52 Ancestors 2015: #1 Susan Driskill, Civil War Widow

"Love's Melancholy" by Constant Mayer, 1866
Public Domain from Wikipedia Commons

On August 18, 1862, Susan Driskill Latham's life was changed forever. Her husband of nearly 22 years, the father of her seven children, died from typhoid fever in a military hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.

Susan H. Driskill was born in 1827 in Kentucky.  At the age of 17, she married James Harvey Latham on September 25, 1844 in Clarksville, Tennessee.  They settled in Todd County, Kentucky, where they lived at the time the 1850 census was taken. Sometime between 1854 and 1856, the Lathams moved to Greeneville, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.

James and Susan had nine children; seven of them survived childhood.  Two year-old Cordelia and baby Stephen, just 11 days old, died from scarlet fever in 1856. James and Susan's youngest child, Harvey Edward Latham, was born less than a month before his father was mustered in with his regiment on October 10, 1861.

It is doubtful that James Harvey Latham ever saw his wife or children again -- he died less than a year later. On the day of his death, he was quickly buried at the Nashville City Cemetery, then was later re-interred at the Nashville National Cemetery.  It does not seem likely that Susan would have been able to visit her husband's grave.  She had young children to care for, Nashville was over 100 miles away, and wartime made it unsafe to travel.

At the start of the Civil War, Kentucky was one of the neutral "border states", split in two over the issues of slavery and seccession.  Since it was a strategically important stronghold to both the North and South, Kentucky saw many fierce battles, many of them not far from where the Lathams lived. Perhaps this explains why Susan Latham and her seven childen moved to Hamilton County, Illinois between 1863 and 1864.

On October 12, 1864, Susan married Edmund Hawthorn, a widower, in Hamilton County.  She was 37; he was 51.  Edmund became the guardian for Susan's younger children, and his signature appears on the marriage license for my third great grandfather, John Wesley Latham.  Edmund and Susan had one daughter, Ida, who was born on June 13, 1867.  Susan's three oldest children (George, John, and Sophronia) were married and lived nearby -- and Susan now had three grandchildren.

Then, on November 20, 1869, Edmund Hawthorn died in Logansport, Illinois.  Susan was widowed twice by the time she was 42 years old.  But what happened to Susan after Edmund Hawthorn died? Unfortunately, I don't know.  Susan Hawthorn appears in the 1870 census with her four youngest children, but I haven't been able to find her in any records after that.  Perhaps she married a third time, or maybe she died before the 1880 census was taken.

Recently, I was able to connect with a cousin partly because of this blog!  She read my post on James Harvey Latham and visited his grave in Nashville a few weeks ago.  I have wanted to visit his grave myself for a long time, and it would be even more meaningful now that I know about Susan.

52 Ancestors: #41 Jacob Kimmel, Oldest Voter in Kearney, Nebraska

Jacob Kimmel, left, with his daughter Catherine and her family.

Jacob Kimmel of Fourth Ward Votes at 86 Years of Age.

The statement in the Hub Tuesday that Rev. C.R. Ford was probably the oldest voter in the city has brought out the fact that there is at least one voter, who cast his vote on election day, who could boast more years than Mr. Ford.  This is Jacob Kimmel.  Mr. Kimmel is 86 years of age.  He is a carpenter and mill wright by trade and is still able to do some work every day.  The fact that there was a voter 86 years of age in the city was kindly brought to the attention of the Hub by S.M. Forney, and it is probable that there may be some other voters who are as old or older. (The Kearney Daily Hub, published November 8, 1906.)  

My 4th great grandfather, Jacob Kimmel, was born on May 27, 1821 in Canton, Stark County, Ohio. His parents were Samuel Kimmel and Catherine Mory.  On October 9, 1842, Jacob married Nancy Tombaugh. Sometime before 1850, Jacob and Nancy migrated to Richland, Illinois, along with Jacob's brother William and his sister Elizabeth and their families.  Together Jacob and Nancy had at least seven children.  Jacob's wife Nancy and his sister, Elizabeth Shook, were midwives in the area. Nancy died in 1879.  

