Catherine Goden1

b. 14 July 1810
Family
ChartsDescendants of Robert Heaton of Yorkshire, The Immigrant
Birth*14 July 1810Catherine Goden was born on 14 July 1810 in Ohio.2,3 
Marriage*18 September 1828She married Samuel Heaton, son of Thomas Heaton and Mary Haldeman, on 18 September 1828 in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio.2,1 
Death*She may have died between the birth of her son Jacob in 1834 and her husband's next child born in 1844. The 1926 death certificate of Samuel's son, George, who was born in 1845, reported his mother's name as "Katherine Weerwich", and his marriage certificate in 1899 to Ida Harris recorded it as "Catherine Werick."4 

Family

 Samuel Heaton b. 18 May 1805, d. 28 Dec 1891
Children 1.Jacob Heaton2 b. 19 Apr 1834, d. 22 Nov 1891
 2.John Heaton+2 b. 1 Aug 1844, d. 7 Aug 1926

Citations

  1. [S1576] Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Catharine "Goder" and Samuel Heaton on 18 September 1828 in Columbiana, Ohio, USA, referencing FHL Film# 000927766. Hereinafter cited as Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993.
  2. [S45] Dean Heaton, Heaton Families II, in two volumes, with indexes in Volume II. Warning: In this researcher's opinion, the information in these volumes often proves to be inaccurate. At the same time, the information presented has provided us with valuable clues for pursuing future research strategies in our attempt to establish a factual history of our Heaton family. (Tempe, Arizona: published for the author by Graphics of Tempe, 1999), Volume I, Chapter 18, page 668. Hereinafter cited as Heaton Families II.
  3. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Catherine Heaton, Memorial# 153593641. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  4. [S1576] Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of George Heaton, son of Samuel Heaton and Catherine "Werick", and Ida Harris, daughter of Jeremiah Bates and Sarah Stewart, on 7 November 1899 in Columbiana County, Ohio, USA, referencing FHL Film# 000927775.

Armina Godfrey1

b. 1820, d. 18 December 1852
Family
Father*Matthew Godfrey Jr.2
Mother*Angelina Miller2
Birth*1820Armina Godfrey was born about 1820 in New Jersey.3 
Marriage*30 December 1837She married, as his first wife, Henry S. Godfrey, son of Thomas Godfrey Jr. and Mary Young, on 30 December 1837 in Cape May County, New Jersey. They both resided in Upper Township, Cape May County, and Henry was 16 years old and Armina was age 17.1,4,3 
Census US 1850*7 September 1850Armina and Henry S. Godfrey were enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 7 September 1850 in Stark County, Illinois. Henry was 28 years of age and a farmer with real estate valued at $400, and Armina was age 30. Their three children were enumerated with them. Mary E. and Matthew T. were ages 9 and 7 years, respectively, and had both attended school within the census year; and Permelia was 3 years old.3 
Death*18 December 1852She likely died about age 32, almost immediately after the birth of her last child on 18 December 1852 in Illinois. Her new-born daughter, Armina, was named in her honor and her widowed husband was left with five very young children.5,6,1 

Family

 Henry S. Godfrey b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Children 1.Mary E Godfrey3 b. 15 Aug 1840, d. 30 Oct 1922
 2.Matthew T. Godfrey3 b. 1843, d. 25 Jun 1864
 3.Permelia Godfrey3 b. Jun 1846
 4.Charles W. Godfrey7 b. Feb 1852
 5.Armina Godfrey+5 b. 18 Dec 1852, d. 11 Feb 1931

Citations

  1. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Henry Sheldon Godfrey, Memorial# 29660161. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  2. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Armina (Godfrey) Godfrey, Memorial# 160820060.
  3. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry and Armina Godfrey, Year: 1850; Census Place: Stark, Illinois; Roll: 129; Page: 206a. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  4. [S1598] New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Henry Godfrey and Armina Godfrey both of Upper Township, on 30 December 1837 in Cape May County, New Jersey, USA, referencing FHL Film# 000852775. Hereinafter cited as New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Armina “Minnie” (Godfrey) Faubion, Memorial# 205951158.
  6. [S2365] Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois, online at www.ancestry.com, Chapter IV. Marriage record 1831-1866, page 80, 1853, and noting that Susan's surname was transcribed as Robertson, online at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/22367/…. Hereinafter cited as Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois.
  7. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Goshen, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 814; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.

Armina Godfrey1

b. 18 December 1852, d. 11 February 1931
Family
Father*Henry S. Godfrey1 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Mother*Armina Godfrey1 b. 1820, d. 18 Dec 1852
Birth*18 December 1852Armina Godfrey was born on 18 December 1852 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois.1,2,3 
Name VariationShe was called Minnie.1 
(Daughter) Death18 December 1852Her mother died when Armina was a new-born, almost immediately after her birth on 18 December 1852. Her mother was about 32 years old, and left Armina's father with five very young children.1,4,5 
(Daughter) Marriage13 February 1853Two months after the death of her mother, her father married a second time, on 13 February 1853, to Susan Gierhart.5,4 
(Possible Relative) Census US 186029 June 1860Armina was enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 29 June 1860 in the household of the widow Elizabeth (Treakle) Wright in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. Armina was 7 years old and had attended school within the census year. We've not yet identified a relationship, if any, between Armina's family or the Wrights or Treakle families, or the reason Armina was not with her father who was also in Stark County, although not in Toulon, in 1860.2 
(Granddaughter) Census US 18709 July 1870Minnie Godfrey was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 9 July 1870 in the household of her widowed paternal grandmother, Mary (Young) Godfrey, in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. Minnie was 17 years old, had attended school within the census year, and worked as a school teacher. Her father and his family were enumerated on the next census page.6 
Marriage*4 July 1872She married first Leander Simmerman on 4 July 1872 in Stark County, Illinois.7,8,1 
Children*Minnie and Lee had eight children together, five sons and three daughters.1 
(Wife) Death1 June 1910Armina became a widow when Leander Simmerman died on 1 June 1910 at age 55.8 
Marriage*1 January 1923She married second, as his second wife, John Henry Faubion on 1 January 1923 in Bassett, Rock County, Nebraska. John had been divorced for four years after 41 years of marriage, and was 66 years of age; and Minnie had been a widow for 13 years and was 70 years of age. John's daughter, Cora Bell (Faubion) Simmerman, had married Minnie's son, Clyde Simmerman, in March 1900.9,1,3,10 
Residence*1931Minnie Faubion was listed as the widow of John H. Faubion, a teaming contractor, at 1414 East 6th Avenue, Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, in the Winfield, Kansas, City Directory for 1931. Although they may have been separated when the directory was prepared, Minnie was not John's widow. They both died in 1931, Minnie in February, and John in July.11 
Stroke*January 1931During a visit in January 1931 with her son and daughter-in-law, Emma and Fred Simmerman, in Plankinton, Aurora County, South Dakota, Minnie suffered a stroke of paralysis.12 
Death*11 February 1931She died a few weeks later, on 11 February 1931, at the home of her son in Plankinton at age 783,1,12 
Burial* and was buried in Harmony Cemetery, Strang, Fillmore County, Nebraska.1 

Family 1

 Leander Simmerman b. 4 Jun 1854, d. 1 Jun 1910
Children 1.Henry Fred Simmerman13 b. 30 Jul 1873, d. 26 Jan 1948
 2.George Clyde Simmerman14 b. 17 May 1877, d. 1942
 3.Lottie Simmerman15 b. 1879
 4.William Ray Simmerman16 b. 23 Oct 1880
 5.Hugh Simmerman17 b. 1886

Family 2

 John Henry Faubion b. 15 Aug 1856, d. 17 Jul 1931

Citations

  1. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Armina “Minnie” (Godfrey) Faubion, Memorial# 205951158. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  2. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Elizabeth Wright, Year: 1860; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 885; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
  3. [S2371] Armina "Minnie" (Godfrey) Simmerman Faubion 1931 Obituary, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Nebraska Signal, (Geneva, Nebraska), Thursday, 19 February 1931, page 2, death of Mrs. Minnie Faubion of Strang, born 15 December 1852 in Toulon, Illinois, died 11 February 1931 at the home of her son, Fred, in Plankinton, South Dakota; married Leander Simmerman in 1872, he died in 1910, eight children, five sons, Ernest and Will, died before their mother, Fred of Plankinton, South Dakota, Clyde of Bassett, Nebraska, and Hugh of Carleton, three daughters, Mrs. Charles McConnell of Sheridan, Wyoming, Mrs. Lizzie Ernst and Mrs. Charles Nichols of Strang, married J. H. Faubion at Bassett in 1923, burial in Harmony Cemetery. Hereinafter cited as Armina "Minnie" (Godfrey) Simmerman Faubion 1931 Obituary.
  4. [S2365] Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois, online at www.ancestry.com, Chapter IV. Marriage record 1831-1866, page 80, 1853, and noting that Susan's surname was transcribed as Robertson, online at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/22367/…. Hereinafter cited as Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Henry Sheldon Godfrey, Memorial# 29660161.
  6. [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Mary Godfrey, Year: 1870; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M593_278; Page: 449B. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 4 July 1872 in Stark County, Illinois, USA, of Leander Simmerman and Minnie Godfrey, referencing Various Illinois County Courthouses, Marriage Records. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940.
  8. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Leander “Lee” Simmerman, Memorial# 143768545.
  9. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, John Henry Faubion, Memorial# 71909194.
  10. [S2374] John Henry Faubion (1856-1931) Nebraska Obituary, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Valentine Newspaper, (Valentine, Nebraska), Friday, 24 July 1931, page 1, born August 16, 1856 at Rock Port, Atchison County, Missouri, died July 17, 1931 at his home in Bassett, Nebraska, age 74, married Allie Gilbert on November 12, 1878, six children, four living in Cody, Nebraska, Cora Simmerman living in Bassett, and daughter Mae died in 1920, married Mrs. Minnie Simmerman at Bassett on January 1, 1923, mother died when he was a small boy, when his father was in the army, father died in 1918, stepmother survives, one sister in Missouri and three half-sisters and three half-brothers, all living in Kansas. Hereinafter cited as John Henry Faubion (1856-1931) Nebraska Obituary.
  11. [S1891] U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, online at www.ancestry.com, listing for Minnie Faubion, as the widow of John H, teaming contractor, in the Winfield, Kansas, City Directory, 1931. Hereinafter cited as U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995.
  12. [S2373] Minnie Faubion January 1931 Stroke, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Nebraska Signal, (Geneva, Nebraska), Thursday, 29 January 1931, page 2, message sent from her son, Fred Simmerman, to his sister, Lottie Nichols, about the middle of January 1931 that their mother, Mrs. Minnie Faubion, had suffered a stroke of paralysis; she had been visiting her son Fred in Plankinton, South Dakota. Hereinafter cited as Minnie Faubion January 1931 Stroke.
  13. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Henry Fred Simmerman, Memorial# 194447970.
  14. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, George Clyde Simmerman, Memorial# 24636359.
  15. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Lottie (Simmerman) Hepburn, Memorial# 17940566.
  16. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, William Ray “Will” Simmerman, Memorial# 143768640.
  17. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Hugh Simmerman, Memorial# 205951694.

