2.12.11. Herbert Bartist Beck (1889-1981)

Herbert Bartist Beck was born on 19 September 1889 in Mascoutah, Illinois, to John B. Beck and Christina Beyerle. His paternal grandfather had immigrated from Germany. When the 1900 census was enumerated, Herbert and his family lived in Irving, Illinois, on his father's farm. In 1910 Herbert lived with his brother on a rented farm in Lebanon, Illinois, and helped his brother on the farm.

Herbert married Jane "Janie" Muir on 20 June 1912. Their first child was born in Summerfield, Illinois, but by 1917, when Herbert registered for the World War I draft, they lived in Trenton, Illinois. He was a farmer and his appearance was described as medium height and build with blue eyes and light brown, slightly balding hair. Their second and last child was born in Trenton. In 1920 the family lived on a rented farm in Sugar Creek, Illinois.

Herbert's oldest brother and his wife, Ethel, moved to Fergus County, Montana, in 1918 and homesteaded land there. Herbert and his family followed in 1923, traveling by train. They arrived on 7 April 1923 and lived with Herbert's brother while he filed for his homestead.

In two separate transactions with the General Land Office, Herbert acquired nearly 425 acres of land in two counties -- Fergus and Phillips counties:

26 September 1928

• South half of the northeast quarter of Section 34 in Township 20 North, Range 24 East
• Southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 31 in Township 20 North, Range 25 East
• West half of the southeast quarter of Section 32 in Township 20 North, Range 25 East
• East half of the southwest quarter of Section 32 in Township 20 North, Range 25 East
• Southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 32 in Township 20 North, Range 25 East
• Lot 4 of Section 5 in Township 19 North, Range 25 East
• Lot 1 of Section 6 in Township 19 North, Range 25 East

17 October 1928

• Southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 27 in Township 20 North, Range 24 East

For the next 20 plus years, Herbert and his family worked on the farm they established in Montana, growing winter wheat and other crops as well as raising dairy cows.

In 1949 Herbert acquired another 40 acres of farm land from the Great Falls, Montana, General Land office. 

Eventually Herbert retired from farming and he and Janie moved to Washington to be closer to their daughter. Herbert died on 20 November 1981 and was interred at Grand Mound Cemetery in Rochester, Washington.

_______________

1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Irving, Montgomery, Illinois; Roll: 331; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0084; FHL microfilm: 1240331

1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: Lebanon, Saint Clair, Illinois; Roll: T624_323; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0144; FHL microfilm: 1374336

1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Sugar Creek, Clinton, Illinois; Roll: T625_304; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 20; Image 971

1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: School District 207, Fergus, Montana; Roll: 1255; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 128; Image: 1063.0; FHL microfilm: 2340990

1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Roy, Fergus, Montana; Roll: T627_2218; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 14-117

Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 25

Exploring Central Montana's Past: Missouri Breaks Historical Homestead Tour, (Lewiston, MT: Bureau of Land Management), pages 1-32

Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 36909316

Roy History Committee (editors and compilers). Homestead Shacks Over Buffalo Tracks: History of Northeastern Fergus County (Montana), (Bozeman, MT: Color World Printers, 190), pages 1-533

US, General Land Office (Billings, MT), Original Survey of Township 20 North, Range 24 East

US, General Land Office (Billings, MT), Original Survey of Township 20 North, Range 25 East
US, General Land Office (Billings, MT), Original Survey of Township 24 North, Range 24 East

US, General Land Office (Billings, MT), Record of Patent No. 1019564

US, General Land Office (Billings, MT), Record of Patent No. 1019937

US, General Land Office (Great Falls, MT), Record of Patent No. 1125139

US, Montana County Marriages, 1865-1950, 1934 Erickson, William Eugene - Beck, Thelma C.

US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Number: 533-24-0982; Issue State: Washington; Issue Date: Before 1951

US, Washington Death Index, 1940-1996, 1981 Beck, Herbert B.

US, Washington Find A Grave Index, 1821-2012, Memorial No. 36909316

US, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Registration State: Illinois; Registration County: Clinton; Roll: 1504090

2.12.11. Jane Muir (1894-1990)

Jane Muir was born on 29 November 1894 in Reading, Illinois, to James Muir and Margaret Semple. She was their tenth child though only five lived to adulthood. Jane's mother also had a daughter two years before her marriage to James, who grew up in the family home. James Muir left the family the year after Jane was born and appeared to have disappeared from their lives until they reached adulthood. Jane went by Janie her entire life.

In 1910 Janie and her mother lived in O'Fallon, Illinois, next door to Janie's older brother, who had been widowed the previous year, and his two young children. He married again in 1911 and his children by his first wife moved in with Janie and her mother.

Janie married Herbert Bartist Beck, son of John B. Beck and Christina Beyerle on 20 June 1912. The couple had two children. By 1920 they lived on a farm in Sugar Creek, Illinois.

In 1923 they followed Herbert's brother to Montana by taking a train to Roy and then traveling by car and wagon to Herbert's brother's farm. Herbert homesteaded several partial sections of land, totaling 320 acres, and the family remained in Fergus County for many years.

What a different life Jane (Muir) Beck had from her siblings!

Roy, Montana, 1916; courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management

When Herbert retired from farming, he and Janie moved to Centralia, Washington. Herbert died in 1981 and Janie died on 23 January 1990, living to 95 years old. She was interred at Grand Mound Cemetery in Rochester, Washington, with her husband.

_______________
'Roy, Montana, 1916,' Bureau of Land Management
1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Reading, Livingston, Illinois; Roll: 318; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0014; FHL microfilm: 1240318
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: O Fallon, Saint Clair, Illinois; Roll: T624_323; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0155; FHL microfilm: 1374336
1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Sugar Creek, Clinton, Illinois; Roll: T625_304; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 20; Image: 971
1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Fergus, Montana; Roll: 1255; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 128; Image: 1063.0; FHL microfilm: 2340990
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Roy, Fergus, Montana; Roll: T627_2218; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 14-117
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, pages 4 and 25
Exploring Central Montana's Past: Missouri Breaks Historical Homestead Tour, (Lewiston, MT: Bureau of Land Management), pages 1-32
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 36909317
Roy History Committee (editors and compilers). Homestead Shacks Over Buffalo Tracks: History of Northeastern Fergus County (Montana), (Bozeman, MT: Color World Printers, 1990), pages 1-533
US, Illinois, Birth Certificate, 1942, Certificate No. 20122
US, Montana County Marriages, 1865-1950, 1934 Erickson, William Eugene - Beck, Thelma C.
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Number: 533-24-0981; Issue State: Washington; Issue Date: Before 1951
US, Washington Death Index, 1940-1996, 1990 Beck, Jane
US, Washington Find A Grave Index, 1821-2012, Memorial No. 36909317

2.12.10 Bertha Cloren (1882-1929)

Bertha Cloren was born on 22 August 1882 in Ardmore, Missouri, to John Patrick Cloren and Janet Ann Milnes, Irish immigrants who married after they arrived in the United States. John Cloren's surname was spelled Killoren in Ireland. When the 1900 census was enumerated, Bertha and her family lived in Nineveh Township, Missouri, and her father worked as a coal miner. He died in 1908 and in 1910 Bertha, her widowed mother, and siblings lived in Novinger, Missouri, a town in the Nineveh Township. Two of her brothers supported the family by working in the coal mines like their father.

Bertha married Alexander Muir on 13 June 1914 in the Justice of the Peace's office in Kirksville, Missouri. Bertha was nearly seven years older than her husband. Alexander had moved to Seattle the previous year and worked as a fireman for the city. The couple returned to Seattle and had five known children during the course of their marriage. Only three survived infancy, however.

The family lived 643 97th Street when the 1920 census was enumerated. According to the census, Alexander and Bertha owned the home. Alexander retired from the fire department later that year after an injury, and sometime before 1923 the family had moved to Whidbey Island, which is a large island at the mouth of the Puget Sound. The family moved to Everett, Washington, on 15 October 1929.

