Eva Finkle (1870-????)

PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS SERIES:

Burton Finkle (1868-1909)
William Finkle (1866-1948)
David Finkle (1844-1915)
Eliza Jane (Pemberton) Finkle (1844-1927)
Sarah Maria (Pemberton) Morrison Jones (1851-1941)

To continue my series of posts on the subjects of my RootsMagic database cleanup, this post will focus on Eva Finkle. Eva was the third child and oldest daughter of David Finkle and Eliza Jane Pemberton. Eliza was the younger sister of my third great-grandfather, John Pemberton. As I clean up the source citations and events for individuals in my database, I am posting about them here (actually, I've cleaned up several people since Eva, but I'm way behind on blog posting about them). I've been toying with the different formats for these blog posts, so this one may be slightly different from ones in the past. 

FUN FACTS ABOUT EVA FINKLE

• Eva was probably born Mar 1870 in Algonac, St. Clair, Michigan. My source for this is the 1870 census, which lists her age as 2 months and her month of birth as March. Her age of 10 in the 1880 census supports this birth date.
• The 1900 census gives her age as 28 and her birth date as Nov 1871. The 1910, 1920, and 1940 censuses support the Nov 1871 birth date, as they give her age as 38, 48, and 68 respectively. The 1894 State of Michigan census also supports a Nov 1871 birth date. It gives her age as 22 (official census date was 01 Jun 1894). However, all this being said, we know she could not have been born in 1871, as she appeared in the 1870 census.
• The 1930 census gives her age as 57, suggesting a birth date between Apr 1872 and Mar 1873. Her marriage record gives her age as 29, which suggests a birth date of c. 1872.
• The 1884 State of Michigan census gives her age as 13, suggesting a birth date between Jun 1870 and Jun 1871.
• All census records agree on a birthplace of Michigan, and her marriage record specifically states that she was born in Algonac. This is where her family was enumerated in 1870, when she was listed as a 2-month-old infant.
• The 1899 St. Clair County directory lists Eva as a dressmaker who lived on Plank Rd. in Marine City with her parents.
• Eva Finkle married Thomas P. Leslie on 18 Dec 1901 in Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan. She was a 29-year-old dressmaker born in Algonac who lived in Port Huron. He was a 30-year-old marine engineer born in Canada who also lived in Port Huron. He was the son of John Leslie and Susan McLeod. They were married by E. Rushbrooke, Pastor. According to the 1902 Port Huron city directory, Emanuel Rushbrook was the pastor at Nancy Howard Mission (Baptist) located at 1929 11th St.
• The 1902 city directory lists her as Mrs. Eva Leslie who rooms at 913 Elmwood. No mention of Thomas Leslie is made.

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• Thomas and Eva appear in the 1910 census in the home of Eva's parents on River Road in Port Huron Township. Thomas was a 37-year-old born in Canada and an engineer on a lumber boat. His immigrated in 1888 and was naturalized. Eva was a 38-year-old born in Michigan.
• There is a Thomas P. and Eva Leslie living at 619 E. 1st St. in Grays Harbor, Washington, in the 1913 city directory. Thomas was an engineer for Independent Sand & Gravel Co. I don't know for certain if this is my Thomas and Eva Leslie. I don't have any other evidence that they ever left the Michigan. More research needs to be done.
• In 1920, Thomas and Eva are found in Sandusky, Sanilac, Michigan, which is about 50 miles northwest of Port Huron. Both were 48 years old. Thomas was a farmer born in Canada. His immigration date is given as 1886 and his naturalization date as 1896.
• In the 1926 Port Huron city directory, Thomas and Eva are listed at 1824 10th Ave. Thomas was a sailor. Judging from it's location in the street directory, it appears to be near the site of a present-day bank (or maybe the liquor store next door).

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• In Eva's mother's obituary from April 1927, their residence is given as Sandusky.
• In the 1930 Port Huron city directory, Thomas and Eva are found at 633 11th St. His occupation was marine engineer.

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• For the 1930 census, Thomas and Eva were enumerated at 2109 Willow St. in Port Huron. He was 58 and she was 57. He was a stationary engineer for the water works.

