Military Monday - Lookout Mountain

On 24 November 1863, the "Battle above the Clouds" took place on Lookout Mountain just south of Chattanooga, TN.  It allowed the Union to take control of the railroad supply lines at Wauhatchie and marked the beginning of the end for the South.  This was followed by the battle of Missionary Ridge and Orchard Knob on 25 November 1863.

Three of my Civil War ancestors fought at these battles, known collectively as the Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign:

John J. Neeley was in the 57th Ohio Volunteer Infantry which participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge.

George W. Wiley was in the which participated in the 73rd Illinois Infantry which participated in the battles of Orchard Knob and Missionary Ridge.

William D. Hill was in the 59th Illinois Infantry which participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.

Apparently, it was quite popular for veterans to visit Lookout Mountain and reminisce.   This photo shows my great-great-grandfathers C.C. Ormsby, J.J. Neeley and Dick Shores posing atop the Mountain.  

Charles Clark Ormsby was in the 123rd Illinois Infantry which camped at Maysville, AL during this time.  Although his regiment did not fight at Lookout Mountain, it was a great photo op.

I am not sure who Dick Shores was.  He may have been the Richard Shore born ca 1848 in Ohio who served in the 149th Indiana Infantry and died 30 August 1930 in Casey, IL (Pension index at NARA).  The census lists Richard Shore living in Casey, IL in 1880 (born ca 1848 in OH), and Richard Shores living in Crooked Creek Township, Cumberland Co., IL in 1900 (born ca 1848 in OH).   I don't believe that he was related to C.C. or J.J. although Casey and neighboring Crooked Creek Township were small communities so they probably knew each other. The 149th IN regiment did not participate in the above battles either, so I suspect these old veterans were simply enjoying each others' company on a road trip.

Military Monday - John Johnson Neeley

The second "installment" of my Civil War ancestors is John Johnson Neeley.

J.J. Neeley was born 20 July 1841 at Perry Co., OH, the son of William Thompson and Mary (Johnston) Neeley.  They moved to Hardin Co, OH when he was young.

He was a Private in Captain Samuel R. Motts Co. C of the 57th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He enlisted on 9 December 1861 and was discharged on 2 January 1865.  The company fought in:

Shiloh or Pittsburg landing, TN; Wolf Creek Hindman, AR; siege and assault of Vicksburg and Jackson, MS; Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, TN; Snake Creek Gap, Dallas or New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, seige of Atlanta, Jones Brook, Fort McAllister, Savannah, GA; Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Goldsboro, NC and a number of minor engagements and skirmishes. 

On 14 March 1865, he married Elmina J. McGowan at Bourbon Co., KS.  They returned to Hardin Co., OH, and had nine children:
1. Harvey Slaman Neeley, born 18 Feb. 1866
2. Charles Harmon Neeley, born 19 April 1867
3. Lena E. Neeley, born 6 September 1868
4. James A. Neeley, born 20 June 1870
5. Mark Wood Neeley, born 15 January 1872

6. Mary Clinna Neeley, born 8 April 1874

7. Clara Clementine Neeley, born 14 March 1876

8. Orilda Maude Neeley, born 8 October 1878

9. Buddie Neeley, born 2 October 1880

The family moved to Illinois in the fall of 1880, where J.J. worked as a farmer and a feed dealer.  Elmina became ill and her sister Louisa moved to Illinois to help take care of the children.  Elmina died on 26 June 1882 at Greenup, Cumberland, IL. 

J.J. married Louisa on 27 December 1882 at Cumberland Co., IL.  J.J. and Louisa had 5 children:

10. Zella Edna Neeley, born 5 December 1882

11. Unnamed infant, born and died 15 February 1884

12. Fred Frank Neeley, born 17 May 1889

13. Alva Coral Neeley, born 12 April 1894

14. John Virgil Neeley, born 3 September 1899.

J.J.'s pension application describes him with red hair and a beard, and blue eyes.

He and his family were members of the Pleasant Valley United Brethren Church in Cumberland Co., IL.

He died of pancreatic cancer on 17 September 1908 at Casey, Clark Co., IL and is buried in the Washington St. Cemetery there.  Louisa died on 12 March 1917.

Inferential Genealogy - connecting Elmina to her parents

According to Dr. Tom Jones, "Inferential Genealogy" is the process of piecing together documents to make conclusions about relationships and identities that no record tells you all by itself.

