Dora (Becker) McPherson (1871 - 1958)

Born 7 Nov 1871 in Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Wife of William Henry McPherson — married 10 Dec 1891 in Posey, Indiana, United States

Descendants

Died 28 Nov 1958 at age 87 in Evansville, Vanderburgh, Indiana, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Isaac McPherson [send private message]

Biography

Dora Becker was born to Charles and Elizabeth (Rebecca?) Becker on November 7th, 1871 in Kentucky.^[1] She married William Henry McPherson on December 10th, 1891 in Posey County, Indiana and had five children with him.^[2][3][4]

She was committed to Evansville State Hospital sometime between 1910 and 1920. She died there on November 28th, 1958, and was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana on December 1st.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

Dora's mother: Elizabeth or Rebecca?

In the 1880 Census, Dora Becker is listed as the daughter of Charles and Lizzie Becker. However, on her death certificate and her marriage record, her mother is listed as Rebecca Hews.^[10] Furthermore, Charles Becker's marriage record lists his bride as Elizabeth Hughes.^[11]

To determine what may be the matter, we need to look at the 1850 Census.

I found an individual by the name of Rebecca E Hews, daughter of Benj (likely Benjamin) and Rosanna Hews, residents of Nelson County, Kentucky. Unfortunately, I could not find the record on FamilySearch, but I found the record on Ancestry, so I'll cite it nonetheless.^[12]

Rebecca's middle name (E) could indicate that her full name was Rebecca Elizabeth Hews (Hughes?). That would explain Charles Becker's marriage record and the 1880 Census (where her name is Lizzie, a diminutive of Elizabeth).

However, there's another individual in the 1850 Census named Elizabeth Hughes, daughter of Charlotte Hughes, resident of Henderson County, Kentucky.^[13] Elizabeth's father is inferred to be Robert Dunning Hughes, whom Charlotte was married to before his death in 1847.^[14] Considering the fact that Elizabeth resided in Henderson County at the same time as Charles Becker, I can't help but find her a likely candidate. But where does that leave Rebecca? Well, Elizabeth's middle name is never indicated in the censuses, so it could easily have been Rebecca. I'm personally inclined to favor Elizabeth Hughes of Henderson as the same woman as Dora's mother.

But, I must say I'm kind of at a loss in regards to the name confusion and the subsequent uncertain identity of Dora Becker's mother. For the time being, her descent must be questioned until further evidence comes to light.

Update:

I looked further into Rebecca Hughes of Nelson County. I believe the evidence is favorable to her not being the same individual who married Charles Becker. I've found that Rebecca E. Hughes (the E. did stand for Elizabeth) married one Wesley Houghlin (alternatively spelled Hougland) on December 28th, 1858 in Bardstown, Nelson County, and had children with him.^[15][16][17]

As such, I believe it is safe to say that Elizabeth Hughes of Henderson County was Charles Becker's wife, and Dora (Becker) McPherson's mother.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCC5-JQT : 14 January 2022), Dora Becker in household of Charles Becker, Henderson, Henderson, Kentucky, United States; citing enumeration district ED 42, sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
2. ↑ Posey County, Indiana; Index to Marriage Record 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vol, W. P. A. Original Record Located: County Clerk's O; Book: C-10; Page: 552
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9MP-J9S : accessed 19 January 2022), Dora Pearson in household of Henry Pearson, Black Township (east & south part excl. Mt. Vernon city), Posey, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 39, sheet 7B, family 130, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,398.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK56-FG8 : accessed 19 January 2022), Henry Mcpherson, Marrs, Posey, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 57, sheet 4B, family 73, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 375; FHL microfilm 1,374,388.
5. ↑ US Census; Year: 1920; Census Place: Evansville Ward 7, Vanderburgh, Indiana; Roll: T625_471; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 95
6. ↑ US Census; Year: 1930; Census Place: Evansville State Hospital, Vanderburgh, Indiana; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0047; FHL microfilm: 2340367
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V1BC-S27 : 5 January 2021), Dora McPherson, Knight Township, Vanderburgh, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 82-105, sheet 14A, line 15, family , Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 1101.
8. ↑ Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1958; Roll: 15 [mother's name doesn't match with census?]
9. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98622960/dora-mcpherson : accessed 19 January 2022), memorial page for Dora McPherson (1874–28 Nov 1958), Find a Grave Memorial ID 98622960, citing Oak Hill Cemetery, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, USA ; Maintained by Thinkin' About Lincoln (contributor 47476634) .
10. ↑ "Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XF4J-569 : 13 January 2020), Rebecca Hews in entry for Henry McPherson, 1891.
11. ↑ "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q288-GR5B : 22 July 2021), Charles E Becker and Elizabeth Hughes, 19 Mar 1866; citing Marriage, Henderson, Henderson, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 576,462.
12. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1850 US Census; Census Place: District 2, Nelson, Kentucky; Roll: 215; Page: 384a
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M65W-HY4 : 19 December 2020), Charlotte Hughes in household of William H Hughes, Henderson, Henderson, Kentucky, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
14. ↑ "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJS-S5Y8 : 9 March 2021), Robert D Hughes and Charlotte Floyd, 1820; citing Marriage, Union, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 562,192.
15. ↑ "Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FW1F-SPK : 23 February 2021), Rebecca E. Hughes in entry for Wesley Houghlin, 1858.
16. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX43-BZT : 29 May 2021), Rebeca Houglin in entry for Wesley Houglin, 1870.
17. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCZY-H1P : 14 January 2022), Rebecca Houghlin in household of Wesley Houghlin, Camp Branch, Letcher, Kentucky, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .