Rhoda's Story after James Died

James Demetris Rowlison died on 2 Aug 1890 leaving Rhoda with small children on the farm in western Kansas. They had sold out on their farm on the Benedict place northeast of Edgar, Nebraska in November 1886 keeping a team and a wagon. They attended the state convention of the G. A. R. in Grand Island and then drove the team to Hoxie, Kansas.

 Ethel was their 11th child born in November of 1888 and James died less than two years later.

Following is the chronology of Rhoda's life after James died in 1890 through her own death in 1932. Please review this information and let me know if you have any corrections, additions, or further information that is needed to complete Rhoda's story during this period.

Rhoda found herself widowed with a large family to deal with:

Ethel was 20 months old

Mabel was four years old

Roy was six

James was nine

Myrtle was eleven

Martha was thirteen

Charles was sixteen

Minnie was eighteen

George was 20 years old

Gustavus was 24 years old

Maggie was 22 years old, had married earlier in the year and was living near Edgar, Nebraska.

It is likely that at least eight of the children were still at home. George and Gustavus may have also been with her, but in any event, they were nearby to help. There would not be a second marriage in the family until September 1898 when Martha married Oliver Cassell in Clay Center, so it’s likely she had returned to Nebraska where she met Oliver, Maggie’s brother-in-law.

The story of Rhoda’s life as a widow from 1890 to 1932 is clearer when viewed chronologically.

Nov 1886                    The family left Nebraska for Hoxie.

9 Nov 1888                 Daughter Ethel Rowlison born in Hoxie, Sheridan, Kansas

7 Apr 1890                  Daughter Maggie Rowlison married David Cassell in Hoxie, Sheridan, Kansas

2 Aug 1890                 Husband James Demetris Rowlison died in Hoxie, Sheridan, Kansas

19 Feb 1891                Granddaughter Jessie Cassell (Maggie’s dau) born in Ong, Clay, Nebraska

11 Apr 1892                Grandson James Cassell (Maggie’s son) born in Edgar, Clay, Nebraska

2 Aug 1894                 Grandson Harry Cassell (Maggie’s son) born in Edgar, Clay, Nebraska

19 Mar 1897               Grandson Leonard (Bum) Cassell (Maggie’s son) born Edgar, Clay, Nebraska

21 Sep 1898                Daughter Martha Rowlison married Oliver Cassell in Clay Center, Clay, Nebraska

23 Oct 1898                Son George Rowlison married Clara Clements

8 Jan 1899                   Daughter Myrtle Rowlison married Hugh Long

20 Jun 1899                 Grandson Gaylord Cassell (Martha’s son) born

20 Aug 1899               Gustavus Adolphus (Dolph) married Madge Bryan

24 Sep 1899                Charles Rowlison married Laura Griffith

20 Jan 1900                 Florence Long (Myrtle’s dau) born

13 Jun 1900                 Mabel Rowlison (Charles’s dau) born

21 Jun 1900                 1900 Census – Rhoda was living in Kenneth Township, Sheridan County, Kansas with Minnie, age 28; James, 19; Roy, 16; Mabel, 13 and Ethel age 11.

