Descendants of Lauritz Christensen

Notes

6. Karen "Carrie" Christensen

BIRTH: Letter; 1936; Letter from Lauritz Christensen to Carrie Christensen O'Brien [daughter]; 30 Nov 1936; Photocopy in possession of Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers, 1995;
NOTE: Her parents are listed as Laurs Christensen and Sophie Nielsen.
LETTER: O-LET-0025

BIRTH:
NOTE: A letter dated 15 Nov 1971 and another letter dated 23 Apr 1973 and 19 Dec 1981, from the Omaha-Douglas County Health Department, Omaha, NE, stated that they searched their files and did not locate a birth record of Carrie, Caroline, or Carolyn Christensen, etc. They further stated that births in the 1800s and early 1900s were very incomplete. [Letters discarded 3/2004, only this transcription note kept.]
NOTE: Tradition, that Carrie (Christensen) O'Brien had a twin that died. The above letter dated 19 Dec 1981 also searched for this twin birth, but none was found.
NOTE: Not found in the Birth Record Cards, Library and Archives Center, Historical Society of Douglas County, Omaha (see BIRTH: O-CVB-0013).

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, she stated the following: "Carrie had a twin sister who died shortly after birth, Annie was 21 and in college when she died, then there was Chris, besides these there were six other children who died, nine children by this marriage." Karen Christensen changed her name to Carrie because as I "she didn't like her name."
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

BIRTH: Letter to Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers from her mother Eleanor (Roat) O'Brien, answering some questions about the Christensen family with the assistance of Harold O'Brien, unknown date of letter. She states, among other things, that at one time Grandma [Carrie] lost her Birth Certificate and "she worked real hard establishing her Birth, so she could apply for her Social Security."
LETTER: O-LET-0101

BAPTISM: No baptism was found for Karen Christensen, born 11 Mar 1888, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

CONFIRMATION: No confirmation record was found for Karen Christensen, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

HIGH SCHOOL: In an email dated 1 Aug 2006, from the Local History Department of the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas County, NE, stating they have no High School yearbooks from 1904-1906. [This was regarding trying to find information on Karen or Carrie Christensen from a high school yearbook.]

NOTE: Typed note believed to have been prepared by Carrie Christensen O'Brien contains the following information:
(1) Carrie Christensen, born March 11, 1888, Omaha, Nebraska, baptized Karen Christensen, Dtr of Lauritz & Sophia, married Sheridan, Wyoming, 5 Mar 1908 to
(2) Raymond Leo O'Brien, born Denver, Illinois, 7 Dec 1884
(3) Son, Harold, born Sheridan, Wyoming, 17 Jun 1910, baptized Harold Elmer, married Flint, Michigan, 23 Apr 1933 to Eleanor F Roat, born 1 Dec 1911
(4) To this marriage born, James Harold, Flint, Mich, 3-12-37, Robert Lyle, Flint, Mich, 1-28-39, Patricia Irene, Standish, Mich, 4-14-44.
(5) Carrie & Harold O'Brien arrived Flint May 1929, Carrie & Raymond O'Brien divorced 6-25-28, Raymond O'Brien remarried 1948 [should be 1954].
COMPILED: O-COM-0084

EDUCATION:
NOTE: Letter dated about 25 Jul 1974, from Registrar's Office, Hastings College, Hastings, NE, stated they were not able to find any reference to a Carrie or Karen Christensen in their records. [Letter discarded 3/2004.]
NOTE: Letter dated 13 Jan 1975, from Bellevue College, Bellevue, NE, stated that the original Bellevue College closed its doors in 1919 and all records were sent to Hastings College, Hastings, NE. [Letter discarded 3/2004.]
NOTE: Letter dated 24 Jan 1975, from The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, stated that their records did not include a Carrie or Karen Christensen who may have attended there between about 1904 and 1908. [Letter discarded 3/2004.]
NOTE: Letter dated about 19 Dec 1981, from Registrar, Hastings College, Hastings, NE, stated they could not find any records on Carrie or Karen Christensen or Anine/Annie Christensen. [Letter discarded 3/2004.]

MARRIAGE: Civil marriage record; 1908; Sheridan Co Clerk, Sheridan WY; Book 4; p 3; Sheridan Co Clerk, Sheridan WY;
NOTE: Marriage Affidavit, State of Wyoming, County of Sheridan, We, R L O'Brien, applicant for a Marriage License, and Chris Christenson a competent witness, being first duly sworn, each for himself upon oath doth depose and say: That the full name of the said applicant is Raymond L O'Brien; that his place of residence is Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyoming; that he is of the age of 23 years; that the full name of his intended wife is Carrie Christianson [sic], that her place of residence is Sheridan, Sheridan County; Wyoming; that she is of the age of 20 years; that there is no impediment to the parties entering into the marriage contract according to the laws of the State of their residence. Consent of guardian given. Applicant R L O'Brien, witness Chris Christensen, subscribed and sworn to before me and in my presence, this 5 day of Mch, 1908, L B Glafcke, County Clerk, by C L Chapman, deputy.
NOTE: Marriage License, State of Wyoming, County of Sheridan, The People of the State of Wyoming to Any Person Authorized to Solemnize Marriage, Greeting: You are hereby authorized to join in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony, and to Celebrate within this County the Rites and Ceremonies of Marriage between Mr R L O'Brien of Sheridan County, Wyo and Miss Carrie Christensen of Sheridan County, Wyo, and this shall be your good and sufficient warrant. And you are required to return this License to me within three months from the celebration of such Marriage, with a certificate of same appended thereto, and signed by you, under a penalty of Five Hundred Dollars. In Witness Whereof, I have hereof set my hand and the seal of said County, this 5 day of Mch, 1908, L B Glafcke, County Clerk, By C L Chapman, deputy.
NOTE: Certificate of Marriage, I, M DeWitt Long, Minister of the Gospel, officiating in the County of Sheridan and State of Wyoming, do hereby certify that I did, on the 5 day of March, 1908, unite in Marriage Mr R L O'Brien of Sheridan County, Wyoming aged 23 years, and Miss Carrie Christenson of Sheridan County, Wyoming aged 20 years, the parties named in the within License, at the ____ [blank] in said County and State, according to the rites of ____ [blank], Witnesses to the Ceremony, A F Hufford residence Sheridan, Chris Christensen residence Sheridan, Given under my hand at Sheridan in said County and State, this 5 day of March, 1908, M DeWitt Long, Pastor Pres Ch. State of Wyoming, County of Sheridan, this instrument was filed for record on the 4 day of May, 1908.
NOTE: Chris Christensen, [brother of the bride] was a witness and acted as her guardian, consenting to the marriage. The file contains a copy of the Marriage Certificate signed by M DeWitt Long, DD [Doctor of Divinity?]
MARRIAGE: O-CVM-0001

