A Sad Story-Catherine Smith 1878-1936

 

Catherine Smith 1878-1936

Catherine Smith was born in November of 1878 in Peoria County, Illinois, to John B. and Mary Hill Smith. She was their 7th child. Her father, John Bernard Smith, was a farmer.  By 1885, the family was living in Marysville, Marshall County, Kansas. By then, Catherine had 7 sisters and 4 brothers, though one brother and one sister had died before 1885. At some time in 1888, Catherine had either a serious illness or a serious accident that left her “feeble-minded”.

Before the 1900 census, another sister and brother were born. By this time, Catherine had seen one brother and one sister pass away. Catherine was the 7th of 14 children her parents had. The family remained in Marshall County, Kansas, although over the years, most of the grown children moved away.

In the 1900 Census, Catherine’s family was listed with 8 children living with her parents. Her father continued farming. Catherine was listed as age 21. By 1905, only 2 of the children were living with their parents: Catherine, age 26, and Robert, age 22.

The 1910 Census showed Catherine and Robert still living with their parents, along with a granddaughter, Gladys Smith, age 9.   In April of 1915, Catherine’s mother died. Catherine was about 36 years old at that time. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for the family, especially Catherine. By the 1920 Census, father John, age 77, was listed with Catherine, age 40, and Robert, age 27. He was still farming.  At some point before 1924, Catherine’s father had both legs amputated. 

Catherine’s father, John Smith, died in October of 1924. He was 82 years old. Catherine was about 45 years old then. After her father’s death, Catherine moved in with her brother Robert, who had married in 1920. The 1925 Marshall County Census listed Catherine as living with Robert, his wife, and his 2 young daughters.

[In the 1925 Census, Catherine was listed as Kath.  It seems she was called Catherine until then. After that, every record refers to her as “Katherine”.  I have kept her name shown as Catherine in respect to her parents, who called her that until her father’s death.]

It appears that the death of her father triggered what happened to Catherine after that. I would guess Robert and his family were growing, and they may have found it difficult to care for Catherine.

On 7 February 1927, Robert E. Smith (Katherine’s brother and executor of John Smith’s estate) filed a formal complaint stating Katherine Smith was feeble‑minded. She could not manage her affairs. She owned about $1,500 in personal property. A guardian was required to manage her estate. The $1,500 is the exact amount she received from her father’s will. The guardianship was probably initiated because of the inheritance.

That same day, the judge summoned two physicians from Marysville. They were sworn in and examined Katherine. Their report concluded Katherine Smith was feeble‑minded; she was incompetent to manage her affairs, and a guardian was necessary. The court approved their findings. The court then appointed M. L. Griffin as guardian of Katherine Smith, a person of feeble mind. Robert testified  about Catherine: “…such condition of feeble‑mindedness has existed for 38 years last past.” That means her disability began around age 10, around 1889. It was lifelong, not age‑related. The community recognized it for decades.

The “38 years last past” detail shows that Katherine was not born disabled. Something happened around age 10. Possibilities include illness (meningitis, scarlet fever), injury, or congenital developmental delay that became more apparent with age. This explains her lifelong living situation.

Sometime in late 1927 or early 1928,  Catherine was in the hospital. The bill presented was for Marysville Hospital Charges (Room 209). This portion is a hospital billing statement for Katherine Smith. The charges listed were for the Operating Room, Laboratory, Anesthesia, X-ray, and her room.

 I can’t even imagine how frightened she must have been with all of the court proceedings and then being in the hospital. Her parents, whom I am sure she depended on greatly, were both gone. It’s so sad.

 Katherine’s medical needs were significant. Hospitalization + doctor visits + dental work + medicines + clothing + two years of board = a substantial burden on Robert before the guardianship funds were available.

The records show Katherine’s condition required: hospital care, physician visits, transportation to hearings, and ongoing support

 They confirm the guardianship was necessary. Her medical needs were beyond what she could manage, and beyond what Robert could continue paying alone.

Robert sought reimbursement for personal expenditures made on Katherine’s behalf before and during the guardianship proceedings.

Itemized Expenses

Description	Amount (USD)
Dr. Newman – medical attendance	21.00
Dr. Gaston – dental work	12.00
Sidwell Pharmacy – medicines	14.85
B. Voltz – auto hire to hearing	5.00
E. Samuelson – auto hire to hearing	5.00
F. M. Gaylord – clothing and supplies	115.00
Board for two years ending Sept 1927 @ $15/month	360.00
Total	$532.85

Each entry documents a specific cost Robert covered while caring for Katherine — medical, dental, transportation to court, clothing, and two years of board.  That is a significant amount for 1927-1928, especially for a man with a growing family. Quantifies her cost of care: $532.85 ≈ $10,000 today — a substantial sum for rural Kansas in the 1920s.

I think that this confirms Robert’s role as caretaker. He personally paid for Katherine’s living and medical expenses for two years before the guardianship funds were available.

Catherine’s brother Robert was reimbursed for this claim in April 1928. Robert’s claim illustrated a compassionate sibling relationship. He cared for Katherine financially and legally, then sought reimbursement through proper channels.

In 1930, Kate Smith was listed in the Marysville County Poor Farm. She was listed as age 44, single, and could read and write. She was born in Kansas. It also states that her parents were born in Kansas, which is not correct.