Bertha died on 19 October 1929 at Everett General Hospital in Everett of puerperal sepsis, prolonged, difficult labor and birth of hydrocephalic monstrosity according to her death certificate. Hydrocephalic monstrosity was a term then in use for a baby born with spina bifida. There is no record of the child's birth or death so my assumption is that it did not survive.

Bertha (Cloren) Muir's body was cremated.

_______________
1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Nineveh, Adair, Missouri; Roll: 836; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0011; FHL microfilm: 1240836
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: Novinger, North Ward, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T624_766; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0017; FHL microfilm: 1374779
1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: T625_1926; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 99; Image: 234
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 24
US, Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, 1914 Muir, Alexander - Cloren, Bertha
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1915 Seattle, WA (Alex and Bertha Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1916 Seattle, WA (Alex and Bertha Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1917 Seattle, WA (Alex and Bertha I Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1918 Seattle, WA (Alex and Bertha Muir)
US, Washington Death Certificate, Year: 1929; Record No. 321; Registered No. 340
US, Washington Deaths, 1883-1960, 1929 Muir, Bertha
US, Washington Select Death Certificates, 1907-1960, 1929 Muir, Bertha (Cloran)

2.12.10 Alexander Muir (1889-1957)

Alexander Muir was born on 13 May 1889 in Coalville, which was part of Streator, Illinois, to James Muir and Margaret Semple. He was their first child born in the United States and his father was a coal miner. According to the Scottish naming convention, which his parents followed, he should have been named after his father, but was not. His younger sister's given name also did not follow the naming convention so perhaps James and Margaret abandoned it when they immigrated to the U.S.

Alexander's father left the family about 1895 and moved to Iowa. In 1900, Alexander lived with his mother and siblings in Reading, Illinois, where Alexander attended school. When the 1910 census was enumerated he was 21 years old and serving aboard the USS California (ACR-6), which was berthed at the Navy Yard in Mare Island, California. His occupation was listed as Navy musician.

According to his obituary, he moved to Seattle in 1913 and joined the city fire department. However, he returned to the midwest to marry. Alexander married Bertha Isabelle Cloren, daughter of John Patrick Cloren and Janet Ann Milnes, on 13 June 1914 in Adair County, Missouri. The couple had five known children during the course of their marriage though only three lived to adulthood.

When Alexander registered for the World War I on 5 June 1917, his appearance was described as tall and slender with blue-gray eyes and dark brown hair. Twenty-five years later, his appearance was described as 5 feet 9 inches tall and 185 pounds with blue eyes, gray hair, and a ruddy complexion. Both of his little fingers were crooked at the first joint and he had a scar under his left nipple.

Alexander retired from the Seattle Fire Department in 1920 due to an injury and the family moved to Island County, Washington, where their younger children were born.

Alexander's wife Bertha died on 19 October 1929 after a prolonged and difficult childbirth.

He returned to the fire department in 1930 and worked as a fire inspector. He retired again in 1935 and joined Boeing Aircraft Co. at Plant No. 2. as their fire chief. He retired from Boeing in 1945.

Station No. 10, Seattle Fire Department headquarters, 1928; photograph courtesy
of Seattle Fire Department by Richard Schneider

Alexander never remarried and died 6 May 1957. He was dead on arrival when the ambulance arrived at King County Hospital in Seattle. He died of a coronary occlusion and arterio-sclerosis. He was retired from the city fire department at the time of his death and lived at 1415 Belmont Avenue, No. 1. His body was cremated after his death.

_______________
'Station No. 10, Seattle Fire Department Headquarters, 1928,' Seattle Fire Department
1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Reading, Livingston, Illinois; Roll: 318; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0114; FHL microfilm: 1240318
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: USS California, California, Military and Naval Forces; Roll: T624_1784; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0192; FHL microfilm: 1375797
1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: T625_1926; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 99; Image: 234
1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: 2494; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 0044; Image: 350.0; FHL microfilm: 2342228
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: T627_379; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 40-174
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 4
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 114309112
Seattle Daily Times, 7 May 1957
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1915 Seattle, WA (Alex Muir and Bertha Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1916 Seattle, WA (Alex Muir and Bertha Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1917 Seattle, WA (Alex Muir and Bertha I Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1918 Seattle, WA (Alex Muir and Bertha Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1921 Seattle, WA (Alex Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1931 Seattle, WA (A. Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1931 Seattle, WA (Alex Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1932 Seattle, WA (Alex Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1933 Seattle, WA (Alex Muir)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1940 Seattle, WA (Alex Muir)
US, Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, 1914 Muir, Alexander - Cloren, Bertha
US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Number: 531-14-1818
US, Washington Deaths, 1883-1960, 1957 Muir, Alexander
US, Washington Death Certificates, 1957, Registrar's No. 2388
US, Washington Select Death Certificates, 1907-1960, 1957 Muir Alexander
US, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Registration State: Washington; Registration County: King; Roll: 1991887; Draft Board: 1
US, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Pacific Alaska Region (Seattle); Seattle, Washington; Fourth Registration Draft Cards (WWII); State Headquarters: Washington; Record Group Name: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Archive Number: 563992

2.12.9. Mayme Zebio (1887-1970)

Mayme Zebio was born on 27 January 1887 in Collinsville, Illinois, to Louis Zebio and Mary Frey. Her father had emigrated from Italy about 1879 and her mother's parents were born in Switzerland. When the 1900 census was enumerated, the family lived on Centre Street in Collinsville and Mayme's father worked as a coal miner.

According to Grandma Jennings' genealogy notebook, Mayme married Peter Semple Muir on 1 July 1908. It's possible they met through Peter's older brother, Robert, who had married a young woman from the Collinsville area in 1902.

By 1910 Mayme and Peter lived at 911 Main Street in Ottumwa, Iowa. She had lost their first child a year earlier. The young family moved to Mystic, Iowa, later in 1910. Peter's father lived there with his second wife. Mayme lost their second child in Mystic.

Between 1914 and 1917 the family moved to Michigan where they remained for the rest of their lives. They likely lived on a farm in Dearborn first and Peter got a job as a machinist at the Ford factory. They lost a third child in 1921 to diphtheria.

The family moved to Palmyra, Michigan, by 1930 where Peter continued to work in the automobile industry, but by 1940 they had moved to Detroit and lived in a home they owned at 9335 Hubbell Avenue, which was valued at $1,200. Like so many other properties in the city, this address is now a vacant lot.

Mayme's husband died in 1947. Mayme (Zebio) Muir died on 10 November 1970. She was interred at Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit beside her husband.

_______________

1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Collinsville, Madison, Illinois; Roll: 326; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0045; FHL microfilm: 1240326

1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: Ottumwa Ward 1, Wapello, Iowa; Roll: T624_426; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0134; FHL microfilm: 1374439

1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Dearborn, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T625_801; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 8; Image: 38

1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Palmyra, Lenawee, Michigan; Roll: 1007; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 34; Image: 807.0; FHL microfilm: 2340742

1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T627_1888; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 84-1554

Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 19

Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 14191787

US, Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990, 1910 Muir, Ralph James

US, Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925, 1915 Muir, Mame

2.12.9. Peter Semple Muir (1886-1947)

Peter Semple Muir was born on 3 Febuary 1886 in Shawsburn, which was part of Dalserf, Scotland, to James and Margaret Muir. He was their eighth child but only the third one living, though Margaret had a daughter prior to her marriage. Peter was named after his maternal grandfather and was Margaret's fourth son to be so named.

When Peter was 19 months old, he, his mother and older sisters and brother boarded the S/S Manitoban in Glasgow. They arrived in Philadelphia on 30 September 1887 and likely traveled by train to Streator, Illinois, where Peter's father worked as a coal miner. His father abandoned the family about 1895.

In 1900 Peter lived with his mother and siblings in Reading, Illinois. He was 14 years old and already working in the coal mines along side his older brother, Robert.

He became a naturalized United States citizen about 1907.

According to Grandma Jennings' genealogy notebook, he married Mayme Zebio, daughter of Louis Zebio and Mary Frey, on 1 July 1908. Her father was born in Italy and immigrated to the U.S. about 1879. Mayme was of the Roman Catholic faith and I believe Peter became a Catholic when they married.

