Person Page - 2

Margarette Delana Lyle was also listed as Margareth Garman on at least one occasion, after her marriage.² She was born circa 1820 in Tennessee.¹

Margarette Delana Lyle married Robert Jarman, son of Josiah Jarman, on 10 September 1838 in Montogmery County, Tennessee, (the family's surname seems to sometimes be recorded as Lyle and sometimes as Lyles).^4,3

Margarette Delana Lyle and Robert Jarman appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Montgomery County, Tennessee, enumerated 19 October 1850. The real estate associated with the household was listed as having a value of $100. Their children Robert S Jarman, James Jarman and Sally Jarman, ages 9, 7, and 5, resepectively, were listed as living with them, as well as Margarette Delana's mother, Sarah (--?--), age 55, who is listed in the census as Sarah Lyle, her married name.¹

Margarette Delana Lyle and Robert S Jarman appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Jefferson Township, Osage County, Missouri at Cooper Hill (Post Office)., enumerated 10 July 1860. The official date of that census was 01 June 1860. Their children Robert Jarman, William Jarman, Martha Jarman, J Jarman, Margareth Jarman, Sarah Jarman and Jefferson Jarman were listed as living with them, along with Sarah (--?--) (listed as Sarah Lyles), Margarette Delana Lyle's mother, whose occupation is listed as a domestic. The household appears to have been listed as owning personal property worth $164 (the handwritten value is slightly uncertain). No value is listed for real estate (which seems odd given a 1859 land grant to Robert S Jarman). All of the children in the household except the two youngest (Sarah, age 5, and Jefferson, age 3 months) were listed as attending school within the last year. The census information indicated Robert S Jarman and Sarah (--?--) could read and write, but Margarette Delana Lyle could not.²

Margarette Delana Lyle probably died between 1860 and 1870 possibly in Osage County, Missouri. Her mother appears in the household of William Charles Fields in the 1870 census in Douglas County, Missouri.^5,6

Robert S Jarman was also listed as Robert Garman on at least one source document.³ Robert S Jarman was also known as Robert Jarman. His father is also named Robert Jarman (who may have also been known as Robert S Jarman). It is possible that some bits of information for the two individuals may have been intermingled between them.^4,3 He was born circa 1842 at Tennessee.^4,3

Robert S Jarman appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Montgomery County, Tennessee in the household of his parents, Robert Jarman and Margarette Delana Lyle.⁴

Robert Jarman appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Jefferson Township, Osage County, Missouri in the household of his parents, Robert S Jarman and Margarette Delana Lyle, at Cooper Hill (Post Office)..³

Robert S Jarman (or possibly his father, also Robert Jarman) began military service in 1861 at Missouri, Dallmeyer's Battalion, Missouri Six Month's Militia, Company I (and/or Company E). This is an area where the father and son (with similar or identical names) could have been confused with one another.⁵

Robert S Jarman married Anna Matilda Scisco, daughter of Turner Scisco and Tabitha (--?--), on 20 October 1864 in Osage County, Missouri.^6,1

Robert S Jarman is believed to have died circa 1869 based on (1) his wife (probably his widow) and his children living with her parents at the time of the 1870 census and (2) no known records of him living in 1870 or later.

James Jarman was born circa 1843 in Tennessee.¹

James Jarman appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Montgomery County, Tennessee in the household of his parents, Robert Jarman and Margarette Delana Lyle.¹

Sally Jarman was born circa 1845.¹

Sally Jarman appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Montgomery County, Tennessee in the household of her parents, Robert Jarman and Margarette Delana Lyle.¹

Sally Jarman (born about 1845) and Sarah Jarman (born about 1854) appear to be two different people (in the same family) -- although they never appear in the same household in the same census.

His first name is sometimes given as Handford Magness.⁴ Hanford Magness was born on 28 November 1910 in Arkansas.^2,5

Hanford Magness married Ruby Alice Fields, daughter of George McClellan Fields and Sarah A Childress, on 16 August 1929 at Newark, Independence County, Arkansas. Their ages were listed as 21 and 18, respectively. Both were said to be residents of Newark. Marriage was performed by T. H. Deering, JP. Bondsmen were Ruby Alice Fields and E. C. Miller. Apparently both of them gave incorrect ages. This marriage license is on page 368 of the Indenepence County record book on file in the county courthouse for that time period. The same page of the same book of marriage licenses contains an entry for Oscar Craig Jr and Miss Jewell Schultz, who were married the same day by the same Justice of the Peace (JP). Ruby told younger family members that she and Hanford and Oscar and Jewell had a double marrage ceremony (with both couples having eloped) in the middle of a road (R C Chamberlain was bondsman for the Craig/Schultz marriage license). Carl Fields has a vague memory they used to celebrate their anniversery on November 27, the day between their two birthdays.^2,3,6 Hanford Magness lived in 1929 at Newark, Independence County, Arkansas.³

Hanford Magness and Ruby Alice Fields appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Newark, Independence County, Arkansas, enumerated 5 April 1940. The home was listed as owned and valued at $2500 and not on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. Their children George Ann Magness and Bennie Pauline Magness were listed as living with them. All household members were listed having lived in the same house on 1 Apr 1935 (which was stated to not be on a farm). Hanford Magness and Ruby Alice Fields were listed as ages 29 and 26, respectively, both not attending school in March 1940, Hanford having completed 2 years of high school and Ruby having completed 3 years of high school, and both having been born in Arkansas. Hanford was listed as unemployed and seeking work the week of 24-30 March, and had been unemployed for 72 weeks. His occupation was listed as a bookkeeper in the lumber industry (his previous occupation before being put out of work, apparently -- he may have lost his job when the family-owned lumber yard closed or was sold). Ruby is listed as not employed for wages, not seeking such employment, and doing housework. No 1939 wage income was reported for either Hanford or Ruby, but both of them had non-wage income in excess of $50 in 1939. Ruby's non-wage income is probably related to rental income from property owned by the estate of her father, G. M. Fields. who had died in 1937. Hanford's non-wage income may be from his father's estate. The population schedule indicates that a farm schedule was filed for this household (which might also be related to Hanford's non-wage income).⁷

Hanford Magness was employed by the Arkansas Highway Department, initially in the division headquartered in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas. The Batesville offices (and equipment yard) moved to a larger facility, a few miles south of the city of Batesville, an area known as Southside (which later became an incorporated town) some time in the 1960s. There may have been one or more breaks in his service in the 1940s between 1945 and 1970 at Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas.¹

Hanford Magness was a member of the County Board of Equalization (it dealt with real estate taxes) circa November 1951 at Independence County, Arkansas.⁴

Hanford Magness died on 18 September 1971 at Newark, Independence County, Arkansas, at age 60.⁵ He was buried at Blue Springs Cemetery, Newark, Independence County, Arkansas.⁸

Personal recollections about Hanford Magness are described in an end note.⁹

Bennie Pauline Magness was born on 11 August 1934 at Newark, Independence County, Arkansas.^2,4,5

Bennie Pauline Magness appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Newark, Independence County, Arkansas in the household of her parents, Hanford Magness and Ruby Alice Fields. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. She was listed as: age 5, single, did not attend school during March 1940, had not completed any schooling, born in Arkansas, and lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935.⁶

Bennie Pauline Magness was graduated circa April 1952 at Newark High School, Newark, Independence County, Arkansas.⁷

Bennie Pauline Magness married Winford Paul Cummings on 2 January 1954 at Newark, Independence County, Arkansas.^2,3

Bennie Pauline Magness died on 18 February 2001 at Batesville, Arkansas, at age 66.^4,8 She was buried at Egner Cemetery, Salado, Arkansas.⁴

Bennie Pauline Magness's Social Security Number was 431-60-2548, issued in Arkansas in 1951 (last residence was Salado, Independence County, Arkansas.)⁸

Personal recollections about Bennie Pauline Magness are described in an end note.⁹

George Ann Magness was born on 20 July 1932 at Newark, Independence County, Arkansas.^3,2,4

George Ann Magness appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Newark, Independence County, Arkansas in the household of her parents, Hanford Magness and Ruby Alice Fields. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. She was listed as: age 7, single, attended school during March 1940, had completed two years of school, born in Arkansas, and lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935.⁵

George Ann Magness was graduated circa April 1950 at Newark High School, Newark, Independence County, Missouir.⁶

George Ann Magness married Albert Allen Ramey, son of Joseph Ben Ramey and Myrtle Lawrence, on 30 May 1953 at Newark, Independence County, Arkansas.^2,7

George Ann Magness's husband, Albert Allen Ramey, served as an officer in the US Air Force between 1955 and 1976, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1976. During this time, they were stationed at several different bases around the US, including bases in or near Houston Texas, Sacramento California, Warner Robbins Georgia, Spokane Washington, Moses Lake Washington, Fairbanks Alaska, and Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. In addition, during one year, Allen was stationed overseas, in Thialand. George and her daughters lived in a rented home in Batesville Arkansas during that year.⁸

George Ann Magness died on 11 April 2003 at Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, at age 70. She died following a sudden massive heart attack.^3,9 She was buried at Blue Springs Cemetery, Newark, Independence County, Arkansas.^10,3

George Ann Magness's Social Security Number was 431-58-2709, issued in Arkansas before 1991 (last residence is listed as Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas).¹¹

Personal recollections about George Ann Magness are described in an end note.¹²

Mary Elizabeth Johnson was born on 12 January 1855 in Phelps County, Missouri.³

Mary Elizabeth Johnson (as M E Johnson) appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Rolla Township, Phelps County, Missouri in the household of her parents, Thomas Marion Johnson and Virginia Caroline Craddock, at Dillon (Post Office). She is listed as age 5, born in Missouri.⁵

Mary Elizabeth Johnson married John Hartwell Fields, son of William Charles Fields and Eira Keziah Jarman, on 20 March 1873 in Douglas County, Missouri.^2,3,7,1

John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Middleton, in Lafayette County, Missouri, enumerated circa 12 June 1880. The official date of that census was 01 June 1880. Their children William Thomas Fields, Clementine Beatrice Fields and John Ambrose Fields were listed as living with them, as was John's brother, Lindsey Waters Fields. No one in the household was listed as attending school. All adults in the household were listed as able to read and write.⁸ Mary Elizabeth Johnson was listed in the 1880 census as a housekeeper.⁸

John Hartwell Fields (listed as J H Fields) and Mary Elizabeth Johnson (listed as Mary E Fields) appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri, enumerated 8 June 1900. The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. John’s age was listed as 50 (born Jan 1850). Mary’s age was listed as 45 (born Jan 1855). This census is unique (up to that time) in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in addition to age at the official census date. They were listed as born in Tennessee and Missouri, respectively. His parents were both listed as born in Tennessee (which is incorrect); her parents were both listed as born in Alabama and Unknown, respectively. They were both listed as married for 27 years. His occupation was listed as Farmer, on his own account (self-employed), who was unemployed for 4 months during the previous year. No occupation was listed for her. Their children William Thomas Fields, Clementine Beatrice Fields, John Ambrose Fields, Theodore Fields, Byron Fields, C. V. Fields, Roxana Waters Fields, Ora Fields and Ted Roosevelt Fields were listed as living with them (the ages of the children were listed as: 25, 23, 21, 19, 16, 12, 10, 6, and 6/12). Clementine (listed as Clemmie in this census, was incorrectly listed as a male)

All members of the household age 10 and over were listed as able to read, write, and speak English. Theodore, Byron, C. V., and Roxanna were listed as attending school for four months during the previous 12. Mary Elizabeth Johnson was listed as the mother of nine children, with all of them living as of the date of the census. The residence was listed as owned with a mortgage and on a farm.⁹

John Hartwell Fields (listed as John H Fields) and Mary Elizabeth Johnson (listed as Mary E Fields) appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of North Cedar Township, at Cedar County, Missouri, enumerated 22 April 1910. The official date of that census was 15 April 1910. The home was listed as owned, mortgaged, and on a farm. John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson were listed as ages 60 and 55, born in Tennessee and Missouri, respectively, both married for 37 years, both in first marriage, and both spoke English as their native language. Both were listed as able to read and write. John’s occupation was listed as a Farmer on a general farm (on his own account, self-employed). No occupation was listed for Mary. Mary was reported to have given birth to nine children, all of whom were still living as of the official date of this census. Their children Columbus B Fields, Ora Fields and Roosevelt Fields were listed as living with them. The children in the household were listed as ages 22, 16, and 10. All could read and write and the two younger ones had attended school after 1 September 1909. No one in the household was listed as a veteran of the Union or Confederate Army or Navy. No severe vision, hearing, or speaking disabilities were listed.¹⁰

Mary Elizabeth Johnson and John Hartwell Fields appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri, enumerated 17 January 1920. The residence (on a farm) was listed as owned with no mortgage. The official date of that census was 01 January 1920. Their children Roosevelt Fields and Ora Fields were listed as living with them, as well as Ora's wife Pearl Mae Green and the children of Ora and Pearl, Eunice Fields, Doris Fields and Dot Fields. All adults in the household were listed as able to read and write. No one in the household was listed as attending school.⁴

Mary Elizabeth Johnson lived in 1925 at Cedar Springs, Missouri.¹¹

Mary Elizabeth Johnson died on 26 January 1926 at Cedar County, Missouri, at age 71.^1,2,3,7 She was buried at Love Cemetery (or possibly Mound Cemetery), El Dorado, Cedar County, Missouri.⁷

Notes and Observations: John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson seem to have had two sons with very similar names who both lived to adulthood, Theodore Fields and Ted Roosevelt Fields.

Ted Roosevelt Fields seems to have been named after Theodore Roosevelt, who in late 1899, when T. R. Fields was born, was governor of New York state (he was not yet president -- in fact he had not yet been ominated for vice president; he became president because he was serving as vice president when President McKinley was murdered in September 1901). Theodore Roosevelt was, however, apparently well known throughout the US in 1899 due to service in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He was nominated for a Congressional Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of San Juan Hill in July 1898 (but the medal was not awarded until many decades later -- long after his death).

One might suppose that a person apparently named after Theodore Roosevelt would carry the name Theodore Roosevelt Fields. That does not seem to be the case. All information that Carl Fields has been able to find indicates his first name was "Ted" (and, in some instances, he seems to have been known as Roosevelt Fields,that is by his middle and surnames only).

William Thomas Fields was born on 25 September 1874 in Lafayette County, Missouri, (or possibly 16 September 1874, the date listed on his World War I draft registration card).^2,4

William Thomas Fields appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Middleton, Lafayette County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson.¹

William Thomas Fields appeared on the census of 1900 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.³ His occupation was listed as farm labor in the 1900 census.³

William Thomas Fields (listed as W T Fields) appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, of Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. He was listed as age 25, born September 1874 in Missouri. This census is unique (up to that time) in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in addition to age at the official census date. His occupation was listed as Farm Laborer and he was unemployed 4 months during the previous year. He did not attend school within a year prior to the official census date. He was listed as able to read and write and speak English.⁵

William Thomas Fields moved to South Dakota circa 1903.^6,7

William Thomas Fields appeared on the South Dakota state census of June 1905 at Sioux Falls Post Office, Mapleton Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota. He was listed as a farm hand, age 29, born in Missouri, single, and had lived in South Dakota for 3 years. He could read and write. Both parents are listed as born in Tennessee on this census (his mother was actually probably born in Missouri -- the parents' birthplaces are apparently listed on the state census form only for demographic and identification purposes, they did not reside in South Dakota). Mapleton Township is due north of Sioux Falls Township, which contained the city of Sioux Falls (at that time, Sioux Falls Township was apparently larger in area than the city). The card also lists the additional location informaton of Sec (Section) 34, T (Township?) 102, and R (Range?) 48 (the T and R values look somewhat odd if they are indeed intended to be the Township and Range as they are usually defined).⁸

William Thomas Fields appears to have been missed in the 1910 US Federal Census.

