Grace Florence Williston

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Grace Florence Williston
b. 4 May 1882, Butler, DeKalb Co., IN to William W. and Mary Jane (Porter) Williston
d. 29 May 1942, Detroit, Wayne Co., MI
bur. Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne Co., MI

Grace Florence Williston

Grace Florence Williston

m/1.
Herman Greek

m/2. 20 Sept. 1909, Wallaceburg, Kent Co., Ontario, Canada
Willis Emerson Alexander
b. 08 April 1882, Vincennes, Knox Co., IN
d. 25 March 1911, Detroit, Wayne Co., MI
bur. Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne Co., MI

Children with Herman Greek:

  • Dorothy V. (1903-1986)
  • Leonard E. (1904-1971)

Child with Willis Emerson Alexander:

  • Willis Dolly Alexander (1911-1978), married Harold L. Bliss

Grace was born in DeKalb County, IN, but her father and older brothers were born in Ontario, Canada. According to census records, the family immigrated to the United States in 1881. The most likely reason for her Indiana birth is that her father, a machinist, relocated to Indiana when he worked for the Wabash Railroad. By 1885, the Williston family had moved to Detroit where William Williston was employed by the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway.

Grace was first married to Herman Greek, and they were the parents of two children: Dorothy V. (1903-1986) and Leonard E. (1904-1971). After their divorce, Grace married Willis E. Alexander of Boone Co., IN. They were the parents of one child, Willis Dolly Alexander, born 3 August, after her father’s death on 25 March 1911 in Detroit.

According to family lore, “Gracie” was a witty and resourceful woman who enjoyed people and crafts. She quilted, was an accomplished seamstress, and painted beautiful china plates, using violets and other flowers in her designs. She owned mother-of-pearl opera glasses so she must have enjoyed attending live performances in Detroit. After her husband Willis’s untimely death, she supported herself and her three children by taking boarders into her home. Grace Florence Williston Alexander died in Detroit and is buried next to her parents and sister Genevieve in the South Lake section of historic Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.

Submitted by:
Grace Elizabeth Bliss Smith (granddaughter)
Email: GraceMI@comcast.net

Daniel Pickrell Skinner

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Daniel Pickrell Skinner
b. 24 June 1824 Montgomery Co., OH, to Thomas Skinner and Permelia Cox
d. 22 January 1882, Cass Co., IN
bur. Bethel Cemetery, Cass Co., IN

Daniel Pickrell Skinner gravestone

Daniel Pickrell Skinner gravestone

m1. 28 December 1848 at Cass Co., IN
Rebecca Belew
b. 5 September 1832 in IN, daughter of Joseph and Susanna (Pearson) Belew
d. 10 June 1873 Cass Co., IN; bur. Bethel Cemetery, Cass Co., IN

m2. 30 December 1873 at Cass Co., IN
Amanda Bell

Children with Rebecca Belew:

  • Amanda Alica Skinner (15 February 1850–9 March 1873) m. Stephen Melinger
  • Milton Robert Skinner (abt. 1851–?) m. Portia Carr, Dora LaRose, Emma Maiben
  • Johnson Ballou Skinner (28 April 1853–19 April 1906) m. Sarah Lucinda McCoy
  • Marilla Mossilene Skinner (1856–16 January 1929) m. Samuel F. De Moss
  • William Schuyler Skinner (19 January 1869–9 February 1927) m. Matilda V. Powell

Child with Amanda Bell:

  • Emma Skinner

Submitted by:
Kathy Jones Stickney
Ormond Beach, FL
kstickney2@cfl.rr.com

Permelia Cox

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Permelia Cox
b. 1800 TN, daughter of Richard and Fannie Cox
d. 21 March 1868 Cass Co., IN
bur. Skinner Chapel Cemetery, Cass Co., IN

Permelia Cox

Permelia Cox

Permelia Skinner gravestone

Permelia Skinner gravestone

m. 7 September 1820 at Montgomery Co., OH
Thomas Skinner
b. 11 March 1795 at Rockingham Co., NC, son of Thomas and Sarah (Pickrell) Skinner
d. 3 April 1880 Cass Co., IN
bur. Skinner Chapel Cemetery, Cass Co, IN
(Thomas m2. Mary Bockover on 24 May 1870.)

