Monday, June 22, 2015

My mother Carla Anne Erion Turpin December 8, 1931-June 29, 2013

The wedding of Carla Erion and Carl Turpin 8/31/51



Carla Erion Turpin 1970

Carl and Carla Erion Turpin, Wedding Day 8/31/51
Three sisters: Carla, Frances, Jeanne
The Erion Family - Frances in front.  Back row: Jeanne, Louise Krumwied Erion, Carl Erion, Carla
The Turpin Family (1994): Deborah, Carl, David, Carla, Michael
Carla Erion Turpin and Carl Turpin (May 1994)

Carla Anne Erion

Carla Anne Erion
Carla and her older sister, Jeanne, with their mother, Louise Krumwied Erion

Frances, Jeanne and Carla Erion



The Erion Women (1994) (L-R):  Frances Erion Taylor, Carla Erion Turpin, Louise Krumwied Erion, Jeanne Erion Johnson 
(The pictures shown above are in no particular order.  I may add more pictures at a later date. This is a difficult process.)


My beautiful loving mother, Carla (Erion) Turpin, 81, died June 29, 2013 in Okla. City from complications due to a stroke. Carla was born in Sapulpa OK to Carl Erion and Louise (Krumwied) Erion. Carla grew up and went to school in Hobart OK where her father was manager of the JC Penney store.  As a teenager she volunteered in the Hobart library and she also worked at the Hobart TG&Y.

After graduating high school, Carla attended a year of college at the Oklahoma College for Women, Chickasha, OK.  She also had a year of nurses’ training. She met and fell in love with Carl Leonard Turpin.  On August 31, 1951, the couple wed in Miami OK.  They made their home in Okla. City, being one of the first families to have a house built in McLemore Addition in SW Okla. City.    They lived in their home for 57 years before moving to Glenhaven Assisted Living, Chickasha.  They were charter members of Hillcrest Heights Presbyterian Church.  They later attended The Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles.

Carla was an involved mother and wife, a warm and compassionate human being.  She was a homeroom mother at her children’s school, Camp Fire Girls leader, and a children’s Sunday School teacher.  Carla had a beautiful singing voice, participating in the church choir as a young wife.  Her favorite people were children and that love of children never left her as she continued to respond to each new great grandchild that was born.  We will miss her so much.

Carla is survived by her husband; her children: daughter Deborah (Turpin) Astley and her husband Carl, their children Jacob and his wife Shawna, and Susannah and her husband Dustin Tate; son Michael and his wife Vivian, and their children: Matthew and his wife Jenny; Phillip and his wife Aimie; Jennifer, Michael, Joseph and his wife Angelina, and Christopher; son David and his wife, Kim, and their son Joshua.  Great grandchildren: Alex, Luke, Logan, Laci, Cooper, Kaitlyn, Alerah, Makenzie, Pyper, Haylee, Haven, Alyssa, and Laila; and nieces and nephews.  Carla is also survived by her older sister, Jeanne (Erion) Johnson Redway of Bella Vista, AR.

Carla was preceded in death by her parents and her younger sister, Frances (Erion) Taylor.

There will be no services.

Memorial gifts may be made to Crossroads Hospice-Integris Hospice House, 13920 Quailbrook Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73134 Attn: Monica Moller.  Our family would like to thank the doctors and staff of ICU East-2nd Floor, OU Med. Center and the Crossroads Hospice-Integris Hospice House for their care of Carla.  There was never a moment when we did not think she was receiving the best care possible.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

ALICE L. ERION, daughter of Jacob B. Erion and Mary Leonard Erion




The third child of Jacob Benjamin Erion and Mary Frances Leonard Erion was Alice L. Erion, born 31 Mar 1871. (Source: Linn County, Iowa, History to 1878 [Ancestry.com]) Alice lived until her 30th year, passing away on 21 Mar 1901 (Source: [Omaha] Morning World-Herald, 22 Mar 1901) 

Apparently Alice had been ill for some time for an article headlined “Miss Erion Has Recovered” appeared in the June 13, 1894 edition of the (Omaha) Morning World-Herald, which stated,


“The many friends of Miss Alice Erion will be gratified to learn that she has so far recovered from her long illness as to go to Fairmont on a visit to her sister, Mrs. W. A. Terry. Miss Erion, who is a daughter of J. B. Erion, deputy labor commissioner, took sick last December, and had to resign her position as teacher. She has been confined to her room ever since, and many times her life was despaired of.”


