Misfortune - Week 10

This week's post is for the 2018 challenge called, 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks, by Amy Johnson Crow.  Theme for this week: Misfortune

After reading about the four grown grandchildren having died in a period less than eight months in Sarah Amanda Woods' obituary last time, my interest was piqued.  The obituary states that each of the four brothers lost one child. Let's see if we can dig into this misfortune of the Wood family. 

The children of Nathan and Sarah Amanda were:

• Charles Edgar Wood (1859-1929)
• William Estil Wood (1867-1950)
• Dora Belle Wood (1864-1948)
• Ezra Emmett Wood (1867-1952)
• Louella Wood (1873-1960)
• Otis Thomas Wood (1876-1969)
• Mary Florence Wood (1890-1947)
• Unknown 

I have bolded the males in the list to help us focus on them. Sarah Amanda's obituary also stated there was an eighth child that died when they were four years old.  I haven't found any details for that child yet in anything I have found to date, so I put Unknown at the bottom of the list.  

The year is 1919 and World War I had just ended.  Also in 1919, Woodrow Wilson is the President, Prohibition goes into effect in the United States, dial telephones are introduced by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and four Wood family grandchildren died this year.

The first grandchild who passed away in 1919 was Ruby Frances Wood. She was the daughter of Estil and Martha Franklin Wood.  Ruby died on Feb 3, 1919 of tuberculosis. She was only 18 years old, and the family was living in Bloomington, Indiana.  Looking at her death certificate, she must have suffered for a few months with the illness before she passed.  

Tuberculosis was common in this time period.  It was a contagious disease that was referred to as a "death sentence" if contracted.  According to this website, "During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, tuberculosis (TB) was the leading cause of death in the United States, and one of the most feared diseases in the world.  Formerly called “consumption,” tuberculosis is characterized externally by fatigue, night sweats, and a general “wasting away” of the victim. Typically but not exclusively a disease of the lungs, TB is also marked by a persistent coughing-up of thick white phlegm, sometimes blood." 

Ruby was so young, and it must have been devastating for the family.  Her parents were later buried beside her at Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington, Indiana.  

Ruby Wood, Obituary, Bloomington Evening World, 4 Feb 1919

Ruby Wood, Death Certificate, Monroe County, Indiana

Ruby Wood, Headstone, Rose Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, Indiana

On the second anniversary of her death, this was published in the Bloomington Evening World Newspaper on Feb 3, 1921.  

Ruby Wood, Obituary, Bloomington Evening World, 3 Feb 1921

The next grandchild to pass away was Effie Wood Porter who died on April 29, 1919. She was the daughter of Charles and Gabra Ella Wood.  She married John Porter on July 16, 1904 when she was 18 years old and he was 42.  Married for 12 years, she and John has seven children.  Her husband John passed away on February 14, 1917 with heart issues, at the age of 54.  Also, very sadly, Effie died only two years later of tuberculosis.  Leaving all those children must have been so hard on all the family!  

Effie Wood Porter, Death Certificate, Owen County, Indiana

Effie Wood Porter, Obituary, Spencer Owen County Democrat, 8 May 1919

John and Effie Porter, Heddings Road Chapel Cemetery, Owen County, Indiana

The fist male grandchild to pass away in 1919 was Raymond Wood, and he was the son of Ezra Emmett and Malinda (Coffer) Wood. Raymond was 17, and he tragically passed away in an automobile accident on July 20, 1919 in Redfield, Iwoa.  There was a lengthy newspaper article which explained what happened in the Owen County Democrat.   Raymond had gone out on a drive with his younger brother, Woodrow, who was only six years old.   His car stalled while going up a large hill and rolled backwards off of a cliff landing in water.  Raymond was thrown from the car as it flipped, and his little brother miraculously survived.  Raymond worked with his father and older brothers in the family's garage called, Redfield Garage.  In the Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990, his occupation was listed as Machinist Automobile.  This just makes me very sad. So young and to die in a car accident must have been devastating for the family. 