Children with Thomas Skinner:

  • John Calvin Skinner (1821–1896), m. Hannah Crooks, Sarah Han, and Fannie Bell
  • Daniel Pickrel Skinner (1824–1882) m. Rebecca Belew and Amanda Bell
  • Samuel Edwards Skinner (1826–1884) m. Mary Johnson
  • Richard Cox Skinner (1827–1905) m. Elizabeth Conrad
  • Caroline Skinner (1830–1920) m. Joseph Young Belew/Ballou
  • Margaret Jane SKinner (1832–1917) m. George W. Coil
  • Ira Hollingsworth Skinner (1834–1919) m. Nancy Ann Arthahultz
  • Thomas Harrison Skinner (1836–1927) m. Sarah A. Bockover
  • Sarah Ann Skinner (1838–1873) m. Tipton Clary

According to Thomas B. Helm’s History of Cass County, Indiana, Thomas and Permelia were among the founding members of the Twelve Mile Christian Church and donated land for the first church building.

Submitted by:
Kathy Jones Stickney
Ormond Beach, FL
kstickney2@cfl.rr.com

Thomas Skinner

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Thomas Skinner
b. 11 March 1795 at Rockingham Co., NC, son of Thomas and Sarah (Pickrell) Skinner
d. 3 April 1880 at Cass Co. IN
bur. Skinner Chapel Cemetery, Cass Co., IN

Thomas Skinner

Thomas Skinner

m1. 7 Sept. 1820 at Montgomery Co., OH
Permelia Cox
b. 1800 in TN to Richard and Fannie Cox
d. 21 March 1868 at Cass Co., IN
bur. Skinner Chapel Cemetery, Cass Co., IN

m2. 24 May 1870
Mary Bockover

Children with Permelia Cox:

  • John Calvin Skinner (1821–1896), m. Hannah Crooks, Sarah Han, and Fannie Bell
  • Daniel Pickrel Skinner (1824–1882) m. Rebecca Belew and Amanda Bell
  • Samuel Edwards Skinner (1826–1884) m. Mary Johnson
  • Richard Cox Skinner (1827–1905) m. Elizabeth Conrad
  • Caroline Skinner (1830–1920) m. Joseph Young Belew/Ballou
  • Margaret Jane SKinner (1832–1917) m. George W. Coil
  • Ira Hollingsworth Skinner (1834–1919) m. Nancy Ann Arthahultz
  • Thomas Harrison Skinner (1836–1927) m. Sarah A. Bockover
  • Sarah Ann Skinner (1838–1873) m. Tipton Clary

Skinner’s obituary in the Logansport Weekly Journal (10 April 1880) states that he moved as a youth with his parents to Ohio, then in 1836 with his family to Adams Township, Cass Co., Indiana. His funeral was one of the largest in the township. Thomas B. Helm’s History of Cass County, Indiana, states that Thomas and his wife were among the founding members of the Twelve Mile Christian Church and donated land for the first church building.

Submitted by:
Kathy Jones Stickney
Ormond Beach, FL
kstickney2@cfl.rr.com

Charles A Vachet

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Charles A. Vachet
b. 8 March 1853 at Vincennes, Knox Co., IN, son of Charles Vachet and Julia Kirkey Cartier
d. 18 July 1940 at Avon Lake, Lorain Co., OH
bur. Mr. Calvary Cemetery, Vincennes, Knox Co., IN

m1.
Mary Elizabeth Goure

m2.
Mary Agnes Deslaurier

Children with Mary Elizabeth Goure:

  • Mary Elizabeth Vachet
  • James G. Vachet
  • Frances Agnes Vachet

Children with Mary Agnes Deslaurier:

  • Charles William Vachet
  • Julia Margaret Vachet
  • Ewing Benjamin Vachet

According to Vachet’s obituary in the Vincennes Sun-Commercial (19 July 1940), the Vachet family was one of the French pioneer families of Vincennes. He was a skilled mason. He was survived by a daughter, Mrs. Al Veter of Columbus, Ohio, and a sister, Mrs. Julia Teschmacher of Vincennes.