The 1912 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by Polk-Avery and described as Vol. 16 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 309 N. Phillips Avenue and his occupation was a painter. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

William Thomas Fields appeared on the South Dakota state census of June 1915 at Corson Post Office, Brandon Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota. He was listed as a laborer, age 40, born in Missouri, single, and had lived in South Dakota for 12 years. He could read and write and had a grade school education. Corson is a small community roughly a mile north of Brandon (now a town), which is, in turn, about 5 miles east of Sioux Falls. It is possible he was working (helping out?) on his brother Byron's farm at the time this census was taken (Byron's information is on Card 350 in this collection of census records and William's is on Card 351, but the cards may be in alphabetical order, rather than in the order the enumerated people were visited by the census taker). The FamilySearch transcriber had his name listed as W J Fields, but on the image the middle initial seems more likely to be a "T".⁶

The 1918 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by Polk-Avery and described as Vol. 22 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 309 1/2 N. Phillips Avenue and his occupation was painter. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields. He was actually listed twice in the 1918 city directory, once for his residence and once for his profession, painter, suggesting he may have been self-employed, at this time.⁹

William's draft registration card indicated that on 12 September 1918 he lived at 309 1/2 N. Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota. The draft record also indicated his occupation was common labor (painter), his nearest relative was his father, John Hartwell Fields, Cedar Springs, Cedar County, Missouri, and he was of medium height and build, had dark blue eyes, and brown hair. The space on the card to list his employer was blank, again suggesting he may have been self-employed.⁴

William Thomas Fields appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Sioux Falls, Minehaha County, South Dakota at 118 1/2 West Ninth Street, enumerated 13 January 1920. His age was listed as 43, born in Missouri, did not attend school the previous year, and could read and write. The home was listed as rented and appears to be an apartment house or rooming house (there are 8 numbered "families" in the dwelling, but at least two of them have two individuals in the same "unit," who are both listed as heads of household). The official date of that census was 01 January 1920. William's occupation was listed as being a laborer in a packing house (as an employee). However, the occupation of the person on the next row after him on the census schedule is listed as a self-employed painter. One wonders if perhaps the census enumerator may have done something (such as recopy rough notes) to produce a clean and neat "final" census schedule and transcribed some infomation incorrectly.

The census schedule lists both of William's parents as born in Pennsylvania (actually his father was probably born in Tennessee and his mother was probably born in Missouri). The reason for this inconsistency is unknown (but may be due to the above-mentioned possibility that "raw data" was incorrectly transcriibed onto a "clean and neat" census form). His age stated in this record, 43, is also inconsistent with other information; he was probably more like 45 at the time of this census. These various inconsistencies probably delayed recognition that this Sioux Falls William Fields was the person who was a member of this particular Fields family). An agricultural census schedule was not submitted for this household.

The street name is listed above (for the 1920 census) as Ninth Street is based on an examination of the image of the census schedule and a review of current-day (2014) Sioux Falls street names. The Ancestry.com transcriber gives the street name as North Street. If it is indeed Ninth Street, this residence appears to be within three or four blocks of where he lived in 1918. The address of the dwelling listed immediately before this one in the census schedule also ends in "1/2". These addresses are in a downtown urban area. It is possible these "1/2" addresses were street-level entrances to stairwells leading to rented rooms and/or apartments on upper floors, above stores or other commercial establishments. Google Maps images (viewed in 2014) suggest the area has been largely redeveloped since 2014. There are few buildings that appear to remain from the 1920-era to provide insight into what the area may have looked like in 1920.¹⁰

The 1924 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 27 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at the European Hotel (201 S. First Avenue) and his occupation was a laborer. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

The 1925 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 28 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at the European Hotel (201 S. First Avenue) and his occupation was a painter. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

William Thomas Fields appears to have been missed in the June 1925 South Dakota state census (if he was living in the state at that time).

The 1929 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 32 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 227 S. Phillips Avenue and his occupation was a painter. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

William Thomas Fields appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota in the downtown area, enumerated circa 7 April 1930. His age was listed as 56, born in Missouri, did not attend school the previous year, and could read and write. His marital status was listed as single. The home was listed as owned by a George Grillis, valued at $5000, not on a farm, and Grillis (apparently) owned a radio. Grillis was listed as age 32, born in Greece, and working as a hatter in a hat store (and a worker, not self employed). William lived in the household as a roomer who paid rent. The official date of that census was 02 April 1930. William was listed as not attending school and being able to read and write. William's occupation was listed as a house painter and a worker (not working on his own account or self employed). An agricultural census schedule was not submitted for this household. One other man lived in the household as a roomer, Joe Kelly, age 46, who worked in a packing plant. William's parents were again both listed as having been born in Pennsylvania.

His street address at the time of the 1930 census is unclear from the information on the census schedule (but it is likely to have been 227 S. Philips, since that address was listed has address in sources dating from 1929 and 1931). It appears the census enumerator was jumping around among various addresses in the central business district (possibly visiting places that had been previously skipped because no one was home on the days of previous visits). From examining a few previous and subsequent pages in the census schedule, it appears that, around the time of visiting this address, the enumerator stopped at several addresses in the downtown central business district on Ninth and Tenth Avenues, Main Avenue, Phillips Avenue, and South Dakota Avenue.¹¹

The 1931 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 34 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 227 S. Phillips Avenue and his occupation was a painter. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

The 1933 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 36 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 624 N. Dakota Avenue and his occupation was a painter. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

The 1934 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 37 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 624 N. Dakota Avenue and his occupation was a painter. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

The 1935 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 38 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 624 N. Dakota Avenue and his occupation was a painter. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

William Thomas Fields appears to have been missed in the June 1935 South Dakota state census (if he was living in the state at that time.)

The 1939 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 42 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 1024 N. Main Avenue and his occupation was not listed. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William T. Fields.⁹

William Thomas Fields seems to have been missed in the 1940 census. There is a William T Fields born in Missouri around 1876 listed as living in Polk County, Oregon, but nothing else regarding that Oregon individual matches this William Thomas Fields (who seems to have consistently lived in Sioux Falls South Dakota for many years before and after 1940). Given the general types of housing he used -- and how frequently he moved -- it is perhaps not surprising that he might have been missed in some censuses (and some editions of the city directories.)

The 1941 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 44 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 619 S. Phillips Avenue and his occupation was not listed. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William T. Fields.⁹

The 1942 Sioux Falls South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 45 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 506 S. Dakota Avenue. His occupation was not listed. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William F. Fields.⁹

The 1944 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 46 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 506 S. Dakota Avenue. His occupation was not listed. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William M. Fields.⁹

The 1945 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 47 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 107 N. Main Avenue and his occupation was a bartender. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

William Thomas Fields appeared on the South Dakota state census of June 1945 at 506 South Dakota Avenue, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota. He was listed as a painter, age 70, born in Missouri, single, and had lived in South Dakota for 44 years. The spaces for being able to read and write were left blank, but it is indicated he had a grade school education. The spaces indicating he was blind and insane seem to be checked?! For this census form, both his parents are listed as born in Missouri. His church affailation seems to be listed as Methodist.⁷

The 1947 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 48 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 100 S. Phillips Avenue (Apartment 22). His occupation was not listed. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

The 1950 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 50 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 100 S. Phillips Avenue (Apartment 22). His occupation was not listed. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

The 1951 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 51 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 100 S. Phillips Avenue (Apartment 22). His occupation was not listed. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

The 1953 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 52 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 100 S. Phillips Avenue (Apartment 22). His occupation was a bartender. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William Fields.⁹

The 1954 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk and described as Vol. 53 in the series) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 100 S. Phillips Avenue (Apartment 22). His occupation was not listed. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William T. Fields.⁹

The 1956 Sioux City South Dakota city directory (published by R. L. Polk (no indication of volume number appears to be listed)) indicated William Thomas Fields lived at 135 N. Phillips Avenue (Apartment 316). His occupation was not listed. That year he was listed in the directory under the name William T. Fields.⁹

William Thomas Fields is believed to have died circa 1956.¹²

William Thomas Fields is believed to be buried at Laverne, Rock County, Minnesota.²

He never married.²

Clementine Beatrice Fields was apparently also known as Clemeny and "Bee".³ She was probably born on 28 August 1876 in Lafayette County, Missouri.⁴ Other source documents list her date of birth as 8 August and 23 Aug 1876.^2,3

Clementine Beatrice Fields appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Middleton, Lafayette County, Missouri in the household of her parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson.¹

Clementine Beatrice Fields appeared on the census of 1900 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.⁵ She was listed as farm labor in the 1900 census.⁵

Clementine Beatrice Fields (listed as Clemmie Fields) appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, of Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. She was listed as age 23, born August 1876 in Missouri. This census is unique (up to that time) in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in addition to age at the official census date. She was incorrectly listed a male in this census. Her occupation was listed as Farm Laborer and she was unemployed 4 months during the previous year. She did not attend school within a year prior to the official census date. She was listed as able to read and write and speak English.⁶ Clementine Beatrice Fields was known as Clemmie Fields in the 1900 census (and was listed as a male).^7,5

Clementine Beatrice Fields married George P Kuhn, son of Peter J Kuhn and Phelomina Aulbach, on 11 December 1900 at Stockton, Cedar County, Missouri.^8,2 Her place of residence was listed on 11 December 1900 as Balm, Cedar County, Missouri.⁸

Clementine Beatrice Fields appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri, enumerated 15 April 1940, listed as Clemey Kuhn. The home was listed as owned, valued at $300, and on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. The household included her brother, Theodore Fields. Clementine Beatrice Fields was listed as having lived in rural Cedar County, Missouri on 1 Apr 1935. Clementine Beatrice Fields was listed as age 63, widowed, born in Missouri, not attending school in March 1940, and having completed 7 years of schooling. Clementine is listed as doing housework, not employed for wages, and not seeking such employment. No occupation was listed for her. No 1939 employment or wage income was reported for her, but she did have non-wage income in excess of $50 in 1939. The population schedule indicates a farm schedule was filed for this household.⁹

Clementine Beatrice Fields died on 7 October 1958 at Ellis Fischel (Hospital?), Columbia, Boone County, Missouri, at age 82.^4,3 She was buried at Love Cemetery, Eldorado, Cedar County, Missouri.^2,4,3

John Ambrose Fields was born on 4 August 1878 in Lafayette County, Missouri.^3,4

John Ambrose Fields appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Middleton, Lafayette County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson.¹

John Ambrose Fields (listed as John A Fields) appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, of Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. He was listed as age 21, born August 1878 in Missouri. This census is unique (up to that time) in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in addition to age at the official census date. His occupation was listed as Farm Laborer and he was unemployed 4 months during the previous year. He did not attend school within a year prior to the official census date. He was listed as able to read and write and speak English.⁵

John Ambrose Fields appeared on the census of 1910 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.⁶ His occupation was listed as farm labor in the 1910 census.⁶

John A Fields arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, on 5 July 1915. He had travelled there by boat (probably a “coastal” steamship). Fields may have boarded the ship in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Another passenger on the trip with him was a G. D. Wilkinson, whose occupation seems to have been “timber man”.

John A Fields’s occupation was listed as “teamster” in 1915 (which, in Alaska, at that time, would almost certainly have been a driver of horses, not motor vehicles). Anchorage was established in 1914 (or 1915) as something like a construction camp (and probably also a supply depot) to support the building of the Alaska railroad. It is possible that Fields had traveled to Alaska hoping to find employment on that construction project.

On 25 July 1915, Fields was in a tent with Wilkinson. Apparently, Wilkinson later noticed that a “pocketbook” (probably something like a wallet) containing $120 was missing. Fields stated that he had never come close to Wilkinson during their meeting, but Wilkinson apparently later testified that Fields had been close to him while showing Wilkinson some “plays” (it is unclear what this means, perhaps Fields was demonstrating some type of card game?). Wilkinson apparently stated that he believed Fields had stolen the money, at least in part, because Fields had been the only person who Wilkinson had been in contact with between the time he had last “seen” his “pocketbook” and the time he had realized it was missing.

At some later time (perhaps a few days later), Fields tried to get a $50 bill changed (converted to smaller bills). He may have asked a barber named Wilson to change the $50 bill.

Wilkinson filed a criminal complaint on 14 August 2015 with David Leopold, the United States Commissioner (who was on the scene in Anchorage). The United States Commissioners were also de facto Justices of the Peace. Fields was apparently arrested on 14 August by James Waredell, a Deputy Marshall.

A preliminary hearing or arraignment hearing (or something similar to one or both of those) was held on 18 August 1915 in front of Commissioner (and de facto Justice of the Peace) Leopold David (who later, in 1920, became Anchorage's first elected mayor). At this hearing, Fields was held over for the Grand Jury and his bail was set at $500. There is no indication that he was able to “make” this bail. Fields was represented by an attorney, William Conden, at this 18 August 1915 proceeding in Anchorage.

Fields was indicted by a grand jury on 17 September 1915, convicted in a trial on 21 September 1915, and, on 2 Oct 1915, sentenced to one year confinement at the federal prison at McNeil Island, Washington State. The grand jury proceedings, trial, and sentencing were all done at Valdez Alaska, which was, at that time, the seat of Alaska's Third Judicial District.^7,8,9,10

He entered McNeil Island Penitentiary, McNeil Island, Pierce County, Washington, on 13 October 1915, having been sentenced on 2 Oct 1915 to one year imprisonment for larceny. The records indicate he had been tried in Valdez, Alaska, but had been arrested in Anchorage in August 1915. He was released on 13 Aug 1916 (with time off his sentence for good behavior). The information in the prison file indicates he was 5 ft 9.5 inches tall, weighed 130.5 pounds, and the second finger of his left hand was "deformed" at the second joint.

Additional information about this case is listed in an essay-type end note.^11,7,12

The few weeks John Ambrose Fields spent in Anchorage prior to being arrested were very early in the city's history (although, of course, it was hardly a city at that time). The site was selected for the construction camp for the central section of the railroad in April 1915. The 350-acre town site (south of Ship Creek -- Anchorage was sited at the location where this creek flows into the Cook Inlet) was surveyed in May and June 1915, and building lots were auctioned on July 10th. An election was held on August 9, 1915, which settled on the name "Anchorage" (several other names were also on the ballot, one wonders how 'formal" or "official" an election in a recently formed railroad construction camp could have been).

A visitor in late June 1915 noted that the town was then almost totally a "tent city". The visitor estimated the population was between 2,000 and 2,500, of whom about 1000 were employed in railroad construction and 600 to 700 were unemployed. The basic labor wage rate for rail workers was said to be 37.5 cents per hour.

The visitor estimated the town had 25 to 30 restaurants, about the same number of lodging houses, 15 to 20 barber ships, and one bath tent -- as well as several other named and unnamed types of businesses. Almost all of the residents were sqatters at that point, with many of the tents on a government-owned hill north of Ship Creek (outside the area auctioned off on July 10th).¹³

John Ambrose Fields appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Seldovia Village, Third Judicial District, Alaska Territory, enumerated 15 November 1929. John Ambrose Fields's age was listed as 51, born Missouri, single, did not attend school the previous year and could read, write, and speak English. The home was listed as rented for $25/month and not on a farm. The official date of that census (for Alaska) was apparently 30 Sept 1929. His occupation was listed as salmon fisherman. He was listed in the household of Harry L Lewis (also a salmon fisherman) as a "partner" of this Harry Lewis (presumably a business partner, Lewis was listed as age 46 and born in Texas).¹⁴

John Ambrose Fields appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Seldovia Village, Third Judicial Division, Alaska Territory, enumerated 1 February 1940. The home appears to be listed as owned, consisting of two rooms, and apparently valued at $700 (although the value is not totally clear, since they seemed to use a somewhat different notation in this part of the census schedule form for Alaska Territory than on the corresponding schedule form for the 48 states). The official date of that census for the 48 states was 01 April 1940, but it was apparently 01 October 1939 in Alaska Territory. He was listed as having lived in Alaska on 1 Oct 1934. John Ambrose Fields was listed as age 61, single, born in Missouri, had 1 year of schooling, and did not attend school in September 1939 (that school attendance -- or, in John's case, non-attendance) is what seems to be intended by the question on the form). John was listed as working and not seeking work the week of 24-30 September 1939. His occupation was listed as fisherman in the salmon fishing industry and working on his own account. He reported 8 weeks worked during the 12 months ending 30 Sept 1939, no wage income, but other income (other than wages and salary) in excess of $50. (The form originally had $300 listed for wages and "No" listed for other income. These original entries were crossed out and replaced by the number zero and "Yes," respectively. It is possible that $300 was his actual income, and the changes were made to make the information consistent with the questions: the $300 could have been self-employment income, i. e., "other income," not wage income.) The population schedule indicates a farm schedule was not filed for this household. John was the only person in the household.

In both the 1930 and 1940 censuses, the specific "Name of Place" at top of the census form is called "Seldovia Village". Current-day (May 2013) internet maps (such as Mapquest) suggest Seldovia and Seldovia Village are two separate places. Seldovia is an incorporated city (population around 260) on Seldovia Bay, which is off the south side of the Cook Inlet. Seldovia is an unincorporated "census designated place" about 1.5 miles northeast of Seldovia (on the shore of the "main" part of Cook Inlet, not on the smaller -- and probably more sheltered -- Seldovia Bay). The current (year 2010) population of Seldovia Village is about 155. It is unclear if the "Village" designation had the same meaning in 1930 and 1940 as it seems to have in 2013 (that is, the current incorporated municipality may have been informally referred to as a village in the 1930 and 1940 censuses).