In 1880, Jacob lived with his newly-married daughter Mary and her husband Noah Michaels. Sometime before 1885, Jacob, his son Lewis, and the Michaels family decided to leave Illinois and and travel over 500 miles to live in Hutchinson, Kansas.  Jacob, Lewis, and Noah were all carpenters and probably worked together.

The Wood River Mission Church in Kearney, Nebraska.

In 1896, Jacob Kimmel moved one more time to Kearney Nebraska to join his daughter, Catherine Forney, and her family.  Jacob opened a carpenter shop at the back of Catherine's house.  

Catherine's husband, Samuel Michael Forney, was the minister of the Wood River Mission Church in Kearney, Nebraska, which was affiliated with the Dunkard Brethren.  During a special council on the afternoon of June 26, 1897, the Wood River Church reinstated "Brother Jacob Kimmel."  (I wonder why he had to be reinstated.)  By December 31, 1898, the church had 40 members.

Jacob died in Kearney on March 10,1910  at the age of 88 from cardiac failure. According to his obituary, he had made his own coffin before he died.

Jacob Kimmel with four generations of descendants, c. 1908.

52 Ancestors: #38 Nancy Tombaugh, Midwife of Richland County

The Illinois Medical Practice Act of 1877 included the creation of the Illinois Board of Health, which was charged with the responsibility of regulating physicians and midwives. Midwives would now be required to register with and be approved by the Illinois Board of Health.

"Midwives To Whom Certificates Have Been Issued" from the Annual Report of the State Board of Health of Illinois 

On December 15, 1877, Nancy Kimmel registered for a midwife certificate.  She was 54 years old and had practiced as a midwife for 15 years in Richland County, Illinois.  Her certificate was issued on October 19, 1878.

Nancy was born on May 8. 1821 in Akron, Ohio to Solomon Tombaugh and Catherine Myers. At the age of 21, Nancy Tombaugh married Jacob Kimmel on October 9, 1842 in Stark County, Ohio. Jacob's sister, Elizabeth Kimmel Shook, was also a midwife in Richland County.  Nancy and Jacob had seven known children. Their youngest child, Susanna, born in 1860, was my third great-grandmother.

On March 14, 1862, their 13-year-old daughter Sarah died of "winter fever" (an archaic term for pneumonia that was used only in Southern Illinois.)  Soon after Sarah's death, Nancy began her occupation as a midwife.  (Perhaps to keep her mind off of her loss?)

Nancy Kimmel died on May 9, 1879, less than a year after she received her midwife certificate.

52 Ancestors: #29 The Wartime Diary of Captain Willis E. Hedgecock

Stone reads: To live in loving hearts is not to die.

My five times great-grandfather was Willis E. Hedgecock.  He was born on December 21, 1813 in North Carolina to Thomas Hedgecock and Martha Edwards.

In 1833, Willis married Mary Ann Rausin, a Tennessee native.  He was nineteen, and she was sixteen.  They began their family in Knox County, Tennessee.  The family consisted of eleven children when Willis enlisted, ranging from 1 to 26 years old.  Their second child, Angeline, was my four times great-grandmother.

Willis was mustered in as a Union private at Camp Pine Knot in Company G, 1st Tennessee Infantry.  He was promoted to Captain of Company H, 5th Tennessee Infantry.  He participated in the Battle of Pine Mountain at Cumberland Gap.

After the war, Willis started his own dry goods store in the small hamlet of Letsinger.  An 1876 directory of Letsinger listed the total population of the village to be 30 people.

Mary Ann, his wife of 44 years, died in July of 1877.  Willis was married again the following year to Margaret Fox, a widower with one child.

Willis applied for a pension in 1895.  He was examined by Dr. A. B. Eaton on March 26, 1895.  His report stated: "I found him suffering from general debility and nervous prostration. He was also troubled with chronic bronchitis. I called again to see him March 29, 1895. He improved under treatment and I again saw him on May 4th, 1895 which was my last visit."

Willis Hedgecock died August 7, 1895 at the age of 81.  He is buried at Hickory Creek Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee.

During the war, Captain Hedgecock recorded a personal account of his experiences in a journal, which he later titled "Diary Which I Kept While in the Army Against the Rebellion.  A 16-page transcription of the diary was published in the August 2000 edition of Tennessee Ancestors.  Below are my favorite entries from the diary.

