Robison Family - Index to Posts

An Index Post is how I keep track of all of the blog posts that have been written on a family line. It helps keep me organized and allows visitors to easily find information on that family. This post will be updated as new blog posts are written on the family. Please contact me at kinexxions@gmail.com if you are researching this family or have additional information on them.

Henry and Ann Robison who lived in Whitley County, Indiana and Champaign County, Ohio are very good candidates (thus far, the only candidates!) for being my 4th Great Grandparents.

Robison/Robinson Families of Whitley County, Indiana reviews the information that is known about Henry and Anna.

Henry and Ann Robison :: Probable Children evaluates the census records to determine the children of Henry and Anna. Census records indicate they may have had eight children, with three of them named in his 1851 will.

1. James Robison born in 1816 (possible son, not proven: 1830 & 1840 census) married Tobitha Scott and had five children. Three of the children are buried in South Whitley Cemetery as are James and Tobitah. One daughter, Irene Ann, married Jacob Cripe.

2. Unknown female born 1816-1820 (1830 & 1840 census)

3. Lydia Robison 1825-1899 (probable daughter, not proven: 1830 & 1840 census) married Lysander Joslin and had 15 children. Lydia and Lysander are my 3rd great grandparents. See Joslin Family - Index to Posts for information on them and their children.

4. Unknown female born 1826-1830 (1830 & 1840 census)

5. Eliza Jane Robison 1828-1856 (known daughter: 1830, 1840 & 1850 census) married William McMannen. She is buried in the South Whitley cemetery next to her infant son.

6. Henry Robison Jr. 1833-1904 (known son: 1840 & 1850 census) married Lucy Strait. Henry and Lucy had four children, two of whom married and had families.

6a. Ella/Ellen Robison and C. M. Kimball
6b. Frank and Cora Robison of Marion, Indiana

7. Emily Robison born about 1835 (known daughter: 1840 & 1850 census) is probably the Emily that married Franklin Bair in 1861. Of their seven children, three were living when Frank died in 1917. Two of those children have been found. [Update December 12, 2008: The third living child was Flora/Florence Cathy/Katherine Bair.]

The Heirs of Emily Bair documents the information found in the guardianship file.

7a. Franklin Henry Bair married Nettie S. Ellis. They lived in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and had two children. Funeral notices for Franklin and Nettie.
7b. Charles Bair lived in Illinois, was married three times and had four children.
7c. The search for a "Detroit Cousin, Mercedes" is explored in Unraveling a little mystery. If my conclusions are correct, Flora Bair first married Massilon Leaman and then Robert "Jack" Hampton and had a daughter named Mercedes. Regarding Mercedes provides a clue to where she lived, but when?

8. Unknown female born 1836-1840 (1840 census)


Originally Posted on September 22, 2008 :: Last Updated on January 27, 2009

Post date adjusted December 29, 2012 so that when a search for the surname is done on the blog this post will appear first the search list.

Regarding Mercedes

While going through my grandmother's papers (again) this weekend, I found this picture, probably taken on the same day as the one at the bottom of this post.

Mae was the adopted daughter of William James Dunfee and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Walker. Jane is my grandmother's sister, Hazlette is my grandmother, and Mercides is the object of my quest in unraveling a little mystery. It's a guess, but I'd say the picture was taken about 1918-1920.

And, another clue, which just goes to show that it pays to look at all of those little scraps of paper! The problem is though, that I don't know when the note was written, but from what I can tell, it was in the late 1960s or early 1970s that Grandma started working on her genealogy. I'm pretty sure that the ACPL (Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne) has some Detroit City Directories. One of these days I'll get to the library...

The note reads:

This is Mercedes
Name & address
Mrs. A. Vinet
13822 French Rd
Detroit 34 -

Update on Franklin Henry Bair

Last week I received two newspaper articles from the Burnett County Historical Society in Danbury, Wisconsin that provided confirmation that the Franklin Henry Bair that I had tracked down in September was indeed the "right" person. Franklin was the son of Franklin and Emily (Robison) Bair and Emily was the daughter of Henry and Ann Robison, whom I believe are my 4th great grandparents. I'm still attempting to sort out the Robison/Robinson Families that lived in Whitley County, Indiana. It is my hope that one of the children or grandchildren of Franklin Albert Bair, son of Franklin and Nettie Bair, will contact me if they ever come across this post!

