What's in a signature? A random sampling. - November 7, 2016

One thing I always find interesting when doing my genealogy is seeing how handwriting has changed over the years.  Actual handwriting is a lost art and it seems to have gotten progressively worse through the years.  That's not say I haven't seen my share of bad handwriting.  Ever try reading a census for 1850? You'd be hard pressed to even think the person was writing in English.

Personally I happen to have great cursive and printing as well and I would chalk that up to both practice because of my job and maybe a little of bit genetics; my mom's writing is pretty spot on as well, maybe better.

Below is a small sample of what I've run into, mainly from WWI draft records of actual ancestors handwriting of their own name.  It's always fun to image that the person actually touched and signed said objects.

Howard Wiley White - my great, great grandfather's brother (Albert White)

William Kane - my great grandmother's brother (Jennie Beck)

 Chauncey White - my great, great grandfather's brother (Albert White)

Alfred John B. Gagnier - my great grandmother's brother (Edna Hutchinson)

Samuel Alexander Beck - my great, great grandfather

 William Edward Geldred - my great, great grandmother's first husband (Adelia Gelderd/White)

Roy R. White - my great, great grandfather's brother (Albert White)

 William McKinley Beck - my great grandfather

Benjamin Austin Rinehart - my great, great, great grandfather's brother (Augustus Rinehart)

Ezra Issac Hutchinson - my great grandfather

One of the interesting things I learned so far, even if it's as bit sad, was that my great grandfather William McKinley Beck signed that particular card maybe 3 months before he was killed.  I knew about his accident but it's just interesting that he signed it then and he was only 19 when he signed it.

There's tons or signatures and other things out there but this is just a small sampling of what I've extracted so far.  De-cluttering all my work has proven a task in itself.  Had I kept things as organized as I do now, back then I wouldn't be stuck in this mess.

John Kane (abt. 1857 - after 1910) - November 3, 2016

Back at it; who knows how long this will last.  This entry will be focused on my mysterious great, great grandfather, John Kane.  I have no known photos of John. While there are a few photos in the family that are not connected to anyone, it would be impossible to connect them to anyone specific.

My relation to John Kane:

John Kane – great, great grandfather

Jennie Sarah Beck (Kane) – great grandmother

Eunice Margaret Hutchinson (Beck) – grandmother

Living Hutchinson - father

John Kane was born circa 1857 in Ireland.  According to various indirect sources, mainly census records, John arrived in the US around 1882.

What is known for a fact is on December 15, 1883 John married his wife, my great, great grandmother Margaret F. Shiels/Shields in St. Paul Minnesota.

This is the actual marriage certificate in my possession as passed from my dad of their marriage.

Between 1884 and 1901 John and Margaret had 8 children:

·      Elizabeth Jackson Otto (Kane)

·      James Kane

·      John Kane Jr. (wasn’t actually referred to as a junior as far as I’m aware)

·      Maggie McGilda Kane (died shortly after 1 years of age)

·      William Kane

·      Jennie Sarah Beck (Kane)

·      Roy Kane

·      Gladys Frances Harriet Dollinger (Kane)

Margaret Kane (Shiels) John's wife.

From what I can find John worked as a fireman, locomotive fireman, and engineer for first the Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway Company and then the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad.  It was a common trend in the family, and perhaps for that time that the men and women worked for various railroad companies.

 Artwork courtesy of http://www.iridetheharlemline.com 

After the 1910 US Census John Kane is listed as living at 293 E. Lawson St. in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  The house that was at this location no longer exists as it was removed to expand 35E years ago.

After 1910 I hit the proverbial brick wall. John is no longer listed in any local census records as far as I can find.  In the following years, John’s wife is listed in various city census records as being widowed. It could be assumed that he has died by this point but what is also probable and is backed up by a family story is that he left the family.

As was told to me by one of my dad’s cousins who was the granddaughter of James Kane and his wife Effie.  She said that her grandfather’s sister Elizabeth Otto told her that she had heard her father left Minnesota to “attend bar” with one of his brothers in Montana, or in other words to drink.  It’s possible this happened, perhaps something associated with the railway took him out there and taking it one step further perhaps he died out there.

Why he would leave the family behind is not known. Records do not have him being buried in any known location in Minnesota.  The family burial plot where most of the family is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in St. Paul, has a space next to Margaret that is empty for what I would assume be his remains.