August 11, 1861:  I left my home in Knox County, Tennessee, on the evening of August 11th, 1861.  Traveled at night by Scarbro town on the Clinton Road, then turned and passed through Frosts Bottom and across to New River wearing my summer goods.  This was the second night.  It rained upon us all night.  Some took shelter in a rock house.  Some around a fire, standing or laying, taking in the rain.

September 1, 1861:  Many of the boys were attacked with measles which proved fatal to some.  Here, I witnessed such attention and kindness shown to our sick, suffering and dying soldiers as sympathizing hearts and angel hands above can administer.  I allude to the attention paid by the ladies of Danville.  My gratitude as a soldier is due to them, and they will ever be held in memory by me.

President Andrew Johnson

September 6, 1861:  Andrew Johnson came to this place [Danville, Tennessee] on the sixth and was cordially received. He greeted all the East Tennesseans with a smile, .... delivered to each East Tennessee soldier two dollars and fifty cents ... tendered as a compliment in evidence of the high regard for their loyalty and patriotism.

November 27, 1861:  I was taken sick with cold from exposure, which so affected me that I took to my pallet in camp and took medicine from McMillan.  Thomas (my son) turned out to find a house ... where I could stay.  I remained there twelve days.

January 27, 1862:  I was taken sick ... received into the residence of Mr. Andrew Phelps.  Received medical attendance by Mr. Gillilan, cost free.

March 17, 1862:  Sworn in as Captain of [Company] H of Tennessee Volunteers.

June 1, 1862:  In camp on Mud Creek.  It is raining and tents missing through mismanagement of quartermaster Lane.  Camp Landrum provisions scarce and soldiers mad and complaining.

June 8, 1862. Out on picket duty.  Received uniform at the following prices: 

Cap   $4.50     Sword and Belt   $18.00

Sash   $8.00    Expenses   $1.00

Total paid out   $31.50

July 4, 1862:  Ordered by Gen. Morgan that three national salutes by fired at morning, noon and night.

Captain Hedgecock's description of the engagement on September 11th at Pine Mountain follows.

September 11, 1862:  Myself was ordered to post my 100 men somewhere near the top of the mountain.  This I done, choosing my own postition ... while we were thus posted, a company of Rebel Cavalry came along at quick speed.  They were fired upon at each post.  At the one held by myself, they passed with all speed on fleet horses as quick as the rough nature of the road and good riders could make it.  A full volley was fired into them ... killing some and wounding others and literally piling horses.

September 30, 1862: During this whole march, 230 miles, we never drew one ration, though occasionally, we got part ration of coffee and part ration of beef, sometimes without salt and no cooking vessels to prepare it in, and often not time to roast it.   As for bread, we had none but lived on roasting ears and hard corn by gritting.  Men carried their own gritters with them all day and after leaving Cumberland Gap, we never saw a good spring until we got to Ohio.

October 3, 1862:   I saw the beautiful river of Ohio for the first time.

October 19, 1862:  Boys complaining on account of becoming so bare for clothes and shoes.  Many are now so destitute, that their nakedness can no longer be hid.  Frosty nights are also beginning to set in, which, to the soldiers in their condition, is disagreeable.

November 5, 1862: [Sent] to my family... $50.00, also my own likeness and my son, Thomas. 

Tennessee State Capitol, 1862.

December 24, 1862. ... on Christmas Eve, we entered Nashville.  We marched through and encamped in the suburbs.  Nashville is an extensive city, in a most beautiful and rich surrounding country ... though the city is now quite filthy, and emits an offensive smell to the traveller as he passes through.  Here, I had opportunity to examine the state house, which is by far the most magnificent superstructure I have ever had the pleasure to look at.

January 13, 1862: We set out at daybreak upon an expedition to follow the rebels ... who were reported to be marching ... to burn our steamboats, laden with supplies.  We soon came on their encampment.  Stayed at night on a rebel plantation.  Next morning, we continued pursuit.  It has rained all day.  We stayed out at night without tents.  During the night, it changed into sleet and thence into snow.  Next morning, the little stream called Harper's River, was so swollen, a considerable snow had fallen, we were compelled, on the 15th, to abandon the enterprise and return to our camp.  Upon the whole, it was the most disagreeable march of the campaign, up to this date.