Funeral Notice of Nettie Sedlay Ellis Bair
The Journal of Burnett County [Wisconsin] October 5, 1939

Funeral services for Mrs. Franklin H. Bair, Rt. 4, Gransburg, were held at the chapel on Tuesday afternoon. Rev. J. I. Sainty officiated and Mrs. Ruth Sandberg sang, accompanied by Mrs. G. C. Daniel at the piano.

Nellie [sic] Sedlay Ellis was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, March 5, 1862, and was married to Mr. Bair in Indiana on January 31, 1886, they having been married for a period of 53 years and 8 months. They have resided in Burnett county since 1920.

Survivors are her husband; a daughter Myrta, at home; one son, Albert of Frederic; three grandchildren and a brother at Millersport, Ohio.

Funeral Notice of Franklin Henry Bair
The Journal of Burnett County [Wisconsin] June 10, 1948

Funeral services for Franklin Henry Bair, nearly 86, were held at the chapel Tuesday last week, Rev. James Falk officiating, and interment was in Riverside cemetery.

Deceased was born in Columbia City, Whitley county, Indiana on June 12, 1862 and passed away at the old people's home in Grantsburg on May 27. He was married to Nettie S. Ellis of Indiana on January 31, 1886, and to this union were born a daughter, Myrta at home, and a son Franklin Albert Bair.

The family lived on a farm north of Alpha about 25 years before moving into that hamlet for a few years when they moved to Grantsburg, where they have been the past six years.

According to the SSDI, their son, Franklin Albert Bair, died in September 1980. He was 86 years old. His last residence was given as Frederic, Polk County, Wisconsin.

Their daughter, Myrta, died on November 14, 1984 just 10 days before her 98th birthday.

The Heirs of Emily Bair

Last Thursday morning I finally connected with the lady that works in the Whitley County archives and was able to view the guardianship file for the minor heirs of Emily Bair.

There weren't very many papers in the file (packet #544), but more than enough to generate additional questions! (Click on the image for a larger version.)

On April 11, 1877 Franklin H. Bair was appointed guardian for his four surviving children:

Franklin H. Bair Jr., aged 13 years, Jany 22, 1877
Charles C. Bair, aged 12 years, March 14, 1877
Florence E. Bair, aged 5 years, March 17, 1877
Lulu Bair, aged 3 years, Dec 23, 1876

I could be wrong about this, but it seems a bit unusual to me that the father would have to be appointed guardian of his own children. Usually a guardian was appointed when the father died. But, perhaps it was because Emily owned real estate!

Before I get any further into what was in the file, I think I need to address the matter of the ages and dates of birth of the first three children. I didn't know about Lulu before so have not done any research on her except that there is no marriage record for Lulu (or Lula as she is mentioned in the other documents) in Whitley County and she has not been found in the Whitley County census records. I'm presuming that she was deceased by the time of Franklin Sr.'s death in 1917 since she was not mentioned by name in his obituary.

According to the guardianship file, Franklin Jr was born January 22, 1864. He was age 6 in 1870 and 17 in 1880. The cemetery transcription for the Franklin in Burnett County, Wisconsin gives his date of birth as June 12, 1862. The 1900 census (Black Hawk County, Iowa) gives his date of birth as June 1862. Census records for 1910-1930 support 1862 as his year of birth. It is possible that he is not the right person. However, the name of his wife, Nettie, is the same as the woman that Franklin Jr married in Whitley County in 1886.

On to Charles who was born March 14, 1865 according to the above document. In the 1870 census he was 5 years old. I haven't found him in 1880, but in the 1900 census (Christian County, Illinois), his birth date is given as October 1867. Subsequent census records support 1867 as his year of birth. Again, it is possible that he's not the right person. But in 1920, he is living in Pana, Illinois which is where the 1917 obituary of Franklin Sr. says he was living.

Then there is Florence (aka Flora), born March 17, 1872. Her middle initial is definitely an "E" and not a "C" in all instances where it is found in the guardianship file. In 1880 her name is given as Flora Cathy, she was 8 years old, and living with the family of William H. and Catherine Dunfee in Columbia City. She was listed as 24 years old when she married M. C. Leaman in October 1898. In 1900, Flora C. Leaman is listed as born in Mar 1875. In 1910 she is 36 years old; in 1920 she is 40; and in 1930 she is 54 years old. In the Naturalization Index, the birth date for Flora Katherine Hampton was March 14, 1874. As Randy said, changing names sure doesn't help with tracking her. Neither does inconsistent ages and birth information!

Okay, back to the guardianship file.

