Amanuensis Monday - Guardians Bonds for Hiram & Barney Davis 1848

There were several times when guardianship papers were filed for the financial and/or legal affairs of Hiram and Barney Davis, who were termed either incompetent or imbeciles by the Court.

The following are some of the earliest records I’ve found so far dealing with guardianship of Hiram and Barney. At this time it is unknown what financial or legal affairs occurred that necessitated this Court action. These two particular papers deal with the Bond that had to be secured.

[begin transcription]

Know all men by these presents, that we, William H

Cochran Joseph W Vance & D. L. McGugin of the County of Knox and State of Ohio,

are held and firmly bound unto the said State of Ohio, in the sum of one thousand Dollars

to the payment of which, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly, severally and firmly, by

these presents; Sealed with our seals and dated at Mount Vernon, this 13th day of November, A. D. 1848.

The conditions of the above obligation are such, that whereas the above bound William H Cochran

was on the 13 day of November 1848 by the Court of Common Pleas of Knox County, Ohio, appointed

Guardian to Hiram Davis ---  Now if the said

William H Cochran shall with fidelity discharge the trust reposed in and shall render an accurate

statement of all transactions, with a just account of the profits arising and accruing from the real or personal estate of

    ward, and shall deliver up the same to the Court when thereunto required, then the above obligation to be void,

otherwise to remain in full force and virtue in law.

WITNESS,

                                    W H Cochran   {SEAL}

                                    D L McGugin   {SEAL}

                                    J W Vance        {SEAL}

[end transcription]

Knox, Ohio, Box 100 #1901, 13 Nov 1848; Knox County Records Center, Mount Vernon. 

[begin transcription]

Know all men by these presents, that we, William H

Cochran Joseph W Vance & D. L. McGugin of the County of Knox and State of Ohio,

are held and firmly bound unto the said State of Ohio, in the sum of one thousand Dollars

to the payment of which, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly, severally and firmly, by

these presents; Sealed with our seals and dated at Mount Vernon, this 13th day of November, A. D. 1848.

The conditions of the above obligation are such, that whereas the above bound William H Cochran

was on the 13 day of November 1848 by the Court of Common Pleas of Knox County, Ohio, appointed

Guardian to Barney Davis ---  Now if the said

Wm H Cochran shall with fidelity discharge the trust reposed in and shall render an accurate

statement of all transactions, with a just account of the profits arising and accruing from the real or personal estate of

    ward, and shall deliver up the same to the Court when thereunto required, then the above obligation to be void,

otherwise to remain in full force and virtue in law.

WITNESS,

                                    W H Cochran   {SEAL}

                                    D L McGugin   {SEAL}

                                    J W Vance        {SEAL}

[end transcription]

Knox, Ohio, Box 100 #1901, 13 Nov 1848; Knox County Records Center, Mount Vernon. 

Phoeba C Simmons

Phoeba C. Simmons is the daughter of Sally Ann Porter and Ziba (asa Zeba) Simmons. She was born in Chautauqua County, NY. Her year of birth is given as 1847 in the 1850, 1860, and 1870 federal census records, and the 1875 New York State Census record. Starting with the 1880 Federal Census her birth year became 1851 with the 1900 Federal Census listing her date of birth as Oct 1851.

She married James Hiram Lyon about 1867. The location of the marriage is unknown at this time. It could be Missouri where their only child, Darwin Ziba Lyon was born abt 1868. James lists his occupation as Insurance Agent in the 1870 federal census when they are living in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. Five years later James and Phoeba are back in New York, living in Charlotte, Chautauqua County. James disappears from census records after the 1875 New York State Census.

Phoeba and her son, Darwin, are next found in 1880 living in Bradford, McKean, Pennsylvania with Phoeba's second husband, Herman Eugene Burnham. In the 1900 and 1910 Federal Censuses it gives their marriage date as 1877. It is unknown at this time if they married in New York or Pennsylvania. Given that Herman was himself a native of Chautauqua County, New York the marriage most likely occurred in New York. Herman was born about 1854, though later records give an earlier year of birth. He most likely was the son of Sidney and Louisa Burnham of Arkwright, Chautauqua, New York.

In 1900 Phoeba and Herman are living in Post Falls, Kootenai, Idaho. Living with them are Phoeba's son, Darwin, and his new bride, Ora May Gill.

Between 1900 and 1910 Phoeba and Herman move to Tacoma, Pierce, Washington where she dies 26 Jul 1911. In the 1910 Federal Census Phoeba is now listed as Ida C. Burnham, and that is the name on her Washington State death certificate. Herman remarries, but his second wife, Martha, dies two years later. It's assumed since there is no death record for Herman in the state of Washington that Herman moved back to Rathdrum, Kootenai, Idaho to live with his stepson, Darwin Z. Lyon. Memorial # 13648582 on the Find A Grave website gives a date of death for Herman as 5 Apr 1924.