Charles W. Godfrey1

b. February 1852
Family
Father*Henry S. Godfrey1 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Mother*Armina Godfrey1 b. 1820, d. 18 Dec 1852
Birth*February 1852Charles W. Godfrey was born in February 1852 in Illinois.1,2 
(Son) Death18 December 1852His mother died when Charles was ten months old, and almost immediately after the birth of her last child on 18 December 1852. His mother was about 32 years old, and left Charles's father with five very young children.3,4,5 
Name VariationHe was called Chas.6 
(Son) Marriage13 February 1853Two months after the death of his mother, his father married a second time, on 13 February 1853, to Susan Gierhart.5,4 
(Son) Research Notes The name Robertson has been found, both as a surname and as a given name, in our research of Susan Gierhart and Henry S. Godfrey. In an early transcription of Susan's name in the record of the couple's 1853 marriage, and then subsequently recopied in other indexes of that marriage, she was identified as Susan Robertson. Her parents were not named, and we don't know if Robertson had meaning or was an error in transcription. Had she been married before to a husband with the surname Robertson? She was 17 years old when she married Henry Godfrey, so an earlier marriage, while not impossible, seems unlikely. Our research, through census and Find a Grave records, indicates her maiden surname was Gierhart, and that her parents were Christian Gierhart and Mary Polly Strong, and when her daughter, Emma, married in 1878, Emma's parents' names were reported as Henry S. Godfrey and Susan Gierhart. Then, when Susan and Henry's son, Charles, married, also in 1878, his marriage record identified his father's name as Robertson Godfrey. It was actually Henry Sheldon Godfrey, so therein lies our dilemma. Two marriage records, 25 years apart, and both including the name Robertson, which may be a clue to something significant. We don't believe in coincidences, and wonder if somewhere, in the Gierhart or Godfrey family, or an earlier marriage, there is a Robertson. We'd very much like to know, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who is able to help us resolve our Robertson conundrum.4,7,8,9,10,11,12 
(Son) Census US 186013 June 1860Charles W. was enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 13 June 1860 in the household of his father and stepmother in Goshen, Stark County, Illinois. He was 8 years old and had attended school within the census year.1 
(Son) Census US 18709 July 1870Charles was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 9 July 1870 in the household of his father and stepmother in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. He was 18 years old and worked as a farm hand.13 
Marriage*23 January 1878He married Sarah Lilly Tracy, daughter of Henry Tracy and Adaline Neal, on 23 January 1878 in Stark County, Illinois.7 
Annulment*Charles and Sarah separated, and either divorced or were annulled shortly after their marriage, possibly because of Sarah's age. When they married she had reported her age as 21 years, while she was actually only 14 years old, and too young to marry without a parent's consent.7 
Census US 1880*17 June 1880Charles Godfrey was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 17 June 1880 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. He was 26 years of age and recorded as a widower, although we know now that wasn't true. He was living in the household of John and Nancy Hook, and worked in their stable as a hired hand.14 
Marriage3 October 1882He and Sarah L. Tracy married each other again on 3 October 1882 in Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska. They were married by a court judge, and we note that Charles reported his mother's name as Susan Gierhart, whom he likely considered his mother, since he was an infant when she and his father married after his biological mother's death.15 
Census US 1900*18 June 1900Lillie and Charles Godfrey were enumerated on the 1900 census taken on 18 June 1900 in Lost Creek, Platte County, Nebraska. Charles was 48 years of age and a farmer, and Lillie was 37 years of age. They rented their farm, had been married for 17 years, and Lillie had given birth to no children.2 
Census US 1910*10 May 1910Sarah L. and Charles W. Godfrey were enumerated on the 1910 census taken on 10 May 1910 in Oconee, Platte County, Nebraska. They were both recorded as 50 years of age, although Charles was 58 years old and Sarah was about age 47. Charles worked as a general farmer on his own account, and they rented their farm. They had been married for 27 years, each reporting it their first marriage, and Lillie had not given birth to any children.16 
Census US 1920*2 January 1920Lillie, who was recorded as Lillian, and Chas Godfrey were enumerated on the 1920 census taken on 2 January 1920 in Shell Creek, Platte County, Nebraska. Chas was 67 years of age and worked as a general farmer on his own account, and "Lillian" was recorded as age 60. They lived on a farm, which they rented.6 

Family

 Sarah Lilly Tracy b. Feb 1863

Citations

  1. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Goshen, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 814; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Charles and Lillie Godfrey, Year: 1900; Census Place: Lost Creek, Platte, Nebraska; Roll: 937; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0167; FHL microfilm: 1240937. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
  3. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Armina “Minnie” (Godfrey) Faubion, Memorial# 205951158. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  4. [S2365] Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois, online at www.ancestry.com, Chapter IV. Marriage record 1831-1866, page 80, 1853, and noting that Susan's surname was transcribed as Robertson, online at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/22367/…. Hereinafter cited as Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Henry Sheldon Godfrey, Memorial# 29660161.
  6. [S73] 1920 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Chas and Lillian Godfrey, Year: 1920; Census Place: Shell Creek, Platte, Nebraska; Roll: T625_999; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 198. Hereinafter cited as 1920 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 23 January 1878 in Stark, Illinois, USA, of Charles W Godfrey, age 26, born about 1852 to Robertson Godfrey and Susan Gierhart, married Sarah Lilly Tracy, age 21, born about 1857 to Henry Tracy and Adaline Neal, referencing Various Illinois County Courthouses; Various Illinois County Courthouses; Marriage Records; Collection Title: Marriage Records, and we note the error in the record or transcription of Charles's father's name, which was actually Henry S. Godfrey. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940.
  8. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 26 April 1879 in Stark County, Illinois, USA, of Emma Godfrey, age 20, born about 1859, daughter of Henry S Godfrey and Susan Gierhart, married Frederic E Dack, age 22, born about 1857, son of John Dack and Jane Nicholson, referencing various Illinois County Courthouses.
  9. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of C. and Polly Gierhart, Year: 1850; Census Place: Milton, DuPage, Illinois; Roll: 105; Page: 68b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  10. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Susan (Gierhart) Godfrey, Memorial# 23507965.
  11. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary Polly (Strong) Gierhart, Memorial# 16718480.
  12. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Christian Gierhart, Memorial# 16718466.
  13. [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1870; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M593_278; Page: 450A. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
  14. [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of John and Nancy Hook, Year: 1880; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: 252; Page: 427C; Enumeration District: 280. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
  15. [S1824] Nebraska, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1855-1908, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 3 October 1882 in Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska, USA, of Sarah L. Tracy of Stark County, Illinois, age 21, born about 1861 in Illinois, daughter of Henry Tracy and Adaline Neal, and Charles W. Godfrey of Platte County, Nebraska, age 30, born about 1852 in Illinois, son of Henry Godfrey and Susan Gierhart, recorded in Platte County, referencing State Library and Archives, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska. Hereinafter cited as Nebraska, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1855-1908.
  16. [S40] 1910 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Charles W. and Sarah L. Godfrey, Year: 1910; Census Place: Oconee, Platte, Nebraska; Roll: T624_853; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0187; FHL microfilm: 1374866. Hereinafter cited as 1910 United States Federal Census.

Elizabeth Godfrey1

Family
Father*Francis Godfrey1
Marriage*1644She married John Cary in 1644.2,1 

Family

 John Cary
Children 1.Francis Cary+1
 2.Elizabeth Cary+1
 3.Jonathan Cary+1 b. 24 Sep 1656, d. 1695
 4.Joseph Cary1 b. 18 Apr 1663

Citations

  1. [S474] Nahum Mitchell, History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, including an extensive Family Register. Note: page numbers differ slightly between publications used in our research, including FHL copy, Google Books, Boston Public Library eBooks online and our personal library reprint published by Heritage Books. (Baltimore, Maryland: Gateway Press, Inc., original publication date was 1840; reprinted for the third and fourth times in 1970 and 1975; first reprinted in 1897 by Henry T. Pratt, Bridgewater, Massachusetts; originally printed in 1840 by Kidder and Wright, Boston, Massachusetts), Cary, pages 130-134. Hereinafter cited as History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater.
  2. [S451] Massachusetts Vital Records to the Year 1850 - NEHGS, online at www.newenglandancestors.org, East Bridgewater, Volume 1, Marriages, citing P.R.5; referencing a private record, from a copy made by Judge Nahum Mitchell of the records of the First Church of East Bridgewater, with additions and corrections by the copyist. Hereinafter cited as Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 - NEHGS.