A document filed April 29, 1877 describes the location of the lot in Columbia City that Emily owned. It would be interesting to find out how and why Emily owned property that wasn't also owned by her husband! Anyway, the document further states that the "lot does not yield a sufficient income to pay the taxes; that said wards are all young children; that this guardian their Father is a poor man working by days labor to sustain said wards; that he has no home for them and is compelled to board them in other peoples homes at great expense; that it would be to the interests of said wards to sell said land and apply the proceeds to their support."

There was no document in the file to indicate when the land had been sold but apparently it was.

On September 26, 1885 Franklin H. Bair filed a report with the court stating that "he has received from the estate of his said wards the sum of one hundred and forty dollars and that he has disbursed the same according to law as follows towit: for board for said wards to John J. White during the year 1877, one hundred and thirty four dollars. For school books for said wards during the year of 1875 about six dollars. That the said sum of one hundred and forty dollars was the amt rec'd from the sale of the real property belonging to said wards."

All four children were listed as wards. There were no records in the file for other years. I'm not sure, but I think he should have been filing reports annually.

A year later, in September 1886, William H. Dunfee petitioned the court on behalf of Florence stating "he has kept maintained supported and schooled said ward ever since the death of said Emily C. Bair and for more than 10 years that she has lived with him and in his household all of said time. . . " that "said Franklin Bair guardian of said wards sold their lands. . . he has failed refused and neglected to make proper report of his duties. . . and has failed and neglected to provide for his said wards. . . wherefore he asks the court to remove him from his trust and from all other and proper relief. . ."

On December 11, 1886 William H. Dunfee was appointed guardian of 14 year old Florence E. Bair. There was no mention of Franklin Jr., Charles, or Lulu. By that time, Franklin Jr. would have been 22 years old, Charles would have been 21 and Lulu would be 10 years old (based on their ages in that first guardianship document).

There were no additional reports made by William H. Dunfee. On May 29, 1888 William passed away. Florence (Flora) would have been 16 years old.

What's next?

• I've requested copies of the obituaries of Franklin H. Bair (Jr), his wife Nettie, and his daughter Myrta, from the Burnett County Historical Society Research Library. Hopefully, they will provide some useful information - like the names of parents, where they were born, etc. (I can hope can't I?)
• Try to find out when and where Flora Katherine Hampton died.
• Locate the land record for Emily's purchase of the lot in Columbia City.
• Locate the land record for when the lot was sold by Franklin.
• Hope that a descendant of Franklin H. Bair and Emily Robison see these posts and that they contact me!

For additional information on the Robison family refer to Robison Family - Index to Posts

Unraveling a little mystery.

The Clues.

A photograph, with the words "Detroit Cousins" written on the back. The photograph was one that my aunt Phyllis had loaned to me for scanning a few years ago. When I asked her who the "Detroit Cousins" were she could only give me one first name, Mercedes. She said she remembers them visiting when she was young. (Photo at bottom of post.)

Franklin and Emily Robison Bair were married in 1861 and had five children, one was a daughter whose name was given as Laura Lemmon in Franklin's obituary of 1917. It also stated that she was of Detroit. Emily had died about 1877 and none of the children are listed with Franklin in the 1880 census.

The vague recollection that one of my ancestors "took in" a child to raise. I did a search of notes in my genealogy database for "Bair" and it didn't take long to find what I was looking for.

The Records.

The will of my 3rd great grandfather, William Hamilton Dunfee, bequeaths "the sum of Fifty Dollars" to "Flora C. Bair to be due and payable to her when she attains the age of twenty one years." And, the obituary for his wife, Catharine (Jones) Dunfee, dated February 25, 1903 lists as one of her survivors "Mrs. M. C. Leaman, who was from infancy cared for in the home of Mrs. Dunfee, and loved as her own."

I went back and checked the obituary notices for the children of William and Catherine Dunfee to see if I had overlooked anything. The obituary for Henrietta Rebecca Dunfee of September 27, 1941 published in the Columbia City Post, stated that "She is survived by one brother, William Dunfee of Columbia township, and a foster sister, Mrs. Jack Hampton of Detroit." No mention was made of surviving sisters in the 1942 obituary of Henrietta's brother, William James Dunfee.

Is Laura Lemmon actually Flora Leaman?

