Frances (Gibson) Eller (abt. 1857 - 1926)

Ancestors

Wife of Albert J Aldrich — married 2 Jul 1917 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States

Descendants

Died 20 Mar 1926 at about age 69 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kathy Ainsworth [send private message]

Frances Gibson Eller - seated Grand Daughter Frances Hornbeck Krum and Daughter Josephine Eller Hornbeck Great Granddaughter Celia Krum on lap

Frances was born 15 Dec 1860 In Freehold, New York, the 6th and final child of John Francis Gibson and Helen Mandigo.

There is conflicting information about the date of birth for Frances. In 1875 we find Frances enumerated in three different households. In each enumeration her age is stated as 18 years. That would make her birth year 1857. The 1870 and the 1900 Census show her birth to be Dec 1859. However, I believe that the birth information found on her death certificate is her actual birth date. Her death certificate shows 15 Dec 1860 as her date of birth. I believe this to be her true birth date for the following reasons:

• Frances is not listed in the 1860 census. Had she been born prior to the enumeration, she should have been listed.
  
• Her brother Clarence is listed in the 1860 census age 4/12. There would be time for her mother to have another child at the end of 1860.
  
• The 1870 and 1900 Census indicate her birth as Dec 1859.
  

Since we have no birth document or baptismal document, we are currently analizing the information at hand. Additional research is being done to find additional records.

11 Oct 1862 - Helen Mandigo Gibson is burned to death at age 31 according to a handwritten note found in the Hornbeck Family Bible. Helen does not appear in any records after this date. Research is continuing in an attempt to find confirming documents.^[1]

Artifact - Handwritten Note - Family Births and Deaths recorded by Frances Gibson Eller Aldrich

The death of mother Helen and father John fighting in the Civil War, tears the family of young children apart. We find the children separated into several different households over the next few years. Details of each childs location can be found in each of their personal biographies.

1 Jul 1865 - It appears Frances is probably the adopted daughter referred to as "Laney Goetschius" living with Peter and Sarah Becker Goetschius in Catskill, NY. We find this listiing in the 1865 State of New York Census. Sarah is the sister of Garrett Becker who marries Helen Mandigo Gibson's sister Louisa. I have not found any documents showing that Peter and Sarah had any "biological" children.

1865 Census: Catskill, Green, NY, page 74, enumerated 1 Jul 1865 -. Goetschius, Eda, 70, b Greene, now widowed.
Goetschius, James, 44, son, b Greene, single.
Goetschius, Biglow, 27, son, b Greene, single.

Goetschius Peter, 49, b Greene, married now married, farmer.
Goetschius, Sarah, 42, wife, b Greene, married, now married.
Goetschius, Loath, 9, a son, b Greene [adopted].
Goetschius, Laney, 7, a daughter, b Greene [adopted].
Cisco, Joseph, 66, black, b NJ, laborer.
Cisco, Clarrsia, 60, black, wife, b Greene.
Cisco, John, 20, black, son, b Greene, army.
Cisco, Rufus, 18, black, son, b Greene, army.

Prior to 1866 father John Gibson remarries widow Lucinda Edwards and a blended family begins as the family settles in Fallsburg, Sullivan County, New York.

7 Jul 1870 - Young Frances is listed as "Fannie Gibson" in the 1870 Census and is still living with Peter and Sarah Goetchius in Catskill, Greene County, New York.

1870: Catskill, Greene, NY, page 105 - enumerated 7 Jul 1870.
Goetchius Ada, 73, female, keeping house, 800, b NY.
Goetchius Peter M, 54, male, farmer, b NY.
Goetchius Sarah, 47, female, keeping house, 8000, 800, b NY.
Gibson, Fannie, 11, female, b NY.
Johnson Martha, 19, female, black, domestic servant, b NY.
Benton, Elizabeth, 35, female, black, domestic servant, b NY.
Benton, Mary, 2, female, black, b NY.
Perry, Samuel, 25, male, white, farm laborer.^[2]

1870 Census - Fanny Gibson

It is very interesting to note that in the 1875 State of New York Census, Frances is found enumerated 3 times! It is strange that she would be enumerated back with the Goetchius family after she appears to have married David Eller.

• 3 Jun 1875 - Frances is enumerated with her father and step mother in Fallsburgh, New York. NOTE: This is the only census we find Frances enumerated with her father.
  
• 9 Jun 1875 - Now Frances is enumerated with husband David Eller in household of David's father Jacob Eller.
  
• 5 Jul 1875 - Fanny is enumerated with Peter and Sarah Goetchius in Catskill, Greene County, New York. ^[3]
  
  

3 Jun 1875
1875 State Census: Fallsburgh, Sullivan Cty, NY, pg. 3: enumerated 3 jun 1875.
GIBSON, John, age 46, born in Greene Cty;.
Lucinda, age 36, born in Ulster Cty, wife;.
Louilla, age 21, born in Greene Cty, daughter;.
Fannie age 18, born in Sullivan Cty, daughter;.
Rosella EDWARDS, age 11, step-daughter, born Sullivan cty;.
Hellen age 8, step-daughter, born in Sullivan Cty.