Battle of Stones River

January 16, 1863:  Reached Murfreesboro after passing over a portion of the late, hard contested battlefield, which, by graves, dead horses, entrenchments, scars of balls, cannon and rifle-perforated walls of buildings, destroyed farms, showed but too well the horrors of war.

February 12, 1863:  Better view of Stones River was had.  There is astonishing evidence of a great battle.  Marks of cannon and rifle balls exceed anything I have yet seen.  Some rebel corpses are partially exposed to view.

February 22, 1863:  Case of Campbell decided to be smallpox, and my company, with a portion of companies G and K, ordered to leave the Regiment.

March 4, 1863:  Campbell, with smallpox, died just before sunset.

March 10, 1863:  This is now 19 months since I left home.  No letter received since September 17, 1862.  Thomas not much better yet in health.  Is still with me at my quarters.  Some indications of other cases of smallpox in the company.

March 12, 1863:  Thomas seems a little better today... received letter from home today. All well.

March 21, 1863:  Ordered back to regiment.  Returned all, except the smallpox mess.

April 3, 1863:  We entered Liberty at 12 o'clock ... the rebels had planted a cannon on a commanding eminence, overlooking the town, and that morning, ordered out all the citizens, intending, as they said, to shell the town, but a few shots from our artillery directed at their piece on the eminence, they soon considered it policy to skedaddle.

April 4, 1863:  After travelling a distance of 25 miles, the boys were all broke down with feet skinned and blistered, legs strained.  Many could scarcely walk.

On the 22nd of April, 1863, Captain Hedgecock applied for discharge due to his increasingly poor health.   The following is a transcription of his resignation letter:

Head quarters 5th Regt. E. Tenn Vols, Infty.
Camp near Carthage, Tenn.

April 22, 1863

I hereby tender my resignation as Captain of company H., 5th Regiment East Tennessee Vols. Infty. on account of disability caused by chronic bronchitis and cories (?) of the left Fermus. I have had disease called scroffa for over thirty years. I am 49 years of age and being thus afflicted am unable longer to discharge the duties of a soldier or officer in the army. I respectfully request that my Tender of Resignation be accepted for the said reasons given.

Willis E Hedgecock
Captain commanding Co. H. 5th Regt. E. Tenn Vol Infantry

Captain Hedgecock's resignation was accepted, and he received an honorable discharge.

May 6, 1863:  Received my discharge.

May 10, 1863:  Left right at 3 o'clock for Carthage.  Went aboard the steamboat "May Duke".  Day clear, sun shines beautifully.  Thomas along.  [I am] still in poor health.  All quiet along the river.  Arrive at Nashville at 6 o'clock.  Went with Thomas to Barracks.  Stay till Thursday.

May 14, 1863:  Took train for Louisville.  Had a delightful ride.  Reached Louisville at 6 o'clock.  Went to Soldiers Home.  This was a well fitted up building and it is truly what it imports to be, affording comfort to the passing soldier.  Stayed one day at Louisville.

May 15, 1863:  Left Louisville at six o'clock for Jefferson City, Indiana.  Took train ... and arrived at Vincennes at 3 o'clock.  The last named place is on the Wabash River, the line between Indiana and Illinois.

On May 16, Willis arrived in McLeansboro, Illinois, where he stayed for two weeks.  He visited his daughter Angeline's family, and helped his son-in-law Henry Richardson plant corn.  His granddaughter and my great-great-great grandmother, Sarah Richardson, was six years old at the time.

After visiting with his daughter's family, Willis made his way back to Tennessee.  The remainder of his journey sounds exhausting to me.  By foot he made his way to the banks of the Ohio River, where he took a boat to Evansville, Indiana.  From there he boarded another vessel to Louisville.  He traveled by stage coach to Danville, Kentucky.  The final leg of his journey was made on foot.  For four days, he marched across Tennessee.  

Clinch River, Tennessee

June 7, 1863:  Came to within four miles of town.