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• The next few years of city directories puts them at several different addresses


• 1931:  1754 Scott Ave.

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• 1933: 1214 Sedgwick

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• 1936:  1125 11th Ave.

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• 1938:  1125 Willow St.

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• 1940: 1519 Poplar St. (Thomas is listed alone)

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• Thomas's occupation as a stationary engineer for the water works remained the same, however.
• In 1940, Thomas and Eva were enumerated at 827 Sedgwick in Port Huron. Thomas was 70 years old, and Eva was 68. He was still listed as a stationary engineer for the water works. The house would have been where the trees and private gate are to the left in this pic below. I believe they have knocked the house down to build condominiums that are behind the gate.

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• In the 1946 Port Huron city directory, Thomas is listed alone with no occupation at 709 Fort St., where the empty lot is today. The householder listed in the street directory for 1946 is William H. Hurd. In the 1940 census, Wm H. Hurd is listed as a 76-year-old born in Ohio. His wife, Sarah, age 77 , was born in Canada. They had a lodger named Daniel H. Wood, age 68, born in Michigan. No occupation is given for any of them. I do not know if they have any connection, or they simply liked to take in boarders, since they had one in 1940 as well.

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• I do not have any death information for either Thomas or Eva. I've looked at an online transcription of the St. Clair County Death Index from 1940 onward, and I can't seem to find them. The 1946 city directory, a recent discovery, helps me to narrow down a possible death date for Eva (c. 1940-1946). 
• Thomas does not appear in the 1950 Port Huron city directory, so that helps narrow down a possible death date for him as well (c. 1946-1950).
• It's also possible that Eva and Thomas divorced between 1940 and 1946, though unlikely, considering their age.
• It's possible that Thomas did not die between 1946 and 1950, but simply left the area. However, considering his age, it's likely that he died.
• I need to do more research in the city directories to fill in the gaps on missing years. They seemed to move around a lot.I have only done my research in online directories. I need to check out the ones on FHL microfilm and at the St. Clair Co. Library in Port Huron.
• I also need to check Sanilac County death records as well. They seemed to spend at least a few years in Sandusky and may have died there as well.
• In all the records I have found and searched, I have never come across any records for children of Thomas and Eva. It appears that they did not have any children.

Burton FINKLE (1868-1909)

PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS SERIES:

William Finkle (1866-1948)
David Finkle (1844-1915)
Eliza Jane (Pemberton) Finkle (1844-1927)
Sarah Maria (Pemberton) Morrison Jones (1851-1941)

About a month ago, I posted about my research on William FINKLE. He was my first cousin 4x removed and the oldest child of David FINKLE and Eliza Jane PEMBERTON. This was part of a series of posts about the individuals I've been working on in my RootsMagic database cleanup project. This post will be about the second child of David and Eliza, Burton FINKLE.

According to the Macomb County, Michigan, birth registers, David and Eliza FINKLE had a child on 22 Mar 1868 in Lenox Township. No name was given for the child, but from analyzing all known records on Burton FINKLE, it appears to be him. According to his death record, he was born Mar 1868. His ages of 2 and 16, respectively, in the 1870 U.S. census and 1884 State of Michigan census support this birth date. The 1880 census gives his age as 11, which would make him born ca. 1869. The 1900 census gives his birth date as Mar 1869. The 1894 State of Michigan census gives his age as 23, which would suggest a birth date of ca. 1871.

Burton does not appear to have ever married. I have found no marriage record for him in Michigan or Ohio. At the time of his death, his marital status was given as single. All census records also give his marital status as single.

From 1870 to 1900, Burton is found with his parents in the federal and state census records. 

1870 Algonac, St. Clair Michigan: Bertis Finkle, age 2, born in Michigan

1880 Clay Township, St. Clair, Michigan: Burton Finkle, age 11, labors on farm, born in Michigan

1884 Clay Township, St. Clair, Michigan: Burton Finkle, age 16, born in Michigan, mariner

1894 Marine City, St. Clair, Michigan: Burt Finkle, age 23, single, born in Michigan, sailor

1900 Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan: Bert Finkel, b. Mar 1869, age 31, single, born in Michigan, sailor

Burton also appears in a few county and city directories from 1899 to 1909. 