With nobody alive that could answer even the simplest of questions this may be one mystery that’ll never be solved.  I haven't dug into railway records too much as that is a daunting and not an easy task, even if they could be of help.

Charles W. Nitterauer (1854-1902) - Week 5

Skipping Week 4 due to travel, I'm now on to Week 5 and this week I've been looking at a third great-grand uncle of mine, Charles W. Nitterauer.

 

Charles W. Nitterauer - Taken from "Golden Jubilee - Ancient Landmark Lodge No.5 A.F. & A.M. 1854-1904"

Charles W. Nitterauer was born on March 11, 1854 in Dubuque, Iowa to his father Charles Nitterauer and his mother Maria Nitterauer (nee: Eschbach).  Charles was one of seven kids born to his parents his other brothers and sisters were:

1. Marietta Brandt (nee: Nitterauer) - b: October 1841 d: January 10, 1914.
2. David D. Nitterauer - b: Sept 1844 d: after 1919
3. John Samuel Nitterauer - b: June 13, 1847 d: January 24, 1926
4. Margaret B. Rinehart (nee: Nitterauer) - b: March 11, 1849 d: January 1, 1935
5. Thomas Edward Nitterauer - b: December 15, 1857 d: April 3, 1938
6. Eva Jane Jordan (nee: Nitterauer) - b: July 4, 1863 d: June 17, 1905

Charles first appearance is in the 1860 Census of the United States in Dubuque, Iowa where he's only 6 years old and living at home with his parents a few of his siblings.

By the 1870 Census of the United States he's 16 years old and still living at home with the family, and doesn't appear to have any job at that time.

According to records from Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5 in St. Paul, Minnesota, when Charles was 18, he worked for the shop Hodge, Whitelow and Jones where he learned the trade of brass finishing.

Farley & Hatfield moved their brass foundry to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1878 and Charles and his brother Thomas came with them.

W. F. Bailey and C. N. Parker bought out Farley & Hatfield, bringing Charles on board with them to be their foreman, his brother retaining his job as a brass finisher. The new business became known as the St. Paul Brass Works, originally located on the corner of Eighth and Minnesota in St. Paul.

In the 1880 Census of the United States Charles shows up in St. Paul with his brother Thomas where he's working for William F. Bailey as a brass finisher.  Mr. Bailey would end up being integral and a huge part of Charles career.

On November 22, 1882 Charles married his wife Delia M. Nitterauer (nee: Murray) in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Charles and Delia never had any children.

From about 1883 until 1885 Charles lived at 463 Robert Street in St. Paul while he continued working as a foreman for W. F. Bailey & Company.  His brother Thomas also lived nearby and sometimes with him still working at W.F. Bailey & Company as a brass finisher.

On April 8, 1886, Charles became a Master Mason of the Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5 in St. Paul, Minnesota, holding various office until becoming elected Worshipful Master, June 23, 1892.  William F. Bailey and C. N. Parker, the ones who hired Charles on were also fellow Brothers with in the Lodge.

Around 1886 Charles moved to 433 West 7th Street in St. Paul and in 1888 he became partners with William F. Bailey and C.N. Parker in the St. Paul Brass Works.

May 1893, William F. Bailey moved the St. Paul Brass Works to Duluth, Minnesota which then became the Duluth Brass Works where upon Charles was appointed superintendent.  At the time of Charles' move to Duluth with the company he had taken the Royal Arch degree in Minnesota Chapter No. 1 and held the office of King.  He was also created a Knight Templar in Damascus Commandery No. 1.

 

Duluth Brass Works - 1927

When in Duluth, Charles was a prominent member of society, becoming the president of the West Duluth Republican club and can be found in some of the newspapers of the time holding various meetings from time to time.

It is no doubt Charles was a smart and talented engineer; on August 6, 1901 Charles was granted US Patent No. 680,167 for an Engine Lathe.

Engine Lathe - Patent No. 680,167 - Charles W. Nitterauer

In March 1901, Charles was elected president of the Board of Fire Commissioners in Duluth for a term of three years.

Charles wife Delia died on May 22, 1902 of erysipelas. Her remains were returned to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to be buried near family.

Charles died on November 15, 1902 at the young age of 48. At the time of death Charles was High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter of West Duluth. Charles had been severely ill for months after the death of his wife Delia, and he ended up dying of spinal meningitis. His passing made the front page of the Duluth News Tribune on November 16, 1902 due to his prominence in the community including being president of the West Duluth Republican Club and a prominent Mason.

