Thursday, June 3, 2010

Mary Frances Leonard Erion (1845-1914)



Mary Leonard Erion was my great great grandmother. She was the wife of Jacob Benjamin Erion and the mother of six children: Jennie Mabel; Luella Matilda; Alice L.; Francis Leonard; Esther; and my great grandfather, Lloyd DeWitt Erion. She is shown above with her husband, Jacob, and their family.

(One of the things I've learned about researching family history is that to write about the lives of the women, one must write about the lives of their fathers and husbands. Not until the second half of the 20th century have women come out of the shadows and become more visible. It's really a shame since we comprise fifty percent of the world's population and, without us, there would be no population!)

Mary Leonard Erion was born 23 Nov 1845 in Logan County, OH. (Source: Linn County, Iowa History to 1878.) Her parents were John Leonard and Lucinda Rush Leonard. (Source: Fern E. Terry, granddaughter of Mary Leonard Erion). Mary was the third of nine children.

According to information found in The Biographical Record of Knox County Ohio to Which is Added an Elaborate Compendium of National Biography, pages 43 and 44 (Chicago; The Lewis Publishing Company, 1902), contributed by John Leonard's second wife, Harriet Boudinot Leonard:

"John Leonard, now deceased, was one of the honored pioneers of Knox county, where he located when this portion of the state was a wiild frontier region in which the work of progress and development had scarcely been begun. His labors added to the general advancement and improvement, and in the passing of the years he was acknowledged to be one of the most valuable representatives of the farming interests of the county.

Mr. Leonard was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Washington county, of the Keystone state, on the 28th of March, 1814. His education was there obtained in the primitive schools of [that] time, and through the summer months the work of the home farm claimed his attention. He was but thirteen years of age when he came to Knox county [Ohio] with his parents, Samuel and Phebe (Logan) Leonard, who entered a large tract of land in Morris township and there began the development of a farm. Our subject shared with his family in all the hardships and trials of pioneer life and bore his share in the arduous task of reclaiming wild land for purposes of civilization. Throughout his entire life he carried on general farming and at his death was the owner of a very valuable and richly improved tract of land of three hundred and fifty acres. . . . Mr. Leonard devoted his time and energies to general farming and owned and operated three hundred and fifty acres of land, constituting a valuable and highly improved tract. He was industrious and energetic, and his capable management made him one of the prosperous farmers of his locality. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office. He served as township trustee and for a number of terms was supervisor, discharging his duties in a manner that won him the commendation of all concerned. He co-operated in all movements which he believed would prove of general good, and in matter of business and private concern he was ever straightforward and honorable, commanding the respect of his fellow men in a high measure. He passed away October 28, 1893, and the community mourned the loss of one of its best citizens, while in the household, his place can never be filled."

So that was Mary's father, John Leonard. Mary's mother, Lucinda Rush Leonard, died before 1866. I am still researching Lucinda. (As I said before, our foremothers are living in the shadows.)

On 31 Dec 1863, Mary Frances Leonard and Jacob Benjamin Erion, the son of Philip Erion and Matilda Latham Erion, married. (Source: Family bible of Jacob Benjamin Erion.) Mary’s life was one of being a loving mother and a supportive wife to her restless husband, Jacob. Between 1870 and 1875, the family lived in Linn County, IA, then moved to Bates County, MO, then on to Appleton City, MO, where Jacob is listed as having a saddlery and harness business. (Source: Linn County History to 1878.) By 1878, the family is once again living in Linn County, IA. Mary’s husband Jacob is running a circulating library and is also a druggist. (Source: Linn County History to 1878)

The 1880 census finds the family living in Lewis, Cass County, IA. Jacob is the owner and publisher of the “Lewis Independent.” By 1885, the family had moved to South Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, where Jacob began the first newspaper in South Omaha, “The Globe.” He also began the newspaper, “The Stockman.” Between 1885 and 1899, Mary and her family lived in South Omaha. According to articles found in various Omaha newspapers, the Erions entertained frequently. Jacob was appointed by the Governor of Nebraska to the position of Deputy Labor Commissioner for the State of Nebraska. (Source: Lincoln Evening News, 26 Apr 1893)

The 1900 US census finds Jacob and Mary and their daughter Alice living in Pineville, LA. Jacob, a Civil War veteran, had applied for and received an appointment as Superintendent of the North-South National Cemetery, now known as Alexandria National Cemetery. According to files found in the National Archives, Mary and Jacob were living in Beaufort, South Carolina by 1907. This is verified by the 1910 US Census which lists Jacob’s occupation as keeper of the National Cemetery.

Throughout all these moves, Mary was giving birth to and raising their six children. Her daughter Alice died of Bright's Disease while Jacob, Mary and Alice were living in Pineville, Louisiana. Mary was with Jacob every step of the way. Her granddaughter, Fern E. Terry, wrote of her grandmother: “Grandmother Mary Frances (Leonard) Erion was a very kind and thoughful woman who took good care of her family and helped others when she could. (You see, I visited them when I was 10 years old.)”

According a copy of the death certificate issued by the State of Alabama, Mary Leonard Erion passed away on 15 Sep 1914 at 12:30 p.m. at her home at 1056 Eslava Street, Mobile, Alabama. She had been ill for over one year with carcinoma of the cervix and undergone curettage six months before her death. The place of interment was Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama.

