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age 54y 1m 17d
husband of Mary Slack
By David Earle Tyler::
William, who was born 25 July 1819, was the second child of John and Nancy Slack. The family was living in Kentucky at that time. In 1827, the family moved to Morgan Co., Illinois. 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...
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age 54y 1m 17d
husband of Mary Slack
By David Earle Tyler::
William, who was born 25 July 1819, was the second child of John and Nancy Slack. The family was living in Kentucky at that time. In 1827, the family moved to Morgan Co., Illinois. 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. William, and part of his family are listed in 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] as being a part of the Leonard household. (Fam # 369, p. 416). Their name is spelled "Slock" instead of"Slack." 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 .
The earliest land record I have for William is from a deed dated 17 June 1852 (Warren Co. deed records, Book F, p. 146), which shows that William bought 40 acres in the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of section 14, Twp 77, Rn 22 from A. Y. Hull for $40.00. His father purchased the 40 acres just to the south of this land on 13 May 1853 [Warren Co. Deed Book, F, p. 145, SE 1/4 / SW 1/4, Sec 14, Twp. 77, R 22]. Both sold their forty acres on 29 Feb 1856 to William Lindawood for $______ [Warren Co. Deed Book F, p. 144 (William) and p. 145 (John)]. What happened to cause them both to sell out at the same time isn't known. The story becomes even more confusing. On 26 Apr 1856, William bought another forty-acre tract in Section 12 [Warren Co. Deed Book F, p. 315, NW 1/4/NE 1/4 of Sec. 12, Twp. 77, Rn 24] which is located just diagonally to the northeast of the land he had just sold. The problem is that the land was located in the northeast corner of section 12, which was across the Des Moines River and in Polk County. It was definitely on the flood plain. Now, more confusion: he sold this land less than two months later on 16 Jun 1856. It certainly wasn't a money-making proposition; he bought it for $120 and sold it for the same amount. Still more confusion. In the Deed index book, William's name is spelled "Slack," while on the recorded copy ofthe deed it is spelled "Stack.'' This could be explained as a copy error. But, how do we explain that on the copy of the deed for selling the property, William's wife is given as "Elizabeth Slack" (no crossing of the "1"), instead of "Mary"? The description and dates for all three entries are essentially in agreement.
William must have decided it was time to follow his father's example (John had bought lots in Hartford: lot 1, block 5, in 1852 and lots 3 and 4, block 6, in 1853) and moved to town. William bought lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 in block 7 on 8 Apr 1856 [Warren Co. Town Lots -Hartford, Book E, p. 230 - 8 Apr 1856] and lots 7 and 8 in block 5 and lot 4 in block 3 on 15 June 1857 [Ibid., Book E, p. 445- 15 Jun 1857]. What he did to make a living for his large family (they had eight children at home in the 1860 U.S./Iowa Census of Warren Co., Iowa) isn't known. On this census, his occupation was given as farmer, but where was he farming? He could have been helping his father who still owned 40 acres west of Hartford, but that land had only about 30 tillable acres, which wasn't enough to support one family, let alone two. If the entry on the 1850 U.S./Polk Co. census is correct, he may have resorted to his recorded occupation as a cooper (barrel maker). His estate appraisement in 1874 showed that he had the tools for barrel making and blacksmithing.
The next real estate transaction I find for William is the sale of lots 7 and 8 in block 5 and lot 4 in block 3 on 19 Mar 1866 [Ibid, Book H, p. 185, 19 Mar 1866]. This date coincides with the year William moved his family to Emporia, Kansas [From the obituary of Catherine (Slack) Fergu§on, 31 Aug 1936, Emporia Gazette]. What he did there has not been determined. 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). I have yet to find the record of his purchase of the twenty-acre farm at the west edge of Hartford (sec. 20), but I expect 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. [(a) History of Warren County, pub 1879, p. 454; (b) Copy of telegram dated Sept. 12, 1873, sent by Aunt Jenk to Aunt Kate in Emporia, Kansas, telling of their father's death; (c) Warren County Leader & Tribune. p. 3, Col 3].
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
Anna Munion 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 of the estate of her 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 apparel 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, chattels, 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 of the 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.
David Taylor:
The next event probably evolved as the result of his Grandfather Slack's death in 1872. Although neverstated as such, it may have been the division of his estate that instigated the argument overland between William Slack and his brother-in-law, Joe Taylor (Joe was married to William's sister, Sarah). In any case, the argument became vicious, and William was fatally stabbed. Henry was 8 years old when this happened in early September of 1873. Oral tradition states that the fight occurred at the center of town (Hartford) and was witnessed by many. Joe was late acquitted. Can't you just imagine the comments of town folk and, especially,the merciless teasing issued by his classmates when he returned to school that fall? I am sure that this last event, and the community's response to it,heaped on top of his grief and bewilderment about his brother's death previously, led to his bitter feelings toward the people of Hartford. Granddaddy never had kind words for much of anyone who lived in or around Hartford."
(member #47525492)
SLACK FAMILY HISTORY by David Earle Tyler
CHAPTER IV
Descendants of William Slack and Mary A. (Greathouse) Slack
12 William Slack; Father: John Slack, Jr.; Mother: Nancy McDonald
Born: 25 July 1819 (src: tombstone; 1850 U.S./Iowa census indicates 1821 as birth year)
Where: Washington Co., Kentucky (1870 and 1880 U.S./Iowa census).
Married: 12 July 1842 in Cass Co., Illinois (src: Marriage Book, Vol. 1, License No. 153 Cass Co., Illinois, records).
Died: 11 September 1873. Where: Hartford, Iowa, aged 54 yrs., 1 mos., 17 days (from tombstone). Buried: same.
