The Children of Virda H. and Lillie Spracklin…

Virda H. Spracklin was the son of Daniel and Sarah Spracklin.  In the last post I wrote about Virda and Lillie Spracklin and their life.  In this post I am sharing what I know of their children:

1.  Joella Edith Spracklin was born 25 May, 1887 and died 7 March, 1890 in Calhoun Co., Iowa. She is buried in the Cedar Township Cemetery in Calhoun Co., Iowa. This cemetery is near Rinard.

Source:  Calhoun County Iowa Cemeteries, pg. 3, 19, Cedar Twp. Cemetery, Published by the Iowa Genealogical Society, Des Moines, Iowa. Row 13, Spracklin, Joelle E. Died Mar. 7, 1890 2 yr 9 mo 11 days a daughter of Virda Spracklin. 

Note:  Find A Grave has a picture of the tombstone and it seems to verify the dates.  My Legacy date calculator, and using the age given, says that she was born in 1887.

Iowa Counties

2. Daniel Dair Spracklin was born 14 September, 1890 in Calhoun Co., Iowa. He died 3 November, 1975 in South Dakota.  He married Minnie May Schlund on 11 March, 1914 in Sanborn, South Dakota.

Daniel Dair and Minnie Spracklin

Source:  South Dakota Marriages, 1905-2013, Daniel D. Spracklin, Male, age 23, born about 1891 residing in Woonsocket, Sanborn, married 11 March, 1914 in Sanborn #41272, Spouse Minnie May Schlund.

In 1920 Daniel and Minnie are living in Alpena Twp., Jerauld Co., South Dakota:

 

Source: Dais D. Spracklin Family, 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Alpena Twp., Jerauld, South Dakota, SD 1, ED 110, Sht 9A,T625-1721, Image 17.

Dais D. Spracklin, age 29, born in Iowa, parents born in Iowa. General Farmer. Under him is Minne M., wife who is 25 years old, born in So. Dakota, parents born Iowa and Ohio.

Sadly Minnie died on 7 October, 1929 in Sanborn Co., per the South Dakota Death Index.

In 1930 Daniel is living on his own as a lodger with a Burt Swenson. It is interesting that it does not give a first name.

Source:  1930 U.S. Federal Census, Daniel D. Spracklin, Franklin Twp., Jerauld Co., South Dakota, Town of Lane, ED#37-11, SD#5, Sht#2B, enumerated April 19, 1930, by S.H. May. 

Line 79, Leland Street, Spracklin, boarder, M, W, 39, Widowed. No, yes, born Iowa, parents born Iowa, yes, Manager, Standard Oil Co., 8989 W, yes, no.  

On July 5, 1930 he remarried to Adah Kanger.

Source: A second marriage for Daniel Dair Spracklin is listed in the South Dakota Marriages 1905-2013, male, age 39, born about 1891 residence Lane, Jerauld, marriage 5 July 1930 in Beadle, South Dakota #138787, Reg#5702, Spouse Adah Kanger. 

Daniel and Adah are living in Woonsocket, Sanborn, South Dakota in the 1940 U.S. Census.

Source:  1940 U.S. Federal Census, Woonsocket City, Sanborn, South Dakota, Ward 2, Block 12-13-15-19-20-21, SD#5, ED#56-18, Sht#8A, enumerated April 1940, by Birdie T. Kogel. 

Line 27, 185, 9, 1000, 5th Ave., Spracklin, Dair D. Head, M, W, 49, M, No, 8, 8, born Iowa, Same place. no yes, truck driver, road construction, GW, 33, 514, yes. Spracklin, Adah B, wife, F, W, 50 M, No. 8, 8, So. Dakota, same house, no, no, no, no, H, 0, 0, no. 

It looks like Daniel did not have any children with either wife.

Find A Grave has a picture of his tombstone that includes his two wives. It is in the Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket, South Dakota.

3. Lola Isabelle Spracklin was born 29 December, 1892 in Calhoun Co., Iowa and died 29 December, 1975. She married Guy Randerson on 22 December, 1915 in Woonsocket, South Dakota. They had four children: Ruby M., Orval A., Opal A. and Fay A.

