(Not So) Wordless Wednesday: Joe Bartram Family in Kansas

Here's a photo of my great grandparents, Joseph and Alice (Veale) Bartram and a small part of their very large family (including my maternal Grandpa John Bartram):

This was sent to me by my cousin, Reva. Her great grandfather, Arthur Bartram, is the young man on the right, standing behind the seated older gentleman. Arthur was the nephew of my great grandfather, Joseph Bartram, who came from Herefordshire, England (just on the border with Monmouthshire, Wales), in 1883. Arthur was sent to live with Joseph in 1886, at around the same time his mother, Louisa, was re-marrying (we understand that Arthur's dad may have been a horse jockey who died before he was born).

While I can't verify the identities of everyone in this photo, here's what I think: The handsome, mustachioed man standing in the rear is certainly Joseph Bartram, and I believe that the woman in the dark skirt standing to his right is my great grandmother, Alice A. Veale Bartram. I *think* that the older woman sitting on the left is Alice's mother, Margaret Harriman. I have a photo of her as an older woman, and she has the same dour expression on her face. Who the others are, I have no idea. If any of my Kansas or Indiana cousins see this, maybe they'll be able to help ID some of our kin!

Here's how I'm descended from Joseph Bartram and Alice A. Veale:

1. Joseph Bartram (Great Grandfather)
born 23 Jun 1860 in Dixton, Monmouthshire, Wales
immigrated to Kansas, USA, in 1881 
married Alice A. Veale (1872-1954) on 31 Jul 1891 in Topeka, Shawnee,  Kansas
died 4 Feb 1930 in Clear Lake, Lake, California 

Alice A. Veale (Great Grandmother)
born 26 Nov 1872 in Washington County, Indiana
died 27 Sep 1954 in Clear Lake, Lake County, California

Confirmed children with Alice A. Veale 
1. Roy Bartram (1891-1896)
2. Reva Bartram (1893-1952)
3. Ruth E. Bartram (1895-1988)
4. Robert Adam Bartram (1897-1983)
5. Ralph Bartram (1899-1998)
6. Helen Bartram (1900-1994)
7. Joseph L. Bartram (1902-1998)
8. George Bartram (1904-1972)
9. Florence Irene Bartram (1905-1999) 
10. Raymond "Dutch" Bartram (1907-1954)
11. Eunice Fay Bartram (1909-2009)

12. John Bartram (1911-1987)

13. Grace Bartram (1913-1975)
14. Mildred Lucille Bartram (1915-1990)
15. Lorna C. Bartram (1916-2003)

2. John Bartram (Grandfather)
born 4 Apr 1911 in Allen, Wabaunsee, Kansas
married Donna M. Madsen (1919-1966) on 26 Mar 1938 in Reno, Washoe, Nevada
died 15 Aug 1987 in Tracy, San Joaquin, California 

Confirmed children with Donna M. Madsen
1. Clinton James Bartram (1938-2001)
2. Brenda Rae Bartram (living)

3. Rebecca Elizabeth Bartram (living)

4. Clay John Bartram (living)

3. Rebecca Elizabeth Bartram (Mom)
living
married William Lee Brittain (1942-2003) on 12 Sep 1964 in Reno, Washoe, Nevada 

Confirmed children with William Lee Brittain
1. Wendy Lee Brittain (me)
2. Cynthia Lynn Brittain (living)

Surname Saturday: The Family of Samuel Bartram (1795-1882)

It's Surname Saturday. Last time, I took us through my Brittain line, which hail from Wales. Today, I'll list my ancestors through my Mom's family, the Bartrams. My earliest documented Bartram ancestor was born in Suffolk, England, but they eventually moved to Wales, too. I still have cousins in Wales, as a matter of fact, and I'm hoping to get there for a visit next year (do you hear that, Steven?!).

Without further adieu, here is my Bartram line:

1. Samuel Bartram (3rd Great Grandfather) -- his father is thought to be named John Bartram
born  9 May 1795 in  Frostended, Suffulk, England
married Harriett Boste (1791-1859) on 15 Sep 1816 in Kelsale, Suffolk, England
died Jun 1882 in Kelsale, Suffolk, England

Confirmed Children with Harriett Boste:

1. John Bartram (1815-1882) - also spelled Bartrem

2. Sophia Bartram (1821- )
3. William Bartram (1823-1917)
4. Louisa Bartram (1825- )
5. James Bartram (1832- )
6. Mary Ann Bartram (1837- )
7. Caroline Bartram (1840- ) 

2. John Bartram/Bartrem (2nd Great Grandfather)
born 1815 in Kelsale, Suffolk, England
married Esther Meredith (1814-1888) on 12 Jul 1846 at Church of Welsh Newton, Welsh Newton, Herefordshire, England
died about 1882 at sea  

