Virginia "Jennie" Smith, Born 14 Sep 1906 - Died 26 Apr 1916, the daughter of Virginia "Jennie" Shaw Baker Smith

 Two of nine.

I now know what happened to two of the nine children my great grandmother Virginia "Jennie" Shaw Baker Smith gave birth to.

Her first child was Roy Henry Baker, my Grandpa Baker. I want to do a timeline post on him sometime soon that is going to be a challenge!

Roy Henry Baker Born 05 Jul 1888 - Died 08 Dec 1965
Harry E Baker Born in about 1892 - Died after 1900
Edith M Baker Born in about 1894 - Died after 1910
Ella B Baker Born in about 1898 - Died after 1900 She is missing from the 1910 census when she would have been only 12

There was another child that died by 1900, the census says Virginia Baker was the mother of 5, 4 still living. That child might have been between Roy and Harry but more likely between Edith and Mary.

Then along came Mary Baker in 1902 - Died after 1910

A second husband....

Virginia "Jennie" Smith Born 14 Sep 1906 - Died  26 Apr 1916
Charles Smith Born about 1909 - Died after 1920
and finally
Marguritte Smith in about 1912 - Died after 1920

I was looking at different resources to try to find more about what happened to these Grand Aunts and Uncles, hoping to be able to locate some of their descendants, my cousins. I was poking around on Missouri Digital Heritage last night and found young Jennie Smith's Death Certificate. I can cross her off my list to research.

Jennie was a "schoolgirl", age 9 years 7 months 12 days when she died.She was sick with measles for over a week before she was admitted to the Kansas City General Hospital. She died 9 days later of empyema, a complication of measles and lobar pneumonia. If you are curious you can read about empyema here at Healthline and about measles and pneumonia in The Archives of Internal Medicine in 1918.  I can not imagine watching a child die of complications of measles. The antibiotics that could have likely saved her were still over a generation away. Under Place of Burial on her death certificate it looks like Unknown is crossed out and above it Forest Hill is written. It says she was buried on April 28th 1916. I have not been able to confirm her place of burial.

Postcard from 1916

Actual photo from the 1920s

Jennie's siblings, Mary age 14, Charles age 7, and Marguritte age 4,  would have been at home at this time and seem to have escaped her fate. I could not locate any death certificates for them around the time of Jennie's death.

If she had lived she would have been 51 when I was born.

Virginia "Jennie" Shaw, even more questions

Virginia "Jennie" Shaw
My Great Grandmother
Interesting fact; Jennie was "Deaf and dumb", I don't know if she was born this way or lost her hearing as a young child.

Born October 1869 in Missouri, USA

Sources; 1870, 1880, 1900, 1920 US Censuses

1870 Residence; Campbell, Greene County, Missouri, USA.

She is living with her father William Shaw, age 61, her mother Mary (Oldham) Shaw, age 24, and her sister Frances, age 3. They are living next door to Mary's mother. William is a “Teamster”.

Source; 1870 Us Census

1870 United States Federal Census, Campbell, Greene County, Missouri, USA

  

In 1880 she is listed in two US Censuses

1880 Residence 1; Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, USA.

She is listed as living at the “assylem Fulton”.

She is listed with her mother Mary J, age 34 and step father John M Stutzman, age 49, Occupation; Carpenter, along with several half and step siblings and her sister Belle (Frances), age 13, and brother Johnie, age 7. There are also boarders living in the house including Mary's mother and sister.

• When did her father William die? The only clue I have is from Ancetry.com “His grand-daughter told a story of how he was driving a wagon back from Boliver (to Springfield), and he was killed by bushwackers just outside of town (Springfield). It was on "Stagecoach" road, just as it crests out over a hill." 

1880 United States Federal Census, Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, USA

1880 Residence 2; Fulton, Callaway County, Missouri, USA

She is a pupil at the Missouri Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb.

• When did she loose her hearing?
  
