Died – Mentzer Emaline Minnick was born near Pittsburg, Pa., Aug 26, 1848, at which place she spent her childhood in the home of her parents, John and Mary Minnick. at the age of 12 years her parents with their five daughters and one sone moved to Kewanee, Ill., where she attend the public schools and grew to young womanhood. On New Year’s day, 1868, she was united in marriage to George Mentzer, living in Kewanee until the pioneer spirit brought them to the state of Kansas where they located on the Mentzer homestead in West Center township in May, 1872. On this place she resided until Feb., 1914, when she moved to Yates Center, where she died Tuesday evening Sept. 13, 1927, at the age of 79 years and 17 days. To this union 8 children were born and grew to manhood and womanhood. On son, Albert C., in 1919, and one daughter, Susie M. Tunnicliffe, in 1908 and her husband in 1912, having preceded her in death. She was raised in a Christian home and early in life she was converted, uniting with the M. E. church in Kewanee, Ill., and later transferring her membership to Peasant View M.E. church in Woodson county, Kansas, and later to Yates Center, of which church she was a faithful member up to her death. She was one of the truly great Christian characters, who lived each day in faith an humility. Although her last days were spent in suffering, she lived in beautiful resignation and patience. She leaves to mourn her passing, her sons, C. O., of Neosho Falls, Kansas; J. F., H. A., P. E. and E. E. of Yates Center, and one daughter, Mrs. Clara E. Williams, of Yates, Center,Kansas, and 38 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Ellen Frink of Shenandoah, Iowa, besides other friends and relatives. Funeral services were held in her memory at the M.E. church, Thursday afternoon, conducted by her pastor, Rev. A. W. Johnson, assisted by the Rev. J. E. Latimer. The pall bearers were six of her grandsons. The body was laid to rest in the family lot by the side of her husband. Thus passes away another of the early pioneers of Woodson county.
Died – Mentzer,” undated clipping, 1927, from unidentified newspaper; Crawford Family Papers, saved by Pauline Briles and passed down to Marcia Philbrick; privately held 2021 by Marcia Crawford Philbrick, 803 N. 8th, Seneca, KS 66538. likely from Yates Center newspaper
Do use notes to help create a narrative report for individuals in your tree? While I’ve seen another researcher talk about his use of this feature, I have to admit that I haven’t taken advantage of the ability to create and incorporate notes into a narrative report.
Having recently corresponded with a DNA match who is the granddaughter of Juanita Mentzer, a first cousin twice removed, I decided to review what information I have on this cousin and experiment with the notes feature. While I don’t excel at ‘narrative’ writing, I did use the notes feature to incorporate additional information from the sources, including some of the obituaries of her siblings.
Juanita Winnifred Mentzer was born on 20 May 1923 in Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas.1–9 The family shared the news of the birth of a daughter in the Woodson County Journal on May 31 1923.
“A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Mentzer at their home near Yates Center, on May 20, 1923. All well.”
“Local News,” Woodson County Journal (Yates Center, Kansas), 31 May 1923, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 22 June 2022).
She lived in Center Township, Woodson, Kansas, United States in 1925.10 Juanita Mentzer was listed as Jennett Mentzer, a three year old female in the household of E. E. Mentzer on the 1925 Kansas Census.
She lived in Center Township, Woodson, Kansas, United States on 4 Apr 1930.11 Juanita W. Mentzer was listed as a 6 year old daughter in the household of Ernest E. Mentzer. According to the census, Juanita was born in Kansas.
In 1939, Juanita was educated at Yates Center High School in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States.12
She lived in Center Township, Woodson, Kansas, United States in 1940.13 Juanita Mentzer was listed as a 16 year old daughter in the household of Earnest and Edith Mentzer.
She lived in Wichita, Sedgwick, Kansas, United States on 26 Apr 1949.14 On 2 Sep 1949, Juanita graduated from at Wesley Nursing School in Wichita, Sedgwick, Kansas, United States.2,15
“Wesley Graduates Class,” the Wichita Beacon (Wichita, KS), 3 September 1949, page 2; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 22 June 2022).
Juanita Winnifred Mentzer and Charles Baldwin obtained a marriage license in Oct 1951 in Allen County, Kansas.20 The Iola Register reported the issuance of a marriage license to Charles F. Baldwin, 23 of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts and Juanita W. Mentzer, 27 of Yates Center
They were married on 12 Sep 1952 in Coffeyville, Montgomery, Kansas, United States.21–23 The marriage of Juanita Mentzer to Charles Baldwin was chronicled in the Massachusetts newspaper:
“Charles F Baldwin Married in Kansas West Stockbridge — Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Mentzer of Yates Center, Kan, have announced the marriage of their daughter, Juanita to Charles F. Baldwin of Tulsa, Okla., son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl M. Baldwin of West Stockbridge.”
“Charles F Baldwin married in Kansas,” The Berkshire County Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), 24 September 1952, Page 10; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 9 December 2020).
She lived in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States in 1986.16–17
Juanita and her husband were divorced in 1987 in Middlesex, Connecticut, United States.24
She lived in Connecticut, United States in 1988.18 The obituary of Donald D. Mentzer of Reno, Nevada identifies his living siblings.
“Donald Dumond Mentzer, to, died Thursday at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. A native of Yates center, Kan., he was born March 6, 1928 and had been a Reno resident for the past 22 years, coming from Salt Lake City. Mentzer was owner of Mentzer Detroit Diesels and had been an Army veteran. His father, E. E., died in 1964, mother, Edith, in 1961, brother Edward in 1987. A sister and two brothers also preceded him in death. Surviving are his widow, Nadine, sons, Alan, Gary, Lynn, daughter, Beverly Ballard, and a brother, Keith, all of Reno; brothers, Tye of Iowa, Austina and Burdette both of Kansas and Norryce of Washington; sister Juanita Baldwin of Connecticut; and six grandchildren.”
“Donald D. Mentzer,” Reno Gazette-Journal (Reno, Nevada), 19 February 1988, page 28; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 26 January 2020).
Juanita lived in Connecticut, United States in 1997.19 The obituary of Austin Mentzer of Ensign, Kansas identifies his living siblings.
“Mentzer, Austin M., 81, retired farmer and stockman, died Friday, June 13, 1997. Service 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Ensign Methodist Church. Survivors: wife, Vanita; son, Richard, daughter, Cynthia Hamilton, both of Ensign; brothers, e. tye of Newton, Keith of Reno, Nev., Burdette of Yates Center, Norryce Wenachee, Wash.; sister, Juanita Baldwin of Higgman, Conn.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Memorials have been established with Ensign United Methodist Church and Hospital of the Prairie. Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City.”
