This week we have several queries.
• “I am looking for the parents of James Kellogg Polk Fox and his sister Sarah Jane Fox. Sarah was born in Clay County, Indiana, May 29, 1822. They moved to Iowa in about 1846. The parents and siblings of James P. Fox and Sarah Jane Fox may have continued to live in the area near Brazil, Clay County, Indiana. It is possible that the family migrated down from Ohio before 1822. We know that James P. Fox bought land from his father-in-law George Wills on Feb., 15, 1845. Any help is appreciated. James P. Fox has several thousand known descendants. Thank you for any help.” Randy H. Hesser at email rhesser@mosquitonet.com.
• “Several of my ancestors moved to Putnam County, Indiana, from Kentucky and Tennessee. The time period was from shortly before 1830 to 1840. Some then left the area by 1850, while other members did stay in Putnam County. I would like to contact others working on the following families: Buis, Dobbs, Parker, Hurst, and Cuzick. Thank you.” Carolyn Kent at krazymix@aol.com.
• “I am seeking information on Brown Wilson, his family, and ancestors. Would like to find the name of his parents. Brown Wilson lived in Edgar County, Illinois, from about 1830 to the end of his life. He was born in 1786, probably in Pennsylvania. He was married to Susannah Blackburn in Clark County, Indiana, in 1815. It is very likely that his family lived in Kentucky around the years 1817-1820 based on the fact that two of his children were born there during this time. He died in 1872 in Paris, Edgar County, and is buried in the Edgar Cemetery. His will lists five children as heirs: James Wilson, Sarah B. Janney, Caroline Chapman, Joseph A. Wilson, and Robert Blackburn Wilson. It is most likely that my Brown Wilson is related to one of the following four family groups: 1) The family of Thomas Wilson and Nancy. This family had settled in Edgar County by 1821, a few years before Brown Wilson appeared in Edgar County records. They lived very close to Brown Wilson. Thomas Wilson’s son, J. Reason Wilson, bought land adjacent to Brown’s land just a year before Brown’s purchase. J. Reason Wilson had several Wilson siblings who settled or married in early Edgar County, including Greenup Wilson and Sarah Wilson. In 1839, Thomas Wilson died in Edgar County. His wife, Nancy, died in Edgar County in 1852. Thomas also owned 160 acres at Big Creek, near Marshall in Clark County, Illinois. 2) The family of John Wilson (born 1790 Scott County, Kentucky) and Margaret Newcomb (born 1853 Nicholas County, Kentucky). According to the Newcomb Family History, they are the parents of the other prominent Wilson family group in early Edgar County, many of whom lived near Brown Wilson in Hunter Township; namely, William, Elizabeth, Catharine, Isaac O., Robert T., John M., and Mary Jane. 3) The Wilsons of Menallen Quaker Meeting and Warrington Meeting of York County, Pennsylvania. Brown Wilson’s first wife, Susannah Blackburn, descended from Pennsylvania Quakers from Menallen and several of her close ancestors married Wilsons. Brown Wilson joined the Presbyterian Church only after his second marriage to Mary Somerville; before this it is quite possible he himself was a Quaker. 4) The Wilsons of Quaker Hopewell, Berkeley, and Winchester Meetings of Virginia/West Virginia/Maryland. Brown Wilson’s daughter Sarah B. Wilson married William S. Janney, a Quaker with roots in these Virginia-area Quaker communities. Numerous Wilsons appear alongside Janneys in these Quaker records. Any help would be appreciated!” Please contact Robert Torell at email robertorell@gmail.com.
History
GENEALOGY: Help sought on Fox, Buis, Dobbs, Parker, Hurst, Cuzick, Wilson
- History
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GENEALOGY: Library archives contain tons of information
Inside the archives room of the Vigo County Public Library, row after row of fragile documents, rare out-of-print books, and historic photographs are kept on shelves in a humidity and temperature-controlled room.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Historic efforts to open Center Street from Cherry to Swan
Efforts to open Center Street, from Cherry to Swan, spanned a half century or more.
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LOOKING BACK: 2002 — Valley drenched in wettest spring in 107 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star. -
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Some history wreathed in hair
From the unfortunate occurrence of Prince Albert’s death in 1861 came the social mores of proper mourning practices and accoutrements witnessed and endorsed by the admirers of Queen Victoria in her reign-long state of grieving.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: League of Women Voters reorganizes
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Here comes the bride
The newest major exhibit at the Historical Museum, which opens Tuesday, showcases wedding gowns worn by Vigo County residents.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Downtown changes featured in early 1927
During March and April of 1927 – about 85 years ago – the owners of interests in four major downtown Terre Haute theaters were negotiating to transfer their interests to representatives of Paramount Studios.
