Susannah Gourley Thompson, Oldest Rock Grove Resident

JOSEPH GOURLEY > SUSANNA GOURLEY m Daniel Thompson

We don't have a plethora of southern antecedents. Most come originally from the Puritan northeast US, not the more free-wheeling commerce-driven settlers who landed in Virginia and parts south.

Yet, the Gourley's had long been in Loudoun County, Virginia. Their origins are most likely Scottish and their presence in Virginia goes back until at least the mid 1700s. I've found indications that they were Quakers. Waterford, the town in which Susanna's father Joseph was born, was a Quaker settlement started by Pennsylvanian Amos Janney in 1733. Joseph and his wife Grace Morgan's antecedents started from Pennsylvania. I'm slowly chipping away at the story.

The birthday gift giving list looks like
Who's Who of my family tree

Susanna was one of at least eight children born to Joseph Gourley and Grace Morgan. In some of my research of Grace's family, it appears they may have been part of the Keithian Quakers, a group that split from the Friends in 1690 over disagreements on things like water Baptisms, which the Quakers had foregone some time previously. These Keithian Quakers often ended up as Baptists. If you hear the term Baptist Quaker or Primitive Baptists, that's most likely what's being referred to. It walks like a Quaker and talks like a Quaker, but isn't a Quaker. This makes sense as most of the Cooper's who settled in Iowa ended up as Baptists.

This interesting story comes from a Gourley relative, Patty, who shared the information online:

"A letter from Mary Verniece Byrd, one of the descendants of Susannah Gourley Thompson, dated April 18, 1973, to Reeva Decker. Susannah Gourley, born 1801, married Robert Thompson, born 1799, in Louden County, Virginia. She was born in either Pittsylvania County or Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Susannah Thompson had a son Scott who was much younger than her other children and full of the devil. Scott's wife Marietta was alive in 1937 as my little boys and I stopped to visit her a few hours in passing through. It is through her that I got my history about Susannah Gourley Thompson as she knew her well before she died. She told me that Susannah Gourley Thompson said that she well remembered the War of 1812. She had 3 brothers who fought in it. Her father - Joseph Gourley- was too old but he hauled provisions to the soldiers at Point Lookout, Maryland. If you look on your map it is a point south of Washington, D. C. at the edge of the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River joined. She said she wore a blue dress and stood in a wagon, and waved a flag as the soldiers marched by. She would have been at least 11 years old." 

Susanna married Daniel Thompson about 1819. Daniel was born about 1800 in Virginia. Unfortunately, after having 11 children, he died in his 40s after their arrival in Stephenson County, Illinois.  Susanna's siblings spread out as well, some staying in various parts of Virginia and some moving to Clark and Crawford County (remember, there was a very large contingent of Quakers in the area), and then on to Livingston County or Stephenson County, and one to Champaign County, Ohio.

Susanna's son Daniel, born in 1828 in Virginia, married into the Quaker Cooper family, marrying Ann Cooper on 05 May 1850 in Illinois. They had seven children before he died prematurely at age 37 in Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa in 1864. His will made his wife not only the beneficiary of his estate, but the sole executor of Daniel's will.

Susanna's daughter Margaret Ann, was born 28 Oct 1821 in Virginia. She married a Cooper, as well, marrying Chalkley Jared Cooper on 28 Jul 1840 in Crawford County, Illinois. C J and Margaret had nine children before Margaret's death in 1880 in Rock Grove. CJ survived until 1885.

Susanna eventually became Rock Grove's oldest citizen. She had her 83rd birthday in 1884, but she still had a lot of life left in her. She resided with son-in-law CJ Cooper in some of the last years of her life. "Grandma Thompson," as she was known by all, lived on to the age of  97 and died of complications of age cared for by her daughter Grace. She outlived all but two of her children.

I hope to talk a little more about some of the other Thompson kids in a future post.

