52 Ancestors: Week 3- Harold Earl Mendenhall (1916-1989)

 Harold Earl Mendenhall

Relation to me: Maternal Grandfather

born: 10 Jul 1916, Dayton, Ohio

died: 29 Jan 1989, Alabama, age 72 

Parents: Earl Dwight Mendenhall (1894-1972) & Edna Grace Niles (1894-1933)

Siblings: Robert Eugene (1916-1993), Ruth Eileen (1926-2002)

On 06 Oct 1940, Harold married Helen Ruth Seaver, daughter of Otto Watson Seaver (1901-1972) and Ruby Mae Henderson (1901-1990). She was born on 31 Dec 1923 in Cicero, Indiana and died on 28 Aug 1981 in Dayton, Ohio. Together, Harold and Helen had 4 children:

1. Nancy 

2. Harold Earl Mendenhall Jr. (1945-2022) 

3. Neil Emerson Mendenhall (1947-2019)

4. Bonnie 

I did find a WWII army enlistment record for a Harold E. Mendenhall, born 1916 in Ohio and from Montgomery County, Ohio but the date is 24 Aug 1942 and it states he's separated without dependents-- which wouldn't have been the case...unless something was logged incorrectly. It also lists his occupation as a salesperson. 

I also found a WWII draft card for him that I KNOW is correct- born 10 Jul 1917 in Ohio, registration date is 16 Oct 1940 in Harrison, Ohio. It lists him as 5 Ft. 8 In, 118 lbs, Light complexion, Blonde Hair and Blue Eyes. Next of kin is his father, Earl Dwight Mendenhall. 

Census Records:

1920: 502 Columbia Street, Randolph, Indiana, home is rented.

household members: 

• Earl D. Mendenhall, Head, age 25, Machinist for a garage
• Edna G. Mendenhall, Wife, age 25
• Harold E. Mendenhall, Son, age 3
• Robert E. Mendenhall, Son, age 1

1930: 2260 Catalpa Dr., Dayton, Ohio, home is rented.

household members:

• Earl D. Mendenhall, Head, age 37, Garage Manager 
• Edna Mendenhall, Wife, age 35
• Harold Mendenhall, Son, age 13
• Robert Mendenhall, Son, age 11
• Ruth Mendenhall, Daughter, age 4

1940: 11 Orchard Springs, Harrison, Ohio

household members: 

• Ralph Sutton, Head, age 37, Garage mechanic
• Hazel Sutton, Wife, age 27
• Wayne Sutton, Son, age 6
• Lois Sutton, Daughter, age 5
• Thelma Daubenmeyer, Sister-in-law, age 30, Cosmetologist (?)
• Harold Mendenhall, Lodger, age 24, Garage mechanic
• Ruby Mendenhall, Lodger, age 22, Spot Welder or a refridgerator manufacturer 

1950: 284 E. Orchard Springs, Harrison, Ohio

household members: 

• Harold Mendenhall, Head, age 33, Sales Clerk for a retail auto parts store
• Helen Mendenhall, Wife, age 26
• Nancy Mendenhall, Daughter, age 6
• Harold Mendenhall Jr., Son, age 5
• Neil E. Mendenhall, Son, age 2

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Copyright (c) 2024, Carrie Smith

52 Ancestors: Week 2- Dorothy Jean Hendricks Jeckering Potchik (1926-2010)

Dorothy Jean Hendricks

Relation to me: Paternal Grandmother

born: 09 June 1926 in Jeffersonville, Indiana 
died: 02 August 2010 in Dayton, Ohio, age 84

Parents: Isaac Hendricks Jr. (1883-1942) & Myrtle May Hyman (1884-1953)

Siblings: Harry Oliver (1903-1971), Grace (1904-1917), Ida Pauline (1906-1975), Mary Kathaleena (1908-1976), Catherine Virginia (1913-1989), Charles Woodrow (1917-1973), Edna Viola (1919-1919), Melvin Clifford (1921-2003).

On 02 Aug 1947, Dorothy married Paul George Jeckering (1925-1954), son of Gerhard Jeckering & Josephine Dabueliwicz. 

Paul and Dorothy had 4 children together, although she would be pregnant with the 4th child when Paul died of kidney failure due to lupus. 