20 Sep 1900                Rosetta Rowlison (Dolph’s dau) born

15 Nov 1900               Mabel Rowlison (Charle’s dau) died

22 Dec 1900                Ralph Cassell (Martha’s son) born

15 Aug 1901               Hazel Rowlison (George’s dau) born

29 Jan 1902                 Lois Long (Myrtle’s dau) born

7 Feb 1902                  Gladys Cassell (Maggie’s dau) born

20 Sep 1902                Buel Rowlison (Dolph’s son) born

15 Jul 1903                 Dorothy Rowlison (Charles’s dau) born

7 Oct 1903                  Howard Cassell (Martha’s son) born

21 Feb 1904                Bernard Rowlison (George’s son) born

28 Dec 1904                Leland (Pete) Cassell (Maggie’s son) born

8 Feb 1905                  James Rowlison married Fanny Baldock

31 May 1905               Roy Rowlison married Laura Gowen

4 May 1906                 Earl Rowlison (Roy’s son) born

16 May 1906               Ralph Rowlison (Dolph’s son) born

18 Jun 1906                 Vernon Cassell (Martha’s son) born

19 Aug 1906               Ruth Rowlison (Charles’s dau) born

14 Apr 1907                Arthur (Mike) Cassell (Maggie’s son) born

3 Aug 1907                 Theodore Rowlison (Dolph’s son) born

27 Nov 1907               Darlene Rowlison (Roy’s day) born

5 Aug 1908                 Cleo Cassell (Martha’s dau) born

2 Feb 1909                  George Rowlison (Rhoda’s son) died

17 Feb 1909                Grace Rowlison (Charles’s son) born

17 Dec 1909                Wayne (Brody) Cassell (Maggie’s son) born

19 Feb 1910                Orville Rowlison (Dolph’s son) born

27 Feb 1910                James Rowlison (James’s son) born

18 Apr 1910                1910 Census: Rhoda was living in Hayes Ward 1, Ellis County, Kansas with Minnie, age 38; Mabel, 23 and Ethel 21.

4 Aug 1910                 Oleta Rowlison (Roy’s dau) born

6 Dec 1910                  Helen Cassell (Martha’s dau) born           

21 Mar 1912               Wayne Rowlison (Charles’s son) born

22 May 1912               Mildred Cassell (Maggie’s dau) born

8 Jun 1912                   Mabel Rowlison married Fredrick Calvert

20 Jun 1912                 Dwight Rowlison (Roy’s son) born

24 Aug 1912               Lena Rowlison (Dolph’s dau) born

9 Apr 1913                  Marvin Cassell (Martha’s son) born

21 Nov 1913               Wilma Rowlison (Charles’s dau) born

8 Mar 1914                 Eva Rowlison (Roy’s dau) born

1 Apr 1915                  Roy Cassell (Martha’s son) born

8 Oct 1915                  Emma Rowlison (Dolph’s dau) born

16 Aug 1916               Floyd Rowlison (Roy’s son) born

16 Aug 1916               Fern Rowlison (Roy’s dau) born

22 Feb 1917                Gr-granddaughter Ruth Cassell (Maggie>Harry) born in Nebraska

23 Mar 1918               Gr.grandson Robert Cassell (Maggie>Harry) born in Nebraska

8 Sep 1918                  John Rowlison (Dolph’s son) born

6 Jan 1919                   Merna Cassell (Martha’s dau) born

19 Apr 1919                Gustavus Adolphus (Rhoda’s son) died

13 Nov 1919               Max Rowlison (Roy’s son) born

3 Jan 1920                   1920 Census: Rhoda was living in Ong, Logan Township, Clay County, Nebraska with Ethel, age 31 and Maggie's son Leonard (Bum) Cassell, age 22, a garage mechanic in Ong, the town’s first mechanic according to our folklore.