MARRIAGE: Marriage announcement; 1908; SHERIDAN POST, Sheridan, Sheridan Co, NE; 6 Mar 1908; Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan Sheridan Co, NE;
NOTE: A very quiet but pretty wedding occurred Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence of Mr Chris Christensen, brother of the bride, when Miss Carrie Christensen and Mr R L O'Brien were united in marriage by Rev Long. The bride was unattended and wore a handsome gown of white net over white silk, and carried a beautiful bouquet of white roses. A very few intimate friends witnessed the ceremony. The guests were Mrs Ernest Ralph, Miss Margaret Holloway, Miss Alice Lyman and Mr Hufford. A delicious luncheon was served by Mrs Christensen. Mr and Mrs O'Brien left today for Omaha and other eastern points, where they will visit for a few weeks. Mr O'Brien has been in the dispatcher's office here for several years and is well and favorably known. Miss Christensen has also made her home in Sheridan for two years, and both have a large circle of acquaintances who join with The Post in wishing them a happy and prosperous journey through life.
NOTE: [A Margaret Holloway is found in the 1910 census, single, age 26.]
NOTE: [The 1907, 1908-09, and 1910-11 City Directories of Sheridan, WY, list the First Presbyterian Church with pastor Rev M De Witt Long (see O-DIR-0001, 0002, & 0003).]
NEWS: O-NEW-0019

MARRIAGE: In an email dated 4 Aug 2006, from Crystal Berig, First Presbyterian Church, Sheridan, WY, she stated:
NOTE: I was able to look through the first membership book of First Presbyterian Church (which begins with member #1 in 1905) and I did not find any of your folks in the membership. I wish I could have found them for you.
NOTE: Records she checked for were to have been (but not sure she checked for the actual record): Marriage Ellery Foster to Maud McClure 24 Dec 1896, Marriage Raymond O'Brien to Carrie Christensen 5 Mar 1908, Marriage Chris Christensen to Vinnie Foster about 1904, Baptism Harold O'Brien born 17 Jun 1910, Death Inez Foster died 11 Oct 1900, Death Chris Christensen died 19 Jan 1942, Death Vinnie Christensen died 15 Feb 1961. None of these records were found, or at least she checked to see if they were members, this is unclear.

CHURCH: Church History; 1998; EARLY CHURCHES OF SHERIDAN COUNTY WYOMING, Helen I Graham, Sheridan, WY; pp cover, author page, church picture page, 57-59; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: This history of the churches of Sheridan, WY, includes a three-page history of the First Presbyterian Church along with a photograph. It mentions that Dr M DeWitt Long began his ministry there on 27 Aug 1905 and it ended with his death on 23 Sep 1923.
CHURCH: O-CHO-0001 (copy)

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1907; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1907; pp 84; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: Christensen, Carrie, clk C B & Q Ry Co, r 122 Heald.
NOTE: Christensen, Chris, clk C B & Q Ry Co, r 122 Heald.
NOTE: Carrie and her brother Chris are living at the same address.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0001

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1923; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1923; p 119; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien Raymond L, moved to Oakland, Calif.
NOTE: O'Brien, Carrie C Mrs, clk C B & Q R R, r 121 Rialto bldg.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0007

ADDRESS: At the time of the writing of her father's will on 12 Jul 1930, she was listed as Carrie Christensen O'Brien, a daughter, now of 918 East 7th Street, Flint, Michigan.

ADDRESS: Per some old papers regarding bank transactions dated 23 Dec 1947 (discarded March 2004), Carrie lived at 903 Stevens Street, Flint, MI.

DEED: Warranty Deed to Carrie C O'Brien; 1920; County Clerk ex-officio Register of Deeds, Sheridan, Sheridan Co, WY; 20 Jul 1920, filed Book 12, page 476; County Clerk, ex-officio Register of Deeds, Sheridan, Sheridan Co, WY;
NOTE: Gertrude Sharp and Eff Sharp, her husband grantors of Sheridan, for $100, convey and warrant to Carrie C O'Brien of Sheridan, property described as N-1/2 of Lot 22 of Piney Inn Subdivision, 20 Jul 1920, filed 4 Aug 1920, Book 12, page 476, #72257.
NOTE: Includes copy of original which was saved by Carrie C O'Brien, found in her possessions by her son, Harold O'Brien, and subsequently given to his daughter Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers.
DEED: O-DEE-0026

OCCUPATION: In a letter received from Burlington Northern, Sheridan, WY, dated 3 May 1973 regarding employment of Carrie Christensen, they stated they did not have records dating back that far. They forwarded the request to the Personnel Department, St Paul, MN, and their letter written 18 May 1973, stated that they had no record of a Carrie Christensen working for Burlington Northern during 1908 or subsequently. [Letters discarded 3/2004, this transcription made.]

DEATH: Per SSDI:
NOTE: Carrie Obrien, born 11 Mar 1888, died Feb 1970, last residence Standish, Arenac, MI, last benefit none specified, issued Minnesota [sic, this should probably be Michigan].

DEATH: Civil death record; 1970; Michigan Department of Public Health, Lansing MI; State file no 28; Michigan Department of Public Health, Lansing MI;
NOTE: Certificate of Death, Michigan Department of Public Health, Carrie C O'Brien, female, died February 16, 1970, white, age 81, born 3/11/1888, county of death Iosco, city Tawas City, Iosco Medical Facility, state of birth Nebraska, USA, divorced, occupation book keeper, variety store, residence Michigan, Arenac County, city Standish, 130 N Cass St, father Lauritz Christensen, mother's maiden name unknown, informant Harold O'Brien, PO #547, Standish, Michigan 48658, cause of death acute myocardial infarct, internal between onset and death 7 hours, contributing cause of death carcinoma of rectum, no autopsy, physician certification, attended deceased from April 1969 to February 16, 1970, viewed the body after death, death occurred 6:00 pm, Harvey H Brinkman, MD, signed 2/16/70, address 116 W State, East Tawas, Michigan, cremation, crematory White Chapel Memorial, Troy, Michigan, date 2/19/1970, funeral home R O Savage Funeral Chapel Inc, Standish, Michigan, funeral director R E Weishuhn, signed D Keith Papas, date 2/18/1970.
NOTE: Filed with this record is a Certificate of Cremation from White Chapel Memorial Association, Temple of Memories Mausoleum, Crematory and Columbaria, City of Troy, Michigan.
DEATH: O-CVD-0002

OBITUARY: Regarding trying to locate an obituary for Carrie (Christensen) O'Brien, an email was received from Stephanie Mallak Olson at the Iosco-Arenac District Library, Arenac Co, MI, dated 21 Aug 2006, stating:

Hello, There is a grant being pursued to undertake digitization of the newspapers. There is not any microfilm for any issues predating January 1972. Even the newspaper itself does not have these done (they have bound copies stored in various locations due to a fire in 2004, and it is my understanding that some of the bound volumes are missing). Long story short, we do not yet have access to newspapers predating 1972. Stephanie.