According to Fern Terry, her aunt Alice L. Erion suffered from Bright’s Disease. Bright's disease is what was once used to classify a kidney disease that would now be called acute or chronic nephritis. The presence of albumen or blood plasma in the urine and the swelling of tissue are symptoms of the disease. It was called Bright’s Disease because these symptoms were first noted and described by Dr. Richard Bright, of England, in 1827.

Alice was in great pain for several years. She suffered from severe chronic back pain, along with vomiting and fever. Despite suffering from this disease, which apparently came and went, she continued to teach when she could, to-wit:


South Omaha World-Herald, August 31, 1896 
“Miss Alice Erion was elected as a teacher. A year ago Miss Erion was compelled, on account of bad health, to take a rest. She is considered one of the best teachers in the city for the department in which she is engaged.”


During the attacks, Alice’s body became distended due to the retention of fluid and it was difficult for her to breath.  Her daily activities were limited.  Bright’s disease was treated with warm baths which explains the following article published under the heading “South Omaha Brevities,” in the [Omaha] Morning World Herald, May 11, 1897:

“Miss Alice Erion is at home from an extended visit to Hot Springs, Ark.”

One can assume that Alice visited Hot Springs, Arkansas to seek relief from the pain caused by her disease, and one feels badly for Alice when that one line shown above is nestled between the following two news items from the same newspaper edition:

“New style waist sets at Godfrey’s.”

and

“Twin babies, a boy and a girl, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Abbott.”

Alice never got a chance to live the “normal” life which most people would assume would include marriage and children.  Alice died 21 Mar 1901, ten days before her thirtieth birthday, in Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  Alice had moved there with her mother and father when Jacob B. Erion was made Superintendent for the Cemeteries of the Union Army located in the Southern states.  

(Omaha) Morning World-Herald, March 22, 1901

  “FORMER OMAHA TEACHER

Miss Alice Erion Dies at Pineville, La.—Was Well Known Hero

Special Dispatch to the World-Herald.

Pineville, La., March 21. -- Miss Alice Erion, daughter of J. B. Erion, superintendent of the National cemetery at this place, died this morning.  Miss Erion was well known and very popular in Omaha, where she was formerly a teacher in the public schools."

Alice is buried in Plot (Section) A 1340 in the Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  (Source: http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1)























Death certificate for Jacob B. Erion

Jacob Erion had Red Hair! Who Knew? VII - The End

Jacob B. Erion ca 1878
Mary Leonard Erion ca 1878

Jacob B. Erion ca 1920


My grandfather once told me he would like to know more about his grandfather.  However, it was during a time when I was having my own children and the days were filled with raising the next generation.  There was no time to look back.  But now there is.  My Granddad passed away in 1983 but I have always remembered his words to me and this blog is a result of that remembering.   I have sourced my information.  These are my own words except where indicated. 

* * * * * * * * * *

Jacob and Mary were living at 1056 Eslava Street, Mobile, Alabama, when Mary Frances Leonard Erion died on 15 Sep 1914.

            "Deaths
    Mrs. Mary L. Erion


  MOBILE, ALA., Sept. 15—Mrs. Mary Leonard Erion, 50 years of age, wife of Captain J. B. Erion, died this afternoon at the family home, 1056 Eslava Street, after a lingering illness.  Captain and Mrs. Erion on January 1 last, celebrated their golden wedding at their home here.  Besides her husband, deceased is survived here and in Chicago by a number of relatives.”

 (From obituary published in The Montgomery Advertiser, 16 Sep 1914)

Despite the discrepancies in the obituary, i.e.: Mary was 69 at the time of her death; Jacob’s and Mary’s wedding date was 31 Dec 1863, (Source: Ancestry.com, Linn County, Iowa, History to 1878); and she also had relatives in Nebraska, Mary was dead.  She had given birth to and raised to maturity six children; she took care of the home; and she supported her energetic husband in his endeavors.  A copy of her death certificate issued by the State of Alabama on 27 Apr 2007, obtained by Bleu,  states that Mary had undergone curettage of the uterus on March 25, 1914.  She had been ill with carcinoma of the cervix for over a year preceding her death.  The death certificate also said that Mary was buried at Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama. (Copy of death certificate appears at the 10 Jun 2010 posting of this blog.)