1. Jean Marie Jeckering (1948-1996)

2. Michael Lee Jeckering (1950-2022)

3. Karla Joanne Jeckering

4. Paul David Jeckering (1954-2016)

Paul died January 11, 1954, a couple of months before his youngest Paul was born.

The last family picture of Paul, Dorothy & their 3 children, Christmas Day 1953

Two years later, on 11 February 1956, Dorothy married John Potchik (1926-1988), son of Balint "William" Pocsik (1880-1953) & Louise Szucs (1889-1963). John treated Dorothy's 4 children as his own but the couple went on to have 4 more children together- four boys:

1. John Mark Potchik (1957-2005)

2. Carl Anthony Potchik

3. William Joseph Potchik 

4. Frank Stephen Potchik 

Family Photo- Back: Jean, Mike, Karla, Paul
Front: John (holding John Mark & Carl) and Dorothy (holding Bill)

Census Records:

1930- April 11- 201 Bainbridge St., Dayton, Ohio- home is rented for $28/month

(house is no longer there--- commercialized warehouse/looking buildings there now)

    household members: 

• Isaac Hendricks, Head, age 47, Lineman for Power light Gas
• Myrtle M. Hendricks, Wife, age 46
• Harry Hendricks, Son, age 26, Motorman for Elec. Rail Road
• Ida P. Hendricks, Daughter, age 27, Packer for Laundry (service)
• Mary C. Hendricks, Daughter, age 21, Clerk for Retail Store
• Catherine V. Hendricks, Daughter, age 18, Ironer for Laundry (service)
• Charles W. Hendricks, Son, age 13
• Melvin C. Hendricks, Son, age 8
• Dorothy J. Hendricks, Daughter, age 3

1940- April 4- 66 S. Terry Street, Dayton, Ohio- home is rented for $25/month

    household members: 

• Isaac Hendricks, Head, age 57, Laborer
• Myrtle Hendricks, Wife, age 56
• Catherine Hendricks, Daughter, age 27, Folder (probably Laundry service)
• Melvin Hendricks, Son, age 18, Laborer
• Dorothy Hendricks, Daughter, age 13

1950- Unfortunately, I couldn't find Dorothy & her husband Paul in the 1950 U.S. Census. 

John died in 1988 at the age of 62 and he and Dorothy share a gravestone in the Valley View Memorial Gardens in Xenia, Ohio- Lot 124, B, Space 1 & 2: Dorothy joined him in 2010 at the age of 84. (I don't know when, but Dorothy was diagnosed with colon cancer and had to have her colon removed, leaving her with a colostomy bag). 

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Copyright (c) 2024, Carrie Smith

52 Ancestors: Week 1- Paul George Jeckering (1925-1954)

 

Paul George Jeckering

Relation to me: Paternal Grandfather

born: 19 May 1925- Dayton, Ohio

died: 11 Jan 1954- Dayton, Ohio, age 28

Parents: Gerhard C. Jeckering (1900-1967) &

             Josephine Mary Dabuliewicz (1906-1965)

Siblings: Richard Cletus (1926-2017), Rita Irene (1928-2015), David (1928-1928), Rosemary Emma (1930-2012), Ruth (1931-1931), Joanne Ethel (b. 1934), and Joseph John (b. 1939).

Paul & his family, abt 1943

Paul was an artist, he worked with a variety of forms but he definitely preferred drawing and sculpting. In high school, he attended the Dayton Art Institute and sculpted a life-size sculpture of Father Chaminade and donated to his high school- Chaminade High School, which is located at 505 S. Ludlow St in Dayton, Ohio. He was the class of 1944.

Chaminade High School

While in high school, Paul enlisted in the military, which is why in his high school year book, class of 1944, he is in uniform. 

The Philippine Liberation Medal Paul would have received after being discharged. It is buried with him.

Paul was discharged from the military on 15 Feb 1946 while in Edinburgh, Indiana at Camp Atterbury. 

On 02 Aug 1947, Paul married Dorothy Jean Hendricks (1926-2010), daughter of Isaac Hendricks Jr. (1883-1942) & Myrtle May Hyman (1884-1953). 

