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Alma Vossler (-2G)
The (-3G) etc. after the names indicates the number of generations before Erven Thoma. Born before her was her brother, James Mears Vossler (-2G) on 11 Aug. 1892.
The Social Security application gives 1894 as the birth year. The headstone gives 1895. Both have 02 Oct. I do not know what the birth certificate and death certificate give. Her son, Earl, says that the headstone is incorrect and should read 1894. He always knew his mother was a day and a year older than his father. In the 1900 Fed. Census for Texas (vol. 1, enum. district 5, sheet 15, line 24) we see Alma's parents living at 814 Magnolia St. in Palestine, Anderson County, Texas. Her mother Rena is 32, born in Mar. 1868 in Texas. Her father, Jas. (sic! John) W. Vossler is 36 years old, born in Missouri in Feb. 1864. Alma's brother Jas. (James) M. Vossler is 7 years old, born in Texas in Aug. 1892. Alma is 5, born in Sept. 1894 in Texas. Also living there is Rena's mother, Mary E. Mears, 52 years old, born in July 1847 in Texas and Kate Mears, Rena's sister, 23 years old, born Oct. 1876 in Texas. This Census reports that Rena and John were married for 9 years and that Rena had 2 children, both of which are living. It says that both parents of John were born in Germany; that the father of Rena was born in Missouri and the mother of Rena in North Carolina. It reports that Alma's father, John, is a stenographer and that they own their home.
The 1910 Fed. Census for Texas (16 Apr. 1910, enum. district 9, supv. district 7, ward 3, page 2) shows the family living in Palestine, Anderson County, Texas. Alma's mother Rena is 42 years old, born in Texas of parents born in Missouri and North Carolina. Alma's father is 46 years old, born in Missouri with parents born in Germany. He is a clerk for the railroad and owns his house. Rena and her husband had only two children and have been married 19 years. Alma is 15, born in Texas. Her brother, Jas. M is 18, born in Texas. Alma graduated from high school in 1913. Just below are two pictures of her from that time.
The 1917 Houston Texas City Directory lists John W. Vossler, stationer for I. & G.N. residing at 1603 Crawford in Houston, Texas. Alma Vossler is boarding there. The 1920 Census for Texas (vol. 88, enum. district 57, sheet 18, line 64) shows Alma's mother, Rena Vosler (sic!), 51 years old, born in Texas, as a roomer in the home of Mattie McBride on East Rusk (#203) in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. With them is Rena's husband, John W. Vosler (sic!) 55 years old, born in Missouri, who is an agent at a railroad station. Also there is Alma Vosler (sic!) who is 25 years old, born in Texas. Rena's sister Kate and her mother Mary and son Jas. are no longer living with them. James is living elsewhere [He had married and had a son in 1918].
They first moved to Dallas, Texas where their son Earl was born on 09 Sept. 1922.. The 1930 Fed. Census for Texas (T626_2318, supv. dist. 10, enum. dist. 71, page 4A, printed page no. 4, lines 1-3, dated 03 April) shows the family living at 4149? McKinney Ave. in Dallas, Dallas County (Justice Precinct 11, voting precinct 98, block 1621). They are renting at $25/month and own a radio set. Amory is 34 years old, married at 26, born in Missouri of a father born in Illinois and a mother born in Missouri. He was working for an oil company (can't read the occupation but it looks like some kind or clerk). He was a veteran of WW1. He was not in school but can read, write, and speak English. Alma is also 34 according to this Census [she is really 35]. She was married at age 26 [27] and was born in Texas of a father born in Illinois [other records say Missouri] and a mother born in Texas. No occupation is listed. She was not in school but can read, write, and speak English. Their son, Amory Jr., is 7 years old, born in Texas of a father born in Missouri and a mother born in Texas. He is attending school. Her mother died on 01 Nov. 1938 in Houston?, TX. Her father died on 24 May 1939 in Houston (or Palestine), TX. After several years they moved to Chicago, IL. Later (perhaps when Amory retired before 1958) they moved to Mountain View, MO.
Her husband died at 6:45 A.M. on 03 Jul. 1958 in St. Francis Hospital, Mountain View, MO and was buried next to his father in New Salem Cemetery near Couch, MO. Duncan Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral. At the time of his death he had two granddaughters, a cousin, son and wife (Alma).
In the Spring of 1964 she went to as meeting of the St. Clair chapter of Easter Star. Her first cousin Cecilia Mueller (née Thake) was being awarded a 50-year pin for her service in the Easter Star. A newspaper article reported this event. At the time Alma was living in Mountain View, MO. Her last move was to an Eastern Star nursing home in Macon, IL. She applied for a Social Security number (#493-54-7980) in 1965 when she was living in Zip Code Area 62544 which is in Macon, Macon County, IL, just south of Decatur. The application has 1894 as her birth year. She was living at the Eastern Star home there.
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