BURIAL: Mortuary remembrance card; 1970; R O Savage Funeral Chapel Inc, Standish MI; died 19 Feb 1970; possession of Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers;
NOTE: In memory of Carrie C O'Brien b 11 Mar 1888, d 16 Feb 1970, services at R O Savage Funeral Chapel Inc, Standish MI, 19 Feb 1970 2 pm, Rev Albert Johns officiating, final resting place, cremation at White Chapel, Troy MI.
NOTE: In a letter dated 13 May 1973 to Patricia Hellmers from her mother Eleanor (Roat) O'Brien, she stated that Carrie's ashes were "spread out west" as she desired, probably by Harold and Eleanor O'Brien.
BURIAL: O-MOR-0003

CENSUS:

1930 - T626_987, Wd-6 Flint, Genesee Co, MI, ED 55, line 43, page 12A (94A), 10 Apr 1930 [date near entry says 11 Apr 1930]
[Ancestry.com, image 23 of 35]
NOTE: Address 918 East Seventh Street
Hoff, Lee W, head, owns home, value $12,000, male, white, age 51, first married age 35, born MI, father born NY, mother born England, stock manager, paint factory
Hoff, Mary, wife, female, white, age 51, first married age 35, born MI, father born NY, mother born MI, home maker
Obrien, Carrie, lodger, female, white, age 40, married, first married age 20, born NE, parents born NE, clerk, lawyer office
Petherbridge, George, lodger, male, white, age 59, single, born NY, parents born England, merchant, manager
NOTE: Carrie is listed as married in this census, but apparently she was divorced on June 25, 1928, as listed above.

Raymond Leo O'Brien

NOTE: This birth found at FamilySearch.org, International Genealogical Index (IGI):
< http://www.familysearch.org/ > as of 7/2006.
Raymond L. < O'Brien >
Birth: 08 DEC 1884 Bear Creek, , Hancock, Illinois
Parents:
Father: Theodore Thomas O'Brien
Mother: Jennie Cornelia Earl
Messages:
Extracted birth or christening record for the locality listed in the record. The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIRTH: Civil birth record; 1884; Hancock Co Clerk and Recorder, Carthage IL; Book 2-1884 or 18855; Hancock Co Clerk and Recorder, Carthage IL;
NOTE: Name of parents listed as Theodore Thomas O'Brien and Jennie Cornelia Earl. Birthplace Bear Creek Twp, Hancock Co IL. Father born IN, mother born IL. Father age 22, mother age 23. Father's occupation farmer. Medical or other attendant Chas C Browning, MD, Denver IL. No first name of the child is given on this record, however Co Clerk records name as Raymond L O'Brien b 8 Dec 1884.
NOTE: O-LET-0031, from family record book of Theodore O'Brien, sent by Jean Vavra, gives his birth date as 7 Dec 1884.
BIRTH: O-CVB-0002

HISTORY: Hancock Co, IL Sesquicentennial History; 1968; HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, ILLINOIS SESQUICENTENNIAL EDITION, published by the Board of Supervisors of Hancock Co [IL], 1968;
NOTE: Mentions churches and cemeteries, "Birds-Eye" view of Basco in 1900, drawn by Emile Naeglin, includes information about schools, including those in Basco.
HISTORY: O-HIS-0046

HISTORY: History of Burlington Railroad Lines; 1965; BURLINGTON ROUTE, A HISTORY OF THE BURLINGTON LINES, by Richard C Overton, publisher Alfred A Knopf, New York, 1965; pp 117, unknown pg, 227-228, 275, 282, & map; Public Library, Main Branch, Springfield, IL;
NOTE: The pages copied outline mostly in map form the history of the Burlington RR Lines from 1865-1929, with some text.
HISTORY: O-HIS-0043

HISTORY: History Livingston [Park Co], MT; PHOTO HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON MONTANA, by Bill and Doris Whithorn, published by The Park County News, 1966, reprint as photocopy 1997; [unknown repository, but probably one place is Public Library, Livingston, MT];
NOTE: This is a small booklet with photographs and small text descriptions of Livingston, Park Co, MT, some information on people and buildings, such as Albemarle Hotel, Hefferlin Opera House.
NOTE: These are places that Raymond O'Brien mentioned when he visited and lived with or near his uncles, Morrison and Lewis Wilson. Ray moved to Sheridan, WY by about 1907, but the Wilson brothers remained in Park Co, MT.
HISTORY: O-HIS-0045

HISTORY: On a trip west by Norman and Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers in the summer of 2003 a stop was made at the Livingston Depot Center, Livingston, MT. They said they would enjoy receiving a scan of the photograph we have of the Livingston Depot that was given to us by Raymond O'Brien. Their contact information is: . Also, this contact person: Billie Little, Box 183, Leiter, WY 82837, phone (307) 758-4319.

HISTORY: This compiled data includes information on the Kalif Temple Trombone Band of the Sheridan Shriners [Sheridan, WY[ when they, along with Shriners from all over the United States, met in conclave at Kansas City, MO, in June 1924. Raymond O'Brien was a member of this band, named and shown in photograph in one of the articles. John Philip Sousa's band was the main attraction of the event and the articles include information about him and his band as well.
HISTORY: O-COM-0091

MARRIAGE:
(1) - Carrie Christensen
!MARRIAGE: Civil marriage record; 1908; Sheridan Co Clerk, Sheridan WY; Book 4; p 3; Sheridan Co Clerk, Sheridan WY;
NOTE: Marriage Affidavit, State of Wyoming, County of Sheridan, We, R L O'Brien, applicant for a Marriage License, and Chris Christenson a competent witness, being first duly sworn, each for himself upon oath doth depose and say: That the full name of the said applicant is Raymond L O'Brien; that his place of residence is Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyoming; that he is of the age of 23 years; that the full name of his intended wife is Carrie Christianson [sic], that her place of residence is Sheridan, Sheridan County; Wyoming; that she is of the age of 20 years; that there is no impediment to the parties entering into the marriage contract according to the laws of the State of their residence. Consent of guardian given. Applicant R L O'Brien, witness Chris Christensen, subscribed and sworn to before me and in my presence, this 5 day of Mch, 1908, L B Glafcke, County Clerk, by C L Chapman, deputy.
NOTE: Marriage License, State of Wyoming, County of Sheridan, The People of the State of Wyoming to Any Person Authorized to Solemnize Marriage, Greeting: You are hereby authorized to join in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony, and to Celebrate within this County the Rites and Ceremonies of Marriage between Mr R L O'Brien of Sheridan County, Wyo and Miss Carrie Christensen of Sheridan County, Wyo, and this shall be your good and sufficient warrant. And you are required to return this License to me within three months from the celebration of such Marriage, with a certificate of same appended thereto, and signed by you, under a penalty of Five Hundred Dollars. In Witness Whereof, I have hereof set my hand and the seal of said County, this 5 day of Mch, 1908, L B Glafcke, County Clerk, By C L Chapman, deputy.
NOTE: Certificate of Marriage, I, M DeWitt Long, Minister of the Gospel, officiating in the County of Sheridan and State of Wyoming, do hereby certify that I did, on the 5 day of March, 1908, unite in Marriage Mr R L O'Brien of Sheridan County, Wyoming aged 23 years, and Miss Carrie Christenson of Sheridan County, Wyoming aged 20 years, the parties named in the within License, at the ____ [blank] in said County and State, according to the rites of ____ [blank], Witnesses to the Ceremony, A F Hufford residence Sheridan, Chris Christensen residence Sheridan, Given under my hand at Sheridan in said County and State, this 5 day of March, 1908, M DeWitt Long, Pastor Pres Ch. State of Wyoming, County of Sheridan, this instrument was filed for record on the 4 day of May, 1908.
NOTE: Chris Christensen, [brother of the bride] was a witness and acted as her guardian, consenting to the marriage. The file contains a copy of the Marriage Certificate signed by M DeWitt Long, DD [Doctor of Divinity?]
MARRIAGE: O-CVM-0001