Elizabeth Godfrey1

b. 3 July 1817, d. 26 July 1888
Family
Father*Thomas Godfrey Jr.1,2,3 b. 16 Jan 1792, d. 8 Feb 1864
Mother*Mary Young1,4,3 b. 1796
Birth*3 July 1817Elizabeth Godfrey was born on 3 July 1817 in Cape May County, New Jersey.1 
(Daughter) Census US 185019 August 1850Elizabeth was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 19 August 1850 in the household of her parents in Stark County, Illinois. She was 33 years of age.5 
(Daughter) Census US 186026 June 1860Elizabeth was enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 26 June 1860 in the household of her parents in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. She was 42 years of age and worked as a dressmaker.6 
(Daughter) Census US 18709 July 1870Elizabeth was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 9 July 1870 in the household of her widowed mother in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. She was 53 years of age and worked as a dressmaker.7 
Census US 1880*19 June 1880Elizabeth Godfrey was enumerated as the head of her household on the 1880 census taken on 18 and 19 June 1880 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. She was single, 63 years of age and worked as a dressmaker. Her brother, Hugh, with his wife and son, were enumerated in the second household below Elizabeth's on the same census page.8 
Marriage*9 July 1882She married, as his second wife, Stacy Cowperthwaite, son of William Cowperthwaite and Martha W. Justice, on 9 July 1882 in Stark County, Illinois.9,1,3 
(Wife) Death12 December 1883Elizabeth became a widow when Stacy Cowperthwaite died on 12 December 1883 at age 62.9 
Death*26 July 1888She died on 26 July 1888 in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, at age 711 
Burial* and was buried in Toulon Cemetery, Toulon, Stark County, Illinois.1 

Family

 Stacy Cowperthwaite b. 28 Oct 1821, d. 12 Dec 1883

Citations

  1. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Elizabeth (Godfrey) Cowperthwaite, Memorial# 52686673. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  2. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Thomas Godfrey, Memorial# 65034951.
  3. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 9 July 1882 in Stark County, Illinois, USA, of Elizabeth Godfrey, age 66, born about 1816 to Thomas Godfrey and Mary Young, married Stacy Cowperthwaite, age 61, born about 1821 to William Cowperthwaite and Martha Justice, referencing Various Illinois County Courthouses, Marriage Records; Collection Title: Marriage Records. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940.
  4. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Hugh Young Godfrey, Memorial# 64672756.
  5. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Thomas and Mary Godfrey, Year: 1850; Census Place: Stark, Illinois; Roll: 129; Page: 195b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  6. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, Thomas and Mary Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 871; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Mary Godfrey, Year: 1870; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M593_278; Page: 449B. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
  8. [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Elizabeth Godfrey, Year: 1880; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: 252; Page: 430A; Enumeration District: 280. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
  9. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Stacy Cowperthwaite, Memorial# 64573762.

Emma Godfrey1

b. January 1860
Family
Father*Henry S. Godfrey1 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Mother*Susan Gierhart1 b. 1836, d. 1877
(Daughter) Research Notes The name Robertson has been found, both as a surname and as a given name, in our research of Susan Gierhart and Henry S. Godfrey. In an early transcription of Susan's name in the record of the couple's 1853 marriage, and then subsequently recopied in other indexes of that marriage, she was identified as Susan Robertson. Her parents were not named, and we don't know if Robertson had meaning or was an error in transcription. Had she been married before to a husband with the surname Robertson? She was 17 years old when she married Henry Godfrey, so an earlier marriage, while not impossible, seems unlikely. Our research, through census and Find a Grave records, indicates her maiden surname was Gierhart, and that her parents were Christian Gierhart and Mary Polly Strong, and when her daughter, Emma, married in 1878, Emma's parents' names were reported as Henry S. Godfrey and Susan Gierhart. Then, when Susan and Henry's son, Charles, married, also in 1878, his marriage record identified his father's name as Robertson Godfrey. It was actually Henry Sheldon Godfrey, so therein lies our dilemma. Two marriage records, 25 years apart, and both including the name Robertson, which may be a clue to something significant. We don't believe in coincidences, and wonder if somewhere, in the Gierhart or Godfrey family, or an earlier marriage, there is a Robertson. We'd very much like to know, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who is able to help us resolve our Robertson conundrum.2,3,4,5,6,7,8 
Birth*January 1860Emma Godfrey was born about January 1860 in Illinois.1 
(Daughter) Census US 186013 June 1860Emma was enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 13 June 1860 in the household of her parents in Goshen, Stark County, Illinois. She was five months old.1 
(Daughter) Census US 18709 July 1870Emma was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 9 July 1870 in the household of her parents in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. She was 10 years old and had attended school within the census year.9 
Marriage*26 April 1879She married Frederick E. Dack, son of John Dack and Jane Nicholson, on 26 April 1879 in Stark County, Illinois.4 

Family

 Frederick E. Dack b. 1857

Citations

  1. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Goshen, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 814; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S2365] Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois, online at www.ancestry.com, Chapter IV. Marriage record 1831-1866, page 80, 1853, and noting that Susan's surname was transcribed as Robertson, online at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/22367/…. Hereinafter cited as Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois.
  3. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 23 January 1878 in Stark, Illinois, USA, of Charles W Godfrey, age 26, born about 1852 to Robertson Godfrey and Susan Gierhart, married Sarah Lilly Tracy, age 21, born about 1857 to Henry Tracy and Adaline Neal, referencing Various Illinois County Courthouses; Various Illinois County Courthouses; Marriage Records; Collection Title: Marriage Records, and we note the error in the record or transcription of Charles's father's name, which was actually Henry S. Godfrey. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940.
  4. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 26 April 1879 in Stark County, Illinois, USA, of Emma Godfrey, age 20, born about 1859, daughter of Henry S Godfrey and Susan Gierhart, married Frederic E Dack, age 22, born about 1857, son of John Dack and Jane Nicholson, referencing various Illinois County Courthouses.
  5. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of C. and Polly Gierhart, Year: 1850; Census Place: Milton, DuPage, Illinois; Roll: 105; Page: 68b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  6. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Susan (Gierhart) Godfrey, Memorial# 23507965. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  7. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary Polly (Strong) Gierhart, Memorial# 16718480.
  8. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Christian Gierhart, Memorial# 16718466.
  9. [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1870; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M593_278; Page: 450A. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.

Francis Godfrey1

Family

Family
Child 1.Elizabeth Godfrey+1

Citations

  1. [S474] Nahum Mitchell, History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, including an extensive Family Register. Note: page numbers differ slightly between publications used in our research, including FHL copy, Google Books, Boston Public Library eBooks online and our personal library reprint published by Heritage Books. (Baltimore, Maryland: Gateway Press, Inc., original publication date was 1840; reprinted for the third and fourth times in 1970 and 1975; first reprinted in 1897 by Henry T. Pratt, Bridgewater, Massachusetts; originally printed in 1840 by Kidder and Wright, Boston, Massachusetts), Cary, pages 130-134. Hereinafter cited as History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater.

