Alfred Alonzo Enke - 1st Cousin 3x Removed

This Edie Adams, whose father Sheldon Enke, was the grandson of Jesse Pryor Enke, the brother of Lydia Enke, my 2nd great grandmother.

The following information was given to me by Erich Enke. This is the history of Alfred Alonzo Enke, whose father, Jesse, was the brother of my 2nd great grandmother, Lydia Enke Wilson. There is so much to be learned of the Encke family. This is from the history , "Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pensylvania Genealogies and Family Histories, Volume I-II" page 408. Erich notes that where "he speaks of John, his grandfather, I think he might be mistaken and be thinking instead of Lewis, his great grandfather."

ALFRED A. ENKE

"No higher words of commendation or praise can be said of any man than that he has made a prominent place in the world and honorably fills it. The most useful and trustworthy men are those who have risen to a high position by their own efforst and asserted thereby their right to a place with those whose names have been handed down in the pages of history as men worth of recognition. Among these is Alfred A. Enke, president of the Nanticoke National Bank, who was born in Berwick, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1851.

The paternal grandfather of Alfred A. Enke was John Enke, a native of Germany who left his native country during the struggle for independence between England and the young colonies, and in this conflict he bore an active part. He was a man of considerable ability and intelligence, whose parents had set him apart for the church, but who thought for himself as he advanced in years and determined to choose his own career. After the war ceased and the colonists were victorious, he settled at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather of Alfred A. Enke was Abel Dalbey, who was a cabinet maker and painter by trade. Both he and his wife lived to an advanced age, he passing away at 77 and she at 76 years.

The parents of Alfred A. Enke were Jesse P. and Hannah (Dalbey) Enke,the former was born at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, in 1825, and the latter in Luzerne county, a descendent of a Quaker origin. She died April, 1863. Their children were seven in number, three of whom are living at the present time (1905); Alfred A., Josph M., John W.

Alfred A. Enke was reared in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania, and educated in the common schools thereof, qualifying himself during this period for clerical calling. In 1876 he moved to Nanticoke, where he has since resided. He entered the employ of the Susquehanna Coal Company, and for a period of 32 years held the respect and confidence of its management, during the greater portion of which time he had charge of one of the pay rolls of the company. He is a member of Nanticoke Lode, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master; Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, and Irem (?) Temple, Wilkes-Barre. Mr Enke has never entered the arena of politics, preferring to devote his time to business undividedly.

In 1874 Mr. Enke was married to Miss Daisy A. Rambach, who bore him two children: Daniel Clyde, deceased, and Mary E. Mrs. Enke died May 10, 1878. In 1881 Mr. Enke was married to Miss Ida E. Hess, who also bore him two children; Emily L., a trained nurse, a graduate of Wilkes-Barre Hospital, and George P., a graduate of Lehigh University in mechanical engineering and now employed as a specialist with the German Insurance Company in New York City. The mother of these children died April 4, 1884. In 1888 Mr. Enke was married to Miss Amy J. Anderson, of Herrick, Brandford county, Pennsylvania. There is no issue of this union."

Erich puts a couple of notations after this history. "Note how the author (presumably Alfred) is cautious not to mention which side of the war his ancestor fought for." And Jesse Pryor Enke had another son, Ralph, who had a son named Sheldon, who had a daughter named Edith Elizabeth Enke, who is perhaps better known as her stage name, Edie Adams."

Erich is looking for contact people for this family. I'd be glad to share his E-Mail address to anyone who would like to communicate with family members.

Early Beadle County - by Mildred McEwen Jones, 1961

I feel that a lengthy booklet in my possession merits mentioning. It is titled, "Early Beadle County, 1879 to 1900 and was written by Mildred McEwen Jones. The dedication includes these words, "...and to all Pioneers that their sons and daughters may know the nobility which they inherit."

My ancestors are mentioned but in passing, but the booklet does give a good view of the lifes, and histories of the pioneers of this era.

"It is no wonder our ancestors were attracted by the newness of the country. By 1880 much of the land in eastern US had been taken. People were out of work and restless. Transcontinental railroads were being built and everyone was talking about Dakota." The author's father was "impelled by the consuming ambition to try the unknown."

"To prove up his claim, one paid $14 when filing then had to live on the claim for five years and pay $4 more for final proof. One could prove up in six months by paying $1.25 an ancre. The government required five acres of breaking the first year. Improvements such as a house and well were to be made in six months, but that time was extended in 1881 because of the hard winter.

