Person Page - 31

Ruth A. Fortune was born on 5 November 1896 in Wahington.^4,5

Ruth Fortune appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Diamond Precinct, Whitman County, Wahington in the household of her parents, James W. Fortune and Easter Elizabeth Johnson.⁴

Ruth A. Fortune's parent, Easter Elizabeth Johnson, included her in an application for membership in the Choctaw Indian tribe on 14 March 1903. Members of the tribe were 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). The application was made under a special procedure for certain members of the tribe (and their descendants) who had not received land allotments in Mississippi that were promised under Article 14 of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Minor children were eligible for land allotments (although the children's allotments were much smaller than those for adults). The application for tribal membership was not approved.⁶

Ruth Fortune appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Spokane (Ward 5), Spokane County, Washington in the household of her parents, Easter Elizabeth Johnson and James W. Fortune, at 210 Montgomery Avenue.⁷

Ruth A. Fortune appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Spokane (Dodd District), Spokane County, Washington in the household of her father, James W. Fortune, at 1507 North Wall Street.² Ruth A. Fortune was listed as a packer at a candy manufacturer in the 1920 census.²

Ruth A. Fortune married Walker M Sanders, son of Laura B (--?--).^8,5

Ruth A. Fortune and Walker M Sanders appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of at Long Beach, at Los Angeles County, California at 224 LaVerne, enumerated 3 April 1930, Their ages were listed as 33 and 40, respectively, born in Washington and Indiana, respectively, ages at first marriage were 31 and 20, respectively, both did not attend school the previous year, and both could read and write. The home was listed as owned, valued at $8000, and not on a farm. A radio was present in the home. The official date of that census was 02 April 1930. , Also living in the household were Walker M Sanders's mother, Laura B (--?--) (who was listed as the head of the household), and his sister, Lorabelle Sanders. All members of the household were listed as being able to read and write. Ruth was listed as employed and working as a cashier in a cafe as a paid worker. Walker was listed as employed and working as the owner of a cafe as an employer. The ages at first marriage for the two of them indicate he had at least one previous marriage.⁹

Ruth A. Fortune lived on 7 December 1934 in California.⁸

Ruth A. Fortune and Walker M Sanders appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California at 624 Junipero Avenue, enumerated 3 April 1940. The home was listed as owned, valued at $2000, and not on a farm. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. Both household members were listed having lived at the same place (Long Beach) on 1 Apr 1935. Walker M Sanders and Ruth A. Fortune were listed as ages 50 and 43, respectively, both married, born in Indiana and Washington, respectively, both having completed four years of high school, and both not attending school in March 1940. Walker was listed as employed and having worked 40 hours the week of 24-30 March. His occupation was listed as salesman in the wholesale coffee industry as a private industry worker. He reported 52 weeks worked in 1939, $1800 in wage income, and had no other income (other than wages and salary) in excess of $50. Ruth 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, but she did have non-wage income in excess of $50 in 1939. The population schedule indicates a farm schedule was not filed for this household.¹⁰

Ruth A. Fortune died on 7 November 1974 at Colonial Manor Convalescant Hospital, 1913 East 5th Street, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, at age 78. Her death was at 3:30 AM from acute myocaridial failure. She had apparently suffered from heart disease for several years and was diabetic. Her death certificate states her usual place of residence was 624 Junipero Avenue, Long Beach, California, she was a widow, had lived in California for 48 years, and had been a housewife. The informant on the death certificate was W. S. McBurnie, 1831 Truston Avenue, Bakersfield, California, 93301.^5,11 She was entombed at Sunnyside Mausoleum, Long Beach, California.¹¹

Ruth A. Fortune's Social Security Number was 564-10-2753B (this may be a Medicare Number, with the suffix "B" signifying she was the wife of a retired worker -- see, for example, http://www.kidney.org/professionals/CNSW/pdf/Medicare_Suffixe.pdf : accessed 9 Oct 2013).¹¹

A search of the data base on Ancestry.com for California births between 1905 and 1995 did not show any children with surname Sanders whose mother's maiden name was Fortune. Thus it is quite possible Ruth A. Fortune and Walker M Sanders had no children.