Guy and Lola Randerson

Source: South Dakota Marriages, 1905-2013, Lola L. Spracklin to Guy Randerson, #50478.  Lola L female age 22, born about 1893, residence Woomay D, Sanborn, marriage 22 December 1915, Sanborn, SD to Guy Randerson. 

Lola and Guy Randerson

Guy and Lola appear in Warren Twp. in the 1920 U.S. Census:

Source:  Guy Randerson Family, 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Warren Twp., Sanborn Co., South Dakota, SD#312, ED220, Sht#2, enumerated 27-28 January 1920, by ____Ray.

Line 59, ____29, 30, Randerson Guy, Head, O, M, M, W, 30, M, yes, yes, born South Dakota, father born Ohio, mother born Missouri, farm, general farm, ___, 30. Randerson, Lola I., wife, F, W, 27, M, yes, yes, born Iowa. Randerson, Ruby, M. daughter, F, W, 2 6/12, S, born South Dakota. Randerson, Orreal A., Son, M, W, 1 2/12, S, born South Dakota. 

Ruby daughter of Lola and Guy Randerson

 

Lola Spracklin Randerson

In 1930 they are still living in Warren Twp.

Source:  Guy Randerson Family, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Warren Twp., Sanborn Co., South Dakota, ED#56-17, SD#5, Sht#2A, enumerated 5 April, 1930, by Edwin R. Newcomb.

Line 24, Far 7, 31, 32, Randerson, Guy, Head, O, yes, M, W, 40, M, 26, no, yes, South Dakota, Father Ohio, mother Missouri, Farmer, general, O, yes, no, 30. Randerson, Lola I, wife-H, F, W, 37, M, 22, no, yes, born Iowa, parents born Iowa. Randerson, Ruby M, daughter, F, W, 12, S, yes, yes, born South Dakota. Randerson, Orval A, son, M, W, 11, S, yes, yes, born South Dakota. Randerson, Opal A., daughter, F, W, 9, S, yes, …., born South Dakota. Randerson, Fay A, son, M, W, 6, S. 

Lola and Guy Randerson with their children: Ruby and Orval

 

Lola and Guy’s children: Opal, Orval, Fay and Ruby

 

Lola and Guy’s family

4.  Mabel Sarah Spracklin was born 16 September, 1895 in Somers, Calhoun Co., Iowa. She married Peter Henry Lund 4 July, 1914 in Sanborn, Jerauld Co., South Dakota. They had one child.

Source:  South Dakota Marriages, 1905-2013, Mabel Spracklin to Peter Henry Lund #42760, Mabel female, age 18, born about 1896, residence Alpena, Jerauld, marriage date 4 July 1914, in Sanborn, SD.  

Henry and Mabel appear in Story Co., Iowa in the 1920 U.S. Census:

Source:  Henry Lund Family, Lafayette Twp., Story Co., Iowa, SD#7, ED#194, Sht#18G., enumerated on the 5th and 9th of January 1920 by Lew Johnson. 

Line 48, Fm, 36, 37, Lund, Henry,  Head, R, M, W, 30, M, yes, yes, born Iowa, parents born Norway, yes, farmer, general farm, Emp., 36. Lund, Mabel, Wife, F, W, 23, M, yes, yes, born Iowa, father born Iowa, mother born Missouri, yes, none.

Something happened to the marriage to Henry for in the 1930 U.S. Census Mabel is now Mabel Frye with a daughter named Fern Lund.  They have migrated to Nebraska.

Source: Frank Frye Family, 1930 U.S. Federal Census,  Perry Precinct, Emerson, Thurston, Nebraska, ED#87-13, SD#3, Sht#1B, enumerated on 2 April, 1930 by Stanley [Piebitt].

Line 51, 11, 11, Frye, Frank, head, R, 10.00 Vo, M, W, 31, M, 23, No, yes, born Nebraska, father born England, mother Nebraska, yes, laborer, steam railroad, yes, yes. Frye, Mabel, wife-H, V, F, W, 34, m, 19, No, yes, born Iowa, parents born Iowa. Lund, Fern, step-daughter, V, F, W, 13, S, yes, yes, born South Dakota. 

Here is Mabel’s marriage record to Frank Frye.

