THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

THE LINEAGE & HISTORY OF THE MUDDLE FAMILIES OF THE WORLD

INCLUDING VARIANTS MUDDEL, MUDDELL, MUDLE & MODDLE

 

[Home] [Origins] [Early Records] [General Notes] [Master Index] [Contact me]

 

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES

THE FRAMFIELD MUDDLES

 

Introduction

Thomas & Martha Muddle’s Family

Mary Muddle’s Family

John & Rosamond Muddle’s Family

John & Ellen Muddle’s Family

David & Susan Muddle’s Family

Michael & Alice Muddle’s Family

Obed & Elizabeth Muddle’s Family

James & Mary Muddle’s Family

Thomas & Lucy Medell’s Family

William & Mary/Alice Medell’s Family

James & Abigail Muddell’s Family

John & Mary Muddle’s Family

Ebenezer & Catherine Muddell’s Family

William & Ann/Rebecca Muddle’s Family

Samuel & Anna Muddle’s Family

James & Philadelphia Muddle’s Family

Elijah & Mary Muddle’s Family

Thomas & Dinah Muddle’s Family

James & Phoebe Muddle’s Family

Index of Family Members

Charts

 

 

Thomas & Lucy Medell’s Family

 

Chart of Thomas & Lucy Medell’s Family

 

Thomas Muddle married Lucy Tunks at St Margaret the Queen Church in Buxted, Sussex on 9 April 1821. They lived at Uckfield in Sussex where they had seven children born between 1822 and 1838. Thomas worked as a labourer, and at the baptism of their fifth child in 1832 their residence was given as Ridgewood Hill in Uckfield. In the census of 30 May 1831 the household of Thomas Muddle in Uckfield consisted of three males and three females, one of whom was a labourer and one an agricultural labourer. These six persons would have been Thomas and Lucy and the two sons and two daughters that they then had. Thomas would have been one of those working, but who was the other, was it Lucy or their eldest son who was then only six years old?

 

 

The family became Wesleyan Methodists in the mid 1830s. Thomas’ brother James and his family had emigrated from England to New Jersey in the USA in 1837 and Thomas and his family decided to join them. They sailed from London on the St James and arrived in New York on 27 November 1839. On the passenger list Thomas was described as a 43-year-old labourer and Lucy as 37 years old.[1] In the census of 1 June 1840 they were living in Union Township, Essex County, New Jersey with their seven children, and they had changed the spelling of the family name to Muddell. Their eighth child was born in New Jersey in about 1841.

They then moved west to Illinois, probably at about the same time as their eldest daughter, Martha, and her husband Joseph Bishop, who went in about 1845. All their other children went with them except possibly their son Walter, who is thought to have died sometime during the 1840s. They are first known to definitely be in Illinois in the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 19 December, when they were living at Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois with three of their children, and they had now changed the spelling of the family name to Medell. Thomas was described in this census as a farmer owning real estate valued at $300. Grand Rapids is a small settlement about five miles south of Ottawa in La Salle County.

On the 16 October 1851 Thomas, in partnership with his son-in-law Joseph Bishop, purchased land from the Illinois & Michigan Canal for $320. This land was described in the deed as:[2]

The East half of the South East quarter of Section number nineteen (19) in Township number thirty three (33) of range four (4) East of the third principal meridian containing eighty (80) acres more or less

Then ten months later, on 5 August 1852, Thomas and Lucy, who were still living in La Salle County, sold their half of the above property to their son-in-law Joseph Bishop for $1, that is they essentially gave it to Joseph so that he had sole ownership of the land. The deed describes the land as:[3]

the south half of the East half of the South East quarter of section number nineteen  in township number thirty three north of range four east of 3rd PM (S½ E½ SE¼ S19.T.33.R4.6)

It seems that Thomas located a tract of 160 acres of unclaimed Military Bounty Land in Livingston County, which is immediately to the south of La Salle County, that had originally been assigned to widow Caroline E Sanders in Warrant No 22933, and at the Register’s Office in Danville, Illinois on 24 April 1854 he laid claim to this land described as:

located upon the North half of the South East quarter and the South half of the North East quarter of Section Thirty Four in Township Twenty Eight North of Range Six East in the district of Lands subject to sale at Danville Illinois containing one hundred and sixty acres

This land was granted to Thomas by Franklin Peirce, President of the United States of America, on 10 January 1855. The deeds for this land were filed at Livingston County Court on 18 March 1857.[4]

Thomas and Lucy had moved to Livingston County, Illinois by 9 October 1854 as an indenture of that date described Thomas as being of Livingston County when he purchased 10 acres of land in Livingston County from James McDowell and his wife Frances for $160. The indenture, also filed at Livingston County Court on 18 March 1857, described this land as:[5]

The North East quarter of the North West quarter of the North West of Section No ten in Township No Twenty Seven North of Range Six East of the third Principal Meridian containing Ten Acres more or less as the case may be.

When his mother died in 1855 Thomas should have got a ninth share of his father’s estate, according to the terms of his father’s will, but if he got anything, which seems unlikely, it was under £20, the sum above which death duty had to be paid, as no payment of tax was recorded in the Death Duty Registers. Then two years after his first purchase of land from James and Frances McDowell, Thomas purchased another 10 acres of land in Livingston County from them, on 27 October 1856, this time for $100. The indenture described this land, which was near the original ten acres, as:[6]

The South West Quarter of the North West Quarter of the North West Quarter of Section No ten in Township No Twenty Seven North of Range No Six East of the 3rd Principal Meridian containing Ten Acres more or less as the case may be.

The following year, on 9 September 1857, Thomas and Lucy were still living in Livingston County when they sold to Isaiah Sims of Fountain County, Indiana, for $3600, the three plots of land that Thomas had acquired in Livingston County in 1854 and 1856, that is the 160 acres of Military Bounty Land and the two 10 acre plots purchased from James and Frances McDowell, making a total of 180 acres and it seems a very substantial profit.[7]

After selling their land in Livingston County Thomas and Lucy moved back to La Salle County as that was were they were living when, on the 25 January 1859 Thomas purchased land in Livingston County from James W Remick. The deed of sale described this land as:

The South West quarter of the North East quarter, the South East quarter of the North West quarter and the West half of the South East quarter all of section seventeen (17) Township Twenty Eight North Range five East in the County of Livingston

This sale also included James W Remick’s rights and interest acquired from the County of Livingston in land described as: the East half of the South West quarter of section Eight in the Township Twenty Eight North Range five East in the County of Livingston in which Thomas was to assume responsibility for the liabilities of James W Remick’s contract with the County of Livingston. The rights and liabilities associated with this land are not stated, but it seems likely that the contract with the County of Livingston was for the right to extract the timber on the land and as payment supply some of it free of charge. The sale deed mentions that there was a sawmill on the land and that James W Remick retained ownership of the cut wood at the mill and would only pass possession of this property to Thomas on 1 April 1859. Thomas payment for all this was made up of four parts. Firstly he assigned three interest paying promissory notes, for $600 due on 1 March 1860 another $600 due on 1 March 1861 and $400 due on 1 March 1862, made out to him by Josiah Sims (this is probably the same person as the Isaiah Sims who purchased land from Thomas in 1857). Secondly Thomas made out a promissory note to James W Remick for $2000 at 10% interest with payment due on 1 May 1861. Thirdly Thomas agreed to cut and deliver to the Rail Road Grounds in Pontiac by 1 May 1859 four hundred cords of good average quality of merchantable wood from the lands he’d purchased, estimated at the value of $1000. Fourthly Thomas agreed to convey to James W Remick by 1 April 1859 eighty acres of land near South Ottawa on which he was residing, estimated at the value of $2000. If Thomas had made all these payments, totalling $6600 plus interest, by 1 May 1861 he would receive clear title to his purchases or else James W Remick would have to pay a penalty bond of $14000. Less than three months after making this purchase it seems that Thomas had to raise some money because on 14 April 1859 he took a loan from Barzilla Jewett of $525 at 10% interest against these lands. This had to be repaid by 14 April 1861 and repayment was recorded on 15 November 1861.[8]

Thomas and Lucy were still living in La Salle County when, on the 13 May 1859, they sold 8 acres of land in South Ottawa, La Salle County to John Stout for $2000. This land was described in the indenture as:[9]

Eight acres of land being the South East quarter of the South half of the West half of the West half of the South West quarter of Section thirteen (13) in Township thirty three (33) north of range three (3) East of the Third Principal Meridian with the exception of two acres of land in the South East corner of Said tract of land now owned and occupied by Thomas Jordan

After selling their land in South Ottawa it seems that Thomas and Lucy moved back to Livingston County, as that was where Thomas was stated to be living when he sold land in Livingston County to his son William on 27 September 1859 for $500. This was the land that Thomas had purchased from James W Remick in January 1859 and the indenture describes this land as:[10]

The South West quarter (¼) of the North East quarter (¼) and the South East quarter (¼) of the North West quarter (¼) and the West half (½) of the South East quarter (¼) (W½.S.E.¼) – Section Seventeen (17) in township twenty eight (28) North of Range five (5) East of the third Principal Meridian.