Occupation: Farmer (in the 1850 U.S./Iowa Polk Co. census, under occupation, he is listed as a cooper).
251 Mary A. Greathouse; Father, b: Kentucky; Mother, b: Maryland*
Born: 04(?) January 1823 (src: tombstone; 28 Jan 1824, Tohlen). Where: 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.
Died: 14 July 1889, aged 66 yrs., 6 mos., 10 days (from headstone). Where: Hartford, Iowa (Daisy [Ferguson] Grimes stated in information provided to the Lyon Co., Kansas, Historical Society that Mary died in Emporia, Kansas). Buried: Hartford, Iowa.
Occupation: Housewife
* (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.)
Plate I, Figs. 1 and 2, William Slack and Mary Greathouse.
William Slack
William, who was born 25 July 1819, was the second child of John and Nancy Slack The
family was living in Kentucky at that time. In 1827, the family moved to Morgan Co., Illinois. 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. William, and part of his family are listed in the 1850 U.S./Iowa census of Polk County as being a part of the Leonard household. (Fam# 369, p. 416). Their name is spelled "Slock" instead of "Slack." 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 l, block 5 in Hartford in 1852.
The earliest land record I have for William is from a deed dated 17 June 1852 (Warren Co. deed records, Book F, p. 146), which shows that William bought 40 acres in the NE¼ of the SW¼ of section 14, Twp 77, Rn 22 from A.Y. Hull for $40.00. His father purchased the 40 acres just to the south of this land3 on 13 May 1853. Both sold their forty acres on 29 Feb 1856 to William Linda wood for $ ____. What happened to cause them both to sell out at the same time isn't known. The story becomes even more confusing. On 26 Apr 1856, William bought another forty-acre tract in Section 12,5 which is located just diagonally to the northeast of the land he had just sold. The problem is that the land was located in the northeast corner of section 12, which was across the Des Moines River and in Polk County. It was definitely on the flood plain. Now, more confusion: he sold this land less than two months later on 16 Jun 1856. It certainly wasn't a money-making proposition; he bought it for $120 and sold it for the
same amount. Still more confusion. In the Deed index book, William's name is spelled
"Slack," while on the recorded copy of the deed it is spelled "Stack." This could.be explained as a copy error. But, how do we explain that on the copy of the deed for selling the property. William's wife is given as "Elizabeth Slack" (no crossing of the "l"), instead of "Mary"? The description and dates for all three entries are essentially in agreement (Appendix 1, map of the land owned by John and William Slack).
William must have decided it was time to follow his father's example (John had bought lots in Hartford: lot 1, block 5, in 1852 and lots 3 and 4, block 6, in 1853) and moved to town. William bought lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 in block 7 on 8 Apr 18566 and lots 7 and 8 in block 5 and lot 4 in block 3 on 15 June 1857. What he did to maim a living for his large family (they had eight children at home in the 1860 U.S./Iowa Census of Warren Co., Iowa) isn't known. On this census, his occupation was given as farmer, but where was he farming? He could have been helping his father who still owned 40 acres west of Hartford, but that land had only about 30 tillable acres, which wasn't enough to support one family, let alone two. If the entry on the 1850 U.S./Polk Co. census is correct, he may have resorted to his recorded occupation as a cooper (barrel maker). His estate appraisement in 1874 showed that he had the tools for barrel making and blacksmithing. (Appendix 2, map of Harford, Iowa, town lots owned by Slacks.)
The next real estate transaction I find for William is the sale of lots 7 and 8 in block 5 and lot 4 in block 3 on 19 Mar 1866. This date coincides with the year William moved his family to Emporia, Kansas. What he did there has not been determined. 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). I have yet to find the record of his purchase of the twenty-acre farm at the west edge of Hartford (sec. 20), but I expect 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. 14 The heirs listed are shown below:
Catherine Furgison (sic) 29 years old
Anna Munion 36 years
Josephine Slack 25 years
Rebecca Harvey 23 yeara
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 inventory of the estate of her husband; excerpts
follow:
Real Estate - "The half of the southwest quarter (1/2 SW 1/4) of the northeast quarter (NE 1/4) 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.16 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 apparel 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)...
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." On 19 October 1876, the court discharged Mary as administrix of the William Slack estate, based on her final report of 28 August 1876. 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 (Plate II, Fig. 3). 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. 19 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.
Children of William and Mary A. (Greathouse) Slack
1. Margaret Catherine (Kate) Slack (Plate II, Fig. 4) (Nancy, according to Ferguson
family Bible - see in Lyon Co., Kansas, Historical Society, Emporia, Kansas), b: 13 April
1844 in Cass Co., Illinois (Jackson, Morgan Co., Illinois, according to her obituary); d:
30 August 193620 in Emporia, Kansas; b: Maplewood Cemetery, Emporia, Kansas; m:
William Orville Ferguson (b: 17 April 1831 in Preble Co., Ohio; d. 13 January 1913) on
18 August 1867. He was a carpenter and builder, grocery merchant, and baker. He
served in the Kansas 9th Cavalry, 16 December 1861 to 27 November 1864, during the
Civil War.21 Occupation: Housewife.
Catherine was still with the family during the U.S. census for Iowa in 1860. She was
listed as 16 years old and as having attended school the previous year. She was not listed in the 1870 census, having emigrated to Emporia, Kansas, with her parents in 1866, where she met and married W. 0. Ferguson on 18 August 1867. She spent the rest of her adult life in Emporia.
