Category Archives: Photographs

William H. Wiseheart: It’s Easy as AB…H (52 Ancestors #31)

Posted on by under 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge, Family History, Genealogy, Military, Photographs, Wiseheart Family

Often, I have to remind myself to broaden my scope when I research my ancestors.  I think this is the first time I’ve had to consciously narrow my scope.  Grandpa used to tell me about his grandfather, William Henry Wiseheart.  Most often, the stories would be about the Civil War or chair-making.  Whatever the story, he was always “William H.”  Even now, when I talk about him with my dad or my uncle, I have to be sure to refer to him as William H., because that is the name everyone is familiar with.

As I began researching, I looked for all William Wisehearts in the area.  After all, Wiseheart is a fairly uncommon name.  I started in what I call a “gathering mode,” wherein I find documents and save them for future perusal.  I had intended to write about William H. a few weeks ago, but another ancestor called to me and I ended up putting him off.  However, while I was initially preparing to write about him, I realized that some of the documents I had saved were for a different William Wiseheart.  He is probably still related, but not the one I’m working on at the moment.

How did I realize I had two different William Wisehearts?  The Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana.  There are two William Wisehearts listed:  William Wiseheart who mustered in on August 19, 1862 and William H. Wiseheart of Fredonia, Indiana who mustered in on August 18, 1862 and was promoted to Corporal.1

William H. was the one I wanted, so I looked at that entry some more.  He enlisted in Company F, Indiana 71st Infantry Regiment.  This helped me narrow down which military records I needed.  After he was promoted, he transferred to Company F, Indiana 6th Cavalry Regiment.1,2  His pension card, which also lists his wife, shows both regiments.3  William H. mustered out on June 17, 1865 in Pulaski, Tennessee.1,2

I had heard from my grandpa that before William H. married my great great grandmother, he had married Sarah Myers.  I wanted to know more about this, so I started collecting non-military resources to learn about his life.

William Henry Wiseheart was born on November 14, 1833, in Kentucky, to parents Harman and Jemima (Jacobs) Wiseheart.4,5,15  In 1860, he lived with L. Blankenbaker and family in Shelby County, Kentucky, where he worked as an apprentice plow stacker (this last word is difficult to read, but that’s what it looks like).6  He then enlisted in the army in 1862.1,2

William H. married Sarah Myers on March 10,1865.  They had four children, that I know of.4

  • Jacob H. (08 Feb 1866 – 08 Feb 1866)4
  • Emma A. (14 Oct 1868 – 14 Oct 1868)4
  • Catherine A. “Kitty” or “Katie” (29 Dec 1869 – 9 Jun 1915)4,7
  • Infant son (26 Jun 1872 – 21 Aug 1872)4

Sarah died on August 1, 1872.4  Since her death was so close to the birth of her son, I’m thinking she probably died of complications from childbirth.

William Henry and Frances Lydia (Browning) Wiseheart, circa 1900.

William Henry and Frances Lydia (Browning) Wiseheart, circa 1900.

William H. married Frances Lydia Browning on May 10, 1876.4,11  They had twelve children, but I’ve only been able to account for nine.9

  • Daniel Signal (14 Jan 1877 – 23 Nov 1956)4,8,9
  • Mary Elizabeth (4 Feb 1878 – 15 Dec 1965)4,8
  • Rosey H. (18 Apr 1879 – 15 Oct 1902)4,8
  • Infant daughter (20 May 1880 – 20 May 1880)4
  • Infant son (22 Mar 1881 – 25 Mar 1881)4
  • Infant daughter (4 Mar 1882 – 14 Mar 1882)4,12
  • Chace Dudley (27 Dec 1883 – 30 Dec 1883)4
  • Joseph M. (4 Mar 1886 – 10 Mar 1959)4,9,10
  • Sanford Wesley (30 Oct 1890 – 25 Mar 1966)4,9,10

I have heard that Sanford Wesley, my great grandfather, had a twin who was stillborn, but I have not yet found any evidence of it.

