Letter from a descendant of Hannah's sister, Jane Carpenter Balding, Miss Blanche Cox, of Champaign, Illinois, dated Feb. 21, 1965. ". . .Aunt Hannah who married a cousin John McNair. They remained at Willow Hill. There are three children who are all dead now, John, Lillian and Emma. Lillian became the wife of Henry Carpenter, your grandfather's brother. (letter written to Carol Lynn Carpenter, daughter of LeRoy Cephas Carpenter.) EMMA maried a cousin of my father's [Ezra Cox's], Alfred Booker. The last that I heard of them they were in Oregon. . ."
Willard was a twin to Millard Booker.
Millard was a twin to Willard Booker.
"They had a small resturant in Joplin, MO."
Orrine was a twin to Lorene.
Lorene was a twin to Orrine.
Md. Dement
Letter from Miss Cox, descendant of Jane Carpenter Baulding, dated April 26, 1965, ". . .Then my uncle, Frank Balding learned thru some of Ada's husband's folks that she was living at Bloomington, Illinois which is a little over fifty miles from Champaign. So we went over and visited her and she came home with us and stayed for a few days. She has died since then. It must be ten or twelve years ago. Aunt Anna went over at the time of her death, and we usually hear from the girls at Xmas time. If my uncle were living he could probably tell more of Uncle Grif"s family because he lived in Eureka Springs for quite a while and knew the children. . ."
Letter from Blanche Cox, living at Rout 3, Champaign, Illinois, 61820, descendant through Abner's daughter Jane, wrote in January 5, 1969, "Another cousin, Violet Powell, one of uncle Griff's (Abner G) grandchildren who is living with a daughter in Sarasota, Florida had hip surgery in the spring and hasn't walked alone since then. She has two sisters and a brother living at Bloomington, [Illinois] about 50 miles from here."
Living in Bloomington, IL.
Living in Bloomington, IL, in 1969. 601 W. Washington St., Bloomington, IL. Mrs. Syuble Fossitt.
Living in Bloomington, IL in 1969, 805 N. McLean St., Bloomington, IL Mrs. Jean Firebaugh.
Civil War records in IL State Archives, also Washington DC. Living in Bloomington, Illinois in 1969.
Letter from Miss Blanche Cox, granddaughter of Jane Carpenter, dated Feb. 1965, said ". . .Margaret . . .I do not know much of the two girls families, Ophie's family were in Oklahoma and Texas . . ."
Letter from Miss Blanche Cox, granddaughter of Jane Carpenter, dated Feb. 1965, said ". . .Margaret . . .I do not know much of the two girls families, Ophie's family were in Oklahoma and Texas. IDA's were out west somewhere, I do not know just where. . ."
Letter said Freeman "went West."
Letter from Miss Blanche Cox, granddaughter of Jane Carpenter, dated Feb. 1965, said ". . .Margaret . . .I do not know much of the two girls families, Ophie's family were in Oklahoma and Texas . . ." Allen's widow live at Olney, Illinois also most of her children. . ."
Letter from Miss Blanche Cox, granddaughter of Jane Carpenter, dated Feb. 1965, said ". . .Margaret . . .I do not know much of the two girls families, Ophie's family were in Oklahoma and Texas . . .Ida's went out west somewhere. . . Allen's widow, Ida, lives at Olney, Ill. also most of her children."
Letter from Miss Blanche Cox, granddaughter of Jane Carpenter, dated Feb. 1965, said ". . .Margaret . . .I do not know much of the two girls families, Ophie's family were in Oklahoma and Texas . . Ida's were out west somewhere. . . Avery lived with us much of the time the last few years of his life. He died in 1947. We hear from his daughter Opal who is a school teacher in Mattoon, Ill. He address is Mrs. Opal Noah, Box 400, Mattoon, Ill. Her children are all married and have families. . .."
Letter from Blanche Cox, dated 1966, granddaughter of Jane Carpenter, dau of Abner Carpenter. "All children of Margarets gone for several years." Avery lived with Miss Cox and Miss Baulding. She didn't know his wife's name so he probably had been married.
