Piano Questions 101

Most of us know that Henry E. Winkler and at least two of his sons worked at the family piano manufacturing and repair business. William was a salesman at the store and later Philip, who was a repairman from what we can find.
We have a Sanborn Insurance map from around 1900 that shows the business at 64 Park St. in SF.
We are following some leads and asking questions of some professionals regarding the business and its possible affiliation with Winkler Piano Co. in Trenton, NJ. We'll let you know what we come up with.
Philip was listed on the 1900 census as a plumber along with his brother Frederic. It makes one wonder what is the deciding factor is in choosing a profession in some cases.
I am also researching the area in SF that the Winklers lived. From what I've been told, construction records were lost in the 1906 earthquake and they are relying on water company records to determine the construction date of a home. I believe the water for SF was piped from San Mateo which makes sense that those records survived.
Frederick Winkler's house is listed as being built in 1908. I am trying to determine if this is the original house or a rebuild as Frederick lived there prior to his marriage to Gazella Wilson somewhere around 1904-1906. I know that all houses didn't have running water back then and just because water was hooked up in 1908, doesn't mean that is when the house was built. I will compare new and old pictures of addresses if and when I get them.
We'll let you know what we come up with.

Interesting finds and learning to search

I was browsing through SF City Directories for O'Reilly, Wilson, Winkler, Watson, et al. I come across a listing for Frederick Winkler in the 1907 Directory living on College Ave. Since he passed in November of 1907, my assumption is that the book is a little behind just as our current telephone books are.

They also didn't list spouses in the 1907 Directory. So, I continue looking and find Gazella, his widow listed in the 1911 Directory on College Ave.

Suddenly, a light goes on in my head, I look at the 1910 Census where we found Gazella living with she and Frederick's daughter Freda, along with some people named Vincent J. and Ella Sognara listed as head of household and wife. Zella is listed as daughter and Freda as grand daughter. They're at the same address on College Ave.

Move forward to the 1918 directory and Gazella is now living there with her husband Charles Watson.

So, for all you genealogists among us, watch those addresses and compare them from source to source. If they match from a source you know to be accurate, you've more than likely got the right family.

Also, that Sognara thing has had us confused for a while since we have no idea where the name came from. In Vincent J.'s obit, he is listed as John V. Wilson, Ella's lists her as Sarah Ellen both of them with the last name of Wilson. Vincent's parents were from Austria and Slovenia and he was born in Austria. Sognara certainly isn't a german name.

Previous censuses show their name as Wilson. Vincent and Ella had a son that has been listed as Vincent Jr. and the Vincent name has been carried on two more generations as far as I can tell. The only reason I can see for the name change is either Sognara is Vincent's real last name and he changed it when he got to the USA or it was a census taker mistake. Censuses are well known for errors.

Try not to get frustrated when the information doesn't seem quite right or you can't find someone. Try searching under variant spellings and sometimes first names, just initials, or partial names. Don't forget the abbreviations for names, especially for men's names, that was quite common. Jos. for Joseph, Wm. for William, etc. Women often used variants of their names too. A Google search for 'variation of ____' sometimes adding the year, might give you some options. Another tool could be baby name books or websites. Least, but not last, try the spelling the way it would have been spelled in their native country. Juan=John type thing. Variations sometimes aren't as obvious as you would think

Benjamin Franklin Stewart

Benjamin was born to John Morgan Stewart and Sarah Ann Jones December 22, 1866 in Perry Township, Johnson County, Arkansas.
He married Mary Alice Cindle, daughter of David and ?, who was also born in Arkansas. (these are my mother's great-grandparents)

Benjamin and Alice lived in Indian Territory at the turn of the century, in the Cherokee Nation, as a matter of fact.

The 1900 census lists:

LINE 27--#24 Stewart, Benjamin F- Head of House, White Male, Born December 1865,age 34, married 13 years, Born in Arkansas, Father born in Virginia, Mother born in Tennessee. Occupation, Farmer, not unemployed last year, Can read, write, and speak English, renting farm 32 on the farm schedule.

LINE 28-- Mary A,
wife, white female, born May of 1876?, age 30, married 13 years, had 5 children,
3 of which are living. Born in Arkansas, Father and Mother both born in Arkansas. Can read, write, and speak English.

LINE 29-- John P, son,
white male, born March 1890, age 10, single. 2 months or years at school. Can
read, write, and speak English.

LINE 30-- Robert L, son, white male,
born July 1892, age 7, single. 2 years or months at school.