When the 1910 census was enumerated the coupled lived at 911 Main Street in Ottumwa, Iowa, where Peter worked as a coal miner. They moved to Mystic, Iowa, later that same year where Peter's father lived with his second wife and lived there through at least 1915.

When Peter registered for the World War I draft on 12 September 1918, he and his family lived on a farm in Dearborn, Michigan, and he worked at Ford as a machinist. In 1920 he worked as a laborer for a plumber.

The family had moved to Palmyra, Michigan by 1930 and Peter worked as a steam pipe fitter at an automobile factory. In 1940 the Peter's family lived in Detroit at 9335 Hubbell Avenue, a home he owned, which was valued at $1,200. He continued working for an automobile company as a stock man. In 1942 when he registered for the World War II draft he was working for the aircraft division.

Peter died on 3 November 1947 in Detroit and was interred at Grand Lawn Cemetery in Detroit. His wife was buried beside him after her death in 1970.

_______________
1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Reading, Livingston, Illinois; Roll: 318; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0114; FHL microfilm: 1240318
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: Ottumwa Ward 1, Wapello, Iowa; Roll: T624_425; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0134; FHL microfilm: 1374439
1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Dearborn, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T625_801; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 8; Image: 38
1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Palmyra, Lenawee, Michigan; Roll: 1007; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 34; Image: 807.0; FHL microfilm: 2340742
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T627_1888; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 84-1554
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 4 and 19
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 14191783
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2015, 1886 Muir, Peter Semple (Statutory Births 638/02 0016)
US, Iowa Select Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990, 1910 Muir, Ralph James
US, Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925, 1915 Muir, Peter
US, Michigan Death Certificate, State File No. 371758; Local File No. 13099
US, Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952, GS Film number: 001972924; Digital Folder Number: 005362498; Image Number: 02013
US, Michigan Death Records, 1867-1950, 1947 Mair, Peter
US, Michigan Find A Grave Index, 1805-2012, Memorial No. 14191783
US, Pennsylvania Passenger and Crew Lists, 1800-1962, Roll: T840_9; Line: 20
US, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Registration State: Michigan; Registration County: Wayne; Roll: 1683039; Draft Board: 4
US, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, 4th Registration for the State of Michigan; State Headquarters: Michigan (Muir, Peter)

2.12.8. Robert Caswell (1876-1959)

Robert Caswell was born on 23 June 1876 in Rabbit City, Illinois, to John Caswell and Elizabeth Russell. I have been unable to find Rabbit City on any map. His father had emigrated from Wales as a young teenager and was a coal miner. Elizabeth Russell was born in Pennsylvania, but her parents had both been born in Scotland. When the 1880 census was enumerated, the family lived in Streator, Illinois, where his father worked as a coal miner.

By 1900 the family lived at 610 South Illinois Street, where his parents would remain for the rest of their lives. Both father and son, Robert, worked in the coal mines which surrounded Streator. Robert must have met Margaret Muir in Streator after she, her mother, and siblings emigrated from Scotland in 1887. The couple married on 3 August 1902 In St. Joseph, Michigan. St. Joseph was the county seat of Berrien County, a well-known "Gretna Green" county, a place with fewer marriage restrictions. Robert's younger sister, Mary Ann "Mallie" Caswell was one of the witnesses. The couple had seven children, though only four lived to adulthood according to my grandmother, Alice (Muir) Jennings, genealogy notebook. All of their children were likely born in Missouri.

By 1910 Robert and his family had moved to Nineveh Township, Missouri, where he continued working as a coal miner as he did his entire working life. On 11 September 1918 Robert went to the local Adair County draft board and registered for the World War I draft. The family lived in Novinger, Missouri, at the time, a town in Nineveh Township. He worked for Kansas City Midland Coal and Mining Co., which employed about 400 men. The family remained at that location when the 1920 census was enumerated.

Between 1922 and 1928, the family moved to Tilton, Illinois, a village in Danville Township, which was established to house families of the local coal miners in the 1850s. The family eventually owned a home at 501 South D Street in Tilton, which sometime between 1953 and 1955 became 501 Dellwood Avenue.

Robert died on 21 May 1959 and was interred at Spring HIll Cemetery and Mausoleum in Danville. His wife, Margaret (Muir) Caswell, died in 1966 and was buried beside her husband.

_______________
1880 US Federal Census, Census Place: Streator, La Salle, Illinois; Roll: 222; Family History Film: 1254222; Page: 108B; Enumeration District: 055; Image: 0219
1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Streator Ward 6, Lasalle, Illinois; Roll: 315; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 0039; FHL microfilm: 1240315
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: Nineveh, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T624_766; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 0015; FHL microfilm: 1374779
1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Nineveh, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T625_902; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 17; Image: 325
1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Danville, Vermilion, Illinois; Roll: 564; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 36; Image: 973.0; FHL microfilm: 2340299
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Danville, Vermilion, Illinois; Roll: T627_898; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 92-52
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 15
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 83805884
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1928 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1955, 1947 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1949 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1951 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1953 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1955 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1957 Danville, IL (Robert Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1957 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1958 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, Illinois Find A Grave Index, 1809-2012, Memorial No. 83805884
US, Michigan Marriage Certificate, State File Number: 1-300, Record Number: 820
US, Michigan Marriage Records, 1867-1952, 1902 Caswell, Robert - Muir, Margaret
US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Number: 329-09-9807
US, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Registration State: Missouri; Registration County: Adair; Roll: 1683088; Draft Board No. 1

2.12.8. Margaret Muir (1884-1966)

Margaret "Maggie" Muir was born on 6 May 1884 in Dalserf, Scotland, to James Muir and Margaret Semple. She was born at Swinhill Farm, the farm her maternal grandfather rented. She was James and Margaret's seventh child, but only the second who lived beyond infancy.

On 30 September 1887 Maggie arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her mother, brother Robert, and half-sister Jessie. They had traveled aboard the S/S Manitoban from Glasgow, Scotland, and likely took a train to Streator, Illinois, where Maggie's father, James, worked as a coal miner. James had immigrated in June 1887.

When the 1900 census was enumerated, Maggie was a live-in servant on the farm owned by Sarah Dawson, a widow whose two sons lived with her. The farm was located in Long Point, Illinois, which was about 10 miles south of Streator, where her mother lived. Streator and Long Point were also connected by railroad.

On 3 August 1902 Maggie married Robert Caswell, son of John Caswell and Elizabeth Russell, in St. Joseph, Michigan. St. Joseph is the county seat of Berrien County, which was considered a "Gretna Green" county, a place where there are fewer marriage restrictions than in nearby counties. Maggie did not report her father's name to the civil authorities when they married, which is not perhaps unusual as he had abandoned the family around 1895.

According to the genealogy notebook kept by Alice (Muir) Jennings, Maggie's niece, Maggie and Robert had seven children with five surviving to adulthood. This was likely correct because Grandma Jennings worked with Maggie's daughter, Roberta (Caswell) Fullerton on the genealogy of the Muir and Semple families.

By 1910 Robert and Maggie lived in Nineveh, Missouri, where Robert worked as a coal miner. Maggie's half-sister lived in Novinger, which was about four miles from Nineveh. The family remained in Nineveh in 1920 when the census was enumerated.

Between 1922 and 1928, they had moved to Tilton, Illinois, a village in Danville Township, where I believe Robert and Maggie lived for the remainder of their lives. Robert died in 1959 and Maggie died on 29 August 1966. They were interred at the Springhill Cemetery and Mausoleum in Danville.

