A few months ago, my sons asked me who my favorite ancestor was. I immediately answered that Abraham Huffman was the man that I admired the most because of his constant attention to the needs of his community during his lifetime. In this biography of our 2nd great-grandfather, Abraham, you will learn how often his neighbors turned to him for assistance. This quote, in the next paragraph, was found in the book, "A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County:, Author: H.S.Knapp, Pub 1863".
"Abraham Huffman was one of the first settlers in Clear Creek Twp. and did a great deal to improve his community; a man of great industry and energy, always ready to administer to the wants of the needy. His uncompromising hostility to what he considered wrong sometimes caused him trouble that many others could have avoided.
In 1820, the first school house was built on the line of the land of Abraham Huffman. The house of hewn logs 18 x 20 feet, cabin roof, puncheon floor, tables, and seats. It had greased paper windows. Because of an insufficient heating system, the ink would freeze in the winter."
Abraham was born on the 19th of November of 1785 in Hampshire County, Virginia. By the 15th of March in 1810, he married Margaret Cuppy in Jefferson, Ohio. The marriage was solemnized by William Argo, minister of the Gospel.
In 1825, Abraham's source of income seemed to mainly be from his occupation as a maple syrup maker. As I understand it, he carried his barrels of syrup overland, perhaps by an ox team, to the Ohio River, and then often shipped the syrup himself to New Orleans. Some of the tales of his troubles with Indians on the Ohio River are upsetting, but understandable for his need to protect himself, his sons who accompanied him, and his property. (I've also read that the Indians were fond of the maple syrup and made a habit of leaving their reservations to revisit their former residence and to treat themselves of the syrup when it was running.)
Abraham was elected the Trustee of Clear Creek Twp., Richland, OH in 1829. He was on the Board of Trustees for the Ashland Academy 1841-1842, and he was the corporator of Ashland County Mutual Fire Insurance Co. to name a few of his responsibilities to the citizens of his places of residence. In addition, he was named as an administrator to many of his neighbors' wills, more evidence that shows the respect that his friends had for him.
The photo, above, is of the main street of the city of Ashland, Ohio as it looks in 2017. Abraham died on the 16th of October in 1860, according to the "History of Ashland County, Ohio", Author: George William Hill, M.D., pub. 1880. Abraham was buried in the Ashland City Cemetery.
ABRAHAM HUFFMAN
BORN: 19 Nov 1785 in ,Hampshire, VA
MARRIED: 15 Mar 1820 in ,Jefferson, OH
DIED: 16 Oct 1860 in Ashland City, Ashland, OH
BURIED: Ashland City Cemetery, Ashland, OH
SOURCES: U.S. Federal Censuses of 1790 to 1860; LDS Ancestral File; U.S. Marriage Set; Several Land Purchasing Records at BLM;and the two history books mentioned above by authors Hill
and Knapp.
Emma was born in Augusta, Maine on August 1842, only 22 years after Maine became a state. Augusta was chosen to be Maine's capitol in 1827. The town started to flourish after new industry was introduced, from 1840 to 1850, while Emma was a child. Augusta ranked among the 100 largest urban populations. During the next decade, however, the city was quickly bypassed by rapidly growing metropolises in the midwest.
Maybe the Evans family moved to South Scituate, Massachusetts when Augusta seemed to be lacking in growth possibilities. Emma's sisters, Julia and Catherine, and brother Charles were all born in Maine. But the youngest daughter, Anna, was born in Massachusetts in 1862. In fact, the family is in the 1860 Federal census in South Scituate and Emma is age 17.
During a visit with me c. 1985, Mildred Shepard showed me Emma's diary and two strange entries that Emma had made in it, in 1856, writing:
"January 7, 1856=I have this day commenced to teach 11 scholars in the front chamber. We study reading, writing, spelling, geography and arithmetic." [Don't you just love the way she expresses herself and gives a hint about her home?]
"January 11, 1856=Unforeseen circumstances---school is closed." [Poor girl. I wonder what happened.]
Mildred told me that Emma had gone to college in Massachusetts, so I think she may have been studying to be a teacher. However, since you have already read about your great grandfather's letters to Emma during the Civil War, bought property in Michigan, and he and Emma became man and wife, you know that her career to become a teacher was ended. Cyrus and Emma left for Michigan soon after their wedding. Also, somewhat later, Emma's family moved to Michigan and lived close to Emma and Cyrus.
Mitten-shaped Michigan has over 80 counties now. Montcalm is located centrally where the thumb of the mitten juts out. It was marked in red when I copied it for this story...I'm sorry that it didn't copy. The photographs of the cities in Montcalm look very modern and crowded, hardly similar to the farming countryside that Emma and her family were accustomed to in the mid-1800s.
Cyrus and Emma had three sons and two daughters, all born in Michigan, as follows:
1866 Carrie
1870 Irving
1874 Verner
1879 Hershel
1881 Edith, our ancestor
Edith was born in early March and poor Emma died on the 28th of May in 1881 of "quick consumption" which Mildred believed was the measles. Fortunately, Edith had her Evans' grandparents living nearby who adopted her and cared for her in her infancy. When they both died, Edith's Aunt Anna Evans, Emma's youngest sibling, took care of her. Cyrus was busy rearing his three active young sons and working on his farm. Carrie, the oldest daughter, was married and living in Denver, Colorado when Emma died.