The Magoons - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

JACOB SMITH > WILLIAM CUSTER SMITH > HARLAND SMITH m Fannie Magoon (a brief
tale of some of her family)

Harland Smith and Fannie Stout Magoon married on the same day as Harland's sister Eva and her new husband, Arthur Bryce, on 21 Aug 1881 in Plainfield, Bremer County, Iowa.

Fannie came from a very large family headed by Lowell Josephus Magoon and his wife, Rebecca Davis Magoon. The Magoons both hailed from New York and married in Michigan, where they started their family of what would eventually be 13 children, according to Fred Magoon's obituary. The Magoons moved frequently. Leaving Michigan, they headed to Wisconsin, where they stopped for a short time and then moved on to Chickasaw County, Iowa in about 1856, making them early pioneers

Fannie Magoon Smith

to the area. They stayed long enough for at least two of them to grow roots - Fannie and Fred. They stayed in Iowa while it appears the rest of the family headed for the West Coast, landing in northern California and Oregon. Lowell died in Aug 1898 in Columbia County, Oregon and his wife, Rebecca, died in 1906, reportedly in Gaston, Oregon. In 1900, she was living with her son, Lowell, in Washington County, Oregon.

Daughter Azilda married well to Thomas Benton Lott. Below find a brief article about their life on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. The couple died in Columbia County, Oregon.

Son Fred, who remained in the Plainfield/Nashua area, seemed to have a little problem with his temper. He was a painter while living in Iowa and his obituary glowed with his various positive attributes, but the news archives said something more - one of the issues involved one of our Plainfield Smull's! Fred died in 1931 in Waverly, Iowa.

A man named Fred Magoon was arrested by Constable Brown of Plainfield on Saturday, charged with using threatening language and, on change of venue, brought before Squire Hanchett for trial on Tuesday, when, owing to lack of evidence ont he part of the prosecution, the Justice discharged the prisoner.
Waverly Republican, Waverly Iowa
Thursday, January 20,1887
---
The early part of last week Magoon of Plainfield assaulted Mr Smull (ed note: Franklin Sylvester Smull, son of Johnathon Smull and Mary Jane Cooper) of the same place and it is claimed that in order to avoid arrest, after hiding for some days, went before a justice of his own volition and on pleading guilty of the offense and paying a fine of one dollar, was discharged. On hearing which Smull consulted the County Attorney who advised him that the course pursued by the defendant and justice was irregular and not conclusive and that he could have Magoon rearrested and properly tried, which was immediately done, and the prisoner taking a change of venue to Squire Watkins was tried before a jury who found him guilty. Messrs Kingsley and Billings appeared for the state and Jos. Empson for the defendant, who gave bail and appealed.
Waverly Republican, Waverly Iowa
Thursday, January 27, 1887
===
In the case of Fred Magoon on appeal by defendant from justice court, the jury brought in a verdict for the state.
Waverly Republican, Waverly Iowa
Thursday, March 3, 1887
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Fred Magoon is boarding at the jail at present for disturbing the peace.
Waverly Republican, Waverly Iowa
Thursday, February 28, 1895
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Willis E Miller, proprietor of the Plainfield tannery, filed a complaint in Justice Fortner's court against Fred Magoon, charging the latter with assault and battery. His fine and costs amounted to about $12 which he paid.
Waverly Republican Waverly Iowa
Thursday, August 10, 1905
===

Son Edwin Franklin Magoon died in 1922 in Yamhill County, Oregon.

Son Lowell John Magoon ended up in Paradise, Butte County, California, where he died at age 73, in
1944.

Daughter Ellen married Thomas E Mills while in Iowa, but moved to Oregon. They did not live together after 1900, perhaps even earlier. Thomas died in Portland in 1915 and Ellen died in 1929 in Vernonia, where her son Guy cared for her. He was also mayor of Vernonia.

Son Jerome Irving Magoon served in Company K, Iowa 13th Infantry Regiment and died of the measles on 01 Jan 1865 while in Alabama.