_______________
1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Long Point, Livingston, Illinois; Roll: 318; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0104; FHL microfilm: 1240318
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: Nineveh, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T624_766; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 0015; FHL microfilm: 1374779
1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Nineveh, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T625_902; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 17; Image: 325
1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Danville, Vermilion, Illinois; Roll: 564; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 36; Image: 973.0; FHL microfilm: 2340299
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Danville, Vermilion, Illinois; Roll: T627_898; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 92-52
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, pages 4 and 15
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 83805866
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2015, 1884 Muir, Margaret (Statutory Births 638/02 0059)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1928 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1947 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1949 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1951 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1953 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1955 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1957 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, City Directories, 1822-1995, 1958 Danville, IL (Robert and Margaret Caswell)
US, Illinois Find A Grave Index, 1809-2012, Memorial No. 83805866
US, Michigan Marriage Certificate, State File Number: 1-300, Record Number 820
US, Michigan Marriage Records, 1867-1952, 1902 Caswell, Robert - Muir, Margaret
US, Pennsylvania Passenger and Crew Lists, 1800-1962, Roll: T840_9; Line: 19
US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Number: 531-26-3649

2.12.3. Elizabeth Fausz (1894-1940)

Elizabeth "Liz" Fausz was born on 26 May 1894 in Caseyville, Illinois, to Peter and Margaret (Dietrich) Fausz. She was their seventh known child. Her paternal grandfather had immigrated to the U.S. from France but her other grandparents had all immigrated from regions of Europe that became Germany in 1871. In 1900 Liz's father rented a farm in Caseyville, but two older brothers worked as coal miners. In 1910 Liz was 16. She lived on the farm with her parents but was no longer attending school or working.

She married widower, Robert Muir, on 26 September 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri. She had her first son, Robert Muir, Jr., on 7 January 1912 and the couple had three more children together.

For most of her married life, Liz lived at 436 North 80th Street in East St. Louis, Illinois, while, according to my grandmother, her husband traveled to coal mines up and down Appalachia, organizing miners. I have not been able to find the family in the 1920 census but their third child was born in Tralee, West Virginia, in 1920. So I assume the family lived there for some period of time.

The 1926, 1928 and 1930 city directories for East St. Louis indicated the couple maintained a home in that city, the one at 436 North 80th Street. When the 1930 census was enumerated, Liz was living there with her three daughters and mother and worked as a cook for a private family. She told the enumerator she was married but Robert Muir and his son were not included in the list of people living in the home.

When the 1940 census was taken on 29 May, Liz and her youngest daughter, Margaret, were boarders in the home of P. J. Walker, which was located near her husband's home at 473 North 80th Street. She indicated she was divorced.

Elizabeth (Fausz) Muir died at the age of 46 on 24 September 1940 at Wood River, Illinois. Her usual residence was East St. Louis, Illinois, and she was divorced from Robert Muir at the time of her death.

She was buried on 27 September 1940 in the Caseyville Cemetery, which was located in the town of her birth, Caseyville, Illinois.

_______________
1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Caseyville, St. Clair, Illinois; Roll: 340; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0088; FHL microfilm: 1240340
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: Caseyville, St. Clair, Illinois; Roll: T624_321; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 0099; FHL microfilm: 1374334
1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Centerville, St. Clair, Illinois; Roll: 555; Page: 40B; Enumeration District: 34; Image: 984.0; FHL microfilm: 2340290
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Signal Hill, St. Clair, Illinois; Roll: T627_879; Page: 20B; Enumeration District: 82-35
Alice (Muir) Jennings' Genealogy Notebook, page 8
US, City Directories, 1821-1989, 1926 East St. Louis, IL (Muir, Liz)
US, City Directories, 1821-1989, 1928 East St. Louis, IL (Muir, Liz)
US, City Directories, 1821-1989, 1930 East St. Louis, IL (Muir, Liz)
US, Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947, 1940 Muir, Elizabeth
US, Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002, 1911 Muir, Robert - Fausz, Elizabeth

2.12.3. Ida Mae Riggin (1879-1909)

Ida Mae Riggin was born 8 August 1879 in Madison County, Illinois, to John Wesley "Wes" and Clementine (Wells) Riggin. She was their fifth child and only daughter. When the 1880 census was enumerated the family lived in Pin Oak Township in Madison County, and her father was a farmer.

The farm, while small about 25 acres, seemed to be a going concern, used primarily to raise stock. Only two acres were tilled. The remaining land was pasture. The family had two horses, two cows, two sheep, eight swine, and thirteen chickens. They gathered eggs and made their own cheese and butter. The family did grow Indian corn, oats, wheat and Irish potatoes, some of which I imagine was feed for the livestock. After John's death, the family left the farm.

I believe her father died in 1888 as Ida Mae's mother, Clementine, appeared before the Madison County probate court in October 1888 to be appointed guardian to her minor children. The children received $31.90 from the estate of their father and Clementine received an equal amount for the care and support of her children. If I am reading the court record correctly, that was the entire sum of John Wesley Riggin's estate.

Ida's mother remarried in 1892 and Ida went to live with her some of her brothers and worked as their housekeeper. In 1900 she lived in East St Louis and was a lodger in the home of Otto Davis at 10 South Main Street. Her brothers Albert and Henry were also boarders at the Davis home.

Ida Mae Riggin and Robert Muir applied for a marriage license on 12 October 1902 in Collinsville, Illinois, and likely married soon thereafter as she was two months pregnant with their first child. The couple had two children and lived in Novinger, Missouri, and O'Fallon, Illinois.

Ida Mae died of tuberculosis on 3 August 1909 in Troy, Illinois, at the home of her mother. She was surrounded by her family, including a brother who came from California to see her.  She was buried in the Troy City Cemetery in Troy, Illinois, where her mother and second husband were later buried. Ida Mae died a few days before her 30th birthday and left two children ages 6 and 3 years old.

_______________
1880 US Federal Census, Census Place: Pin Oak, Madison, Illinois, Roll: 233; Family History Film: 1254233; Page: 335C; Enumeration District: 023; Image: 0672
1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: East St. Louis Ward 3, St. Clair, Illinois; Roll: 341; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0095; FHL microfilm: 1240341
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook page 8
US, Federal Census Selected Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880, Census Place: Pin Oak, Madison, Illinois; Archive Collection Number: T113; Roll: 46; Page: 3; Line: 01; Schedule Type: Agriculture
US, Illinois, Find a Grave Index, 1809-2012, 1909 Muir, Ida Mae (Riggin)
US, Illinois, Madison County ILGenWeb; Troy City Cemetery, Name Index, McLeavy - Rawson
US, Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1988, Probate Records 1887-1889, Volume N, Image 205 of 270
US, Illinois, State Archives, Marriage Database, 1763-1900, 1902 Muir, Robert - Riggin, Ida Mae
Troy Weekly Call, 6 August 1909

2.12.3. Robert Muir (1875-1956)

Robert Muir was born on 16 March 1875 in Swinhill in the parish of Dalserf, Scotland to James and Margaret (Semple) Muir. He was the couple's second child together but their oldest son had died the previous year. When the 1881 census was enumerated Robert lived with his mother at the farm of his maternal grandparents, Peter and Janet (Torrance) Semple. His father was not at the home when the census was taken.

Remains of Robert Muir's Sottish birth registration; personal collection

In June of 1887 James Muir immigrated to the United States. Margaret followed later that year with their living children.  They arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 30 September 1887 aboard the Allen Line's S/S Manitoban. The ship had sailed from Glasgow, Scotland, and made a brief stop in Ireland before reaching Philadelphia. Margaret, Robert, and his siblings likely took the train to Streator, Illinois, where James worked as a coal miner. Robert Muir became a naturalized United citizen on 10 October 1896 at the Livingston County Courthourse.

In 1900 he lived with his mother and two younger brothers in Reading, Illinois, where he worked as a coal miner beside his brother Peter. Each had been unemployed for six months during the previous year.

He and Ida Mae Riggin applied for a marriage license on 12 October 1902 in Collinsville, Illinois, and were married shortly thereafter. They lived in Troy for about a year after their marriage; then moved to Novinger, Missouri, where they were living when Robert's cousin, Peter Muir, listed him as his contact when he arrived in the United States in 1903. They moved to O'Fallon, Illinois, just before Ida Mae (Riggin) Muir died in 1909. The couple had two children, Henry and Alice.