“Ensign,” The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kansas), 16 June 1997, page 10; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 12 March 2022).
She died on 5 Apr 2009 at the age of 85 in Middlesex, Connecticut, United States.2,5–8 She was buried at Yates Center Cemetery in Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas.2,8 Her obituary in the Hartford Courant chronicles her life.
Juanita “Jo” (Mentzer) Baldwin, 85, formerly of High Meadow Place, Haddam, passed away Sunday (April 5, 2009) at Middlesex Health Care Center. She was born on May 20, 1923 In Yates Center, KS, the daughter of the late Ernest and Edith (Dumond) Mentzer. Juanita was a Registered Nurse, who worked at many area health care facilities. She was a member of participated in the choir of the First Congregational Church of Haddam. She is survived by her four daughters, E. Ann Baldwin and Robert Ponko, Jr. of Higganum, Edith Amelia Baldwin and Paul Maywood of Haddam, J. Beth Baldwin and Philip Delegan of Middletown, and Charlene F. Baldwin and Bradley West of Phoenix, AZ; three grandchildren; Case and Ashley Crabb, and Chelsey Mia Baldwin-West and a beloved and extended family throughout the United States. Juanita’s family would like to express their gratitude to all those in the community for their loving care and support. Jo will always be remembered for her gentle and loving spirit. Campbell Funeral Home of Yates Center, KS, has care of the funeral services and burial in Yates Center, KS. A memorial service to honor and celebrate her life will be held at a later date at the First Congregational Church of Haddam, 905 Saybrook Rd., Haddam, CT 06438, Middlesex Health Care Center, Resident Fund, 100 Randolph Rd., Middletown, CT 06457 or Woodson County Foundation Fund, PO Box 160 Yates Center, KS 66783.
“Baldwin, Juanita “Jo” M,” Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut), 8 April 2009, Page C07; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 24 January 2020).
ENDNOTES:
1. 1930 U.S. Census, Woodson County, Kansas, population Schedule, [CivilDivision], [ED], [PageID] Image [Image] of [ImageTotal], [HouseholdID], [Person]; digital iamge, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : [AccessType] [AccessDate]); NARA T626. [FileNumber]
2. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online May 2018), memorial for Juanita Jo Mentzer Baldwin (1923-2009), Find a Grave Memorial no. #35859208, created by RisingSun, citing Yates Center Cemetery, Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas; accompanying photograph by RisingSun, Juanita Jo Mentzer Baldwin.
3. “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1,” Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (May 2018), Juanita M Baldwin.
4. Voter Registration Lists Public Record Filings, Historical Residential Records and other Household Database Listings, “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2,” index, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online May 2018), Juanita M Baldwin.
5. Social Security Administration, “U.S. Social Security Death Index,” database, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online May 2018), Juanita M. Baldwin, , before 1951.
7. “Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2012,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (May 2018), Juanita M Baldwin.
8. “Baldwin, Juanita “Jo” M,” Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut), 8 April 2009, Page C07; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 24 January 2020).
9. “Local News,” Woodson County Journal (Yates Center, Kansas), 31 May 1923, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 22 June 2022).
10. 1925 Kansas census, Woodson County Kansas, State Census, Center Township, Woodson County, Kansas, page 5 Image [Image] of [ImageTotal], household 37, E. E. Mentzer; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online April 2017)
11. 1930 U.S. Census, Woodson County, Kansas, population Schedule, Center Township, Woodson County, Kansas, ED 2, sheet 1B Image [Image] of [ImageTotal], household 12, Earnest E Mentzer; digital iamge, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online April 2017); NARA T626
12. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Juanita Mentzer, 1939; digital images, (www.ancestry.com : viewed online May 2017).
13. 1940, Woodson County Kansas, population, Center Township, Woodson, Kansas, enumeration district (ED) ED 104-2, Sheet 3A, household 48, Earnest O Mentzer; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online April 2017); National Archives adn Recods Administration, 1940.T627.
14. “Neosho Falls News Item,” The Iola Register (Iola, Kansas), 26 April 1949; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online August 2018).
15. “Wesley Graduates Class,” the Wichita Beacon (Wichita, KS), 3 September 1949, page 2; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 22 June 2022).
16. “Deaths and Services,” The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kansas), 11 October 1986, page 16; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 22 June 2022).
17. “Obituaries – George Edward Mentzer”, Yates Center News, (Yates Center, Kansas), 16 October 1986, page 8, microfilm; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS.
18. “Donald D. Mentzer,” Reno Gazette-Journal (Reno, Nevada), 19 February 1988, page 28; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 26 January 2020).
19. “Ensign,” The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kansas), 16 June 1997, page 10; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 12 March 2022).
20. “Court News,” The Iola Register (Iola, Kansas), 1 October 1951, page 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 24 January 2020).
21. , History of Woodson County Kansas (Dallas, Texas: Curtis Media Corporation, 1987), “Mentzer, George Family” p. 198-199.
22. , History of Woodson County Kansas, “Mentzer, Ernest E.” p. 197.
23. “Charles F Baldwin married in Kansas,” The Berkshire County Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), 24 September 1952, Page 10; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 9 December 2020).
24. “Connecticut, Divorce Index, 1968-1997,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (26 January 2020), Juanita Baldwin; Connecticut Divorce Index, 1968-1997. Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Marriage licenses issued: Oct. 19, Hiram Underhill, Neosho Falls, and Miss Charlotte Tarman, Iola. Oct. 28, Philip E. Mentzer and miss Anna M. Schoepflin both of Yates Center
“Marriage Licenses,” The Neosho Falls Post (Neosho Falls, Kansas), 26 October 1905, page 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 19 June 2022).
Married Mentzer – Schoepflin – At the residence of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. Schoepflin, Mr. Philip E. Mentzer to Miss Annie M. Schoepflin, both of Yates Center, Rev. C. W. Bailey officiating. The News extends best wishes. They were married Oct. 25, 1905.
“Married,” The Yates Center News (Yates Center, Kansas), 27 October 1905, page 5; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 19 June 2022).
Philip Mentzer made this office a pleasant call Monday afternoon and had his name added to The Advocate list of subscribers. He also left copy for the announcement of his marriage to Miss Anna Schoepflin Wednesday, Oct. 25. Thus another young couple starts life right by patronizing the printer.