Source:  Record of Marriage, Frye to Lund, July 26, 1922, #88389, Reg#30, Mabel Lund, Residing Woonsocket, S.D., age 26 divorced, married Frank Frye, residing in Alpena, SD, age 24, W.R. Hinds, Justice of the Peace. South Dakota Division of Vital Statistics. 

Find a Grave has memorials for Mabel Frye and Frank Frye in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson, Dixon Co., Nebraska. Ferne Lund Combs also has memorials and tombstone pictures in the Evergreen Cemetery in Superior, Knuckles Co., Nebraska with pictures, obituaries and links to other family.

5. Solomon (Saul) McKinley Spracklin born 7 January, 1898 in Somers, Calhoun Co., Iowa and died 20 August, 1974 in Omaha, Nebraska.  He married Helen Bronson on 11 March, 1919 in Jerauld, South Dakota. They had seven children.

Source:  South Dakota Marriages 1905-2013, Saul Spracklin to Helen May Bronson, #67207, Reg#130. Saul male, age 21, born 1898, residence Woonsocket, Sanborn, marriage date 11 March 1919, Jerauld, SD to Helen May Bronson age 17. 

Saul was refusing to be found in the 1920 census so I moved ahead to the 1930 and found him with Helen in Omaha, Nebraska.

Source:  1930 Census, Saul Spracklin Family, Dunee Precint, Douglas Co., Nebraska, ED#28-144, SD#7, Sht#7B, enumerated April 17, 1930, by Mrs. J.M, Stafford. Omaha City is crossed off.

Line 99, Alamada, 6309, 876, 190, Spracklin, Saul, Head, O, 3500, R, No., M, W, 32, M, 21, No, yes, born Iowa, parents born Iowa, yes, painter, motor, 2922, W, yes, no. Spracklin, Helen M, Wife-H, F,W, 29, M, 16, No, yes, born Iowa, father born Norway, mother born Nebraska, none. 

Next page: Spracklin, Eleanor A., daughter, No, F, W, 10, S, yes, yes born South Dakota. Spracklin, Eugene G, son, M, W, 8, S, yes, born South Dakota. Spracklin, Helen B, daughter, F, W, 5, S, yes, born Nebraska. Spracklin, Darla M, daughter, F, W, 2, S, no, born Nebraska. Spracklin, Donald, son, M, W, 1/12 S, no, born Nebraska. 

Saul and Helen are in the 1940 Census in West Benson, Douglas, Nebraska with their family.

In searching for the burial for Saul, I stumbled on newspaper articles about his death.  He was killed in a parking lot in Omaha by some young kids in July 1974 and died on 20 August 1974 of the wounds from what I can make out. More information is available if you contact me by leaving a comment.

6. Beryl Edna Spracklin was born 4 April, 1901 in Calhoun Co., Iowa. She married Bertyl Andrew Lillehaug on 2 July, 1919 in Jerauld, So. Dakota.  Bertyl was born 24 January, 1897 in Lane, Jerauld, South Dakota. They died in Pierce County, Washington. Bertyl and Beryl had five children: Arlene B., Verda Mae, Alvin B., Bonnie R, Betty A.

1917 Beryl mother of Verda Mae courtesy of a cousin.

Source:  South Dakota Marriages 1905-2013, Beryl Spracklin, #68945, Reg #144. Peryl Spracklin female, age 18, born about 1901 resident Woonsocket, marriage date 2 July 1919, Jerauld, SD. to Bertel Lillehaug.  Summary index it is spelled Peryl no Beryl, on the actual card it is correct. 

In 1920 Beryl is living with Bertyl’s brother’s family in Viola Twp., Jerauld Co., South Dakota.

Source:  Sunan Lillehaug Family, Viola Twp., Jerauld Co., South Dakota, SD#312, ED#112, Sht#3-A, enumerated 11-12 March 1920, by A.D. McRay.

Line 15, Fam, 41, 42, Lillehaug, Suiian, Head, R, M, W, 27, M, yes, yes, born South Dakota, parents born Norway, farm, general farm, Em, 38. Lillehaug, Ellen, Wife, F, W, 19, M, yes, yes, born Illinois, parents born Sweden. Lillehaug, Bertel, brother, M,W, 19, M, yes, yes, born Illinois, farm laborer, sam fm, OA. Lillehaug, Beryl, Wife, F, W, 18, M, yes, yes, born Iowa. 