Did Mary’s death slow down Jacob?  No.  Always on the go, Jacob continued to attend meetings of the Grand Army of the Republic.  One meeting, where Jacob was Mobile’s Junior Vice Department Commander, was held in Washington, D. C., between September 27 and October 2, 1915.  (Source: Journal of the Forty-ninth national encampment Grand Army of the Republic. Washington, D.C. Sept. 27 to Oct. 2, 1915. Truncated Title Date: 1916-01-01; Author: U.S. Congress. House of Representatives.)    In August of 1918 Jacob traveled to Portland, Oregon, this time as a representative of the Grand Army of the Republic from Mobile. (Source: U.S. Congress House Serial Set Vol. No. 7577, Session Vol. No. 108, 65th Congress, 3rd Session, 1919-01-01; Author: U.S. Congress. House Serial Set Vol. No. 7577)

Some time after Mary’s death, Jacob moved from 1056 Eslava in Mobile, Alabama, and entered the National Soldiers’ Home, Mountain Branch, in Tennessee.  Documentation found in Jacob’s Pension File shows that he lived in the National Soldiers’ Home in Tennessee from 4 Aug 1916 to 4 Apr 1917. From 07 May 1917 to 26 Jun 1917, Jacob lived in the National Soldiers’ Home, Northwestern Branch, in Wisconsin.  From 27 Jul 1917 to 19 Sep 1917, Jacob lived in the National Soldiers’ Home, Central Branch, Ohio.

At some point, Jacob went back to Alabama because he went to Portland, Oregon, August 18-24, 1918, fifty-second national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) as the Representative from Mobile, Alabama. (Source: U.S. Congress House Serial Set Vol. No. 7577, Session Vol. No. 108, 65th Congress, 3rd Session, 1919-01-01; Author: U.S. Congress. House Serial Set Vol. No. 7577, Session Vol. No.108, 65th Congress, 3rd Session, H.Doc. 1613.)

On 19 Jul 1919, Jacob was back at the National Soldiers’ Home, Central Branch, Ohio.  1920 must have been an interesting year for Jacob  because the 1920 US Census, dated 3 Jan 1920, shows Jacob boarding with a German couple involved in real estate, Adolph and Ida Brown and their daughter, Florence, at 106 South Jackson, Mobile, Alabama.  Boarding there also was a private practice attorney, Charles Rogers, and a maid, Mary Yalrie.  This arrangement did not last long.  Just 11 days later, Jacob appears on the 1920 census at the National Soldiers’ Home, Central Branch, in Dayton, Ohio.

According to Declaration for Pension, dated and signed by Jacob B. Erion on 3 Aug 1921, from the time of Mary’s death, he had lived in the Mobile, Alabama National Military Home; the Tennessee National Military Home; and the Wisconsin National Military Home.  The Declaration was signed by Jacob while living at the National Military Home in Ohio.  (Source: Declaration for Pension-Civil War, dated 3 Aug 1921, original in the Pension File of Jacob B. Erion, National Archives)

His second born child, a daughter, Luella Matilda Erion, a registered nurse living in California, came to his rescue.  Documents in Jacob B. Erion’s Pension File reveal that she used her savings to buy a house for her father and her to live in and she gave up her full time job to take care of  Jacob.  She also took up the battles with the Commissioner of Pensions. The 1926 California Voters Registration, 1900-1968 found on Ancestry.com shows Jacob B. Erion living at 4832 Kansas, San Diego, California as is Luella.

A 29 Mar 1928 physical examination conducted by a physician at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, stated:

“This is old Civil War veteran is 85 years of age and appears all of that.  He is weak and debilitated and must be helped in and out of bed.  . . . His mind is clear but he is very irritable and peevish in his mental attitude.  He requires constant care. . . .  I do not feel that he will ever be any better.”


                  (Source: Affidavit of Physician, Pension File of Jacob B. Erion, National Archives)

Jacob and Luella were living on his pension of $90 per month.  He received an increase from $72 after the 29 Mar 1928 physical examination.

Jacob was in and out of the Naval Hospital at San Diego as his health continued to deteriorate.  His last admittance to the hospital was on 22 Oct 1928.

The death discharge filed for Jacob showed the following:

“Patient showed slight improvement for a while, 1-10-29, complained of pain in chest with a little more cough.  Normal temperature.  Vomited some, showed loss of appetite.  1-14-29  No improvement, was markedly weaker and death was sudden.”

