Both families lived in Ogle County, Illinois, and moved to Beatrice, Nebraska in the 1870s. Could it be that they decided to travel together for added protection against the Indians?
Jonas Theodore Wakenight
Born: 22 JUN 1853 in Dayton, Greene County, Ohio
Father: Robert Chesney Wakenight (1824 to 1895)
Mother: Mary Ann Elizabeth Lorentz (1828 to 1884)
Spouse: Frances Jane Nicewonger (FEB 1858 to 1950)
Married: 1 FEB 1877 in Gage County, Nebraska
Children:
Charles Calvin Wakenight (10 MAY 1878 to 20 MAY 1878)
Daniel Scott Wakenight (12 OCT 1880 to 6 JUL 1922)
Anna Susan Wakenight (21 DEC 1881 to 15 JUN 1962)
Lillian Mae Wakenight (2 SEP 1883 to 12 MAR 1969)
Pearl Wakenight (10 APR 1885 to 1888)
Jacob William Wakenight (20 JUN 1890 to 21 DEC 1972)
Robert Edward Wakenight (20 JUN 1890 to 31 DEC 1972)
Alta Edna Wakenight (20 JUL 1893 to 1 OCT 1974)
Edith Esther Wakenight (29 APR 1897 to 29 FEB 1988)
Died: 2 AUG 1931 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
Burial: Graceland Park Cemetery, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
Timeline:
1860 Polo, Ogle County, Illinois
1863 Death of brother, Martin
1870 Polo, Ogle County, Illinois
1877 Marriage to Frances
1880 Birth of son, Daniel
1880 Holt, Gage County, Nebraska
1881 Birth of daughter, Anna
1883 Birth of daughter, Lillian
1884 Death of mother, Mary Ann
1890 Unknown (the 1890 Census was destroyed in a major fire)
1890 Birth of twins, Jacob and Robert
1893 Birth of daughter, Alta
1895 Death of father, Robert
1897 Birth of daughter, Edith
1900 Holt, Gage County, Nebraska
1910 Holt, Gage County, Nebraska
1920 Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
1922 Death of son, Daniel
1923 Death of brother, John
1927 Death of brother, Edward
1930 Chicago, Douglas County, Nebraska
1931 Death and burial
Occupation: farmer (1880, 1900, 1910), farm laborer (1930)
Records:
1860 to 1880, 1900 to 1930 US Census Records
Nebraska, Marriage Records, 1855-1908
The U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
Variations of Surname: Wakenicht
Spouse:
Frances Jane Nicewonger:
Frances was born on 8 FEB 1857 in Green Willow, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. She died on 31 MAR 1950 in Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska.
Her father was Jacob Nicewonger. He was born on 1 SEP 1827 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. He died on 3 JUN 1900 in Pickrell, Gage County, Nebraska.
Her mother was Susannah Mock. She was born on 24 AUG 1832 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. She died on 11 MAR 1893 in Pickrell, Gage County, Nebraska.
Nicewonger Genealogy Source:
In 2018, an Ancestry.com member shared a 41-page document on this family’s origins. It was entitled “Neuenschwander Family Tree” and was compiled by George Beers Nicewonger in the early 1940s.
This document supplied me with information on Frances’ parents and siblings. It described the family’s migration across the United States. I also discovered that Theodore and Frances had two children who did not survive to adulthood, Charles and Pearl.
I thought it important to share this document with other family genealogists and decided to create a “free page” on WikiTree.com. It is called Neuenschwander/Nicewonger Family Tree (1652 to 1945).
You can also go straight to the 41-page document at the following link:
You will find information on Frances, her children, and descendants, starting on Page 26. If you have issues viewing the above link, please email me at dlwakenight@yahoo.com.
Daughters:
Anna Susan Wakenight:
Anna was born on 21 DEC 1881 in Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska. She died on 15 JUN 1962 in Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska.
Anna’s Obituary:
Anna Susan Gerdes, daughter of Jonas T. and Frances Jane Nicewonger Wakenight, was born Dec. 21, 1881, and departed with her life on June 15, 1962, at the age of 80 years, five months, and 25 days.
Mrs. Gerdes was born a short distance north of Beatrice and spent all of her life in and around Beatrice. Both of her parents came to Gage county by covered wagon, shortly after the civil war from Pennsylvania. One of her prized possessions was a family tree dating back to 1752 when some of her ancestors came to America from Switzerland.