Confirmed children with Esther Meredith
1. Louisa Bartram (1847-1919)
2. James Christopher Bartram (1849-1877)
3. Samuel Bartram (1851-1924)
4. John Bartram (1854- )
5. Sarah Ann Bartram (1856- )
6. Joseph Bartram (1860-1930)

Front, L-R: John Bartram, Arthur Bartram (grandson via Louisa), Esther Meredith Bartram
Back, L-R: Louisa Bartram, Joseph Bartram, Sarah Ann Bartram

3. Joseph Bartram (Great Grandfather)
born 23 Jun 1860 in Dixton, Monmouthshire, Wales
immigrated to Kansas, USA, in 1881
married Alice A. Veale (1872-1954) on 31 Jul 1891 in Topeka, Shawnee,  Kansas
died 4 Feb 1930 in Clear Lake, Lake, California 

Confirmed children with Alice A. Veale
1. Roy Bartram (1891-1896)
2. Reva Bartram (1893-1952)
3. Ruth E. Bartram (1895-1988)
4. Robert Adam Bartram (1897-1983)
5. Ralph Bartram (1899-1998)
6. Helen Bartram (1900-1994)
7. Joseph L. Bartram (1902-1998)
8. George Bartram (1904-1972)
9. Florence Irene Bartram (1905-1999)
10. Raymond "Dutch" Bartram (1907-1954)
11. Eunice Fay Bartram (1909-2009)

12. John Bartram (1911-1987)

13. Grace Bartram (1913-1975)
14. Mildred Lucille Bartram (1915-1990)
15. Lorna C. Bartram (1916-2003)

Joseph & Alice Bartram and part of their large family

4. John Bartram (Grandfather)
born 4 Apr 1911 in Allen, Wabaunsee, Kansas
married Donna M. Madsen (1919-1966) on 26 Mar 1938 in Reno, Washoe, Nevada
died 15 Aug 1987 in Tracy, San Joaquin, California 

Confirmed children with Donna M. Madsen
1. Clinton James Bartram (1938-2001)
2. Brenda Rae Bartram (living)

3. Rebecca Elizabeth Bartram (living)

4. Clay John Bartram (living)

Seated, L-R: Clay Bartram, Donna Madsen Bartram, John Bartram
Standing, L-R: Jim Bartram, Brenda Bartram, Becky Bartram (Mom)

5. Rebecca Elizabeth Bartram (Mom)
living
married William Lee Brittain (1942-2003) on 12 Sep 1964 in Reno, Washoe, Nevada 

Confirmed children with William Lee Brittain
1. Wendy Lee Brittain (me)
2. Cynthia Lynn Brittain (living)

Cindy & Wendy (Front, L-R)
Becky & Bill (Back, L-R)
1973

Next time, I'll focus on my Grandma Edith's family: the Hunts.

Amanuensis Monday: The Story of Harmon Parks Brittain

Amanuensis Monday is a blogging prompt used by many of my fellow geneabloggers. An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today, I've copied down for your enjoyment the story of my first cousin, four times removed, Harmon Parks Brittain. I typically write about my direct ancestors, or at least collateral relatives that I actually knew, but when I read Harmon's story, I knew I had to share it. He was an interesting guy who lived through interesting times. I don't know who wrote this story. I found it, typewritten, in my Grandma Edith's genealogy records. She must have thought he was pretty interesting, too.

Harmon Parks Brittain was born in Clark County, Indiana, February 6th, 1832. He was a farmer at Halfrock (not on modern maps), MO (on the Iowa border), in the years immediately prior to and at the outbreak of the Civil War. During this period, pro-slavery forces and abolitionist forces were each feverishly loading the territories of Kansas and Missouri with their own adherents because Congress had decreed that when these territories became states, they would be slave or free depending on a majority vote of the citizens  at the time of statehood, and if they both went the same way, it would tip the balance of power in the Senate. The result was that the war was truly a Civil War in these territories because of many situations where radical partisans for one side lived next door to radical partisans for the other side.

Harmon Brittain was a fighter, a man who had strong pro-Union convictions. Leaving his wife (Zilpha Theresa Hill Brittain) and three-year-old daughter, Emma, to live with Zilpha's parents, he joined the 13th Missouri Cavalry. (His brother James also joined up, was taken prisoner at the Battle of Shiloh and died in the infamous southern prison camp at Andersonville.) Emma Brittain Chastain said that one of her very earliest memories as a child, was hiding behind her mother's skirt when someone knocked at the door, and watching big-eyed as her mother opened the door with one hand while the other held a pistol concealed under her apron.

Harmon Brittain survived the formal hostilities without injury. However, after Lee surrendered and the army began to disband, he was faced with another problem. The extreme bitterness in Missouri made returning soldiers from both armies targets for vengeance. Many of them who had survived years of war were murdered as they returned home. Warned by his wife that he would be safer in the army than in his own community, he enlisted for another two years in the cavalry.

His wife and later his daughter Emma saved the letters he wrote home during that time, but unfortunately they have since been lost or destroyed. Included in his letters were a number of poems. They were not literary masterpieces by present-day standards, but were impressive when you realize they were written by a man who did not learn to read and write until after he was married (to a school teacher). One of these letters gave a graphic account of how he was sent out one day on a scouting mission and spied a huge cloud of dust moving toward him,which he was sure could only be generated by the largest army of Indians ever assembled on the Western plains. After nearly killing his horse getting back to camp to warn the small company, he was very embarrassed, but greatly relieved when his Indian army turned out to be a herd of buffalo. He titled the account, "The Cowardly Sergeant".

He returned home in 1866, moved his family to Kansas, then back to Missouri and finally, in 1875 joined a wagon train headed for Oregon. A significant commentary about the kind of man he was is made by an incident that happened on that trail. Being a careful man who was well acquainted with the harsh, unforgiving country he was to pass through, he had his animals and equipment in top shape. (He used oxen because of their superior survivability). Only a short way out on the trail, they came upon a family that had started poorly prepared. Their wagon was broken down and beyond repair. Unloading some of his not-so-essential items, he loaded up the family's essential items in of of his wagons and hauled them clear to Oregon. In the process, his daughter, Emma, who was sixteen and healthy, was obliged to walk the whole way -- all but the first two weeks without shoes.

He first settled in the Willamette Valley. But after losing most of his livestock to a mysterious ailment, and the family suffering from "ague" (malaria?), both of which they associated with dampness, they packed up and went looking for a drier place. They headed back over the Cascade Mountains to Wamic, where Emma met her husband-to-be, William Chastain. In 1882, his wife Theresa traveled to southern Oregon to visit family members who were living there, contracted Typhoid fever and died.

Harmon Brittain never remarried. He built himself a house near Wamic and spent the rest of his days there, with his children settling in the near vicinity. Being a man of small stature, he saw no reason for 6' 8" doors in his house. He made them tall enough for him, and if a tall man came to visit, he had to stoop to get through the door.

At some time in his life, Harmon's feet were so severely frostbitten that some of the flesh dropped off and bared some of the bone in the first joint. This gave him no end of pain. One day, while plowing, he decided he had had enough. He took his pocket knife and separated the first joints and removed the offending bone. Why didn't he pass out during the operation or die from infection? Too tough, maybe?

For many years he lived frugally in his house in Wamic, drawing his Civil War veteran's pension. He died January 18, 1916, at the age of 84 in Tygh Valley, Oregon. Some time after the funeral, his family began to try to find his money, knowing that he had been very saving and did not trust it to banks. The money was never found. Too late, it was remembered that he had a habit of putting money in the lining of his coat and that nobody had thought to check that when they buried him. The presumption is that he took it with him.

Children born to Harmon Parks Brittain and Zilpha Theresa Hill Brittain were: Emma Nancy, Aug 23, 1959 at Halfrock, Mercer Co., Missouri; Orange Colman, Mar 4, 1864 at Halfrock, Mercer Co., Missouri; Flora E. at Halfrock July 6, 1865; Myrtle Pleasant, Feb 4, 1871 at New Albany, Wilson Co., Kansas; Hattie E., Nov 21, 1873 in Taney Co., Missouri.

Harmon's story tells us a lot about the man, but also about the times he lived in. For example, when we think about the Civil War, we don't often consider the severe partisan differences between citizens who may have lived just next door to each other. We tend to assume that, once the war was over, everyone just went home to carry on with their lives. I can't imagine what it must have been like for Harmon to be afraid to to back into his own home, for fear of being murdered by neighbors who might not agree with what he fought for.

I'm also in awe of the story of his family traveling to Oregon via wagon train. Can you imagine what it must have been like to walk from Missouri to Oregon, over mountains and rivers and who knows what else, with NO SHOES? I keep imagining something out of "Little House on the Prairie" and thinking about how amazingly tough these folks were.

I'd love to thank the person who wrote this account of Harmon Parks Brittain's life, but I have no idea who that was. If there are any other Brittain cousins out there who can tell me, please drop me a line!

OH! Here's how I'm related to Harmon: his paternal grandfather, Parks Brittain, was my 4th great grandfather. Therefore we are first cousins, four times removed!

Wedding Wednesday: Andrew Jackson Veale and Elizabeth Miller in 1849

Here's the marriage record of my third great grandparents, Andrew Jackson Veale (1828-1904) and Elizabeth Miller (1828-1908). They were married on August 22, 1849, in Pike County, Indiana. Andrew grew up in Veale Township, Daviess County, Indiana, which was just a few miles from where they got married. In the 1850 US census, it appears that Andrew and Elizabeth were living with her family in Pike County.

