1White, Helen Frances- Notes from Personal Interview by Dianne Z. Stevens, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
2White, Addie - Photo Album, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
3Census, Federal - 1920 - Chesterfield Co., VA, twnsp of Midlothian - ED# 17, sheet 12, Sheet 12 A & B; Ancestry p. 23 & 24 of 26, 31 Jan 1920. "line 49
White, Wesley W head own mort age 55 yrs IL IL Isle of Mann, Eng General Farmer
Anne A. wife 47 WI Pa Germany
Wilbur L. son 19 IL IL WI
Dorothy E dau 18 same Artist working for wage at painting and
Ingraving shop
Philip L. son 16 "
Helen F. dau 13 "."4Census, Federal - 1870 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Apple River, Ancestry p. 10 of 28. "Line 10 Dwelling # 1727 Family # 1781
Andrew White age 50 male Farmer value real est. - $1000 born Ireland
Matilda " 43 f "
William L. " 11 m Ills
Samuel D. " 9 m "
Martha J. " 8 f "
Mary " 6 f "
Ann E. " 4 f "
John Fitzpatrick 24? m " Ireland."5Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19. "line 84 dwelling house # 151 family # 182
White, Wesley, head 36 occupation farmer
White, Addie wife 27
White, Wilbur son 8/12 (should be 3/12)
line 87 dwelling #151 family # 183
Nicklas, Peter head 65 occupation retired
Nicklas, Dorthea wife 58
Nicklas, Evilina dau 33."6Census, Federal - 1910 - Chesterfield Co., Virginia, Midlothian, ED # 12, Ancestry p. 13 of 24. "line 33; Dwelling # 145, Family # 145
White, Wesley age 44 married 11 yrs - Farmer
Adalaid 37 11 4 children born 4 children living
Wilber 10
Dorothy 8
Philip 7
Helen 4."7Census, Federal - 1930 - Dona Ana Co., New Mexico, La Mesa, ED # 13, Ancestry p. 8 of 36. "Line 79; dwelling # 73; Family # 75
White, Wesley W. - home is owned, value $350 65 yrs old - age at 1st marriage 34 - Farmer
Addie 57 26
Philipp 26 - Farm Laborer
Dorothy 28 - *Stenographer at a furniture store
Helen 24 - Public school Teacher
*Dorothy indicates she has been unemployed for 3 months."8Dianne Z. Stevens, White Family History, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. Based on various conversation with Helen White and others during the 1970's.
9William Wesley White Death Certificate, Missouri Division of Health, courtesy of Missouri State Archives, p.o. Box 1747, Jefferson City, MO 65102, file # 39980, 30 Dec 1948.
10Grant Co, WI - WI marriages 1835-1900.
11White, Addie - Photo Album.
1Sophia Nicklas Driskill, Nicklas Family History, copied & dispersed by the author, Yukon, OK 6/18/1986, Nicklas, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. The book consists of 18 pages of genealogy tracing the descendants of John George Nicklas (1806 - 1884) and
Anna Katherine Betsch (1809 - 1889) plus one page containing acknowledgements and miscellaneous information, and 2 pages about the Nicklas family crest.2Dianne Z. Stevens, White Family History, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. Based on various conversation with Helen White and others during the 1970's.
3Nicklas, Anna Adelaide - Family Photo Album, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. This is a lovely old album that contains photos of the following people:
Nell Budd
Lizzie White
Wesley White
G.L.Nicklas
Mrs. W.L. White (Ellen Farricker) & friend
J.K. White
Joseph H. White
Annie & Lizzie White
Jim Carr
Eva Nicklas
Annie Bowden
Minnie Whitham
Esther White
Wesley White - 21
George & Eva Nicklas
Tibbals & Lizzie White
Wesleys graduating picture
Addie Nicklas White
Carrie Nicklas
George L. Nicklas
Mrs. Joe Longbotham
Tillie Nicklas Hurtle
Mrs. Cabanis
Mr. George Cabanis
Ed Williams
Christiana Kalt
Hazel Sheard, Rush, IL
Richard S. Nicklas
Eva Nicklas
House at Georgetown where George, Eva, and Addie were born
Carrie Kreutz
Tillie Nicklas Hurtle
Two of Jim Jones's children
Annette Heil, Georgetown, WI
Jene Gardner
Nell & Mary Smith, Rush, IL
Mercy & Help Committee #1
Mercy & Help Committee #2
Rev. Luce performed our ceremony (Marriage of Wes & Addie?)
Peter Nicklas home - Addie's birthplace
Wesley's Schoolmates 1, 2, & 3
Girtie Beers, Platteville
Richard Nicklas
Tiffany
Emma Breeden
Simon & Mame Clark
Rev. & Mrs. Troy with Helen
Helen Bass
Unnamed woman from T. L. Nye, Platteville, WI
Nelle Folts Karns
August & Annie Kalt
Amelia Kreutz
Hayes & Lizzie Philips wedding Picture (nee Elizabeth White)
Annie & Lizzie White
Wilbur White
Wilbur & Addie who thought she was out of the picture
Wesley and Wilbur in his arms
Where (we) lived when first married. Children were born (here). (Apple River farm).4Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19. "Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19.
"line 84 dwelling house # 151 family # 182
White, Wesley, head 36 occupation farmer
White, Addie wife 27
White, Wilbur son 8/12 (should be 3/12)
line 87 dwelling #151 family # 183
Nicklas, Peter head 65 occupation retired
Nicklas, Dorthea wife 58
Nicklas, Evilina dau 33."."5Census, Federal - 1910 - Chesterfield Co., Virginia, Midlothian, ED # 12, Ancestry p. 13 of 24. "line 33; Dwelling # 145, Family # 145
White, Wesley age 44 married 11 yrs - Farmer
Adalaid 37 11 4 children born 4 children living
Wilber 10
Dorothy 8
Philip 7
Helen 4."6Census, Federal - 1930 - Dona Ana Co., New Mexico, La Mesa, ED # 13, Ancestry p. 8 of 32. "Line 79; dwelling # 73; Family # 75
White, Wesley W. - home is owned, value $350 65 yrs old - age at 1st marriage 34 - Farmer
Addie 57 26
Philipp 26 - Farm Laborer
Dorothy 28 - *Stenographer at a furniture store
Helen 24 - Public school Teacher
*Dorothy indicates she has been unemployed for 3 months."7Census, Federal - 1880 - Grant Co, WI, Smelser, Ancestry p. 23 of 26. "Line 1
Nicholes, Peter age 45 Farmer b. Penn f.b. Hesse Darmstadt m. b. Hesse Darmstadt
Dorothy 39 wife Hanover Hanover Hanover
George L. 17 son - works on farm WI PA "
Evlina 13 dau " " "
Anna 8 dau " " "."8Census, Federal - 1920 - Chesterfield Co., VA, twnsp of Midlothian - ED# 17, sheet 12, Sheet 12 A & B; Ancestry p. 23 & 24 of 26. "line 49
White, Wesley W head own mort age 55 yrs IL IL Isle of Mann, Eng General Farmer
Anne A. wife 47 WI Pa Germany
Wilbur L. son 19 IL IL WI
Dorothy E dau 18 same Artist working for wage at painting and
Ingraving shop
Philip L. son 16 "
Helen F. dau 13 "."9Anna Adelaide White Death Certificate, The Division of Health of the State of Missouri, state file # 16363, 15 Jun 1951, Copy in Personal Files of Dianne Z. Stevens.
10Anna Adelaide White Death Certificate. Date of death given is 22 May 1951
Date of burial given is 18 May 1951.11Grant Co, WI - WI marriages 1835-1900.
12White, Addie - Photo Album, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
1Census, Federal - 1920 - Chesterfield Co., VA, twnsp of Midlothian - ED# 17, sheet 12, Sheet 12 A & B; Ancestry p. 23 & 24 of 26. "line 49
White, Wesley W head own mort age 55 yrs IL IL Isle of Mann, Eng General Farmer
Anne A. wife 47 WI Pa Germany
Wilbur L. son 19 IL IL WI
Dorothy E dau 18 same Artist working for wage at painting and
Ingraving shop
Philip L. son 16 "
Helen F. dau 13 "."2Dianne Z. Stevens, White Family History, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. Based on various conversation with Helen White and others during the 1970's.
3Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19. "Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19.
"line 84 dwelling house # 151 family # 182
White, Wesley, head 36 occupation farmer
White, Addie wife 27
White, Wilbur son 8/12 (should be 3/12)
line 87 dwelling #151 family # 183
Nicklas, Peter head 65 occupation retired
Nicklas, Dorthea wife 58
Nicklas, Evilina dau 33."."4Census, Federal - 1910 - Chesterfield Co., Virginia, Midlothian, ED # 12, Ancestry p. 13 of 24. "line 33; Dwelling # 145, Family # 145
White, Wesley age 44 married 11 yrs - Farmer
Adalaid 37 11 4 children born 4 children living
Wilber 10
Dorothy 8
Philip 7
Helen 4."
1Dorothy E. White, White, Dorothy E. - Letters to P&D Stevens Family, 1976/1978, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. "
Letter 1. 1-26-76: "One big differences between our generation and later ones is the amount of dollar bills and coins that are handled. We didn't have many.
Uncle John sent us each a dollar at Christmas. Grandma and Aunt Eva gave us little gifts I think Aunt Eva got for sending in Subscriptions to McCall's Magazine.
Our Sunday School bought us gifts from the 10 Cent store.
When we went to Virginia, we turned yellow, because we got malaria, there was so much woods and dampness, making a fine home for mosquitos.
Goats are something we had on that first Virginia place. We were glad to tell the other children at school that we had kids at home. Those goats climbed up onto the chickenhouse roof. They were quite a nuisance.
There was a spring on that first Virginia place, and that spring had its own house among the big ferns or brakes. Soon we had a well with a pump.
Grandpa Wesley White made us a swing to play on. It was a big board that swung around on a stump. Someone would push it, and, if you didn't watch out, you could get bumped.
We girls preferred paper dolls to real ones. Oh, yes, we had spool people too. All of these we dressed.
Letter 2. Feb 1976: Dianne wants to know about spool people. They were just spools that our imagination gave heads, arms, legs, and faces. Mother sewed, so we had the use of many empty spools. We dressed them in bits of cloth. Spool families would visit one another.
Our mother had four children for whom she sewed, washed with a washboard, churned and canned. We helped with the canning, because our family sold canned goods. We helped with the planting of tomato plants,potatoes, beans, etc.
Mothers often got lonely in those days when the fathers were at work and the children away at school. Few had telephones. There were no radios or television sets to keep one in touch with the world...
Grandmother White claimed to have had twelve children. (In those days many of the babies died or were born dead.) I know of --
Uncle Enoch Barrett, James Enoch Barrett's father (The father of Uncle Enoch was killed while watching a horseshoe pitching game. The gun he was holding with the barrel beneath his chin discharged when hit by a horseshoe.) Grandmother married Grandfather, William L. White.
William Wesley, Paul and Lois' grandfather.
John K. He was very religious. His first wife died when their baby was born, of puerperal fever, a disease caused by the carelessness of doctors and nurses. Of course the baby died too. By the way the second wife acted, we think she wasn't quite sane and by divorcing Uncle John, she made him the only one of the family to go through a divorce court.
Rachel. Rachel died quite young at 40 of a stroke.
Tibbals. He was a postmaster at Oskaloosa, Iowa for a long time. Tibbals and his wife, Merritt's mother and father, died of the flu when Merritt was tiny. He was raised by an aunt on the Sincox side of the family. I guess they were sort of rough. They drank and Merritt does too. When he phoned me the last times I could hardly understand him.
Lizzie. Tibbals and Lizzie were twins.
Joseph.
Annie. Joseph and Annie were twins
Wilbur. He died young of meningitis.
Letter3. 3/22/76: History may reveal skeletons, so adults please read before releasing to children...
Speaking of schooldays: After I left the 4th grade, we went by horsedrawn schoolbus to a consolidated school. I remember that a neighbor boy just didn't want to go to school, and he didn't have to go. Now the colored folk had a little one-room school. Being very poor, the colored people had no facilities for taking baths. (I've read the kings and queens of England of years ago had trouble keeping clean.)
One odd thing that I remember is that there were beautiful wild violets growing in the graveyard at the colored church. The church was next door to our one-room schoolhouse. I picked violets and worried that night because I had stepped on some graves.
Now family business: Grandma Nicklas' name was Henrietta Dorthea. Part of the relationship called her Henrietta and part Dorthea. This grandmother was a dear little lady who had the misfortune of being an illegitimate child. As I remember it, she had a red-headed illegitmate sister. When she came to this country great grandmother became a lawabiding citizen.
About Grandma White, I don't know her maiden name. I think it was something like Faricker...
The Mormon church today sends out missionaries. In Grandma White's day they sent missionaries to the Isle of Man. A number of Grandma's sisters came to this country to join the Mormon colony...
Snobbish colored people from Richmond would come to visit the folk at our local colored church and sometimes there would be shootings. As I understand it, the city people felt much superior to the country folk and expressed their feelings.
Letter4: Some of us near Richmond, VA went to high school via train. We had a whole train society. The conductor would come through the car punching holes in our tickets. He might call out, 'Tickets, tackets, and pocket books!' Besides the school children there were college students and men and women who commuted to their jobs.
I don't know if many people nowadays have cisterns or not. There was one on our Illinois place and I remember that a kitten fell into it breaking our hearts. Of course, Grandma Nicklas and Aunt Eva got their drinking water from their cistern in Platteville, Wisconsin. I remember that you could taste smoke in the water. Grandma said, ' You'd get used to it.' Evidentally it didn't hurt her, for she didn't die until her 90th year.
Letter 5: Curious people or groups that we knew years ago is what I'll write about this time.
Most of the time in Virginia we were in the Baptist church. As you probably know, there are many Baptists in the south. Until baptismal fonts were built in the church, people would be immersed in a pond or creek. One lady in the neighborhood must have been a Presbytarian or an Episcopalian. She would favor us with a solo every once in a while. We thought her funny, because her voice would quiver.
Quite a few people in Virginia were proud of having Indian blood. One family lived on the first place we had in Virginia after we moved up on the hill. One brother asked father to pull a tooth for a poor Indian. Father did.