Catherine read widely and collected news items of interest from the local and surrounding communities, which she placed in scrap books. These scrapbooks were also reputed to contain much history of her family. Catherine was an avid gardener and planted many of the trees and shrubs around her home at 718 Constitution Street in Emporia. During the summer, she daily cut flowers from her garden to decorate her home.
At different times during the 1870s and 1880s, most of her brothers and sisters lived with the Ferguson family while they attended the Emporia Normal School or the Emporia Business College. Two of her sisters, Rebecca and Eva, were married in her home.
Catherine was in declining health for 16 years, and during the last five years her condition had been critical much of the time. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Emporia.
Catherine and William had two daughters (Plate II, Fig. 5):
Loulou (Lu) Etta Ferguson, b: 5 May 1869, Emporia, Kansas; m: never married; d: 28 December 1940 in Indianola, Iowa; bur: Maplewood Cemetery, Emporia, Kansas.
Lu received her degree in elementary education from The Emporia Normal School in 1892. Her teaching career extended nearly half a century. She taught in the Industrial School for Girls in Beloit, Kansas, 1892-93; the city schools of Louisburg, Kansas, 1893-94; the Soldiers' Orphans Home, Atchison, Kansas, 1894-97; the city schools of Atchison, Kansas, 1897-1900; the city schools of Kansas City, Kansas, 1900-04; and The Walnut School of Emporia, Kansas, from 1904 up to the time of her death in 1940. Lu served for many years as principal of The Walnut School and retired in May 1940 to return to teaching the fifth grade.
During a visit to her Aunt Cornelia (Slack) Switzer in Indianola, Iowa, in December of 1940, Lu suffered a stroke and died on the 28th. Her body was returned to Emporia for burial in Maplewood Cemetery. The following is excerpted from "A Tribute to Lu Ferguson," presented by Mrs. Alfred D. Smith on 6 January 1941 at a meeting of The Walnut School PTA:
Miss Ferguson possessed a cheerful, inspiring disposition. Her dynamic personality was ever alert. She was not a dreamer. Hard work and long hours meant nothing to her, if they added to the happiness and progress of her pupils.
As a teacher she was concientious [sic], assuming the responsibility for her pupils in a most interesting manner. She could have easily written interesting books of history. She was fair, making each child feel his importance to the group. She believed that 'all play and no work makes Jack a dull boy.' She realized her work was teaching and was
reluctant to take school time for tea time.
I have visited her room many times and her work was always going in full swing - a busy rustle. Her pupils received a good taste of the satisfaction that comes after accomplishing their work well. Her thoughts were for others rather than herself. On this Christmas vacation trip she stopped in Kansas City to see the Hansel and Gretel Opera and wrote back to her children that she would tell them all about it when they all were back after the vacation.
May we parents always praise all teachers as Lu Ferguson, whose personality influences the lives of our children all through the years. We are most thankful for the life of Lu Ferguson.
In addition, this portion of an editorial from The Emporia Gazette (3 Jan 1941) in tribute to Lu Ferguson nicely sums up the esteem held for her by the Emporia community:
Probably no other citizen of this town has done so much to influence it in the way it has gone in the last generation as Miss Lu Ferguson, school teacher here for nearly forty years, who was buried Tuesday. Hundreds of men and women now in this town received from her the example of a gentle spirit and through her had contact with a keen, well-ordered mind. As children, her influence was a part of their spiritual environment. Their own children have come under the sway of her noble spirit.
Daisy Dutton Ferguson, b: 16 March 1871, Emporia, Kansas; m: Bradford Robbins Grimes (b: 29 September 1857, Matagorda, Texas, d: 19 July 1948 in Emporia; bur: Maplewood Cemetery, Emporia), 11 March 1908, Emporia, Lyon Co., Kansas. Mr. Grimes came to Kiowa Co., Kansas, in 1908 and eventually became a rancher near Ashland, Clark Co., Kansas. In 1945, he and Daisy retired to Emporia at the old Ferguson residence at 718 Constitution Street. He was a member of the Episcopal
Church of Emporia.
Daisy graduated from The Emporia Normal School, receiving a degree in elementary education in 1889. Daisy taught in area schools for years, and at some point became a teacher in The Normal School in Alva, Oklahoma (Emporia Gazette, 7 January 1907 - note saying she was returning to her position there after spending the holidays with her parents). Since she and B. R. had no children, I expect she continued teaching when they moved to the ranch near Ashland, Kansas, following their marriage in 1908.
For several years before her sister's death, Daisy and B. R. spent the winters at the Ferguson residence at 718 Constitution Street in Emporia and became full-time residents in 1945.
2. Mary Ann Slack, b: about 1845 in Cass Co., Illinois; d: ______; m: Munion
Occupation: teacher.
Mary Ann was listed as being 15 in the 1860 U.S./Iowa census and 23 in the 1870 U.S./Iowa census. I expect the 1870 census is in error; the date of 1845 for her birth year fits in better with the birth dates of the siblings on either side. In the 1870 census, she was listed as a teacher and still living at home. In 1875, she was listed as Mary A. Munion and residing in the State of Kansas (from list of heirs in the probate of John Slack II's. estate).
Child: Cora Munion was listed as a niece of C. J. Switzer in her will dated 8 July 1940. There is also a photo of her as a child (32 [?] months old) taken in San Francisco. Her last name on the photo, as it was in Aunt Shug's will, was spelled "Munyon" (see Slack File) (Plate II, Fig. 6).