Then acres of trees were to be put on tree claims with at least 2700 trees to the acre. These trees were to be cultivated for eight years. At the end of that time, 675 living trees to the acre were required to prove up. The first year settlers were to break five acres; the second year, five acres more and cultivate the first five acres. The fourth year they were to plant the second five acres to trees and cultivate the first. Thereafter, all were to be kept clean and cultivated. Not many tree claims have the original trees. One in Nance Township - that of William Henry Daugherty- still have trees started in 1892."

Descriptions of the hard winters and blizzards, Indian situations, the importance of good water, prairie fires, floods and cyclones were interestling detailed.

The following sentence has an interest to me, concerning blizzards. "We've never found the graves of my aunt and two uncles," said Earl French whose father's two brothers and sister were frozen to death while returning from school in Pleasant View Township. My two aunts firmly believed that my gggrandfather, Peter DeLong, froze in Bonilla in a blizzard.

The section on Schools has the mention of Hattie Daugherty Place, which I shared a few days ago. Then later, "Since many objected to using the schoolhouses for dancing, literary societies were started. Mrs. Hattie (Daugherty) Place (mother's great aunt)wrote of starting one in 1884. These societies gave an opportunity for expression in debates, oratory, and entertainment. Note: A "Mrs. Ed Wilson" is mentioned periodically. William Wilson's son was named William Edgar Wilson. Perhaps worth thinking about.

In the supplement at the end of the book,are these words, "Nance Township, organized 1884 was named for J.D. Nance, one of the directors. Before being organized it was eight miles square, including two miles in Bonilla and two in Whitside. Settlers were the families of Ambrose Barnes, Charles Brady, George Brown, David Brown, Joe Croes, Sr., E.D. Curtis, W.H. Daugherty, Herman Fritzche, Martin Keller, Fenton McNeill, Walter Parkeson, Carl Tipton, and W.W. Wilson." The Brady, Wilson, and Daugherty family are ancestors.

A fascinating history. I'm not sure if it can be purchased anywhere. Really glad I have it.

1957 Letter from Hattie Daugherty Place

This is Hattie...a very special person in the history of the Daugherty family.

I wanted to share this letter sent to my aunt, Beulah Daugherty Goehring on Jan., 1, 1957. The writer was Mother's and Beulah's great aunt, Hattie (Harriet D. Daugherty Place). She lived in Wessington, SD at the time of this writing. I think we'll get some sort of idea of the daily life of our South Dakota Ancestors. Hattie died in 1959. She was born in 1863.

"Dear Alton, Beulah and Family,
Thank you for the message your lovely card brought me. I spent Christmas Day with Audrey (Laura Audrey Place Sisco), Hattie's daughter. Jack McGirr (niece Mable Daugherty McGirr's husband)came with car for me and called five PM and brought me home at 6:30. Edna Pesicka, (Hattie's other daughter...not sure why she called Edna by her last name and not Audrey), her son Don and his three boys surprised us. They went home to Dupree on Thursday.

Edna could not stay longer this time but promised to come in spring and help me clean house. It will surely need it by the, for I do not dig out as often as I should. Do all my own work, but no more than needed, through the winter months.

Johnny D. (Hattie's brother, Fred & his wife Ona Daugherty's son), returned from Germany in October. He is staying at Audrey's. I hear from Edna Veal often (the sister of Johnny). She doesn't like Germany (Edna was a nurse in the service...think that her husband Richard Veal was in the special services...no dates). Their time is up in June.

I suppose the weather there is similar to ours, colder today. Yesterday, during the middle of the day I had the north, south and east doors open nearly all afternoon and today they are closed with rugs rammed against them at the floor.

This has been an unusual quiet day. Lloyd, Helen and Susan called when I was at my breakfast. (Lloyd & Helen must be Lloyd & Helen McGirr McNeil and Susan must be Helen's sister Hazel McNeil's daughter.) Haven't seen a soul since, now 8:30 P.M.

They were on their way to Cliff's (both Helen & Hazel's brother, and Susan's brother were named Cliff - so not sure which one...the latter is probably the case ?) for dinner and were driving home from there. They did not get to her mother's (Hazel Daugherty McGirr) for Christmas. Jackie (Helen McGirr McNeil's daughter) only got the one day off (she works in a bank) so they could not come and Helen stayed home for their Christmas. Hazel (Helen's sister) did not get home either. Cliff and (? difficult to read...)and families were home. Jack is looking and feeling fine.

