Jonathan Cass - Last Will & Testament

Here is the first page of the will for my 7th great grandfather, Jonathan Cass who died September 13, 1745 in Kensington, New Hampshire.

Tabitha (Ring) and Jonathan Cass - marriage

From the book, "Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts by David W Hoyt" is documentation of the marriage of my 7th great grandparents, Tabitha (Ring) and Jonathan Cass on April 10, 1724 in Salisbury, Massachusetts.

John Cass - Last Will & Testament

 Here is the will for my 9th great grandfather, John Cass who died April 7, 1675 in Hampton, New Hampshire.

Mabel (Cass) Daniels Pearce, Bill Pearce and neighbors

After the death of my great grandfather, Fred Owen (Emery) Daniels, my great grandmother Mabel (Cass) Daniels remarried.    I do not know the location or date of the marriage but it was probably prior to 1940.

Here is a photo of my great grandmother, Mabel (far left) along with her 2nd husband, William Pearce (far right).  In between them are several of their neighbors.  I do not know where this photo was taken.

Mary (Ware) and James Hardy Cass - burial

My 2nd great grandparents Mary (Ware) and James Hardy Cass were buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.

Mary Ellen (Ware) Cass was born  February 10, 1861 in Hancock, Waushara County, Wisconsin.  She died March 27, 1921 in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.

Census records prior to 1900 vary from 1850 - 1852 as far as the year James Hardy Cass was born; census records after 1900 indicate he was born in 1851 - I do not know whether the grave marker is in error.     In any event, James Hardy Cass was born October 17, 1850 (or 1851) in Oakland, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.   He died on April 15, 1923 in Norwood Park, Cook County, Illinois.

1920 US Census - James Hardy Cass

Here is the 1920 US Census for my 2nd great grandparents, Mary (Ware) and James Hardy Cass.  Also living in the household was their grandson, Norman Kisow, though the census lists his last name as Cass.   Norman was the son of Ethel (Cass) and Irvin Kisow.

Ethel (Cass) and Elwood Boyer marriage

Ethel Cass, the eldest daughter of my 2nd great grandparent's Mary (Ware) and James Hardy Cass divorced Irwin Kisow shortly after their marriage in 1912.

On September 9, 1914, Ethel married (#1153) her second husband, Elwood Boyer in Berrien County, Michigan.

Like Ethel's brother-in-law, Fred Daniels (my great grandfather - the husband of Mabel Cass), Elwood was also the owner of a garage.

Ethel (Cass) and Irvin Kisow marriage

Ethel Cass, the eldest daughter of my 2nd great grandparent's Mary (Ware) and James Hardy Cass married Irvin Kisow on February 15, 1912 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

The marriage certificate indicates Irvin was living in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, which is probably where they met as Ethel was living in Lake Mills as well, during the 1905 Wisconsin State Census.

Norman Walter Kisow - birth

Ethel Cass, the eldest daughter of my 2nd great grandparent's Mary (Ware) and James Hardy Cass had her first child, Norman Walter Kisow on March 29, 1911 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.   The father was Irvin Kisow. 

The birth certificate lists the last name of the child as "Cass" with no first name.  It also indicates Ethel was living in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.   Apparently she moved back to Fort Atkinson from Lake Mills sometime after the 1905 Wisconsin State Census, which I posted previously.

Mabel Louise (Cass) and Fred Owen (Emery) Daniels marriage

My great grandmother Mabel Louise (Cass) married Fred Owen (Emery*) Daniels on June 8, 1910 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

At this point the lives of my great grandparents merge so you can review the website I created for the family line of my great grandfather, Fred Owen (Emery) Daniels by clicking here.    There are many photos and documents regarding their life as well as the Emery/Daniels bloodline.

*My great grandfather Fred was born an Emery but changed his last name sometime after his mother's marriage to Wilson O. Daniels in 1895.

1910 US Census - James Hardy Cass; 1905 Wisconsin State Census - Ethel Cass

Here is the 1910 US Census for my 2nd great grandparents, Mary (Ware) and James Hardy Cass living in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin along with their youngest daughter, Mabel (my great grandmother).



















Ethel, their eldest daughter may have still been living in Lake Mills, Jefferson County, Wisconsin during the 1910 US Census.    Below is the 1905 Wisconsin Census for Ethel indicating she was a boarder with the "English" family.

James Hardy Cass

Here is a brief mention of my 2nd great grandfather, James Hardy Cass in "The Hancock News" from April 10, 1908.

Dudley Cass - death notice

Here is the death notice from the June 13, 1905 edition of the Janesville Gazette for my 3rd great grandfather, Dudley Cass.

1905 Wisconsin State Census - James Hardy Cass

Here is the 1905 Wisconsin State Census for my 2nd great grandparents (line #42), James Hardy Cass, Mary (Ware) and daughters Ethel and Mabel (my great grandmother) living in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.

