William W Watson

William W. Watson was born 1859 in Illinois, and died 1925 in Unknown, at about age 66. He is the son of Unknown Watson of Unknown, and Maria Mary (Barker) Watson of New York.

Irene Whiteford was born about 1866 in Brookfield Twp., LaSalle Co., IL, and died 1941, in Unknown. She is the daughter of William Whiteford of New Jersey, and Sarah Unknown of New York.

William W. Watson and Irene Whiteford were married December 15, 1883, in LaSalle Co., IL.

Michael "Mike" Hynes was born about 1856, in Julien, Dubuque Co., IA, in Iowa.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on July 3, 1860, shows Zenas Barker (age 46) born in New York, and with real estate of $1,600 and personal estate of $100 is a Farmer, and is living in Brookfield Twp., LaSalle Co., IL. Living with him are: Hariet Barker (age 44) born in New York; John Barker (age 77) born in New York, a Farm Laborer; John Barker (age 19) born in New York; Hariet L. Barker (age 7) born in New York; Mary M. Watson (age 22) born in New York; Mary P. Watson (age 3) born in Illinois; and William Watson (age 1) born in Illinois.

Irene Whiteford was born about 1866 in Brookfield Twp., LaSalle Co., IL.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on June 18, 1870, shows Wm. Whiteford (age 47) born in New Jersey, and with real estate of $150 and personal estate of $200 is a Farmer, and is living in Brookfield Twp., LaSalle Co., IL. Living with him are: his wife, Sarah Whiteford (age 29) born in New York, who is Keeping House; Aurena Whiteford (age 4) born in Illinois; Minnie Whiteford (age 2) born in Illinois; Albert Herman (age 28) born in Illinois, a Farm Laborer; Car. Dansfield (age 9) born in Illinois; and Wm. Dansfield (age 8) born in Illinois.

Jennie Lavinia Peel was born 1871, in Iowa. She is the daughter of Richard Elijah Peel Jr. of Bedford, VA, and Sarah Elizabeth Newland of London, Madison Co., OH.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 25, 1880, shows William Whiteford (age 57) born in New Jersey to Scotland and New Jersey-born parents, is a married Farmer, and is living in Brookfield Twp., LaSalle Co., IL. Living with him are: his wife, Sarah Whiteford (age 40) born in New York to England-born parents, who is Keeping House; his daughter, Irene Whiteford (age 14) born in Illinois to New Jersey and New York-born parents; his daughter, Minnie Whiteford (age 12) born in Illinois to New Jersey and New York-born parents; his son, John Whiteford (age 9) born in Illinois to New Jersey and New York-born parents; his son, David Whiteford (age 5) born in Illinois to New Jersey and New York-born parents; and his son, George Whiteford (age 2) born in Illinois to New Jersey and New York-born parents.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 28, 1880, shows George Preston (age 50) born in Germany to Germany-born parents, is a married Head of Household, who is Breaking Prairie, and is living in West Exira, Audubon Co., IA; Living with him are: his wife, Katrina Preston (age 45) born in Germany to Germany-born parents, who is Keeping House; a married man, A. Silvernail (age 50) born in New York to Unknown-born parents, who does Farming; his wife, Maria Silvernail (age 40) born in New York to New York-born parents, who is Keeping House; his unmarried son, William Silvernail (age 23) born in Illinois to New York-born parents, who does Farming; his daughter, Hariot Silvernail (age 4) born in Illinois to New York-born parents; and his daughter, Emma Silvernail (age 11/12, July) born in Illinois to New York-born parents.

William W. Watson and Irene Whiteford were married December 15, 1883, in LaSalle Co., IL.

James Bellwood Hynes was born May 18, 1896, in Davenport, Scott Co., IA.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 23, 1900, shows William Watson (age 40) born July, 1859, in Illinois to Illinois and New York-born parents, is a married Farmer, and who rents his farm, and is living Richland Twp., Dickinson Co., IA. Living with him are: his wife of 16 years, Irean Watson (age 34) born May, 1866, in Illinois to New Jersey and New York-born parents, and with none of the 4 children born to her still alive; and an unmarried Boarder, William Ryan (age 40) born October, 1859, in Illinois to Ireland-born parents, a Farmer.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 12, 1900, shows Michael Hines (age 32) born August, 1867, in Iowa to Ireland-born parents, is a married Butcher, and who rents his house, and is living at 149 Hamilton Street, City of Davenport, Scott Co., IA. Living with him are: his wife of 11 years, Louwena Hines (age 30) born October, 1869, in Iowa to England-born parents, and with all 5 of the children born to her still alive; his daughter, Susan Hines (age 7) born July, 1892, in Iowa to Ireland and Iowa-born parents; his daughter, Lovine Hines (age 6) born April, 1894, in Iowa to Ireland and Iowa-born parents; his son, James Hines (age 4) born May, 1896, in Iowa to Ireland and Iowa-born parents; his daughter, Mabel Hines (age 1) born November, 1898, in Iowa to Ireland and Iowa-born parents; and his daughter, Minnie Hines (age 2/12) born March, 1900, in Iowa to Ireland and Iowa-born parents.