 

 

It's kind of hard to read the faded copy of this document, so I've transcribed it here:

Andrew J. Veal}        Be it remembered, That on this 22nd day of
to                       ss     August 1849, the following marriage license
Elizabeth Miller}      was issued, to-wit:

Indiana, To Wit: Pike County

TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:

Know ye, that any person legally authorized to solemnize matrimony is hereby licensed
to join in marriage as husband and wife Andrew Jackson Veal and
Elizabeth Miller and for so doing this shall be his sufficient authority.

In testimony above I, John McIntire, Clerk of
the Pike County Circuit Court, hereunto subscribe my
name, and affix the seal of said court, this 22nd day
of August, 1849.

signed: John McIntire, Clerk

Be it further remembered, That on this 25th day of  September November
1849, the following certificate was filed in my office, to-wit:
INDIANA, TO-WIT: Pike County.

This certifies that I joined in marriage as husband and wife Andrew J.
Veal and Elizabeth Miller on the 22nd day of August 1849.

        signed: Wm. H. Connelly, JP

Andrew and Elizabeth had eleven children, including my great great grandfather, George Elmer Veale (1850-1928). Sadly, by the 1900 US census, only five of their children were still living. They moved with their family from Indiana to Wabaunsee County, Kansas, arriving on Thanksgiving Day 1879. They remained there for the rest of their days.

Earlier this year, I posted about Andrew and Elizabeth's obituaries. I loved learning that they were the first couple in Maple Hill, Kansas, to have enjoyed a golden wedding anniversary, a testament to their strong bond.

Here's how I'm descended from Andrew and Elizabeth Veale:

Andrew Jackson Veale (1828-1904) m. Elizabeth Miller (1828-1908) in 1849 >
George Elmer Veale (1850-1928) m. Margaret Harriman (1850-1932) in 1872 >
Alice A. Veale (1872-1954) m. Joseph Bartram (1860-1930) in 1891 >
John Bartram (1911-1987) m. Donna Madsen (1919-1966) in 1938 >
Rebecca Elizabeth Bartram (living) m. William Lee Brittain (1942-2003) in 1964 >
me!

Tombstone Tuesday: George Elmer and Margaret Harriman Veale

One of the great things about writing this blog is that I've come in contact with cousins I never knew I had! One such cousin, Leah, found me a few months ago and wrote to tell me that she thought we were related. Not only are we cousins, but she'd already met some of my known (and loved) cousins in Kansas and was looking to reunite with them. I was happy to help her make that connection, and have reaped many rewards in return!

Leah and I both hail from the Veale and Harriman/Harryman side of my family. My maternal GG grandfather, George Elmer Veale, married Margaret Harriman. George's sister, Clara Veale, married one of Margaret's cousins, William Bowles Harriman. Both George and Clara Veale were children of my 3rd great grandparents, Andrew Jackson Veale and Elizabeth Miller Veale, who migrated from Daviess County, Indiana, to Wabaunsee County, Kansas, in the late 1800s.

Earlier this year, Leah got together with our cousins Wanda and Debbie, and drove out to the Old Stone Church in Maple Hill, Kansas, where several of our relatives are buried. Leah sent me pictures from their escapade, including this photo of George and Margaret's grave, as well as some of the church and grounds. 

Old Stone Church, Maple Hill, Kansas

Leah also sent me some more old photos of the Veales and Harrimans, including this wonderful photo of my GG grandmother, Margaret Harriman Veale. She looks feisty, doesn't she!

Margaret Harriman Veale - 1850-1932

You know, I initially started writing this blog as a way to get my thoughts and family stories out of my head and into print so that I could better share them with the relatives I already know. I had no idea how many new cousins would start popping into my life to say hello and help me flesh out our larger family history. I'm having so much fun getting to know Leah! We're putting our heads together to prove a relationship in our Veale line that will help Leah join Daughters of the American Revolution (and give me a supplemental patriot on my mom's side of the family). She's a tenacious researcher, and I think we're learning from each other as we tear down some bricks in our wall. I'm so tickled that she found me, and I look forward to meeting her in person and continuing our new friendship!

Leah (2nd from left) with her brother, George, and our cousins, Debbie and Wanda

 Here's how I'm related to George Elmer Veale and Margaret A. Harriman:

George Elmer Veale (1850-1928) m. Margaret A. Harriman (1850-1932) in 1872 >
Alice A. Veale (1872-1954) m. Joseph Bartram (1860-1930) in 1891 >
John Bartram (1911-1987) m. Donna Marie Madsen (1919-1966) in 1938 >
Rebecca Elizabeth Bartram (living) m. William Lee Brittain (1942-2003) in 1964 >
Me!

CORRECTION: I had mistakenly included the wrong picture of Leah, George, Debbie and Wanda. The photo, above, is the correct photo (sorry, Leah!). 

Sunday Obituary: Ralph Bartram

I love it when I find an obituary that has a photo of one of my family members. This one was particularly exciting for me because it contains a photo of my Great Uncle Ralph Bartram, who was one of my Grandpa John's older brothers. I never got to meet Uncle Ralph, so I was tickled to see in the photo that he looked almost exactly like Grandpa John!

