.
Gideon Bear

and
Mary Gwin

(first child of Richard Walton Gwin and Nancy Elizabeth Watkins)
.


Page Updated July 2011

with census data for several cousins

Page Updated Feb 2009

with additions to the families of 25.12/26.01--Everett G. Thomas and his sister, 26.04--
Nelle Thomas

Return to Genealogy Home Page  Return to Richard W. and Nancy W. Gwin page

The updating of the numbering system used on this page has been completed. Generation 28 is my own;
27 is that of my parents; 29 is that of my children, etc.  --   John M. Gwin, Mar 2009


The reformatting of the name font and census data for this page has been completed. --John M. Gwin, Aug 2011


Sources:

Cousin Beth Ann Carlson Geltz (BACG) is the source of all the following data in this color blue.

Cousin Veda Ballard emailed us with more information, all of which appears below in this green.

Cousin Tammy Cameron sent updates on her line which appear in this purple.

Other data has been gleaned from various census and other documents.


Here's an Overview of the Known Family


21.0--Richard Gwin m. Sarah Chesley
22.0--Isham Gwin, b. ca. 1764; d. ca. Dec 1830 ca. age 66; m. Mary Canterbury (b. ca. 1770; d. aft. 1850; d/o Samuel Canterbury {s/o John Canterbury and Elizabeth Harper} and Elizabeth [nee unk])
23.01--Polly Gwin, m. Thomas Walker, Jr.
23.02--Elizabeth Gwin, m. David Denton
23.03--William Gwin, m. Susanah Beard
23.04--John Gwin, m. Jane Walker
23.05--Virginia Jane Gwin m1. Mr. Tipton; m2. Benjamin Weathers
23.06--Isham Gwin II
23.07--unk. (dau.?) Gwin (son Chesley Gwin?)
23.08--Richard Walton Gwin m. Nancy Elizabeth Watkins

24.01--Mary Gwin, m. Gideon Bear 
24.02--William Watkins Gwin, m. Catherine Bush {PHOTOS}
24.03--Jane Gwin, m. Jehu William Haigler
24.04--Sarah Gwin, m. Enoch Haigler
24.05--Martha Gwin, m. William W. Snyder
24.06--John Gwin, m. Mary J. (nee unk.)
24.07--Eliza Louisa Gwin, m. Ezra T. Wells
24.08--Nancy Gwin, d. 1843; m. never
24.09--Elizabeth Gwin, m. Moses Adams
24.10--Marguerette Gwin, m.  unk.
24.11--Caroline C. Gwin, m. John H. Dunn
24.12--Anna Bear Gwin, m. William Beck Freeman {PHOTOS}
24.13--Richard W. Gwin, (Jr.), m. Mary E. (nee unk.) {PHOTOS}
24.14--Martin V. Gwin, m1. Mary C. Butcher; m2. Isabella (nee unk.)
24.15--Silas Walton Gwin, m. Cora A. (nee unk.) {PHOTOS}
23.09--Nancy Gwin m. Squire Houston
23.10--Sarah Gwin m. Mr. Houston
23.11--Manerva Gwin m. Elijah Wright



And here are the Bears' Descendants in greater detail:

24.01--Mary Gwin, b. 13/15 Feb 1825 in Harrison Co., IN; d. 28 Nov 1893 in Richmond, Washington Co., IA [aged 68 y, 9 m, 13 d, from gravestone]; bd. Richmond Protestant Cem.--Find A Grave Memorial# 19698170; m. (BACG:12 Sep 1841) to Gideon Bear (b. 7 Aug 1810 (BACG: 8 Aug 1810) in Lehigh Co., PA; d. 1 Dec 1884 in Richmond, Washington Co., IA [aged 74 y, 3 m, 24 d, from gravestone]; bd. Richmond Protestant Cem.--Find A Grave Memorial# 19698170); 14 ch.
[listed as Mary Bear, age 31, in 1856 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.];
[listed as Mary Bear, age 59, in the 1885 Iowa State Census of T77 R8 S36 SE SE, Washington Co., IA]

[listed as Gideon Bear, age 45, in 1856 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.]

[John M. Gwin Note: My fifth cousin once removed Beth Ann Carlson Geltz (BACG) is the source of all the following data in this color blue. As you can see in this paragraph, she has Gideon's d.o.b. as 8 Aug 1810 and their marriage date as 12 Sep 1841. I gleaned all this blue data from her great page at http://koalitygenealogy.tripod.com/id23.html. Thanks for posting this, Cousin Beth!];

[
John M. Gwin Note: Now we've found the page at http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/washington/cemeteries/wascemric.txt which has a few different pieces of data: 
Bear Gideon (17 Aug 1810--01 Dec 1884) Husband of Mary Bear; Aged 74 yrs, 3 mos, 24 dys   
Bear Mary (15 Feb 1825--28 Nov 1893) Wife of Gideon Bear; Aged 68yrs, 9mos, 13dys
Bear Lydia E. (11 May 1860--23 Nov 1861) Aged 1yr 6 mo 12 days; Daughter of Jo H.& S.J. Bear
];

From A History of Washington County, Iowa, from the first white settlements to 1908, Vol. 1, "English River", pp. 150-51 (transcribed from the Googlebooks PDF by John M. Gwin):
ENGLISH RIVER

It was settled early, there was plenty of brush and water, and folk eagerly sought the region and settled before the land was surveyed, and there was a great deal of violence resulting from jumping claims.  Cyrus Cox and Stephen and Jonathan Bunker came in '39, and by 1840 George O'Loughlin, Addison Williams, David Bunker, S. B. Cooper, B. Creswell, Paddy Connolly, Gideon Bear, Wm. Shaw, Daniel Bunker, John and Joel Tyler and Joshua Williams, Eli H. Adams, Pressley Figgens.  Between 1840 and '46 there was a heavy consignment of settlers--Wm. Gwinn and his sisters, Mesdames Mary Bear, Martha Snyder, and Elizabeth Adams; Absalom Bush, J. F. Hamilton, Ephraim Adams, John S. Mapel, Peter Sharp, the Bailey family, Wm Britton, Michael Wee, John Schillig of Alsace, Brantly Bray and Austin, Madison Lauder, and W. B. Kerr, J.P., one of the the shrewdest men in the county history, a modest, quiet man with a keen sense of humor, full of dry fun and possessed of the liveliest appreciation of the odd people around.  It may be truly said that in that first decade every body had a distinct flavor of inidviduality; no two persons suggested each other; each was distinct, going it on his own judgment, not leaning on any one or imitating any body.  Good specimens of what I mean were Gideon Bear, Peter Sharp, and especially C. C. Hasty.  He came when he was nineteen years young, one of ten children, breezy, vivacious, humorous, original.  By the bye, his claim is still in the family, the only one in English River township of which that may be said."

The civil township is larger than the congressional.  There were territorial local officers before the civil ones had been elected in April 1840.  So many came and came so fast, organization was a necessity.  In 1853 there were cast one hundred and forty-three votes, and in 1875 the population was one thousand four hundred and thirty-one.  The township had outstripped Crawford and Brighton and stood second to Washington.

Jonathan Bunker and Mary Randall were the first wedded pair, 'Squire Gillam tying the knot in '42, and the next candidates for bliss were Mr. Gilcrist and Cynthia Tyler.  Rebecca Cox was born in '40 and Abe Bunker in '41.





25.01--Charles E. Bear, b. unk.; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[not listed in 1856 Iowa state census of Washington Co.]

25.02--William Bear, b. 6 Oct 1842 in Washington Co., IA; d. 1864 of chest wounds in Civil War on Champion's Hill; bd. Memphis National Cem. (formerly Mississippi River Cem.) , Memphis, TN; enlisted 28 Sep 1861 in Richmond, IA, Co. K Inf. Regt.

[listed as William, age13, in 1856 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.];

25.03--Elizabeth Bear, b. 6 Jun 1844 in Washington Co., IA; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch

[listed as Elizabeth, age 11, in 1856 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.]

25.04--Jane Bear, b. 10 Nov 1845 in Washington Co., IA; d. unk., but prob. early, since she does not show in the 1850, 1856 (Iowa state), or 1860 censuses; prob. bd. Washington Co., IA; prob. m. never; no ch.