3. Josephine Slack (Aunt "Jenk") (Plate III, Fig. 7), b: 5 December 1849 (src: Warren Co., Iowa, Death Records, Book 4, p. 262) in Cass Co., Illinois; d: 1 October 1933, aged 83 yrs., 9 mos., 26 d. (src: Warren Co. Death Records Book, 4 p. 262) in Hartford, Iowa; bur: Hartford, Iowa; m: L.B. (Byran) Nunnally (b: 14 July 1833; d: 29 March 1909; src: Tombstone - Hartford, Iowa, Cemetery) 15 September 1878 in Hartford, Iowa (src: Warren Co. Marriage Records, Book A).
Occupation: teacher, housewife.
I suppose that Aunt Jenk got her nickname from a younger sibling who couldn't say "Josephine." I was only 5 years old when she died, so I don't remember her well. She was small in stature, thin, and had sharp facial features. Josephine taught school for a number of years. She is listed as a teacher in the U.S./Iowa census of 1870. In a pamphlet about the Parmelee cabin it is reported that she taught three short terms of school in the west end of the cabin during 1865 (she was 16). On 15 September 1878, Josephine married L.B. Nunnally, a widower with three children. In the 1880 census, she was 31; L. B. was 48. The children's names and ages were listed as Edgar, 20; Mary,
16; and George, 13. Mr. Nunnally and Aunt Jenk had no additional children.
L.B. owned and operated a drug and dry goods store on the southwest comer of Vine and Elm Streets in Hartford. The old building still stands as of this date (1999) and has housed many businesses over the years. It was a cafe, run by Delmar & Willard Barr, when I was growing up (Plate III, Fig. 8).
The Nunnallys lived in a beautifully styled house just across the street to the east from their store. It had a front porch with two pillars and a roof that formed a small balcony. Two large maple trees were at each comer of the front of the house (Plate III, Fig. 9).
Aunt Jenk must have been well schooled, probably most of it on her own. She and two of her sisters, Cornelia and Elizabeth, authored a book of short stories entitled Out of the Past by Sisters Three.28 The stories are well written and characteristic in style and
content for popular literature of that time.
In August of 1933, Aunt Jenk fell on the steps of the south entrance to the Agricultural
Building on t4e Iowa State Fair grounds and broke her hip. As with so many older people of that time, the fracture was lethal and she died a few weeks later. Visiting at her home with my parents on the evening before her funeral was my first experience with viewing a dead person. I vividly remember seeing her lying in the casket in the front room of her home. The color gray comes to mind, as I see her lying there. I don't think she was dressed in gray, but her casket and, maybe, the lining (although they were usually white) were probably gray. She seemed so awfully old and so unmoving.
The house deteriorated after her death, with renters taking a heavy toll. It was eventually tom down (in the '50s, I believe) and replaced with a much less grand dwelling.
4. Rebecca Slack (Aunt Becky) (Plate IV, Fig. 10 and Plate V, Fig. 16), b: about 1850 (src:
Warren Co. Probate Records Book E, pp. 169-170, 1873, age listed as 23) in Cass Co.,
Illinois; d: ___ ; m: Tom H. Harvey (b: 1845 in Ohio) on 15 August 1869,
Emporia, Lyon Co., Kansas (src: Lyon Co., Kansas Marriage Book B, p. 58; see copy in
the Slack File). Occupation: housewife.
Rebecca was listed in the 1860 census with the rest of her siblings but was not there in the 1870 census because she had married by that time. Her husband, Tom Harvey (Plate IV, Fig. 11), was a baker, according to my mother. She also referred to him as being "one nice man," so she must have known him. Becky and Tom lived in Emporia, Kansas, for many years and were still living there in 1883, when they hosted a party to celebrate her mother's 60th birthday (she was born in 1823). In the article, which had appeared in a local newspaper (Emporia Gazette?), the Harveys were listed as living on Merchants Street. Those attending the party were Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Harvey and their children Court, Percy, and Pearl; Henry Slack; Cora (Cornelia) Slack; Lizzie Slack; Mr. and Mrs. W. 0. Ferguson; Daisy Ferguson; Lou Ferguson; and Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Brogan. See a copy of this article in Appendix 4. The article was found as a clipping in one of my
mother's (Bea Slack) scrap books. Since this was considerably before her time, she must have scavenged it from some old correspondence of her father's.
They had three children (src: most of this information came from a very brief history of
Henry Slack's siblings by Bea V. [Slack] Tyler):
Cortland Harvey, b: 1870 in Lyon Co., Kansas. Cortland was a King Edward Tobacco salesman, but later became a reporter for a newspaper called The Democrat. I don't know in which city. Cort's first wife died and he married a half-breed Indian, Rose Wright. They had two boys; a girl died in infancy.
Percey Harvey, b: 1872 in Lyon Co., Kansas. Percey was also a King Edward Tobacco salesman. His wife was named Sally and was considered "so nice" by my mother.
Pearl Harvey, b: 1874 in Lyon Co., Kansas . There is a picture in the Slack File of a little girl about two years old that was taken in Emporia, Kansas. The name on the back is "Pearl Hervey" (Plate IV, Fig. 12) (note spelling of surname). Pearl married _____ Shultz, and they moved to Oklahoma. Pearl was well known in Emporia for her "sweet" singing voice and had been greatly missed in musical and social circles "since her move to" Oklahoma (from an article that appeared in The Emporia Republican Newspaper of Emporia, Kansas, 22 June 1901 - Lyon Co., Kansas, Historical Society Archives).
The 1880 U.S./Kansas census for Emporia, Lyon Co., Kansas, recorded the following
data for the Thomas Harvey family:
Birthplace
Relation Married Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation
Thomas Harvey self M Male w 35 Ohio Baker
Rebecca Harvey wife M Female w 24* Illinois keeping house
Curtland* Harvey son s Male w 10 Kansas
Percey Harvey son s Male w 8 Kansas
Pearl Harvey dau s Female w 6 Kansas
J. Hennessey other s Female w 26 Illinois servant
(Src: LDS Family History Library, film 1254387, NA Film #TD-0387, p. 191D.)