Internet information on Seldovia suggests that the area was severely affected by the 1964 earthquake, so the geography of the waterfront is much different today that it was in 1930 and in 1940 (and, apparently much of the town was centered on the waterfront prior to 1964). Much of the fishing fleet activity previously in Seldovia is now centered in Homer, across the Cook Inlet.

The overall "landscape" of the census pages near his entries for 1930 and 1940 suggest he might have been living on a fishing boat in one or both years (1930 and 1940). This is suggested by (for example) noticing that in the 1940 census his one-person household was one of a group of several similar one-person households, where each householder was a salmon fisherman.¹⁵

John Ambrose Fields lived in 1942 at Seldovia, Akaska, which was his entire mailing address. He was employed by Mountain Chromite, Inc, in Seldovia, Akaska. His draft registration listed his sister, Roxanna Fields, as someone who would always be able to contact him. She lived in Caplingers Mills, Missouri.⁴

John Ambrose Fields died on 13 June 1953 at El Dorado Springs, Cedar County, Missouri, at age 74.³ He was buried at Love Cemetery, Eldorado, Cedar County, Missouri.^2,3 He lived at 309 N. Grace Street, El Dorado Springs, Cedar County, Missouri, at the time of his death.³ John Ambrose Fields's usual occupation was listed as a boat operator on his death certificate.³

He never married or fathered children, so far as is known.^2,3

Theodore Fields is listed in one document (which was generated long after his death) as Theodore R Fields, which might reflect confusion with his younger brother, Ted Roosevelt Fields.⁸ He was born on 21 April 1882 in Missouri.⁴ One source lists an alternative birth date for Theodore Fields on 18 April 1882, and includes a more specific location: at Cedar County, Missouri.⁸

Theodore Fields appeared on the census of 1900 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.⁵

Theodore Fields appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, at Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson.⁹ Theodore Fields was listed as having the occupation of farm labor in the 1900 census in 1900.⁵

Theodore Fields married Minnie Doolin, daughter of William Doolin and Hyle Vandergriff, on 5 November 1908 at Stockton, Cedar County, Missouri.^6,8 Theodore Fields lived in 1908 at Balm, Cedar County, Missouri.⁶

Theodore Fields and Minnie Doolin appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Blue Mound Township, Vernon County, Missouri, enumerated 12 January 1920. The residence was on a farm. The household's rental/owner status appears to be listed as unknown (perhaps the residence was provided rent-free in conjunction with his employment as a farm manager). The official date of that census was 01 January 1920. Both adults in the household were listed as able to read and write.⁷ Theodore Fields was was listed as a hired manager of a general farm in the 1920 census.⁷

Theodore Fields appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his sister, Clementine Beatrice Fields. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. He was listed as: age 55, widowed, did not attend school during March 1940, had completed seven years of schooling, born in Missouri, and lived on a farm in rural St. Claire County, Missouri on 1 Apr 1935. He was listed as employed, having worked 48 hours, and not seeking work the week of March 24-30 1940. His occupation was listed as farmer working on a farm (no "class of worker" is listed for him; if class of worker had been listed, it might indicate if he was self employed or worked for wages). For 1939, he reported working 48 weeks, had wage earnings of $50, and did not have income in excess of $50 from sources other than wages or salary.¹⁰

Theodore Fields died on 30 January 1945 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri, at age 62.⁴ He was buried at El Dorado Springs Cemetery, El Dorado Springs, Missouri.⁴ His usual occupation was listed as farmer on his death certificate.⁴ He had lived in 1945 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.⁴

Byron Fields was also known by a nickname, Bike.⁶ He was born on 15 May 1885 in Cedar County, Missouri,⁵although SSDI infomation indicates Byron Fields was born on 20 May 1885 at Nevada, Cedar County, Missouri.^7,8

Byron Fields appeared on the census of 1900 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.⁴

Byron Fields appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, at Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson.⁹ Byron Fields was listed as having occupation of farm labor in the 1900 census.⁴

Byron Fields moved to South Dakota circa 1908.¹⁰

Byron Fields married Lelia Moore Smith, daughter of Charles F Smith and Liddie Elizabeth Moore, on 13 February 1913 at Ben Claire, South Dakota.^11,12

Byron Fields and Lelia Moore Smith appeared on the South Dakota state census of June 1915 at Corson Post Office, Brandon Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota. He was listed as a farmer, age 30, born in Missouri, married, and had lived in South Dakota for 7 years. He did not own his home or farm. He could read and write and had a grade school education. His wife's maiden name is listed as Lela Moore and they were listed as having been married in 1912. Corson is a small community roughly a mile north of Brandon (now a town), which is, in turn, about 5 miles east of Sioux Falls.¹⁰

Byron Fields and Lelia Moore Smith appeared on the 1920 Federal Census at Brandon, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, enumerated circa 3 January 1920. The residence was listed as rented. The official date of that census was 01 Janurary 1920. Their children Leroy W. Fields, Vearl Claud Fields and Lloyd Fields were listed as living with them. Both adults in the household were listed as able to read and write. No one in the household was listed as attending school.¹¹ Byron Fields was listed as a farmer (general farm) and as an employer in the 1920 census.¹³

Byron Fields and Lelia Moore Smith appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Mounton Township, Murray County, Minnesota, enumerated 3 April 1940. The home was listed as rented for $10 per month and on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. Their children Vearl Claud Fields, Doris Elizabeth Fields, Irvin John Fields, Clifford Fields and Darryl Fields were listed as living with them. All household members were listed as having lived on a farm in rural Rock County, Minnesota on 1 Apr 1935. Byron Fields and Lelia Moore Smith were listed as ages 54 and 44, respectively, both married, and not attending school in March 1940. Byron was listed as having completed 6 years of schooling and born in Missouri. Lelia was listed as having completed 8 years of schooling and born in Iowa. Byron was listed as employed, having worked 60 hours, and not seeking work the week of 24-30 March. His occupation was listed as a farmer on a farm and working on his own account (self-employed). He reported 52 weeks worked in 1939, no wage income, and had other income (other than wages and salary) in excess of $50. Lelia is listed as doing housework, not employed for wages, and not seeking such employment. No occupation was listed for her. No 1939 wage income was reported for her and she did not have non-wage income in excess of $50 in 1939. The population schedule indicates a farm schedule was filed for this household. A document in the mid-1940s military personnel file for one of their sons indicates the farm associated with this household was a 360-acre dairy farm.^14,15

Two of the sons of Byron Fields and Lelia Moore Smith, Daryl Eugene Fields and Leroy W. Fields, were injured in a serious truck accident near Hebron, Nebraska, during the early morning hours of 6 July 1948; Daryl's injuries were fatal. Byron Fields and Lelia Moore Smith had moved from Luverne Minnesota to Colorado circa 1947. They were visiting family members in the Luverne area in early July 1948. They drove to the Hebron, Nebraska, area immediately after learning of the accident to attend to their injured son and make arrangements concerning the remains of the son who had died.⁶

Byron Fields, residing at Luverne, Minnesota, applied for a military headstone for his recently deceased son, Byron Fields, on 12 July 1948.¹⁶

Byron Fields died on 17 September 1978 in Denver, Colorado, at age 93.^7,12 He was buried at Maplewood Cemetery, Laverne, Rock County, Minnesota. The burial plot is said to be in fouth division of the East Section.^5,12

Byron Fields's Social Security Number was 560-40-5015, issued in California before 1951 (last residence was listed as Denver, Denver County, Colorado, last benefit was recorded as sent to Commerce City, Adams County, Colorado 80022).⁷

Like his father and two of his uncles, he had (at least) six sons (he actually had seven.)⁸

He has also been listed as Columbia B. Fields in several source documents (all generated long after his death).^4,5,6,3 Columbus B Fields was born on 7 December 1887 at Cedar Springs, Missouri.⁷

Columbus B Fields appeared on the census of 1900 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.⁸ He was listed as a farm laborer in the 1900 census.⁸

C. V. Fields (listed as C. V. Fields, the initials probably should have been “C. B.”) appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, of Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. He was listed as age 12, born February 1887 in Missouri. This census is unique (up to that time) in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in addition to age at the official census date. His occupation was listed as Farm Laborer and he worked 4 months during the previous year. He attended school for 4 months within a year prior to the official census date. He was listed as able to read and write and speak English.⁹

Columbus B Fields appeared on the census of 1910 at North Cedar, Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.¹

Columbus B Fields (listed as Columbus B) appeared scheduled the 1910 Federal Census of North Cedar Township, of Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The official date of that census was 15 April 1910. He was listed as age 22, born Missouri and single. His occupation was listed as Laborer on a home farm. He was listed as a worker, was employed, and had no periods of unemployment during the previous year. He had not attended school since 1 September 1909. He was listed as able to read and write and speak English.¹⁰ Columbus B Fields was listed as a laborer, on a home farm, in the 1910 census.¹

Columbus B Fields married Elsie E. Pearson, daughter of George Pearson and Alice Morris, on 9 January 1913 at Stockton, Cedar County, Missouri.^3,11,12 Columbus B Fields lived in 1913 at Cedar Springs, Cedar County, Missouri.¹¹

Columbus B Fields lived on 5 June 1917 at Leeta, Missouri.¹³ He was a farmer in 1917.¹⁴

Columbus B Fields and Elsie E. Pearson appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri, enumerated 27 January 1920. The residence was listed as rented. The official date of that census was 01 Janurary 1920. Their children Virgil W Fields and Virden L Fields were listed as living with them. All members of the household age 6 and above are listed as being able to read and write. Virden is listed as attending school.² Columbus B Fields was listed as a farmer, general farm (and an employer) in the 1920 census.²

Columbus B Fields died on 29 September 1965 at age 77.³ He was buried at Love Cemetery, Eldorado, Cedar County, Missouri.³

Columbus B Fields's Social Security Number was 500-01-0424 (issued in Missouri before 1951).¹⁵

Roxana Waters Fields was born on 13 December 1889 in Cedar County, Missouri. (Sources other than SSDI give the date as 10 December 1889.)^1,2,3,5

Roxana Waters Fields appeared on the census of 1900 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.⁶

Roxana Waters Fields (Roxanna Fields) appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, of Cedar County, Missouri in the household of her parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. She was listed as age 10, born December 1889 in Missouri. This census is unique (up to that time) in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in addition to age at the official census date. No occupation was listed for her. She attended school for 4 months within a year prior to the official census date. She was listed as able to read and write and speak English.⁷

Roxana Waters Fields married James Monroe Austin, son of Charles Chase Austin and Mary Elizabeth Kline, on 19 May 1909 in Cedar County, Missouri.^1,2,3,4

Roxanna Fields was recorded as living in Caplingers Mills, Missouri in 1942.⁸

Roxana Waters Fields died on 16 July 1974 at El Dorado Springs, Cedar County, Missouri, at age 84.^1,2,9,4 She was buried in Cedar County, Missouri.⁴ She lived in Cedar County, Missouri, at the time of her death.⁵

Her Social Security Number was 491-38-7149 (card issued in Missouri).⁵

Ora Fields name was listed as Otis Fields in at least one document. He seems to have been most commonly known as "Oat."⁸ He was born on 20 July 1893 at Cedar Springs, Missouri.^4,6 One source document (written long after his death) lists his date and location of birth as: 6 July 1893 in Cedar County, Missouri.⁷

Ora Fields appeared on the census of 1900 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.³

Ora Fields (Ora Fields) appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, of Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. He was listed as age 6, born July 1893 in Missouri. This census is unique (up to that time) in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in addition to age at the official census date.⁹

Ora Fields appeared on the census of 1910 at North Cedar, Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.²

Ora Fields (listed as Ora) appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of North Cedar Township, of Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The official date of that census was 15 April 1910. He was listed as age 16, born Missouri and single. No occupation was listed for him. He had attended school since 1 September 1909. He was listed as able to read and write and speak English.¹⁰

Ora Fields married Pearl Mae Green on 19 October 1914 at Stockton, Cedar County, Missouri. The marriage was performed by T. F. Mead, Judge of Probate. Ora was said to be "over 21" and resident of Cedar Springs (Cedar County) and Pearl was said to be "over 18" and a resident of Lelia (Cedar County).^11,12

Ora Fields lived on 5 June 1917 at Cedar Springs, Missouri.¹³ He was a farmer in 1917.⁴ He was described as being short and slender, and having gray eyes and dark brown hair in 1917 on his World War I draft registration.⁴

Ora Fields appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson.⁵ Ora Fields was listed as a partner in a general farm operation in the 1920 census.⁵ His was listed as Otis Fields in the 1920 census.⁵

Ora Fields appeared on the census of 1930 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.¹ His occupation was listed as a farmer, general farm in the 1930 census.¹

Ora Fields and Pearl Mae Green appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri, enumerated 15 April 1940. The home was listed as rented for $3 per month and on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. Their children Fern J Fields, Floyd Fields, Betty J Fields and R. G. Fields were listed as living with them. All members of the household were listed as having lived in rural Cedar County, Missouri on 1 Apr 1935. Ora Fields and Pearl Mae Green were both listed as age 45, married, born in Missouri, not attending school in March 1940, and having completed 8 and 5 years of schooling, respectively. Ora was listed as employed, having worked 60 hours, and not seeking work the week of 24-30 March. His occupation was listed as farming on a farm, apparently working on his own account (self-employed), although that is not explicity marked on the schedule. He reported 40 weeks worked in 1939, no wage income, but had other income (other than wages and salary) in excess of $50. Pearl is listed as doing housework, not employed for wages, and not seeking such employment. No occupation was listed for her. No 1939 wage income was reported for her and she did not have non-wage income in excess of $50 in 1939. The population schedule indicates a farm schedule was filed for this household.¹⁴

Ora Fields died on 17 February 1985 at age 91.^7,6 He was buried at Blue Springs, Jackson County, Missouri.⁷

His Social Security Number was 500-01-5669 (card issued in Missouri.)⁶

Notes and observations: The US Social Security Death Index lists a Pearl M Fields (SS Number 513-24-5241) born 24 Jan 1895, died 23 June 1989, last residence: Blue Springs, Jackson County, Missouri, SS Card Issued in Kansas (before 1951). This Pearl Fields (born 1895) appears to be a different person than the Pearl Fields who was married to Ora Fields.