25.05--Samuel H. Bear, b. 10 Aug 1847/1848 in Washington Co., IA; d. 19 Jan 1910/1911 in Cedar Twp.; bd. Elm Grove Cem., Washington Co., IA--Find A Grave Memorial# 63240844; BACG: m. Dec 1868 to Sarah Bowersox (b. 18 Oct 1849 in Union Co., PA; d. 16 Jul 1914; bd. Elm Grove Cem., Washington Co., IA--Find A Grave Memorial# 63431372); at least 9 ch.

[listed as Samuel, age 8, in 1856 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.];
[age 51 in the 1 Jun 1900 census of the Iowa Hospital for the Insane, Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., IA]

[listed as Mrs. S. Bear, 50; b. Oct 1850 in PA/PA/PA, married w/4 of 8 ch. lvg., in the 1 Jun 1900 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]


Samuel H. Bear
Samuel H. Bear, who carries on farming and stock-raising on his place of one hundred and sixty-six acres on section 11, Cedar Township, was born in Washington County, Iowa, on the 10th of August, 1848, his parents being Gideon and Mary (Guinn) Bear.  The father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Iowa in 1837, being the third white man in Washington County.  He entered the farm on which his son, Samuel H., now resides and remained one of the substantial and respected citizens of this county until called to his final rest in 1884.  The demise of his wife occurred in 1893.  Unto this worthy couple were born thirteen children, eight of whom still survive.

Samuel H. Bear remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-one years, when he started out in life on his own account as an agriculturist, which line of activity has since claimed his time and energies.  For the past twenty-four years he has owned his present farm of
one hundred and sixty-six acres on section 11, Cedar Township, and in addition to tilling the soil, he has made a specialty of raising and feeding stock to some extent.  In all of his undertakings he displays good management and practical methods and has long been numbered among the prosperous, progressive, and representative agriculturists of his native county.

In December 1868 Mr. Bear was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Bowersox, who was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, and accompanied her parents on their removal to Stephenson County, Illinois, where the family remained for ten years.  In 1865 they went to Keokuk County, Iowa, where Mr. and Mrs. Bowersox continued to reside until called to their final rest, the former passing away May 18, 1896, while the latter died March 14, 1899.  Their family numbered twelve children, six sons and six daughters, seven of whom are yet living.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bear have been born eight children, namely:  Bertha D., whose birth occurred December 12, 1869, and who passed away May 3, 1881; Charles. H., born December 10, 1871, who follows farming in Cedar Township; Mary P., who was born April 9, 1874, and died March 1, 1889; Clara A., born March 17, 1876, who passed away October 3, 1878; Anna E., who was born June 8, 1878, and is now the wife of R. C. Reeves of Cedar Township; Myrtle E., whose birth occurred April 4, 1880, and who is now the wife of M. E. Booth of Washington County; one who died in infancy; and Tessie L., born January 31, 1891, who is at home.

In his political views Mr. Bear is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, to which the different members of his family also belong.  A resident of the county throughout his entire life, he has seen the raw prairie converted into rich farms, in the midst of which towns and cities have sprung up, bringing industrial and commercial development.  All through the years, he has been an exemplary citizen, and wherever known he is honored and esteemed.


From A History of Washington County, Iowa, from the first white..., Volume 2


26.01--Bertha D. Bear, b. 12 Dec 1869; d. 3 May 1881, age 11; bd. unk.; m. never; no ch.
[age 10 in 1880 census of English River, Keokuk, IA]
[listed as Bertha D. Bear, b. 12 Dec 1869, d. 3 May 1881, in H. A. Burrell's A Hist. of Wash. Co., IA..., Vol. 2]

26.02--Charles H. Bear, b. 10 Dec 1871/1872; d. after 1930; bd. unk.; m. to Grace V. (nee unk.; b. ca. 1880 in IA/IA/IA; d. unk.; bd. unk.); at least 4 ch.

[age 8 in 1880 census of English River, Keokuk, IA]
[listed as Charles H. Bear, b. 10 Dec 1871, in H. A. Burrell's A Hist. of Wash. Co., IA..., Vol. 2]
[listed as Charley H. Bear, 27 and b. Dec 1872 in IA/IA/PA,
in 1 Jun 1900 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Chas. H. Bear, 38 and b. IA/IA/PA, in 26 Apr 1910 census of Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Chas. H. Bear, 48 and b. IA/IA/PA, in 24 Feb 1920 census of Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Chas. H. Bear, 58 and b. IA/IA/PA, in 17 Apr 1930 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

[listed as Grace V. Bear, 21 and b. May 1879 in
IA/OH/IN, md. 2 y w/1 of 1 ch. lvg., in 1 Jun 1900 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Grace V. Bear, 30 and b. IA/OH/IN, w/2 of 2 ch. lvg., in 26 Apr 1910 census of Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Grace V. Bear, 40 and b. IA/OH/IN, in 24 Feb 1920 census of Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Grace V. Bear, 50 and b. IA/OH/IN, in 17 Apr 1930 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

27.01--Clayton E. Bear, dau., b. ca. 1899 in IA/IA/IA; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. Christa (nee unk.; b. ca. 1897; at least two ch.
[listed as Claton Bear, 1 and b. Jul 1898 in IA/IA/IA, in 1 Jun 1900 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Clayton Bear, 11 and b. IA/IA/IA, in 26 Apr 1910 census of Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Clayton E. Bear, 21 and b. IA/IA/IA, in 24 Feb 1920 census of Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Clayton E. Bear, 31 and b. IA/IA/IA, in 17 Apr 1930 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

28.01--Richard R. Bear, b. 1924 in IA/IA/IA; d. 1943; bd. Elm Grove Cem., Washington, Washington Co., IA--Find A Grave Memorial# 27674978--inscription: PVT, CO. E, 119TH INF, 3OTH DIV; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as Richard R. Bear, 6 and b. IA/IA/IA, in 17 Apr 1930 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

28.02--Dorothy J. Bear, b. ca. 1926 in IA/IA/IA; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as Dorthy J. Bear, 4 and b. IA/IA/IA, in 17 Apr 1930 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

27.02--Adrian L. Bear, b. ca. Jul 1911 in IA/IA/IA; d. bef. 1920 census; bd. unk.; m. never; no ch.
[listed as Adrian L. Bear, 0 y 9 m and b. IA/IA/IA, in 26 Apr 1910 census of Washington Co., IA]

27.03--Izola Ione D. Bear, dau., b. ca. 1916 in IA/IA/IA; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as Izola I. Bear, 4 y 8 m and b. IA/IA/IA, in 24 Feb 1920 census of Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Ione D. Bear, 14 and b. IA/IA/IA, in 17 Apr 1930 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

27.04--Charles H. Bear, Jr., b. ca. 1919 in IA/IA/IA; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as Charles B. Bear, 0 y 9 m and b. IA/IA/IA, in 24 Feb 1920 census of Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Chas. Bear, Jr., 11 and b. IA/IA/IA, in 17 Apr 1930 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

26.03--Mary Pearl Bear, b. 9 Apr 1874; d. 1 Mar 1899; bd. Richmond Cem., Washington Co., IA--Find A Grave Memorial# 19698253; m. J. E. Crull; unk. ch

[age 6 in 1880 census of English River, Keokuk, IA]

26.04--Clara A. Bear, b. 17 Mar 1876; d. 3 Oct 1878; bd. unk.; m. never; no ch. possible

26.05--Anna E. Bear, b. 8 Jun 1878; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. R. C. Reeves (b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.); lived in Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA; unk. ch.

[age 2 in 1880 census of English River, Keokuk, IA]

26.06-- Myrtle Estelle Bear, b. 4 Apr. 1880; d. 1963; bd. unk.; m. M. E. Booth of Washington Co., IA (b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.); unk. ch

[unnamed at age 3 mo. in 1880 census of English River, Keokuk Co., IA];
[listed as Myrtle Bear, 20; b. Apr 1880 in IA/IA/PA, in the 1 Jun 1900 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

26.07--unnamed Bear, b. btw. 1881 and 1890; d. in infancy; bd. unk.; m. never; no ch.