She was baptized at an early age and has been a member of Beatrice Christian Church for many many years.
In 1901 on March 21 she was married to Henry A. Gerdes. They resided on a farm northwest of Beatrice most of their married lives, until Mr. Gerdes’ passing in 1952. She then moved back to Beatrice.
Mrs. Gerdes loved the out of doors and spent many hours working in her small garden. She especially loved flowers and had many varieties, both in her home and garden. She enjoyed the visitations of her many friends and relatives.
She enjoyed good health most of her life and maintained her own home until her recent illness. She knew her Savior well and passed into his Heavenly arms 6:10 p.m. June 15.
She leaves to mourn her passing five sons; Harry of Long Beach Cali., “Ted” of Wymore, Thomas of Crab Orchard, Earl and Alvin of Beatrice; eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Alta King and Mrs. Lillian Johnson of Beatrice; Mrs. Edith Thornton of Omaha; twin brothers, Jake and Robert Wakenight of Beatrice; one Aunt Mrs. Alta Nicewonger of Beatrice.
Funeral services were conducted by her minister, the Rev. George Campbell, of The First Christian Church. The soloist was Mr. Charles L. Felt singing “The Old Rugged Cross” accompanied by Mrs. Flora Holms.
Memorial services were held at the Harman Mortuary Chapel at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 1962, with interment at the Evergreen Home Cemetery. Casket bearers were Walter Coon, Charles Kimmerling, William Schneider, Swigart Miller, L. H. Esau, Orie Lape.
Anna married Henry Albert Gerdes on 21 MAR 1901 in Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska. Five children were born to this marriage, all in Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska:
Harry Edward Gerdes (1903)
Theodore William Gerdes (1905)
Thomas D Gerdes (1914)
Earl Gerdes (1917)
Alvin J Gerdes (1920)
Henry Albert Gerdes was born on28 OCT 1872 in Eastern Friesland (Ostfriesland), Lower Saxony, Germany. He died on 3 MARCH 1952 in Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska.
His father was Heinrich “Henry” Gerdes. He was born on 12 JUN 1837 in Germany. He died on 9 MAR 1913 in Johnson County, Nebraska.
His mother was Thalke Brauer. She was born on 19 DEC 1838 in Germany. She died on 21 MAR 1885 in Johnson County, Nebraska.
Henry’s parents married in 1866 and immigrated to the United States in 1877. They settled in Johnson County, Nebraska.
After Thalke’s death, Henry’s father married Matje Ross nee Schoen in 1888 in Crab Orchard, Johnson County, Nebraska.
Matje Schoen was born on 12 SEP 1837 in Bagband, Landkreis Aurich, Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), Germany. She died on 14 MAY 1931 in Johnson County, Nebraska.
Lillian Mae Wakenight:
Lillian was born on 2 SEP 1883 in Gage County, Nebraska. She died on 12 MAR 1969 in Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska.
Lillian married William Henry Johnson on 14 APR 1907 in Nebraska. Three known children were born to this marriage, all born in Lancaster County, Nebraska:
Frances Almira Johnson (1908)
Everett William Johnson (1910)
Rosie May Johnson (1912 to 1913)
William Henry Johnson was born on 4 NOV 1882 in Atlanta, Phelps County, Nebraska. He died on 19 OCT 1939 in Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska.
His father was John F Johnson, born in 1841 in Russia. His mother was Almira C Janny, born in 1851 in Illinois.
Alta Edna Wakenight:
Alta was born on 20 JUL 1893 in Gage County, Nebraska. She died on 1 OCT 1974 in Wymore, Gage County, Nebraska.
Alta married Earl Crilly King on 3 SEP 1913 in Fairbury, Jefferson County, Nebraska. Four known children were born to this marriage, all born in Gage County, Nebraska:
Lyle A King (1919)
Viola H King (1921)
Earl J King (1925)
Jeanine King (1928)
Earl Crilly King was born on 10 SEP 1888 in Fairbury, Jefferson County, Nebraska. He died on 23 MAR 1957 in Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska.
Earl’s father was John A King, born in 1858 in Ohio. His mother was Nettie Hasty, born in 1869 in Iowa.
Edith Esther Wakenight:
Edith was born on 29 APR 1897 in Gage County, Nebraska. She died on 29 FEB 1988 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska.