June 8, 1863:  Came into Somerset.  Found many old acquaintances.

June 9, 1863:  Traveled that day across the mountain.

Captain Hedgecock made his final diary entry on June 10, 1863:  

Waded Clinch River about 10 o'clock in the night, and in an hour more, I found myself once more at home to the great joy of myself and my family.

52 Ancestors: #27 Caywood Davis, Man of Many Names

Davis family c, 1900. Back row: Rose, Belle, Lawrence.  Front row: William, Caywood, Paris, Sarah, Milton.

I have had a hard time researching my third great-grandfather because his name has been spelled many different ways: Chaywood, Kaywood, Raywood, Leawood, Chawood, Taywood, Cawood, and Charwood. 

Caywood Davis was born September 6, 1856 in Illinois.  He was the son of William Cors Davis and his second wife, Mary "Polly" Nicholson.  Caywood had a younger brother, Warner, and an older sister, Sarah, along with six older half siblings. 

Caywood married Sarah Richardson on October 4, 1874 in McLeansboro, Illinois.  They were both seventeen so they had to have consent from Caywood's father on the marriage certificate.

Caywood was a farmer for at least 20 years.  In 1880, the family lived on a farm in McLeansboro.  Their neighbors included Caywood's brother, Warner, and two of Sarah's sisters, Mary Ann and Lorinda Jane.  By 1910, Caywood had stopped farming and worked as a janitor at a church.  The Davises relocated to Vincennes, Indiana by 1920, and Caywood began a furniture business with his oldest son, Milton.

Children of Caywood and Sarah: Milton, William, Lawrence, Rose, Paris, Belle.

Sometime before 1930, Caywood and Sarah moved to Connersville, Indiana -- maybe because two of their children were living there.  Their daughter, Mrs. Belle Mount, had been living in Connersville since 1920 and ran her own salon, "La Belle Beauty Shop".  Their son, Paris, lived with Belle's family.  He later lived with Caywood and Sarah and was employed as a printer.  Caywood worked as a janitor at the Central State Bank.  He also was an employee at the Spicely Drug Store.  Caywood and his wife were members of the Grand Avenue Methodist Church in Connersville.

On April 9, 1947, following a long illness, Caywood Davis died.  His wife died ten days later.  They had celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary the year before.

52 Ancestors: #23 Susanna "Anna" Kimmel, Grandmother of Red Skelton

Susanna "Anna" Kimmel was born around 1860 in Olney, Richland County, Illinois.  She was the tenth and last child of Jacob Kimmel and Nancy Tombaugh.  At the age of seventeen she became the wife of Asa M. Fields.  Their marriage took place on December 23, 1877 at the home of the bride's father.  Anna's brother-in-law, Samuel Forney, performed the marriage ceremony.  Their first daughter, Stella, was born in 1880.  Around 1881-1882, the family relocated to Nebraska, where four more Fields children were born: Mary Kathryn (born in 1882), Ida Mae (1884), and twins Eddie and Freddie (1888).  Ida Mae was the mother of Richard "Red" Skelton.

The Fields were affiliated with a German Baptist church in Kearney, Nebraska. The Wood River Church was organized May 28th, 1881 at the residence of Moses Snavely. At the first meeting, there were just 13 members present, among them: Minister Samuel Forney and Asa and Susanna Fields. However, on February 11, 1882, Asa and Anna left the congregation, as recorded in the minute books from the church. 

Vincennes Sun Commercial, February 20, 1939

Around 1890, Asa and Anna moved their family again, this time to Vincennes, Indiana.  My great-great grandmother, Carrie, was born there in 1891, and the last of Asa and Anna's children, Robert Hergel, was born in 1899. 

 I am unable to find an obituary or death certificate for Asa, but I think he died sometime around 1900.  In a letter to her brother, Lewis Kimmel, dated May 5, 1938, Anna wrote that she had been a widow for 38 years.  She said she had two sons and three daughters living out of 14 children, 25 grand children and 13 great grand children. Her pension was $11.00 a month. She was living in one room all alone. Her youngest son (Robert) was married and lived on the same lot with her. Her address was shown as 702 Upper 11th, Vincennes. 