(Source: USVB Form 2593, signed by Capt. H. A. May, dated 14 Jan 1929, filed with the Veterans’ Bureau 21 Jan 1929, copy in Pension File of Jacob B. Erion, National Archives.)

Jacob passed away on 14 Jan 1929.  According to the Report of Death filed for Jacob, his “remains were cremated by a contract undertaker, per instructions of next of kin.”   The undertaker was Davis-Bonham Bros, Mortuary, San Diego, California, and Jacob’s remains were cremated on 16 Jan 1929. (Source: Standard Certificate of Death from the State of California, Department of Public Health, filed 16 Jan 1929, copy of which is in the Pension File of Jacob B. Erion, National Archives.)

A copy of the invoice from Davis-Bonham Mortuary to the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau in Los Angeles, California, dated January 22, 1929, shows that Jacob’s casket was $65.00 with an outside case of $10.00.  Embalming and care of body was $10.00, personal services and hearse $15.00, and the Cremation at Greenwood Crematory was $35.00.

Recently, through www.FindAGrave.com, I learned that Jacob was buried by his wife Mary Leonard Erion at Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama.  A photograph of Jacob‘s and Mary‘s gravesite, taken by Tim Childree, can be viewed at FindAGrave.  I’ve also posted a picture of Jacob and Mary Erion and their children at this same site.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Jacob Erion had Red Hair! Who Knew? Part VI

Jacob B. Erion
Alice L. Erion
                       
                                                                                                                           
Mary Leonard Erion


My grandfather once told me he would like to know more about his grandfather.  However, it was during a time when I was having my own children and the days were filled with raising the next generation.  There was no time to look back.  But now there is.  My Granddad passed away in 1983 but I have always remembered his words to me and this blog is a result of that remembering.   I have sourced my information.  These are my own words except where indicated. 


* * * * * * * * * *

 The 1900 US census shows that Jacob, Mary and Alice Erion are living in Police Ward Jury 9, Rapides Parish, Pineville, Louisiana.  His occupation is shown as Superintendent of the North-South Cemetery (now known as Alexandria National Cemetery.)  Pineville and Alexandria are situated close to each other, so close that the visitor’s bureau refers to itself as Alexandria/Pineville, Louisiana. (There is a street in Alexandria named “Erion.”)  

Jacob, Mary and Alice were probably comfortable in that area because Alexandria had been settled by Northerners and incorporated as a town in 1818.   Being located on the banks of the Red River gave Alexandria a strategic appeal for the both the Union Army and the Confederate Army and it was occupied several times during the Civil War. (Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria,_Louisiana)  

However, it was 1900 by the time Jacob, Mary and Alice moved there and the Civil War had been over for 35 years.  It appears that Jacob, Mary and Alice did not live in the lodge located at the National Cemetery.  We know that Jacob did visit South Omaha while living in Louisiana according to an article dated 6 May 1902, appearing in the [Omaha] Morning World-Herald:

  “Captain J. B. Erion, superintendent of the National cemetery at Alexandria, La., who has been in the city visiting for several days, left for home Monday morning.  Captain Erion was the pioneer publisher of a daily and weekly newspaper at South Omaha.  First he ran the old Globe and then later the Stockman, having associated with him Charles H. Rich in the latter venture.  After leaving the newspaper business, he was labor commissioner of Nebraska, and then became superintendent of the cemetery, which is a life position.  His many friends in Nebraska will be pleased to know that he is not only doing well, but is enjoying excellent health.”

In May, 1902, Jacob’s and Mary’s daughter, Alice, had been dead for over a year.  She was buried at the National Cemetery now located in Alexandria, Louisiana.

From the Omaha Morning World-Herald dated 22 Mar 1901’

“FORMER OMAHA TEACHER DEAD

Miss Alice Erion died at Pineville, La. -- Was Well Known Hero

Special Dispatch to the World-Herald, Pineville, La., March 21-Miss Alice Erion, daughter of J. B Erion, superintendent of the National Cemetery at this place, died this morning.

Miss Erion was well known and very popular in Omaha, where she was formerly a teacher in the public schools.”

(A more detailed account of the short life of Alice L. Erion will appear in a later posting on this blog.)