Elmina (McGowan) and John Johnson Neeley

Here is an excerpt of an analysis I used to connect Elmina McGowan Neeley to her parents:

1850 Federal Census for Auglaize Township, Allen co., OH p.579, dwelling #785:

Joseph McGowen, 30y male farmer, born PA

Melvina McGowen, 28y female, born OH

Elmina McGowen, 7y female, born OH

Clementine McGowen, 4y female, born OH

Seamon McGowen, 2y male, born OH

1860 Federal Census for Auglaize Township, Allen Co., OH p.483, dwelling #1393: 

J.T. Magawin, 39y male farmer, born PA

M. Magawin, 38y female, born VA

E.J. Magawin, 17y female, born OH

M.E. Magawin, 15y female, born OH

S.E. Magawin, 12y male, born OH

Z.A. Magawin, 10y female, born OH

H.A. Magawin, 5y male, born OH

L.A. Magawin, 1y female, born OH

1865 Kansas State Census for Timber Hill Township, Bourbon Co., KS, p.40, dwelling #283:

J.S. McGowan, 45y male Farmer, born PA

M. McGowan, 44y female, born VA

C. McGowan, 19y female teacher, born OH

S. McGowan, 16y male, born OH

Z. McGowan, 14y female, born OH

H. McGowan 10y male, born OH

L. McGowan, 6y female, born OH

F. McGowan, 2y male, born OH

From these census records the following can be deduced:

Joseph T. McGowan was born in Pennsylvania between 1818-1821

Melvina McGowan was born in Ohio or Virginia between 1819-1822 and died between 1875-1880

Elmina J. McGowan was born in Ohio ca 1843 – she does not appear in the household in 1865 (married in March prior to June enumeration)

Clementine (M.E.) McGowan was born in Ohio ca 1845-1846 and leaves the household after  1865

Seamon E. McGowan was born in Ohio ca 1848-1849 and leaves the household after 1865

Z.A. McGowan was born in Ohio ca 1850-1851 and leaves the household before 1875

Henry A. McGowan was born in Ohio ca 1855-1856 and leaves the household after 1880

Louisa A. McGowan was born in Ohio ca 1859-1860 and leaves the household after 1880

Frank E. McGowan was born in Ohio ca 1862-1864

From Land Records we find:

Deed Record dated 3 April 1892 in Bourbon Co., KS from Mary McGowan, widow of J.T. McGowan, granted to J.W. Moore and Semon E. McGowan –

½ interest  in SW ¼ of section 9, Township 24, Range 23

Land Record Index from Bourbon Co., KS showing transactions of

SW ¼ of section 9, Township 24, Range 23 –

Entered by Joseph T. McGowan on 4 Nov. 1860

subsequent transfers:

from  Mary McGowan et al. to John W. Moore on April 2, 1901 (same as above deed)

from Henry O. McGowan to S.E. and D.L. McGowan on April 2, 1901

from F.E. McGowan to H.O. McGowan on April 2, 1901

from L.A. Neeley, et al. to D.L. McGowan on May 10, 1901

from S.E. McGowan to Minnie Huffman on May 10, 1901

from S.E. McGowan to D.L. McGowan on Feb. 24, 1919

from D.L. McGowan to S.E. McGowan on Feb. 24, 1919

from M.A. McGowan and D.L. McGowan to Jas. G. Crocker on Feb. 21, 1924

from M.A. McGowan heirs to Jas. G. Crocker on Dec. 13, 1924

from Ora E. McGowan to Myra Mahaffey, etal. on March 23, 1931

to Janie McGowan, widow of D.L. McGowan on April 14, 1931 (see below for relationships)

As for the family of Henry Miller (father of Melvina Miller McGowan):

In NARA bounty land warrant #86844 (cited above), there is also a copy of the Last Will and Testament of Henry Miller, dated 27 February 1858 at Knox Co., OH.

This names son Avery M. Miller, daughter Malvina McGowan, daughter  Zelpha Phillips, and deceased daughter Elmina Baker.

Marriage Records of Knox County, Ohio 1808-1875 gives:

p.40 – Elmina Miller married Jacob L. Baker on 29 Jan. 1837

p.58 – Malvina Miller married J.T. McGowan on 27 Feb. 1842 (prev. submitted)

p. 105 – Avery M. Miller married Rosa A. Heiple on 28 June 1851

p. 122 – Zilpha Miller married William Phillips on 8 March 1855

From Kansas Marriages 1840-1935 (database at FamilySearch.org)-

S.E. Mcgowan, born 1848 married to Missouri Stewart on 13 Sept. 1872 in Bourbon Co. KS

Zelpha A. Mcgowan, born 1852 married to J.W. Moore on 17 Dec. 1874 in Bourbon Co., KS

Marinda C. Mcgowan, born 1845 married to Joseph B. Wilson on 15 Nov. 1867 in Bourbon Co., KS

Frank E. Mcgowan, born 1868 married to Clementine Stewart on 17 Feb. 1886 in Bourbon Co., KS

NARA Civil War Pension for John J. Neeley-

statement indicates his first wife Elmina McGowan died near Greenup IL on 26 June 1882 and he is currently (15 January 1898) married to Louisa A. McGowan

Decree of Descent from Probate Court of Bourbon Co., KS 13 Feb. 1943 –

gives additional information on Semon E. McGowan (deceased 3 October 1919), leaving widow Missouri Ann McGowan (died 17 December 1930), and children D.L. McGowan, Myra Mahaffey, Bertha Boyd, Emma Feemster, Alice McGowan, Edna Brown and Ora McGowan

Letter from Mildred R. Neeley of Casey, IL to Kimberly Ormsby [Nagy] dated 12 April 1978 (she was the daughter of Charles Hiram Neeley, son of J.J. and Elmina) – she cites information given to her from Orilda Neeley, daughter of J.J. and Elmina) – mentions that the two wives of J.J. Neeley were sisters – Elmina and Louisa McGowan. (I have the original in my possession)