Son Byron George Magoon was a bit of trouble. He spent most of the early 20th century in trouble with the law, being sought by the Banker's Association, not supporting his wife who was able to secure a divorce from her nefarious husband, spent time in Oregon penitentiary, and died alone in 1923 at age 70.

BYRON G MAGOON, mentioned on page 188 of the September 1912, and on page 388 of the December 1912, Journal-Bulletin, on Oct 27, 1913 was convicted on a charge of forgery perpetrated against a bank member at St Helen's Oregon and sentenced to serve from two to twenty years in the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Banking: Journal of the American Banker's Association, Vol 6, 1913
===
FOUR WOMEN UNHAPPY
Judge Hears Divorce Pleas But Delays Action
Laura L Magoon, Wife of Pendleton Piano Dealer, Say Relatives Support Her
Circuit Judge Morrow tried four divorce cases yesterday morning, taken them all under advisement, although he intimated that in two cases at least the decrees would be granted.
Laura L Magoon told the judge she was tired of depending upon her relatives for financial assistance. Her husband, Byron G Magoon, conducts a piano house in Pendleton, but Mrs Magoon said he has not properly provided for her. They were married June 23, 1901, but although she had lived with her husband for nine years, Mrs Magoon did not think she could be happy with him longer. She said he was very jealous, that he falseley accused her of infidelity, and abused her. She asked to resume her former name, Weigle. Judge Morrow as not wholly satisfied with the testimony.
===
BAD CHECK ARTIST CAUGHT
BG Magoon, of Portland, Wanted byBanks, Arrested at Woodburn
Woodburn, OR, Aug 17 (Special) - BG Magoon of Portland, representing himself to be in the employ of the Norris Safe and Lock Co of Portland, was arrested here today by Constable Amos Beach, on information sent out by the State Bankers' Association, charged with having uttered worthless drafts.
Magoon came here today and after...missing rest of article
Oregonian, Portland Oregon
Sunday, August 18, 1912
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Magoon Cited for Contempt
BG Magoon, a traveling salesman, was hauled before Presiding Circuit Judge Bronaugh yesterday afternoon to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt of court. JL brought suit against him in the....rest of article missing
Oregonian, Portland Oregon
Friday August 27 1909
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Portland Salesman Charged
VANCOUVER WASH - BG Magoon, a salesman in Portland, was bound over to the Superior Court today, charged with larceny. Alton & Gail, oyster merchants, complainants. They charged Magoon would send in orders to the main house and collect his commission...rest of article missing
Oregonian, Portland Oregon
Thursday, November 23, 1911
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Alleged Forger Arraigned
B G Magoon, charged with grand larceny, was arraigned in the Superior Court today and pleaded not guilty. He was released on $1500 bonds. It is alleged that Magoon, and agent for Alton & Gall, of Portland, made a check payable to the company, endorsed and cashed it for $33.
Oregonian, Portland, Oregon
Tuesday, May 14, 1912

The Specter of a Killer: Typhoid Strikes the Williams Family

UNK SMULL > PETER SMULL > JOHNATHAN SMULL > SAIDEE SMULL m Curtis Williams

Minnesota State Fair, 1910

The general story of Saidee is told here.  Tragically, Curtis died at age 36 of typhoid after an illness of several weeks. Curtis and Saidie had gotten married in 1903 with all good in front of them. His parents were Mary Ann Smith and John W. Williams.

Married - At the house of the bride's mother, Sept 9th, at 8 o'clock, Miss Sadie Smull to Mr Curtis Williams both of this place. The bride is one our best young ladies and the groom is a prosperous young farmer living a few miles north of town. They leave Thursday for Freeport, Chicago, and other points to be gone for about a week. They have the best wishes of a host of friends.
Waverly Republican Waverly Iowa
Thursday, September 10, 1903

Curtis

Their first child, Rosalie, was born in 1904. Their second, "Maudie," arrived in 1906. His mother died in September 1907 and the Williams' moved to his parents farm and his sister, Mrs.Rosa (Julian) Moine, moved to Curtis & Saidee's farm. In 1908, they swapped back. They got all settled in when poor Curtis, who had been dealing with a carbuncle on his hand, lost his wallet with nearly $20 while working in his fields which was a big deal, and it was never recovered.