At various points in his life, William H. had been a wagon maker, chair maker, and general wood worker.7,8,9,10,15  He was also a member of the Sanderson Post No. 191, Grand Army of the Republic.13,14  I looked for him and found him in the member book in the archive where I work.  He is on the same page as Francis Rakestraw, whose granddaughter later married William H.’s son, Sanford.  That may be how they met.

William H. Wiseheart died on May 28, 1910 of cardiac asthma.  He was buried in New Albany National Cemetery (or Soldiers National Cemetery) in New Albany, Indiana.4,14,15,16

Tombstone of Corporal William Henry Wiseheart, New Albany National Cemetery. Photograph taken by Melissa Wiseheart, 1 September 2014.

Tombstone of Corporal William Henry Wiseheart, New Albany National Cemetery. Photograph taken by Melissa Wiseheart, 1 September 2014.

Sources

  1.  Terrell, W.H.H. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana. Volume 6. Indianapolis: Samuel M Douglass, 1866. 148-149. Print.
  2. Historical Data Systems, comp..  U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles (database on-line).  Provo, UT, USA:  Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2009.  Accessed 30 Apr 2011.
  3. “United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD5-ZD5S : accessed 27 April 2011), William H Wiseheart, 1910; citing Indiana, United States, NARA microfilm publication T288 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm .
  4. Transcription of the William H. Wiseheart Family Bible.
  5. 1850 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 19 Mar. 2015. 1st District, Jefferson, Kentucky. p.? (smudged). Family #619, lines 22-28.
  6. 1860 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 4 Aug. 2015. 1st District, Shelby, Kentucky. p.161. Family #72, lines 14-25.
  7. 1870 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 9 Jun. 2015. Washington, Owen, Indiana. p.6. Family #54, lines 32-34.
  8. 1880 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 3 Jun. 2015. Boston Precinct, Jefferson, Kentucky. p.2B. Family #18, lines 45-50.
  9. 1900 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p.5B. Family #108, lines 70-74.
  10. 1910 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p.16B. Family #339, lines 85-88.
  11. “Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979,” index, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4QC-G98 : accessed 9 June 2015).  Wm. H. and Fannie Browning, 10 May 1876; citing Long Run, Jefferson, Kentucky, reference Bk11, P257, L10; FHL microfilm 482,712.
  12. “Kentucky Deaths and Burials, 1843-1970,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWP2-7MS : accessed 5 August 2015:.  W Wiseheart in entry for Wiseheart, 14 Mar 1882; citing reference bk 5 p 209 no 41; FHL microfilm 209,702.
  13. Roll of Members W. L. Sanderson. Post No. 191. G. A. R., box 1, Grand Army of the Republic Records, 1889-1931, IR MSS 160, New Albany-Floyd County Public Library, Stuart B. Wrege Indiana History Room.
  14. “Deaths (Obituaries)” New Albany Evening Tribune 30 May 1910, Monday ed.: 1. Print. column 7.  Accessed 04 Feb. 2015, Stuart Barth Wrege Indiana History Room.
  15. Floyd County Health Department. Microfilm. Floyd County, Indiana Deaths (1901-1910): book CH-21, p.98. Retrieved 18 Feb 2015 from Stuart Barth Wrege Indiana History Room.
  16. National Cemetery Administration.  U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca. 1775-2006 (database on-line).  Provo, UT, USA : Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2006.  Accessed 30 April 2011.

Edward Von Allmen: Dairy Farmer By Day, Accordion Player By Night (52 Ancestors #29)

Posted on by under 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge, Family History, Genealogy, Photographs, Stories, Von Allmen Family

I have attended Von Allmen family reunions almost every year for as long as I can remember.  Growing up, these always included polka music.  In the earlier years, my great uncle played the accordion.  In later years, we listened to polka on tape or CD.  A few more recent reunions did not include any polka at all.  Grandma told me that her grandfather, Edward Von Allmen, had also played the accordion.