Ted Roosevelt Fields was born on 26 November 1899 in Cedar County, Missouri.^4,3,1

Ted Roosevelt Fields appeared on the census of 1900 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.⁵

Ted Roosevelt Fields appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Cedar Township, at Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson.⁶

Ted Roosevelt Fields appeared on the census of 1910 at North Cedar, Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.⁷

Roosevelt Fields (listed as Roosevelt) appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of North Cedar Township, of Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The official date of that census was 15 April 1910. He was listed as age 10, born Missouri and single. No occupation was listed for him. He had attended school since 1 September 1909. He was listed as able to read and write and speak English.⁸

Ted Roosevelt Fields lived on 12 September 1918 at 5 R, El Dorado Springs, Missouri.⁹ He was listed as a farmer in 1918.⁴

Roosevelt Fields appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri in the household of his parents, John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson.²

Ted Roosevelt Fields married Ethel Dunn in April 1923.³

Ted Roosevelt Fields appeared on the census of 1930 at Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri.¹⁰ He was listed as a farmer in the 1930 census.¹⁰

Ted Roosevelt Fields and Ethel Dunn appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Cedar Township, Cedar County, Missouri, enumerated 15 April 1940. The home was listed as owned, valued at $200, and on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. Their children Gladys W Fields, Elizabeth Fields, Ramona L Fields, Zelda D Fields and Katherine J Fields were listed as living with them, All members of the household over age 5 in 1940 were listed as having lived in rural Cedar County, Missouri on 1 Apr 1935. Ted Roosevelt Fields and Ethel Dunn were listed as ages 40 and 36, respectively, married, born in Missouri, not attending school in March 1940, and having completed 7 and 8 years of schooling, respectively. Ted was listed as unemployed and seeking work the week of 24-30 March. He had been unemployed 40 weeks. His occupation was listed as water carrier on a W. P. A road project (probably his most recent employment), which apparently had been government work, although that is not explicitly marked on the schedule. He reported 40 weeks worked in 1939, $400 wage income, and no other income (other than wages and salary) in excess of $50. Ethel is listed as doing housework, not employed for wages, and not seeking such employment. No occupation was listed for her. No 1939 wage income was reported for her and she did not have non-wage income in excess of $50 in 1939. The population schedule indicates a farm schedule was filed for this household.¹¹

Ted Roosevelt Fields died on 5 April 1956 in the vicinity of at Los Angeles, Californina, at age 56 of cirrhosis of the liver.^3,1 Ted Roosevelt Fields's occupation was listed as a machinist in the munitions manufacture industry on his death cetrificate.¹ He lived at 7517 Purdy Avenue, Bell Gardens, Los Angeles County, California, at the time of his death. He had lived in the Los Angeles area during the last two years of his life.¹ He was buried at Lovings Cemetery, Eldorado, Cedar County, Missouri. One bit of "family folklore" concerns the manner of his death; it suggests his body may have been found on the street, after he had collapsed and died suddenly. His death certificate does not give any indication of these circumstances.^3,1

Ted Roosevelt Fields was described as being short and slender, with blue eyes and brown hair in 1918.⁴

James Monroe Austin was born on 13 August 1860 at Elmira, New York.^1,2,3

James Monroe Austin married Roxana Waters Fields, daughter of John Hartwell Fields and Mary Elizabeth Johnson, on 19 May 1909 in Cedar County, Missouri.^1,2,3,4

James Monroe Austin died on 24 March 1949 at El Dorado Springs, Cedar County, Missouri, at age 88.^1,2,3

Her maiden name was listed as Elsie in at least one source document.⁸ Some indirect evidence suggests her full name might have been Elnora Alabeth Wood.⁹ Alabeth Wood was born on 2 March 1836 in Missouri -- the death certificate of one of her sons gives the location of her birth as Crawford County, Missouri.^10,1,6,8

Alabeth Wood married Aaron Francis Johnson, son of John Johnson and Lovy Pullen, circa 1859 in Missouri.^11,10,4,5,6

Alabeth Wood and Aaron Francis Johnson appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Sherrill Township, Texas County, Missouri at Licking (Post Office), enumerated 10 July 1860. The official date of that census was 01 June 1860. Their son Moses F. Johnson was listed as living with them, as well as Charles Stinnett (about age 9), whose role in the household (and whose relationship, if any, to the others) is unknown as this is written in 2009. The household was listed as having real estate worth $600 and personal property worth $375. Charles Stinnett was listed as attending school within the last year (the other child in the household, Moses, was an infant). The census information indicates both adults in the household could read and write.³

Alabeth Wood and Aaron Francis Johnson appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Wood Richland Township, Texas County, Missouri at Houston (Post Office), enumerated July 1870. The real estate associated with the household was listed as having a value of $400 and personal effects were listed as having a value of $600. The official date of that census was 01 June 1870. Their children Moses F. Johnson, Henry Wood Johnson, Isaac Monroe Johnson and Lovy Jane Johnson were listed as living with them.² Alabeth Wood was listed as a housekeeper in the 1870 census.¹²

Alabeth Wood appeared on the census of 1900 at Clinton Township, Douglas County, Missouri.¹³ She and Allen Francis Johnson appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clinton Township, at Douglas County, Missouri, enumerated 19 June 1900. The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. This census is unique in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in addition to age at the official census date. Their children Lovie Jane Johnson were listed as living with them.¹⁴ Her name was listed as Else Johnson in the 1900 census.¹³

James Turnbull appeared before the Dawes Commission on 9 March 1903, in Muskogee, Indian Territory. He was appearing in behalf of the application of his cousin, Alabeth Wood, for her to become a member of the Choctaw tribe in order to receive land allotments when tribal lands were divided among individual members of the tribe. James Turnbull presented to the commission (1) a certificate from a physician stating that Alabeth Wood could not appear in person due to her health and (2) a power of attorney from Alabeth Wood. Alabeth Wood's application was made under a special procedure for certain members of the tribe who had not received land allotments in Mississippi. These allotments had been promised under Article 14 of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (in most cases, the people applying in 1903 were descendants -- or claimed to be descendants -- of those still owed land; almost all of the members of the tribe who were living in the 1830s would have been deceased by 1903). Additional (but smaller allotments) were claimed for minor children (under age 18 and unmarried), but Alabeth Wood did not have any minor children in 1903.

Alabeth Wood's application for tribal membership (and for land allotments) was not approved. Certain records relating to the application process are still in existence. These records include transcripts of James Turnbull's answers to questions asked by representatives of the commission during his testimony before the commission -- along with remarks by the commission representatives. Most of the questions he was asked concerned Alabeth Wood and members of her family. These transcripts provide an opportunity to read actual words spoken by this family member (about Alabeth Wood's understanding of certain aspects of family history and her personal history), but, frankly, the amount of personal information in most of these transcripts is quite limited). The testimony states that Alabeth Wood lived at Florilla, Missouri, and had lived there for about 25 years.

The testimony also stated: (1) she had blue eyes and long black hair (perhaps meaning to imply it had once been black); (2) she had two living brothers: Lorenzo D. Wood and William or Bill Wood (there was apparently a third brother living in 1903, Andrew Jackson Wood, who James Turnbull was apparently unaware of or had forgotten -- earlier in his testimony he expressed some confusion about the relative ages of the siblings and indicated there might be older brothers who were deceased by 1902); and (3) that the husband of Alabeth's daughter Easter was known as Will (in formal documents his name is usually given as James W. Fortune). James Turnbull's testimony incorrectly implied that two of Alabeth's sons, Henry and (Isaac) Monroe were no longer living as of 1903. Turnbull was addressed by members of the commission as "judge" at one point in the procedings. No record has been found indicating that Turnbull had ever served as a judge in his home county (Douglas County, Missouri). It is possible someone on the commission staff confused James Turnbull and Aaron Francis Johnson, Alabeth's husband, who had been an elected Douglas County, Missouri judge, circa 1890-94.^15,16

Alabeth Wood died on 2 May 1905 at Douglas County, Missouri, at age 69.^17,10,18 Some documents list an alternative date of death for Alabeth Wood: 1 February 1905.^1,4,5,6 She was buried at Mt. Ararat Cemetery, (Topaz) McKinley Township, Douglas County, Missouri.^1,18,6

The town of Florilla (which may have been on property owned by Aaron Francis Johnson) is said to have been named after one of the three daughters of "old Judge Johnson". Three daughters are known (Lovy Jane, Sarah Clementine, and Easter Elizabeth), but (as of June 2014) no record has been uncovered associating the name Florilla with any of the three. It is possible there way a fourth daughter who died young and did not appear in any censuses (or other records that have as yet been uncovered). A grave marker for one child who died young is known, but the marker indicates this was an infant son, not a daughter. The first known use of the name Florilla is when a post office was established there in 1879. Thus this speculative daughter would have been born before that year.⁹

Notes and Observations (Burials in Fairview Cemetery):

The Douglas County cemetery book contains some interesting material about Fairview Cemetery in Clinton Township in Dpuglas County Missouri. It apparently once served the town of Ann, Missouri, which no longer seems to exist. Interestingly, the cemetery has perhaps 4 or 5 burials as recently as 1995 and later, including one (a Fleetwood) as recently at 2019.
Several Johnsons, Elliott’s, and Stillwell’s are buried there.
William Fields’s second wife (Eva Amanda Elliott Fields) is buried in Row 7. Her grave marker mentions that she was the wife of W. C. Fields (she was his wife #2). In addition, the cemetery book suggests a marker (with no information other than a name) might exist for him adjacent to Eva Amanda (and probably a space exists there too). The location of Eva Amanda’s first husband, Robert Boring, is unknown.

W C (William Charles) is buried at Mount Ararat, adjacent to Keziah Jarman Fields -- his wife # 1.

His wife #4 was Cynthia Elliott Stillwell (Fields). She is also buried in Row *7 (apparently some distance from Eva Amanda). She is buried adjacent to her first husband. In the transcription, or “reading,” in the book her first name is spelled starting with an “S” (Synthia). However, the photo on Find-a-Grave seems to show it is spelled with a “C” (Cynthia) on her grave marker. Amanda and Cynthia were sisters.
CCF does not know where WC’s wife #3 (Mary Williams) was buried. It is not known if Williams was her maiden surname or if it is a previous husband’s surname.

In addition, several Johnsons are buried in this cemetery, including three infant children: one of Henry Wood and Ruth Ellen Rankin Johnson (listed in the cemetery book as “H. W. & E. R.”), one of (probably) Aaron Francis and Alabeth Wood Johnson (listed as “A. F. & E.” – there is some indirect evidence that Alabeth was her middle name and her first name was “Elnora”), and one of “M. F. & L.” (these parents are uncertain, but this might be evidence of an as-yet-undiscovered first marriage of Moses Francis Johnson, born in 1859, but whose only, thus far, known marriage was in 1893, when he was about 34 – the Douglas County courthouse burned in 1886 destroying all (or almost all) earlier marriage records).

Two Johnson family members are buried in Row 12, Louisa Loveth (Lovie) Johnson, wife of John Johnson, and Cordelia Nelson, “Lovie’s” granddaughter, the daughter of “James Sylvester and Martha Jane” (Johnson) (Nelson). There are apparently three graves (or grave sites?) near (or perhaps immediately adjacent to) the one for Cordelia, two of which are marked by rocks and one of which is unmarked. It is possible that one or more of these three are burial locations of others related to the Johnson family.¹⁹

Moses F. Johnson was also known as Mose Johnson, and also as Moe and Mosey. His middle name was almost certainly Francis, although this seldom if ever was written out in documents that have survived. There is, of course, a biblical association in this name, with his father being named Aaron and this son named Moses.⁷ He was born on 21 November 1859 in Missouri.^5,6

Moses F. Johnson appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Sherrill Township, Texas County, Missouri in the household of his parents, Aaron Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood, at Licking (Post Office).⁴

Moses F. Johnson appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Wood Richland Township, Texas County, Missouri in the household of his parents, Aaron Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood, at Houston (Post Office).²

There is some indiirect evidence that Moses F. Johnson married someone whose name is not known, but may have started witht he letter L (--?--). This marriage would likely have taken place in 1880, some time after the date of the census for that year. The evidence for this possibly marraige is discussed in the notes near the end of this narrative.

Moses F. Johnson married Sarah Frances Cole, daughter of James Marion Cole and Sarah Salieta Palmer, on 18 May 1893 at Independence County, Arkansas. The date is incorrectly listed as 18 May 1903 in the Moses Johnson memoir. A likely earlier marriage for Moses is described later in this narrative.^5,6

Moses F. Johnson appeared on the census of 1900 at Richland Township, Douglas County, Missouri.^8,7 He was listed as a farmer in the 1900 census.⁷

Moses F. Johnson appeared before the Dawes Commission on 14 March 1903, in Muskogee, Indian Territory. He was appearing in behalf of his application to become a member of the Choctaw tribe in order to receive land allotments when tribal lands were divided among individual members of the tribe. His application was made under a special procedure for certain members of the tribe who had not received land allotments in Mississippi. These allotments had been promised under Article 14 of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (in most cases, the people applying in 1903 were descendants -- or claimed to be descendants -- of those still owed land; almost all of the members of the tribe who were living in the 1830s would have been deceased by 1903). Additional (but smaller allotments) were claimed for his minor children (under age 18 and unmarried): Aaron H Johnson, Sarah E. Johnson, Winnie Mae Johnson and Easter Cordelia Johnson. The ages of the minor children, as of March 1903, were listed as 8, 6, 4, and 2.

His application for tribal membership (and for land allotments) was not approved. Certain records relating to the application process are still in existence. These records include transcripts of his answers to questions asked by representatives of the commission during his testimony before the commission -- along with remarks by the commission representatives. These transcripts provide an opportunity to read actual words spoken by this family member (about his understanding of certain aspects of family history and his personal history), but, frankly, the amount of personal information in most of these transcripts is quite limited. He indicated he lived in American Falls, Idaho for the previous four months and had traveled from there to Muskogee to appear before this commission. Prior to moving to American Falls, he had lived in Weaser, Idaho for almost two years. Prior to going to Idaho, he had primarily lived in Missouri, but had lived in Independence County, Arkansas for 6 years (his answers seemed to indicate he had lived in Missouri for a time after leaving Arkansas and before going to Idaho).⁹

Moses F. Johnson appeared on the census of 1910 in Clinton Township, Douglas County, Missouri.¹⁰ He was listed as a manufacturer, lumber, in the 1910 census.¹⁰

Sarah Frances Cole and her husband, Moses F. Johnson, ran a sawmill in Missouri by themselves for two years. This was probably around 1910, based on the occupation listed by Moses F. Johnson at the time of the 1910 US Federal census.¹¹

Moses F. Johnson and Sarah Frances Cole appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of McKinley Township, Douglas County, Missouri, enumerated 21 January 1920. The residence (on a farm) was listed as owned and mortgaged. The official date of that census was 01 January 1920. Their children Easter C Johnson, Elnora E Johnson, Lindsey T Johnson and Alford L Johnson were listed as living with them, as well as Sarah Elizabeth Johnson (listed as Elizabeth Gott), also a daughter (and apparently widowed, the notation on the census form is unclear), and Elizabeth's children, Doil W Gott and Vaud L Gott (with Doil's name listed as "Dort"). All adults in the household age 17 and over were listed as able to read and write. Elnona, Lindsey, and Alford were listed as attending school.³ Moses F. Johnson was listed as a farmer, general farming (on his own account), in the 1920 census.³

Moses F. Johnson and Sarah Frances Cole initially moved to California with their family in 1923, settling in Sanger. However, Moses F. Johnson became ill shortly after this time. They returned to Missouri for the remainer of his life.¹¹

Moses F. Johnson died on 20 April 1924 (at his farm) in the North Fork area, Topaz community, Douglas County, Missouri, at age 64. No death certificate has yet been found for him (as this is written in May 2013), but a brief obituary appeared in the Ava (Douglas County) newspaper, in a section dealing with news items from the Topaz community. The article indicated he passed away the night of April 20th at his farm home. His death was believed to be due to heart failure. He was stricken very suddenly, as he had been up and around, in his "usual health", earlier in the day. However, the article also indicates that "last year" (which would probably be during 1923) he had gone "overland" to California "for his health", and had later returned (so there apparently had been some earlier serious health issues).^12,13,14,15 He was buried at Mount Ararat Cemetery, Topaz, Douglas County, Missouri. The marker lists only the years of his birth and death, not exact dates within those years.¹⁵

Based on a memorial on the Find-a-Grave web site, a infant daughter of "M. F. and L Johnson" is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Douglas County Missouri. The child lived from July 20, 1881 to Aug 1, 1881. This could be a child of Moses F. Johnson (and, if so, might represent an earlier marriage). The Douglas County courthouse burned in the spring of 1886, presumably destroying many of the records (including marriage records) generated prior to that time (http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPrinterFriendlyPub.aspx?P=UED6033). Thus, if there was an earlier marriage (say in the late 1870s), records of it could have been lost in that fire, if the marriage was recorded in Douglas County, Missouri. In addition, in the 1910 census, the marriage to his then-current wife, Moses F. Johnson was indicated to not be his first marriage (the 1910 census indicated both of them were in at least their second marriages).¹⁶

Notes and Observations: The list of children of Moses Johnson and Sarah Francis Cole that appears in a memoir by Moses Johnson, omits the name of Aaron M. Johnson, who died in childhood. This list of children was an addendum to the original text of the article. The addendum was written by Alfred Lee Johnson, who apparently had not yet been born when his older brother, Aaron M Johnson, died at about age 13. Because of this, it is understandable that Alfred might have forgotten or neglected to include Aaron M. Johnson in the list in the addendum.¹⁴

Notes and Observations (Burials in Fairview Cemetery):

The Douglas County cemetery book contains some interesting material about Fairview Cemetery in Clinton Township in Dpuglas County Missouri. It apparently once served the town of Ann, Missouri, which no longer seems to exist. Interestingly, the cemetery has perhaps 4 or 5 burials as recently as 1995 and later, including one (a Fleetwood) as recently at 2019.
Several Johnsons, Elliott’s, and Stillwell’s are buried there.
William Fields’s second wife (Eva Amanda Elliott Fields) is buried in Row 7. Her grave marker mentions that she was the wife of W. C. Fields (she was his wife #2). In addition, the cemetery book suggests a marker (with no information other than a name) might exist for him adjacent to Eva Amanda (and probably a space exists there too). The location of Eva Amanda’s first husband, Robert Boring, is unknown.