EMMA HARRIET EVANS
BORN: 14 Aug 1842 in Augusta, Kennebec, ME
MARRIED: 19 Nov 1865 in Norwell, Plymouth, MA
DIED: 28 May 1881 in Vickeryville, Montcalm, MI
SOURCES: "Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FH27-Q5G Emma H. Dickinson, 28 May 1881; citing Evergreen, Montcalm, Michigan, reference v A p 124; FHL microfilm 1,295,523; Federal census records of 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880; wikipedia history of Augusta, ME; marriage record; interviews with Mildred Shepard; quotes from Emma's personal diary.
Cyrus was named after a favorite minister of his family. He was born on the 9th day of October in 1837 in Fort Ann, Washington County, New York. He had six siblings. Cyrus grew up to be 5 foot 10 inches tall.
"My Grandfather, Cyrus Whitney Hodges Dickinson," said Mildred Shepard, c. 1967 "was born in Glen Falls, New York, October 9, 1837, the seventh son of a seventh son. He was named after a preacher, Cyrus Whitney Hodges, which griped him terribly." [Glenn Falls is a community near the city of Fort Ann.]
At age 18, Cyrus and a couple of his brothers went to Michigan and purchased land for the family to farm. Soon after, their parents and other family members left New York and traveled to Montcalm County where they all lived on adjoining properties.
On the 24th of August in 1861, Cyrus enlisted in Company B, 16th Michigan Infantry, in Ionia, Michigan. At the Battle of Kelly's Ford, Cyrus came down with the mumps. At about this time, his buddy, George Clapp, from South Scituate, Massachusetts was writing to his fiance . Cyrus asked George if his fiance might have a nice friend that he could write to. George immediately thought of Emma Evans and gave Cyrus her address. This was the start of the letters that Cyrus wrote and Emma saved, bless her heart, for us descendants to read and learn from:
12 Nov 1863 at Kelly's Ford, VA--a letter to Miss Emma Evans from Cyrus, the soldier:
"To Miss Emma, Our advance is as far out across the Rappahanock as Culpepper. We are here to guard the rear. Last Sat. at Rapp. Station, Gen'l Mead's army all got in motion very early and took up a line of march in the direction of the river. Two Corps going to Rapp Sta. and the other 3 coming here to this ford. Our corps and the 6th Corp went to the stat and there we found a brigade of rebels and preparations were made and a fight began with the 6th Corps and we was brought up on the left and we took a good shelling from the rebels battery but none of our guard was injured (some narrow escapes). I and 24 others took 100 prisoners to Headquarters.
My father is 70 years old; mother 63, last August. I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters, all married. My duty is to serve my country."
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6 Dec 1863, another letter to "Kind Friend, Emma...I shall never regret the 3 yrs I have endured of hardships and absences from those I love. I am back on the East side of Rappahannock River. I had hard tack, coffee and salt pork for Thanksgiving dinner.
I am on the outside of the picket lines at the house of an old widow. I'm a safe guard, sitting by a cheerful fire. A Virginia girl, niece of old lady, reading. Boys are dancing in the street with a violin being played.
I keep my photos and diary over my heart. We are trying to hold on to a RR near Bealton, VA."
On the 22nd day of December in 1863, Cyrus re-enlisted before going home to Michigan for a Christmas furlough. Later, he was involved in fighting at Gettysburg, Battle of Bull Run, Little Difficult and other lesser known skirmishes.
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22 May 1864 "Fredericksburg, VA in hospital. Unable to march, too sick. Ambulance." [ After he got well, Dr. detailed Cyrus. ]
2 Jul1864...terribly hot weather.
20 Jul 1864, Camp near Petersburg, VA. [Cyrus thanks Emma's parents, aunt, and sister, Julia, for their kind wishes. Cyrus tells Emma that he left his folks in NY when he was 18. Parents came to MI then, 6 months later. In MI he went to a little school house to hear sermons.
Atlanta was taken with a great many prisoners. Cyrus saw Gen'l Grant there. The soldiers are playing cards, drinking, and swearing...much drunkenness.]
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30 Sep 1864: at Weldon RR. Buys apples for 5 cents; 5 or 6 peaches for 25 cents; can't afford to buy much from Sutters.
"Brother, Thomas, is in the 6th MI Cavalry in the valley and has been fighting lately under Sheridan. He is my favorite brother and I love him dearly. He has one very smart pretty little girl. I saw him when I was home last winter. He got a sick furlow from the hospital and came home about 10 days before I came back to Dixie. "
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2 Nov 1864 Papler Spring Church." They will vote on Nov 8th. Charles has enlisted and has gone to Tenn. He fell and sprained his thumb yesterday." [Charles is an older brother.]