Dudley Cass and James Hardy Cass - Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

Here is a directory* listing my 3rd great grandfather, Dudley Cass (right side 2nd from the top) residing at 16 Jefferson and next door his son, my 2nd great grandfather, James Hardy Cass residing at 18 Jefferson in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

 

Here is a satellite photo of the address near the Rock River.




















*From the Fort Atkinson directory 1900 - 1901.

Ethel and Mabel Cass

Here are a couple of photos taken in 1900 at the same photography shoot of Ethel Cass and younger sister, Mabel Cass (my great grandmother) in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.

Ethel Frances Cass was born August 19, 1892 and Mabel Louise Cass was born November 15, 1892. 

Mary "Polly" (Lyford) Cass and Abraham Cass

You can find several family trees online that indicate my 4th great grandmother, Mary "Polly" (Lyford) Cass was born in Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire either in 1773, 1776, 1778 or even 1783.

I haven't found a birth certificate, nor have I found anyone else that has provided evidence as to where they found Polly's birth year.

The 1840 US Census only lists the head of household, (Abraham Cass) along with a column broken down by age of members of the household.    The column "between 60 and 70" doesn't provide enough information to pinpoint the year.

The 1850 US Census states Polly was 72 by the time the census was taken on August 8, 1850, but that appears to be incorrect when compared to the information available on Polly's grave marker.   The census is incorrect for the age of Abraham, so it's anyone guess as to whether or not Polly's age was correct during the 1850 US census.

Another problem is verifying the sequence of children born to Polly's parents, Mary (Hardy) and James Gilman Lyford which would help narrow down the possible year of birth.

I have found written documentation* (below) that only provides Polly's name and marriage to Abraham Cass, but it generally lacks dates of both her birth and marriage.

Regarding the marriage of Polly and Abraham, I have seen two consistent dates: 1803 or 1818.   It's most likely they were married around 1803 as their first child was born prior to 1805.   One of their middle children, Direxia was born in 1814 so it's not likely Polly and Abraham had several children and THEN married.

A little bit of history helps deduce the possible location and date of Polly and Abraham's marriage.   My 4th great grandfather, Abraham Cass, and two of his brothers, Theophilus and Simon helped establish Cassville in Stanstead county, Quebec Province, Canada.   They were known as "The Nine Partners".

Below is an entry from "Forests and Clearings - The History of Stanstead County, Province of Quebec with Sketches of More than Five Hundred Families" Compiled by B.F. Hubbard 1874

  



































The last paragraph of the history of Cassville provided above may help answer how and when the Cass family migrated to Ashtabula County, Ohio

And from the same book, another confirmation of the marriage of Polly and Abraham, but again, no birth or marriage dates.

The Lyford family moved to Stanstead County, Quebec in 1802.   Here is another confirmation (though possibly taken from the same book written by B.F. Hubbard) from  "New England families, genealogical and memorial: a record of the achievements of her people in the making of commonwealths and the founding of a nation, Volume 1 by William Richard Cutter - 1911"

Considering Abraham Cass helped to clear Cassville in 1799 with the "Partners of Nine" and then moved their families to Canada in 1800 and Polly's family moved to Stanstead county in 1802, it's probable they married in 1803 and not 1818.  And while it's possible Polly and Abraham married in New Hampshire, it's more likely they married in Cassville or somewhere in Stanstead county, Quebec Province, Canada.

 *From the "History of the Town of Canterbury, New Hampshire 1727 - 1912 by James Otis Lyford, 1912"

Polly (Lyford) and Abraham Cass - burial

Here is a photo of the grave marker of my 4th great grandparents, Polly (Lyford) and Abraham Cass at the Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.

The marker is shared with Direxia (Cass) and husband, Hiram Turner.   Direxia was the daughter of Polly and Abraham Cass.    More photos and information of Direxia and Hiram can be found here and here.

I do not know when or where Polly was born but she died August 31, 1859.   The marker is difficult  to read and appears to state she was 83 at the time of her death, which would place her birth sometime between September 1, 1775 and August 30, 1776.  I will post more about the possible date and location of Polly's birth tomorrow.   

Another website also indicates* Polly was 83 at the time of her death.  I do not know when the entry was made, but it's possible the contributor was able to read the marker before it became illegible.  

Here is an additional marker for Polly with just her name.

Here are two photos of the additional marker for Abraham.

Abraham was born in Epsom, Merrimack County, New Hampshire on October 5, 1779.   He died in Oakland, Jefferson County, Wisconsin on October 10, 1863.   I have seen family trees online without supporting documentation that indicate he died December 15, 1863 .   The grave marker appears to indicate it was October 10, 1863 and not the December date.

*However, the same website lists Abraham as having been 88 at the time of his death, but he would have been 84.

1860 US Census - Abraham Cass

Here is the 1860 US Census for my 4th great grandfather, Abraham Cass (entry #4) living with his daughter, Direxia and her husband, Hiram Turner.

