Grace Hicks Walker

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:17:26 +0000

Grace Hicks WALKER is my mother’s mother; my maternal grandmother. Grace was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 2, 1903 to Harry Hicks WALKER and Minnie WALKER (nee WERNSE). She died in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas on November 29, 1994 at the age of 91. She married Walter C. STONE, Jr. on April 9, 1928 in Webster Groves, Missouri. They were married until Walter’s death on July 18, 1968, also in Boerne, Texas.

Mina Hintze (Wernse)–Photos

beckerp — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:32:29 +0000

Two photos of Mina Hintze Wernse.

Below: Mina, about age 10 (so photo taken c. 1860).

Below: No date for this photo but my guess would be around 1900 given the clothes she’s wearing.

Mina Hintze (Minnie Wernse)

beckerp — Wed, 14 May 2008 05:07:52 +0000

My gr-gr grandfather, William F. Wernse, married Mina Hintze (in the photo above). There’s been hardly any info about her passed down through the family, and now that everyone is gone, I’m on my own to see what I can find. I’ve been able to gather bits and pieces about her family but it’s not much. Thus far I have only a handful of sources I’ve gleaned some info from (her death certificate, an old copy of The Central Magazine, Vol. VI, No 5, Nov. 1875, and internet census reports). Here’s what I’ve found out:

- William F. Wernse and Mina Hintze married in 1869 (Central Magazine).

- She was born 28 OCT 1850 (death certificate), though that doesn’t jive with the 1880 census.

- Born in St. Louis, MO (death certificate).

- Her father’s name was Henry Hintze (dc) and her mother’s Sophia __?__ (1880 census), both from Germany.

- She graduated with academic honors from the Ursuline Convent at Alton, IL (Central Magazine).

- Her occupation was listed as “housekeeper” (1880 census; death certificate).

- She died on 4 DEC 1930 at age 80 (death cert.).

- She was buried 6 DEC 1930 in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, MO (death cert.).

- She and William had 14 children.

I don’t know if “Mina” is short for Wilhemina, though it’s likely. Her death certificate identifies her as “Minnie Wernse”.

William Frederick Wernse ~ Civil War Enlistment Paper

beckerp — Sun, 04 May 2008 03:24:46 +0000

Below is a photo of Wm. F. Wernse, I believe, in his civil war uniform. I don’t know what type of photograph this is, but it seems to be the original. The image below is digitally enhanced as the original is too dark to see.

Below is the Civil War enlistment document of Wm. F. Wernse. Transcription follows.

No. 21022

STATE OF MISSOURI,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE

City of Jefferson, Aug 25, 1896

It is Hereby Certified, That according to the Records

of this office, Wm F. Wernze (should be spelled “Wernse”) Enlisted on

the twenty eigth day of August 1861, at Nashville Illinois and was mustered into service as a

Private in company E., Tenth Regiment Infantry Missouri Volunteers for ——– years

unless sooner discharged, on the thirty first day of

August 1861, at Pacific Mo and Mustered Aug 24, 1964

(signature) J A ___?___

Adjutant-General.

This certificate is furnished free of charge upon application of the soldier or any member of his family.

William F. Wernse ~ Bench & Bar Bio Sketch

beckerp — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:36:44 +0000

Above: Photo of William Frederick Wernse taken around the mid-19th century.

A recent internet find was that of a biographical sketch of my gr-gr-grandfather, William Frederick Wernse in a recently uploaded copy/scan of the Bench and Bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and Other Missouri Cities (Published by the American Biographical Publishing Company/H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Chicago, 1884), which featured biographical sketches of various figures in those regions whose employment was involved in law. Below is the bio on William Wernse, p. 207 & 208:

William F. Wernse.