By 1905, Minnie May Hynes had been adopted in West Point, Butler Co., IA, by an undertaker, Walter F. Bowers, and given the name of Minnie May Bowers.

The 1905 Wisconsin State Census taken in 1905, shows Rachel Frye (age 36) born in Wisconsin to Canada-born parents, is a married Head of Household, and is living in Buena Vista Twp., Richland Co., WI. Living with her are: her son, Clarence M. Frye (age 9) born in Wisconsin to Canada and Wisconsin-born parents; her son, Foster F. Frye (age 7) born in Wisconsin to Canada and Wisconsin-born parents; her daughter, Edna Frye (age 5) born in Wisconsin to Canada and Wisconsin-born parents; and her daughter, Gladys Frye (age 1) born in Wisconsin to Canada and Wisconsin-born parents.

Charles Walker and Laura L. (Wallace) (Tomkins) Walker were married about 1906 in Iowa.

Harold Charles Walker was born December 4 or December 6, 1906, in Sabula, Jackson Co., IA.

Reva Pearl "Peggy" Walker was born November 20, 1908, in Muscatine, Muscatine Co., IA.

Edith Marie "Jessie" Tomkins was adopted before 1910 in Iowa by William M. Watson and Irene (Whiteford) Watson, childless farmers living in Superior Twp., Dickinson Co., IA, and given the name of Edith Marie "Jessie" Watson.

James Bellwood Hynes was adopted 1905 - 1910 in Dickinson Co., IA, by William W. Watson and Irene (Whiteford) Watson, childless farmers living in Superior Twp., Dickinson Co., IA, and given the name of James Bellwood Watson.

Bertha Elvina Williams was born August 18, 1908, in Garden, Boone Co., IA, and died January 15, 1994, in Anoka, Anoka Co., MN, at age 85. She is the daughter of John Williams, and Malinda (King) Williams.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on May 2, 1910, shows William M. Watson (age 50) born in Illinois to Indiana and New York-born parents, and in his 1st marriage, is a married General Farm Farmer, and who rents his farm, and is living Superior Twp., Dickinson Co., IA. Living with him are: his wife of 26 years, Irene Watson (age 43) born in Illinois to New Jersey and New York-born parents, and in her first marriage, and with none of the 4 children born to her still alive; his adopted son, James B. Watson (age 13) born in Iowa to United States-born parents; his adopted daughter, Jessie M. Watson (age 10) born in Iowa to United States-born parents; his married step-father, Abrelaim Silvernail (age 74) born in New York to Connecticut-born parents, and in his 2nd marriage, and married for 34 years; his married mother, Maria M. Silvernail (age 71) born in New York to New York-born parents, and in her 3rd marriage, and married for 34 years, and with 4 of the 6 children born to her still alive; and his unmarried step-brother, William H. Silvernail (age 52) born in New York to New York-born parents, a General Farm Farm Laborer.

Michael "Mike" Hynes died July 23, 1910, at the Scott County Hospital, Davenport, Scott Co., IA, at age 42.

Ruth Reolia Walker was born March 10, 1912, in Muscatine, Muscatine Co., IA.

Charles Walker and Laura L. (Wallace) (Tomkins) (Frye) Walker died February 22, 1917, in Muscatine, Muscatine Co., IA. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Muscatine, Muscatine Co., IA. A coroners inquest found that the train engineer was not responsible for the deaths, since Mr. and Mrs. Walker were trespassing on railroad property.

Donald Curtis Hand and Edith Marie "Jessie" Watson were married January 19, 1917, in Cass Co., MN.

The Muscatine Journal, Muscatine, Muscatine Co., IA, Thursday, March 8, 1917

OLDEST OF WALKER ORPHANS IS TAKEN BY ALBERT WALLACE

Harold, the oldest of the four Walker Orphans, the surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walker who were killed in a railroad accident here two weeks ago, was placed in the home of Mrs. Walker's brother, Albert Wallace of Dubuque, today. Mr. Wallace was in Muscatine for a week after the accident and was especially attracted by the boy, who is ten years of age. He made tentative arrangements to that the child at that time. Yesterday he wired the Muscatine Welfare association he would adopt the child. Miss M. Opal Zimmerman, secretary of the association took the child to Dubuque last night. The two little girls, aged 6 and 8 are still wards of the court and are in the hands of Miss Zimmerman until home are found for them.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 24, 1920, shows Albert Frye (age 50) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin and Illinois-born parents, is a divorced Laborer Working Out, and who rents his farm, and is living in Dayton Twp., Richland Co., WI. Living with him is his unmarried daughter, Gladys L. Frye (age 16) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 30, 1920, shows William Watson (age 60) born in Illinois to Indiana and New York-born parents, is a married General Farm Farmer, and who rents his farm, and is living Byron Twp., Cass Co., MN. Living with him are: his wife, Irene Watson (age 53) born in Illinois to New Jersey and New York-born parents; his married step-father, Arakam Silvernail (age 83) born in New York to New York-born parents; his married mother, Maria Silvernail (age 81) born in New York to New York-born parents; and his unmarried step-brother, William H. Silvernail (age 62) born in New York to New York-born parents.