On the same day Thomas also sold farm animals and equipment to his son William for another $500. The bill of sale describes these items as follows:[11]

One Bay Horse six years old, one Bay Horse nine years old, one set of double harness, one bay colt one year old, one Roan Colt six months old, one Brindle Cow six years old, one (brindle) spring calf, two double wagons, one light wagon, one plow, three stacks of hay, and five head of hogs.

Then in the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 29 June, Thomas and Lucy were living next-door to the families of their sons William and Eli in Pontiac Township, Livingston County, Illinois; Thomas was now a retired farmer, he no longer owned any real estate and his personal estate was valued at $20. They had 8-year-old Sarah J Medell living with them whose relationship to them is unknown, but as they recorded her place of birth as unknown it seem possible that she was adopted.

On 15 November 1861 Lucy purchased 80 acres of land in Livingston County from Peter Gorbet and his wife Emily (Lucy’s son-in-law and daughter) for $800. This land was subject to a trust deed executed the same day by Peter and Emily Gorbet that made A W Cowan, a Notary Public, the trustee of the land for the use of Barzilla Jewett, as the land was a homestead exempt from forced sale by creditors. The indenture described this land as:[12]

The South East quarter of the North East quarter of section two (2) and the North East quarter of the South East quarter of said section two (2) in Township Twenty Eight (28) North of Range four (4) East of the 3rd Principal Meridian containing Eighty acres more or less.

On 11 June 1863 Lucy and Thomas sell half the land they had purchased from Peter and Emily Gorbet in 1861 to Barzilla Jewett of La Salle County for $400, and expressly waive all rights to this property as an exempt homestead. The indenture describes this land as:[13]

The North East Quarter of the South East Quarter of Section two (2) in township twenty eight (28) North Range four (4) East of the 3rd Principal Meridian in the County of Livingston and State of Illinois.

Thomas died in Livingston County between 11 June 1863 and 25 August 1864, when he was about 67 years old. This has been deduced from the fact that Thomas was named as Lucy’s husband on the deed of 11 June 1863, but in the next known deed of 25 August 1864 Lucy was described as a widow. It’s thought that at about the time Thomas sold his farm and its equipment to his son William in 1859 he had probably become ill and no longer able to pursue his dealings in property, and possibly was soon unable to handle his own affairs, control of which presumably passed to Lucy. This is assumed because in 1861 it was Lucy, not Thomas, who purchased land, and in 1863 it was Lucy with husband Thomas, not Thomas with wife Lucy, who sold land, indicating that Lucy was the actual land owner and Thomas her spouse. A possible alternative to Thomas having became ill is that these property deals were done in Lucy’s name because Thomas was in trouble with creditors and it was done to avoid these creditors being able to claim these properties, assuming that it was possible to keep the assets and liabilities of a married couple separate under the law at that time.

For some reason the sale by Lucy and Thomas of land in 1863 to Barzilla Jewett, which was not stated to be conditional in anyway such as repayment of the money after a fixed time, must have become null and void, maybe the waiving of exempt homestead rights was illegal or it violated Peter and Emily Gorbet’s trust deed, because on the 25 August 1864 widow Lucy sold the same land to Clarissa M Younge of Henry County, Illinois for $400. The indenture describes this land as:[14]

The North East Quarter of the South East Quarter of Section two (2) in township twenty eight (28) North Range four (4) East of the 3rd Principal Meridian containing forty (40) acres more or less.

The following day, 26 August 1864, widow Lucy sold the other half of the land purchased from Peter and Emily Gorbet in 1861 to James Owen of Livingston County for $700. The indenture describes this land as:[15]

The South East Quarter of the North East Quarter of Section two (2) in township twenty eight (28) North Range four (4) East of the 3rd Principal Meridian containing forty acres more or less.

About ten years after Thomas’ death Lucy died in Livingston County, at the age of 71, and she was buried with Thomas in Lot eleven, which has no headstone, of Summitview Cemetery at South Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois on 25 June 1874.[16]

 

Their children were:

Martha 1822-1886  Thomas Henry 1825-1872  William 1827-1917

Caroline 1829-1864  Emma/Emily 1832-?  Walter 1835-?

Eli Lee 1838-1890  Louisa 1841-?  Sarah 1852-?

 

 

 

Thomas and Lucy’s eldest child was Martha Muddle/Medell who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 29 August 1822, and baptised at St Bartholomew’s Church in Maresfield, Sussex on 6 October 1822. (Martha’s date of birth has been calculated from her age given on her death certificate of 65 years, 11 months and 22 days, but with the number of years adjusted to 63 so as to agree more sensibly with her date of baptism.)

When Martha was 6 years old the 10 November 1828 edition of The Sussex Advertiser reported that Thomas Moon had been committed to Lewes House of Correction by Justice of the Peace A Donovan Esq. for assault and attempted rape of Martha Muddle, an infant under 10 years of age. Then the 19 January 1829 edition of The Sussex Advertiser reported on the sentences given at the Quarter Session of East Sussex that ended on Saturday 17 January 1829. Thomas Moon was given six months imprisonment with hard labour for assault with intent on Martha Muddle, an infant. Official Quarter Session records show that Thomas Moon was a 15-year-old labourer living in Uckfield.[17]

When she was 17 years old Martha, with her parents and siblings, emigrated from England to the USA, sailing from London on the St James and arriving in New York on 27 November 1839. In the census of 1 June 1840 Martha was living with her parents in Union Township, Essex County, New Jersey.

When she was 18 years old Martha was married to Joseph Bishop in Elizabeth Township, Essex County, New Jersey on 9 May 1841 by Richard Channing Moore rector of St John’s Church. (The marriage record gives Martha’s husband as Henry Bishop, but all subsequent records show him as Joseph Bishop.) They had six children; the first was born in New Jersey in about 1844. They then moved west to Illinois where their next four children were born between 1846 and 1852. Martha’s parents with their other children also moved to Illinois at about this time. In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 10 October, Joseph and Martha and their then four children were living at Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois; Joseph was a farmer but didn’t own any real estate. On the 16 October 1851 Joseph, in partnership with his father-in-law Thomas Medell, purchased land in La Salle County from the Illinois & Michigan Canal for $320. This land was described in the deed as:[18]

The East half of the South East quarter of Section number nineteen (19) in Township number thirty three (33) of range four (4) East of the third principal meridian containing eighty (80) acres more or less

Then ten months later, on 5 August 1852, Thomas and Lucy Medell sold their half of the above property to Joseph for $1, that is they essentially gave it to Joseph so that he had sole ownership of the land. The deed describes the land as:[19]

the south half of the East half of the South East quarter of section number nineteen  in township number thirty three north of range four east of 3rd PM (S½ E½ SE¼ S19.T.33.R4.6)

Sometime between 1852 and 1858 they moved back to Elizabeth Township in New Jersey as their sixth child was born there in 1858. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 2 August, they were living at Elizabeth Township with five of their children; Joseph was a farmer who didn’t own any real estate and had a personal estate of $50. Sometime during the 1860s they moved back to Illinois, and in the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 13 June, they were living at Brookfield, La Salle County, Illinois with three of their children; Joseph was still a farmer but he now owned real estate valued at $6000 and had a personal estate valued at $700. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 22 June, they were continuing to live at Brookfield and Joseph was still a farmer. Living with them was their youngest son, Edward, who was probably helping Joseph, who was now 72, to run the farm, together with Edward’s wife and young daughter.

Martha died at Brookfield on 20 August 1886, when she was just short of 64 years old (not nearly 66 as given on her death certificate), from valvular insufficiency (failure of heart valves to fully close) that she’d had for two years, and she was buried at Brookfield two days later. Joseph was still alive at the time of Martha’s death as she was described as married on her death certificate.

 

 

Joseph and Martha’s eldest child was Joseph Bishop who was born in New Jersey in about 1844. In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 10 October, Joseph, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 2 August, Joseph, now aged 16, was living with his parents in Elizabeth Township, Union County, New Jersey, and he was attending school.

 

Joseph and Martha’s second child was William H Bishop who was born in Illinois in about 1846. In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 10 October, William, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 2 August, William, now aged 14, was living with his parents in Elizabeth Township, Union County, New Jersey, and he was attending school. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 13 June, William, at the age of 24, was living with his parents at Brookfield in La Salle County and working as a farm labourer, presumably for his father on the family farm.

 

Joseph and Martha’s third child was Lucy A Bishop who was born in Illinois in about 1848. In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 10 October, Lucy, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 2 August, Lucy, now aged 12, was living with her parents in Elizabeth Township, Union County, New Jersey, and she was attending school.