3 May 1920                 Gr-grandson Lovelle Karnatz (Maggie>Jessie) born in Nebraska

20 May 1920               Minnie Rowlison married Gilbert Carey

                                                Pearl Carey (Minnie’s step-dau) was 7 years old

27 May 1920               Gr-granddaughter Margaret Cassell (Maggie>Harry) born in Nebraska

5 Jul 1921                   Gr-granddaughter Rhodabelle Karnatz (Maggie>Jessie) born in Nebraska

1 Nov 1921                 Betty Rowlison (Roy’s dau) born

7 Jun 1922                   Ethel Rowlison married LeRoy Oakley

19 Aug 1923               Gr-granddaughter Florine Cassell (Maggie>James) born in Nebraska

15 Sep 1923                Gr-granddaughter Vaunden Nelson (George>Hazel) born in Nebraska

14 Nov 1923               Gr-granddaughter Irlene Beam (Myrtle>Lois) born in Twin Falls, Idaho

15 Nov 1923               Gr-granddaughter Irlene Beam (Myrtle>Lois) died in Twin Falls, Idaho

13 Apr 1924                Ethel LoRee Oakley (Ethel’s dau) was born

26 Oct 1924                Gr-granddaughter Ruby Karnatz (Maggie>Jessie) born in Nebraska

11 Nov 1924               Gr-grandson Ronald Cassell (Maggie>Harry) born in Nebraska

16 Jun 1925                 Gr-granddaughter Lois Beam (Myrtle>Lois) born in Twin Falls, Idaho

9 Mar 1926                 Gr-granddaughter Nellie Louise (Haskett?) (Gustavus > Rosetta) born 9 Mar 1926 in Missouri

10 Aug 1926               Gr-grandson Ray Karnatz (Maggie>Jessie) born in Nebraska

27 Sep 1926                Marjorie Calvert (Mabel’s dau) born

11 Mar 1927               Gr-granddaughter Irla Beam (Myrtle>Lois) born in Twin Falls, Idaho

18 Dec 1928                Buel Rowlison (Dolph’s son) died    

1929                            Gr-grandson James (Haskett?) (Gustavus > Rosetta) born

28 Apr 1929                Gr-grandson Donal Nelson (George>Hazel) born in Nebraska

18 Apr 1930                1930 Census: Rhoda was living in Clay Center, Clay County, Nebraska with daughter Ethel and Roy Oakley and their daughter LoRee, age 6.

4 June 1930                 Gr-grandson Kenneth Cassell (Maggie>James) born in Edgar, Clay, Nebraska

11 Jul 1930                 Gr-granddaughter Donna Cassell (Maggie>Leonard) born in Clay Center, Clay, Nebraska

12 May 1931               Gr-grandson Harold Rowlison (Gustavus>Theodore) born in Kansas

9 Jul 1931                   Gr-granddaughter Marylee Cassell (Martha>Howard) born

24 Mar 1932               Rhoda (Walton) Rowlison died

The 1966 Walton Picnic

This clip appeared in The Clay County News on August 18, 1966 listing the attendees at the Walton Picnic in Clay Center.

Walton Picnic, 1966

Were you there? I missed it having just finished basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas and was waiting to hear if I'd been accepted to officers' training. That happened one month later.
JJ

holding place for draft post

holding place for draft post

Holding place for draft post

Why did James and Rhoda go to Moulton, Iowa?

by Jerry Johnson

Genealogical research does not need to be limited to a collection of dates and places. In fact, I'd likely have never taken up the activity if that were so. The topic gets better as we flesh out those dates and places, ask the questions "When?" and "How?" and especially "Why?"

James and Rhoda Rowlison's migration from southern Indiana to western Kansas included a stop in Moulton, Iowa around 1876. Martha Anna was born there in January of 1877. The stop in Iowa followed a longer stay near Kirksville, Missouri about 35 miles south of Moulton.

It is worth researching and maybe speculating as to "Why?" did the Rowlisons decide to go to Kirksville and to Moulton.

There was a fellow named Robert J. Rowlison who seems to be the same fellow as a John L. Rowlison who shows up in the Kirksville census as early as 1860. He had come from Jennings County, Indiana. These could be two different guys but there is too much commonality to ignore.

I'm speculating that this was a son of Nathanial Rowlison and a cousin of James. John, or Robert Rowlison seems to have been in the Civil War as a corporal in the 2nd Missouri Cavalry - a Union unit. So the Rowlison name, common youth in Jennings or neighboring Jefferson Counties in Indiana and probably cousins leads us to speculate that James and Rhoda went to Kirksville because they knew of this Rowlison already living there.

Now to Moulton, Iowa. In 2007 after the reunion in Kewanee, Illinois, Rita and I went to Kirksville, Missouri and located the Rowlison farm there (earlier post here). We have the farm location from the ad that James put in the local paper when he put the place on the market. From Kirksville we drove the 35 miles north to Moulton, Iowa.

I do not have any clue as to where the Moulton farm may have been, but comparing the farmland at the two areas it is clear that the Iowa location was much better land for corn and other crops, at least it appears so today and was likely so in the 1870's. I speculated that during the several years that James and Rhoda lived in Kirksville, James would have had opportunity to scout the surrounding area and could have seen that there were better prospects around Moulton. I guessed he put the


The family of James and Sarah (Walton) Hays

Missouri farm up for sale and moved north. That was my "best guess" as to why the went to Moulton, until today.

Today I stumbled upon the grave record for Sarah (Walton) Hays who was buried in the Moulton, Iowa cemetery in 1893 and was living in Moulton as early as 1870. Sarah and her husband James Hays had lived in Jefferson County, Indiana when they were younger. Sarah was the older sister of Isaiah Walton and Rhoda's aunt.

James Hays died in May, 1876 and was buried in Moulton. Rhoda had her sixth baby, Martha Anna in January, 1877 in Moulton.

I think we can safely say that James and Rhoda moved to Moulton because her aunt already lived there.