26.08--Tessie Louise Bear, b. 31 Jan 1891; d. 9 Apr 1942, age 51; bd. 14 Jul 1947 in Elm Grove Cem., Washington Co., IA--Find A Grave Memorial# 63436513; m. 3 Jan 1912 in Washington Co., IA, to Howard Henry Kerr (b. 7 Apr 1889 in Washington Co., IA, s/o Lewis Henry Kerr and Anna Hensley; d. 12 Jul 1947 in Coal Valley, age 58; bd. unk.; SSN 479-18-6384; HHK m2. 12 Jul 1947 in Washington Co., IA, to Mabel G. Alliman;)

[listed as Tessie Bear, 9; b. Jan 1891 in IA/IA/PA, in the 1 Jun 1900 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

27.01--Harold Lewis Kerr, b. 15 Sep 1912 in Washington Co., IA; d. 18 May 1992 in Iowa City, Johnson Co., IA age 79; bd. 21 May 1992 in Elm Grove Cem., Washington, Washington Co., IA; Medical Notes: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; SSN: 482-10-8693; m. 30 Jan 1939 to Mary Isabel Romine (b. 30 Jan 1919, d/o Everett Frank Romine and Neoma Riordan; d. 11 Nov 1999 in Iowa City, Johnson Co., IA, age 80; bd. Nov 1999 in Elm Grove Cem., Washington, Washington Co., IA;)
28.01--Harold Lewis Kerr (Jr.), b. 2 Jul 1940.

28.02--Thomas Kerr, b. 20 Sep 1941.

28.03--Julia Mary Kerr, b. 21 May 1945 in Washington, IA; d. ;  m1. 11 Nov 1967 in Clinton, IA, to Oakley "Oak" Louis Carlsen, Jr. (b. 4 Aug 1938 in Clinton, IA, s/o Oakley Louis Christian Carlsen [b. 21 Apr 1907 in Lyons, IA, s/o Louis Peter Carlsen and Theresa Will; d. 9 Aug 1990, Clinton, IA, age 83; bd. Springdale Cem., Clinton, Clinton Co., IA; was a firefighter] and Marjorie Lorraine Hamann; d. 28 Jul 1996 in Burlington, IA, age 57; m. 5 Jun 1937, Dixon, Lee Co., IL);

29.01--Scott Allen Carlsen, b. 24 Nov 1958 in Clinton, IA; d. 2 Jan 1999 in Burlington, IA, at age 40;

29.02--Mark Anthony Carlsen, b. 16 Mar 1960;

29.03--Beth Ann Carlsen, b. 1 Sep 1971 in Clinton, IA; m1. 14 Jul 1991 in Burlington, IA, to Elton Jon Machholz (b. unk., s/o Robert Floyd Machholz and Mary Siltanen); div.;

[John M. Gwin Note: Again, Beth Ann Carlson Geltz has a wonderful website where much of this information is published--this link will take you to Isham's and Mary's portion of her page: http://koalitygenealogy.tripod.com/id23.html#i669. And you can send her an e.mail at "Beth Geltz" <bethfamhistory@msn.com>]

30.01--Meagan Elizabeth Machholz, b. 1 Nov 1991; [PRIVATE] 
BACM m2. 25 Nov 1995 in Burlington, IA, to Jeffrey Robert Harrison; div.;

BACMH m3. 21 Dec 2003 in Burlington, IA, to David Allan Geltz (s/o Anthony Simon Geltz and Erma Ethel Kane)

JMK m2. 15 Mar 1997 to David Eugene Bachtell;
27.02--Marjorie L Kerr, b. 2 Nov 1933 and died on 20 Feb 1980 at age 46. 

27.03--Floyd Kerr, b. 

27.04--Raymond Kerr, b.

25.06--Margaret Bear, b. ca. 1850; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch

[listed as Margaret, age 7, in 1856 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.];
[age 10 in 1860 census of  Washington Co., IA]

25.07--Richard W. Bear, b. Mar 1851 in IA/PA/IL; d. ; bd. ; m. Eliza J. (nee unk., b. ca. 1841; two known ch. (fr. 1900 census)

[listed as Richard, age 5, in 1856 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.];
[age 7 in 1860 census of  Washington Co., IA];
[listed as Richard W., age 43, in 1895 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.];
[listed as Richard Bear, age 49, b. Mar 1851, m. 25 yrs, w/ one of two ch. lvg., in the 28 Jun 1900 census of English River Twp., Washington Co., IA]

[age 44 in 1895 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.];
[listed as Eliza J. Bear, age 49, b. Sep 1850, m. 25 yrs, w/ one of two ch. lvg., in the 28 Jun 1900 census of English River Twp., Washington Co., IA]

26.01--unk. Bear, b. ca. 1876; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch

[not listed in 1895 Iowa state census of  Washington Co., and assumed deceased]

26.02--Jay Bear, b. ca. 1878 in IA; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. ca. 1898 to Fannie Bell (b. Aug 1875 in WV/WV/WV (or VA/VA/VA), {d/o John W. Bell and Ellen L. Bell, both b. in WV (or VA)}; div.; d. unk.; bd. unk.); one ch.

[age 17 in 1895 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.];
[listed as Jay L. Bear, son-in-law, age 23, b. Mar 1877, m. 2 yrs, w/ one of one ch. lvg., in the 5 Jun 1900 census of Pct. 6, Pueblo, Pueblo Co., CO]

[listed as Fannie Bear, daughter, age 24, b. Aug 1875, m. 25 yrs, w/ one of one ch. lvg., in the 5 Jun 1900 census of Pct. 6, Pueblo, Pueblo Co., CO];
[listed as Edna E. Bear, daughter, age 34 and div., in the 16 Apr 1910 census of Pct. 3, Pueblo, Pueblo Co., CO]

27.01--Edna E. Bear, b. Jun 1899 in CO; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch

[listed as Edna E. Bear, daughter, age 11mos., b. Jun 1899, in the 5 Jun 1900 census of Pct. 6, Pueblo, Pueblo Co., CO];
[listed as Edna E. Bear, daughter-in-law (sic--should be granddaughter), age 10, in the 16 Apr 1910 census of Pct. 3, Pueblo, Pueblo Co., CO]

25.08--Nancy Ellen Bear, b. ca. 1854; d. unk. bd. Kalona Cem., Kalona, Washington Co., IA--Find A Grave Memorial# 63242011; m. 18 Sep 1873 in Washington Co., IA, to Presley Figgins (b. 10 Sep 1848, Washington Co., IA; d. 10 Oct 1936 in Kalona, Washington Co., IA; bd. Sharon Hill Cem. Kalona, Washington Co., IA--Find A Grave Memorial# 63242002); 7 of 7 ch. lvg. in 1900 census

http://www.kalonanews.com By Jim Truelson Published: Wednesday, July 20, 2011  --  95 years ago--July 9, 1916--Delegates to the republican county convention were F. E. Skola, Wm. Smith, L. O’Loughlin, Presley Figgins and J. F. Durst. The democratic delegates were J. R. Swartzendruber, E. E. Stutzman and W. H. Jackson.

[listed as Nancy, age 2, in 1856 Iowa state census of  Washington Co.];
[Nancy was age 6 in 1860 census of  Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Nancy Figgins
(mistranscribed as Higgins by Ancestry.com), age 26 and b. IA/PA/PA (sic), in the 17 Jun 1880 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Nancy E. Figgins, age 47 w/7 of 7 ch. lvg., in 1900 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Nancy E. Figgins, age 56 in 1910 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Nancy A. Figgins, age 66, in 1920 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]

[listed as P. Figgins (mistranscribed as Higgins by Ancestry.com), age 31 and b. IA/OH/OH, in the 17 Jun 1880 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Presley Figgins, age 62, in 1910 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Presley Figgins, age 71, in 1920 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]

26.01--Della M. Figgins
, b. unk.; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as Della Figgins (mistranscribed as Higgins by Ancestry.com), age 6 and b. IA/PA/PA (sic!), in the 17 Jun 1880 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]
listed as Della M. Figgins, schoolteacher, age 25, in 1900 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]

26.02--Carrie E. Figgins, b. unk.; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as Carrie Figgins (mistranscribed as Higgins by Ancestry.com), age 4 and b. IA/--/-- (sic), in the 17 Jun 1880 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Carrie E. Figgins, schoolteacher, age 23, in 1900 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA; she served as an enumerator in this census]

26.03--Frank Figgins, b. unk.; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as Frank Figgins (mistranscribed as Higgins by Ancestry.com), age 3 and b. IA/--/-- (sic), in the 17 Jun 1880 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]
listed as Frank Figgins, farmer, age 21, in 1900 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]

26.04--Rose Figgins, b. ca. 1879; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as Rose Figgins (mistranscribed as Higgins by Ancestry.com), age 1 and b. --/--/-- (sic), in the 17 Jun 1880 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