Catherine Smith died on the 26th day of December, A.D. 1936.”

She died in Marysville Township, Marshall County, Kansas. This aligns with her residence at the Marshall County Poor Farm during her final years. Robert states: “…having made no Last Will and Testament.” Kansas intestacy law must distribute her estate. Robert reports: “…personal property… of the probable value of $650.00.”

This is the estate’s starting value before funeral expenses, administrator fees, attorney fees, and the county’s large claim for her care.

The petition lists all of Catherine’s surviving siblings, including ages and residences:

Brothers: 

Robert E. Smith, Axtell, Kansas

 John Smith, Center, Colorado

Sisters

• Mrs. W. F. Doering, Axtell, Kansas

• Mrs. Ella Whittaker, Kansas City, Missouri

• Mrs. Maggie Peterson, Atchison, Kansas

• Mrs. John Yoder, St. Joseph, Missouri

• Mrs. J. R. Ruggles, St. Paul, Minnesota

• Mrs. Horace Tribby, Blue Springs, Nebraska

This is the full sibling set that was living—eight children of the Smith family.

On 5 February 1938, a court order allowed the claim.

The claim is described as: “care at county fa…” This refers to Care at the Marshall County Poor Farm. The county operated this institutional home for indigent, disabled, or elderly residents. The amount — $1,605 — represents years of room, board, and care provided to Catherine before her death. The court allowed the claim in full. The “county farm” reference is decisive: Katherine was living at the Marshall County Poor Farm at the time of her death or shortly before it.

$1,605 was a substantial sum in the 1930s — equivalent to roughly 32,000–35,000 today. This indicates Long-term residence, Continuous care, and significant dependency; Marshall County provided institutional support, and the estate was legally obligated to reimburse the county.

Catherine’s guardianship remained open after her death. Even though Catherine died in December 1936, the guardianship could not close until the administrator settled her probate estate (April 1939). The court reviewed Griffin’s final accounting; all funds were transferred, and all claims were resolved. The guardianship officially ended in June 1939.

This story saddened me.  Whatever had caused her disabilities had changed the trajectory of her life. It appears as if Robert was the only sibling who stayed in Marshall County. Catherine isn’t listed in 5 of her siblings’ obituaries, even one who died in the same year as her.  The only obituary that I have found her listed in is her sister Rosie’s. [I have not found obituaries for 4 of the siblings, and the one for Anna Smith Tribbly did not mention any survivors at all.] I know the obituaries I found were probably written by family members, but it saddens me that they did not include (or possibly even remember/know) that their loved one also had another sibling.

John Rodgers Kennison 1750-1820

John Rodgers Kennison 1750-1820 My 5th great-grandfather

John Rodgers Kennison was born about 1750 in Virginia.  He was reportedly the son of Joseph Kennison. He married Sarah (last name not known) in about 1768. Their first child, Absalom, was born in Virginia around 1769.  My 4th great-grandmother, Hannah, was born about 1770, followed by Sarah “Sallie,” born about 1775. 

The 1780’s produced more children and more information about John himself. In about 1780, son John Jr. was born. 

In 1783, in the Jefferson County Court, John Kennison was a plaintiff in a lawsuit against John Fooks & others, described as “as tenants.” This places him in Jefferson County before Kentucky statehood (1792).  John Fooks was likely a frontier settler or squatter living on land claimed by John Kennison in 1783, named in court only because he was physically in possession of the disputed tract.

In about 1784, a daughter, Amelia, was born to John and Sarah Kennison. Daughter Temperance was born around 1787, and another daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1788.

In April 1788, in Jefferson County, Richard McMahan sold 150 acres on Pond Creek to John Kennison. This was the beginning of John Kennison’s many land transactions over the years.

In 1788, another daughter, named Nancy, was born.

On the 3rd of August 3, 1789, in Jefferson County (still Virginia), a Marriage bond was filed for Groom: James Ferrel and Bride: Hannah Kennison, daughter of John Kennison.  Bondsman was John Kennison (her father). Hannah Kennison Ferrel was my 4th great-grandmother.

Around 1790, changes were still happening with the family. Two more sons were born to John and Sarah: Stephen W. and Joseph Kennison. Their oldest son, Absolum, also married Margaret Berne around 1790.

John  Kennison was listed on the 1791 Jefferson County Tax List, as did his son, Absalom Kennison, confirming he and his family were still living in Jefferson County, Kentucky.

In June of 1792, in Jefferson County, another marriage bond was filed: Groom: Stephen Peter and Bride: Elizabeth Adams with Bondsman: John Kennison

In June of 1794, in Jefferson County, Abner Field & wife Jenny sold 99 acres to John Kennison. And in September of 1795, a deed from John Kennison to Thomas Guille was proved by three witnesses. Two years later (1796), John Kennison & wife sold the 150 acres (from 1788) to Joseph Brooks.

John’s oldest son, Absalom, and his family moved to Perry County, Missouri around 1797.

Sadly, in 1799, John’s daughter Hannah Kennison Ferrel died, leaving her husband with four young boys. Her husband remarried in 1800 in Ohio, so they may have been living there at the time of her death. The family moved to Vigo County, Indiana soon afterward.

The 1800s began with more marriages, more grandchildren, and increased legal activity for the John Kennison family. By 1800, John and  Sarah had seven grandchildren. Temperance Kennison married George Rice, and Amelia Kennison married John Riley Plasters, both in 1802 in Jefferson County.