MARRIAGE: Marriage announcement; 1908; SHERIDAN POST, Sheridan, Sheridan Co, NE; 6 Mar 1908; Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan Sheridan Co, NE;
Note: A very quiet but pretty wedding occurred Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence of Mr Chris Christensen, brother of the bride, when Miss Carrie Christensen and Mr R L O'Brien were united in marriage by Rev Long. The bride was unattended and wore a handsome gown of white net over white silk, and carried a beautiful bouquet of white roses. A very few intimate friends witnessed the ceremony. The guests were Mrs Ernest Ralph, Miss Margaret Holloway, Miss Alice Lyman and Mr Hufford. A delicious luncheon was served by Mrs Christensen. Mr and Mrs O'Brien left today for Omaha and other eastern points, where they will visit for a few weeks. Mr O'Brien has been in the dispatcher's office here for several years and is well and favorably known. Miss Christensen has also made her home in Sheridan for two years, and both have a large circle of acquaintances who join with The Post in wishing them a happy and prosperous journey through life.
NOTE: [A Margaret Holloway is found in the 1910 census, single, age 26.]
NOTE: [The 1907, 1908-09, and 1910-11 City Directories of Sheridan, WY, list the First Presbyterian Church with pastor Rev M DeWitt Long (see O-DIR-0001, 0002, & 0003).]
NEWS: O-NEW-0019

MARRIAGE: In an email dated 4 Aug 2006, from Crystal Berig, First Presbyterian Church, Sheridan, WY, she stated:
NOTE: I was able to look through the first membership book of First Presbyterian Church (which begins with member #1 in 1905) and I did not find any of your folks in the membership. I wish I could have found them for you.
NOTE: Records she checked for were to have been (but not sure she checked for the actual record): Marriage Ellery Foster to Maud McClure 24 Dec 1896, Marriage Raymond O'Brien to Carrie Christensen 5 Mar 1908, Marriage Chris Christensen to Vinnie Foster about 1904, Baptism Harold O'Brien born 17 Jun 1910, Death Inez Foster died 11 Oct 1900, Death Chris Christensen died 19 Jan 1942, Death Vinnie Christensen died 15 Feb 1961. None of these records were found, or at least she checked to see if they were members, this is unclear.

MARRIAGE:
(2) - Mildred Ritchey Reed
Civil marriage license; 1954; Judge of Probate Court, Fremont, Sandusky Co OH; license 26 May 1954; Judge of Probate Court, Fremont, Sandusky Co OH;
NOTE: Marriage License, not valid after sixty days from date, state of Ohio, Sandusky County, to any person legally authorized to solemnize marriages in the State of Ohio, I, the undersigned, Robert J Gabel, Judge of the Probate Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, have licensed and do hereby license and authorize Mr R L O'Brien and Mildred E Reed to be joined in marriage. In witness whereof I have hereto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court, at Fremont, Ohio, this 26 day of May, 1954, signed R J Gabel, Judge of the Probate Court.
MARRIAGE: O-CVM-0031 [license]
Civil marriage record; 1954; Justice of the Peace, Bowling Green, Wood Co OH; 27 May 1954; Justice of the Peace, Bowling Green, Wood Co OH;
NOTE: This is to certify that R L O'Brien of Clarkston, State of Michigan and Mildred E Reed of Pontiac, State of Michigan, were by me united in marriage according to the ordinance of God and the Laws of the State of Ohio at Bowling Green on the 27 day of May, 1954 in the presence of [no witnesses given], signed Ralph J Cain, Justice of the Peace.
MARRIAGE: O-CVM-0031 [record]

MILITARY: Found Ancestry.com, Library Edition, World War I Draft Registrations:
Raymond Leo O'Brien, serial #1983, order #1720, address 26 N Main St [Street], Sheridan Sheridan County, Wyo [Wyoming], age 33, born December 7, 1884, white, native born, occupation Local Agent B & Q R R [Rail Road] Co, employer C B & Q R R [Rail Road] Co, Sheridan Sheridan County, Wyo [Wyoming], nearest relative Carrie O'Brien, address 26 N Main St [Street], Sheridan Sheridan County, Wyo [Wyoming], signed R L O'Brien, Sept 12, 1918, Local Board for the County of Sheridan, State of Wyo [Wyoming], Sheridan, Wyo [Wyoming].
NOTE: Image saved.

LAND-DIRECTORIES: Letter from Doris Whithorn, Livingston MT regarding irrigation rights for Morrison and Koss Wilson, historical buildings, and city directory information of Raymond O'Brien in Livingston; possession Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers;
NOTE: Mentions ditch rider [one who looks after the irrigation water] records went back to 1892, but that Morrison and Koss Wilson may have taken the places as homesteads as early as 1879. Mentions Raymond L O'Brien in 1904-5 Polk directory, he is listed as being a clerk at the Albemarle Hotel which was torn down in about 1957 and The Guest House was built on the site. She said that the depot I sent a picture of was built in 1902 and she included copies of parts of a book she put together with old photographs of buildings in Livingston MT including one of the Albemarle Hotel.
LETTER: O-LET-0056

DIRECTORY:
NOTE: On personal visit to Livingston, Park Co, MT, reviewed the 1906-1907 Polk City Directory for Livingston, MT and Raymond O'Brien was not found. However, it did list the Albemarle Hotel (now Guest House), at 107 W Park Street, H D Hefferlin, owner [advertisement]. No paper document was saved from this notation, only these written notes.
NOTE: O-LET-0056 source is repeated in the file of Morrison E Wilson.