Beryl and Bertyl Lillehaug

1930 the Lillehaug family is living in Nebraska.

Source: Bert Lillehaug Family, Omaha City, Douglas, Nebraska, Ward 11, Block#365, ED#28-122, SD7, Sht#77A, enumerated April 18, 1930, by William E. Conkling.

Line 12, 5635, 828, 851, Lillehaug, Bert, Head, R, 25, R, No, M, W, 33, M, 21, no, yes, born South Dakota, parents born Norway, yes, Mechanic, automobile, yes, no. Lillehaug, Beryl, Wife-H, F, W, 29, M, 18, no, yes, born Iowa, father Iowa, mother Ohio, yes, none. Lillehaug, Arline, daughter, F, W, 10, S, yes, yes, born South Dakota, yes, none. Lillehaug, Verda M., daughter, F, W, 6, S, yes, born South Dakota, none. Lillehaug, Alvin, son, M, W, 5, S, yes, born South Dakota, none. Lillehaug, Bonnie R, daughter, F, W, 2 9/12, S, no, born South Dakota, none.

Bert and Beryl Lillehaug are still in Omaha, Nebraska in the 1940 U.S. Federal Census. Bertel is working in a Planing mill as an odd jobs worker.  The family consists of Bertel 43, Beryl 39, Verda 16, Alvin 15, Bonnie 12 and Betty Ann 1-year-old. So this means they made their migration to Washington State after 1940.

Find A Grave has a memorial of their tombstone and son Alvin’s at the Haven of Rest Cemetery in Gig Harbor, Pierce Co., Washington.  There are obituaries listed on the index for Bert and Bertyl at the Tacoma Public Library which require a fee to purchase copies.

7. Howard Alfred Spracklin was born 14 September, 1903 in Lane, Jerauld Co., South Dakota and died 19 October, 1977.  He married Pauline Kruse on 9 June, 1928 in Jerald.

Source:  South Dakota Marriages 1905-2013, Alfred Spracklin #124948, Reg#494, Alfred male, age 24, born about 1904, residence Woonsocket, Sanborn, marriage date 9 June 1928 in Jerauld, SD to Pauline Kruse. 

Alfred and Pauline are living in Alpena in the 1930 census.

Source:  Alfred Spracklin Family, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Alpena Twp., Jerauld Co., South Dakota, ED#37-2, SD#5, Sht #1-A, enumerated 14, April, 1930 by John J. Feish. 

Line 9, 3, 3, Spracklin, Alfred H., Head, yes, M, W, 26, M, 25, no, yes, born South Dakota, parents born Iowa, manager farm, W, yes, no, 3. Spracklin, Pauline E., wife-H, F, W, 18, M, 17, No, yes, born Nebraska, father born Nebraska, mother Illinois, yes, none. Spracklin, Howard A., son, , M, W, 1 5/12, S, no, born South Dakota, none. 

Alfred was attacked, according to newspaper reports, by two men who stormed into his apartment, stole from him and hurt him in October of 1974.  More information will be shared by leaving a comment and I will get in touch with you.

8.  Beulah Elsie Spracklin was born 1 May, 1906 in Lane, Jerauld Co., South Dakota. She married 27 September, 1927 to Elmer Ernest Harris. They had  five children.

Source: South Dakota Marriages 1905-2013, Beulah Spracklin #119950, Reg#471, Beulah, female, age 21 born about 1906, residing Lane, Jerauld, marriage date 26 Spt. 1927 in Jerauld, SD to Elmer E. Harris. 

Beulah and Elmer are in Rose Hill Township in South Dakota in the 1930 census.

Source:  Elmer E. Harris Family, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Rose Hill Twp., Hand Co., South Dakota, ED#30-39, SD#4, Sht#2A, enumerated April 29, 1930, by George Welch. 

Line 7, 24, 24, Harris, Elmer, E. Head, R, yes, M, W, 26, M 23, No, yes, South Dakota, father born US, mother Ohio. yes, labor, farm, yes, yes, ___. Harris, Beuleh E, Wife, F, W, 23, M, 21, no, yes, South Dakota, parents born Iowa, yes, none. Harris, Daryl JM, adopted son, M, W, 5, S, yes, no, South Dakota, yes, none. 