1899 Marine City, St. Clair, Michigan: Bert Finkle, sailor, res Plank rd [home of his parents]

1902 Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan: Bert Finkle, polisher Pt H Steel & S Co [Port Huron Steel & Screw Co.], res 32d [home of his parents]

1904 Toledo, Lucas, Ohio: Burt Finkle, sailor, bds 348 Craig [along with brothers, Hayes and Jeremiah]

1907 Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio: Burton Finkle carp r 3707 Clinton av NW [along with his father and two brothers, Hayes and Roy]

1909 Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio: Bert Finkle mate r 1864 W 48th NW [along with brothers, Hayes and Roy]

From the census and city directories, it is apparent that Burton was a sailor for most of his life. It appears that he dabbled in carpentry, but I think that it was most likely ship carpentry. 

According to his death record, Burton died at the age of 41 on 29 Nov 1909 in Cleveland due to gross injuries and shock due to a railroad accident. 

Ohio Department of Health, death certificate no. 55804 (1909), Burten Finkel; Ohio Historical Society, Columbus.

  

County of Cuyahoga
City of Cleveland
No. 2322 Forestdale, 6th Ward
Full Name: Burten Finkel
Sex: Male
Race: White
Date of birth: March 1868
Age: 41y 8m
Marital Status: Single
Birthplace: U.S.A.
Occupation: Sailor
Name of Father: David Finkel
Father's birthplace: U.S.A.
Maiden Name of Mother: Eliza Pemberton
Mother's birthplace: U.S.A.
Informant: Roy Finkle
Informant's Address: 2322 Forestdale Av.
Date of death: Nov. 29, 1909
Cause of death: Gross injuries, shock
Contributory cause: R.R. Accident
Former or usual residence: Port Huron
Place of burial: Port Huron
Date of burial: Dec. 1, 1909
Undertaker: Wm. Abel, 7017 Superior Ave

Curious if there would be a newspaper article about the death, I searched for one at GenealogyBank.com. Sure enough, there was a short article in the Plain Dealer about his death. Below is a transcription.

Mate of Steamer Killed by Locomotive He Failed to See in Hurry

Burton Finkel, first mate of the steamer Fred Hartwell, was killed by an eastbound Big Four engine at the W. 3d-st. crossing of the Lake Shore railroad yesterday afternoon.

A half hour before his death Finkel had bidden goodby to his brother, Roy, 2322 Forestdale-av., S.W., after a visit, and had left the house for his boat. He was in a hurry and took a short cut up the Lake Shore tracks.

As he reached the W. 3d-st. crossing, the Big Four engine, running about fifteen miles an hour, came up the track behind him. Finkel failed to notice the approach of the locomotive and before the engineer could stop he was struck, his body being thrown high into the air.

Abel's ambulance took the body to Abel's undertaking rooms. Finkel lived in Port Huron, Mich., and was thirty-eight years old.

Source:  "Haste Fatal To Sailor," Cleveland (Ohio) Plain Dealer, 30 November 1909, p. 4, col. 4; digital images, GenealogyBank (http://www.genealogybank.com/ : accessed 18 November 2009).


I also searched for an article in the Port Huron newspaper when I visited there in 2009. Again, I was lucky.

"Parents Get Sad Message," The Daily Herald (Port Huron, Michigan), 1 December 1909, p. 1.

 

Hear of Son's Death, While They Were Planning to Welcome Him

Late Tuesday night Coroner Falk and Deputy Sheriff Auch learned that the parents of Burton Finkle, second mate on the steamer David Hartwell, who was killed by a railroad train Cleveland in Monday, resided on a farm in Port Huron township, and they broke the sad news to the members of his family.

"So Burton is dead," wailed the grief stricken parents, and the two officials did all in their power to comfort them. It was only a few weeks ago that Finkle wrote home, saying that he expected to be with his family for Christmas.

The remains arrived here at 10 o'clock this morning and were taken to the family residence, from where the funeral will be held on Friday.

I also found a short article about his funeral in the Port Huron newspaper.

The funeral of Burton Finkle, the Port Huron man who was killed by a Big Four train at Cleveland on Monday, will be held from the Gratiot Park M.E. church Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock and the burial will be at Lakeside cemetery.