 

Joseph and Martha’s fourth child was John Bishop who was born in Illinois in about February 1850. In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 10 October, John, at the age of 4 months, was living with his parents at Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois.

 

Joseph and Martha’s fifth child was Sarah Bishop who was born in Illinois in about 1852. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 2 August, Sarah, at the age of 8, was living with her parents in Elizabeth Township, Union County, New Jersey, and she was attending school. Then in the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 13 June, Sarah, now aged 18, was living with her parents at Brookfield, La Salle County, Illinois.

 

Joseph and Martha’s sixth child was Edward Thomas Bishop who was born in New Jersey during July 1858. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 2 August, Edward, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in Elizabeth Township, Union County, New Jersey. Then in the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 13 June, Edward, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Brookfield, La Salle County, Illinois. Edward married Emily Louise Tedman, also known as Emma, in La Salle County in about 1878. Emily had been born in Illinois during December 1860. Edward and Emily had seven known children; the first three were born in Illinois between 1879 and 1884. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 22 June, Edward, Emily and their then one child were living with Edward's parents in Brookfield; Edward was a farmer and presumably helping his father, who was now 72, to run the family farm. In about 1885 they moved to Kansas where their next three children were born between 1887 and 1897. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, they were living on a farm at Greeley, Sedgwick County, Kansas with their then six children. They owned their farm which Edward was farming with the help of his two eldest sons. It was recorded in this census that Emily had by then given birth to a seventh child who was no longer alive. About a year or so later they moved to Colorado where their last child was born in about 1902. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 May, they were living at Hotchkiss, Delta County, Colorado with four of their children; Edward was the farmer of a general farm, which they owned, and an employer. Edward died on 29 May 1939, at the age of 80, and four years later Emily died on 29 November 1943, at the age of 82. It's thought that both Edward and Emily probably died in Missouri.

 

 

Edward and Emma’s eldest known child was Mabel Bishop who was born in Illinois during July 1879. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 22 June, Mabel, at the age of 10 months, was living with her parents on her paternal grandparent’s farm at Brookfield, La Salle County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, Mabel, at the age of 20, was living with her parents on their farm at Greeley, Sedgwick County, Kansas. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 May, Mabel, at the age of 30, was living with her parents on their farm at Hotchkiss, Delta County, Colorado.

 

Edward and Emma’s second known child was Joseph L Bishop who was born in Illinois during November 1881. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, Joseph, at the age of 18, was living with his parents on their farm at Greeley, Sedgwick County, Kansas, and he was working as a farm labourer.

 

Edward and Emma’s third known child was Wilbur A Bishop who was born in Illinois during September 1884. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, Wilbur, at the age of 15, was living with his parents on their farm at Greeley, Sedgwick County, Kansas, and he was working as a farm labourer.

 

Edward and Emma’s fourth known child was Edna V Bishop who was born in Kansas during September 1887. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, Edna, at the age of 12, was living with her parents on their farm at Greeley, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

 

Edward and Emma’s fifth known child was Gertrude Bishop who was born in Kansas during January 1892. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, Gertrude, at the age of 8, was living with her parents on their farm at Greeley, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 May, Gertrude, at the age of 18, was living with her parents on their farm at Hotchkiss, Delta County, Colorado.

 

Edward and Emma’s sixth known child was William J Bishop who was born in Kansas during November 1897. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 12 June, William, at the age of 2, was living with his parents on their farm at Greeley, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 May, William, at the age of 12, was living with his parents on their farm at Hotchkiss, Delta County, Colorado.

 

Edward and Emma’s seventh known child was Charles A Bishop who was born in Colorado in about 1902. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 May, Charles, at the age of 8, was living with his parents on their farm at Hotchkiss, Delta County, Colorado.

 

 

 

Thomas and Lucy’s second child was Thomas [Henry] Muddle/Medell who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 31 January 1825, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 6 March 1825. (Thomas’ date of birth has been calculated from his age given on his burial record of 48 years, 6 months and 20 days, but with the number of years adjusted to 47 so as to agree more sensibly with his date of baptism.) When he was 14 years old Thomas, with his parents and siblings, emigrated from England to the USA, sailing from London on the St James and arriving in New York on 27 November 1839. On the passenger list Thomas was described as a labourer. In the census of 1 June 1840 Thomas was living with his parents in Union Township, Essex County, New Jersey.

Thomas then moved west with his parents to Illinois and married Mary Ann, who had been born in New York State in about 1828. After moving to Illinois, as well as changing the spelling of his surname to Medell, like the rest of the family, Thomas also added the second forename of Henry. Thomas and Mary Ann had three children born in Illinois between 1848 and 1857, the second of whom died in 1853, when only 2 years old. In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 17 August, they were living in South Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois with their then one child; Thomas was a cabinet maker and owned real estate valued at $125.

On 1 September 1855 Thomas purchased land from Sylvanus Crook and his wife Elizabeth for $75. The indenture described this land as:[20]

that piece or parcel of land situated in Days addition to Ottawa known and described as – Lots Four (4) Five (5) and Six (6) in Block Ten (10) Together with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging

On 1 September 1857 Thomas and Mary Ann took a loan of $400 against some of the above property in La Salle County from Aaron R Wolfe of New York; they had to repay this sum without interest by 1 September 1858 if they were to retain this property described in the indenture as:[21]

Lot number Five (5) and Lot number Six (6) in Block number Ten (10) in Days addition to the Town (now City) of Ottawa

They must have repaid the loan as this property as it’s bequeathed by Thomas to Mary Ann in his will of 1872 as the property that they then lived in. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 11 July, they were continuing to live in South Ottawa, now with their two surviving children; Thomas was still a cabinet maker who now owned real estate valued at $1200 and had a personal estate of $300. They had 24-year-old dressmaker Mary Post living with them. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 7 July, they were living in Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois with their two children; Thomas was a pattern maker who owned real estate valued at $3000 and had a personal estate valued at $500.

Thomas died at South Ottawa on 20 August 1872, at the age of 47, and he was buried in Lot eleven of Summitview Cemetery, South Ottawa on 22 August 1872.[22] Thomas’ will dated 12 March 1872 and proved by the La Salle County Court on 4 October 1872 left all his real and personal estate to his wife, including the premises where they lived, which were described as Lots Five & Six (5 + 6) in block ten (10) in Days additions to the city of Ottawa, this being part of the property they had purchased in 1855.[23] In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 4 June, Mary Ann was living in State Street in South Ottawa; she had her two children, now adults and the daughter a widow, living with her together with two male school teachers as lodgers. Mary Ann died on 15 July 1889 and she was buried in Lot eleven of Summitview Cemetery in South Ottawa.

 

 

Thomas and Mary Ann’s eldest known child was Mary Lewis Medell who was born in Illinois in July 1848. In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 17 August, Mary, at the age of nearly 2, was living with her parents in South Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 11 July, Mary, now aged nearly 12, was continuing to live with her parents in South Ottawa. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 7 July, Mary, at the age of 21, was living with her parents at Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois.

When she was about 22 years old Mary was married to 24-year-old John McDougall in La Salle County on 27 January 1871 by Congregational pastor Julian M Sturterant as authorised by a license issued by the County Court Clerk on the same day.[24] John had been born on 10 January 1847. John and Mary are thought to have had one child who probably died young, because in the 1900 census Mary stated that she’d had one child who was not then living. Less than two years after their marriage John died at Ottawa, at the age of 25, and he was buried at Summitview Cemetery in South Ottawa on 22 September 1872.

In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 4 June, Mary, at the age of 31, was a widow living with her widowed mother in State Street, South Ottawa. Then in the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 7 June, Mary was living at 248 East Ferris Street, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois; she had 34-year-old spinster Catherine Rhodes as a lodger, and they were both working as dressmakers. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 April, Mary, at the age of 61, was rooming with 61-year-old spinster Adeline M Jenney at 143 West South Street in Galesburg, and working at home as a dressmaker. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 3 January, both Mary and Adeline were inmates at Knoxville Old Ladies Home, East Main Street, Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois.

 

 

Thomas and Mary Ann’s second known child was Francis H Medell who was born in Illinois during January or February 1851. Francis died at South Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois when he was only 2 years and 9 months old, and he was buried in Lot eleven of Summitview Cemetery in South Ottawa on 16 November 1853.[25]

 

Thomas and Mary Ann’s third known child was George Brittin Medell who was born in Illinois in April 1857. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 11 July, George, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at South Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 7 July, George, now aged 13, was living with his parents at Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 4 June, George, at the age of 23, was working as a clerk in a store and living with his widowed mother in State Street, South Ottawa.