After this death, Charles' share in the Duluth Brass Works was bought out by his former partner William F. Bailey. He was said to have been buried at Oneota Cemetery but he doesn't appear in any of their records.

Relation to Charles W. Nitterauer

Charles W. Nitterauer - Main Person
Margaret B. Rinehart (nee: Nitterauer) - Charle's sister, my 3x great-grandmother
Adelia Estella White/Gelderd (nee: Rinehart) - Margaret's daughter, my 2x great-grandmother
Lola Margaret Levine (nee: White) - Adelia's daughter, my great-grandmother
Living Anderson (nee: Levine) - Lola's daughter, my grandmother
Living Hutchinson (nee: Anderson) - Living Anderson's daughter, my mom

William Wallace White (1853-1942) - Week 3

This weeks ancestor I don't know much too much personal information about aside from what I've read in the US Census records or various other documents. This individual is from my mom's side of the family and is my 3x great-grandfather.

William Wallace White - Date Unknown

William Wallace White, born February 22, 1853 was the son of Adolphus Patterson White and Nancy Agnes White (nee: Porter), one of eight children and the eldest. He was born in the borough of Huntingdon which resides in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

My first finding of William is in the 1860 Census of the United States where he's living with his parents where his father is a farmer, he's 8 years old and the family property is worth $2,000 while the family personal property is worth $1,000.

William doesn't reappear again until January 23, 1873 when he gets married in Warren County, Illinois to Jane Agnes McCullough, sometimes refereed to as Jennie. Jane was born on August 2, 1852 in Guernsey County, Ohio to John Milligan McCullough and Susanna Rachel McCullough (nee: McConkey).

On January 29, 1874, William and Jane gave birth to their first child Howard Wiley White in Alexis, Illinois and three years later Howard was followed by his first brother Adolphus Irving White, born on November 20, 1877; obviously named after his grandfather.

William and Jane welcomed their first girl, Anna May White on April 29, 1879, the family still living in Alexis, Illinois.

In 1880, per the US Census, William and family have moved from Alexis, Illinois to Platte Township, Iowa a journey of nearly 240 miles.

One year after moving to Iowa, William and Jane give birth to their fourth child and another son, Chauncey Curtis White on February 13, 1881 in Lenox, Iowa.

Sometime around 1884 Williams next son, my 2x great-grandfather, James Albert White is born in Iowa. I have yet to be able to track down his birth record or specific city of birth yet. I contacted the state was not able to find a birth record in the range given starting around 1880.

The 1885 State Census of Iowa shows William and Jane living still in Platte Township, William working as a farmer, Jane keeping house and their five kids still living with them. William is listed as 31 years old while his wife is listed as 30.

Just after the census was taken the White's welcomed another son to the family on April 12, 1885, Frank G. White.

Details are sketchy on this but as told from a still living descendant of Frank White, William and Jane had another son sometime around 1887 named Alfre who died the same year he was born. Because this birth occurred between census years I'm unable to verify the name or gender of the child. The only proof that another child did exist is in the 1900 US Census which indicates that the family at that time had 8 children but only 7 of them were living.  There's also mention of this child in Jane's obituary when she died.

On July 11, 1887, William's wife Jane gave birth to their second daughter Myrtle Elizabeth White in Creston, Iowa. William and Jane's final child, Roy Russell White, was born on July 12, 1892 in Lincoln Township, Iowa.

In the 1900 Census of the United States William and family are found living in Lincoln Township, Ringgold County, Iowa. At home with him is his wife Jane and five of their children; Chauncey, Frank, Anna, Myrtle, and Roy.  The rest of the children have up and moved out of the house. William is still working as a Farmer, Chauncey and Frank are Farm Laborers while Myrtle and Roy are attending school.

William lost his wife Jane at the young age of 51 on December 17, 1903 from cancer.

Sometime between 1910 and 1920 Adolphus Irving White is not listed anywhere and the rumor from Frank White's family is that he may have taken his own life.

In 1911, my 2x great-grandfather, James Albert White was killed in a railway accident while he worked in Manitoba Canada when he fell from the train tracks at a great height.

The 1915 State Census of Iowa lists the White's farm worth at $7,200 with a total earnings of $600 from 1914.

Per the 1930 Census of the United States William is still farming on a general farm and living alone at the age of 77.

