David Van Buren Wampler (1837 - 1917)

I garnered David Van Buren Wampler's birth date, of 1 Mar 1837, from his death certificate (on Ancestry's Indiana Death Certificate collection) and his death notices (which appeared in 2 local Spencer, Owen county, Indiana newspapers after his death (16 Aug 1917) and burial). Per his death notices and his sister, Elizabeth Wampler Cline, who was the informant for his death certificate, David Van Buren Wampler was born in Owen county, Indiana versus Monroe county, Indiana as he is often listed with as a birth place. He was buried in Chambersville Cemetery in Spencer, Owen county, Indiana area.

Only names shared, besides David's own name, in either notice was only in one of the two, and in that one his surviving siblings were listed by name. He is mentioned, in both obits, to being survived by a wife, one son and one daughter. However on David's death certificate his sister, Elizabeth, has him listed as "widowed". One of the two death notices also shared David V. Wampler had been married three times prior to his death, "with his last wife surviving" him in 1917.

Per my research, David Van Buren Wampler first married Emily Ann Edwards in May 1862 in Indiana. I am still working on her side of the information, as some have her marriage to David being her second marriage and some others have her still living in 1870s which would mean that she and David V Wampler had divorced. David Van Buren Wampler, for the 1870 US census, is listed in his parents' household without a spouse but with a young child, named Samantha, which could be assumed, with the child's estimated age on that particular census, to being David's daughter from his marriage to Emily Ann Edwards.

In July 1871 I have David Van Buren Wampler marrying, for his second time, to Mary E. Allen in Owen county, Indiana. Per online trees, including the one world one at FamilySearch, David's second wife died in 1877.

I have a daughter, Dollie Arabell Wampler, born in Aug 1877 for David Van Buren's second marriage. Dollie likely may been a nickname, but she used Dollie on her marriage records and what was used for her later 1953 death certificate as well. Thanks to Dollie's marriage and death certificate records, I also have Mary E. Allen's middle name being Elizabeth.

For the "one son", that is stated to surviving David V. Wampler, I have only come across one male child being attributed to David - and that male child was supposedly named Robert and stated in some online trees/sources to being born in 1872. That is all I have for Robert Wampler, and this scant information would have his mother being Mary Elizabeth Allen thereby having two children resulting from David Van Buren's second marriage before Mary Elizabeth Allen's death in 1877.

In 1879, in Morgan county, Indiana, a David Wampler married a Nancy Wiatt. This is possibly the record for David Van Buren Wampler's third, and final, marriage as he is listed in 1900 and 1910 census reports with a spouse named Nancy and their marital information, in one of those two census reports, backs up the 1878/9 marriage year thought. No children are stated to resulted from this marriage.

Referring to the death notices's information in with my research, to sort out the unnamed individuals within both versions of those notices, this has me with the elusive Robert Wampler (b. 1872) being the "one son" stated to surviving his father in 1917 ... and with Dollie Arabell (b. 1877) as the "one daughter" since Dollie passes away in 1953. I already have David with a wife named Nancy in his 1900 and 1910 census reports, so this points to Nancy being the surviving wife in 1917 and a Nancy Wampler who passed away in 1934 in Owen county, Indiana is listed, on her death certificate, as being a widow of a David Wampler - this may be the death record for David Van Buren Wampler's 3rd wife. Nancy Wampler, who died in 1934, was buried in Chambersville Cemetery as well.

Which this above collection of dates and names would also, sadly, point toward that the inferred daughter, named Samantha from the 1870 US Census and attributed to David Van Buren Wampler's first marriage, had died before 16 Aug 1917.

In reference to Dollie Arabella Wampler, as I shared above on how her own paper trail was used on my side to help sort out and narrow down "who was 'likely' who" for the unnamed individuals within her father's death notices, she was born Aug 1877 in Owen county, Indiana and died 1953 in Bedford, Lawrence county, Indiana. She had married three times during her life. Her first marriage was to Elisha Chambers and that child resulted in one child, a daughter named Floy L. Chambers born in 1901, before the marriage ended in divorce. Appears that Floy L. Chambers resided with her father per census reports and a couple newspaper mentions for Floy Chambers. Dollie then married a Otho Thomas Stimson and no children are listed resulting from this marriage prior to his death. In 1951 Dollie Arabella married a Thomas Jeremiah "Jerry" Waggoner and he was the informant for her 1953 death certificate.