His name is most commonly encountered with the middle initial (J). His middle initial is listed as "W" on at least one source document.⁴ Austin Johnson Fortune was born on 31 December 1897 in Whitman County, Washington.^3,5,4,1

Austin J. Fortune appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Diamond Precinct, Whitman County, Wahington in the household of his parents, James W. Fortune and Easter Elizabeth Johnson.⁵

Austin J. Fortune's parent, Easter Elizabeth Johnson, included him in an application for membership in the Choctaw Indian tribe on 14 March 1903. Members of the tribe were 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). The application was made under a special procedure for certain members of the tribe (and their descendants) who had not received land allotments in Mississippi that were promised under Article 14 of the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Minor children were eligible for land allotments (although the children's allotments were much smaller than those for adults). The application for tribal membership was not approved.⁶

Austin Johnson Fortune (listed with middle initial W) appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Spokane (Ward 5), Spokane County, Washington in the household of his parents, Easter Elizabeth Johnson and James W. Fortune, at 210 Montgomery Avenue.⁷

Austin Johnson Fortune served in the military beginning on 17 October 1917, at Spokane, Washington. He enlisted in the US Army, serving in the 166th depot brigade (World War I). He was discharged on 18 Feb 1919 at Camp Lewis (Pierce County, Washington, near Tacoma). His army serial number was 23 714 11.^4,8

Austin Johnson Fortune married Lucile Cameron, daughter of George E Cameron, on 29 November 1919 at Yakima, Washington.^9,8

Austin Johnson Fortune and Lucile Cameron appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Spokane, Spokane County, Washington at 1507 North Wall Street, enumerated 12 January 1920. The home was listed as rented. The official date of that census was 01 January 1920. All members of the household were listed as being able to read and write.⁹ Austin Johnson Fortune was listed as a salesman in a music store in the 1920 census.⁹

Austin Johnson Fortune lived on 30 April 1920 at N 1507 Wall Street, Spokane, Spokane County, Washington.¹⁰

Austin Johnson Fortune and Lucile Cameron appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Seattle, King County, Washington at 7200 5th Avenue Northeast, enumerated 15 April 1930. Their ages were listed as 32 and 29, respectively, both born in Washington, ages at first marriage were 22 and 19, respectively, both did not attend school the previous year, and both could read and write. The home was listed as rented for $25/month and not on a farm. No indication was listed as to whether or not a radio was present in the home. The official date of that census was 02 April 1930. Their children Donald Fortune and Joyce Fortune were listed as living with them. All members of the household age 7 and over were listed as being able to read and write. The 7-year-old son was listed as attending school after September 1, 1929. Austin was listed as employed and working as a dispenser at a malted milk shop. No employment or occupation was listed for Lucile. Austin was incorrectly listed on the census form as not being a military veteran (it is possible the person supplying the information was not aware of his military service, or did not realize he could be a "war veteran" even though he had apparently never been stationed outside the United States during his service between 1917 and 1919).¹¹

Austin Johnson Fortune lived on 7 December 1934 at Everett, Washington.¹²

On 17 September 1936 he applied for admission to the State Soldier’s Home in Orting, Pierce County, Washington. His application stated: (1) he was 39 years old; (2) 5 ft 10.5 inches tall; (3) complexion was light; (4) resident of King County Washington (Seattle is in King County, but Everett, where his children resided -- see below -- is in Snohomish County); (5) was born in St. John, Washington; (6) had lived in the State of Washington continuously for 39 years; (7) occupation was salesman; (8) marital status: separated; (9) was married on 29 Nov 1919 in Yakima, Washington by a J. P, and a divorce was pending (his wife’s name was not listed on the application); (10) he had two children: Donald (age 13 – at date of application) and Joyce (age 10); (11) his children both resided at 2608 Cleveland Avenue, Everett, Washington; (12) the name of his “nearest relative or friend” was Mrs E. V. White (sister-in-law, later ex-sister-in-law, Evelyn Cameron White), 4029 ½ Brooklyn Ave. Seattle, Washington (but see the next paragraph); (13) he was enlisted in the (military) service of the United States once, during the World War; (14) he enlisted as a private on 17 Oct 1917 at Spokane, Washington in the 42^nd Company of the 166^th Depot Brigade, and was discharged on 18 Feb 1919 at Camp Lewis (no rank listed at discharge), the reason for discharge was given as “M.O.” (probably Mustered Out), his serial number was listed as 2371411; (15) he was receiving $30/month pension payable at Seattle; (16) he (by endorsing the pre-printed form) states: “being indigent and unable on account of his disability to earn his living by manual labor, and having no adequate means of support, (he) desires admission to the State Soldiers Home”; (17) he had been a member of the “Roseburg, Ore. Homes” (the meaning of this is discussed in a paragraph that follows); (18) he was never dishonorably discharged from a National or State Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and Sailors; (19) he was born 31 Dec 1895; (20) his father was J. W. Fortune, born Rollo (probably Rolla), Missouri; and (21) his mother was Ester Johnson, born Mt. Grove, Missouri.