Edward was born on May 6, 1878 in Wilderswil, Switzerland.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8  He was the eleventh of sixteen children born to Friedrich and Susannah (Stähli) Von Allmen.1,2,10  He came to America with his parents and siblings in 1883 on the S.S. Canada.10  Ed lived and worked on his father’s dairy farm in Floyd County, Indiana, and then went to live with and work for his brother, Peter, in Louisville, Kentucky.2

Edward and Louise Von Allmen

Edward and Louise (Seewer) Von Allmen, 1902.

Ed married Louise Seewer on October 29, 1902 in Louisville, Kentucky.9  They continued to live in Jefferson County, Kentucky, where Ed had his own dairy farm.3  Ed and Lousie had eight children.3,4,5,6  They eventually all moved to a farm in Lafayette Township, Floyd County, Indiana.5,6

Edward Von Allmen was apparently a musical man.  One of the family’s neighbors told me of their parties and music.  I’ve told this story before, but I think it bears repeating here.

The Von Allmens… they used to live right here on the corner, you know.  They were such wonderful singers. They used to have parties on the 4th of July and they’d go all night. They really knew how to celebrate, I tell you. They’d sing and dance and Ed would play the… what’s that called you play and squeeze between your hands… the accordion. Ed used to play the accordion. He played so well, it was really beautiful. And they’d just go all night. One time, they had all the neighbors over for a dance. Can you imagine? They had a dance in their house and Ed played the accordion. You don’t see anyone play the accordion anymore.

Von Allmen Family Crest, courtesy of Shirley Wolf, Von Allmen Family File, Stuart Barth Wrege Indiana History Room

Von Allmen Family Crest, courtesy of Shirley Wolf, Von Allmen Family File, Stuart Barth Wrege Indiana History Room

Sources

1.  Floyd County Health Department. Microfilm. Floyd County, Indiana Deaths (1951-1959): book h-12, p.51. Retrieved 15 Jul 2015 from Stuart Barth Wrege Indiana History Room.

2.  Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.  Year: 1900; Census Place: Louisville Ward 12, Jefferson, Kentucky; Roll: 533; Page: 1A; Enumeration District:0141; FHL microfilm: 1240533.

3.  Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.  Year: 1910; Census Place: Albermarle, Jefferson, Kentucky; Roll: T624_483; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 0026; FHL microfilm: 1374496.

4.  Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.  Year: 1920; Census Place: New Albany, Floyd, Indiana; Roll: T625_429; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 62; Image: 15.

5.  Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.  Year: 1930; Census Place: Lafayette, Floyd, Indiana; Roll: 587; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0006; Image:626.0; FHL microfilm: 2340322.

6.  Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.  Year: 1940; Census Place: Lafayette, Floyd, Indiana; Roll: T627_1043; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 22-6.

7.  Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.  Registration State: Indiana; Registration County: Floyd; Roll: 1503798.

8.  Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.  The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; State Headquarters: Indiana.

9.  “Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F43W-8XC : accessed 15 July 2015), Edward Von Allmen and Louise Sewer, 29 Oct 1902; citing Louisville, Kentucky, reference ; FHL microfilm 826,072.

10.  Wolf, Shirley. “S.S. Canada Passenger List, March 1, 1883, LaHavre to New York.” Rpt. in Von Allmen Family File. Stuart Barth Wrege Indiana History Room. Print.

Nicholas Springer: I Pledge Allegiance (52 Ancestors #27)

Posted on by under 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge, Family History, Genealogy, Military, Photographs, Springer Family

I haven’t done much research on my Revolutionary War ancestors.  Most of the ancestors I’ve been researching lived in the nineteenth century.  My grandparents had told me that Nicholas Springer fought in the Revolutionary War and that he was my sixth great-grandfather.