26.05--Mary Figgins, b. unk.; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
listed as Mary Figgins, age 17, in 1900 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]

26.06--Hal G. Figgins, b. ca. 1886 in Washington Co., IA/IA/IA; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. ca. 1910 in IA to Byrde M. (nee unk.; b. ca. 1884 in IA/NY/OH; d. unk.; bd. unk.); unk. ch.
[listed as Hal G. Figgins, age 24, in 1910 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Hal G. Figgins, age 44, in 17 Apr 1930 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

[listed as Byrde M. Figgins, age 46 and b. IA/NY/OH, in 17 Apr 1930 census of Cedar Twp., Washington Co., IA]

26.07--Wilbur N. or V. Figgins, b.1893 in Washington Co., IA; d. 1964; bd. Oak Hill Cem., Belle Plain, Benton Co., IA--Find A Grave Memorial# 70465266; m. Inez E. (nee unk.; b. 1896; d. 1986; bd. Oak Hill Cem., Belle Plain, Benton Co., IA--Find A Grave Memorial# 70465266); unk. ch.
[listed as Wilber V. Figgins, age 17 in 1910 census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA]

25.09--Wilbur Bear, b. ca. 1855; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

[listed as Gideon, age 1, in 1856 Iowa state census of  Washington Co., IA];
[age 5 in 1860 census of  Washington Co., IA]

25.10--Clara S. Bear, b. ca. 1859; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch

[age 1 in 1860 census of  Washington Co., IA]

25.11--Martha "Mattie" Bear, b. ca. 1863; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

[age 17 in 1880 census of Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Martha Bear, age 22, in the 1885 Iowa State Census of T77 R8 S36 SE SE, Washington Co., IA]

25.12--Winna "Winnie" N. Bear, b. 1867; d. unk. bd. unk.; m. 19 Jan 1886 in Richmond, IA, to Charles Critz (b. ca. 1864; d. 21 May 1936 at his home; bd. unk.); eight ch.

[age 13 in 1880 census of  Washington Co., IA]
[listed as Wina Bear, age 18, in the 1885 Iowa State Census of T77 R8 S36 SE SE, Washington Co., IA]

26.01--Celesta J. Critz, b. ca. 1887; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.02--
Wayne L. Critz, b. ca. 1889; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.03--
Paul F. Critz, b. ca. 1893; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.04--
Marie E. Critz, b. ca. 1895; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.05--Dorothy H.
Critz, b. ca. 1898; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.06--
Mark Critz, b. ca. 1902; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.07--
Critz, b. est. 1905; d. bef.1910 census; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.08--Alice Critz, b. ca. 1908; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.







The Kalona News,
"Looking Back" By Jim Truelson;
Published: Wed., 1 Jun 2011
75 years ago: 
May 21, 1936,
Richmond


Charles Critz, a member of a pioneer family of Washington county and an early resident of Richmond, passed away at his home. On January 19th, 1886, he was married to Winnie Bear at Richmond. Eight children were born to this union.

Name: Winnie N Critz
Home in 1900: Washington,
Washington Co., IA
Age: 33
Birth Date: Nov 1866
Birthplace: Iowa
Race: White
Gender: Female
R@HOH Wife
Father's
Birthplace:
Pennsylvania
Mother's
Birthplace:
Indiana
Mother: number of living children: 5
Mother: How many children: 5
Spouse's Name: Charles Critz
Marriage year: 1886
Marital Status: Married
Years married: 14
Household Members:
Name Age
Charles Critz 36
Winnie N Critz 33
Celesta J Critz 13
Wayne L Critz 11
Paul F Critz 7
Marie E Critz 5
Dorothy H Critz 2

Name: Charles Critz
Age in 1910: 45
Estimated Birth Year: 1865
Birthplace: Iowa
Relation to Head of House: Head
[Self (Head)
Father's Birth Place: France
Mother's Birth Place: Iowa
Spouse's Name: Winnie Critz
Home in 1910: Washington Ward 1, Washington, Iowa
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Charles Critz 45
Winnie Critz 43
Celeste Critz 23
Paul Critz 17
Marie Critz 15
Dorothy Critz 12
Mark Critz 8
Alice Critz 2

 

[John M. Gwin Note: My fifth cousin, Veda Ballard, emailed me with the following information, all of which appears below in this green. On Saturday, March 11, 2006, at 03:44 PM, Veda wrote: I'm searching for a Martha Baer born in Washington, IA, in the 1860's (my great-grandmother). Her grandparents may be Gwin and Canterbury. Martha married Henry Thomas in Washington Co., IA. One of their sons was Wilber Thomas (my grandfather), born in Kalona, IA, in 1894, according to his marriage certificate. Can you help me? Veda Thomas Ballard p i n e t r e e s 4 0 0 a t n c w s d o t c o m     Veda's Thomas line appears at the right (these people are unrelated to me) in a separate column until they meet with Martha and Henry in generation five below.]

From: "Veda" pinetrees400 at ncws dot com
Date: Wed Jun 07, 2006
To: "John Gwin" <jmcdgwin@zianet.com>
Subject: Just checking in....
Hi there! Hope you and your kin are doing fine. I spent some time at the library the other evening and found these. I don't know if you already have this info but here goes.
 
Our records carry 22 Dec 1801 as the marriage date of John Adam Baer and Anna Margaretha Heilman, right? In Lehigh County Hilffrich Pastoral Records, it states Anna Margaretha married John Adam Bahr on 5 Feb 1805. It was a private wedding in someone's home, and the church's pastor performed the ceremony.  Don't know which I should take as correct.
 
Gideon Baer had two sisters.  Lydia--born 26 Mar 1812 in Lehigh County, PA, and Maria--born 5 Feb 1814 same place.
 
Couldn't find the girls in a census, so I began checking births/deaths in PA and IA...Finally located a Lydia E. Bear who died 25 Mar 1864 and was buried in the Washington County Cemetery. Maybe she never married and came south to IA to be near her brother?
 
Take care,
Veda


Following, then is Veda's version of the family birth order:
25.06--Margaret A. Baer, b. 12 Apr 1849 in [city], Washington Co., IA,
 

25.07--Richard G. Baer, b. 18 Mar 1851 in [city], Washington Co., IA,
 

25.08--Nancy E. Baer, b. 21 Jan 1854 in [city], Washington Co., IA,
 

25.09--Wilbur J. Baer, b. 23 Mar 1856 in [city], Washington Co., IA,; 
 

25.10--Clara Sideen Bear, b. 25 Jan 1859 in [city], Washington Co., IA,
 

25.11--Mary Alice Baer, b. 29 Apr 1861 in [city], Washington Co., IA,

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
21.00--Mr. Thomas, b. unk.;

22.00--Johann Bernard Thomas, b. 28 Apr 1757, Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany; d.13 Dec 1789 in FHG; m. unk. date to Maria Dorothea Holler (b. 23 Sep 1756; d. 07 Mar 1838 both in Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany); 1 known ch;

23.00--Johann Kasper Thomas, b. 04 Aug 1785, Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany; m. 10 May 1808, FHG, to Anna Eva Billasch (b. 25 Aug 1784; d. 4 Mar 1814, in FHG)


24.01--Johann Kasper Thomas, b. 08 Apr 1809 in Fauerbach, Hesse, Ger;

24.02--Johann Philipp Thomas (seems odd spelling but document shows it this way), b. 20 Mar 1811 in FHG; m. 09 Sep 1838 in FHG to Anna Eva Kammer (b. 22 Dec 1816; d. 18 Sep 1864 in English River Twnsp., Washington Co., IA; d. 22 Aug 1878 English River Twnsp., Washington Co., IA

25.01--Susanna Katharina Thomas, b. 25 Jun 1839 in Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany;  d. 19 Sep 1892 in English River Twnsp.,Washington Co., IA; m. 25 Dec1857 in English River Twnsp.,Washington Co., IA, to James Beadleston ()

25.02--Elisabetha Thomas, b. 30 Oct 1840 in Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany; d. unk.; m. 21 Mar 1854 in English River Twnsp.,Washington Co., IA, to Wesley Ritchey;

25.03--Katharina Thomas, b. 08 Jun 1847, in Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany; d. 01 Dec 1900 in Pilotsburg, Washington Co., IA; m. 29 Apr 1875 in English River Twnsp., Washington Co., IA, to John Bitting ( );