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1907; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1907; p 164; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien, R L, clk C B & Q Ry co, rms 24 S Gould.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0001

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1908-09; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1908-09; p 145; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien, Raymond L, clk C B & Q, b 440 Brundage.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0002

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1910-11; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1910-11; p 153; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien, Raymond L, local freight agt C B & Q, r 715 Adair, Nielsen Heights.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0003

DIRECTORY:
NOTE: The City Directory files, O-DIR, contain copies of some pages from the Sanborn maps of Sheridan, WY, showing various street addresses in 1912, such as Laclede, (by the High School), Adair Street, Gould Street, Main Street, and the area by the Sheridan Railroad Depot.

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1912-13; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory [assumed], Wyoming 1912-13; p 153; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: Norgard, Elizabeth, stenogr C B & Q, b 616 N Gould.
O'Brien, Carrie, Mrs, stenogr C B & Q, r 616 N Gould.
O'Brien, Paul E, car insptr C B & Q [no address given].
O'Brien, Raymond L, passenger and freight agt C B & Q, r 616 N Gould.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0015

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1915; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1915; p 140; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien, Raymond L, local passenger and freight agt C B & Q Ry, r 420 W Loucks. [Also includes Norgard, Elizabeth, freight clk C B & Q Ry, b 420 W Loucks. A page indexed as Perkins is included, looking for the Perkins Studio believed to have taken a "baby picture" of Harold O'Brien, but no such studio was listed.]
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0004

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1916-17; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1916-17; p 135; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien, Raymond L, freight and pass agt C B & Q Ry, r 420 W Loucks. [Also includes Norgard, Elizabeth, freight clk C B & Q Ry, b 420 W Loucks.]
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0005

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1919; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1919; p 125; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien, Raymond L, frt and pass agt C B & Q R R, r 26-1/2 N Main.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0006

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1923; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1923; p 119; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien Raymond L, moved to Oakland, Calif.
NOTE: O'Brien, Carrie C Mrs, clk C B & Q R R, r 121 Rialto bldg.
NOTE: A letter was written to the Oakland Public Library, Oakland, CA, asking them to search their city directories for Raymond O'Brien. from 1919-1925. They stated that they did not find him listed, but that they only had some of the years to check, 1921-1925. [Letter discarded 3/2004].
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0007

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1925-26; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1925-26; p 104; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien, Raymond L, bkpr B Gross & Co, h 123 Rialto bldg.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0008

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1927-28; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1927-28; p 114; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: O'Brien, Harold, carrier Post Enterprise, r Rialto bldg.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0009

OCCUPATION: Letter dated 31 Dec 1981, from Burlington Northern Railroad, St Paul, MN, regarding records of Raymond O'Brien 1900-1928, they stated that "records pertaining to employees terminated prior to 1972 have been destroyed." [Letter discarded 3/2004.]

OCCUPATION: History of railroad depots; unknown date, includes data from 1990; BURLINGTON BULLETIN, a magazine of the Burlington Route Historical Society, La Grange, IL ; Issue No 37, pp 1, 4, 18-23; Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY, also available from Burlington Route Historical Society, online at < http://www.burlingtonroute.com/intro.html >;
NOTE: Burlington Bulletin, Issue No 37, by Hol Wagner, entitled "Burlington Boxes CB&Q Two and Three-Story Depot/Division Office Buildings of the 20th Century." The pages concerning Sheridan, WY, provide information on the various railroad buildings, history, construction of new buildings, repositioning of old buildings, includes photographs [including the railroad office building where Raymond O'Brien was employed].
Bulletin #37 BURLINGTON BOXES (CB&Q two and three story depot/division office buildings of the 20th century) Contains 96 pages - CB&Q depot/division office buildings, covering the structures at Aurora, Galesburg, Davenport, North LaCrosse, Lincoln, McCook, Alliance, Sheridan, and Casper. Includes 140 photos, plus diagrams of each structure.
HISTORY: O-HIS-0028

OCCUPATION: Letter dated 8 Apr 1996, from United States of America Railroad Retirement Board, Chicago, IL, stated that the Railroad Retirement Board, like the Social Security Administration, was not established until the mid-1930's and it began maintaining its own records of all covered rail service in 1937. They stated that therefore, they would have no records of the railroad service of Lauritz Christensen (retired by 1930), Raymond O'Brien (stopped working for railroad about 1929), or Cleophus Bush (last known date of working for railroad 1911). [Letter discarded 3/2004.]

TIMELINE:
1884 Born Bear Creek Twp, Hancock Co, IL, 8 Dec
1900 Census, Basco, Bear Creek Twp, Hancock Co, IL, born Dec 1884, age 15, with parents
1901 Did not complete 8th grade ("I know that I didn't finish the eighth grade.")
1902 Left home -- age ___ (17 ?)
1902-5 Worked in a town near Butte "selling books"
Worked as card dealer at a saloon in Butte
1905 Visited great-uncles (Morrison and Koss Wilson) south of Livingston MT
(Took train, CB&Q; stopped in Lincoln NE, to Livingston MT)
Worked as delivery man for a grocery store in Livingston MT owned by the Hefferlins, who also
owned hotel clerk was a former clown for Ringling Bros Circus
1904-5 Worked as night clerk at hotel (Albemarle Hotel, Livingston) owned by Hefferlins ("quite a little
while") [see Ray in photo of saloon in Albemarle Hotel] fired by Mrs. Hefferlin over "bedbug"
incident
1905 ca Started working for CB&Q RR at age "20, 21" "Baggage handler"
[see photo of Northern Pacific RR Division offices in Livingston]
"Hired out as a station helper" for the Northern Pacific RR at Drummond MT, left after train robbery: "I left on the first freight I could catch for Butte."
Was going to go with a friend to St. Louis, but didn't take train, which wrecked "just out of Butte."
"But anyway we finally did go on down to Sheridan."
1907 Clerk, CB&Q RR, Sheridan WY (Sheridan City Directory)
1908 Married to Carrie Christensen, Sheridan WY, 5 Mar
1910 Birth of son, Harold Elmer O'Brien, Sheridan WY, 17 Jun
1910 Census, not found
1920 Census, Sheridan, Sheridan, WY
1923 City Directory, Sheridan, said "Moved to Oakland, Calif"
1923 ca Worked for CB&Q 18 years [1905-1923?] ("I was with them for eighteen years.") Positions with CB&Q RR in Sheridan: baggage handler, clerk to Chief Dispatcher, freight and passenger agent
1926 City Directory, Sheridan, Sheridan, WY [lived in Sheridan about 1907-1926]
1928 Divorced, 25 Jun 1928 [see wife's notes]
1930 Census, Wd-6, Flint, Genesee, MI
19xx? Moved to Pontiac, Oakland, MI
1954 Married Mildred Ritchey, 27 May [address Clarkston, Oakland, MI]
1976 Died, Pontiac, Oakland, MI, 23 Aug