W C (William Charles) is buried at Mount Ararat, adjacent to Keziah Jarman Fields -- his wife # 1.

His wife #4 was Cynthia Elliott Stillwell (Fields). She is also buried in Row *7 (apparently some distance from Eva Amanda). She is buried adjacent to her first husband. In the transcription, or “reading,” in the book her first name is spelled starting with an “S” (Synthia). However, the photo on Find-a-Grave seems to show it is spelled with a “C” (Cynthia) on her grave marker. Amanda and Cynthia were sisters.
CCF does not know where WC’s wife #3 (Mary Williams) was buried. It is not known if Williams was her maiden surname or if it is a previous husband’s surname.

In addition, several Johnsons are buried in this cemetery, including three infant children: one of Henry Wood and Ruth Ellen Rankin Johnson (listed in the cemetery book as “H. W. & E. R.”), one of (probably) Aaron Francis and Alabeth Wood Johnson (listed as “A. F. & E.” – there is some indirect evidence that Alabeth was her middle name and her first name was “Elnora”), and one of “M. F. & L.” (these parents are uncertain, but this might be evidence of an as-yet-undiscovered first marriage of Moses Francis Johnson, born in 1859, but whose only, thus far, known marriage was in 1893, when he was about 34 – the Douglas County courthouse burned in 1886 destroying all (or almost all) earlier marriage records).

Two Johnson family members are buried in Row 12, Louisa Loveth (Lovie) Johnson, wife of John Johnson, and Cordelia Nelson, “Lovie’s” granddaughter, the daughter of “James Sylvester and Martha Jane” (Johnson) (Nelson). There are apparently three graves (or grave sites?) near (or perhaps immediately adjacent to) the one for Cordelia, two of which are marked by rocks and one of which is unmarked. It is possible that one or more of these three are burial locations of others related to the Johnson family.¹⁷

Henry Wood Johnson was born on 18 September 1861 in Howell County, Missouri.^8,9,10,11

Henry Wood Johnson appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Wood Richland Township, Texas County, Missouri in the household of his parents, Aaron Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood, at Houston (Post Office).²

Henry Wood Johnson married Ruth Ellen Rankin on 6 February 1886 in Douglas County, Missouri. Several secondary sources have this marriage taking place on 6 Feb 1887 or in 1889.^{12,13,14,15,16}

In 1896 (or possibly as early as 1895) George McClellan Fields, Henry Wood Johnson, and their families lived in Cleburne County, Arkansas, and were in the sawmilling business together. They continued to be business associates in various projects until George's death in 1937 (although they each also had business interests in which the other was not involved). George's first wife was Henry's sister. This move to Arkansas, a former Confederate state, may have been when George McClellan Fields began primarily using his initials, G. M., instead of his name.^14,11

George McClellan Fields and Henry Wood Johnson purchased property in Independence County, Arkansas, on 11 October 1897 from J. H. and M. F. Willis for $100. The property that was purchased was the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 10, Twp 11, Range 6 west and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 10, Twp 11, Range 6 West – about 80 acres total in the two parcels. This purchase was entered into court records immediately prior to the sale in September 1898. Presumably, George McClellan Fields and Henry Wood Johnson had cleared the timber off the land (and converted it into lumber) during the time they owned the land (they were in the sawmill business). The appearance of this transaction inthis paricular book of deed records (Volume V-3) seems odd, since most entries covered in book V-3 are for transactions that took place around 1911. It appears that this particular transaction – along with the subsequent sale – was entered with the county clerk several years after it took place.

One of their initial lumber projects in Independence County (which may have been the property involved in the transaction described in the previous paragraph) was said to be on Sugar Branch in Fairview Township. The difficulties in getting logs out of this location -- and also out of the "brakes" (thickets) near Salado -- and hauling logs and lumber to markets convinced Henry Wood Johnson of the necessity for good roads, and he later acted to promote good roads in Independence County.^17,11

Henry Wood Johnson lived circa 1898 at Pleasant Plains, Independence County, Arkansas.¹⁴

George McClellan Fields, Sarah Clementine Johnson, Henry Wood Johnson, and Ella Rankin sold property in Independence County, Arkansas, on 19 September 1898 to John Prater on 19 Sept 1898 for $40. The property that was sold was the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 10, Twp 11, Range 6 west and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 10, Twp 11, Range 6 West – about 80 acres total in the two parcels.¹⁸

Henry Wood Johnson married Lillian Allen Davis, daughter of (--?--) Davis, on 8 June 1900 in Independence County, Arkansas.¹⁹

Henry Wood Johnson and Lillian Allen Davis appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Fairview Township, Independence County, Arkansas, enumerated 25 June 1900. The residence was listed as a home (not a farm). The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. This census is unique in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in additon to age at the official census date. His children Luna Lenore Johnson, Rilla Oleatha Johnson, Nolan Eric Johnson and Allen Francis Johnson were listed as living with them. Everyone in the household age 10 and over was listed as being able to read, write, and speak English. Luna and Rilla were the only members of the household who attended school (4 months). The census information indicates Lillian Allen Davis had no children (she and Henry had been married only a short time when the census was taken). Although not listed on the census form, the town of Pleasant Plains is in Fairview Township, and this non-farm residence was likely in that town. George M Fields (married to Henry Wood Johnson's sister) is listed as the head of the next household. They were likely next door neighbors.⁴ Henry Wood Johnson's occupation was listed as sawmilling in the 1900 census.⁴

A Henry W. Johnson was granted 160 acres of land on 1 October 1901 at Garland County, Arkansas. The land was in Sections 15, 21, and 22 of Township 1-N, Range 1-N. This land is quite a distance from Independence County (Garland County is west of Little Rock). This land grant might be for a different person with a similar name.²⁰

Henry Wood Johnson appeared before the Dawes Commission on 16 January 1903, in Muskogee, Indian Territory. He was appearing in behalf of his application to become a member of the Choctaw tribe in order to receive land allotments when tribal lands in Indian Territory were divided among individual members of the tribe (Indian Territory was included in Oklahoma when Oklahoma became a state in 1907). His application was made under a special procedure for certain members of the tribe who had not received land allotments in Mississippi. These allotments had been promised under Article 14 of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (in most cases, the people applying in 1903 were descendants -- or claimed to be descendants -- of those still owed land; almost all of the members of the tribe who were living in the 1830s would have been deceased by 1903). Additional (but smaller allotments) were claimed for his minor children (under age 18 and unmarried): Luna Leonara Johnson, Rilla O. Johnson, Nolan E. Johnson, Allen F. Johnson and Arsella Johnson. The children's ages were listed as 14, 11, 6, 4, and 17 months, respectively.

His application for tribal membership (and for land allotments) was not approved. Certain records relating to the application process are still in existence. These records include transcripts of his answers to questions asked by representatives of the commission during his testimony before the commission -- along with remarks by the commission representatives. These transcripts provide an opportunity to read actual words spoken by this family member (about his understanding of certain aspects of family history and his personal history), but, frankly, the amount of personal information in most of these transcripts is quite limited. His testimony indicated he had lived in Pleasant Plains, Independence County, Arkansas for almost 6 years.²¹

George McClellan Fields and Henry Wood Johnson purchased real estate in Independence County, Arkansas, on 19 August 1903 from W J Cooper and Della Cooper for $250. The property was an undivided ½ interest in Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Block ??? in the south addition to the incorporated town of Newark.²²

George McClellan Fields and Henry Wood Johnson purchased real estate in Independence County, Arkansas, on 5 December 1903 at auction from the estate of Andy Allen (Ernest Neill, administrator) for $2200. The property was:


This is 100% interest in 80 acres and 75% interest in another 40 acres. This property was purchased at auction.²³

Henry Wood Johnson was granted 160 acres of land on 14 March 1904 in Independence County, Arkansas. The land was in Section 20 of Township 11-N, Range 5-W. It consisted of the west half of the west half of the section.²⁴

George McClellan Fields and Henry Wood Johnson were involved in an Independence County, Arkansas, real estate transaction on 8 August 1910, where they provided funds to another party (or other parties), who actually purchased the property (the grantee in the transaction). They received a promissory note from the purchaser, and had the right to have the property sold at auction if the note was not satisfied in full. The purchaser in this transaction (the grantee – the person whose note they held) was H. E. Hawthorne and the note was for $2000. In this case, it appears that George, Henry Wood Johnson, O. F. Craig, and F. C. Hoyt had jointly loaned the money. The note was satisfied on 15 Dec 1915. Deeds of trust that were “satisfied” are of particular interest because George McClellan Fields appears to have signed the file copy held by the Couuty Clerk in person testifying the note had been paid in full (that is, the deed of trust on file in the court house contains an original signature). It appears that George signed for himself and Henry Wood Johnson. It is unclear why he did not also sign for the two others.²⁵

Johnson, a resident of Pleasant Plains, was reported as "transacting business" Batesville on 17 January 1913. He then left for his home via Newport and Bradford. He was apparently quoted (or paraphrased) as saying that it is easier if people from Fairview Township (where Pleasant Plains is located) went to Bradford and Newport, rather than Batesville, during the winter months due to the lack of good roads between Fairview Township and Batesville.

Current (2015) road distances are about 14 miles between Pleasant Plains and Bradford (which is southwest of Pleasant Plains) and about 17 miles between Pleasant Plains and Batesville (which is north of Pleasant Plains). Batesville was larger that Bradford and in the same county as Pleasant Plains (Bradford is in a different county). It is likely that he meant he could go from Pleasant Plains to Newport (via road to Bradford, then by train to Newport) much faster than he could go by road from Pleasant Plains to Batesville over poorer roads in winter. His trip home from Batesville likely involved a train from Batesville to Newport (around 30 miles), then a second train from Newport to Bradford (around 18 miles), then by road from Bradford to Pleasant Plains.

In the article, he was referred to as "a prominent merchant and mill man of Pleasant Plains".²⁶

He was a commissioner of the Pleasant Plains-Batesville "Dollarway." This was apparently a largely non-govenmental project circa 1916 to build a road between Pleasant Plains and Batesville (both in Independence County, Arkansas -- and about 17 miles apart). The name came from a funding drive that asked businesses and citizens to each contribute a dollar (or more) toward building the road. One newspaper article estimated the cost of the entire project as $1000. Other commissioners were A. J. Chisam of Salado and M. M. Rutherford of Rutherford. Overseers mentioned in various articles about the road included George L. Moore, John E. Linebarger, W. R. Pasley, and Fred Hook. One article states that Commissioner H. W. Johnson, "after engaging in a survey, has discovered a practicable route on the Salado hill which will probably figure less than a 10 percent grade" (the accuracy and reasonability of this 10% number is unclear; 10% is a fairly steep grade and would probably have been difficult for automobiles of that era and might have been impossible for heavily-loaded horse-drawn wagons that would have also been used on any road built in that era; a 1% grade might be more reasonable).²⁷

He was a civic leader in Pleasant Plains and within Independence County, had many friends and aquaintences. His later obituary indicated he had helped establish the "old Pleasant Plains Academy". However other information (in the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and culture, http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net) suggests this school was discontinued in 1892 before he came to Arkansas. The obituary may be refering to some other involvement with schools in Pleasant Plains.¹¹

Henry Wood Johnson and Lillian Allen Davis appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Pleasant Plains, Independence County, Arkansas, enumerated 20 January 1920. The home was listed as owned with no mortgage. The official date of that census was 01 Janurary 1920. Their children Oscar Eugene Johnson, Sinotte Woodrow Johnson, Gladys Gertrude Johnson, Arsella Johnson and Opal Henry Johnson were listed as living with them, along with George R. Davis, Lillian's brother, and Bryan Speed (age 21), listed as "hired labor." All of the members of the household age 10 and over were listed as being able to read and write, with the exception of George R. Davis. All of the children were listed as attending school after September 1, 1919, as was Bryan Speed.³ Henry Wood Johnson was listed as the owner of a dry goods and grocery store (on his own account) in the 1920 census.³

The Newark Lumber Company, in Newark, Arkansas, owned by George McClellan Fields (who may have still been in partnership with his brother-in-law, Henry Wood Johnson at this time) advertised "Tennessee wagons" for sale on 20 July 1922. The store referred to itself as "The Old Reliable" in its advertising.²⁸

The Newark Lumber Company ("The Old Reliable") owned by George McClellan Fields (who may have still been in partnership with his brother-in-law, Henry Wood Johnson, at this time) advertised a furniture "closing out" sale in the Newark, Arkansas, local newspaper on 21 September 1922. The newspaper carried both a "local news item" and a display ad about this sale. The items on sale included Simmons Steel Beds ($6.25 and $7.50), steel army cots ($2.50 each), "kitchen safes" ($10 with wire front, $12 with glass front), wood rockers ($2.50 to $5.00), and cane seat chairs (95 cents). The advertisement also mentioned Tennessee Wagons ($100 and $110). It also included the slogan "When You Buy From Us you Get What you buy" (capitalization as in original).²⁹

The Newark Lumber Company owned by George McClellan Fields (who may have still been in partnership with his brother-in-law, Henry Wood Johnson, at this time) advertised a "Holiday Sale" in the Newark, Arkansas, local newspaper on 14 December 1922. The newspaper carried both a "local news item" and a display ad about this sale. Items on sale included beds, springs, rockers, mattresses, and stoves. The ad included the slogans "If You're Ever Going Need these things Right Now is the Time -- and PRICES ARE REDUCED to the Very Lowest" (sic) and "You're in Luck if You Buy Now".³⁰

The Newark Lumber Company owned by George McClellan Fields (who may have still been in partnership with his brother-in-law, Henry Wood Johnson, at this time) had "notice items" in the "Items of Local Interest" section in the Newark, Arkansas, local newspaper on 19 April 1923. The items mentioned sheet iron for sale. A separate item mentioned the store had just received a car of galvanized roofing and a car of shingles (probably railcar "loads" of these items). Still another notice mentioned that cane bottom chairs were available at 95 cents each, with a limit of no more than six such chairs sold to any single customer.³¹

The Newark Lumber Company owned by George McClellan Fields (who may have still been in partnership with his brother-in-law, Henry Wood Johnson, at this time) had "notice items" in the "Items of Local Interest" section in the Newark, Arkansas, local newspaper on 26 April 1923. One item mentioned that a new stock of oil stoves had just been received. Other items mentioned sheet iron (roofing) and cane bottom chairs.³²

Henry Wood Johnson appeared on the census of 1930 at Pleasant Plains, Independence County, Arkansas.³³ He was listed as a dealer, building supplies, in the 1930 census.³³

A new article indicated Henry Wood Johnson's truck was wrecked near his home in Pleasant Plains, Arkansas, on Sunday, 10 March 1935. Vane Alexander, Pete Wilcox, Bob Padgett, and Henry's son, Sinotte Woodrow Johnson were in the truck at the time. Padgett and Sinotte Woodrow Johnson were seriously injured.³⁴

Henry Wood Johnson and Lillian Allen Davis appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Pleasant Plains, Independence County, Arkansas, enumerated 24 April 1940. The home was listed as owned, valued at $1000, and on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. Their son Sinotte Johnson was listed as living with them, along with Sinotte Johnson's wife, Lucille Young, and Katy Sue Johnson, the daughter of Sinotte and Lucille. All adult household members were listed having lived in the same house on 1 Apr 1935 (which was stated to be on a farm). Henry Wood Johnson and Lillian Allen Davis were listed as ages 78 and 63, respectively, both not attending school in March 1940. Henry having completed 8 years of schooling and Lillian having completed 5 years of schooling. Henry was listed as having been born in Missouri and Lillian was listed as having been born in Mississippi. Henry was listed as unemployed, not seeking work, and unable to work the week of 24-30 March. No occupation was listed for him. He did not report the number of weeks worked in 1939, but reported $200 in wages and other income (other than wages and salary) in excess of $50. Lillian is listed as not employed for wages, not seeking such employment, and doing housework. No 1939 wage income was reported for her and she did not have non-wage income in excess of $50 in 1939. The population schedule indicates that a farm schedule was filed for this household.³⁵

Henry Wood Johnson witnessed a delayed birth certificate on 21 May 1942 for his nephew, William Orville Fields, who had been born (according to the certificate) on 4 Dec 1898. He used the name H. W. Johnson. The birth certificate appears to contain two copies of H. W. Johnson's signature. The form appears to have been signed on 21 May 1942.³⁶

Henry Wood Johnson died on 18 February 1945 in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, at age 83, at the home of his daughter, Mrs J. E. Johnston (Luna Lenore Johnson).^8,10,11 Henry Wood Johnson was buried at Pleasant Plains Cemetery, Pleasant Plains (Fairview Township), Independence County, Arkansas. He had been a member of the Cornerstone Lodge No. 511, F. and A. M., for over 50 years at the time of his death, and was treasurer of the lodge for many years. The lodge conducted the burial services at the cemetery. Methodist ministers from Batesville and from Pleasant Plains conducted his funeral service. He was survived by nine children, 16 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.^8,37,11

Henry Wood Johnson died intestate (without a will). The administrator of his estate was his son, Nolan Eric Johnson. The papers for the final settlement of the estate were submitted to the Independence County probate court on between 1945 and 1947. The value of the personal property of the estate was listed as $819.00. The value of his land holdings was not listed in the estate papers. However, the land holding were described, as follows:



It is likely Henry Wood Johnson's widow had 1/3 life estate dower rights on any income-producing real property, which would prevent the sale of the land during her lifetime (or, at least, make the sale of the land somewhat complicated and difficult).

