The previous three 2nd great grandmothers were all women who lived long and full lives.
Mary Jane Williams - Slayton 60 yrs
Rebeca Lavinia Evans - Mitchell 81 yrs
Josephine Carter - Hayes 61 yrs
As this project has continued to document my 2nd great grandmothers, I realized I wanted to make a comparison chart to see them all side by side. So much commonality. I guess I think that by studying them, I will understand more about myself, or at least about where I came from. It's not an easy task - delving into the past. Romanticizing the information makes it interesting, and the reality is that I will never truly know these woman, their hopes and dreams. All I can do is find facts. This is the reality of being a historian.
Arthasusan Ruth (1867 - 1896). She was born November 14, 1867 in Cass County, Missouri. This is 100 years and 1 day before me, my birthday is November 15. She is the daughter of Mary Frances Teasley. At the time, Mary Frances was married to William Ruth who was fighting in the Civil War. Mary Frances cohabited with William's younger brother, John E. Ruth during this time and conceived, but miscarried 2 children. When William returned from the war, a disagreement ensued, and the couple separated. Mary Frances "married" twice more, although no divorce has been recorded for her and William. The first "marriage" was to John Vest and second to Christopher Columbus Parker. This information is documented in family testamonies and bible records. Therefore, the father for Arthasusan is unknown. Her birth is confirmed through the 1870 census and her marriage license to Joseph H Shafter (1860 - 1946). The couple married in Cass County, Missouri and for some reason moved to Christian County, Illinois where Arthasusan is buried. Known as Susie, she died at the very tender age of 28, leaving 4 small children behind (Charles, Josie, Albert and Lotta). According to census records 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930, Joseph never remarried. He had living with him his sisters Emma or Mary. I have not found any pictures of Susie yet, and I had to put in a request to the cemetery where she is reported to be buried for a headstone picture.
The "parents" in Susie's life all passed before she was 20 years old: Frances Teasley, Christopher Parker, James Vest and John E Ruth. William Ruth remarried shortly after Susie's birth and moved to Oregon with his new family. She had 4 half brothers and 5 half sisters. From the records available, it appears none of these siblings interacted with Susie's widower husband and children after Susie's young death. Her younger sisters remained in Cass County, Missouri and her older siblings were scattered across the Midwest. During her brief lifetime in both Cass County, Missouri and Christian County, Illinois, the expansion of the railroads loomed as the biggest change. Both areas remain to this day small town areas with working class citizens.
Of her 4 children, 3 of them had very long lives. The youngest daughter, Lotta Ellen, married Arnoldus Hayes sometime before 1910. I am descended from Lotta, but I actually know very little about this line in my family. Lotta died when she was only 26 during the Spanish Flu epidemic. Her son, Leo, my grandfather, never knew his mother and was raised by his father and stepmother. Leo had what my mother, Charlotte E Hayes called a restless gypsy spirit. Leo moved his family back and forth across the country for most of my mother's childhood. Family connections and information did not happen. I was an adult before I learned about other family members, and sadly, those with possible information about Lotta and Arthasusan passed away before I ever had a chance to ask questions.
My search continues for family members in either the Shafer or Ruth lines who might can provide me pictures, stories or leads elsewhere.
http://tacnet.missouri.org/history/railroads/bates_county_chap38.html
Mary Jane Williams - Slayton 60 yrs
Rebeca Lavinia Evans - Mitchell 81 yrs
Josephine Carter - Hayes 61 yrs
As this project has continued to document my 2nd great grandmothers, I realized I wanted to make a comparison chart to see them all side by side. So much commonality. I guess I think that by studying them, I will understand more about myself, or at least about where I came from. It's not an easy task - delving into the past. Romanticizing the information makes it interesting, and the reality is that I will never truly know these woman, their hopes and dreams. All I can do is find facts. This is the reality of being a historian.
Arthasusan Ruth (1867 - 1896). She was born November 14, 1867 in Cass County, Missouri. This is 100 years and 1 day before me, my birthday is November 15. She is the daughter of Mary Frances Teasley. At the time, Mary Frances was married to William Ruth who was fighting in the Civil War. Mary Frances cohabited with William's younger brother, John E. Ruth during this time and conceived, but miscarried 2 children. When William returned from the war, a disagreement ensued, and the couple separated. Mary Frances "married" twice more, although no divorce has been recorded for her and William. The first "marriage" was to John Vest and second to Christopher Columbus Parker. This information is documented in family testamonies and bible records. Therefore, the father for Arthasusan is unknown. Her birth is confirmed through the 1870 census and her marriage license to Joseph H Shafter (1860 - 1946). The couple married in Cass County, Missouri and for some reason moved to Christian County, Illinois where Arthasusan is buried. Known as Susie, she died at the very tender age of 28, leaving 4 small children behind (Charles, Josie, Albert and Lotta). According to census records 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930, Joseph never remarried. He had living with him his sisters Emma or Mary. I have not found any pictures of Susie yet, and I had to put in a request to the cemetery where she is reported to be buried for a headstone picture. The "parents" in Susie's life all passed before she was 20 years old: Frances Teasley, Christopher Parker, James Vest and John E Ruth. William Ruth remarried shortly after Susie's birth and moved to Oregon with his new family. She had 4 half brothers and 5 half sisters. From the records available, it appears none of these siblings interacted with Susie's widower husband and children after Susie's young death. Her younger sisters remained in Cass County, Missouri and her older siblings were scattered across the Midwest. During her brief lifetime in both Cass County, Missouri and Christian County, Illinois, the expansion of the railroads loomed as the biggest change. Both areas remain to this day small town areas with working class citizens.
Of her 4 children, 3 of them had very long lives. The youngest daughter, Lotta Ellen, married Arnoldus Hayes sometime before 1910. I am descended from Lotta, but I actually know very little about this line in my family. Lotta died when she was only 26 during the Spanish Flu epidemic. Her son, Leo, my grandfather, never knew his mother and was raised by his father and stepmother. Leo had what my mother, Charlotte E Hayes called a restless gypsy spirit. Leo moved his family back and forth across the country for most of my mother's childhood. Family connections and information did not happen. I was an adult before I learned about other family members, and sadly, those with possible information about Lotta and Arthasusan passed away before I ever had a chance to ask questions.
My search continues for family members in either the Shafer or Ruth lines who might can provide me pictures, stories or leads elsewhere.
http://tacnet.missouri.org/history/railroads/bates_county_chap38.html
Hello Stacci:
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your doing this and giving me an update from time to time.
For me, the "Gypsy" lifestyle I had while growing up is the reason I have no interest in traveling, even to this day.
Also the reason I dont make friends easily.
I guess I inherited this gypsy spirit, because I am always ready to get up and go...........I long to see the places others have gone, especially those where my family once lived.
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