On 11 August 1806, George Rice & Temperance Kennison Rice sold land to John Kennison.  Even though the Kennisons lived in Jefferson County, the land purchased in 1806 was in Washington County, Kentucky, on Cartwright’s Creek. Witnesses include Stephen Kennison and John Kennison Jr

John Kennison Jr. married Rebecca Cristin May in 1808 in Bullitt County, Kentucky.  In 1815, daughter Nancy Kennison married Elijah Cochran.

There were some family losses in the next few years. John and Sarah’s eldest son, Absalom Kennison, died in 1816 in Perry County, Missouri, at the age of about forty-seven. He left a wife, Sarah, and seven or eight children. His exact date of death is unknown at this time. John’s daughter Sarah Kennison Adams died before 1820. She left a husband and one son. Then in December of 1820, John Kennison Sr. died. He was seventy years old.

In January of 1821, John Kennison’s probate was opened. His Widow was Sarah Kennison, and the Administrator was Elijah Cochran (his son-in-law).

The court notes: “Sarah Kennison, widow of said John deceased, having relinquished her right to administer on the estate…”. This means: Sarah could have been the administrator, but she declined and allowed the court to appoint someone else. Then the court ordered: James W. Thornberry, David B. Phillips, John Jones, and Samuel Churchill, or any three of them, after being sworn, to appraise the slaves (if any) and personal estate of John Kennison, deceased, and make report to the court. This is the official appointment of the appraisers. The bond amount ($1,500) shows the estate was substantial. This was a large bond for 1821.

Later that year, John and Sarah’s daughter, Elizabeth “Betsey, married William Givens

In March of 1823, the final settlement of John Kennison’s estate began. The settlement stated: “$707.58 includes the widow’s dower and is due the widow and the heirs…”. So, widow (Sarah Kennison) received her one‑third dower. The remaining two‑thirds was divided among the children. The estate was substantial. Gross value: $853.15. This was a large estate for 1823.

Some background: John Kennison died intestate (without a will). At his death, he owned a 100‑acre tract on Mill Creek, in the “Settlement,” adjoining: This is the same land conveyed to him by Allen Field on 10 June 1794, recorded 1 October 1794. John Kennison left seven living children at his death. 

John had 31 known grandchildren when he died. He had lost two daughters and one son before his death.

John Ferrel 1800-1833 My Searching for Descendants

                                                         John Ferrel 1800-1833

My 3rd great grand-uncle

 [son of James Ferrel 1770-1822]

John Ferrel was born about 1800. He was the son of James Ferrel. It is unclear whether his mother was Hannah Kennison or Rosanna Ray. James was living in Jefferson County, Kentucky in 1799, and married Rosanna in July of 1800 in Hamilton County, Ohio. James Ferrel had 3 known children with Hannah ( who he married in 1789 in Jefferson County, Kentucky): Andrew, Samuel, and James Jr. My assumption is that if John Ferrel was born before 1801, he would have been Hannah’s son. If he was born a few months or more after his father’s marriage to Rosanna, then he would have been her son.

In the 1820 Vigo County, Indiana Census, John was listed as living alone at age 19-25. His household is between his oldest brother, Andrew, and his father, James Ferrel. 

On 26 February 1822, John Ferrel married Rebecca Noblet in Vigo County, Indiana.  His father, James, died that year. 

I have not been able to locate an 1830 Census for John Ferrel. He and Rebecca had a daughter, Anna, born about 1831 in Indiana, and a son, Thomas, born about 1833 in Illinois.

John Ferrel appears to have died about 1833. His wife, Rebecca, married James Cox on 15 September 1834 in Crawford County, Illinois. In 1830, James Cox was listed with a wife and 2 young girls. Rebecca and James had 4 children: Deborah, Mary, James Jessie, and Joseph. The children of John Ferrel and Rebecca carried the Cox name throughout their lives.

I was only able to find that John Ferrel had any children with Rebecca by finding her marriage to James Cox and noting that Anna and Thomas Cox were born before he married Rebecca.  I have not found when Rebecca died, only that she is buried in Randolph Cemetery in Crawford County, Illinois

So now to get to the real reason why I did this search. Most importantly, I learned that John Ferrel did have children. 

Anna Ferrel/Cox married John Thomas Musgrave on 14 April 1863.  She was 32 years old, and he was 57 years old.  At the time they married, John Musgrave had four children aged 22, 19, 17, and 15. John Musgrave died in 1870. It appears that they did not have children together.

The 1870 Census shows Anna Musgrave, age 39, with her stepson Thomas Musgrave, age 21, and Debory Cox, age 51.

The last I knew of Anna was that she was still alive in 1877, when the following deed was recorded in court.  It shows Anna giving her stepson Thomas 36 acres.

22 May 1877  Deed Shows:  The deed begins: “Grantor Anna Musgrave of the County of Crawford and State of Illinois…”

The grantee is Thomas J. Musgrave. The deed conveys land to: “Thomas J. Musgrave his heirs and assigns…”

The land: 36 acres in Section 36, Township 8N, Range 14W-“A part of the South West Quarter of the South West Quarter of Section 36… containing thirty‑six acres, more or less…”

Anna waives her homestead rights “hereby releasing and waiving all rights under and by virtue of the Homestead Exemption laws…”

Witnesses include Potter Pastlemart, J.P.

