James Perry Stutes

James Perry Stutes was born in October of 1823, in Morgan County Ohio.

His Father was John Stutes who was born in Monmouth, New Jersey, in 1782, and hi mother was Leah White, who was born in 1784, in New York.

A the age of 19, he married Elizabeth Eveland on Aug 31, 1843, in Morgan Co.
Elizabeth Died in 1848, in Fulton Illinois when he was 25 years old.
They had one child,
1. Martha b. 1847

At age 27, he married a second wife, Mary Ann Obriant on October 17, 1850, in Fulton Co. Illinois

Their 9 Children were
2. Nancy b.1851, Illinois - d. 1895
3. Leah Christena b. Jan 2, 1854 Iwoa City, Wright Iowa - D. February 10, 1909 Redondo Beach, CA.
4. George b.May 1855, Illinois - d. 1932
5. Rachel b.November 21 1858, Illinois -
6. Samuel b. 1861?, Illinois
7. James b. 1864?, Illinois
8. Mary A b.1868?  Kansas
9. David b. February 1870, Kansas
10. Barbara b.1876, Illinois

In 1860 James, Mary, Martha, Nancy, Leah, and George were all living in Buckheart, Fulton, Illinois.  James was 37 at the time according to the census

On September 5, 1864 James entered the service, under Cpt. Allan. in Co. G, in the 146th Infantry Illinois.  According to the records, he was 5'10, with black hair, grey eyes, and had a dark complexion.  He was a farmer.  The 146th was sent to Camp Butler where their job was guarding drafted men there.  He was Mustered out July 8, 1865.  We entered and left service as a Private.


In 1870 James, now 48 is living in Olathe, Johnson, Kansas with Mary, Martha, George, Rachel, Sameul, James, Mary A., and David.  He owns his own land that he farms.  It is worth 400.00
Phillip Shultz (son in law), and Nancy (daughter), John (grandson) live next door, and Phillip works on the farm.  Norman Spencer, and Leah (Jame's daughter), also Live next door.  Norman also works on the farm.

In 1880, James now 58 is living in Banner, Fulton, Illinois. Mary (his wife) passed sometime between 1876 - 1880.  He is living with Samuel, Mary, David, and Barbara.  His Grandson John P Shultz is living with him, so I am not sure where Nancy (John's mother) is. George's Family, (Son) and Leah (daughter) with her children followed him, and are also working on the same farm.  It looks like the land is not theirs.  

He marries Ruth A Crawford in 1882
Their children are
11. Oscar W Stutes b. 1885 - 1972
12. Lorenzo b.1887 - d. 1918
13. Sarah b. 1896

In 1900 James is now 78, and living in Burlington, Coffey, Kansas.  He is a carpenter, and is living with Ruth, Oscar, Lorenzo, and Sarah

James Perry Stutes dies at 81, April 3, 1903 in Burlington, Coffey Co. Kansas.  He is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Burlington Kansas.

Mary Ann OBriant (OBryant, OBrient)

Mary Ann OBriant was born May, 10, 1831 in Fulton County Illinois

Mary Ann's father was Alfred OBryant (the spelling changes in the censuses), and her mother was Nancy Elizabeth Shaw Ford (Shaw was for Shawnee)  Her mother was found abandoned as a baby along a wagon trail in Shawnee territory, Ohio 1808.

Mary Ann Obriant married James Perry Stutes October 15 1850 in Fulton County Illinois.


According to the 1850 census (the same year Mary married) she was 19, and living with her father Alfred age 48, mother Nancy age 44, brother Perry 16, sister Nancy 14, sister Sally 11, sister Leah 9, sister Abigail 6, and sister Mahala 1.  The census say Alfred was born in Kentucky, and that Nancy was born in Ohio, Mary and her siblings were all born in Illinois.  On the same census a couple properties down there is Absolom Ford, an adopted uncle, and Mary Ford 75 (the woman that adopted Nancy)

In the 1860 census Mary is living in Fulton, Illinois with husband James Stutes, daughter Martha, daughter Nancy 8, daughter Leah 6, son George 4, and daughter Rachel 1.  They were in Iowa for at least a short while, because Leah was born in Iowa, but all the other children were born in Illinois.  Husband James served in the Union Army from 1864 through 1865 in Illinois.

In 1870 Mary was living in Kansas, with husband James, daughter Martha 23, son George 14, daughter Rachael 11, son Samuel 9, son James 6, daughter Mary A 2, and son David 4 months
This means they moved to Kansas between 1864 and 1868.

