Dog Funeral

While searching for information on Reuben Cook, I ran across a Reuben Cook who loved his hunting dog so much he had a regular funeral when the dog was poisoned and died.  The dog's casket had hunting scenes on it.  Pallbearers were selected, a history of the dog and his pedigree was given, and a hymn was sung.  The dog's grave was completed with a gravestone with his name and age.  The dog's owner offered a reward for information on who poisoned the dog and planned to get a bronze cast of the dog for the grave.  I wonder if the bronze cast was completed and where the dog is buried. Back in the days before all of the regulations and rules, I wonder if the dog is buried in a 'regular' cemetery. 

The story took place in Meriden, Connecticut in 1876 and I read the article in the Chicago Daily Tribune.  Interesting.

What's wrong with being Irish?

This doesn't have connection to my family, but I thought it was interesting. In 1947 a woman petitioned the court to have her maiden name restored after 60 years of marriage.  She told the judge she had her tombstone engraved with her maiden name and she put off marrying her late husband two  years because she didn't want his last name.  It was O'Conner.  She said she was mistaken for an Irishwoman for years.  She was successful in legally changing her name.  Wow. 

Where are you?

I'm looking for more information on Caroline Estelle Ward b about 1874 in NY and her family.  She married Frank Coonradt sometime after 1900 and they had a child, Gertrude, born about 1906.  By 1910 Caroline is a widow. 

I also would like more information on Nellie Emeline Ward b Oct 1875 in Berlin, NY.  Supposedly she married Frank Krueger.  I can find no information on him or Nellie other 1800 and 1900 census for Nellie.

Myron Ward, a brother for the two listed above is also elusive.  He was born Ag 1883 in Berlin, NY.  Did he marry Gertrude and move to Glen Falls?

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Abby Jane Cook b abt 1859 NY, probably Rensselaer County. I am assuming she married by 1880 as she is no longer listed with her mother on the census.  Who did she marry? Where did she live?

Hattie L. Cook b abt 1879 NY, probably Rensselaer County.  Found her on 1880 census and that's it.  Anyone know anything about her?

Amanda M Cook b Sep 20 1856 married a man by the name of Walker.  She died in Vermont.  Who did she marry? 

Levi Cook b around 1850 in Rensselaer County, NY.  He married Mary Lawler.  What are their dates of birth/death/marriage?

Sisters Susan (b abt 1847) and Lovina (b abt 1848) of Rensselaer County, NY are also lost.  Can you help me find them?

Lions, Tigers and Bears - OH WAIT! Just Lions.

I really enjoy finding newspaper articles about family members.  A recent one reported on a family member's wedding at the county fair.   It took place in front of the grandstand.  And.....it was in a lion cage complete with six lions.  The article didn't explain why.  Neither the bride or groom are/were lion tamers or trainers.  Nonetheless, it would have been an interesting wedding to attend!

Odd

Bud married twice.  He died in 1983.  His divorced first wife died 2007. His second wife died 2003.  The second wife is buried across the US from him.  The first wife is buried next to him.  The first wife had remarried.  Where is her second husband? 

Did the kids bury them next to each other?

Just when you think the stories can't get sadder

Imagine being a five year girl.  Your mother dies.  Your father places you and your seven year old brother in an orphanage.  A year later your brother dies.  I know times were hard back in the 30s.  This illustrates it.

not a 'real' family member...

Really?  Not a 'real' family member?  Your family member adopted him.  That makes him real.  Why not use the term adopted?  He is a half-sibling to your cousins.  I hope you all didn't make him feel like an outsider as he was growing up. 

Lee and Mabel

In 1918, Lee, age 12, ran away with Mabel (same age? listed as a child in article) to Chicago. Their final destination was supposed to be Gebo, WY. Why there? I don't know. Not much information was given about Mabel, but she sounds like a character. She had movie star theatrics and told the authorities 'Of course it's none of your business, but if you want to know, we're going to get married.' Mabel had a picture of a world-famous "movie vampire" with her that she would not surrender. Poor Lee, his father was coming to get him. His girlfriend/fiance didn't seem to care and declared 'there will be some other time' when she and Lee would run away for good.' Apparently the love didn't last as I find Lee married to someone else when he is an adult. Wonder what happened to Mabel.

 

Cemetery Road Trip

I plotted a trip through Oklahoma to visit cemeteries on my way to a family event in Texas.  My family was impressed with my notebook tabbed with towns.  Each town included a map showing the location of the cemetery (if I had information available), a list of people to 'visit', Find-a-Grave photo requests, and library information if obituaries were needed.   I never had time to visit any libraries as once I was on the road and found the first cemetery it hit home just how much time it was going to take just to visit the cemeteries.  I tried to set a flexible schedule to give myself an idea of time as I traveled.  I found that I fell behind and finally had to abandon the idea of visiting the last two cemeteries.

Some directions were wrong due to road changes.  I am not sure if the map of Avard, Oklahoma was wrong or if I was turned around.  (probably the latter)

I also didn't have time to do any Find-a-Grave photo requests as only one cemetery had a map.  No map means I 'get' to walk the cemetery.  I don't mind walking the cemetery on nice days as the headstones are always interesting and I get to wonder about the stories about the people buried there.

It was an interesting day.  I was on some awful roads out in the middle of nowhere, but it was fun and I can't wait to do it again.