  

1880 United States Federal Census, Fulton, Callaway County, Missouri, USA

1888 - Marriage to John D Baker according to the 1900 census which states they have been married 12 years.

4 Jul 1888 - birth of Roy H Baker In Greene County, Missouri < my grandfather

26 Jan 1891 - Marriage to John D Baker (b. Feb 1861 in Illinois)

Source; Missouri marriage license, Springfield, Greene, Missouri

• Compare this to the 1900 Census marriage date?

Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002

Apr 1892 birth of Harry E Baker in Missouri

Dec 1894 birth of Edith Baker in Missouri

Sep 1898 birth of Ella B Baker in Missouri

Source; 1900 US Census

According to the 1900 census, census taker was very sloppy...

Enumerated on 4 Jun 1900

Address 1961 Benton Ave, North Campbell Township, Springfield, Mo

She is the wife of head of household (John D Baker)

Age 30

Married 12 years

Mother of 5, 4 still living

Her father was born in Tennessee

Her mother was born in Virginia

She can read, write and speak English

1900 United States Federal Census, Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, USA

1902 birth of Mary Baker in Missouri

Source; 1910 US Census

31 May 1904 – Marriage to Charles Smith in Clinton, Henry County Missouri, USA

Source Missouri Marriage Records, 1805- 2002 The copy is so poor it is almost unreadable.

• What happened to John D Baker? Did he die or did they divorce?

1907 birth of Virginia Jennie Smith in Kansas

1909 birth of Charles J Smith in Kansas

Source; 1910 US Census

1910 US Census Jennie is living in Topeka, Ward 2, Shawnee County, Kansas, USA

Address 112 Adams St

Wife of head of household Charles Smith, age 36, birthplace Michigan, parents birthplace, father; New York and mother; Germany, Occupation; Common Laborer, Odd Jobs

Age 45 (?)

Her second marriage (Charles' first)

Can read and write

Is Deaf and Dumb

Has three more children; Mary Baker age 8 born in Missouri, Jennie Smith age 3 and Charles Smith age 1 both born in Kansas.

John and Jennie's daughter Ella who would have been 12 is not on the census with her mother and step father. Edith and Mary Baker are with Jennie. Roy would have been 22, his whereabouts is unknown. Harry E. would have been 18 and his whereabouts is unknown.

• What happened to Ella?

1910 United States Federal Census, Topeka ward 2, Shawnee County, Kansas, USA

1912 birth of Marguritte Smith in New York

Source; 1920 US Census

1919 Residence - 1729 Holly St, Kansas City Mo, Chas T "grinder", can not find them in the 1920-21 directories.

Source; U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989

Add

U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

 

1920 US Census Jennie is living in Kansas City Ward 2, Jackson, Missouri, USA

Address;1729 Holly St, Kansas City Mo

Wife of head of household Charles Smith, age 48, Parents birthplace Germany, Occupation; Grinder, tool sharpener

Age 51

Can read, write and speak English

Parents born in Missouri.

Children; Charles J Smith 11, Marguritte Smith 8.

• Where is daughter Jennie Smith who would be about 13? 
  Edited to add Jennies fate. I posted about my find here in my post about her.
   

1920 United States Federal Census,  Kansus City Ward 2, Jackson County, Missouri, USA

What happened to Jennie, Charles and the kids after 1920? The trail runs dry....

John D Baker, more questions than answers

John D Baker my Great Grandfather

Born Feb 1861 in Illinois

Source; 1900 US Census

1 May 1883 Possible marriage to Louise J Boyd; born about 1865, death ?

Source; Missouri marriage license, Springfield, Greene, Missouri

• Were there two John D Bakers in Springfield area?
  
  

Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002

1888 - Marriage to Virginia “Jennie” Shaw 

Source; 1900 US Census which states they have been married 12 years.

4 Jul 1888 birth of Roy H Baker In Greene County, Missouri < my grandfather

26 Jan 1891 - Marriage to Jennie Shaw; born Oct 1869 in Missouri, death ?

Source; Missouri marriage license, Springfield, Greene, Missouri

• Compare this to the census marriage date?

Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002

Apr 1892 birth of Harry E Baker in Missouri

Dec 1894 birth of Edith Baker in Missouri

Sep 1898 birth of Ella B Baker in Missouri

Source; 1900 US Census

1902 birth of Mary Baker in Missouri

Source; 1910 US Census

Information from the 1900 Census, census taker was very sloppy...

Enumerated on 4 Jun 1900

Address 1961 Benton Ave, North Campbell Township, Springfield, Mo
(They live very close to the Beckleys, Hazel Opal Beckley appears to be Roy's 1^st? wife)
Head of household

Age 39

John's parents were both born in Iowa

His occupation is Shoemaker

Months not employed 0

He can read, write and speak English

They rent

1900 United States Federal Census, Springfield, Ward 08, District 0044, Greene, Missouri, USA 

By the 1910 Census Jennie is living in Topeka, Kansas married to Charles Smith, birthplace Michigan, parents birthplace, father; New York and mother; Germany, and has three more children; Mary Baker age 8 born in Missouri, Jennie Smith age 3 and Charles Smith age 1, both born in Kansas. John and Jennie's daughter Ella who would have been 12 is not on the census with her mother and step father. Edith and Mary are with Jennie. Roy would have been 22, his whereabouts is unknown. Harry E. would have been 18 and his whereabouts is unknown.

• What happened to Ella?
  
  

1910 United States Federal Census, Topeka, Ward 2, District 0150, Shawnee, Kansas, USA

     

Possible that Roy was either Jennie's or John's (Louise) by another relationship?

I am looking at a DNA connection to Jennie's family that looks very probable.

What happened to John D Baker? Did he die or did he and Jennie divorce?

Tombstone Tuesday - Cave Springs Memorial Church Cemetery

I have a bunch of family buried here.....

Cave Springs Memorial Church Cemetery also known as 

Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church

Listed as a Greene County Missouri Historic 
SiteCounty registration date: Nov. 2, 1981
The Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, now Cave Springs Community Church and Cemetery, has important connections to the early history of Greene County. Built in 1867, the building marks the site of an earlier log chapel and still earlier brush arbor, where one of the earliest churches in Greene County was organized in October of 1839. The present large two-story white frame structure with a bell tower had long served as a church, a school, and a community meeting place. It is the oldest Presbyterian Church west of the Mississippi.

See that mess of foliage and the surrounding stones? That's where most of them are buried. 

My ancestors buried there (the red are direct line, the burgundy are direct line with links);

Joseph Pollack - b. Oct. 30, 1842 d. Dec. 13, 1905 Adele’s father

Bettie (Martha Elizabeth Skeen) Pollack - b. Oct. 11, 1845 d. Sep. 24, 1923 Adele’s mother

Children of Bettie and Joseph (eight of their eleven known children) ;

Gay (Gabriel) Pollack m - b. Mar. 25, 1867 d. Jan. 23, 1888 

Adele Pollack Denby - b. 1871 d. 1948 Jo Helen Denby Baker’s mother

Joseph Pollack  - b. Oct. 17, 1872 d. Oct. 25, 1875

Calvin J Pollack  - b. Sep. 6, 1874 d. Feb. 1, 1955

    Nellie E Darraugh Pollack - b. Nov. 26, 1876 d. Oct. 26, 1936 Calvin J Pollack’s wife

Marvin Pollack  - b. Apr. 22, 1879 d. Aug. 17, 1962

    Virginia Barrow Pollack - b. Sep. 25, 1882 d. Sep. 14, 1979 Marvin Pollack’s wife