FRATERNAL:
NOTE: At the time of his death, the wallet of Raymond O'Brien contained the following items:
(1) [card-receipt] DeMolay Commandery No 6, KT, Sheridan, WY, 20 Jan 1920, "Sir Knight" Ray L O'Brien, No 169, $3.75.
(2) [receipt] Sheridan Chapter, No 7, R A M [for] Jan 20-Dec 31, 1920.
(3) [card-receipt] Sheridan Lodge, AF & AM, Master Mason, to Dec 31, 1919, 1920, and 1921.
(4) [card] Kalif Temple, AAONMS, Sheridan, WY, 1920, 1921, 1922 (2)
[Also, unrelated to Fraternal category, CB & Q passes, 1919, 1920, 1921, and other RR passes, Western Union cards]
NOTE: All of these items in possession of granddaughter Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers.
FRATERNAL: O-FRA-0003

FRATERNAL: Letter dated 14 Sep 1995, from The Grand Lodge of AF & AM of Wyoming, Casper, WY, stated the following: Raymond L O'Brian [sic] was a member of Sheridan Lodge No 8, Sheridan, WY, initiated 12 Aug 1915, passed 23 Aug 1925 [sic 1915], raised 28 Oct 1915. He was suspended for non-payment of dues 15 Jun 1931. [Letter discarded 3/2004.]

DEATH: Per SSDI:
NOTE: Ray Obrien, born 8 Dec 1884, died Aug 1976, last residence MI, last benefit none specified, issued MI.

!DEATH: Civil death record; 1976; Michigan Department of Public Health, Lansing MI; Local file no 1126, State file no 48847; Michigan Department of Public Health, Lansing MI;
NOTE: Certificate of Death, Michigan Department of Public Health, #1126 local file number, #48847 state file number, Ray L O'Brien, male, died August 23, 1976, white, age 91, born Dec 6, 1884, county of death Oakland, city Pontiac, Oakland Co Medical Care Facility, born Illinois, US citizen, widowed, occupation gas & oil exploration, oil company, residence Mich, Oakland county, Pontiac Twp, 2530 Walnut Rd, father's name Theodore O'Brien, mother's maiden name Jennie Earl, informant Harold O'Brien, 3404 Senske, Standish, Mich 48658, cause of death Congestive Heart Failure, interval between onset and death, days, other contributing cause, carcinoma of gastrointestinal tract with metastasis to liver, no autopsy, physician's certification, I attended the deceased from 8-17-1976 to 8-23-1976, last saw the deceased on 8-22-1976, viewed body after death, died at 2:54am, certifier Sally B Fand, MD, signed Sally B Fand, 2200 N Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan, 48053, cremation, White Chapel crematory, Troy, Michigan, 26 Aug 1976, funeral home Voorhees-Siple F H [funeral home], 268 N Perry St, Pont [Pontiac], Mi, 48058, funeral director Fred E Thompson, registrar Elizabeth [?] M Fletcher, dated received by local registrar Aug 24, 1978.
DEATH: O-CVD-0001

OBITUARY: Obituary Ray L O'Brien; died 28 Aug 1976; PONTIAC/OAKLAND PRESS, __ Aug 1976, pg __, col __; Pontiac Public Library, Pontiac, Oakland Co, MI;
NOTE: O'Brien, Ray L; August 23, 1976, of Pontiac Twp, age 91, father of Harold O'Brien, grandfather of Robert O'Brien, James O'Brien, and Mrs Patricia Hellmers. Mr O'Brien was retired, Oil and Gas Exploration. Funeral service, Thursday, August 26, 3:00 p.m. at the Voorhees Siple Chapel. Cremation White Chapel. Suggested visiting hours 3 to 5 and 7 to 9.
OBITUARY: O-OBT-0072

BURIAL: Mortuary Remembrance Card Ray L O'Brien; 1976; Voorhees-Siple funeral Home, Pontiac, MI; died 23 Aug 1976; possession of Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers;
NOTE: In memory of Ray L O'Brien, born 6 Dec 1884, died 23 Aug 1976, services from Voorhees-Siple funeral Home, officiating Mr Calvin C Morgan, final resting place, White Chapel Memorial Cemetery, funeral conducted by Voorhees-Siple Funeral Home, Pontiac, MI.
BURIAL: O-MOR-0003

CONTACT: Letter dated 23 Jul 1987, from White Memorial Cemetery Chapel, Troy, MI, stated that Emily Dickerson, 2527 Walnut, Pontiac, MI, had Power of Attorney "upon the demise of Raymond L O'Brien in August 1976." Her name and address was needed to contact someone in her family to mail them some photographs of the Mildred Richey family. Contact was made with Mr & Mrs Art Ritchey, Reed City, MI, Maralyn Harris, Detroit, MI, James Ritchey, Clyde, OH. The pictures were sent to the family. [Letters discarded 3/2004.]

LETTERS: All letters from Raymond O'Brien to Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers are filed O-LET-0103. They were not used for source materials since at this time (3/2004) other additional sources were used for proofs, although at the time his letters were written, most of the information was unknown and it was much appreciated. Also, he adds his own personal knowledge and experiences to his letters. He was a very kind and loving grandfather.
LETTER: O-LET-0103

CENSUS:

1910 - Tried to find Raymond O'Brien in Sheridan and elsewhere, but he has not been found. The O'Brien family is listed in the 1908-09 city directory as living at 440 Brundage and in the 1910-11 city directory as living at 715 Adair, Nielsen Heights. Have tried to compare other people listed as living in Nielson Heights with the census and those people seem to be found in the 1910 census on pages 180-181, or in that area. This is the 2nd Ward of Sheridan which begins on page 174. The census was taken about April and May, so Harold O'Brien would not be listed as he was born in Jun 1910. Some of the names reviewed in the 1910 census are:
George Carroll p181, Solon Carroll p180, Mary Cassels 180, Fran Christopherson p180, Edward Flynn p180, Walter Granger p180, Walter Hanson p180, Albert Beckwith p180. Research should also be done regarding the address of 440 Brundage. It is noted that there are a large number of supplemental pages included in the 1910 Sheridan Co, WY census, which lends itself to perhaps missing certain households. [See a list of the above individuals in the 1910 city directory of Sheridan at O-DIR-0003.]

1910 - Not found.
A letter from Helen Graham, Wyoming Room, Sheridan Public Library, Sheridan, WY, [copy discarded 3/2004], stated that the ED Districts for Sheridan were 103-107 and that I should try looking through all of those, stating "the city wasn't very large and streets are well marked on census." This has been tried, without success.