“Local,” Woodson County Advocate (Yates Center, Kansas), 27 October 1905, page 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 19 June 2022).
Married At the residence of the bride’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Mentzer’s four miles northwest of town, on Thursday evening April 2nd, 1903. Miss Clara Edith Mentzer and John Williams were united in marriage by Rev. C. W. Bailey, in the presence of only near relatives. The happy couple will reside on the Waltermire farm south of town.
“Married,” Woodson County Advocate (Yates Center, Kansas), 10 April 1903, page 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 11 March 2022).
Married Williams — Mentzer — At the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Mentzer, northwest of town, Thursday evening, April 2, 1903, Rev. C. W. Bailey officiating, Mr. John W. Williams and Miss Clara E. Mentzer. In addition to the families of both parties, only Miss May Litton, of Yates Center, was present to witness the ceremony. Mr. Williams is the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Williams of Turkey creek, and is a sturdy, industrious young man. The Bride is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo W. Menter, of Center township, and is a very popular young lady with all her acquaintances. The new married couple are at home to their friends on the Waltermire farm south of Yates Center, where they are very nicely and comfortable located. The News extends best wishes.
“Married,” The Yates Center News (Yates Center, Kansas), 10 April 1903, page 5; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 19 June 2022).
The marriage of Clarence Albert “Bert” Mentzer and Grace Graham is chronicled in three newspapers in Woodson County, Kansas. Each version provides a different clue about the couple.
Married Mentzer – Graham Mr. Bert Mentzer and Miss Grace Graham were married at the Methodist parsonage Wednesday evening by the Rev. W. L. French. These young people are well and favorably known to the most of our people. Mrs. Mentzer is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Graham living northwest of town. Mr. Mentzer has grown to manhood in the county and is the youngest son of Mrs. George Mentzer. He is a graduate of our high school and is a prosperous farmer. We extend to this young couple the best wishes of the Advocate for a happy and prosperous wedded life.
“Married,” Woodson County Advocate (Yates Center, Kansas), 9 May 1913, page 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 19 June 2022).
Married Mentzer – Graham Clarence Albert Mentzer and Miss Grace Graham were married in the Methodist parsonage Wednesday afternoon, May 7, 1913, Rev. W. L. French officiating. Bert Mentzer is one of West Center township’s best young men and his wife is one of the most popular and worthy young ladies of the north side of the township. She is the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Graham. Both have a large circle of admiring friends who will join The News in extending best wishes. They will be at home to their friends on the Mentzer farm in West Center township where Bert was born and raised.
“Married,” The Yates Center News (Yates Center, Kansas), 9 May 1913, page 4; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 19 June 2022).
Another Home Instituted
Clarence Albert Mentzer and Miss Grace Graham were married at the parsonage of the Methodist church of Yates Center, Kansas by the pastor, Rev. W. L. French, Wednesday, May 7, 1913. The bride is the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Graham, who live near town. She is a most attractive young woman, and by her charm of manner and her native goodness of heart has won the warm regard of all who know her. “Bert” Mentzer is one of the successful farmers of Woodson county, is practicing to update methods of farming, and is a public spirited and generous hearted citizen — one of Woodson’s best. These two young people begin their home-building with the best wishes of their large circle of friends.
“Another Home Instituted,” Woodson County Journal (Yates Center, Kansas), 15 May 1913, page 7; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 19 June 2022).
Have you ever wanted a quick, easy way to build a F.A.N (friends, acquaintances and neighbors) club list? If so, have you tried the ‘Local News’ columns in the newspapers? I just found a story about a 25th anniversary party for Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Mentzer.
Sunday, March 28th, being the 25th anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Mentzer of West Center, their relatives, friends and neighbors to the number of one hundred and twenty gathered at their home and with well filled baskets helped them to celebrate the event. A bounteous dinner was served cafeteria style by the guests to which all did justice. Music was furnished by the young people and just before leaving, Mr. R. V. Green, in behalf of all present, presented a plate of silver to Mr. and Mrs. Mentzer to be used as a remembrance of the occasion. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Mentzer, C. O. Mentzer, Ike Terrill,, Clint Wells, Frank Dawson, J. Jackson, E. E. Mentzer, J. W. Williams, P. E. Mentzer, H. A. Mentzer, H. A. Wrampe, Lee Easum, H. K. Weide, Wesley Weide, Harry Bacon and families, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Vaughn, Ed Lewis, Chris Herold, Lewis Wrampe, Van Valkenburg, R. V. Greene, Mrs. Emma Mentzer, Mary Horney, Susie Cope, Grace Mentzer, Misses Catherine Lewis, Lulu Herold, Mary, Alvena and Emma Wrampe, Flossie VanValkenburg, and M. E. Minnick Mr. August Wrampe, Logan Lewis, Lee Horney, Ed Herold, Clarence Wrampe, Harry Easum, Paul Weide, Arthur Bacon, John and Leon VanValkenburg and Judge Cope.
“Clubs and Society,” Woodson County Advocate (Yates Center, Kansas), 2 April 1920, page 8; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 3 April 2022).
Have you ever found a record on Find a Grave that you think might be an ancestor’s sibling but can’t find that one document to prove it? That’s where I stand with the record for Elizabeth Minnick.
Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 3 April 2022), memorial for Elizabeth Minnick (? – 1926), Find a Grave Memorial no. 13324222, created by Travis Campbell, citing Yates Center Cemetery, Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas;, Elizabeth Minnick.
I think the Elizabeth Minnick buried in Yates Center, Kansas is Mary Elizabeth Minnick, daughter of John and Elizabeth Minnick of Henry County, Illinois. If so, then she would be the sister of my great-grandmother, Emeline Minnick Mentzer.
Even though the cemetery record provides a death year, I have not been able to find an obituary in the Woodson County, Kansas papers nor in the Henry County, Illinois papers. Thus, I don’t have a document verifying this relationship.
However, I do have census records that place Mary E. Minnick in Woodson County, Kansas. In 1915, Mary E Minnick was living in the household of Mrs. Emeline Mentzer in Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas.
1915 Kansas Census, Woodson County, 1905 State Census, Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas, page 33 Image 65 of 150, family 284, Mrs. Emeline Mentzer; digital image, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 17 May 2021); Kansas State Historical Society
Again in 1920, Mary E Minnick is listed in the household of Emaline Mentzer. This census record identifies Mary E. Minnick as a sister of Emaline Mentzer.