When he was about 39 years old George was married to 25-year-old widow Annie Mary Rapp, whose maiden name was Ouhrabka, at St Louis, St Louis County, Missouri on 6 April 1896 by ordained preacher J W Ashwood.[26] Annie had been born in Missouri in July 1870, and she already had a daughter from her first marriage to Thomas Vincent Rapp that was ‘adopted’ by George. George and Annie had two children after their marriage, born in 1896 and 1906 in St Louis.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, they were living at 3011 West Chestnut Street in St Louis, which they rented, with their then two children, and George was a grocer. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 18 April, they were living at 2511 North Taylor Avenue in St Louis, which they rented, with their three children, and George was the proprietor of a grocery store and an employer. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 13 January, they were living at 1401a Rowan Avenue in St Louis, which they rented, with their three children, and George was still the proprietor of a grocery store. George died during the 1920s because in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 3 April, Annie was a widow living at 6310 Enright Avenue, University City, St Louis County, with her two unmarried daughters.

 

 

George and Annie’s eldest child (Annie’s child from her first marriage that was ‘adopted’ by George) was Irene Thomasy Rapp/Medell who was born in St Louis, St Louis County, Missouri on 10 July 1893. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Irene, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 3011 West Chestnut Street in St Louis. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 18 April, Irene, now aged 16, was living with her parents at 2511 North Taylor Avenue in St Louis. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 13 January, Irene, at the age of 26, was working as a milliner and living with her parents at 1401a Rowan Avenue in St Louis. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 3 April, Irene, at the age of 36, was the proprietor of a millinery store and living with her widowed mother at 6310 Enright Avenue, University City, St Louis County. Irene never married and she was living in St Louis when she applied for her Social Security Number on 13 January 1951. She was living at Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois when she died during December 1972, aged 79.[27]

 

George and Annie’s second child was Esther Ann Medell who was born in St Louis, St Louis County, Missouri on 22 December 1896. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Esther, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 3011 West Chestnut Street in St Louis. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 18 April, Esther, now aged 13, was living with her parents at 2511 North Taylor Avenue in St Louis. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 13 January, Esther, at the age of 23, was working as a stenographer and living with her parents at 1401a Rowan Avenue in St Louis.

When she was 26 years old Esther was married to 26-year-old Raymond Augustus Kaltwasser in St Louis on 19 April 1923 by Rev W A Clemmer of Grace Presbyterian Church.[28] Raymond had been born in Missouri on 29 March 1897.[29] Raymond and Esther had three children born in St Louis between 1924 and 1928. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 2 April, they were living with their three children at 7411 Parkdale Avenue in St Louis, which they owned and was valued at $16,000. Raymond was a Vice President of a steel production company and they had 23-year-old Anna Lee as a live-in servant.

Esther was living in St Louis when she applied for her Social Security Number on 13 January 1951. Then when she died on 6 January 1994, at the age of 97, she was living at Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.[30]

 

George and Annie’s third child was Alleyne Medell who was born in St Louis, St Louis County, Missouri on 16 September 1905. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 18 April, Alleyne, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at 2511 North Taylor Avenue in St Louis. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 13 January, Alleyne, now aged 14, was living with her parents at 1401a Rowan Avenue in St Louis, and she was going to school. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 3 April, Alleyne, at the age of 24, was working as a designer in a jewellery store and living with her widowed mother at 6310 Enright Avenue, University City, St Louis County.

Alleyne married Dr. Harold Murphy Williams and they adopted three children. Alleyne died at Austin in Texas on 24 November 1994, at the age of 89, and she was buried in Pflugerville, Travis County, Texas. Harold died on 15 March 2003.

 

 

Thomas and Lucy’s third child was William Muddle/Medell who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 30 January 1827, and baptised at St Bartholomew’s Church in Maresfield, Sussex on 4 March 1827. (William’s date of birth is that stated on his death certificate but with the year adjusted from 1826 to 1827 so as to agree with January 1827 given by him in the 1900 census and also more sensibly with his date of baptism.) When he was 12 years old William, with his parents and siblings, emigrated from England to the USA, sailing from London on the St James and arriving in New York on 27 November 1839. On the passenger list William was described as a 12-year-old labourer. In the census of 1 June 1840 William, at the age of 13, was living with his parents in Union Township, Essex County, New Jersey.

William then moved west with his parents and in the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 19 December, William, now aged 23, was living with his parents at Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois, and he was a farmer who owned real estate valued at $100. This property would have been the land with hereditaments and appurtenances in La Salle County that he purchased from John V A Hoes and his wife Fanny on 6 November 1850 for $120 and described in the deed as:[31]

the South half of the South half of the West half of the East half of the South West quarter of Section Sixteen (16) in Township Thirty three (33) North of range four (4) East 3rd pr[i]n[cipal meridian] Containing ten acres more or less

Then on 1 January 1852 William purchased Lot Ten (10) in Block No five (5) in the Ottawa cemetery to be used exclusively for the purposes for which said cemetery was intended from George H Norris and his wife Marie for $5. This deed was sworn before George S Fisher the Notary Public in La Salle County on 7 February 1852 but not filed with the County Court until 3 September 1855.[32]

When he was 27 years old William was married to Ann Mary Liley , known as Mary, in La Salle County, Illinois on 29 October 1854 by minister M K Whittlesey, as authorised by a license issued by the County Court Clerk at Ottawa in La Salle County the day before. See the section headed ‘William & Mary/Alice Medell’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

 

Thomas and Lucy’s fourth child was Caroline Muddle/Medell who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 14 June 1829. When she was 10 years old Caroline, with her parents and siblings, emigrated from England to the USA, sailing from London on the St James and arriving in New York on 27 November 1839. In the census of 1 June 1840 Caroline was living with her parents in Union Township, Essex County, New Jersey.

Caroline moved west with her parents and when she was 19 years old she was married to George Washington Gorbet, who was about 24, in La Salle County, Illinois on 18 January 1849 by minister H D Gorbet (George’s father) as authorised by a license issued by the County Court Clerk at Ottawa in La Salle County on 10 July 1848.[33] George was the son of Henry David and Sarah Gorbet; he had been born at Williamsburg, Clement County, Ohio in about 1824 and he was the brother of Peter Gorbet who married Caroline’s sister Emily.

George and Caroline had five children born at Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois between 1850 and 1863. In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 25 September, they were living at South Ottawa in La Salle County with their then one child; George was a farmer and they had 10-year-old Henry Gorbet, who was probably a nephew, staying with them. Then in the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 21 July, they were living in Rooks Creek Township, Livingston County, Illinois with their now three children, and George was still a farmer. Caroline died at Pontiac in Livingston County on 23 March 1864, at the age of 34, from typhoid pneumonia.

During the American Civil War George was mustered during March 1864 as a Private in Company C of the 39th Infantry, his army record describe him as 5ft 8ins tall with hazel eyes and brown hair, and to have the occupation of farmer. Then the following month George died on 17 April 1864, at the age of 40, from remittent fever, and he was buried in Pontiac Cemetery, Livingston County, Illinois, leaving their five children, ranging in age from 1 to 10, orphans.

 

 

George and Caroline’s eldest child was Loretta L Gorbet who was born at Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois on 12 June 1850. In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 25 September, Loretta, at the age of 4 months, was living with her parents at South Ottawa in La Salle County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 21 July, Loretta, now aged 10, was living with her parents in Rooks Creek Township, Livingston County, Illinois. Loretta’s parents both died in 1864 leaving her an orphan at the age of 13. When she was 18 years old Loretta married Nicholas Martin McCormick in La Salle County on 11 October 1868. They had four children born in Illinois between 1869 and 1878. In the census of 1 June 1870 they were living at Utica in La Salle County with their then one child, and Nicholas was a farmer who didn’t own any real estate but had a personal estate of $100. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, they were living at Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas with their three youngest children, and Nicholas was a farmer.

 

 

Nicholas and Loretta’s eldest child was Libby McCormick who was born in Illinois in about 1869. In the census of 1 June 1870 Libby, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at Utica, La Salle County, Illinois.

 

Nicholas and Loretta’s second child was Sarah K McCormick who was born in Illinois in about 1874. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, Sarah, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas.

 

Nicholas and Loretta’s third child was George W McCormick who was born in Illinois in about 1875. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, George, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas.

 

Nicholas and Loretta’s fourth child was Mamie L McCormick who was born in Illinois in about 1878. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, Mamie, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas.

 

 

George and Caroline’s second child was Lawson S Gorbet who was born at Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois on 30 December 1853. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 21 July, Lawson, at the age of 7, was living with his parents in Rooks Creek Township, Livingston County, Illinois. Lawson’s parents both died in 1864 leaving him an orphan at the age of 10. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 27 July, Lawson, now aged 17, was a live-in farm labourer to farmer Alfred Hill at Ophir, La Salle County, Illinois. Lawson married Bertha and they had at least two children born in Kansas in 1878 and 1880. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, they were living at Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas with their two children, and Lawson was working as a brick mason.

 

 

Lawson and Bertha’s eldest child was George M Gorbet who was born in Kansas in about 1878. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, George, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas.