From a letter from Jane's granddaughter, Miss Blanche Cox, of Champaign, Illinois on Feb. 21, 1965. ". . .my grandmother Jane was left a widow when my Aunt Anna was about six years old. At that time they were living in a cabin on your great grandfather's farm. Grandma wove carpets and sewed and did various things in order to bring her children up. There were the three of them, Frank, Alta & Anna. FRANK moved around from various places in Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. He was living in Joplin, Mo. the last few years and died there just before his 90th birthday. He lost three children when they were small but two daughters, Bertha and Louise are still living. Bertha lives near Joplin, Mo. RR #4 Box 206. She has five children, 2 girls and 3 boys. Two of the boys are single and live at thome, the other one lives next door to her. He is married and has three little girls aged 9-12 yrs. One of the girls Anabell Nelson lives on a farm in western Kansas, RR #1, Bird City, Kansas. She has four boys ranging in age from 10 - 18 years. The other one lives at Philo, Illinois. About 20 miles from our home. She has four children, one boy 17 yrs, and three girls, 15 yr. 10 yrs. and 2 months old. Her name is Mary Bowers. R R, Philo, Illinois. Mary and Anabell both spent several years with us while they were going to school. Louise lives at 310 Spruce St., Leavenworth, Kansas. She has one son and three daughters, the son is in a veterans hospital. The three girls are married. Sue Garrote lives in Springfield, Missouri and has three daughters. May (Mrs. Richard) Newton lives at 1851 E (or C) King Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has two boys and two girls. Betty (Mrs. Robert Potter) lives at 2711 Kimball, Parsons, Kansas. She has three boys. . ."
Birth said, "near Terre Haute, probably Sandcutt, IN" Letter 1966 from Miss Cox, a niece, Frank's sister Alta's daughter, said that Elma and Naomi b.1899 d.1900 may be the same person as one record does not list Elma at all. "Frank was in Joplin, MO the last few years."
Elma and Naomi may be the same person. Died in infancy.
Elma and Naomi may be the same person. Died in infancy.
Father: Aurahgrson COX son of Abram COX
Letters from Miss Blanche Cox, Campaign, IL. She has family records in her possession, and was extremely helpful with many letters about her ancestry and other family members. She was a nurse, gratuating from nurse's training in 1921. She lived with Anna Balding, also a nurse who completed her training in 1904 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Anna was also her Aunt. Her letter of Feb. 21, 1965, ". . .I have one brother Ira living. He will be 72 in January. He has three children and 5 grandchildren. The youngest son lost his wife three years ago and Ira and his wife are caring for the three little ones. It is quite a task at their age. The children were all under 3 when their mother died. The oldest will be 6 in March. . . .The other boy has 2 little ones, a boy who will be five in November and a girl about 2 weeks old. Ira's daughter has no children. She is Mrs. Erwin Pease, 174 Spring Drive, Roswell, Georgia. "
South Bristol, NY, Town Records 1838 - 1925. Oliver McNair, 1874, ran for Clerk, not elected.
1900 U. S. Census, Royalton Twn., Niagara, NY. taken 4 June. ED 87, Sheet 10 Line 16. McNair, Oliver, head, wm, b. Apr. 1849, age 51, married 19 yrs., b. NY, parents b. NY, Occupation: carpenter, owns, mtg. home; Mary, wife, wf, b. Jan 1857 age 43, married 19 yrs., 2 children, 2 alive; Jessie daughter, wf, b. March 1887, 13, single, b. NY; Jennie, wf, b. July 1892, age 7, single, b. NY.
1910 U.S. Census, He has not been found on this Census as yet.
1920 U. S. Census, Lockport, Niagara, NY, taken 7 Jan. ED 80, Sheet 4, Line 84. McNair, Oliver, head, age 69, married., clerk hardware store; Mary E. wife, age 63, married; Jennie A. daughter, 27, single, clerk dry goods.
Obituary, "Mrs. Mary McNair, 78, widow of Oliver McNair, died Thurdsay afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William J. Taylor, (Livingston) Staten Island. . .Besides her daughter, she leaves two grandchildren, Mrs. Walter Dohring of Lockport and George Boddy Jr. of North Tonawanda and one great granddaughter, Sally Ann Dohring of Lockport. The body will be brought here (Lockport) for funeral service on Sunday. . ."
1900 U. S. Census, Royalton Town, Niagara , NY, Taken 3 June.. ED 87, Sheet 3 Line 41; McNair, Caleb, head, wm, b. July 1853, age 46, married 9 yrs., b. NY, father b. NY, mother b. NY, dealer, gen. store; Eva, wife, wf, b. March 1853, b. NY, age 47, married 9 yrs., 2 children, 2 alive; Nellie I., daughter, wf, b. Apr 1885, age 15 single, b. NY, parents b. NY, at school. (she was daughter of first wife, Hattie Olds); Mather, Inez M., daughter-in-law (should be step-daughter as it was Eva's child by her former marriage), b. Feb 1886, age 14, single, at school. (didn't give what state she was born in); McNair, Walter K., son, wm, born July 1894, age 5, b. NY, parents b. NY.