One day, as I was helping a patron research at the library, I happened upon Nicholas Springer in one of our DAR books.  It yielded the following information.  Nicholas Springer was born on August 5, 1743 in New Castle County, Delaware.  He married Elizabeth McIlvaine in January of 1772.  He was a recognized patriot, having signed the Oath of Allegiance on June 9, 1778.  His children were Mary (1772), Robert (1774), Samuel (1776), Hannah, George (1779), Nicholas (1782), Stephen (1785), and Elizabeth (1789).  He died on March 30, 1792 in New Castle County, Delaware.1,2,3,4,5,6

This all seemed right, according to what information I already had, but I wanted to know who his parents were and I wanted to know more about his military history.  So I began a search and turned up a few things, though for primary sources, I think a trip to Delaware is in my future.

In addition to the above information, I learned that Nicholas (or Niclas) was the son of James Springer and Mary Bishop.2,3,5  He was christened on August 8, 1743 at Holy Trinity or Old Swedes Church in Wilimington, Delaware, which is the church that his grandfather, Carl Springer, helped start.5  He was buried in White Clay Creek Church Cemetery in New Castle County, Delaware.2,6

Tombstone of Nicholas Springer, FindAGrave.com, courtesy of Richard Morrison, 16 November 2007.

Tombstone of Nicholas Springer, FindAGrave.com, courtesy of Richard Morrison, 16 November 2007.

Oath of Allegiance

I, Nicholas Springer, do solemnly declare and affirm that I do not hold myself bound to yield any allegiance or obedience to the King of Great Brittain, his heirs or successors and that I will be true and faithful to the Delaware State, and will support and maintain the freedom and independence and constitution thereof against all open and traitorous conspiracies, and will disclose and make known to the Commander-in-chief for the time being, or to some Judge or Justice of the Peace for this State all treasons or traitorous conspiracies, attempts or combinations against the same, or the government thereof, which shall come to my knowledge.

(Signed)  Nicholas Springer.

June 9, 17783

Sources

1.  Daughters of the American Revolution. “Springer, Nicholas.” A Roster of Revolutionary Ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution: Commemoration of the United States of America Bicentennial, July 4, 1976. Vol. 1. Evansville, IN: Unigraphic, 1976. 601.HeritageQuest Online [ProQuest]. Web. 27 Mar. 2011.

2.  Morrison, Richard. “Find A Grave – Millions of Cemetery Records.” Find A Grave – Millions of Cemetery Records. Jim Tipton, n.d. Web. 07 July 2015. (http://www.findagrave.com/). Find A Grave Memorial# 22945430.

3.  Ancestry.com. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.  Accessed 07 July 2015.

4.  Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2004.  Accessed 07 July 2015.

5.  “Delaware Births and Christenings, 1710-1896,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7HD-V2Q : accessed 7 July 2015), Niclas Springer, 08 Aug 1743; citing ; FHL microfilm 908,217.

6.  “Delaware Vital Records, 1680-1971,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9R-FTYM : accessed 7 July 2015), Nicholas Springer, 1792.

Mary Elizabeth Gilliland: What Makes A Home? (52 Ancestors #25)

Posted on by under 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge, Gilliland Family, Photographs, Rakestraw Family
Mary Elizabeth Gilliland Brown Rakestraw

Mary Elizabeth Gilliland Brown Rakestraw

Mary Elizabeth Gilliland was born on January 22, 1849 in Edwardsport, Knox County, Indiana to Leason and Serilda (Long) Gilliland.1,2  It appears that Leason wasn’t around very much during Mary’s childhood, as she and her mother and siblings are living with Asa and Maria Loundsbury in 1850.3  Family legend is that Leason worked on a steamboat and was traveling on the river all the time.  According to the 1840 Census, Leason was employed in agriculture.4  While the steamboat story isn’t impossible, it seems unlikely.  In any event, Leason died in about 1855, when Mary was six years old.5,6

It wasn’t long before Serilda became involved with John Bridges, whom she married in 1857.6  Mary did not like John and life with him was difficult for her.  She married James Brown on January 29, 1865, having just turned sixteen.7  James, however, did not live long and Mary married Francis Marion Rakestraw on October 22, 1867.8

Mary had two children with Francis, Zerilda Eleanora “Ella” and George William “Willie.”9,10  In 1892, Ella became very ill, which prompted Mary and Francis to adopt their granddaughter, Mildred Gertrude Springer, in 1894.11  Ella died just two weeks after the adoption.12