 

Lawson and Bertha’s second child was Abby A Gorbet who was born in Kansas in 1880. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, Abby, at the age of 1 month, was living with her parents at Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas.

 

 

George and Caroline’s third child was Minerva A Gorbet who was born at Ottawa, Ls Salle County, Illinois on 25 October 1858. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 21 July, Minerva, at the age of 2, was living with her parents in Rooks Creek Township, Livingston County, Illinois. Minerva’s parents both died in 1864 leaving her an orphan at the age of 5, and she was adopted by millwright Israel Custer and his wife Rebecca. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 2 August, Minerva, now aged 12, was living with the family of Israel and Rebecca Custer at Pontiac in Livingston County. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 12 June, Minerva, at the age of 22, was living with Israel and Rebecca Custer at 46 Center Street in Pontiac, and in this census she is described as their adopted daughter. When she was 26 years old Minerva married Perry Cemery at Utica, La Salle County, Illinois on 24 March 1885.

 

George and Caroline’s fourth child was Alexander A Gorbet who was born at Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois on 21 May 1860. Alexander’s parents both died in 1864 leaving him an orphan at the age of 3, and he was adopted by Asa and Martha Demas. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 17 June, Alexander, at the age of 20, was a farmer living with Asa and Martha Demas at Avoca, Livingston County, Illinois; presumably he was working with Asa on the family farm.

When he was 22 years old Alexander married 22-year-old Sarah Ann Bricker at Fairbury, Livingston County, Illinois on 11 Oct 1882. Sarah was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Bricker, and she had been born in Illinois during February 1860. Sarah already had a son born in 1880 who was ‘adopted’ by Alexander, and Alexander and Sarah had another eight known children born in Illinois between 1884 and 1904. Census records state that Sarah had a total of eleven children, two of whom were already dead by 1900; these are the two unknown ones who had probably been born in the late 1880s.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 15 June, they were living in Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois with their then eight children, Alexander was a farmer and they rented their home. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, they were living in Keener Township, Jasper County, Indiana with their four youngest children, Alexander was now farming a general farm that he owned but was mortgaged. Alexander died during the next 10 years because in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 20 January, Sarah was a widow living with the family of her daughter Frances in the Village of Coal City, Braceville Township, Grundy County, Illinois.

 

 

Alexander and Sarah’s eldest child (Sarah son ‘adopted’ by Alexander) was William Gorbet who was born Illinois during March 1880. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 15 June, William, at the age of 20, was living with his mother and stepfather in Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois.

 

Alexander and Sarah’s second known child was Sarah Gorbet who was born Illinois during June 1884. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 15 June, Sarah, at the age of 16, was living with her parents in Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois.

 

Alexander and Sarah’s third known child was George Gorbet who was born Illinois during February 1885. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 15 June, George, at the age of 15, was living with his parents in Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois.

 

Alexander and Sarah’s fourth known child was Eva Gorbet who was born Illinois during September 1886. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 15 June, Eva, at the age of 13, was living with her parents in Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois.

 

Alexander and Sarah’s fifth known child was Grover Gorbet who was born Illinois during September 1887. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 15 June, Grover, at the age of 12, was living with his parents in Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois.

 

Alexander and Sarah’s sixth known child was Carl E Gorbet who was born Illinois during February 1892. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 15 June, Carl, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Carl, now aged 18, was living with his parents in Keener Township, Jasper County, Indiana, and working as a farm labourer on the family farm.

 

Alexander and Sarah’s seventh known child was Frances Pearl Gorbet who was born Illinois on 27 July 1893. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 15 June, Frances, at the age of 6, was living with her parents in Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Frances, now aged 16, was living with her parents in Keener Township, Jasper County, Indiana.

 

Alexander and Sarah’s eighth known child was Florence E Gorbet who was born Illinois during October 1896. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 15 June, Florence, at the age of 3, was living with her parents in Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Florence, now aged 13, was living with her parents in Keener Township, Jasper County, Indiana.

 

Alexander and Sarah’s ninth known child was Owney C Gorbet who was born Illinois in about 1904. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Owney, at the age of 6, was living with his parents in Keener Township, Jasper County, Indiana.

 

 

George and Caroline’s fifth child was Lucy Gorbet who was born at Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois on 14 April 1863. Lucy’s parents both died in 1864 leaving her an orphan at the age of 1. When she was four years old Lucy was taken in and raised (effectively adopted) by the Rev. Thomas Cotton and his wife, who had been friends of Lucy’s parents, and her name became Nettie Lucy Cotton , and she was from then always known as Nettie.

When she was 18 years old Nettie married 24-year-old Edwin Henry Stubblefield at Purdy, McNairy County, Tennessee on 10 January 1882. Edwin had been born on 4 February 1857. Edwin and Nettie had seven children; the first five were born in Tennessee between 1883 and 1893, and the other two were born in Mississippi in 1894 and 1898. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 1 June, they were living in a rented home at Guntown, Lee County, Mississippi with their seven children, and Edwin was a travelling salesman. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 22 April, they were living in a rented home at Providence, Tishomingo County, Mississippi with their two eldest daughters and their youngest son, and Edwin was still a travelling salesman. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 24 January, they were living in Rienzi, Alcorn County, Mississippi with their three youngest children; Edwin was a salesman working in the tobacco industry and they now owned their home on which they had a mortgage.

Edwin died at Rienzi on the 1 April 1929, at the age of 72. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 23 April, Nettie and her two youngest children, who were now in their 30s, were living in Railroad Avenue in Rienzi, which they owned and was valued at $3000. Then in the census of 1 April 1940, enumerated on 9 April, Nettie and her two youngest children, who were now in their 40s and still unmarried, were living in the Road alongside the M&D Railroad in Rienzi, which they owned and was valued at $1200. In this census they recorded that they had been living in the same house back on 1 April 1935. Twenty-one years after Edwin's death Nettie died in Rienzi on 7 May 1950, at the age of 87.

 

 

 

Edwin and Nettie’s eldest child was Allie Mable Stubblefield who was born in Tennessee during March 1883. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 1 June, Allie, at the age of 17, was living with her parents in Guntown, Lee County, Mississippi, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 22 April, Allie, now aged 27, was living with her parents in Providence, Tishomingo County, Mississippi.

 

Edwin and Nettie’s second child was Effie Ruth Stubblefield who was born in Tennessee during January 1885. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 1 June, Effie, at the age of 15, was living with her parents in Guntown, Lee County, Mississippi, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 22 April, Effie, now aged 25, was living with her parents in Providence, Tishomingo County, Mississippi.

 

Edwin and Nettie’s third child was Daisy Stubblefield who was born in Tennessee during April 1888. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 1 June, Daisy, at the age of 12, was living with her parents in Guntown, Lee County, Mississippi, and she was going to school.

 

Edwin and Nettie’s fourth child was Howard Stubblefield who was born in Tennessee during October 1890. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 1 June, Howard, at the age of 9, was living with his parents in Guntown, Lee County, Mississippi, and he was going to school.

 

Edwin and Nettie’s fifth child was Mable Stubblefield who was born in Tennessee during April 1893. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 1 June, Mable, at the age of 7, was living with her parents in Guntown, Lee County, Mississippi, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 24 January, Mable, now aged 26, was working as an assistant cashier in a bank and living with her parents in Rienzi, Alcorn County, Mississippi.

 

Edwin and Nettie’s sixth child was Ruth Stubblefield who was born in Mississippi during September 1894. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 1 June, Ruth, at the age of 5, was living with her parents in Guntown, Lee County, Mississippi. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 24 January, Ruth, now aged 25, was living with her parents in Rienzi, Alcorn County, Mississippi. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 23 April, Ruth, at the age of 35, was working as a saleslady in a retail store and living with her widowed mother and brother Harry in Railroad Avenue in Rienzi. Then in the census of 1 April 1940, enumerated on 9 April, Ruth, still unmarried at the age of 45, was living with her widowed mother and brother Harry in the Road alongside the M&D Railroad in Rienzi, and doing the housework for them.

 

Edwin and Nettie’s seventh child was Harry L Stubblefield who was born in Mississippi during September 1898. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 1 June, Harry, at the age of 1, was living with his parents in Guntown, Lee County, Mississippi. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 22 April, Harry, now aged 11, was living with his parents in Providence, Tishomingo County, Mississippi. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 24 January, Harry, at the age of 21, was working as a clerk in a drugstore and living with his parents in Rienzi, Alcorn County, Mississippi. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 23 April, Harry, at the age of 31, was working as a salesman in a grocery store and living with his widowed mother and sister Ruth in Railroad Avenue in Rienzi. In the census of 1 April 1940, enumerated on 9 April, Harry, still unmarried at the age of 41, was living with his widowed mother and sister Ruth in the Road alongside the M&D Railroad in Rienzi. He had been working for the past 34 weeks as a Foreman on a WPA project, which was government emergency work, having previously been unemployed.