This obituary and photo, along with several other family member obituaries, were sent to me by Emma at the Emporia Library in Emporia, Kansas. She was so helpful, as are many of the employees and volunteers I contact at the various libraries, clerks offices and historical societies around the US.

Ralph Bartram 1899-1998

Emporia Gazette, March 30, 1998

Ralph Bartram

The memorial service for Ralph Bartram, 99, a resident of the Holiday Care Resort Center, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Patio Garden of Memorial Lawn Cemetery.  The Rev. Dale Pracht, chaplain at Newman Hospital, will conduct the service.

Memorial Contributions to the Young Eagles Program at the Emporia Municipal Airport or Hand in Hand Hospice may be sent to the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home.

Mr. Bartram died March 20, 1998, at the care center.

He farmed near Allen for many years until he retired in 1979. Earlier he was employed at the Putman Ranch near Admire, the Wiser (now Coffman) Ranch near Allen and the Nelson farm, which he bought. He was named the Soil Conservation “Farmer of the Year” in 1967. After retirement, he and his wife lived at 1345 Prairie Park Lane and later, he lived at Stanton Heights. He was also a pilot.

Ralph Bartram, the son of Joseph and Alice Veal Bartram, was born Jan. 26, 1899, at Crestone, Colo. He attended school at Harveyville.

He married N. Mae Dick on Aug. 14, 1919, at her parents’ home in Burlingame. She died April 27, 1982.

Mr. Bartram was a former member of the Farm Bureau.

He is survived by a son, Dean Bartram, 1927 W. 24^th Ave.; a daughter, Avanell Wagaman, 2640 West Ridge Drive; a brother, Joseph Bartram of Walnut Creek, Colo.;  three sisters, Florence Dick of Osage City, Eunice Gower of Bend, Ore., and Lorna West of Fort Collins, Colo.; three grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one stepgreat-great-grandchildren. An infant son and another son, George Bartram, died earlier. Five brothers and five sisters also died earlier.

Note: Ralph's brother, Joseph, was from Walnut Creek, California (not Colorado, as is noted in the obituary). This is a reminder to us family historians that not all historical records are always accurate, and that we should always try to cite dates, places and other data with multiple sources!

Below are the actual scans of the obituary as it appeared in the newspaper:

Happy 100th Birthday to Grandpa John Bartram!

John Bartram 1911-1987

If you've been following my posts, you know that I have a huge soft spot for my maternal grandpa, John Bartram. Today would have been Grandpa John's 100th birthday, so I'm dedicating this blog post to him.

I've already written about Grandpa's rodeo exploits and his knack for telling tall tales. Here's a little bit more about his life. John Bartram was born on April 4, 1911, in Allen, Kansas, to Joseph and Alice Veale Bartram. He was the fourth youngest of 17 (!!) kids. He and his siblings grew up on his father's farm, and he left school after third grade to help out with the necessary chores that kept this large ranching family alive, including farm work, carpentry and horse shoeing.

Grandpa had the adventurous spirit that was so prevalent in many of my ancestors. In 1924, at the young age of 13 years old, he made his first trip to California, hopping a west-bound freight. He stayed here for one year, working on ranches in the Clearlake area, before heading back home to Kansas. He again returned to California in around 1927 at the age of 16 (again riding a westbound freight train), and this time he stayed for good. He landed a job at the Rowell Ranch in Dublin Canyon (between Hayward and Dublin) where his brother, Dutch, was working as ranch foreman. He worked at the Rowell Ranch until the early 1950s.

Riding in a parade at the
1939 World's Fair in San Francisco

In 1932, Grandpa began his career as a professional rodeo performer, competing in rodeos all over the west for over 20 years. He bulldogged and roped steers and rode broncs and bulls. He joined rodeo greats Johnny and Frank Schneider and Joe Berl to make up the American team of rodeo riders sent to the World Games in Australia in 1936, where they competed against cowboys from Russia, Australia and other countries. He also participated in the rodeo portion of the World’s Fair in 1939 in San Francisco. This was a dangerous sport, but he competed with gusto. At one rodeo, Grandpa was bucked off a bull and broke his back.  He recovered and continued his rodeo career, but the injury stayed with him through his life.

In 1936, Grandpa met a pretty little rodeo queen at the Livermore Rodeo: my grandmother, Donna Madsen. They fell in love and were married in Reno, Nevada, on March 26, 1938. Grandma and Grandpa had four children: Clinton James, Brenda Rae, Rebecca Elizabeth (my mom); and Clay John. In 1959, Donna and John were involved in a terrible automobile accident which left my grandma brain damaged. She passed away in 1966, leaving Grandpa John to care for the family.

