The Weston family and the Dolan families continued to interact as each went about the business of life. Ferris in particular seemed to enjoy working at each Dolan farm. Each of the Weston sons completed their farrier and blacksmithing apprenticeships in good order and earned their horses.
Ferrell supported his son Joe in getting his new farm up and running. Joe and Mary were married in 1824. There son, Hank, was born in 1826. Ferrell, Julia and Ferris attended the marriage of James Dolan. Each of the Weston sons progressed in their occupational growth, with assistance from Ferrell.
The Weston sons each worked through their apprenticeships as farriers and as blacksmiths. They also each earned the horses to start their own here that were a part of the Weston family tradition. Ferrell and Julia enjoyed in participating in the Dolan family wedding.
Ferrell Weston monitored the war situations closely but also worked hard to protect and support his family. His wife was pregnant and they hoped for a girl. American naval forces defeated the British on the Great Lakes followed by land force victory at the Battle of the Thames.
The fever had devastating effects on the Marietta and nearby communities. Ferrell and Julia lost their daughter to it. The Embargo Act closed down local shipbuilding and Ferrell had to rely on his farming for subsistence. As years passed, the steamboat brought life back to the community. Then war.
Ferrell made some ornamental iron pieces that made their way to the Blennerhassett Island mansion, though he never got to see it. Ferrell and William went back to retrieve the horses Ferrell had left behind. Ferrell and Julia had second child, a girl. They named her Rosetta.
One of the many families Ferrell and Julia Weston got to know in their new community was the Dolan family, William, Catherine and their three young children. By the end of 1803, both Catherine and Julia were pregnant. Although Catherine lost her baby, Julia gave birth to a healthy son.
During his first year in the area, Ferrell was careful to get to know as many people as possible to make his services known to them. He joined the volunteer militia. He did work for Joseph Barker. He bought his farm from Ephraim Cutler. He supported the Coonskin Library.
This begins the Ferrell Weston family story in the area of Marietta, Ohio, at the opening of the 1800s in America. The Northwest Territory had only recently opened to settlement in Ohio, and Ferrell wanted to be a part of process with his wife, Julia.
Charles Weston had two sons, Orin and Oliver who followed in his trade of farrier and blacksmith. They each had their own growing horse herd per family tradition. Oliver met new friends.
This episode wraps up the 40 episodes series where the focus of attention has been Levi Weston and his family in "The Homeplace Saga" series of family saga, historical fiction stories.
Jacob Weston had passed away in Jefferson City. Levi, Alfred and Otis went to the funeral and life celebration. Levi spoke to the newspaper on his return to Oak Springs. Holidays were celebrated.
Levi watched his extended family grow, as change was going on around the entire country. Alex McDonald become Editor of the Oak Springs Enterprise. The economy was moving in the right direction.
The passing of an early pioneer in the valley was mourned by the entire community. Life moved on, of course, including marriages and birthdays. Some young people were taking on more responsibilities.
Trey and Rebecca had a baby girl just before the 4th of July Celebration. The town was feeling the effects of the Panic of 1882 but not as bad as other parts of the country.
Births, marriages, death and mortality were on the minds of local citizens as spiritual issues also arose in the community. The people each reacted to the events in their own ways.
Levi served as a judge at the fair horse competition in 1881. He and his nephews considered their breeding plans. A new church was formed in town. Levi and his friends revived their Book Club.
Levi and Otis Weston enjoyed the fine spring day by taking a walking tour of their neighborhood. Anniversaries were celebrated by many of the businesses in Oak Springs. Changes occurred at churches.
Levi Weston noticed the changes in Oak Springs as 1880 turned to 1881. The new Town Marshall made a difference in community security. Trey Parks took a bride and the entire family celebrated.
The Oak Creek Valley Fair was held in Oak Springs on Saturday, August 7, 1880. The Weston men each entered one of their Morgan horses in the animal competition at the fair, their first fair entries.
Levi and Otis participated in community events as they worked their trade as farriers. The visited the Sales Office on their first anniversary. Levi worked hard for the new Chamber of Commerce.
Levi Weston regularly visited with businesses and business owners in Oak Springs. Here, he visits with Owen Olson, the Wilhite Drug on their first anniversary in town, and the bank with a new clerk.
Levi Weston was active in establishing a Chamber of Commerce in Oak Springs. His nephews, Alfred and Otis, had committed to pursuing their careers in Oak Springs. A Methodist Church was being formed.
The year of 1860 brought more changes to the Weston families. Both Josh and George entered their farrier apprenticeships during the year. The young folks became accustomed to going off to school.
Prairie City grew from a cabin and a tavern in the mid-1850s. It became the closest town to the Weston farm. A school was built near the farm. The wedding highlighted the holiday season in 1859.