LINE 31--
Vera V, daughter, white female, born February 1895, age 5, single

Oral tradition in the family says he was an "Indian Counter" at that time. I believe the technical term was Indian Agent, and it was a government position. Probably more like an ongoing census. I bet it wasn't easy. This subject is open to research if there's any takers...

Not long after that census, the family moved to California. For about 35 years he was a Guard at notorious Folsom Prison. He actually worked there twice. He was first appointed on October 27, 1904 as a guard under Warden Archibald Yell. He quit at some point, probably over a hard-headed warden's ideas of how things should be run. "If you don't like it, there's the door!" When a new warden was appointed (I guess there were others who didn't like that particular warden's ways...) the Honorable Campbell E. Beaumont recommended him and Ben was re-appointed under Warden J. J. Smith on October 15th, 1927. Below is his staff photo from 1927.

In those days, the only uniforms were on the 'bad guys' and the staff wore tan or dark suits with a vest and perhaps a fedora hat. They all carried a lead-tipped oak cane, some were also armed. One resounding "tap" of the cane was a warning, two meant "get moving- MARCH", and, as one might expect, it could deliver a pretty efficient lambasting to an inmate out of line. Great-granddaughter Janice remembers he kept a talking bird, some kind of colorful parrot in his office, which brought home some very colorful language...

I don't imagine Benjamin was the kind of guy often mistaken for a doormat...

His Last Will and Testament mentions:

I, BENJAMIN F. STEWART, of the age of 89 years, a resident of the County of San Joaquin, State of California, being of sound mind and memory and not acting under duress, fraud, menace or undue influence of any person whatever, hereby revoking any and all wills by me heretofore made, do declare the following to be my last will and testament; -- to-wit;

FIRST
I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my death as is conveniently possible.

SECOND
I hereby will and bequeath to my wife Mary Alice Stewart all the property that i may die possessed, both real and personal, and should she predecease me then the same as follows; -
To my daughter Vera V. Lynch a life estate in my home property in the City of Manteca, California, known as 737 Nevada St., so long as she desires to reside
therein.

THIRD
Subject only to the life estate in the real property described above, to my children in equal shares and their children by representation, I hereby will and bequeath all the property that I may die possessed, both real and personal, of whatever nature or wherever situate.

FOURTH
I declare said children and heirs to be as follows; My son Robert L. Stewart, my daughter Vera V. Lynch, my son Harry O. Stewart, my daughter Marylee Davis and my grandchildren, daughters of Johnnie Pearl Fennel (or Bennel?); Vivian McKenzie, Cleo Davadian and Ruth Sward.

FIFTH
I hereby nominate and appoint my daughter Vera V. Lynch as and for the executrix of this, my last will and testament, and direct that she may act without bond.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this __5th__ day of May,
1955.

BENJAMIN F. STEWART (signature)

He passed away June 5, 1955 in the Modesto, CA area. He was buried at Belmont Memorial Park in Fresno, California.

Janice also remembers:

About the first week of September, 1954, Harold and I went to visit Gr. Grampa and Gramma Stewart and their daughter, Vera (whom I called Aunt Vera because she was my GREAT aunt) near Manteca - or whatever town they lived in when Gr. Grampa died. I'll have to check on the towns' name. Anyway, Vera opened the door and welcomed us in. Alice Stewart always had a glare in her eyes it seemed; she looked at me and then walked into the kitchen.

I was directed towards the bedroom where Gr. Grampa was in bed. As soon as he saw me his eyes just lit up and he had a big smile on his face. He said "Janice, oh my sweet little Janice, I'm so glad to see you!" We visited for quite awhile.

Vera said he was often "naughty" and would get out of bed and eat things he wasn't supposed to from the refrigerator. (he had diabetes) But he was a sweetie pie for sure. Now Alice Cindle Stewart always loved Jeanette, but she didn't seem to have much friendliness in her eyes for me or Beverly. Maybe I was imagining it.
Vera would always french-braid my hair and Beverly's hair when she visited Bampa and Mamma in their country home outside Placerville, Ca in El Dorado County.

Some more links about Folsom Prison,

The Government Page, Touring, Pay Rates at the turn of the century, riots, history, etc... Some of my research attempts - the warden at San Quentin and the National Archives in San Bruno...

MANY THANKS to the people of the Folsom Prison Museum, run by retired guards and volunteers who have never met me but know me by name now. I am especially anticipating the book Lt. Jim Brown will be putting out on the history of Folsom Prison and it's staff. He will be considered the authority on the matter in no time at all, he certainly helped our research.

