Elijah G. Jeffries biography

Text:

E.G.Jeffries
The life of any true, upright citizen is of value to that locality in which he may reside, but of how much greater value must that person be who gives to the community and world at large a worthy family of children, who grow up to be useful men and women and respected members of society. Mr. Jeffries has been twice married and his first wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Winfrey, born in Kentucky July 5, 1831, daughter of John B. Winfrey, bore him three children: John B., born December 5, 1853; Thomas E., born March 4, 1856; and Elizabeth P., born November 19, 1858. Mrs. Jeffries died December 4, 1858, and on December 27, 1859, Mr. J. was united in marriage with Miss C.A. Heaton, daughter of Daniel and Mary *Cunningham) Heaton, Virginians by birth; she was born December 27, 1844 in Ohio, and her parental grandfather served as major in the Revolutionary War. By this last union there have been fourteen chidlren, the names and date of birth  of whom are as follows: James W., August 6, 1860; Samuel M., October 22, 1861; Mary M., December 31, 1862; Nannie H., March 12, 1864; Jeff. D., May 2, 1866, Robert Lee, October 11, 1867; Eliza G., May 7, 1869; Minnie A., February 25, 1871; George m., July 29, 1872; Charles B., May 29, 1874; Lettie J., April 28, 1876; R.A., March 20, 1878; Ivan C., February 2, 1880; and Jesse J., September 13, 1882. Mr. Jeffries is of Kentucky nativity, born in Hardin county, March 19, 1833. His father, Elijah Jeffries, of Jamestown, Va., was a Baptist minister, and after moving to Missouri preached in various counties in the northern part of the State for many years, organizing churches almost without number and winning many soulds from the world of sin. He died in Carroll county, where now resides his widow. The latter, formerly Elizabeth Marshall, was born in Hardin county, Ky., February 25, 1803, her marriage to Mr. J. occurring March 26, 1832. Her father was John M. Marshall, Esq., and her mother was a daughter of Col. B. Long, of Alabama, a colonel in the Revolutionary War. Their children besides Elijah were John M., Frances, Elizabeth R. B. G., H. B., Nannie C. and Zerilda C. Mr Jeffries accompanied his father on various moves made by that person and when the war broke out he enlisted from Carroll county June 16, 1861, in Col Pritchard's regiment, under command of Gen. William Y. Slack, taking part in all the engagements participated in by his company up to the surrender at Shreveport. After this he went to Illinois and in February 1879, settled in vernon county, Mo., where he now owns 240 acres of good land, which he is improving in an excellent manner. Politically he is a Democrat and he and his wife and six children are members of the Christian Church.

 -- Taken from History of Vernon County, Missouri, 1887. Published by Brown & Co., St. Louis, Missouri. pp472-473

Charles H Duff biography

Text:
Charles H. Duff, a resident of this county for a length of time sufficient to give him a wide and extended acquaintance, was born in Cass county, Indiana, September 5, 1854, the son of David L. amd Mary (McBride) Duff, whose marriage was consummated January 8, 1851.  The former was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., December 19, 1821, his wife's birth occurring in Newark, N.J., May 14, 1830. Only one child beside Charles was given them, John A., born January 14, 1853, who died October 25, 1854. On leaving Indiana the family went to Nebraska, but one winter satisfied them there and in the spring a location was chosen in Anderson county, Kas., and that county continued to be their home from 1855 to 1868, a period of some thirteen years. On January 1, 1868, after another move they settled in this county, where Charles H. Duff now resides (in section 1). The latter in growing up was favored with good educational advantages and for four years he attended the Osage Mission school in Neosho county, Kas. Subsequently he was engaged in teaching school in Texas, and while thus occupied was married to Miss Madora Houts, daughter of William Houts and Emma, nee Poston, both natives of Missouri. Mrs. Duff died February 23, 1879, leaving one child, David L., born December 28, 1877. Mr. D. was again married January 7, 1886, when Mrs. Mary M. Jeffries became his wife, her birth having occurred December 31, 1862. She was the daughter of E.G. Jeffries, a sketch of whose life appears more prominently in another portion of this work. He is a respected citizen of this county, as is also his worthy wife. Mrs. Duff's grandfather, Elijah Jeffries, was a pioneer in North Missouri, where he was engaged for years in the ministry of the gospel. He was a man beloved by all who knew him, and his friends could hardly be numbered. The present landed estate of Mr. Duff embraces 120 acres, 40 of which are situated  in section 1, and 80 acres in section 3. This is well improved and thoroughly managed. his political preferences are with the Democratic party. He has been brought up as a Catholic.