Henry S. Godfrey1,2,3

b. 18 June 1821, d. 28 July 1896
Family
Father*Thomas Godfrey Jr.4,3 b. 16 Jan 1792, d. 8 Feb 1864
Mother*Mary Young5 b. 1796
Birth*18 June 1821Henry S. Godfrey was born on 18 June 1821 in Cape May County, New Jersey.2 
Name VariationHis full name was Henry Sheldon Godfrey.3 
Marriage*30 December 1837He married first Armina Godfrey, daughter of Matthew Godfrey Jr. and Angelina Miller, on 30 December 1837 in Cape May County, New Jersey. They both resided in Upper Township, Cape May County, and Henry was 16 years old and Armina was age 17.3,6,7 
Census US 1850*7 September 1850Armina and Henry S. Godfrey were enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 7 September 1850 in Stark County, Illinois. Henry was 28 years of age and a farmer with real estate valued at $400, and Armina was age 30. Their three children were enumerated with them. Mary E. and Matthew T. were ages 9 and 7 years, respectively, and had both attended school within the census year; and Permelia was 3 years old.7 
(Husband) Death18 December 1852Henry became a widower when Armina Godfrey died at about age 32, and likely almost immediately after the birth of their last child on 18 December 1852. Henry was left with five very young children, and named his new-born daughter Armina in honor of her mother.8,9,3 
Marriage*13 February 1853 Two months after the death of his first wife, he married second, as her first husband, Susan Gierhart, daughter of Christian Gierhart and Mary Polly Strong, on 13 February 1853 in Stark County, Illinois. They were married by A. Grose, a Minister of the Gospel, and we note that Susan's surname was transcribed as Robertson.3,9 
Research Notes* The name Robertson has been found, both as a surname and as a given name, in our research of Susan Gierhart and Henry S. Godfrey. In an early transcription of Susan's name in the record of the couple's 1853 marriage, and then subsequently recopied in other indexes of that marriage, she was identified as Susan Robertson. Her parents were not named, and we don't know if Robertson had meaning or was an error in transcription. Had she been married before to a husband with the surname Robertson? She was 17 years old when she married Henry Godfrey, so an earlier marriage, while not impossible, seems unlikely. Our research, through census and Find a Grave records, indicates her maiden surname was Gierhart, and that her parents were Christian Gierhart and Mary Polly Strong, and when her daughter, Emma, married in 1878, Emma's parents' names were reported as Henry S. Godfrey and Susan Gierhart. Then, when Susan and Henry's son, Charles, married, also in 1878, his marriage record identified his father's name as Robertson Godfrey. It was actually Henry Sheldon Godfrey, so therein lies our dilemma. Two marriage records, 25 years apart, and both including the name Robertson, which may be a clue to something significant. We don't believe in coincidences, and wonder if somewhere, in the Gierhart or Godfrey family, or an earlier marriage, there is a Robertson. We'd very much like to know, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who is able to help us resolve our Robertson conundrum.9,10,11,12,13,14,15 
Census US 1860*13 June 1860Susan and Henry S. Godfrey were enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 13 June 1860 in Goshen, Stark County, Illinois. Henry was 39 years of age and a farmer with real estate valued at $2,000 and a personal estate valued at $175, and Susan was 26 years of age. Six children were enumerated with them in 1860. Matthew T., Permelia and Charles W., from Henry's first marriage, were ages 18, 14 and 8 years, respectively; and Susan C. and Josephine, from the couple's marriage were ages 5 and 3 years, respectively; and their baby, Emma, was five months old. Permelia, Charles and Susan had all attended school within the census year. Henry's youngest daughter from his first marriage, Armina, was enumerated in 1860 in the household of a widow, Elizabeth (Treakle) Wright, in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. Armina was 7 years old and had attended school within the census year, and we don't know why she was living away from her family.16 
Census US 1870*9 July 1870Susan and Henry S. Godfrey were enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 9 July 1870 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. Henry was 49 years of age and a teamster with real estate valued at $900 and a personal estate valued at $500, and Susan was 36 years of age and keeping house. Five children were enumerated with them in 1870. Charles, Henry's son from his first marriage, was 18 years old and worked as a farm hand; Susan C., Josephine, Emma and Joseph F., all children from the couple's marriage, were ages 15, 12, 10 and 7 years, respectively, and all had attended school within the census year. In 1870, one census page before Henry and Susan, Henry's youngest daughter from his first marriage, Armina Godfrey, was enumerated in the household of her grandmother, Mary (Young) Godfrey, Henry's mother. Armina, who was enumerated as Minnie, was 17 years old and working as a school teacher.17 
(Husband) Death1877Henry became a widower for the second time when Susan (Gierhart) Godfrey died in 1877 at about age 41.13 
Marriage*14 November 1878He married third, as her second husband, Mary E. (Sidner) Masters, daughter of Daniel Sidner and Rebecca A. Decker, on 14 November 1878 in Stark County, Illinois.1,18 
Pension*30 June 1880A dependent's pension was issued to Henry S. Godfrey on 30 June 1880 as a result of his deceased son Matthew T. Godfrey's service during the Civil War.19 
Death*28 July 1896He died on 28 July 1896 in Platte County, Nebraska, at age 753,1 
Burial* and was buried in New Hope Cemetery, Monroe, Platte County.3 

Family 1

 Armina Godfrey b. 1820, d. 18 Dec 1852
Children 1.Mary E Godfrey7 b. 15 Aug 1840, d. 30 Oct 1922
 2.Matthew T. Godfrey7 b. 1843, d. 25 Jun 1864
 3.Permelia Godfrey7 b. Jun 1846
 4.Charles W. Godfrey16 b. Feb 1852
 5.Armina Godfrey+8 b. 18 Dec 1852, d. 11 Feb 1931

Family 2

 Susan Gierhart b. 1836, d. 1877
Children 1.Susan C. Godfrey16 b. 1855
 2.Josephine Godfrey16 b. 1857
 3.Emma Godfrey16 b. Jan 1860
 4.Joseph F. Godfrey17 b. 1863

Family 3

 Mary E. Sidner b. 18 Jul 1838, d. 16 Feb 1916

Citations

  1. [S2364] Mary E. (Sidner) Masters Godfrey 1916 Obituary, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Albion News, (Albion, Nebraska), Thursday, 24 February 1916, page 1, death of Mary Elizabeth (Sidner) Godfrey, born July 18, 1838 in Sussex County, New Jersey, and died after a long illness on Thursday morning, February 17 at home of daughter, Mrs. Nancy Kerr; married William B. Masters, four children, three survived, eventually located in Lafayette, Illinois where Masters died December 1871, she married again, 1878, to Henry Godfrey and in 1883 they removed to Monroe, Nebraska where he died July 28, 1896, she then lived with her children. Hereinafter cited as Mary E. (Sidner) Masters Godfrey 1916 Obituary.
  2. [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of H. S. and Mary E. Godfrey, Year: 1880; Census Place: Goshen, Stark, Illinois; Roll: 252; Page: 377D; Enumeration District: 277. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
  3. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Henry Sheldon Godfrey, Memorial# 29660161. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  4. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Thomas Godfrey, Memorial# 65034951.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Hugh Young Godfrey, Memorial# 64672756.
  6. [S1598] New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Henry Godfrey and Armina Godfrey both of Upper Township, on 30 December 1837 in Cape May County, New Jersey, USA, referencing FHL Film# 000852775. Hereinafter cited as New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965.
  7. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry and Armina Godfrey, Year: 1850; Census Place: Stark, Illinois; Roll: 129; Page: 206a. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  8. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Armina “Minnie” (Godfrey) Faubion, Memorial# 205951158.
  9. [S2365] Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois, online at www.ancestry.com, Chapter IV. Marriage record 1831-1866, page 80, 1853, and noting that Susan's surname was transcribed as Robertson, online at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/22367/…. Hereinafter cited as Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois.
  10. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 23 January 1878 in Stark, Illinois, USA, of Charles W Godfrey, age 26, born about 1852 to Robertson Godfrey and Susan Gierhart, married Sarah Lilly Tracy, age 21, born about 1857 to Henry Tracy and Adaline Neal, referencing Various Illinois County Courthouses; Various Illinois County Courthouses; Marriage Records; Collection Title: Marriage Records, and we note the error in the record or transcription of Charles's father's name, which was actually Henry S. Godfrey. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940.
  11. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 26 April 1879 in Stark County, Illinois, USA, of Emma Godfrey, age 20, born about 1859, daughter of Henry S Godfrey and Susan Gierhart, married Frederic E Dack, age 22, born about 1857, son of John Dack and Jane Nicholson, referencing various Illinois County Courthouses.
  12. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of C. and Polly Gierhart, Year: 1850; Census Place: Milton, DuPage, Illinois; Roll: 105; Page: 68b.
  13. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Susan (Gierhart) Godfrey, Memorial# 23507965.
  14. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary Polly (Strong) Gierhart, Memorial# 16718480.
  15. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Christian Gierhart, Memorial# 16718466.
  16. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Goshen, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 814; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
  17. [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1870; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M593_278; Page: 450A. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
  18. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 14 November 1878 in Stark County, Illinois, USA, of Mary E Hendricks Masters, age 41, born about 1837, daughter of Henry Hendricks and Martha Sidner, married Henry S Godfrey, age 57, born about 1821, son of Thomas Godfrey and Mary Young, referencing various Illinois County Courthouses.
  19. [S1447] U.S. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, online at www.ancestry.com, pension index record for Matthew T Godfrey, Soldier, dependent’s pension for his father, Henry S. Godfrey, issued and filed on 30 June 1880, referencing The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; NAI Title: U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934; NAI Number: T288; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007; Record Group Number: 15; Series Title: U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934; Series Number: T288; Roll: 178. Hereinafter cited as Civil War Pension Index to Pension Files,1861-1934.

Hugh Y. Godfrey1

b. 22 February 1828, d. 27 November 1908
Family
Father*Thomas Godfrey Jr.2,3 b. 16 Jan 1792, d. 8 Feb 1864
Mother*Mary Young3 b. 1796
Birth*22 February 1828Hugh Y. Godfrey was born on 22 February 1828 in New Jersey.3 
Name VariationHis full name was Hugh Young Godfrey.3 
(Son) Census US 185019 August 1850Hugh was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 19 August 1850 in the household of his parents in Stark County, Illinois. He was 22 years of age and worked as a laborer.4 
Marriage*20 December 1850He married Frances E. McCance, daughter of William McCance and Eleanor Armstrong, on 20 December 1850 in Stark County, Illinois.1,3,5,6 
(Father) Death9 January 1897His son, Willis L. Godfrey, committed suicide on 9 January 1897 in Peoria County, Illinois, at age 39.7,8 
(Father) Illness9 January 1897Long before alcoholism was recognized as a disease, his son, Willis, was likely a serious alcoholic. The newspaper describing the events of his suicide on the evening of 9 January 1897 in Peoria, Illinois, began their story by reporting that his wife, Mary Jane Lovitt, who was not named in the article, had separated from him and had been living in La Harpe for the past year with her brother, Willis Harris Lovitt, his wife, Mary, and their family. It was also not mentioned that Willis and Mary Jane's mother, Leah (Stamets) Lovitt, also resided with her son's family in La Harpe in 1897.

The news article, returning to the evening of January 9, reported that Godfrey had gone into a saloon in Peoria and called for a drink. When he was unable to pay for it, he and the bartender exchanged words, and Godfrey threw his coat on the bar and left the saloon. No one witnessed what happened next, although the supposition was that Godfrey went straight to the Illinois River and plunged in. Eleven weeks later, on Sunday, March 21, his body was found floating in the river and was identified by friends.