1920 - T625_2029, Sheridan, Sheridan Co, WY, ED 107, line 7, page 8A (34A), 8 Jan 1920
[Ancestry.com, image 16 of 56]
NOTE: Address 312 [?] W [?] Loucks Street, five other people living at same address, on same page is 162 North Main Street
NOTE: This was not found in the index at first because there was a space between the O and the B.
O Brien, Raymond L, head, male, white, age 35, married, born IL, father born US, mother born IL, agent freight, railway
O Brien, Carrie, wife, female, white, age 31, married, born NE, parents born Denmark, stenographer, railway
O Brien, Harold, son, male, white, age 9, single, born WY, father born IL, mother born NE, attended school, can read and write

1930 - T626_987, Wd-6 Flint, Genesee Co, MI, ED 55, line 11, page 11A (93A), 10 Apr 1930
[Ancestry.com, image 21 of 35]
NOTE: Address 854 East Seventh Street
Grawols, Earl C, head, owns home, value $7000, male, white, age 45, first married age 28, born MI, parents born MI, brake service, own garage
Grawols, Anna R, wife, female, white, age 48, first married age 31, born MI, father born Canada, mother born MI, home maker
Langley, Bella, mother-in-law, female, white, age 70, Wd, born MI, parents born MI
O'Brien, Ray L, lodger, male, white, age 46, D [div], born IL, parents born IL, salesman, road salesman
O'Brien, Harold, lodger, male, white, age 19, single, born WY, father born IL, mother born WY, salesman, grocery store

10. Anna Sophie (Anne Belle) Christensen

BIRTH: Birth Record Card, [no first name] Christensen; 1910; Birth Record Cards, Omaha, NE, Library and Archives Center, Historical Society of Douglas County, Omaha, NE; 15 May 1910; Library and Archives Center, Historical Society of Douglas County, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: [no first name] Christensen, born 15 May 1910, female, father Lauritz Christensen born Denmark, occupation mail clk, mother Anine Christensen born Denmark, address 1469 Phelps.
BIRTH: O-CVB-0013
NOTE: Also, per baptism and SSDI.

BAPTISM: Church baptism Anna Sophie Christensen; 1910; Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE; 26 Jun 1910, Bk III, pg 118, #22; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Anna Sophie Christensen, daughter of Lauritz Christensen and wife Aninne [sic] born Raun, born 15 May 1910, Omaha, Nebraska, baptized 26 Jun 1910, Our Saviors Church, Omaha, godfather/godmother Mrs Christensen's parents.
NOTE: This record is written in Danish. Anna was baptized the same day as her stepsister, Ruby Martine Christensen. Even though the baptism is recorded in the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church records, apparently she was baptized in a church by the name of "Vor Frelsers Kirke", which in Danish is Our Saviors Church. The godparents were apparently Anine (Raun) Christensen's parents, Nels Raun and Rasmine Hansen.
BAPTISM: O-CHB-0006

CONFIRMATION: No confirmation record was found for Anna Christensen, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

HIGH SCHOOL: In an email dated 15 Aug 2006, from the Local History Department, Omaha Public Library, Omaha, NE, "HSS (LIB)" < hss@omahapubliclibrary.org >, they stated that they checked their copy of the 1928 Omaha Central Yearbook [high school], but found no picture or mention of an Anna Sophie Christensen or any similar name. [They stated in a previous email that they had no yearbooks at all from the South Omaha High School and no Central High School yearbooks from 1927 or 1929.]

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, she stated the following: Her name is Anne Belle Christensen, she was baptized Anna Sophia, but changed her name when she "went to Uni and my Soc Sec and other papers are signed so." Her mother's name was Anine Raun, born 1 Apr 1880, Bisholt, Denmark, married Lauritz Christensen 11 Dec 1908, and that her mother had not been married before. Lauritz came to the US in 1880, entering through New York and that "his wife, Chris, and Annie remained until he earned enough money to send for them." [She mentions Annie, but it is believed she was born in Omaha, not Denmark.] Lauritz spent a short time after his immigration in a lumber camp in Wisconsin. He was not a member of the Presbyterian Church, but attended there. "Carrie had a twin sister who died shortly after birth, Annie was 21 and in college when she died, then there was Chris, besides these there were six other children who died, nine children by this marriage." Karen Christensen changed her name to Carrie because as I "she didn't like her name."
NOTE: See Lauritz Christensen for other information about him from this letter.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

MARRIAGE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 12 Jun 1983, she stated that their 50th wedding anniversary would be on 26 Jun 1985. Also in another letter dated 31 Oct 1992, Anne stated that she was married 26 Jun 1935 at Park Forest Presbyterian Church in Omaha, NE.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090.

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 31 Oct 1992, she stated the following: Anne B Christensen and Clarence Howard DeWitt were married 26 Jun 1935, Park Forest Presbyterian Church, Omaha, NE, Howard was born 12 Jan 1913 [sic 13 Jan]. She received her BA from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1931. Graduate hours, University of Chicago, 1993 [sic ?], University of Utah, 1959, and Utah State University, 1960s.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

LETTER: Letter from Lauritz Christensen to daughter Anna; 1935; Letter from Lauritz Christensen, Omaha, NE; 2 Juli [July] 1935; copy in possession of Patricia Hellmers, Springfield, IL, 3/2004;
NOTE: Omaha, Nebraska, Juli [July] 1, 1935. Dear Anna. You remember the brick house south of Uncle Tante Petreas, place. Four women teachers, and one Mr Bailey professor, south high, live there, when they heard Hansens had been to a wedding where the bridegroom was a Rushville Man, they came over to Hansens with a Rushville paper, that had a write up of the Marriage, one of the women lived in Rushville, some time ago, and know the DeWitt family, her first husband sold Mr DeWitt a piano, they said they were sorry they did not know in time to see them here. Dear Howard. Anna wrote us from North Platte, saying, I saw a darling cat from the window this morning, but Howard wouldn't even look at it. Now Howard, when Anna sees a friendly looking cat, or kitten, and you are in sight, and she calls your attention to the darling cat, you just look at it, or -----. Well, Anna, and Howard, here is wishing for you every happiness, and all things worth while in this world. Sincerely, Dad.
NOTE: The mention of "Uncle Tante Petrea" and "the Hansens" is referring to Andrew Hansen and his wife, Petrea (Raun) Hansen. She was a sister to Anne's mother, Anine (Raun) Christensen.
COMPILED: O-LET-0100

DEATH: Per SSDI:
NOTE: Anne B DeWitt, born 15 May 1910, died 6 Apr 1995, last residence Alliance, Box Butte, NE, last benefit none specified, issued NE.

BURIAL:

Clarence HOWARD DeWitt

BIRTH:
!NOTE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 31 Oct 1992, she stated Howard was born 12 Jan 1913. The Christmas letter from Howard DeWitt in 2005 stated he was age 94 and was born January 13, 1912.
NOTE: The Christmas envelope from Howard DeWitt in 2004 listed his return address name as Clarence H DeWitt.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

MARRIAGE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 12 Jun 1983, she stated that their 50th wedding anniversary would be on 26 Jun 1985. Also in another letter dated 31 Oct 1992, Anne stated that she was married 26 Jun 1935 at Park Forest Presbyterian Church in Omaha, NE.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090.