 --Taken from History of Vernon County, Missouri 1887 pp 462-463, published by Brown & Company, St. Louis, Missouri.

Updated Randall posts

I have updated my posts on Ida May Randall and also her grandfather Leonard Lake Randall with new information. The newspaper articles about Ida May's disappearance are quite interesting. I also received some photos relating to Leonard.

Only 44 days until the 1940 census is released!

Hezekiah Daniel Shaw (1824 - 1902)

Hezekiah Daniel Shaw was born 17 Sep 1824 in Liberty county, Georgia to Daniel K Shaw and Elizabeth Morgan. He was second known son of at least eleven children.

He would be living with his parents in the 1830 census in Decatur County, Georgia and the 1840 census in Lowndes County, Georgia. (Only head of household was named in 1830 and 1840 censuses.)

You can see Liberty County Georgia near where present day Savannah, Georgia is, on the Atlantic coast. Decatur, Lowndes and Thomas counties are in the south western corner of Georgia, on the border with Florida.

He marries Mary Croft, the daughter of Jacob Henry Croft and Abigail Hunter. Possibly on Dec 20 1849, though that doesn't match up with the ages of his children in the 1850 census. Together they have fifteen children according to the 1900 census, I have names for nine.


He appears in the 1850 census in Thomas County, Georgia already married and with two children.

1850 US Census District 81, Thomas County, Georgia
Hisekiah Shaw 25 Male Farmer $400 illiterate
Mary 21 Female
Elisa 3 Female
William 1 Male

I cannot locate the family in the 1860 census.

Hezekiah does join the Confederate Army in 1863. He enlists in Lake City, Columbia, Florida on 2 Nov 1863 as a Corporal in Company E of the Florida 9th Regiment. He is mustered out on 15 Dec 1864. Physical description from the record:  He was 5'6", brown eyes, black hair, dark skin.

In the 1870, 1880, 1885 and 1900 censuses he is in Bradford county, Florida.

1870 US census Bradford County, Florida Sanderson post office, stamped page 278
Shaw H D 46 M W Farmer 500 400 Georgia illiterate
Mary 43 F Keeping House SC illiterate
Vina 16 F FL
Daniel 14 M Farm laborer FL Illiterate
Massouri 9 F FL
Robert 8/12 M FL

1880 US census Lake Butler, Bradford County, Florida
Hezekiah Shaw W M 56   Married Farmer GA SC SC
Mary W F 52  Wife Married Keeping House SC SC SC cannot read/write
Robert L W M 10 Son FL GA SC
Elen Jordan W F 18 Servant Single Servant cannot read/write FL FL SC
Henry Croft W M 14 Board boy Laborer cannot write FL SC GA

1885 Florida Census District 2, Bradford County, Florida
H D Shaw W M 60 Married Farmer GA SC SC
Mary W F 56 Married SC SC SC
Robert W M 15 Son FL GA SC

1900 US Census  Lake Butler, Bradford County, Florida
Hezekiah D Shaw head W M Sep 1824 75 M 55 GA GA GA
Mary wife W F May 1828 72 M 15 5 SC SC SC
Della Hall servant W F Aug 1870 30 S FL FL FL

Hezekiah Daniel Shaw died 30 Oct 1902 in Union county, Florida. He is buried with his wife in the Swift Creek Cemetery across from Mt Zion Baptist Church in Union county, Florida. His gravestone has a mason symbol on it.