And that is the last I know of Anna Ferrel, daughter of John Ferrel.

Now onto John Ferrel’s son Thomas Ferrel:

Thomas Ferrel was born on 22 August 1833 in Illinois. That means that the family had moved from Indiana. His father, John Ferrel, died the same year.  The following year, 1834, his mother, Rebecca, remarried. She married James Cox. I have not found any record of James Cox adopting Anna and Thomas, so I assume he didn’t. Like Anna, Thomas also went by Cox for his last name.

In 1850, Thomas was 16 years old and living with his mother and stepfather, along with his sister Anna, and his four half-siblings. He was working the farm with his stepfather.

Thomas married 3 times. The first was in 1858 when he married Margaret Calvert. They had 5 children: James William, born 1860; John W., born 1862; Joseph Martin, born 1864; Mary Jane, born 1865; and Rachel Rebecca, born 1867. 

 In 1870, Thomas and Margaret’s son John W.died in 1863. The census was taken on 20 July 1870. Margaret, Thomas’s wife died in November of 1870, leaving him with 4 young children.

Thomas remarried in 1872 to Nancy Todd, who had been widowed in December of 1870.  It appears that she raised her husband’s nephew, Edward Todd, who appeared in the 1870 and 1880 Censuses with her.  Nancy died in 1893.

Thomas married for the 3rd time in 1898 to Mary E Prior. 

Thomas died 16 December 1903. He was 70 years old.

5 July 1905

Jasper County Probate Court — Estate of Thomas Cox  Final Report & Discharge of Administrator: July Term, 5 July 1905

Isaiah Stewart, administrator of the estate of Thomas Cox, deceased, appears in court and: Files his final report-Petitions to be discharged from further duty. The court: The report is approved and confirmed in all respects.The court orders that the remaining personal property listed in the final report be vested in the heirs at law, who may take possession of it wherever found.

Remaining Assets: 1 stack of hay — appraised at $12.00-1 “ent twater” (likely entwater or entwatter — possibly a small implement or tool) — appraised at $0.40-1 cider mill — appraised at $0.15. These items were not sold earlier and now pass directly to the heirs.

Any uncollected debts owed to Thomas Cox are now vested in the heirs, who may sue to recover them.

The administrator is ordered to pay: A. Seventh-Class Claim (Heirs’ Joint Claim)-To be paid jointly to: Joseph M. Cox-James W. Cox-Mary Tipton-;Rachel R. Jones; Amount: $101.34  To Mary E. Cox, widow: $64.90 — her 5th class claim-$18.80 — her distributive share of the 7th class claim. This is in addition to the $526.30 she already received for her homestead + dower in January 1905.

This officially closes the estate.

This means the full heir set is: Widow-Mary E. Cox; Children / Heirs: William Cox (appears earlier but not in this final distribution — likely already compensated or not part of the 7th class claim)-Mollie J. Tipton-Martin Cox (appears earlier but not in this final distribution — likely no claim)-Rachel R. Jones-Joseph M. Cox-James W. Cox. This confirms six heirs, not four.

Confirms the estate was insolvent: Only a few small items remained, All heirs received only claim payments, not property, The land had already been sold to pay debts. Confirms the widow’s full compensation: Homestead + dower: $526.30-5th class claim: $64.90-Share of 7th class claim: $18.80-Total: $610.00+

I have found great satisfaction in finding the descendants of John Ferrel. I have been trying to do this for many, many years!! I hope that he is proud of his family!

Larkin and Levi Adamson are not the same person!

 I have often seen Larkin and Levi Adamson listed as one and the same person, sometimes listed as Larkin Levi Adamson. Both of these men were sons of Simon and Eleanor Routh Adamson. Simon Adamson was my 4th great grand uncle. Simon and Eleanor had twelve children.

Larkin Adamson's gravestone shows that he was born in 1806.

In 1823, Larkin married Nancy F. Routh in Jefferson County, Tennessee.  Nancy's gravestone shows that she was also born in 1806. Both of them would have been about seventeen years old at the time they married. 

In 1830 Larkin Adamson was shown on the 1830 Census in Jefferson County, Tennessee. That census indicated that he was born between 1790 and 1800.

In 1836, Levi Adamson married Mary "Polly" Ann Benton in Ray County, Missouri. Levi was twenty-five years old at that time.

Levi Adamson and Larkin Adamson were each listed in the 1840 Census for Platte County, Missouri. 

The 1840 Census showed that Larkin was born between 1801 and 1810.  It also showed that there was one male between 5 and 9 years old, one male between 10 and 14 years old, and 2 males between 20-29 years old living there, along with Larkin's wife and 2 slaves. I have not found that Larkin and Nancy had any children, so I don't know who these children are.

Living next door to Larkin was "Levy" Adamson. The census shows that Levi was born between 1811 and 1820. It shows his wife and 2 males under 5.

In 1850 the brothers were still living next door to each other in Green, Platte, Missouri. Levi was listed as age 40 and Larkin was listed as age 44. Both were listed with their wives. Four children were listed with Levi. Larkin was listed as a Farmer and Levi's occupation was listed as a Tailor.

I have yet to locate either Levi or Larkin in the 1860 Census. However, Levi L Adamson was listed in the Collin County, Texas Tax Rolls for 1862 and 1865.