1910 U. S. Census, Royalton Twp. Niagara NY. Taken 21 Apr. ED 133, Sheet 6A, Line 38. McNair, Caleb C., head, age 56, married twice, 19 years, merchant, general store; Eva, wife, age 57, married twice, 19 years. number of children 3, alive 2; Walter K., son, age 15 single.
1920 U. S. Census, Royalton lst Dist., Niagara County, NY, Taken 16 Jan. ED 148, Sheet 6 Line 44; McNair, Caleb C. head, owns free, age 6, married, merchant, general store; Eva A., wife, age 66, married; Walter K., son, age 25, single, agent insurance; Mather, Inez H. dau. (should be step daughter to Caleb) 33, single, clerk, post office; Gadding, Ada C., sister-in-law, 69, single, none (for profession).
Niagara County, NY, book page 842, ( E. T. W Wm. 8 21- 1921) was written at the top of the page sent to us. It told of his birthdate and his mother and father and their death dates. It said he left the farm when he was 24 years old. "In 1875 he embarked in the mercantile business at Gasport, (Niagara , NY) where with the exception of four years, he has been continuously so engaged until the present. He owns the leading general store here, the management of which he entrusts to others, his official duties as postmaster engaging the greater part of his time. " Then it told of his appointments to this position under different presidents. "Mr. McNair has been married twice, first to Hattie OLDS on NOV. 14, 1877, who is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Nellie Urtle, who resides in Lockport, NY. His second marriage took place April 21, 1895, to Eva Gladding Mather, and they have one son, Walter K., now of Lockport . .."
Letter from Donald R. Jerge, Historian of Royalton, Niagara, NY, 8700 Slayton Settlement Road, Gasport, NY 14067-9237 dated 1 Oct 1995, "Caleb McNair lived in Gasport and had the store in the building you may have noticed as you started across the left bridge. In 1894 there was a bad fire in Gasport and the whole block burned including his store. The present building was built immediately after the fire. He was also the Postmaster. [Appointed Post Master under Pres. Cleveland, also Pres. Wilson] I am enclosing a photo copy of his store and also an interior one of the Post office (in another building early). He is the man in the P. O. Photo. . . .Mrs. Urtel's daughter is alive and I talked with her tonight. She is 84. She also has a sister I think in Chicago. Mrs. Strong would like very much to hear from you. Mrs. Justine Strong, 8775 Lakeview Drive, Barker, NY. 14012, Tel. 716-795-3094. Barker is a small village in the twp. of Somersett to the North of me near Lake Ontario. Mrs. Strong knew Milo and I think Wm. but did not know about the girls and maybe not Oliver. . ."
Newspaper article, dated March 29, 1926. Grocer at Gasport Shoots Self Below Heart With Revolver. "Gasport, Mar 29, Caleb McNair, 70 years old, of this village is in a serious condition at his home here from a self-inflicted bullet wound below his heart. Mr. McNair, who has been in poor health, the past winter was found in his garage Saturday moring by his step-daughter Miss Inez Mathers after he had been shot by the means of a revolver. A consultation of doctors was called and it will not be know for several days whether he will recover. Mr. McNair has lived in this vicinity his entire life and is the owner of the grocery store here" Apparently he did not die then because in his wife, Eva's obituary in 1927, a year later, it said she left to mourn her husband. . . When he dies his obituary does not mention a wife left to mourn.
Another article (not dated). "Caleb C. McNair passed away at the family home in Gasport, NY Friday evening. He leaves to mourn two daughters and one son, Mrs. Raymond Urtel of Lockport, Miss Inez Mather of Gasport, and Walter K. McNair; Two brothers, Milo R. McNair of Port Byron, NY and William K. McNair of Middleport, NY; also three grandchildren. . . Burial in Hartland Cem.. [just north of Gasport] with two children who died in infancy. (Article did not have date, but descendant, Mrs. Justine Strong, of Baker, NY, sent the date of 3 Dec 1927. She also said he started a store in Reynolds Basin in 1875. She also gave additional information about the family).