The 1880 Indiana census lists the family of Wm H. Dunfee (on page 423) in Columbia Township, Whitley County.
Wm H. Dunfee, 58, farmer, born Pennsylvania, parents born Pennsylvania
Catharine, 52, wife, born Ohio, father born Virginia, mother born Pennsylvania
Rebecca, 28, daughter, at home, born Indiana
William, 26, son, works at tile yard, born Indiana
Flora Cathy, 8, daughter, at school, born Indiana
[The 3rd child of Wm. and Catherine was Sophia, who had married William P. Wise in 1873. They are my 2nd great grandparents.]

Whitley County Marriage Records (Book 6 page 6) show that Flora C. Bair was married to Massilon C. Leamon on October 4, 1898. The Marriage Applications Book 1893-1901 gives his first name as Masilon. Her given name is Florence C. It doesn't list her father's name but her mother's maiden name is Robinson.

There is a Guardianship Packet for Emily Bair in the Whitley County Archives. I've contacted the county archivist to try and set a date to look at the record since the last three times I've stopped by, during the posted hours, she hasn't been there!

Transcribed death records show that "Infant Male Layman died December 5, 1899 age 1 1/2 days. Parents were Malsea Layman and Cora Bair." I haven't seen the record so can't determine whether Cora is really Lora, or not.

The 1900 census for Whitley County shows the Leaman family residing on Ellsworth Street in Columbia City (page 53a).
Morlande Leaman, head of household, Jun 1873, 26, married once, born Indiana, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Ohio
Flora C., wife, Mar 1875, 25, married once, two children one living, born Indiana, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Indiana
Mycituis, daughter, Dec 1894, 5, born Indiana
Alban Bear, uncle, July 1839, 60, born Pennsylvania, father born New Jersey, mother born Pennsylvania

In 1910, I found the family in Fostoria, Seneca County, Ohio (page 28/5a)
Murt C. Leaman, head of household, 37, married once 12 years, born Indiana, parents born Indiana, general painter
Flora, wife, 36, married once 12 years, 1 child 1 living, born Indiana, parents born Indiana
Mercedes, daughter, 15, born Indiana

I didn't find M. C. and Flora Leaman in the ancestry census index for 1920 or 1930 in Ohio or Michigan. Thinking perhaps Flora had married Jack Hampton before 1920 I searched for Flora Hampton. One hit in 1930 only: George H. Hampton and wife Flora in Clinton, Macomb County, Michigan. She is 54, married 22 years, born in Michigan. Not the right Flora.

I'm not sure why, but I then did a search of the 1930 census for Mercedes Hampton, born in 1894, living in Michigan. Up came this family, living in Detroit District 30, Wayne County (page 36):
Robert Hampton, head of household, rents home for $60, 53, first married at age 23, born Canada-Eng, parents born Canada-Eng, Steel worker, Auto Company
Katherine, wife, 54, first married at age 17, born Indiana, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Ohio
Mercedes Wilkinson, daughter, 35, divorced, first married at age 17, born Indiana, parents born Indiana, Saleslady, Ladies Clothes

According to the 1880 census (see above), Flora's middle name was Cathy. So, is it a stretch to think this might be the right household? Of course, the husband's name is Robert and not Jack. But maybe he was called Jack by family members? Katherine is the right age, she and her parents were born in the right places. Same for Mercedes. Note that Mercedes is listed as Robert's daughter but he was born in Canada and her parents were born in Indiana.

I did not find Mercedes Wilkinson in the 1920 census index but did find the Robert Hampton household living on Oakland Street, Detroit Ward 3, District 111, Wayne County (p42/2a)
Robert Hampton, head of household, 40, married, immigrated 1911, alien or naturalized has "Pa" in column, born Canada, parents born Canada, Moulder, Auto Factory
Katherine, wife, 40, married, immigrated has X in column, alien or naturalized has "al" in column, born Indiana, parents born Indiana

I searched the SSDI for Mercedes Wilkinson, but got no hits. Then searched it for Mercedes (first name only), born in 1894, card issued in Michigan.

I got two hits. One for Mercedes Ginther, born December 6, 1894, died Sep 1978. The other was for Mercedes Hernandez, born February 2, 1894, died Feb 1983. I found them in the 1930 census and based on the fact that both are married in 1930 and their place of birth (Mrs. Ginther was born in Michigan and Mrs. Hernandez was born in Mexico) neither one is the "right" person.

*** Update 12:30 p.m. December 3, 2008 ***

Found in the "Index Cards to Naturalization Petitions for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, Detroit, 1907-1995" database on ancestry.

REPAT (in upper right corner)
513 (written) 1211 (typed)
Hampton, Flora Katherine
12-5-40
3-14-1874 BD

*** End of Update ***

Conclusions.