After the short stay at this farm the Rowlisons moved on west to Peru, Nebraska. I do not have any clues what that attraction may have been. But the next move was to the series of four farms around Edgar, Nebraska where they stayed several years. The first of those farms was the farm of Merritt Walton, Rhoda's older brother where they spent their first winter while Merritt and his family went to Missouri for the winter.

Evan Thomas Pension Application

Thanks to cousin Irl Towle for this copy of the Revolutionary War pension application of our ancestor Evan Thomas.

First the family connections:

Rhoda (Walton) Rowlison > Myrtle Amy (Rowlison) Long > Lois Mae (Long) Beam > Geraldine (Beam) Towle > Forrest Irl Towle

and

Evan Thomas > Rhoda (Thomas) Hall > Eliza Jane (Hall) Walton > Rhoda (Walton) Rowlison

Dig out your Revolutionary War history books and follow our (my fourth - adjust your own generation) great grandfather's remarkable path...

Pension Application Declaration of Evan Thomas

 

State of Indiana

Jennings County

 

On this seventh day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable the Commissioners Court of the County of Jennings and State of Indiana composed of Robert Elliott President, Patrick M. Dixon & Sam Wagner Commissioners now sitting Evan Thomas aged seventy six years a resident of the said County of Jennings and State aforesaid who first being duly sworn deposeth and saith and upon his Oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That in the summer of the year 1775 and to the best of his memory in the month of July in said year he enlisted as a private soldier in the service of the United States in a company of minute men under the command of Captain Phillip Lee in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Gresham at Prince William County State of Virginia and served as such soldier until February 1776. And then he enlisted and served as a private soldier two years next thereafter in the Rifle Company of Captain Charles West which became a part of the third Regiment of Virginia Regular troops commanded by Colonel Weeden [George Weedon] and Major Leach [Andrew Leitch?] and that he left the Army at Valley Forge State of Pennsylvania, and that he served as such enlisted soldier under his first enlistment six months agreeably to the best of his remembrance and belief and that he served under his last mentioned Enlistment two years amount in the whole to two years and six months of actual service agreeably to the above declaration, and that during the said services he fought in the battles of White Plains [28 Oct, 1776], Harla Plains on York Island [perhaps Harlem Heights 14 Sep, 1776], Germantown [4 Oct, 1777], Brandywine [11 Sep, 1777], Piscataway [10 May, 1777 ] and various other skirmishes and that his marches during the above periods of service was from Virginia to New York through Maryland and New Jersey crossed the Hudson River at New York and marched to the White Plains – . The particulars of his marches are as follows. 1^st to New York, thence to the White Plains where he had a battle with the Tories called Rogers Rangers and the Brittish and after the battle he retreated with the Army through New Jersey, where he was taken sick with the Camp Fever and was sent to Philadelphia where he had the smallpox & in March 1777 joined the Army at Morristown New Jersey and was in the battle of Piscataway against the Brittish and the Americans at that time drove the Enemy on board of their shipping at Amboy, and that he marched with the Army over the highlands of Saratoga New York thence he marched back to Brandywine battle on the 11^th September 1777 and thence to the battle of Germantown on the 4^th of October thereafter and that he then belonged to General Woodford's Brigade and Major General Stevens Division and went to winter quarters at the Valley Forge in Pennsylvania where he was discharged by General Woodford. And the documentary evidence which the said Thomas has of his said services are filed in the War Department where they were placed for the purpose of obtaining a pension under laws heretofore passed for the benefit of Revolutionary Soldiers, but owing to his not coming within the purview of the act on account of indigence his application failed and his papers and documents still remain on file. And he hereby relinquishes all and every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State and in confirmation of the above declaration he forwards the affidavit of Phillip Conner of a part of the above mentioned services.

 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court.

[Signed here by] Evan Thomas]

 

Mr. John B. New a clergyman residing in the County of Jennings and the State of Indiana and Levi W. Todd residing in the same County and State do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Evan Thomas who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy six years of age, that he is believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

 

Sworn and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid

[Signed here by John B. New Elder and Clergyman and Levi W. Todd]

 

And the said Court, to wit, the Commissioners Court in and for the County of Jennings, State of Indiana at the January Term of said Court 1833 do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John B. New who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Jennings and that Levi W. Todd who has also signed the same is a resident of the said County of Jennings and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit.  And also that Phillip Conner whose testimony is herewith forwarded as evidence in part of this application is a person and a witness of credibility, and further it appears to said Court that the said Phillip Conner was in such a situation and of such an age as to have a personal Knowledge of the said Evan Thomas’s Services as his affidavit expresses in this behalf.  And the said Court further certifies that the following questions were put to said applicant and answered as follows and sworn to in open Court.