Saint Louis

William F. Wernse is a brother of H.H. Wernse, a banker of Saint Louis, who has been engaged in the banking business for many years. William first came to Saint Louis in 1855, but removed to Illinois the same year. he attended the public schools in Illinois, where he lived until 1861, when he entered the United States service, serving with honor until 1864, and was in many of the battles of the Army of the Cumberland, and the Tennessee. In 1864, he engaged in the banking business, and continued until 1874, working in various capacities, commencing as messenger, and by industry, energy and by his superior business capacity, by gradual promotion obtained the position of cashier. In 1875 he entered the law department of Washington University, at Saint Louis, and is a graduate of the class of 1877. He was admitted to the Saint Louis bar and to the bar of the United States courts, and practiced law successfully until 1879. he is now editor of the “American Law Digest and Legal Directory” and the “American Banker’s Manual,” on which he has bestowed years of unremitting labor, and distinguished capacity, and enjoys a large patronage for these publications in all parts of the country. As a writer he is careful, accurate and discriminating, and has as aides in his work much of the best legal talent of the United States. Personally, Mr. Wernse is exceptionally courteous, kindly and gentlemanly in all his business and personal relations.

The information above is part of the book project Google is participating with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible and useful.

CBC Genealogy Series

beckerp — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:06:27 +0000

Over the fall of ’07 and through the winter of ’08, the CBC has been airing a half hour television series called “Who Do You Think You Are?”, “a genealogy series in which 13 well known Canadians set out to discover their family roots”. I think I’ve seen every episode aired thus far and I can say, it’s fun and intriguing to watch each of these people explore their family history. “Who Do You Think You Are?” is presently airing on CBC TV on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. est.

Alberta Johnston Long (Stone)–Funeral Program

beckerp — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:43:25 +0000

It’s only recently that I found this funeral program for my great-grandmother, “Muzz” (Alberta Johnston Long (Stone) ). I had thought that she was buried in Texas, but apparently she was interned in Webster Groves, Missouri.

Below: My mother, Betty Gene Stone with her grandmother, Alberta Johnston Stone (Long), 1941.

Below: Alberta Johnston Long (Stone) Funeral Program.

It reads:

“In Remembrance

Alberta Johnston Stone

Born Wednesday, Nov. 29, 1876

Pacific, Mo.

Died Sunday, June 14, 1964

Kingsville, Texas

Memorial Services

Tuesday, June 16, 1964

Webster Groves Christian Church

Dr. Raymond McCallister

officiated

Internment

Oak Hill Cemetery

Service conducted by

Mittelberg-Gerber Colonial Chapel

Webster Groves, Mo.”

Walter Corey Stone, Sr. & Alberta Johnston Long

beckerp — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 06:58:10 +0000

Above: Walter Corey Stone, Sr. & Alberta Johnston Long.

I don’t have any memory of my great grandparents on my mother’s paternal side other than what I see of them in family photos. Walter Corey Stone, Sr. passed away before I was born (in 1952) and Grandma Alberta (who was always called “Muzz”, though my mother never knew how she came to have that nickname) passed away when I was five or six (in 1964). Their marriage bore four children, three males and one female: Edwin Eli (m. Dorthy Crowe), Walter Corey Jr. (m. Grace Hicks Walker), Thyra Alberta (m. Ralph Davis), and Arthur Kenneth (“Uncle Kenneth”) (m. Margarie Castanie; m. Doris Ralls; m. Mary Edmondson). Below is a photo taken in 1949 at their 5oth wedding anniversary in Kingsville, Texas.

Front Row, L-R: Thyra Stone (Davis), Baby Girl Stone, Walter C. Stone, Sr., Alberta Johnston Long (Stone), Grace Hicks Walker (Stone), Dorthy Crowe (Stone).

Back Row, L-R: James Edwin Stone (holding Frances Stone), Frances (maiden name..?) Stone, Walter Corey Stone, Jr., Ralph Davis, Edwin Stone, Alan Stone, Betty Stone (Becker), Ben Long, Richard Stone, Marian (maiden name..?) Stone, David Stone.

STALEY/DAVIS, Kingston/Wolfe Island, Ontario, Canada

beckerp — Fri, 26 May 2006 05:21:06 +0000

Below is some over-all reasearch of my STALEY/DAVIS ancestors, and some pictures from a trip taken in October 2004 to the Kingston & Wolfe Island area to locate some STALEY/DAVIS ancestral sites. The ancestors pertaining to the search was one of my gr-gr-gr-grandfathers, Martin STALEY (1801-1879), his daughter (my gr-gr-grandmother) Margaret Elizabeth STALEY (DAVIS), and his son-in-law (my gr-gr-grandfather) James William DAVIS. The STALEY/DAVIS lineage is linked to the STONE family tree in this respect:

STALEY/DAVIS/STONE lineage:

Martin STALEY (1801-1879) m. Catherine LAMBERT
|
Margaret Elizabeth STALEY (1829-1886) m. James William DAVIS (1825-bef. 1881)
|
Ursula Agnes DAVIS (1854 or 55-1949) m. Eli Thompson STONE (1856-1938)

I’ve come across diverse information concerning Martin STALEY’s lineage. One source (that of Scott Manning on the website The Islands) states that Martin STALEY’s father was Jacob Martin STALEY (1756-1843), born in New York, and that Jacob’s father was Martin STAHLE (1735-?). Information denotes Martin STAHLE as German (perhaps Palatine…?) immigrating to the New York area at some point. He was a United Empire Loyalist (UEL) who later relocated to Upper Canada (Ontario).

Another source (the research of my cousin, Doris Kistler), has much of the same information as Scott’s, with the exception of two things. Her research states that Martin STALEY’s father is Hiram STALEY and that they are of Dutch ancestory. She said that in her interviews with some Staley cousins, Hiram was the name they mentioned as Martin’s father. A letter penned by my gr-gr grandmother Ursula to her daughter states that the Staley name is Dutch. I’m adding this latter information, not because it’s correct, but because it’s been the information passed down to my family. Below is a consolidation of the information from the above sources.

…………………………

Martin STALEY was born on September 6, 1801. His birthplace is unconfirmed but sources suggest the Mohawk River Valley, NY. At some point his family relocated to Upper Canada (now Ontario). He later enlisted with the Frontenac Militia (1828). Around 1839-1840, Martin STALEY built and owned an inn/tavern in Kingston, Ontario, The Queen’s Inn, on 125 Brock St., which is still in operation. (All photos below were taken by me on an excursion to Kingston & Wolf Island in October of 2004, unless otherwise noted.)

A few years later, he purchased a parcel of Land on Wolfe Island. He moved his family to the island and became a farmer. Wolfe Island, located across the water way from Kingston, ON, is only accessable by boat and ferry.

Marysville is the main (only?) town on Wolfe Island. Located in the western side of town is Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Trinity Anglican Church (both within walking distance of each other) and their respective cemeteries. The present church of The Sacred Heart of Mary, RCC was built in 1917. There were two previous churches, the first a small mission church built in 1852. The second was built in 1872 to accommodate a larger Catholic population. Trinity Anglican Church was built in 1845, the first church to be built on the island. Martin Staley, his wife, Catherine LAMBERT, his daughter, Margaret STALEY (DAVIS), and her son, Charles DAVIS are buried at Sacred Heart’s old cemetery. Both churches played a large part in the lives of the STALEY’s and DAVIS’. Margaret STALEY and James William DAVIS were married at Trinity Anglican on December 28, 1852.

My ancestors are buried in Sacred Heart’s Old Cememtery, which is not near the church but a few blocks off the main road, down a dirt road on a remote piece of pasture land. Their plots and headstones are located in the back area of the cemetery.

Martin STALEY and Catherine LAMBERT’s headstone’s, Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wolfe Island, ON

Headstone Inscription: “In memory of Martin Staley, Died in Kingston Aug. 10, 1879, Aged 78 years, also his wife Catharine, Died on Wolfe Island, Dec. 2 1851, Aged 45 years.”

Also in the cemetery are Margaret Elizabeth STALEY’s and Charles J. DAVIS’ headstones:

First Headstone Transcription: “Eliz-th. Staley. Wife of Jas. W. DAVIS Died Sept. 24, 1886 Aged 58 Yrs, 3 Mos.”

Second Headstone Transcription: “Charles J. Son of Jas. & Eliz-th DAVIS. Died Mar. 30. 1886 Aged 17 Yrs, 4 Mos.”

I don’t have any information at this point on Charles J. Davis, who would be Ursula Agnes Davis’ (married to E.T. Stone) brother.

James William DAVIS was a lighthouse keeper on Pigeon Island for a number of years. He perished as he was making his way back to Wolfe Island ) Below is a picture I found on the internet of the present lighthouse on Pigeon Island (Photo credit: Jennifer Hoelzel).