Huegonauts were religious refugees from France. Once we went to Huegonaut Springs, VA - our family and the Baumanns' - for a picnic. That religious sect must have had a colony there. Of course we went by horse and buggy. A short distance now was a long way then.
Letter 6 - 8/2/76 - I'll mention music this month. When we children were little we had a gramophone in place of what we call a record player today. It had a horn that was shaped like a morning glory flower. The records were...cylinders that fitted on to a solid cylinder. Records I remember are, ' Just a Little Attic but it's Home Sweet Home', "Ring the Bells of Heaven', 'Tell Mother I'll be There'. Poke Miller's 'The Old Time Religion', and instrumentals, some by violin, flute, and harp, one 'Love and Devotion.'
We had a book of favorite songs. Many of them were Stephen Foster. They, of course, were mostly Negro. I believe Negro songs are out of style nowadays.
Letter 7 - 8/21/1977: ....
Letter 8 - 7/16/1978: Helen called sometime ago and mentioned that we should have questioned the former generation more when we had the chance; however, there were some things they were reluctant to talk about. My, but life is much easier on womenfolk than it used to be! We don't have the big ironings they used to have to do. Grandmother White had to have every sock ironed. Everything had to be ironed.
The water had to be hand pumped and carried in pails. It was necessary to boil the clothes. The bar of soap (one kind was called Octagon) had to be sliced up so as to be softened by the water.
We didn't have the chore girls, woven metal gadgets, to get the sticky particles of food off the dishes.
I've heard the practise of saving string made fun of nowadays. There were no tapes or rubber bands for quickly sealing packages.
What a lot of sewing and mending had to be done! Today, if we watch for bargains, we can buy our clothes ready-made for practically what it would cost us for the material and notions.
The boys and girls may have had chores to do before starting off to school.
And there were school wagons instead of buses and maybe ill-tempered drivers. If the poor driver had indigestion, he might not feel too good.
I can't get over thankfulness for 1978.". This is a series of 8 letters written between January 1976 and July 1978 describing various aspects of life when Dorothy was a young girl. Included here are excerpts.2Dianne Z. Stevens, White Family History, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. Based on various conversation with Helen White and others during the 1970's.
3Census, Federal - 1920 - Chesterfield Co., VA, twnsp of Midlothian - ED# 17, sheet 12, Sheet 12 A & B; Ancestry p. 23 & 24 of 26. "line 49
White, Wesley W head own mort age 55 yrs IL IL Isle of Mann, Eng General Farmer
Anne A. wife 47 WI Pa Germany
Wilbur L. son 19 IL IL WI
Dorothy E dau 18 same Artist working for wage at painting and
Ingraving shop
Philip L. son 16 "
Helen F. dau 13 "."4Census, Federal - 1910 - Chesterfield Co., Virginia, Midlothian, ED # 12, Ancestry p. 13 of 24. "line 33; Dwelling # 145, Family # 145
White, Wesley age 44 married 11 yrs - Farmer
Adalaid 37 11 4 children born 4 children living
Wilber 10
Dorothy 8
Philip 7
Helen 4."5Census, Federal - 1930 - Dona Ana Co., New Mexico, La Mesa, ED # 13, Ancestry p. 8 of 36. "Line 79; dwelling # 73; Family # 75
White, Wesley W. - home is owned, value $350 65 yrs old - age at 1st marriage 34 - Farmer
Addie 57 26
Philipp 26 - Farm Laborer
Dorothy 28 - *Stenographer at a furniture store
Helen 24 - Public school Teacher
*Dorothy indicates she has been unemployed for 3 months."
1Feathgill, Ethel - phone conversation 20DEC2001.
2Census, Federal - 1920 - Houghton, Michigan, Laird, Sheet 2A; Ancestry p. 3 of 22. "Line 46
Ronppainen, Andrew O age 36 m imm 1905 Fin Fin Fin Farmer - general
Lizzie wife 29 1893 same
Arnie son 11 MI Fin Fin
Arvo son 4 9/12 same
Alvar son 2 3/12 "."3Census, Federal - 1930 - Lake Co, Illinois, Waukegan, Sheet 53B; Ancestry p. 106 of 166, 1 May 1930. "Line 66 704 Mott Ave.
Romppainen, Andrew head rent $40/mo 44 m.age 21 Fin Fin Fin imm 1903 Pa Occ: Laborer - steel mill
Elizabeth wife 39 17 same 1893 Pa
Arvo son 15 MI Fin Fin
Oliver son 12 same
Virginia dau 7 "
Ethel dau 2 8/12 "
Matero Brita mother-in-lkaw 76 wd 1893 Na."
1Feathgill, Ethel - phone conversation 20DEC2001.
2Census, Federal - 1920 - Houghton, Michigan, Laird, Sheet 2A; Ancestry p. 3 of 22. "Line 46
Ronppainen, Andrew O age 36 m imm 1905 Fin Fin Fin Farmer - general
Lizzie wife 29 1893 same
Arnie son 11 MI Fin Fin
Arvo son 4 9/12 same
Alvar son 2 3/12 "."3Census, Federal - 1930 - Lake Co, Illinois, Waukegan, Sheet 53B; Ancestry p. 106 of 166. "Line 66 704 Mott Ave.
Romppainen, Andrew head rent $40/mo 44 m.age 21 Fin Fin Fin imm 1903 Pa Occ: Laborer - steel mill
Elizabeth wife 39 17 same 1893 Pa
Arvo son 15 MI Fin Fin
Oliver son 12 same
Virginia dau 7 "
Ethel dau 2 8/12 "
Matero Brita mother-in-lkaw 76 wd 1893 Na."
1Census, Federal - 1920 - Houghton, Michigan, Laird, Sheet 2A; Ancestry p. 3 of 22, 7 Jan 1920. "Line 46
Ronppainen, Andrew O age 36 m imm 1905 Fin Fin Fin Farmer - general
Lizzie wife 29 1893 same
Arnie son 11 MI Fin Fin
Arvo son 4 9/12 same
Alvar son 2 3/12 "."
1Census, Federal - 1920 - Houghton, Michigan, Laird, Sheet 2A; Ancestry p. 3 of 22. "Line 46
Ronppainen, Andrew O age 36 m imm 1905 Fin Fin Fin Farmer - general
Lizzie wife 29 1893 same
Arnie son 11 MI Fin Fin
Arvo son 4 9/12 same
Alvar son 2 3/12 "."2Census, Federal - 1930 - Lake Co, Illinois, Waukegan, Sheet 53B; Ancestry p. 106 of 166. "Line 66 704 Mott Ave.
Romppainen, Andrew head rent $40/mo 44 m.age 21 Fin Fin Fin imm 1903 Pa Occ: Laborer - steel mill
Elizabeth wife 39 17 same 1893 Pa
Arvo son 15 MI Fin Fin
Oliver son 12 same
Virginia dau 7 "
Ethel dau 2 8/12 "
Matero Brita mother-in-lkaw 76 wd 1893 Na."3Social Security Death Index. Birthdate is from this source.
4Social Security Death Index.
1Zimmerman, Dianne - Baptismal Certificate, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. Episcopal service. Sponsors: Dianne Z. Joseph and Wilma Mae Benson.
1White Tombstone - Apple River, IL, photo in personal files of DZ Stevens.
2Census, Federal - 1850 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Irish Hollow Precinct. "Line 10 Dwelling # 1727 Family # 1781
Andrew White age 50 male Farmer value real est. - $1000 born Ireland
Matilda " 43 f "
William L. " 11 m Ills
Samuel D. " 9 m "
Martha J. " 8 f "
Mary " 6 f "
Ann E. " 4 f "
John Fitzpatrick 94 m " Ireland."3Census, Federal - 1860 - Jo Daviess Co., Ill., Elizabeth Twsp. "Line 26 Dwelling # 4388 Family # 4553
Andrew White 60 Male Farmer Value real est - 1000 pers est - 790 born Ireland
Matilda 57 f "
William L. 20 m farmhand Ills
Samuel D. 19 m " "
Martha J. 18 f domestic "
Mathew 16 m farm Hand " Attends school
Ann E. 14 f "."4Census, Federal - 1870 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Apple River, Ancestry p. 10 of 28, 2 Jul 1870. "line 6 dwelling 78 household #78
White, William 30 M W Farmer value real estate 7200 personal est 320 born Ill
" Ellen 33 F W Keep Home Eng
" Rachel 7 F W Ill attends Sch
" William 6 M W Do
" John 4 M W Do
Charlton, James 20 M W Farm Hand Ireland."5Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Ill., Apple River twsp., Ancestry p. 5 of 20. "William White 60
Ellen White 63
Rachel White 37
Joseph Henry White 27
Anna E White 27
Tibblas G White 24
Lizzie E White 24."6Census, Federal - 1910 - Jo Daviess Co., Ill, Village of Apple River, ED # 17, sheet 3, 18 Apr 1910.
7Census, Federal - 1840 - Jo Daviess County, Illinois, Apple River, 3 of 3. This census shows the following family members: Males: 1 under 5, 2 over 30 & under 40.
Females: 1 over 30 & under 40.8H. F. Kett, APPLE RIVER TOWNSHIP
iographical Directory
rom “The History of Jo Daviess County Illinois”
y H. F. Kett & Co.; Chi, Chicago, Illinois; 1878, Rootsweb.com, http://www.rootsweb.com/~iljodavi/Townships/AppleRiver/AppleRiverBios1878.htm. "White, J.C. - farmer, Sec 35, P.O. Apple River
White, W.L. -Farmer; Sec. 35; P. O. Apple River
White, W., Sr. -Farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Apple River
White, W., Jr. - Farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Apple River."9White Tombstone - Apple River, IL.
10White-Barrett marriage certificate, vital records - JoDaviess Co, IL.
1White, Helen Frances- Notes from Personal Interview by Dianne Z. Stevens, White, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
2Dorothy E. White, White, Dorothy E. - Letters to P&D Stevens Family, 1976/1978, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. "
Letter 1. 1-26-76: "One big differences between our generation and later ones is the amount of dollar bills and coins that are handled. We didn't have many.
Uncle John sent us each a dollar at Christmas. Grandma and Aunt Eva gave us little gifts I think Aunt Eva got for sending in Subscriptions to McCall's Magazine.
Our Sunday School bought us gifts from the 10 Cent store.
When we went to Virginia, we turned yellow, because we got malaria, there was so much woods and dampness, making a fine home for mosquitos.
Goats are something we had on that first Virginia place. We were glad to tell the other children at school that we had kids at home. Those goats climbed up onto the chickenhouse roof. They were quite a nuisance.
There was a spring on that first Virginia place, and that spring had its own house among the big ferns or brakes. Soon we had a well with a pump.
Grandpa Wesley White made us a swing to play on. It was a big board that swung around on a stump. Someone would push it, and, if you didn't watch out, you could get bumped.
We girls preferred paper dolls to real ones. Oh, yes, we had spool people too. All of these we dressed.
Letter 2. Feb 1976: Dianne wants to know about spool people. They were just spools that our imagination gave heads, arms, legs, and faces. Mother sewed, so we had the use of many empty spools. We dressed them in bits of cloth. Spool families would visit one another.
Our mother had four children for whom she sewed, washed with a washboard, churned and canned. We helped with the canning, because our family sold canned goods. We helped with the planting of tomato plants,potatoes, beans, etc.
Mothers often got lonely in those days when the fathers were at work and the children away at school. Few had telephones. There were no radios or television sets to keep one in touch with the world...
Grandmother White claimed to have had twelve children. (In those days many of the babies died or were born dead.) I know of --
Uncle Enoch Barrett, James Enoch Barrett's father (The father of Uncle Enoch was killed while watching a horseshoe pitching game. The gun he was holding with the barrel beneath his chin discharged when hit by a horseshoe.) Grandmother married Grandfather, William L. White.
William Wesley, Paul and Lois' grandfather.
John K. He was very religious. His first wife died when their baby was born, of puerperal fever, a disease caused by the carelessness of doctors and nurses. Of course the baby died too. By the way the second wife acted, we think she wasn't quite sane and by divorcing Uncle John, she made him the only one of the family to go through a divorce court.
Rachel. Rachel died quite young at 40 of a stroke.
Tibbals. He was a postmaster at Oskaloosa, Iowa for a long time. Tibbals and his wife, Merritt's mother and father, died of the flu when Merritt was tiny. He was raised by an aunt on the Sincox side of the family. I guess they were sort of rough. They drank and Merritt does too. When he phoned me the last times I could hardly understand him.
Lizzie. Tibbals and Lizzie were twins.
Joseph.
Annie. Joseph and Annie were twins
Wilbur. He died young of meningitis.
Letter3. 3/22/76: History may reveal skeletons, so adults please read before releasing to children...
Speaking of schooldays: After I left the 4th grade, we went by horsedrawn schoolbus to a consolidated school. I remember that a neighbor boy just didn't want to go to school, and he didn't have to go. Now the colored folk had a little one-room school. Being very poor, the colored people had no facilities for taking baths. (I've read the kings and queens of England of years ago had trouble keeping clean.)
One odd thing that I remember is that there were beautiful wild violets growing in the graveyard at the colored church. The church was next door to our one-room schoolhouse. I picked violets and worried that night because I had stepped on some graves.
Now family business: Grandma Nicklas' name was Henrietta Dorthea. Part of the relationship called her Henrietta and part Dorthea. This grandmother was a dear little lady who had the misfortune of being an illegitimate child. As I remember it, she had a red-headed illegitmate sister. When she came to this country great grandmother became a lawabiding citizen.
About Grandma White, I don't know her maiden name. I think it was something like Faricker...
The Mormon church today sends out missionaries. In Grandma White's day they sent missionaries to the Isle of Man. A number of Grandma's sisters came to this country to join the Mormon colony...
Snobbish colored people from Richmond would come to visit the folk at our local colored church and sometimes there would be shootings. As I understand it, the city people felt much superior to the country folk and expressed their feelings.
Letter4: Some of us near Richmond, VA went to high school via train. We had a whole train society. The conductor would come through the car punching holes in our tickets. He might call out, 'Tickets, tackets, and pocket books!' Besides the school children there were college students and men and women who commuted to their jobs.
I don't know if many people nowadays have cisterns or not. There was one on our Illinois place and I remember that a kitten fell into it breaking our hearts. Of course, Grandma Nicklas and Aunt Eva got their drinking water from their cistern in Platteville, Wisconsin. I remember that you could taste smoke in the water. Grandma said, ' You'd get used to it.' Evidentally it didn't hurt her, for she didn't die until her 90th year.