Hezekiah Daniel Shaw died at age 78. He had 15 children with his wife Mary Croft according to the 1900 census. 10 children and his wife preceded him in death. He was survived by his daughters Eliza B (John) Brown, Missouri (Jack) Mann, Melvina (Henry) Douglas and sons William Henry (Lydia) and Robert Lee (Mary).

Other possible names of children who preceded him in death: Elizabeth C Lewis, Leavy Shaw, Daniel F Shaw, Leleigh Mann.

Jerry Jackson McKeehan (1878 - 1933)

Despite living relatively recently, I have had a hard time locating records about Jerry Jackson McKeehan. Always looking for more information.

Jerry Jackson McKeehan was possibly born 4 Dec 1878 in Georgia, the second youngest child of eleven born to John William McKeehan and Sarah Loudusty Myers.

His birth date is different in every source. The 1880 census lists him as 4 years old. The 1900 census says he was born in Dec 1879. The 1910 census has him as 31, or born in 1879. His WWI registration draft card in 1918 gives a birthdate of 4 Dec 1878. The 1920 census lists him as 45 years old, or born in 1875. His tombstone says he was born 12 Dec 1877. When was his actual birthday? Perhaps even he was not sure.
 
He is listed as Jackson McKeehan, age 4 in 1880 census in Trickum, Whitfield, Georgia.

His sister Cornelia Ann Williams dies 9 Mar 1885.

His brother Porter Pledger marries Mollie Brookshire in 1892.

His brother Dock marries Melvina in 1896.

He married Minnie Belle Wigley (1882 - 1959) in Decatur County, Alabama on Nov 23, 1898. (Listed as J J McKeehan and Muriel Wigley in Alabama Marriage Collection 1800-1969 at Ancestry.com.)

He is listed as Jesse J Mckeehan, born Dec 1879 and living in Walker's Chapel, DeKalb, Aabama in the 1900 census.

His first son Troy Clayborn was born 24 may 1903 in Dekalb Co., Alabama

His second son Roy Dock was born 13 Sep 1906 in Dekalb Co., Alabama

His third son Fred Doster was born 5 Nov 1908 in Dekalb Co., Alabama and is named after his neighbor.

He is listed as Jessie J Mckins, age 31 in 1910 census in District 36, Walkers Chapel, Dekalb Co., Alabama - good friend Frederick Doster lives nearby (though not on the same page).

His fourth son Benjamin is born 12 may 1911 in Dekalb Co., Alabama

His father John William McKeehan dies in 1912 in Georgia

His first daughter Belle is born and dies 28 Feb 1913 in Dekalb Co., Alabama. She lived only three hours.

His second daughter Gladys C is born early August1914 in Dekalb Co., Alabama

His third daughter Estelle is born 26 Feb 1917 and dies 3 days later on 1 Mar 1917 in Dekalb Co., Alabama

He registers for the draft in Sept 1918, listed as Jessey Jackson McKeehan, age 40, residence, Fort Payne, DeKalb, Alabama. Eyes blue, hair black, medium height, medium build.

His fifth son Glenn Alexander is born 23 Aug 1919 in Dekalb Co., Alabama.

His mother Sarah Loudusty Myers McKeehan dies 2 Apr 1920 in Whitfield Co., Georgia

He is listed as Jackson Mckins age 45 in the 1920 census in District 67, Walkers Chapel, Dekalb Co., Alabama

His brother Andrew Jackson McKeehan dies on 4 May 1921 in Whitfield county, Georgia.

His fourth daughter Blanche is born 9 Aug 1922 in Dekalb Co., Alabama

His daughter Gladys dies 1 Sep 1922 in Dekalb Co., Alabama from spinal meningitis at age 8 years and 28 days.