James Bellwood Watson (age 26), a bachelor, and Bertha Elvina Williams (age 15), a maiden, were married May 19, 1924, in Boone Co., IA.

The 1925 Iowa State Census taken in 1925, shows Jimmie Watson (age 28) born in Iowa, and with 5 years of School, is a married Head, and is living in Douglas Twp., Boone Co., IA. Living with him is his wife, Alvina Watson (age 18) born in Iowa, and with 3 years of School.

Harold Charles Wallace and Regina Pearl "Jean" Lenstra were married September 5, 1925, in Dubuque, Dubuque Co., IA.

Roger Harold Wallace was born August 28, 1929, at Mercy Hospital, Dubuque, Dubuque Co., IA.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 7, 1930, shows Harold Wallace (age 23) born in Iowa to Iowa, and first married at age 18, is a married Building Laborer, and who rents his house for $15/month, and is living at 871 Iowa Street, 7th Pct., Dubuque, Julien Twp., Dubuque Co., IA. Living with him are: his wife, Jeane Wallace (age 21) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents, and first married at age 17; and his son, Roger Wallace (age 7/12) born born in Iowa to Iowa and Wisconsin-born parents.

Isaiah Monroe Frye died January 5, 1936, at Richland Center Hospital, Richland Center, Richland Co., WI, at age 89. Buried in Basswood Cemetery, Basswood, Richland Co., WI.

The 1940 U. S. Census taken on April 23, 1940, shows Albert Fry (age 71) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living elsewhere in Richland Co., WI, and with 8 years of School, is a widower Head of Household, and who rents his house for $8/month, and is living at 546 N. Congress Street, 2nd Ward, City of Richland Center, Richland Co., WI.

Harold Charles Frye/Walker/Geissler died December 15, 1963, in Dubuque, Dubuque Co., IA, at age 57. Buried in Dubuque Memorial Gardens, Dubuque, Dubuque Co., IA.

Jessie M. Watson and Donald Curtis Hand were married January 19, 1917, in Cass Co., MN.

Thanks for your insightful email. The other parts of this puzzle are that my Dad, Roger Wallace old me at different times that his grandfather and grandmother had been killed in a train accident in Muscatine Iowa during the first world war. This was before he was born. He told me that his father’s name was changed from Walker to Wallace, the name of my grandfather’s maternal uncle who adopted him. I’ve gotten my great grandmother’s death certificate from February 22, 1917. Her maiden name was Laura L. Wallace and her family had settled in Farmersburg, Clayton County IA sometime in the 1850s. They were farmers.

Some info about Laura -

Laura L. Wallace, age listed as 19, married Edward Tomkins, Fisherman, from MaGregror, IA on October 12, 1892 in Allamakee County, IA. They are listed as having three children in 1900 census and living in MacGregor/Mendon township.

On August 18, 1905 Laura (Wallace) Tomkins married Albert C. Frye from Richland Center WI in Elkader IA. Her age listed as 29. His was 31. I first saw the actual picture of this record last Saturday. I’d seen a synopsis of it on Ancestry previously, but don’t always know if some of the transcribed marriage records are accurate.

On Dec. 6 1906 Harold W. Walker aka Harold Charles Walker was born in Sabula, IA. He was my paternal grandfather. I have the date and place of his birth from his obituary, marriage record to my grandmother and his WWII draft registration.

On Nov 20 1908 Reva Walker was born in Giard Township, Clayton County IA.

The 1910 census lists Charles Walker and wife Laura L living in Clinton IA with two children, Harold and Reva or Revia. Laura is listed as being the mother of six children all living at that time.

March 10 1912 daughter Ruth was born.

March 5,1915 son Harley Walker was born.

February 22, 1917 Laura L. Walker and her husband Charles Wallace killed by a fast moving train around 9:05 am. This was a Thursday. His body was severely mangled. Albert Wallace, her brother, came from Dubuque and made the funeral arrangements. They were buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine, February 26, 1917.

The four children were adopted out after a time. Harold lived with his uncle Albert until he married my grandmother, Jean Lenstra from Keiler, WI in1925. My Dad was born in 1929. Albert Wallace died in 1931.