25.04--Mary Marguerite Thomas, b. 15 Jun 1851 Petersburg, Grant Co., WV; m. 30 Jun 1875, Council Bluffs, IA, to Andrew Thomas Surber, Jr. ();

25.12--Martha J. Baer, b. 1863 in Washington Co., IA, ("Mattie" age 17 and single in 1880, still living at home); m. bef. 1894 in Washington Co., IA, to Henry Thomas, b. 23 Oct 1853 in Petersburg (but a census record says Hardy Co., VA [now WV]); d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. 2 Apr 1885 in Washington Co., IA, to Martha Jane Bear; 7 known ch.
[listed as "M. J.", b. Jan 1863, in the 4 Jun 1900 census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD]

[listed as "H.C.", b. Oct 1855, in the 4 Jun 1900 census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD]
25.05--Henry Thomas, b. 23 Oct 1853 in Petersburg (but a census record says Hardy Co., VA [now WV]); m. 2 Apr 1885 in Washington Co., IA, on a farm belonging to one of her relatives (?) to Martha Jane Bear; 7 known ch.
[listed as "H. C.", b. Oct 1855, in the 4 Jun 1900 census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD];
[listed as Henry Thomas
, age 75, father-in-law, residing with his daughter, Nelle Ragland (mistranscribed on Ancestry.com as Refeal), in the 8 Apr 1930 census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX]




[Veda Thomas Ballard Note: I have struggled to find their death places. Recently I found the family in McCook Co., SD, on the 1900 census, so I will begin to search there and will let you know if I am successful. I don't have any proof, BUT since my family went to ND, I searched in that area and found property purchased 07 Aug 1912 in Miles City, MT, by Henry Thomas. All children were born in Washington Co., IA.  I'm uncertain in which city except for my grandfather Wilbur, who on his marriage license claimed Kalona, Washington Co., IA.]

26.01--Everett G. Thomas, b. Jun 1886 in Washington Co., IA; m. Hanna L. Felberg (b. 1889 in Woonsocket, SD;  d. unk.; bd. unk.);  d. unk.
[listed as "E. G.", b. Jun 1886, in the 4 Jun 1900 census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD];
[listed as "Everett C.", age 33, in the 5 Jan 1920 census of Mitchell, Davison Co., SD];
[not listed as living at home in the  1930 census of Rapids Twp., Cedar Rapids,  Linn Co., IA, and assumed living elsewhere]

[listed as "Hannah", age 31, in the 5 Jan 1920 census of Mitchell, Davison Co., SD];
[listed as "Hanna L.", age 41, in the 10 Apr 1930 census of Rapids Twp., Cedar Rapids,  Linn Co., IA]


27.01--Iona L. Thomas, b.;  d. unk.; bd. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as "Iona", age 8, in the 5 Jan 1920 census of Mitchell, Davison Co., SD];
[listed as "Iona L.", age 18, in the 10 Apr 1930 census of Rapids Twp., Cedar Rapids,  Linn Co., IA]

27.02--Helen H. Thomas, b.;  d. unk.; bd. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as "Helen", age 6, in the 5 Jan 1920 census of Mitchell, Davison Co., SD];
[listed as "Helen H.", age16, in the 10 Apr 1930 census of Rapids Twp., Cedar Rapids,  Linn Co., IA]

26.02--Fred J. Thomas, b. Nov 1887 in Washington Co., IA;  d. unk.; bd. unk.; unk. ch.

[listed as "Fred J.", b. Nov 1887 in the 4 Jun 1900 census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD];

26.03--Frank V. Thomas, b. Jul 1889 in Washington Co., IA;  d. unk.; bd. unk.; unk. ch.

[listed as "Frank V.", b. Jun 1886, in the 4 Jun 1900 census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD];
[Veda Thomas Ballard Note: Somewhere I have a photo of him with his wife taken in ND ca. 1918.]

26.04--Nelle "Nellie" Thomas, b. 8 Feb 1892 in Washington Co., IA; d. Jan 1974 in Dallas TX; m. 11 Jun 1913 in McCook Co., SD, to Cecil Clay Ragland (b. ca. 1886 in Texas; d. unk.; bd. unk.);

[listed as "Nelley", b. Feb 1892, in the 4 Jun 1900 census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD];
[listed as Nelle Ragland, age 27, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., TX];
[listed as Nelle Ragland (mistranscribed on Ancestry.com as Refeal), age 38, in the 8 Apr 1930 census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX]

[listed as Cecil C. Ragland, s/o Geo. W. and Maud S. (nee unk.) Ragland, age 14 (b. Dec 1885 in TX) in the 29 Jun 1900 census of Pct. 2, Hill Co., TX];
[listed as Cecil Ragland, age 34, garage proprietor, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., TX];
[listed as Cecil C. Ragland (mistranscribed on Ancestry.com as Refeal), automobile mechanic, age 44, in the 8 Apr 1930 census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX]

 [John M. Gwin Note: We don't yet know if the following obituary is for the widow of the above Cecil:   (The following obituaries appeared in the **FEBRUARY 6, 2002** edition of the Citizen-Statesman, a weekly newspaper published in Celina, Clay Co., Tenn. All place names are in Tennessee unless otherwise noted.)  FRANCES STAFFORD RAGLAND, age 99, of Red Boiling Springs, died there February 3, 2002; born April 2, 1902, in Macon Co. to Jim and Betty UHLES STAFFORD; preceded in death by three husbands, John VEATCH, J.W. MORGAN, and Cecil RAGLAND; homemaker; interment in the Roark Cemetery.]

27.01--Ladene Ragland, b. ca. 1914 in SD; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as daughter Ladene Ragland, age 5, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., TX];
[listed as La-(illegible) Ragland (mistranscribed on Ancestry.com as Refeal), age 16, in the 8 Apr 1930 census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX]
 
27.02--Ardelle Ragland, b. ca. 1916 in SD; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as daughter Ardelle Ragland, age 3, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., TX];
[listed as Ardelle Ragland (mistranscribed on Ancestry.com as Refeal), age 14, in the 8 Apr 1930 census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX]

27.03--Montrose Ragland, b. ca. 1918 in TX; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as daughter Montrose Ragland, age 2, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., TX];
[listed as Montrose Ragland (mistranscribed on Ancestry.com as Refeal), age 12, in the 8 Apr 1930 census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX]
27.04--Lois N. Ione Ragland, b. ca. 1921 in TX; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. Samuel Ralph Cameron; unk. ch.
[listed as Lois N. Ragland (mistranscribed on Ancestry.com as Refeal), age 9, in the 8 Apr 1930 census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX]

28.00--Tammy's father [PRIVATE]

29.00--Tammy Lynn Cameron [PRIVATE]


From: tammy lynn;
Date:
February 3, 2009;
To: jmcdgwin@zianet.com;
Subject: Raglands

Hi, I am a descendent of Cecil Clay Ragland and Nelle ThomasMy grandmother is Lois Ione (Ragland) Cameron, daughter of Cecil and Nelle. Lois married Samuel Ralph Cameron.

Tammy Cameron



Here's how Tammy and I are related:

22.00--Isham Gwin m. Mary Canterbury PARENTS 22.00--Isham Gwin m. Mary Canterbury
23.03--John Gwin m. Jane Walker SIBLINGS 23.08--Richard Gwin m. Nancy Watkins
24.03--Wm. Gwin m. Rose C. J. Wilson 1STCOUS 24.01--Mary Gwin m. Gideon Bear
25.02--Sutton Gwin m. Ida E. Basset 2NDCOUS 25.12--Martha J. Bear m. Henry C. Thomas
26.02--Jas. B. Gwin m. Ada Vardaman 3RDCOUS 26.04--Nelle Thomas m. Cecil C. Ragland
27.04--Adrian Gwin m. Dot Keeney 4THCOUS 27.04--Lois Ragland m. Samuel Cameron
28.01--John Gwin m. Sharon Hamrick 5THCOUS 28.00--Tammy's father m. Tammy's mother
29.00--John's kids 6THCOUS 29.00--Tammy Lynn Cameron
30.00--John's grandkids 7THCOUS 30.00--Tammy's kids


27.05--Cecil C. Ragland (Jr.?), b. ca. 1923 in OK; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;
[listed as Cecil C. Ragland (mistranscribed on Ancestry.com as Refeal), age 9, in the 8 Apr 1930 census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX]

27.06--Dorothy Lanelle Ragland, b. 17 Nov 1926 in Lubbock Co., TX; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as Dorothy N. Ragland (mistranscribed on Ancestry.com as Refeal), age 3yrs. 5mos., in the 8 Apr 1930 census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX]


Two items in red were copied by John Gwin from two USGenWeb 
Archives
files contributed, respectively, 10 July 2001 by
Sonny Hall
<shallatbalistadotcom> and 25 Sep 2000 by Gene
Phillips <genephillipsatjunodotcom> at
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/
bvs/registra/index.htm [JMGwin: Is Sharolett a child of C. C.
Ragland, Jr.?]