In 1939, Anna (called Susan in the newspaper) attended a luncheon honoring her famous grandson, Red Skelton.

Anna Fields died March 17, 1945 and is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Vincennes. 

Indianapolis Star, March 20, 1945

52 Ancestors: #22 John B. Davis, Beekeeper of Allison Prairie

John B. Davis was born January 22, 1846 in Knox County, Indiana.  He was the oldest of nine children. His parents were Edmund Davis and Lucinda Gilmore.  Edmund Davis was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

John married Emily "Millie" Shreck on May 20, 1866.  They had three children: Elizabeth, William, and Charles.  Sadly, sometime after 1870,  Emily and two of the children caught a fever and died.

John and his only surviving son William moved to Allison Prairie in Lawrence County, Illinois.   There he met his second wife (my 3rd great-grandmother), Margaret Jane Price.  They were married on the last day of January, 1875.  The couple had six children: Mary Jane, Leonidas (my 2nd great-grandfather), Samuel Hendricks, John M., Dora M., and Viola Mae.  According to his obituary, John and Margaret had three other children that did not survive past infancy.

John Davis' former residence in Lawrence Co., IL

His middle initial "B" may have been a nickname because he raised bees. His gravestone says: John 'Bee-John' Davis.

"He was born and reared in a Christian home.  When he grew to manhood, he made the choice of the Church of the Brethren.  He was a kind and devoted husband and father, and was always interested in the welfare of his children physically and spiritually.  He expressed himself as ready and willing to cross over." (From John B. Davis' obituary.)

John B. Davis died on Oct 8, 1922 from heart failure.

52 Ancestors: #15 Hester Florence Latham's Living Room

I wish I could travel back in time and walk into my great great-grandmother Hester's living room. Whenever I look at this photo, I wonder what books she has on her shelf and what color the velvet sofa is.  I wonder if the African violet on top of the shelf needs watering. (I raise violets myself.)

I wonder what the rest of the room looks like.

Hester and Milton on their 50th anniversary.
Back row, from left: Edith, Virgil, Mildred, Merle, Goldie.
Front row, from left: Pauline, Hester, Milton, Paul.

Hester Latham

Hester Latham, born March 11, 1878, was the daughter of John Wesley Latham and Harriett L.York.  She had an older brother, Joseph Daniel (1869), and a younger brother, Oscar (1881).  Hester grew upon a farm in McLeansboro, Illinois.

At eighteen, she married Milton Davis on September 28, 1896, in Hamilton County, Illinois.  Their first child, Edith, was born in 1897.  They had six more children: Goldie (1901), Virgil (1903), Merle (1906), Mildred (1910), and twins, Paul and Pauline (1916).

Between 1910 and 1914, the Davis family moved from McLeansboro to Vincennes, Indiana.  Milton opened a furniture store there.  (Maybe that's where she got the nice furniture in the photo.)  Hester died in Vincennes on May 7, 1951.

In addition to the pictures of Hester, I also treasure the topaz necklace that she owned.

52 Ancestors: #13 Hannah Elizabeth Scroggins, NOT "Scrubbrin"

Hannah and Charles Sharon

When I began working on genealogy, I used my grandmother's notes as a starting point.  According to her, my great-great grandmother's name was "Elizabeth Scrubbrin." I thought it was a very strange last name.  Eventually I discovered her real maiden name was Scroggins.

Hannah Elizabeth Scroggins was born October 16, 1874 in Lovington, Illinois.  Her parents were John Scroggins and Laura Hannah Carter.  She had three younger sisters and two younger brothers.

On New Years Day, 1893, she married Lawrence Anderson in Findlay, Illinois.  They had five children: John Orin (1894), Mary Olivia (1895), Charles William (1897), Elsie Ellen (1902), and Harlan Hosea (1904).

It seems that Lawrence died in 1903, before the birth of their last child, Harlan (my great grandfather).  I assume that he died, but I haven't been able to find his death certificate or grave.

On October 18, 1903, Hannah married Charles Leroy Sharon in Illinois.  They had two children: Edith (1907), and Leonard (1910). They moved from Illinois to Oregon during the Great Depression along with John, Charles, Harlan, and Leonard and their families.  All but John later moved back to the Midwest.

