Alice Pyburn

The autograph book of
Lovina Jane Record Carson

Alice Pyburn's entry in Lovina's autograph book.

Alice Pyburn was born in Missouri, the daughter of A. J. Pyburn and Agnes Pyburn.  In 1870, the Pyburn family was living in Polk, Taylor County, Iowa where Alice's father was listed as a grocer on the 1870 US Census.  By 1875, the Kansas State Census shows the family living in Winfield, Cowley County, KS, where Alice's father was listed as an attorney.   By 1885, the Pyburn family had moved to Arkansas City, Cowley County, KS. After that, I lose track of Alice.

I did find a reference to Alice's father in the June 16, 1881 Winfield Courier.  A. J. Pyburn was one of many who contributed $2.00 to a relief effort for the victims of the Floral Cyclone which had struck the previous Sunday.

Laurilla M. Record Bernard Groom

The autograph book of
Lovina Jane Record Carson

Laurilla M. Record Barnard Groom was an older sister of Lovina Jane Record Carson, my great great grandmother.  Laurilla was born 24 May 1844 in Rensselaer County, NY, to John A. W. Record and Esther B. Hakes Record.  (Source: the Bible of Esther Hakes Record Reed)  


On 4 Sep 1858, Laurilla married Andrew Bernard (I've also seen it spelled "Barnard") in Peoria County, IL.  They were married by John C. Folliott, Justice of the Peace. (Source: State of Illinois, Peoria County certificate signed by R. Steve Sonnemaker, Peoria County clerk, obtained 2008 through http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/) I have not been able to find out much about Andrew Bernard except that on one genealogy query board, he was referred to as "the Frenchman."  The 1880 US Census taken in Cowley County, Kansas shows that Laurilla or her second husband, William Groom, told the census taker that William Bernard's father Andrew (William was Laurilla's son with Andrew Bernard) had been born in Frances. Then on the 1900 United States Census for William, a son of Andrew and Laurilla's, Andrew is listed as being born in Canada with an "Fr" out to the side.  In the 1910 and 1920 US Censuses for Andrew's son, William, Andrew's birthplace is listed as "France," but by the 1930 US Census, William has listed his father Andrew's birthplace as being New York.  So who knows?


Laurilla and Andrew had three children, Adella Bernard, born 1860 in Illinois; William Bernard born July 1861 in Illinois; and Julia Bernard, born in 1863 in Illinois.  Laurilla's husband, Andrew, passed away sometime between 1863 and 1870 because the 9  Jun 1870 US Census taken in Peoria County, Illinois, shows Laurilla living with her second husband, William Groom.  By the 1875 Kansas State Census, Laurilla and William Groom, along with Laurilla's three children from Andrew Bernard and her first child, Carrie, with her second husband William Groom have moved to Richland Township, Cowley County, KS, and were farming according to census reports.  This is also where Laurilla's younger sister, my great great grandmother, Lovina Jane Record Carson, was living with her husband Thomas Riley Carson.


Laurilla had two more children with William Groom in Kansas: Harriet and Stella.


Laurilla's second husband, William Groom, passed away on 8 Mar 1892 at Wilmot, Cowley County, KS.  He is buried at Floral Cemetery, Cowley County, KS.  A picture of William Groom, passed down to me by my late paternal grandmother, appears below.  A picture of William's and Laurilla's headstone is beneath the picture.  The headstone picture was taken by me on an October 2007 visit to Cowley County, KS. (A very interesting account of the Groom family of Cowley County, KS appears at http://www.eccchistory.org/groom.htm.  William Groom is mentioned but it is mainly about one of William's brothers, Samuel Dabney Groom and his descendants.  It is well done and there are identified pictures.)


The 1895 Kansas State Census shows that Laurilla and her  mother Esther B. Hakes Record Reed are living together in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS.  The 1900 US Census shows Laurilla working as a nurse, still living in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS.  Her mother, Esther B. Hakes Record Reed, and Laurilla's grandson, Harley Hiday, are living with her.  Harley was the child of Laurilla's and Andrew Bernard's daughter, Adella, who had married Ransom Hiday.


The 1905 Kansas State Census shows that Laurilla had moved to Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas.  Living with her are a woman, 26 year old "E. R. Groom" and Laurilla's grandson Harley Hiday.  Laurilla's mother, Esther B. Hakes Record Reed, is not listed as living with Laurilla even though Esther did not die until April 1905.  The 1905 Kansas State Census says that it lists all people living at a residence as of the first day of March 1905.