Documentation from Jacob’s pension file shows that by 1907, Jacob and Mary were living in Beaufort, South Carolina.  They lived there at least through 1910 because the 1910 US census shows Jacob and Mary living in Beaufort, South Carolina, where Jacob was the Superintendent of the National Cemetery there.  In her letter previously presented in another posting on this blog, Jacob’s granddaughter Fern implies that Jacob was Superintendent of all the Union cemeteries in the South.  (Fern and her mother Jennie Erion Terry visited Jacob and Mary while they were living in Beaufort, South Carolina.)  I have not been able to determine exactly how this appointment was handled, but Fern also mentioned that Jacob and Mary lived in Hampton Roads, Virginia.


By 12 Jun 1912, Jacob and Mary were living in Chunchula, Mobile County, Alabama.  In a 4 Oct 1912 letter to the Commissioner of Pensions, the couple had moved to 48 Houston Street,  Mobile, Alabama.  While living on Houston Street, Jacob received a letter from J. L. Davenport, Commissioner of Pensions:

“Sir:  Your above cited claim for pension under the Act of May 11, 1912, requires a properly verified copy of the public, baptismal or family record of your birth.

If a copy of the family record be furnished, the officer certifying to the same should state the date of birth, the date of publication of the book in which it appears; whether the record bears any marks of erasure or alteration, and whether the appearance of the writing indicates that it is an old entry.

If you are unable to furnish the evidence indicated, you should so state under oath, giving your reasons.”

Jacob responded on 23 Apr 1913:

“Sir:  I am enclosing herewith copy of family record of my birth properly verified.  The family Bible containing the record was in possession of my younger brother, Hon. John M. Erion residing in Mitchell So. D. and was sent to me by ex., hence the delay.  Hoping this will complete my application, I am very respectfully Jacob B. Erion, 1056 Eslava Street, Mobile, Ala.

Please change my address from #48 Houston St. to #1056 Eslava St.”

Included with the above letter was the following communication, dated 23 Apr 1913, from Price Williams, Jr., Probate Judge for Mobile County, State of Alabama:

“I, Price Williams, Jr., Probate Judge for Mobile County, State of Alabama, hereby certify that the family Bible of Philip Erion and Matilda Erion, has been shown to me; said Philip and Matilda Erion, were married on the 30th of November, 1837, and that Jacob Erion was one of the children of said Philip and Matilda, and was born on the 29th of August, 1842.  That said Bible was published by W. & H. Meriam in 1846.

The record of said birth appears in said Bible without any marks of erasure, and alteration, and the writing therein clearly indicates that it is an old entry.
Witness my hand and seal of office at Mobile, Alabama, April 23, 1913.

/s/ P. Williams, Jr.”

(Copies of both documents are in the Pension File of Jacob B. Erion, National Archives.)

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Jacob Erion had Red Hair! Who Knew? Part V

Mary  Leonard Erion
Jacob B. Erion
 My grandfather once told me he would like to know more about his grandfather.  However, it was during a time when I was having my own children and the days were filled with raising the next generation.  There was no time to look back.  But now there is.  My Granddad passed away in 1983 but I have always remembered his words to me and this blog is a result of that remembering.   I have sourced my information.  These are my own words except where indicated. 


* * * * * * * * *  *
 Nevertheless, Jacob continued as the Deputy Labor Commissioner into 1895, producing mortgage receipt reports and livestock reports which were published in the local Omaha newspapers.  Jacob was still in office when Governor Holcomb, elected under a fusion ticket between Populists and Democrats, succeeded Governor Crounse in the State House.  Holcomb’s term as Governor of Nebraska was 1895-1899.  Jacob also kept track of supplies available for disasters and reported to Governor Holcomb that 95 train cars of relief supplies were ready at the train depot in Lincoln, Nebraska.  (Source: [Omaha] World-Herald, 9 Feb 1895)  

“IT’S A LIBEL.”   This headline greeted readers of the March 3, 1895 edition of the (Omaha) Sunday World-Herald.  “Erion’s Industrial Map Said to Be a Discredit.”  Deputy Labor Commissioner Jacob Erion had, under the direction of the bureau of labor and industrial statistics, issued an industrial map of Nebraska, broken down county by county, with the amount of surplus products that had been marketed during 1893.  Commissioner Utt, after looking at the map, said that “if the map was as incorrect regarding the state at large as it was in the figures given for Douglas county, it was not only worthless but a libel on the state and should be suppressed.”  