1920 U.S. Census, Woodson County, Kansas, population schedule, Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas, ED 160, Sheet 11B, household 276, Mentzer Emaline; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T625
Again in 1925, Mary E Minnick was listed as a sister to Emeline Mentzer in the Woodson County, Kansas census.
1925 Kansas census, Woodson County Kansas, State Census, Yates Center, Woodson County, KS, page 18 Image 68 of 121, family 596, Emiline Mentzer; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 17 May 2021)
All of the census records refer to Emeline Mentzer’s sister as Mary E. Minnick and not as Lizzie. However, in 1924, a death notice appears in the Woodson County Journal for a niece of Emeline. This article also identifies Lizzie Minnick.
Mrs. W. F. Stotler, a niece of Mrs. George Mentzer and Miss Lizzie Minnick, died June 15 at her home in Shenanadoan, Iowa.
“Local News,” Woodson County Journal (Yates Center, Kansas), 26 June 1924, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 3 April 2022).
I don’t have an obituary or a death certificate to confirm that the Lizzie Minnick buried in 1926 in Yates Center is in fact the sister of Emeline Minnick Mentzer. However, the census and newspaper records support the possibility that the Lizzie Minnick buried in Yates Center is Mary E. Minnick, sister of Emeline Minnick.
Has a census record ever helped you identify a new spouse? The 1950 census record for what appears to be my great grandfather may do just that. It shows an 80 year old E G Briles with a 72 year old wife named Anna living in Yates Center, Kansas.
1950 U.S. Census, Woodson County, Kansas, population schedule, Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas, ED 104-14, page 11 Image 11 of 25, line 21, E. G. Briles; digital images, National Archives (1950census.archives.gov : viewed online 1 April 2022)
E. G. Briles’ age and location in the census are in line with what I already knew about my great grandfather. Edward Grant Briles was born in July 1869 in Coffey County, Kansas. Thus, he would have been 80 years old in May of 1950. Thanks to the Ancestry database, Kansas, U.S., City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, I’ve found him living in Yates Center, Kansas in 1948.
Kansas, City and County Census Records 1919-1961, Yates Center, 1948; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2017). Original Source: Population Schedules and Statistical Rolls: Cities (1919-1961).
This same database tells me that Anna M Briles was living in Yates Center with 2 people in the household in 1949 and 1950. Unlike previous years in these census records, the 1950 census recorded the street address which matches the address found for E. G. Briles on the 1950 federal census record. AND, there is no mention of an Edward Briles or an E. G. Briles on these Kansas census records living in Yates Center in 1949 or 1950.
Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, Anna M. Briles, 1 March 1950; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 3 April 2022). Original Source: Kansas State Board of Agriculture.
These census records suggest that Edward G. Briles remarried sometime after the 1948 census was taken and when the 1949 census was taken. However, none of the records associated with Edward Briles’ death in July 1951 mention this second wife.
For example, his obituary published in the Emporia Gazette identifies his four children and states that his wife, Artie, died in May 1947.
Ed Briles Dead Ed Briles, of Yates Center, died Monday evening at 6 o’clock at St. Mary’s hospital. He was the father of E. O. Briles, 924 Constitution. Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Mr. Briles was born July 18, 1867 in LeRoy, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Briles. He and Artie Ricketts were married and she preceded him in death in Yates Center in May, 1947. Survivors are two sons, E. O. Briles, 924 Constitution; Glenn Briles, of Yates Center; two daughters, Mrs. Ethel Darby, of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Lulu Cope, of Yates Center; a sister, Mrs. Angie Barr, of Burlington, and seven grandchildren.
“Ed Briles Dead,” obituary, The Emporia Gazette (Emporia, Kansas), 2 August 1951, p. 4; Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online July 2018).
A different obituary was published in the Yates Center newspaper. It also makes no mention of a second wife while providing details about his wife, Artie and their children.
E. G. Briles E. G. Briles, son of Noah and Sarah Briles, was born on a farm in the Crandall vicinity, west of Le Roy, Kans. He passed away in St. Mary’s hospital, Emporia, Kans. On July 23, 1951, at the age of 82 years and five days. He was married to Artie Ricketts on February 19, 1890, who preceded him in death on April 28, 1947. Their four children survive: namely: E. O. Briles of Emporia, Kans. Mrs. Ethel Darby of Los Angeles, Calif., Glen Briles and Mrs. Lulu Cope, Yates Center, also a sister, Mrs. Angie Barr of Burlington Kans.; and seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. His entire life was spent within a radius of 25 miles of his birthplace. He was engaged in farming as long as his health would permit, and after moving to Yates Center, he engaged in carpentering. Services were held at the Campbell Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, July 25, conducted by Miles C. Cool, “No Night There” and “Beyond the Sunset” were sung by H. E. Redfearn, Nr. With Charlene Morris as accompanist. Casketbearers were Leonard Massoth, Leonard Turner, Harry Ashley, N. L. Briles, August Flake and E. B. Lake. Burial was in the Crandall cemetery.
“E. G. Briles”, Yates Center News, (Yates Center, Kansas), 2 August 1951, page 5, microfilm; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS.
In the probate court records for the estate of Francis Artlissa Ricketts Briles and her husband, Eddie G. Briles, the Decree of Descent identifies the four children and indicates that “E. G. Briles, aka Eddie G. Briles had no spouse … who survived him other than the persons above named” (i.e. the 4 children)
Since the obituary and probate records do not name a second wife, I now have a puzzle to solve regarding the 1950 census record. For now, I see two possible solutions to this puzzle.
The E. G. Briles in the 1950 U.S. Census might be a different E. G. Briles
E. G. Briles may have been married to Anna, but she likely died prior to his death in July of 1951.
To help figure out whether my great-grandfather had a second wife, I am writing the Woodson County Clerk to see if there is a marriage record for an Eddie Briles between 1948 and 1950.
I have also identified a possible ‘Anna’ in the Find a Grave records for Woodson County, Kansas. I then located this person on FamilySearch. While this is a long shot, I have messaged contributors to Anna’s profile on FamilySearch to see if they knew anything about a possible marriage to an Edward Briles. I may also need to schedule a trip to the Kansas State Historical Society to read the newspaper microfilm for 1948 to 1951.
Calling all Mentzer descendants, particularly the Massachusetts branch:
Mentzer Family Reunion Yates Center Kansas June 18, 2022 Noon Community Building
Check out the Mentzer Family Facebook group for additional information as June draws closer.