In addition to contacting you, I’ve tried to contact several relatives of descendants of the Frye family through Ancestry. These were people who have Alvin Frye’s date of death as February 22, 1917 and the location as Muscatine IA. Three responded. One messaged me that Alvin Frye was born in 1867, was married (Ella Newton) and died February17, 1917 in Muscatine, IA. She didn’t know anything else.

One emailed me that she got the information from your web-site.

Another messaged me that she initially got the information from her aunt, who had told her that it was known in the Frye family that her aunt’s great uncle, Alvin, was killed in a train accident in Muscatine IA.

Newspaper clippings from the time list only a husband and wife being killed in the accident and they were named Charles and Laura Walker. A benefit dance was held for the orphan children in Muscatine.

My thinking is that perhaps Albert Frye and Laura Wallace were the parents of one or two of the ‘Walker’ children born prior to 1910. My Frye DNA cousins point to that for at least Harold.

Not sure where Alvin Frye’s death date and location came from. If he was killed that day he would have had to assume a new identity with the name Charles Walker and was married to/ or living with the ex-wife or wife of his brother.

In 1920 census Albert Wallace is listed as living in Richland WI with his daughter Gladys. His marital status is divorced.

I’d think it’s most likely Albert and Laura had some children and then divorced prior to 1910. Likely she then married Charles Walker and would reason she was living with him in 1910 in Clinton IA with two children. I have no records of their marriage, nor her divorce from Albert Frye. I also have no record of what happened to her first husband, Edgar Tomkins but at least one of those children was adopted by another family

My grandfather, using the name Harold Walker, was living with his half-sister in Minnesota in the 1930s to 1940s. Know this from a newspaper article, his WWII draft registration and the 1940 census Her adopted name was Jessie Marie Watson and was likely the child of Laura and Edgar Tomkins. I am DNA cousins with one of her descendants.

I have al second cousin who the descended for the second ‘Walker’ child, Reva. He also is related to Frye cousins by DNA but I don’t know to what extent.

I know a little about the other two children. Ruth married a man named Lee Smith in Muscatine IA and had a family. I have no connection with them. The fourth child, Harley eventually married, but does not appear to have had any children. He died in 1958.

Appreciate you're taking the time to look at this for me.

I’ve attached a couple of articles on this if your are interested.

Best regards,

Bob

From the February 12, 2009 edition of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Mary M. Wallace, 83, of Dubuque Nursing & Rehab Center, formerly of 1735 Wood St., died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at the center.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Siegert-Casper Colonial Funeral Home, 390 N. Grandview Ave., where there will be a parish scripture wake service at 7 p.m.

She was born on Dec. 7, 1925, in Dubuque, daughter of Henry and Monona (Theis) Majerus. She graduated from St. Columbkille's High School and attended Clarke College.

She married Roger Wallace on July 23, 1955, at St. Raphael's Cathedral.

She was employed with Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. and retired after 10 years to raise her family.

Mary enjoyed camping with her family, sewing, knitting and crocheting. She was a member of St. Mary's parish.

Surviving are her husband, Roger, of Dubuque; her children, Mary (Jim) Sullivan, of Winnebago, Ill., Robert Wallace, of Aliso Viejo, Calif., Mark (Martha) Wallace, Bridget (Gary Schlichtmann) and Dennis (Lisa) Wallace, all of Dubuque, and John (Martha) Wallace, of Olympia, Wash.; nine grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; and a great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother; John Majerus; and two sisters, Ruth and Rita Majerus.

Egelhof Siegert Casper Funeral Homes

Roger C. Wallace, 82, of Stonehill Care Center, formerly of 1735 Wood Street, died Thursday, October 6, 2011.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 10, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with the Msgr. Rev. Karl Glovik officiating.

Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery where Military Rites will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Friends may call from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, October 9, at the Siegert - Casper Colonial Funeral Home, 390 N Grandview Avenue, where a parish scripture wake service will be held at 3:00 p.m.

Roger was born on August 28, 1929, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Harold and Regina (Lenstra) Wallace.

On July 23, 1955 he married Mary Majerus at St. Raphael's Cathedral.

For 26 years he worked in the Sales department at Sears, Roebuck and Company in Dubuque.

Roger served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.

Surviving are his children, Mary (Jim) Sullivan, of Winnebago, IL., Robert Wallace, of Aliso Viego, CA, Mark (Martha) Wallace, of Dubuque, Bridget (Gary) Schlichtmann, of Dubuque, Dennis (Lisa) Wallace of Dubuque, and John (Martha) Wallace of Warwick, RI; his grandchildren, Joshua, Zachary(Lindsay), Abraham, Schlichtmann, Michael and Kathleen Sullivan, Hunter, Connor, Ryan and Elena Wallace; and 2 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, his parents, and his step-father, Charles O. Barnhart.