Godfrey was twice married. His first wife, Nancy Elizabeth Masters, who was not named in the article, secured a divorce, remarried and was living in Monroe, Nebraska; his second wife, as stated above, was living in La Harpe. Godfrey had been employed on several roads as a brakeman, but could not keep a job "due to his dissipated habits." The article concluded with the newspaper's editorial judgements that, "His evil ways dragged him down and when he did not have the price of a drink of whiskey he went to the river and drowned himself. This sad history is but the old story of the dreadful power of the demon rum."8,9 
(Husband) Death18 January 1901Hugh became a widower when Frances E. (McCance) Godfrey died on 18 January 1901 at age 69.5,10 
Death*27 November 1908He died on 27 November 1908 at age 803 
Burial* and was buried in Toulon Cemetery, Toulon, Stark County, Illinois.3 

Family

 Frances E. McCance b. 25 May 1831, d. 18 Jan 1901
Children 1.Isabelle Mary Godfrey11 b. 2 Feb 1850, d. 7 Aug 1917
 2.Willis L. Godfrey1,3,7 b. 9 Jun 1857, d. 9 Jan 1897

Citations

  1. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 21 June 1894 in Peoria County, Illinois, USA, of Willis L Godfrey, age 38, his second marriage, born about 1856 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois, to Hugh Y Godfrey and Frances E McCance, married Mary J Isom, age 42, her second marriage, born about 1852 in Ohio to Evan J Lovitt and Leah "Slummontes", referencing Peoria County Courthouse; Peoria, IL, USA; Peoria County Marriages, 1825-1915; Collection Title: Peoria County Marriages, 1825-1915, citing Marriage Register 1891-1895, Certificate# 1950. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940.
  2. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Thomas Godfrey, Memorial# 65034951. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  3. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Hugh Young Godfrey, Memorial# 64672756.
  4. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Thomas and Mary Godfrey, Year: 1850; Census Place: Stark, Illinois; Roll: 129; Page: 195b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Frances E (McCance) Godfrey, Memorial# 64672726.
  6. [S260] Illinois, Compiled Marriages, 1790-1860, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 20 December 1850 in Stark County, Illinois, of Hugh Y. Godfrey and Frances E. McCance, referencing Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, microfilm# 1403417. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, Compiled Marriages, 1790-1860.
  7. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Willis Leaming Godfrey, Memorial# 227007267.
  8. [S2362] Willis L. Godfrey 1897 Suicide, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Quill, (La Harpe, Illinois), Thursday, 25 March 1897, page 1, article title reads "W. L. Godfrey Suicides", and crediting the Peoria, Illinois, papers of the previous Tuesday, reported the tragic death of Willis L. Godfrey, whose wife had been making her home in La Harpe, with her brother W. H. Lovitt and family, for the past year; on the evening of January 9, Godfrey, "the unfortunate man", went into a saloon and called for a drink; being unable to pay for it a few words passed between the bartender and Godfrey, when the latter threw his coat on the bar and left the place; the supposition is that he went straight to the river and plunged in; last Sunday his body was found floating in the river and was identified by friends; he was twice married; his first wife secured a divorce, is married again, and is living in Monroe, Nebraska; his second wife, as stated above, is living here; he had been employed on several roads as brakeman, but could not hold a job owing to his dissipated habits; his evil ways dragged him down and when he did not have the price of a drink of whiskey he went to the river and drowned himself; this said history is but the old story of the dreadful power of the demon rum. Hereinafter cited as Willis L. Godfrey 1897 Suicide.
  9. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Leah (Stamets) Lovitt, Memorial# 54448293, from the news article about her 87th birthday celebration posted on her memorial page.
  10. [S2367] Wisconsin, Death Records, 1867-1907, online from the Family History Library, www.familysearch.org, death of Frances E. McCanse Godfrey of Fontana, Walworth County, Wisconsin, age 69, housewife, married to Hugh Y. Godfrey, died in 1901 in Fontana, Walworth County, born on 25 May 1831 in Indiana to William McCanse, born in Pennsylvania, and Elenor McCanse, born in Indiana, burial in Toulon, Illinois. Hereinafter cited as Wisconsin, Death Records, 1867-1907.
  11. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Isabelle Mary (Godfrey) Newland, Memorial# 64787213.

Isabelle Mary Godfrey1

b. 2 February 1850, d. 7 August 1917
Family
Father*Hugh Y. Godfrey1 b. 22 Feb 1828, d. 27 Nov 1908
Mother*Frances E. McCance1 b. 25 May 1831, d. 18 Jan 1901
Birth*2 February 1850Isabelle Mary Godfrey was born on 2 February 1850 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois.1 
Marriage*27 February 1879She married William F. Newland, son of Harrod W. Newland and Elizabeth McCance, on 27 February 1879 in Stark County, Illinois. They were 1st cousins.2 
(Sister) Death9 January 1897Her brother, Willis L. Godfrey, committed suicide on 9 January 1897 in Peoria County, Illinois, at age 39.3,4 
(Sister) Illness9 January 1897Long before alcoholism was recognized as a disease, her brother, Willis, was likely a serious alcoholic. The newspaper describing the events of his suicide on the evening of 9 January 1897 in Peoria, Illinois, began their story by reporting that his wife, Mary Jane Lovitt, who was not named in the article, had separated from him and had been living in La Harpe for the past year with her brother, Willis Harris Lovitt, his wife, Mary, and their family. It was also not mentioned that Willis and Mary Jane's mother, Leah (Stamets) Lovitt, also resided with her son's family in La Harpe in 1897.

The news article, returning to the evening of January 9, reported that Godfrey had gone into a saloon in Peoria and called for a drink. When he was unable to pay for it, he and the bartender exchanged words, and Godfrey threw his coat on the bar and left the saloon. No one witnessed what happened next, although the supposition was that Godfrey went straight to the Illinois River and plunged in. Eleven weeks later, on Sunday, March 21, his body was found floating in the river and was identified by friends.

Godfrey was twice married. His first wife, Nancy Elizabeth Masters, who was not named in the article, secured a divorce, remarried and was living in Monroe, Nebraska; his second wife, as stated above, was living in La Harpe. Godfrey had been employed on several roads as a brakeman, but could not keep a job "due to his dissipated habits." The article concluded with the newspaper's editorial judgements that, "His evil ways dragged him down and when he did not have the price of a drink of whiskey he went to the river and drowned himself. This sad history is but the old story of the dreadful power of the demon rum."4,5 
Death*7 August 1917She died on 7 August 1917 in Fontana, Walworth County, Wisconsin, at age 671 
Burial* and was buried in Block 59, Lot 1, Space 4 of Toulon Cemetery, Toulon, Stark County, Illinois.1 

Family

 William F. Newland b. 30 Nov 1844, d. 11 Jul 1928

Citations

  1. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Isabelle Mary (Godfrey) Newland, Memorial# 64787213. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  2. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 27 February 1879 in Stark County, Illinois, USA, of William F Newland, age 35, born about 1844 to Harrod Worster Newland and Elizabeth McCance, married Isabella M Godfrey, age 28, born about 1851 to Hugh Young Godfrey and Frances McCance, referencing Various Illinois County Courthouses; Various Illinois County Courthouses; Marriage Records; Collection Title: Marriage Records. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940.
  3. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Willis Leaming Godfrey, Memorial# 227007267.
  4. [S2362] Willis L. Godfrey 1897 Suicide, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Quill, (La Harpe, Illinois), Thursday, 25 March 1897, page 1, article title reads "W. L. Godfrey Suicides", and crediting the Peoria, Illinois, papers of the previous Tuesday, reported the tragic death of Willis L. Godfrey, whose wife had been making her home in La Harpe, with her brother W. H. Lovitt and family, for the past year; on the evening of January 9, Godfrey, "the unfortunate man", went into a saloon and called for a drink; being unable to pay for it a few words passed between the bartender and Godfrey, when the latter threw his coat on the bar and left the place; the supposition is that he went straight to the river and plunged in; last Sunday his body was found floating in the river and was identified by friends; he was twice married; his first wife secured a divorce, is married again, and is living in Monroe, Nebraska; his second wife, as stated above, is living here; he had been employed on several roads as brakeman, but could not hold a job owing to his dissipated habits; his evil ways dragged him down and when he did not have the price of a drink of whiskey he went to the river and drowned himself; this said history is but the old story of the dreadful power of the demon rum. Hereinafter cited as Willis L. Godfrey 1897 Suicide.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Leah (Stamets) Lovitt, Memorial# 54448293, from the news article about her 87th birthday celebration posted on her memorial page.

Joseph F. Godfrey1

b. 1863
Family
Father*Henry S. Godfrey1 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Mother*Susan Gierhart1 b. 1836, d. 1877
Birth*1863Joseph F. Godfrey was born about 1863 in Illinois.1 
(Son) Census US 18709 July 1870Joseph was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 9 July 1870 in the household of his parents in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. He was 7 years old and had attended school within the census year.1 

Citations

  1. [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1870; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M593_278; Page: 450A. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.

Josephine Godfrey1

b. 1857
Family
Father*Henry S. Godfrey1 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Mother*Susan Gierhart1 b. 1836, d. 1877
Birth*1857Josephine Godfrey was born about 1857 in Illinois.1 
(Daughter) Census US 186013 June 1860Josephine was enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 13 June 1860 in the household of her parents in Goshen, Stark County, Illinois. She was 3 years old.1 
(Daughter) Census US 18709 July 1870Josephine was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 9 July 1870 in the household of her parents in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. She was 12 years old and had attended school within the census year.2 

Citations

  1. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Goshen, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 814; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1870; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M593_278; Page: 450A. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.