Floy L. Chambers was a seamstress for L. S. Ayres and lived in Indianapolis, Marion county, Indiana. Floy died in 1983 and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. She is stated to never married.

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.

Children of Harvey S. Wampler (1828-1885) and Martha Jane Harrison (1840-1914)

This posting serves as an update, of sorts, to information shared about Harvey S. Wampler (1828-1885) to share a little more about his children (than was previously shared).

Harvey S. Wampler married Martha Jane Harrison 30 Nov 1862 in Knox county, Indiana. Per the US Census reports, they resided in Washington Township and had at least six children: Joseph A., Elizabeth, Mary Ashby, Flora Ardelia "Della", Lillian M. "Lillie", and Nellie Dove Wampler. Martha Jane and the children remained in Washington Township after Harvey's death per the 1900 US Census.

Joseph A. Wampler was born, per census reports, in Jan 1864. His California death records list the full date of birth as 22 Jan 1864 and it was from those records where I got his middle initial. By 1910 he is in Washington and his occupation is listed as Logger for that year's census. In 1930 he is listed in Stockton State Hospital for Insane in Stockton, California. He died 18 Dec 1967 and was cremated. In the 1910 US Census he is listed being Single, in 1930 US Census and his death records his marital status is stated to being Unknown. I have not located his 1900 and 1920 US Census to help peg down around when he left Indiana for Washington and/or left Washington for California. I have not located marriage records - so he may have been a bachelor at time of death.

Elizabeth Wampler appears only in the 1870 US Census with estimated birth year for her is 1869. This leans thoughts to she probably died between when the census was taken in 1870 and before it was taken in 1880. Her burial location is unknown.

Mary Ashby Wampler was born 5 Apr 1871 and she married Jesse D. Grigsby. Together Mary and Jesse Grigsby had eight children. Mary died 3 Apr 1946 in Vincennes, Knox county, Indiana and is buried in Sumner, Lawrence county, Illinois next to her husband.

Flora Ardelia "Della" Wampler was born 3 Oct 1872 and she married twice; first marriage was to Clinton Wood and together they had seven children, and Della's second marriage was to F. W. Griffin in Arkansas, which did not have any children. Della, per online trees, passed away in 1935 in Arkansas (I have not yet located death records), and this would mean that she and Clinton Wood divorced as he passes away in 1949.

Lillian M. "Lillie" Wampler was born Apr 1877. In the 1910 US Census she is listed in her mother's household in Washington Township, Knox county, Indiana and, per this census, Lillie had a daughter born, out of wedlock, 5 months prior and Lillie is also listed as giving birth to one child with that child still living, which helps determine that the little girl listed in the household is Lillie's daughter. Lillie later married Jesse Wilbur Johnson in 1916 and they had a daughter in 1917. In 1920 US Census they are residing in Terre Haute, Indiana, and Lillie's oldest daughter is listed with the Johnson surname. In the 1930 and 1940 US Census, Jesse and Lillie Johnson are back in Knox county and residing in Vincennes. I came across 3 marriage records, two of which were in Ohio, for the daughter Lillie had with Jesse Johnson - but, for Lillie and Jesse, I have not come across further info for them past the 1940 US Census. Lillie's oldest daughter's paper trail also seems to go cold after the 1920 US Census.

Nellie Dove Wampler was born in 1881. She first married Louis Riley Hemry and resided in Palmyra Township, Knox county, Indiana where they had two daughters prior to Louis Henry's 3 Nov 1914 death. Louis was the son of James and Margaret McMasters Hemry, and when researching him also look for him as Lewis Hemry or Lewis/Louis Henry. Nellie D. married Jesse J. Jones in the fall of 1915 in Knox county, Indiana and they had two children together. I have not located a death date for Nellie D.; she may have died in Toledo, Lucas county, Ohio as she and Jesse Jones are listed living there for the 1930 and 1940 US Census after the 1920 census that had them in Washington, Daviess county, Indiana.

So Harvey S. Wampler and Martha Jane Harrison did have children, and grandchildren as well.

Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson 1827 - 1905

Samantha Nancy GRAY DICKERSON^1,A was born on 12 March 1827, in Mixerville, Bathe Township, Franklin, Indiana, United States, to Mr. Unknown^2,B and Elizabeth "Liz" GRAY².

