Cora Emma (Aiken) Dunham (1891 - 1970)

Born 31 Jan 1891 in Potton, Brome, Quebec, Canada

Ancestors

Died 26 Dec 1970 at age 79 in Barton, Orleans, Vermont, United States

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Biography

Cora Emma Aiken was born in 1891. She was the first child of Edna Hines and her date of birth was recorded on the 1901 census referenced below. Her biological father may have been her mother's first husband Lewis Page, as opposed to Samuel Aiken. Though born in Potton, and recorded there also on the 1901 census, Cora spent most of her childhood across the border in Vermont, initially in Newport.^[1]

Cora lived in Newport, Vt., in 1912 and 1915; in Enosburg Falls in 1918 (husband's War Registration Card); in Barton, Vermont in 1920 and afterwards.

In Newport in 1912, on 23 April, Cora married Charles James Squires.^[2] Cora and Charles had three children (surname Squires):

1. Lawrence Charles, b. 18 June 1912; d. 21 Aug. 1983
2. Jerald Ernest, b. 29 Sept.1913; d. 4 April 1932, and
3. Basil Hugh, b. 1917.

In 1915, Cora and her sister Mary, also from Newport, Vt., headed to Glen Sutton to attend the funeral of their uncle Ammi Sargent (Mr. Sargent's wife Lucretia Aiken was half-brother to Cora and Mary's father Samuel Aiken):

DEATHS REPORTED - A. Sargent, Glen Sutton. Sutton, January 21 (Special) - "The funeral of the late Mr. A. Sargent, who died on January 7th, took place in the Church of the Good Shepard, Glen Sutton, on Saturday, January 9th at 2 o'clock, Rev. W.H. Nicholson officiating. Deceased was about 55 years of age and was a quiet, honest man and a most worthy citizen. He leaves behind his wife, one son, Gaston Sargent, also one brother, Stephen Sargent, of Dunkin. Among those from out of town at the funeral were Miss Mary Aiken and Mrs. Cora Squire of Newport, Vt., Mrs. Viola McKay, and son and Mr. Anson Norris of North Troy, Vt.; Mrs. Delia Reid, Mrs. E. Sargent, Mrs. Harold Crowell, Mr. Daniel Aiken and Mr. Woodall, of Dunkin. The interment was in Dunkin cemetery. Thus another of Glen Sutton's most respected citizens is laid to rest."^[3]

Cora and Charles separated. By 1920, Cora and her three children had moved in with her parents in Barton, Vt.^[4] She was listed as "widowed" though we know Charles moved on with another family.

On 29 Sept. 1928, Cora married Clifton Roland Dunham, in Barton, Vt.^[5] The couple continued to live in Barton, taking care of her three original boys (no additional children). They had all three boys (Lawrence, Gerald and Basil, ages 17, 16 and 13) with them on the 1930 Census.^[6]

In 1940, Cora and Clifton continued to have their youngest son Basil (aged 23) in their household, by that time together with his wife Effie and young children Louise and Jerald (ages 2 and 1 respectively).^[7] Cora's mother Edna Aiken also lived with them in 1940, and presumably until her death in 1943.

Husband Clifton passed away in Barton in 1958.

Cora passed away in 1970, at the age of 79.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ 1901 Canada Census, Province of Quebec, DIstrict 144 (Brome), Sub-District H Division 2 (Potton), Family Nbr. 22, Page 3, Line 12| 1901 Canada Census, "Cora Aikins, Age 10"
2. ↑ Vermont Vital Records, Newport, 1912| Marriage, Aiken-Squires
3. ↑ Sherbrooke Daily Record, Sherbrooke, Que., 1915, January 21
4. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census, State of Vermont, Orleans County, Barton, Page 12B, Line 71| 1920 US Census, "Cora Squires, Age 29"
5. ↑ Vermont Vital Records, Barton, 1928| Marriage, "Dunham-Squires"
6. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census, State of Vermont, Orleans County, Barton, Page13B, Line 94| 1930 US Census, "Cora E Dunham, Age 39"
7. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census, State of Vermont, Orleans County, Barton Town, Page 2A, Line 6| 1940 US Census, "Cora E Dunham, Age 49"
8. ↑ FindAGrave| "Cora Emma Aiken Dunham"