I spent today updating the tree information for my second great grandfather Thomas Reed (25 July 1843-23 Dec 1917). A Union veteran, he served in Co. K, 101 Indiana Infantry. With thanks to my first cousin Tom Reed Jr. who shared family information with me.
According to Wikipedia,
The 101st Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It fought in several major campaigns and battles in the Western Theater, including the Atlanta campaign and the Carolinas campaign. In 1862, the regiment was formed under the Army of the Ohio. From 1863 to 1865, attached to the Army of the Cumberland, XIV Army Corps.
Overview
Organized at Wabash, Ind., and mustered in on September 7, 1862. Left State for Covington, Ky., September 7, and duty there till September 23. Moved to Louisville, Ky., September 23. Attached to 33rd Brigade, 10th Division, Army of the Ohio, September, 1862. 33rd Brigade, 10th Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division (Centre), 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to June, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 14th Army Corps, to October, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps, to June, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps, to June, 1865.[1]
Service
- Mustered in on September 7, 1862
- Defense of Cincinnati
- Tullahoma Campaign (Battle of Hoover’s Gap)
- Battle of Chickamauga
- Battle of Missionary Ridge
- Atlanta campaign
- Battle of Rocky Face Ridge
- Battle of Resaca
- Battle of New Hope Church
- Battle of Dallas
- Battle of Marietta
- Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
- Battle of Atlanta
- Battle of Jonesborough
- Battle of Lovejoy’s Station
- Sherman’s March to the Sea
- Siege of Savannah – Savannah, Georgia
- Carolinas campaign
- Battle of Bentonville
- Grand Review of the Armies in Washington, D.C.
- Mustered out June 24, 1865
My next objective is to find and/or request my ancestor’s service record so that I can trace the history of his activities in the War of the Rebellion.
My second great grandfather, born in Connersville, Fayette County, Indiana
has always been a prominent research subject for me in our family tree. I’m not sure if it’s because of his very distinctive name or because I’ve been very fortunate in finding a large number of sources (including US Census records, marriage records, Civil War pension index, land records, death certificates, wills and probate papers, and Find a Grave material) to document his life. Maybe it’s a little of each and maybe its because I’ve discovered he had four wives (maybe five according to other trees). These include my 2nd great grandmother Rebecca Brownlee, Mary Ann Trostle, Alice Sayre, Hannah Gray Keighler and a possible unknown spouse. I plan to revise the family group sheets and timelines for each branch to confirm that I’ve assigned the children to the correct parents and locations.
I’m currently in the process of leafing out this branch of our Ancestry.com DRH Family Tree and have contacted other genealogists with Ezekiel Reed and/or Rebecca Brownlee in their ancestry. In addition, I am investigating the possibility of my fourth great grandfather James Brownlee (1746-1827) having served as a patriot in the revolutionary war.
Celebrating our German Heritage
As we celebrate Christmas 2025, I’m reminded of my father’s memory of his mother Elizabeth Lillian (Lizzie) Gotto Reed singing Silent Night * in German at this time of year to her children. I believe that she may have learned the words and tune from her mother, Margaretha (Maggie) Fromm who had immigrated from Germany to America in 1864, one year after the arrival of her husband Mathias Gotto in 1863. Of course, I’ll never know for sure. More research in 2026!
* Warner Classics Youtube recording of Diana Damrau singing Silent Night in German.
Family History Update – Today I added a record of land purchase to my 2nd great grandfather Ezekiel Reed (1812-1891) described as “the southeast quarter of section thirteen, of Township twenty-nine north, of range seven east in the district of lands subject to sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana containing one hundred and sixty acres according to the official plat of the survey of said lands returned to the general land office by the surveyor general which said tract had been purchased by Ezekiel Reed”. I use Family Tree Maker, resident on my computer and sync with my Ancestry.com tree.
Ezekiel Reed of “Cass County, Indiana” on the “20 March 1837” Now to find out how much he paid for these “public lands” Just learning how to research land records to document ancestors. Hoping to find a plat or map to add to the family tree as well.
I’ll keep researching and keep my commitment to posting weekly on Friday,
As an addendum to my post of Jan. 20, 2023:
This interesting article may offer clues as to why Marion William Reed moved his family from the USA into Calgary, Canada in the early 1900s to follow the promise of a better wheat harvest. However, the 1921 Canadian census records indicate that his occupation was as a custodian in St Mary’s school in Calgary, CA, perhaps to supplement his income or for employment in the off season.
After much time recuperating from medical issues, feeling lost in a jumble of words but unable to put them together in a coherent way, I’m starting over. Please bear with me as I relearn how to find my way out of the maze and focus on an ancestor or genealogy topic.
Today’s subject is transcription of documents, something I have sorely neglected in the past. I have found that it is vital to understanding both the content of the records and the life of the person they are attached to. I believe it is hard for me because I never really liked to do book reports, aka literature reviews. I was good in reading the book, but restating the important parts was never my forte.
Last week, for the first time, I transcribed a census record for an ancestor. It was tedious and time consuming (contrary to my fast food mentality) but when it was done, I really felt that I had accomplished something! Three paragraphs that brought me closer to that person and signified a Win, Win for my daily tasks!!! I’m all about little victories 🙂
If you also have had little victories, share them with us for a worldwide celebration!!!
Next post: the importance of a research log.
