Thomas Oran Tobias

Thomas Oran Tobias was born in May 1860, in Ontario, Canada.

His Parents were Nelson Tobias, and Mary Catherine

In 1861 Thomas (Thos O in the census) was one year old, and living with his father Nelson 18, and mother Mary 18.  Nelson was a farmer at this time in Pelham.  According to the 1860 census Nelson was born in the United States, and Mary Catherine was born in Canada W.

In 1871 Thomas was living with part of his mom's side of the family, Thomas Foss 59, and Mary Foss 50.  They were farmers, Thomas's Father Nelson J 30, and Mary Catherine 30 were living next door with his brother John Micheal 6, and sister Amy Amelia 11 months old.  His  father is also listed as a farmer.  Almost the whole page of the census is the Foss family who is German/ Dutch Mennonites.

In 1881 Thomas was 20 years old working as a farm laborer, and lived with his father Nelson 39 now a butcher, Mother Mary C. 39, brother John 16, sister Amy 11, and brother Joseph 5?  They were still living next to Thomas Foss , and Mary

On July 4th 1883 Thomas married Sarah Elizabeth Holland, in Buffalo N.Y.

The 1891 census says Thomas 30 was  living in East Lambton, with his wife Sarah Elizabeth 27,  At this time he was working as a mill hand.  Son Charles 6, son Albert 4, son Clarence 2, and William 4 months old were living with them.  A lodger was also there living with them named Alexander McArthur 28 who was also working as a mill hand.

In 1902 Thomas was an oil dealer.

  

Roberta Chestina Wilson

Roberta Chestina Wilson was born 9 April 1907.  Here parents were Robert H. Wilson, and Orpha May Spencer.
In 1910, Roberta 3 was living in Redondo Beach with her father Robert 42, mother Orpha 32, sister Helen 4, brother Robert 17 months, and grandfather Norman Spencer 64.  Her father was working as an electrician at the time.

In 1920 Roberta was 12, and living in Redondo Beach with her father Robert 51, mother Orpha 42, sister Helen 14, sister Alta 9, brother James 7, brother Willis 5, sister Winifred 5, and brother John 4.

I couldn't locate a 1930 census for Roberta.

In 1940 Roberta Ferguson 33, was living in Redondo Beach with her father Robert 73, mother Orpha 62, brother Willis 25, son Robert F. 14, daughter G. Nadine 9, and daughter Jacalyn M.  It does mention that she was living in Los Angeles in 1935, and is Divorced.


Roberta died 7 May 1985.

Robbie Wilson

Robert H. Wilson (Robbie), was born about Dec of 1908.  His parents were Robert H. Wilson, and Orpha May Spencer.


In 1910 Robbie was living in Redondo Beach with his father Robert 42, Mother Orpha 32, sister Helen 4, sister Roberta 3, and grandfather Norman Spencer 64.



Robbie died, 6 May 1912.
A neighbor was teaching Robbie to ride his tricycle one day, and the tricycle started rolling down the hill on the street they lived on. The bike was going too fast, and Robbie fell, the metal hit him between the legs very hard, and caused internal bleeding, that Robbie died from.

Willis Hembree Wilson

 Willis Hembree Wilson    

Willis was born on August 14, 1914.  Willis was the son of Robert H. Wilson, and Orpha May Spencer.  

He was the twin of Winifred Wilson.  

In 1920 Willis was 5 years old, and living in Redondo Beach with his father Robert 51, Mother Orpha 42, sister Helen 14, sister Roberta 12,  sister Alta 9, brother James 7, sister Winifred 5, and brother John 4.  Willis was attending school, and Robert his father was working as an electrician for the Rail Car Co. 

In 1930 Willis was 15 and was living in Redondo Beach with his father Robert 62, mother 51, sister Alta 19, sister Winifred 15, and brother John 14.  He was attending school, and Robert was working as an electrition for the Railway Co.

In 1940 Willis was 25, and living in Redondo Beach with his father Robert 73, mother Orpha 62, sister Roberta Ferguson 33, his nephew Robert Ferguson 14, niece Nadine 9, and niece Jacalyn 7.    Willis was working as a mechanic at the time.

This news clipping is part of a private collection.  It is in a photo album that belonged to Helen Spencer Barnum McCoy Carson (maiden name Wilson)  This is a direct transcription of the obituary for Willis Hembre Wilson.  It will be followed with a photo and some more information.  I don't know the paper it was taken from, since it is only a clipping from the news paper.  My gg grandmother subscribed to the Redondo Reflex, so it may be from the Redondo Reflex.     

