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.

Military Monday - Victor Hill

In honor of Memorial Day, I would like to post this tribute to my Great-Uncle.

Victor Leroy Hill was born 19 August 1897 at Casey, Clark, IL, son of Charles Taylor and Nancy Jane (Wiley) Hill.

When the Great War broke out, he wanted to fight but the United States had not entered the war yet.  He enlisted in the Canadian Army Overseas Expeditionary Force on 10 Sept. 1916 at Camp Hughes, Manitoba.  He was assigned to the  Canadian Pioneer Unit,  107^th Overseas Battalion.  He served as a Private.  While at Camp Hughes, he had his basic training - basically learning to fire a gun and dig a trench.

photo courtesy of http://www.taniwha.ca/mhsmb/hughes/hughes.html

He sailed from Halifax to England in September 1916 on board the SS Olympic.  He was sent “O’Seas” in February 1917, arriving in Boulogne,  France.  Once the U.S. entered the war, he applied for transfer to the U.S. Army.

Before the transfer could be completed, he was killed in action near Lens, France on 15 August 1917.  The report sent to his family states “The above named soldier was working with the rest of his Platoon near Loos digging a trench, when a large high explosive shell burst quite close to him, killing him instantly”. 

He is buried in Maroc Military Cemetery in Grenay, France.  A large memorial is erected nearby to the Canadians who are buried there.  His mother received a pension of $20 per month from the Canadian Pension Commission until she died in 1960.

Chicago Colony New England Women

Today we had a meeting of the Chicago Colony (ie chapter) of the National Society New England Women.  This is an organization of women who can trace their lineage to someone who was born in New England prior to the American Revolution.  Our colony itself is over 100 years old.  It is a very nice group that meets nationally in New Hampshire in May.
This meeting marked a transition - one of our members, Gyda Stoner, became Honorary President General last weekend after serving for three years.  Locally, our colony installed a new slate of officers.  I have been the recording secretary for the colony for the past 6 years and have finally been able to turn over the books to my successor.  I am staying on as Webmistress, though.  I guess 9 years is not enough.
We had a very nice memorial service at the meeting today.  In addition to remembering our members who have died in the past year, each member places a flower in remembrance of her NEW ancestor. 

Here is Honorary President General Gyda Stoner placing a flower.

Our new slate of Officers was installed. 

Here are incoming Colony President Jane Schleinzer and newly elected Honorary Colony President Shari Worrell.  Shari is pinning on the Colony Ribbon.

My NEW ancestor is:

John Ormsby, born 1641 at Saco, ME, died 10 March 1718 at Rehoboth, MA, the son of Richard Ormesby and Sarah Upham.

he was married, on 5 Jan. 1664 at Rehoboth, MA

to Grace Martin, born 21 Sept. 1640 at Devonshire, England, died 4 July 1710 at Rehoboth, MA, the daughter of Richard Martin and Elizabeth Salter.

John and Grace had 12 children - their son John Ormsbee was my ancestor.

www.homestead.com/nsnew



Daughters of the Union Wreath Laying

The John Butler Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865 (NSDU) has been laying wreaths at the graves of civil war ancestors.  I attended the most recent of these this past week.  After driving for about 3 hours to Elmwood, IL (north of Peoria), we honored Joseph Wheeler.  His great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter are members of our chapter.   They were present, along with other family members.
The ceremony was very nice - developed by chapter Regent Shari Worrell.  We learned about Joseph Wheeler, born in 1837 in England and died in 1917 in Elmwood, IL.  He immigrated in 1844, settling first in New Jersey, then making his way west to Illinois.  He enlisted in the 47th Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1861 and served for over 3 years.  After discharge he was paid the lofty sum of $100.
One of the reasons that I enjoy my membership in these lineage societies is the ability to honor our ancestors by laying wreaths and learning about their lives.

www.homestead.com/nsdujohnbutler

Welcome Cora

We have a new branch on our family tree - actually my in-laws do.  Cora Josefine Edens was born on May 10.  She is the daughter of my niece Melissa and her husband Sam.  She weighed 9 lb. 10 oz. - quite an accomplishment since her mother is very petite.  I can't wait to meet her this summer when we travel to Ohio for a visit.  Here is a picture of Cora with her big sister Lyla.

Illinois Branch, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

The Illinois Branch (ie. chapter) of the National Society of Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims had our end of year meeting today.  We had a nice turnout of 21 people who enjoyed a delicious lunch at Braxton's Seafood restaurant in Oak Brook.  Our program was about Lewis & Clark's expedition and was a member participation program.
The NSSDP is a group of men and women who can trace their lineage back to an immigrant ancestor who settled within the continental U.S. before 1700 - a broader definition of Pilgrim than some might think.  The group is nice because, in addition to its co-ed membership, there are junior members (under 20) and associate members (spouses who don't have the lineage themselves).  Many of our members bring their husbands or wives to the meetings.  We were happy to have met our goal of 50 members at this meeting.  Not bad, considering our Branch is only 5 years old!
This meeting marked a change in Officers - those who had served over the past 2 years were thanked, and a new group was installed for the next term.  Congratulations to Gayle Coan, the new Branch Governor, and all the new Branch Officers.  Now it is time for this webmistress to update our webpage :-)

http://illinoispilgrims.homestead.com/

Isle a la Cache Chapter, NSDAR

I must spend this current blog post bragging about one of the newest chapters in DAR - Isle a la Cache Chapter, based in Romeoville, IL.  This chapter was first conceived in August, and by November, we had the required 12 members to organize.  We were confirmed by National in December.  On Sunday, we had our official Organizing Celebration where the State Regent and State Officers officially welcomed us and installed our officers.  We now have 25 members and 2 associate members, and we are still growing!

If you think that the DAR is just a bunch of white-haired ladies with hats and gloves who sip tea, think again!  (well, there are a few hats).  Our chapter is very young, by DAR standards - the average age of our members is 38 and 8 of our members are 21 or younger.  We have some exciting plans for the future in terms of service projects and activities with youth education.

Our chapter name means "Island of the Hiding Place".  There is a small island in the DesPlaines River in Romeoville where the french fur traders would stash their goods. 

Congratulations to Organizing Regent Teri McLeod for a great start on our chapter.