Laura Lemmon, named in her father's obituary, is the same Flora Cathy Bair who was "adopted" by William H. and Catherine Dunfee, and she is the same Flora/Florence who married Massilon C. Leamon/Leaman.

Using her middle name Katherine, Flora married a second time to Robert Hampton, aka Jack Hampton. They lived in Detroit, Michigan.

Flora Katherine Hampton was still living in September 1941 but, since she is not mentioned in the obituary of William James Dunfee, she may have died prior to May 1942 (or whomever provided his family information didn't include her, for whatever reason).

Flora and M. C. Leaman had a daughter named Mercedes, who could be the Detroit cousin known as Mercedes. Mercedes married Mr. Wilkinson at age 17 and divorced before 1930, when she was living with her mother and step-father.

*** Update 8:30 a.m. December 3, 2008 ***

As Randy pointed out in his comment, I have no "real" documentation for many of my facts and conclusions. He suggests checking the online Michigan death index as well as Detroit city directories. Thanks, Randy, and I will follow up on those suggestions.

I should have stated in the original post that my conclusions are preliminary and are based on the information that I have gathered thus far. Additional research is definitely needed to "prove" those presumptions.

*** End of Update ***

Questions.

Of course, as more information is uncovered, additional questions arise. What happened to Mercedes? Did she marry again? Did she have any children? When and where did she die? When and where did Flora Katherine die? Was Robert really called Jack?

Photograph identified only as "Detroit Cousins." My aunt said the ladies' name was Mercedes.

Enlargement of the above photograph.

Enlargement from another photograph. I think the lady in the middle in this picture is the same person in the top picture. What do you think?

Mae Dunfee was the adopted daughter of William James Dunfee and his wife Mary Elizabeth Walker. Hazlette is my grandmother; Jane and Bill are her sister and brother. I think the lady in the middle is Mercedes who would have been about 8 years older than my grandmother who was born in January 1902. I'm not sure that the boy is grandma's brother Bill. He was only 3 years younger than she and, to me, this boy looks younger than that. I'm guessing that this picture was taken about 1920, give or take a few years.

Charles Bair

Charles Bair, age 5, was listed with Franklin and Emily (Robison) Bair in the 1870 census. I haven't found Charles in the 1880 census yet (at least no one the right age born in Indiana). His father's obituary of 1917 stated that Charles lived in Pana, Illinois.

The only Charles (Chas., Charlie, Charley) Bair (Bare, Bear, Barr, etc.), of the right age (born about 1865 in Indiana) was found in 1900 in Assumption Village, Christian County, Illinois (the surname was indexed as Bain).
Charles S. Bair, Oct. 1867, 32, married 8 years, born Indiana, father born Ohio, mother born Unknown, Bartender
Alva, wife, Dec 1875, 24, married 8 years, 3 children 3 living, born Illinois, parents born French Canada
Frank, son, Feb 1895, 5, born Illinois
Lavetta, daughter, Feb 1898, 2, born Illinois
Harvey, son, Dec 1899, 5/12, born Illinois
Bertha Reed, Servant, Jun 1885, 15, born Illinois
Charles Harmes, boarder, Sept 1869, 30, born England
Antone Karmou [?], boarder, Jan 1866, 34, born Germany
Sarah Denepe [?], boarder, Oct 1816, 83, widowed, 5 children 4 living, born Ohio

Charles was found in 1910, living in Tower Hill Township, Shelby County, Illinois. It is highly likely that his first wife, Alva, passed away since this record shows that Charles and his wife Sadie had been married for only 3 years. Also, since Frances was born in Indiana and six years old, she is probably Sadie's daughter from a previous marriage.
Charles Bair, head, 43, married twice, married for 3 years, born Indiana, father born Ohio, mother born unknown
Sadie, wife, 28, married twice, married for 3 years, 2 children 2 living, born Ohio, father born New York, mother born Ohio
Frank, son, 15, born Illinois, father born Indiana, mother born Illinois
Laveda, daughter, 12, born Illinois, father born Indiana, mother born Illinois
Harvy, son, 10, born Illinois, father born Indiana, mother born Illinois
Frances, daughter, 6, born Indiana, father born Ohio, mother born Indiana
Margaret, daughter, 1, born Illinois, father born Indiana, mother born Ohio

The family of Charles and Sadie Bair was not found in Illinois in the 1920 census index but there is a Charles Bair of the right age in Christian County. Thing is though, none of the children listed in the 1910 census are in his household in 1920, and his wife's name is Nellie. Did Sadie die? Did Charles and Sadie get divorced? Charles and Nellie resided on South Clark Street, Pana City, Pana Township, Christian County, Illinois. (When Franklin Bair died, his son Chas. was living in Pana, Illinois.) Charles Bair was a 53 year old coal miner. He had been born in Indiana. His wife, Nellie, was 36 years old and born in Illinois.