Levi Adamson died in February of 1870 in Collin County, Texas. He had been a farmer and died of consumption. He was aged fifty-nine.

Larkin Adamson was listed in the 1870 Collin County, Texas Census. He was listed with his wife, Nancy, and a ten-year-old son, Theodore, who was born in Texas in 1860. 

I have researched this "son" of Larkin and Nancy. He was the son of Larkin's older brother, Thomas H Adamson. Theodore is listed in the 1880 Collin County, Texas Census living with his brother Larkin, who was the eldest son of Thomas H. Adamson. So that made Theodore our Larkin's nephew, not his son. 

Larkin Adamson died on the 13th of January in 1872 according to his tombstone in Collin County, Texas. His wife Nancy died the following year.

Based on all of this evidence, I am quite certain that the two brothers were not one and the same!

The Cody Brothers-1800's in Peoria, Illinois

 I was going to write a blog about my great-great uncle Joseph F. Cody, but as I got researching, I decided that first I wanted to examine how the Cody family got involved in living in Peoria, Illinois. So this blog is about Joseph Cody Sr. and his two brothers, Thomas and Michael J Cody, who all came over from Ireland.

Joseph Cody was born in Ireland in about 1840. He married Mary Ann Lamb in March of 1863 in Peoria, Illinois. That year Joe was listed in the Peoria Directory as a boilermaker. Joe was also listed in the 1865 Census for Peoria, with a female and two sons. One would have been James, but the other son is not listed in the following years. In 1866, Joe purchased some property in Peoria. He paid $1075 for Lot #1 in Hasler and Cocles (?) Addition.

In the 1870 Census, Joe and Mary had two children, James, age 6, and Honnora, age 1. Joe's brother, Michael Cody, age 22, was also living with them and was listed as a Mechanic. Joe was a Boilermaker. The value of Joe's real estate was listed as $500 and the value of his personal items was listed as $1500. In the 1871 Directory Thomas (another brother of Joe's) and Joseph Cody were listed as Cody Bro. "proprietors of Union Boiler Works, manufacturers of steam boilers, tanks and all kinds of sheet-iron work". Joseph lived on Merriman St. as did Michael Cody, Boilermaker. In 1871, Joe purchased property for $500 in Johnson's Addition, along Merriman St in Johnson's Addition. The 1876 Directory shows Joseph Cody (Cody and Brown). Joe Cody and JP Brown were proprietors of Union Boiler Works. In 1878 Joe purchased property for $700 in Section 30 in Township 8. In 1879, he purchased more property in Peoria from Matthew Heneberry. Joe paid $1328.20 for Lot #10 in Dobbins Subdivision.

In the 1880 Peoria Census, it appeared as if both children, James and Honnora, had died. Joseph and Mary were listed with five children: Joseph 9, Edward 7, Mary 6, Rosa Ann 3, and William 1. Joseph was listed as a Boilermaker. In the City directory, Joe is listed as working for McAleenon and Cody. The 1887 directory shows Joe working for Cody and Lamb (Joseph Cody and Thomas Lamb-Joe's brother-in-law).

Joe purchased a lot of property in 1880: in January he and Michael McAleenion paid $600 for one package and $1462.50 for more in the same at Washington and Oak in Peoria. I am guessing that perhaps this is where they were building a new shop. In April of 1880, Joe paid $800 for 2 lots in the McReynolds Spurch Addition in Peoria.

Also in July of 1880, Joe's brother Thomas (who had moved to Kansas City, MO) and Joe had a Warranty Deed where he sold to Joe all of lots # 9 and 10 in Block #5 of Bradley's second addition. In the 1884 Peoria Directory Joseph Lamb, apprentice, lived at 815  First, as did his father Thomas Lamb (Cody and Lamb). This was Joe Cody's home.

The Peoria Census taken in 1888 shows Joseph and Mary with children: Joseph Jr 17, Edward 15, Mary 14, Roseanna 11, Margaret 7, and Francis 5. Their son William was not listed-he would have been eight years old, so is presumed to have died. The family was living at 815 First St. in Peoria. This home remained the family home for all of the family for many years. Edward and Joseph and their families all lived there through at least 1900. Various other family members were often listed there also. In 1884, Joseph Lamb was listed there working as an apprentice and Thomas Lamb (Mary Ann's brother) was living there (part owner of Cody and Lamb).

In 1890, the Peoria Directory shows that Joe was the Vice President of Industrial Boilermaker Works. His sons Joseph F. and Edward worked there. Joe also built Cody Apartments this year at 818 W Moss in Peoria. The apartments are still there and are gorgeous.

Joe Cody died on the 2nd of February in 1892 in Peoria at the age of fifty-two. He died from Rheumatism of the Heart. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Peoria. Buried with him are his wife Mary, and children Frank T. Cody, James, Mary Mollie Cody Mahoney, and Mary A Mahoney (granddaughter), and an infant who died in 1927 (grandchild?).

The year he died the Peoria directory shows that Cody and Sons (Joseph F and Edward M Cody, two of his sons.) had been formed. Joe Cody, Sr. appears to have been a quite ambitious man throughout his life.