Edith married Lyman Lorenzo Thornton on 11 JUN 1916 in Nebraska. Five known children were born to this marriage, all in Douglas County, Nebraska:
Charlotte Thornton (1919)
Arthur L Thornton (1921)
Luanna F Thornton (1924)
Betty J Thornton (1926)
Jeanne E Thornton (1930)
Lyman Lorenzo Thornton was born on 18 FEB 1893 in Orleans, Harlan County, Nebraska He died on 16 OCT 1974 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska.
Lyman’s father was Francis Lorenzo “Frank” Thornton. He was born on 16 MAY 1862 in Dam County, Wisconsin. He died on 27 JUN 1930 in South Omaha, Sarpy County, Nebraska.
His mother was Tabitha Jane Bertha “Kate” Fenimore. She was born on 5 SEP 1854 in Clay County, Illinois. She died on 12 NOV 1928 in South Omaha, Sarpy County, Nebraska.
Family Photo:
Sharon Strow added this photo to her website. It must have been taken prior to Anna’s death in 1962.
What Happened in 1930?
As I searched the 1930 US census records for Theodore and Frances, I got a little surprise.
Theodore, at 78 years old, was living near Elkhorn, outside of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. He was renting a place and working as a laborer on a farm.
At first, I thought Frances had died, but then I took a closer look at the record. The entry for Marital Status was marked with a “D” for “divorced”. On the same line, three columns to the left, you will see how the enumerator wrote an “M”.
I then searched for Frances on the 1930 US census. She was living with her brother and his wife in Pickrell, Gage County, Nebraska. As you can see, it looks like the entry under Marital Status may have been changed to “M” for “married”.
Ancestry.com notes that the enumerators had a set of abbreviations to use for each column of the census. For the marital status, Column 14, it included:
“Single = S, Married = M, Widowed = Wd, Divorced = D”
I also discovered that enumerators visited each household in their assigned territory. From the 1930 US Census General Instructions #15, it states:
“Complete canvass required. It is your duty personally to visit every family and farm within your territory; to obtain the information required with reference to them; and to enter the same on the census schedules.”
With this information, we know that the census taker asked Theodore if he was single, married, widowed, or divorced. His answer was entered onto the census form as “divorced”.
And, why does Frances’ entry look like it was corrected? Could it be that the divorce was not finalized and the enumerator changed it to “married”?
I doubt that we will ever know. Unless one of their descendants has a family story they would like to share?
Notes:
Both families lived in Ogle County, Illinois, and moved to Beatrice, Nebraska in the 1870s. From the Nicewonger Family Tree (shown above), we know that Frances’ family traveled by “prairie schooner” or covered wagon.
Could it be that the families decided to travel together for added protection against the Indians? Legends of America has a brief history of the conflicts that occurred between the settlers and Indians in Nebraska.
For more information on this part of the Wakenight family, please visit Sharon Strow’s website, “Descendants of Daniel Wakenight.”
Creating Your Family Tree
Interested in building a great family tree? Remember these important steps:
Look in your photo albums. You may have old pictures that your parents or grandparents gave you. Or, ask them for copies of photos that they have in their possession. Many people will write names and dates on the backs of photographs. Letters, diaries, and family bibles are also excellent sources for births, marriages, and deaths.
Talk to your older relatives to find out about your ancestry. They may relate stories about an ancestor that you can add to your family tree. Family history is usually not found in newspapers. It is more of a verbal memory that is passed down from generation to generation.
Find the right family tree builder that suits your needs. You can choose one that has a paid subscription like Ancestry.com. There are also free sites like FamilySearch.org.
When you start building your family tree, add documentation to your ancestor’s profile. The records can include birth, marriage, death, census, military, city, and county directory listings. Any information that you can find will help create a life story about your ancestor.
If you have a unique surname, like Wakenight, you may find databases on the internet that are useful in your search. I use SurnameDB.com for my English surnames. There are many others on the internet for other countries like Ireland, Italy, and Germany.
Genealogy is the study of a person’s “line of descent.” As you create your family tree, you would typically start with one individual and go “back into time.” You would add their parents, grandparents, and so on. There are also family trees that go “forward into time.” Many of these family trees start with a famous person, such as a president or royalty, and move forward into the present time. The purpose of this type of pedigree is to establish a person’s bloodline to that famous person.
There is no limit on how big your family tree can grow. The blank canvas is there for you to use. Cherish your family history, and it will be there for generations to come!
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