Caroline Ann Rohrbach

Caroline was born on December 2, 1854 in New York. Her father, Henry Rohrbach, was born in Germany according to her death certificate, however I haven't found anything yet on her mother. We think her name was Martha... Most of this early info came from family records. I'll be adding more and more, needless to say...

On her son, Phillip's death certificate, her last name was spelled Roebuck. I'm adding this in case that particular error was perpetuated anywhere else.

She married Henry Edward Winkler around 1871 and began a family while still in New York. The order of their birth and places in family records seemed to indicate she traveled back and forth between the two coasts. Perhaps this is error, or perhaps she still had strong family ties back east that we haven't found yet. Or both.

Caroline passed four years after her husband in San Francisco on August 9, 1918. Ann Geglin, who lived around the corner at 257 Richland Ave, was the informant. I believe this was her daughter, Ann.

The first US Census we found of theirs was from 1880.
City of San Francisco, County of San Francisco, State of California
Page 33, Supervisor district 1, taken on the Ninth of June

Park Street, beginning on line 41

WINKLER, Edward
White male age 34, married, a Cabinet Maker born in Saxony, mother and father from Saxony. They left of the "Germany" part, but perhaps it was more understood back then.

" Caroline -wife
White female age 25, married, occupation Housekeeping. She was born in N.Y. and her parents were both from Baden. They left off the "Germany" here too.

" Phillip -son
White male age 8, single. He had whooping cough that year, attended school that year, was born in N.Y., father born in Saxony, mother born in N.Y.

" Annie -daughter
White female age 5, single, attended school that year, was born in N.Y., father born in Saxony, mother born in N.Y.

" Eddie -son
White male age 4, single, was born in N.Y., father born in Saxony, mother born in N.Y.

" Willie -son
White male age 2, single, was born in California, father born in Saxony, mother born in N.Y.

and Al Soon, a chinese male age 20, single, and employed as a servant. He could not read or write, he and his parents were born in China.

The next available census was from 1900. This census of San Francisco was performed on the 10th of June. Sheet number 13, beginning on line 81... I'll quote what's changed from 20 years before.

64 East Park Street

WINKLER, Henry E -Head
..born September 1843, age 56, married 28 years. Born in Germany, both parents born in Germany. Came to the US in 1864, has been here 31 years and was naturalized. Here he is listed as a Piano Maker, he can read, write, and speak English. He owns the home with a mortgage.

"Caroline -wife
born December 1854, age 45, married 28 years. Has had 10 children, 10 are living. Here it says she was born in New York and her parents were both from Germany.

"Phillip -son
born October 1872, age 27 and single. Here he is the only one listed as born in New York. He worked as a plumber and could read, write, and speak English.

"Edward -son
born September 1876, age 23 and single. He worked as a (Crofter? Crafter? something like that) was unemployed for 2 months last year, and could read, write, and speak English.

"William -son
born June 1878, age 21 and single. He worked as a peddler and could read, write, and speak English.

"Frederick -son
born June 1880, age 19 and single. He worked as a plumber and could read, write, and speak English.

"Florence -daughter
born February 1883, age 17 and single. She was 'at home' and could read, write, and speak English.

"Frank -son
born April 1888, age 12 and single. He was at school for 10 months last year and could read, write, and speak English.

"Louisa -daughter
born August 1890, age 9 and single. She was at school for 10 months last year. Not specified about reading and writing...

"George -son
born January 1892, age 8 and single. He was at school for 10 months last year. Not specified about reading and writing...

"Emilia -daughter
born July of 1893, age 6 and single.

Hessen, where Henry was from, is in the area of Frankfurt, Germany. Baden, where Caroline's parents are from, is just South, near Stuttgart. I'm still researching how these borders have changed over the years.

Cecelia Avila Castro

We are uncertain of Grandma Castro's maiden name, it may have been Gutierrez, as that name was associated with daughter Lucia. Her first? husband's name was Avila, her second husband was named Castro. This is the grandfather all the kids knew, they are shown together at left.

A man "from" Aguascalientes came into Michael's work and in conversation he said all the Bruga's (probably misspelled, but Medicine Women/ Men) come from Jesus Maria just Northwest of the city of Aguascalientes. We'll definately look into this.

We already knew Grandma Avila-Castro was from Aguascalientes, (the state or city?) and was a healer from the Yaqui Indian tribe...

More on AGUASCALIENTES:
Pictures of Jesus Maria
Interactive map of the State of Aguascalientes, zoom into Jesus Maria etc.