Paul and Dorothy had 4 children together but he would only live to meet 3 of them. In 1948, Paul was diagnosed with Lupus.

1. Jean Marie Jeckering (1948-1996)

2. Michael Lee Jeckering (1950-2022)

3. Karla Joanne Jeckering

4. Paul David Jeckering (1954-2016)

Census Records

1930- April 9- address- 3306 Riverside Dr, Dayton, Ohio, household members:

• Gerhard C. Jackering (Jeckering), Head, age 23, Toolmaker
• Josephine M. Jackering, Wife, age 25
• Paul S. Jackering, Son, age 4
• Richard C. Jackering, Son, age 3
• Rita I. Jackering, Daughter, age 2

*3306 Riverside Dr. is no longer there- in it's place is an apartment complex that was built in 1970. 

    

1940- April 5- address- 2334 Newport Ave, Dayton, Ohio, household members: 

• Gerhard Jeckering, Head, age 39, Toolmaker
• Josephine Jeckering, Wife, age 35
• Paul Jeckering, Son, age 14, occupation unreadable 
• Richard Jeckering, Son, age 13
• Rita Jeckering, Daughter, age 12
• Rosemary Jeckering, Daughter, age 9
• Joan Jeckering, Daughter, age 6
• Josephine Jeckering, Son, age 4 months
• Martha Jeckering, Sister, age 34

2334 Newport Ave
Dayton, Ohio
Photo Courtesy of Google Maps

1950- Even though the 1950 census records have been available for 2 years now, I haven't been able to find Paul and Dorothy in any of them. 

By 1954, Paul's lupus was terminal and he was dying. This was the last picture the family took together on Christmas Day, 1953. Dorothy was pregnant with Paul David, would deliver in April. 

Back- Dorothy, Paul, Karla (on lap)
Front- Michael, Jean

Paul succumbed to the lupus, kidney failure, on 11 Jan 1954. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Dayton. His son Michael is buried next to him. 

Catholic Memorial Card

Death Certificate

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If you have any questions or personal comments, please feel free to reach out to me via email: Carriesmith11411@yahoo.com

Sources: United States Census Records (1930, 1940), Ohio U.S. Death Records, Ohio U.S. Soldier Grave Registrations, U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, U.S. City Directories, U.S. FIndagrave.com, U.S. Newspapers.com Marriage & Obituary Indexes, U.S. School Yearbooks, U.S. World War II Draft Cards. 

Copyright (c) 2024, Carrie Smith

First Post of 2021- Josephine Dabuliewicz Alexinas Jeckering

This morning, I'm listening to a YouTube video- Cozy Coffee Shop Ambiance with Relaxing Jazz Music & Rain Sounds. 

Even though I've written about her before, I wanted to write about my great-grandmother this morning. I was thinking about her the other day. I always thinking about her on Jan 2 of every year. Most people don't memorize their great-grandparents birthdays, but hers is unique because she was born on Jan 2...and died on Jan 2. 

Josephine Mary Dabuliewicz was born in 1906 in Brooklyn, New York. She was the only child of Josef Dabuliewicz (1881-1977) & Stephania Ellert (1878-1913).

I found this picture on Ancestry.com, added by my cousin, Jill. 

The picture above, I found about 6 years ago and absolutely cherish it. It looks to have been taken the same day as the baby picture of Josephine- maybe a christening? 

Here, we can see Baby Josephine again (baby on the left), being held by her father, Josef. Her mother is behind Josef with her hand on his shoulder.

The other baby is Michael Anthony Ruski (1905-1957). Michael's parents- his father (holding him) was John James Ruski (b. 1885) and his wife Mary Ellert (1885-1971). Mary was Stephania's sister. Between the two sisters is their brother Joseph Ellert (1888-1966).  The elderly couple is the parents of Stephania, Mary and Joseph- Stanislaw Ellert (1849-1930) & Pauline Yocavich (1854-1937). 

On June 7, 1913 Stephania passes away. Originally, it was told that she died in the Great Dayton Flood but the dates don't match. I was told by a family member that she had strep. She was only 35 years old. 

Stephania is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. (The spelling of her last name is different than other sources of the name).