Letter 5: Curious people or groups that we knew years ago is what I'll write about this time.
Most of the time in Virginia we were in the Baptist church. As you probably know, there are many Baptists in the south. Until baptismal fonts were built in the church, people would be immersed in a pond or creek. One lady in the neighborhood must have been a Presbytarian or an Episcopalian. She would favor us with a solo every once in a while. We thought her funny, because her voice would quiver.
Quite a few people in Virginia were proud of having Indian blood. One family lived on the first place we had in Virginia after we moved up on the hill. One brother asked father to pull a tooth for a poor Indian. Father did.
Huegonauts were religious refugees from France. Once we went to Huegonaut Springs, VA - our family and the Baumanns' - for a picnic. That religious sect must have had a colony there. Of course we went by horse and buggy. A short distance now was a long way then.
Letter 6 - 8/2/76 - I'll mention music this month. When we children were little we had a gramophone in place of what we call a record player today. It had a horn that was shaped like a morning glory flower. The records were...cylinders that fitted on to a solid cylinder. Records I remember are, ' Just a Little Attic but it's Home Sweet Home', "Ring the Bells of Heaven', 'Tell Mother I'll be There'. Poke Miller's 'The Old Time Religion', and instrumentals, some by violin, flute, and harp, one 'Love and Devotion.'
We had a book of favorite songs. Many of them were Stephen Foster. They, of course, were mostly Negro. I believe Negro songs are out of style nowadays.
Letter 7 - 8/21/1977: ....
Letter 8 - 7/16/1978: Helen called sometime ago and mentioned that we should have questioned the former generation more when we had the chance; however, there were some things they were reluctant to talk about. My, but life is much easier on womenfolk than it used to be! We don't have the big ironings they used to have to do. Grandmother White had to have every sock ironed. Everything had to be ironed.
The water had to be hand pumped and carried in pails. It was necessary to boil the clothes. The bar of soap (one kind was called Octagon) had to be sliced up so as to be softened by the water.
We didn't have the chore girls, woven metal gadgets, to get the sticky particles of food off the dishes.
I've heard the practise of saving string made fun of nowadays. There were no tapes or rubber bands for quickly sealing packages.
What a lot of sewing and mending had to be done! Today, if we watch for bargains, we can buy our clothes ready-made for practically what it would cost us for the material and notions.
The boys and girls may have had chores to do before starting off to school.
And there were school wagons instead of buses and maybe ill-tempered drivers. If the poor driver had indigestion, he might not feel too good.
I can't get over thankfulness for 1978.".3Dianne Z. Stevens, P&D Stevens Family History, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
4White, Lizzie - letter to Helen White 31 DEC 1962, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. This letter tells about Aunt Annie's death and Ellen Faragher's journey to America and death of 1st husband, Enoch Barrett.
5Census, Federal - 1860 - Jo Daviess Co., IL, Elizabeth Twsp, Ancestry p. 10 of 37, Ancestry.com.
6White, Ellen Faragher - Will, Office of Circuit Court, Jo Daviess County Court House, 330 N. Bench St., Galena, IL. "In the Matter of the Estate Last Will and Testament
of Filed September 22, 1927
~Ellen White, Deceased Box 14 County Records
~ I, Ellen White, widow of William L. White, deceased of the Village
of Apple River, in the County of Jo Daviess and State of Illinois, of the
age of eighty-eight years, and being of sound mind and memory, do make,
publish, and declare this my last will and Testament in the manner follow-
ing:
~ FIRST: It is my will that all of my just debts and funeral expenses
be fully paid as soon after my deceass as conveniently may be.
~SECOND: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Annie E. White, the sum
of One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00).
~Third: I give and bequeath to my son, John K. White, the sum of One
Thousand Dollars (1000.00).
~FOURTH: I give and bequeath go my son, Enoch Barrett, the sum of
Five Hundred Dollars (500.00).
~FIFTH: I give and bequeath to my grand-children, namely Phillip L.
White, Dorothy White and Helen White, children of my son Wesley White
of Midlothian, Virginia, One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) each, the total
bequest to said three grand-children being Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00).
~SIXTH: I give and bequeath to my two grand-children, Edith M.
Phillips, and Ellen W. Phillips, children of my daughter Elizabeth E.
Phillips, One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) each, being a total bequest of
Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) to these two grand-children.
~SEVENTH: I give and bequeath to my two grand-sons, Howard F. White
and Merritt W. White, sons of my son George Tibbals White, On Hundred
Dollars ($100.00) each, being a total bequest of Two Hundred Dollars
($200.00) to these two grand-children.
~EIGHTH: I give and bequeath to my grand-son, James Barrett, the
sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
~NINTH: I give and bequeath to the Board of Foreign Missions of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of Apple River, Illinois, the sum of Two Hun-
dred Dollars ($200.00).
~TENTH: I give and bequeath to the Society of Home Missions of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of Apple River, Illinois, the sum of Two
Hundred Dollars ($200.00).
~ELEVENTH: I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved daughter, Annie
E. White, the following described real estate, to-wit: Lots Numbered
Five (5) and Six (6) in Block Number Three (3), in the Original Village
of Apple River, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, with the hereditaments and
appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have and to hold to her own use and
benefit forever. It is my request that my said daughter, Annie E. White,
shall give my son, John K. White, the privilege of living in the resi-
dence situate upon above described lots so long as he cares to do so. -27- (continued)
~TWELFTH: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Annie E. White, all of
my household goods and kitchen utensils to have and to hold for her own
use and benefit forever.
~THIRTEENTH: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, be
the same real, personal, and mixed, I give and bequeath to my five (5)
children, namely: William Wesley White, John K. White, Joseph H. White,
Annie E. White, and Elizabeth E. Phillips, share and share alike, to have
and to hold the same to them and their heirs and assigns forever.
~FOURTEENTH AND LASTLY: I make, constitute and appoint my daughter,
Annie E. White, to be the Executrix of this, my Last Will and Testament,
hereby requesting and directing that no surety be required on her bond
as such Executrix.
~ I hereby revoke any and all former Wills and Codicils by me made,
and declare this only to be and contain my Last Will and Testament.
~ IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name to this my
Last Will and Testament, consisting of two type-written pages, this
Thirty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord One Thousand nine hun-
dred and twenty-five (1925).
Ellen White (seal)
~This instrument was on the day of the date thereof, signed, sealed,
published and declared by the said testatrix, Ellen White, to be the Last
Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who, at her request, and in
her presence, and in the presence of each other, gave subscribed our
names as witnesses, and we believe her to be of sound mind and memory
at the time of signing the same.
Leo W. Charlton
John M. Spear.".7Census, Federal - 1870 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Apple River, Ancestry p. 10 of 28. "Line 10 Dwelling # 1727 Family # 1781
Andrew White age 50 male Farmer value real est. - $1000 born Ireland
Matilda " 43 f "
William L. " 11 m Ills
Samuel D. " 9 m "
Martha J. " 8 f "
Mary " 6 f "
Ann E. " 4 f "
John Fitzpatrick 24? m " Ireland."8Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Ill., Apple River twsp., ed # 28, sheet 3, 8 Jun 1900.
9Census, Federal - 1910 - Jo Daviess Co., Ill, Village of Apple River.
10BROWN'S ISLE OF MAN DIRECTORY
ith HISTORY OF THE ISLAND VALUATION, LIST OF RESIDENTS CLASSIFIED BUSINESS LIST, &c., &c., ISLE OF MAN JAMES BROWN & SON, The Isle of Man Times Office, Times Buildings, Athol-street, Douglas. 1881
"PATRICK.
North of Rushen to the river Neb, is the parish of Patrick, a wild mountainous region, including the northern slopes of Barrule and Slieauwhallin, and, to the west, the Dalby Mountain, with the Peel hills to the north. Between Mount Dalby and Barrule is Glen Rushen, a deep highland glen, called in its lower part Glenmaye. Through this glen flows the Glenmaye river, which forms the beautiful Glenmaye waterfall, about one mile from the sea. The district is barren, and only a small part of its area is capable of cultivation. The district north of Barrule is highly metalliferous, and several of the veins of lead are worked in Glen Rushen, and its offshoot Glen Dhoo. In Glen Rushen also are extensive slate quarries, which at one time promised to be very successful. The population is partly agricultural, fishing, and mining, and is sparsely distributed over the parish. Glenmaye is the principal village, it is much frequented by tourists on account of its beautiful scenery and waterfall. Dalby village is a small collection of houses, near the coast on the west side of Dalby Mountain. The population in 1851 was 2,925 ; and in 1871 it was 2,888. The present vicar of the parish is the Rev. William Hawley."11Census, Federal - 1920 - JoDaviess Co., IL, town of Apple River, Ancestry p. 9 of 15. "line 35 Webster St. dwelling & family #148
White, Helen 83 immigrated to US 1854 Naturalized 1856
Anna E 46
Francomb, Emma 57." 1920 census shows Emma Francomb, age 57, living with Ellen and Annie. Emma is an older sister of Ella Francomb who had married Ellen's son Tibbals in 1902.12White Tombstone - Apple River, IL, photo in personal files of DZ Stevens.
13Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch.com, film # 458443.
14Irene Clark, Miscellaneous Papers.
15White Tombstone - Apple River, IL.
16White Tombstone - Apple River, IL.
17White-Barrett marriage certificate, vital records - JoDaviess Co, IL.
1Dorothy E. White, White, Dorothy E. - Letters to P&D Stevens Family, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. "
Letter 1. 1-26-76: "One big differences between our generation and later ones is the amount of dollar bills and coins that are handled. We didn't have many.
Uncle John sent us each a dollar at Christmas. Grandma and Aunt Eva gave us little gifts I think Aunt Eva got for sending in Subscriptions to McCall's Magazine.
Our Sunday School bought us gifts from the 10 Cent store.
When we went to Virginia, we turned yellow, because we got malaria, there was so much woods and dampness, making a fine home for mosquitos.
Goats are something we had on that first Virginia place. We were glad to tell the other children at school that we had kids at home. Those goats climbed up onto the chickenhouse roof. They were quite a nuisance.
There was a spring on that first Virginia place, and that spring had its own house among the big ferns or brakes. Soon we had a well with a pump.
Grandpa Wesley White made us a swing to play on. It was a big board that swung around on a stump. Someone would push it, and, if you didn't watch out, you could get bumped.
We girls preferred paper dolls to real ones. Oh, yes, we had spool people too. All of these we dressed.
Letter 2. Feb 1976: Dianne wants to know about spool people. They were just spools that our imagination gave heads, arms, legs, and faces. Mother sewed, so we had the use of many empty spools. We dressed them in bits of cloth. Spool families would visit one another.
Our mother had four children for whom she sewed, washed with a washboard, churned and canned. We helped with the canning, because our family sold canned goods. We helped with the planting of tomato plants,potatoes, beans, etc.
Mothers often got lonely in those days when the fathers were at work and the children away at school. Few had telephones. There were no radios or television sets to keep one in touch with the world...
Grandmother White claimed to have had twelve children. (In those days many of the babies died or were born dead.) I know of --
Uncle Enoch Barrett, James Enoch Barrett's father (The father of Uncle Enoch was killed while watching a horseshoe pitching game. The gun he was holding with the barrel beneath his chin discharged when hit by a horseshoe.) Grandmother married Grandfather, William L. White.
William Wesley, Paul and Lois' grandfather.
John K. He was very religious. His first wife died when their baby was born, of puerperal fever, a disease caused by the carelessness of doctors and nurses. Of course the baby died too. By the way the second wife acted, we think she wasn't quite sane and by divorcing Uncle John, she made him the only one of the family to go through a divorce court.
Rachel. Rachel died quite young at 40 of a stroke.
Tibbals. He was a postmaster at Oskaloosa, Iowa for a long time. Tibbals and his wife, Merritt's mother and father, died of the flu when Merritt was tiny. He was raised by an aunt on the Sincox side of the family. I guess they were sort of rough. They drank and Merritt does too. When he phoned me the last times I could hardly understand him.
Lizzie. Tibbals and Lizzie were twins.
Joseph.
Annie. Joseph and Annie were twins
Wilbur. He died young of meningitis.
Letter3. 3/22/76: History may reveal skeletons, so adults please read before releasing to children...
Speaking of schooldays: After I left the 4th grade, we went by horsedrawn schoolbus to a consolidated school. I remember that a neighbor boy just didn't want to go to school, and he didn't have to go. Now the colored folk had a little one-room school. Being very poor, the colored people had no facilities for taking baths. (I've read the kings and queens of England of years ago had trouble keeping clean.)
One odd thing that I remember is that there were beautiful wild violets growing in the graveyard at the colored church. The church was next door to our one-room schoolhouse. I picked violets and worried that night because I had stepped on some graves.
Now family business: Grandma Nicklas' name was Henrietta Dorthea. Part of the relationship called her Henrietta and part Dorthea. This grandmother was a dear little lady who had the misfortune of being an illegitimate child. As I remember it, she had a red-headed illegitmate sister. When she came to this country great grandmother became a lawabiding citizen.
About Grandma White, I don't know her maiden name. I think it was something like Faricker...
The Mormon church today sends out missionaries. In Grandma White's day they sent missionaries to the Isle of Man. A number of Grandma's sisters came to this country to join the Mormon colony...
Snobbish colored people from Richmond would come to visit the folk at our local colored church and sometimes there would be shootings. As I understand it, the city people felt much superior to the country folk and expressed their feelings.
Letter4: Some of us near Richmond, VA went to high school via train. We had a whole train society. The conductor would come through the car punching holes in our tickets. He might call out, 'Tickets, tackets, and pocket books!' Besides the school children there were college students and men and women who commuted to their jobs.
I don't know if many people nowadays have cisterns or not. There was one on our Illinois place and I remember that a kitten fell into it breaking our hearts. Of course, Grandma Nicklas and Aunt Eva got their drinking water from their cistern in Platteville, Wisconsin. I remember that you could taste smoke in the water. Grandma said, ' You'd get used to it.' Evidentally it didn't hurt her, for she didn't die until her 90th year.
Letter 5: Curious people or groups that we knew years ago is what I'll write about this time.
Most of the time in Virginia we were in the Baptist church. As you probably know, there are many Baptists in the south. Until baptismal fonts were built in the church, people would be immersed in a pond or creek. One lady in the neighborhood must have been a Presbytarian or an Episcopalian. She would favor us with a solo every once in a while. We thought her funny, because her voice would quiver.
Quite a few people in Virginia were proud of having Indian blood. One family lived on the first place we had in Virginia after we moved up on the hill. One brother asked father to pull a tooth for a poor Indian. Father did.
Huegonauts were religious refugees from France. Once we went to Huegonaut Springs, VA - our family and the Baumanns' - for a picnic. That religious sect must have had a colony there. Of course we went by horse and buggy. A short distance now was a long way then.
Letter 6 - 8/2/76 - I'll mention music this month. When we children were little we had a gramophone in place of what we call a record player today. It had a horn that was shaped like a morning glory flower. The records were...cylinders that fitted on to a solid cylinder. Records I remember are, ' Just a Little Attic but it's Home Sweet Home', "Ring the Bells of Heaven', 'Tell Mother I'll be There'. Poke Miller's 'The Old Time Religion', and instrumentals, some by violin, flute, and harp, one 'Love and Devotion.'
We had a book of favorite songs. Many of them were Stephen Foster. They, of course, were mostly Negro. I believe Negro songs are out of style nowadays.
Letter 7 - 8/21/1977: ....
Letter 8 - 7/16/1978: Helen called sometime ago and mentioned that we should have questioned the former generation more when we had the chance; however, there were some things they were reluctant to talk about. My, but life is much easier on womenfolk than it used to be! We don't have the big ironings they used to have to do. Grandmother White had to have every sock ironed. Everything had to be ironed.
The water had to be hand pumped and carried in pails. It was necessary to boil the clothes. The bar of soap (one kind was called Octagon) had to be sliced up so as to be softened by the water.
We didn't have the chore girls, woven metal gadgets, to get the sticky particles of food off the dishes.
I've heard the practise of saving string made fun of nowadays. There were no tapes or rubber bands for quickly sealing packages.
What a lot of sewing and mending had to be done! Today, if we watch for bargains, we can buy our clothes ready-made for practically what it would cost us for the material and notions.
The boys and girls may have had chores to do before starting off to school.
And there were school wagons instead of buses and maybe ill-tempered drivers. If the poor driver had indigestion, he might not feel too good.
I can't get over thankfulness for 1978.".2White Tombstone - Apple River, IL, photo in personal files of DZ Stevens.
3Census, Federal - 1870 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Apple River, Ancestry p. 10 of 28. "Line 10 Dwelling # 1727 Family # 1781
Andrew White age 50 male Farmer value real est. - $1000 born Ireland
Matilda " 43 f "
William L. " 11 m Ills
Samuel D. " 9 m "
Martha J. " 8 f "
Mary " 6 f "
Ann E. " 4 f "
John Fitzpatrick 24? m " Ireland."4Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Ill., Apple River twsp.
5White Tombstone - Apple River, IL.
6White Tombstone - Apple River, IL.
7White Tombstone - Apple River, IL.
1Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Ill., Apple River twsp.
2Census, Federal - 1920 - JoDaviess Co., IL, town of Apple River, Ancestry p. 9 of 15. "line 35 Webster St. dwelling & family #148
White, Helen 83 immigrated to US 1854 Naturalized 1856
Anna E 46
Francomb, Emma 57."3Census, Federal - 1910 - Jo Daviess Co., Ill, Village of Apple River, ED # 17, sheet 3.
4Census, Federal - 1930 - Jo Daviess Co., IL, Apple River, Ancestry p. 1 of 9, 14 Apr 1930. "line 49; dwelling # 24; family # 24
White, John K. head own home worth $5000 age 58 Single occ: house painter
Annie E. sister 47 S none."5Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Ill., Apple River twsp.
6White, Ellen Faragher - Will, Office of Circuit Court, Jo Daviess County Court House, 330 N. Bench St., Galena, IL. "In the Matter of the Estate Last Will and Testament
of Filed September 22, 1927
~Ellen White, Deceased Box 14 County Records
~ I, Ellen White, widow of William L. White, deceased of the Village
of Apple River, in the County of Jo Daviess and State of Illinois, of the
age of eighty-eight years, and being of sound mind and memory, do make,
publish, and declare this my last will and Testament in the manner follow-
ing:
~ FIRST: It is my will that all of my just debts and funeral expenses
be fully paid as soon after my deceass as conveniently may be.
~SECOND: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Annie E. White, the sum
of One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00).
~Third: I give and bequeath to my son, John K. White, the sum of One
Thousand Dollars (1000.00).
~FOURTH: I give and bequeath go my son, Enoch Barrett, the sum of
Five Hundred Dollars (500.00).
~FIFTH: I give and bequeath to my grand-children, namely Phillip L.
White, Dorothy White and Helen White, children of my son Wesley White
of Midlothian, Virginia, One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) each, the total
bequest to said three grand-children being Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00).
~SIXTH: I give and bequeath to my two grand-children, Edith M.
Phillips, and Ellen W. Phillips, children of my daughter Elizabeth E.
Phillips, One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) each, being a total bequest of
Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) to these two grand-children.
~SEVENTH: I give and bequeath to my two grand-sons, Howard F. White
and Merritt W. White, sons of my son George Tibbals White, On Hundred
Dollars ($100.00) each, being a total bequest of Two Hundred Dollars
($200.00) to these two grand-children.
~EIGHTH: I give and bequeath to my grand-son, James Barrett, the
sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
~NINTH: I give and bequeath to the Board of Foreign Missions of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of Apple River, Illinois, the sum of Two Hun-
dred Dollars ($200.00).
~TENTH: I give and bequeath to the Society of Home Missions of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of Apple River, Illinois, the sum of Two
Hundred Dollars ($200.00).
~ELEVENTH: I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved daughter, Annie
E. White, the following described real estate, to-wit: Lots Numbered
Five (5) and Six (6) in Block Number Three (3), in the Original Village
of Apple River, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, with the hereditaments and
appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have and to hold to her own use and
benefit forever. It is my request that my said daughter, Annie E. White,
shall give my son, John K. White, the privilege of living in the resi-
dence situate upon above described lots so long as he cares to do so. -27- (continued)
~TWELFTH: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Annie E. White, all of
my household goods and kitchen utensils to have and to hold for her own
use and benefit forever.
~THIRTEENTH: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, be
the same real, personal, and mixed, I give and bequeath to my five (5)
children, namely: William Wesley White, John K. White, Joseph H. White,
Annie E. White, and Elizabeth E. Phillips, share and share alike, to have
and to hold the same to them and their heirs and assigns forever.
~FOURTEENTH AND LASTLY: I make, constitute and appoint my daughter,
Annie E. White, to be the Executrix of this, my Last Will and Testament,
hereby requesting and directing that no surety be required on her bond
as such Executrix.
~ I hereby revoke any and all former Wills and Codicils by me made,
and declare this only to be and contain my Last Will and Testament.
~ IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name to this my
Last Will and Testament, consisting of two type-written pages, this
Thirty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord One Thousand nine hun-
dred and twenty-five (1925).
Ellen White (seal)
~This instrument was on the day of the date thereof, signed, sealed,
published and declared by the said testatrix, Ellen White, to be the Last
Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who, at her request, and in
her presence, and in the presence of each other, gave subscribed our
names as witnesses, and we believe her to be of sound mind and memory
at the time of signing the same.
Leo W. Charlton
John M. Spear.". Annie's death is dated in papers attached to my copy of Ellen's Will.
Death certificate # 9169 on file at Office of the County Clerk, Jo Daviess County, Illinois.
1Dorothy E. White, White, Dorothy E. - Letters to P&D Stevens Family, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. "
Letter 1. 1-26-76: "One big differences between our generation and later ones is the amount of dollar bills and coins that are handled. We didn't have many.
Uncle John sent us each a dollar at Christmas. Grandma and Aunt Eva gave us little gifts I think Aunt Eva got for sending in Subscriptions to McCall's Magazine.
Our Sunday School bought us gifts from the 10 Cent store.
When we went to Virginia, we turned yellow, because we got malaria, there was so much woods and dampness, making a fine home for mosquitos.
Goats are something we had on that first Virginia place. We were glad to tell the other children at school that we had kids at home. Those goats climbed up onto the chickenhouse roof. They were quite a nuisance.
There was a spring on that first Virginia place, and that spring had its own house among the big ferns or brakes. Soon we had a well with a pump.
Grandpa Wesley White made us a swing to play on. It was a big board that swung around on a stump. Someone would push it, and, if you didn't watch out, you could get bumped.
We girls preferred paper dolls to real ones. Oh, yes, we had spool people too. All of these we dressed.
Letter 2. Feb 1976: Dianne wants to know about spool people. They were just spools that our imagination gave heads, arms, legs, and faces. Mother sewed, so we had the use of many empty spools. We dressed them in bits of cloth. Spool families would visit one another.
Our mother had four children for whom she sewed, washed with a washboard, churned and canned. We helped with the canning, because our family sold canned goods. We helped with the planting of tomato plants,potatoes, beans, etc.
Mothers often got lonely in those days when the fathers were at work and the children away at school. Few had telephones. There were no radios or television sets to keep one in touch with the world...
Grandmother White claimed to have had twelve children. (In those days many of the babies died or were born dead.) I know of --
Uncle Enoch Barrett, James Enoch Barrett's father (The father of Uncle Enoch was killed while watching a horseshoe pitching game. The gun he was holding with the barrel beneath his chin discharged when hit by a horseshoe.) Grandmother married Grandfather, William L. White.
William Wesley, Paul and Lois' grandfather.
John K. He was very religious. His first wife died when their baby was born, of puerperal fever, a disease caused by the carelessness of doctors and nurses. Of course the baby died too. By the way the second wife acted, we think she wasn't quite sane and by divorcing Uncle John, she made him the only one of the family to go through a divorce court.
Rachel. Rachel died quite young at 40 of a stroke.
Tibbals. He was a postmaster at Oskaloosa, Iowa for a long time. Tibbals and his wife, Merritt's mother and father, died of the flu when Merritt was tiny. He was raised by an aunt on the Sincox side of the family. I guess they were sort of rough. They drank and Merritt does too. When he phoned me the last times I could hardly understand him.
Lizzie. Tibbals and Lizzie were twins.
Joseph.
Annie. Joseph and Annie were twins
Wilbur. He died young of meningitis.
Letter3. 3/22/76: History may reveal skeletons, so adults please read before releasing to children...
Speaking of schooldays: After I left the 4th grade, we went by horsedrawn schoolbus to a consolidated school. I remember that a neighbor boy just didn't want to go to school, and he didn't have to go. Now the colored folk had a little one-room school. Being very poor, the colored people had no facilities for taking baths. (I've read the kings and queens of England of years ago had trouble keeping clean.)
One odd thing that I remember is that there were beautiful wild violets growing in the graveyard at the colored church. The church was next door to our one-room schoolhouse. I picked violets and worried that night because I had stepped on some graves.
Now family business: Grandma Nicklas' name was Henrietta Dorthea. Part of the relationship called her Henrietta and part Dorthea. This grandmother was a dear little lady who had the misfortune of being an illegitimate child. As I remember it, she had a red-headed illegitmate sister. When she came to this country great grandmother became a lawabiding citizen.
About Grandma White, I don't know her maiden name. I think it was something like Faricker...
The Mormon church today sends out missionaries. In Grandma White's day they sent missionaries to the Isle of Man. A number of Grandma's sisters came to this country to join the Mormon colony...
Snobbish colored people from Richmond would come to visit the folk at our local colored church and sometimes there would be shootings. As I understand it, the city people felt much superior to the country folk and expressed their feelings.
Letter4: Some of us near Richmond, VA went to high school via train. We had a whole train society. The conductor would come through the car punching holes in our tickets. He might call out, 'Tickets, tackets, and pocket books!' Besides the school children there were college students and men and women who commuted to their jobs.
I don't know if many people nowadays have cisterns or not. There was one on our Illinois place and I remember that a kitten fell into it breaking our hearts. Of course, Grandma Nicklas and Aunt Eva got their drinking water from their cistern in Platteville, Wisconsin. I remember that you could taste smoke in the water. Grandma said, ' You'd get used to it.' Evidentally it didn't hurt her, for she didn't die until her 90th year.
Letter 5: Curious people or groups that we knew years ago is what I'll write about this time.
Most of the time in Virginia we were in the Baptist church. As you probably know, there are many Baptists in the south. Until baptismal fonts were built in the church, people would be immersed in a pond or creek. One lady in the neighborhood must have been a Presbytarian or an Episcopalian. She would favor us with a solo every once in a while. We thought her funny, because her voice would quiver.
Quite a few people in Virginia were proud of having Indian blood. One family lived on the first place we had in Virginia after we moved up on the hill. One brother asked father to pull a tooth for a poor Indian. Father did.
Huegonauts were religious refugees from France. Once we went to Huegonaut Springs, VA - our family and the Baumanns' - for a picnic. That religious sect must have had a colony there. Of course we went by horse and buggy. A short distance now was a long way then.
Letter 6 - 8/2/76 - I'll mention music this month. When we children were little we had a gramophone in place of what we call a record player today. It had a horn that was shaped like a morning glory flower. The records were...cylinders that fitted on to a solid cylinder. Records I remember are, ' Just a Little Attic but it's Home Sweet Home', "Ring the Bells of Heaven', 'Tell Mother I'll be There'. Poke Miller's 'The Old Time Religion', and instrumentals, some by violin, flute, and harp, one 'Love and Devotion.'
We had a book of favorite songs. Many of them were Stephen Foster. They, of course, were mostly Negro. I believe Negro songs are out of style nowadays.
Letter 7 - 8/21/1977: ....
Letter 8 - 7/16/1978: Helen called sometime ago and mentioned that we should have questioned the former generation more when we had the chance; however, there were some things they were reluctant to talk about. My, but life is much easier on womenfolk than it used to be! We don't have the big ironings they used to have to do. Grandmother White had to have every sock ironed. Everything had to be ironed.
The water had to be hand pumped and carried in pails. It was necessary to boil the clothes. The bar of soap (one kind was called Octagon) had to be sliced up so as to be softened by the water.
We didn't have the chore girls, woven metal gadgets, to get the sticky particles of food off the dishes.
