Reece Bowen Wampler 1852-1931

Who's....Reese WAMPLER of Montana who married a JORDAN around 1880. (info from Rebecca Mock, sdmock@gte.net).
Source: Wampler/Wampfler Database - Who's This Wampler?

Answer: That would be Reese (or Reece) Bowen Wampler, son of David Guy Wampler and Jane Byars. He was born 21 Mar 1852 in Knox county, Indiana - probably in Palmyra Township, although I have seen him listed as to being born in Vincennes, which was not far from Palmyra Township. He is recorded in 1860 census taken 2 years before David Wampler passes away and also in Jane (Byars) Wampler's household for the 1870 US Census.

Reese Bowen Wampler and three of his of his brothers, John Byars, David Fleming and Thomas J. Wampler, went westward as adults. John Byars was the first of the four, he went to Big Hole area of Montana in 1865 time frame and appears he may been part of the Battle of Big Hole. David Fleming Wampler and his family followed around 7 to 8 years later and settled in Big Basin/Butte area of Montana. Reese B. and Thomas J. Wampler also went to Montana, but I haven't pegged down "when", but know Reece was there at least by 1872 time frame. There are references to all four brothers in early Montana newspapers, however Reece tends to feel like his name was mentioned more often.

Reese Wampler married Violet Josephine "Josie" Jordan, daughter of Harrison Jordan and Catherine Tuttle, 7 Dec 1873.

MARRIED. - At the residence of the bride's parents, Fish Creek, M. T., December 7, 1873, by the Rev. Hugh Duncan, Mr. Reese Wampler, of Butte City, and Miss Josephine Jordan.
Source: Bozeman Avant Courier ; 19 Dec 1873 ; Page 3

They had three children, two girls and a boy, but only their oldest daughter, Nina, lived to adulthood and married a Charles E. Morris, it doesn't appear that the couple had any children before Charles died.

The 1880 US Census, for the household, is the only report that lists all of Reece's children. Irma and Walter Audley "Kidd" Wampler are often listed in online trees as to passing away before 1901. The "before 1901" thought probably stems from an autobiographical sketch for Reece Bowen Wampler appeared in a book, published in 1901, about "Progressive Men of the State of Montana, Book 1". In that particular sketch, Reece shared that Irma and Walter were deceased, but he didn't share more exact information for when they passed away.

I haven't come across more information, outside of the census reports, for Irma. I did find more information about their son. Walter Audley Wampler was born 17 Nov 1879 in Montana, there is a birth announcement for a son being born to the family in a Montana newspaper. Walter Audley Wampler died 19 Jan 1881 in Chicago, Cook county, Illinois and was buried in Upper Indiana cemetery in Bruceville, Knox, Indiana. In the obit for the son, it is mentioned he was survived by two sisters - which would been Nina and Irma. Given that Reece stated two of children passed "before 1901":, and Walter Audley died in 1881, could this hint Irma may have died in the early months of 1900 since she is not listed in that particular census?

Died.
In Chicago, at the residence of K. K. Baldwin, on the morning of January 19, Walter Audley, only son of Reece B. and Josie Wampler, of Butte City, Montana Territory, aged 1 year, 2 months and 2 days.
Walter was born in Butte City, November 17th, 1879; and until some three months ago lived there, when his mother carried him to Chicago, where he sickened and died. Walter was a beautiful child, too fair a flower to beautify earth, and was transplanted in Glory. Oh the sudden transition from pangs of death to glory, when the Savior took him in his arms, for he said "Suffer little children to come unto me, and for bid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." On the day following his death his Aunt Bec brought his remains to his grandmother. His remains were interred, Saturday last, in the Upper Indiana grave-yard. This is the eighth grand-child - five of which are interred at Upper Indiana; four of that number were carried from their Grandmother Wampler's. Walter leaves his parents and two sisters to mourn for him; but his loss is their gain. ....
(The Butte Miner please copy)
Source: Weekly Western Sun - 4 Feb 1881 - Page 1

DIED.
... WAMPLER.- In Chicago, Illinois, January 19th, 1881, Walter Dudley, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Wampler, aged 1 year 2 months and 2 days. ...
Source: Helena Weekly Herald - 10 Feb 1881 - Page 7

Reece and Josephine lived in Montana for a good part of their marriage and also Nevada. A nephew named Walter, who was the son of John Byars Wampler, is listed in their household for the 1900 US Census and he appears to gone with them to Nevada where he later passes away. It is said that Reece and his wife originally moved to Portersville area, in Tulare County, California, due to Josephine's health. Josephine Jordan Wampler passed away in 2 Jan 1920 in California.

Reese Wampler is recorded alone in 1920 US census. After Josephine's passing, he remained in that area and his daughter, Nina, listed as widowed, is listed in his home for the 1930 US census.

Reece B. Wampler died 16 Jun 1931 by suicide. Newspaper report shares that he had expressed his concerns about his health and money thoughts, and even suicidal thoughts, to neighbors prior to June 16th.

OCTOGENARIAN DIES BY HIS OWN HAND
PORTERVILLE, June 17. - Ill health and financial worries are believed to have prompted suicide of R. B. Wampler, 80 years of age, who shot himself in the head with a shotgun at his home in his orange grove in the Worth district, east of here, last night. Wampler, who lived alone, had several times spoken of "ending his troubles," according to neighbors. John Uzzell, a neighbor, hearing the report of the gun, found the body and notified authorities. Time for the inquest has not been set. Wampler leaves a daughter, Mrs. Nina Martin of Glendale, who arrived here this afternoon.
Source: The Los Angeles Times ; 18 Jun 1931 ; Page 10

Reece's burial location is not known. His daughter, upon her death around 20 years later, was cremated so that opens the possibility she may have had her father cremated versus buried in Indiana, Montana or California cemetery.