In the space on his application for his “nearest relative or friend,” the (formal married) name of his sister-in-law (Evelyn Cameron White, listed on the application as Mrs E. V. White) was later crossed out and two other handwritten names were added: Mrs B. H. Morton, 3502 “Bray” (an abbreviation for Broadway), Everett, Washington and (in parentheses) Joyce Fortune, 2606 Rockefeller, Everett (Mrs. B. H. Morton – her name seems to have sometimes been listed as Mrs B. D. Morton -- is likely to have been his ex-wife’s mother). Two dates are associated with the handwritten entries. These dates might indicate that one (or both?) of the new names were added on 4 May 1945 and his sister-in-law’s name was crossed off on 19 July 1945. Mrs B. D. Morton (same 3502 Broadway, Everett, Washington address) was the contact listed on his 1942 WWII draft registration. The 1940 census indicates a household headed by Elmer White residing at the 4029 1/2 Brooklyn Avenue, Seattle, address listed on the application (Elmer White's spouse is listed as Evelyn on that 1940 census).

The Soldiers Home file contains several other documents. One suggests his disabling physical conditon was arthritis (hypertropic). This record suggests he was “admitted” by the veteran’s administration’s Seattle office (it is not clear if this refers to a pension or a hospitalization). Another form in the package deals with his veterans pension of $30/month in 1936. It is unclear from the file, but, after he was admitted to the soldiers home, some or all of this pension may have been paid to the home, rather to him. Notations on the bottom of the form suggest his pension (or possibly a payment to the home for his support) might have been increased to $75/month in 1944 and to $180/month in 1944. Some of the documents in the file contain a File Number C-1836218, which is different from his military file number (listed above) and from the file number for the Soldiers Home (4531). This “C-Number” appears to be a Veterans Administration file or pension number.

The Soldiers Home file contains documents suggesting he was treated at the Madigan General Hospital in Tacoma, Washington during May 1949 and at the U. S. Marine Hospital in Seattle, Washington during September 1950. Documentation suggests he may have been hospitalized between September 1 and September 12, 1950.

The file contains two addresses for his son (both probably from the 1940s): (1) Don Fortune, 1719 28^th Ave S, Seattle, Washington; and Mr and Mrs D Fortune, 826H East 81 Ave., Vancouver, Washington.

The reference in the initial application to a Roseburg Oregon Home was originally unclear. However, internet research indicated the Oregon State Soldiers’ Home (located in Roseburg) “opened in 1893 to ‘provide a home for honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and marines who had served in any wars in which the United States was engaged, or who served in the Indian Wars of Oregon, Washington or Idaho, provided they were or might become citizens of Oregon’ … In 1933, the home was turned over to the National Soldiers’ Home Bureau and its administration transferred to the new Veterans Administration” (http://www.cem.va.gov/CEMs/nchp/roseburg.asp). A Veterans Administration (VA) medical facility is still in operation in Roseburg, Oregon (http://www.roseburg.va.gov/index.asp : accessed 17 April 2014). Apparently, he had been a patient or resident at the Roseburg Oregon facility for some time prior to entering (or transferring?) to the Washington Soldiers Home. Since he was not a resident of Oregon, his stay at that Oregon home probably began some time after it became a federal facility in 1933.

Records exist on FamilySearch for the Oregon facility (https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/US_Military_Old_Soldiers_Home_Records), but the title of the data set indicates they are limited to the years 1893-1933, suggesting it contains records for the time prior to becoming a federal institution. A search of the data set on FamilySearch returned no hits for Austin Fortune. His stay in the Roseburg facility likely began some time between the federal takeover in 1933 and ended shortly after his admission to the Washington Soldiers Home in September 1936.⁸

Austin Johnson Fortune appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Orting, Pierce County, Washington at State Soldiers Home (Election Precinct), enumerated 19 April 1940. The instituition ("home") was listed as an entity (without being divided into individual numbered households, although some employees apparently lived on the grounds with their families -- the superintendent was the first name listed -- in addition to some live-in employees who apparently did not have families residing with them). The city within Pierce County where the soldiers home was located is not listed on the census schedule, but it is known to be in Orting from other sources. The official date of that census was 01 April 1940. He was listed as living in Everett Washington on 1 Apr 1935 (Everett is in Snohomish County; the entry on the census schedule incorrectly listed King County, which was later crossed out). Austin Johnson Fortune was listed as age 43, divorced, born in Washington state, completed 2 years of high school, and not attending school in March 1940. Austin was listed as institutionalized, with no further information listed as to employment, occupation, or income.¹³

Austin Johnson Fortune died on 23 November 1950 at 9:00 AM in Soldiers Hospital, Orting, Pierce County, Washington, at age 52.^4,1 He was buried at Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery, Orting, Pierce County, Washington. His death certificate indicated his death was due to heart failure (right side of the heart, apparently), he had worked in the restaurant industry/business, was retired, had lived in the Washington State Soldiers Home for 14 years, and was divorced at the time of his death.^4,1