In 1910 Robert and his two young children lived in O'Fallon, Illinois, next door to his mother. I imagine she helped care for his children as they were not yet school aged.

On 26 September 1911 Robert married Elizabeth "Liz" Fausz in St. Louis. They both claimed to be over 18 years old and that was certainly the case with Robert, but Liz was only 17 and pregnant. When Robert was required to register for the World War I draft in 1918, the family lived in the Edgemont Station area of East St. Louis, Illinois. Robert's appearance was described as being of medium height and stout build with blue eyes and partially gray hair. He and Liz had four children together. All but Henrietta was born in Illinois.

Robert was not enumerated in the 1920, 1930, and 1940 U.S. federal census. However, he was listed in the East St. Louis city directories between 1924 and 1930. He owned a home on 436 North 80th Street.

His daughter, Alice, my grandmother, always said her father was a union organizer and traveled frequently to coal mines across the country trying to get the workers to unionize. She said he'd been blackballed from several mines, threatened and even shot at. I always thought these stories were fantasies of a young girl who didn't know her father very well. However, not finding him in so many census records makes me wonder.

Robert Muir applied for the new Social Security insurance program on 4 December 1936. At the time he submitted his application he lived in Iaeger, West Virginia, and worked for the Pocahontas Red Bird Mining Co.

Social Security application with Robert Muir's signature; personal
collection

He divorced Liz some time before 1940. When he retired from mining, some time after 1942, he bought a small piece of property along a river in Van Buren County, Tennessee. On that property he lived in an abandoned bus.

Robert Muir's Coal Miner's Certificate from the West Virginia
Department of Mines; personal collection

He was hospitalized in September 1956 while in southwest Virginia visiting his family. He died on 23 September 1956 at the Clinch Valley Clinic Hospital in Richlands, Virginia, of a cerebral hemorrhage due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease. He was 81 years old at the time of his death and was interred at Iaeger Memorial Cemetery in Roderfield, West Virginia.

Robert Muir died without a will. His real and personal property was auctioned off in two separate sales on 11 October and 15 November 1956. When his estate was settled in 1957, each of his six children received $310.52.

_________________
'Remains of Robert Muir's Scottish Birth Registration,' personal collection
'Robert Muir's Coal Miner's Certificate,' personal collection
'Social Security Application,' personal collection
1881 Scotland Census, 03/04/1881 Semple, Peter (Census 1881 638/02 002/00 018)
1900 US Federal Census, Census Place: Reading, Livingston, Illinois; Roll: 318; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0114; FHL microfilm number: 1240318
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: O'Fallon, St Clair, Illinois; Roll: T624_323; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0155; Image: 641; FHL microfilm: 1374336
Alice (Muir) Jennings' Genealogy Notebook, page 4, 8
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1875 Muir, Robert (Statutory Births 638/02 0037)
US, City Directories, 1821-1989, 1924 East St. Louis, IL (Muir, Robert)
US, City Directories, 1821-1989, 1926 East St. Louis, IL (Muir, Robert)
US, City Directories, 1821-1989, 1928 East St. Louis, IL (Muir, Robert)
US, City Directories, 1821-1989, 1930 East St. Louis, IL (Muir, Robert)
US, Illinois, Livingston County Court, Naturalization Application, 10 Oct 1896
US, Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, 1911 Muir, Robert - Fausz, Elizabeth
US, Pennsylvania, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1800-1963, 1887 Muir, Robert
US, Social Security Application, Number: 235-10-9644
US, Social Security Card, Number 235-10-9644, State: West Virginia
US, Tennessee, Van Buren County Court Administrator, Settlement of and with C. C. Greer, Administrator, 27 Jun 1957
US, Tennessee, Van Buren County Court Administrator, Goods and Chattels Sale, 11 Oct 1956
US, Tennessee, Van Buren County Court Administrator Estate Sale, 11 Nov 1956
US, Virginia, Death Certificate 1956, Muir, Robert, No. 22810
US, West Virginia, Department of Mines, Coal Miner's Certificate No. 93665
US, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, State: Illinois; County: St. Clair; Roll: 1614579; Draft Board: 1

2.12.1. Alexander Hutchison (1861-1927)

Alexander Hutchison was born on 29 October 1860 at his parents home on Galston Road, which was located in the village of Hurlford, Riccarton Parish, Ayrshire, Scotland. His parents were Alexander and Lillias (Ewings) Hutchison. His father was a coal miner at the time of his birth. When the 1861 census was enumerated the family lived in Galloway's Land in the same village.

Village of Hurlford; map courtesy of ScotlandsPlaces

They remained in Hurlford in 1871 but lived in Portlander Rows, which may have been housing associated with the Portland Colliery Company, Ltd. in the village. By 1881, the family had moved to Loudoun Parish and lived at 52 North East Loudoun Rows. Alexander was 21 years old and worked in the coal mines along side his father.

Alexander Hutchison, who went by Alex, arrived in New York City on 23 March 1882 aboard the Anchor Line's S/S Anchoria. He traveled steerage. His parents and brother, Joseph remained in Scotland. Why he chose to settle in Streator, Illinois, is unclear. We do know that at least one of the collieries advertised their jobs at the railway station in New York.

Alex and Jessie Semple were married on 2 January 1889 in Streator, Illinois. Both of them lived in the same town at the time of their marriage and Alex worked as a miner. The couple had two sons when they lived in Streator.

On 14 February 1894 Alex and his family arrived in Glasgow, Scotland, aboard the Anchor Line's S/S Ethiopia. They had traveled to New York City to board the passenger liner. The next year the family lived at 20 Swinhill Colliery in Dalserf. Alex paid an annual rent for the home of 3 pounds, 11 shillings and worked at the Swinhill Colliery. Between 1895 and 1901, the couple had three more children.

When the 1901 census was enumerated, the family lived at 31 New Street in Stonehouse. Alex worked in the mines as he did for the remainder of his life. The couple moved back to Dalserf before 1903 where another child was born.

The next year Alex and his family returned to the United States to live. They boarded the Anchor Line's S/S Furnessia in Glasgow on 21 June 1904 and arrived in New York City on 1 August. They listed their destination as Kirksville, Missouri.

The couple had their youngest child in 1905, which made for a family of seven children, who lived to adulthood. When the 1910 and 1920 censuses were enumerated Alex and Jessie lived in Nineveh, Missouri.

Alex died on 19 May 1927 of chronic myocarditis at the age of 64. His doctor had been treating him since the beginning of the month. He was buried on 21 May 1927 in Novinger City Cemetery.

_______________
'Map of Hurlford, Scotland,' ScotlandsPlaces
1861 Scotland Census, 07/04/1861 Hutcheson, Alexander (Census 1861 611/00 005/00 017)
1861 Scotland Census, Parish: Riccarton; ED: 5; Page: 17; Line: 11; Roll: CSSCT1861_89
1871 Scotland Census, 02/04/1871 Hutchison, Alexander (Census 1871 611/00 004/00 030)
1871 Scotland Census, Parish: Riccarton; ED: 4; Page: 30; Line: 17; Roll: CSSCT1871_114
1881 Scotland Census, 03/04/1881 Hutchison, Alexander (Census 1881 603/00 007/00 008)
1881 Scotland Census, Parish: Loudoun; ED: 7; Page: 8; Line: 10; Roll: CSSCT1881_192
1895 Scotland Valuation Rolls, 1895 Hutchison, Alexander (Valuation Rolls VR107 / 153 / 532)
1901 Scotland Census, 31/03/1901 Hutchison, Alexander (Census 1901 656/00 002/00 024)
1901 Scotland Census, Parish: Stonehouse; ED: 2; Page: 24; Line: 11; Roll: CSSCT1901_353
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: Nineveh, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T624_766; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 0015; FHL microfilm: 1374779
1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Ninevah, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T625_902; Page: 5A; Enumeration District 17; Image 328
Alice (Muir) Jennings' Genealogy Notebook, page 5
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, 1927 Hutchison, Alexander
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1860 Hutcheson, Alexander (Statutory Births 611/00 0236)
UK, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960, 1894 Hutchison, Alexander
UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, 1904 Hutchison, Alexander
US, Illinois, Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900, 1891 Hutchison, Alexander - Semple, Jessie
US, Illinois Vital Records, Illinois Marriage Records (includes Board of Health Certificate, Marriage License, and Marriage Affidavit)
US, Missouri, Adair County Historical Society, Cemeteries, Novinger Cemetery
US, Missouri, Death Certificates, 1910-1963, No. 14036
US, Missouri, Find A Grave Index, 1812-2012, 1927 Hutchison, Alexander
US, New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, 1882 Hutchison, Alexander
US, New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, 1904 Hutchison, Alexander

2.12.1. Janet Semple (1871-1942)

Janet Semple was born on 25 November 1871 in Dalserf Scotland to Margaret Semple, who was unmarried at the time of her birth and worked as a dairy maid away from her parents' home. She returned to Dalserf for the birth of her daughter. A father was not listed on Janet's birth registration and Janet was known as Jessie throughout her life. She frequently used Muir as her surname before her marriage and she was raised as part of James and Margaret (Semple) Muir's household.

