.

Here, gathered in our beloved South Dakota, are a few members of our Williamson / Mattson Clan. Charles and Luella are to be blamed (be kind, they didn't know what they were doing). We're generally a happy bunch and somewhat intelligent (notwithstanding our tenuous grasp on reality). I'm also proud to say that most of us still have our teeth.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

George Williamson's Homestead Patent

The Family of George and Margaret Williamson.
Our Great Grandfather William is the first on the back row (L to R).

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello Williamsons!
Today at the Fortress we're going to look at copies of documents graciously sent by cousin Carol Good Stephenson. In the letter accompanying the documents Carol wrote:
A couple of years ago I requested the file for George Williamson's Dakota Territory Homestead Patent from the National Archives. I had taken a class at our community college which showed me how to do that. I thought you might like to read the pages too.
The Homestead Patent is below. Please remember to click on the documents to enlarge. We begin with the announcement in the newspaper. Notice it says "Dakota Territory". South Dakota was made a State in 1889. Williamsons have therefore been a part of South Dakota's history since before Statehood.

And now the Patent. This document was written in George Matthew Williamson's own hand. As a teacher let me say that I'm impressed with his penmanship.




I'd like to thank Carol for sending the this document of family history. If you have photographs or documents relating to family history please send me copies for posting (or have someone that knows computers scan the documents and send the files).

Simply,
Victor

A Short Post on our Great Grandfather Walter Edwin Pierce

One of the few picture surviving of Walter Edwin Pierce
He and Great Grandmother Vesta divorced when Violet and Walter Junior here very young.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove.

Hello All,
This is a short post giving you additional information on our Great Grandfather, Walter Edwin Pierce. Walter was Grandma Violet's father.

Eldora Elizabeth Fiddler and Edwin Sherman Pierce
to
Walter Edwin Pierce and Vesta Althea Dennis
to
Violet Mae Pierce and Walter Albert Mattson
to
Luella, Linda, John and Marvin
to
Us

You'll see in the information below that Walter had several brothers and sisters. You'll also notice that many of them were born in Cascade, South Dakota - just a few miles outside of Hot Springs. I'm guessing that any Pierce found in the Hot Springs area today is a cousin.

Edwin S. Pierce. B. 9 May 1862 in Illinois. Died 1919.
married 31 August 1884 (Hardin Iowa).
Eldora Elizabeth Fiddler. B. 22 Feb. 1859 in Williams Hardin Iowa. Died 2 Sept. 1912 Hot Springs South Dakota.


The Children of Edwin and Eldora:

Walter Edwin Pierce. B. 23 August 1885. Bloomington, South Dakota

Ora Joslyn Pierce. B. 2 June 1887. Bloomington, South Dakota

Frances Herert Pierce. B. 27 Feb. 1889. Cascade Springs, South Dakota

Mattie May Pierce. B. 23 Feb. 1891. Casecade Springs, South Dakota

Henry Raymond Pierce. B. 11 Dec. 1892. Cascade Springs, South Dakota

Dallas Glenn Pierce. B. 17 Sept. 1894. Cascade Springs, South Dakota

Eldora Rose Pierce. B. 17 Feb. 1901, Cascade Springs, South Dakota.

One item of interest is Walter's Draft Registration Card from 1918 pictured below (Click to Enlarge)