The heirs included his widow, Lillian Johnson (of Pleasant Plains, Arkansas), and nine living children (names below are drawn from various papers, primarily from 1945):

Luna Johnson Johnston (Mrs Edd Johnston), Batesville, Arkansas

Rilla Johnson Hickmon (Mrs W. C. Hickmon), Little Rock, Arkansas

Nolan E. Johnson, Pleasant Plains, Arkansas

Allen F. Johnson, Pleasant Plains, Arkansas

Gladys Johnson Brooks (Mrs Max Brooks), Batesville, Arkansas

Arzella Johnson Millikin (Mrs M. E. Millikan), Bradford, Arkansas

Eugene O. Johnson, Pleasant Plains, Arkansas

Sinotte Johnson, Pleasant Plains, Arkansas

Opal Johnson, Merced, California.

The children who predeceased him did not themselves have children.³⁸

Notes and Observations (Burials in Fairview Cemetery):

The Douglas County cemetery book contains some interesting material about Fairview Cemetery in Clinton Township in Dpuglas County Missouri. It apparently once served the town of Ann, Missouri, which no longer seems to exist. Interestingly, the cemetery has perhaps 4 or 5 burials as recently as 1995 and later, including one (a Fleetwood) as recently at 2019.
Several Johnsons, Elliott’s, and Stillwell’s are buried there.
William Fields’s second wife (Eva Amanda Elliott Fields) is buried in Row 7. Her grave marker mentions that she was the wife of W. C. Fields (she was his wife #2). In addition, the cemetery book suggests a marker (with no information other than a name) might exist for him adjacent to Eva Amanda (and probably a space exists there too). The location of Eva Amanda’s first husband, Robert Boring, is unknown.

W C (William Charles) is buried at Mount Ararat, adjacent to Keziah Jarman Fields -- his wife # 1.

His wife #4 was Cynthia Elliott Stillwell (Fields). She is also buried in Row *7 (apparently some distance from Eva Amanda). She is buried adjacent to her first husband. In the transcription, or “reading,” in the book her first name is spelled starting with an “S” (Synthia). However, the photo on Find-a-Grave seems to show it is spelled with a “C” (Cynthia) on her grave marker. Amanda and Cynthia were sisters.
CCF does not know where WC’s wife #3 (Mary Williams) was buried. It is not known if Williams was her maiden surname or if it is a previous husband’s surname.

In addition, several Johnsons are buried in this cemetery, including three infant children: one of Henry Wood and Ruth Ellen Rankin Johnson (listed in the cemetery book as “H. W. & E. R.”), one of (probably) Aaron Francis and Alabeth Wood Johnson (listed as “A. F. & E.” – there is some indirect evidence that Alabeth was her middle name and her first name was “Elnora”), and one of “M. F. & L.” (these parents are uncertain, but this might be evidence of an as-yet-undiscovered first marriage of Moses Francis Johnson, born in 1859, but whose only, thus far, known marriage was in 1893, when he was about 34 – the Douglas County courthouse burned in 1886 destroying all (or almost all) earlier marriage records).

Two Johnson family members are buried in Row 12, Louisa Loveth (Lovie) Johnson, wife of John Johnson, and Cordelia Nelson, “Lovie’s” granddaughter, the daughter of “James Sylvester and Martha Jane” (Johnson) (Nelson). There are apparently three graves (or grave sites?) near (or perhaps immediately adjacent to) the one for Cordelia, two of which are marked by rocks and one of which is unmarked. It is possible that one or more of these three are burial locations of others related to the Johnson family.³⁹

Isaac Monroe Johnson may have primarily gone by his middle name, Monroe. That was the name he was identified by in the news story describing his sudden death.^9,10 He was born on 17 April 1864 in Sherril, Texas County, Missouri.^11,6

Isaac Monroe Johnson appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Wood Richland Township, Texas County, Missouri in the household of his parents, Aaron Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood, at Houston (Post Office).³

Isaac Monroe Johnson married Elizabeth Dobyns, daughter of John M Dobyns and Rhoda (--?--), on 6 November 1893 in Douglas County, Missouri. Both bride and groom are listed as residents of Florilla, Missouri. He is listed as over age 21 and she is listed as over age 18. The license was apparently issued on 30 Oct 1893. The marriage seems to have been performed at the residence of John Dobyns, father of the bride.^2,12,9

Isaac Monroe Johnson appeared before the Dawes Commission on 17 March 1903, in Muskogee, Indian Territory. He was appearing in behalf of his application to become a member of the Choctaw tribe in order to receive land allotments when tribal lands in Indian Territory were divided among individual members of the tribe (Indian Territory was included in Oklahoma when Oklahoma became a state in 1907). His application was made under a special procedure for certain members of the tribe who had not received land allotments in Mississippi. These allotments had been promised under Article 14 of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (in most cases, the people applying in 1903 were descendants -- or claimed to be descendants -- of those still owed land; almost all of the members of the tribe who were living in the 1830s would have been deceased by 1903). Additional (but smaller allotments) were claimed for his minor children (under age 18 and unmarried): Erma Johnson, Orval Johnson and Charles L. Johnson. The children's ages (as of 1903) were listed as 8, 6, and 4, respectively.

His application for tribal membership (and for land allotments) was not approved. Certain records relating to the application process are still in existence. These records include transcripts of his answers to questions asked by representatives of the commission during his testimony before the commission -- along with remarks by the commission representatives. These transcripts provide an opportunity to read actual words spoken by this family member (about his understanding of certain aspects of family history and his personal history), but, frankly, the amount of personal information in most of these transcripts is quite limited. He indicated he lived in Van Zant, Douglas County, Missouri, but apparently had only recently returned from living in Oregon for about one and a half years. The specific location in Oregon was not indicated. He indicated that his "business" was "farming most of the time."¹³

Isaac Monroe Johnson died on 15 December 1921 at Vanzant, Wood Township, Douglas County, Missouri, at age 57. His obituary indicated he had been hauling lumber in the morning and returned to the barn with his team around 11:30 AM. There was no immediate concern when he failed to come to the house for “dinner” (the midday meal, the evening meal would have been "supper"). However family members began to search for him later in the afternoon. The team (of horses) was found in the barn, only partly fed. The search was extended to neighboring families. Later in the evening, a further search was made at the barn. His body was found in the hay loft, where he was believed to have gone to get hay for his horses. Death was believed to be sudden and was believed to be due to a burst blood vessel. Another published article, most of which is attributed to Moses Johnson, is also cited as a source here. That article mentions he was found in a hay loft, but apparently gives an incorrect year for Isaac Monroe's death.^11,6,10,14

Isaac Monroe Johnson was buried at Clifty Hall Cemetery, Douglas County, Missouri. His death certificate indicates no medical person attended him at time of his death, which was supposed to be from heart failure. His marital status at the time of his death was listed as married and his wife's name was given as Lizzie Johnson. His ocupation was listed as farmer.^11,6

Notes and observations about Isaac Monroe Johnson are described in an end note.^15,16,17

Her forename was sometimes spelled Lovey or Lovie.⁸ Lovy Jane Johnson was born on 19 October 1867 in Missouri.^9,10,11

Lovy Jane Johnson appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Wood Richland Township, Texas County, Missouri in the household of her parents, Aaron Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood, at Houston (Post Office).²

Lovy Jane Johnson married Miles Hadson Baldwin, son of Wallace A Baldwin and Louise Pierce, on 31 December 1890 at Florilla, Douglas County, Missouri.^9,12

Lovie Jane Johnson appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clinton Township, at Douglas County, Missouri in the household of her parents, Allen Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood.¹³

Lovy Jane Johnson appeared before the Dawes Commission on 16 January 1903, in Muskogee, Indian Territory. She was appearing in behalf of her application to become a member of the Choctaw tribe in order to receive land allotments when tribal lands in Indian Territory were divided among individual members of the tribe (Indian Territory was included in Oklahoma when Oklahoma became a state in 1907). Her application was made under a special procedure for certain members of the tribe who had not received land allotments in Mississippi. These allotments had been promised under Article 14 of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (in most cases, the people applying in 1903 were descendants -- or claimed to be descendants -- of those still owed land; almost all of the members of the tribe who were living in the 1830s would have been deceased by 1903). Additional (but smaller allotments) were claimed for her minor children (under age 18 and unmarried): Chester L. Baldwin, Otha Leonidas Baldwin and Eunice Baldwin. The ages of the minor children are listed as 10, 7, and 2, respectively.

Her application for tribal membership (and for land allotments) was not approved. Certain records relating to the application process are still in existence. These records include transcripts of her answers to questions asked by representatives of the commission during her testimony before the commission -- along with remarks by the commission representatives. These transcripts provide an opportunity to read actual words spoken by this family member (about her understanding of certain aspects of family history and her personal history), but, frankly, the amount of personal information in most of these transcripts is quite limited. She states that her place of residence is Florilla, Douglas County, Missouri.¹⁴

Lovy Jane Johnson appeared on the census of 1910 at Clinton Township, Douglas County, Missouri.¹⁵

Miles Hadson Baldwin and Lovy Jane Johnson (listed as Lovie Johnson) appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Clinton Townwhip, at Douglas County, Missouri, enumerated 12 May 1910. The official date of that census was 15 April 1910. The home was listed as owned, not mortgaged, and on a farm. Miles Hadson Baldwin and Lovy Jane Johnson were listed as ages 41 and 42, respectively, born in Indiana and Missouri, respectively, both married for 19 years, both in a first marriage, and both able to speak English. Both were listed as being able to read and write. Miles’s occupation was listed as a farmer on a general farm (and as an employer, apparently). No occupation was listed for Lovy. Lovy Jane Johnson was reported to have given birth to four children, all of whom were still living as of the official date of this census. Their children Chester LeRoy Baldwin, Otha Leonidas Baldwin, Eunice Baldwin and Diskie V Baldwin (ages 18, 15, 10, and 2) were listed as living with them, as was his father Wallace A Baldwin (age 62, who was listed as married, in his first marriage -- not widowed – he seems to have been listed twice in this census). Lovy Jane Johnson is listed as a veteran of the Confederate Army. The two oldest children and his father were listed as employed a farm labor on a home farm. A farm schedule was submitted for this household.¹⁶

Lovy Jane Johnson and Miles Hadson Baldwin appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Clinton Township, Douglas County, Missouri, enumerated 26 January 1920. The residence was listed as owned with a mortgage. The official date of that census was 01 Janurary 1920. Their daughter Diskie V Baldwin was listed as living with them. All members of the household were listed as able to read and write. Diskie was listed as attending school.³

Lovy Jane Johnson was listed as living in Prior Missouri circa 1920.¹⁷

Lovy Jane Johnson and Miles Hadson Baldwin were listed as registered voters for the 1926 general election, residing at 1228 Villa, Sanger, Fresno County, California. He was registered as a Republican and she was registered as a Democrat. His occupation was listed as laborer and hers was listed as a housewife.¹⁸

Miles Hadson Baldwin was listed as a registered voter for the 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1936, and 1938 general elections, residing at 1217 Olive, Sanger, Fresno County, California. In each of these years, he was registered as a Republican and his occupation was listed as a laborer (except for 1932, when occupations were apparently not listed for any voters). Lovy Jane Johnson was listed as a registered voter for the 1930, 1932, 1934, and 1936 general elections, residing at 1217 Olive, Sanger, Fresno County, California. In each of these years prior to 1936, she registered as a Democrat. She registered as a Republican in 1936. Her occupation was listed as a housewife each year that she was registered and that occupations were listed. In addition, their son, Otha Leonidas Baldwin was listed as a registered voter, residing at his parents' address for the 1928 general election. He was registered as a Democrat and his occupation was listed as laborer.^{19,20,21,22,23,24}

Lovy Jane Johnson and Miles Hadson Baldwin appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of at Sanger, Fresno County, California at 1217 Olive Avenue, enumerated 15 April 1930. Their ages were listed as 60 and 62, respectively, born in Indiana and Missouri, respectively, both did not attend school the previous year and both could read and write. The home was listed as owned, valued at $1000, and not on a farm. There was apparently not a radio present in the home. The official date of that census was 02 April 1930. Their son Otha Leonidas Baldwin was listed as living with them, along with Raymond R. Theis, a boarder (age 35, a farm laborer -- Theis later, probably after 1935, married Lovy's niece, Sarah Elizabeth Johnson). Miles's occupation was listed as being a laborer on a farm (as a worker).²⁵

Lovy Jane Johnson died on 3 January 1937 (6:20 AM) at General Hospital of Fresno County, near Fresno, Fresno County, California, at age 69.²⁶ She was buried at Sanger Cemetery, Sanger, Fresno County, California. Her death certificate indicates she died of bronchitis, essentially bronchial pneumonia, after being hospitalized for three days. Her usual residence at the time of her death was listed as 1217 Olive, Sanger, Fresno County, California. Her occupation was listed as housewife, working in her own home. The death certificate suggests what is now known as Sanger Cemetery may have had a different name in 1937.^26,11

Her first name was listed as Ester in several sources. Easter Elizabeth Johnson was born on 12 March 1873 in Missouri.^6,7

Easter Elizabeth Johnson married James W. Fortune, son of William M Fortune and Anna Ridehour, circa 1894 in Missouri.^1,2,6,8

Easter Elizabeth Johnson and James W. Fortune emigrated some time between November 1894 and November 1896 from Missouri to Washington state.⁶

Easter Elizabeth Johnson and James W. Fortune appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Diamond Precinct, Whitman County, Wahington, enumerated 13 June 1900. The residence was listed as rented and not on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 June 1900. This census is unique in that month and year of birth were requested for each individual, in addition to each individual's age at the official census date. Their children Ena Fortune, Ruth Fortune and Austin J. Fortune were listed as living with them (Ruth was listed under the name Berta in this census). Both adults in the household were listed as being able to read, write, and speak English. They had been married for six years. None of the three children (the eldest age 5) were listed as attending school the previous year. Easter Elizabeth Johnson was listed as the mother of three children, with all of them living as of the date of the census. The family listed immediately prior to the James W. Fortune household in this census is Peter Johnson, age 25, listed as a farmer, and also born in Missouri. It is not known if there was any connection between the Fortune housheold and this Peter Johnson (but Johnson might have been J. W. Fortune's employer -- J. W. Fortune's wife's maiden name was Johnson).⁶

Easter Elizabeth Johnson appeared before the Dawes Commission on 14 March 1903, in Muskogee, Indian Territory. She was appearing in behalf of her application to become a member of the Choctaw tribe in order to receive land allotments when tribal lands in Indian Territory were divided among individual members of the tribe (Indian Territory was included in Oklahoma when Oklahoma became a state in 1907). Her application was made under a special procedure for certain members of the tribe who had not received land allotments in Mississippi. These allotments had been promised under Article 14 of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (in most cases, the people applying in 1903 were descendants -- or claimed to be descendants -- of those still owed land; almost all of the members of the tribe who were living in the 1830s would have been deceased by 1903). Additional (but smaller allotments) were claimed for her minor children (under age 18 and unmarried): Ena F. Fortune, Ruth A. Fortune and Austin J. Fortune. The ages (as of March 1903) of the minor children were listed as 8, 6, and 5, respectively.