Submitted by:
Kelly Burdick
Cedar Falls, IA
kaburdick@cfu.net

Bert O. Cook

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Bert O. Cook
b. 16 July 1879 at Wabash Twp., Parke Co., IN to Andrew Cook and Martha Hayth
d. 12 Aug 1944 at Clinton, Vermillion Co., IN
bur. Roselawn Cemetery, Terre Haute, Vigo Co., IN

Bert Cook

Bert Cook

Bert Cook gravestone

Bert Cook gravestone

m. 20 Sept 1899 at Wabash Twp., Parke Co., IN
Minnie Puntenney
b. 18 Sept 1880 at Wabash Twp., Parke Co., IN to John Guffy Puntenney and Margaret Hixon
d. 30 Jun 1953 at Wabash Twp., Parke Co., IN
bur. Roselawn Cemetery, Terre Haute, Vigo Co., IN

Children with Minnie Puntenney:

  • Bereniece Cook (1990–1984), m. George Richardson
  • Maxine Eliza Cook (1903–1991), m. Walter B. (“Tip”) Murphy
  • Madonna Opal Cook (1909–1993), m. Parke Lewman

Bert’s obituary in the Montezuma Enterprise, 17 August 1944, stated that he died of a heart attack in Clinton while on the way to see a doctor in town. He was a farmer and the operator of the Cook Grain company in Mecca. He was a Mason and member of both the lodge in Montezuma and the Scottish Rite at Indianapolis.

Bert was born on his parents’ farm southwest of Mecca and spent most of his life in Parke County. He was survived by his wife Minnie; three daughters, Mrs. George Richardson and Mrs. W. B. Murphy, both of Mecca, and Mrs. Parke Lewman of Montezuma; and three sisters, Mrs. Jennie Carrico of Terre Haute, Mrs. Rose Miles of Rockville, and Mrs. Eva Funkhouser of Hymera. He also had four grandchildren.Rev. Robert Shanklin, pastor of the Montezuma Methodist Church, presided over the funeral service.

Submitted by:
Mikel Lewman
mblewman@yahoo.com

Cletus Joseph Matthews

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Cletus Joseph Matthews
b. 28 Jul 1904 at Daviess Co., IN to Alphonsus James Matthews and Mary Scholastica Disser
d. 24 Aug 1970 at Tell City, IN
bur. St. John’s Cemetery, Washington, IN

Cletus Matthews

Cletus Matthews

m. 28 Sept 1929 at Indianapolis, IN
Retha Eugena Bedwell
b. 26 Oct 1912 at Sullivan, IN to Claude C. Bedwell and Sarah Emaline Hardisty
d. 21 Mar 1994 at Washington, IN
bur. St. John’s Cemetery, Washington, IN

Children with Retha Eugena Bedwell (dates omitted for children living as of date of publication):

  • Norman Eugene Matthews, m. Catherine Rose Obrien
  • Veronica May Matthews (1933–1951)
  • Ann Marie Matthews, m. James Lee Martin
  • Regina Rose Matthews, m. Charles Maurice Shimer
  • Monica Fay Matthews, m. Larry Eugene Mattingly
  • Cletus Joseph Matthews, Jr (1946–2003), m. Ruth Ann Dugan
  • Edward Thomas Matthews, m. Theresa Ann Deitz

Cletus Joseph Matthews lived in Daviess County all of his life. His parents’ family homestead was located on what is now Boggs Creek Lake in Barr Township.