* Errors - other records show Rebecca's age to be 30 in 1880; Rebecca's father was born in Kentucky; Curtland is misspelled, it should be Cortland.
5. John Uriah Slack, b: 5 January 1851 (src: 1936 Tax Records, Hartford, Warren Co.,
Iowa, and 1930 U.S./Iowa census) in Hartford, Iowa; d: 30 January 1939, aged 88 years
(src.: Warren Co. Probate Records Book 9, p. 100, #5755), Hartford, Iowa; bur: Hartford, Iowa; m: Donna Catherine Cain (in the 1870 census, she was 8 years old and living with her family, who were neighbors of the Slack family). She was born 25 June 1862 in Iowa and died 4 July 1939 in Hartford at 77 years of age (src.: Warren Co. Probate Records, Book 10, p. 308-403, October 2000, DET). They were married in 1883 (src: 1930 U.S./Iowa census. Occupation: farmer.
John was known to us as "Uncle Bud," and for much of his married life he lived on small farms at the north edge of Hartford. However, in 1866, at the age of 15, he emigrated to Emporia, Kansas, with his parents. While there, he worked some as a teamster, hauling goods from Topeka to Emporia. Among these items were fire brick, for the construction of the ovens in his brother-in-law's (W. 0. Ferguson) bakery (clipping - Emporia Gazette, 25 Oct 1920 - see Slack File). He returned to Iowa around 1869, helped support his mother after his father's death in 1893, married Donna Cain about 1883, and settled on a farm at the northeast comer of Hartford. In 1935 (see map of Richland Twp. in Slack File for 1935), this farm consisted of about 95 acres. The home place was just across the road to the east from the Hartford School. I remember frequent visits to Uncle Bud's and Aunt Don's house (she was called Aunt "Don" by my mother). They were always congenial and easy to visit with. Aunt Don's house was always neat and clean.
The 35 acres that Grandma Slack bought in 1891 from Uncle Bud (see Florence Josephine [Guthrie] Slack's biography later) became the original home place for her and Granddaddy. Over several years, Granddaddy eventually sold most of this land back to Uncle Bud.
Uncle Bud and Aunt Don had two boys, William and Court (Plate IV, Fig. 13).
William (Billy) Gilbert Slack, b: 26 January 1885 in Hartford, Iowa; d: 14 September 1967, aged 82 years (src: Warren Co. Death Records, Book 6, p. 161), in Hartford, Iowa; bur: Hartford, Iowa; m: Alice Lorraine Johnson (b: 6 June 1885; d: 28 July 1964, aged 79 years, src: Warren Co. Death Records, Book 6, p. 63) about 1908, src: 1930 U.S./Iowa census.
Billy and Alice lived about three blocks to the east of Uncle Bud and Aunt Don. The house was a well kept frame house that sat at the south edge of Uncle Bud's farm. After his parents died and the farm was sold, Billy and Alice moved to Livermore, Iowa, where they operated a drug store. Billy had been trained as a pharmacist earlier in his life.
Two sons were born to Billy and Alice:
Male infant, b: 19 February 1913; d: 1913, Hartford, Iowa.
John Maxfield Slack, b: 01 December 1914 in Hartford, Iowa; d: 25 June 1996, aged 81 years (src.: Obituary--see Slack File); m: Aileen Barger (she was the daughter of a federal veterinarian).
In a phone conversation with John on February 3, 1996, the following information was related about this branch of the family: John graduated from the University of lowa in accounting and journalism. His career, however, was that of a food broker in Omaha, Nebraska. He served in the army during WWII and received a severe back injury, which plagued him throughout the rest of his life. He and his wife traveled extensively, having completed a trip around the world in 1995. They had two children: John V., who is an architect in Omaha, Nebraska, and JoAnn, who is a primary owner of MediVac helicopter service. She has married three times, the last to Dan Parker of the Parker Pen family, and lives in Dallas, Texas. She had two children by a previous marriage:
Randal Rawson, who is in the business of heavy machinery in Charleston, SC, and Lee Ann Rawson, who lives in New York and works with a company that settles VAT claims on European goods for American companies.
It was good to visit with John. I don't remember meeting him, but I surely did because he was around Hartford until the mid '30s. As soon as he answered the phone, I knew I was talking to a member of the Slack family; his voice sounded just like I remember his father's voice.
Court Justin Slack, b: 17 May 1886 in Hartford, Iowa; d: 16 August 1969, aged 83 years (src.: Warren Co. Death Records, Book 6, p. 418), Hartford, Iowa; bur: Hartford, Iowa; m: Sara Faye Gwinn (b: 1 June 1891; d: 13 February 1943, aged 52 years) (src.: Warren Co. Death Records, Book 5, p. 39).
Court farmed with his father and brother Billy most of his life. He married Faye Gwinn late in life. They had no children. He served as Mayor of Hartford for several years (1937 - 1943).