Saturday, March 20, 1
Willis H. Wilson,
Redondo, Killed
In North Africa

Another Redondo Beach family
felt the grim hand of war today
with the announcement that
Willis Hembree Wilson, 27, son
of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Wil-
son, 214 South Helberta, was
killed at sea while in the line of
duty.  Wilson was a member of
the U.S. salvage forces in African
waters.
    His death came as a great shock
for he was widely known through-
out the entire South Bay district.
Most of his life was spent in this
area, while he also attended the
local grammar schools and Re-
dondo Union High School.
    According to a government
cablegram to the Wilson family,
death came on March 10.
    Wilson joined the salvage serv-
ice after being rejected by the
army, navy, and marine corps be-
cause of defective eyesight. He
volunteered his services in the
most hazardous corps of them all
and then gave his life doing even
more than his country asked of
him.
    His twin sister, Mrs. Winnie
Freeman, has left for New York
to meet her husband, who is slated
to return soon from the African
theater.
According to family, Willis H. Wilson was serving in So. Africa with Dobbin Freeman, his brother in law.  This article seems to corroborate that.  It was Dobbin's opinion that Willis was murdered.  My grandmother Willis's neice said she was told his body was found hidden under a boat.

On Ancestry.com I found a document titled Reports of Deaths of Americans Citizens Abroad, 1835 - 1974.   Below is portions of the document excerpted.
Source, and citation information will be at the very bottom of this post.


Dated April 10, 1943, from James Orr Denby, American Consul, at Cape Town South Africa, on the subject of Transmitting the Report of Death of Willis Hembre Wilson, American Seaman.

Willis Hembre Wilson   Occupation: Oiler
of 214 S. Helberta Avenue, Redondo Beach, Califonia
Date of Death: Unkown - Presumed Feb 26, 1943
Place of Death: Victoria Basin, Cape Town Harbor, Cape Town, South Africa

Cause of Death: Unofficially stated to be "accidental drowning"
Buried:  March 12, 1943 in Grave No. 97048C.  Woltemade Cemetery, No 4, Cape Town South Africa.

Local law as to disinterring remains: In case of death from other than infectious disease, local authorities refuse permission to disinter before expiration of two years.

Disposition of the effects:  Returned to Johnson, Drake and Piper Inc.;  86 Trinity Place, New York City

Informed by Telegram
Johnson, Drake, and Piper, employer
Orpha Wilson, mother

Remarks:  Mr. Wilson disappeared  Feb 26, 1943, and his body was discovered in Victoria Basin March 10, 1943 no evidence suggesting foul play was discovered, and it was presumed by the authorities to have been the result of an accident.

*****I called Pacific Crest in Redondo Beach, and asked if he was interred beneath his head stone.  He is, but his body finally arrived in 1949.  I have no idea if his employer, the government, or my gg grandparents paid for those expenses.*****

Source
Title: Transcription / image of  Willis H. Wilson, Redondo, Killed in North Africa unidentified newspaper clipping, and image of photo of Willis H. Wilson
Transcriber / photographer: Heather Wells

The original sources of images shown here are part of a private family collection in Redondo Beach.  Please consult me before reproducing / publishing any of the images published here.


Source
Title: Deaths of American Citizens Abroad, 1835 - 1974
Author: Ancestry.com
Publisher: Ancestry.com operations Inc.
Publisher Date: 2010
Publisher Location: Provo, Utah

Citation
Detail: National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.;General Records of the Department of State; Record Group: RG59-Entry 205; Box Number 1156; Box Description 1940 - 1944 British South Africa D - Z

Eugenia Miriam Dess Burkett

Eugenia Miriam Dess Burkett was born 25 May 1892 in Pennsylvania.  Her parents were Levi Burkett (Burket), and Caroline (Carrie) McMurtrie.

In 1900 Miriam age 8 was living with her father Levi aged 34, Mother Carrie age 29, Sister Mary 9, Minnie age 6, Jacob age 4, James McMurtrie 34 a boarder, and widowed, Mary McMurtrie 59 and widowed - which say mother in the relationship collumn of the census, and Ermina McCahan 35 and a boarder and single.  The census mentions that Carrie gave birth to 6 children , but only 4 are living. Levi was working as a day laborer, and he was renting the home they all lived in.

In 1910 Miriam is listed as Dese V Burket 17, she is living with her mother Carrie 39, sister Minnie 16, Jacob L 14, and Robert J, 5.  They are renting a house 534 Railroad Ave. Saxton, Bedford, Pennsylvania.  Carrie is working as a laundress at a hotel.  None of the children have occupations listed.

Miriam married Wallace Edgar Nagle, and they had 2 -3 children
1. Virginia Faye Nagle b. 1911 - 1996
2. Carl Nagle b.1914 - 1991
3. Anne Brennan (Nagle?) b. 1921

In 1930 Miriam 38 is married to William Brennan 48, daughter Faye Brennan (Nagle) 18, and daughter Anne  Brennan (Nagle?) 9.  They are renting a portion of a building? living at 1506 Mt. Vernon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The census says William was working as a Bank gaurd, and was a WW1 veteran.  William was born in Ireland.