When Mildred married Sanford Wesley Wiseheart, Mary moved in with them.  She lived with them until her death on October 11, 1935.2,13,14

Since Mary moved around a lot, I thought it best to present that in chart form.  I have her location for her birth year, census years, and death year.1,2,3,4,5,9,10,13,14,15,16,17

Green = living with mother Blue = living with husband Purple = living with granddaughter

Green = living with mother
Blue = living with husband
Purple = living with granddaughter

Mary Elizabeth Gilliland had a bit of rough start in life and her family seemed always to be changing and on the move.  I think, for Mary, home was the people she chose to surround herself with rather than any particular place.  Certainly she became the central figure in her home and the home of her granddaughter’s family.  Mary passed down her family stories to her granddaughter and great grandchildren, who also passed them down.

House on County Line Road. Mary Elizabeth Rakestraw holding Sanford William Wiseheart and George William Rakestraw holding Mildred Lorena Wiseheart. 1924.

House on County Line Road. Mary Elizabeth Rakestraw holding Sanford William Wiseheart and George William Rakestraw holding Mildred Lorena Wiseheart. 1924.

Mary Elizabeth (Gilliland) Rakestraw with her great grandson, Sanford "Bud" Wiseheart, circa 1924.

Mary Elizabeth (Gilliland) Rakestraw with her great grandson, Sanford “Bud” Wiseheart, circa 1924.

Mary's bonnet.

Mary’s bonnet.

A quilt that Mary had started. The pieces look to be from feed or flour sacks.

A quilt that Mary had started. The pieces look to be from feed or flour sacks.

Inscription on the reverse side of Francis Rakestraw's tombstone at New Albany National Cemetery.

Inscription on the reverse side of Francis Rakestraw’s tombstone at New Albany National Cemetery.

Sources

1.  Transcription of the Rakestraw Family Bible.

2.  Floyd County Health Department. Microfilm. Floyd County, Indiana Deaths CH-37 (1935): p. 67, record 276.

3.  1850 United States Federal Census (database-online). Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 02 Aug. 2011. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p. 601.

4.  1840 United States Federal Census (database-online). Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. Hardin, Kentucky. p. 30.

5.  1860 United States Federal Census (database-online). Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p. 106.

6.  Floyd County Clerk. Microfilm. Floyd County, Indiana Marriages Volume 4 (1857): p. 485.

7.  Floyd County Clerk. Microfilm. Floyd County, Indiana Marriages Volume 6 (1865): p. 81, record 233.

8.  Floyd County Clerk. Microfilm. Floyd County, Indiana Marriages Volume 6 (1867): p. 369, record 1076.

9.  1870 United States Federal Census (database-online). Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p. 15.

10.  1880 United States Federal Census (database-online). Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 15 Dec. 2014. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p. 4D.

11.  New Albany Daily Ledger 26 May 1894, Saturday Evening ed.: 5. Print.column 3.

12.  “Deaths (Obituary).” New Albany Evening Tribune 14 June 1894, Thursday ed.: 4. Print. column 2.

13.  1920 United States Federal Census (database-online). Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 24 Sep. 2014. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p. 11A.

14.  1930 United States Federal Census (database-online). Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. Silver Creek, Clark, Indiana. p. 14B.

15.  1900 United States Federal Census (database-online). Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p. 9B.

16.  1910 United States Federal Census (database-online). Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p. 14A.

17.  Caron, C.K. Caron’s Directory of the City of New Albany for 1890-91. New Albany, IN: C.K. Caron, 1890. 279. Print.

Frances Lydia Browning: An Unconventional Proposal (52 Ancestors #23)

Posted on by under 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge, Browning Family, Documents, Family History, Genealogy, Photographs, Wiseheart Family

This week, I’ve decided to focus on an ancestor who received an unconventional, though probably not uncommon in those days, marriage proposal.  The two parties involved are my great great grandparents, Frances Lydia “Fannie” Browning and William Henry Wiseheart.  Before I get into the proposal, I’ll briefly go over their backgrounds.