Court and Billy are best remembered for the sorghum mill they ran at the north edge of Hartford fronting on Highway 60 (back then, but now 5). According to John Slack (Billy's son), the mill was built around 1930-31. The original mill, which was fired by wood, burned and was replaced by the structure that still stands (but unused) today (1999). Because the wood firing was considered too dangerous, the power and steam for the new mill were supplied by an old Case steam engine. Through September and into October, the mill was a busy and fragrant place. Farmers from many miles around would bring in their sorghum cane (previously stripped of its leaves before it was cut from the field) to have sorghum syrup made. The process involved running the stalks through a rotary press. The juice ("squeezins") flowed from a catch basin through a shallow bed of clay, which removed impurities and clarified the juice. This was an important part of the process and was the secret to the high quality of sorghum they
produced. After passing through the clay beds, the clarified juice was passed to a covered holding vat adjacent to the cooking shed. The interior of the shed and large flat boiling pans were kept scrupulously clean. To help vent the steam from inside the shed, the upper half of the walls was open on two sides and on the west end where the door was located. The open areas were all screened, and flies and other insects were religiously kept out. Insects were a real problem around the mill because of the attraction of the juicy cut cane stacked around and the aroma coming off the boiling juices. The cane juice was boiled (steam heat was supplied by the coal-fired Case steam engine that sat just to the north of the shed) and the skim scooped repeatedly from the top by the miller. I can still visualize Billy Slack, wearing a clean white apron, working the boiling juice and greeting us as we came in the screen door. Free samples of freshly prepared sorghum in small paper cups were readily passed out to those who asked for them. When the boiling was complete, the sorghum syrup was poured into new gallon pails and sealed with a press down lid. I remember their label was yellow, and I think it
said "Slack's Sorghum-Hartford, Iowa." It probably said more than that, but that's all I can remember. The syrup was clear and light amber in color. I have never found sorghum syrup to equal it anywhere; it was truly a quality product. The Hartford school was only about half a mile to the west of the mill, and when the wind was just right the steam from the boiling juice was caught by the breeze and blown through the open windows, what a wonderful, delicious fragrance it was. My father (Guy Tyler) dearly loved their sorghum and used it as a dressing on many foods, such as cottage cheese, all kinds of fried foods, pancakes, soup beans, mixed with peanut butter, etc.
The mill was sold in the '50s to "Whistle" Campbell, who moved it lock, stock,
and barrel to his new farm in northern Missouri. What became of it after that, I do
not know.
6. Susan (Shug) Cornelia Slack (Plate V, Figs. 14, 15, 16), b: 28 March 1855 in Hartford,
Iowa; d: 11 March 1942 (src.: Probate record, #6116, of her last will and testament,
Warren Co., Iowa) in Indianola, Iowa; bur: Hartford, Iowa; m: Henry J. Switzer, 9 July
1904 (src.: marriage announcement - Slack File). Occupation: Teacher, housewife,
landlord.
Susan was known as "Aunt Shug." I don't know who gave her this nickname, but it was
probably obtained in childhood and was short for "sugar." This seemed strange to me as a child because she always seemed to be more on the "sour" side when we visited her.
She was well up in her years at that time though, so I'm sure that had something to do
with her "sourness." Aunt Shug taught school for many years in California (Los
Angeles, mostly) and married late in life (50 yrs) to Henry J. Switzer, a major land
holder in Warren County, Iowa. They lived in Indianola, Iowa, in a large white house in
the eastern part of town. She and H. J. had no children. Aunt Shug was also a very
competent author, and together with her sisters, Josephine and Lizzie, published a book of short stories entitled Out of the Past by Sisters Three.
Aunt Shug owned the farm on which we lived from March 1, 1932, to March 1, 1937. It
was known as the Switzer place and was located about 3 to 4 miles south of Hartford on the road to Sandyville. (See David Tyler biography for more information about the
farm.)
I rarely visited at Aunt Shug's home, but I remember that her living room was more like a library, with glass fronted bookcases along one wall. Not only were there many books
within the cases but many mementos from her travels as well. I don't remember what
they were, now except that I do vaguely recall a starfish. Anyway, we children found it a
fascinating place to visit.
Aunt Shug died 21 March 1942. She left some of her furniture and her piano to my
mother, which greatly enriched her life and ours, too. Her brother, Henry E. Slack, was
named executor of her estate and also received the remainder of her property, which
included lot 15 and W. 80 feet of lot 14, Siimard's add. in Indianola; and W 1/2 / SE 1/4
(80 acres) Sec 32, Twp. 77 (Richland), Rn 22, Warren Co., which were valued at $6,800,
less mortgages, giving a total value of $3,000.
7. William (Billy) C. Slack, b: 23 December 1856 in Hartford, Iowa; d: 28 July 1871 (src.:
Tombstone Hartford Cemetery) in Hartford, Iowa; bur: Hartford, Iowa.
Billy died in childhood from injuries received during an accident on the farm. If l remember the story correctly, it had something to do with haying. He evidently lingered for quite a while and slowly wasted away. A heart-rending letter written by his mother to one of her children about his last day is present in the Slack File.
8. Eva Mae (Isadora, 1860 census) Slack (Plate VI, Fig. 17), b: 29 December 1859 (src.:
1860 U.S./Iowa census and Warren Co. Probate Records - Book E, p. 169-170, William
Slack estate - list of heirs - Eva - 14 yrs. old) in Hartford, Iowa; d: 26 June 1930 (src:
Texas death certificate no. 27181)38 in San Antonio, Texas; bur: St. Mary's Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas; m: William James Brogan (b: about 1855 in Iowa; d: 2 January 1918;
src: Texas death certificate no. 1274) 10 December 1879, Emporia, Kansas (src: Lyon
Co., Kansas, marriage records, Book C, p. 380, see Slack File for copy) (Plate VI, Fig.
18). William's parents were immigrants from Ireland. In the 1880 US/Kansas census,
William and Eva were living in Elmendaro, Lyon Co., Kansas. The occupation for
William was given as merchant. Eva's occupation: author (dramatist), artist, housewife.
Eva apparently moved to Emporia, Kansas, in the mid-1870s and stayed with her sister,
Catherine Ferguson, and family. Most likely, she attended the Emporia Normal School.