Hannah died March 31, 1958 in St. Elmo, Illinois.

Charles and Hannah Sharon and family.

52 Ancestors: #11 Sarah Elvira Richardson, Horseback Bride

The Richardson siblings. Standing, from left: Henrietta, Amanda, Rose, Elizabeth, Mary Ann.
Seated, from left: Millage, Lucetta, Sarah, Henry.  The eldest sister, Lorinda, had died before the picture was taken.

Sarah Richardson and Caywood Davis were married for 72 years!  The young couple (both were 17) married on October 4, 1874 in McCleansboro, Illinois at the home of Sarah's parents.  Following the ceremony, the couple rode on horseback to the home of the groom's brother, William C. Davis, for the wedding dinner. 

Sarah Elvira Richardson, my 3rd great grandmother, was born on October 14, 1855 in Tennessee.  Her parents were Henry Woodward Richardson and Angeline Hedgecock.  She was one of ten children; eight were girls.  By 1863 her family had moved to Illinois.  Her grandfather, Willis Hedgecock, was a Union captain in the Civil War.  In his wartime diary, Captain Hedgecock mentions visiting Sarah's family after he was discharged.

After Sarah and Caywood were married, they had eight children: Milton, William, Belle, Rose, Lawrence, Millage, Paris, and an infant who died.  They raised their children on a farm in Illinois, but by 1914 they had moved to Vincennes, Indiana.  Caywood started a furniture store with his oldest son, Milton.

Sarah and Caywood Davis with two of their sons.

By 1923 Sarah and Caywood had moved to Connersville, Fayette County, Indiana. Sarah died in Connersville, Indiana on April 19, 1947, ten days after the death of her husband.

52 Ancestors: #7 Milton M. Davis, Vincennes Furniture Merchant

Milton M. Davis, c. 1896

I am here to sell.  You people of Vincennes and neighboring Indiana and Illinois cities who have attended my auctions know that I MEAN BUSINESS when I say "I WILL SELL EVERYTHING TO THE BARE WALLS."  I will be pleased to meet all of my old friends and buyers at the Davis Furniture Company. 

My great-great grandfather Milton M. Davis published these emphatic words in the Vincennes Sun Commercial on September 24, 1935.  For 25 years, he owned and operated the M. M. Davis Furniture Store in Vincennes, Indiana.

Milton was born to Caywood Davis and Sarah Elvira Richardson in Illinois on December 10, 1875.  He had six younger siblings: four brothers (William, Lawrence, Millage, and Paris) and two sisters (Rose and Belle.)  The Davis family lived on a farm in McCleansboro, Hamilton County, Illinois.  On September 28, 1896 Milton married Hester Florence Latham in McCleansboro.  By 1900, they had rented a farm next to Milton's father.  Hester's mother, Harriett, lived with them for a while.  They had 5 children while they lived in McCleansboro: Edith (1897), Golda (1901), Virgil (1903), Merle (1906), and Mildred (1910).  In the 1910 census, Milton was described as a handyman.

An advertisement for Milton's furniture store.

Milton's family and his parents crossed the Illinois border into Vincennes, Indiana sometime between 1910 and 1914.  He and his father opened a furniture store together.  On February 25, 1916, Milton and Hester's last 2 children were born -- twins, Paul and Pauline.

Milton in front of his store in Vincennes.

After nearly ten years of partnership with his son, Caywood left the furniture business and moved to Connersville, Indiana.  Soon afterwards, Milton made an investment in some land, which turned out to be a mistake.  He was sued by the bank for foreclosure in 1924.  Milton was able to hold on to his furniture business and employed his daughter Goldie as a bookkeeper.

His son Virgil, my great grandfather, also began working as a salesman in his father's store.  Virgil and Goldie took over management of the store when Milton retired in 1935.  Milton still continued to have a hand in the family business.

A fire in 1939 caused severe damage to the building of the Davis furniture store.  The store had to be completely remodeled, but the business recovered from the fire and was still operating in 1954.  I'm not sure when the store finally closed down.

Milton died on August 27, 1953 in Vincennes, Indiana, two years after the death of his wife.