Both Phoeba and Herman are believed to be buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Rathdrum, Kootenai, Idaho where Darwin Z. Lyon is also buried.

I believe that Herman Burnham was about seven years younger than Phoeba Simmons Lyon, and it must have been something which made either Herman, Phoeba, or both feel uncomfortable. That would explain the sudden change in date of birth for both Phoeba and Herman. She becomes younger and he becomes older to make up for the difference.

Why did Phoeba suddenly become Ida? It might have been a nickname that was never used on official records until 1910. The death certificate of Ida C. Burnham lists her father as Zeba Simmons and that she was born in New York. It can be assumed that this is indeed Phoeba C. Simmons Lyon Burnham.

Phoeba's son, Darwin Ziba Lyon must have had a good relationship with his step-father as he names his first born Herman Burnham Lyon. He and his wife, Ora May Gill, were married 28 Feb 1900 in Rathdrum, Kootenai, Idaho. They had in addition to their son Herman at least seven more children: Hildore Curtis Lyon, Arva Marian Lyon, Harold I. Lyon, Thelma C. Lyon, Harry Darwin Lyon, Herbert Elsworth Lyon, and Hallie Zollie Lyon. Darwin died 6 Mar 1931 in Rathdrum, and Ora died 17 Jan 1959 in Rathdrum. Both are buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Rathdrum, Kootenai, Idaho.

Phoeba (Ida) C. Simmons Lyon Burnham is a granddaughter of my 2nd great grandfather, William Porter, making her my half 1st cousin twice removed.

1940 US Federal Census - A First Look

Well today I finally decided I should check out the 1940 federal census. Of course first on my list are both my father and mother. I really didn't think I'd have a problem using Steve Morse's utilities and I didn't. I had two possible addresses for my father, and one for my mother.

The first address for my father I obtained from his draft registration card dated 16 Oct 1940: 349 W. Hubbard Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. The second address I obtained from both the just-mentioned draft registration card and Columbus city directory for 1940: 1348 Summit Street, Columbus, Ohio. The draft registration card had the Hubbard Avenue address which was crossed out and on the top the second address had been written. I browsed and found the 349 W. Hubbard Avenue address, but another person lived there. I then browsed the ED where 1348 Summit Street is located and found that the address was empty - no one lived there. I was disappointed to say the least! So I think my next step is to see if I can locate the 1939 Columbus city directory for another possible address for my father. I might also locate his siblings to see if he might have been living with one of them. He was married at the time to his first wife, but he still might have been rooming with relatives.

My mother lived in a very small village so it wasn't hard to find her. But what a surprise I had! She and her twin sister, Mary, were living with their father. Where was their mother??? I had never heard that they separated. I know that they did not divorce, or did they? Grandpa's marital status is listed as M, but it has a line through it and what looks like a 7 is lightly written next to it.

As anticipated the 1940 federal census has already given me food for thought, just not what I had been expecting!

February Birthdays

Porters who have birthdays in February ..

John Arthur Porter, b. 5 Feb 1872 in Knox County, Ohio, d. 1 Jan 1945 in Mount Vernon, Knox, Ohio.
Several records show that John went by his middle name Arthur. He married at age 31 Ada Alice French Arrington (1876-1945) on 28 Oct 1903 in Knox County, Ohio. They had one child, Illo Anita Porter (1905-1994), who married 24 Aug 1927 Kenneth Vernon Primrose. Arthur is my Greatuncle, the 1st born child of Leander Porter and Mary Rose Huntoon. Over the years he held various jobs, primarily ones that would be defined as laborer. He is buried in Mound View Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Ohio.


Joseph Sedgwick Porter, b. 11 Feb 1849 in Knox County, Ohio, d. 19 Jun 1922 in Clinton Township, Knox, Ohio. Joseph was married four times. He first married 28 Feb 1875 Mary Elizabeth Sharp (1856-1935) in Knox County, Ohio, with whom he had seven children: George "Willard" Porter, Lottie Mae Porter, James "Ernest" Porter, Joseph Rollin Porter, Mabel Porter, Wallace Clifford Porter, and Harry Porter. He married 25 Jan 1910 Elizabeth Jane Rideout Scammell (1849-1912) in St. Clairsville, Belmont, Ohio. He married 8 Aug 1913 Nancy Jane Kemp (1850-1921) in Knox County, Ohio. After divorcing, he and Nancy again married 5 Mar 1918 in Knox County, Ohio. Joseph is my half 1st cousin twice removed, the son of my half great-greatuncle, William Lee Porter. He is buried in St. John's Cemetery, Pleasant Township, Knox, Ohio.