Raymond Wood Tragic Death, Spencer Owen County Democrat, 31 Jul 1919

His father later sued Dallas County for damages of $27,700 because of the dangerous area of the road not having a guard rail.  In today's money, it would equate to over $400K. The case was moved to Warren County and was retried at least two times.  I searched but could not find out the outcome of the trials.

E.E. Wood Law Suite, Washington Evening Journal, 27 Sept 1919

E.E. Wood Law Suit Continued, Perry Daily Chief, 22 Jul 1921

The last child I found information about was Harry Ephraius Wood, son of Thomas Otis and Mary Etta (Tipton) Wood.  The obituary found in the Owen County Democrat on November 20, 1919 states that he died of diphtheria on October 26, 1919 and was 19 years old.  He died in Owen County and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Spencer, Indiana.  Another death by a disease that is almost nonexistent in the United States today thanks to vaccines.  

Harry Wood Death, Spencer Owen County Democrat, 20 Nov 1919

Harry Wood, Death Certificate, Owen County, Indiana

The Wood family buried four young people in a matter of months in 1919.   I would like to think they leaned on each other through this very difficult year.  

Sources

http://exhibits.hsl.virginia.edu/alav/tuberculosis/

Obituary/Death Announcement, Bloomington Evening World, Bloomington, Indiana, United States, 4 Feb 1919, Page 4, Column 4. Death Announcement for Ruby Frances Wood.

Death Anniversary Announcement, Bloomington Evening World, Bloomington, Indiana, United States, 21 Feb 1921, Page 4, Column 2. Death Anniversary Announcement for Ruby Frances Wood.

Ancestry.com. Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Obituary/Death Announcement, Spencer Owen County Democrat, Spencer, Indiana, United States, 8 May 1919, Death Announcement for Effie Wood Porter. 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104934636/effie-porter


Raymond Wood Accident, Spencer Owen County Democrat, Spencer, Indiana, United States, 31 Jul 1919, Raymond Wood. 

Ancestry.com. Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2014.

Court Announcement, The Evening Journal, Washington, Iowa, United States, 27 Sept 1919, Page 4, Column 2. Begin New Suit for $27,700..


Court Announcement, Perry Daily Chief, Perry, Iowa, United States, 22 Jul 1921, Page 1, Column 2. Hays Sets Aside Wood Verdict.

Obituary/Death Announcement, Spencer Owen County Democrat, Spencer, Indiana, United States, 20 Nov 1919, Death Announcement for Harry Wood.

Valentine...Week 7

This week's post is for the 2018 challenge called , 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks, by Amy Johnson Crow.  Theme for this week: Valentine

When I think of Valentine, I think of love and marriage and good hearts.  In the Wood/Woods Family, we have lots of marriages that have lasted over many decades of time. I think this speaks to a testament of the dedication and steadiness of this family.  

William Estil Wood and his wife, Martha Ellen Franklin, were married on 12 Nov 1894 in Owen County, Indiana.  They were married for 56 years before William died.

William Estil Wood and Martha Ellen Franklin-Marriage Record

I have one picture of them together.  I have been on a mission to find some pictures of them and tracked this one down.  If anyone has any other pictures, please send them my way!  

William Estil Wood and Martha Ellen Franklin

They did have a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration in 1944, and it was posted in the Indianapolis Star and the Owen County newspapers.  I am assuming it was published in the Bloomington newspaper as well, but I have yet to find it.  

Cecil Dale Wood and his wife, Julia Antionette Richardson, were married on 01 May 1926 in Monroe County, Indiana.  They were married for 47 years before Cecil Dale died.  

Julia Richardson Woods and Cecil Dale Woods

Below is a copy of their Marriage application in Monroe County. I had shown a portion of this before when we were talking about the infamous Wood/Woods name.  This is the entire application.  

 

 

Cecil Austin Woods and his wife, Viola May Ingram, were married on 07 Nov 1948 in Marion County, Indiana. (Same anniversary as Brian and I.  This makes me smile!)  They were married for 39 years before Viola passed away.  