In 1940 they are living in Bay Lake, Crow Wing Co., Minnesota. Elmer is 36, Beulah E. is 24 and children. Elmer is working as an operator on a farm.

Beulah Spracklin Harris was the mystery niece that attended the Pine River, Minnesota presentation of the play “Tales from the Tall Pines…” in 1985. When I visited Pine River on my three trips there, I was informed of a niece who came to this event. I finally know which of Amarilla’s nieces was involved. Sadly I did not realize that she actually had lived in Minnesota or I would have learned more.  See the next post for more about Beulah and this event in Pine River.

There is an Elmer E. Harris at Find A Grave with a memorial and tombstone photo. He was born 1904 and died July 15, 1977 in Crow Wing Co., Minnesota and is buried at the Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby. Beulah was living in Bay Lake in 1985 and that is east of Brainerd, Minnesota.  It might be her husband but so far I have no burial for her.

9.  Gerald Huston Spracklin was born 20 December, 1908 in Lane, Jerauld Co., South Dakota. He married Helen Wilson in 1930 in Moody Lake, South Dakota. They both died within months of each other in 1998.

Source:  South Dakota Marriages 1905-2013, Gerald H. Spracklin #141484, Reg#258, Gerald male, age 21 born about 1909, residence Madison, Lake, marriage date 18 Nov 1930, marriage place Moody, SD. to Helen Wilson. 

Gerald was apparently a man of clever industry as this newspaper photo shows:

Gerald Spracklin Tin Can Man

Jerry and Helen Spraklin (note spelling) are living in Madison, Lake, South Dakota in the 1940 census with [Nihla J.) daughter.

Find A Grave has a memorial and tombstone photo for both Gerald and Helen at the Graceland Cemetery in Madison, Lake Co., South Dakota.

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FamilySearch has school census for the Spracklin family in South Dakota and it looks like most of the children attended either in Alpena or Woonsocket from 1911 to …South Dakota School Records 1879-19700.  They have the actual census pages which could me of value to a descendant.

https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1389778

There is more to do and share about this family. I am not up on Nebraska or for that matter South Dakota genealogy but I do wish to caution you about the names of the locations and to verify them.  As always please check the other information found above and make sure it is correct.  I am more familiar and knowledgeable about Iowa, Washington State and Minnesota genealogy.

I have documents and more collected by cousins that I am happy to share. If you would like to know more about these families, just leave me a comment and I will get in touch with you.

My thanks to all those cousins who have helped with me with this family and for the wonderful photos.

Daniel Spracklin’s Children: Virda Huston Spracklin – 1866 to 1927

Virda Huston Spracklin

Virda Huston Spracklin was born 11 June, 1866 in Benton Co., Iowa to Daniel and Sarah Spracklin.

Virda has been featured in the census, on this blog, and with his parents Daniel and Sarah starting with the 1870 U.S. Federal where he is referred to as Birdie H. 4 yrs old, male, born in Iowa. The family is in Leroy Twp., Benton Co., Iowa at this time. In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census he is appears as: Spracklin, Virdia, white, male, age 13, son, at school, born in Iowa. Daniel has migrated to Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa by this time.

Virda is not in the 1885 Iowa Census with his parents nor is he with them in 1895. So this means he left home between 1880 and 1885.  I cannot find him in the 1885 Iowa Census so he may have been on the move at this time.

Verd Spracklin appears in the Index for the 1895 Iowa State Census as 28 years old and born in Benton Co., Iowa, page 182, residence is Cedar, Calhoun Co. Lillie is listed in the index for this census as 27 yrs old born in Dubuque, Iowa. Dair Spracklin is also listed age 4, and Sola Spracklin age 2. I am assuming that Sola is really Lola.

Note:  FamilySearch has the actual card records of the South Dakota state census online.  You have to sign in to see them which means you need a free online account with the Family History Library. They also have films to study. Easy to do. Ancestry has only an index for the South Dakota census.

South Dakota County Map

Virda H. Spracklin appears in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census in, Cedar Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa.  His brother Reed is above him on the page.