Ragland, Dorothy Lanelle, b. 17 Nov 1926 in
Lubbock Co., TX, to Nell Thomas and Cecil Ragland

RAGLAND, SHAROLETT, female; 0424; b. 1948 in El
Paso Co., TX, to
Darlene Bernice Payne and
Loyd Cecil Ragland


[Veda Thomas Ballard Note: We know that Martha Bear and her husband Henry Thomas had seven children. The fourth child was Nellie born in Feb 1892. That was all I knew until last week when I located their marriage record in McCook Co., SD marriages. Nellie was married to Cecil C. Ragland on June 11, 1913. He listed his birth place as Texas. In the 1930 Lubbock County, Texas, federal census they are listed with six children (go take a look) and her father Henry is also residing with them. The U.S. Social Security Death Index shows Nelle (She seems to have dropped the "i" in her name after the marriage) was born February 8, 1892 and died in January 1974 in Dallas, Texas. -- Veda Thomas Ballard - Jul 8, 2006]

[John M. Gwin Note: Thanks, Veda! Using your good tips, I was able to locate the Cecil Ragland family in 1920 and 1930 and learn the first names of the six kids.]


26.05--Henrietta Thomas, b. Dec 1892 in Washington Co., IA;
[listed as "Henry Etta", age 3, b. Dec 1896, in the 4 Jun 1900 census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD];

26.06--Wilbur Clough Thomas, b. 09 Apr 1894, in Kalona, Washington Co., IA; d. 10 Jun 1920 in Glendive, MT; m. 18 Jun 1915 in Miles City, Custer Co., MT (see how Miles City might fit in?) to Josephine Bauman (b. 28 Aug 1895 in Winterthur, Zurich, Switzerland/Germany/Germany; imm. to USA in 1907, ca. age 12; d. 03 Jun 1978 in Salt Lake City, UT; bd. unk.; m2. Mr. Barrett; m3. Mr. Palmer); at least three ch.;
[listed as "Wilbur C.", age 6, b. Apr 1894, in the 4 Jun 1900 census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD];
[listed as Wilbur C. Thomas, railroad fireman, age 25 and b. IA/Germany/PA, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Mandan, Morton Co., ND]

[listed as Josephine Thomas, age 24 and b. Switzerland/Germany/Germany, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Mandan, Morton Co., ND]


[Veda Thomas Ballard Note: He was working on the RR and had an accident. He was taken to the RR hospital in Glendive where he contracted pneumonia and died. He was buried in Mandan, Morton Co., ND. Josephine had three children and was pregnant with #4 at the time.]

27.01--Mark Thomas, son, b. ca. Oct 1915 in ND/IA/Switzerland; d. bef. 2011; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk.ch.
[listed as Mark Thomas, age 4y 3m, and b. ND/IA/Switzerland, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Mandan, Morton Co., ND]

27.02--Elsie Martha Thomas, b. ca. Nov 1917 in ND/IA/Switzerland; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. James Eugene Castle (b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.); at least one ch.
[listed as Elsie Thomas, age 2y 2m, and b. ND/IA/Switzerland, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Mandan, Morton Co., ND]

28.01--Sharon Castle, [PRIVATE] m. Charles Robert Blankenship [PRIVATE]

28.02--David Castle, [PRIVATE] m. Delores Lake [PRIVATE]

29.01--Michael D. Castle, [PRIVATE] m. Candice (nee unk.) [PRIVATE]

30.01--Braydon Castle, [PRIVATE]

30.02--Kinsington Lake Castle, [PRIVATE]

29.02--Nancy Lynne Castle, [PRIVATE] m. John Gaspari [PRIVATE]

29.03--Cynthia Ann Castle, [PRIVATE] m. Randall Poupard [PRIVATE]

28.03--Nancy Jeanne Castle, deceased [PRIVATE]


[John M. Gwin Note:  Unless otherwise noted, Elsie's obituary is the source for her descendants in the above outline.  Some errors may exist in the outline where descendency and birth order were unclear.]

Elsie Castle

YORK - Elsie Martha Thomas Castle, 93, of 6 Lynwood Cir., died Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Willow Brook Nursing Center in Rock Hill.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a. m., Saturday, June 4, 2011, at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.  Father Donald Lowery will be officiating.

Elsie was a daughter of the late Wilbur C. Thomas and Josephine Bauman Thomas Barrett Palmer.  She was the widow of James Eugene Castle.  She was a member of the The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.  Elsie will be remembered as a very patient teacher and a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was a stamp collector and an avid gardener, loved to play bridge, and enjoyed cooking, sewing, and painting.  She was a member of the York Artist Guild and York White Rose Book Club, served her church many years as an altar guild, and edited a cookbook for the church.

She is survived by a daughter, Sharon Blankenship, and her husband, Charles Robert of Greer, SC; a son, David Castle, and his wife, Delores Lake of of Sanford, NC; a brother, Howard Thomas of Canton, GA; three grandchildren, Nancy Lynne Gaspari, and her husband, John; Cynthia Anne Poupard and her husband, Randall; and Michael D. Castle and his wife, Candice; and two great-grandchildren, Braydon Castle amd Kinsington Lake Castle. 

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy Jeanne Castle; two brothers, Wilbur Thomas and Mark Thomas; her half brother, Carl Barrett; two stepsisters, Helen Barrett Hansen and Verna Barrett Hale; and stepbrother John Elmo Barrett.

Visitation will be held at the Episcopal Chruch of the Good Shepherd Parish Hall on Saturday, June 4, 2011, following the service.

Memorials may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 108 E. Liberty St., York, SC  29745 (or York Place, 234 Kings Mountain St., York, SC  29745) and National Parkinson Foundation, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown MD  21741-5018.

Bratton Funeral Home in York is serving the Castle family.

Published in The Herald from June 1 to June 3, 2011

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldonline/obituary.aspx?n=elsie-castle&pid=151442361&fhid=9012#ixzz1SbeJtASd



27.03--Howard Thomas, b. ca. Apr 1919 in ND/IA/Switzerland; [PRIVATE]
[listed as Howard Thomas, age 0y 9m, and b. ND/IA/Switzerland, in the 8 Jan 1920 census of Mandan, Morton Co., ND]

27.04--Wilbur Thomas, b. aft. 1919; d. bef. 2011; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

27.00--Mr. Thomas (Veda's father); [PRIVATE]
28.00--Veda Thomas; [PRIVATE] m. Jay G. Ballard [PRIVATE]
26.07--Ralph G. Thomas, b. Jan 1900, in SD;
25.13--Charles E. Bear, b. 16 Jun 1865 (not living at home in 1880)

25.14--Minora Winnie Baer, b. 5 Nov 1866, ("Winna" age 13 and single in 1880, still living at home)




Additional Census Info
for Gideon and Mary Gwin Bear and their descendants



From the 28 Sep 1850 Census of the 20 Division, Washington Co., Iowa
Res/Fam
Name
Sex Age
Est DOB
fr. age
POB
$Real
Prop.
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments
662/662
Geadeon Bare
m
40
[1810]
PA
50
farmer
This is Gideon Bear. He and Mary are living next door to her parents, Richard and Nancy.

Mare Bare
f
24
[1826]



This has to be Mary Gwin Bear.
2
(Tetha?) Bare
f
16
[1834]



This person must be a child be a previous marriage of Gideon and therefore Mary's stepdaughter. The transcription is my best guess.

William Bare
m
7
[1843]



This is Mary's son William. There is no sign of (Charles, so I assume he has died young.

Elizabeth Bare
f
6
[1844]





Samuel Bare
m
3
[1847]



This is Samuel H. Bear who will be committed to the Iowa Hospital for the Insane before 1900.

