Before I Forget

You know how you're knee deep in records--both offline and on? Multiple windows fill your screen. You're happily digging for some proof that your ancestor existed outside of the 1850 U.S. Census Non-Population schedule (which indicates he owned three horses, no oxen, but 100 cattle)? 

Suddenly you're jerked back into the present as your feline assistant jumps up on the keyboard, pushing his forehead against yours. His whiskers tickling your face as gives you That Earnest Look. 

He doesn't want food. He wants your attention. He knows you need a break from the screen. He suggests a good nap.

Archie had a long long life. It ended peacefully on September 25th. Did you know he was named after my 2xGreat-Uncle Archey Wilhelm who died of disease soon after an early release from service during the Civil War? I hope Uncle Arch died at home, too.

Was reading a distant cousin's World War II draft card on Fold3.com/ and about fell off my chair:

Apparently my paternal second cousin--twice removed once worked with Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys. At Tulsa's famous Cains Ballroom, no less.

Be still my Western Swing music-loving heart!

Thinking young Bob was but a "gopher" attendant who kept the musicians supplied with cigarettes and beverages while they played in downtown Tulsa, I quickly sought Google's advice. One hit found Bob Lee had sung two songs at a 1984 Tribute to Bob Wills - 50th Anniversary Texas Playboy Reunion. 

Another click, and his obituary appeared:  "Robert E. ""Bob'' former featured vocalist for Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys, died Aug 9, 1986 in OKC after a prolonged illness." Sadly, he was but the tender age of 64 when he passed. 

I'll update this post if and when I find a Youtube of Mr. Lee singing with this swing band. Please share if you find a video link. 

Until then, go ahead. Google "Cains Ballroom" and see the many legends who have played at this club. 

Kudos to my husband who immediately recognized the "Employer address" listed on this draft card. He frequently walks our dog in the Brady District. What? Doesn't everybody take their dog to work? 

In 1850 Emily Jane Rogers, married Jeremiah Monroe Wilhelm in Texas. "Jerry" was my maternal first cousin--five times removed, the son of Richard Wilhelm and Sarah Seymour Wilhelm. I am posting Ms. Emily's obituary for one of her descendants. 

Jeremiah and Emily had five (known) children:  James (1852-1868), William Jackson (1855-1943), George Washington (1858-1931), Mary Thomas "Mollie", wife of Rev. John Patrick Beaty), and Emily Lavina Wilhelm (1864-1953). The children were all born, raised, and made their homes in Texas.  

I love this photo of Emily Jane Wilhelm. I don't know the year, do you? She's what, between the ages of 40 to 70? Does she have on her "Sunday best" or perhaps a mourning dress? She skin is light complected, so she seems to have put forth effort to stay out of that hot Texas sun. 

Her husband, Jeremiah, was allegedly murdered in 1865. Might this photo have been taken soon after? For more on her husband's death, see:

https://www.ancestry.ie/boards/surnames.wilhelm/717.1/mb.ashx

I'm really interested in any articles or stories about Jeremiah Wilhelm's death and/or his involvement in the Walker-Wilhelm feud, and welcome any links or comments below. Thanks!

Please see the link below to her memorial on Findagrave to learn a little of Mrs. Wilhelm's siblings and parents.

By the way, I just noticed I have four George Washington Wilhelms in my database. That's one more than the total of Andrew Jackson Wilhelms I have researched. Dare I ask if any Franklin Delano Wilhelm or Richard Milhaus Wilhelm cousins exist? 

Sources:  

          I am grateful to Findagrave.com volunteer Jackie West who shared this photo of Emily Rogers in November of 2011. 

          The obituary was published in The Comanche Chief newspaper on 11 March 1921, p. 5, in Comanche, Texas. I obtained this copy from Newspapers.com/   ("Grandma Wilhelm," really?)

          See Mrs. Wilhelm's Findagrave memorial via   https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67136870

          Burgess Gambill was 86 when he applied for a military pension for his service in the Confederate Army. He had fallen on hard times when he made his request in May of 1932.  Indigent veterans could seek compensation. The process wasn't quick. If successful, they received a few dollars a month. I've seen applications of widows receiving as much as $12 and as little as $4 a month. 

          Pension records make for fascinating reading for family historians. Details are recorded that might not otherwise be known for these old soldiers born in a time without birth certificates. 

          Born 6 Jan 1848 in North Carolina, Gambill  wrote that he was 16 when he enlisted in 1864 at Ashe County. But Gambill does not recall the name of the company or regiment. Captain Henry Williams is one officer's name he gives, adding that he  "...served as a Home guard one year from 1864 to 1865. After Lee surrendered, all who served with me are dead and I am not able to furnish witnesses."  

          Asked what special service he might have provided, he wrote:  "Detailed to take prisoners to [the]  execution guard."   What, he led Yankees to their death? Where are my smelling salts!

          Ahh, oh. The authorities required proof. He doesn't know what outfit he served with, and can't produce supporting affidavits from a fellow soldier. 

