Showing posts with label Willis Dollaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Willis Dollaway. Show all posts

Where in the World is Willis George Dollaway?

Author: Brenda Leyndyke / Labels: ,

Where in the World is Willis G. Dollaway?


Once I have identified an ancestor, I start my research by finding the ancestor I am researching in the census records.  Usually, I start with the most recent census date and work backwards.  I am creating tables for each ancestor with the census information.  This helps me to see where I am missing information and what next steps I need to take in my research.  Below is the table for Kirk's great grandfather, Willis G. Dollaway, who married Francis Denny.  I have been unable to find Willis in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census.   Willis and Francis Dollaway would have had teenage children in the home during 1920.  I found Wm. and his daughter, Leona, Dollaway living at 150 Maple Street in Grand Rapids, in 1921, through the 1921 Grand Rapids City Directory.  There is not a listing in the 1920 Grand Rapids City Directory for them.  Where are you hiding Willis G. Dollaway?

FACT
DATE
PLACE OF RESIDENCE
ENUMERATION DISTRICT/PAGE ID./DWELLING
Birth
29 Oct 1863
Havana, Schuyler, New York, United States

Census
1870
Grand Rapids Ward 3, Kent, Michigan, United States
/61/477
Census
1880
Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States
139/324A/223
Marriage
3 Oct 1885
Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States

Census
1900
Lowell Township, Kent, Michigan, United States
94/13B/293
Census
1910
Lowell, Kent, Michigan, United States
0128/1B/20
Census
1920


City Directory
1921
Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States
p384
Census
1930
Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States
79/7A/81
Census
1940
Lowell, Kent, Michigan, United States
41-23/15A/Line 27
Death
28 June 1940
Lowell, Kent, Michigan, United States

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Willis George Dollaway Ancestor Biography

Author: Brenda Leyndyke / Labels: ,


Willis George Dollaway, date unknown

The United States was in the throes of the Civil War when Willis George Dollaway was born on 29 October 1863 in Schuyler County, New York, possibly Havana.  He spent the first few years of his life living in this area.  It is here, at the age of three, Willis lost his mother, Arvella Mathews Dollaway, who died in 1866.

Arvella Mathews Dollaway left behind her husband, Andrew Dollaway, to raise their two young sons; Frank, age five and Willis, age three.  It is during this time that I lose Andrew Dollaway in my research.  It is believed that he moved to Michigan and died there, but no proof has been found.

Sometime between 1866 and 1870 Willis moved to Michigan with his Aunt Carrie (Dollaway) and Uncle Isaac Quick, settling in Grand Rapids, Michigan according to the United States 1870 Federal Census for Ward 3, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan. (Click on image for better view.)


Willis lived with his Aunt and Uncle throughout his teen years.  He attended Grand Rapids Public Schools through the eighth grade.  One account says that Willis started his working life early, working in the mercantile business owned by Jacob Barth.  Further research is needed to confirm the accuracy of this statement.

Willis George Dollaway and Frances A. Denny, the daughter of Joseph and Adelia (DeGan) Denny, were married 3 October 1885 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  (Source:  "Michigan, Marriages, 1868-1925," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NQ75-N32 : accessed 11 Mar 2013), Willis G. Dollaway and Frances A Denny, 03 Oct 1885.)  Willis was working as a clerk at this time. 

The Willis G. Dollaway Family
Front Row (L-R):  Frances (Denny), Cecil, Willis
Back Row (L-R):  Leona, Floyd, Roy, Glen

It wasn't long until Willis and Frances moved to Lowell Township, along the banks of the Grand River in a two story home, west of Lowell, Michigan.  Willis and Frances raised their family here in the Catholic faith.  They were the parents of nine children; five of whom lived to adulthood.  (Note:  Willis' obituary states ten children, but I haven't found evidence of a tenth one.)

  1. Roy Dollaway (1886-1966)
  2. Clarence Dollaway (1889-1889)
  3. Harold Dollaway (1892-1898)
  4. Lulah Dollaway (1892-1893)
  5. Floyd Dollaway (1894-1984)
  6. Edward Dollaway (1896-1896)
  7. Cecil Dollaway (1899-1982)
  8. Leona Dollaway (1905-2005)
  9. Glenn Dollaway (1907-1978)
Willis worked hard as a farmer, owning 140 acres at one time.  Willis, Frances and family lived in Lowell Township most of their married life.  They did move in with their daughter, Leona, who married Bert Corcorcan, for a couple of years.  They can be found in the 1930 Census living with Bert and Leona in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  By 1935, Willis and Frances, were back living at their home in Lowell.  My husband remembers visiting his Great Grandma Dollaway, at her home in Lowell, as a child.  He never met his Grandpa Dollaway.  He remembers a glass jar of lemon drops, which would fascinate a young one.  Unfortunately, the home is longer there.

Willis Dollaway lived to the age of 76, dying on 28 June 1940 at his home in Lowell Township after being ill for several months.

 
Willis George Dollaway is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Lowell, Michigan.


  



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Willis G. and Francis Dollaway: Tombstone Tuesday

Author: Brenda Leyndyke / Labels: , ,

WILLIS G. DOLLAWAY
1863-1940


FRANCIS DOLLAWAY
1866-1955

Burial Oakwood Cemetery, Lowell, Kent, Michigan


Willis G and Francis (Denny) Dollaway are Kirk's maternal great-grandparents.  Willis G. was born 29 October 1863 in Havana, Schuyler, New York, the son of Andrew and Arvella (Mathews)  Dollaway.  He died in  Lowell, Kent, Michigan on 28 June 1940.

Francis (Denny) Dollaway was born 13 April 1866 in Lowell, Kent, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph W. and Adelia (DeGan) Denny.  She died 22 February 1955 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan. 





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