Margartt Bare
f
1
[1849]






From the 14 Jul 1860 Census of Richmond, English River Twnp., Washington Co., Iowa

Res/Fam
Name
Sex Age
Est DOB
fr. age
POB
$Real
Prop.
$Pers.
Prop.
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments
590/579
Gideon Bear
m
48
[1812]
PA
15600
3934
farmer


Mary Bear f
34
[1826]
IN





William Bear m
17
[1843] IA





Elizabeth Bear f
16
[1844] IA





Samuel Bear m
12
[1848] IA





Margaret Bear f
10
[1850] IA





Richard Bear m
7
[1853] IA





Nancy E. Bear f
6
[1854] IA





Wilbur Bear m
5
[1855] IA





Clara S. Bear f
1
[1859] IA





From the  21 Jun 1880 Census of English River Twnp., Washington Co., IA
Res/Fam
 Name
Relat.
to HOH
Age
Est. DOB
POB
F's
POB
M's
POB
John M. Gwin Comments
158/166
Gideon Bear
head
69
[1811]
PA
PA
PA


Mary Bear
wife
55
[1825] IN
TN
KY
This is Mary, firstborn child of Richard W. Gwin and Nancy Watkins Gwin, and J.D., Ryan, Tate, and Zachary Johnson's and Asher Pihlaja's first cousin six times removed!

Mattie Bear
dau
17
[1863] IA
PA
TN


Winna Bear
dau
13
[1867] IA
PA
TN


Adam Kye
[blank]
27
[1853] NY
Germany
Germany



From the 18 Jun 1880 Census of English River Twnp., Washington Co., IA
Res/Fam
 Name
Relat.
to HOH
Race
Sex
Age
Est. DOB
Occ
POB
FPOB
MPOB
John M. Gwin Comments
199/203
S. H. Bear

w m 32
[1848]
farmer
IA
PA
IL
This is Samuel H. Bear, son of Mary and Gideon, grandson of Richard and Nancy, g-grandson of Isham and Mary, and my own 2nd cousin thrice removed.

Sarah Bear

w f 30
[1850]
PA
PA
PA


Bertha Bear

w f 10
[1870]
IA IA PA

Charles H. Bear

w m 8
[1872]
IA IA PA

Mary P. Bear

w f 6
[1874]
IA IA PA

Anna Bear

w f 2
[1878]
IA IA PA

Baby Bear

w f 3mo.
[Apr
1880]

IA IA PA


From the 1895 Iowa State Census of English River Twp., Washington Co., IA
Res/Fam
Name
Race/
Sex
Age
Est DOB
fr. age
POB
Marr.
Stat.
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments
189/197
Richard W. Bear
wm
43
1852
Washington Co., IA
m
______er
This is the first time we've seen his middle initial, which I'm betting is for Walton, after his grandfather--or it could be Watkins, after his grandmother, but less likely so.  His occupation is probably "farmer", but the first part is out of the photograph, which, BTW, is on p. 32 of 43 on Ancestry.com.

Eliza J. Bear
wf
44
1851
Washington Co., IA m
______house
Her occupation is probably "keeping house", but the first part is out of the photograph.

Jay Bear
wm
17
1878
Washington Co., IA s




From the  1 Jun 1900 Census of
Iowa Hospital for the Insane, Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., IA
Res/
Fam

 Name
Relat.
to HOH
Age
DOB
Marr.
Stat.
Yrs.
Md.
POB
F's
POB
M's
POB
John M. Gwin Comments

Samuel Bear
patient
51
Aug 1848
m
31
IA
PA
IA
This is without question our Samuel Bear. How sad that he ended up here. Was he a dementia patient? Is "dementia" today what was "insanity" in 1900?


From the  1 Jun 1900 Census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA
Res/
Fam

 Name
Relat.
to HOH
Age
DOB
Marr.
Stat.
Yrs.
Md.
POB
F's
POB
M's
POB
John M. Gwin Comments
7/7
Mrs. S. M. Bear
head
49
Oct 1850 m
31
PA
PA PA This is Sarah Bear (nee Bowersox, according to Beth Ann C. Geltz), wife of the Samuel Bear who was committed to the hospital for the insane some years earlier. She is the daughter-in-law of Gideon and Mary Gwin Bear.

Myrtle Bear
daughter
20
Apr 1880
s

IA
IA
PA Myrtle must be the daughter , b. ca. Apr. 1880, who was still unnamed in 1880.

Tessie Bear
daughter
9
Jan 1891
s

IA
IA
PA That there are 11 years between Myrtle and Tessie may have had something to do with Samuel's not being able to handle things mentally. Did many children die between the two?
.
From the  4 Jun 1900 Census of Spencer, McCook Co., SD
Res/
Fam

 Name
Relat.
to HOH
Race/Sex/
Age
DOB
Marr.Stat./
Ch.Bn/Lvg.
Yrs.
Md.
POB
S/F/M
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments
68/69
H. C. Thomas
head
wm/44
Oct 1855
m
15
WV/Germany/Germany
farmer
This is Henry C. Thomas (we learn his middle initial here), husband of our 5.12  Martha J. Bear.

M. J. Thomas wife
wf/36
Jan'y 1863
m/6/6 15
IA/PA/IN

This is 5.12 Martha J. Bear, the baby.

E. G. Thomas son
wm/13
Jun 1886
s

IA/WV/IA

This is Everett G. Thomas whom we've seen in 1920 and 1930

Fred J. Thomas son
wm/12
Nov 1887
s

IA/WV/IA


Frank V. Thomas son
wm/10
Jul 1889
s

IA/WV/IA


Nelley Thomas daughter
wf/8
Feb 1892
s

IA/WV/IA


Wilbur C. Thomas son
wm/6
Apr 1894
s

IA/WV/IA
Hmmm. Cousin Veda has the birth order different from this 1900 census; she has Henrietta as being older than Wilbur.

Henry Etta Thomas daughter
wf/3
Dec 1896
s

IA/WV/IA












From the  28 Jun
1900
Census of English River, Washington Co., IA

Res/
Fam

 Name
Relat.
to HOH
Age
DOB
Marr.Stat./
Yrs.Md.
No.ch./
ch.lvg.
POB
S/F/M
John M. Gwin Comments
358/359
Richard W. Bear
head
49
Mar 1851
m/25

IA/PA/IL


Eliza J. Bear
wife
49
Sep 1850
m/25
2/1
IA/OH/OH
Her report here is that Jay is the only surviving child of this line.
Sarah Jane Bear...........English River, Keokuk, IA ..abt 1844 Pennsylvania.........................................Head 
Wm. Bear .................Sarah Jane English River, Keokuk, IA ..abt 1861 Pennsylvania.............................Son 
Eunice Bear ...............Sarah Jane English River, Keokuk, IA ..abt 1873 Iowa................................Daughter 
From the  23 Apr 1910 Census of Cedar, Washington Co., IA
Res/
Fam

 Name
Relat.
to HOH
Age
DOB
Marr.Stat./
Yrs.Md.
No.Ch./
Ch.lvg.
POB
S/F/M
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments
70/70
Samuel H. Bear
head
62
1848
m1/41

IA/PA/PA
farmer
This is the same Samuel who was in the hospital for the mentally handicapped last census! Welcome home, Samuel!

Sarah Bear
wife
60
1850
m1/41
8/4
IA/PA/PA


Tessie L. Bear
daughter
19
1881


IA/IA/IA



Chas. V. Crull
grandson
16
1894


IA/OH/IA

This tells us that one of the daughters married a Crull, and now for some reason, both parents are evidently dead. I wonder what happened. Let's check 1900 for Charles.

From the  6 May 1910 Census of Benton Twp., McCook Co., SD
Res/
Fam

 Name
Relat.
to HOH
Race/Sex/
Age
Est
DOB
Marr.Stat./
Ch.Bn/Lvg.
Yrs.
Md.
POB
S/F/M
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments
239/240
Henery C. Thomas
head
wm/55
1855
wid/[BLANK] [BLANK]
WV/Germany/Germany
farmer
So Margaret J. has died in the last decade. Was it from complications during childbirth? She was awfully young.

Everett G. Thomas son
wm/24
1886
s

IA/Germany/IA farm labor


Nellie Thomas daughter
wf/18
1892
s

IA/Germany/IA


Ralph G. Thomas son
wm/5
1905
s

SD/Germany/IA
Here is the seventh and (we assume) last child, Ralph.