I've heard the practise of saving string made fun of nowadays. There were no tapes or rubber bands for quickly sealing packages.
What a lot of sewing and mending had to be done! Today, if we watch for bargains, we can buy our clothes ready-made for practically what it would cost us for the material and notions.
The boys and girls may have had chores to do before starting off to school.
And there were school wagons instead of buses and maybe ill-tempered drivers. If the poor driver had indigestion, he might not feel too good.
I can't get over thankfulness for 1978.".2White Tombstone - Apple River, IL, photo in personal files of DZ Stevens.
3White Tombstone - Apple River, IL.
4White Tombstone - Apple River, IL.
5White Tombstone - Apple River, IL.
1Sophia Nicklas Driskill, Nicklas Family History, copied & dispersed by the author, Yukon, OK 6/18/1986, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. The book consists of 18 pages of genealogy tracing the descendants of John George Nicklas (1806 - 1884) and
Anna Katherine Betsch (1809 - 1889) plus one page containing acknowledgements and miscellaneous information, and 2 pages about the Nicklas family crest.2Wisconsin State Historical Society - Veterans Museum, Civil War - Certificate of Service, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
3White, Addie - Photo Album, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
4Census, Federal - 1850 - Grant Co, WI, Eastern District, Ancestry p. 99 of 218. "Geo. Nicklas age 44 b. Ger
Catharine " 42 "
Peter " 16 Penn
Elizabeth " 14 "
John " 11 Ill
Catharine " 8 "
Geo. " 6 "
Wm. " 4 "
Caroline " 2 Wisc."5Census, Federal - 1880 - Grant Co, WI, Smelser, Ancestry p. 23 of 26, 21 Jun 1880. "Line 1
Nicholes, Peter age 45 Farmer b. Penn f.b. Hesse Darmstadt m. b. Hesse Darmstadt
Dorothy 39 wife Hanover Hanover Hanover
George L. 17 son - works on farm WI PA "
Evlina 13 dau " " "
Anna 8 dau " " "."6Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19, 11 Jun 1900. "Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19.
"line 84 dwelling house # 151 family # 182
White, Wesley, head 36 occupation farmer
White, Addie wife 27
White, Wilbur son 8/12 (should be 3/12)
line 87 dwelling #151 family # 183
Nicklas, Peter head 65 occupation retired
Nicklas, Dorthea wife 58
Nicklas, Evilina dau 33."."7Census, Federal - 1870 - Grant Co., Wisconsin, Smelser, Ancestry p. 12 of 33, 2 Jul 1870. "Line 26
Nicholas, Peter B. age 36 Farmer personal estate $400 b. Penn.
Dorothy 28 Keeping House Hanover
George 8 at home WI
Lena 4 " WI."8Census, Federal - 1840 - Monroe County, Illinois, p.12 of 43. "George Nickles
Males under 5 - 1
5 & under 10 - 1
30 & under 40 - 1
Females under 5 - 1
30 & under 40 - 1
70 & under 80 - 1."9Census, Federal - 1860 - LaFayette Co., Wisconsin, Elk Grove, Ancestry p. 10 of 33. "Line 10
Peter Nicholas age 24 Farm laborer b. Pennsylvania." This Peter Nicholas is working on the farm of John Metcalf. His wife is not to be found.10Nicklas-Schlucke marriage certificate, Certified copy of document from Register of Deeds, Grant Co., WI, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
11Nicklas-Schlucke marriage certificate.
1Nicklas-Schlucke marriage certificate, Certified copy of document from Register of Deeds, Grant Co., WI, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
2Sophia Nicklas Driskill, Nicklas Family History, copied & dispersed by the author, Yukon, OK 6/18/1986, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. The book consists of 18 pages of genealogy tracing the descendants of John George Nicklas (1806 - 1884) and
Anna Katherine Betsch (1809 - 1889) plus one page containing acknowledgements and miscellaneous information, and 2 pages about the Nicklas family crest.3Driskill, Sophie - Letters, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. "DRISKILL, SOPHIE LETTERS
Letter A - to Helen Romppainen. written during the 1970s
"7 E. Cypress
Yukon, Okla.
73099 Apt. 101
Dear Helen
I enjoyed hearing from you. Glad you are interested in working on the Nicklas Family tree. I have tried to help some. I'm mailing some of my information I received. A lot of it is duplication but it may help clear some points on previous papers. We are so scattered. My nephew and I are the last close relatives. He is my brother's son.
Sorry I could not get Uncle Peter's wife's maiden name. She was born out of wedlock, a very nice, small, nervous lady. She was a lovely seamstress and very neat. She and uncle spent a winter with us so I got to know them quite well. She was a goose herder in Germany. I saw an article in Magazine aobout the German goose herders. It was considered a very good job.
Our grandparents visited my parents in Iowa and gave mother a lot of information about themselves. Maybe I should not give you this informationbut I thought you would like to know it.
Too bad our grandparents were cousins. There were 6 mental cases and 2 suicides. Many teachers and doctors. Evelyn spent the winter with us at the time. She was a wonderful seamstress also. They lived with grandparents quite a while. They are buried in Jamestown without a marker. Father often said he would like to place a marker but no one seemed interested. Uncle (Peter) was a very poor businessman. She made a living by sewing.
I don't know how much you know about the Nicklas family. My father spoke very little about them. They left quite a sum of money to the children in the will. Our cousin found the will in a trunk.
I hope this has not tired you and wish you. Good luck.
Love, Sophie Driskill.".
Driskill, Sophie - Letters to DZStevens
Letter B
1147 N.W. 37
Okla City Okla
2-20-74
Dear Cousin-
I received your letter asking for information about the Nicklas Tree. I sent most of my information to Geo. Kreuty Jr. in Houston, Texas. I'll send what I have as can remember. I was so glad to be with your mother last winter. I enjoyed her so much. I hear from Dorothy at Christmas. This is a rainy day, but we are glad for the rain. We have a lot of bulbs up; tulips, Jonquils, and hyacinths- My husband just came home from the hospital. He was there three days, but could not find any real reason for his trouble. I heard your mother speak of you and your sister-in-law, We did not go to the valley. I'm glad now we didn't. I lost my only sister Jan. 10 in Nashua, Iowa. Guess Phillip & Ezra are enjoying the Texas winter.Hope this information will be of some help.
Geo. Kreutz Jr.
85011 Western Dr.
Houston, Texaz 77055
He is a poor hand to write. He is a Deputy Sheriff and very busy.
Love, Sophie (An early outline of the Nicklas family was enclosed.)
Letter C
Dear Dianne
I received your letter today. I opened George's letter. I thought I may be more able to answer questions than he.
1. No one knows what place in Germany they were born.They were married in Penn. No one knows the town. They went to Illinois, Monroe County, where the children were born. They went to Grant Co. Wis. (Georgetown>) We do not know the date of Peter's death. I think Peter lived with his parents and later moved to Platteville, Wis. I do not know Harriet's last name. She was born in Germany and was a "Goose Herder."
I don't think Geo. Kreutz knows too much about the family. His son is getting the information. I'll forward your letter to George.
My father never told anything aobut his folks. I got some from my mother. They use to visit them & John Nicklas gave the most to us. Geo. Kreutz Jr. is my 2nd cousin, your 3rd.
Love, Sophie
Letter D
1 E. Cypress
Yukon, Okla
73099 Apt - 101
Dear Dianne
I received your letter and be glad to answer your questions. I'm enclosing the picture of cousin I said was retarded. He could not learn in school but ran his father's farm 10 years with help, runs a car, but not very responsible. Please return his picture. Married and divorced.
This is another lonely day. I'm trying so hard to adjust, but it is so hard. Arthur was such a wonderful husband and companion for 56 years. We were SO happy. I know he is better off and with the Lord. Prayers and friends are a great help, but my life will never be the same.
Back to the family tree. My sister Vera was a Deaconess in Meth. church 25 years. My brother Earl was WWI vet. He died in Vet hosp.
Both became mentally ill at 65. Drs. called it Paralona schizophrenia. Clarence and Blanche were my sister's children. They also became ill at 65 and lived about 3 yrs. I'm pleased you are working on Family Tree.
Love, Sophia Driskill
John Geo. Nicklass & Anna Beitch were born in Germany, met in Penn. and married. They went to Monroe County, Ill where children were born. Moved to Georgetown Wis. (Grant County) where they lived until death. Jack, John, & Peter were in Civil War. Jack & John got T.B. and died shortly after.
Hope this will be some help.
Sophia
Letter E
Sunday
Dear Cousins -
Did you get the material about Nicklas Family Tree? I'm going to send some more material.It may be a duplicate of some of the material, but it may help. I hope your daughter is doing OK on it. It is quite a job. I have been working on it for nearly a year. We are so scattered. It takes time to get the information.
I have been looking for Geo. Kreutz, Jr. He lived in Houston and retired and moved to an acreage in Ark. He said he was coming, but was getting a check up first. Dr. found cancer of the prostate, but he thought it was under control. He is such a fine young man. I'm afraid his report wasn't good. One of Lenn Kreutz Hallett's granddaughters lives here in Yukon. Her parents visited us a year ago. Her grandmother was Aunt Caroline Nicklas Kreutz, my father's sister. I guess Phillip will soon be back to the valley. They enjoy their travels. I enjoy their Christmas letter. How is Dorthea?
Love, Sophia & Art
Letter F (about 1978)
Monday
Dear Cousins -
I I finally got as much information as I could for Nicklas Family Tree. It has really been a task. I've worked on it nearly a year. I still don't have all the names. I'm enclosing some pages with information that may help. Some were so slow in answering. Hope your daughter can make use of this material. Some of the White's isn't finished and you may know some others. Do you remember the Kreutz family? She was father's youngest sister, Carolyn. Uncle John, her brother, married her (Carolyn's) husband's sister, Amelia Kreutz. I had a letter from Geo Kreutz III. He has worked as a deputy in Houston and retired and bought an acre in Ark. He is such a fine man and has such a nice family. We visited him while were in the valley. One of his sons is a lawyer and other a journalist. I hope this family tree is finished so I can see it before I go. I'm 88 now. Geo III will visit us in Aug. One of the Kreutz granddaughters lives here. She is Lena Hallett's son. Hope this will be of some help. I'll be anxious to hear from you. I'm so glad I saw you in the valley. Send me a copy if you have more names.
Love, Sophia & Arthur
Letter G- Feb 1982 - in response to the question "Who were the 5 mental cases and the one retarded that you mention?"
The 5 mental cases in the Nicklas family tree were:
Vera and Earl Nicklas, children of William and Emma Nicklas
Clarence and Blanche Leaman, children of Albert and Laura Leaman
Dwight E. Werk, son of Seranus and Beatrice Werk. I would rather they did not want his case history.
We have a wonderful cousin living here (Yukon.) Her grandmother was father's sister, Carolyn Kreutz. Lena Hallett's granddaughter lives here. Harold & Sherril Puffett - ch. Steven & Jeri Ann. Lena is daughter of Carolyn Kreutz.
Letter H - Mar 1982
"7 E. Cypress
Yukon, Okla
73099 - Apt. 101
Dear Cousin,
I received your letter. Your question, Aug. Werk's first wife was Lydia VonBerg. She died with T.B. He married her cousin Wilhemina Nicklas (John Nicklas - father's brother John) 2 children from Lydia and 2 from second wife. Hope this clears your problem. I'm so glad you are working on Nicklas Family Tree.
Father did not talk about his parents (John George Nicklas & Anna Catherine Betsch). I got most (of my information) from John Nicklas, Jr. My sister said something once about wishing to know about them. Our cousin Eva Nicklas said, "You would NOT want to KNOW about them." I often wondered WHY? I only know they were first cousins.
Hope this helps. I, too, wish you could visit me. I'm so lonely.
Love, Sophie Driskill.".
Letter J (received 30 Aug 1984)
Mrs. Arthur Driskill
7 E. Cypress, No. 101
Yukon, Oklahoma 73099
Dear Cousin
You will be surprised to hear from me. I have written Helen many times asking for some information about some relatives, but she has never answered.
I'm still working the Nicklas family history. I've been working on it for several years. I have all information now except I need our cousin's wife (Betty Nicklas, her husband was Richard Nicklas. He was only son of Dr. Geo., whose father was Peter Nicklas, Helen's grandfather. Richard has 2 sons. He has been dead many years ago with a blood disease (leukemia). He was a woodwork teacher in a college. He had retired and had a shop of his own in Loveland, Colo. I would like to hear from his wife or boys. Do you think you could help me? Richard Nicklas would be Helen's 1st cousin.
We have a cousin living here, Shirley Puffett. She is such a nice person. She visits me every Sat. Her father was Arthur Hallett. His mother Lena Kreutz and grandparents Geo.Kreutz and Caroline Nicklas, my father's sister. My father's name was William Nicklas. I'm his youngest daughter. There were 7 in our family. I'm youngest and only one living. I'm the only one of close Nicklas family left. I'm 94 years and I'm only one to be able to give this information. I won't be here for too long. I sent you the information you wanted. Have you been able to work on it?
I also need Uncle Peter's wife's maiden name. She was Harriet _____. That is why I'm anxious to get ion touch with Richard Nicklas wife or family.
I always enjoy Phillips Christmas letter. Guess they quit traveling. Wewere with them in the Valley. I was so glad to meet and be with Helen there.
I lost my husband 2 1/2 years ago. I live in an apt. My daughter lives here. Also my husband's 2 sisters. I'm very comfortable.
We have had nice summer. I still garden with help. Lots of flowers & tomatoes.
If you would help me I would be happy.
Love, Sophia
Letter K (mailed 6 Sep 1984
7 E. Cypress
Yukon, Okla
73099 Apt 101
Dear Cousin Dianne
It was good to hear from you. Sorry you could not answer my questions. I only wish Eva Nicklas (b.. 1866) was still here so she could give me this information.
Do you think Helen's sister Dorothy could help me? I know she has fallen and been in a hosp. and lives in a nursing home. We used to write quite often, but she hasn't written for some time. I surely would like to know about Richard Nicklas family.
Congratulations on your new son. My 2 daughters - Ramah Miller 27 May 1913, NormahMiller 23 Jan 1915. They married brothers.