Burton was a rather easy person for me to clean up in my database because he never married nor had any children. Stay tuned to learn more about the third child of David and Eliza, Burton's sister, Eva. 

New Discovery: Wesley Finkle

I recently discovered that images of the 1884 census for the State of Michigan are available for free from the SeekingMichigan.org website. In fact, they even have a searchable database to locate specific images. As I was writing my recent blog post on William Finkle, I decided to take a gander at the census for the Finkle family.

Sure enough, David and Eliza (Pemberton) Finkle were not too hard to find. I figured they would be in Clay, St. Clair, Michigan.

In the household of 1880, there were six children enumerated, and in 1900, there was one more son, which made for a total of seven children. These were the only seven children ever mentioned in family obituaries, so I figured I had found them all. Curiously, at the bottom of the 1884 census record, there was a seventh child literally called "(No Name)." This child was a one-year-old baby boy. All six children from the 1880 census had been accounted for on this 1884 census record. According to the St. Clair County birth registers, the seventh child was not born until 1885. So who was this nameless baby?

I decided to double check the "Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897" database at FamilySearch.org. Perhaps I could find a death record, though I had my doubts because I was positive I had already searched this database for the Finkle surname. Lo and behold, there was a death record! It was right there in plain sight. No finagling of surnames or parents' names needed to get the right search results.

That little stinker! Wesley Finkle was there all along. According to the death record, Wesley Finkle died on 20 Nov 1887 from spinal disease (poor baby!) in Marine City, St. Clair, Michigan. He was the son of David and Eliza Finkle. And he was 4 years old, making him the right age to be the one-year-old baby boy in 1884. I'm not sure if spinal disease means spinal meningitis or spina bifida. I also wonder why he didn't have a name in 1884 if he was already a year old? I could understand if he was only a few days old. Makes me think he may have been born disabled and perhaps they didn't name him right away, knowing that he was going to die. Even so, would they really wait a year to name him? Or is it more likely the census taker and the death record are off on his age by about a year? Maybe that is more reasonable.

Lesson Learned: Don't forget to search for the death and birth records of children who were born and who also died between 1880 and 1900. Thank goodness for those of us lucky to have state census records in the intervening years.

William Finkle (1866-1948)

PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS SERIES:

David Finkle (1844-1915)
Eliza Jane (Pemberton) Finkle (1844-1927)
Sarah Maria (Pemberton) Morrison Jones (1851-1941)
 
As I've been cleaning up the source citations and events in my RootsMagic database, I've been blogging about the individuals and families that I've cleaned up. Recently, I've blogged about David Finkle and Eliza Jane Pemberton. Eliza was the younger sister of my third-great-grandfather, John Pemberotn. David and Eliza had seven children. William Finkle, the subject of this post, was their oldest child.

William first appears in the 1870 census as a four-year-old child in the home of his maternal grandparents, Jeremiah and Susannah (Jermyn) Pemberton, in the village of Algonac, St. Clair, Michigan.

1870 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Clay Township, Algonac, p. 12, dwelling 94, family 94, Jeremiah Pemberton household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 698.

His parents, David and Eliza, were also enumerated in the household. This puts William's birth date around 1866 and gives his birthplace as Michigan. This means he was born approximately one year after his parents married on 27 Apr 1865 in Clay Township, St. Clair, Michigan.

William appears again in 1880, this time in the household of his parents in Clay Township.

1880 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Clay Township, enumeration district (ED) 370, p. 17, dwelling 98, family 98, David Finkle household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 604.

His age and birthplace is consistent with that in the 1870 census. He was a 14-year-old farm laborer born in Michigan.

In the 1884 State of Michigan Census, William appears as an 18-year-old mariner living at home with his parents in Clay Township.

1884 State of Michigan Census, St. Clair County, Clay Township, p. 38, dwelling 151, family 162, David Finkle household; digital images, Seeking Michigan (http://seekingmichigan.org : accessed 7 January 2013); citing Archives of Michigan microfilm record group 80-98, roll 2070.

Again, his birth date and place are consistent (c. 1866 in Michigan) with the 1870 and 1880 census records.