Commissioner Utt estimated that the output for 1893 was 29,575 cars of surplus, not the 8,456 that was stated in Erion’s report.  Also Utt believed packing house  products from South Omaha had increased to 30,240, which made South Omaha a stronger market than Kansas City.  (Whether any of this was true has not been determined.  When reading these articles, keep in mind that the commissioners were political appointees and South Omaha was in competition with Kansas City regarding livestock shipped, bought and sold, and slaughtered.  Whether Jacob would have deliberately published something that showed Omaha, particularly South Omaha in a poor light is questionable.  He was a citizen of South Omaha and it served him no purpose to print something that was not true.)

  Wherever politics were,  so was Jacob B. Erion.  The August 19, 1897 edition of the [Omaha] Morning World-Herald reported that the republican primary to elect delegates to the county convention would be held at Sage’s store, 28th and O Street.

  “The republican camp will be enlivened by the preliminary skirmishing of J. B. Erion, who has the old soldiers’ support.”

It was during the 1890s when Jacob Erion began seeking his pension from the US Army in earnest.  In his pension file from the National Archives are copies of several affidavits from persons who knew Jacob and his family while they were living in South Omaha, among them being D. F. Bayless, J. E Hart, and J. M. Glasgow, M.D. (who was also postmaster of South Omaha).  These affidavits, sworn under oath, attested to Jacob’s character and contributions to South Omaha.  They also swore, under oath, that Jacob suffered from chronic diarrhea and that he was frequently incapacitated.  

D. F. Bayless and J. E. Hart stated in a Neighbors’ Affidavit dated 26 May 1891:

  “We have lived in the same city with him [Jacob] for the respective lengths of time named above and have seen him frequently almost daily and know him intimately, know that he is suffering from chronic diarrhea and heart disease and is frequently laid up and under treatment from physicians.  Neither witness hereunto subscribed has ever worked for him neither has he worked for them, but J. E. Hart has worked with him [Jacob] in the publishing business.  Mr. Erion has managed as far as able for some years a newspaper business in South Omaha but as stated above is often unable to be at his office and certainly could not perform common labor.  We are acquainted with his disabilities from our intimate acquaintance with him and from conversation with him.  His disability is in no way due to his habits which are good.”

A Physician’s Affidavit attested to on that same date by J. M. Glasgow, M.D., stated:

  “I hereby certify that I have known Jacob B. Erion for the past five years and have treated him at various times during said period.  He sufferred [sic] from chronic diarrhea at times so as to render him unfit from performing manual labor of any kind [unreadable].  Also from heart lesion of a very severe character all of which I have no doubt were contracted in the volunteer service of the United States.  Do not consider that he is capable of performing manual labor of an exhaustive nature of any kind whatever.”

Apparently part of the problem was that in Jacob’s original application for a Civil War Pension, Jacob had stated that he suffered his sunstroke in 1864.  In an affidavit dated 28 May 1890, and filed by Jacob’s attorney, George E. Lemon, testified to the following:

“If in his original application it is alleged that he received sunstroke in 1864, it is an error as said disability was incurred in 1862, he respectfully asks that his application be amended accordingly.”

Additional documents found in the Pension File of Jacob B. Erion, obtained from the National Archives, showed that his pension was refused at least twice because a “Jacob B. Erion” could not be found.  A “Jacob Erion” was found, but no “Jacob B. Erion” could be located.  On 23 May 1892, Jacob B. Erion swore to the following affidavit in Douglas County, Nebraska:

  “In the matter of claim for Inv. Pension 761279, Jacob B. Erion, Company A 4 Ohio personally came before me, a notary public, in and for aforesaid County and State, Jacob B. Erion, South Omaha, Nebraska, a person of lawful age, who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:  ‘In 1879 I began writing my name J. B. Erion for the reason that I had a brother, Joseph Erion, and most of our mail was addressed “J. Erion” which caused confusion.  I enlisted under the name Jacob Erion and adopted the “B” for business reasons.”

Amazingly, seven years later, in a document dated 2 Jun 1899, the Department of Interior-Bureau of Pensions was still using the same excuse for not granting Jacob a pension, to-wit:

  “Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions, with the information that in the case of Jacob Erion, Co. A, 4 Ohio Inf. Military records furnish the following additional to enclosed report:  Ate at enlistment 18 years; height 5 ft. 7 in.; complexion, light; eyes, blue; hair, red; born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio; a farmer.  Name Jacob B. Erion not found.”