We are having niceweather, some hot days but good rains. I enjoy my garden flowers andvegetables. I get lots of help here or I would have to quit. I enjoy living here in an apartment in Teachers Retirement Home. Everyone so kind and helpful. Would you mind writing Dorothy and see if we can get this information. I just discovered I don't have her new address. Has Philip moved to new location?
Best Wishes, Sophia Driskill
Letter L
11 - 12 - '84
Dear Cousins
We are having delightful autumn weather 70 degrees - no frost so far. I'm still picking roses etc. I finally get Richard Nicklas' address. My granddaughter in Greeley, Colo. looked in phone book in Denver and found Richard's son Theodore. His wife answered. She said Richard and Betty died 1961 & 1977. Richard had 2 sons; Theodore & Richard. Theodore has three children. He is an atty. Richard Jr. not married. I have his address so I'll write for more information. I'm so glad to know His address. Richard Nicklas was Helen's 1st cousin.
Has Phillip & Ezra moved from the valley? I visited them in Kansas.
Time goes so fast. It will soon be Thanksgiving and Christmas. One of my daughters will give us a Thanksgiving dinner. (18) We will all fly to Dallas for Christmas at Ramah's son Dick. (grandson)
I enjoyed Helen and Phillip so much in the Valley.
I know you are enjoying your family in Wis. I have been to Madison several times. My sister lived there.
I have just returned from dinner. Three meals are served here. This is such a nice place for me. I would not live anywhere else, especially since my husband died 2 yrs. ago. Everyone so kind & helpful.
I thought you would enjoy good new.
Love, Cousin Sophia
Letter M
Posmark 24 May 1985
Dear Cousins -
I'm anxious to know if your 14 year old daughter is well again after that car accident. I HOPE she has recovered.
I've been trying to get Uncle Peter's wife's maiden name. No one would help me, so I wrote to the court house and received the information. I'm so happy about it. Uncle Peter was your mother's grandfather, and my father's brother. I had a copy made for you. I wrote again for more information. I know this the right couple because Uncle Peter's middle name was Franklin and his wife has a German name. Guess he was 20 when married. We always called his wife Harriet. One of her middle initials is H. Guess we went by Harriet.
I wrote you I got hold of Richard, Uncle Peter's only child. He and wife Betty have been gone several years. Richard had two sons - Theodore & Richard. Richard never married. Theodore in an Atty and has three children,Annette, Sharon & Robert. Richard wife, Betty Grimes. He lived in Loveland Colo. and now in Arnada, Colo.
Theodore's wife Katherine Stevenson. I've written her twice, but no answer. My granddaughter lives in Colo. She gotthis information for me.
I had a nice letter from Ezra & Phillip.
I'm doing quite well for 94.
Love, Sophia
Letter N (Postmark 11 Jun 1985)
Dear Dianne
I want to thank you for your letter with names. I surely appreciate your help. Only wish some of my other cousins did as well. Two of my cousins have never answered.
Did I send you the copy of Uncle Peter's wedding? It has a lot I can use.
We are having a lot of rain. I have so many flowers, roses, lilies, etc.
I'm sending a picture of my husband and myself. It was taken in 1980. The last picture of my husband. he died Jan. 7, 1982. It is a lonely life without him. He was such a wonderful companion for over 50 yrs. Our 2 girls are such a help and comfort.
I'm anxious to know if your daughter is still improving?
Sorry to hear about Helen's broken ankle.
You are the only cousin who seems interested in the Nicklas family history. I'm so glad you are so helpful.
It sounds like you have a nice family. I hope you both enjoy them.
Love, Sophia
P.S. I'll send a copy of Peter's wedding if I have not sent it.
Letter P (Jun 1985)
Dear Cousins -
I always enjoy your letters. Sorry your daughter is still in hospital but thankful she is making some improvements. Hope she will continue. I'm mailing a copy of Peter Nicklas marriage. I wrote to many for Aunt Harriet's maiden name but no luck so I told you I wrote to his court house and got RESULTS! Uncle Peter was my father William's oldest brother. I tried to get his wife's name. Uncle Peter & Aunt Harriet had three children. Dr. Geo. married Carrie Straw. (His) son (had) grandson Richard. Evelyn (single), and Ade - Wesley White. She had 4 children, Wilbur (died T.B. in south, Dorothy (single) and Helen with 2 children; Paul & Diana, Lois - Tony ? (need children's names)
I had a hard time getting Richard's address. My granddaughter in Greeley got Richards & Theodore son's wife - Katherine Stevenson. They have 3 children; Annette J., Sharon L., Robert W. Richard's other son, Richard, (single) lives in Ft. Collins, Colo.
I had a nice letter from Phillip & Ezra. Her maiden name was Ezra Grimes. They have 2 adopted children - Dorothy Nell Wilson (Calif) Bruce - Brownsville, Texas.
Hope this information will be helpful. Aunt Harriet was born out of wedlock. I see she took her mother's name. She was a goose herder in Germany, a good job.
This is a rainy day (4 in)
Hope this is very helpful. Sorry about Helen's ankle accident.
Love, Sophia
Note Q
Some Nicklaus Characteristics:
tall and slender
slow
religious
neat
stingy with money
queer in some ways
stomach trouble
curvature of the spine
Also senile
Many teachers and doctors
not talkative
Poor business people
Some queer acts:
Grandma had 200 in slipper for missions when died.
Did not put money in bank.
Uncle John afraid to ride on train.
Sad in family
2 suicides
5 mental cases
1 retarded
4 T.B.".4Census, Federal - 1880 - Grant Co, WI, Smelser, Ancestry p. 23 of 26. "Line 1
Nicholes, Peter age 45 Farmer b. Penn f.b. Hesse Darmstadt m. b. Hesse Darmstadt
Dorothy 39 wife Hanover Hanover Hanover
George L. 17 son - works on farm WI PA "
Evlina 13 dau " " "
Anna 8 dau " " "."5Dorothy E. White, White, Dorothy E. - Letters to P&D Stevens Family, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. "
Letter 1. 1-26-76: "One big differences between our generation and later ones is the amount of dollar bills and coins that are handled. We didn't have many.
Uncle John sent us each a dollar at Christmas. Grandma and Aunt Eva gave us little gifts I think Aunt Eva got for sending in Subscriptions to McCall's Magazine.
Our Sunday School bought us gifts from the 10 Cent store.
When we went to Virginia, we turned yellow, because we got malaria, there was so much woods and dampness, making a fine home for mosquitos.
Goats are something we had on that first Virginia place. We were glad to tell the other children at school that we had kids at home. Those goats climbed up onto the chickenhouse roof. They were quite a nuisance.
There was a spring on that first Virginia place, and that spring had its own house among the big ferns or brakes. Soon we had a well with a pump.
Grandpa Wesley White made us a swing to play on. It was a big board that swung around on a stump. Someone would push it, and, if you didn't watch out, you could get bumped.
We girls preferred paper dolls to real ones. Oh, yes, we had spool people too. All of these we dressed.
Letter 2. Feb 1976: Dianne wants to know about spool people. They were just spools that our imagination gave heads, arms, legs, and faces. Mother sewed, so we had the use of many empty spools. We dressed them in bits of cloth. Spool families would visit one another.
Our mother had four children for whom she sewed, washed with a washboard, churned and canned. We helped with the canning, because our family sold canned goods. We helped with the planting of tomato plants,potatoes, beans, etc.
Mothers often got lonely in those days when the fathers were at work and the children away at school. Few had telephones. There were no radios or television sets to keep one in touch with the world...
Grandmother White claimed to have had twelve children. (In those days many of the babies died or were born dead.) I know of --
Uncle Enoch Barrett, James Enoch Barrett's father (The father of Uncle Enoch was killed while watching a horseshoe pitching game. The gun he was holding with the barrel beneath his chin discharged when hit by a horseshoe.) Grandmother married Grandfather, William L. White.
William Wesley, Paul and Lois' grandfather.
John K. He was very religious. His first wife died when their baby was born, of puerperal fever, a disease caused by the carelessness of doctors and nurses. Of course the baby died too. By the way the second wife acted, we think she wasn't quite sane and by divorcing Uncle John, she made him the only one of the family to go through a divorce court.
Rachel. Rachel died quite young at 40 of a stroke.
Tibbals. He was a postmaster at Oskaloosa, Iowa for a long time. Tibbals and his wife, Merritt's mother and father, died of the flu when Merritt was tiny. He was raised by an aunt on the Sincox side of the family. I guess they were sort of rough. They drank and Merritt does too. When he phoned me the last times I could hardly understand him.
Lizzie. Tibbals and Lizzie were twins.
Joseph.
Annie. Joseph and Annie were twins
Wilbur. He died young of meningitis.
Letter3. 3/22/76: History may reveal skeletons, so adults please read before releasing to children...
Speaking of schooldays: After I left the 4th grade, we went by horsedrawn schoolbus to a consolidated school. I remember that a neighbor boy just didn't want to go to school, and he didn't have to go. Now the colored folk had a little one-room school. Being very poor, the colored people had no facilities for taking baths. (I've read the kings and queens of England of years ago had trouble keeping clean.)
One odd thing that I remember is that there were beautiful wild violets growing in the graveyard at the colored church. The church was next door to our one-room schoolhouse. I picked violets and worried that night because I had stepped on some graves.
Now family business: Grandma Nicklas' name was Henrietta Dorthea. Part of the relationship called her Henrietta and part Dorthea. This grandmother was a dear little lady who had the misfortune of being an illegitimate child. As I remember it, she had a red-headed illegitmate sister. When she came to this country great grandmother became a lawabiding citizen.
About Grandma White, I don't know her maiden name. I think it was something like Faricker...
The Mormon church today sends out missionaries. In Grandma White's day they sent missionaries to the Isle of Man. A number of Grandma's sisters came to this country to join the Mormon colony...
Snobbish colored people from Richmond would come to visit the folk at our local colored church and sometimes there would be shootings. As I understand it, the city people felt much superior to the country folk and expressed their feelings.
Letter4: Some of us near Richmond, VA went to high school via train. We had a whole train society. The conductor would come through the car punching holes in our tickets. He might call out, 'Tickets, tackets, and pocket books!' Besides the school children there were college students and men and women who commuted to their jobs.
I don't know if many people nowadays have cisterns or not. There was one on our Illinois place and I remember that a kitten fell into it breaking our hearts. Of course, Grandma Nicklas and Aunt Eva got their drinking water from their cistern in Platteville, Wisconsin. I remember that you could taste smoke in the water. Grandma said, ' You'd get used to it.' Evidentally it didn't hurt her, for she didn't die until her 90th year.
Letter 5: Curious people or groups that we knew years ago is what I'll write about this time.
Most of the time in Virginia we were in the Baptist church. As you probably know, there are many Baptists in the south. Until baptismal fonts were built in the church, people would be immersed in a pond or creek. One lady in the neighborhood must have been a Presbytarian or an Episcopalian. She would favor us with a solo every once in a while. We thought her funny, because her voice would quiver.
Quite a few people in Virginia were proud of having Indian blood. One family lived on the first place we had in Virginia after we moved up on the hill. One brother asked father to pull a tooth for a poor Indian. Father did.
Huegonauts were religious refugees from France. Once we went to Huegonaut Springs, VA - our family and the Baumanns' - for a picnic. That religious sect must have had a colony there. Of course we went by horse and buggy. A short distance now was a long way then.
Letter 6 - 8/2/76 - I'll mention music this month. When we children were little we had a gramophone in place of what we call a record player today. It had a horn that was shaped like a morning glory flower. The records were...cylinders that fitted on to a solid cylinder. Records I remember are, ' Just a Little Attic but it's Home Sweet Home', "Ring the Bells of Heaven', 'Tell Mother I'll be There'. Poke Miller's 'The Old Time Religion', and instrumentals, some by violin, flute, and harp, one 'Love and Devotion.'
We had a book of favorite songs. Many of them were Stephen Foster. They, of course, were mostly Negro. I believe Negro songs are out of style nowadays.
Letter 7 - 8/21/1977: ....
Letter 8 - 7/16/1978: Helen called sometime ago and mentioned that we should have questioned the former generation more when we had the chance; however, there were some things they were reluctant to talk about. My, but life is much easier on womenfolk than it used to be! We don't have the big ironings they used to have to do. Grandmother White had to have every sock ironed. Everything had to be ironed.
The water had to be hand pumped and carried in pails. It was necessary to boil the clothes. The bar of soap (one kind was called Octagon) had to be sliced up so as to be softened by the water.
We didn't have the chore girls, woven metal gadgets, to get the sticky particles of food off the dishes.
I've heard the practise of saving string made fun of nowadays. There were no tapes or rubber bands for quickly sealing packages.
What a lot of sewing and mending had to be done! Today, if we watch for bargains, we can buy our clothes ready-made for practically what it would cost us for the material and notions.
The boys and girls may have had chores to do before starting off to school.
And there were school wagons instead of buses and maybe ill-tempered drivers. If the poor driver had indigestion, he might not feel too good.
I can't get over thankfulness for 1978.".6Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19. "Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19.
"line 84 dwelling house # 151 family # 182
White, Wesley, head 36 occupation farmer
White, Addie wife 27
White, Wilbur son 8/12 (should be 3/12)
line 87 dwelling #151 family # 183
Nicklas, Peter head 65 occupation retired
Nicklas, Dorthea wife 58
Nicklas, Evilina dau 33."."7Census, Federal - 1910 - Grant Co., Wisconsin, Plattville, ward 3, Ancestry p. 12 of 20, 21 Apr 1910. "Line 99 - 520 Division Street - dwelling # 146, family # 154
Nicklas, Doratha age 68 birthed 4 children, 2 still living - occupation house keeping
Eva 43 dressmaker working on own account."8Census, Federal - 1870 - Grant Co., Wisconsin, Smelser, Ancestry p. 12 of 33. "Line 26
Nicholas, Peter B. age 36 Farmer personal estate $400 b. Penn.
Dorothy 28 Keeping House Hanover
George 8 at home WI
Lena 4 " WI."9Census, Federal - 1860 - Grant Co., WI, Cassville, Ancestry p. 8 of 23, 19 Jun 1860. "Line 1
Amelia Nicklas 18 Nurse b. Bavaria." This entry shows "Amelia" living with family of John Geiger, a merchant. I believe it is our Harriet because it's the only female "Nicklas" of right age in 2 counties. Her husband Peter is living and working with a family in LaFayette County.10Census, Federal - 1920 - Grant Co, WI, Platteville, Sheet 5B; Ancestry p. 10 of36, 2 Feb 1920. "Line 62
Nicklas, Dorothy Head own free age 78 widow Imm: 1855 GER GER GER
Evaline Dau 55 S WI PA GER OCC: Dressmaker - at home - wages."11Dorothea Nicklas Death certificate, Copy in Personal Files of Dianne Z. Stevens.