Joe's wife, Mary Ann (Lamb) Cody remained in the family home. In the 1900 Peoria Census, it shows that she had 6 out of 13 children living there. I have only found eleven children born to them. Her children Edward, Mary, Rose, and Frank lived there with her. She was still living there in 1910 with daughters Mollie and Rose and son Frank. It states that Mary had her own income. Frank died in 1910. Daughter Margaret died in 1914. Joe Cody's wife Mary died in 1918. She is buried with Joe at St. Mary's Cemetery in Peoria.

The youngest of the three Cody brothers that I have found was Michael J Cody. He was born about 1848 in Ireland. He was listed as age 12 living with his brother Thomas Cody in 1860 in New Orleans. In 1870, Michael was listed in the Peoria Census as living with Joe Cody and his family. He was 22 and was working as a Mechanic. In 1873, Michael married Annie Whalen in Peoria.  That same year Michael and Thomas R Daniels paid $1100 for a lot in Rigg's Addition. Then in 1875, Michael purchased the property from Thomas R Daniels for $700. He also purchased another lot in the same addition for $400. In 1879, Michael and Annie sold property in Rigg's Addition for $2000.

By 1880, Michael and Annie had two children, Thomas J. age 6, and Joseph T. age 2. Michael was working as a Saloon Keeper. Sadly, Michael died the following year in November of 1881 of Consumption. His address was at 815 Second Ave. in Peoria, the Cody family home. He was only thirty-three years old. In the 1888 Peoria Census Annie was listed with her children: Nora 11, Thomas 13, Joseph 9, and Teresa 6. Annie must have been pregnant with their fourth child when Michael died.

Annie died in 1913 and is buried with Michael.

The other brother that I have found was Thomas Cody who was born in about 1836 in Ireland. He married Alice Mullay in about 1858. In 1860, Thomas and Alice were listed as living in New Orleans, Louisiana. Thomas was a blacksmith. Michael Cody, age 12 born in Ireland, was listed as living with them. In 1865, Thomas was listed as a Boilermaker in Peoria, Illinois. Thomas paid $1150 for property owned by  Tobias Bradley in 1867.

Thomas and his family were listed in Peoria, Illinois in the 1870 Census. At that time, Thomas and Alice had 3 children: Joseph William, age 9, Hannah, age 4, and Mary, age 6/12. Joseph William was born in Louisiana, and the younger two children were born in Illinois, which means that Thomas and his family were probably in Peoria by 1866. In 1871, Thomas was listed as an owner of Cody Bro. with Joseph Cody. In 1873, Thomas bought property from Lydia Bradley for $575 listed as Lot 9 and 10 in Block 5 in Bradley's Second Addition in Peoria. This is the property that he sold to Joe Cody in 1880.

By 1880, Thomas and his family had moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He and his son Joseph were listed as Boilermakers. Thomas's daughter was listed as "Hannora" in this census. Daughter Mary was not listed, presumed to have died.

Thomas died in 1899 in Independence, Missouri and Alice died in 1897 in Kansas City Missouri; Thomas was 63 when he died.  His daughter Mary had died, his daughter Hannora had married S. Devine, and his son Joseph was living in Peoria, Illinois. His son Joseph worked as a boilermaker for all of his life.

Since I only know of three Cody children (Joseph "Joe", Thomas, and Michael) I realize that it is likely that there were other siblings that I have not found. At this time, it is not known who their parents were. I feel fairly confident that their mother's name was Hanora as each of the three brothers named their first daughters that Hanora.

Other Cody references I have found for Peoria:

-Anna Cody married George Potts in 1888 in Peoria. According to marriage records, Anna's parents were James and Bridget Baty Cody.

-Joseph Cody (son of Patrick and Annie Wallace Cody) was born in Kilkenny in 1824. In 1865 he married Margaret Walsh (also from Kilkenny) in Peoria. Joseph was a brickmaker.

-Joseph Dalton was born in Kilkenny in 1826. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Cody Dalton. In 1861, he married Catherine O'Neil in Peoria.

-Patrick Cody enlisted to serve in the Civil War on 11 April 1865 in Peoria.

So far, I have been unable to find connections to The Cody brothers that I have written about in this blog. I wouldn't be surprised if there are connections, however!

Lucille "Lucy" V. Ryan-a short, but interesting life

 Lucille V. Ryan (or Lucy as it appears that she was called) is my second cousin two times removed. Our common ancestor is Johanna Murphy. She married John Ryan. Johanna was my second great grandaunt. She was Lucille's grandmother. 

Lucy was born in August of 1883 in Illinois to Edward F. and Ellen "Nellie" Curran Ryan. To the best of my knowledge, she was their fourth child. Her father was a coal miner, as were some of her brothers.  

The first record I have of Lucy in the 1900 Bennington, Marshall County, Illinois Census. She was listed as sixteen years old, living with her parents, two sisters and five brothers. Lucy was listed as age 16 and being in school. Lucy also had an older brother, John J. Ryan, who was not in the census with the family in 1900. John Ryan was living in Chicago with his wife and daughter in the 1900 Census. (*see notes below)

In the early 1900s Lawrence played baseball for the Pittsburg Pirates and a couple of other teams. Lucy taught school in the Toluca, Illinois area for six years until she married in 1909. In 1908, Lucy's mother Ellen died. Lucy married Lawrence J. McGonigal the following year in Henry, Illinois.  