In September 1909, the popular young couple were surprised with a party hosted by their many friends. Things were going very well. A year later, in September 1910, the young couple decided to go to the Minnesota State Fair. They returned in mid-September and by mid-October, Curtis, and then Saidee, were suffering from typhoid fever.

Whether it was contracted during their travel to/from the fair isn't known, but only four people in Iowa had come down with the disease that month, the Williams' being two. 

After a several week struggle with the disease, the physician, Dr. Jay, and private nurse had no hope and Curtis died in the mid-morning on Tuesday, November 14, 1910. Saidee was so ill, the doctor and family did not want to further endanger her by telling her of his death. Saidee pulled through, but was unable to attend her husband's funeral. 

Several months later, the farm was sold. Saidee would move to Denver, Iowa, in 1928.

Clan William: Miles Munson & the Humason Family of Trumbull County

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson > Miles Munson m Celarcia Humason 

Trumbull County

Like many of the settlers of Trumbull County, Ohio, the Humason and Munson families hailed from Connecticut. James Julius Humason was born 27 Sep 1801 in Hartford. His parents, James and Honor Humason, removed with their large family to Brookfield in Trumbull County. Humason died
shortly thereafter and Mrs. Humason moved the family to Vienna. Honor died in 1843, James Julius married Eliza Woodford on 12 Apr 1829. She was the oldest daughter of Darius and Bathiah Woodford, a very well-respected and fairly affluent farming family.

Hartford Female Seminary

Before his marriage, James Julius taught district school. Eliza was educated in Warren, then attended school in Hartford Female Seminary where Catherine Beecher was principal and Harriet Beecher Stowe was assistant principal. Opened in 1823, its purpose was to teach girls the subjects of higher learning.

She then learned the trade of dressmaking and millinery while in Hartford. She married the following year and she and her husband resided on the farm that was given to her by her father. James continued to teach and spent some time farming, but that wasn't his primary focus. When Humason died on 13 Apr 1853, the work of the farm fell completely on the shoulders of Eliza. The History of Trumbull and Mahoning County, Vol II, also recalls that Mrs. Humason was quite involved in temperance efforts, as was 

Ohio Ladies Temperance

much of her family. In this volume, it says, "Mrs. Humason joined her uncle's society and her chief source of pride in the family is founded on the fact that none of them were drunkards. She hopes to have the privilege of casting a vote in favor of total abolition of the traffic."

The couple had four children. J. Eliza, James, Martha, and Celarcia. Celarcia married Miles Munson, son of Freeman Munson and Margaret Gregory. They in turn, had one child, Mary Munson, born in December 1861 in Trumbull County. In 1878, Mary married Emerson Ellsworth Clawson, from another well-known Trumbull County family. Emerson and Mary had at least five children. Mary died in Sep 1906 in Warren and her widower remarried in 1909 to Helena M Carton. He was a machinist and had no children in his second marriage.

Clan William: The Music Man Charles Edward Gaither

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > 

Charles Edward Gaither

William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson > Marietta Munson > Clara Gentholtz > Charles Edward Gaither 

Charles Edward Gaither was born 14 Jan 1892 in Warren, Ohio to James E Gaither and Clara Gentholtz. You can read about her and one of her other children here.

When Charles was a young boy, his father gave him a copy of the book, "Life in the Ozarks," which stuck with him and would help guide his future and lead him to the place he always wanted to see.

At age 21, he had a brief marriage to Grace Miller. Then, he spent a lot of time in orchestras throughout the country. His instrument of choice was the violin. He led orchestras from the age of 15 and was also a member of the Penn Albert Trio in Greenburg, Pennsylvania.