12John Blankenbaker, Germanna History, http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~george/johnsgermnotes/germhis1.html.
13Nicklas-Schlucke marriage certificate.
14Nicklas-Schlucke marriage certificate.
1Findagrave, http://www.findagrave.com/, internet. "Birth: 1864
Death: Mar. 26, 1865
Son of P.B. & D.L. Nicklas is engraved on his marker.
Grant Co. Geneology Society records list Peter B and Dorotha L (Schlucke) Nicklas who were married on July 7, 1859; with Peter being a son of John George and Anna C Nicklas. Grant Co. WI death records list John George Nicklas b. 02Jul1806, d. 02Dec1884 whose wife was Anna C. Nicklas. Jacob and George, Jr., also sons of John George and Anna C Nicklas are buried in Smelser Cemetery also.
Burial:
Smelser Cemetery
Georgetown
Grant County
Wisconsin, USA
Created by: John Anderson
Record added: Sep 30, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 77345242."
1Dianne Z. Stevens, P&D Stevens Family History, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
2White, Helen Frances- Notes from Personal Interview by Dianne Z. Stevens, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
3White, Addie - Photo Album, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
4Driskill, Sophie - Letters, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. "DRISKILL, SOPHIE LETTERS
Letter A - to Helen Romppainen. written during the 1970s
"7 E. Cypress
Yukon, Okla.
73099 Apt. 101
Dear Helen
I enjoyed hearing from you. Glad you are interested in working on the Nicklas Family tree. I have tried to help some. I'm mailing some of my information I received. A lot of it is duplication but it may help clear some points on previous papers. We are so scattered. My nephew and I are the last close relatives. He is my brother's son.
Sorry I could not get Uncle Peter's wife's maiden name. She was born out of wedlock, a very nice, small, nervous lady. She was a lovely seamstress and very neat. She and uncle spent a winter with us so I got to know them quite well. She was a goose herder in Germany. I saw an article in Magazine aobout the German goose herders. It was considered a very good job.
Our grandparents visited my parents in Iowa and gave mother a lot of information about themselves. Maybe I should not give you this informationbut I thought you would like to know it.
Too bad our grandparents were cousins. There were 6 mental cases and 2 suicides. Many teachers and doctors. Evelyn spent the winter with us at the time. She was a wonderful seamstress also. They lived with grandparents quite a while. They are buried in Jamestown without a marker. Father often said he would like to place a marker but no one seemed interested. Uncle (Peter) was a very poor businessman. She made a living by sewing.
I don't know how much you know about the Nicklas family. My father spoke very little about them. They left quite a sum of money to the children in the will. Our cousin found the will in a trunk.
I hope this has not tired you and wish you. Good luck.
Love, Sophie Driskill.".
Driskill, Sophie - Letters to DZStevens
Letter B
1147 N.W. 37
Okla City Okla
2-20-74
Dear Cousin-
I received your letter asking for information about the Nicklas Tree. I sent most of my information to Geo. Kreuty Jr. in Houston, Texas. I'll send what I have as can remember. I was so glad to be with your mother last winter. I enjoyed her so much. I hear from Dorothy at Christmas. This is a rainy day, but we are glad for the rain. We have a lot of bulbs up; tulips, Jonquils, and hyacinths- My husband just came home from the hospital. He was there three days, but could not find any real reason for his trouble. I heard your mother speak of you and your sister-in-law, We did not go to the valley. I'm glad now we didn't. I lost my only sister Jan. 10 in Nashua, Iowa. Guess Phillip & Ezra are enjoying the Texas winter.Hope this information will be of some help.
Geo. Kreutz Jr.
85011 Western Dr.
Houston, Texaz 77055
He is a poor hand to write. He is a Deputy Sheriff and very busy.
Love, Sophie (An early outline of the Nicklas family was enclosed.)
Letter C
Dear Dianne
I received your letter today. I opened George's letter. I thought I may be more able to answer questions than he.
1. No one knows what place in Germany they were born.They were married in Penn. No one knows the town. They went to Illinois, Monroe County, where the children were born. They went to Grant Co. Wis. (Georgetown>) We do not know the date of Peter's death. I think Peter lived with his parents and later moved to Platteville, Wis. I do not know Harriet's last name. She was born in Germany and was a "Goose Herder."
I don't think Geo. Kreutz knows too much about the family. His son is getting the information. I'll forward your letter to George.
My father never told anything aobut his folks. I got some from my mother. They use to visit them & John Nicklas gave the most to us. Geo. Kreutz Jr. is my 2nd cousin, your 3rd.
Love, Sophie
Letter D
1 E. Cypress
Yukon, Okla
73099 Apt - 101
Dear Dianne
I received your letter and be glad to answer your questions. I'm enclosing the picture of cousin I said was retarded. He could not learn in school but ran his father's farm 10 years with help, runs a car, but not very responsible. Please return his picture. Married and divorced.
This is another lonely day. I'm trying so hard to adjust, but it is so hard. Arthur was such a wonderful husband and companion for 56 years. We were SO happy. I know he is better off and with the Lord. Prayers and friends are a great help, but my life will never be the same.
Back to the family tree. My sister Vera was a Deaconess in Meth. church 25 years. My brother Earl was WWI vet. He died in Vet hosp.
Both became mentally ill at 65. Drs. called it Paralona schizophrenia. Clarence and Blanche were my sister's children. They also became ill at 65 and lived about 3 yrs. I'm pleased you are working on Family Tree.
Love, Sophia Driskill
John Geo. Nicklass & Anna Beitch were born in Germany, met in Penn. and married. They went to Monroe County, Ill where children were born. Moved to Georgetown Wis. (Grant County) where they lived until death. Jack, John, & Peter were in Civil War. Jack & John got T.B. and died shortly after.
Hope this will be some help.
Sophia
Letter E
Sunday
Dear Cousins -
Did you get the material about Nicklas Family Tree? I'm going to send some more material.It may be a duplicate of some of the material, but it may help. I hope your daughter is doing OK on it. It is quite a job. I have been working on it for nearly a year. We are so scattered. It takes time to get the information.
I have been looking for Geo. Kreutz, Jr. He lived in Houston and retired and moved to an acreage in Ark. He said he was coming, but was getting a check up first. Dr. found cancer of the prostate, but he thought it was under control. He is such a fine young man. I'm afraid his report wasn't good. One of Lenn Kreutz Hallett's granddaughters lives here in Yukon. Her parents visited us a year ago. Her grandmother was Aunt Caroline Nicklas Kreutz, my father's sister. I guess Phillip will soon be back to the valley. They enjoy their travels. I enjoy their Christmas letter. How is Dorthea?
Love, Sophia & Art
Letter F (about 1978)
Monday
Dear Cousins -
I I finally got as much information as I could for Nicklas Family Tree. It has really been a task. I've worked on it nearly a year. I still don't have all the names. I'm enclosing some pages with information that may help. Some were so slow in answering. Hope your daughter can make use of this material. Some of the White's isn't finished and you may know some others. Do you remember the Kreutz family? She was father's youngest sister, Carolyn. Uncle John, her brother, married her (Carolyn's) husband's sister, Amelia Kreutz. I had a letter from Geo Kreutz III. He has worked as a deputy in Houston and retired and bought an acre in Ark. He is such a fine man and has such a nice family. We visited him while were in the valley. One of his sons is a lawyer and other a journalist. I hope this family tree is finished so I can see it before I go. I'm 88 now. Geo III will visit us in Aug. One of the Kreutz granddaughters lives here. She is Lena Hallett's son. Hope this will be of some help. I'll be anxious to hear from you. I'm so glad I saw you in the valley. Send me a copy if you have more names.
Love, Sophia & Arthur
Letter G- Feb 1982 - in response to the question "Who were the 5 mental cases and the one retarded that you mention?"
The 5 mental cases in the Nicklas family tree were:
Vera and Earl Nicklas, children of William and Emma Nicklas
Clarence and Blanche Leaman, children of Albert and Laura Leaman
Dwight E. Werk, son of Seranus and Beatrice Werk. I would rather they did not want his case history.
We have a wonderful cousin living here (Yukon.) Her grandmother was father's sister, Carolyn Kreutz. Lena Hallett's granddaughter lives here. Harold & Sherril Puffett - ch. Steven & Jeri Ann. Lena is daughter of Carolyn Kreutz.
Letter H - Mar 1982
"7 E. Cypress
Yukon, Okla
73099 - Apt. 101
Dear Cousin,
I received your letter. Your question, Aug. Werk's first wife was Lydia VonBerg. She died with T.B. He married her cousin Wilhemina Nicklas (John Nicklas - father's brother John) 2 children from Lydia and 2 from second wife. Hope this clears your problem. I'm so glad you are working on Nicklas Family Tree.
Father did not talk about his parents (John George Nicklas & Anna Catherine Betsch). I got most (of my information) from John Nicklas, Jr. My sister said something once about wishing to know about them. Our cousin Eva Nicklas said, "You would NOT want to KNOW about them." I often wondered WHY? I only know they were first cousins.
Hope this helps. I, too, wish you could visit me. I'm so lonely.
Love, Sophie Driskill.".
Letter J (received 30 Aug 1984)
Mrs. Arthur Driskill
7 E. Cypress, No. 101
Yukon, Oklahoma 73099
Dear Cousin
You will be surprised to hear from me. I have written Helen many times asking for some information about some relatives, but she has never answered.
I'm still working the Nicklas family history. I've been working on it for several years. I have all information now except I need our cousin's wife (Betty Nicklas, her husband was Richard Nicklas. He was only son of Dr. Geo., whose father was Peter Nicklas, Helen's grandfather. Richard has 2 sons. He has been dead many years ago with a blood disease (leukemia). He was a woodwork teacher in a college. He had retired and had a shop of his own in Loveland, Colo. I would like to hear from his wife or boys. Do you think you could help me? Richard Nicklas would be Helen's 1st cousin.
We have a cousin living here, Shirley Puffett. She is such a nice person. She visits me every Sat. Her father was Arthur Hallett. His mother Lena Kreutz and grandparents Geo.Kreutz and Caroline Nicklas, my father's sister. My father's name was William Nicklas. I'm his youngest daughter. There were 7 in our family. I'm youngest and only one living. I'm the only one of close Nicklas family left. I'm 94 years and I'm only one to be able to give this information. I won't be here for too long. I sent you the information you wanted. Have you been able to work on it?
I also need Uncle Peter's wife's maiden name. She was Harriet _____. That is why I'm anxious to get ion touch with Richard Nicklas wife or family.
I always enjoy Phillips Christmas letter. Guess they quit traveling. Wewere with them in the Valley. I was so glad to meet and be with Helen there.
I lost my husband 2 1/2 years ago. I live in an apt. My daughter lives here. Also my husband's 2 sisters. I'm very comfortable.
We have had nice summer. I still garden with help. Lots of flowers & tomatoes.
If you would help me I would be happy.
Love, Sophia
Letter K (mailed 6 Sep 1984
7 E. Cypress
Yukon, Okla
73099 Apt 101
Dear Cousin Dianne
It was good to hear from you. Sorry you could not answer my questions. I only wish Eva Nicklas (b.. 1866) was still here so she could give me this information.
Do you think Helen's sister Dorothy could help me? I know she has fallen and been in a hosp. and lives in a nursing home. We used to write quite often, but she hasn't written for some time. I surely would like to know about Richard Nicklas family.
Congratulations on your new son. My 2 daughters - Ramah Miller 27 May 1913, NormahMiller 23 Jan 1915. They married brothers.
We are having niceweather, some hot days but good rains. I enjoy my garden flowers andvegetables. I get lots of help here or I would have to quit. I enjoy living here in an apartment in Teachers Retirement Home. Everyone so kind and helpful. Would you mind writing Dorothy and see if we can get this information. I just discovered I don't have her new address. Has Philip moved to new location?
Best Wishes, Sophia Driskill
Letter L
11 - 12 - '84
Dear Cousins
We are having delightful autumn weather 70 degrees - no frost so far. I'm still picking roses etc. I finally get Richard Nicklas' address. My granddaughter in Greeley, Colo. looked in phone book in Denver and found Richard's son Theodore. His wife answered. She said Richard and Betty died 1961 & 1977. Richard had 2 sons; Theodore & Richard. Theodore has three children. He is an atty. Richard Jr. not married. I have his address so I'll write for more information. I'm so glad to know His address. Richard Nicklas was Helen's 1st cousin.
Has Phillip & Ezra moved from the valley? I visited them in Kansas.
Time goes so fast. It will soon be Thanksgiving and Christmas. One of my daughters will give us a Thanksgiving dinner. (18) We will all fly to Dallas for Christmas at Ramah's son Dick. (grandson)
I enjoyed Helen and Phillip so much in the Valley.
I know you are enjoying your family in Wis. I have been to Madison several times. My sister lived there.
I have just returned from dinner. Three meals are served here. This is such a nice place for me. I would not live anywhere else, especially since my husband died 2 yrs. ago. Everyone so kind & helpful.
I thought you would enjoy good new.
Love, Cousin Sophia
Letter M
Posmark 24 May 1985
Dear Cousins -
I'm anxious to know if your 14 year old daughter is well again after that car accident. I HOPE she has recovered.
I've been trying to get Uncle Peter's wife's maiden name. No one would help me, so I wrote to the court house and received the information. I'm so happy about it. Uncle Peter was your mother's grandfather, and my father's brother. I had a copy made for you. I wrote again for more information. I know this the right couple because Uncle Peter's middle name was Franklin and his wife has a German name. Guess he was 20 when married. We always called his wife Harriet. One of her middle initials is H. Guess we went by Harriet.
I wrote you I got hold of Richard, Uncle Peter's only child. He and wife Betty have been gone several years. Richard had two sons - Theodore & Richard. Richard never married. Theodore in an Atty and has three children,Annette, Sharon & Robert. Richard wife, Betty Grimes. He lived in Loveland Colo. and now in Arnada, Colo.