In 1910 Laurilla is living on East 9th Avenue in Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas.  Living with her are her daughter Stella Groom Crowe, Stella's husband, Ruben Crowe, who works as a house painter, and Laurilla's grandson, Harley Hiday, Adella Bernard Hiday's son.  (I have not been able to locate Adella or Ransom Hiday on any census reports after 1900 and I'm beginning to wonder if they had passed away within a short time of each other.  This is just speculation.)


Laurilla will not appear on any more census reports because she passed away in 1914.  She died 27 Apr 1914 in Winfield, KS.  (Source: cemetery visit made in 2007 by this blog's author.)


(Laurilla's grandson, Harley, born in 1890 passed away in 1917 and is buried at Graham Cemetery, Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas.  A picture of his headstone can be viewed at www.findagrave.com.  He was a member of Air Service Sig. Corps, U.S.A.)  


I do not have a picture of Laurilla M. Record Bernard Groom, but I do have a picture of one of her granddaughters.  This picture was given to me by my father through his mother. Clara Bernard was a granddaughter of Laurilla's and Andrew Bernard, through their son, William Bernard.

William Groom, the second husband
of Laurilla Record Bernard Groom.

Clara Bernard, a granddaughter of
Laurilla M. Record Bernard Groom.

The headstone for Laurilla M. Record Bernard Groom
and her husband William Groom.  They are buried at
Floral Cemetery, Cowley County, KS
This picture was taken by me in Oct 2007 and also
appears on www.findagrave.com.

Thomas D. Givler and Sarah Givler

The autograph book of
Lovina Jane Record Carson

The following is what I learned about Thomas D. Givler and his wife Sarah Givler.  They signed the autograph book of my great great grandmother, Lovina Jane Record Carson.


By 1 Mar 1875, Thomas D. Givler and his wife Sarah are living in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS, according to the 1875 Kansas State Census. Thomas was born in Ohio and his wife was born in 1848 Pennsylvania. Mr. Givler is a farmer. 


Thomas D. Givler was the son of David Givler and his wife Mary J. ?. He was 10 years old when the 1860 Federal census was taken. He, his siblings and parents were living in Decatur Ward 1, Macon County, IL on 4 Jun 1860. Thomas’s father is listed as a merchant with $2,000 in real estate and $1,500 in personal property. Both of Thomas’s parents were born in Pennsylvania. 


Sarah Givler’s maiden name was Larkin as evidenced by the 1880 US Federal Census. In that census N. J. Larkin is living with the Givlers in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS. Mr. Larkin is 61 and is listed as father-in-law of the head of the household, Thomas D. Givler. Mr. Larkin was born in New York State. Mr. Larkin also signed Lovina Jane Record Carson’s autograph book.  He will be discussed in more detail in a separate posting.  


The 1880 US Census shows the Givlers as having two daughters, Nellie and Amie. Thomas Givler is a farmer as is Mr. Larkin. In 1900 the Givlers have their daughters Nellie, age 27, and May, age 23, living with them. Nelson J. Larkin is still living with them at the age of 81. He is listed as widowed and his occupation is a fruit grower. Their daughter, May, is listed as a teacher.



The 1920 US Federal Census, taken 12 Jan 1920 by George A. Wilson shows Thomas D. Givler, age 70, and his wife Sarah, age 71, living in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS.


Sarah Larkin Givler, aged 82, outlived her husband and her friend, Lovina Jane Record Carson, as evidenced by her appearance on the 1930 US Census, taken 16 Apr 1930, in Windsor Township, Cowley County, KS. 


Husband Thomas Givler passed away in 1929.  His headstone can be view at http://www.findagrave.com/   Sarah is living with her daughter May Givler Brown and her husband Henry E. Brown and her grandson Thomas.  Sarah Givler died in 1936 and is buried in Wilmot Cemetery, Cowley County, KS.  Her headstone can be viewed at http://www.findagrave.com/


According to a plat map of Richland Township, Cowley County, KS, dated from 16 Feb 1891 to 12 Dec 1894, provided by my late great aunt, the farm of Thomas Givler covered three quarters of a section of land. His father-in-law, Nelson J. Larkin, owned the southwest quarter of that section. The Givler family lived just south of Lovina Jane Record Carson and Thomas Riley Carson.

Susan E. Crank

The autograph book of
Lovina Jane Record Carson

When I first saw this entry in in my great great grandmother's autograph book, I thought it was an entry made by a man, "S. E. Crank."


S. E. Crank, (Susan E. Crank) Wilmot KS, 2 May 1880.   According to the 1880 US Federal Census, taken 12 Jun 1880, S. E. Crank was the 30 year old niece of 43 year old John Groom.  She is listed as housekeeper on the census. They are living in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS. 