MARRIAGE: Per an email dated 28 Aug 2006, from Maria King < gorcitli@gpcom.net> at the Gordon City Library, Gordon City, (Sheridan County), NE, she stated:
We do not have the Rushville newspapers. Any copy that our library had was given to the Gordon Journal here in Gordon. The telephone number for the Gordon Journal is 308-282-0118, or Fax # 308-282-0119. There is also the Family History Center here in Gordon. I don't believe they have the Rushville papers, but you could try them. The phone number for the history center is 308-282-9969 or 282-0329. Maria Kling,
Gordon City Library.
NOTE: This was regarding trying to locate a copy of the Rushville newspaper from 1935 to obtain a copy of the wedding announcement of Howard and Anne DeWitt.

LETTERS: Christmas and other letters to the Hellmers family from Howard and Anne Dewitt family contains information about them and their three children [letters are December unless otherwise noted];
1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, Jan 1983, 1983, May 1885, 1987, 1988, May 1990, Jun 1990, Dec 1990, 1991, Oct 1992, 1992, 1993, Jan 1994, May 1995 [Anne DeWitt's Memorial Service announcement, she died 6 Apr 1995], Apr 1995 [from daughter Joyce Butzine], 1997, 1998, 1999, May 2001 [from daughter Joyce Butzine], Aug 1994 [from daughter Joyce Butzine], Aug 1994 [from Anne DeWitt], Oct 1994, 2000 [from daughter Joyce Butzine], 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005. [This list prepared Jul 2006.]
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

NEWS: Found at AllianceKiwanis.org; < www.alliancekiwanis.org/kiwanisactivities.html >
NOTE: This website not working well 7/2006.
ALLIANCE KIWANIS CLUB, 2003, Projects:
Club members Larry Yeager, Ted Bohlen, Howard DeWitt, Don Sjostrom, Jim Parks, Todd Heldenbrandt, Terry Padden and Gordon Hoff have been busy building a 8'x12' children's playhouse that will be raffled off just before Christmas. The lucky winner will get a structure that has an 8'x8' interior space that is insulated, drywalled and painted. The building also has a 4x'8' covered porch with a vinyl fence railing. The exterior of the playhouse is covered with vinyl siding. Club members will be selling the $5.00 tickets for the raffle and the drawing will be held on December 20th. Wouldn't this make a wonderful gift for a child's Christmas.

DEATH:

BURIAL:

CENSUS:

US Census Records begin in 1790 and extend to 1930. It appears that the DeWitt family has roots in Eastern United States that could potentially go back several generations.

1900 - This census apparently lists the grandparents and father of Clarence Howard DeWitt (Jr.):
T623_940, Hunter Precinct, Sheridan, NE, ED 180, line 14, page 237A (6A), 29 Jun 1900
[Ancestry.com, image 1 of 2]
Address: No house number or Street given, probably rural.
DeWitt, Theodore, head, white, male, Feb 1858, 42, married 17 years, IA, VA, VA, farmer
DeWitt, Mary, wife, white, female, Nov 1866, 33, married 17 years, 2 children, 2 living, KY, KY, KY
DeWitt, Ollie E, daughter, white, female, Mar 1884, 16, single, MO, IA, KY, at school
DeWitt, Clarence E, son, white, male, Dec 1886, 13, single, MO, Ia, KY, at school

1910 - This census apparently lists the grandparents and parents of Clarence Howard DeWitt (Jr.):
T624_855, Rushville Pct, Sheridan, NE, ED 215, line 3, page 94A (8A), 27 Apr 1910
[Ancestry.com, image 15 of 25]
Address: No house number or Street given, probably rural.
DeWitt, Theodore, head, male, white, 53, married once 27 years, IA, PA, VA, own farm, own farm
DeWitt, May, wife, female, white, 46, married once 27 years, 2 children, 2 living, KY, KY, KY
[next household]
Family 162-175:
DeWitt, Clarence, head, male, white, 23, married once 1 year, MO, IA, KY, farmer, general farm
DeWitt, May, wife, female, white, 20, married once 1 year, [number of children not given, presumed to be zero] NE, IA, IA
NOTE: Theodore and May DeWitt may be the parents of Clarence DeWitt, age 23, above.

1920 - This is the first census that Clarence Howard DeWitt is listed in.
T625_1001, T31 [township?], Range 44, Rushville, Sheridan, NE, ED 238, line 10, page 264A (12A), 28 Jan 1920
[Ancestry.com, image 23 of 35]
Address: No house number or Street given, probably rural.
Dewitt, Clarence, head, male, white, 33, married, MO, IA, KY, farmer
Dewitt, May [? smudged] A, wife, female, white, 30, married, NE, IA, IA
Dewitt, Russell, son, male, white, 9, single, NE, MO, NE
Dewitt, Howard C, son, male, white, 8, single, NE, MO, NE
Dewitt, Lawrence, son, male, white, 6, single, NE, MO, NE
Dewitt, Florence Mae [? or Mai], daughter, female, white, 4-9/12, single, NE, MO, NE
Dewitt, Gale Grace, daughter, female, white, 2-6/12, single, NE, MO, NE
Dewitt, Theodore, father, male, white, 63, W [smudged, probably W for widowed], IA, PA, PA
Fogle, Darcy C, boarder, male, white, 25, single, IA, MO, IA, farm hand

1930 - Roll: 1293, Rushville, Sheridan, NE, ED 27, line 26, page 111A (6A), 14 Apr 1930
[Ancestry.com, image 11 of 17]
Address: No house number or Street given, probably rural.
De Witt, Clarence E, head, male, white, 42, married, first married age 34, NE, IA, KY, farming, farmer
De Witt, Mabel M, wife, female, white, 27, married, first married age 19, WY, OH, NE
De Witt, Russell F, son, male, white, 20, single, NE, MO, WY, farm laborer, farm
De Witt, Clarence H, son, male, white, 18, single, NE, MO, NE
De Witt, Lawrence [?] E, son, male, white, 16, single, NE, MO, NE
De Witt, May Florence, daughter, female, white, 15, single, NE, MO, NE
De Witt, Gale Grace, daughter, female, white, 12, single, NE, MO, NE
De Witt, Theodore, father, male, white, 72, Wd [widowed], IA, US, US
Brodison, Paul, lodger, male, white, 34, single, Germany, Germany, Germany, language German, farm laborer, farm
NOTE: For Paul Brodison, the year of immigration and naturalization are not given. They are each entered as "Un" which might mean Unknown, at least to the person who was giving the information to the census taker.