The 1894 State of Michigan Census seems to be off on the age by a couple of years for most of the members of David Finkle's household.

1894 State of Michigan Census, St. Clair County, Marine City, Ward 3, p. 42-43, dwelling 166, family 175, David Finkle household; digital images, Seeking Michigan (http://seekingmichigan.org : accessed 7 January 2013); citing Archives of Michigan microfilm record group 80-98, roll 2073.

William is enumerated as a 26-year-old single sailor at the home of his parents on Plank Road in Marine City, St. Clair, Michigan. His birthplace is again given as Michigan. His age, however, suggests a birth date of c. 1868. The record was faint and hard to read, however, so it is slightly possible that I read his age incorrectly.

William Finkle married Mary Bronson on 15 Jan 1896  in Detroit.

Michigan Department of Vital Records, Marriage Registers, 1896, Wayne County, p. 371, no. 20161, Finkle-Bronson; "Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925," digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 7 June 2008).

Name of groom: Wm. Finkle
Age: 28
Race: White
Residence: Detroit
Birthplace: Michigan
Occupation: Sailor
Father: David Finkle
Mother: Eliza Pemberton
Times previously married: [blank - seems to imply "none"]

Name of bride: Mary Bronson
Age: 23
Residence: Detroit
Birthplace: Iowa
Father: Marshal Bronson
Mother: Unknown
Times previously married: [blank - seems to imply "none"]

Date of license: 15 Jan 1896
Date of marriage: 15 Jan 1896
Place of marriage: Detroit
Officiant: H.L. Schellenberg, J.D.
Witness: Jerry Finkle, Detroit
Witness: Plum B. Schellenberg, Detroit

William's age is given as 28 and his birthplace as Michigan. This suggests a birth date of c. 1867 (possibly early January 1868). Mary was age 23 and born in Iowa, which suggests a birth date of c. 1872. Both are listed as residents of Detroit. William was a sailor, which agrees with his occupation in the 1884 and 1894 census records. His parents are listed as David Finkle and Eliza Pemberton. Mary's father is given a Marshal Bronson, but no mother is given for Mary. One of the witnesses appears to be William's younger brother, Jeremiah "Jerry" Finkle, who was also residing in Detroit. The other witness appears to be a relative of the officiant who performed the marriage. The 1895 Detroit city directory states that Harry L. Schellenberg was a Justice of the Peace who lived at 76 Forest Ave. E. His business was located at 39 Congress E. According to the 1900 census, Harry L. Schellenberg was a lawyer, and Plum Schellenberg was his wife.

I have not found William in the 1895 or 1896 Detroit city directories at Fold3.com, but I have found a Matie Bronson, a maid residing at 17 Ledyard in 1895. The homeowner at this address in 1895 was Charles Reaume, who owned a real estate business.

William and Mary (Bronson) Finkle were enumerated on 12 Jun 1900 in Clay, St. Clair, Michigan.

1900 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Clay Township, enumeration district (ED) 78, sheet 4A, dwelling 74, family 74, William Finkle household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 741.

They did not have any children. William was listed as a 33-year-old sailor born in Apr 1867. Mary was age 25 and born in Mar 1875. Both birthplaces are given as Michigan. The birth date and place for Mary are both off from the 1896 marriage record.

I cannot seem to find William and Mary in 1910. In January 1920, they were again enumerated in Clay Township.

1920 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Clay Township, enumeration district (ED) 97, sheet 8A, dwelling 188, family 191, William Finkle household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 795.

This time Mary is listed as "Margaret." William was a 52-year-old sailor born in Michigan. This puts his birth date around 1867. Margaret was age 50 and also born in Michigan. This puts her born around 1869. Again, her age and birth place do not match those found on her marriage record nor the age given in the 1900 census. No children were enumerated.

In April 1927, William was listed as residing in Tashmoo Park in his mother's obituary. Tashmoo Park was actually an amusement park that opened in 1897 and closed in 1951. It was located on Harsen's Island in the St. Clair Flats at the northern end of Lake St. Clair. There were several steamships that sailed between Detroit and Port Huron that stopped at Tashmoo Park. I have to wonder if William possibly worked for one of these steamships, since he was a sailor. Harsen's Island is part of Clay Township and is where the David Finkle family lived for the 1883 and 1885 county directories.