We have found two census records for her:

1920 US Federal Census
City of San Antonio, County Bexar, State of Texas -January 9th
# 406 Saint Laredo Street- Upstairs?

Head of House: AVILA, REFUGIL
Rents the home, Male, White?, Age 30 at last birthday, married, immigration to US in 1918, alien, can read and write. Born in Mexico, mother tongue, Spanish. Mother and Father born in Mexico, mother tongue, Spanish. Cannot speak English. Works as a laborer at the Army Post for wages.

Wife of Refugil: CECELIA
Female, age 25 at last birthday, married, immigration to US 1918 as an alien. Cannot read or write. Born in Mexico, mother tongue, Spanish. Mother and Father born in Mexico, mother tongue, Spanish. Cannot speak English.

1930 US Federal Census
April 7 Assembly District 60 of Los Angeles, California
#1603 (?) street

Head of Household: AVILA, CECELIA
Renting home for $20, has a radio set. Female Mexican, age 36 widow, no college, can read/write. Born in Mexico, both parents born in Mexico. Language spoken in home was Spanish. Immigrated 1919 as an alien. Can speak English. Working as a cook for private families, not actually employed at the moment, not a veteran.

Daughter: CANDELA
Female Mexican, age 10, single. Going to school, can read and write. Born in Mexico, father and mother Mexican. Spoke Spanish in the home before immigrating in 1919 (?!), can speak English.

Son: FRANCISCO
Male Mexican, age 7, single. Going to school. Born in Texas, mother and father Mexican. Spoke Spanish in the home.

Daughter: LUCIA
Female Mexican, age 4 1/2, single, no school, born in California, mother and father Mexican. Spoke Spanish in the home.

Daughter: VICENTA
Female Mexican, age 2 1/2, single, no school, born in California, mother and father Mexican. Spoke Spanish in the home.

Mike and Frances Fragassi

The parents of Angela, Rocky, (and Emmalina) Fragassi... Shrouded in mystery until recently.

Mike came from Southern Italy, not Sicily, and Frances was born in Mexico although her father was French.

Here are the hard facts we have on this couple so far.

1920 Federal Census January 5
Norwalk Township, Precinct 2, Los Angeles, CA- Center Street

Head of House FRAGASSI, MIKE (this is where we first discovered
his name)
Rents the home, Male, White, age 28 at last birthday, Married, Immigrated 1909, Alien, Attending School and can Read and Write. Born in Italy, mother tongue Italian. Father and mother both born in Italy. Can speak English. Occupation: Gardener at Rail Road Company for wages.

Wife of Mike: FRANCES
Female, White, age 20 at last birthday, married, Immigrated 1912 (or 02- hard to read), Alien, attending school, can read and write. Born in Mexico, mother tongue Spanish. Father born in France, mother tongue French. Mother born in Mexico, mother tongue Spanish. (Frances) can speak English.

Daughter: ANGELINE
Female, White, 1+ year old, single, born in California. Father born in Italy, Mother born in Mexico.

1930 Federal Census- April 14
Montebello Township, Los Angeles County, California-
1135 South Wilkins Avenue

Head of Household: FRAGASSI, MIKE
Owns the home, valued at $3000, the family has a radio set, it is not on a farm. Male, White, age 39, married, age 26 at first marriage, has not attended college since September 1929, Can read and write. Born in Italy, mother and father born in Italy, language spoken in home before coming to the US- Italian. Year of Immigration 1906 (?) as an alien? Can speak English. Works as a gardener doing odd jobs for wages, actually employed, not a veteran.

Wife of Mike: FRANCES
Female, Mexican, 39 years old, married, age 17 at first marriage, no college since 1929, can read and write. Born in Mexico, father from France, mother from Mexico. Spoke Mexican in home before coming to the US in 1911 as an alien. Can speak English.

Daughter: ANGELINA
Female, Mexican, age 11, single, attending school, can read and write, born in California

Son: ROCZI
Male, Mexican, age 9, single, attending school, not specified whether he can read,
born in California

We have several Ellis Island accounts with good information, but there is some confusion about trips taken in 1909. One record that does make sense states Mike's father back home is named Rocco. The rest is difficult to read.

Another interesting discovery recently was that there was another daughter born to Mike and Frances. Her name was Emalina Fragassi in the California Birth Index. She was born on March 5, 1923 in Los Angeles county. It also added to the arguement of which birth year was the right one for Rocky. He COULD NOT have been born in October of 22 if his sister was born in March of the following year. The strange thing was that she was not in the 1930 census, so that tip was set aside. Recently, in a trip to the State Library, I found in the California Death Indice that she died at the age of four months, on July 11, 1923. We have not gotten a death record on her yet, so we do not know the cause.