Source: 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Cedar Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa, SD#10, ED#30, Sht#2, enumerated 6 June, 1900 by Ira E. Babcock. 

Line 56, 30, 31 Spracklin, Reed A. Head, Aug. 1868, 31, M, 2, born Iowa, father born Indiana, mother born Ohio, farmer, yes, yes, yes, R, F, 27. Spracklin, Julia A. Wife, F, Sept 1858, 21, m, 2, 2 born, 1 living, born Nebraska, father born Indiana, mother born Kansas, yes, yes, yes. Spracklin Amos, E., son, W, M, Aug, 1899 9/12 S. born Iowa.

Line 63, 32, 33, Spracklin, Virda H., Head, W, M, June 1866 age 33, M, 10, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother Indiana, Farmer, yes, yes, yes, O, M, F, 31. Spracklin, Lilly A., wife, W, F, Mar. 1867, 33, M, 10, 4 born, 4 living, born Iowa, father born Indiana, mother Ohio. Spracklin Dair D., son, W, M, Sept 1890, 9, S, born Iowa, at school, yes, yes, yes. Spracklin, Lola I, daughter, W, F, Dec 1893, 6, S, born Iowa, yes, yes, no, O, M, F, 30. Spracklin, Mabel S, daughter, W, F, Sep 1896 3, S, born Iowa. Spracklin, Solomon, son, W, M, Jan 1898 1, S, born Iowa. 

Virda and family are in the 1905 Iowa State Census in South Dakota.  This is only an index and not the original pages of the census. So sometime around 1903 Virda migrated to South Dakota taking the family there.

VH Spracklin, Male, White, Married, age 39, born 1866, Iowa, years in State 2, 1903, South Dakota, parents born in Ohio. Lilly May, born 1867 in Iowa, parents born in Ohio. Daniel D, Lola, Mable G, Solomon, Bearl and Alford are in South Dakota too. 

Virda and Lille appear in the 1910 U.S. Census in South Dakota:

Source: Virda H. Spracklin Family, 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Franklin, Jerauld, South Dakota, Roll #T624_1482, Page 19A, ED 249, Image 632.

Virda H. Spracklin, age 44, born about 1866 in Iowa, father born in Ohio, mother in Indiana, married, white. Lilly M. Spracklin, age 43, Daniel D. Spracklin age 19, Lilly J. Spracklin age 17, Mabel S. Spracklin age 14, Solomon Spracklin age 12, Beryl J. Spracklin age 9, Alford Spracklin age 7, Beulah Spracklin age 4, Gerald H. Spracklin 1 4/12.

In 1915 they are still in South Dakota per the census. This is an index not the actual pages:

VH Spracklin, age 49, born 1866 male, white, born Iowa, married, marriage year 1890, in state 1904, Free Methodist, father born Ohio, mother born Indiana. Sht #47. Lillie M. age 49, born 1866, in Iowa, married etc.

In 1920 they are still in Franklin, Jerauld, South Dakota, they have Opal with them, brother Daniel’s daughter. This is the last census for Lilly,

Source:  V.H. Spracklin [Spradlin], 1920 U.S. Federal, Franklin, Jerauld, South Dakota, Roll T625-1721, Page 7A, ED 115, Image 681.

V.H. Spracklin, age 53 years, born about 1867 in Iowa, Spouses Name May, Father born US, Mother US married, white male, own home, able to read and write Image 681. May Spracklin age 52, Alfred Spracklin age 19, Baulah Spracklin age 13, Gerald Spracklin age 11, Opal Spracklin age 11.

Virda or Verda Spracklin appears in the 1925 Iowa State Census.  Again this is an index only listing.

Verda Spracklin, age 59, male, white, born 1866, in Iowa, Scotch, widowed, not naturalized, Free Methodist, father born Ohio, mother born Indiana.

Virda married Lillie Mae Amsden on 12 November, 1889 in Rockwell City, Calhoun Co., Iowa. Lillie was the daughter of Joel Amsden and Isabella Kirkpatrick.  She was born 3 March, 1867, Dubuque Co., Iowa.  The marriage record was obtained and shared by P. Stoudt.