Her application for tribal membership (and for land allotments) was not approved. Certain records relating to the application process are still in existence. These records include transcripts of her answers to questions asked by representatives of the commission during her testimony before the commission -- along with remarks by the commission representatives. These transcripts provide an opportunity to read actual words spoken by this family member (about her understanding of certain aspects of family history and her personal history), but, frankly, the amount of personal information in most of these transcripts is quite limited. She stated that she lived in Colfax, Washington, and had lived there for seven years.⁹

Easter Elizabeth Johnson and James W. Fortune appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Spokane (Ward 5), Spokane County, Washington at 210 Montgomery Avenue, enumerated 15 April 1910. The residence was listed as owned, mortgaged, and not on a farm. The official date of that census was 15 April 1910. Their children Ena Fortune, Ruth Fortune, Austin Johnson Fortune and Frances Fortune were listed as living with them (Austin was listed with middle initial W), Easter Elizabeth Johnson and James W. Fortune were listed as ages 38 and 37, respectively, both born in Missouri, both married (first marriage for both), and having been married for 16 years. Everyone in the family over age 10 was listed as being able to read, write, and speak English. All children were listed as attending school. The children's names were listed as Erna I, Ruth, Austin J, and Mary F Johnson. James W. Fortune was listed as being employed as a salesman in real estate on his own account. He was employed on the date of the census and reported zero weeks of unemployment during 1909. Easter Elizabeth Johnson was listed as having four children, all of them living, as of the date of the census.¹⁰

Easter Elizabeth Johnson died on 4 December 1917 at 213 West Montgomery Avenue, Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, at age 44. Family folklore is that she died while sitting in her rocking chair (possibly on her front porch). The information on her death certificate seems consistent with that. It appears a doctor was summoned to her home, but she was dead when the doctor arrived at 4 PM. Death certificate indicates that physician judged her death was "probably due to either a cerebral hemorrhage or acute dialation (of the) heart." The informant for death certificate information is listed as Miss Ena Fortune of the 213 W. Montgomery address. Easter's death certificate lists her occupation as housewife.^11,7 She was buried at Riverside Park, Spokane County, Washington.⁷

Notes and Observations: It would be a nice story if she was named Easter because she was born on Easter Sunday. However, the best evidence available (as of May 2013) indicates that was not the case. The 1900 census lists the month and year of her birth as March 1873 (her death certificate provides the actual date within that month, March 12). Calendar informaton from the internet (http://tlarsen2.tripod.com/anthonypolumbo/apeasterdates.html : accessed 28 May 2013) indicates that in 1873, the Easter holiday fell on 13 April (it was on 31 March in 1872, 5 April in 1874, and 28 March in 1875.)

Sarah Frances Cole was apparently also known as Grandma Johnson very late in her life (perhaps even by people who were not her direct descendants).⁴ She was born on 25 October 1869 in Arkansas.^5,6,3

Late in her life, she claimed to remember playing with worthless Confederate currency when she had been a small child.⁴

Her father died when she was age 5. Shortly after that, she and an older brother worked farm fields (in Arkansas) with oxen. She led the animals, while her brother guided the plow.

She claimed to be able to pick 50 pounds of cotton a day at age 6.⁴

Sarah Frances Cole married James H Hines on 27 June 1886 at Independence County, Arkansas.⁷

Sarah Frances Cole married Moses F. Johnson, son of Aaron Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood, on 18 May 1893 at Independence County, Arkansas. The date is incorrectly listed as 18 May 1903 in the Moses Johnson memoir.^1,2

Sarah Frances Cole appeared on the census of 1900 at Richland Township, Douglas County, Missouri.⁸

Her husband's statement in 1903 before the Dawes Commission in Muskeegee Indian Territory (now in Oklahoma) suggest the family lived at two different locations during at least two years spent in an unknown date circa 1901-1903.⁹

At a time when she was the mother of five children, she and her husband left their farm in Missouri on a trip to Iowa. She gave birth to a sixth child during this trip, taking refuge during the birth of her child "in a small cabin in a sheepherder's camp." The sixth child referred to here was probaly her daughter Elnora Alabeth Johnson, born in January 1904 (the location of Elnora's birth is always listed as Missouri, which is not inconsistent with the story, since much of a trip to Iowa would involve passing through portions of Missouri). (A later -- 1969 -- source document also refers to this covered wagon trip, but indicates the western destination was Idaho, not Iowa. Iowa is believed to be a more credible destination for a wagon trip starting from Missouri, since transcontinental rail service was in place during Sara's entire adult life. However, as indicated above, the family apparenlty did live in Idaho for a time, so the possibility of a wagon trip to Idaho cannot be entirely discarded.)⁴

Sarah Frances Cole appeared on the census of 1910 at Clinton Township, Douglas County, Missouri.¹⁰

Sarah Frances Cole and her husband, Moses F. Johnson, ran a sawmill in Missouri by themselves for two years. This was probably around 1910, based on the occupation listed by Moses F. Johnson at the time of the 1910 US Federal census.⁴

Sarah Frances Cole and Moses F. Johnson appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of McKinley Township, Douglas County, Missouri, enumerated 21 January 1920. The residence (on a farm) was listed as owned and mortgaged. The official date of that census was 01 January 1920. Their children Easter C Johnson, Elnora E Johnson, Lindsey T Johnson and Alford L Johnson were listed as living with them, as well as Sarah Elizabeth Johnson (listed as Elizabeth Gott), also a daughter (and apparently widowed, the notation on the census form is unclear), and Elizabeth's children, Doil W Gott and Vaud L Gott (with Doil's name listed as "Dort"). All adults in the household age 17 and over were listed as able to read and write. Elnona, Lindsey, and Alford were listed as attending school.¹¹

Moses F. Johnson and Sarah Frances Cole initially moved to California with their family in 1923, settling in Sanger. However, Moses F. Johnson became ill shortly after this time. They returned to Missouri for the remainer of his life. He died in 1924.⁴

Sarah Frances Cole appeared on the census of 1930 at Magness Ave?, Township 3 (Galeta), Santa Barbara County, California.¹²

She returned to the area of Sanger California around 1934.¹³

Sarah Frances Cole appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Avenal, at Kings County, California living as a roomer in the household of Rollie Gault and Julia (--?--), at 209 West Michael. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. She was listed as: age 72, widowed, did not attend school during March 1940, had completed seven years of schooling, born in Arkansas, and lived in Sanger, Fresno County, California on 1 Apr 1935 (not on a farm). No occupation is listed for her and no employment during 1939 is listed. However, she is listed as having non-wage income in excess of $50 during 1939.¹⁴

During her life, she traveled across the western half of the United States by wagon, rail, Model T Ford, and airplane.

In 1948, at the end of a visit to family members in Missouri, one of her grandsons surprised her with a ticket to return to her home in California by airplane. She said of this trip, " ... there was nothing to be scared about. I sat over the wing and I was only sorry that it was night and I couldn't see much."⁴

On 31 October 1963, the local Sanger, California, newspaper reported that members of her family had gathered at her home in Sanger earlier that month to celebrate her 94th birthday. A lavender and white decorated cake was cut and served. The article stated that she lived alone "in her modest little home on H Street". She did her own cooking and housework and had canned her usual supply of fruit for the winter during the summer of 1963. She also managed to attend church regularly.

Quilt piercing had been a favorite pastime for many years prior to the 1963 interview, although arthritis in her hands had prevented her from doing as much quilting as she would have liked. Shortly before being interviewed for the October 1963 article, she had completed 20 hand-pierced quilt tops for a children's home in Bakersfield.

The 1963 article indicated five of her ten children were still living. One of them, her son "Lenzy" (Lindsey Theodore) lived in Sanger with his family. At that time (1963), she had 30 grandchildren, 87 great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.

This article is epecially interesting because it contains a few direct quotes, including: "I've worked hard all my life and I still can't just sit still and do nothing. My health is good the doctors tell me, so I guess hard work doesn't hurt anyone."⁴

Sarah Frances Cole died on 6 October 1970 (at 3:15 AM) at Sanger Convalescent Hospital, 2550 7th Street, Sanger, Fresno County, California, at age 100. Her death certificate attribted the cause of death to senility and generalized arteriosclerosis (pneumonia was also suspected.)^13,6,3 Alternative sources indicate her date of death was on 15 October 1970.¹⁵ She was buried at Sanger Cemetery, Sanger, Fresno County, California. Her death certificate lists here marital status as widowed, indicates her occupation was housewife (self-employed), and states she had practiced that occupation for 80 years. It also indicates she had lived in California -- and in Fresno County -- for 36 years (since 1934, which is probably accurate for Fresno county, but not for California, since she was listed as living in California in the 1930 census).^6,3 She lived at 820 8th Street, Sanger, California, at the time of her death (although her death certificate gives the street name as "H Street").^13,3

At the time of her death, she was survived by 30 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, and 112 great-great-grandchildren.¹³

Sarah Frances Cole's Social Security Number was 552-80-7610, issued in California in 1966 (last residence was in Sanger, Fresno California, California.)¹⁶

Notes and Observations: The list of children of Moses Johnson and Sarah Francis Cole that appears in a memoir by Moses Johnson, omits the name of Aaron M. Johnson, who died in childhood. This list of children was an addendum to the original text of the article. The addendum was written by Alfred Lee Johnson, who apparently had not yet been born when his older brother, Aaron M Johnson, died at about age 13. Because of this, it is understandable that Alfred might have forgotten or neglected to include Aaron M. Johnson in the list in the addendum.¹⁷

Notes and Observations (Burials in Fairview Cemetery):

The Douglas County cemetery book contains some interesting material about Fairview Cemetery in Clinton Township in Dpuglas County Missouri. It apparently once served the town of Ann, Missouri, which no longer seems to exist. Interestingly, the cemetery has perhaps 4 or 5 burials as recently as 1995 and later, including one (a Fleetwood) as recently at 2019.
Several Johnsons, Elliott’s, and Stillwell’s are buried there.
William Fields’s second wife (Eva Amanda Elliott Fields) is buried in Row 7. Her grave marker mentions that she was the wife of W. C. Fields (she was his wife #2). In addition, the cemetery book suggests a marker (with no information other than a name) might exist for him adjacent to Eva Amanda (and probably a space exists there too). The location of Eva Amanda’s first husband, Robert Boring, is unknown.

W C (William Charles) is buried at Mount Ararat, adjacent to Keziah Jarman Fields -- his wife # 1.

His wife #4 was Cynthia Elliott Stillwell (Fields). She is also buried in Row *7 (apparently some distance from Eva Amanda). She is buried adjacent to her first husband. In the transcription, or “reading,” in the book her first name is spelled starting with an “S” (Synthia). However, the photo on Find-a-Grave seems to show it is spelled with a “C” (Cynthia) on her grave marker. Amanda and Cynthia were sisters.
CCF does not know where WC’s wife #3 (Mary Williams) was buried. It is not known if Williams was her maiden surname or if it is a previous husband’s surname.

In addition, several Johnsons are buried in this cemetery, including three infant children: one of Henry Wood and Ruth Ellen Rankin Johnson (listed in the cemetery book as “H. W. & E. R.”), one of (probably) Aaron Francis and Alabeth Wood Johnson (listed as “A. F. & E.” – there is some indirect evidence that Alabeth was her middle name and her first name was “Elnora”), and one of “M. F. & L.” (these parents are uncertain, but this might be evidence of an as-yet-undiscovered first marriage of Moses Francis Johnson, born in 1859, but whose only, thus far, known marriage was in 1893, when he was about 34 – the Douglas County courthouse burned in 1886 destroying all (or almost all) earlier marriage records).

Two Johnson family members are buried in Row 12, Louisa Loveth (Lovie) Johnson, wife of John Johnson, and Cordelia Nelson, “Lovie’s” granddaughter, the daughter of “James Sylvester and Martha Jane” (Johnson) (Nelson). There are apparently three graves (or grave sites?) near (or perhaps immediately adjacent to) the one for Cordelia, two of which are marked by rocks and one of which is unmarked. It is possible that one or more of these three are burial locations of others related to the Johnson family.¹⁸

Ruth Ellen Rankin was born on 3 December 1868 in Illinois.^3,4,5,6

Ruth Ellen Rankin married Henry Wood Johnson, son of Aaron Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood, on 6 February 1886 in Douglas County, Missouri. Several secondary sources have this marriage taking place on 6 Feb 1887 or in 1889.^7,2,8,3,9

George McClellan Fields, Sarah Clementine Johnson, Ella Rankin, and Henry Wood Johnson sold property in Independence County, Arkansas, on 19 September 1898 to John Prater on 19 Sept 1898 for $40. The property that was sold was the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 10, Twp 11, Range 6 west and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 10, Twp 11, Range 6 West – about 80 acres total in the two parcels.¹⁰

Ruth Ellen Rankin died on 29 January 1900 at age 31.^3,6 She was buried at Pleasant Plains Cemetery, Pleasant Plains, Independence County, Arkansas. Her name is given as Ella on her grave marker.⁶

Notes and Observations (Burials in Fairview Cemetery):

The Douglas County cemetery book contains some interesting material about Fairview Cemetery in Clinton Township in Dpuglas County Missouri. It apparently once served the town of Ann, Missouri, which no longer seems to exist. Interestingly, the cemetery has perhaps 4 or 5 burials as recently as 1995 and later, including one (a Fleetwood) as recently at 2019.
Several Johnsons, Elliott’s, and Stillwell’s are buried there.
William Fields’s second wife (Eva Amanda Elliott Fields) is buried in Row 7. Her grave marker mentions that she was the wife of W. C. Fields (she was his wife #2). In addition, the cemetery book suggests a marker (with no information other than a name) might exist for him adjacent to Eva Amanda (and probably a space exists there too). The location of Eva Amanda’s first husband, Robert Boring, is unknown.

W C (William Charles) is buried at Mount Ararat, adjacent to Keziah Jarman Fields -- his wife # 1.

His wife #4 was Cynthia Elliott Stillwell (Fields). She is also buried in Row *7 (apparently some distance from Eva Amanda). She is buried adjacent to her first husband. In the transcription, or “reading,” in the book her first name is spelled starting with an “S” (Synthia). However, the photo on Find-a-Grave seems to show it is spelled with a “C” (Cynthia) on her grave marker. Amanda and Cynthia were sisters.
CCF does not know where WC’s wife #3 (Mary Williams) was buried. It is not known if Williams was her maiden surname or if it is a previous husband’s surname.

In addition, several Johnsons are buried in this cemetery, including three infant children: one of Henry Wood and Ruth Ellen Rankin Johnson (listed in the cemetery book as “H. W. & E. R.”), one of (probably) Aaron Francis and Alabeth Wood Johnson (listed as “A. F. & E.” – there is some indirect evidence that Alabeth was her middle name and her first name was “Elnora”), and one of “M. F. & L.” (these parents are uncertain, but this might be evidence of an as-yet-undiscovered first marriage of Moses Francis Johnson, born in 1859, but whose only, thus far, known marriage was in 1893, when he was about 34 – the Douglas County courthouse burned in 1886 destroying all (or almost all) earlier marriage records).