By the 1920 U.S. Census, Josephine was living with the Alexinas family in Dayton. I don't know all of the circumstances with Joseph and his daughter, but Josephine did end up taking the Alexinas name. Her adoptive parents were John J. Alexinas (1874-1955) & Mary Kushinski (1879-1973). They already had one son- George Francis Alexinas (1904-1952). George never married. 

Josef, Josephine's father, by 1920 was living in Bedford, Ohio- re-married to Honorata Cieslak (1891-1977). Josef and Honorata had 6 children together- Mary (1914-1941), Helen (b. 1917), Walter Alexander (1918-1995), Stanley (b. 1921), Joseph John (1925-2012) and Adella Mary (b. 1930). They raised their children in Winchendon, Massachusetts. 

Josephine married my great-grandfather Gerard Jeckering (1900-1967) about 1924. 

Josephine married my great-grandfather Gerhard Jeckering (1900-1967) on July 29, 1924 at 8 o'clock in the morning.

How sweet is their wedding portrait?!

Gerhard was one of five children to Joseph Herman Jeckering (1870-1931) & Rose Horn (1872-1933). He was a tool maker, like many of his other family members.

 I am really fortunate to have this picture (above) of him at work. 

 

Around 1936/37, the couple purchased a home at 2334 Newport Ave in Dayton, Ohio. 

You can read more about the history of this house in another I wrote here.

Josephine and Gerhard raised 6 children together- Paul George (1924-1954), Richard Cletus (1926-2017), Rita Irene (1928-2015), Rosemary Emma (1930-2012), Joann Ethel (b. 1934) and Joseph John (b. 1939). 

Gerhard and Josephine were married roughly 41 years and lived in this home until Josephine passed away in 1965. She was only 59 years old and died of acute leukemia. Gerhard followed two years later in 1967. 

Josephine and Gerhard are buried in the Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

52 Ancestors Biography- Harriett Olive Watson (1868-1915)

 Meet Harriett Olive "Hester" Watson- my 2nd great-grandmother

Harriett w/ Husband Frank B. Seaver

Harriett was born on 16 Oct 1868 in Clinton County, Indiana to William A. Watson (1844-1919) & Susanna Manus (1846-1908). She had 4 siblings (That I know of- still researching)- Oscar, Mary, Sina, and Minnie.

Harriett married Frank B. Seaver (1856-1936) on 16 Oct 1888. You can read more about him by clicking here. They had 2 children: 

1. Cleo Roxie Seaver (1892-1973) 

2. Otto Watson Seaver (1901-1972) (My great-grandfather)

U.S. Census Records:

1880- June 5- Johnson, Clinton County, Indiana- 11 year old Harriett (daughter) is living with her father William (35), a farmer, and mother Susanna (34),3 sisters and a ward named Michael Smith (16).

1900- June 11- Johnson, Clinton County, Indiana- 31 year old Harriett is now a wife, living with her Husband Frank B. Seaver (42), a farmer. They have one daughter Cleo (7) & a Servant named Lesley Henderson (20). 

1910- April 19- Johnson, Clinton County, Indiana- 40 year old Harriett is living on Hillisburg Gravel Road with her husband Frank B. Seaver (51), a farmer, a daughter Roxie (17) & a son Otto (9) and a hired man named Bert McDaniel (26), widowed.

Harriett died on 03 Jun 1915 in Tipton County, Indiana at the age of 46. She had uterine cancer. 

Harriett's Death Certificate

Harriett is buried with her husband in Kempton Cemetery in Tipton County, Indiana.

Gravestone at Kempton Cemetery 

52 Ancestors Biography- Frank B. Seaver (1856-1936)

Meet Frank B. Seaver- my 2nd Great-Grandfather:

Frank with Wife Hester

Frank was born on 14 Nov 1856 in Patriot, Indiana to Greenberry M. Seaver (1823-1905) & Mary Douglas (1827-1862). He had a total of 10 siblings, 6 of whom were half-siblings: Helen, Elmer, Abel, Henry, Sarah, Daniel, Jacob, William, Mary and Oma Belle.

Frank married Harriett Olive "Hester" Watson (1856-1915) on 16 Oct 1888 in Tipton County, Indiana. Hester was the daughter of William A. Watson (1844-1919) & Susanna Manus (1846-1908). 