By 1910, Lucy and Lawrence were living in Aurora, Illinois.  Lawrence was listed as a switchman for the railroad. Also living with them were two of Lucy's brothers, Frank and Edward.

The 1920 Bennington, Marshall County, Illinois Census showed Lucy and Lawrence living with their three daughters. The children were ages seven, six and five.  Also living with them were Lucy's father, and two of her brothers. Lawrence was working for a Coal Mine.

Lucy's father Edward Ryan died in 1927. In 1929, Lawrence and his family were sent to Russia (actually Kharkev, Ukraine) as a resident consultant engineer with a firm from Chicago for a two-year assignment. Their three daughters were sent to a convent school in Switzerland while Lucy and Lawrence were in Russia. Before Lawrence's two-year assignment was complete, Lucy became ill, had a surgery in Vienna, then was sent to Geneva, Switzerland for recuperation. It was thought that she was recovering well. However, in February in 1931, soon after the surgery, Lucy died. Her death certificate listed that she died from a heart embolism. 

Information found from the Report of the Death of an American Citizen-American Consular Service:

Lucille was age 46 when she died on the 5th of February in 1931. Her place of death was listed as "Pension Sergy, Geneva, Switzerland". She died of heart failure (embolism). Disposition of her remains was "Provisionally place in vault in Geneva". "Disposition of effects: In custody of her husband, Mr. Lawrence J. McGonnigal." "Remarks: The husband arrived from Russian and took entire charge of the estate, and also made arrangements respecting the remains."

I found this story to be so interesting that the Lucy experienced life in Russia in the 1930s. But so sad that her daughters were left in Switzerland, and then that Lucy died. After her death, the family took her body home, and they settled back into Illinois. Lawrence remarried the following year.

*Back to Lucy's brother John J. Ryan...his grandmother, of course, was Johanna Murphy Ryan. He married Mary Elizabeth Corrigan, whose mother was Mary Murphy Ryan Corrigan. Mary was Johanna Murphy's sister. So, John and his wife Mary Elizabeth were first cousins once removed. I was so surprised at that connection! You never know just what you might learn!

Joseph F Cody 1870-1927

Joseph "Joe" F Cody, Jr. was born on the 14th of November in 1870 in Peoria, Illinois. He was the son of Irish immigrants, Joseph and Mary Ann Lamb Cody. His parents had married in Peoria in 1863. Joe was the fourth of ten children. It appears as if two of the oldest children died very young as they are only listed in the 1870 census for the family. 

 Little is known of Joe's younger years. In the 1880 Peoria, Illinois Census it showed that Joe was nine years old and attending school. 

 

 The earliest that I have found Joe working for his father as a boilermaker was in 1887 when he was seventeen years old. The family was listed in the Peoria Illinois 1888 Census, living at 815 First St. Listed were Joe's parents Joseph and Mary Cody with children Joseph, Jr., age 17, Edward, age 15, Mary, age 14, Roseanna, age 11, Margaret, age 7, and Francis, age 5. This is all the information that this census gives.

Joe Cody, Jr's father died in 1892. The same year, in the Peoria City Directory Cody and Sons was listed at 1014 S. Washington; Joe Sr's home was at 815 First. Listed as living there were: Edward M Cody, Miss Mary Cody, Mrs. Mary Cody (wid. of Joseph), Miss Rose C Cody (bookkeeper at Cody and Sons), and Joseph F Cody. 

On the 22 of January in 1896, Joe Cody married Alice Murphy, daughter of William Murphy (my gg-grandfather) in Peoria, Illinois. Witnesses to the marriage were Dennis O'Connell and Alice Smith (a cousin of Alice Murphy's). And in November of 1896, Joe and Alice had their first child, Ethel Marie Cody. She was baptized at St. Patrick's Church in Peoria. Her godparents were Patrick Murphy (Alice's brother) and Rose Cody (Joe's sister).

 The following year (1897) Joe was in Chicago at the annual convention of Knights of St. John where he was elected to the office of supreme trustees. From Wikipedia: "Today’s Catholic fraternal order of the Knights of St. John was officially incorporated May 6, 1886, though its roots run older, amongst a spectrum of Catholic knightly orders of the late 19th century. Its most valued traditions have held constant ever since: inward traditions of loyalty, fidelity, Faith, and honor, and outward traditions like its uniforms and insignia." In 1899, Joe was listed as employed as a boilermaker at Jos. Cody & Sons; He and Alice and daughter were now living at 1018 First St. in Peoria. 

 In the 1900 Peoria Census Joe and Alice were listed as living at 1018 First St. They lived there with their daughter Ethel, and Alice's two youngest brothers: Emmett, age 21, and Edward, age 19. Both of the brothers worked as clerks for the Board of Trade (Edward was my great-grandfather). Joe was listed as a Boiler Manufacturer. In 1901, Joe and Alice's first son was born. Sadly, he died in infancy. It appears that Joe and Alice had twins in 1903, a son was born named Robert, and a daughter was stillborn at birth on the 28th of November 1903.  At this time, the family had moved to a home at 1029 Moss Avenue in Peoria.