We're still looking for more information.

Hattie O Teague

My Great-grandmother, Hattie Orlena, was born November 4,1886 in Salem, Deut., Missouri. Her parents are Ebenezer Teague and Mary Tennessee Walker. Her Birth Record (after age 12) says she was born in Missouri, the census below says the same, some other 'sources' say she was born in Massac County, Illinois.

There is a half-written half-drawn document on blue paper that was attributed to Hattie, now I'm not so sure she wrote it herself. It says:

Judge Walker, (“mom’s” grandfather on her mother’s side)Married Mary Walker Teague Richardson (arrow pointing to Judge Walker)Mary Walker Teague Richardson (Teague was first marriage, Richardson was second marriage)

Hattie Teague Sharp (mom - 1887 – 1974)
Brothers were Clarence Teague and Walter Teague

Hattie married Cal Sharp
Children born to this marriage were Cal Sharp, Inez Sharp and Ralph Sharp (Ralph’s last name later added an “e” to the end of Sharp.

Burl Sharp married Nora Poe and were the grandparents on dad’s side.
Calvin Sharp (dad) 1885 – 1970

Children were Cora Sharp Smith
Mae Sharp McBride
Eunice Sharp Teague
Fred Sharp
Alva Sharp
Lannes Sharp

Note at the bottom of the page: About all I know – really don’t know dates other than mom and dad”s.

Her son, Ralph, writes the following about her:

“My father was a sawyer in a lumber mill and this meant he had to go where his work was and that meant his family had to move also, some climates were very damp and swampy, and my mother could not live under these conditions, so this is why we could not all be a family. I lived with my mother as did my brother & sister... My mother was a seamstress and did sewing for other people.”

“I quit High school in my Sophmore year to get a job and help with the expenses as I still lived with my mother we had a big garden and mom always did a lot of canning.”

“In 1933 Cal was burned quite bad and we sent for mom to come out, and when Cal was better Mom went to work as manager of the Blue Ox Inn. And as usual she had her flowers…”

"My mother married Raymond Smith who had lost his wife thru illness and he owned a large farm in Belknap. This was in 1950 and mom had her garden and chickens and they grew corn, oats, wheat. After Raymond passed away mom could not handle the big house or farm, so every thing was passed on to his son and mom moved to a duplex in Metropolis and became very ill and passed away in a convalescent hospital in 1974 and is buried in New Hope Cemetery. She was 88 when she passed away."

US Federal Census of 1920, January 5th and 6th
State of Illinois, Massac County, Metropolis Precinct.
Supervisor district 16, Ennumeration Dist. 94, Sheet 1B.

Johnson Street, near Vienna

SHARP, (John) CALVIN, head of house (line 90)
Renting house number 307, male, white, age 34, married. Can read and
write. Born in Illinois, Father born in Illinois, Mother born in Kentucky. Can
speak English. Works as a band sawyer in a saw mill.

Wife: SHARP, HATTIE (they put an initial "H" here...)
Female, white, age 33, married, can read and write. Born in Missouri, Father born in Illinois, mother born in Illinois, can speak English.

Son: CALVIN L.
Male, white, age 14, single, attended school the previous year, can read and write. Born in Illinois, Father born in Illinois, mother born in Missouri, can speak English.

Daughter: INEZ
Female, white, age 12, single, attended school the previous year, can read and write. Born in Illinois, Father born in Illinois, mother born in Missouri, can speak English.

Son: RALPH F.
Male, white, age 6, single, attended school the previous year, can read and write. Born in Illinois, Father born in Illinois, mother born in Missouri, can speak English.

It must have been very tough at this time to divorce and try to make a living while raising a family as a woman. I have been writing a book on this in my own mind and draw a great deal of strength from these women in our family history.

I have often wondered what Hattie went through at first that made her mind up to get away from John Calvin Sharp and his typical living environment. How bad was it really? Did she not know it could be like that when she married him? Did her health change after they married or was it always a bit frail? What was it like for her after she left? She seemed to have a strong sense of self and didn't just go and marry the next fella who came along. She tried to support her children as best she could, but either she had very headstrong and enterprising sons (not a surprise) or they were just as desperate to make a better life for themselves. This is a recurring theme of the times, as well. Almost like being first generation immigrants, there was urgency.