In 1880 James is back in Fulton, but Mary is not.  James in living with Samuel 19, daughter Mary 12, son David, 10, daughter Barbara 4, and grandson John 10.  This would place Mary's death somewhere between 1876 - 1880

Ernest Clement McCoy

Ernest Clement McCoy was born May 9, 1896 in Shawnee Pattawatomie Oklahoma.

Ernest Clement McCoy's father was David McCoy, and his mother was Corneila Abbott.

The image below is his delayed birth certificate.
It states that he was born May 9 1896
Near Shawnee, County Pattawatomie

In 1900 according to the federal census Ernest was 4 years old.  At this time he was living in Brinton Pattawomi Oklahoma with his mother Corneila (Nealie) McCoy 35 years old. Corneila was recorded as divorced at this time.  Brother John A. 13, and sister Fannie A. 10 were also living with them.

In the 1910 federal census Ernest (Clem in this census) was 13, and living in Snyder Scurry Texas with his step father W. R. Williams, N. F. Williams (Corneila aka Nealie) 44 years old, and Fannie McCoy 18 years old. 

On June 5 1917 Ernest completed a Draft Card for WWI.  The draft card said his name was Clement McCoy and 21 years old.  He was residing at 1020 Colton St. Los Angeles, CA.  He was born May 9, 1896 in Shawnee Oklahoma.  He was working at the Gates Hotel on Figueroa St.  It states he is single and Caucasian.  It also states he has lung trouble.  It also says he is slender, tall, has blue eyes, and light hair.

The image on the right is his Enlisted Record.
Here is a transcript in a google doc.
Here is a google doc with images from his Individual Pay Book.

Here is a post card he brought back from the war.
My G Uncle Ernest said that during the war when he was going to the latrine (which was a bit of a walk away), that the mess hall was bombed.  He said that all the cooks there died except him.

The image on the left is a photo of Ernest's Honorable Discharge from the Army.
Here is the transcript.

He served using his Middle name Clement.
The document states he was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
He was a cook in Co C. 160th Infantry
He had blue eyes, medium colored hair, and a fair complexion.  He was 5 feet 8 1/4" tall.









In the 1920 Census Ernest was living in Los Angeles.  He was E.C. McCoy 23years old on the census. It says he was a lodger and was working in confectionary.  Also lodging at the same location next door was Rita Gorman, and Agnes Gorman.  They ran a confectionery stand.  I am wondering if this is how Ernest met his first wife Rita.

In the 1930 Federal Census Ernest 33 was living in Compton, California.  He was working at a tire factory and living with his first wife Rita 29 (who was born in New York), their son Ernest 6, Mary 3 1/2, and Joseph.  Ernest and Rita did divorce.  The story is that Rita was cheating with a Catholic Priest.  Ernest believed that Ernest was his, but doubted that he was Mary or Joseph's father.  Rita disappeared taking the children with her.  Ernest spent a large sum of money trying to find his Rita, and the kids.  It was his belief that the Catholic church was hiding them.
The photo with the vehicle is Ernest and first wife Rita.

*****Update*******
A second cousin found me through a DNA test.  Mary's daughter.   I hope to learn what she was told, and hear about her mother, uncles,  and grandmother.  It is quite exciting, and now we know that Mary, was not fathered by the Catholic priest, but by Ernest.   

The image on the right is the Final Judgement of  Divorce, between Ernest and Rita

This is a photo of Ernest and Helen around the time they got married.

Here is the Marriage License for Ernest and Helen, they married in Yuma Arizona, on June 13 1936.  The Marriage Certificate could be viewed on Helen Spencer Wilson's Page





In the 1940 Federal Census Ernest 42 was living with his 2nd wife Helen Spencer Wilson 34.  They were living in Los Angeles, with son Ernest 2 years old, daughter Orpha 6 months old, and step son Carl Barnum 12 (son of Helen Spencer Wilson with her first husband Leroy Barnum).

Ernest died on May 8 1954 and was buried at Los Angeles National Cemetary 950 South Sepulveda, Los Angeles, CA. 90049.  Section 235 Row A Site 5 
I found an application for a military head stone it has the following information.
Name of Deceased: Ernest Clement McCoy,
Enlistment Date 10-2-17       Discharge Date  4-16-19
Service No. 1 634 667           Pension or VA Claim   17 222 661
State CA.             Grade   Cook           Medals   None
Branch of Service     Co. C, 160th Infantry   40th Div
D.O.B. May 9 1896          D.O.D.  May 8 1954
Emblem   Christian Latin Cross
Flat Marble Headstone

Sarah Elizabeth Holland

Sarah Elizabeth Holland was born in England June 6, 1863

I was told that her fathers name was Harry William Holland, and that her mothers name was Mary Elizabeth Peters.

