| Page content last modified: | February 7, 2009, added image of William O. Dunham's signature and link to Dunham-Creel marriage documents. |
| McDONOUGH COUNTY, ILLINOIS FAMILIES NEWS MEMORABILIA |
| WILLIAM OTTERBEIN DUNHAM 185_-1922 | ||
| ERMINE C. CREEL 1858-1886 |
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RUTH SAMMONS ca. 1865-1947 |
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 was born in Pike County, Illinois, the son of Joshua and Matilda (Nelson) Dunham. To accept the year of birth inscribed on his tombstone, 1851, we must disregard census and marriage records, the majority of which strongly suggest he was born later. Why should we question this year? Because the appearance of a date on a tombstone is not proof positive of the accuracy of that date - there are numerous examples displayed on this very website. Differences of a year or so or not uncommon, but should we rush to conclude that neither William nor his parents accurately furnished his age from 1860 through 1889? Of course we acknowledge the unreliabilty of census listings, but when there is a preponderance of evidence, we must apply common sense and, at the very least, consider other possibilities. We note that the earliest year, 1851, first appears when William was older, living with a niece and her husband who may have spoken with the census taker and, perhaps, also were reponsible for ordering the tombstone inscription for William.
On April 29, 1875, Andrew Jackson Creel wrote a note to be delivered to the McDonough County Clerk at Macomb, saying that he and his wife, the former Elizabeth Purkey (or Purky), gave their "cocent" for their daughter, "Erme", to marry. Ermine C. Creel was born in McDonough County on December 25, 1858, so she had not yet reached her majority. William presented this note and signed an affidavit applying for a license, also on April 29. McDonough County marriage license #415 was issued to William O. Dunham, 21, and Miss "Erme" Creel, 17, both of Blandinsville. They were married the same day at Blandinsville by A. W. Callahan, Minister of the Gospel. Two daughters were born of their union:
Ermine died August 19, 1886, and was buried at Glade City Cemetery, Blandinsville. On April 22, 1889, William married There is an indication that William may have married for a third time, but we've not inspected those marriage documents. If true, this marriage was probably of short duration: William was reported as a widower in the census of 1900. He died May 16, 1922, at Blandinsville and was buried with Ermine at Glade City Cemetery.  Winset Abel Dunham (William's brother). |
enumerated July 16, 1860, dwelling #175 Joshua Dunham, 38, male, farmer, value of real estate 4000, value of personal estate 3900, |
enumerated June 12, 1860, dwelling #444 Andrew Creel, 23, male, farmer, value of personal estate 500, born IL
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page 356A, enumerated June 15, 1870, dwelling #91 Durham, Joshua, 45, male, white, minister of gospel, value of real estate 25000, value of personal estate 2000, born OH, male citizen of the U.S. aged 21 or more
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enumerated June 28, 1870, dwelling #55 Creel, A J, 32, male, white, farmer, value of personal estate 300, born IL, male citizen of the U.S. aged 21 or more
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enumerated June 1, 1880, dwelling #4 Dunham, W O, white, male, 26, married, farmer, born IL, both parents born OH
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enumerated May 10, 1910, dwelling #153 Hicks, _ W [first initial heavily overwritten and illegible], head, male, white, 22, married (1st) for 3 years, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, farmer, gen farm, working on own account, could read and write, rented his farm home, farm schedule 132 Pearl, wife, female, white, 23, married (1st) for 3 years; mother of 3 children, 2 living; born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, could read and write Janet Louise, daughter, female, white, 2, single, born IL, both parents born IL Anna May, daughter, female, white, 1, single, born IL, both parents born IL Dunham, Ort, uncle, male, white, 54, widower, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, farm laborer, working out, employee, whether out of work on April 15, 1910 - no, number of weeks out of work during 1909 - 0, could read and write Ort, 54, Widower |
enumerated February 4, 1920, dwelling #52, farm Morris, Earl, head, renter, male, white, 36, married, could read and write, born IL, father born NJ, mother born IL, spoke English, farmer, farm, employer, farm schedule 30 Alice, wife, female, white, 32, male, could read and write, born IL, father born NJ, mother born IL, spoke English John, son, male, white, 10, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1919, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English Marian, daughter, female, white, 5, single, born IL, both parents born IL Orttibine, William, uncle, male, white, 68, widower, could read and write, born IL, both parents born OH, spoke English, laborer, farm, working for wages |
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