While living in Uniontown, Pennsylvania in 1924, he read in the Billboard that the Miller Theater in Jefferson City wanted an orchestra leader. Charles telegraphed and was accepted, leaving immediately by train. Once in St Louis, he hopped the Missouri Pacific and arrived in Jefferson City. He fell in love with the area immediately and made it his permanent home. His hobbies were fishing and motorboating - and he'd ended up in the perfect place, near the "Big Muddy" to enjoy both to their fullest.

Jefferson City, 1920s

While working later at a theatre in Springfield, he married Martha Roedder. Martha, of Jefferson City, was his fiance when Charles was taken ill and spent several days in the Springfield hospital. Martha went to visit him and they decided to marry immediately, the ceremony held at hospital bedside. Martha was born 16 Apr 1902 to Charles Roedder and Emma Wolff.

When the need for music at the silent movies became unneeded, he made his living from providing music instruction in town and also became the director of the "Little Symphony" - the Jefferson City Symphony, where he stayed until his death. They lived in a new apartment in Jefferson City.

Gaither was interested in both classical and modern music. According to news reports, his orchestra was fairly drama-free and the symphony appearances under his direction were widely praised. He was active in musician's union affairs and was at one time vice president of the union.

After playing a gig at a Boy Scout event, Gaither became ill and it quickly turned into pneumonia. He was put in the hospital and under an oxygen tent, but failed quickly and died on 01 Feb 1938 at the age of 58.

His wife, many years younger than Charles, married Charles Arthur Maxeiner in 1941. He died in 1963. She then married a gent name Welsch. Martha died 21 Jan 1989 in Lee County, Florida.

Clan William: Sarah Jane Vaughn Simmons Family

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson >  Henrietta Munson > Sara Jane Vaughn m Joel Simmons

My 3rd great grandfather Amos Munson's sister Henrietta Munson Vaughn, can be read about here.

The Vaughn's had a total of 13 children, not all surviving until adulthood. Daughter Sarah Jane was born 28 Dec 1840 in Trumbull County, Ohio She married Joel Simmons in 1856 after the Vaughn family had removed to Grant County, Wisconsin.

Joel Simmons was born in Pennsylvania, but was raised in his formative years in Ashtabula, Ohio. His family later removed to Grant County and then, Joel and family moved to Dresden Township in Chickasaw County, where they farmed. In the early morning hours of Feb 12, 1877, Joel died unexpectedly at home, leaving his wife and five children to mourn him. He was only 37 years old.

Mrs Simmons forged on for many years. Jane's last several years were lived at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Alice Sinderson (second wife of William Custer Smith), where she died Jan 19, 1915.

Their children were:

George Craft Simmons, born 20 Sep 1857 in Wisconsin, he moved with his parents to Iowa in 1860. He married Martha R Hinkley in Frederika on 25 Dec 1882. They had five daughters and one son, who died at age 13 of typhoid. George lived intermittently in Waterloo. His wife died in 1932. He died in 1940 in Waterloo.

Clara Jane Simmons was born 06 Sep 1859 in Wisconsin. She married David Nathan Hinkley, 04 Jul 1877, in Chickasaw County. The couple had four children before David's death on 16 Mar 1888. Clara married Nelson B Ross on 08 Nov 1903 in Fredericka. He died 13 May 1917. Clara died in 1946. Two of Clara's sons, William Moon and Roy Robert, both died within six months of one another in 1925, at young ages. Roy was a sales manager for the Iten Biscuit Co. in Oklahoma City when he had a ruptured appendix and died of complications at the age of 41. William died at 38 of complications of the flu, on 10 Mar 1925 in Eagle Grove.