In 1940 Miriam Brennan 47 is living at 1145 Old York Road in a house they were renting with son Carl Nagle 26. Miriam is a Forelady in the candy factory, and Carl is working as a candy maker.  It says they lived in the same place in 1935.  The census says that Miriam in married.  It shows Miriam as head of household.

In 1952 Miriam is married to Frank F Cozzolino, and is listed as Dess Cozzolino in a Redondo Beach City Directory.  They lived at 208 North Broadway.

The California Death Index has her death listed as Dess M Cozzolino 26 Feb 1969, in Los Angeles, and has her Maiden name as McMurtrie, and her birth as 25 May 1892.

She is Interred at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach as Dess Cozzolino. She has a head stone.

Wallace Edgar Nagle

Wallace Edgar Nagle was born 6 July 1892, in Burnham, Pennsylvania.

Wallace's parents were William Nagle, and Sarah Anne Chesney.

In 1900 Wallace was 7 years old and was living in a house his father was renting, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.  Wallace was living with his father William, who was about 38 at the time, and working as a laborer, and his mother Sarah about 27 years old.  The census states that Sarah had two children, but only one living.  Both of Wallace's parents could read and write.

In 1910 Wallace was about 18 years old, and living with his father William who was working as an engineer for the rail road, his mother Sarah, and his little sister Isabelle who was 7 years old. they were renting a house, 920 Moore St. in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.  Wallace was working as a brake man for the railroad at the time.  

Wallace married Eugenia Miriam Dess Burkett, and they had two - three children.
1. Virginia Faye Nagle  b. 24 Sept 1911
2. Carl Nagle b. about 1914
3. Anne Nagle b. 1921 (unsure if Anne is from first or second husband) She is Anne Brennan in the 1930 census.  Virginia shows up as Faye Brennan in the 30s census as well, and was definately Wallace's daughter.


In 1917 Wallace Registered for the draft, at age 24.  He was living at Mt. Vernon, Pennsylvania.  He was working as a moulder.  He had a wife and 2 children at the time.  the draft card said he had a medium build, was slender, had Grey eyes, dark brown hair, and had all his limbs.

Wallace Enlisted in the Army in Dec 1917, in R. A. Gettysburg  PA. his Army Serial number was 567,892. He was in Co. H  59 Inf to  26 Nov 1917; and Co. A 10 M G Bn to disch.  His grade were Corp ---; Sgt 17 Aug 18.  He served overseas 6 May 18 to 30 June 19.  He was not injured in the war, and was Honorably discharged 7 July 19.  ** He was in the engagement of Meuse Argonne, Marne 18-23 July 1918.

In 1920 Wallace was listed as single living at 1304 West Crawford Street in Fayette, Pennsylvania.  They were renting the house. He was living with his father, mother, and sister, Isabelle.  Wallace, and William were both working as blacksmiths, at a repair shop.

Wallace married Helen maus and they had one child. Married around 1923.

1.  Dwayne Wallace Nagle

In 1930 Wallace was about 37, and was renting a house at 1121 Hillman street. Mahonin - Youngstown, Ohio.  He was living with his wife Helen 38 years old, and son Dwayne, who was 2 10/12  The census states they were married around 1923. Wallace was working as a fireman for a steam railroad.   Dwayne was born in Pennsylvania, so Wallace and Helen moved to Ohio after 1927.
The census mentions that Wallace was a WW1 veteran.

In 1940 Wallace was renting a house, the house number was 404, Falls AveYoungstown, Ohio .  Wallace was living with Helen, and Dwayne. The census says that Wallace's highest grade completed was 8th grade.  He was doing contract work, as a paper hanger.

Wallace had a Army burial 3 July 1973.  He is interred at Forest Lawn, Memorial Park Cemetery.  Sec: Woodland Block B lot# 120 grave 4

Virginia Faye Nagle

Virginia Faye Nagle was born September 24, 1911 in Marland

Virginia's Parents were Wallace Edgar Nagle, and Eugenia Miriam Dess Burkett

Virginia Married John Perry Wilson, and had a daughter
1. Orpha Dess Wilson

Virginia Married Thorman Smith

Virginia Married Richard Hoolsema






In 1930 Virginia was 18 years old, and living in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania with her stepdad William Brennon, mother Miriam Brennon, and sister Anne.   They were renting a room for $26.00 per month  Her step father was a gaurd at a bank, and a WWI Veteran.  She had a younger brother named Carl Nagle.

By 1970 Virginia Was married to Thorman C Smith and  lived in Pasadena at 1428 Hill Ave

Virginia Faye Smith married Richard Hoolsema December 5th, 1979 in Clark County, Nevada

Virginia F. Hoolsema died in March 1996.  Her last residence was in Hemet, Riverside, California