In different hours...

...a man represents each of several of his ancestors, as if there were seven or eight of us rolled up in each man’s skin,—seven or eight ancestors at least, and they constitute the variety of notes for that new piece of music which his life is.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gravestone Photo: Mariah J. Ritter (1831-1908), McPherson Cemetery, McPherson, KS

Inscription: "Mariah J. Ritter Born Feb. 14 1831, Died Feb. 28 1908"  Mariah was the wife of William Eller (1831- 1895), and they had (at least) three children, Nick Frelow, Elias Franklin 'Frank' and Eliza Eller.

Elbert 'Lum' and Etta Groves Smith

Elbert Columbus 'Lum' Smith (1877-1943) and his wife, Etta Gertrude Groves Smith (1881-1961).

Photo: James (Jim) Monroe Groves 1844-1939

In the second photo, James is the gentleman wearing a medal he received at the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The man on the left is his brother, John (b.1857).

Photo: Sarah Jane Roop (Rupp) 1850-1926

The Ancestor Effect

One more reason that genealogy is important to our families, the development of our kids and their kids, The Ancestor Effect.

Davis Families in Indiana, Lebanon P.O., Jackson Twshp, Boone Co., Enumeration Districts 125 and 126, 1880

In 1880, the township of Jackson was divided into two districts, 125 and 126, for census enumeration. In 1880, the family relationships were recorded, which is extremely helpful in piecing together the kindred puzzles. Below is a list of the Davis families of both, recorded by order of family number. As before, I'll list surname, also age and estimated date of birth, followed by notes.

District 125 (25 pages, 7 separate Davis households)

69

• Heady, Ammon, 69, 1811, farmer
• " Caroline, 48, 1832
• " Percy L., 28, 1852, farming
• " Mary H., 11, 1869
• " Mettie C., 8, 1872
• Davis, William M., 17, 1863, stepson
  

97

• Nicely, George W., 69, 1811, farming
• " Elizabeth, 49, 1831
• " Charley, 17, 1863, grandson
• Davis, Lewis, 11, 1869, stepson

102

• Davis, Thomas, 32, 1848, farming
• " Mary E., 31, 1849
• " Rosa B., 10, 1870
• " Carold c., 6, 1874

105

• Davis, Morning, 65, 1815
• " Jane, 24, 1856
• " Voorhees (m), 15, 1865

107 (family of interest)

• Mallet, Eliza, 40, 1840, widow
• " May A., 23, 1857
• " John W., 19, 1861, farming
• " Louisa I., 16, 1864

108

• Davis, Thomas J., 55, 1825, laborer
• " John R., 20, 1860, Lof..r?
• " Malinda, 17, 1863
• " Margrett, 14, 1866
• " Harriett, 12, 1868

110

• Davis, Morgan, 25, 1855, farming
• " Mary E., 23, 1857

172

• Davis, Wm., M., 26, 1854, farmer
• " Anna, 19, 1861
• " Gracey E., 8 months, Oct 1879

District 126 (21 pages, 6 separate Davis households)

2

• Davis, James H., 28, 1852, lawyer
• " Alice, 20, 1860
• " Myrtal R., 4, 1876
• " Dora A., 2, 1878
• " Lulu, 3 months, 1880

17

• Davis, Hiram, 30, 1850, farm laborer
• " Sarah, 34, 1846
• " Isabelle, 6, 1874
• " William O., 1, 1879

107

• Davis, William, 76, 1804, farmer
• " Susan, 79, 1801

160

• Davis, Ann, 78, 1802, boarder with the Mallet family

165

• Davis, James L., 44, 1836, farmer
• " Sarah, 44, 1836
• " William T., 21, 1859
• " Jesse L., (m), 5, 1875

197

• Davis, Andrew J., 31, 1849, farmer
• " Martha, 23, 1857

William and Susan Davis of the 1870 Jackson, Boone, IN census are represented here 10 years older in 1880 by family 107. Also interesting here is Morning Davis, b. 1815 KY, family 105, because one of Wm and Susan's daughters is named Nancy Morning, an unusual name which suggests a relationship.