Source: Marriage Record No. 2: Virda H. Spracklin to Lillie May Amsden, 12 November 1889, Rockwell City, Calhoun Co., Iowa pg. 344, No. 352

On 12 November 1889 testimony of F.M. Leachiss, License for the marriage of Virda H. Spracklin and Lillie May Amsden, Rockwell City, 12 November 1889, F.C. Gregg, Clerk, joined in marriage.  Groom: Virda H. Spracklin, resided Cedar Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa, Farmer, age 24, color white, born Benton Co., Iowa, Father Daniel Spracklin, mother Sarah Blacketer, first marriage. Bride Lillie May Amsden, residing Cedar Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa, age 23, white, born Dubuque, Iowa farther Joel Amsden, mother Isabel Kirkpatrick, first marriage, married at Rockwell City on 12 November 1889. Signed by them.

In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census a Joel Amsden age 52 is living in Cedar Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa with an Isbabel.  There is a May Amsden age 13 listed living with them.  It lists Joel 52, Isabel 45, Eva 26, Charles L. 23, Laura 20, Fannie 16, May 13, Frank 10, Wlater 6 and Howard 4.

There is no writing on this photo to indicate who the children are, I would guess that the little girl on the left standing is Lola, the boy standing in the back is Daniel, the little girl on the right in the white dress is Mabel and the child in the chair is Saul.  These children are so precious.

Virda and Lillie’s Children

Find A Grave has a picture of Virda and Lilly’s tombstone in the Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket, South Dakota.

Lilly May died 29 July 1924 in Davison Co., South Dakota. Virda died 15 November, 1927 in Woonsocket, Sanborn Co., South Dakota. The photo below is from a cousin.

Virda H. Spracklin and Lily May’s Tombstone in Eventide Cemetery, courtesy of P. Stoudt.

Virda was listed on the heirs-at-law form in the Estate for his father Daniel D. Spracklin in 1915. There are several posts about Daniel’s Estate that you can review on this blog. Virda and Lillie signed a deed selling his father’s land.

Source:  Deed Record, Lands, Iowa County Grantors, Book 73, pg. 87, V.H. & Mae, E.G. & wife, P.G. & wife, C.E. et al, O.R. Spracklin to Thomas Stapleton.

KNOW BY ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That we, V.H. Spracklin and Mae Spracklin, his wife of the County of Sanborn, State of South Dakota, for and in consideration of the sum of One Dollar, do hereby sell, convey and forever Quit Claim unto Thomas Stapleton of Iowa County, State of Iowa, to-wit; – the north-east quarter of Section Nineteen (19) in Township Seventy-eight (78) North of Range Twelve West of the Fifth Principal Meridian. And I Mae Spracklin, wife of the said V.H. Spracklin, for the above consideration do hereby relinquish all right of dower in and to the above described premises. Signed this 23 day of January A.D. 1917 – Signed V.H. Spracklin and Mae Spracklin

State of South Dakota, County of Sanborn, ss. Be it remembered that on this 23 day of January A.D. 1917, before the undersigned Notary Public within and for said County personally came V.H. Spracklin and Mae Spracklin, to me personally known to be the identical persons named in and who subscribed the above instrument as grantors and acknowledged the execution thereof to be their voluntary act and deed.

Witness my hand and Notarial Seal the day and year last above written. (seal). My commission expires Dec. 17th 1917, N. Noble Notary Public in and for Sanborn County, South Dakota.

I have done a search of the Bureau of Land Management to see if Virda came up, but he did not. A Clem Spracklin appears in their listings for 10/4/1935 in the Black Hills to be used for stock grazing.  I think he is the son of John W. Spracklin out of Wyoming and the grandson of Peter Spracklin brother to Daniel D. Spracklin father of Virda.  I think it would be interesting to do a deed search on Virda to see when he bought his land and then an estate search to see what happened to it.

It is looking like a search of Jerauld and Sanborn counties would be in order for deeds and other documentation. I am finding it difficult to do research on South Dakota online or at the Family History Library which emphasizes the Native American.  There is so much more on Virda that I would like to do.

In the next post, I will share what I know about the children of Lillie and Virda. I am a bit puzzled as to the spelling of her name, I have seen Lillie or Lily and Mae or May.  It is sort of like trying to figure out how Amarilla spelled her name.