Just below that article was another article about his estate, valued at $2,500 and $2,000 personal property. He left $500 to a step daughter, Inez H. Mather of Gasport and the household goods are divided between the step-daughter and a daughter, Nellie Irene Urtel of the town of Lockport. A son, Walter K. McNair, is left the decedent's automobile and any money due the estate from the town of Royalton for the decedent's services as justice of the peace.
1900 U. S. Census, Niagara , Royalton Town, NY, taken 3 June 1900. ED 87, Sheet 3 Line 41; McNair, Caleb, Head, White, Male, b. July 1853, age 46, married 9 yrs. b. NY, Father b. NY, Mother b. NY, dealer, gen. store; Eva, wife, White Female, b. March 1853 age 47 married 9 yrs. 2 children, 2 alive; Nellie I., dau. white female, b. Apr 1885, age 15 single, b. NY, at school. (she was daughter of first wife, Hattie Olds); Mather, Inez M. daughter-in-law (should be step-daughter as it was Eva's child by her former marriage) b. Feb 1886, age 14, single, at school. (didn't give what state she was born in); McNair, Walter K. son, white male, born July 1894 age 5, b. NYx3 (means parents were born there too).
1910 U. S. Census, Niagara Royalton Twp. ED 133, Sheet 6A, Line 38, taken 21 Apr 1910. McNair, Caleb C., Head of household. age 56 married, twice, 19 years, merchant, general store; Eva, wife age 57 married twice, 19 years. no. of children 3, alive 2; Walter K. son, age 15 single.
1920 U. S. Census, Royalton lst Dist., Niagara County, NY, taken 16 Jan 1920, ED 148, Sheet 6 Line 44; McNair, Caleb C. Head, owns free, age 66 md. merchant, general store; Eva wife, age 66, md.; Walter K. Son, age 25 single, Agent Insurance; Mather, Inez H. dau. (should be step daughter to Caleb) 33, single, clerk, post office; Gadding, Ada C. sister-in-law, 69, single, none (for profession).
Obit: "Eva A. McNair, wife of Caleb C. McNair, passed away Sunday afternoon at family home in Gasport. She leaves to mourn, her husband and two daughters, Mrs. Inez H. Mather (probably should be Miss Mather as that was Eva's married name before she married Caleb) of Gasport, and Mrs. Raymond Urtel of Lockport, and one son, Walter K. McNair of Syracuse, NY., one sister, Ada O. Gladding, and one brother, Milton F. Gladding of Hartland. . .Burial Hartland Central Cem.."
1900 U.. S. Census of Royalton Town, Niagara , NY. Walter is 5 and and in the home of his parents.
1910 U. S. Census of Royalton Twp., Niagara, NY, Walter is 15 and in the home of his parents.
1920 U. S. Census Town of Royalton, Niagara, NY, Walter is 25, single , Agent, Insurance.
He is mentioned in his father's obituary, and estate. Articles had no date, but it was after Mar. of 1926. See father's notes.
Letter dated Oct 25, 1995, Justine Strong, Walter's 83 yr old niece. "No information on Walter. He divorced, remarried and had a child. Living in Pennsylvania in the 1930's".
1900 U. S. Census, Savannah Village, Wayne County, NY. Taken 5 June. ED 124, Sheet 6, Line 61. McNair, Ray, head, b. May 1860, age 40, married, 14 yrs., b. NY. parents b. NY., day laborer, owns home, mtg.; Ella, wife, wf, b. Apr 1866, age 34, married 14 yr., 2 ch. & 2 alive; Bertram, son, b. Feb. 1886, age 13, single at school; Flossie, daughter, b. Apr 1889, age 11 single, at school.
1910 U. S. Census, Savannah Village, Wayne County, NY. Taken 16 Apr. ED 155, Sheet 2B & 3A, Line 99. McNair, Milo R. head, age 49, married once, 24 yr, merchant, owns mtg. home, confectionary; Ella, wife, age 44, married. once 24 yrs., 2 ch & 2 alive; Bertram R., son, 23 single, laborer, odd jobs; Florence L. daughter, 20, single, none (working).
Living in Port Byron, Caruga Co, NY at the time of his brother, Caleb's death. Obit did not have a death date. (Descendant sent the date of 3 Dec 1927).
1920 U. S. Census, Fayette Twp..Waterloo Village, Seneca County, New York. taken 24 Feb. ED109, sheet 14, line 8. McNair, Bert R., head, rents, 32, married, lockmaster canal; Ethel I., wife, 22 or 27.