Fannie was born on June 14, 1853, in Kentucky, to Daniel and Ossiann (Salisbury) Browning.1  Ossiann died when Fannie was about twelve.2,3,4  Daniel remarried, to Nancy Catherine Ringold, in 1865.3

While a 16-year-old Fannie was still living at home with her father and stepmother, in Long Run, Kentucky, a 37-year-old WilliamWiseheart was living with his wife, Sarah (Myers), and six month old daughter, Kitty, in Washington, Indiana.4,5  William’s wife died circa 1872, leaving William to care for a young daughter on his own.  William also had a disability from a Civil War injury.  He ended up in Kentucky.5,6  Presumably, he moved back there to seek the assistance of family.

Shortly after moving back to Kentucky, he met Fannie Browning.  I often wonder how they met.  Maybe they were neighbors.  Maybe they attended the same church.  Maybe one of William’s family members knew Fannie somehow and set them up.  Whatever happened, Fannie received a letter from William that I refer to as a proposal.  In it, he describes his feelings for Fannie and talks about taking her “out of trouble.”  He then closes with “I remain your intended companion until death.”  It may not be an outright proposal, but it is certainly a letter of intent.

Letter, William H. Wiseheart to Frances Browning, 20 Apr 1876, p. 1 Letter, William H. Wiseheart to Frances Browning, 20 Apr 1876, p. 2 Letter, William H. Wiseheart to Frances Browning, 20 Apr 1876, p. 3

What is really interesting to me is that this letter dated April 20, 1876 indicates that William would not be able to marry Fannie until June of 1877, however, they did marry not quite one month later on May 10th in Long Run, Kentucky.6  Perhaps his circumstances improved.  Perhaps her circumstances worsened.

Another thing I had wondered about over the years was the age difference between William and Fannie.  He was 42 and she was 23 when they married.  Knowing that William had a young child and Fannie had some sort of “trouble” explains that, I think, aside from a fairly large age difference being a somewhat common phenomenon in that day and age.

Fannie and William had ten children of their own, of which two were stillbirths, two died after three days, one died after eleven days, and the other five survived to adulthood.  The surviving children were Daniel Signal (1877), Mary Elizabeth (ca 1878), Rosey or Rosa H. (1879), Joseph Martin (1886), and Sanford Wesley (1890).7,8,9

Fannie died of chronic valvular heart disease on December 4, 1920, at the age of 67.1

Frances Lydia Browning

Frances Lydia Browning

Sources

1.  Floyd County Health Department. “Frances Wiseheart.” Floyd County, Indiana Death Records. Vol. CH-33. 55. Microfilm.  Accessed 5 January 2015 at the Stuart Barth Wrege Indiana History Room.

2.  1860 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. 2nd District (Long Run), Jefferson, Kentucky. p.101. Family #706, lines 10-14.

3.  “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFZ5-1MZ : accessed 9 June 2015), Daniel Browning and Nancy C Ringo, 20 Sep 1865; citing , Scott, Indiana, county clerk offices, Indiana; FHL microfilm 549,440.

4.  1870 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 30 Dec. 2014. Boston Precinct (Long Run), Jefferson, Kentucky. p.11. Family #62, lines 2-9.

5.  1870 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 9 Jun. 2015. Washington, Owen, Indiana. p.6. Family #54, lines 32-34.

6.  “Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4QC-G98 : accessed 9 June 2015).  Wm. H. and Fannie Browning, 10 May 1876; citing Long Run, Jefferson, Kentucky, reference Bk11, P257, L10; FHL microfilm 482,712.

7.  1880 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 3 Jun. 2015. Boston Precinct, Jefferson, Kentucky. p.2B. Family #18, lines 45-50.

8.  1900 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p.5B. Family #108, lines 70-74.

9.  1910 United States Federal Census. Ancestry.com, 2009. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. New Albany, Floyd, Indiana. p.16B. Family #339, lines 85-88.