Frank & Hester had 2 children: 

1. Cleo Roxie Seaver (1892-1973) 

2. Otto Watson Seaver (1901-1972) - (my great-grandfather)

U.S. Census Records:

1860: June 21- Posey, Switzerland County, Indiana- Frank B. is 3 years old, listed as "Son" to his father Greenberry (53), who is a farmer. Along with his father, he lives with 4 siblings and another man named Frank Hickman (20) who is also a farmer (probably a hired hand).  The family's real estate is valued at $1200 and the personal estate is valued at $150.

1870: Sep 22- Posey, Switzerland County, Indiana- Frank B. (13) is living with his father (farmer- 47), step-mother Madeline (37), 8 siblings and 2 others who are laborers. The family's real estate value is $5000 and the personal estate is $1000.

1880: June 25- Posey, Switzerland County, Indiana-  Frank (22) is listed as "son" and "works on farm" lives with his father Greenberry (56) (Farmer) and Step-mother Madeline (46) and 9 siblings.

1900: June 11- Johnson, Clinton County, Indiana- Frank B. (42) is the head of the household, working as a farmer. He lives with his wife Harriett (31), daughter Cleo (7) and a servant Lesley Henderson (20). 

1910: April 19- Johnson, Clinton County, Indiana- Frank B. (51) is the head of household, working as a farmer. He lives on Hillsburg Gravel Road- home is Owned, Mortgage-free. He lives with his wife Harriett (40), daughter Roxie (17), son Otto (9) & a hired man named Bert McDaniel (26) (widowed). 

1920: January 24- Johnson, Clinton County, Indiana- Frank B. (51)  is head of household, working as a farmer. The home is listed as a farm- owned, mortgaged-free. Frank is a widow, he lives with his son Otto (19) and daughter in-law Ruby (18). 

1930: April 2- Jefferson, Tipton County, Indiana- Frank B. (73) is now listed as father-in-law. He lives with his daughter Roxie (37) and her husband James Jackson (41) (Farmer) and their son Charles (13).

Frank died on 20 Feb 1936 at the age of 79 years ago. Cause of death- Arteriosclerosis and fracture of left hip joint from fall (16 days since fall).

Frank's Death Certificate

He is buried in the Kempton Cemetery in Kempton, Tipton County, Indiana:

 

52 Ancestors Biography- Louella Ida Munn

Louella Ida Munn Mendenhall- my 2nd Great-Grandmother

Louella was born on 19 Apr 1872 in Elk County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of John Park Munn (1841-1908) & Caroline Beams (1844-1900). 

Colorized photo of John Park Munn & Family
I'm not sure which one is Louella but since she was the 3rd child, I can imagine she is one of the ladies in the back.

Louella as a young girl

She had 7 siblings: 

1. Willard Ord (1869-1955)

2. Ada Mae (1871-1950)

3. Maude Olive (1874-1961)

4. Howard Walton (1877-1949)

5. Melvena Jane "Vena" (1880-1968)

6. Gertude Lordinda (1883-1955)

7. Grace Lillian (1886-1951)

Photo from Ancestry.com
Left to Right- Louella, Ermel Phillips, Ada Mae Fess
(Louella & Ada were sisters)

Louella married Marion Richard "Mac" Mendenhall on 20 Aug 1893 in Ohio. You can read more about him here. 

Louella & Marion had 3 children: 

1. Earl Dwight (1894-1972) (my great-grandfather)

2. Treva Delight (1898-1981)

3. Rhea Marlene (1903-1987)

Residences:

08 Jun 1880- Jay, Elk County, Pennsylvania

22 Jun 1900- Allen, Darke County, Ohio

16 Apr 1910- Allen, Darke County, Ohio- Walnut Street

13 Feb 1920- Allen, Darke County, Ohio

23 Apr 1930- Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio- 542 Huron

22 Apr 1940- Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio

Louella died on 21 Jul 1958 at the age of 86. I don't have her death certificate for cause of death, but I plan on ordering it soon. She was buried next to her husband in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens cemetery in Clark County, Ohio.  

Obituary

Louella's Gravestone

Louella's Gravestone next to her husband Marion Mendenhall