My mother (Bea Slack) stated that Eva was a dramatist and an artist. Evidence to support the former is found in a program of a concert directed by Eva Slack, May 20 & 21, 1879, most likely, presented in Emporia, Kansas. A copy of this program is included in Appendix 5. After her, marriage, Eva and William, who was also from Lyon Co.,
continued living in Emporia. They were still in Emporia on 22 June 1901, when Eva and
Daisey Ferguson hosted a party at her home to honor the visit of their recently married
cousin, Pearl (Harvey) Shultz ( clipping from the newspaper, Emporia Republican [?]
from the files of The Lyon County, Kansas, Historical Society archives). At some point
after 1901, the Brogan family moved to San Antonio, Texas, where Eva continued her
artistic activities (Plate VI, Fig. 19). In the Slack File is a copy of a photograph of one of
her paintings entitled The Madonna of the Battlefield (Plate VII, Fig. 21). The painting
was presented to the American Legion on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921, at San
Antonio, Texas, in honor of those soldiers who died during WWI. The original hung in
the old Alamo museum for many years. It was no longer there when I visited in 1993.
Eva and William had three children:
William F. Brogan, b: ___ ; d: 26 September 194639 in San Antonio, Texas; bur: St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas; m: Louise ______. They belonged to the St. Mary's Catholic Church, San Antonio, Texas. This church is located on St. Mary's Street, in the River Walk region of San Antonio.
In the 1927-1928 San Antonio, Texas, city directory, William was listed as the manager of the service department for the San Antonio Light, a newspaper.
William's and Louise's Children:
Mrs. Gene Johnson. This is probably the Mary C. Brogan listed in the 1927-28 San Antonio city directory at the same address as William F. and Louise, at 216 Peck. She was listed as a student nurse at the Santa Rosa School of Nursing. Children: Gary and Bill Johnson. She had a son
(children: Patrick and Mary Brogan).
Son, ________ Brogan. Children: Patrick and Mary Brogan.
John Vincent Brogan, b: _____ · d: 27 July 1952 (src: death records, City Library, San
Antonio, Texas) in San Antonio, Texas. His death notice listed only a niece, Mrs. Gene Johnston, as a surviving relative. He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church. At one time, according to my mother, John had worked for a San Antonio newspaper.
Evelyn Brogan (Plate VI, Fig. 20), b: ________ · d: _______. Evelyn was an author. Titles of three of her books are The Old Spanish Trail, James Bowie, a Hero of the Alamo, and Famous Horses of American History. I have two copies of the latter in the Slack file. The inscription in one reads, "To Bea-Guy and their three cowboys from their cousin."
The other copy was inscribed "To Aunt Jo and Uncle Henry with best wishes of the author." The books, appropriately, are bound in horsehide. Famous Horses of American History was published in 1923 by the Forum Publishing Co. of San Antonio, Texas. Most of the stories are about the mounts of famous generals and of presidents in U.S. history through WWI. I don't know whether she married or not, but a picture of her in 1942 (see - Slack File) is identified only as Evelyn Brogan.
9. Elizabeth (Lizzie) (Kizz) Slack (Plate VII, Fig. 21), b: 15 November 1862 (src: Probate
Records - William Slack estate Book E, pp. 169-170 lists her age in 1873 as 11 years, and from death records) in Hartford, Iowa; d: 21 December 1921, aged 59 years (cause of death was listed as asthma) in Indianola, Iowa; bur: Hartford, Iowa (src: Warren Co. Death Records Book 4, p. 4 [1st section]); m: W. H. Mason.
Lizzie is the third of the Sisters Three authors. She also must have been well schooled and was probably a teacher. A picture in the Slack file has this caption, "Kizz and Shug in the rose garden at their home in Los Angeles, Calif." From this, it would appear that Lizzie lived for a time in California and probably taught there, as well.
She married W. H. Mason and had no children. She was my mother's favorite aunt,
referring to her as having a loving, kind personality. Lizzie was living.in Indianola, where she died at 6:00 a.m. December 21, 1921. Granddaddy Slack was with her when she died. At the time of her death she left much of her furniture to my mother, which served our family well, because there was little furniture added to my mother's holdings for the rest of her life.
10. Henry Elsworth Slack, b: 07 May 1865 in Hartford, Iowa; d: 21 January 1943 in Sandyville, Iowa; bur: Hartford, Iowa; m: Florence Josephine Guthrie, 25 March 1891 at Hartford, Iowa. Occupation: real estate sales, teacher, farmer.
See #6 in the next chapter for a detailed biography of Henry.
CHAPTER V
Descendants of Henry Elsworth and Florence Josephine (Guthrie) Slack
6 Henry Elsworth Slack; Father: William Slack; Mother: Mary Greathouse
Born: 7 May 1865. Where: Hartford, Iowa.
Married: Florence Josephine Guthrie, 25 March 1891, in Hartford, Iowa.
Died: 21 January 1943 (77 yrs.). Where: Sandyville, Iowa. Buried: Hartford, Iowa.
Occupation: Real estate sales, teacher, farmer
7 Florence Josephine Guthrie; Father: Newton Guthrie; Mother: Fanny Truitt
Born: 3 December 1867. Where: Hartford, Iowa.
Died: 5 January 1946 (78 yrs.). Where: Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa.
Buried: Hartford, Iowa.
Housewife
Henry Elsworth Slack
According to records (U.S./Iowa census of 1870 and 1880 and Warren County marriage records), Henry Slack was born in 1865. Family tradition and notes from his wife suggest that the year was 1867. Not only is there controversy about the year, but the month, as well. Some in his family believed that the date was March 7. He and his wife always celebrated May 7 as his birthday. The best I can do with the records available to me is to set Henry's birth at May 7, 1865.