By the time of the 1940 Census of the United States William has moved in with his son Howard White and daughter-in-law Nina White (nee: Powers) in Kent, Iowa, presumably due to age his and declining health.

William died on March 4, 1942 in the home of his son Howard.

William Wallace White - Lenox Time Table - March 5, 1942

William was buried in the West Fairview Cemetery in Lenox, Iowa along with his wife Jane.  You can find the headstone and information here: William Wallace White - Find A Grave

Some family members ask how we're related to the individuals in these posts so I figured I would add a handy little chart.

William Wallace White - Main Person
James Albert White - William's son.
Lola Margaret Levine (nee: White) - Jame's wife
Living Anderson (nee: Levine) - Lola's daughter, my grandmother
Living Hutchinson (nee: Anderson) - Living Anderson's daughter, my mom

Ezra Isaac Hutchinson (1879-1949) - Week 2

Ezra Isaac Hutchinson - Date Unknown

Ezra's signature as it appears on his WWI Draft Card.

This week I'm taking a look at my great-grandfather Ezra Isaac Hutchinson.
 

Ezra was born on August 8, 1879 in Nelson Wisconsin, the oldest of three children from his father Charles Bruce Hutchinson and his mother Rebecca E. Hutchinson (nee: Butler). His two brothers were, Hiram Charles Hutchinson born August 24, 1881 in Wisconsin and Edmund Alanson Hutchinson born May 8, 1886 also in Wisconsin.

Ezra also had three half-siblings from his father and his father's second wife Augusta Mary Hutchinson (nee: Zabel/Heller). Of the three Verona Hutchinson, born February 1895 in Wisconsin was the oldest followed by Esther Marie Kraft (nee: Hutchinson) born on June 4, 1899 in Onalaska Wisconsin and Frank Bruce Hutchinson, born September 3, 1907 in Stratford, South Dakota.

Following his birth Ezra first appears in the 1880 United States Census in Nelson, Wisconsin where he's only 10 months old living with his dad and mom.

By 1895 Ezra's father was remarried and no records indicate where his mother Rebecca has gone. Whether she died or if his parents got a divorce is unknown to me at this time. Also in 1895 in the Minnesota Territorial and State Census Ezra is living in Glasgow, Minnesota, he's only 15 years old and it doesn't appear any of his family is living with him; he's labeled as a student.

In 1902 Ezra makes his first appearance in St. Paul, Minnesota working as a hostler for J.W. Owens; doing this for a few years through 1903.

Ezra was married on September 3, 1903 to Edna Sarah Hutchinson (nee: Gagnier) in St. Paul, Minnesota. Edna was born in St. Paul, her father was French-Canadian and her mother was part White Earth Ojibwe.

In 1904, one year after his marriage Ezra was working as a teamster for Jameson & Hevener Co. which was a grain and farm goods company.

When Ezra was 24 years old his first child was born on May 30, 1904, Charles Alfred Hutchinson. Charles was followed by their only daughter Violet Hutchinson who was born on April 17, 1906 also in St. Paul, Minnesota.

 
 Ezra & Edna Hutchinson - Date Unknown

Around 1909 it appears Ezra and family moved from St. Paul to Aberdeen, South Dakota as on December 21, 1909 their second son Clyde Arthur Hutchinson was born.  It's safe to say that Ezra moved to South Dakota to be near his father and step-mother. On December 21, 1910, exactly one year after Clyde's birth, Ezra's father passed away in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Ezra and his brothers Hiram and Edmund on the farm in South Dakota.

Following the death of his father in 1911, Ezra and his family have moved to Canada, living in Alberta, Calgary. Presumably there was family up there as his wife's father was from the region.

Somewhere between 1911 and 1915 Ezra and the family moved from Canada to Bejou, Minnesota where my grandfather Kenneth Eugene Hutchinson on April 1, 1914 and his brother Carson Esra Hutchinson on May 28, 1912 were born. It's possible the family moved to Bejou to be near Edna's family. The entire county of Mahnomen, where Bejou is contained is located within the White Earth Indian Reservation.

In 1915, the family has moved back to South Dakota where Ezra and his brother Hiram own Hutchinson Bros. Garage in Aberdeen. Whether the garage was a failure or their skills were best suited elsewhere, Ezra spends the rest of the years he was in South Dakota being a farmer.

L to R: Edmund, Ezra, and Hiram on the farm in South Dakota.