Samantha's younger sister, Julia A. Gray², is said to been born in Butler County, Ohio. This would seem to hint that Samantha Gray also lived, for a short period of time, in Butler County, Ohio, United States before she, her mother and sister start appearing in United States Census reports as to residing in Ripley County, Indiana, United States.

The United States Census, 1850 on 9 October 1850, in Otter Creek Township, Ripley, Indiana, United States, at age 23, Samantha and her infant son, David L. Gray^3,C, are listed in her mother's household. No occupation listed for Samantha Gray Dickerson (nor her mother).

In the United States Census reports for 1860, 1870, and 1880 for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana, Samantha is listed as Samantha or Nancy Palmer. Her occupation was generally one assigned for house wife thoughts. Samantha was listed to not being able to read or write.

Samantha Dickerson^A,B and John Palmer⁴ married 28 February 1873 in Versailles, Ripley County, Indiana. Prior to the civil service it is unclear about their marital status, but they may possibly been in a common law marriage. John Palmer passed away in 1885.

Court Report. April Term.
... Samantha Palmer vs Peter Maschino, receivership. Report of receiver approved. Receiver discharged.
Source: Versailles Republican; 27 May 1886 - Page 5

In the United States Census reports for 1900 in Center Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana, Samantha Palmer, aged 73, is listed as Head of Household.

Samantha died on 9 September 1905, aged 78, in Center Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana, United States. Robert Martin Palmer³ was the informant for the State of Indiana death certificate and he listed "Nixerville, Franklin"^D as her place of birth. Cause of death was said to be due to an abdominal tumor.

Samantha Nancy Gray he was buried on 10 September 1905 in Otter Creek Cemetery (also known as Tanglewood Cemetery)^E in Ripley, Indiana, United States. Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson and John Palmer were the parents of six or seven children: David L. [Gray] Palmer, James Sylvanus Palmer³, John Palmer^3,F

William Jesse Palmer³, Robert Martin Palmer, and Sarah I. Palmer³.

Samantha's brother-in-law, Patrick Michael McCormick^2,G, and Robert Martin Palmer handled her will and estate^H.

... Michael McCormich, of Osgood, was in town the first of the week and probated the will of Samantha Palmer deceased.
Source: Osgood Ripley Journal; 20 September 1905 - Page 8

Notations of Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

A Samantha Gray appears on census reports and some earlier citations as to going by Samantha Gray. It is later, such as her 1873 marriage to John Palmer, where she starts appearing to list her maiden name being Dickerson. Presents a bit of a conundrum on how to list her name in the family tree since she went by Gray for over 20 years before she went by Palmer, even prior to the civil marriage, then Dickerson. I list her, on my side, with Gray and Dickerson both as her maiden names, which may seem a bit unwieldy, but given the circumstances, accurate in terms of how Samantha used the names while alive.
B First appearance of her father's name, in documents, is in 1873 when she lists a John Dickerson being her father on a marriage record. John Dickerson is also listed as her father on her later death certificate.
C David L. Gray appears in 1860 and 1870 census reports, for John and Samantha [Gray Dickerson] Palmer, as David L. Palmer. It is unclear if John Palmer was the birth father or "adopted" him.
D This is the first mentioning of exactly where she was born at in Indiana. Mixerville was an informal, unincorporated, area in Bathe Township, Franklin, Indiana area.
E Find A Grave memorial page, for Samantha Gray Dickerson Palmer, shares her grave site is not marked.
F Child's existence may be questionable.
G Husband of Julia A. Gray
H Robert Martin Palmer is said to inherited the bulk of the estate due to him taking care of Samantha after John Palmer's passing.

Relationship to Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

1 Maternal 3x Great-aunt through marriage
2 Indirect, through marriage
3 Maternal Cousin 3x removed
4 Maternal 3x Great-uncle

Resources for Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson:

·   United Staes Census for Otter Creek Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana
· United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripey County, Indiana
·   United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana
·   United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana
·   United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana
·   copy of marriage record, not yet digitized by the county or state, shared on Ancestry online family tree by a descendant of John Palmer and Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson.
· &nsbp; State of Indiana death certificate for Samantha Dickerson Palmer; Record No. 131.
·   Will of Samantha Palmer
·   Find A Grave memorial pages for Samantha, her husband, and children.
·   Osgood Ripley Journal
·   Versailles Republican
·   Ancesty message boards and online trees
·   Rootweb forums
·   Genealogy forums