He was born on a small farm near Hartford, Iowa, to William and Mary Greathouse Slack. He was the last often children born to this union. Apparently, the family was quite poor, because they had such meager land holdings. On a map of Richland Twp., dated 1872, there is only a small 20-acre tract listed for W. Slack. It is in the right location for the site where Henry was born. (Oral history from Granddaddy Slack, also photos - see Slack File.) It is located about 1/4 mile west of the railroad tracks on the cemetery road that leads to the west from the southwest corner of Hartford. As you travel west down a small hill from the tracks, a little creek is seen running to the north. The house, according to Granddaddy, was set back from the road about 50 yards and
located on the west bank, up off the flood plain. A photo in the Slack File, taken in the late 1930s, shows Granddaddy sitting on a camp stool at this very spot. The house had long since disappeared.
I know nothing specifically of Henry's childhood. The only male sibling anywhere close to his age would have been Billy, who was 9 years older. Although there were two young sisters, Kiz, 3 years older, and Eva, 5 years older, it would appear that he had to go outside his family for playmates. Several neighbors lived nearby, so I expect they were the source for friends.
Two events occurred early in Henry's childhood, which I believe had a strong influence in developing certain strong attitudes for the rest of his life. The first of these was the death of his brother Billy in 1871 at the age of 15, as the result of an accident on the farm. It is not clear how the accident occurred, but oral history related it was a pitchfork wound, resulting from Billy's fall from a wagon of hay. The wound was not immediately fatal and Billy lingered for several days before dying (see letter in Slack File from his mother at the time of his death). Henry was only six years old at this time, and the events following Billy's accident, lingering illness, and eventual death must have had a marked psychological effect. This would be especially true if he held his older brother in high esteem, as children of this age often do.
The next event probably evolved as the result of his Grandfather Slack's death in 1872. Although never stated as such, it may have been the division of his estate that instigated the argument over land between William Slack and his brother-in-law, Joe Taylor (Joe was married to William's sister, Sarah). In any case, the argument became vicious, and William was fatally stabbed. Henry was 8 years old when this happened in early September of 1873. Oral tradition states that the fight occurred at the center of town (Hartford) and was witnessed by many. Joe was later acquitted. Can't you just imagine the comments of town folk and, especially, the merciless teasing issued by
his classmates when he returned to school that fall? I am sure that this last event, and the community's response to it, heaped on top of his grief and bewilderment about his brother's death previously, led to his bitter feelings toward the people of Hartford.
Granddaddy never had kind words for much of anyone who lived in or around Hartford.
I think that this bitter resentment also engendered a strong desire to succeed and show these sanctimonious souls, and the rest of the world for that matter, that the Slacks, and especially Henry E. Slack, were worthy of respect. Throughout his life, he was persistent in making scathing attacks on certain residents of Hartford. At the same time, however, he was always protective of the poor and downtrodden. He hired many who were down on their luck, or who had been rejected in someway by society, to work on his farms over the years. He believed strongly in fairness and that all, no matter what their station in life may be, should have an opportunity to better themselves.
I suppose that Henry received the eight years of elementary education that most did at that time. He most likely would have finished school at Hartford in the spring of 1879, at the age of 14. Depending on his physical stature, he probably began hiring out to neighbors as a farm laborer. How long he continued working as a laborer and what additional education he achieved is not known. He may have taught school himself in his later teens and early twenties; it didn't take much schooling in those days to become qualified as a teacher. Most of his sisters became teachers in their mid-teens (census records). The earliest record we have of Henry Slack's adult life takes us to Emporia, Kansas. How, when, or why he got to Emporia isn't known. However, his oldest sister Kate (she was 21 years older than Henry) had married William Ferguson when she emigrated to the Emporia community in the mid-1860s. It is likely that Henry moved "west" to establish his fortune. We don't know how long he had been there, but on March 7, 1887, at 22 years of age, he paid 0. W. Miller, Director of the Emporia Business College, thirty dollars in tuition for one year's study (see "scholarship" in Slack File). Just two months later, Henry paid Mr. Miller ten dollars for a course in typewriting (see receipt in Slack File). He finished the course of study in business in
less than a year and was awarded a diploma from the Emporia Business College on January 15, 1888 (a copy is shown in Appendix 1). It states, "has completed the regular course of Business and Practice in this Institution and is an Intelligent and Competent Accountant."
What Henry did between January and May is not evident, but on May 11, 1888, he rented an upstairs office at 506 Commercial Street in Emporia from Mr. E. N. Evans. In the lease, it states that the "room was to be used as a general real estate, loan and brokers business office." The lease was for one year and the rent was $9.50 per month. I don't know how successful he was in this venture or for how long he engaged in it. He must have had thoughts about changing, though, because in December of 1889 (about 1 1/2 years later) he had his professor from the Business College, 0. W. Miller, fill out an evaluation of his qualifications for superintendent of education for an Indian reservation school. Since the evaluation was never sent, Henry must not have made the application (see evaluation form and description of qualifications from the Dept. of the Interior-Office on Indian Affairs in the Slack File). Reviewing the evaluation responses, however, revealed a bit of new information concerning his residency in Kansas, and Emporia, in particular. Mr. Miller stated that Henry had resided in both
for five years. This would have put his arrival in Kansas at 1884; Henry would have been
nineteen years old. This date, by the way, coincides with the year in which his mother, Mary Slack, sold the twenty-acre farm and moved into Hartford.
When Henry returned to Iowa isn't known, but on April 25, 1888, he pu |