William C. Wallace was born circa 1881.¹

William C. Wallace died after 1904.¹

Mary J. Wallace was born circa 1884.¹

Mary J. Wallace married Horace H. Bowden circa 1902.¹

Mary J. Wallace died after 1904.¹

Susan Wallace was born circa 1888.¹

Martha M. Wallace was born circa 1894.¹

Ada Christina Wallace was born circa 1899.¹

Polly C. Hafner was born circa 1886.¹

Minnie A. Hafner was born circa 1888.¹

Clara L. Hafner was born circa 1890.¹

Bertha M. Hafner was born circa 1893.¹

Ruth I. Hafner was born circa 1897.¹

Flossie E. Hafner was born circa 1900.¹

William A. Wood was born on 30 July 1889 at Douglas County, Missouri.¹

William A. Wood married Delia (--?--).

William A. Wood died on 8 December 1979 at Missouri at age 90.¹ He was buried at Mt. Ararat Cemetery, McKinley Twp., Douglas County, Missouri.¹

Allen M. Wood was born circa 1894.¹

Joanna Wood [The following text was imported from: Kimberly Archer (blueraine@pdq.net), Rootsweb Worldconnect Database 2153854, Archer, Beaman, Cox, Freeman, Johnston, Rees, Warren]

MCR#6636, part of the consolidated Dawes application filed by John H. Bennight, lists Joanna Wood (35), daughter of Andrew Jackson Wood and Louisa Blakc, as being married to J.W. Van Amburgh. Children Mary M. (6), Gracie L. (3), and Ida Ruth (3 months) are also listed.

Joanna Wood married J.W. Van Amburgh. Joanna Wood was born circa 1870 at Missouri.¹

Mary M. Van Amburgh was born circa 1898.¹

Gracie L. Van Amburgh was born circa 1901.¹

Charles W. Wood [The following text was imported from: Kimberly Archer (blueraine@pdq.net), Rootsweb Worldconnect Database 2153854, Archer, Beaman, Cox, Freeman, Johnston, Rees, Warren]

MCR#6635, part of the consolidated Dawes application filed by John H. Bennight, lists Charles H. Wood (32), son of Andrew J. Wood and Louisa Black, as married to Damie Hope. Daughter Mary Lou (8 months) is also listed.

Charles W. Wood married Danie Hope. Charles W. Wood was born circa 1872 at Missouri.¹

James W. Wood [The following text was imported from: Kimberly Archer (blueraine@pdq.net), Rootsweb Worldconnect Database 2153854, Archer, Beaman, Cox, Freeman, Johnston, Rees, Warren]

MCR#6334, part of the consolidated Dawes application filed by John H. Bennight, lists James W. Wood, son of Andrew J. Wood and Louisa Black, as married to Bertha Roberts. Child Marion V. (3) is also listed. He was born circa 1875 at Missouri.¹

James W. Wood married Bertha Roberts circa 1900.¹

Marion V. Wood was born circa 1901.¹

Josie Wood was born circa 1880 at Missouri.¹

Josie Wood married John F. Watson circa 1902.¹

Josie Wood died after 1904.¹

John F. Watson married Josie Wood, daughter of Andrew Jackson Wood and Louisa Black, circa 1902.¹

John F. Watson died after 1904.¹

George E. Freeman was born circa 1875 at Missouri.¹

George E. Freeman married Christina V. Holt circa 1902 at Missouri.¹

George E. Freeman appeared on the census of 1910 at Brush Creek Twp., Douglas County, Missouri.¹ He was listed as a farmer in the 1910 census.¹

George E. Freeman died after 1910.¹

Becky Freeman was born circa 1880.¹

Becky Freeman married Alonzo Whtison.

Becky Freeman died after 1904.¹

Alonzo Whtison married Becky Freeman, daughter of Benjamin F. Freeman and Margaret A. (--?--).

Alonzo Whtison died after 1904.¹

Minnie Alberta Turnbull was born in 1888.²

Minnie Alberta Turnbull married (--?--) Clinton.²

Minnie Alberta Turnbull died in 1933 (although at least one source -- associated with the Dawes Commisson claims -- suggests she died prior to 1904; it could be that marriage to a "white man" prior to ~1903 disqualifed her from making claims as a member of the Mississippi Choctaw tribe).^1,2

At least one source document gives Nancy E. Turnbull's middle initial as "J".² She was born in 1889.²

Nancy E. Turnbull married (--?--) Lovan.²

Nancy E. Turnbull died in 1945.^1,2

At least one source document lists Charles Edward Turnbull's middle initial as "L".¹ He was born in 1891.²

Charles Edward Turnbull died after 1904.¹

Hattie May Turnbull was born in 1893.²

Hattie May Turnbull died in 1912.^1,2