In 1930 Charles and Nellie were living in Mascoutah City, St. Clair County, Illinois. Charles Bair, was 63 years old and worked as a miner at the Kulb Coal Company. He rents his home for $10. Charles was first married at age 24. (This puts his year of birth at about 1867 and first marriage about 1891. In the 1900 census it showed that Charles and Alva had been married 8 years, i.e. married about 1892.) His wife Nellie was 46 years old and born in Illinois. Her first marriage was at the age of 20.

Obviously, I don't know for sure that these four census entries are all for the same person, however, based on further research shown below, I think they are. But if they are the same fellow, I still don't know whether or not he is the "right" Charles Bair that is the son of Franklin and Emily Robison Bair. This Charles was born in Indiana, his age is off by two years based on being 15 years old in 1870, however, he named his first child Frank. Was he named after Charles' father, or is it merely a coincidence?

This Charles Bair was married three times and had four children. I haven't discovered any information at all on any of the children, except for Harvey. I need to do more searching for them but the information found on Harvey, shown below, makes the connection to the Charles Bair in the census of 1900 and 1910 and to the Charles Bair in the 1920 and 1930 census.

=+==+=

Harvey Leaff Bair was found in the World War I Draft Registration Cards at ancestry. The registration date was September 12, 1918. Harvey lived in Shelbyville, Illinois, he was 18 years old and was born December 23, 1899. He was a student employed by Sharks Business in Shelbyville. His nearest relative was Charles S. Bair who lived in Pana, Christian County, Illinois. This is what makes that connection to the above census records for Charles Bair.

Additional research will be needed to verify whether or not the Harvey Bair in the following records is the same person.

In 1920, there is a Harvey Bair, age 20, single, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois listed in the household of Jacob and Margaret B. Doll as their Foster Son. Jacob Doll is 73 years old and Margaret, his wife, is 68. They are located in Rural Township, Shelby County, Illinois. This Harvey Bair is a very good candidate to be the son of Charles.

In 1930, there is a 30 year old Harvey Bair listed as a boarder in the household of John J. and Grace McGoogan in Maplewood, St. Louis County, Missouri page 7b. Harvey was born in Illinois, his parents were born in the United States, and he is a Book Keeper for a Lead Co.

A Harvey L Bair, born 1899 in Illinois, was found in the U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records at ancestry. He enlisted as a Private on June 12, 1942 at Albany, Essex County, New York. He was a single man, without dependents.

The Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002 on ancestry show that a Harvey L Bair, age 43 born about 1900, was married on March 6, 1943 to Elizabeth Burton. She was 40 years old, born about 1903. They were married at Webster Grover, St Louis, Missouri.

And finally, the Social Security Death Index shows a Harvey Bair who was born December 23, 1899 and died in September 1978. Last Residence and Last Benefit was Keyport, Monmouth, New Jersey. His social security card was issued in Missouri.

Franklin Henry Bair 1862-1948

Franklin Henry Bair was enumerated as Franklin Bair in the household of Franklin and Emily (Robison) Bair in the 1870 Whitley County, Indiana census. He was six years old, which makes his year of birth about 1863-4. He was presumably named after his father, Franklin Bair, and his mother's father, Henry Robison.

The only child of Franklin and Emily that I was able to find in Whitley County in 1880, Franklin is listed as a boarder in the household of Henry Miller: Frank Bair, age 17, laborer, born Indiana, parents born Ohio.

On January 31, 1886 Franklin H. Bair was married to Nettie S. Ellis in Whitley County, Indiana. The marriage application shows that he will be 24 years old on his next birthday (i.e. 23 years old and born about 1863). He was born in Columbia City and his parents are given as Franklin H. Bair and Emily Robinson. His wife, Nettie S. Ellis, was 22 years old, born in Ohio, and was the daughter of E. H. Ellis and E. Keller.