 

Qu 1. Where was you born?

Ans. In Frederick County Virginia February 22, 1757

 

Qu. 2. Have you any record of your age?

Ans. He has no record of his age but was born as above mentioned.

 

Qu. 3. Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live.

Answer. He was living in Prince William County State of Virginia when called into the service of the United States and that he has lived in Virginia until the year 1796 when he removed to Kentucky Shelby County until the year 1805 and has ever since resided in the County of Jennings State of Indiana.

 

Question 4th How were you called into service were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom

Answer. He was a volunteer soldier as stated in his declaration.

 

Question 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service

Answer. He states as the names of the Regular Officers who were with the Troops where he served Colonel Gresham, Colonel Weeden, Captain Lee, General Woodford and Major General Stevens

 

Question 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?

Answer. He says that he received a discharge in the month of February 1778 by General Woodford, which has for a long time been lost or destroyed

 

Question. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.

Answer. He is known to as Ezra F Pabody and William C Bramwell of Jennings County who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.

 

Signed by us in open Court this 7th of January 1833.

[Signed here by] Robert Elliott

[Signed here by] Pat W. Dixon

[Signed here by] Samuel Wagner

 

 

State of Indiana

Jennings County

 

I Phillip Conner resident of the County of Jennings and State of Indiana and after being duly sworn as a witness for Evan Thomas resident of Jennings County and State aforesaid in order to enable the said Evan Thomas to obtain the benefit of the provisions as made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 do solemnly swear that I have a knowledge that some time in the month of February 1776 the said Evan Thomas enlisted for two years in Captain Charles West's Rifle company third Virginia Regiment of Regular troops commanded at that time by Colonel Weedon and continued to serve in said Regiment until the term of his the said Thomas' enlistment expired under the command of Colonel Marshal, and that said Thomas was honorably discharged at Valley Forge and this deponent hath a knowledge that said Thomas served as a soldier and fought at the Battle of Brandywine & further saith not.

 

Sworn and subscribed to this 21^st August 1832

[Signed here by] Phillip Conner

 

State of Indiana

Jennings County

 

Personally came before me Ezra F. Pabody one of the Judges of the Jennings Circuit court, Phillip Conner and swore to & subscribes the foregoing affidavit.  Given under my hand this 21^st day of Aug, 1832

 

[Signed here by] E. F. Pabody Judge J. C. C.

 

State of Indiana

Jennings County

 

I John Walker Clerk of the Jennings circuit court, Certify that Ezra F. Pabody before whom the within affidavit of Phillip Conner was taken was at the time of taking the same one of the associate Judges of the Jennings Circuit Court duly Commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit is due to all his official acts as such.

 

In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of Office at ??? this 21^st day of August 1832.

[Signed here by] John Walker

 

 

State of Indiana

Jennings County

 

Personally appeared before me Chapman Denslow one of the Associate Judges of Jennings Circuit Court Evan Thomas who made oath that he enlisted in Captain Lee's Company of minute men in Prince William County Virginia sometime in the summer of one thousand seven hundred and seventy five and marched down to Hampton against Lord Dunmore and continued until the third day of February one thousand seven hundred and seventy six and then Enlisted in the Regular service in Captain Charles West Rifle Company said Company joined the third Regiment commanded by Colonel Weden [George Weedon] in which he remained two years and was discharged in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight at Valey Forge in the State of Pennsylvania and returned home to Virginia and in the year 1781 was drafted in Hampshire County Virginia for eighteen months to go to the southward and served by a substitute one James McGraw and that he is now sixty-two years old and unable to do much labor and stands in need of the pension allowed by Congress to the superanuated and indigent Officers and Soldiers of Revolutionary War.

Signed here by Evan Thomas

Sworn to and subscribed to before me in the Month of December the 17th 1818

[Signed here by] Chapman Denslow, A. J. J. C.