          Victory at sea! 

          Notice the dates on these papers. Months grew to years, in this waiting game. And widows seeking pension had to provide marriage certificates or affidavits from someone who had witnessed their marriage.  Burgess Gambill died on 28 Dec 1940 in Shamrock, Oklahoma at age 92. 

NOTE TO MY PATERNAL COUSINS:  We are not related to Mr. Gambill (except distantly via marriage). But the brother mentioned on one of these images above later became Pryor, Oklahoma's first postmaster: James Martin Gambill. The "Katy" Railroad (MK&T) was built near his property, and the town of Pryor grew around his early post office/home. That same Jim Gambill married Jane McCausland--twin to Margaret ("Mags"), who was married to Henry Wilson Ackley. Henry was the son of Sam Ackley who operated a ferry on the Arkansas River. Sam had brought his large family from Pennsylvania to Chouteau, Cherokee Nation in 1878. Henry's sister, our Lucy Ackley, was the mother of Sam Childers, Sr.  When young Sam's dad died in 1891 near Pryor, I believe it was one of the twin sisters, Jane or Margaret, who cared for my great-grandfather after he was orphaned. Because we know nothing about the ancestry of Sam's dad, I hope to learn of his family by studying the history of those who once knew him. And who were kind to my ancestor.

Meet Miss Jane and Miss Margaret McCausland, twin sisters:

 

This post is for Linda. Two items of proof that Isom McDaniel and Ila Lee Hurley were indeed married. Ila was my 1st cousin, 3 x removed. I have yet to discover her burial place so I can't properly request a link to Find A Grave. 

1.  From the Daily Admoreite newspaper, 30 April 1922, p. 13, Ardmore, Oklahoma:

2.  The application for marriage license, marriage license and marriage certificate showing their marriage in Waurika, Jefferson County, Oklahoma on April 30, 1922:


Thanks for your time in reviewing this, Linda!

Photo by Russell Lee in 1940 McIntosh County, Oklahoma is protected by copyright, but that wonderful Shorpy website has a crisp image:

http://www.shorpy.com/node/23554

From URL:  http://www1.odcr.com/detail?court=019-&casekey=019-MLI+2700064

I'll let you decide, BP, as I see two different spellings of her name:

Do you know of supporting documents? Just a thought. I'm at work now, or would look up on Ancestry. 
_______________

9:15 p.m. UPDATE

The 1930 Federal Census finds Cleveland and Venzella living at 1245 S. Owasso Av., Tulsa.  Ages 29 and 24, he is a porter at a "service station."  And yes, her name is spelled: VENZELLA (which means nothing because mistakes are frequent in census records). Someone gave her birthplace as Kansas. 

Then, found a 1953 Pasadena City Directory listing for Venzella. Sadly, she's listed as a widow to Cleveland:

Name:	Venzella G Benjamin
Gender:	Female
Residence Year:	1953
Street address:	670 Casitas av
Residence Place:	Pasadena, California, USA
Occupation:	Beauty Salon Operator
Spouse:	Cleveland Benjamin
Publication Title:	Pasadena, California, City Directory, 1953

 An enlarged image:

Name	Venezuela Ford
Birth Year	abt 1905
Age	1
Gender	Female
Residence Date	27 Oct 1906
Residence Place	Oklahoma
Tribe	Creek

I read newspaper archives in search of stories to add to my family history. A distant cousin from Galveston got a wee mention at the top of the page under "Folks and Events." But soft, read what's written elsewhere:

Hard to read?  Yes, ma'am. See below for enlarged snippets

Sidney was in good company that day in January 1961. Have a walk down memory lane and see familiar names:  Angie Dickinson, Gregory Peck, Don Ameche (whose face I see whenever Anonymous activists appear wearing their signature masks), Oklahoma's own Ben Johnson (from Pawhuska. Quick, stream The Last Picture Show NOW!). Gladys Parker was named "Checker of the Year" down at the local supermarket. I see that champion of the loin-cloth, Charlton Heston, and poor Elsa the Lion's obituary. Scotland Yard spying on strippers. And a friendly termite company ("Howdy, Neighbors!"). 

See what's playing at the movie theatre?  How in the SAM HILLS did D. H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers get past the local stuffed shirts?

Galveston, oh Galveston.

Click ONCE to enlarge. Click ONLY ONCE again to return safely to this page.

Nice seeing you. Thanks for reading!

This from Lee Roy Chapman's June 2, 2015 post on Twitter concerning Tulsa's massacre of its citizens just 97 years ago. 

Was way more than a "riot."  It was a bloody massacre. Educate yourself.

Johnnie Blanche married my maternal first cousin--twice removed. But before she became a Willhelm by marriage she was in high school in Comanche, Texas. See her darling yearbook photo in the 1925 Arrow-Head. I especially like her quotation:

You DID know Ancestry is s l o w l y uploading yearbook photos from around the United States. Oh, my! It makes for interesting reading.  #cringeworthy