Mary E Godfrey1

b. 15 August 1840, d. 30 October 1922
Family
Father*Henry S. Godfrey1 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Mother*Armina Godfrey1 b. 1820, d. 18 Dec 1852
Birth*15 August 1840Mary E Godfrey was born on 15 August 1840 in Cape May County, New Jersey.1,2 
Name VariationHer full name was Mary Elizabeth Godfrey.2 
(Daughter) Census US 18507 September 1850Mary was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 7 September 1850 in the household of her parents in Stark County, Illinois. She was 9 years old and had attended school within the census year.1 
(Daughter) Death18 December 1852Her mother died when Mary was 12 years old, almost immediately after the birth of her last child on 18 December 1852. Her mother was about 32 years old, and left Mary's father with five very young children.3,4,5 
(Daughter) Marriage13 February 1853Two months after the death of her mother, her father married a second time, on 13 February 1853, to Susan Gierhart.5,4 
Marriage*28 May 1860She married Charles Gray McComsey on 28 May 1860 in Lafayette, Stark County, Illinois.6,2 
(Wife) Death25 November 1920Mary became a widow when Charles Gray McComsey died on 25 November 1920 at age 82.6 
Death*30 October 1922She died on 30 October 1922 in Gering, Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, at age 822 
Burial* and was buried with her husband in West Lawn Cemetery, Gering.2,6 

Family

 Charles Gray McComsey b. 22 Apr 1838, d. 25 Nov 1920

Citations

  1. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry and Armina Godfrey, Year: 1850; Census Place: Stark, Illinois; Roll: 129; Page: 206a. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary Elizabeth (Godfrey) McComsey, Memorial# 79394159. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  3. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Armina “Minnie” (Godfrey) Faubion, Memorial# 205951158.
  4. [S2365] Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois, online at www.ancestry.com, Chapter IV. Marriage record 1831-1866, page 80, 1853, and noting that Susan's surname was transcribed as Robertson, online at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/22367/…. Hereinafter cited as Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Henry Sheldon Godfrey, Memorial# 29660161.
  6. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Charles Gray McComsey, Memorial# 79392981.

Matthew Godfrey Jr.1,2

Family
Marriage*18 January 1818He married Angelina Miller on 18 January 1818 in Cape May County, New Jersey.1,2 

Family

 Angelina Miller
Child 1.Armina Godfrey+1 b. 1820, d. 18 Dec 1852

Citations

  1. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Armina (Godfrey) Godfrey, Memorial# 160820060. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  2. [S1598] New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Miss Angelina Miller and Matthew Godfrey Jr. on 18 January 1818 in Cape May County, New Jersey, USA, referencing FHL Film# 000852775. Hereinafter cited as New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965.

Matthew T. Godfrey1

b. 1843, d. 25 June 1864
Family
Father*Henry S. Godfrey1 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Mother*Armina Godfrey1 b. 1820, d. 18 Dec 1852
Birth*1843Matthew T. Godfrey was born about 1843 in New Jersey.1 
(Son) Census US 18507 September 1850Matthew was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 7 September 1850 in the household of his parents in Stark County, Illinois. He was 7 years old and had attended school within the census year.1 
(Son) Death18 December 1852His mother died when Matthew was about 9 years old, almost immediately after the birth of her last child on 18 December 1852. His mother was about 32 years old, and left Matthew's father with five very young children.2,3,4 
(Son) Marriage13 February 1853Two months after the death of his mother, his father married a second time, on 13 February 1853, to Susan Gierhart.4,3 
(Son) Census US 186013 June 1860Matthew T. was enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 13 June 1860 in the household of his father and stepmother in Goshen, Stark County, Illinois. He was 18 years old.5 
Civil War (U.S.)*19 August 1861He was a resident on Goshen, Stark County, Illinois, when he enlisted on 19 August 1861 to serve in the Civil War for the Union. He was mustered in as a Private in Company B of the 37th Illinois Infantry on 18 September 1861 and, sadly, did not survive the war.6 
Death*25 June 1864He died of acute dysentery on 25 June 1864 in Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, at about age 21.7 

Citations

  1. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry and Armina Godfrey, Year: 1850; Census Place: Stark, Illinois; Roll: 129; Page: 206a. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Armina “Minnie” (Godfrey) Faubion, Memorial# 205951158. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  3. [S2365] Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois, online at www.ancestry.com, Chapter IV. Marriage record 1831-1866, page 80, 1853, and noting that Susan's surname was transcribed as Robertson, online at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/22367/…. Hereinafter cited as Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois.
  4. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Henry Sheldon Godfrey, Memorial# 29660161.
  5. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Goshen, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 814; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
  6. [S207] U.S., Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, online at www.ancestry.com, record for Matthew T Godfrey of Goshen, Illinois, enlisted on 19 August 1861 and mustered in on 18 September 1861 in Illinois as a Private in Company B of 37th Infantry, Infantry; additional information: Enlisted, Union, survived the war, No, citing Historical Data Systems, Inc.; Duxbury, MA 02331; American Civil War Research Database. Hereinafter cited as Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles, 1861-1865.
  7. [S2366] U.S., Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, 1861-1865, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Mathew Godfrey on 25 June 1864 in Brownsville, Texas, enlisted in the state of Illinois, served as a Private in Company B of the 37th Illinois Infantry, referencing Box# 5. Hereinafter cited as U.S., Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, 1861-1865.

Permelia Godfrey1

b. June 1846
Family
Father*Henry S. Godfrey1 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Mother*Armina Godfrey1 b. 1820, d. 18 Dec 1852
Birth*June 1846Permelia Godfrey was born in June 1846 in New Jersey.1,2 
(Daughter) Census US 18507 September 1850Permelia was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 7 September 1850 in the household of her parents in Stark County, Illinois. She was 3 years old.1 
(Daughter) Death18 December 1852Her mother died when Permelia was 6 years old, almost immediately after the birth of her last child on 18 December 1852. Her mother was about 32 years old, and left Permelia's father with five very young children.3,4,5 
(Daughter) Marriage13 February 1853Two months after the death of her mother, her father married a second time, on 13 February 1853, to Susan Gierhart.5,4 
(Daughter) Census US 186013 June 1860Permelia was enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 13 June 1860 in the household of her father and stepmother in Goshen, Stark County, Illinois. She was 14 years old and had attended school within the census year.6 

Citations

  1. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry and Armina Godfrey, Year: 1850; Census Place: Stark, Illinois; Roll: 129; Page: 206a. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Permelia (Godfrey) King, Memorial# 175478152. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  3. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Armina “Minnie” (Godfrey) Faubion, Memorial# 205951158.
  4. [S2365] Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois, online at www.ancestry.com, Chapter IV. Marriage record 1831-1866, page 80, 1853, and noting that Susan's surname was transcribed as Robertson, online at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/22367/…. Hereinafter cited as Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Henry Sheldon Godfrey, Memorial# 29660161.
  6. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Goshen, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 814; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.

Susan C. Godfrey1

b. 1855
Family
Father*Henry S. Godfrey1 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
Mother*Susan Gierhart1 b. 1836, d. 1877
Birth*1855Susan C. Godfrey was born about 1855 in Illinois.1 
(Daughter) Census US 186013 June 1860Susan C. was enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 13 June 1860 in the household of her parents in Goshen, Stark County, Illinois. She was 5 years old and had attended school within the census year.1 
(Daughter) Census US 18709 July 1870Susan C. was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 9 July 1870 in the household of her parents in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. She was 15 years old and had attended school within the census year.2 

Citations

  1. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Goshen, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 814; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry S. and Susan Godfrey, Year: 1870; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M593_278; Page: 450A. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.

Thomas Godfrey Jr.1,2

b. 16 January 1792, d. 8 February 1864
Family
Birth*16 January 1792Thomas Godfrey Jr. was born on 16 January 1792 in New Jersey.1,3 
Marriage*18 September 1814He married Mary Young on 18 September 1814 in Cape May County, New Jersey. They were married by Stephen Young Jr., Justice.4,2 
Census US 1850*19 August 1850Mary and Thomas Godfrey Jr. were enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 19 August 1850 in Stark County, Illinois. Thomas was 58 years of age and a weaver with real estate valued at $150, and Mary was 54 years of age. Two of their children were enumerated with them. Elizabeth was 33 years of age and Hugh was age 22 and worked as a laborer.3 
Census US 1860*26 June 1860Mary and Thomas Godfrey Jr. were enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 26 June 1860 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. Thomas was 68 years of age and a weaver with real estate valued at $250 and a personal estate valued at $100, and Mary was 64 years of age. Their daughter, Elizabeth, who was 42 years of age and worked as a dressmaker, was enumerated with her parents.5 
Death*8 February 1864He died on 8 February 1864 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois, at age 721 
Burial* and was buried in Block 16, Lot 3, Space 6, of Toulon Cemetery, Toulon.1 

Family

 Mary Young b. 1796
Children 1.Elizabeth Godfrey6,1,7 b. 3 Jul 1817, d. 26 Jul 1888
 2.Henry S. Godfrey+1,8 b. 18 Jun 1821, d. 28 Jul 1896
 3.Hugh Y. Godfrey+1,4 b. 22 Feb 1828, d. 27 Nov 1908

Citations

  1. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Thomas Godfrey, Memorial# 65034951. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  2. [S1598] New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Thomas Godfrey Jr. and Mary Young on 18 September 1814 in Cape May, New Jersey, USA, married by Stephen Young Jr., Justice, referencing FHL Film# 001289231. Hereinafter cited as New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965.
  3. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Thomas and Mary Godfrey, Year: 1850; Census Place: Stark, Illinois; Roll: 129; Page: 195b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  4. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Hugh Young Godfrey, Memorial# 64672756.
  5. [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, Thomas and Mary Godfrey, Year: 1860; Census Place: Toulon, Stark, Illinois; Roll: M653_229; Page: 871; Family History Library Film: 803229. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
  6. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Elizabeth (Godfrey) Cowperthwaite, Memorial# 52686673.
  7. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 9 July 1882 in Stark County, Illinois, USA, of Elizabeth Godfrey, age 66, born about 1816 to Thomas Godfrey and Mary Young, married Stacy Cowperthwaite, age 61, born about 1821 to William Cowperthwaite and Martha Justice, referencing Various Illinois County Courthouses, Marriage Records; Collection Title: Marriage Records. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940.
  8. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Henry Sheldon Godfrey, Memorial# 29660161.