The Kansas branch of the family descend from George and Emeline (Minnick) Mentzer. George Mentzer was born in Massachusetts and married in Henry County, Illinois before migrating to Woodson County, Kansas where he settled. Descendants still farm in the Woodson and Allen county area.
“Boys and Mom” – Emeline Mentzer with sons: Charley, Fred, Philip, Henry and Ernie
Emeline Minnick Mentzer
The Massachusetts branch descends from Phillip Andrew Mentzer (1793-1845) and his wife Orinda Miles (1798-1861). Source information for the Phillip Mentzer family and his descendants can be found on my Ancestry tree. Below is information regarding descendants of this couple down four generations.
1-Phillip Andrew Mentzer-1697 b: about March 1793 d: 19 December 1845, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States +Orinda Miles-1698 b: 14 January 1798, Gardner, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States m: 23 May 1816 d: 18 October 1861, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States
. . . . . 2-William Andrew Mentzer-1731 b: 2 October 1816, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 22 November 1889, Harvard, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . +Caroline Mossman-1732 b: about 1815 m: 28 April 1839, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 28 November 1874, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Caroline E. Mentzer-1801 b: 9 February 1840, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 4 November 1858, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-William A. Mentzer-1805 b: 7 November 1841, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Sarah Carter Robinson-21361 b: 16 February 1844, Wakefield, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Albert C. Mentzer-21362 b: 9 January 1870, Hudson, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 1944, Florida, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Nellie May Mentzer-21363 b: 1 December 1868, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States d: 23 December 1901, Boxborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Moses Henry Mentzer-1804 b: 19 October 1843, Westminster, Middlesex County, Massuchesetts d: 26 July 1935, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Mary F Gould-9713 b: 4 November 1848, Woonsocket, Providence, Rhode Island, United States m: 27 November 1867, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 11 February 1935, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-William Sheldon Mentzer-9720 b: 28 December 1869, Auburn, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 31 July 1896, Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Emma E Mentzer-9717 b: 20 November 1871, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 13 November 1951, Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Charles Sumner Mentzer-15636 b: 2 March 1874, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 26 June 1952, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Moses Henry Mentzer Jr-15640 b: 15 March 1876, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-John Herbert Mentzer-15639 b: 6 March 1879, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 25 March 1956, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Lucy E. Mentzer-9727 b: about 1881, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 27 September 1881, Bolton, Tolland, Connecticut, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Cora Louisa Mentzer-15637 b: 25 April 1882, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 1960 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Mary Frances Gould Mentzer-18249 b: 10 November 1884, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 8 March 1888, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Infant Mentzer-18250 b: 1888 d: 1888 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Francis Arthur Gould Mentzer-15638 b: 25 July 1890, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 22 July 1978, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Edward C. Mentzer-1802 b: 26 February 1846, Westminster, Middlesex County, Massuchesetts . . . . . . . . . . 3-Georgianna Mentzer-1803 b: 21 December 1848, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: April 1850, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Samuel B. Mentzer-6641 b: 12 August 1855, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 1932, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Abbie M. Hale-9716 b: about 1848, Winchendon, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States m: 14 December 1898, Acton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Louisa Blanchard Mentzer-6642 b: about 1850, Massachusetts, United States d: 9 September 1876, New Hampshire, United States . . . . . . . . . . +James Henry Bemis-6643 b: 27 May 1846, Marlborough, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States m: 7 August 1871, Keene, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States d: 1917 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Hervey J. Bemus-6645 b: 25 February 1874, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 13 February 1956 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Leon Melville Bemus-6644 b: 7 September 1872, Marlborough, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States d: 1945 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-May Louise Bemus-6646 b: 15 April 1875, Keene, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States . . . . . . . . . . +James Henry Bemis-21360 b: 27 May 1846, Marlborough Twp, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States d: 1917 . . . . . +Julia A. Foskett-8710 m: 5 January 1875, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . +Mary Marshall-9710 m: 30 December 1881, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States .
. . . . 2-Agnus Mentzer-1727 b: 14 December 1817, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: before 1900
. . . . . 2-Cyrus Mentzer-1726 b: 14 December 1817, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 13 June 1892, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . +Mary Salome Fay-1733 b: about 1812, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States m: 23 March 1843, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 18 December 1892, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Cyrus H. Mentzer-4597 b: 23 January 1844, Sterling, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 23 March 1919, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Irene P. Harris-6667 m: 24 June 1885, Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Abbie Martha Nelson-9719 m: 21 March 1872, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-H. Augusta Mentzer-6647 b: 1846, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Lydia Augusta Mentzer-4525 b: 29 March 1846, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 20 November 1912, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Walter Valentine-6668 b: 1840, Massachusetts, United States m: 30 April 1867, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 1920 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Clinton Valentine-6699 b: 10 April 1873, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 8 October 1873, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Ernest Montford Valentine-6669 b: 12 September 1868, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 1948 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Mary Crawford Valentine-6670 b: 24 January 1870, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Charles Elmer Valentine-6677 b: 31 October 1871, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-May Edith Valentine-6695 b: 9 January 1877, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 15 January 1968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Everett Cyrus Valentine-6696 b: 14 May 1879, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 15 December 1967 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Celia Mabel Valentine-6697 b: 28 May 1881, Massachusetts, United States d: 1965 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Elmer Valentine-6700 b: 19 January 1885, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 18 November 1962, Monterey, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Wilford Valentine-6711 b: 27 December 1886, Massachusetts, United States d: 11 August 1958 . . . . . . . . . . 3-Mary Ellen Mentzer-6648 b: 29 May 1851, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Elliot Sawyer-6731 m: 26 March 1874, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Florence Augusta Sawyer-6732 . . . . . . . . . . +Watrous Garnsey-18190 b: 6 September 1842, Richmond Twp,Cheshire,New Hampshire d: 24 April 1907, Blackstone,,Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . 3-Thornton Everett Mentzer-6649 b: 12 June 1854, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 20 April 1920, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Mary Eunice Mack-6733 b: April 1865, Massachusetts, United States m: 21 May 1887, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 1942 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Everett Cornelius Mentzer-6734 b: 4 April 1889, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 9 September 1976, Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Albert Williams Mentzer-6746 b: 31 October 1890, Boylston, Massachussetts, United States d: 1 February 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Leila Crawford Mentzer-6747 b: 24 July 1892, Boylston, Massachussetts, United States d: 10 April 1990, Windham, Windham, Connecticut, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Miriam Eleanor Mentzer-6754 b: 28 January 1894, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 10 October 1987, Spokane, Spokane, Washington, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Clara “Jennie” Mentzer-6749 b: 21 September 1895, Massachusetts, United States d: 11 April 1994, Eureka, Lincoln, Montana, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Eunice Mentzer-6756 b: 11 July 1897, Massachusetts, United States d: 4 January 1994, Windham, Windham, Connecticut, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Emma Pendergast Mentzer-6758 b: 18 March 1857, Massachusetts, United States d: 23 December 1949, Hudson, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Lyman Morse-6759 m: 4 April 1882, Berlin, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 12 February 1891, Berlin, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Dr. James L. Harriman-6760 m:
. . . . . 2-John Mentzer-1729 b: 24 January 1820, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 24 February 1864, Brighton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts . . . . . +Olive P. Pierce-9723 b: 12 August 1825, Hiram, Oxford, Maine, United States m: d: 29 January 1901, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Ann Augusta Mentzer-9725 b: February 1846, Brighton, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States d: 24 November 1855, Brighton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . 3-John Francis Mentzer-10445 b: 5 August 1847, Brighton, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States d: 25 July 1910, Melrose, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Louisa Mentzer-6652 b: about 1852, Massachusetts, United States d: 14 October 1917, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Frederick H. Cushman-9724 b: 23 April 1850, Portland, Cumberland, Maine, United States m: 15 June 1882, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States d: 25 September 1889, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Walter Mentzer-10446 b: 27 May 1855, Brighton, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-George C Mentzer-6650 b: May 1855, Brighton, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States d: 27 December 1927, Melrose, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Amy G. Lynde-9722 b: about 1865 m: 27 September 1888, Everett, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States
. . . . . 2-Orinda Mentzer-1730 b: 13 March 1822, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 1 April 1859, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . +Charles L. Pierce-5155 b: 31 October 1818, Boylston, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States m: 22 April 1844, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 5 May 1892, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-EdwardArthur Pierce-6653 b: 3 April 1853, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 8 September 1893, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Annie Skinner-21411 b: 26 January 1859, Nova Scotia, Canada m: 30 March 1882, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 1 April 1917, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Blanche Marion Pierce-21412 b: 13 May 1889, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 14 August 1969, Santa Cruz, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Arthur Skinner Pierce-21413 b: 14 March 1887, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 3 March 1909, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Charles Edward Pierce-21414 b: 19 March 1892, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 17 July 1945, North Kansas City, Clay, Missouri, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Ernest Lincoln Pierce-21415 b: 2 June 1885, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 29 August 1966, Ventura, Ventura, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Mary A Pierce-21416 b: 28 January 1883, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 15 December 1953, Santa Cruz, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Charles Francis Pierce-6654 b: 14 June 1844, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 24 January 1923, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Florece Gertrude Keyes-21407 m: 4 August 1887, West Boylston, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Francis Nichols Pierce-21417 b: 26 April 1888, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 8 March 1889, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Caroline Texas Mclellan-21418 b: 27 February 1847, Bloomingburg, Sullivan, New York, United States m: d: 24 December 1884, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-John McLellan Pierce-21419 b: 1 October 1878, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: . . . . . . . . . . 3-Albert Henry Pierce-21408 b: 4 November 1846, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 1 August 1847, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-George A Pierce-21409 b: 19 December 1848, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 28 August 1849, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-William Oliver Pierce-21410 b: 20 March 1859, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 1 April 1859, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
. . . . . 2-Charles Lewis Mentzer-1725 b: 17 October 1824, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 28 April 1868, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . +Lucy Brewer-5154 m: 9 January 1850, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Walter Charles Mentzer-5731 b: 26 October 1852, Bradys Bend, Armstrong, Pennsylvania, United States d: 28 January 1936, Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Clara Belle Thurston-21421 b: 28 June 1859, Orange, Orange, Vermont, United States d: 13 February 1927 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Charles Almond Mentzer-6655 b: 5 November 1877, Massachusetts, United States d: 28 May 1925, Waterbury, Washington, Vermont, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Albert Francis Mentzer-5732 b: 10 February 1855, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 24 May 1923, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Susie F. Coldwell-9728 b: about 1855 m: 31 March 1874, Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 7 January 1930, Portland, Cumberland, Maine, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Angie Mentzer-6657 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Lewis Oliver Mentzer-6661 b: 27 January 1886, Massachusetts, United States d: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Ida J. Mentzer-6660 b: about 1880 d: 22 November 1892, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Ruth Eveline Mentzer-21424 b: 14 November 1891, Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 15 January 1893, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Albert F Mentzer-21425 b: 1882 d: 18 January 1885, , , Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Ida J. Mentzer-9726 b: 1860 d: 19 May 1869, Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States
. . . . . 2-Rufus Mentzer-1722 b: 26 February 1828, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 16 May 1905 . . . . . +Anna Eliza Pollard-5720 b: 18 March 1831 m: d: 18 December 1898 . . . . . . . . . . 3-Herbert Mentzer-5721 b: 26 February 1854, Pennsylvania, United States d: 14 January 1914 . . . . . . . . . . +Addie Hinchman-21436 b: April 1860, Kansas, United States d: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Jean Elizabeth Mentzer-21437 b: 23 November 1890, Colorado, United States d: March 1974, Boulder, Boulder, Colorado . . . . . . . . . . 3-Laura E. Mentzer-5722 b: 1 May 1860, Illinois, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Rinear-21434 b: about 1856, of Illinois, United States d: . . . . . . . . . . +Jeremiah Garrard-21435 b: 29 January 1845, Warren, Ohio, United States m: 10 June 1916, Indiana, United States d: . . . . . . . . . . 3-Arthur Mentzer-8711 b: about 1869, Illinois, United States
. . . . . 2-Hannah Augusta Mentzer-1728 b: 2 June 1830, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: before 1900 . . . . . +_____ Stratton-6662 m: . . . . . . . . . . 3-Ida Stratton-6663
. . . . . 2-Abigail Mentzer-1724 b: 9 April 1833, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 9 April 1834, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States
. . . . . 2-Sarah A. Mentzer-1723 b: 12 February 1835, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 3 May 1918, Boylston, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . +Henry Stiles-17120 m: 18 May 1869, Northborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . +Edward F Green-5677 m: 28 March 1871, Berlin, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . +Henry Oman-6664 m: 27 February 1855, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 1 August 1863, Vicksburg, Warren, Mississippi, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Alice Oman-6666 b: 1859, Illinois, United States d: 1934, Westborough . . . . . . . . . . +Abbott T. Wheeler-18297 b: April 1858, Massachusetts, United States m: 14 September 1878, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States d: 1938, Pinellas, Florida, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Agnes Luella Wheeler-18301 b: 18 May 1879, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 1973 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Forrest Eugene Wheeler-18300 b: 18 October 1880, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 23 November 1960, Saint Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Cora Augusta Wheeler-18298 b: 29 September 1888, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 17 March 1889, Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Clara Abbie Wheeler-18299 b: 24 September 1890, Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States d: 20 May 1987, Brewster, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Henry Oman-6665 b: about 1863, Illinois, United States
