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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.

Monday, May 31, 2010

John Dennis and Isabella McCrillus, Our Great Great Grandparents and Their Hardships.

John Dennis and Isabella McCrillus, Our Great Great Grandparents.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello Family,
And what a find Memorial Day it is. This is the day we remember our dead and therefore a fitting day to write another post honoring the memory of our ancestors that went before us. Today I'd like to tell you more about our Great Great Grandparents John Dennis and Isabelle McCrillus. Today I'd like to share information taken from the Hot Springs Star about the Dennis family.
We begin as always with the Relationship Chart. Below you'll find two charts. The first is for John Dennis' first marriage to Julia Mary Spurlock.

The second chart below is the Relationship Chart for his second wife, our Great Great Grandmother Isabella McCrillus.

The following information is taken directly as written from the local newspaper in Hot Springs, The Hot Springs Star. The dates are given. This reads as a string of tragedies. Put yourself into the mind of our Great Great Grandparents as you read about the last six years of their lives in Hot Springs South Dakota.

September 18, 1891.
Edward, the three year old child of John and Bella Dennis near Cascade, drowned Friday. La Fluche and Colvert, the undertakers, have charge. Burial at Evergreen Cemetery.
The three year old child of John and Bella Dennis, who reside on a ranch south of Cascade, near the Cheyenne River, fell into the river and was drowned on Friday. Full particulars have not been learned, but it is supposed that while playing near it, and before help could arrive, the little one was at last overcome in the water of the Cheyenne. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis had had his heart full of sorrow the past few months we understand, having had sickness in the family for several weeks.
The funeral of the Edward Dennis occurred today from their home at Cascade and was attended by a large number of friends. The remains were interred in the Hot Springs Cemetery.
October 16, 1891
Died in this city on Wednesday, October 14, Mrs. Annie Powell, wife of A.A. Powell. Annie was the daughter of John Dennis and his first wife Julia Spurlock and was born on September 21, 1867. Married 1884. 3 children, 2 of whom have died and a baby of 3 months survives. Funeral was from residence of George Turner. She has been seriously sick for about two weeks.
January 29, 1892.
Died. Infant son of A.A. Powell and Grandson of John Dennis, Wednesday.
February 19, 1891
Died on Saturday, February 14, 1891 at residence of G.A.Turner, Johnny. 2nd son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis. Age 5 years, 8 months and 23 days.
February 23, 1891
Mrs.Sarah Bingham, mother of John Dennis, aged about 75 died at the residents of Charles E Roe whose wife is her granddaughter. Buried the 23rd. Died of pneumonia, Born near Knoxville, Tennessee in 1816. In 1842 married Levi Dennis. Two boys John and Edward were born. In 1846 immigrated to Sullivan Co. Mo. Levi Dennis died three weeks after arrival. There she married Samuel Bingham - 2 girls and 3 boys were born. In 1864 they went to Utah and back to Colorado. Then to Hot Springs in 1880. Mr. Dennis’ family has been singularly afflicted this year, he having lost his mother, Mr. Bingham; his daughter, Mrs. Powell; two younger children and now his grandchild, son of his late daughter who died four months earlier.
January 26, 1896
The wife of John Dennis, Isabel Deanora Helgerson McCrillus dies in Hot Springs.
September 18, 1896
John Dennis, one of Cascade’s most energetic and successful grangers, spent a few days in Hot Springs during the past weeks. Mr. Dennis is suffering considerably from bronchial afflictions and expected to spend the winter in the south for the benefit of his health. The Star sincerely hopes that he will secure relief.
February 19, 1897
Dr. Holmes was called to Cascade Tuesday to attend John Dennis who is seriously ill with pneumonia.

April 16, 1897
Charley Roe came in from Cascade Wednesday for a closed carriage in which to bring John Dennis to Hot Springs in order that he may be nearer his physician. He is suffering from pleurisy and lung affliction and is in a critical condition.
April 28, 1897
John Dennis died in Hot Springs.

Nancy Jane Dennis Roe

After the death of her parents, our Great Grandmother Vesta (then 5 years old) and her 14 year old brother James L. Dennis moved into the home of her 1/2 sister Nancy Jane Dennis and her husband Charles Roe. They lived near Hot Springs along the Cheyenne River in South Dakota.

Vesta Dennis Age 3. Taken at Hot Springs South Dakota in 1895.
Her mother died one year later. Her father died two years after this picture was taken.

Her full brother Joseph L. Dennis appears in the 1920 census living in San Francisco California, living in a lodging house, age 36 and single.

I’m still looking for more information Great Grandmother Vesta’s siblings and their descendants.

Simply,
Victor