When Jessie was almost two years old her mother married James Muir. In 1881 Margaret, Jessie, and Robert Muir, were living with Margaret's parents, Peter and Janet (Torrance) Semple, at Swinhill Farm in Dalserf. Jessie's step-father was not enumerated with the rest of the family. From 1877 until 1886, Jessie's mother had six children. However, only the two youngest, Margaret and Peter (the fourth son so named) lived to adulthood.

When Jessie was 15 years old, she, her mother, and half siblings, boarded the Allen Line's S/S Manitoban in Glasgow. After stopping in Ireland, they arrived in Philadelphia on 30 September 1887. Jessie was included on the passenger manifest as Jessie Muir, but she was listed on a different page than her mother and half siblings. Her occupation was listed as a domestic.

Margaret and the children settled in Streator, Illinois. The town was the second fastest growing town in Illinois, besides Chicago. The coal mines attracted workers from every part of the globe. Two years after immigrating to the United States, Jessie married a fellow Scot, Alexander Hutchison on 2 January 1889 in Streator. Her step-father, James Muir, was listed as her father on the marriage certificate and acted as one of the witnesses to the marriage.

They had three children in Illinois before moving back to Scotland, but only two were living when they made the trip. On 14 February 1894, the young family arrived in Glasgow aboard the Anchor Line's S/S Ethiopia. They had traveled to New York City to board the ship.

In 1895 the family lived at 20 Swinhill Colliery, which was housing for the miners and owned by the colliery. There were just over 50 one- and two-room apartments in the complex. In 1910 the housing was described as fair in size, with five privy middens for residents living in all the apartments. There was no ground for private gardens, no sinks in the homes, and water had to be drawn from wells. By 1910 most of the complex had been demolished.

When the 1901 census was enumerated in Scotland, Alex and Jessie lived at 31 New Street in Stonehouse. Alex worked as a coal miner and the couple had five children. Interestingly, Jessie's mother and her family lived at the same address in 1861. I do not know if it was still being rented by the family or if this is merely a coincidence.

Jessie had a daughter in 1903. The family decided to return to the United States. They boarded the Anchor Line's S/S Furnessia in Glasgow on 21 July 1904 and arrived in New York City on 1 August. Traveling with Alex and Jessie were their six children. Everyone in the family was a United States citizen and their physical description was listed as good. The family's destination was Kirksville, Missouri.

Jessie had her last child, a daughter, in 1905. When the 1910 census was enumerated the family, including their seven children lived in Nineveh, Missouri, next door to Jessie's half sister, Margaret (Muir) Caswell. Alex and his brother-in-law were coal miners.

In 1920 Jessie and Alex remained in Nineveh. Alex worked as a coal miner. All the children lived at home except for their daughter Maggie, who lived and worked in Kansas City, Missouri. Jessie's mother had moved from O'Fallon, Illinois, to Nineveh, sometime between 1912 and 1920. She lived nearby with her youngest daughter and granddaughter, Alice Muir, likely to be near her daughters, Jessie and Margaret.

Plat map of Novinger, which indicates it was at the junction of two
railroad lines; image courtesy of Plat Book of Adair County, Missouri

Jessie lost her husband 19 May 1927. She continued to live in Nineveh with a daughter. The John Blacksmith family boarded in their home. By 1935 Jessie had moved to nearby Novinger to a house she owned, which was valued at $400. Two of her children lived with her.

Jessie died on 23 February 1942 of pernicious anemia from which she had suffered for four years. She was buried in the Novinger City Cemetery beside her husband.

_______________
'Plat Map of Novinger,' Plat Book of Adair County, Missouri
1881 Scotland Census, 03/04/1881 Semple, Peter (Census 1881 638/02 002/00 018
1901 Scotland Census, 31/03/1901 Hutchison, Alexander (Census 1901 656/00 002/00 024)
1901 Scotland Census, Parish: Stonehouse; ED: 2; Page: 24; Line: 12; Roll: CSSCT1901_353
1910 US Federal Census, Census Place: Nineveh, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T624_766; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 0015; FHL microfilm: 1374779
1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Nineveh, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T625_902; Page 5A; Enumeration District: 17; Image: 328
1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Nineveh, Adair, Missouri; Roll: 1174; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 14; Image: 314.0; FHL microfilm: 2340909
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Novinger, Adair, Missouri; Roll: T627_2081; Page: 3A; Enumeration District:1-15
Alice (Muir) Jennings' Genealogy Notebook, pages 4-5
Global, US Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, 1942 Hutchison, Jessie
Global, Missouri, Find A Grave Index, 1812-2012, 1942 Hutchison, Jessie
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1871 Semple, Janet (Statutory Births 638/02 0098)
UK, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960, 1894 Hutchison, Jessie
UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960, 1904 Hutchison, Jessie
US, Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900, Volume 2, page 259, license number 4380
US, Illinois Vital Records, Illinois Marriage Records (includes Board of Health Certificate, Marriage License, and Marriage Affidavit)
US, Missouri, Adair County Historical Society, Cemeteries, Novinger Cemetery
US, Missouri, Vital Records, Death Certificate No. 5740
US, New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, 1904, Hutchison, Jessie
US, Philadelphia Passenger Lists, 1800-1963, 1887, Muir, Jessie

Children of James and Margaret (Semple) Muir

2.12.1. Janet Semple (1871-1942)

Janet Semple was likely not a daughter of James Muir, but she was raised in his household until her marriage in 1894. My grandmother called her Aunt Jessie; therefore, she has been included in this family history.

The lives of Janet Semple and her husband, Alexander Hutchison, will be covered in future posts.

2.12.2. Robert Muir (1873-1874)

Robert Muir was born on 4 October 1873, three months after his parents married. He was born at Swinhill, home of his maternal grandparents, Peter and Janet (Torrance) Semple. Swinhill is in Dalserf, Scotland. His mother registered his birth by marking her mark. Little Robert died on 25 January 1874 at Swinhill of hydrocephalus and convulsions, which is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. His father registered his death. Robert Muir was three months old when he died.

2.12.3. Robert Muir (1875-1956)

The lives of Robert Muir and his wives, Ida Mae Riggin and Elizabeth Fausz, will be covered in future posts.

2.12.4. Peter Semple Muir (1877-1877)

Peter Semple Muir was born on 14 February 1877 at Swinhill in Dalserf, Scotland. He was James and Margaret (Semple) Muir's third child. He was named for his maternal grandfather. Peter died at the age of 5 weeks in his grandparents' home of coryza, from which he had suffered for one month, and bronchitis with which he was afflicted two days before his death. Coryza is an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose.

2.12.5. Peter Semple Muir (1878-1878)

Peter Semple Muir was born on 5 July 1878 at Swinhill in Dalserf, Scotland. He was James and Margaret (Semple) Muir's fourth child and the second son they named for Margaret's father, Peter Semple. He died on 8 September 1878 at the age of two months in Coalburn, which was a small railway and coal mining village in Lesmahagow parish. Peter died of enteritis, a disease most commonly contracted by eating or drinking things contaminated by bacteria.