Back: Uncle Jim, Aunt Brenda, Mom (Becky)
Front: Uncle Clay, Grandma Donna, Grandpa John

L-R: Uncle Jim, Aunt Brenda, Grandpa John, Mom, Uncle Clay

As a grandfather, he was wonderful to all eight of his grandchildren. He was loving and attentive, and seemed to enjoy spending time with us. We probably didn't realize it at the time, but my sister, Cindy, and I were fortunate that Grandpa lived with us for part of our childhood. Here are some of my memories of growing up with Grandpa John:

• His tall tales and songs. I've already written about his story of the buzzards who hoisted him out of a dry well. There were plenty of other stories and songs, including some that I can't repeat in polite company... 
• He never lacked a ride! Grandpa was an alcoholic and we eventually had to take his drivers license away from him. It didn't slow him down, though. Whenever he wanted a six-pack of his favorite beer (Olympia), he'd saddle up his horse and ride a few miles down the road to the local country store. He didn't even need to dismount since the storekeeper would come out with his beer, take his money and then come back out with his change. Then, he and his horse would ride back up the hill and he'd enjoy a nice cold brew out on the porch. 
• His short-lived excitement at me getting my own drivers license. At first, Grandpa was tickled about me getting my license because it meant I could take him into town for more affordable beer. I wasn't so excited about getting this chore, though, so I made the poor guy suffer it by taking him on joy rides and watching his knuckles turn white with every turn. When I moved away to college, Cindy continued the joy rides with Grandpa (including one infamous ride that entailed running over chickens, which he never really got over).
• His wake-up calls. I'm not a morning person, but Cindy and I raised sheep in 4-H, which meant we had to get up early each day to feed them. Grandpa made sure we were up every morning to take care of our sheep, and usually had to resort to tearing my bedclothes clear off of me in order to do the trick.
• He called me Wendower -- not sure why!
• His pride in us kids. Grandpa didn't get to finish school, so he was proud of us kids and encouraged us to succeed. He helped us when he could, especially with our 4-H endeavors, and cheered us on in everything else.  

Grandpa John and his girls!

Grandpa John passed away on August 15, 1987. He had suffered for years from the effects of alcoholism, emphysema and, finally, lung cancer (not to mention a broken heart from losing his Donna). He was a strong guy with a strong heart, though, and fought these diseases for far longer than anyone expected he could. It was still quite a blow to all of us when we lost him. As I think of Grandpa John on this 100th anniversary of his birth, I'm happy to remember his warmth, humor, resilience and love. Happy Birthday, Grandpa John!

Mystery Monday: John Bartrem, Died at Sea

My great great grandfather, John Bartrem (Bartram), is a bit of a mystery to me. I know where he was born, who he married and who his children were. Thanks to the UK/Wales census documents and other British vital records, I can follow him pretty regularly from 1841 to 1881. But I've lost him after that.

Here's what I know:

Seated: John Bartrem; his grandson, Arthur;
his wife, Esther
Standing: Daughter Louisa (Arthur's mother); Son
Joseph (my great grandfather); Daughter Sarah Ann
Photo taken circa 1881 in Herefordshire, England

• He was born in 1815 in Kelsale, Suffolk County, England.
• I've found him working on a farm near his family in Kelsale in the 1841 UK/Wales Census. At some point after that, he and several of his family members moved west to Herefordshire County, near the Welsh border.
• In 1846, he married Esther Meredith at the Church of Welsh Newton, in Welsh Newton, Herefordshire, England.
• Between 1846 and 1881, he and his family moved between Herefordshire, England, and Monmouthshire, Wales. Both counties share a border. By the 1881 UK/Wales Census, he was owner of Wern Farm in Llanrothal, Herefordshire County, England.

Here's the legend:

• My Aunt Brenda has heard that John Bartrem and his son, Joseph (my great grandfather), were in the business of bringing Hereford cattle from England to the US in the early 1880s. Joseph ended up staying in Kansas and working for the Adams Ranch, which raised Hereford cattle. He eventually owned his own ranch in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, before moving to Clear Lake, California.
• My cousin, Reva, thinks that John made a final trip in 1886, and brought his grandson, Arthur, with him at that time. The 1910 US Census notes that Arthur immigrated in 1886. Another of John's sons, Samuel, had already settled in Iowa, and it seems that Arthur first stayed with Samuel before moving to Kansas. 
• The last we heard about my great great grandfather, John Bartrem, is that he sailed back home to England after Arthur (and, presumably, the shipment of cattle) were safely deposited in America, and that he died at sea. 

I've hunted high and low through the online records (at Ancestry.com and beyond), and have found no records of the ship that John took back home, or any records of his death. I think I need to start calling around the various repositories in England and Wales to see if I can find someone who can point me in the right direction. The UK's National Archives website seems to have some information regarding deaths at sea, but I'll likely have to speak with someone there or make a trip to London (oh, darn... ) to actually access it. I just checked, though, and I see that they have a podcast on how to research births, marriages and deaths at sea. Hmmm... Perhaps, I'll find a clue there!

