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Mary A. Greathouse Slack

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Mary A. Greathouse Slack

Birth	:	4 Jan 1823 Illinois, USA
Death	:	14 Jul 1889 Hartford, Lyon County, Kansas, USA
Burial	:	Brown Cemetery, Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.1016998, -79.4064026
Description	:	age 65y 5m 16d wife of William Slack MARY's OBITUARY (from Becky Doan) The Emporia [KS] Weekly News, 18 Jul 1889, Thursday Mrs. Mary G. Slack, formerly a resident of Emporia, died at her home in Hartford, July 14th. Mrs. Slack was 65 years of age and was well known in Lyon county, having lived here for a number of years. She had been ill for about ten months previous to her death, and had suffered great bodily pain. Mr. T. H. Harvey and Mrs. W. O. Ferguson, daughters of the deceased, were with her during her last weeks of sickness. The remains were... Read More	age 65y 5m 16d wife of William Slack MARY's OBITUARY (from Becky Doan) The Emporia [KS] Weekly News, 18 Jul 1889, Thursday Mrs. Mary G. Slack, formerly a resident of Emporia, died at her home in Hartford, July 14th. Mrs. Slack was 65 years of age and was well known in Lyon county, having lived here for a number of years. She had been ill for about ten months previous to her death, and had suffered great bodily pain. Mr. T. H. Harvey and Mrs. W. O. Ferguson, daughters of the deceased, were with her during her last weeks of sickness. The remains were sent to Mrs. Slack's old home in Iowa for interment. FAMILY: In the 1860, 1870, and 1880 U.S./Iowa census reports, Mary Slack gives her birthplace as Illinois. In a biography of Mary compiled by Daisy Dutton Ferguson, her granddaughter, Mary's birthplace is listed as Hagerstown, Washington Co., Maryland (src: Lyon Co., Kansas, Historical Society, Emporia, Kansas). Daisy may have confused this with Mary's mother, whose birthplace is given as Maryland by Mary in the 1880 U.S./Iowa census. Her father was born in Kentucky and her mother in Maryland- src: 1880 US/Iowa Census. Mary's father may have been John. S. Greathouse, who served as Adjutant for the Spy Battalion of the brigade formed to fight in the Blackhawk War of 1831 - src.: History of Cass County, by H. Perrin, p. 26.) MARY AND WILLIAM'S LIFE: On 12 July 1842, William married Mary A. Greathouse, who had been born in Maryland. Their first four children, all girls, were born in Illinois, between 1844 and 1850. Between 1849 and 1850, the family emigrated to a farm near Hartford, Iowa. When they first arrived in Polk County, Iowa, they lived with the John Leonard family. The 1850 U.S./Iowa census of Polk County [The northern tier of townships of Warren County were a part of Polk Co. at that time] shows the family as being a part of the Leonard household. Those listed with William (29y) are Mary (26y), Catherine (8y), Mary A. (6y), and Rebecca (ly). Missing is Josephine, who was a little over one year old and may have been left in Illinois with her grandparents, being considered too young to make the trip. Rebecca was most likely only a few months old and had to go with her mother. Their fifth child, John Uriah, was born in Hartford, Iowa, in 1851. William's father, John Slack, and at least a portion of William's siblings, must have emigrated at about the same time. Records show that John purchased lot 1, block 5 in Hartford in 1852. William and Mary and their children moved to Emporia, Kansas in 1866. They stayed only a few years and then returned to Iowa (prior to 1870, because they are listed in the Warren County, U.S./Iowa census for that year). So far a record of William's purchase of the twenty-acre farm at the west edge of Hartford (sec. 20) has not been found, but it was about at this time because his ownership of the property is shown on the map of Richland Twp., dated 1872. Twenty acres was a very small holding on which to raise a large family -- eventually there were ten children. I think it is clear that by the time of his father's death in 1872, William was in need of property and was most likely expecting to receive a portion of his father's estate. But it didn't happen; somehow his sister Sarah's husband, Joe Taylor, became the owner. As reported in John's biography, the transfer of ownership may have occurred even prior to John's death. A running dispute over the division of the property ensued and intensified during the summer. On September 9, 1873, William encountered Joe in front of a store in the center of Hartford. Their ongoing argument was resumed and became very bitter. Words led to a physical encounter, with William swinging at Joe. Joe returned the attack by swinging his knife at William and slashing him across the abdomen. William picked up a stone and began hitting Joe repeatedly, inflicting severe injury. By-standers eventually separated them and got them to their homes. Joe survived, but William died two days later. Joe was eventually acquitted, and his attack on William was ruled self-defense. This left Mary to support three children still at home: Eva 13, Lizzie 11, and Henry 8. Somehow, they managed. John Uriah (Uncle Bud) was still at home and probably Josephine and Cornelia were home periodically. John probably ran the farm and Josephine and Cornelia, who were teachers, may have contributed occasional assistance. William died intestate and Mary, his wife, was appointed administrix of the