In the 1920 Census of the United States Ezra is living on a farm in Bath Township, South Dakota. The farm is quite full with him, Edna, his five kids, his two brothers Hiram and Edmund and one laborer Charley Bunnell.  Ezra and family lived in South Dakota until 1921 where they then moved back to St. Paul, Minnesota.

  

The Hutchinson children - L to R: Kenneth, Carson, Clyde, Violet, & Charles - Presumably taken on the farm in South Dakota

In 1924 Ezra is living at 140 S. Wasbasha just south of St. Paul, across the Mississippi. In 1925 the family has moved once more, still in St. Paul but now to a house on 69 E. Rose Ave., west of 35E and south of Maryland Ave.

Despite having moved three times in the past few years there was one more move that Ezra and the family took. In 1926 they move into 1087 Mississippi Ave. which is just east of 35E from where they previously lived. This house would be the residence they stayed at least until Ezra's passing.
 

 

Hutchinson Family Home - 1087 Mississippi Ave.

The home on 1087 Mississippi Ave does not exist today in our current time, nor does the plot where it once stood. According to my dad, the houses along that corridor were taken down to expand and widen 35E at some point.

From 1924 to at least 1935 Ezra works as a driver for the Ramsey County Tool House.

Ezra was a member of the Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5 A.F. & A.M. On October 23, 1930 he petitioned for membership with recommendations from a Brother B. E. Nye and Brother R. J. Roberts.  Ezra was officially accepted for the degrees of Freemasonry on December 12, 1930 and began his degree work on December 18, 1930 where he was initiated into the fraternity of Freemasonry as an Entered Apprentice.  On January 15, 1931 he was passed to the degree of a Fellow-craft followed closely by him be raised to Master Mason on February 5, 1931.

On May 21, 1934, Ezra and Edna lost their only daughter Violet who miscarried and died as a result of a toxic infection having to do with the miscarriage, she was only 28 years old.  My aunt told me once that Edna used to have a set of dishes that were painted on by Violet and when they were moving them she recounted who they were from and it made her tear up all those years later. It's believed that those same dishes, or a portion of them, may still be in that same aunts collection somewhere.


Ezra and his sons. L to R: Clyde, Carson, Ezra, Kenneth, and Charles. 

From 1939 to 1944 Ezra worked as a fireman for the Great Lakes Coal & Coke Company.  Coke isn't the type of Coke one now a days would think of. Coke is a type of fuel that is made from coal that is high in carbon with very little impurities, dirty work to be sure.

 

Ezra and Edna used to watch some of their grand children on occasion as told by one of my dad's cousins. She also mentioned that she had heard from her half-sister, one of Clyde's kids, that Ezra wasn't a very nice man. I've not been able to talk to this cousin of my dad's yet to confirm the story but she is still alive and last reports have her living in Superior, Wisconsin.

On August 19, 1949 at the age of 68 Ezra passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage.

 

 

Both Ezra and his wife Edna are interred at Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota Heights with a good view of the planes landing at the MSP Airport. As noted on the funerary notice the funeral's graveside services were under the auspices of the Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5, the same lodge Ezra had been a mason of for many years.

After the funeral and his laying to rest, my great-grandmother Edna wrote a kind note to the Brothers of the Lodge thanking them for service they provided.  I'm hoping to get a copy of the letter if it's within the abilities of the Lodge to send me one some time.

William Anderson (1918-1994) - Week 1

William Anderson - Date Unknown

Taking a look at one ancestor a week, my first pick is my grandfather William Anderson; the only grandfather I actual knew growing up.

The first mention of my grandfather is from his birth certificate provided by my grandmother born on February 13, 1918. At the time of his birth he had not been given a name, not uncommon at that time. No pictures exist of this time except for the one below. It's not even know if this is of him with a nurse or not.

William Anderson baby photo with Salvation Army nurse (?)

Tracing back his whereabouts after his birth I find him in the 1920 United States Census in St. Paul, Minnesota. There he's listed as an "Inmate" at the Children's Home Society and is only 1 year and 10 months old. First I must explain why he was here before I delve further into what he's done since.

William's (hence for Bill) mother was Wilhelimina "Minnie" Sophia Gear (nee: Anderson), when she got pregnant with him, she was not married; back then being pregnant before marriage was not looked upon favorably. The story goes, as told from my grandmother, is that Wilhelminia's (hence forth Minnie) parents sent her to the local Salvation Army Booth Brown House on 1471 West Como Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota; the home was for unwed mothers and their children.  Her parents told friends and family that Minnie was away visiting people/friends/family and that was that.

Salvation Army Booth Brown House - 1471 West Como Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota
Photo by: Hooverjp on http://www.placeography.org

Minnie stayed at the Booth Brown House until she had Bill upon which time she surrendered him to the facility for foster care and returned home. For years Bill transferred from foster home to foster home, for some reason his mother didn't want him or could not take care of him.

Wilhelimina "Minnie" Sophia Gear

In 1924 Minnie married Bill's step-father George Richard Gear and together they had two daughters; Charlotte "Babe" Sophia Ranweiler (nee: Gear) and LIVING "Dolly" (nee: Gear).  According to my grandmother, my grandfather never had a good relationship with his step-father, whether he just didn't like him or perhaps his step-father didn't want anything to do with him it's unclear. I tend to lean towards the later due to the fact that George and Minnie never really welcomed Bill back into the home. Bill moved in with George and Minnie when he turned 18 years old and was no longer able to stay in foster care. He stayed with his mom and step-dad in their home on Case Ave. in St. Paul in an unfinished room on the second floor of their house.

I haven't mentioned Bill's real father yet because, well, nobody knows who he is. Bill's birth certificate lists no father and his mom, to her grave, would never tell him who he was. The rumor was that she had been with a gentleman at the local church and this is who got her pregnant but those rumors have never been substantiated. This picture is said to possibly be the gentleman but again that's just a rumor and could be anyone within the family.

Williams father?

My great-grandmother Minnie wasn't the only person who knew who his father was however. Minnie's sister, Hulda Konkler (nee: Anderson) knew who he was as well and she told Bill she would tell him who he was when he got older. Saldy Hulda got sick unexpectedly and died rather quickly, also taking the secret of his father to the grave. At this point, it's safe to assume I will never know who my great grandfather is and that branch of the family tree won't grow any further.

In the 1930 United States Census Bill is listed again, this time living at 1413 Como Avenue, St. Paul. He's living with a William F. Tasker and his wife Louise M. Tasker and he's 12 years old. His position in the household is that of Roomer. It's safe to say that this is one of the many foster homes he was in as he grew up.

Jumping ahead 4 years, my grandmother has this picture taking in March 18, 1934 of Bill with someone she claims was one of his friends, he was about 16 years old.

William Anderson & "a friend"

Due to his age and when he was born I can find no indication from records or from talking with the family that Bill ever had to enlist with the armed forces at any point. He was born just before WWI ended and WWII ended when he was 27 and was not of age for that event either.

On February 29, 1940 at the age of 20, Bill married Doris Viola Tingquist in Hudson Wisconsin. My grandmother says that Bill's future father-in-law forced Doris and him to go to Wisconsin to marry because Doris was pregnant with their son and Doris was only 17 years old at the time. On September 16 of that year William and Doris gave birth to their only son William Gary Anderson. It's funny that on Bill and and Dori's Certificate of Marriage, he is listed as his own father "Wm. Anderson". Seeing as Minnie's last name was Anderson this is obviously not a give away to who his father may have been. Another interesting notation off of this record is his occupation, Box Maker.

The marriage between Doris and my grandfather did not last too long. On April 26, 1946 they divorced; according to the divorce records Doris had been going out at later hours, drinking at local bars constantly, treating him in a cruel and inhuman manner, and had been seen with other men. Also according to the record she is quoted as saying she only seeing him as a friend and loving another man.

On November 13, 1948 Bill married my grandmother LIVING Anderson (need: Levine). According to my grandmother they were married in the home of her parents Arnold and Lola Levine on Jordan Ave in Hazlepark in the St Paul area of Minnesota. My grandmothers late brother-in-law and sister Harold and Shirley Taylor were best man and maid of honor.

Grandparents wedding photo.

With my grandmother they had four children, two boys and two girls, one being my mom the other Sandra "Sandy" Kay Anderson who was only 17 days old when she passed from pneumonia, and a few loyal dogs thrown in the mix as well; Missy and Jo Jo stand out as the top two.

For work my grandmother said my grandfather worked for Baumeister Construction.

Bill loved wood working and could craft anything out of wood if you wanted him to. His workshop and garage were meticulous and well kept, patterns here and there and unfinished projects just waiting for that last nail, spot of glue or a little paint job.  My mom told me once that when my parents were rebuilding their cabin, my grandfather, not long before he passed was up North with them and despite him not being in the best of shape health wise wanted to help tear down and work on the new cabin, that's how much he enjoyed doing that type of work. He wasn't allowed to participate much due to his health and them not wanting him to fall and get hurt.