His son Troy is married to Lettie E Burt on 22 Oct 1922 in Alabama

His granddaughter Inez is born to son Troy on 24 May 1923 in Alabama

His wife moves to live with son Troy & Lettie & Inez about this time, with their daughter Blanche (according to family stories, Jerry Jackson stayed in their homeplace until he died.)

His grandson Leroy is born to son Troy on 21 Apr 1925 in Alabama.

His son Roy is married to Stella Foy about 1926.

His granddaughter Louise is born in 1927 to son Troy in Alabama.


His brother Captain S K "Cay" McKeehan dies 17 Nov 1927 in Grant county, Arkansas.

His granddaughter Lynette is born to son Roy in 1928.

His granddaughter Lois is born 27 Mar 1929 to son Troy in Alabama.

His granddaughter Duette is born in 1929 to son Roy.

His son Fred is married to Ora Alcie Shaver on 8 Mar 1930 in Menlo, Chattooga Co., Georgia.

His wife Minnie is living in the1930 census in District 24 Tucker, Cherokee Co., Alabama with their son Roy and his family. Jerry Jackson has not been found or does not appear in the 1930 census.


His brother William "Bill" McKeehan dies on 7 Feb 1931 in Whitfield county, Georgia.

His granddaughter Mary is born to son Fred 6 Apr 1931 in Fort Payne, Dekalb Co., Alabama

His granddaughter Violet is born to son Fred 25 Jan 1933 in Trion, Chattooga Co., Georgia

He dies 12 Dec 1933,  in Calbran, Dekalb, Alabama. His death certificate lists him as Jerry J McKeehan.


He is buried in Walkers Chapel Cemetery in Dekalb Co., Alabama
McKeehan, J.J. " Jack" b. Dec. 12, 1877, d. Dec. 12, 1933.

Jerry Jackson McKeehan died at approximately age 56. He was preceded in death by three daughters, one sister and three brothers. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, one daughter, five sons, nine grandchildren, five brothers and one sister.

Samuel Hall "Hal" Conkey (1899 - 1996)

Samuel Hall "Hal" Conkey was born 26 Jan 1899 in London, Ontario, Canada while his mother was visiting her sister. The family home was in (Caseville), Lake township, Huron county, Michigan and he was considered a native born US citizen. (Even listed as born in Michigan in censuses.)

He is the youngest of five children, and only son born to Samuel Conkey and Amanda Melvina Fitzgerald Hall. He had two young sisters die before he was born, Zelma (1890-1897) and Valerie Leslie (1896-1896). Two other sisters lived to be adults, Alice Blanch (1892-1977) and Hope Jean (1897-1977).

He is listed as Samuel H Conkey in the 1900 census, born Jan 1899. In the 1910 census he is Hall Conkey, and in the 1920 census he is Hal Conkey. 

1900 census

1910 census

1920 census

One of the many careers Hall had was as a school teacher. He had ideas ahead of his time. He wanted the students to work together in groups. It was a scandal when he married one of his older students.

Hall Conkey and Christine Walker

Hall married Christine Margaret Walker. They were married 30 Jun 1926 by Rev. Glenn Carpenter at the home of the bride's parents in Sheridan Township, Huron, Michigan. They had four children and were married for seventy years before his death.

In the 1930 census he is listed as Samuel H Conkey again. He is also listed as a salesman. According to his son, he sold generators so that people could have electricity in their homes.

1930 census

His oldest son writes: "A teacher for many years, he left teaching during the depression and returned to his fathers farm so he could feed his family. And he did. He rebuilt a run down farm by buying baby calves and raising them. At one time they had over 100 head of cattle. Each spring they would buy 300 to 500 baby chicks and raise them for the lake shore trade, selling them during the depression for a dollar a bird, a lot of money in those days."

The Conkey farm was in the same family for over 100 years and was designated a Michigan Centennial Farm by the Michigan Historical Commission. Though the last of the farm was sold shortly after Hal and Christine died, the family still owns a small area of land where the original house stood.