From the 8 Jan 1920 Census of Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX
Address/
Res/Fam
Name
Relat
2HoH
Race/
Sex
Est.
DOB
Age
Marr.Stat./
POB
S/F/M
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments
1508 S. Lake St./
224/248
Cecil Ragland
head
wm

34
m
TX/TN/TN
garage proprietor
See my comments on this family in the 1930 census below.

Nelle Ragland wife
wf

27
m
IA/WV/IA
none


Ladene Ragland daughter
wf

5
s
SD/TX/IA



Ardelle Ragland daughter
wf

3
s
SD/TX/IA



Montrose? Ragland daughter
wf

2
s
TX/TX/IA



From the 5 Jan 1920 Census of Mitchell, Davison Co., SD
Address/
Res/Fam
Name
Relat
2HoH
Race/
Sex
Est.
DOB
Age
Marr.Stat./
POB
S/F/M
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments
FM/69/90
Everett C. Thomas
head
wm
1887
33
m
IA/WV/IA
mechanic, auto garage
This is our Everett G. Thomas. The enumerator's hand is easy to read, and Ancestry.com did a good job transcribing.

Hannah Thomas wife
wf
1889
31
m
IA/Germany/Germany
none


Iona Thomas daughter
wf
1912
8
s
SD/IA/IA



Helen Thomas daughter
wf
1914
6
s
SD/IA/IA


From the 8 Apr 1930 Census of Lubbock, Lubbock Co., TX
Address/
Res/Fam
Name
Relat
2HoH
Race/
Sex
Est.
DOB
Age
Marr.Stat./
Age1stMarr.
POB
S/F/M
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments


2124/181/194
Cecil C. Ragland
head
wm
1886
44
m/27
TX/TN/TN
auto mechanic
An auto mechanic! And he is clearly well-traveled, having left tracks all through this census: Texas to Iowa to South Dakota back to Texas to Oklahoma and back to Texas. (By the way, Ancestry.com understandably mistranscribed this enumerator's poor handwriting as "Refeal", so type this in if you're using Ancestry to locate this).

Nelle Ragland wife
wf
1892
38
m/21
IA/WV/IA
none
This is 6.04--Nellie Thomas Ragland, granddaughter of Mary Gwin and Gideon Bear.

[LaHeuwes] Ragland daughter
wf
1914
16

SD/TX/IA
none I'm not sure at all how to transcribe her first name. Maybe we'll see it better in the 1920 SD census.

[Ardelle] Ragland daughter wf
1916
14

SD/TX/IA none This is much clearer, and I'm pretty sure Ardelle is correct.

[Moutrue] Ragland daughter wf
1918
12

TX/TX/IA none I'm not sure of this first name either.

Lois N. Ragland daughter wf
1921
9

TX/TX/IA none

Cecil C. Ragland son
wm
1923
7

OK/TX/IA none This Cecil C.  is probably a Jr., so we'll call him  that for now.

Dorothy N. Ragland daughter wf
Dec 1926
3yrs.
5mos.

TX/TX/IA none

Henry Thomas
father-in-law
wm

75
m/(31?)
WV/Germany/Germany
none This is Nellie's father, Henry Thomas, who is most likely widowed, not married, I think.


From the 10 Apr 1930 Census of Rapids Twp., Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA
Address/
Res/Fam
Name
Relat
2HoH
Race/
Sex
Est.
DOB
Age
Marr.Stat./
Age1stMarr.
POB
S/F/M
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments


325 H Avenue/
394/419
Hanna L. Thomas
head
wf
1889
41
m/22
IA/Germany/Germany
none
Hannah states here that she's married, not widowed or separated, yet Everett is nowhere to be seen. Ah, now we've found him in SD, working as a salesman; perhaps the Great Depression has settled in on the family, and he's sent his family back to Iowa to live with her parents until they can make ends meet again.

Iona L. Thomas daughter
wf
1912
18
s
SD/IA/IA
Here we learn the middle initials of all three.

Helen H. Thomas daughter
wf
1914
16
s
SD/IA/IA

From the 23 Apr 1930 Census of Kimball, Brule Co., SD
Address/
Res/Fam
Name
Relat
2HoH
Race/
Sex
Est.
DOB
Age
Marr.Stat./
Age1stMarr.
POB
S/F/M
Occ.
John M. Gwin Comments

237/255
Everett Thomas
head
wm
1888
42
m/24
IA/WV/IA
gasoline salesman
Here he is, still in SD and working as a gasoline salesman; perhaps the Great Depression has settled in on the family, and he's sent his family back to Iowa to live with her parents until they can make ends meet again.









Some Good Correspondence


Hi, John!

Johann Bernard Thomas
B-28 Apr 1757 Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany
M-year unknown to Maria Dorothea Holler B-23 Sep 1756
D-07 Mar 1838 both in Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany
Johann died 13 Dec 1789 in FHG
Children:
1.Johann Kasper B-04 Aug 1785 FHG 
 
Johann Kasper Thomas
B-O4 Aug 1785 Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany
M-10 May 1808 FHG to Anna Eva Billasch B-25 Aug 1784
D-4 Mar 1814 Both in FHG
Children:
 
1. Johann Kasper B-08 Apr 1809 Fauerbach, Hesse, Ger
2.  Johann Philipp (seems odd spelling but document
     shows it this way) B-20 Mar 1811 in FHG
 
Johann Philipp Thomas
B-20 Mar 1811 in Fauerbach, Hesse, Germany
M-09 Sep 1838 in FHG to Anna Eva Kammer B-22 Dec 1816 D-18 Sep 1864 in English River Twnsp., Washington, IA
D-22 Aug 1878 English River Twnsp., WA, IA
Children:
1.   Susanna Katharina B-25 Jun 1839 in FHG   M-25 Dec 1857 James Beadleston   English River Twnsp.,WA,IA D-19 Sep 1892 in ERTWI
2.   Elisabetha B-30 Oct 1840 in FHG  M-21 Mar 1854 in ERTWI  Wesley Ritchey.  D-unknown
3.   Katharina  B-08 Jun 1847 FHG  M-29 Apr 1875 John Bitting in English River Twnsp.,WA,IA  D-01 Dec 1900 in Pilotsburg, WA, IA
4.   Mary Marguerite B-15 Jun 1851 Petersburg, Grant, West Virginia  M-Andrew Thomas Surber, Jr. 30 Jun 1875 Council Bluffs, IA.
5.   Henry  B-23 Oct 1853 Petersburg but a census record says Hardy County, West Virginia  M-2 Apr 1885  Martha Jane Bear in Washington County, IA on a farm belonging to one of her relatives (?).  I have struggled to find their death places.  Recently I found the family in McCook county, South Dakota on the 1900 census so I will begin to search there and will let you know if I am successful.  I don't have any proof BUT since my family went to N.D. I searched in that area and found property purchased 07 Aug 1912 in Miles City, Montana by Henry Thomas.
 
Henry C. (?) Thomas and Martha Jane Bear
 
All children were born in Washinton County, IA.  I'm uncertain which city except for my Grandfather Wilbur which on his marriage license claimed Kalona, WA., IA
1. Everett G. B-Jun 1886  M-Hanna Felberg who was born in Woonsocket, S.D. in 1889.
2.  Fred J.  B-Nov 1887
3.  Frank  B-Jul 1889  Somewhere I have a photo of him with his wife taken in N.D. about 1918
4.  Nellie  B-Feb 1892
5.  Henrietta  B-Dec 1892
6.  Wilbur Clough  B-09 Apr 1894  More info below
7.  Ralph  B-Jan 1900  probably in S.D. where census was taken.
 
Wilbur Clough Thomas
 
B-09 Apr. 1894  Kalona, Wa., IA  M-18 Jun 1915 in Miles City, Custer, Montana (see how Miles City might fit in?) to Josephine Bauman  B-28 Aug 1895 in Winterthur, Zurich, Switzerland.  D-03 Jun 1978 in Salt Lake City, Utah Wilbur died 10 Jun 1920 in Glendive, Montana.  He was working on the RR and had an accident.  He was taken to the RR hospital in Glendive where he contracted pneumonia and died.  He was buried in Mandan, Morton, N.D. Josephine had three children and was pregnant with #4 at the time.

 John, I'm exhausted.  Can we finish this later?  I've been sitting here for three hours to do this from all my notes. Would you please answer this e-mail carrying my above letter so that I can have a copy of it?
 
Thanks.  My best wishes to your family.
Veda Thomas Ballard