estate on 27 September 1873 [Warren Co., IA, Probate Records, Book E, p. 169-170. Mary's appointment approved on 30 Sep 1873, Book E, p. 179]. The heirs listed are shown below: Age Catherine Furgison (sic) 29 years AnnaMunion 26 years Josephine Slack 25 years Rebecca Harvey 23 years John (U.) Slack 22 years Eva Slack 14 years Lizzie Bell Slack 11 years Henry Slack 8 years All were listed as residents of either Iowa or Kansas. On 9 October 1873, Mary presented an inventory15 ofthe estate ofher husband; excerpts follow: Real Estate- "The half of the southwest quarter (112 SW 114) of the northeast quarter (NE114) of section no. twenty (20) in township seventy-seven (77) north of Range no. twenty-two (22) west of the 5th P.M. Iowa. Except the one-tenth part of the undivided interest of a minor heir which is conveyed by the said grantor (? - overwritten and illegible) by deed of quit claim, it being the true intent of the grantor to deed by warrantee 9/10 of the above described land, (sec) 20, (twp) 77, (RN) 22, Acres 18." Personal Property (Chattle Property)- "Three (3) horses, 1 cow, 30 sheep, 6 hogs, 6 pigs under six months old, 1 wagon, 2 plows, 1 double sett of harness, 1 sett blacksmith tools, 1 crosscut saw, some augers, chisels and handsaw, 1 scythe and cradle and mowing scythe, 3 beds and bedding and other household and kitchen furniture." James Talbott, H. W. Higby, and Albert Spain were appointed by the court as appraisers of William Slack's estate, and on 13 October 1873 they presented their report to the court [Warren Co., Iowa, probate records, Book E, p. 241-242]. Excerpts follow: "We the undersigned appraisers-- do certify the following to be a true list of property and money set off, and allowed the widow and minor children under fifteen years of age of said deceased for their support for one year from date of death of deceased." -Articles- "Money set off and allowed the widow and 3 minor children for support for one year --$300.00. Schedule of property exempt from execution and left in the hands of the widow of said deceased. All wearing apperal on hands and trunks to contain the same. 1 musket, the team consisting of 2 horses and harness, 1 wagon, 3 plows, 1 cradle scythe, and mowing scythe, 1 spade, 2 hoes, all books and family Bible, portraits and pictures on hand, 1 cow, 36 sheep and the wool there from, 5 hogs and 6 pigs, 100 bushels corn, 2 tons of hay for animals -- (missing) -- for the same, 1 spinning wheel. All household and kitchen furniture on hand." "An appraisement bill of the goods, chattles, and personal estate of William Slack" (apparently, this was the part of the estate that was to be sold). -Articles- Iron gray mare $65.00 1 black sow 5.00 1 sett (sic) black-smith tools including bellows, anvils and vise 35.00 50 bushells (sic) [email protected] 20¢ (per bush) 10.00 80 bushells (sic) [email protected] 75¢ (per bush) 60.00 5 augers 1.30 4 plows 1.50 1 broad axe 1.00 2 chisels .35 1 square foot adze and froe 1.75 1 hand saw, cross cut saw and bow saw 2.75 1 cane boiler 4.00 1 pile lumber 1.50 Total $189.15 On 28 August 1876, Mary stated before the court that she had "Collected all debts due the estate, paid all court costs and expenses of administration and last sickness and funeral expenses and paid my allowance 122.25 (part payment)." She stated further that she had "no other property belonging to said estate with which to pay the other debts (apparently, a note for $15.00 and another for $39.08 and an account of $40.00 at the local general store= $94.08) and would therefore ask to be discharged as the adm. and my suretys on bond released." [Warren Co., Iowa, Probate Records, Book H, p. 35.] On 19 October 1876, the court discharged Mary as administrix ofthe William Slack estate, based on her final report of 28 August 1876 [Warren Co., Iowa, Probate Records, Book H, p. 116]. The probate of John Slack's estate in 1875 showed Mary as a resident of Kansas. Most likely, she was living for a time with her daughter Catherine's family in Emporia. However, by 1880 she was recorded in the census as a resident of Richland Twp., Warren Co., Iowa. Apparently, she lived on the farm until 1884, when she sold it and lots 3 and 4 in block 8, Hartford to J. H. Wetzel. [Warren Co., Iowa, Deed Book 32, p. 572, 20 A. W 1/2 I SW 1/4 I NE 1/4 sec. 20, Twp. 77, Rn 22, Oct. 16, 1884, and town lots - Hartford, Book 28, p. 530, lots 3 and 4 block 8. On the same date, her son, John U. Slack, also sold 30 acres near her farm (NE 3/4 / SE 1/4 / NE 1/4, Sec 20, Twp 77, Rn 22) to Mr. Wetzel.] Mary died on July 14, 1889. I don't know who she lived with during her last five years. In the information supplied to the Lyon Co., Kansas, Historical Society by Daisey (Ferguson) Grimes, it is stated that Mary died in Emporia. So, quite likely, she moved in with the Ferguson family after selling the farm. If that is the case, she was brought back to Hartford, Iowa for burial.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Mary A. Greathouse Slack's memorial?
Mary A. Greathouse Slack's memorial is located at: Brown Cemetery, Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, USA.
When did Mary A. Greathouse Slack death?
Mary A. Greathouse Slack death on 14 Jul 1889 in Hartford, Lyon County, Kansas, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Mary A. Greathouse Slack's memorial?
Latitude: 40.1016998
Longitude: -79.4064026