Mildred Shepard explained that, "Cyrus went back to Michigan after the war ended, took out a Homestead, then went to Boston (South Scituate) to meet Emma and her family. They were married at the Evans home at '62 minutes after a couple o'clock', so he said." [Their marriage took place on 19 Nov 1865.]
Cyrus was Mustered out at Jeffersonville, Indiana, July 8th 1866.
In the 1870 Federal Census: #258/261 in Montcalm County, MI: Cyrus, age 33, is a farmer with $2,000 in Real Estate and $100 in Personal Estate. He and Emma, age 27, have one daughter, Carrie, age 3. who was born in MI. They lost their first child.
1880 Census, Cyrus is age 43 living in Evergreen Twp., Montcalm, MI. Emma H. is 37, born in ME, her father born in Sweden and Her mother born in ME. Carry E. is 13, Irving is 9, Verner is 6 and Hershal is 1. Carry, Irving, and Verner are all attending school.
"My Grandmother, Emma, died May 28, 1881 of measles and is buried in Vickeryville, MI. So is Cyrus. He passed away February 5, 1918. Cyrus had moved to Denver, CO soon after Grandma passed away." said Mildred Shepard.
1900 Census=Cyrus, age 63, living with Carrie and Judson Ellsworth at 3131 High St. in Denver, Arapahoe, CO. Judson and Carrie have been married 17 years. Judson is 41 and a carpenter. Cyrus is a chiropodist.
It is obvious that Cyrus lived a full and busy life and was loved and admired by his family...that love is especially noticeable via Mildred Shepard's comments.
CYRUS WHITNEY HODGES DICKINSON
BORN: 9 Oct 1937 in Fort Ann, Washington, NY
MARRIED: 19 Nov 1865 in Norwell, Plymouth, MA
DIED: 5 Feb 1918 in Highland Park, Wayne, MSI
SOURCES: Federal Census Records of 1840 to 1900; Cyrus' military and vital records; Cyrus' letters to Emma Evans during the Civil War:Repository at the home of Sandra Kratzer, descendant of Cyrus Dickinson; Cyrus' photo album: Repository at the home of Marjorie Shepard, the wife of a descendant of Cyrus and the Shepard family historian. Elda Esch, "The Benoni Dickinson Genealogy"; Countless interviews with Midred Shepard.
Stewart family descendants can thank Allen and Sandra Kratzer who visited the Provincial Archives and Records Office in downtown Charlottetown, PEI, Canada in Summer 2000. They copied various card files and microfilm records of our Stewarts. The records from the Heritage Foundation were all hand scribed onto 3x5 index cards. For instance, on a card file is:
" John Stewart, born 8 Dec 1813, baptized 1 Apr 1814 by Rev. T. Desbrisay at the St. Paul's Church, record book #3, page 145."
Thank you, Allen and Sandra for sharing your research of our ancestors of Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Next, we have these records from the Kratzer research at PARO:
"Marriage of John Stewart and Eleanor Young married under license on January 3, 1850. Witnesses=Edmund Rodd and John Young, recorded January 3, 1851-R. Hodgson, surrogate (Marriages:1844-1852) page 533."
From the microfilm: John Stewart (bachelor) of the North River and Eleanor Young (spinster) of Brackley Point Rd. were married by license with the consent of friends 3 Jan 1850 by , Charles Lloyd in the presence of Edmund Rodd and John Young."
This list of the children of John Stewart II and Helen, including birth and death dates, was written by their granddaughter, Mildred Stewart:
William 25 Oct 1850 d.21 Oct 1854
John 20 Nov 1851 d.15 May 1904 Denver, Arapahoe, CO (our ancestor)
James 7 Oct 1853
Mary 2 Feb 1855 d.1931 PEI
Roderick 18 Sep 1856 d.19 Apr 1894 Two Harbors, Lake, MN
Neil 18 Nov 1858 d.1936 PEI
Isabella 13 Apr 1861 died young
Annie M. 14 Jan 1863 d.Sep 1956
Jane 26 Mar 1866
William` 26 Mar 1866 d.28 Dec 1959
Margaret 27 May 1873
Jane 15 Dec 1873
All of the children were born in North River, Prince Edward Island, Canada. [The blank spaces indicate that those dates are unkown.]
The records for the wife of John Stewart say either Eleanor or Helen Young, one and the same person. She was born on the 10th of Feb 1828 in Prince Edward Island. She died on the 10th of March in 1889 and is buried at Highfield Park.
John died on the 25th of Jun in 1892, probably buried next to Helen, his wife.
JOHN STEWART
BORN: 8 Dec 1813 in North River, PEI, Canada
MARRIED: 3 Jan 1850 in Queens, PEI, Canada
DIED: 25 Jan 1892 in North River, PEI, Canada
ELEANOR YOUNG
BORN:10 Feb 1828 , Prince Edward Island, Canada
DIED: 10 Mar 1889 in North River, Queens, PEI, Canada
BURIED: Highfield Park
SOURCES: Canadian Census Records of 1851-1891; Vital Records of the Stewart family of North River, PEI, researchers, Allen and Sandra Kratzer; Mar 1889 Newspaper obituary from Charlottetown newspaper re Helen Young Stewart.