Finally, 

Enclosed are copies of several family letters , originals in possession of Elbert Cassell, descendant of Avery Miller.  He lived in Carthage, MO in 1981  when I received these copies:

1. From Elmina McGowan [in Kansas] to Avery Miller [her uncle] dated 25 Aug. 1863.

2. From Clementine McGowan Wilson (in Bourbon Co) to Uncle Avery Miller her uncle dated Feb. 1867 [1876] – mentions Aunt Zilpha [Phillips] and tells of her mother’s (Melvina Miller McGowan) death

3. From Melvina Miller McGowan to her brother Avery Miller dated 30 March 1873.  Mentions her children Clem and Semon and sister Zilpah .

4. From Melvina Miller McGowan to her brother Avery Miller dated 5 July 1874.  mentions his wife Rosa, her sister Zilpah  and William [Zilpah’s husband].  Mentions daughter Clem.  Asks about daughter Elmina [still in Ohio].

5. From Melvina Miller McGowan to brother Avery Miller [ca 1875].  Mentions sons Henry and Semon, daughters Clem and Zilpah who married John Moore.  Asks about her sister Zilpah and Avery’s wife Rosa

6. From Clementine McGowan Wilson to Uncle Avery Miller dated 24 Feb. 1889 – mentions Aunt Zilpha & Uncle Will [Phillips] and Uncle Avery and Aunt Rosa [Miller].  Also that her father [J.T.] has remarried.  Also mentions brothers Henry, Frank, Semon and sister Zilpha.  She talks about her children Bertie Adelaide, Louisa Josephine, Frank Emmet, Edward Benson, Julia Amelia, Walter Scot, and Ethel May.

I believe that the above references help to substantiate the family as follows:

Henry Miller had the following children:

1. Elmina Miller who married Jacob Baker in 1837 and died before 1858

2.  Melvina Miller who married J.T. McGowan in 1842 (see below)

3.  Avery Miller who married Rosa Heiple in 1851

4.  Zilpha Miller who married William Phillips in 1855.

Henry was a veteran of the War of 1812 and received 160 acres of Bounty Land that passed to his daughter Melvina upon his death.  That land was the SW1/4 of Section 9, township 24, range 23E in Bourbon Co. OH.  Son-in-law J .T. McGowan settled on that land in 1860.  This land was subsequently transferred between J.T.’s  surviving children and grandchildren.

Joseph T. McGowan was born 17 July 1819 in Pennsylvania.  He died 11 Dec. 1890 in Bourbon Co., KS.

He married (1) Melvina Miller in 1842 in Knox Co., OH.  She was born ca 1820 in OH or VA, and died between 1875-80 probably in Bourbon Co., KS.

He married (2) Mary A. Smith in 1887 in Bourbon Co., KS.

J.T. and Melvina had the following children:

1. Elmina J. McGowan, born 21 April 1844 in Ohio who married J.J. Neeley (see below)

2. Marinda Clementine McGowan was born in 1845 in Ohio and married Joseph Wilson in 1867 in Bourbon Co., KS.

3. Seamon E. McGowan was born in 1848 in Ohio and married Missouri Stewart in 1872 in Bourbon Co., KS.  He died in 1919.

4. Zilpha A. McGowan was born in 1852 in Ohio and married J.W. Moore in 1874 in Bourbon Co., KS.

5. Henry A. McGowan was born in Ohio ca 1855-1856 and leaves the household after 1880.  He moves west.

6. Louisa A. McGowan was born in 1859 Ohio and marries her widowed brother-in-law J.J. Neeley (see below)

7. Frank E. McGowan was born in 1868 Ohio and married Clementine Stewart in 1886.

John J. Neeley was born 20 July 1841 and died 17 September 1908.

He married (1) Elmina J. McGowan on 14 March 1865 in Bourbon Co, KS.  She was born 21 April 1844 in Ohio and died 26 June 1882 near Greenup, IL (buried in Clark Co., IL).

He married (2) Louisa A. McGowan, sister of Elmina.  They were married 27 Dec. 1882.  She was born in 1859 in Ohio and died in 1917 (buried in Clark Co., IL).

John J. and Elmina had 9 children including Lena E. Neeley who married Edward A. Ormsby

John J. and Louisa had 5 children.

These records should show that Elmina (McGowan) Neeley was the daughter of Joseph T. and Melvina (Miller) McGowan.  She had siblings Marinda Clementine (McGowan) Wilson, Seamon E. McGowan, Zilpha A. (McGowan) Moore, Henry A. McGowan, Louisa A. (McGowan) Neeley and Frank E. McGowan. In fact, Louisa, Frank and Henry are noted to be children of J.T. McGowan on the 1880 census.

Joseph Thompson and Melvina (Miller) McGowan

The analysis itself is actually much longer and contains more information as I was trying to prove some other dates as well, but it gives an idea of how we can infer a relationship when all we have is indirect evidence to substantiate it.  In other words, I have nothing that states simply "Elmina was the daughter of Joseph and Melvina McGowan", but am fairly certain that she was based on other information.