Some of my favorite Woods pictures are from their wedding.  They were married at the Woodside Methodist Church and had a small celebration at this restaurant shown in the pictures. 

I don't have an image of their actual Marion County, Indiana marriage license or application yet.  I do have this ceremonial certificate they filled out at the time of their marriage.  

These are just three generations that I highlighted today. There are lots more Woods family  marriages lasting many decades.  Heck, Brian and I are on year 20 this year!  Twenty years together. Cheers to many more! 

Sources

William E Wood and Martha Franklin, (12 November 1894), Owen County, Indiana, Marriage Record, Book J, 1890-1898: pg. 301; Owen County Courthouse, 60 S Main Street, Spencer, Indiana.

"The Star Congratulates Mr. and Mrs. Estil Wood," Indianapolis Star - www., 19 November 1944, Column 3; Online Images https://www.newspapers.com (: accessed 21 March 2017), https://www.newspapers.com/image/104963576/?terms=estil%2Bwood.

"To Observe Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary," undated clipping, 9 October 1944, from unidentified newspaper; Owen County Indiana Public Library Family File - WOOD/WOODS; privately held 2016 by Owen County Indiana Library, 10 S Montgomery St., Spencer, IN 47460. Took picture of announcement in the file.

Woods, Dale and Julia Richardson, (1 May 1926), Monroe County Indiana Marriage Records: Book 20, Page 231; Monroe County History Center, Bloomington, Indiana.

Invite to Dinner...Week 4

This week's post is for the 2018 challenge called , 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks, by Amy Johnson Crow.  Theme for this week: Invite to Dinner.

When I asked my husband about which ancestor he'd invite for dinner, he said, "That's easy. I'd ask my great grandfather to dinner so we could talk about the 's' added to the end of our name."    I thought about what he said and agreed.  Knowing the full story of how your name was changed and morphed into something different would make me feel more complete. I would love to tell you we know the full story, but alas, we do not. Here's what I do know. 

You may have seen my previous posts about our Civil War Veteran, Nathan WOOD, and his dad, John WOOD.  One of Nathan's sons was, William Estil WOOD, and one of his sons was Cecil Dale WOOD.  No "s".  No plural form.  The single form.  Just the material that forms the trunk of a tree or bush.  The matter you use to burn a fire. The substance a woodworker uses to create furniture.  However, I have always felt that adding an "s" gives you a different meaning.  I picture a vast forest or a piece of land full of trees of all kinds---elm, walnut, tulip tree, maple, oak and pine---and a stream running through the middle.  I love our name, by the way, but I digress....

The name change was initiated with Cecil Dale Wood, born December 7, 1904 in Owen County, Indiana.  Below you can see his birth record I retrieved from the Owen County Health Department.  

Cecil Dale Wood entry, Owen County, Indiana, Birth Records

He was born with the name Wood, but somewhere around 1926, he simply added the "s" at the end of his name.  He didn't do this legally (or at least I don't think he did.)

Cecil Dale's family moved to Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana somewhere around 1916 when Cecil Dale would have been about 12 years old.  Cecil Dale appears in the 1920-1922 Bloomington City Directory for the first time and listed with his father and his brother, Dewey.  All with the last name of WOOD.  Cecil Dale stops appearing in the Bloomington City Directories around 1939.  

Wood Entries for Caron's Directory of the City
Bloomington, Indiana for 1920-1921-1922

When Cecil Dale marries Julia Antionette Richardson on May 1, 1926, his name is listed as Woods and he signs his name with an "s". He is 21 years old at the time of his marriage.  This is the first time we see his name with an "s" at the end.  

Cecil Dale Dale and Julia Richardson, Monroe County Indiana Marriage Record

Signature as Dale Woods, signed twice on the Marriage Record

However, there are some inconsistencies with the "s" at the end of the name. In the next census of 1930, he is listed as Dale Wood and living with Julia's parents.  

