Olin, recent pastor, officiating.  Music was rendered by Miss Anna Belcher, Mrs. Alithia Allen, Messrs John Hubbard and Frank Irons, Miss Edna Kegley, organist.

   Interment was made beside his wife in the Monmouth cemetery.

 

Carson Funeral Home Records        Maquoketa, Iowa

Stickley, Geo. d. 31 Dec 1913        1 AM        Monmouth        80y 11m 13d

Widow         Retired farmer        born Ohio        Funeral – Monmouth Iowa   2 Jan 1914   1 PM

Parents:  Jacob Stickley, Virg. & Unknown

 

Harrison Funeral Home Records        Maquoketa, Iowa

Mary Blanche Stickley  res. Monmouth

b. Nov. 9, 1880        Monmouth, Ia. par. Geo. Stickley, Ohio, Lidia Green, Ohio

d. Jan. 5, 1930        Co. Home        age 49 yr. 1 mo. 26 da. bur. Jan. 7, 1930        Monmouth cem.

 

OTHER SOURCES

 

Gravestones in Monmouth Cemetery, Jackson Co., Iowa

                                Stickley

            Father          Mother

            George            Lydia M.

           Stickley        His Wife

        1833 – 1913                 1841 – 1912

 

                                                Blanch

                           1883 – 1930

Here's a picture of Lydia Margaret (Green) Stickley on the left and her sister Katherine Clarissa (Green) (Gould) Butt, the latter of whom was my gr grandmother. 

I have relatives, as do many of the others mentioned above, in the Willison Cemetery in Farmers Creek Township, Jackson County Iowa.  This cemetery is off the road that runs North for the Caves Road to the little town of Bernard, Iowa.  Here's a listing of the graves in that cemetery with a comment from the Jackson County Genealogical Society about the stone of Eli Edwards.

Here are a couple of Iowa maps that illustrate the nature of the area into which my Iowa ancestors settled.  Directly below the first, I have provided a historical perspective as well.

At about the same time as Andrew Houston was born (~1776) and about 20 years before Bazil Butt was born, the son of a half-Potawatomi lady, half-Irish British soldier was born as well.  His Potawatomi name was "Sauganash" (Zhagenash) which means "Englishman."  His English name was Billy Caldwell.  He was also a contemporary and close friend of Tecumseh and Shabanee, the latter of whom the town of Shabbona, Illinois is named.

In August of 1812, during the war of 1812, Fort Dearborn on the Chicago River was evacuated.  Many of the White people who lived in the area surrounding the fort left as well.  Shortly after leaving the fort, the evacuees were ambushed by hostiles who were mostly Potawatomi.  Of the 148 soldiers, other men, women and children who evacuated the fort and surrounding area, 86 were killed.  This became known as the Fort Dearborn Massacre.  Among those killed was William Wells, a half-breed himself whose allegiance had turned to the Whites.  Wells Street in Chicago is named after this William Wells.  

The Kinsey family who at the time ran a trading post on the Chicago River did not evacuate with the others.  They were saved from being killed by Billy Caldwell and his good and close friends Tecumseh and Shabanee.

Billy Caldwell later settled in the Chicago area but later still, in 1836, he and some followers moved to Western Iowa.  He died there on September 28, 1841 in a village along Indian Creek.  This village eventually became the current Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Again, Andrew Houston is thought to have died in 1849-50.  His Jackson County, Iowa Land Warrants are dated February 11, 1847, and March 3, 1850. 

Here's what Iowa looks like today.  The Big Woods is now mostly grassland.

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