9 Jun 1875.
1875: Fallsburg, Sullivan, NY: enumerated 8 Jun 1875.
David, 25, farmer, NY.
Fannie, 18, NY.
next door to David's father Jacob.

5 JUL 1875.
1875: Catskill, Greene, NY, page 8 - enumerated 5 Jul 1875.frame, 10,000.
Peter M Goethius, 59, male, b greene county, married, farmer, owner of land.
Sarah Goetchius, 42, female, wife, b greene county, married.
Fanny Gibson, 19 [note - the enumerator made a mess of this line - wrote Fanny Goetchius then over the top wrote Fanny Gibson]. listed as grand daughter, b sullivan cty, single [looks like attempt to erase "grand"], age [?].
Ward D Becker, 19, male, nephew, b greene, farm laborer. (probably a nephew)
Silas Milford, 64, male, black, servant, b Albany Cty, farm laborer.
Ann Johnson, 25, female, black, cook, b dist Columbia. ^[4]

The mystery continues as to why Frances is again enumerated with the Goetchius family after it appears she has married David Eller. Was she really in the household on the day the enumerated came calling?

Documentation for the marriage of David Eller and Frances Gibson has not yet been found. Research continues. It appears that this couple settled in the community of Woodbourne among the Eller family members.

Apr 1877 - baby daughter Sarah dies. There is an assumption that baby Sarah was named after Sarah Becker Goetchius whom appears to have raised Frances.

8 Dec 1877 - Daughter Josie is born in Woodbourne, New York. It is possible that Josie was named after David's sister Josephine.

14 Feb 1880 - Daughter Elizabeth is born in Woodbourne, New York. It is possible that Elizabeth was named after David's sister Elizabeth.

26 JUN 1880 - 1880 Federal Census - Fallsburg, Sullivan, NY:
David, 30, farmer;.
Fannie, wife, 22;.
Josie, daughter, 2;.
Lizzie, daughter, 3/12;.
Josephine, sister, 22;.
Jacob, brother, 35.^[5]

31 Jan 1884 - Daughter Emma is born.

17 May 1889 - Son Benjamin is born in Woodbourne, New York.

12 JUN 1900 - 1900 Federal Census - Ellenville, Wawarsing, Ulster, NY:
David, 50, b May 1850, m 25 yrs, farmer, rents;.
Francis, wife, 40, b Dec 1859, m 25 yrs, 5 children, 4 living,.
Emma, daughter, 16, b Jan 1883/4, single;.
Benjamin, son, 10, b May 1890, single.^[6]

1905 - 1905 New York State Census - Ellenville, Wawarsing, Ulster, NY: 2nd district, vol 2, sheet 754, line 20.
David, head, 57;.
Fannie, wife, 46;.
Emma, daughter, 21;.
Benj, son, 15.
Family living on Church Street.

21 Apr 1910 - 1910 Federal Census - Liberty Village, Liberty Town, Sullivan, New York: sd 4, ed 140, sheet 6A, family 138.
Eller, Frances, head, female, white, age 51, m1 34 years, 5 children 4 living, b NY, parents b NY, nurse, working out.^[7]

Husband David is found in the household of daughter Emma Eller DeVoe living in Walden, Orange County, New York, employed as a day laborer.

20 Aug 1913 - Son Benjamin dies of tuberculosis at age 24

7 Apr 1914 - Husband David Eller is killed by a train while on his way to visit a daughter and Frances identifies the body.

1915 - 1915 State of North Dakota Census:
This census shows Frances enumerated with her brother and nephews.
Gibson, William F.
Gibson, Nathaniel M.
Gibson, Melvin H.
Gibson, Calvert M.
Eller Frances.

Frances with brother Melvein in North Dakota

2 Jul 1917 - Frances marries Albert J. Aldrich and moves to Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan where she remains until her death. It is interesting to note that on the marriage documentation, she is listed as residing in Liberty, Sullivan County, New York. Nothing has yet been discovered as to how Albert and Frances met, however, there are indications that Albert's family had some sort of connection to Liberty. Still searching.

Marriage Register - Frances Gibson Eller to Albert Aldrich

In this marriage register, Frances names her parents - Frances Gibson and Helen Granby. Her mother's maiden name is actually Mandigo. Helen's mother was Frances Hyatt who married (1) Samuel Mandigo. After Samuel's death, Frances married (2) Alexander Granby. The Grandchildren only knew her as Grandmas Granby, thus granddaughter Frances's mistake of thinking her mother's maiden name was Granby.

5 Mar 1919 - Daughter Emma Eller DeVoe dies. Research is ongoing to find death record and obituary. Cause of death is still unknown.

9 Jan 1920 - 1920 Federal Census - Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States - Prec 12, ward 1, sd 5, ed 36, sheet 7B. house number 451, dwelling 141, family 153
Aldrich Albert, head, rent, male, white, 61, married, can read and write.
Aldrich, Francis, wife, female, white, 59, married, can read and write. ^[8]

20 Mar 1926 - Frances dies from liver cancer at the home of daughter Elizabeth Cross, 1104 Evergreen Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Death Certificate - Frances Gibson Eller Aldrich

22 Mar 1926 - Frances is buried at Fairplains Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan in tier 15, grave 5, block X, north of and next to Nellie and John Mieras. There is no tombstone. For several years, great granddaughter, Kathy Champagne-Ainsworth remembers a large urn used to mark Frances's grave which was filled with red gardenias each Memorial Day. Once year when the she and her parents went to fill the urn, it was missing. ^[13][14]

Obit: 20 March 1926:
Aldridge, Mrs. Francis Aldridge, 65, passed away Saturday morning at the home of her daughter Mrs. Elizabeth Cross, 1104 Evergreen St, SE., Surviving are the husband, Mr. Albert Aldridge of 1000 Ottawa Avenue, two daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Cross of this city and Josephine Hornbeck of Liberty, NY. Funeral services Monday afternoon 2 o'clock at the home of her daughter Mrs. Elizabeth Cross, 1104 Evergreen SE, Burial at Fair Plains cemetery.

Obituary for Frances Aldrich found in newspaper - Grand Rapids, Michigan

This obituary that appeared in the newspaper in Liberty, Sullivan County, New York where Frances lived for many years contains a lot more information.

Obituary - Frances Aldrich appearing in paper - Liberty, New York

Documentation has not yet been found to explain why between 1905 and 1910 Frances and David end up living apart. There has been no evidence found showing a divorce. It appears that Frances is a very strong intelligent woman. She is employed as a nurse, travels to North Dakota to visit her brother Melvin, and eventually ends up in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan married to her second husband until her death. She raises her children in the Catholic faith which appears to be important to her.

Frances appeared to be an active member of the community while living in Liberty, New York. She was a member of the woman's organization of the Improved Order of the Red Men, Pocahontas. She was also a Charter Member of the Arrah Wanna Council #178 of Liberty.

Here are a collection of photographs of Frances - in several there are unidentified people. If you happen to know the identity of anyone in any of the photos, please leave a public note or contact great granddaughter, Kathy Champagne-AinsworthChampagne-571

Frances Gibson appears to be photo connected with one of the organizations she belonged to

This photo shows a group of women in front of a "Hoos Bakery" sign. I can identify Frances Gibson Eller and daughter Josie Eller Hornbeck among the group.

Hoos Bakery - Frances Gibson Eller and daughter Josie with unidentified people

Hoos Bakery was located in Livingston Manor, Sullivan County, New York. Here is a link to an article about the fire that destroyed the building.
http://www.recordonline.com/article/20121120/NEWS/121129981

Group including Josephine Eller and Frances Gibson Eller - possibly Arrah Wanna Council

Sources

1. ↑ A handwritten note found in the Hornbeck Family Bible during a research trip in May 1995, states, "mother burned to death 1862 Oct 11 age 31". It is assumed Frances made this entry. (Bible in possession of cousin Gonia Cowan Barton)
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", index and images, FamilySearch (https:/familysearch.org/pat:/MM9.1.1M8NS-1SK : accessed 10 Feb 2014), Fannie Gibson in household of Peter M Goetchins, New York, Unites States; citing p., family 854, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000552439.
3. ↑ Ancestry.com. New York, State Census, 1875 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: Census of the state of New York, for 1875. Microfilm. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
4. ↑ Source Information: Ancestry.com. New York, State Census, 1875 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: Census of the state of New York, for 1875. Microfilm. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
5. ↑ Source: #S126 Fallsburgh, Sullivan County, New York||Fallsburgh, Sullivan Cty, NY; ED 93; pg 34B; dwelling 257, family 264; Fannie Eller; downloaded
6. ↑ Source: #S285 Ellenville Ward 2, Wawarsing, Ulster County, New York||Ellenville Ward 2, Wawarsing, Ulster Cty, NY; ED 145; pg 14 A penned, pg 285 stamped; dwelling 312, family 333; Francis Eller; downloaded
7. ↑ see Population schedule in Media file. Liberty; ed 140; pg 6A penned, pg 102 stamped; dwelling 121, family 138; Frances Eller; downloaded
8. ↑ 1920 Fed Census Prec 12, ward 1, sd 5, ed 36, sheet 7B house number 451, dwelling 141, family 153
9. ↑ DR: Kent County, MI. 12:221 # 418
10. ↑ DR: Michigan Department of Health (viewed on Seeking Michigan) 141 8540 Reg # 428
11. ↑ Obit
12. ↑ Death Extraction - Kent County Hall of Records, Kent County, MI taken 25 Jun 1990 - Book 12, page 221, record #418 Aldrich, Frances, date of death 20 Mar 1926, record lists (male) white married, age 65 yrs 3 mo 5 days, birthplace NY, housewife, Parents - father John Gibson NY, mother unk; cancer of liver, recorded 31 Mar 1926.
13. ↑ Find a Grave, database (findagrave.com : viewed 25 February 2016), memorial page for Frances Gibson, Find A Grave Memorial # 62555079, citing Fairplains Cemetery (Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan), memorial created by maintained by Kathy Ainsworth, photograph by no marker.
14. ↑ obit