For quite a few years of his life Bill and my grandmother were heavy smokers; I suppose it was the thing to do back then.  As a result however my grandfather developed lung cancer; he battled it for a few years.  One day when my grandmother was driving him to pick up some medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital another car blew through an intersection and t-boned their car, hitting them on Bill's side of the car.

Bill passed away in 1994 from complications due to the lung cancer but he was never really the same after that car accident as the road to full recovery at that age was not an easy one.  Bill now rests at Elmhurst Cemetery in St. Paul, Minnesota where his cremated remains were interred, the same cemetery where his daughter Sandy is buried.

Hutchinson Family - 5 Generations Back

If you go back five generations in the Hutchinson family line you come to my great-great grandfather Charles B. Hutchinson. Ultimately little is known about what type of person Charles was and what kind of life he lead but there are a few tidbits.

According to an Aberdeen, South Dakota newspaper on December 20, 1910 he's reported as seriously ill with pneumonia and described as an "invalid". The article suggests that Charles was part of the local Woodman lodge. According to his death certificate he died a day later on the 21st.

Charles was married to my great-great grandmother Rebecca Hutchinson (nee: Butler) in 1878 who gave birth to my great grandfather Ezra and his two brothers Hiram and Edward.

L to R: Not certain but believed to be Hiram (creepy eyes) and his dad Charles Hutchinson.

Strangely enough Charles remarries in 1894 to Augusta Hutchinson (nee: Heller) only 8 years after the birth of Edward.  Between the two of them they had three more children; Verona, Esther, and Frank. Augusta was married prior her marriage to Charles, her name prior to becoming a Hutchinson was Zabel and it is believed that she had three children.  Some point between 1910 and 1920 Augusta remarried yet again becoming Mrs. Delaney.  Whether is was after Charles died or before is unknown.

What happened to Rebecca or where she went remains a question I hope to find the answer to one day.  Did she die? Or perhaps they just got tired of each other and split.  Thanks to the 1890 US Census being lost in a fire, a great marker for me finding maybe if she was around then is lost to us forever.

Ezra Isaac Hutchinson was the oldest of the three brothers, born in Wisconsin. Ezra served in WWI though I'm not entirely sure on the specifics.  My dad has some pictures Ezra took during the war, pretty graphic, and they were captioned on a separate piece of paper in Ezra's own hand writing.  Ezra was a Freemason though I've yet to find out where he ranked in the society.  In 1903 Ezra married my great grandmother Edna Hutchinson (nee: Gagnier).  According to his granddaughter Violet, Ezra was said to be "a bad man" and hit her when she had to stay with them for a bit.

Edna and Ezra Hutchinson

Hiram Charles Hutchinson was the second oldest of the brothers also born in Wisconsin like his brothers.  According to a newspaper in Aberdeen, South Dakota on November 20, 1963:

H. Hutchinson Funeral Held


Services for Hiram Hutchinson, 82 of 119 7th Ave SE were held Tuesday afternoon at the Gates Funeral Home with Rev. O.M. Simundson of Bethlehem Lutheran Church officiating. Burial was in Riverside Memorial Part Cemetery.


Organist was Mrs. Philo Hall. Pallbearers were Ordean Voight, Wendel Schoppe, Jack Hornaman, Leon Schwab, Ray Leff, and James Hornaman. Mr. Hutchinson died Saturday at St. Luke's Hosptial.


Beyond that article, all I know of Hiram is that he lived on the family farm where he worked for most of his life in Aberdeen.

Edward Alanson Hutchinson was the baby of three brothers born seven years after Ezra also in Wisconsin. I know he also worked on the farm with his brother Hiram but what happened to him is a mystery to me.

L to R: Hiram, Ezra, and Edward Hutchinson on the farm in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Verona Hutchinson was born one year after her parents married and the only tidbit of information that I know is that she was deaf and attended the South Dakota School for the Deaf.

Esther Hutchinson is a complete mystery, my guess she married between census years changing her last name making it difficult to track her down.

Frank B. Hutchinson was born last of all the kids and is seen living with his mother in 1920 when she remarried.  Beyond that there is no solid evidence as to where Frank when, some arrows seem to point to him living out his years until 1970 in California.