I have heard the phrase spoken of Hattie's oldest son that "as soon as he could drive he ran away to California," and her youngest followed suit, following his brother.

Despite this "running away" image at face value, there was still a strong familial bond. Hattie came out on several occasions to California to live with/near her boys. She stayed long enough on one occasion to run The Blue Ox Inn, compliamentary of the nearby Paul Bunyon Lumber Company. Quite a responsibility for a "housewife"... Again, I think she had a lot of brass despite her frail outward condition. She had to have.

One published obituary, with 6-5-74 written in pencil at the top, reads as follows:

HATTIE SHARPE SMITH
Hattie Orlena Smith, oldest child and last surviving member of the family of Ebb and Mary Walker Teague, was born November 4, 1886, in Massac County, Illinois. After a lengthy illness, death came early Wednesday morning, June 5, 1974, at the Parkview Convelescent Center in Paducah, Kentucky. She was 87 years old.

She confessed her faith in Christ at an early age at New Hope Baptist Church in New Columbia, and remained a member there during her lifetime.

In 1904, she was united in marriage to Calvin Sharpe. To this union were born three children, Calvin, Inez, and Ralph. Forty years later, she was united in marriage to Ray Smith, who preceded her in death in 1969. For the past few years, she had made her home in Metropolis.

Besides her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Walter Teague.

Those left to mourn her passing are her devoted children, Mrs. Inez Roby, Calvin and Ralph Sharpe; six grandchildren, Mrs. Gerry Wardlaw, Joe and Dan Roby, Col. Bradford Sharpe, Mrs. Beverly Corbett and Mrs. Janice Winkler; sixteen great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren, Mrs. Barbara Main and Raymond Smith; one sister, Mrs. Iva Miller; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. at the Miller Funeral Home Chapel
with burial in the New Hope Cemetery. The Rev. Herbert Simpson officiated.
Pallbearers were Wayne Teague, Raymond Smith, Cecil Beckman, E.A. Sullivan,
Lester Harper and Ira Kilgore. Mrs. A. B. Hankins was the organist.

Another obituary (where from?) reads:

Mrs. Smith, 87, Metropolis, Dies
METROPOLIS, ILL., June 5 -- Mrs. Hattie Sharpe Smith of the Spence
Apartments in Metropolis died today at Parkview Convalescent Center in Paducah.
She was 87.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Gerald Roby of Paducah; two sons, Calvin Sharpe of Chico, Calif., and Ralph Sharpe of Marysville, Calif; one sister, Mrs. Iva Miller of Paris, Tenn; six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Miller Funeral Home. The Rev. hubert Simpson will officiate and burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 3 p.m. Thursday.

Calvin L Sharp

Cal was born in Belknap, Massac County, Illinois on July 24, 1905. He is a full brother to Ralph Sharp, my grandfather, who was born in 1913. His mother was Hattie Orlena Teague, his father was John Calvin Sharp, a sawyer. Calvin Lavell was the first in the family to follow the "Westward Ho!" urge from the mid-West to California, and here is some more information on him.

At right is a portrait taken at age 21, so that would be about 1926. "Love You, Uncle Cal Sharp, Westwood, Calif."

The photo below left is Cal and little guy Ralph on a bicycle, probably around 1917.
After Cal was old enough to strike out on his own, he went to California to see about the logging industry.

In the town of Westwood, County of Lassen, State of California, the 1930 census taken in Enumeration district 18-19, sheet 1A, we have Renting a home at 321 Delwood Street :

Calvin L Sharp, on line 8, Head of house is listed as a White male, age 25 and Married.
He first married at age 23, had not been to school in the previous year, could read and write and He could speak English. He was born in Illinois, his father was born in Illinois, his mother was born in Illinois. Not an immigrant.... They spoke English at home while growing up. He worked as an Electrician at the Lumber Plant. He was not a veteran of any war.

Lee Norah Sharp, on line 9, Wife of H.O.H., is listed as a White female, age 26 and Married. She first married at age 24, had not been to school in the previous year, could read and write and She could speak English. She was born in Arkansas, her father was born in Illinois, her mother was born in Missouri. Not an immigrant.... They spoke English at home while growing up.

At right, obviously years later, is Cal and Ralph with their mother, Hattie. The year is 1962.

(This is probably the same trip Ralph took the photo of "Grandma Richardson's House".)