Willis L. Godfrey1

b. 9 June 1857, d. 9 January 1897
Family
Father*Hugh Y. Godfrey1,2,3 b. 22 Feb 1828, d. 27 Nov 1908
Mother*Frances E. McCance1,3,4 b. 25 May 1831, d. 18 Jan 1901
Birth*9 June 1857Willis L. Godfrey was born on 9 June 1857 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois.1,3 
Name VariationHis full name was Willis Leaming Godfrey.3 
Marriage*5 June 1881He married first, as her first husband, Nancy Elizabeth Masters, daughter of William B. Masters and Mary E. Sidner, on 5 June 1881 in Stark County, Illinois.3,5,6 
Arrested and Charged*5 March 1886 After being arrested and charged, Willis L. Godfrey of Toulon, Stark County, appeared before U. S. Commissioner Hoyne in Chicago, on 5 March 1886. Godfrey was charged with taking liquor to Toulon, a no-license town, from Wyoming and selling it to various people. He was held on $500 bond.7 
Divorce*Willis and Nancy were divorced.8,1 
Marriage*21 June 1894He married second, as her second husband, Mary Jane (Lovitt) Isom, daughter of Evan James Lovitt and Leah Stamets, on 21 June 1894 in Peoria County, Illinois.1 
Death*9 January 1897He committed suicide on 9 January 1897 in Peoria County, Illinois, at age 39.3,9 
Illness*9 January 1897 Long before alcoholism was recognized as a disease, Willis was likely a serious alcoholic. The newspaper describing the events of his suicide on the evening of 9 January 1897 in Peoria, Illinois, began their story by reporting that his wife, Mary Jane Lovitt, who was not named in the article, had separated from him and had been living in La Harpe for the past year with her brother, Willis Harris Lovitt, his wife, Mary, and their family. It was also not mentioned that Willis and Mary Jane's mother, Leah (Stamets) Lovitt, also resided with her son's family in La Harpe in 1897.

The news article, returning to the evening of January 9, reported that Godfrey had gone into a saloon in Peoria and called for a drink. When he was unable to pay for it, he and the bartender exchanged words, and Godfrey threw his coat on the bar and left the saloon. No one witnessed what happened next, although the supposition was that Godfrey went straight to the Illinois River and plunged in. Eleven weeks later, on Sunday, March 21, his body was found floating in the river and was identified by friends.

Godfrey was twice married. His first wife, Nancy Elizabeth Masters, who was not named in the article, secured a divorce, remarried and was living in Monroe, Nebraska; his second wife, as stated above, was living in La Harpe. Godfrey had been employed on several roads as a brakeman, but could not keep a job "due to his dissipated habits." The article concluded with the newspaper's editorial judgements that, "His evil ways dragged him down and when he did not have the price of a drink of whiskey he went to the river and drowned himself. This sad history is but the old story of the dreadful power of the demon rum."9,10 
Burial*He was buried without a gravestone in Block 59, Lot 1, Space 5, of Toulon Cemetery, Toulon, Stark County, Illinois. His sister, Isabell, and her husband, William F. Newland, would be buried there with him at their deaths.3 

Family 1

 Nancy Elizabeth Masters b. Apr 1862, d. 1943

Family 2

 Mary Jane Lovitt b. Mar 1853, d. 11 Feb 1907

Citations

  1. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 21 June 1894 in Peoria County, Illinois, USA, of Willis L Godfrey, age 38, his second marriage, born about 1856 in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois, to Hugh Y Godfrey and Frances E McCance, married Mary J Isom, age 42, her second marriage, born about 1852 in Ohio to Evan J Lovitt and Leah "Slummontes", referencing Peoria County Courthouse; Peoria, IL, USA; Peoria County Marriages, 1825-1915; Collection Title: Peoria County Marriages, 1825-1915, citing Marriage Register 1891-1895, Certificate# 1950. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940.
  2. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Hugh Young Godfrey, Memorial# 64672756. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  3. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Willis Leaming Godfrey, Memorial# 227007267.
  4. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Frances E (McCance) Godfrey, Memorial# 64672726.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Nancy Elizabeth (Masters) Kerr, Memorial# 29718222.
  6. [S1701] Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 5 June 1881 in Stark County, Illinois, USA, of Willis L Godfrey, age 24, born about 1857 to Hugh Y Godfrey and Francis E McCance, married Nancy E Masters, age 20, born about 1861 to William B. Masters and Mary E. Henderson, referencing various Illinois County Courthouses, Marriage Records, and we note here that the source, identifying Henderson as Nancy's mother's surname, when her surname was Sidner, was an error, and because the actual record was not attached to the transcription of the marriage, we have not determined the source of the error.
  7. [S2361] Willis L. Godfrey 1886 Illinois Arrest, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Inter Ocean, (Chicago, Illinois), Saturday, 6 March 1886, page 8, arrest and charge of Willis L. Godfrey of Toulon, held on $500 bond. Hereinafter cited as Willis L. Godfrey 1886 Illinois Arrest.
  8. [S1824] Nebraska, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1855-1908, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 30 April 1891 in Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska, USA, of Nancy Godfrey, age 29, born about 1862 in New Jersey, daughter of Wm Masters and Mary Sidner, and George Kerr, age 35, born about 1856, son of G. A. Kerr and Deborah Clark, recorded in Platte County, referencing State Library and Archives, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska. Hereinafter cited as Nebraska, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1855-1908.
  9. [S2362] Willis L. Godfrey 1897 Suicide, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Quill, (La Harpe, Illinois), Thursday, 25 March 1897, page 1, article title reads "W. L. Godfrey Suicides", and crediting the Peoria, Illinois, papers of the previous Tuesday, reported the tragic death of Willis L. Godfrey, whose wife had been making her home in La Harpe, with her brother W. H. Lovitt and family, for the past year; on the evening of January 9, Godfrey, "the unfortunate man", went into a saloon and called for a drink; being unable to pay for it a few words passed between the bartender and Godfrey, when the latter threw his coat on the bar and left the place; the supposition is that he went straight to the river and plunged in; last Sunday his body was found floating in the river and was identified by friends; he was twice married; his first wife secured a divorce, is married again, and is living in Monroe, Nebraska; his second wife, as stated above, is living here; he had been employed on several roads as brakeman, but could not hold a job owing to his dissipated habits; his evil ways dragged him down and when he did not have the price of a drink of whiskey he went to the river and drowned himself; this said history is but the old story of the dreadful power of the demon rum. Hereinafter cited as Willis L. Godfrey 1897 Suicide.
  10. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Leah (Stamets) Lovitt, Memorial# 54448293, from the news article about her 87th birthday celebration posted on her memorial page.

Henry Goetz1

b. 17 September 1879
Family
Birth*17 September 1879Henry Goetz was born in Kansas on 17 September 1879, as calculated from his reported age at his marriage in 1909.1 
Marriage*17 December 1909He married, as her second husband, Della May Fuller, daughter of William Estes and Sarah Ann Matthews, on 17 December 1909 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.1 
Census US 1910*13 April 1910Della and Henry Goetz were enumerated on the 1910 census taken on 13 April 1910 on N. 16th Street, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. Henry was 30 years of age and worked in real estate on his own account, and Della was 27 years of age. They had been married for less than one year, rented their house, and Della had not given birth to any children.2 
Divorce*Henry Goetz and Della M. Goetz were divorced. Henry married a second time on 21 August 1915 to Bena Paulsen, and Della married a third time in 1916.3,4,5 

Family

 Della M. Estes b. 29 May 1883

Citations

  1. [S2143] Oregon, U.S., State Marriages, 1906-1971, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 17 December 1909 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, USA, of Della May Fuller of Portland, Oregon, age 26 years, 6 months, 18 days , born in Missouri, housekeeper, her second marriage, parents both born in Missouri, married Henry Goetz of Portland, Oregon, age 30 years, 3 months, born in Kansas, clerk, his first marriage, father born in Germany, mother born in Massachusetts, referencing Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, Oregon, Marriage Records, 1906-1910, 1946-1966. Hereinafter cited as Oregon, U.S., State Marriages, 1906-1971.
  2. [S40] 1910 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Henry and Della Goetz, Portland Ward 2, Multnomah, Oregon; Roll: T624_1285; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0129; FHL microfilm: 1375298. Hereinafter cited as 1910 United States Federal Census.
  3. [S1710] Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854-2013, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 21 August 1915 in Seattle, King, Washington, USA, of Henry Goetz of King County, Washington, married Bena Paulsen of Sacramento, California, referencing Washington State Archives, Olympia, Washington, Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013. Hereinafter cited as Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854-2013.
  4. [S73] 1920 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, Household of Henry and Bena Goetz, Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: T625_1926; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 118. Hereinafter cited as 1920 United States Federal Census.
  5. [S2145] Montana, U.S., County Marriages, 1865-1987, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 14 November 1916 in Butte, Silver Bow, Montana, USA, for Charles B. Smith of Butte, age 35, not previously married, born about 1881 in Litchfield, Illinois, son of Ed Smith and May Higgins, married Della Goetz of Butte, age 27, divorced, daughter of William Estes and Sarah Matthews, citing Certificate# 8812, Montana State Historical Society, Helena, Montana, Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1950. Hereinafter cited as Montana, U.S., County Marriages, 1865-1987.