1930 US Census - Listing for Dale Wood

Up until the 1936-1937, he is listed as Cecil D Wood, no "s", in the Bloomington, Indiana City Directories; however, in the 1938-1939 directory, he is listed with the "s" at the end.  

Wood Entries for Caron's Directory of the City
Bloomington, Indiana for 1938-1939

This is a few years prior to the family moving to Indianapolis, Indiana.  And, it seems after they move to Indianapolis, the name is consistently, Woods.  

Wood Entries for Polk's Indianapolis City Directory - Vol. 1942

I feel like I have to write about this topic so generations after ours know that the name change occurred.  We know some bits and pieces, and I have gathered some facts surrounding the name change.  There is also family lore that suggests that Cecil Dale and his brother did not get along or had a squabble, and Cecil Dale added the "s" so he would not be associated with his brother.  I had heard that he did this when he moved to Indianapolis, but given the facts I found, I don't think this is necessarily the case.  Below you see a picture of Cecil Dale and his brother.  They don't really look like they hate each other, but who knows?  This is just one photograph and one glimmer in time. 

So, back to the original intent of the blog post. If you could invite someone to dinner and have a conversation about your family history, Brian and I would love to know more about why someone would choose to change their name.  Back then, I guess you just decided to do it, and then just start writing your name differently and tell people your name has an "s" on the end of it. We couldn't imagine doing this today!  I guess we may never know the full reason why Cecil Dale Wood wanted to be Cecil Dale Woods. But, we do know he changed his name, and it still lives on today in our names.  

Cecil Dale Woods and his brother, Dewey Wood

Cecil Dale Woods

Sources
(No First Name Listed) Wood entry, Owen County, Indiana, Birth Records, H-6, Book H-6, 1904-1907: Page 9, Entry No. 6, Owen County Health Department, 86 East Market Street, Spencer, Indiana.

Caron's Directory of the City of Bloomington, Indiana for 1916-1917-1918: And Taxpayers of Monroe County (Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana: Caron Directory Co., 1918), 314 & 356, entry for Wood Estil W. (Martha); digital image, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com (http://interactive.ancestry.com/2469/11569542/637300787?backurl=http://person.ancestry.com/tree/5907916/person/-1373818511/facts/citation/323805103860/edit/record : Downloaded 26 November 2016), lab r 726 S Rogers.

Caron's Directory of the City Bloomington, Indiana for 1920-1921-1922: And Taxpayers of Monroe County (Louisville, Kentucky, USA: Caron Directory Co., 1922), 284 & 307, entry for Wood W Estil (Martha); digital image, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com (http://interactive.ancestry.com/2469/10520751/528929146?backurl=http://person.ancestry.com/tree/5907916/person/-1373825559/facts/citation/660119774871/edit/record#?imageId=11621166 : Downloaded 29 November 2016), farmer r 1003 Howe.

Woods, Dale and Julia Richardson, (1 May 1926), Monroe County Indiana Marriage Records: Book 20, Page 231; Monroe County History Center, Bloomington, Indiana.

Ancestry.com, 1930 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2002.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626), Year: 1930; Census Place: Bloomington, Monroe, Indiana; Roll: 619; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 4; Image: 9.0.

Caron's Bloomington, Indiana City Directory 1936-1937 (Louisville, Kentucky, USA: Caron Directory Company, 1937), 399, entry for Wood C Dale (Julia); [Format:lower], [Creator], [WebsiteTitle] ([URL] : [AccessType] [AccessDate]), formn r 922 W. 7th.

Caron's Bloomington, Indiana City Directory 1938-1939 (Louisville, Kentucky, USA: Caron Directory Company, 1939), page 405, entry for Woods Cecil D (Julia); [Format:lower], [Creator], [WebsiteTitle] ([URL] : [AccessType] [AccessDate]), r 1000 W 7th.

Polk's Indianapolis City Directory - Vol. 1942 (Indianapolis, Indiana: R.L. Polk & CO., Publishers, 1942), 1441, entry for Woods, Cecil D; digital image, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com (Downloaded 29 November 2016), mach NYCSys r204 N Walcott.