Two Johnson family members are buried in Row 12, Louisa Loveth (Lovie) Johnson, wife of John Johnson, and Cordelia Nelson, “Lovie’s” granddaughter, the daughter of “James Sylvester and Martha Jane” (Johnson) (Nelson). There are apparently three graves (or grave sites?) near (or perhaps immediately adjacent to) the one for Cordelia, two of which are marked by rocks and one of which is unmarked. It is possible that one or more of these three are burial locations of others related to the Johnson family.¹¹

One source suggest the "H" in his middle name stood for "Hudson".¹ Miles Hadson Baldwin was also known as (?) (?) He was born on 1 February 1870 in Indiana.⁴

Miles Hadson Baldwin appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Lockhart Township, Pike County, Indiana living in the household of his parents, Wallace A Baldwin (listed as William Baldwin) and Louise Pierce (listed as Louisa Baldwin). He was listed as age 2 and born in Indiana.²

Miles H. Baldwin (initially transcribed as Milds) appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Lockhart Township, Pike County, Indiana living in the household of his parents, Wallace A Baldwin (listed as Wallas Baldwin) and Louise Pierce (listed as Louis Baldwin). He was listed as age 11 and born in Indiana. His occupation was listed as farmer. He was listed as having attended school in 1880 and being able to read and write.^3,5 Miles Hadson Baldwin was listed as a farmer in the 1880 census in 1880.³

Miles Hadson Baldwin married Lovy Jane Johnson, daughter of Aaron Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood, on 31 December 1890 at Florilla, Douglas County, Missouri.^6,7 Miles Hadson Baldwin was listed as a merchant in the 1900 census.⁸

Miles Hadson Baldwin appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clinton Township, at Douglas County, Missouri in the household of Allen Francis Johnson and Alabeth Wood.⁹

Miles Hadson Baldwin and Lovy Jane Johnson (listed as Lovie Johnson) appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Clinton Townwhip, at Douglas County, Missouri, enumerated 12 May 1910. The official date of that census was 15 April 1910. The home was listed as owned, not mortgaged, and on a farm. Miles Hadson Baldwin and Lovy Jane Johnson were listed as ages 41 and 42, respectively, born in Indiana and Missouri, respectively, both married for 19 years, both in a first marriage, and both able to speak English. Both were listed as being able to read and write. Miles’s occupation was listed as a farmer on a general farm (and as an employer, apparently). No occupation was listed for Lovy. Lovy Jane Johnson was reported to have given birth to four children, all of whom were still living as of the official date of this census. Their children Chester LeRoy Baldwin, Otha Leonidas Baldwin, Eunice Baldwin and Diskie V Baldwin (ages 18, 15, 10, and 2) were listed as living with them, as was his father Wallace A Baldwin (age 62, who was listed as married, in his first marriage -- not widowed – he seems to have been listed twice in this census). Miles Hadson Baldwin is listed as a veteran of the Confederate Army. The two oldest children and his father were listed as employed a farm labor on a home farm. A farm schedule was submitted for this household.¹⁰ He was listed as a farmer, general farm.¹¹

Miles Hadson Baldwin and Lovy Jane Johnson appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Clinton Township, Douglas County, Missouri, enumerated 26 January 1920. The residence was listed as owned with a mortgage. The official date of that census was 01 January 1920. Their daughter Diskie V Baldwin was listed as living with them. All members of the household were listed as able to read and write. Diskie was listed as attending school.¹²

Miles Hadson Baldwin was listed as living in Prior Missouri circa 1920.¹³

Miles Hadson Baldwin and Lovy Jane Johnson were listed as registered voters for the 1926 general election, residing at 1228 Villa, Sanger, Fresno County, California. He was registered as a Republican and she was registered as a Democrat. His occupation was listed as laborer and hers was listed as a housewife.¹⁴

Miles Hadson Baldwin was listed as a registered voter for the 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1936, and 1938 general elections, residing at 1217 Olive, Sanger, Fresno County, California. In each of these years, he was registered as a Republican and his occupation was listed as a laborer (except for 1932, when occupations were apparently not listed for any voters). Lovy Jane Johnson was listed as a registered voter for the 1930, 1932, 1934, and 1936 general elections, residing at 1217 Olive, Sanger, Fresno County, California. In each of these years prior to 1936, she registered as a Democrat. She registered as a Republican in 1936. Her occupation was listed as a housewife each year that she was registered and that occupations were listed. In addition, their son, Otha Leonidas Baldwin was listed as a registered voter, residing at his parents' address for the 1928 general election. He was registered as a Democrat and his occupation was listed as laborer.^{15,16,17,18,19,20}

Miles Hadson Baldwin and Lovy Jane Johnson appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Sanger, Fresno County, California at 1217 Olive Avenue, enumerated 15 April 1930. Their ages were listed as 60 and 62, respectively, born in Indiana and Missouri, respectively, both did not attend school the previous year and both could read and write. The home was listed as owned, valued at $1000, and not on a farm. There was apparently not a radio present in the home. The official date of that census was 02 April 1930. Their son Otha Leonidas Baldwin was listed as living with them, along with Raymond R. Theis, a boarder (age 35, a farm laborer -- Theis later, probably after 1935, married Lovy's niece, Sarah Elizabeth Johnson). Miles's occupation was listed as being a laborer on a farm (as a worker).²¹

Miles Baldwin was Lois Belle Fields's landlord between May 1939 and October 1939.^22,23

Miles Hadson Baldwin died on 1 April 1956 at Fresno, Fresno County, California, at age 86.⁴ He was buried at Sanger Cemetery, Sanger, Fresno County, California.²⁴

John Johnson was recorded as a head of household in the census for.

John Johnson was recorded as a head of household in the census for at Marshall County, Alabama. He was born circa 1785 at Tennessee.^1,2

John Johnson's first wife'sname is unknown. They probably married in the early 1800s.^1,4

John Johnson married Lovy Pullen, daughter of William Pullen, circa 1820.^1,5,4

John Johnson is said to have located "on" the Sand Mountain, DeKalb County, Alabama. Sand Mountain appears to refer to a geological feature, not the name of a community. The date of this settlement is not given in the source document (Moses Johnson's memoir). Based on the list of children in the family he is said to have "raised" on Sand Mountain, the date is estimated to be circa 1825 (DeKalb County was not organized until 1836, but Moses would have heard of this by word-of-mouth and he most likely would have been told the name of the county as it existed at the time the family left).^5,4

Moses Johnson's memoir states: "John Johnson was running a grist mill in northern Alabama at the time the Indians started west, and they had him grind their parched corn, and it cured him of dropsey" (but after he moved to Missouri his illness returned and he lived only a short time longer).^5,4,6

Searches of 1840 US Federal Census for DeKalb County Alabama yielded several different possibilities for John Johnson in that county. However, a better match with the “known” structure of his family at that time is with the John Johnson of Marshall County, Alabama which was then (and still is) just west of the southern portion of DeKalb County.

John Johnson and (presumably implicitly) Lovy Pullen (unnamed) appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Marshall County, Alabama, no specific enumeration date[. The official date of that census was 01 Jun 1840. The census information indicated the household consisted of the following (free white) individuals: 1 male age 0-5 (born between c1835 and c1840), 2 males age 5-10 (born between c1830 and c1835), 1 male age 10-15 (born between c1825 and c1830), 1 males age 15-20 (born between c1820 and c1825), 3 males age 20-30 (born between c1810 and c1820), 1 male1 age 50-60 (born between c1780 and c1790), 1 female age 5-10 (born between c1830 and c1835], 1 female age 15-20 (born between c1820 and c1825), and 1 female age 40-50 (born between c1790 and c1800). The head of each household was the only person explicitly listed in the US federal censuses for 1840 and earlier years. The return also indicated there were 4 persons employed in agriculture and 2 persons employed in manufacture and trade. The identification of persons employed in manufacture and trade is consistent with the family understanding (or "folklore") that John Johnson operated a mill (apparently a flour mill) on Sand Mountain in Alabama.

Possible identities for some of the 12 people listed in the household for this John Johnson household (along with their -- often apporxomate -- known birth years) are as follows:

1 male age 0-5 (born between c1835 and c1840) – Aaron Francis, born 1837

2 males age 5-10 (born between c1830 and c1835) – Thomas Marion, born 1834, and one unknown

1 male age 10-15 (born between c1825 and c1830) – Harvey, born 1827

1 male age 15-20 (born between c1820 and c1825) – William M, born 1823

3 males age 20-30 (born between c1810 and c1830) – all three are unknown. They could be other sons (unknown to present-day researchers), or hired farmhands (or possibly nephews and/or cousins). A known son, Canady Johnson, was born 1810-1812, but he was likely recorded in the 1840 census (as Kennedy Johnson) in his own household in Marshall County. If some or all of the age 20-30 males are present day researchers (as this is written in April 2020), they are likely from John Johnson’s first marriage.

1 male age 50-60 (born between c1780 and c1790) – John Johnson, born ~1785

1 female age 5-10 (born between c1830 and c1835), Matilda, born ~1830

1 female age 15-20 (born between c1820 and c1825) -- Eliza Ann, born ~1825

1 female age 40-50 (born between c1790 and c1800) – Lovy Pullen, born 1802 (her "known "a ge dies not match the census age range.

John, William, Harvey, and the three unknown males in their 20s would presumably comprise the 4 persons employed in agriculture and the 2 employed in manufacture and trade.

An examination of the Alabama country boundaries during the years between 1830 and 1850, and the current (2020) county boundaries indicates that (among other changes) a small area of land that belonged to Marshall County in 1840 was later shifted to DeKalb county (but this shift was made at time before the Johnsons moved to Missouri, so descendants in (say) the early 1900s might have been aware of their ancestors (some of whom “came of age” in the 1840s) leaving Alabama for Missouri from DeKalb County, but might have not known that the area where the family lived had earlier been in Marshall County for a time.

Thus it is possible that the area where the family lived at the time they left Missouri was in this area that was (around 1850) transferred from Marshall County to DeKalb County. This area is currently in DeKalb County. In addition, this household had people employed in both (1) agriculture and (2) manufacturing and commerce. “Manufacturing and commerce” would be consistent with operation of a grist mill.

A grain mill (or gristmill) during this time period was almost certainly powered by flowing water. It is possible to identify several creeks in this area. The Johnson Mill might have been located alongside (or partially over) one of these creeks.

The current names of some of the candidate creeks in the vicinity of the area shifted from Marshall County to DeKalb County include: South Sauty Creek, Blackoak Creek, Town Creek, Little Shoal Creek, Whippoorwill Creek, and Scarham Creek. All of these creeks appear to flow in a general westerly direction and fall down the west side of Sand Mountain. Of these, Town Creek might be of special interest because it apparently currently has some whitewater recreation areas along it. This suggests it is a relatively large, fast-flowing creek (i.e., high volumetric flow rate), which might have been a good site for a gristmill. It is of course, possible that other creeks in the area also had sufficient volumetric flow to provide power to a grist mill.⁷

John Johnson is believed to have moved circa 1852 to Dent County, Missoouri.¹ He died circa 1854 at Near Rhyse, Dent County, Missouri. He is said to have died of "dropsey."^1,2,5,4,8,3 He is believed to be buried either near Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri,i or in Johnson Cemetery, Dent County, Missouri.³

Notes and Observations: The Moses Johnson memoir lists eight Children as: Canida, Betsy, Harve, William, Tildy, Thomas, Lisey, and Aaron. This list probably provides informal names used in the family (at least for children much younger than them -- Moses would have been more than a generation younger than any of them, and his father appears to be the youngest member of the family). Since Canady (the oldest) and Aaron (apparently the youngest) are first and last, respectively, on this list, it suggests that the list might provide at least an approximate birth order for the others. Sally (said to be by John's first wife -- along with Canady) is not included on this list. This suggests she may have died young (so that Moses never heard of her -- or did not remember hearing of her at the time he wrote the addendum to the Moses Johnson biography). It is also possible that Sally remained in Alabama and had little contact with the others, which could also be a reason for Moses not knowing of her -- or forgetting her at the time his list was written down.^5,4 An item of family folklore is that Virginia Caroline Craddock, the wife of Thomas Marion Johnson, and her father-in-law John Johnson were buried side by side in the Craddock Family Cemetery, Phelps County, Missouri., with both their graves marked by unengraved stones. However, an alternative story suggests that W is buried in the Johnson Cemetery in Dent County, Missouri, so his burial place is uncertain.⁹

One source gives her actual maiden name as was also known as Louisa Loveth "Luvy" Pullen.⁶ Lovy Pullen was born on 9 September 1802 in North Carolina.^1,2,5

Lovy Pullen married John Johnson, son of Thomas Johnson and Lucy Edwins, circa 1820.^1,7,8

Searches of 1840 US Federal Census for DeKalb County Alabama yielded several different possibilities for John Johnson in that county. However, a better match with the “known” structure of his family at that time is with the John Johnson of Marshall County, Alabama which was then (and still is) just west of the southern portion of DeKalb County.

Lovy Pullen and (presumably implicitly) John Johnson (unnamed) appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Marshall County, Alabama, no specific enumeration date[. The official date of that census was 01 Jun 1840. The census information indicated the household consisted of the following (free white) individuals: 1 male age 0-5 (born between c1835 and c1840), 2 males age 5-10 (born between c1830 and c1835), 1 male age 10-15 (born between c1825 and c1830), 1 males age 15-20 (born between c1820 and c1825), 3 males age 20-30 (born between c1810 and c1820), 1 male1 age 50-60 (born between c1780 and c1790), 1 female age 5-10 (born between c1830 and c1835], 1 female age 15-20 (born between c1820 and c1825), and 1 female age 40-50 (born between c1790 and c1800). The head of each household was the only person explicitly listed in the US federal censuses for 1840 and earlier years. The return also indicated there were 4 persons employed in agriculture and 2 persons employed in manufacture and trade. The identification of persons employed in manufacture and trade is consistent with the family understanding (or "folklore") that John Johnson operated a mill (apparently a flour mill) on Sand Mountain in Alabama.

Possible identities for some of the 12 people listed in the household for this John Johnson household (along with their -- often apporxomate -- known birth years) are as follows:

1 male age 0-5 (born between c1835 and c1840) – Aaron Francis, born 1837

2 males age 5-10 (born between c1830 and c1835) – Thomas Marion, born 1834, and one unknown

1 male age 10-15 (born between c1825 and c1830) – Harvey, born 1827

1 male age 15-20 (born between c1820 and c1825) – William M, born 1823

3 males age 20-30 (born between c1810 and c1830) – all three are unknown. They could be other sons (unknown to present-day researchers), or hired farmhands (or possibly nephews and/or cousins). A known son, Canady Johnson, was born 1810-1812, but he was likely recorded in the 1840 census (as Kennedy Johnson) in his own household in Marshall County. If some or all of the age 20-30 males are present day researchers (as this is written in April 2020), they are likely from John Johnson’s first marriage.

1 male age 50-60 (born between c1780 and c1790) – John Johnson, born ~1785

1 female age 5-10 (born between c1830 and c1835), Matilda, born ~1830

1 female age 15-20 (born between c1820 and c1825) -- Eliza Ann, born ~1825

1 female age 40-50 (born between c1790 and c1800) – Lovy Pullen, born 1802 (her "known "a ge dies not match the census age range.

John, William, Harvey, and the three unknown males in their 20s would presumably comprise the 4 persons employed in agriculture and the 2 employed in manufacture and trade.

An examination of the Alabama country boundaries during the years between 1830 and 1850, and the current (2020) county boundaries indicates that (among other changes) a small area of land that belonged to Marshall County in 1840 was later shifted to DeKalb county (but this shift was made at time before the Johnsons moved to Missouri, so descendants in (say) the early 1900s might have been aware of their ancestors (some of whom “came of age” in the 1840s) leaving Alabama for Missouri from DeKalb County, but might have not known that the area where the family lived had earlier been in Marshall County for a time.

Thus it is possible that the area where the family lived at the time they left Missouri was in this area that was (around 1850) transferred from Marshall County to DeKalb County. This area is currently in DeKalb County. In addition, this household had people employed in both (1) agriculture and (2) manufacturing and commerce. “Manufacturing and commerce” would be consistent with operation of a grist mill.

A grain mill (or gristmill) during this time period was almost certainly powered by flowing water. It is possible to identify several creeks in this area. The Johnson Mill might have been located alongside (or partially over) one of these creeks.

The current names of some of the candidate creeks in the vicinity of the area shifted from Marshall County to DeKalb County include: South Sauty Creek, Blackoak Creek, Town Creek, Little Shoal Creek, Whippoorwill Creek, and Scarham Creek. All of these creeks appear to flow in a general westerly direction and fall down the west side of Sand Mountain. Of these, Town Creek might be of special interest because it apparently currently has some whitewater recreation areas along it. This suggests it is a relatively large, fast-flowing creek (i.e., high volumetric flow rate), which might have been a good site for a gristmill. It is of course, possible that other creeks in the area also had sufficient volumetric flow to provide power to a grist mill.⁹

Lovy Pullen (listed as L Johnson) appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Rolla Township, Phelps County, Missouri in the household of Thomas Marion Johnson and Virginia Caroline Craddock, at Dillon (Post Office). She is listed as age 59.¹⁰

Lovy Pullen (listed as Luvy Johnson) appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Texas Township (Salem Post Office), of Dent County, Missouri in the household of her son-in-law and daughter, James Sylvester Nelson and Matilda Jane Johnson. The official date of that census was 01 June 1870. She was listed as age 68 and born in North Carolina. Her occupation was listed as At Home. She was listed as able to read and write. No disabilities or other special situations were listed for her.¹¹

Lovy Pullen (listed as Lovey Johnson) appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Clinton Township, of Douglas County, Missouri in the household of her son, Thomas Marion Johnson, and daughter-in-law, Julia Ann Clark. She was listed as age 78, a widow, born in North Carolina, and her occupation was listed as at home. She was listed as able to read and write. No disabilities or other special situations were listed for her.¹²

Lovy Pullen died on 20 February 1882 at Douglas County, Missouri, at age 79.^1,2,7,8,5 She was buried at Fairview Church Burying Ground, Douglas County, Missouri.^7,8,5