Jackson Goings1

d. before 1845
Family
Marriage*24 December 1838He married, as her first husband, Eliza Jane King on 24 December 1838 in Orange County, Indiana.1 
Death*before 1845He died, leaving his wife with two very young children, before 1845, the year his widow married her second husband.2,3 

Family

 Eliza Jane King b. 1823
Children 1.John N. Goings3 b. 1840
 2.Sarah Ann Goings3 b. 1843

Citations

  1. [S1444] Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 24 December 1838 in Orange County of Eliza Jane King and Jackson Goings, referencing Orange County, Indiana, original record located in the County Clerk's Office in Paoli, Indiana; Book: C- 2; Page: 91. Hereinafter cited as Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941.
  2. [S1444] Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 2 February 1845 in Orange County of Jeremiah Moore and Eliza Gowens, referencing Orange County, Indiana, original record located in the County Clerk's Office in Paoli, Indiana; Book: C- 2; Page: 139.
  3. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Jeremiah and Eliza Jane Moore, spelled "Moor" by the census taker, Year: 1850; Census Place: Sterling, Crawford, Indiana; Roll: 139; Page: 27b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.

John N. Goings1

b. 1840
Family
Father*Jackson Goings1 d. b 1845
Mother*Eliza Jane King1 b. 1823
Birth*1840John N. Goings was born about 1840 in Crawford County, Indiana.1 
(Son) Deathbefore 1845His father died when he was very young2,1 
(Son) Marriage2 February 1845 and he was about 5 years old when his mother married a second time on 2 February 1845 to Jeremiah Moore who had also been widowed and had young children.2,1 
(Stepson) Census US 185011 September 1850John N. Goings was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 11 September 1850 in the household of his mother and stepfather in Sterling, Crawford County, Indiana. He was 10 years old.1 

Citations

  1. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Jeremiah and Eliza Jane Moore, spelled "Moor" by the census taker, Year: 1850; Census Place: Sterling, Crawford, Indiana; Roll: 139; Page: 27b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S1444] Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 2 February 1845 in Orange County of Jeremiah Moore and Eliza Gowens, referencing Orange County, Indiana, original record located in the County Clerk's Office in Paoli, Indiana; Book: C- 2; Page: 139. Hereinafter cited as Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941.

Sarah Ann Goings1

b. 1843
Family
Father*Jackson Goings1 d. b 1845
Mother*Eliza Jane King1 b. 1823
Birth*1843Sarah Ann Goings was born about 1843 in Orange County, Indiana.1 
(Daughter) Deathbefore 1845Her father died when she was very young2,1 
(Daughter) Marriage2 February 1845 and she was about 2 years old when her mother married a second time on 2 February 1845 to Jeremiah Moore who had also been widowed and had young children.2,1 
(Stepdaughter) Census US 185011 September 1850Sarah Ann Goings was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 11 September 1850 in the household of her mother and stepfather in Sterling, Crawford County, Indiana. She was 7 years old.1 

Citations

  1. [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Jeremiah and Eliza Jane Moore, spelled "Moor" by the census taker, Year: 1850; Census Place: Sterling, Crawford, Indiana; Roll: 139; Page: 27b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S1444] Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 2 February 1845 in Orange County of Jeremiah Moore and Eliza Gowens, referencing Orange County, Indiana, original record located in the County Clerk's Office in Paoli, Indiana; Book: C- 2; Page: 139. Hereinafter cited as Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941.

Sibilla Gold1

Family
Marriage*She married first ______ Barbor in England.1 
Marriage*She married second, as his first wife, Robert Fiske, son of Richard Fiske, in England.1 

Family 1

 ______ Barbor

Family 2

 Robert Fiske b. c 1521, d. b 28 Jul 1602
Child 1.William Fiske+1 b. c 1550, d. b 17 May 1620

Citations

  1. [S1362] G. Andrews Moriarty, "Genealogical Research in England: The Fiske Family", New England Historical and Genealogical Register, (the article spans several volumes and years): Robert Fiske, July 1934, Volume 88, pages 265-267. Hereinafter cited as "The Fiske Family."

Hyman S. Goldberg1,2

d. 24 January 1959
Family
Marriage*He married Goldie G. Wilkoff.1 
Death*24 January 1959He died on 24 January 1959 in Sylacauga, Talladega County, Alabama, at age 70.2 

Family

 Goldie G. Wilkoff
Child 1.Isaiah W. Goldberg1 b. 29 Dec 1903, d. 6 Jan 1980

Citations

  1. [S1576] Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Lucille Patricia Heaton and I W Goldberg on 7 February 1949 in Trumbull, Ohio, USA, referencing FHL Film# 007156530. Hereinafter cited as Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993.
  2. [S2053] Hyman S. Goldberg 1959 Obituary, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Sylacauga Advance, (Sylacauga, Alabama), Thursday, 29 January 1959, page 1, died Saturday afternoon, 24 January 1959, at Sylacauga Hospital following an extended illness; survived by his wife Goldie G. Goldberg, son Sidney Goldberg, a daughter and four grandchildren, all of Sylacauga. Hereinafter cited as Hyman S. Goldberg 1959 Obituary.

Isaiah W. Goldberg1

b. 29 December 1903, d. 6 January 1980
Family
ChartsDescendants of Robert Heaton of Yorkshire, The Immigrant
Father*Hyman S. Goldberg1 d. 24 Jan 1959
Mother*Goldie G. Wilkoff1
Birth*29 December 1903Isaiah W. Goldberg was born on 29 December 1903 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.1 
Marriage*7 February 1949He married Lucille Patricia Heaton, daughter of Edwin Lester Heaton and Nellie A. McCarty, on 7 February 1949 in St. Dominic Catholic Parish, Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. Isaiah was 45 years of age and Lucille was 39, and neither had been married before. Their license was obtained in Trumbull County, Ohio.1 
(Husband) Death24 March 1960Isaiah became a widower when Lucille (Heaton) Goldberg died on 24 March 1960 at age 51.2 
Marriage-Possible*He may have married again after Lucille's death.3 
Death*6 January 1980He died on 6 January 1980 in Polk County, North Carolina, at age 76.3 

Family

 Mary Lucille Heaton b. 18 Feb 1909, d. 24 Mar 1960

Citations

  1. [S1576] Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Lucille Patricia Heaton and I W Goldberg on 7 February 1949 in Trumbull, Ohio, USA, referencing FHL Film# 007156530. Hereinafter cited as Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993.
  2. [S1591] Ohio, U.S., Death Records, 1908-1932, 1938-2018, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Lucille Goldberg on 24 March 1960 in Youngstown, Mahoning County, USA, referencing Ohio Department of Health, Columbus, Ohio. Hereinafter cited as Ohio, U.S., Death Records, 1908-1932, 1938-2018.
  3. [S2054] North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Isaiah Goldberg of Polk County, North Carolina, age 76, Married, born on 29 December 1903 in Illinois, USA, died on 6 January 1980 in Polk County, North Carolina, SS# 278-09-4011, citing NC Department of Health, North Carolina Deaths, 1979-82. Hereinafter cited as North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004.

George Goldman1

Family
Marriage*He married Elizabeth Tevebaugh.1 

Family

 Elizabeth Tevebaugh b. Feb 1825
Child 1.Mary E. Goldman1 b. 26 May 1865, d. 14 Jul 1936

Citations

  1. [S1571] Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017, online at www.ancestry.com, death on 14 July 1936 in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, USA, of Mary E Hall, age 71, Widow of J W Hall, born 26 May 1865 to George Goldman and Elizabeth Tevebaugh in Knox County, Indiana, referencing Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1936; Roll: 08. Hereinafter cited as Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017.

Mary E. Goldman1

b. 26 May 1865, d. 14 July 1936
Family
Father*George Goldman1
Mother*Elizabeth Tevebaugh1 b. Feb 1825
Birth*26 May 1865Mary E. Goldman was born on 26 May 1865 in Knox County, Indiana.1,2 
Name VariationHer full name was Mary Ella Goldman.3 
Name VariationHe was called Ella.3 
Marriage*28 November 1884She married James W. Hall on 28 November 1884 in Knox County, Indiana.4,2 
(Wife) Death1 July 1925Mary Ella became a widow when James W. Hall died on 1 July 1925 at age 66.5 
Death*14 July 1936She died on 14 July 1936 in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, at age 712,1 
Burial* and was buried with her husband in Plot FVH40 of Fairview Cemetery, Vincennes.2 

Family

 James W. Hall b. 12 Mar 1859, d. 1 Jul 1925

Citations

  1. [S1571] Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017, online at www.ancestry.com, death on 14 July 1936 in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, USA, of Mary E Hall, age 71, Widow of J W Hall, born 26 May 1865 to George Goldman and Elizabeth Tevebaugh in Knox County, Indiana, referencing Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1936; Roll: 08. Hereinafter cited as Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017.
  2. [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary E (Goldman) Hall, Memorial# 63143742. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
  3. [S1444] Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 28 November 1884 in Knox County of James W Hall and Ella Goldman, referencing Knox County, Indiana, original record located in the County Clerk's Office; Book: C-11; Page: 192. Hereinafter cited as Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941.
  4. [S1444] Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1800-1941, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 28 November 1884 in Knox County of Mary E Goldman and ______, referencing Knox County, Indiana, original record located the County Clerk's Office; Book: H-44; Page: 120.
  5. [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, James W. Hall, Memorial# 63126044.

Colonel Benjamin Goldthwait1

Citations

  1. [S796] Massachusetts State Archives, French and Indian War muster roll index cards, 1603-1779. Microfilm of cards at Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, Massachusetts: FHL Film# 2428118, Muster Roll index card# 14362 for Elisha Bolton referencing Volume 94, page 125 of the Massachusetts Archives : Muster Rolls; on 51 microfilm reels, LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. Hereinafter cited as French and Indian War muster roll index 1603-1779.