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GENEALOGY: Genealogy isn’t for the easily embarrassed
The saying goes, if you’re easily embarrassed or afraid of what you’ll find, don’t start doing genealogy.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The long, lost, last — the 27th —Amendment
Our very last constitutional amendment — the 27th Amendment — was ratified this week (May 7) in 1992 when Michigan became the 38th state to approve it.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The Haymarket Square Massacre
One unhappy byproduct of the Industrial Age was the growing discontent of its industrial workers, who constantly agitated for better pay and more humane working conditions.
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: Stands packed as Wiley takes county track title
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and the Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Death of Terre Haute jeweler gains national headlines
Terre Haute sought national publicity in 1910 through “Boosterism,” lauding the city’s significant advancements during the decade ending Dec. 31, 1909.
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GENEALOGY: Cemetery Committee to conduct restoration workshop
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society’s Cemetery Committee will conduct an all-day cemetery restoration workshop on Saturday at the Smith Cemetery near Youngstown, Honey Creek Township, Vigo County, Ind.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Harmonious history
In 1923, a group of singers calling themselves the Harmony Four entertained regularly over the radio and at civic and various club events.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: Cleveland observes Lincoln’s funeral
The death of America’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, resulted in an outpouring of national mourning, the apex of which came in late April of 1865 when a specially outfitted train carried his body on a thirteen-day, 1,700-mile, eleven-city funeral procession from Washington, D.C., to his home and final resting place in Springfield, Ill.
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GENEALOGY: Many people can trace ancestry to Titanic
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, which occurred on April 14-15, 1912.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: ISU bowling team at nationals again
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Sullivan County mine explosion kills 8 in 1878
Shortly after 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, 1878, an enormous explosion rocked the Handford Brothers mine about one-half mile north of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad depot in Sullivan County.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: A common feature, but memorable
As an absolute architecture nerd, I tend to look at buildings noticing the odd ball things such as door hinges and door locks in addition to admiring the overall building.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSONS: MLK’s letter written from a jail cell in Birmingham
This week (April 16) in 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. sat in a jail cell in Birmingham, Ala., having been arrested for violating a trumped-up court order that prohibited him and his followers from conducting various protest activities, most of which you can read about in the First Amendment.
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: Swope celebrates 20th anniversary
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: 1955 Babe Ruth League championship team to be feted
Currently in his 25th year as a college baseball coach, Rick Heller is in the midst of his third winning season at Indiana State and has embraced the university and the community.
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GENEALOGY: Long-awaited 1940 census is now available for the public
The long-awaited release of the 1940 census took place on April 2.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Memories baked from scratch
On my Historical Treasure hunt, I was drawn to a pasteboard barrel 28 inches high and 18.5 inches across with the words “Calumet Baking Powder Bakes Best, Received Highest Award” on one side and “Calumet Baking Powder Always Pleases, Try It” on the other.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: Thomas Jefferson's flights of fancy
Thomas Jefferson, born this week (April 13) in 1743, is — deservedly so — in the pantheon of American heroes.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: J.K. Emmet’s first appearance at the Terre Haute Opera House
The first season of the magnificent Terre Haute Opera House, which featured many of the world’s premier celebrities, was a resounding success.
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GENEALOGY: Black Death had a monumental effect on world
One event in the past had a monumental effect on our ancestors, indeed determining who they would be. This was the advent and spread of bubonic plague, the Black Death. The plague originated in China in 1333. It was caused by a bacterium in fleas, which were carried by rats. The plague spread out of China via trading routes with the West (the Silk Road) and especially on ships, which carried flea-infested rats and provided a closed environment for people to infect each other.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: 'Banana king' opens Farmer's Market
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Hunting for sugary Easter treats
Among the many varieties of the Easter egg, none is more charming than the panoramic Sugar Egg. Three were recently given to the Vigo County Historical Museum by Judy Lowe and are shown in an Easter-themed display case in the entry hall.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSONS: 1820s: The power of the postmaster general
John McLean, who died this week (April 4) in 1861, was — by his early 40s — one of the most important people in America. In fact, he oversaw what was, in the 1820s, the federal government’s largest, most extensive and arguably most important responsibility.
- More History Headlines
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GENEALOGY: Library archives contain tons of information
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