S. E. Crank was born in August 1849 in Missouri; her parents were born in Virginia. According to the 1850 US Census, S. E.’s father’s name was Richardson Crank; her mother’s name was Catherine. Catherine was the older sister of John Groom and William Groom, who was the second husband of Laurilla Record Barnard Groom, the sister of Lovina Jane Record Carson. Her uncle, John Groom, was born in Virginia. His occupation is listed as farmer. 


In the 1885 Kansas State Census, S. E. Crank and her uncle, John Groom are still living in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS. The 1895 Kansas State Census shows that she was still living with her uncle John Groom and keeping house in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS.  In 1900, Susan E. Crank is listed as a farmer in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS.  Living with her is her 30  year old nephew, James F. Crank.  James was born in Illinois. 


By 1 Mar 1905, 55 year old S. E. Crank owned a home in Winfield, KS. Two 24 year old people were living with her by the names of Mamie Booth and A. D. Stuber (male.)  I have not been able to locate any more information about Susan E. Crank after the 1905 Kansas State Census.

"Did you ever remember seeing an airplane?"

This is an excerpt of an interview my father did with his mother in the early 1980s.  My grandmother was born in 1900 and was raised near Wilmot and Grand Summit, Cowley County, Kansas.


“CLT:  Did you ever remember seeing an airplane?


PBHT:  Yes, I remember an airplane that landed in the meadow south of the house and that was quite a curiosity.  I don’t remember whether he had airplane trouble or why he landed there.  I just remember seeing him land and, of course, it wasn’t too long before he had a group of sightseers around him.  I didn’t go down there because I was just a little ole kid.


CLT:  Did Grandpa say (ALH) say anything about it?


PBHT:  Well, he went down there.  He went down to see what was going on, but I don’t recall what happened or why he (the pilot) landed his plane.  It’s a wonder he ever landed it because that was rough ground.


CLT:  It did have some gullies down in through there.


PBHT:  Yes.  That’s the first airplane I can remember.  Very few airplanes flew over that part of the country.  That was such wide open spaces out there.”

* * * * * * * * * *

When I think of my ancestors I think of them growing up in black and white or sepia tones, but, of course, I know that isn’t true which brings me to this little piece.  All the pictures in the film are real, either taken by me or in my possession, it’s just how they are used that is the fiction.

Airplanes were a curiosity at the turn of the 20th century.  Birds and kites, and maybe the occasional hot air balloon were the only things that were flying high in the sky during that time.  Now we are accustomed to satellites, airplanes, jets, helicopters and space shuttles leaving earth’s surface.  In fact we are so accustomed to flying that I will always remember the eerie quiet that filled the skies in the three days following Sep. 11, 2001. 

Old photographs have been passed down to me from both sides of my family tree.  The lightning shots and single shot of an airport (ca 1916) were taken by my maternal grandfather while he lived in Omaha, Nebraska.  He dearly loved his camera.

The picture of the group of people standing around an airplane in a pasture is from my paternal side of the family tree.  The picture includes my great grandfather.  This picture was taken close to Grand Summit, Cowley County, KS.  The house shot is of my great grandfather’s house in Grand Summit.   

The motion shots were filmed by me in the 21st century in Oklahoma.  The strange light photographs are actually of the moon and Venus taken by me last year (2009).  I didn’t realize I had my camera on an incorrect setting, but I liked the outcome anyway!

The song, “Come Take a Trip in my Airship” by J. W. Myers was recorded on a wax cylinder in 1904.  It is in the public domain and can be found at www.archive.org.

Airplanes overhead were so rare between 1900 and 1920 that a sighting of one would be written about in newspapers. The article clip is from the July 2, 1919 Emporia Gazette which can be found at www.genealogybank.com.   In full, it reads:

“Airplane Flew Over Emporia.  An airplane flew over town about 8 o’clock yesterday evening.  It came from the east and was seen over Melvern before it came to Emporia, according to Santa Fe officials.  The pilot flew near the ground while he went over Emporia but did not stop.”

When researching my family tree, I actively try to imagine what it must have been like for my ancestors when they walked this earth.  This little film is a result of my imagining.

S. W. PHOENIX and AMELIA PHOENIX

The autograph book of
Lovina Jane Record Carson

 

According to a copy of the plat map of Richland Township, Cowley County, KS, dated from 16 Feb 1891 to 12 Dec 1894, provided to me by my late great aunt, there is a Phoenix Ins. Company in the Town of Floral, Richland Township, Cowley County, KS. The Phoenix family also owns ½ of the southwest quarter of Section 8 of Richland Township, Cowley County, KS. The railroad runs through their property.