I am glad Douglas (Beulah's son - my first cousin) got over his sickness and is back in school. Do the children have far to go to school?

Aunt Laura (Grandma Irene Carrington Daugherty's sister - married to Grandpa Fred I. Daugherty's brother) calls frequently. They are fine. Marjory (Laura's daughter) called on me when home for Christmas. She is quite tall, thin and very sweet and pretty.

My vision improved a little. Can read my own writing now, and about half the other letters I receive. I could read yours easily. Written with black ink on white paper. Can't read printed matter.

The ladies of the Study Club gave me a lovely Bible with large print at our Christmas party in December. I have read five chapters in it, some 9 or 10 verses at a time. Can't read fast enough to get much good of it but will keep on trying bit by bit. Have every faith that in time my reading sight will return.

I still listen to my radio to pass time away. When nothing interesting on it, play solitaire. Have lots of callers which makes the days pass quickly.

Bob D, (probably Robbie Daugherty, grandpa Fred I.'s brother), calls nearly every day. Brings my mail, carries in my water, and if it ever snows will keep my walks shoveled. He has not been in for three days. Is not too well. Ate something at the cafe which didn't sit well.

I hope your Christmas and the holidays have been the best ever, and that 1957 will deal to you the best of everything and all your heart's desires. Had a nice letter from your mom (grandma Irene Carrington Daugherty), David, Kenneth (my uncles) and Helen (Mom) sent the family picture. So nice of her. When you are over this way stop and see me. With love and best wishes, Aunt Hattie."

Hattie was 94 when she wrote this...obviously living alone. This is a confusing letter as there are so many names as well as many interrelated people (3 Daugherty brothers married 3 Carrington sisters). It's easy to understand how important letters and visitors were for Hattie. That's the case with people nowdays. It's too bad that many families are so seperated by miles. The older I get the more important family has become.

You can read more about my Great Great Aunt Hattie in other posts in the Daugherty/Carrington Prairie Roots Blogsite.

Wessington (SD) High School - 1939

This is Vera Henninger Daugherty...stepsister of my grandfather, Fred Irvin Daugherty.

I found this booklet among Mom and Dad's belongings when we cleaned their house to sell. It's bright orange with a well-drawn cartoon on the front announcing, "Congenial, Colorful Class of '39 Convergest." It was put together for a 50 year class reunion, in June of 1989. Mother, Helen Irene Daugherty Hostvet, was a member of this class. Other family members belonging were Mildred Moller Eikstadt, Vera Henninger Garner, and Luverne Marvel. Of the first and last person mentioned, I'm not sure how they fit into our family. Both Moller and Marvel are Wilson family names. Vera's mother, Emma, after Vera's father had died, married Mom's grandfather George Daugherty. It looks like Vera moved to California, Luverne to Huron, and Mildred to Wolsey. Some interesting tidbits...

"There are no fees or charges for books or course taken except in Typewriting. Twenty five cents per month is charged. Those who stay in the dormitory will be charged $1.75 per week. This must be paid in advance. Pupils driving in from the country and wanting to eat their noon meal at the dining hall will be charged 12 cents per meal. Coach Shanholtz is in town and wants to meet any boys that are interested in athletics as soon as possibible.

School opened in the Wessington Independent District with all teachers at their posts and a good attendance of pupils. In the lower grades there are a total of 112. The high school enrollment is a record breaker, 138 having registered up to the third day. There is a record enrollment in typing this year. It has been necessary to add three new machines, making 15 typewriters in all and they are in use all day.

The seniors have chosen their announcements and cards and have made arrangements for getting them by Dec. first. Arrangements have been made for sending for senior class rigns.

Typing I students are working on budgets for the week and are making telegrams. The honor students are...Thelma Gould (another of Mom's cousins). Mr. Davis is taking the Boy's General Science class to Huron Thursday. There are some new members beginning in band. Clarinets - Leroy McGirr, Gerald McGirr, Thomas Henninger (more family). The typing I Honor Roll...Doris Deaver (a first cousin).

The Highmore-Wessington football game was postponed last Friday afternoon because of a severe dust storm that struck this community. The game was to be played Nov. 2, but the heavy snowfall made this impossible.