My grandfather told me about his grandmother several times.  He said that by the time she was 12 years old she was living with her aunt in London helping in her aunt's confectionery shop. Then his grandmother was an indentured servant, in order to pay for her passage to Canada.  He also said that his grandfather used to tease her that he owned her, because he bought and paid for her.  Thomas Oran Tobias (her husband)  paid the last year and a half of her service off, so they could marry.

I recently spoke to Carol (a grandaughter of Sarah), and she says that Sarah's mom died when she was about five years old.

This photo is a picture of the original charcoal drawing of her.   

 Sarah Elizabeth arrived on the Moravian in Quebec, Canada on August 08, 1877 when she was 14 years old.  She was traveling with 24 other children ranging from ages 3 up to 14. Her name is 3rd on the list in the brackets that clearly show she was traveling with Miss Rye

 The photo on the right is the Moravian, the boat she arrived on.  The photo copyright is unknown, I retrieved the photo from wrecksite.eu

 According to the Library and Archives of Canada she was one of over 100,000 children deported from England.  Her destination was Niagra-on-the-Lake, Ontario.  It was one of the Maria Rye Homes.

This is a photo from the Canadian British Home Children in Canada, Compiled by Lori Oschefski .  Sarah stayed at the home until she was placed with a family that she was indentured to.

You can read all about the home children by clicking on the Maria Rye Homes link, or the Canadian British Home Children link above.



The British government  was trying do get rid of their orphans, and street kids.  It has been done off and on for centuries.  The government said they were trying to give the children a better shot at life, and a way out of poverty, and young countries that had opportunities to grow.

However the way it worked allowed for great abuse, and many children suffered and were abused.   Sarah was lucky, and knew that she would be indentured for a period of time to pay for her passage.

There were many children that weren't so lucky, some were picked up off the street, or pulled out of orphanages, and told that their parents were dead.  Others were taken away from their families, when priests said they were unfit to care for their children because they were too poor.  Meanwhile the middle men received 7 pounds per child, and 10 pounds for their boat fair, and the clothes they would require.  Most children were indentured to families on farms and worked for a period of 5 to 7 years.  Many were sent to factories and work camps.

Sarah Elizabeth Holland Married Thomas Oran Tobias on July 4th 1883 in Buffalo N.Y..  They had 13 children only one dies during childhood.
Charles J,  Albert E,  Clarence ,  William F.,  Roy C,  Buleah G,  Sterling S,  Leah S,  Amy I, Ernest R,  Bessie E,  Thomas W,  Mary A.

In 1891according to the Canadian Census they were living in East Lambton with their children.  It is recorded that both Thomas and Sarah could read and write.  I couldn't make out his occupation.

In 1901 according to the Canada census Sarah and Thomas were living in the Brooke Township in Lambton East.  Thomas was working as a laborer.  The census say Thomas's race is French
 and Sarah"s race is English.

In the 1911 census Sarah and Thomas were living on Third St, Petrolia, East Lambton, Ontario with their children.  This census says she was born in June 1864, the 1901 census say she was born June 6 1863.  Thomas was working as a laborer in a saw mill at this time. 

Helen W. MacLean

Helen W. MacLean (McLean on Gary's birth certificate) was born August 12 1894 in Port Huron, Michigan

Her parents were Thomas MacLean, and her mother was Hattie Warren.

She married Ernest Russel Tobias, and they had one child, Gary Tobias


In 1900 Helen was 5 years old, and lived with her father and mother at 1412 Liberty, Flint, Michigan.  Helen's father Thomas was 33 at this time and was working as a carpenter.  Her mother was 30 years old.  Both her  father and mother could read.

In 1910 Helen was 15 years old, and she lived with her father (Thomas), mother (Hattie), and little sister (Anna age 5 years old) at 724 East 5th Street, Flint, Michigan.  Her father Thomas was now 43, and was working as a policeman in Flint, Michigan.  According to this federal census Hattie had delivered a total of 5 children  in 1910, only 3 were living.  So Helen had two siblings that died.

In 1914 Helen was attending Michigan State Normal College.  One of the censuses said she completed 3 years of College. Helen joined the Harmonious Mystics in college, and a sorority called Kappa Gamma Phi.  Her name was listed in Aurora (their yearbook).    

In 1920 there is a Helen Warren, She would have been 25 at this time and the census is from Flint, Michigan.  She was married to a Don Warren.  The writing is too pale to read in many areas, but both her parent were born in Michigan which matches her information.

***  It is rumored that Helen gave a daughter up for adoption.  My grandfather Gary told he that he thought he had a sister out there somewhere named Rachel.  I hope to find out more information about this time in Helen's life, and to find out what happened to Rachel and see if she had children of her own.  I know my grandfather wanted to find his sister.