2.12.6. Peter Muir (1879-1879)

Peter Muir was born on 12 July 1879 in Coalburn in Lesmahagow parish. He was James and Margaret (Semple) Muir's fifth child and the third son they named for Margaret's father, Peter Semple. He died 10 days after his birth on 23 July 1879 of marasma, which is severe malnutrition. It may be caused by a extreme deficiency in one's diet of calories and protein or by diseases such as dysentery.

2.12.7. Henrietta Brown Muir (1882-1884)

Henrietta Brown Muir was born on 29 July 1882 at Birkenshaw in Dalserf. She was the sixth child of James and Margaret (Semple) Muir and was named after her paternal grandmother. She, her mother and living siblings moved to her maternal grandparents farm at Swinhill some time before her death, which was on 9 January 1884. She died of measles and bronchitis and was a year and five months old.

Birkenshaw housing in Dalserf

2.12.8. Margaret Muir (1884-1996)

The lives of Margaret Muir and her husband, Robert Caswell, will be covered in future posts.

2.12.9. Peter Semple Muir (1886-1947)

The lives of Peter Semple Muir and his wife, Mayme Zebio, will be covered in future posts.

2.12.10. Alexander Muir (1889-1957)

The lives of Alexander Muir and his wife, Bertha Isabelle Cloren, will be covered in future posts.

2.12.11. Jane Muir (1894-1990)

The lives of Jane Muir and her husband, Herbert B. Beck, will be covered in future posts.

_______________
"Birkenshaw," ScotlandsPlaces
Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950, 1873 Muir, Robert
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1873 Muir, Robert (Statutory Births 638/02 0083)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1874 Muir, Robert (Statutory Deaths 638/02 0006)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1877 Muir, Peter Semple (Statutory Births 638/02 0013)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1877 Muir, Peter Semple (Statutory Deaths 638/02 0010)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1878 Muir, Peter Semple (Statutory Births 638/02 0067)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1878 Muir, Peter Semple (Statutory Deaths 649/00 0016)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1879 Muir, Peter (Statutory Births 649/00 0270)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1879 Muir, Peter (Statutory Deaths 649/00 0012)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1882 Muir, Henrietta Brown (Statutory Births 638/02 0083)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1884 Muir, Henrietta Brown (Statutory Deaths 638/02 0001)

2.3.7. Margaret Brownlee (1871-1943)

Margaret Brownlee was born on 13 June 1871 at the Barnhill Poorhouse in Springburn. Her mother was Esther Brownlee who normally lived at 5 Union Street in Glasgow and worked as a domestic servant. No father was listed on her birth registration, which was registered with government officials by the assistant governor of the poorhouse.

Sometime after her birth she was adopted by Robert and Margaret (Melrose) Smith. I believe she lived with her adoptive parents in the Calton district of Glasgow on 81 Oswald Street in 1881 and attended school. I have been unable to find the family in the 1891 census. Her mother died in 1906 and her father in 1910, so the family should be together as Margaret did not marry until later in the year. Margaret used the name Margaret Brownlee or Brownlie Smith until her marriage.

She married Thomas Riddell on 4 September 1891 at 165 Brook Street, which was the home of Thomas' sister and her husband, according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. Margaret was 20 years old, lived at the address at which they were married and worked as a steam loom weaver. The couple had 13 children during their marriage.

By 1911 the family had settled in the town of Clydebank in the County of Dunbarton. Margaret died on 26 December 1943 of a cerebral thrombosis in Auchterarder, Perth. Her son John was the informant listed on her death registration.

_______________
1881 Scotland Census, 03/04/1881 Smith, Margaret (Census 1881 644/01 015/00 019)
1901 Scotland Census, 31/03/1901 Riddell, Thomas (Census 1901 501/00 017/00 014)
1901 Scotland Census, Parish: Old Kilpatrick; ED: 17; Page: 14; Line: 2; Roll: CSSCT1901_173
1911 Scotland Census, 02/04/1911 Riddell, Thomas (Census 1911 501/00 020/00 012)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1871 Brownlee, Margaret (Statutory Births 644/04 0763)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1891 Riddell, Thomas - Smith, Margaret Brownl (Statutory Marriages 644/02 0178)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1943 Riddell, Margaret (Statutory Deaths 329//00 0050)

2.3.7. Thomas Riddell (1868-1957)

Thomas Riddell was born on 15 August 1868 in the village of Kirkton to John and Martha (Muir) Riddell. He was their seventh and youngest child who lived. His father was a cement miner. When the 1871 census was enumerated the family had moved to Main Street in the village of East Kilbride. Thomas' mother died five years later leaving her husband with several children.

The family remained in East Kilbride in 1881 and Thomas attended school. His father died in 1888 and he lived with his sister, Elizabeth, and her husband, Robert Forsyth at 165 Brook Street in Glasgow by 1891. He worked as a van man.

On 4 September 1891 Thomas married Margaret Brownlee Smith at his sister's home according to the forms of the Church of Scotland. He was 23 years old, still lived with his sister and her family, and continued to work as a van man. During the course of their marriage, the couple had 13 known children of which 10 are thought to have lived to adulthood.

Thomas and Margaret lived in Glasgow and Shotts before settling in Old Kilpatrick parish in Dunbarton by 1901. There they lived on 102 Glasgow Road and Thomas worked as a coach man. In 1905 he rented a home on Barnes Street where the family lived when the 1911 census was enumerated.

Clydebank c 1864, map courtesy of ScotlandsPlaces

By 1915 the family had moved to 12 First Terrace in the town of Clydebank and Thomas worked as a carter, an occupation he continued for the remainder of his working life. He lost his wife in 1943.

At the time of his death he lived with his son Thomas Riddell on 12 Bevin Avenue in Clydebank. He died on 15 November 1957 at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow. The cause of death was found to be senile degeneration, and senile pemphgoid, which is a rare autoimmune disorder that results in skin rashes and legions. A contributing factor in his death was a fracture of the femur. He was 89 years old.

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"Clydebank c1864," ScotlandsPlaces
1871 Scotland Census, 02/04/1871 Riddell, John (Census 1871 643/00 001/00 016)
1871 Scotland Census, Parish: East Kilbride; ED: 1; Page: 16; Line: 7; Roll: CSSCT1871_122
1881 Scotland Census, 03/04/1881 Riddell, Henrietta (Census 1881 643/00 001/00 019)
1881 Scotland Census, Parish: East Kilbirde; ED: 1; Page: 19; Line: 10; Roll: CSSCT1881_213
1891 Scotland Census, Parish: Glasgow Camlachie; ED: 45; Page: 21; Line: 1; Roll: CSSCT1981_245
1901 Scotland Census, 31/03/1901 Riddell, Thomas (Census 1901 501/00 017/00 014)
1901 Scotland Census, Parish: Old Kilpatrick; ED: 17; Page: 14; Line: 1; Roll: CSSCT1901_173
1905 Scotland Valuation Rolls, 1905 Riddell, Thomas (Valuation Roll VR96 / 51 / 328)
1911 Scotland Census, 02/04/1911 Riddell, Thomas (Census 1911 501/00 020/00 012)
1915 Scotland Valuation Rolls, 1915 Riddell, Thomas (Valuation Roll VR96 / 61 / 484)
1920 Scotland Valuation Rolls, 1920 Riddell, Thomas (Valuation Roll VR96 / 66 / 504)
1925 Scotland Valuation Rolls, 1925 Riddell, Thomas (Valuation Roll VR96 / 71 / 526)
Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950, 1868 Riddell, Thomas
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1868 Riddell, Thomas (Statutory Births 643/00 0100)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1891 Riddell, Thomas - Smith, Margaret Brownl (Statutory Marriages 644/02 0178)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1957 Riddell, Thomas (Statutory Deaths 644/08 0945)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1957 Riddell, Thomas (Statutory Deaths 644/08 0945) (RCE)

2.3.6. Janet Kerr (1865-1927)

Janet Kerr was born on 29 April 1865 in Bothwell parish, Lanarkshire, to John and Jane (Laidlaw) Kerr. Her father was a coal miner. When the 1871 census was enumerated the family lived in Carluke parish and Janet, who went by Jessie, attended school. She was not living with her parents in 1881 and likely worked outside the home as a servant, but she has not been found in the census taken that year.