Jacob would spend the rest of his life filing documents to prove that he deserved this pension.  Another problem was that Congress would continually change the rules under which a Civil War veteran could obtain a pension.  When finally granted, Jacob then would have to file documents asking for increases in his pension.  His case was handled by a Medical Referee who invariably requested more medical documentation.  Jacob was a persistent man.

 On August 20, 1897, an article entitled “Erion’s Plum in Sight” appeared in the [Omaha] Morning World-Herald.  If Jacob could pass an examination, he would be appointed superintendent of a national cemetery.  Jacob was ordered to report to an examining board of army officers at Fort Crook.  (Source: [Omaha] Sunday World-Herald, 29 Aug 1897)   

Jacob passed the exam.   Barring his time spent as a child in Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, Jacob had lived the longest in South Omaha, moving there with Mary and their children in 1885.  The Erions were considered to be long time residents, and, to quote the [Omaha] Morning World-Herald (which now appeared to like him . . . possibly because he might be leaving? Bleu), “Colonel Erion has always been a prominent factor in the growth and development of south Omaha, being one of the pioneers.” 

 The following article appeared in the Omaha World Herald:

 Colonel Erion Soon Goes East, published 22 Feb 1898

“Colonel Jacob B. Erion soon leaves for Mound City, Ill., where he takes the superintendency of the national cemetery, having been appointed some time ago.  Colonel Erion has always been a prominent factor in the growth and development of South Omaha, being one of the pioneers.  He came here in 1885 and started the South Omaha Globe and as the stock market began to develop he, with Charles H. Rich of Omaha, established the Stockman, which was and is still devoted to livestock matters.  Mr. Erion continued with the Stockman until a few years ago, when the plant was sold to the present publishing company.  During Governor Crounse’s administration the colonel was state labor commissioner.  He has a very pleasant home in the northern part of this city and an interesting family.  It is probable that they will continue to reside here.”

Mound City, Illinois was founded at the abandoned settlement of Trinity in 1854 at the confluence of the Ohio and Cache Rivers.  The river front became extremely important to the Union navy during the Civil War and it had the only repair facility for the Mississippi Squadron, a fleet of 80 ships.  

Whether Mary went with her husband to Mound City, Illinois, has not been determined.  Their youngest child, Lloyd Dewitt Erion, was twenty years old when his father was appointed superintendent of the National Cemetery at Mound City.  The next year, 1899, Lloyd married Martha M. Smith in South Omaha, Nebraska so the family probably did stay in South Omaha. 

Now, in reference to Mound City, in the copies of Jacob B. Erion’s pension file from the National Archives, there was no reference made to the National Cemetery in Mound City, Illinois. I included the above information on Mound City based on the information in the newspaper article quoted above. On one of Jacob’s pension forms, he was asked to list his residences and he replied, “. . . and at various National Cemeteries as Superintendent.”  On this same form he had left out his time in Appleton City, MO so it is possible that Jacob did spend time at Mound City, Illinois. 

By 24 Jun 1899, Jacob, Mary, and daughter Alice were living in Pineville, Louisiana.  He was the Superintendent of the National Cemetery at Alexandria, Louisiana. In Jacob’s Pension File from the National Archives is the following letter:

Pineville, La., June 13, 1899

Hon. H. Clay Evans, Com. of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Sir:
Replying to your circular letter of instruction regarding my claim for pension under “Old Law” I have concluded that it would be very difficult, if not impossible for me to furnish the necessary evidence as required by your letter and accompanying blanks.  Too many years have elapsed and I have changed about too much.  My present pension of $6 per month, recently granted under law of June 27, 1890, is hardly justice, but I now hold a position under the Government, the salary of which is sufficient for a living.  Therefore I neither intend to push the old law claim nor ask for an increase under the new at present.  I return herewith blanks sent, including notice to appear for examination.  Should it be necessary for me to appear before an examiner board, for any reason, please direct me to nearest one here as I am located here until further orders, and cannot appear at Omaha.

I wrote your office about a year ago, calling attention to the fact that my certificate, 943321, was not dated back to date of first application, as I believe the law specifies.  I wish that point could be examined and if a mistake has been made, have it rectified.

                                                                Very Respectfully,                                
                                                                Your Obt. Servant
Jacob B. Erion, 
Rapides Parish, Pineville, La.