A Published Obituary from a local newspaper in 1983 reads as follows:

Calvin Lavell Sharp, 77, Chico, Calif., died Feb. 14 of a heart attack
suffered a few hours earlier at Chico General Hospital.
Mr Sharp is a former resident of Metropolis where he attended school. He had resided in California for 60 years. Survivors include his wife, Goldie; one son, Col. Bradford Sharp; two grandchildren; one great-grandson; one brother, Ralph Sharp, all of California; and one sister, Mrs. Gerald Roby, Paducah. Burial was in Westwood, Calif. on Feb. 16.

John Morgan Stewart

In Old Virginia on the 25th of September, 1827, John Morgan Stewart was born to Joseph Stewart and Margaret Jones. Scott County is the area attributed as his birth place.

The 1900 Census of Johnson County, Arkansas, Perry Township
- was performed on the 23rd of June, 1900.
Sheet 12 of district 35, lines 13 and 14 read as follows:

Dwelling 202, Family 209
Stewart, John- Head
White male, born September 1827, age 72, married 55 years. Born in Virginia, parents both born in Virginia. His occupation (at this age) was Farmer, not unemployed at any point. Can read, write, and speak English. Owns free his farm, which is #180 on the Farm Schedule.
Stewart, Sally- Wife
White female, born September 1833, age 66, married 55 years. She had 10 children, 5 of which are living. She was born in Tenessee, as were both of her parents. She can read and write and speak English.

We find them in the 1870 Census of Johnson County, Arkansas, Perry Township
Page 5 of Post Office district , line 36 reads as follows:

Dwelling # 36, Family #36
Stewart, John M.
44 year old male, white, Blacksmith... Value of personal estate $560, born in Virginia, was a male citizen of US 21 years of age or upwards, Male citizen of 21 years or greater whose right to vote is denied or abridged on other grounds than rebellion or other crime. (This one is interesting, it's clearly marked in this column... why would he not be allowed to vote as others?)

Johnson County, Arkansas, Perry Township, 1870 Census continued
Page 6 of Post Office district , lines 1 through 6 read as follows:

Dwelling #36, Family #36- crossed out.
(STEWART)" Sallie M.
36 year old female, white, occupation Keeping House. Born in Tennessee.
" James L.
15 year old male, white, at home. Born in Arkansas, attended school the previous year.
" Joseph I.
12 year old male, white, at home. Born in Arkansas, attended school the previous year.
" Amanda E.
9 year old female, white, at home. Born in Arkansas, attended school the previous year. Cannot write.
" Benjamin F.
3 year old male, white, at home. Born in Arkansas.
" Sarah A.
6 month old female, white, at home, born in Arkansas, born in December of the census year.

Giovanni Ambrose

In the little foothill town of Verbicaro, in Cosenza, Calabria, Italy in June of 1845, Giovanni Batista Ambrosio was born. On his will he was known as Giovanni Batista Amorosa or John B. Ambrose, two completely different names. He married Maria Barlotti, also from Verbicaro, some time before 1869. (Another source says her name was Barletta) They had two children before 1875, when he ventured out to the Americas to see if a better life could be had for his family, perhaps accompanied by some siblings or other family.

One wonders how the young family fared in his 6 year absence.

He was joined in 1881 by his wife, Marie, and sons, Antonio and Francesco. Once they settled down in San Francisco, California, Rose came along. The photo below was taken around 1886 after they were in California a few years.


More information was found, as a matter of fact the First information I ever found was in the 1900 US Census.
California, County of San Francisco, city of San Francisco.
Assembly district 44, supervisor district 1

#909 Greenwich Street on June 4

AMBROSE, Baptisto- head of house
White male born June of 1845, age 54 (so his birthday is after the 4th), married 33 years. Born in Italy, parents both from Italy, came to the US in 1875, has been in the US for 25 years, was an alien. Occupation: Shoemaker, not unemployed for any number of months. Could not read? Maybe not English, could not write, either, but could speak English. He owned the home free and clear.
-Marie B. wife
White female born May of 1845, age 55 and married 33 years. She had three children and three were still living. She was born in Italy, as were her parents. She came to the US in 1881, has been in the US for 19 years. Cannot read or write, but can speak English.
-Anthony, son
White male born in May of 1869, age 31 and married for 13 years? (Where is his wife?) He was born in Italy, as were his parents. He came to the US in 1881, has been here 19 years, was a naturalized citizen. Occupation: Bicycle repairer,not unemployed, can read, write, and speak English.
-Frank M. son
White male, born March of 1872, age 28 and widowed. He was born in Italy as were his parents, he also came to the US in 1881, having been here for 19 years and a naturalized citizen. His Occupation: Painter. He can read, write, and speak English.
-Rose M. daughter
White female born in February of 1883, age 17 and single. She was born in California, unlike her brothers and parents. She worked as a Trimmer (helping her father make fine Italian shoes, no doubt) and could read, write, and speak English.
-Marguerita, granddaughter (it doesn't say on the census, but she is Frank's daughter)
White female born July of 1893, age 6 and single. She was born in California, her father was born in Italy, her mother was born in California. She had attended school for 10 months the previous year.