Meanwhile, if anyone else has any ideas, please feel free to pass them along in my Comments section!

Wedding Wednesday: Joseph Bartram and Alice Veale

Here's the wedding license for my maternal great grandparents, Joseph Bartram and Alice Veale. Joseph was born in 1860 in Wales, and immigrated to Kansas in the 1880s. There, he met Alice, who was born in Indiana in 1872, and moved to Kansas as a little girl with her family in 1879. They were married in Topeka, Kansas, on July 31, 1891.

I'm not sure why a judge signed the affidavit on the bottom of the document in 1948,
57 years after the marriage, and 18 years after Joseph died.

Joseph and Alice settled in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, and had a large family of 17 kids, most of whom survived to become adults. One of those kids was my Grandpa John, who was born in 1911. Between 1925 and 1930, Joseph and Alice moved with some of the younger kids, including Grandpa John, to California. They settled in Clear Lake, Lake County, and Joseph passed away there in 1930. Alice, known to my mom as Granny Barky, died there in 1954.

This is a picture of who I believe is Joseph, Alice and most of their kids. I think that Joseph and Alice are the older couple standing in the rear, to the right. If it's what I think it is, it's the only photo I have of them together. I love the hats, and how happy they look.

Tall Tale Tuesday: How Grandpa John was Saved by the Buzzards

Grandpa John, no doubt telling
Cindy and me one of his stories

If you've been following my posts, you know that my maternal grandfather, John Bartram, was quite the adventurer. He was a rodeo cowboy who traveled the West and the world entertaining audiences with his fearless attempts at riding bulls and broncs. Grandpa John was also an entertainer of a different sort: he was the master of tall tales. He was so good at telling his crazy stories that some of his kids and grandkids didn't realize they were made up or embellished until after Grandpa had already left us.

Here's one of Grandpa John's favorite yarns. Grandpa lived with us, off and on, while I was growing up, and I recall hearing this one more times than I can count!

One day, Grandpa John was riding across the Kansas prairie when his horse stumbled into a large dry well. He and the horse plunged to the bottom of the well and were unable to get out.

After a couple of days, the horse died and Grandpa, of course, was worried that his time on this earth was also nearly at end. Pretty soon, the buzzards started gathering and circling the well.

When the buzzards began descending into the well to eat the flesh off of the dead horse, Grandpa had a flash of brilliance. He decided he would leap up and grab each buzzard, in turn, by their legs. He then hitched a saddle strap to each buzzard until there were enough buzzards attached to his saddle that the large, frantic birds simply hoisted both the saddle and Grandpa out of
the well.

 To hear Grandpa John tell it, it sounds completely plausible!

Mappy Monday: Bartram Farm in Wabaunsee County, Kansas

There's so much more to genealogy than just collecting names and dates. I love learning about the stories of my ancestors: where did they come from, what did they do, what were the hardships, joys and adventures of their lives? Both sides of my family had the pioneer spirit. I have family who moved with William Penn from England to what would become America in the 1600s (more on my Quakers later), folks who became the first white settlers in Indian Territory (before it became Oklahoma) and ancestors who moved from Germany to New York to San Francisco and then to Tracy, California, where they were some of the pioneering settlers in my own hometown.

My maternal great grandfather, Joseph Bartram, was a Welshman who immigrated to the United States in the early 1880s. I'm still trying to figure out the whole story, but legend has it that he came here by ship with his father to bring Herefordshire cattle to Kansas. His father headed back home to the UK, but died at sea before he could reach his homeland. Joseph stayed in Kansas, married Alice A. Veale, and they had 17 kids together (including my Grandpa John).

Before they moved from Kansas to California in around 1930, Joseph and Alice had quite a spread in Plumb, Wabaunsee County, Kansas. Fortunately for me, I was able to find the Kansas Memory website (I love the Internet!) which had, available for download, a 1902 plat map that showed exactly where Joseph's farm sat in relation to his neighbors, as well as how many acres he held. It also shows, with a little dot, where the house stood on the farm. This is the house where Grandpa John grew up! My Aunt Brenda said that she's been out to where the old farm stood but, sadly, there's not much left.

The Bartrams lived in Plumb Township, Wabaunsee County, Kansas

Joseph's farm is near the bottom left of the top map. See below for detail.

You can see that the Bartrams had two parcels at a total of 180 acres.
The little square dot is where the house stood.

Sunday Obituary: Andrew Jackson Veale & Elizabeth Miller Veale

Here are the obituary notices for my maternal GGG grandparents, Andrew Jackson Veale and Elizabeth Miller Veale.

Andrew Jackson Veale, b. January 10, 1828, in Daviess County, Indiana, and d. December 16, 1904, in Maple Hill, Wabaunsee County, Kansas. His obituary appeared in the December 22, 1904, edition of the Eskridge Star newspaper.