Submitted by:
Phillip Martin
Monclova, OH
PYR@woh.rr.com

James Nelson Martin

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James Nelson Martin
b. 2 July 1911 to Nelson Oscar Martin and Carrie Elizabeth Condra
d. 24 Nov 1995 at Washington, Daviess Co., IN
bur. The New Veal Creek Cemetery

James Nelson Martin

James Nelson Martin

m. 26 May 1934 at Lawrenceville, IL
Lena Nova Stafford
b. to James Morton Stafford and Flora Lenora Horrell

Children with Lena Nova Stafford (dates ommitted for children living as of date of publication):

  • James Lee Martin, m1. Anna Marie Matthews; m2. Penelope Miller
  • Arthur Irwin Martin, m. Judith Lynne Hill
  • Charles Nelson Martin (1940–1940)
  • Clair Cecil Martin, m1. Donna Jo Colbert; m2. Connie Kay Reed
  • Billy Jo Martin, m1. Carla Jeanne Wadsworth; m2. Brenda Lea Berhman
  • Thomas Ralph Martin, m. Karen Lynn Burris
  • John Wayne Martin (1950–1950)

James Nelson Martin lived in Washington, Indiana, for most of his life. He and Lena lived on property previously owned by her father, James Morton Stafford.

Submitted by:
Phillip L. Martin (PYR@WOH.RR.com)
Monclova, OH

William B Sanders

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William B. Sanders
b. 31 Dec 1800, England
d. 26 Feb 1875, Switzerland County, Indiana
bur. Bovard Cemetery, Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana

William B Sanders gravestone

William B Sanders gravestone

m1. England
Ann White

m2. 5 Mar 1837, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
Susan Estep
b. abt 1804, Maryland
d. 23 Aug 1864, Switzerland County, Indiana
bur. Bovard Cemetery, Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana
Susan m1. Johnson Moran, 4 Mar 1824, Prince George’s County, Maryland

Susan Estep and Winfield Sanders gravestone

Susan Estep and Winfield Sanders gravestone

Children of William B. Sanders and probably Ann White:

  • Richard H Sanders (cir. 1828-1856) m. Caroline Merrill
  • Violetta B. Sanders (1831-1912) m. William A. Archer

Children of William B. Sanders and Susan Estep:

  • Joshua Sanders (1838–1866), m. Elzira Matilda Ryan
  • George W. Sanders (1842–1901), m. Sarah Jane Dunning
  • Edwin Sanders (1845–1922), m. Fanny C. Moore
  • Winfield S. Sanders (1848–1864)

William’s life in England is unknown, but he did have 2 children born there. By 1834, he was living in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. After 1850, William, Susan, and their family lived in Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana.

Submitted by:
Tina Lyons (genwishlist@gmail.com)
Fort Wayne, IN

George W Sanders

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George W. Sanders
b. 24 Feb 1842, Ohio to William B. Sanders and Susan Estep
d. 10 Aug 1901, East Enterprise, Switzerland County, Indiana
bur. Bovard Cemetery, Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana

George W Sanders and Susan Dunning gravestone

George W Sanders and Susan Dunning gravestone

m. 30 Sept 1864, Switzerland County, Indiana
Sarah Jane Dunning
b. 24 Apr 1842, Switzerland County, Indiana to Michael Dunning and Susanna Turner
d. 14 Mar 1926 at Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana
bur. Bovard Cemetery, Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana

Children with Sarah Jane Dunning:

  • Susan Sanders (1870–1927), m. Willard Theodore Bascom
  • Edwin Sanders (1865–1915), m. Edda G. Pickett
  • Mary B. Sanders (1867–1962), m. Harry M. Stow
  • Mariah S. Sanders (1873–1942), m. Elmer E. Ford
  • Walter Armstrong Sanders (1876–1949), m1. Kate Bell Heady; m2. Alice D. Durbin

Although born in Ohio, George W. Sanders and his family had moved to Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana by 1850. After their marriage, George and Sarah Jane remained in Switzerland County until their deaths.

Submitted by:
Tina Lyons (genwishlist@gmail.com)
Fort Wayne, IN