 

In 1904 Joe Cody was awarded the contract for a bridge across the Illinois River in Peoria. The price was $225,000. At this point in time, Joe was considered wealthy. His business was flourishing and he wanted to branch out. Before construction ever began there were concerns. No other bids had been considered, and Joe had never done any construction work like this. The work began in 1906 and took about 3 years. The words that Joe gave in a newspaper interview would haunt everyone- when asked if the bridge would stand Joe quipped "It will stand at least until the city pays me." A week later, a city engineer looked over the bridge and declared it consisted of "rotten cement" and "old steel". The bridge collapsed into the river on April 30th, 1909.  And in bad timing for Joe, he had just cashed the last check from the city a few days before, so his words were true (sadly for him). 

1905 brought the birth of Joe's second daughter Mary A Cody. She was baptized at St. Mark's Church in Peoria. Her godparents were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cody (Joe's brother and wife).  Joe and Alice's son Robert died in 1905 when he was two years old. A daughter, Mary A. Cody was born in February of 1905, and in 1907, their last child, Elizabeth C. was born. 1907 was when the family moved into the new home that Joe had built for them at 751 Moss Avenue (now at 1635 Moss). [I was only in the home once, in 1981, after Mary Cody (Joe's daughter) died. She and her sister Ethel had lived in the home with their spouses until Mary died. The home was absolutely stunning!]

 The 1910 Peoria Census showed Joe and Alice living at their home on Moss with their 3 daughters and Alice's brother Robert Emmett, age 30, listed at the Board of Trade as a Grain Dealer. And there was a servant, Orlo Sullivan, age 22. Joe was listed as a Dealer in Boilermakers. In 1911, Joe was elected as President of the Trustees of Police Pension Fund. It appears that Joe and his family were doing well during these years, though other stories that I have read have declared him ruined and penniless. 

 In the years between 1910-1920 one of Joe's brothers died, 2 of his sisters died and his mother died. That must have been a lot for the family to deal with. 

The picture above is of Alice, Joe, and Ethel Cody on the steps of their home.

 

In 1920, Joe was listed as age 48 and was a Boiler Shop Owner. He lived at 751 Moss with his wife, Alice, and their 3 daughters. In 1924 the Peoria City Directory shows Joseph F and Edward M Cody worked at Jos. Cody & Sons, and that Joe's daughter Elizabeth was a student (at Bradley University). Joe saw his first daughter, Ethel marry in 1925. 

 Joseph F Cody died on the 1st of May in 1927. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Peoria, His wife Alice lived until 1944.  She and their daughter Mary, daughter Ethel, and Ethel's husband Hal Johnson are all buried with Joe.

Joe's obituary stated:

"JOSEPH F. CODY PASSED TO HIS REWARD, AGE 56

Prominent as Citizen and in Business

Another old and highly respected Peoria resident has passed in the person of Joseph Cody, president of the firm Joseph Cody and Sons, boilermakers who died last evening at 8:50 o'clock at the St. Francis hospital at the age of 56, and following an illness of f___ weeks duration. A heart ailment was the direct cause of death. 

Mr. Cody was of a Peoria generation whose names are writ large in terms of a city, progress, and unceasing labor or civic betterment. A man enjoying an enviable reputation in the minds and hearts of his fellows, his passing will leave a pall of grief among those who called him friend and they are legion.

In High Esteem

In this and other cities, Mr. Cody's unusual business ability was well known.  He was regarded as a man of shrewd judgment, of rare perseverance and tact, and with a genuinely friendly disposition which made and led to him lifelong associates and workers in his employment. At the time of his death, he was president of the National Steel Tank Manufacturing company of Bradford.

Mr. Cody was born November 14, 1870 in this city. His father before him was of a family well known in Peoria, especially among residents of the South Side, where the family lived. He received his early education in St. Patrick's Parochial school and later attended Brown's Business college. Later he was taken into the firm of his father's founding and upon his death ascended to the presidency.

Funeral Wednesday

On January 22, 1896, he was married to Mary Alice Murphy in Peoria and to this union were born three daughters, who with his grief-stricken widow survive: Mrs. Robert Brown and Mary and Elizabeth Cody, all of Peoria. A brother, Edward Cody, Peoria and a sister, Mrs. Charles A Rudel, Los Angeles, California, also survive. 

Mr. Cody was well known in a fraternal and social way. He was a member of Spalding Council, Knights of Columbus and of the Creve Cour club. He had been a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church for the past 25 years. He was also treasurer of the Peoria police pension fund.

Friends will gather at St. Mark's church Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock to pay a final tribute to a man who held so high a place in their affection and esteem. Rev. Father J J B? will officiate and interment will take place in St. Mary's cemetery."

In Joe's will he left everything to his "beloved" wife, Alice, including 166 and 2/3 shares of National Steel Tank and Manufacturing Company in Bradford, Illinois.  She chose to sell those shares to a private buyer. The shares were worth $16, 600.00. The Petition to Sell Personal Property at Private Sale stated that the shares "comprise a substantial share of the personal estate of the said Joseph Cody, deceased; that ownership of said stock necessitates management of said Nation Steel Tank and Mfg. Co. that your petitioner is not able to properly manage same; that she now has a purchaser for said stock who is ready, willing and able to pay a price therefor which your petitioner, who is both executrix and sole legatee under the Last Will and Testament of said Joseph Cody, deceased"

I have been fascinated researching Joseph F. Cody. I think that he must have led quite a colorful life. I have heard so much about him throughout my life and feel like I knew him. He died one year before my mother was born.! But my older relatives talked about him often, and I knew his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. He must have had a very strong presence!