Hal was an inventor. Among his inventions are the sugar beet harvester, the beet lifter that pulled
behind the tractor, with a riding board for the holder; and a portable conveyor to move beans or grain from the threshing machine into the bins, long before conveyors became popular. Probably his most popular invention with his grandchildren and great grandchildren was the Happy-go-round.

Happy-go-round at the Conkey farm 1988

Hal became a painter later in life and many of his paintings are family treasures. He and Christine were also very active in local politics. Hal had a clear and active mind until shortly before he died when he developed Alzheimer's. He died peacefully 29 Nov 1996 at the Sunny Acres Nursing Home between Bad Axe and Elkton in Michigan.

Hal Conkey 1994

Willard Knowles Hopkins (1812 - 1878)

I am excited because my sister has started doing some genealogy too! It's so fun to share the excitement of research! Together we have been learning more about our Hopkins ancestors.

Willard Knowles Hopkins was born 19 Jun 1812 in Harwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts to Joshua Hopkins and Bridget Small. He is one of ten kids, eight of which I have names for so far. He had an older brother named John, and two baby brothers named Joshua and Samuel. The four sisters, Orpha, Juliana, Sarah Jane, and Mary Amanda. The other two children I don't know anything about yet. It is said there were 5 girls and 5 boys, so possibly the two unknown children died young, one boy and one girl? (Speculation.)

In 1817, Joshua & Bridget moved their small growing family to Tuckertown, New Jersey.

On 21 Mar 1836, in Burlington county, New Jersey, Willard married Lucy Ann Read. We believe she was born in New York but don't know much about her yet. (Marriage record found at LDS family history centery on microfiche by my sister!)

Approx 1838-1840, the family moved to Greenwich, Ohio. Joshua & Bridget and their clan, John & his wife Levica, and Willard & Lucy. According to stories from Mary Amanda, (Joshua's youngest), written down in 1973 from the memory of her granddaughter,

"Joshua Hopkins left New Jersey because he didn't want his sons to be sailors.  For he said a sailor's life was a dog's life. Grandmother remembers walking over the hills of Pa.  Joshua Hopkins intended to go farther west, but when he got to Ohio the man who was bringing his furniture through by ox team got drunk one night and left their funiture out in the rain.  so they went no farther west. "

Willard & Lucy had 2 daughters and possibly a third child. Mary Ann Hopkins was born 31 Jan 1840 in Greenwich, Ohio. Lucy Maria Hopkins was born in early 1842 in Greenwich, Ohio. 


Sadly, Lucy died 2 Mar 1842 in Greenwich, Ohio and is buried in Ninevah Cemetery. 

On 5 Dec 1843, in Greenwich, Ohio, Willard married Jane Ursula Easterly. Jane was from Gloversville, New York, born 21 Sep 1822. Together, they had eight children, William W, Albert J, Francis T, Elizabeth Jane, Julia E, Isadora A, Armon Bartine, and George Halstead.

Willard and Jane are in the 1850 census in Greenwich, Huron, Ohio. On the previous page are his brother John & family and his father Joshua & family.

In 1860, still in Greenwich, Ohio! Father Joshua still next door. (Note that Willard is listed as Wm K, and Joshua is listed as Josiah.) Brother John has moved to the nearby town of Ripley.

 In 1870, still in Greenwich, Huron, Ohio.

June 1878 newspaper clipping mentioning his death. (From the Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Library)

Willard Knowles Hopkins died 18 May 1878 in Greenwich, Huron, Ohio and is buried in the Ninevah Cemetery, with both his wives and many other relatives.


Online book about Huron county, Ohio history with Hopkins family history in it! (First link, Second link). 


Another book resource: Genealogies of Mayflower Families" pub. 1985 pg. 365


I have recently connected to several people working on the Hopkins family and seen some pictures of relatives, but don't have any with known photos of Willard yet. If you are related and able to identify people in photos or interested in sharing information, please contact me!