Abraham and the Turners were living in Oakland, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.     Abraham's wife, Polly (Lyford) had passed away the previous year.  This was the last census for Abraham, prior to his death in 1863.

Abraham and Dudley Cass Wisconsin Land

Here are photos of the land in Jefferson County, Wisconsin purchased by my 4th great grandfather, Abraham Cass and 3rd great grandfather, Dudley Cass.

This photo marks the northwestern  portion of the properties.

The rest of the photos below show the farm land.

The land purchase documents as well as a plat map can be found here.

Hannah (Birge) and Dudley Cass - marriage

Yesterday I found documentation of the month and day of the marriage of my 3rd great grandparents, Hannah (Birge*) and Dudley Cass.    They were married October 14, 1847 in Ashtabula County, Ohio.

The above transcription has an "S" for Dudley's middle name, which was actually Lyford, named after his mother's maiden name.

My previous entry regarding the location and year of their marriage can be found here.

*I have seen two spellings of Hannah's maiden name.   The US census records I looked at for 1830 and 1840 lists her father, Peter and last name spelled 'Birge'   I have seen other census records with the spelling 'Burge'.

1900 US Census - Dudley Cass, James Hardy Cass

Here is the 1900 US Census for my 3rd great grandfather, Dudley Cass and my 2nd great grandparents, Mary (Ware) and James Hardy Cass and their daughters, Ethel and Mabel (my great grandmother).

The Cass family had moved from Hancock, Waushara County, Wisconsin to Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin which is about 5 miles south of where Dudley previously had lived when his family first arrived in Wisconsin in 1847 or 1848.

Dudley was living next door with his daughter, Abbie Curtis.  Dudley's wife Hannah (Birge) had passed away sometime after the 1895 Wisconsin census.  The Dodge/Jefferson county genealogy website indicates Hannah died May 27, 1899.  

Mabel Cass & friends (or family)

Here is a photo of my great grandmother, Mabel Cass (far right) and two other children.  I'm not sure whether they are friends, cousins or what their relationship may have been to Mabel.

This photo was probably taken in the late 1890's or around 1900.

The Cass family moved from Hancock, Waushara County, to Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin sometime after the 1895 Wisconsin Census and prior to the 1900 US Census so I'm not sure where this photo was taken.

1895 - Wisconsin Census - Dudley Cass, James Hardy Cass

Here is the 1895 Wisconsin State Census for my 3rd great grandfather, Dudley Cass and 2nd great grandfather, James Hardy Cass (#9 and #10 from the bottom on the right hand page) living in Hancock, Waushara County, Wisconsin.

The census indicates there were 2 living in the Dudley Cass household, which would be wife Hannah (Birge).  Hardy's household of 4 would have been wife Mary (Ware) and daughters Ethel and Mabel (my great grandmother).

Mary (Ware), Mabel, Ethel & James Hardy Cass

Here is a photo of my 2nd great grandparents, Mary (Ware) and James Hardy Cass with daughters Ethel and Mabel (my great grandmother) taken in 1893.

Mabel is sitting on Mary's lap and Ethel is standing between her parents.    The family was still residing in Hancock, Waushara County, Wisconsin.

Mary (Ware), James Hardy Cass and Ethel Cass

Here is a photo of my 2nd great grandparents, Mary (Ware), James Hardy Cass and daughter Ethel while they were living in Hancock, Waushara County, Wisconsin.

Based upon the apparent age of Ethel, this photo was probably taken between 1888 - 1890.

1885 Wisconsin Census - James Hardy Cass

Here is the 1885 for my 2nd great grandfather, James Hardy Cass living in Hancock, Waushara County, Wisconsin.

The census lists 3 people living in the Hardy Cass household which would have been Hardy's wife Mary (Ware) and eldest daughter Ethel.

I haven't been able to locate the same census record for my 3rd great grandfather, Dudley Cass who would have been living in Hancock, Wisconsin as well during 1885.

1880 US Census - Dudley Cass & 1870 US Census - Hardee Cass

Here is the 1880 US Census for my 3rd great grandparents, Hannah (Birge) and Dudley Cass, still living in Hancock, Waushara County, Wisconsin.


























My 2nd great grandfather, James Hardy Cass isn't listed as a member of the household.   He would marry Mary Ware the following year.   The Ware family was also still living in Hancock (the following census page) but Mary was not listed.

I did find another 1870 US Census for a Hardee Cass living a few miles away in Plainfield, Wisconsin, which is only a few miles from Hancock.     This Hardee is listed as being 18 years old.   The 1870 Census posted yesterday indicated Hardy was 17.

Hardy was already listed as living with his parents in Hancock on the 1870 US Census  as of June 22nd before the Plainfield census was conducted on July 15th..     I'm not sure whether this is the same James Hardy Cass and he just moved within that time frame, but looking through the 1880 Census in Plainfield, Wisconsin I still couldn't locate his or Mary's whereabouts.