Wallace Clifford Porter, b. 15 Feb 1886 in Mount Vernon, Knox, Ohio, d. 25 Nov 1954 in Mount Vernon, Knox, Ohio. He married 22 Aug 1910 Emma Van Winkle (1890-?) in Licking County, Ohio. Their children were Clifford S. Porter and Melvin Ansel Porter. Later Wallace married Nellie L. Kauf (1900-1989). He is my half 2nd cousin once removed, the son of the above-mentioned Joseph Sedgwick Porter. He is buried in St. John's Cemetery, Pleasant Township, Knox, Ohio.


Mable M. Porter, b. Feb 1897 in Missouri. She is last seen in 1915 living in Arlington, Reno, Kansas. At this time it is unknown if she married and when she died. She is my half 2nd cousin once removed, the daughter of Alfred M. Porter and Orpha B. Henderson, and the granddaughter of my half great-greatuncle, Lorenzo Porter and his wife, Sarah Emaline Gill.

Sally Ann Porter Simmons

Sally Ann Porter was born about 1818 in Chautauqua County, New York. She was the daughter of William Porter and his first wife, who's name is unknown at this time.

She married Ziba/Zeba Simmons about 1835. Sally Ann and Ziba Simmons divorced between 1860 and 1870. Ziba remarried a widow/divorcee named Betsey Williams Winn. It appears that Sally Ann did not remarry, at least not by the time she disappeared from the census records after the 1880 federal. I recently submitted a research request at the New York State Department of Health for Sally Ann Simmons. I am hoping that a death record might be found for her between 1880 and 1900.

Four children are known to have been born to this union: Isaac Simmons (b. abt 1836), Lorenzo Simmons (b. abt 1839), Obed/Obia/Obid Simmons (b. abt 1841), and Phebe/Phoeba C Simmons (b. abt 1847). Of these four children I think I've found more info on Obed and Phebe.

The evidence for Obed is circumstantial. There are census records for a Harriet "Hattie" and Obed Simmons. Harriet "Hattie" Winn was a daughter of Obed's father's second wife, Betsey Williams Winn. This Obed Simmons disappears between 1900-1920. This Hattie Simmons appears in the 1920 Federal Census living in Spokane, Spokane, Washington with her son, Guy Simmons and his family. She died Nov 1929 in Rapid City, Pennington, South Dakota. Her son, Guy Simmons, died the following year, 1930, in Rapid City, Pennington, South Dakota from injuries he suffered in an auto accident. Both are buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, SD. Obed and Hattie also had a daughter, Ella M Simmons. She was born 22 Sep 1884 in Pennsylvania (most likely Corry, Erie, Pa), and died 28 Aug 1954 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. It appears Ella never married. Guy Simmons and his wife, Emma, had at least one son, Robert Gene Simmons. His death record lists his date of birth as 11 Dec 1919 in Spokane, Spokane, Washington, and his date of death as 28 Jan 1992 in Riverside County, California. Robert's army enlistment papers states a profession of "Actors and actresses". So far I've been unable to substantial this.

The evidence for Phebe Simmons is also circumstantial. A Phebe Simmons supposedly married James H. Lyon about 1866-1867. A James H. Lyon is found in the 1860 federal census living in Chautauqua County, NY with another wife and two children. By 1870 a James H. Lyon and Phebe C. Lyon are living in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois with their young son, Darwin Z. Lyon. It is possible that the James H. Lyon in the 1860 and 1870 federal censuses are the same; however, there is no evidence of this at this time. I have seen online that Darwin's middle name is Ziba. This is where the circumstantial evidence comes in, along with the date and place of birth for Phebe C. Simmons. The James H. Lyon married to Phebe was an insurance agent. That might be why they traveled around the country as they did. Son, Darwin, was born in Missouri, prior to them being found in 1870 in Illinois. Sometime between 1870 and 1877, Phebe and James most likely divorced; however, he could have died. Either way, she marries again about 1877 a Herman E. Burnham. In 1880 federal census Herman, Phebe, and Darwin are living in Bradford, McKean, PA. In 1900 all are found in Kootenai County, Idaho. This is the last census record found for Herman and Phebe. Darwin Z. Lyon died 6 Mar 1931 in Rathdrum, Kootenai, ID. I'm thinking that both Herman and Phebe also died in Rathdrum. Darwin Z. Lyon married Ora May Gill on 28 Feb 1900 in Rathdrum, Kootenai, Idaho. They had at least eight children: Herman Burnham Lyon (1900-1965), Hildore C. Lyon (1903-1954), Marian Arva Lyon Wiese Wart (1904-1964), Harold I. Lyon (1907-1968), Thelma C. Lyon (1910-?), Harry Darwin Lyon, 1912-1980), Herbert E. Lyon (1916-1982), Hallie Z. Lyon (1917-1988).

Obviously there is much more work to do on Sally Ann Porter Simmons and her descendants.