The 1875 Kansas state census shows S. W. Phoenix, his wife Amelia and son Mark residing in Richland Township, Cowley County, KS. One of the questions on that particular census was from where did the residents migrate. The Phoenixes had moved to Kansas from the state of Michigan. 


The 1880 US federal census shows S. W. Phoenix and his wife, Amelia, living in Richland, Cowley County, KS. Mr. Phoenix was born 16 Jul 1836 in Pennsylvania. The census indicates that S. W. Phoenix said that his father was born in Ireland; S. W. Phoenix’s mother was born in Pennsylvania. He and his 45 year old wife Amelia have an 11 year old son Mark, born in Michigan 1 Jul 1869 (www.findagrave.com) 


(Living next to the Phoenix family are William M. Miller and Arrena Howell Miller who were the parents of Julia Ann Miller Holt, the mother of Alfred Lewis Holt who became the husband of Harriet Esther Carson, the daughter of Thomas R. Carson and Lovina Jane Record Carson who owned the autograph book. According to the plat map of Richland Township, Cowley County, KS, dated from 16 Feb 1891 to 12 Dec 1894, provided to me by my late great aunt, this information is correct. The Phoenixes owned 160 acres of Section 34, Richland Township west of the Millers.  Bleu) 


An 1888 picture of Mark Phoenix can be seen at www.eccchistory.org/wilmot.htm.  He was member of The Pickwick Club of Wilmot, KS.  He is standing on the back row, second from left.  His wife, Clara Stephens Phoenix, born 21 Jan 1866, is standing to the right of Mark.

Also living with the Phoenixes are 22 year old William Yandiwalker, born in Michigan, and 21 year old Evelyn Yandiwalker, born in Indiana. William is a hired hand and Evelyn is a servant living with the Phoenixes.

According to the 1850 census 2 year old S. W. Phoenix lived in Waterford Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania with his parents Aaron and Nancy (Skinner) Phoenix. On 4 Jan 1877, the Winfield Courier noted that “jolly Sam Phoenix” had been elected Master of the Floral Grange. According to the Winfield Courier, dated 1 Nov 1877, S. W. Phoenix acted as secretary for the Republican committee of Richland Township.

Mrs. Amelia Phoenix was in the choir as of 1 Apr 1877, according to the Winfield Courier. 9 Aug 1878, S. W. Phoenix threshed wheat with a Westinghouse Vibrator. The Vibrator needed a team of 10 horses to run it. The 1885 Kansas State census shows the Phoenixes still residing in Richland township, Cowley County, KS. They have 3 children. 

The Phoenix family moves from Cowley County, Kansas, sometime between 1885 and 1900.  The 1900 US census shows S. W. Phoenix and Amelia Phoenix living with their son Mark and his family in Surface Creek, Delta County, CO. By 1910, Samuel W. Phoenix is dead, having passed away 13 Jan 1907 (www.findagrave.com).  His wife Amelia lives with their son Mark, who is also now widowed, and is living with his young son and two daughters, and a boarder by the name of William Austin.  (1910 US Census) Mark’s wife, Clara Stephens Phoenix, died 13 May 1909. (www.findagrave.com)

Amelia passed away 14 Apr 1918 and is buried in Cory Cemetery, Delta County, CO.  A picture of her headstone appears on www.findagrave.com.  Mark Phoenix is buried there also, passing away on 15 Sep 1958.

EMMA GROOM, daughter of Samuel Dabney Groom and Lucinda Thompson Groom

Emma (Louisa) Groom (1862-1935) was the youngest daughter of Samuel Dabney Groom and Lucinda Thompson Groom.  She was the niece of William Groom who was the second husband of Laurilla M. Record Bernard Groom, sister of Lovina Jane Record Carson.


In 1870 seven year old Emma Louisa Groom was living in Hallock, Peoria County, IL, with her birth family.  Some time between 1870 and 1875, Emma and her birth family made the trip south to Cowley County, KS, settling in Richland Township, as evidenced by the 1875 Kansas State census.


Emma lived with her birth family until around 1906.  At that time 42 year old Emma Louisa Groom married Indiana born, 46 year old William Sample (1910 US Census).  It was the first marriage for both. (1930 US census)  William was a mail carrier with a rural route in Cowley County, KS.  They lived at Rock Creek. By the 1930 US Census, William had retired and the couple were still living at Rock Creek, Cowley County, KS.  They owned their home but did not own a radio.  


Both Emma and William died 5 years after the 1930 US census was conducted.  They are buried at Wilmot Cemetery, Cowley County, KS.  Their headstone can be viewed at www.findagrave.com.


Emma was 17 when she signed the autograph book of Lovina Jane Record Carson.