The Kinnick and Pirtle families continued to play prominent roles in the Davis County, Iowa, communities during the 1870, 1880, 1890 decades and beyond. We examine some specific contributions.
The John Kinnick family settled in Davis County Iowa. But after a few years, some members of the family sought new opportunities in Missouri. Some traveled between the two states multiple times.
In 1888 the Joseph Kinnick family and their traveling companions arrived in Montana from central Iowa. Each family went their own way once they arrive in Billings, along the Yellowstone River.
In 1872 the Joseph Kinnick family was among several fellow travelers from north-central Illinois to arrive at the Arbor Hill village in eastern Adair County Iowa, about 50 miles west of Des Moines.
The maturity of the Wash Kinnick family was shown in several marriages in a short time period. Some of these new family sought to seek their futures in new land being settled to the north and the west
Taylor County in southwest Iowa was the destination as our Kinnick, Weston and other families trekked across Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa in their covered wagons to seek a new home for their families.
This episode of our ongoing stories continues the William B. Kinnick family story in Dallas County Iowa including grandson Nile Kinnick who would eventually win the Heisman Trophy in football - U Iowa
The William Kinnick family, along with the Michael Weston family, moved from Johnson County, Indiana, to Dallas Couty, Iowa in 1854. Two of the Kinnick sons served the Union army during the Civil War.
Levi Weston realized that Oak Springs was on the verge of many more changes as he looked around his shop and farm in 1879. New things were coming and old things were fading away.
Levi Weston returned to Oak Springs in the spring of 1878 with his two nephews, Alfred and Otis in tow. He had them work at several different tasks in the Weston and Parks businesses. Would any work?
The Weston family tried to concentrate on their farming operation, but national news kept interfering with their peace and tranquility. Jake left for the Colorado gold fields. Then the 1860 election.
This episode continues the story of Levi Weston and his family in Missouri. From Ohio to St. Louis, then to Jefferson City, this Weston family shares the story of this part of the American frontier.
Jake Weston returned to the Weston farm after a long absence. He was welcomed back but with some skepticism by some. His children were pleased to have him return. Was life really back to normal?
Life continued to grow and progress around the Weston families and they adapted to their new situation. Hank and Melinda welcomed a second boy to their family. Everyone pitched in to help out.
Hank and Melinda had a boy they named Nathan in the Spring of 1853. Jake and Hannah had their third child, a girl they named Laura. However, Hannah didn't survive her ordeal and Jake blamed himself.
The Weston families settled into their farm in Jasper County, Iowa, at mid-century while others sought gold in California. A major flood visited the nearest useful town, cutting off the news.
The three Weston family wagons and accompanying animals made the trek from Marietta, Ohio to Jasper County, Iowa, in mid summer of 1849 in fairly orderly fashion for travel of the time.
Hank and Melinda finished their years at Oberlin, got married in Georgia, and returned to Ohio to join the move west. The rest of the extended family was growing, and preparing for the move also.
Hank Weston found a new and fascinating life when he went off to Oberlin College to further his education in northern Ohio in the fall of 1845. He met a new girl. Visits home brought signs of change.
Let's follow the lives of two sons of Ferrell, son of Fred, descendant of Thomas Weston. Ferrell had two sons, named Joe and Jake. Joe had a son named Hank. Let's see where he takes this family.
Levi Weston was able to obtain the expected answers to his questions on his return to Oak Springs. These encouraged Hiram and Trey Parks to open their two businesses in the community during the year.
Levi Weston worked with Karl King and other clients in the Oak Creek valley from his shop and acreage in Oak Springs. He was involved in many community activities but stayed in touch with his family.
Levi Weston enjoyed attending the Oak Springs monthly social event known as “Fourth Sunday.” It had grown out of the practice of Jake Patton and the other first pioneers in the valley dating from their arrival in the late spring of 1833. Those...
The Levi Weston series of family saga, historical fiction stories resumes with a status report on his extended family as well as the celebration of an important event in the life of one young man.
With 65 episodes of the Weston Wagons West suite of historical fiction, family saga stories now available, the article provides an update of both the current status and what to see in the future.
In the spring of 1852, Martie Weston and J.P. Preston made their next move west by joining the Hedrick group crossing Iowa to join up with a wagon train headed for the California Gold Fields.
Some of the families on the wagon train from North Carolina settled down in Indiana while others decided it was time move on west to new territory in Iowa. The Weston family built their wagons.
In 1850, George and Hannah and more of their family finally decided to join the early movers to Indiana. With ten wagons and nearly 50 people they crossed the Cumberland Gap for a fresh farm start.
The years passed in North Carolina for both the David Weston and the John Kinnick families. The lure of the west began to generate family migrations of the second and third generations of the family.