. . . . . 2-George Mentzer-1694 b: 12 June 1838, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States d: 19 January 1912, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . +Emeline Minnick-1695 b: 26 August 1848, Pittsburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania m: 1 January 1868, Kewanee, Henry, Illinois, United States d: 13 September 1927, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Charles Oliver Mentzer-1709 b: 1 July 1869, Kewanee, Henry, Illinois, United States d: 15 August 1955, Newman Hospital, Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Nettie Adell Wells-1710 b: 5 February 1873, Woodson, Kansas, United States m: 18 October 1893, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 9 February 1939, Neosho Falls, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Gladys Olive Mentzer-1711 b: 9 July 1894, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 2 June 1977, Kansas Christian Home, Newton, Harvey, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Paul Emory Mentzer-1712 b: 28 March 1896, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 14 August 1942, Charles Maxwell Hospital, Lamar, Prowers, Colorado, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Pauline Edith Mentzer-9796 b: 28 March 1896, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 16 July 1984, Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Leslie George Mentzer-1713 b: 23 August 1898, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 19 April 1988, Countryside Estates, Iola, Allen, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Herbert Wells Mentzer-1714 b: 20 July 1900, a farm northwest of Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 25 March 1977, Allen County Hospital, Iola, Allen, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-John Frederick Mentzer-1721 b: 3 March 1871, Kewanee, Henry, Illinois, United States d: 16 May 1943, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Anna May Wells-1720 b: 12 June 1868, Pleasant Hill (historical), Van Buren, Iowa, United States m: 27 March 1895, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 7 May 1938, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Hazel Adell Mentzer-1750 b: 19 May 1896, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 24 January 1985 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Cecile Marie Mentzer-1751 b: 7 November 1897, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 28 August 1980, Allen County Hospital, Iola, Allen, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Lelia Pearl Mentzer-1748 b: 26 April 1899, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 1 October 1981, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Marjorie Emma Mentzer-1746 b: 18 September 1901, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 8 December 1962, Whittier, Los Angeles, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Wilfred Francis Mentzer-1745 b: 29 January 1903, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 6 May 1972, Montebello, Los Angeles, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Harley Wells Mentzer-1752 b: 13 June 1904, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 27 March 1984, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Mildred Mabel Mentzer-1747 b: 5 October 1906, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 12 December 1991, Orange, Orange, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Aleta Doris Mentzer-1749 b: 8 June 1909, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 19 June 1997, Oklahoma, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Susan May Mentzer-1734 b: 28 February 1873, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 6 January 1909, Shenandoah, Page, Iowa, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Charles Edward Tunnicliff-1742 b: 26 September 1874, Page, Iowa, United States m: 29 September 1902, Fort Morgan, Morgan, Colorado, United States d: 26 December 1963, Shenandoah, Page, Iowa, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Henry Arnold Mentzer-1735 b: 31 December 1874, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 1955 . . . . . . . . . . +Augusta May Litton-1741 b: 1878 m: 25 June 1903, home of Charles Litton, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 1963 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Leonard Wayne Mentzer-1922 b: 16 June 1918, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 14 July 1918, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Dixie L. Mentzer-1921 b: 18 March 1909, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 1 February 1960, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Philip Embry Mentzer-1736 b: 22 February 1877, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 16 July 1952, Neosho Memorial Hospital, Chanute, Neosho, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Anna May Schoepflin-1743 b: 11 October 1879, Douglas, Kansas, United States m: 25 October 1905, home of M. Schoepflin, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 27 September 1942, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Phillip Mentzer-4765 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Howard Walter Mentzer-1923 b: 17 February 1909 d: 28 February 1992, Colorado, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Edna LaVerne Grace Mentzer-4766 b: before 7 December 1911 d: 7 December 1911 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Loren Willis Mentzer-1924 b: 12 September 1913, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 17 February 1984, Gassville, Baxter, Arkansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Ivan Emery Mentzer-1925 b: 16 June 1921, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 22 August 2010, Oregon, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Ernest Everett Mentzer-1739 b: 10 May 1880, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: August 1965 . . . . . . . . . . +Edith May Dumond-1836 b: 25 October 1885, Woodson, Kansas, United States m: 1 June 1910, home of Mrs. Mary Dumond, Rose, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: about 28 June 1961, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-George Edward Mentzer-4583 b: 9 April 1911, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 7 October 1986, Reno, Washoe, Nevada, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Ernest Talmadge Mentzer-1837 b: 20 November 1912 d: 29 June 2017, Newton, Jasper, Iowa, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Fleta Francis Mentzer-1838 b: 21 May 1914, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 30 August 1974, 90602 Whittier, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Austin Maxwellton Mentzer-1839 b: 29 December 1915, Kansas, United States d: 15 June 1997, Ensign, Gray, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Willard Keith Mentzer-1840 b: 6 December 1917, Kansas, United States d: 11 May 2015, Nevada, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Merrill Burdette Mentzer-1841 b: 4 April 1919, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 10 December 2013, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Norman Laddie Mentzer-1842 b: 20 May 1920, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 15 October 1920, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Norryce Franklin Mentzer-1843 b: 25 October 1921 d: 26 January 2012, Wenatchee, Chelan, Washington, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Juanita Winnifred Mentzer-1844 b: 20 May 1923, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 5 April 2009, Middlesex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Lovell Jennings Mentzer-1845 b: 21 January 1926, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 19 April 1945, Nuremberg, Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Donald Dumond Mentzer-1846 b: 6 March 1928, Kansas, United States d: 15 February 1988, Reno, Washoe, Nevada, United States . . . . . . . . . . 3-Clara Edith Mentzer-1737 b: 20 September 1882, Mentzer homestead, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 20 December 1970, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . +John Wesley Williams-1744 b: 7 December 1878, Liberty Township, Woodson, Kansas, United States m: 2 April 1903, home of G. W. Mentzer, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 21 July 1957, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Glenn Monroe Williams-1926 b: 21 September 1903, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 11 October 1944, Larned, Pawnee, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Goldie Marie Williams-1927 b: 22 August 1905, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 25 December 1996, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Edith Emma Williams-1683 b: 1 January 1907, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 26 June 1993, Junction City, Geary, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-John Harold Williams-1928 b: 20 March 1908, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 28 May 1980, Tacoma, Pierce, Washington, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Leo Leonard Williams-1929 b: 2 January 1910, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 24 March 1995, Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Freddie Lloyd Williams-1930 b: 19 October 1911, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 18 September 1973, Tooele, Tooele, Utah, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Helen Dove Williams-1931 b: 21 December 1912, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 18 August 1993, Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-George Wesley Williams-1932 b: 25 February 1915, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 1 June 1979, Hillcrest Nursing Home, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Clifford Wayne Williams-1933 b: 27 November 1916, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 5 March 2003, Renton, King, Washington, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Letha May Williams-1934 b: 1 October 1918, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 29 April 1979, Osteopathic Hospital, Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Doris Ann Williams-1935 b: 16 February 1920, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 5 March 2010, Westminster, Carroll, Maryland, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Verna Lucille Williams-1936 b: 5 July 1921, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 7 March 2004 . . . . . . . . . . 3-Clarence Albert Mentzer-1738 b: 7 April 1887, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 23 January 1919, Iola, Allen, Kansas, United States . . . . . . . . . . +Grace Graham-1740 b: 2 December 1889 m: 7 May 1913, Methodist parsonage, Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States d: 20 February 1989
I had this post scheduled for later in March. However, it’s now a post for Randy Seaver’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge.
It’s Saturday Night –
time for more Genealogy Fun!
Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible music here) is to:1) The 1950 United States Census will be available to search on 1 April 2022 – less than three weeks away. How have you prepared yourself to search it? Have you found 1950 addresses of your family members and persons of interest? Have you identified the State, County, Town and Enumeration District? Have you made a table of your findings so you can systematically find everyone on your list? What will you do with the information you gather?
Are you ready? Do you know where your ancestors may have lived in 1950? While others have been preparing for quite some time, I have to admit I haven’t. I haven’t spent much time on this task for several reasons:
My ancestors were living in Dodge City, Emporia, and Yates Center at the time.
I learned to use census records by scanning microfilm to locate the desired family. Thus, I can do this again.
All of my ancestors were living in Kansas which means that in addition to information from the 1940 census, I also have information from Kansas census records for various years that provide street addresses. (Kansas City and County Records, 1919-1961)
On my dad’s side of the tree, my living ancestors were all living at 911 Second street in Dodge City, Kansas in 1950. Thus, I can use Steve Morse’s “Viewing 1940/1950 Enumeration Districts in One Step” site to locate the map for Dodge City.
To figure out which Enumeration District I need to access, I am relying on previous knowledge. From personal experience, I know that 911 Second is the southwest corner of the intersection of 2nd avenue and Elm Street. I also have deed records indicating that this is lot 7 of block 47. When I enlarge the map of Dodge City, and locate this intersection, I find that I need to look in ED 29-15.
When it comes to my mom’s side of the tree, my grandparents were living in Emporia while my great grandfathers were living in Yates Center and Neosho Falls. Since my grandparents tended to move around a lot, I need to pin down their probable address in 1950. A search of the Ancestry database, U.S. City Directories 1822-1995 for the surname BRILES living in Emporia, Kansas provides the information needed. In both 1949 and 1951, my grandparents were living at 924 Constitution.
A search of Google helps me put 924 Constitution on a map.
From the Google map, I figured out that Constitution Street is two blocks west of Commercial street. Commercial street is highlighted in blue on the enumeration map. With my previous knowledge of Emporia’s streets, I knew that 9th avenue was north of 6th avenue (which is also highlighted in blue). Locating those two streets on the ED map, I learn that ED 56-16 is the one that I need to use to locate my grandparents.
For my great-grandfathers, it appears that I will have to do more scanning of pages. My great grandfather, Charles Mentzer, was living in Neosho Falls. Since, the town is not separated from the rest o the township, I will need to scan the entire township (ED 104-7) to locate Charles.
My other great-grandfather on my mom’s side was living in Yates Center at the time. When I enlarge the ED map of Woodson County, it appears that Yates Center is in 4 different EDs but there is no map of the town showing which portions of the town are in which ED.
Thus, it appears that I will need to scan several EDs to locate Edward G. Briles. Since I would have a lot of MENTZER cousins living in Woodson county, scanning these various EDs will help me locate them while locating my great-grandfather.
To help me make sure I scan all of the townships where my MENTZER cousins lived, I can use a search of the Ancestry database, Kansas, U.S., City and County Census Records, 1919-1961 for the MENTZER surname between 1948-1952. The results from this search will allow me to create a checklist of cousins I need to find.
Besides these MENTZER cousins, I would have an aunt living in Emporia and great aunts and uncles on my ‘to-do’ list. Using information I have already compiled on these individuals, I can use the same process described above to identify the appropriate Enumeration District. Besides my Mentzer cousins shown above, I quickly created a list of ancestors and their siblings that will need located in the 1950 census.
Herbert Mentzer — ED 16-19 in Coffey County, Kansas
Leon Crawford family (including his mother) – ED 29-15 in Ford County, Kansas
Helen Horton – ED 29-16 in Ford County, Kansas
Myrtle Jones – ED 29-18 in Ford County, Kansas
Esther Noll — ED 29-6 in Ford County, Kansas
E. O. Briles family — ED 56-16 in Lyon County, Kansas
Letha Doolittle — ED 56-31 in Lyon County, Kansas
Gladys Green – ED 56-31 in Lyon County, Kansas
Edward G Briles – EDs 104-14 to 104-17 in Woodson County, KS
Glen Briles – EDs 104-14 to 104-17 in Woodson County, KS
Lulu Cope – EDs 104-14 to104-17 in Woodson County, KS
Charles Mentzer – ED 104-7 in Woodson County, KS
Leslie Mentzer – ED 104-7 in Woodson County, KS
My to-do list will contain some great aunts and uncles living in larger communities. If the above process does not help me locate them easily, I will just wait until those cities are indexed to do my search.
Heartland Genealogy 