Debbie, txwordweaver
ancestrees.wordpress.com
Marion William Reed was born in Indiana on January 30 1870, the second of 12 children and first son of Thomas Reed and Mary Eleanor Mullett Reed.
According to the 1870 US Census, (Taken in Noble Township, Wabash Co. Indiana on July 18, 1870) Others in the household included his father Thomas 26,, mother Ellen 21, sister Alice 2 and John Mullett, 13, brother of his mother, Mary Eleanor Mullett.
In the 1880 US Census, the family is living in Bell Crrek, Washington County, Nebraska. Marion is listed as Mariane, female age 10. Others on this record include his father Thomas 37, mother Ellen M. 31, older sister Melle 12, and younger siblings Minia 8, Thomas 6, Florence 4, Harry 2, and Clarence as a female age 5 months.
The 1885 Nebraska State Census lists the family living in Eden Precinct of Antelope County Nebraska: Tom 43, Ellen 36, Nelli 17, Marion 15, Minnie 13, Tom 11, Florence 9, Harry 7, Walter 3 and Elsie 7 months. Thomas and Marion were again listed as farmers, and the other children were At School or too young.
The 1900 US Census records his family living in district 0074 of Logan Township,, Dixon County Nebraska. His birth is noted as January 1870 in Indiana. His father Thomas as July 1843 born in Indiana, mother Ellen October 1845 Indiana, sister Minise April 1871 Indiana, Brother Thomas January 1874 in Nebraska, Florence December 1875 in Nebraska, Henry F. February 1877 in Nebraska, brother Clarence February 1879 in Nebraska, Walter W. September 1881 in Nebraska, Elsie November 1884 in Nebraska, Lloyd May 1890 in Nebraska, Russell on August 1896 also in Nebraska.. Father Thomas, Marion, brother Thomas and Henry all listed as farmers. Sisters Minise and Florence listed as Teachers. Elsie and Lloyd are listed as At School and Russell was not old enough to attend school.
1910 US Census lists Marion and Elizabeth L (nee Gotto) married for five years (19 Oct. 1905 in Bristol, aurora, South Dakota) with two daughters: Margaret E age 3 and Helen B age 1, both born in Nebraska. Marion was listed as working on his Own Account as a farmer and paid rent. Elizabeth is listed as born in Minnesota whose parents were from Germany.
The 1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta shows Marion W, 46, Elizabeth L., 34 Margaret E. 9, Helen B.7, Marian K. 5, Elizabeth L. 3 and William W. 1 at 219 18 Avenue West, next door to the rectory of St. Mary’s Church (now Cathedral) which is currently located at that very address. I was told that Marion worked as a custodian for St. Mary’s school during the time they lived in Calgary. I’m not sure what took them outside the US border, but we have a letter to the Canadian consulate asserting that they did not intend to stay in Canada but were just there to work. They are listed as Roman Catholic. Although all are listed as born in the United States, Marion and all the children are of “Irish: race and Elizabeth is listed as “French.”
According to the US Census of 1920, the family “immigrated” back to the US in 1919 and were residing in Spokane, Washington where he worked in a Gas Plant. Once again, Marion’s father’s nationality iand language are listed as Irish (his mother as German). Elizabeth is listed as having a French born mother who spoke French. Children are Margaret, Helen, Marian, Elizabeth, Willard and Anna M. age 1 1/2.
US Census of 1930 finds the family living on a farm in Pleasantview, Boulder County, Colorado with Marion 61, Lillian L. 49, Willard W 14, Anna M. 11, Thomas E. 8 Colorado, James R. 5 months Colorado. The family did own a radio In this census, Marion’s father’s birthplace is listed as Ohio.
In 1940, Marion was living with 15 year old son Jimmy Reed on a farm in Pleasantview, Boulder County, Colorado.
In 1950, the US census records 80 year old Marion a widow living with daughter Anna May 31 at 612 Mapleton St. in Pleasantview, Boulder County, Colorado. Wife Elizabeth Lillian Gotto Reed died 23 August 1941 in Boulder County, Colorado.
Marion was an avid beekeeper and passed away on 23 June 1951 after a fall which occurred while he was trying to remove a swarm of bees. He is interred in Green Mountain Cemetery in Boulder, Colorado.
The information on her death certificate says that my great Aunt Nora Beauchamp McQueen, my maternal grandfather Charles Lessley Beauchamp’s sister, was born in Rockwell (Rockwall?) Texas on March 27 1886. However, the 1900 US Census lists Norah Beauchamp born in Indiana in March 1888. The 1910, 1920,1930, 1940 and 1950 US Censuses also give Texas as her birthplace.
Since she lived most of her adult life in Pulaski County, AR, I’m curious as to why her parents Steven (Stephen) Ross Beauchamp and Ada Ann Thompson Beauchamp were in Texas at the time of her birth. This seems Out of Place and bears more research.
My first step will be to talk with my cousin who is Nora’s granddaughter and who lived in Arkansas near her grandmother. I will also sketch out a time line to get a feel about how Nora’s family moved from place to place during her lifetime.
52 Ancestors 2023, Weeks 1 and 2
I’d like to meet myself as I grew up to understand myself as I am now. While I go through photos over the years, I’ve always wanted to know what was going on behind those brown eyes and in that little head. I’ll be adding photos as I come across them and seeking answers in their context. And I love this photo of me and my mother!
AncesTrees 