This article features descendants of Percival (Pierce) Butler as recalled by John Preston through family correspondence and news reports. William Orlando Butler, the most famous, is highlighted.
Roger and John Weston followed the career of Pervical (Pierce) Butler closely. John followed him to Kentucky and moved with him once, within Kentucky. We first meet William Orlando Butler.
The Westons kept up correspondence with the Butler family regarding Richard, Thomas and Edward, who served together during the Indian Wars in the Northwest Territory following the Revolutionary War.
While the local news reports had regular stories of the exploits of the four, and later five, sons of Thomas Butler, the gunsmith, there was little information about the other three Butlers, the nephews of Thomas (sons of James). However, Roger did...
The historical fiction family saga continues with Roger Weston observing the activities of the Butler family in the Revolutionary War. Both families grow and prosper and life takes its strange turns.
From Beverly, Massachusetts, Phillip Weston went by sea to New Jersey. His son, Roger, helped build the family business, then, went west for a new life in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
One generation succeeded another as the years rolled by for our families. Some moved on to Iowa, while others grew and expanded near their Illinois homes. All found fulfillment in their lives.
Following the Civil War each of families began to take on their own directions. Even though some stayed nearby and some moved away, things were never quite the same as the families each matured.
The second decade of your families living in Bureau County, Illinois, saw the Civil War impact their lives in very personal ways. Marriages, births, and deaths continued unabated, however.
Arly Weston and most of the Triplett family went by wagon train from near Batesville, Ohio, to near Monmouth, in Warren County, Illinois. They were happy to be in their new location.
Jasper Weston along with the Kinnick, Fletcher, Mercer family and others floated down the Ohio River on their way to their new land in Illinois. Tragedy and triumph followed them on their journey.
The Weston family and each of the Kinnick siblings' families grew as life moved on for them in Belmont County, Ohio, and beyond. Some sought to seek their fortunes and future further to the west.
It took some time, but the Kinnick family along with Karl Weston began to feel at home in Morristown, Belmont County, Ohio. The James Dallas family was instrumental in helping them find their way.
This hub concludes this series of stories of Levi Weston in Oak Springs. The series, The Kings of Oak Springs, includes Levi starting in 1876. Time will tell if more Levi stories are included here.
The year 1870 found Levi Weston fully back into his place in the community of Oak Springs in the southern Missouri Ozarks providing necessary services and as a respected member of the community.
Despite some weather delays, Levi Weston made his return to Oak Springs following the war successfully and fell back into a new normal set of routines that caused him to feel right at home.
Levi Weston found that the year 1868 was the turning point as he observed the population of Oak Creek Township continue to grow. An order to build two "school coaches" on arrival tipped the scale.
Levi Weston monitored closely the return of many of his friends to Oak Creek Township and Oak Springs to start their lives anew. By the end of 1867, Levi was beginning to ponder his own return soon.
Levi Weston learned of the specific plans of many of his friends and neighbors as they planned their return to Oak Creek Township and the town of Oak Springs following devastation in the Civil War.
With Lincoln's re-election, plans began for the folks who had left Oak Springs as the war began to make a return to the valley in coming months and years. Early information returned positive results.
After relative quite on the war front in Levi Weston's life, 1864 saw the war heat up and come very near to Jefferson City and all his friends and family. Price's Raid was eventually unsuccessful.
Oak Springs exiles in Jefferson City received word of their family members serving in the war. Except for areas of guerilla warfare, Missouri saw no major military activities as life events continued.
It was hard but necessary for Levi Weston and the McDonald family to leave the Oak Creek valley. Henry and Alex stayed behind to "protect their property." They made Jefferson City without incident.
Wanting to enjoy life in his new community, Levi, like everyone else, was caught up in effects of war violence around the State of Missouri as the Civil War began in earnest.
In his early months in Oak Springs, Levi Weston worked on multiple projects to meet his goals and establish his own reputation for fine and dependable work. He continued to meet new people.
Levi and his brother, Ezra, arrived in Oak Springs and were treated to Ozarks hospitality as they became familiar with the community. Too soon, Ezra boarded the coach back to Jefferson City.
As the summer of 1857 approached, Levi Weston prepared for his move to Oak Springs as significant family events also occured. New father, brother Ezra, decided to accompany Levi on the trek south.
Levi Weston rode south with Jake Patton to visit and evaluate Oak Springs as a potential home for his woodworking shop and horse breeding passion. While there they met several area residents.
Levi Weston built a two-seat carriage for Jake Patton and many others. He continued to mentor his two younger brothers. Jake Patton arranges meetings with Oak Springs residents for Levi.
Levi Weston continued to meet a wide variety of people. Spending time with Beth Davis changed Levi's life forever. Jake Patton maneuvered Levi along with many others to satisfy his visionary approach
As Jacob's various business interests continued to grow, Levi first learned of the Oak Creek valley which would eventually become his home. Building carriages played a key roll in Levi's future.