His father's obituary of 1917 stated that Frank lived in Iowa and we have the following entry in Eagle Township, Black Hawk County, Iowa that fits the criteria for Franklin (born 1862-1864 in Indiana).
F. Henry Bair, head of household, June 1862, 37, married 14 years, born Indiana, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Indiana, farmer
Nettie, wife, Mar 1863, 37, married 14 years, 2 children 2 living, born Ohio, father born Missouri, mother born Ohio
Myrtle, daughter, Nov 1886, 13, born Iowa
Albert, son, July 1895, 4, born Iowa
George W. Blough, relationship is blank, Aug 1883 [sic], 26, single, born Pennsylvania

In 1910 Franklin was back in Indiana! We found him and his family in Spencer Township, Jennings County, Indiana. (Did he move back to Iowa before his father's death? Or, perhaps more likely, his father was unaware of his return to Indiana. Jennings county is located in the south east corner of Indiana.)
Franklin H. Bair, head, 47, married once, married 24 years, born Indiana, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Indiana, farmer, general farm
Nettie S., wife, 47, married once, married 24 years, born Ohio, father born Missouri, mother born Ohio
Myrta F., daughter, 23, single, born Iowa
Franklin A., son, 15, single, born Iowa

Franklin and his family certainly moved around. The WWI Draft Registration Card for Franklin Albert Bair, dated June 5, 1917 gives his home address as Dunnell, Minnesota. And in 1920 we find the family in Lake Fremont Township, Martin County, Minnesota.
Franklin H. Bair, head, 57, married, born Indiana, parents born Indiana, Operator, Farm
Ellis N., wife, 57, married, born Ohio, father born Missouri, mother born Ohio [Ellis was Nettie's maiden name]
Meartie M., daughter, 32, single, born Iowa, House Keeper, Farm
Franklin A., son, 25, single, born Iowa, Machinist, Automobile

After yet another move, they were found in 1930 at Wood River, Burnett County, Wisconsin.
F. Henry Bair, head, owns home valued at $1200, 68, married, first married at age 23, born Indiana, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Indiana, Farmer
Nettie, wife, 68, married, first married at age 23, born Ohio, father born Missouri, mother born Ohio
Mryta, daughter, 42, single, born Iowa

A check of the Burnett County, Wisconsin website shows that Franklin, his wife, and daughter are buried in Riverside Cemetery.
Franklin Henry Bair was born 12 Jun 1862 and died 27 May 1948
Nettie Bair, born 05 Mar 1862 died 01 Oct 1939
Myrta Bair, born 23 Nov 1885 died 14 Nov 1984

Myrta died just a few days before her 99th (or 98th) birthday!! The 1900 census gives her birth date as Nov 1886 as does the Social Security Death Index. It shows that Myrta Bair was born November 23, 1886 and died Nov 1984. Her last residence was Grantsburg, Burnett County, Wisconsin and her social security card was issued in Wisconsin.

=+==+=

World War I Draft Registration Cards on ancestry have an entry for Franklin Albert Bair. He was 22 years old, born July 17, 1894 in La Porte City, Iowa. His home address is Dunnell, Minn. He is single and a farmer. He signed his name as Albert Bair. He is of medium height and medium build, has brown eyes and dark brown hair. He registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 in the Lake Fremont precinct in Martin County, Minnesota.

In 1930, he was found in Newton City, Jasper County, Iowa (page 4b). He is listed as a Lodger in the household of Harry and Louise Hale and their three children: Albert Bair, age 35, Divorced, born Iowa, father born Indiana, mother born Ohio, Welder, Washing Machine Factory, veteran of WWI.

The Social Security Death Index has an entry for a Franklin Bair, born July 17, 1894 and died September 1980. His last residence and last benefit was listed as Frederic, Polk County, Wisconsin. His social security card was issued in Arizona.

=+==+=

Unless their son married again, there is a good probability that Franklin Henry Bair and his wife Nettie have no living descendants ;-(

Update January 17, 2009: Funeral Notices posted for Franklin and Nettie Bair.

Franklin and Emily Robison Bair

In the first part of the Robison/Robinson Families of Whitley County, Indiana I discussed what was known about Henry Robison and his wife Ann. Census records indicate that they could have had eight children. Emily is one of the three known children.

Emily Robison is listed as 15 years old in the household of Henry and Ann Robison in the 1850 census of Whitley County, Indiana. She would have been born about 1835. Emily is also named in her father's will dated August 8, 1851 and in a deed record dated August 15, 1855 where her mother was selling land in Whitley County, Indiana.