Also I was able to locate the plot of land on Wolfe Island where the STALEY’s resided. There’s still a home on the site, built by Archibald STALEY in the 1880′s, that is still being used by STALEY family: From the back of the property, one has a lovely view of Kingston.

(Photo of Archibald Staley house, below, top-left, compliments of Scott Manning.)

My thanks to Scott Manning and Doris Kistler for all their hard work and research on this branch of the Staley family, and allowing me to use their information on this posting. Thanks also goes to the researchers on The Islands (link below) where Scott’s research (and others) can be found in regards to the Staley family and other genealogical info pertaining to Wolf Island, etc.

…………………………………………….

Other links per STALEY & DAVIS, Wolfe Island, etc. genealogy:

–Gemmel & Walker lineage of Staley Family Descendants.

–Ontario Genealogy, Kingston Branch

–The Islands – genealogy devoted to Wolfe Island, Garden Island, & Howe Island, ON. Chocked full of pictures, info, etc. on all-things genealogical concerining the aforementioned islands at the mouth of the St. Lawrence.

–Sacred Heart Old Cemetery, Wolfe Island — Transcriptions and pictures.

William Friederick WERNSE's Death Certificate, 1916

beckerp — Fri, 26 May 2006 02:56:23 +0000

Many of my ancestors immigrated to, moved to, and/or lived in St. Louis, Missouri and the surrounding area, so I’ve been slowly researching what data bases, genealogical websites, etc. that I’ve been able to find for any information and documents concerning their lives (and deaths). This week I was on the Missouri Secretary Of State website (SOS) which has free access to a data base of Missouri birth and death certificates. I found a few surprises concerning my LONG and WERNSE ancestors (a great-grandmother who had more siblings that I knew about; two gr-gr-grandmothers’ surnames). My best find, however, was a scan of my gr-gr grandfather’s death certificate, of which I’ll transcribe at a later time:

Transcription:

MISSOURI STATE BOARD OF HEALTH

BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS

CERTIFICATE OF DEATH

Registration District No. 791 File No. 26089

Primary Registration No. 1003 Registration No. 6551

1. PLACE OF DEATH

Village of the City of St. Louis (NO. 5620 Maple St.; 28 Ward)

2. FULL NAME

William Frederick Wernse

PERSONAL AND STATISTICAL PARTICULARS

3. SEX–Male

4. COLOR OR RACE–white;

5. married

6. DATE OF BIRTH

October 19th, 1845

7. AGE

70 yrs 8 mos 22 ds.

8. OCCUPATION

Attorney at Law

9. BIRTHPLACE

Germany

10. NAME OF FATHER

Henry Wernse

11. BIRTHPLACE OF FATHER

Germany

12. MAIDEN NAME OF MOTHER

Charlotte Frye

13. BIRTHPLACE OF MOTHER

Germany

14. THE ABOVE IS TRUE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE

(Informant) E. H. Wernse

(Address) 5620 Maple Ave.

15. FILED–JUL 12 1916 Registrar–A.H.__?

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF DEATH

16. DATE OF DEATH

July 11th 1916

17. I HEREBY CERTIFY, that I attended deceased from May 14, 1916, to June 16, 1916, that I last saw him alive on June 16, 1916, and that death occured, on the date stated above, at 7 p.m.

The CAUSE OF DEATH was as follows:

Suppurative Synovitis of right knee. his history indicated that the –?– as Synovitis

near duration 2 years

CONTRIBUTORY

probably —?—Suppurative…6 mos or more

(Signed) —?— M. D.

7-12, 1916 (Address) 609 Hamdl–

19. PLACE OF BURIAL OR REMOVAL

Belle Fontaine Cemetery

DATE OF BURIAL

July 14, 1916

20. UNERTAKERS

CR Lupton

ADDRESS

4449 –?—

Missouri is slowly archiving actual copies of death certificates pre-1955 on this website. But it’s a arduous task so it will be some time before all certificates can be accessed like this. Several of W.F. Wernse’s children (and his wife, Minnie) have their certificates listed in the data base, but at this point I have to send in a request form with a limit of five death certificates for $1 per certificate. They state that they’re swamped and that the wait for a certificate is about 12 weeks. Quite the bargain, in my opinion, and well worth the wait.