        Carl Marvin Pollack - b. Oct. 24, 1916 d. Apr. 18, 1930 Marvin & Virginia’s son

        Roscoe Pollack - b. Nov. 2, 1902 d. Nov. 27, 1918 Marvin & Virginia’s son

Florence Pollack (infant)  - b. Mar. 26, 1880 d. Jul. 12, 1882

Carl Pollack (infant)  - b. Jul. 27, 1884 d. Mar. 18, 1885

Juanita Z McNew Pollack - b. 1879 d. 1921 Wife of Ransom Harris Pollack, his burial place unknown

Helen J Pollack Carden – b. Aug. 24, 1891 d. Jan 4. 1966

    George A. Carden – b. Jan. 31, 1888 d. May 2, 1972 Helen J Pollack’s husband

Hope H Skeen - b. Feb. 16, 1807 d. Aug. 4, 1875 Bettie’s father

Delinda Harris Skeen - b. Aug. 17, 1809 d. Aug. 1, 1882 Bettie’s mother

Bettie (Martha Elizabeth Skeen) Pollack’s sibling;

R. (Ransom) H. (Harris) Skeen - b. May 10, 1835 d. Dec. 4, 1917

    Louisa E McClure Skeen - b. Nov. 4, 1837 d. Sep. 5, 1871

        William H Skeen (infant) - b. Aug. 28, 1871 d. Aug. 28, 1871 

Mary L Ross Skeen - b. Oct. 17, 1842 d. May 30, 1915 Ransom’s 2nd wife

I'm still digging through the names of people buried there and I'm sure I will find more connections.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Grandpa Baker's coffee biggin and cup

This is Grandpa Baker's French enamelware coffee biggin and his demitasse cup. Grandma Jo told me that he enjoyed making and drinking his morning coffee with this set up. Grandma was a perked coffee kind of gal and there was always a pot on the stove.

The thing that I find funny about this is Grandpa Baker was a big man, 6'4" and probably over 250 lbs. I don't have many memories of him but I do remember him being BIG! It makes me chuckle to think about his large hands holding that tiny cup. He also always had a pet parakeet or love bird. So there seems to have been a delicate side to this rough and tumble law man.

As you can see I'm still running behind this week on these posts, bear with me while I get the hang of this!

Tombstone Tuesday - Roy Henry Baker

Roy Henry Baker my paternal Grandfather

Grandpa Baker was born in Springfield, Missouri on July 5, 1888. The 1900 Census finds him living with his parent John D Baker and Virginia (Jennie) Shaw Baker in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. Also in the household are Roy's siblings Harry E, Edith M, and Ella B. Grandpa Baker was in law enforcement for a large part of his life and also worked in the oil industry. Grandma Jo used to tell the story of how they met, he pulled her over and gave her a speeding ticket. Tall tales abound in this branch of the family tree, some of them are actually true. The story that he was a Texas Ranger is one of the those, my sister has his badges and I was able to acquire his oath of service. I'm glad we were able to prove that story, I will continue to work on the rest of them!

Treasure Chest Thursday - Grandma Jo Baker's sugar bowl

This is one of Grandma Jo Helen Baker's treasures, it tells a story about her. It says that she loved beautiful things and had a very feminine streak under that farm woman exterior. When I was a small girl she worked in a neighborhood thrift store. I imagine looking at the broken and repaired lid that it might have come from that shop. Someone had discarded it and Grandma still saw beauty in it so it came home with her. Grandma and Grandpa didn't have much money, many of the things they owned were rescued cast offs from others. This is a trait she passed on to me.

Tombstone Tuesday - Jo Helen Denby Baker

Jo Helen Denby Baker my paternal Grandmother

Grandma Jo was born in Missouri on May 12, 1906. The 1910 US Census finds her in Melrose, Curry, New Mexico with her parents Claude and Adele (Pollack) along with her two older sisters Esther and Erma (Irma). Melrose's claim to fame is having William Hanna of Hanna-Barbera Productions born there. William Hanna was also my Grandma's maternal first cousin, she was very proud of his success. While writing this I Googled Melrose and found it is a "village losing population due to rural exodus". I also learned it is on Highway 84 which is also Denby Ave, this will require more research!