Family Members:

Spouse

William Slack

(1819 - 1873)

Children

Catherine Margaret “Kate” Slack Ferguson

(1844 - 1936)

Josephine “Aunt Jenk” Slack Nunnally

(1849 - 1933)

Rebecca “Aunt Becky” Slack Harvey

(1850 - 1895)

John Uriah “Bud” Slack

(1851 - 1939)

Susan Cornelia “Shug” Slack Switzer

(1855 - 1942)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Brown Cemetery
Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1016998, -79.4064026

2. Keslar Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0995100, -79.4145100

3. Donegal Cemetery
Donegal, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1112000, -79.3785000

4. Hays Cemetery
Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1259000, -79.4021000

5. Walnut Hill Cemetery
Donegal, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1040000, -79.3659000

6. Eutsey Cemetery Old
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0781400, -79.4427900

7. Porch Cemetery
Donegal, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1306000, -79.3711014

8. Byerly Freeman Cemetery
Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1432500, -79.4100900

9. Eutsey Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0742400, -79.4474900

10. Melcroft Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0561000, -79.3829000

11. Knopsnider Cemetery New
Bullskin Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0685400, -79.4686800

12. Knopsnider Cemetery (Old)
Bullskin Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0691400, -79.4704800

13. Stouffer Cemetery
Bullskin Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0848990, -79.4816900

14. Saint Raymonds Cemetery
Melcroft, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0572014, -79.3531036

15. Mount Nebo Cemetery
Indian Head, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0531000, -79.3556000

16. Dan Snyder Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0408000, -79.4317000

17. Mellinger Cemetery
Mellingertown, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1432050, -79.4784730

18. Nicholson Cemetery
Clinton, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0506100, -79.4745600

19. Good Hope Lutheran Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0282000, -79.3893900

20. Lobingier Cemetery
Mount Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1439030, -79.4887870

21. Franklin Lutheran Cemetery
Kregar, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1215000, -79.3085000

22. Sparks Cemetery
Indian Head, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0239200, -79.3892500

23. Brothers Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1360700, -79.5004300

24. Fairview Cemetery
Kecksburg, Westmoreland County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1696000, -79.4634000