I found a reference in an old City Directory to our Giovanni.

1904 volume, page 183
AMBROSE Giovanni B, bootblack, r 909 Greenwich

He was not in the 1895 volume that I searched for some reason.

Carl Sprogis

Born in Riga, Latvia May 27, 1879,(parents?) our own Carl came to the capitol of California with his brother, Janis, in the dawning of the 20th century. He met Emma (maiden name?) a few years later, "Russian" by birth, and married before 1912. They had 6 children together before illness took her in 1921. He buried her at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Sacramento. He and a few of their children would later join her.

I have a copy of a World War I Draft Registration for Carl Sprogis, listed as being born May 27, 1879 and living in Sacramento at 2315 3rd Street with his wife, next of kin, Emma Sprogis. In September of 1918 he was unemployed, described himself as medium height, medium build, with brown hair and eyes and no lost limbs.

The 1920 Census of Assembly District 15 of Sacramento, CA finds at 2315 3rd Street

SPROGIS, CARL; Head of Household
White Male, born in Russia about 1881, age
39. Owns his home, occupation Carpenter, married, immigrated 1901, able to read
and write, mother and father born in Russia

-EMMA; Wife - Born about 1884 in Russia, white female, age about 36. Married, immigrated 1905, able to read and write, Mother and Father born in Russia

-ERNEST; Son- White male, 8 years old, born about 1912 in California, able to read and write

-EVELYN; Daughter- White female, 7 years old, born about 1913 in California

-WALLIE; Daughter- White female, 6 years old, born about 1914 in California

-AGNES; Daughter- White female, 2 years 10 months, born about 1917 in California

-ELMA; Daughter- White female, 3 years, born about 1917 in California

-HELENE; Daughter- White female, 10 months, born about 1919 in California

After Emma passed away, the children had to go live with other Latvian families for a while. The baby must have also died shortly after that last census. Carl did the best he could with business, and we find him in the next census "alone" -with a housekeeper.

Here in 1930, Carl has a more specific birthplace, is still claiming "Married", though the woman he is living with is not listed as his wife, nor is she listed as married. She is the "Housekeeper", and this is the same year our direct decendant was born. His mother's maiden name was Alice Turb... So what's going on? Is this an error? (probably to extremely likely)



That's the next interesting bit of romance and history...

Sprogis 1920 Census

The census of Assembly District 15 of Sacramento, CA finds at 2315 3rd Street

SPROGIS, CARL; Head of Household
White Male, born in Russia about 1881, age 39. Owns his home, occupation Carpenter, married, immigrated 1901, able to read and write, mother and father born in Russia -EMMA; Wife - Born about 1884 in Russia, white female, age about 36. Married, immigrated 1905, able to read and write, Mother and Father born in Russia

-ERNEST; Son- White male, 8 years old, born about 1912 in California, able to read and write

-EVELYN > Daughter- White female, 7 years old, born about 1913 in California

-WALLIE > Daughter- White female, 6 years old, born about 1914 in California

-AGNES > Daughter- White female, 2 years 10 months, born about 1917 in California

-ELMA > Daughter- White female, 3 years, born about 1917 in California

-HELENE > Daughter- White female, 10 months, born about 1919 in California


I ALSO HAVE a copy of a World War I Draft Registration for our Carl Sprogis, born May 27, 1879 and living in Sacramento at 2315 3rd Street with his wife, next of kin, Emma Sprogis. In September of 1918 he was unemployed, described himself as medium height, medium build, with brown hair and eyes and no lost limbs.

Sprogis 1930 Census

Now this gets interesting...
In 1920 Carl Sprogis was happily married to Emma, they had 6 children together, although the baby must have died shortly after that last census.

Here in 1930, Carl has a more specific birthplace, is still claiming "Married", though the woman he is living with is not listed as his wife, nor is she listed as married. She is the "Housekeeper", and this is the same year our direct decendant was born. His mother's name was Alice Turb...

So what's going on? Is this an error?

That's the next interesting bit of romance and history...