Theodore's wife Katherine Stevenson. I've written her twice, but no answer. My granddaughter lives in Colo. She gotthis information for me.
I had a nice letter from Ezra & Phillip.
I'm doing quite well for 94.
Love, Sophia
Letter N (Postmark 11 Jun 1985)
Dear Dianne
I want to thank you for your letter with names. I surely appreciate your help. Only wish some of my other cousins did as well. Two of my cousins have never answered.
Did I send you the copy of Uncle Peter's wedding? It has a lot I can use.
We are having a lot of rain. I have so many flowers, roses, lilies, etc.
I'm sending a picture of my husband and myself. It was taken in 1980. The last picture of my husband. he died Jan. 7, 1982. It is a lonely life without him. He was such a wonderful companion for over 50 yrs. Our 2 girls are such a help and comfort.
I'm anxious to know if your daughter is still improving?
Sorry to hear about Helen's broken ankle.
You are the only cousin who seems interested in the Nicklas family history. I'm so glad you are so helpful.
It sounds like you have a nice family. I hope you both enjoy them.
Love, Sophia
P.S. I'll send a copy of Peter's wedding if I have not sent it.
Letter P (Jun 1985)
Dear Cousins -
I always enjoy your letters. Sorry your daughter is still in hospital but thankful she is making some improvements. Hope she will continue. I'm mailing a copy of Peter Nicklas marriage. I wrote to many for Aunt Harriet's maiden name but no luck so I told you I wrote to his court house and got RESULTS! Uncle Peter was my father William's oldest brother. I tried to get his wife's name. Uncle Peter & Aunt Harriet had three children. Dr. Geo. married Carrie Straw. (His) son (had) grandson Richard. Evelyn (single), and Ade - Wesley White. She had 4 children, Wilbur (died T.B. in south, Dorothy (single) and Helen with 2 children; Paul & Diana, Lois - Tony ? (need children's names)
I had a hard time getting Richard's address. My granddaughter in Greeley got Richards & Theodore son's wife - Katherine Stevenson. They have 3 children; Annette J., Sharon L., Robert W. Richard's other son, Richard, (single) lives in Ft. Collins, Colo.
I had a nice letter from Phillip & Ezra. Her maiden name was Ezra Grimes. They have 2 adopted children - Dorothy Nell Wilson (Calif) Bruce - Brownsville, Texas.
Hope this information will be helpful. Aunt Harriet was born out of wedlock. I see she took her mother's name. She was a goose herder in Germany, a good job.
This is a rainy day (4 in)
Hope this is very helpful. Sorry about Helen's ankle accident.
Love, Sophia
Note Q
Some Nicklaus Characteristics:
tall and slender
slow
religious
neat
stingy with money
queer in some ways
stomach trouble
curvature of the spine
Also senile
Many teachers and doctors
not talkative
Poor business people
Some queer acts:
Grandma had 200 in slipper for missions when died.
Did not put money in bank.
Uncle John afraid to ride on train.
Sad in family
2 suicides
5 mental cases
1 retarded
4 T.B.".5Census, Federal - 1880 - Grant Co, WI, Smelser, Ancestry p. 23 of 26. "Line 1
Nicholes, Peter age 45 Farmer b. Penn f.b. Hesse Darmstadt m. b. Hesse Darmstadt
Dorothy 39 wife Hanover Hanover Hanover
George L. 17 son - works on farm WI PA "
Evlina 13 dau " " "
Anna 8 dau " " "."6Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19. "Census, Federal - 1900 - Jo Daviess Co., Illinois, Rush Twsp, ED 41, Ancestry p. 14 of 19.
"line 84 dwelling house # 151 family # 182
White, Wesley, head 36 occupation farmer
White, Addie wife 27
White, Wilbur son 8/12 (should be 3/12)
line 87 dwelling #151 family # 183
Nicklas, Peter head 65 occupation retired
Nicklas, Dorthea wife 58
Nicklas, Evilina dau 33."."7Census, Federal - 1910 - Grant Co., Wisconsin, Plattville, ward 3, Ancestry p. 12 of 20, 21 Apr 1910. "Line 99 - 520 Division Street - dwelling # 146, family # 154
Nicklas, Doratha age 68 birthed 4 children, 2 still living - occupation house keeping
Eva 43 dressmaker working on own account."8Census, Federal - 1870 - Grant Co., Wisconsin, Smelser, Ancestry p. 12 of 33. "Line 26
Nicholas, Peter B. age 36 Farmer personal estate $400 b. Penn.
Dorothy 28 Keeping House Hanover
George 8 at home WI
Lena 4 " WI."9Census, Federal - 1920 - Grant Co, WI, Platteville, Sheet 5B; Ancestry p. 10 of36. "Line 62
Nicklas, Dorothy Head own free age 78 widow Imm: 1855 GER GER GER
Evaline Dau 55 S WI PA GER OCC: Dressmaker - at home - wages."10Census, Federal - 1930 - Grant, WI, Platteville, Sheet 3B; Ancestry p. 6 of 13, 22 Apr 1930. "Line 52 436 Division St.
Nicklas, Evalyne Head own value $3000 no radio Single age 63 WI PA GER Occ: None."11Census, Federal - 1880 - Grant Co, WI, Smelser, Ancestry p. 24.
12Eva Nicklas Baptismal Certificate, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. The certificate is the original, written in German. It is signed by Johann Spicker "Pastor der Hazelgreen Gemeinde.".
13Eva Nicklas Baptismal Certificate.
14Driskill, Sophie - Letters.
1Census, Federal - 1920 - Chesterfield Co., VA, twnsp of Midlothian - ED# 17, sheet 12, Sheet 12 A & B; Ancestry p. 23 & 24 of 26. "line 49
White, Wesley W head own mort age 55 yrs IL IL Isle of Mann, Eng General Farmer
Anne A. wife 47 WI Pa Germany
Wilbur L. son 19 IL IL WI
Dorothy E dau 18 same Artist working for wage at painting and
Ingraving shop
Philip L. son 16 "
Helen F. dau 13 "."2Dianne Z. Stevens, White Family History, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711. Based on various conversation with Helen White and others during the 1970's.
3Census, Federal - 1910 - Chesterfield Co., Virginia, Midlothian, ED # 12, Ancestry p. 13 of 24. "line 33; Dwelling # 145, Family # 145
White, Wesley age 44 married 11 yrs - Farmer
Adalaid 37 11 4 children born 4 children living
Wilber 10
Dorothy 8
Philip 7
Helen 4."4Census, Federal - 1930 - Dona Ana Co., New Mexico, La Mesa, ED # 13, Ancestry p. 8 of 36. "Line 79; dwelling # 73; Family # 75
White, Wesley W. - home is owned, value $350 65 yrs old - age at 1st marriage 34 - Farmer
Addie 57 26
Philipp 26 - Farm Laborer
Dorothy 28 - *Stenographer at a furniture store
Helen 24 - Public school Teacher
*Dorothy indicates she has been unemployed for 3 months."5Ancestry.com, Texas birth index. "Love" as Philips middle name comes from entries on this index for his two children.
1White, Ezra-Personality Profile from Llano Grande Lake Park newsletter 1/5/1979, White, Personal files of Dianne Z. Stevens, 1301 Reetz Road, Madison, WI 53711.
2Ancestry.com, Texas birth Index, 1903 - 1997.
1Census, Federal - 1880 - Rock Co., WI, Village of Orfordville (ED # 198), p. 11, 5 Jun 1880. "Dwelling # 82 Household # 82
Minard, Amos age 69 Farmer VT VT VT
Abigail 60 wife NH NH NH
Stevens, Chas 48 Farm Laborer cannot read or write Nova Scotia NS NS
Catherine 44 wife NS NS NS
Ina 11 dau attends school NS NS NS
Edmond 9 son attends school NS NS NS
Annie 7 dau attends school NS NS NS
Charles and Catherine's son Addison, 14, is living on the nextdoor farm of B F Gifford as a "hired boy"."2Census, Federal - 1900 - Green Co., WI, Spring Grove Twsp, ED # 129, sheet # 10, 20 Jun 1900. "Line 12 Dwelling # 201 Family # 209
Stevens, Charles b. JUL 1831 age 68 m 37 yrs Can/Eng Can/Eng Can/Eng imm: 1878 inUS 22yrs Na Farmer Own
Catherine Mar 1837 63 all same as above 8 ch b./ 7 living
Maud E. Jul 1880 19 S WI Can/Eng can/Eng."3Census, Federal - 1910 - Green Co., WI, Spring Grove Twsp , 6B, 4/5 May 1910, Image #1129; Roll T624_1704. "Line 2 Dwelling # 146 Family # 146
Stevens, Charles head age 78 m1 for 58 yrs Can/Eng Can/Eng Can/Eng imm: 1880 na occ: farmer cannot read or write
Catherine wife 72 m2 58 Can/Fr Can/Fr Can/Fr 6/89 8 ch b/6 living can read & write."4Census, Federal - 1920 - Green Co., WI, Brodhead, ED # 130, p. 29, 23 Jan 1920, Image 162, Roll T625_1986. "Line 36 Smith St. Dwelling # 214 Family # 214
Lange, Alice head owns free age 60 wd NS/Eng NS/Eng NS/Eng occ: none
Stevens, Katherine mother 84 wd NS/Eng NS/Eng NS/Eng none." This "Katherine" is Charles' widow.5Census, Nova Scotia - 1871 - Colchester County, Upper Londonderry 25, GenWeb Nova Scotia - http//nsgna.ednet.ns.ca/, Per Colchester Historical Society website. "Upper Londonderry Family # 25
Stevens, Mary age 58
Charles 39 - Farmer
Addison 5
Catherine 34
Jennie 2
Calvin 4."6Kathryn Blanchard to Dianne Stevens - Letter II - about 1973. "Kathryn Blanchard to Dianne Stevens
Letter II
about 1973
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Derrick Stevens
1005 N. Buchanon Sts.
Jerome, Idaho 83338
The clipping regarding my father's death told all I know about the birthplace of him and his parents.
I do not have their death dates. Mother did not have a record of the Stevens' family except for our own immediate family.
My grandparents, (Charles and Catherine Stevens) when I was a small girl, lived south of Brodhead east of the bridge across the road from the present school building.
Later they came to Brodhead and lived with Aunt Alice Oliver until Grandpa died. Aunt Alice was their oldest child - not a Stevens. Harry and Alice Long still live in the house. The house is just west of the high school - then High School.
After Aunt Alice died Grandma went to live with Aunt Ina Dedrick in the south part of town. She died there. Both grandparents died while I was teaching in Lodi. I came home for Grandpa's funeral but not Grandma's. The snow was deep and I did not drive a car so I had to come on the treain to Janrsville then out to Footville by car or through Hanover to one station then across to the other - about a mile walk.
I'm sure Paul will remember going to Brodhead with his parents to visit Aunt Ina and Uncle Lennie in a house on the south side. Aunt Ina died there but Uncle Lennie lived in a very pleasant nursing home near the Methodist church.
When I take a look through some of the pictures I have filed away in envelopes I may find some you may like to have. I think mother sent the photograph you have mentioned to the brothers and sisters who were still living.
Hope you have a pleasant trip to Seattle. Would your parents come to Madison to live? You do have an interesting kite project. Lucky two staid in the house or can't you use them again.
Hope Dawne continues with her violin. It is nice to do something like that as one grows up.
Your great g. f. must be an old man!
Love to all- I hope I have about answered all -
It is nice to have a garden.".7Charles Stevens death certificate, State of Wisconsin - Dept of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1 West Wilson St, P O Box 309, Madison, Wi 53701 - 0309. "State of Wisconsin
Dept of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics
Original Certificate of Death
Registered No. 15
Green County
City of Brodhead
full name of Deceased: Chas. Stevens
Personal and Statistical Particulars.
Male
White
dob: July 16, 1829
age: 88 yrs. 1 Mo. 10 days
married
born: Nova Scotia
father: Wm. Stevens
birthplace of father: Nova Scotia
maiden name of mother: Anna Higgins
birthplace of mother: Nova Scotia
The above personal particulars are true to the best of my knowledge and belief
signed: Mrs Wm Leng (Alice Tattrie)
Filed: Sept 5, 1917 J Sutherland, M.D., local Registrar
Medical Certificate of Death
date of death: Aug 26th 1917
I hereby certify, That I attended the deceased from
Aug 25, 1917 to Aug 26, 1917
That I last saw him alive on Aug 25th 1917
and that death occurred on the date stated above at 12 midnight.
The cause of death was as follows:
Senile Debility
Signed: S W Forbush
Aug 29, 1917, Orfordville, Wis.
Place of burial - Greenwood Cemetery
Date of burial: Aug 28, 1917
Undertaker: Chas. W. Fuller, Brodhead. WI.".8Jane (Currie) Wile of GeneJane's Homepage, email 11 Apr 2009. "Lake Road is referring to the road the runs between Tatamagouche and Mattatall Lake - look at the old Colchester Map on my site and locate MILLBURN in the top part of the map - Lake Road runs through it. This is the area that Charles wife Catherine was from so it is possible she was staying with her parents when Edmund was born.
Lake Mills is most likely the western end of Lake Road - there were a number of mills operating on Lake Stream that runs just north of Millburn - this can also been seen on the map. There are a number of "J. Patriquins" living there and one of these would be Catherines father John Patriquin... there are also a couple of "J.Tattrie" and one of these could be Catherine's first husband John Tattrie. These maps were printed in the early 1870's, but the data would have been gathered in the years before this.
I searched the map but could not locate a house for Charles Stevens, however in the 1871 census his name appears as a near neighbor of folks living at Folly River... this is an area just north of Folly (Fawleigh) Village."9Charles Stevens death certificate.
10Charles Stevens Obituary, Brodhead Independent-Register, August 29, 1917, Wisconsin State Historical Society, 816 State St, Madison, WI 53706. ""Mr. Charles Stevens, aged eighty-eight years, a former resident of Clarence, died at the home of Mrs. William Leng in Spring Valley on Sunday, following a lingering illness. Funeral services were held on Tuesday of this week at the home of Mrs. Leng, conducted by the Reverend Walter Trench Scott. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.".".
11Charles Stevens death certificate.
12Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch.com, Batch # 8428291, sheet 10, Source Call No.: 1395875.