 

 

Thomas and Lucy’s fifth child was Emma/Emily Muddle/Medell who was born at Uckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 15 July 1832. When she was 7 years old Emma, with her parents and siblings, emigrated from England to the USA, sailing from London on the St James and arriving in New York on 27 November 1839. In the census of 1 June 1840 Emma was living with her parents in Union Township, Essex County, New Jersey.

Emma, now known as Emily, moved west with her parents and when she was about 16 years old she was married to Peter Gorbet, who was about 20, in La Salle County, Illinois on 20 January 1848 by minister H D Gorbet (Peter’s father) as authorised by a license issued by the County Court Clerk at Ottawa in La Salle County on 15 January 1848.[34] Peter was the son of Henry David and Sarah Gorbet; he had been born at Williamsburg, Clement County, Ohio in about 1827 and he was the brother of George Washington Gorbet who married Emily’s sister Caroline.

In the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 25 September, Peter and Emily were living at South Ottawa in La Salle County; Peter was a farmer and they had 13-year-old Mary McCam living with them, who was probably a servant. They had six children born in Illinois between 1850 and 1870. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 21 July, they were living in Rooks Creek Township, Livingston County, Illinois with their then two children, and they had 9-year-old Helen Calkins living with them.

On 15 November 1861 Peter and Emily sold 80 acres of land in Livingston County to Emily’s mother, Lucy Medell, for $800. This land was subject to a trust deed executed the same day by Peter and Emily that made A W Cowan, a Notary Public, the trustee of the land for the use of Bazellis Jewett. The indenture described this land as:[35]

The South East quarter of the North East quarter of section two (2) and the North East quarter of the North the South East quarter of said section two (2) in Township Twenty Eight (28) North of Range four (4) East of the 3rd Principal Meridian containing Eighty acres more or less.

 In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 24 August, Peter and Emily were living in Pontiac Township in Livingston County with four of their children; Peter was working as a day labourer, he didn’t own any real estate and his personal estate was valued at $300.

Peter died sometime between the 1870 census and 1877 as Emily, at the age of 45, married John Spiece at Pontiac on 25 July 1877. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 10 June, John and Emily, with three of John’s children and two of Emily’s, were living in Amity Township in Livingston County; John was a farmer and they had 30-year-old farmer Samuel Kinney boarding with them.

 

 

 

Peter and Emily’s eldest child was Walter M Gorbet who was born in La Salle County, Illinois during June 1850. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 21 July, Walter, at the age of 9, was living with his parents in Rooks Creek Township, Livingston County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 24 August, Walter, now aged 19, was living with his parents in Pontiac Township in Livingston County.

When he was 20 years old Walter married Amanda Gorbet in Livingston County on 18 January 1872. This marriage probably didn’t produce any children and Amanda had died by 1879 as Walter, at the age of 28, married 28-year-old widow Sarah Elizabeth Smith, whose maiden name was Plymire, in Livingston County on 24 August 1879. Sarah was the daughter of Henry and Charity Plymire; and she had been born in Clinton County, Ohio on 28 August 1850, and she already had at four children, three daughters and a son, from her first marriage. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 11 June, Walter and Sarah and three of Sarah’s children were living in Amity Township in Livingston County, and Walter was a farmer.

Walter and Sarah had five children born between 1881 and 1891; the first four were born at Amity between 1881 and 1888. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 18 June, they were living at 822 Howard Street, Pontiac Township, Livingston County with their five children and Sarah’s son; Walter was now working as a teamster and they owned their home on which they had a mortgage. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 16 April, they were living at 822 East Howard Street with their eldest son and his wife, and also Sarah’s son; Walter was continuing to work as a teamster doing haulage work on his own account.

Sarah died in Livingston County on 22 November 1913, at the age of 63, and she was buried in Pontiac. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 20 January, Walter was living with the family of his son Samuel at Simo Street in Pontiac, and he was still a teamster. Walter died at Pontiac on 23 September 1930, at the age of 79, and he was buried in Pontiac Southside Cemetery.

 

 

Walter and Sarah’s eldest child was George A Gorbet who was born in Amity Township, Livingston County, Illinois on 7 April 1881. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 18 June, George, at the age of 19, was working as a barber and living with his parents at 822 Howard Street, Pontiac Township, Livingston County. George married Bessie in about 1906, and in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 16 April, they were living with George’s parents at 822 East Howard Street in Pontiac and George was working as a barber in his own shop.

 

Walter and Sarah’s second child was Cora Emma Gorbet who was born in Amity Township, Livingston County, Illinois on 19 January 1884. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 18 June, Cora, at the age of 16, was living with her parents at 822 Howard Street, Pontiac Township, Livingston County.

 

Walter and Sarah’s third child was Pansy Lillian Gorbet who was born in Amity Township, Livingston County, Illinois on 23 April 1886. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 18 June, Pansy, at the age of 14, was living with her parents at 822 Howard Street, Pontiac Township, Livingston County, and she was working as a servant at home..

 

Walter and Sarah’s forth child was Samuel Medell Gorbet who was born in Amity Township, Livingston County, Illinois on 29 January 1888. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 18 June, Samuel, at the age of 12, was living with his parents at 822 Howard Street, Pontiac Township, Livingston County, and he was going to school.

 

Walter and Sarah’s fifth child was Mamie E Gorbet who was born in Illinois during September 1891. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 18 June, Mamie, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at 822 Howard Street, Pontiac Township, Livingston County, and she was going to school.

 

 

Peter and Emily’s second child was Thomas M Gorbet who was born in Illinois in about 1859. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 21 July, Thomas, at the age of 1, was living with his parents in Rooks Creek Township, Livingston County, Illinois.

 

Peter and Emily’s third child was Oscar Trueman Gorbet who was born in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois during August 1861. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 24 August, Oscar, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in Pontiac Township in Livingston County. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 4 June, Oscar, now aged 18, was living with the family of farmer Charles Haney in Pontiac, and he was working as a hired hand on the farm.

When he was 24 years old Oscar married 15-year-old Mary Olive Bennington in Livingston County on 16 September 1885. Mary was the daughter of Robert and Margaret Bennington, and she had been born in Cedar County, Missouri during June 1870. Oscar and Mary had six children born between 1886 and 1908. Their first five children were born in Illinois between 1886 and 1896, the first in Amity Township in 1886 and the second in Newton Township in 1888. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 19 June, they were living on a rented farm in Nevada Township, Livingston County with their then five children; Oscar was a farmer and they had his younger brother Albert, who was a day labourer, living with them.

By 1908 they had moved to Wisconsin, where, in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 3 May, they were living on their own farm, on which they had a mortgage, in Grant Township, Monroe County with four of their children. Oscar was farming this as a general farm. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 20 April, they were still living on their farm, which was still mortgaged, in Grant Township; just their eldest and youngest sons were now living with them, the eldest working as a labourer on the farm.

Mary died during the 1920s and in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 26 April, Oscar was a widower living with school teacher Orville Thompson on the County Trunk Highway in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, and he was working as a labourer on a general farm.

 

 

Oscar and Mary’s eldest child was William Trueman Gorbet who was born in Amity Township, Livingston County, Illinois on 17 June 1886. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 19 June, William, at the age of 13, was living with his parents on the family farm in Nevada Township, Livingston County, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 20 April, William, now aged 33, was living with his parents on the family farm in Grant Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin, and working as a farm labourer on the family farm.

 

Oscar and Mary’s second child was Perry C Gorbet who was born in Newton Township, Livingston County, Illinois on 29 July 1888. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 19 June, Perry, at the age of 11, was living with his parents on the family farm in Nevada Township, Livingston County, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 3 May, Perry, now aged 21, was living with his parents on the family farm in Grant Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin, and he was working on the family farm.

 

Oscar and Mary’s third child was Emma Gorbet who was born in Illinois during June 1891. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 19 June, Emma, at the age of 8, was living with her parents on the family farm in Nevada Township, Livingston County

 

Oscar and Mary’s fourth child was Ella M Gorbet, known as Effie, who was born in Illinois during October 1893. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 19 June, Ella, at the age of 6, was living with her parents on the family farm in Nevada Township, Livingston County. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 3 May, Ella, now aged 16, was living with her parents on the family farm in Grant Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin.

 

Oscar and Mary’s fifth child was Viola M Gorbet who was born in Illinois during March 1896. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 19 June, Viola, at the age of 4, was living with her parents on the family farm in Nevada Township, Livingston County. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 3 May, Viola, now aged 14, was living with her parents on the family farm in Grant Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin.

 

Oscar and Mary’s sixth child was Raymond P Gorbet who was born in Wisconsin in about 1908. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 3 May, Raymond, at the age of 2, was living with his parents on the family farm in Grant Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 20 April, Raymond, now aged 12, was continuing to live with his parents on the family farm in Grant Township.

