John Peter Steed was just a name that was listed on the Family Registry that Alvaretta Myrl Scruggs Linke Palmer Kuhnle laboriously penned for the family before she died. With the help of many cousins, John Peter has taken his place in history. After several years of searching, much more information is known about him. In uncovering the information about John Peter, Zebedee, Margaret, Thomas and Polly have become familiar names in the history of the Steed Branch.

Thomas Sr. and Polly were 78 at the first appearance of Zebedee in Adams, Ohio on the US Census of 1850. Zebedee was just 24. Thomas Jr. and Nancy were living next door at age 43. With such a wide range in age, either Zebedee's Father was Thomas Sr. where he was enumerated and was born late in Thomas' life or Thomas Jr. has and older family and a younger family under one roof. James Steed age 30 would fit within the later scenario. Within two years, Zebedee married Margaret Ann Cusick in Parkersburg, WV. The Western Part of Virginia was not satisfied with the political scene of Virginia. Even before the state was split in two, the Western section was called West Virginia. Talk of forming a Confederacy was becoming more and more prevalent as the Country headed toward 1860 and the next Census year. In 1860, John Peter was living with his Mom and Dad in Marietta City, Ohio. John Peter was 4 years old, Margaret Ann was 30 while Zebedee turned 35.

Four years later, 3 February 1864, Zebedee enlisted as a private in the 39th Ohio Infantry Regiment, Company B. Margaret, John Peter and Margaretta moved to Indiana while Zebedee was at war. Zebedee mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio 13 June 1865. Margaretta and Agnes Elizabeth were born after the 1860 Census. They appeared with the family in the 1870 Indiana Census. John Peter was 14, Margaretta 9 and Agnes E. was 3. Agnes was born in Indiana. Margaret, Margaretta and John Peter were all born in Ohio.

Zebedee and Margaret must have liked Hartford City, Indiana. They lived there until death separated the couple. Margaret died 9 June 1895. Zebedee was living with Margaretta and her family in the 1900 Hartford City, IN Census. Margaretta had married Edgar Smith. They had 5 children living at home. Zebedee died in the Old Soldiers Home in Marion, IN 16 February 1904. He lived not quite 10 years without Margaret.

John Peter Steed found Mary K. Longfellow whose family also lived in Hartford City. They were married 19 June 1876. Mary K. was buried next to her baby. The head stone for the child was labeled Jeanie Daughter of J. P. and M. Steed. Unfortunately, the City of Hartford, IN chose the Cemetery site for a playground. They exhumed the caskets and moved them to the New Cemetery.

Alvaretta Spencer, Daughter of Nathan Spencer and Louisa Hiatt Spencer, lived in Milton, IN. John found her there. The second June wedding took place 6 June 1881. A male and female set of twins was registered with Wayne County, Indiana.  The twins were born 21 April, 1882. Grace Louise Steed joined the couple 13 May 1884. She is standing next to one of her younger siblings in the picture on the left. Later, twins were born. Ira C. and Ina came to live with the family on 1 June 1888. Frank N., the baby of the family, came 24 Nov. 1892. It was soon after this event that the J. P. Steeds moved away from Indiana ending up in Colorado. Grace married Harvey Earl Thompson, 2 April 1903. Their Son, Harold Earl Thompson was born in Denver, CO 28 Aug 1904. She divorced Harvey Earl in Jackson Co. 28 September 1914. She married Roscoe Scruggs one month later 16 Oct. 1914 in Kimball, Nebraska. It was during this time that the Slacks and the Scruggs were again closely involved. They were probably living on the same North Park Ranch.

While people were moving and marrying here in America, a world was about to go to War. Frank enlisted in the Army. He is shown in uniform below in a group picture. Roscoe Scruggs is on the left. Frank is standing next to his Mother, Alvaretta Spencer Steed. Grace is next to Ira. Harold is kneeling in front holding Dorothy Mae Scruggs.

The next portrait includes Ina Steed . She is pictured on the upper left across from her twin brother Ira. On the second Row is Alvaretta, Frank and Grace. This portrait was taken at Nelson Studio in Denver but there is no date.

The picture on the right above shows Grace with Alvaretta Steed. The picture has faded so it is hard to see that they are standing in a great deal of snow. The inscription on the back is " Mother and Daughter 1926." Alvaretta and Ira were living in Pagosa Springs, CO in Archuletta Co. according to the 1920 Colorado Census. This area is close to Steam Boat Springs, CO which is ski county. Alvaretta is listed as a Widow living with Ira, her Son. This picture is probably taken near Pagosa Springs. In the picture, John Peter Steed is wearing a band uniform. He played the coronet.  On the back of that photo in faint writing, there is an inscription,  "From Papa Steed to Grace Steed".  John Peter Steed was laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery Denver, Denver, CO.  29 Dec 1919.  Hazel Steed, Frank’s Wife, was the informant for John Peter’s Death Certificate.

The 1930 Census shows Alvaretta and Ira in the Phoenix, AZ area living not too far from Grace and Roscoe. Alvaretta is listed as being 77 but she was 62 on the 1920 Census. She was born 22 July 1857 in Milton, Wayne Co., IN. As of Feb.2003 no further information has been uncovered about Alvaretta. Ira Steed never married. He died in San Bernardino, CA 4 August 1964. His twin Sister Ina, married Jeff Branson. They were married over 60 years. She died 20 December 1973.

 To learn more about Grace, go to the Roscoe Section.