Alice Simmons was born Aug 1862 in Fayette County, Iowa. She married her cousin Mary Ann Munson's widower, William Custer Smith, on 20 Mar 1893. Smith died two years later, the homestead was sold to Smith's children by Alice, and she received $2,040.She returned to Frederika and then married Englishman Arthur J Sinderson on 16 Aug 1898 in Chickasaw County. Arthur was born 01 Nov 1855 in England and died 29 Jan 1935. He was a laborer and lastly worked as a janitor before his retirement. The couple lived in New Hampton during their marriage. Arthur died 29 Jan 1935 and Alice died 05 Dec 1937. She celebrated her 75th birthday with the family in 1936, just months prior to her death. The Sindersons had no children.

On Sunday August 16, the Simmons relatives gathered at the Frederika park to celebrate the 75th birthday of Mrs Alice Sinderson of New Hampton. The weather was ideal and to add to the pleasure of the occasoin the Littel German Band of Hawkeye played all the afternoon. Everyone enjoyed it very much.

Those in attendance were: Mr & Mrs Fred Simmons, Alice Sinderson, Mr & Mrs Guy Hinkley, Eagle Grove; Mr & Mrs Cal Thompson and daughters, Millicent and Mary, Mr & Mrs John Carney and sons, Robert and Max, Mr & Mrs Everett Hartson and daughter Betty, Mr & Mrs Lester Simmons and children, Edith, Eldo, and Ruth; Mr & Mrs Carl Smith, and sons, Max, Bruce, and Roger; Lowell Carney, Waterloo, Mr & Mrs Frank Sherman, daughter Imogene, Mrs Clara Ross, Mr George Simmons, Mr & Mrs Neil Simmons.

Fredericksburg News, Fredericksburg, Iowa
Thursday, August 20, 1936

William Wallace Simmons was born 28 Jan 1863 in Fayette County, Iowa. He married Alice Carpenter on 23 Oct 1889 in Buena Vista. They had one son, Merle Phillip Simmons, Sr., on 03 Jan 1892. A successful businessman, William died suddenly on the streets of Yale, Oklahoma on 19 Jan 1915  where he'd gone on business. He was a resident of Oklahoma City. His wife died 13 Mar 1939 in Oklahoma City.

Fred Simmons was born 13 Dec 1872 in Chickasaw County. He married May Clara Gardner in 1896. They had three children: Lester Ralph, Neil Arthur, and Veva Pearl. The Simmons had farmed for many years and in retirement in May 1936, they moved to Fredericksburg, but then moved back to the farm in Mar 1937. His son Neil had intended to take over the farm, but that didn't work out. Neil and his second wife, Mary, owned a variety of restaurants and bars in the Frederika area. They were both killed in a 1961 auto accident. Fred died in June 1948. May died in 1968.

Downtown Yale in the boom days

Another Cousin Meetup

SMULL, PETER > SMULL, Johnathon m Mary Jane Cooper:

Click to increase size.

Franklin Sylvester Smull / Viola Smull / Katie Smull

Some months ago, I met with my cousins, great granddaughter and great great granddaughter of Viola Smull. Viola was the sister of my own great grandmother, Katie Smull Smith.

I was graciously invited to join my cousins again when yet another Smull cousin flew out from California to visit this past week. She is the great granddaughter of Frank Smull, brother to Viola and Katie and of whom I knew very little.

We exchanged photos and stories and then trekked over to Nashua's Greenwood Cemetery where I was able to show them the graves for Johnathon, Mary Jane, and their eldest son Ulyssus, who died at age 20 in 1881.

Leonna and Dee - Together Again!

One of the little tidbits I picked up include the fact that in summers, Leonna (Frank's GG), would come from California and stay with her grandparents, Orle Smull and Ruth Cagley Smull. There she would meet Dee (Viola's GG) and they would spend time playing through the summer. They've kept in touch all of their lives but hadn't seen each other in over 15 years. It was like watching two little kids, meeting back up on the playground with giggling and hugging everywhere.

It was again, such a pleasure to spend time with such kind, interesting people who I never would have known existed had it not been for this genealogy project. I'm very excited to have more stories to tell here over the coming months and really thank Leonna for bringing two fabulous albums full of Smull/Cagley/Orcutt/Pikesley family history.