 

 

Peter and Emily’s fourth child was Mary A Gorbet who was born in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois on 14 June 1866. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 24 August, Mary, at the age of 3, was living with her parents in Pontiac Township in Livingston County. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 10 June, Mary, now aged 13, was living with her mother and stepfather in Amity Township in Livingston County.

 

Peter and Emily’s fifth child was Louisa E Gorbet who was born in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois on 21 December 1868. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 24 August, Louisa, at the age of 1, was living with her parents in Pontiac Township in Livingston County.

 

Peter and Emily’s sixth child was Albert L Gorbet who was born in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois during September 1870. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 10 June, Albert, at the age of 9, was living with her mother and stepfather in Pontiac Township in Livingston County. Then in the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 19 June, Albert, now aged 29, was working as a day labourer and living with the family of his elder brother Oscar on their farm in Nevada Township, Livingston County.

When he was 33 years old Albert married Christina Katrina Jepsen, who was about 17, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois on 28 December 1903. They had at least two children; the first born in Monroe County, Wisconsin in 1905 and the second in Illinois in about 1906. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 15 April, they were living in Dwight Township, Livingston County, Illinois with their two children; Albert was working as a labourer at a grain elevator and they owned their home on which there was a mortgage. This census recorded that Christina had given birth to third child who was by then dead.

Sometime between 1910 and about 1916 Albert and Christina separated or divorced. Albert married or started to live with Phoebe from about 1916. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, Christina, describing herself as a widow, which see wasn’t, was living at 660 North Evergreen Avenue, Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois, which she rented, with her son Seth, and she was doing washing for a curate. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 12 April, Albert and Phoebe were living at 817 East North Street in Pontiac City, Livingston County, and Albert was now working on his own account as a teamster in general haulage.

 

 

Albert and Christina’s eldest child was Seth P Gorbet who was born in Monroe County, Wisconsin on 13 February 1905. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 15 April, Seth, at the age of 5, was living with his parents in Dwight Township, Livingstone County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, Seth, now aged 14, was living with his mother at 660 North Evergreen Avenue, Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 5 April, Seth, at the age of 25, was working as a labourer in an iron works and living alone at 501 Industrial Avenue in Kankakee.

 

Albert and Christina’s second child was Oscar Ray Gorbet who was born in Illinois in about 1906. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 15 April, Oscar, at the age of 5, was living with his parents in Dwight Township, Livingstone County, Illinois.

 

 

Thomas and Lucy’s sixth child was Walter Muddle/Medell who was born at Uckfield in Sussex on 4 November 1835, and baptised at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in St Mary Lane, Lewes, Sussex on 27 May 1836. When he was 5 years old Walter, with his parents and siblings, emigrated from England to the USA, sailing from London on the St James and arriving in New York on 27 November 1839. In the census of 1 June 1840 Walter was living with his parents in Union Township, Essex County, New Jersey. It’s thought that Walter died during the 1840s either in New Jersey or after the family had moved to Illinois, as he’s not been found in the 1850 census or later.

 

Thomas and Lucy’s seventh child was Eli [Lee] Muddle/Medell who was born at Uckfield in Sussex in about April 1838, and baptised, at the age of five months, by the Wesleyan Methodist Lewes and Eastbourne Circuit on 14 September 1838. When he was 1 year old Eli, with his parents and siblings, emigrated from England to the USA, sailing from London on the St James and arriving in New York on 27 November 1839. In the census of 1 June 1840 Eli, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in Union Township, Essex County, New Jersey. He then moved west with his parents and in the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 19 December, Eli, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois. After moving to Illinois, as well as changing the spelling of his surname to Medell, like the rest of the family, Eli also added the second forename of Lee.

When he was about 21 years old Eli was married to 17-year-old Paulina Elnore Eversoll in Livingston County, Illinois on 4 July 1859 by I T Whittemore as authorised by a license issued by the County Court Clerk in Pontiac, Livingston County on the same day.[36] Paulina was the daughter of William and Susan Eversoll, and she had been born in Shelby, Richland County, Ohio on 22 April 1842. Eli and Paulina had at five children born in Illinois between 1860 and 1874. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 29 June, they living next-door to Eli’s parents in Pontiac Township, Livingstone County, Illinois with their then one child, and they had the family of Eli’s brother William living with them. Eli was a miller; he owned real estate valued at $2500 and his personal estate was valued at $50. Then in the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 1 June, they were living in Morris, Grundy County, Illinois with their now four children; Eli was continuing to work as a miller but he now only owned real estate valued at $200 with a personal estate valued at $200. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, they were living in Canal Street in Morris with their five children, and Eli was still a miller.

Eli died at 108 North Sterling Street, Streator, La Salle County, Illinois on 8 September 1890, at the age of 52 (not 53 as given on his death certificate), from consumption. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 11 June, Paulina was living with her daughter Lilla and her husband Daniel Willard at 561 46th Place, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 22 April, Paulina was living with the Willards at 528 East 46th Place in Chicago. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 3 January, Paulina was living with the Willards at 7234 Jeffery Avenue in Chicago. Paulina died at 7234 Jeffery Avenue on 1 February 1927, at the age of 84, from collapse due to old age, and she was buried in Streator, La Salle County, Illinois on 3 February 1927. (On her death certificate Paulina’s age was given as 82 and her year of birth as 1844, but it’s thought that her year of birth is more likely to be 1842, which agrees better with her early census records.) It seems probable that Eli and Paulina were buried in Riverwood (later called Riverview) Cemetery in Streator where their son George was buried just one month after Eli’s death.

 

 

 

Eli and Paulina’s eldest child was Sylvanus Gordon Medell who was born in Illinois, probably in Pontiac Township, Livingstone County, during April 1860. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 29 June, Sylvanus, at the age of 2 months, was living with his parents in Pontiac Township. Then in the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 1 June, Sylvanus, now aged 10, was living with his parents in Morris, Grundy County, Illinois, and he was going to school. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, Sylvanus, at the age of 20, was working as a clerk in a store and living with his parents in Canal Street in Morris.

Sylvanus married Grace in late 1882 or early 1883. Grace had been born in Rhode Island during July 1860. Sylvanus and Grace had one child born at Sandwich, De Kalb County, Illinois in 1883, who died in Chicago in 1888, at the age of 4. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 5 June, Sylvanus and Grace were living at 112 Stephenson Street, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Sylvanus was working as a timekeeper at a tar works, they rented their home and Grace’s widowed sister Florence Baker was living with them. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 22 April, they were living at 3540 Rokeby Street in Chicago, which they rented, and Sylvanus was now a superintendent at a curtain factory. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 8 January, they were living at 3749 Rokeby Street in Chicago; Sylvanus was still a superintendent at a curtain factory, and they had 42-year-old Samuel Kirk rooming with them.

Sylvanus died during the 1920s. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 4 April, Grace was a widow and live-in housekeeper to librarian Zelda Bowell and her daughter at 2816 South Hobart, Los Angeles, California.

 

 

 

Sylvanus and Grace’s only child was Harry Gordon Medell who was born at Sandwich, De Kalb County, Illinois on 7 October 1883.[37] Harry died at 427 Monroe Street in Chicago on 22 February 1888, when he was only 4 years, 4 months and 15 days old, from inanition (exhaustion for want of nourishment) caused by gastric irritation that he’d had for five months. He was buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Chicago.[38]

 

 

Eli and Paulina’s second child was George A Medell who was born at Channahon, Will County, Illinois in about 1863. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 1 June, George, at the age of 7, was living with his parents in Morris, Grundy County, Illinois, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, George, now aged 17, was working as a clerk in a store and living with his parents in Canal Street in Morris. George was staying with his sister Lilla and her husband Daniel Mac Willard at 61 River Avenue, Streator, La Salle County, Illinois when he died there on 9 October 1890, at the age of 27, from paralysis that he’d had for seven months. George still had the occupation of clerk when he died; he was buried in Riverwood (later called Riverview) Cemetery in Streator.

 

 

Eli and Paulina’s third child was Lilla Mae Medell who was born in Illinois, possibly in Joliet, Will County, on 30 August 1866. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 1 June, Lilla, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in Morris, Grundy County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, Lilla, now aged 14, was living with her parents in Canal Street in Morris.