Although Emily Robison was not found in the 1860 census in Whitley County, there is a 24 year old Emma Robison, listed as a serving girl, in the household of John Wireman in Columbia City. I don't know if Emily and this Emma are the same person but I don't think they are since there is a marriage record for both Emily Robinson and Emma Robinson in Whitley County.

Emma A. Robinson was married on August 9, 1869 to John Van Liew. I have not found Emma and John in any census records for Whitley County or elsewhere. There isn't much to go on other than their marriage date. If this is "Emily" Robison, she would have been about 34 years old at the time of her marriage.

It is more likely that the Emily Robinson who was married on April 27, 1861 to Franklin Bair is "our" Emily. If so, she would have been 25 or 26 years old and Franklin would have been 23. This ties in nicely to the fact that, in the 1870 census shown below, Emily is two years older than Franklin. Other than the Emma Robinson mentioned above who married John Van Liew, no other "Emily" Robi(n)son has been found in Whitley County (at least not in the records I've checked) during this time period. In the absence of proof, I am making the ASSUMPTION that this Emily is the daughter of Henry and Ann Robison. I'd love to hear from a descendant of Emily and Franklin Bair or anyone else who might have information about them!

The family of Emily and Franklin Bair is listed in the 1870 census in Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana. Franklin was 32 years old, worked in a store, had a personal estate valued at $150, and was born in Pennsylvania. Emily was 34 years old, keeping house, and born in Indiana. Four children were listed in the household, all were born in Indiana: six year old Franklin, five year old Charles, three year old William, and Ira Dell who was 1/12 year old and born in Feb. 1870.

Emily was not listed in the 1880 census records for Whitley County. However, Franklin was found in Columbia City in 1880 where he is a 42 year old butcher that was born in Pennsylvania. He is listed in the household of Geo. W. Crozier.

A check of the Index of Whitley County Guardianship Packets shows an entry for Emily C. Bair with a year of 1877. The year coincides with the statement in Frank's obituary (see below) which says that "Mrs. Bair passed away forty years ago." [Note to self: need to look at this guardianship record!] Emily is not listed in the published cemetery transcriptions for Whitley County. [see The Heirs of Emily Bair posted 12/08/2008]

Franklin Bair was found in the Whitley County census for 1900 and 1910. In 1900 he is listed as a servant in the household of Benjamin F. Hull. Born Oct 1846, Franklin was 63 years old, widowed, and born in Pennsylvania. His occupation was Hostler. In 1910 he is a 73 year old hired man, widowed, born in Ohio, enumerated in the household of Henry A. Schumaker.

The obituary of Frank Bair was published in the Columbia City Post on Wednesday, March 7, 1917:

"Gov." Frank Bair, an inmate at the county hospital since November, 1913, died Sunday night at 7 o'clock from Bright's disease, having suffered a stroke of paralysis a few minutes before death. Mr. Bair was 70 years, 5 months and 20 days of age at his death and was taken to the county farm only after he became so feeble from old age that he could no longer work.

The deceased was born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 15, 1837, and was the son of Samuel and Eleanore Bair. He moved with his parents from Pennsylvania to Ohio where the parents died. He grew to young manhood there and came to Indiana where he married Miss Emma Robinson, a native of this county. Seven children were born to this union, three of whom survive: Laura Lemmon, of Detroit; Chas. Bair, of Pana, Ill.; Frank Bair, of Iowa. Mrs. Bair passed away forty years ago and since that time her husband has lived a single life. He is also survived by one brother, Alvin Bair, of Mishawaka, and two sisters, Mrs. J. I. Kellenbarger, of Newark, Ohio, and Mrs. Henry Egolf, of Thorncreek township. Mr. Bair worked at the butcher trade in this city for many years and was well known among the older people of this vicinity.

So, according to the above information, seven children were born to Frank and Emily, but only three were still living when Frank died:

• Laura Lemmon, of Detroit. Laura is not listed with them in the 1870 census, which indicates that she was born after 1870 but before 1877 when Emily apparently died. I haven't found anything on her. [Her name could be Flora - added 12/02/2008]
• Chas. Bair, of Pana, Ill. Charles was 5 years old in 1870. [MORE INFO POSTED 09/20]
• Frank Bair, of Iowa. Franklin was 6 years old in 1870. [MORE INFO POSTED 09/21]

Two other children were listed in the 1870 census: William was 3 years old and Ira Dell was just a month old. That leaves two other children unaccounted for. Since only three children were mentioned in Franklin's obituary, it is presumed that William, Ira Dell, and the two unknown children all died young.