Helen married Ernest Russel Tobias September 10th 1927 in Wayne county Michigan.  At the time Ernest lived in Detroit, Michigan and worked as a bread wrapper.  Helen was 32 years old, and worked as a bookkeeper at the time.

     According to the marriage certificate Helen was married one time before marrying Ernest.  She was marrying Ernest as Helen W. Warren. 

In 1930 Helen was 33, and she was living with Ernest her husband.  They were renting a home on Aurelia St. in Detroit, Michigan for 38.00.  Thomas was working as a laborer in the automobile industry.

In 1934 Gary Thomas Tobias (their only child) was born on December 8th.  in the city of Port Huron, Michigan.  When Gary was born Ernest was working as a machine operator.

In 1940 Helen and Ernest lived on Richman Road, in Kimball Michigan where they owned a house worth 2,000.00 on farm land.  According to this census Ernest had an 8th grade education, Helen had completed 3 years of college.   Ernest was now working at a brass factory as a machine operator.

On May 9, 1952 Helen MacLean died at age 57.  She died after an 11 day stay in Harbor General Hospital in Torrance, California.  Prior to her death she was living at 518 E. 126th St. Hawthorne, California.  She is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetary
According to her death certificate she had Diabetus Mellitus 18 years, Hypertensive Heart Disease 5 years.  Her direct cause of death was Broncho Pneumonia, and Cerebral Thrombosis.

 The photo is Helen's grave on the right under the roses, and the grave on the left is Ernest's (her husband).  They were buried side by side in single graves, but neither have a headstone.

Henry Wells

Henry Wells was born October 1854? in Ohio.

Henry's father was William Wells 1831? - 1908?, and his mother was Sarah Kallen 1832? - 1878?.

Henry Married Joanna (Joan- Anna/ were names she went by in the federal censuses) Carson.  They had 6 children.  James, Myrtle, Clarence, Elizabeth (lizzie), Leona, and Gardner.

In 1880 Henry was living with Joan at 140 Second Street, Vanceburg, Lewis, Kentucky. He worked in a cooper shop, and was a cooper by trade.  Coopers made casks and barrels primarily.  They could be for storage or transporting drys goods, or alcoholic beverages such as wines and whiskeys.
At this time their son James was 6, and birdie (myrtle?) was 3.  This census says his father was born in Ohio.

In 1900 Henry 45 was living in Clermont, Ohio. wife Joanna (Joan) 45, son James A. 24, daughter Myrtle 22, son Clarence 15, daughter Lizzie 11, daughter Leona 8, daughter, son Gardner 5, and Nancy Carson 78 his Mother in Law.  They were renting a house, 97 Front? Street in New Richmond Village, Clermont Ohio. His profession was a cooper at this time.

Henry Died August 7, 1909 in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio.

Hilda Marie Horstman

Hilda Horstman was born in July of 1896 in Ohio.

Hilda's Father was William Horstman, and her mother was Lena.

She Married Gardner Wells and they had a son named Jack Howard Wells 

In 1900 Hilda was 3, and lived with her Father William 28, Mother Lena 27, sister Clara 2, and brother William who was a month old at the time of the census.  They lived at Cincinnati Ward 11, in Hamilton County Ohio.  Both her maternal and paternal sets of grandparents were from Germany.  Her mother had father were both born in Ohio.  Here father worked as a box maker.  They rented the home they lived in.  William and Lena both were able to read, write, and speak English.


In 1910 Hilda was 13, and lived with her father William 38, mother Lena 37, sister Clara 11, brother Walter 8, brother Edward 6, sister Laura 4, and sister Florence? 16 months old.  At this time her father William was a woodworker.  It looks like they lived at 138 Sage Street.

In 1920 Hilda 24 was living with her husband Gardner Wells  25 at 2012 Mohawk, Hamilton, Cincinnati, Ohio.  At this time they lived in the same house with Gardner's mother Joanna  (Anna) 65, Myrtle Wolf her sister in law 42?, Myrtle's son George 15, sister in law Leona Schmitt 26, and her Leona's husband Jacob? Schmitt 26. Gardner earned a wage at this time the handwriting on the 1920 census looks like Stationary Fireman, then it says wholesale along with two other words that I could not decipher.


In 1930 Hilda 33, Gardner Wells her husband 34, and Jack 4 their son along with their niece ? Bradford 6, they were renting a house in Hamilton Ohio the house number was 3452, The street was not written on the page.  The house value was recorded at 30.00  Maybe that was the rent they paid, a house owned near them was worth 7,000.00?   Gardner worked as a truck driver for ice, and earned a wage.

In the 1940 census it looks like she was living at the Hotel Oxford as Hilda Wells in Cincinnati, Ohio