When she was 23 years old Lilla was married to 23-year-old Daniel Mac Willard at Morris on 17 September 1889 by William C Mayner, a minister of the gospel.[39] Daniel was the son of Edwin and Ann Willard, and he had been born at Wilmington, Will County, Illinois on 30 August 1866. Daniel and Lilla didn’t have any children. They were living at 61 River Avenue, Streator, La Salle County, Illinois when Lilla’s brother George died on the 9 October 1890 while staying with them; Lilla’s brother William was also staying with them at this time.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 11 June, Daniel and Lilla were living at 561 46th Place, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Daniel was a dentist; they rented their home and Lilla’s widowed mother was living with them. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 22 April, they were living at 528 East 46th Place in Chicago; Daniel was a dentist working on his own account; they owned their home without any mortgage and Lilla’s mother was continuing to live with them. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 3 January, they were living at 7234 Jeffery Avenue in Chicago; Daniel was still a dentist working on his own account; they owned their home which was mortgaged and they still had Lilla’s mother living with them. Lilla’s mother was still living with them when she died in 1927. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 14 April, Daniel and Lilla were continuing to live at 7234 Jeffery Avenue, which they owned and was valued at $19,000; Daniel now described himself as a dental surgeon in private practice and they had a radio in their home.

Lilla died in Chicago on 12 May 1931, at the age of 64, from breast cancer that she’d had for two years, and she was buried in Riverview Cemetery, Streator, La Salle County, Illinois the following day. Daniel continued to work as a dentist until August 1933, having been in that profession for 40 years. Then the following month Daniel was still living at 7234 Jeffery Avenue in Chicago when he died in hospital on 13 September 1933, at the age of 67, from pneumonia that he’d had for nine days, and he was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington, Will County, Illinois two days later.

 

Eli and Paulina’s fourth child was William W Medell who was born in Illinois during February 1869. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 1 June, William, at the age 1, was living with his parents in Morris, Grundy County, Illinois. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, William, now aged 11, was living with his parents in Canal Street in Morris, and he was going to school. William was living with his sister Lilla and her husband Daniel Mac Willard at 61 River Avenue, Streator, La Salle County, Illinois when his brother George died there on the 9 October 1890.

When he was 21 years old William was married to 17-year-old Clara Schubert in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois on 24 June 1891 by R A John pastor of St Paul’s Church, as authorised by a license issued by the County Court Clerk in Chicago, Cook County the day before.[40] Clara had been born in Germany during July 1873 and migrated to the USA in 1874. William and Clara had two children born in Illinois, probably in Chicago, in 1893 and 1895. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 11 June, they were living at 746 60th Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois with their two children, and William was working as a tailor. Later that year Clara died at 4158 Calumet Avenue in Chicago on 17 December 1900, at the age of 27 (not 26 as given on her death certificate), from tuberculosis that she’d had for 3 years.

William then married Jennie, who had also been previously married, in about 1903. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 30 April, they were living at 740 East 46th Street with William’s two children, and William was now a commercial traveller in clothing and they rented their home. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 7 April, William and Jennie were living at 1028 Overton Street, Los Angeles, California; William was working as a tailor in a tailor’s shop and they rented their home at $18 per month.

 

 

 

William and Clara’s eldest child was Roy William Medell who was born in Chicago, Illinois on 24 June 1893. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 11 June, Roy, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at 746 60th Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 30 April, Roy, now aged 16, was learning the trade at International Register Co., and living with his father and stepmother at 740 East 46th Street in Chicago.

Roy married Hazel Oterbridge in about 1917 and they were already married when Roy registered for the First World War draft on 5 May 1917. Roy’s Draft Registration card described him as of medium height and build, with dark brown hair and eyes, but to be disabled with poor eyesight. He was living at 740 South 46th Street in Chicago and working as a tonnage clerk for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad at the Taylor & Chesman Freight Depot.

Roy and Hazel had four children born in Chicago between 1917 and 1927. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, Roy and Hazel and their then one child were living with Hazel’s parents, Maxwell and Marion Oterbridge, at 2824 East 76th Place in Chicago and Roy was working as a railroad clerk. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 12 April, Roy and Hazel were living at 7342 Jeffery Avenue in Chicago with their three youngest children; Roy was continuing to work as a railroad clerk and they rented their home at $60 per month.

During the Second World War Roy, when he was 48, registered in 1942 for what became known as the 'Old Man's Draft'. This was for men born between 28 April 1877 and 16 February 1897 and not then in the military, and it was for the government to get an idea of the industrial manpower of the country that could work on war production. Roy's draft registration card recorded that he lived at 11640 Lowe Avenue in Chicago with his wife Hazel, and he worked for Illinois Central Railroad, 151 East Randolph Street, Chicago.

 

 

Roy and Hazel’s eldest child was Jane Medell who was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in about 1917. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, Jane, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 2824 East 76th Place in Chicago.

 

Roy and Hazel’s second child was Marjorie Medell who was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in about 1921. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 12 April, Marjorie, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 7342 Jeffery Avenue in Chicago.

 

Roy and Hazel’s third child was Virginia Medell who was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in about 1924. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 12 April, Virginia, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 7342 Jeffery Avenue in Chicago.

 

Roy and Hazel’s fourth child was Dorothy Medell who was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in about 1927. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 12 April, Dorothy, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 7342 Jeffery Avenue in Chicago.

 

 

William and Clara’s second child was Mabel Medell who was born in Illinois, probably in Chicago, during November 1895. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 11 June, Mabel, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at 746 60th Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 30 April, Mabel, now aged 14, was living with her father and stepmother at 740 East 46th Street in Chicago.

 

 

Eli and Paulina’s fifth child was Lulu Medell who was born in Illinois in about 1874. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 1 June, Lulu, at the age of 6, was living with her parents in Canal Street in Morris, Grundy County, Illinois.

 

 

 

Thomas and Lucy’s eighth child was Louisa Muddle/Medell who was born in New Jersey, USA in about 1841. She then moved west with her parents and in the census of 1 June 1850, enumerated on 19 December, Louisa, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at Grand Rapids, La Salle County, Illinois.

 

Thomas and Lucy’s possibly adopted ninth child was Sarah J Medell who was born in about 1852. In the census of 1 June 1860, enumerated on 29 June, Sarah, at the age of 8, was living with Thomas and Lucy in Pontiac Township, Livingstone County, Illinois.


[1] NARA film M237_40 Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York 1820-1897.

[2] FHL film 1428331 book 25 p278 Deeds of La Salle County, Illinois.

[3] FHL film 1428332 book 28 p219 Deeds of La Salle County, Illinois.

[4] FHL film 1401705 vol I p506 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[5] FHL film 1401707 vol K p11 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[6] FHL film 1401707 vol K p13 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[7] FHL film 1401707 vol K p158 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[8] FHL film 1401709 vol N pp388,339 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[9] FHL film 1428352 book 69 p119 Deeds of La Salle County, Illinois.

[10] FHL film 1401710 vol O p395 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[11] FHL film 1401710 vol O p395 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[12] FHL film 1401712 pp195,196 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[13] FHL film 1401713 vol V p188 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[14] FHL film 1401714 vol Y p133 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[15] FHL film 1401714 vol Y p115 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[16] FHL film 0848588 item 4, p93 Cemetery records of Summitview Cemetery, South Ottawa.

[17] ESRO QRE/798 Quarter Sessions Roll for Lewes Sessions January 1829.

[18] FHL film 1428331 book 25 p278 Deeds of La Salle County, Illinois.

[19] FHL film 1428332 book 28 p219 Deeds of La Salle County, Illinois.

[20] FHL film 1428341 book 46 p379 Deeds of La Salle County, Illinois.

[21] FHL film 1428345 book 54 p677 Deeds of La Salle County, Illinois.

[22] FHL film 0848588 item 4, p93 Cemetery records of Summitview Cemetery, South Ottawa.

[23] FHL film 1428800, p535 Probate of will of Thomas Henry Medell by La Salle County Court.

[24] FHL film 1683437 La Salle County, Illinois Marriage License D614.

[25] FHL film 0848588 item 4, p93 Cemetery records of Summitview Cemetery, South Ottawa.

[26] FHL film 529043 St Louis, Missouri Marriage License 65162.

[27] Social Security Death Index record for Irene Medell, also gives date of birth.

[28] FHL film 528167 St Louis, Missouri Marriage License 266544.

[29] From his First World War Draft Registration Card.

[30] Social Security Death Index record for Esther A Kaltwasser, also gives date of birth.

[31] FHL film 1428330 book 2 p532 Deeds of La Salle County, Illinois.

[32] FHL film 1428340 book 45 p178 Deeds of La Salle County, Illinois.

[33] FHL film 1710810 La Salle County, Illinois Marriage License 211A.

[34] FHL film 1710810 La Salle County, Illinois Marriage License 1057A.

[35] FHL film 1401712 pp195-196 Deeds of Livingston County, Illinois.

[36] FHL film 1401525 Livingston County, Illinois Marriage License 195.

[37] Harry Gordon Medell’s date of birth calculated from exact age at death given on his death certificate.

[38] FHL film 1030930 Cook County, Illinois Death Certificate 6682.

[39] FHL films 1415755 & 1415756 Grundy County, Illinois Marriage License 6271.

[40] FHL film 1030203 Cook County, Illinois Marriage License 169208.

 

Copyright © Derek Miller 2006-2014

Last updated 21 September 2014

 

Top of page