Elizabeth Miller (Veale), b. May 29, 1828, in Indiana, and d. February 12, 1908, in Maple Hill, Wabaunsee County, Kansas. Her obituary appeared in the November 21, 1908, edition of the Alma Signal newspaper

 

Andrew and Elizabeth were married on August 22, 1849, in Pike County, Indiana, and raised 12 children. I love that her obituary makes special note of the fact that Andrew and Elizabeth Veale were the only couple in Wabaunsee County to have celebrated a golden wedding anniversary.

I've spent a lot of time researching these two because Andrew's grandfather, James Carr Veale, is another one of my Revolutionary War patriots, and I'm having a devil of a time finding one last piece of evidence I need to tie it all together: something (anything!) that definitively proves that Andrew's father is Daniel Veale (who is already proven to be James' son). Andrew's date of death was especially tough to nail down because he died in one town, his obituary appeared in another town's newspaper and, according to Elizabeth's obit, he was buried in a completely different town and county (although that cemetery has no record of him being buried with his wife!).

Sometimes, I think my ancestors are just messing with me for their own entertainment...

Tombstone Tuesday: Raymond "Dutch" Bartram - 1907-1954

Raymond "Dutch" Bartram

I'm one of those strange people who loves traipsing through cemeteries. I love to pay respects to my own ancestors, but I'm really happy just to go exploring any old cemetery, admiring the beautiful gravestones and wondering about the lives of the people who now reside in these permanent homes.

Dutch and his sister, Grace Bartram

One of my favorite family graves, though, is that of my Great Uncle Dutch (aka Raymond Bartram), who was born September 1, 1907, in Harveyville, Kansas. Dutch was my Grandpa John's older brother and rodeo partner-in-crime. He and Grandpa John were the first of our Bartram pioneers in California. Having caught a freight train out here to start their cowboy lives, they eventually went back to Kansas, and then came back to the Golden State with their parents and several other siblings.

Tragically, Uncle Dutch's life was cut short on January 12, 1954, when he was walking across San Pablo Avenue and was hit by a bus. His wife, Helen, had this wonderful gravestone made as a tribute to his full, yet too short, life.

Dutch was buried at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward, Alameda County, California. The tribute reads:

I have hung up my spurs and saddle
Put my horse in the old Corral
Bid Goodbye to my pals in the bunkhouse
And the range that I loved so well.

Mystery Monday: Who ARE these people?

Last year, I met a distant cousin via Ancestry.com. My great grandfather, Joseph Bartram, was the uncle to her great grandfather, Arthur Bartram. They were both born in Monmouthshire County, Wales, and both immigrated to Kansas in the 1880s. Arthur was still a young boy at the time, and we understand that he lived with his Uncle Joseph for some time. A few months ago, my cousin emailed a couple of photos to me and asked if I could tell who these folks were. We are sure that they are photos of the Joseph and Alice Bartram family in Kansas, but don't know who the individuals are.

We think the pictures were sent to Arthur's family by my someone in Joseph's family, probably one of his daughters. As you can see, there is writing on the back of each photo, but it still doesn't offer much information that we can use. We do know that Ida is one of Arthur's daughters (born in 1913), and it appears that Joseph is keen to see her. 

Picture 1 (front and back): I'm pretty sure that the older couple standing in the rear right are my great grandparents, Joseph Bartram and Alice Veale Bartram. The others are all a mystery.

 

Picture 2 (front and back): I *think* that the older woman on the right may be my great grandmother, Alice Veale Bartram. She looks a lot like my Grandpa John and his older brother, Ralph. I'm not 100% sure on this, and have no idea who are the others in the photo. 

I've posted the pictures to the Dead Fred website in hopes that someone out there might be able to help -- you never know.

Here are the people in Joseph and Alice's immediate family. Maybe someone reading this will be able to solve our mystery! 

Joseph Bartram
Birth 23 June, 1860 in Dixton, Monmouthsire, Wales, UK
Death 4 Feb, 1930 in Clear Lake, Lake County, California, USA 

Married: Alice A. Veale on 31 Jul 1891 in Topeka, Kansas, USA
Birth 26 Nov 1871 Washington County, Indiana, USA
Death 27 Sep 1954 in Clear Lake, Lake County, California, USA 

Their many children:

• Roy Bartram 1891-1896
• Reva Bartram 1893-1952
• Ruth E. Bartram 1895-1988
• Robert Adam Bartram 1897-1983
• Ralph Bartram 1899-1998
• Helen Bartram 1900-1994
• Joseph Bartram 1902-1998
• George Bartram 1904-1972
• Florence Irene Bartram 1905-1999
• Raymond "Dutch" Bartram 1907-1954
• Eunice Fay Bartram 1909-2009
• John Bartram 1911-1987 (my maternal grandfather)
• Grace Bartram 1913-1975
• Mildred Lucille Bartram 1915-1990
• Lorna C. Bartram 1916-2003