A picture of Mary's and her husband Jacob's grave can be seen at www.findagrave.com. The beautiful picture was taken by Tim Childree of Mobile, AL.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The death certificate of Louisa Mundfrom Krumwied


According to a copy of the death certificate issued by the State of Nebraska, Louisa Mundfrom Krumwied was born 5 Aug 1850 in Germany, the daughter of Fred Mundfrom and Dora Hansa Mundfrom. She came to the United States with her parents in 1855. Louisa and Henry Krumwied were married about 1870. Together they had three known children, one of whom was my great grandfather.

Louisa was living at 97 Benson Acres, Omaha, Nebraska, when she died of “mitral insufficiency” and “senile arteriosclerosis” on 16 Oct 1919, at the age of 69 years 2 months and 11 days. Louisa was buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska, under the direction of Frank Janda, undertaker, on 19 Oct 1919.

The informant for this death certificate was the undertaker, Fred Janda.

This information has also been posted on Findagrave.com by me.

The death certificate of Henry Krumwied


According to a copy of the death certificate issued by the State of Nebraska, Henry Krumwied was born 24 Jun 1847 in Germany. He came to the United States with his parents in 1855. Henry came to the United States with his birth family around 1853. Henry Krumwied and Louisa Mundfrom were married about 1870. Together they had three known children, one of whom was my great grandfather. Henry died on 27 Aug 1925 at 8 p.m. of a “cerebral haemorrhage” brought on by “arteriosclerosis.” Henry was 78 years, 2 months and 3 days when he passed away. He was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska, on 30 Aug 1925, under the direction of Frank F. Janda, undertaker.

This information was also published by me on findagrave.com.

The death certificate of Henry L. Smith



According to a copy of the death certificate issued by the State of Nebraska, Henry L. Smith was born in Illinois on 18 Apr 1852 to Robert T. Smith, and Martha Burrough Smith, both of New Jersey. Henry was the eldest of three known children. The informant for Henry’s death certificate was L. D. Erion, the son-in-law of Henry L. Smith. According to Henrietta Christine Jann Smith’s memoir, she married Henry L. Smith in Des Moines, IA on 1 Jul 1877. Together, Henry and Henrietta had four children, the oldest one being my great grandmother. In the 1880 US Census Henry’s occupation is shown as “bartender” in Des Moines, IA. By the 1885 Iowa State Census Henry has a restaurant. Between 1885 and 1889, the Smith family moves from Des Moines, IA to South Omaha, Nebraska.

According to Omaha, Nebraska 1889-1890 city directories, Henry L. Smith is listed as working as a barkeeper at the T-Rock, North 27 & L, South Omaha, Nebraska. By 1899 Henry is working as a bartender at Berlin & Healey according to a March 3, 1899 article found in the Omaha World Herald. By 1904 newspaper reports reveal that Henry L. Smith is seriously ill. He recovered and for the next nine years the family moved between Nebraska and Iowa, finally settling in Bellevue, Sarpy County, Nebraska, where on 7 Oct 1918 at 6 a.m., Henry L. Smith passed away at the age of 66 years, 5 months, and 19 days. The cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis from which he had suffered for at least six years. Henry was buried on 9 Oct 1918 under the direction of G. H. Brewer, undertaker.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Death certificate for Charles Krumwied


According to a copy of the death certificate issued by the State of Nebraska, Charles Krumwied was born 4 Mar 1873, in Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, to Henry Krumwied and Louisa Mundfrom Krumwied. Charles and his siblings were the first generation to be born in the United States, his parents having immigrated from Germany. Charles married Jennie Rozendal, daughter of Pieter Jarigs Rozendal and Grietje Korttje Rozendal. Together, Charles and Jennie had eight children, one of whom was my grandmother. For a short time, Charles and his birth family lived in Jerrauld County, South Dakota. However, most of his life was spent in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, where he operated a truck farm. According to Charles’s death certificate. He died of failure of the heart at Douglas County Hospital on 11 Sep 1957. Charles Krumwied was 84 years at the time of his death. He was buried on 14 Sep 1957 in Mount Hope Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska, under the direction of Hayne and Roeder Funeral Home.

I also published this information on www.findagrave.

Death certificate for Henrietta Christine Jann Smith

According to a copy of the death certificate issued by the State of Nebraska, Henrietta Christine Jann Smith was born on 13 Jan 1854 in New York City, NY. She was the oldest child of German-born Andrew Jann and Margaretha Horn Jann who came to the United States in 1853. The family settled in Iowa City, IA, where Henrietta’s father, Andrew worked for a stagecoach company. When the company moved to Des Moines, so did the Jann family. Henrietta was living in Des Moines, IA, when she met her future husband, Henry L. Smith. They were married on 1 Jul 1877 in Des Moines. Together, Henrietta and Henry had four children, one of whom was my great grandmother. The family moved from Iowa to Nebraska around 1890. They lived there until 1910 when they moved briefly back to Pottawatomie County, IA, but were back in Nebraska by 1915. Henrietta’s husband passed away in 1918, leaving Henrietta a widow.

In an unpublished memoir in which Henrietta writes about her childhood, she ends with “I am well at 82 years. Much better than I was when younger. I am a member of the Dundee Presbyterian Church, love all the people there, love my Bellevue friends. did not have anything to do today so just wanted to see how much I could remember. . . . .I love my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and my dear friends and sisters and their families. Many thanks and love to all.”

Henrietta passed away three years later, at the age of 85 years, 10 months, and 24 days, on 7 Dec 1939 on Cuming Street, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. Cause of death is listed as “arteriosclerosis”. Henrietta was buried on 9 Dec 1939 in Bellevue Cemetery under the direction of Brewer-Korisko Funeral Home.

I also published this information on www.findagrave.com.