She married Francis Riddell on 23 December 1887 at her home on 39 Ross Street in Fernigair, a small hamlet about a mile away from the town of Hamilton. She was 22 years old and worked as a farm servant. Francis and Jessie had seven children during their married life.

In 1891 the family lived at 11 Hallcraig Street in New Monkland parish. By 1901 the family had moved to Hamilton parish where they remained for the rest of their lives. Jessie's husband became a property owner sometime before 1915 and the family lived in Gertrude Cottage on 7 Scott Street for several years.

Jessie died on 23 November 1927 at her home on 13 Scott Street, Hamilton, of fatty degeneration of her heart. She suffered from fainting spells brought on either by low blood pressure or insufficient blood flow to her brain before her death. He husband lived for another 15 years but did not remarry.

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1871 Scotland Census, Parish: Carluke; ED: 4; Page: 21; Line: 11; Roll: CSSCT1871_120
1891 Scotland Census, Parish: New Monkland; ED: 24; Page: 27; Line: 10; Roll: CSSCT1891_314
1901 Scotland Census, Parish: Hamilton; ED: 14; Page: 32; Line: 6; Roll: CSSCT1901_338
1911 Scotland Census, 02/04/1911 Riddell, Francis (Census 1911 647/00 014/00 014)
Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950, 1865 Kerr, Janet
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1865 Kerr, Jane (Statutory Births 625/02 0196)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1887 Riddell, Francis - Kerr, Jessie (Statutory Marriages 647/00 0199)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1927 Riddell, Jessie (Statutory Deaths 647/00 0432)
Topographical Dictionary for Scotland, (Baltimore:Clearfield Co., Inc., 2002)

2.3.6. Francis Riddell (1866-1942)

Francis Riddell was born on 8 March 1866 in the village of Kirkton in East Kilbride Parish. His parents were John and Martha (Muir) Riddell and his father was a cement miner. He was Robert and Henrietta (Brown) Muir's 16th grandchild and was born three years before his grandfather's death.

In 1871 the family lived on Main Street in the village of East Kilbride. Francis' mother, Martha, died in 1876 and her husband never remarried. By 1881 Francis lived at home in East Kilbride and worked as a railway laborer.

He married Janet Kerr, who when by Jessie, on 23 December 1887 at 39 Ross Street in Hamilton. He was 21 years old, lived at the Royal Hotel on Bank Street in Airdrie and worked as a lorry driver, which hauled heavy goods. The couple had seven children over the course of their marriage.

In 1891 the family lived on 11 Hallcraig Street in New Monkland and Francis worked as a potato salesman. By 1901 the family had relocated to Hamilton where Francis would live for the remainder of his life. They lived at 28 Woodside Walk and Francis was a baker's van man, or delivery driver. Woodside Walk was street that terminated at the gates to the open woodland.

By 1901 the family had moved to Gertrude Cottage at 7 Scott Street in Hamilton and Francis' occupation was listed as confectioner. The valuation rolls for 1915 indicated Francis owned the cottage on Scott Street and a stable as well as two other houses, which he rented, at the same address. He was doing well for himself as he rented each of the two houses for 25 pounds annually, and the annual value of his home and stable was 30 pounds. By 1920 he had sold his two rental properties but remained at Gertrude Cottage.

1910 Ordnance Survey of Scott Street in Hamilton; map courtesy of
ScotlandsPlaces

His wife, Jessie, died in 1927. Francis lived another 15 years and died on 9 February 1942 at the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow of pulmonary tuberculosis. He was 75 years old and had lived at 10 Scott Street in Hamilton before his death.

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1871 Scotland Census, 02/04/1871 Riddell, John (Census 1871 643/00 001/00 016)
1871 Scotland Census, Parish: East Kilbride; ED: 1; Page: 16; Line: 6; Roll: CSSCT1871_122
1881 Scotland Census, 03/04/1881 Riddell, Henrietta (Census 643/00 001/00 019)
1881 Scotland Census, Parish: East Kilbride; ED: 1; Page: 19; Line: 9; Roll: CSSCT1881_213
1891 Scotland Census, Parish: New Monkland; ED: 24; Page: 27; Line: 9; Roll: CSSCT1891_314
1901 Scotland Census, Parish: Hamilton; ED: 14; Page: 32; Line: 5; Roll: CSSCT1901_338
1910 Ordnance Survey of Scott Street in Hamilton, ScotlandsPlaces
1911 Scotland Census, 02/04/1911 Riddell, Francis (Census 1911 647/00 014/00 014)
1915 Scotland Valuation Rolls, 1915 Riddell, Francis (Valuation Rolls VR38 / 28 / 243)
1920 Scotland Valuation Rolls, 1920 Riddell, Francis (Valuation Rolls VR38 / 33 / 266)
1925 Scotland Valuation Rolls, 1925 Riddell, Francis (Valuation Rolls VR38 / 38 / 317)
Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950, 1866 Riddell, Francis
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1866 Riddell, Francis (Statutory Births 643/00 0032)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1887 Riddell, Francis - Kerr, Jessie (Statutory Marriages 647/00 0199)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1942 Riddell, Francis (Statutory Deaths 644/19 0140)

2.3.5. Robert Forsyth (1860-1940)

Robert Forsyth was born on 13 February in Dumfries, Scotland, to William and Jane (McLean) Forsyth. His father was a journeyman tailor. The family moved to St. Michael by 1861 and ten years later were living in Ruthwell village. In 1881 Robert was a farm servant on a 307-acre farm in Cummertrees, Dumfries.

Robert and Elizabeth Riddell had a child together in December 1882 and a month later they married on 19 January 1883 at 19 London Road in Glasgow, which was their home. They were married according to the forms of the Congregationalists. Robert was a carter, his occupation until his death. The couple would have seven more children together.

Dumfries in 1867; image from History of Dumfries

In 1891 the couple lived at 165 Brook Street in the Camlachie district of Glasgow. In 1901 they lived at 14 Margaret Street in the St. David district of the city, and in 1911 they lived at 230 Holm Street in the Blythswood district.

Elizabeth died in 1926 and Robert Forsyth died on 2 April 1940 at the Foresthall Hospital, which was located on 654 Edgefauld Road, of cardio vascular degeneration. He was 80 years old. The hospital was on the site of the old Barnhill Poorhouse.

Aerial view of Foresthall Hospital c1960; photograph courtesy of
Heatherbank Museum of Social Work

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"Aerial view of Foresthall Hospital c1960," Heatherbank Museum of Social Work
1861 Scotland Census, Parish: Dumfries St Michael; ED: 17; Page: 15; Line: 1; Roll: CSSCT1861_143
1871 Scotland Census, Parish: Ruthwell; ED: 2; Page: 4; Line: 13; Roll: CSSCT1871_185
1881 Scotland Census 03/04/1881 Forsyth, Robert (Census 1881 817/00 001/00 007)
1891 Scotland Census, Parish: Glasgow Camlachie; ED: 45; Page: 20; Line: 16; Roll: CSSCT1891_245
1901 Scotland Census, Parish: Glasgow St David; ED: 16; Page: 37; Line: 12; Roll: CSSCT1901_291
1911 Scotland Census, 02/04/1911 Forsyth, Robert (Census 1911 644/10 019/00 017)
McDowell, William. History of Dumfries, (Edinburgh: Adam Black and Sons, 1867)
Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950, 1860 Forsyth, Robert
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1860 Forsyth, Robert (Statutory Births 821/00 0073)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1883 Forsyth, Robert - Riddle, Elizabeth (Statutory Marriages 644/02 0065)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1940 Forsyth, Robert (Statutory Deaths 644/04 0481)