Jacob Weston and his colleagues grew their businesses and their families in the St. Louis area. As Jacob's family grew they chose to make the move west to Jefferson City, the capital city of Missouri.
Update Two provides information and renumbering information on the first 27 hubs in this series and discusses both future hubs and related stores of interest.
This story chronicles life of the Kinnick, and Weston, families in North Carolina from 1792 into the 1830s living along the Yadkin River near the Daniel Boone residence a generation earlier.
Military actions of the War of 1812 occurred just a few miles from where the Kinnick and Weston families were trying to get on with their lives near Bryantown, Maryland. Then, on to Ohio.
War-weary Sergeant Major William Kinnick returned to his Maryland plantation following his three years of service to meet new family members as well as many other family and friend well-wishers.
Cyrus Weston shared this story of his friend, Sergeant Major William Kinnick, during his three years of military service in the Maryland Line of the Continental Army in their Northern Campaign.
View portions of the early Revolutionary War through the eyes of William Preston - a prisoner of war twice - by Indians and by British - who survived to live to raise a big family and live a long life
Members of the Weston and Preston families move from Beverly, Massachusetts, to Chester, New Hampshire, to Rumney, New Hampshire, to seek a better life as they live out their American dreams.
The oldest of the three Weston brothers, from England, migrated to Salem, Massachusetts, and interacted in this fictional episode with ancestors of the author. Roger Conant and his family welcome him.
As war with Britain became a reality to the colonists of Maryland, the Weston and Kinnick families coped with uncertainty as the children grew older. Specific steps taken portend the future for them.
Theo Weston, Jasper Kinnick and William Kinnick found their place in the Maryland colony in the mid-eighteenth century. Yes, this William Kinnick was the 3rd great-grandfather of Nile Kinnick, Heisman
The Kinnick brothers went off to war in the Caribbean and return to Maryland alive. With the help of their friend, Theo Weston, they became tenant planters near Bryantown, in Charles County, Maryland.
The Weston and Brightwell children grew, married and raised their families in the early 1700s. Jasper Kinnick arrived at Poplar Hill and changes followed in the family dynamics of your characters.
Children were born to both Keith and Richard during these two decades as the men built their careers. Big plans came to a tragic end for Captain Richard Brightwell and his family.
Jacob Weston learned the wagon building trade, married, had his first son, Levi, and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to start a new life in a new state. Read this adventure in the continuing series.
Charles Weston left Ohio for Mercer County, Illinois, where he started a new life near the Duncans. Martie and J.P.Preston visited Charles and his family on their way to the California Gold Fields.
Change dominated life in both the Weston and the Preston families as the nineteenth century passed the mid-way point. New ways and new places were on the horizon for many family members.
Truman Weston moved from Defiance to St. Joseph Township, in Williams County, Ohio, at the same time as the William Preston family. These historical fiction family saga stories follow historic facts.
Truman Weston accompanies the Preston brothers from Piqua to Fort Defiance in northwest Ohio to start a new life in what is still mostly wilderness and under-developed by white settlers.
The Weston, Preston, and Ewing families seek to determine what their future will hold as Indian and political factors change with the conclusion of the War of 1812 in Northwest Ohio and Indiana.
War continued on the horizon as the Fred Weston family grew on their Ohio homestead. New people moving into Miami County have a profound effect on the future of the family and the region.
Fred Weston, a great-grandson of Thomas Weston, moves with his young wife from Virginia to Ohio and experiences the uncertainties of frontier life while Indian hostilities were still very real.
This Update Hub summarizes the first six hubs and places future hubs in this series in context. It introduces the four groups used to organize the Weston Wagons West series of short stories.
Keith Weston grew closer to Captain Richard Brightwell as the 1670s turn into the 1680s. He located his own plantation near Poplar Hill owned by Brightwell and continued to supply horses to him.
Coming of age, Keith Weston found the adventures of Thomas Trueman, and especially Richard Brightwell, as Horse Soldiers, patrolling the frontiers of Colonial Maryland quite compelling.
James Weston's businesses grew in the Maryland Colony during the 1650s into the 1660s. James and his family interacted with others growing with the colony as well. Son Keith began his adventure.
James Weston welcomed his sister and her family to Maryland, but they arrived with unexpected guests in 1641. The businesses James had nurtured so carefully grew and prospered in the environs.
James Weston, third son in his English family, took his horses and farrier tools to the Maryland Colony in 1640 in search of his own fortune, forsaking his father's wagon manufacture business.
Three brothers arrived in America with great expectations, two horses, and their farrier tools. Future stories follow them and their descendants in their westward movements across the new continent.