The warrant indebtedness of the school is about $5000. This large indebtedness is due primarily to the loss of funds in closed anks. The remainder of it is due to delinquent taxes.

Freshman president is Elizabeth DeHaven (a first cousin of Mom's).

Among the band members in 1937 are Elizabeth DeHaven, Gerald McGirr, LeRoy McGirr, Laverne Gohring...more family members. Those that received awards in Typing from the Gregg Co. in Chicago are: Francis Fernholz, Helen Daugherty,...." In 1938, the sophonmore president was Clarence McGirr (Mom's cousin). Vera Henninger is the Feature Editor of The News Staff.The Student Council is represented by Clarence McGirr and Elizabeth DeHaven, among others. At the annual FFA banquest, Cousin Genevieve DeHaven played in the clarinet quartet. The Creed of FFA was said by Clarence McGirr.

In 1939 the members of the band are...Genevieve DeHaven...LeRoy McGirr, Gerald McGirr, Vera Henninger, Helen Daugherty, Elizabeth DeHaven, Glenn Deaver.

Headlines of May, 1939..."The government for the first time puts into effect a food stamp plan to aid the poor in Rochester, N.Y. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit the US on a good will trip. Champions: Green Bay Packers in Sports News. Song: Over the Rainbow, Movie, Gone with the wind, Actres Vivent Leigh. Politics: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dem. VC, John Garner.

Teachers in Beadle County

The above picture of Hattie Daugherty Place and Pearl Wilson Cavenee
I think I've given myself enough of a "rest" from my blogsite, Prairie Roots. It isn't that I grew tired of it, only lost my momentum, which is very difficult to get going again. I did publish the 16th quarterly 8-page newsletter, Prairie Roots. It was sent out last week...always a joy to do. If readers aren't familiar with my publication, I'll be glad to show you the latest one.

Someone sent me the following clipping a couple of months ago. I'm thinking that it is from the Huron(SD)paper. The date is June 10, 2009. My apologies to the thoughtful person who sent this but I can't remember which of the great family members sent it to me. Hmm...was it Bonnie Cavenee Rungee? Anyway, I'll quote sections of the article, entitled "Teacher salaries were low in early years in Beadle County", written for the Do You Remember Column by Roger Kasa.

"From July, 1883 until April 1884, 46 schoolhouses were built in the county with an average cost of $725. There were 55 teachers and 1,500 students in the county with 997 in Huron. The average salary for teachers was $36 a month. There was a great scarcity of well-qualified teachers those first years. Several told of getting certificates to teach without having had much education.

Two teachers had a long record of service. The late Hattie Daugherty Place, who lived to be past 96, started teaching when she was 16 and was still teaching when past 80. In 1884 she taught in Nance Township. There was no money in the treasury, and her warrents for $25 a month were discontinued from 10 to 15 percent at the banks. She could have traded them for groceries at face value. Ella Lawrence of Milford Township taught for 40 years - her highest salary, $46.

Many schools had three months of school in the spring and three in the fall. According to a history of Beadle County published in 1889, it was compulsory for all children from 10-14 years of age to go to school at least 12 weeks each year, six of which were to be consecutive.

There was no course of study and most textbooks were those brought from other states. In the late 1880's, United States history, temperance, physiology, and hygiene were added to the "three Rs".

A state law required the teachers to teach the effects of alcohol and tobacco with the same thoroughness as arithmetic and geography. Every chapter in the hygiene books ends with their effects."

The above mentioned Hattie Daugherty Place was the great aunt of my mother, Helen Daugherty Hostvet. She taught my grandfather, Fred I. Daugherty, and my mother. Hattie was the sister of Mom's grandfather, George Henry Daugherty.

I found this paragraph from From History of Appanoose County (1878) - Unionville - Udell Twp. in Iowa.

"The first schoolhouse here was built of hewed logs in 1850., and was heated by a stove. George Taylor was probably the first teacher, and his pupils were from families of J. Staley, John Miller, Phineas Taylor, Andrew Morrison, Dr. Udell, Leven Dean and William Daugherty. This William Daugherty was Hattie's grandfather. We have some belief that his full name was James William Daugherty, from Nicklesville, Scott, Virginia (now West Virginia). There are two very similar families with history from that area making another matter for confusion.

I need to review the history of this county in West Virginia. William Daugherty's parents came from Ireland. No names...no places. Someday I hope to solve this mystery. My grandfather, Fred, always said that they came from the Isle of Man. We just don't know.