William and "Matie" Finkle were enumerated on 25 Apr 1930 in Clay Township.

1930 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Clay Township, enumeration district (ED) 7, sheet 10A, dwelling 249, family 252, William Finkle household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 1024.

They owned their home, which was valued at $3,500. According to the inflation calculator, this is valued at approximately $48,250 today. Again, there were no children. William was a 63-year-old (born c. 1867) sailor on the Great Lakes. Matie was 59 and born in Michigan. This suggests a birth date of c. 1871. William's birthplace was also Michigan.


In 1940, we once again find William and Matie in Clay Township.

1940 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Clay Township, enumeration district (ED) 7, sheet 18B, household 442, William Finkle household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 July 2012); citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 1815.

This time their home was valued at $1,500, which would be almost $24,700 today. Not sure why the price difference existed between 1930 and 1940. Perhaps they moved between 1930 and 1940, but all the neighbors from 1930 are still close by and their home values seem to have dropped as well. Perhaps Tashmoo Park was on its downward swing. William was a 74-year-old farmer (guess he had given up his sailing days). This puts him born about 1866 in Michigan. Matie was age 70 (born c. 1870) and born in Michigan.

Six years later, Mary "Matie" (Bronson) Finkle died from chronic myocarditis and generalized arteriosclerosis (i.e. heart disease) on 12 Sep 1946 in Clay Township. A transcription of her death record from the St. Clair County Clerk:

Decedent: Mary Finkele
Date of death: 12 Sep 1946
Place of death: Clay
Sex: F
Race: W
Marital Status: Married
Spouse: William
Cause of death: chronic myocarditis, generalized arteriosclerosis
Occupation: Housewife
Age: 76 y, 0 m, 18 d
Birthplace: Michigan
Father: Marshall Brunson
Father's birthplace: Michigan
Mother: Unknown
Mother's birthplace: Unknown

Source: St. Clair County, Michigan, Death Book 9: 151, Mary Finkele, 1946; County Clerk, Port Huron.

Her age is given as 76 years, 0 months, and 18 days. This would give her a birth date of 24 Aug 1870. Her birthplace is given as Michigan. So where in the heck did her birthplace of Iowa come from on her marriage record to William? This time her father is given as Marshall Brunson (slightly different spelling), born in Michigan.

I also found her obit when I visited the St. Clair County Library in Port Huron, Michigan, in 2009.

"Mrs. William Kinkele," obituary, The Port Huron (Michigan) Times Herald, 12 September 1946, p. 22.

Harsen's Island, Sept. 12 -- Mrs. Mary Finkele, 76, wife of William Finkele, died early today in her home here after a long illness.

She was born Aug. 24, 1870 in Wyandotte, Mich., and has lived here for 50 years.

Mr. Finkele is survived by her husband.

The remains are in the Gilbert & Son funeral home.

Funeral arrangements are not completed.

Her birthplace here is given as Wyandotte, Michigan, just outside of Detroit. Her birth date in the obit agrees with the one in the death record.

Almost two years to the day later, William Finkle died from cerebral thrombosis (blood clot) and senility on 11 Sep 1948 in Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan, at the home of his younger brother, Roy.

Decedent: William Finkle
Date of death: 11 Sep 1948
Place of death: Port Huron
Sex: M
Race: W
Marital Status: Widowed
Cause of death: cerebral thrombosis, senility
Age: 82 y, 5 m, 24 d
Birthplace: Michigan
Occupation: Sailor
Father: David Finkle
Father's birthplace: Michigan
Mother: Eliza Pemberton
Mother's birthplace: Michigan

Source: St. Clair County, Michigan, Death Book 9: 309, William Finkle, 1948; County Clerk, Port Huron.

His age of 82 years, 5 months, and 24 days gives him a birth date of 17 Mar 1866.

"William Finkle," obituary, The Port Huron (Michigan) Times Herald, 13 September 1948, p. 10.

The obit gives his birthplace as Pointe Tremble. The official name is Pointe aux Tremble. This is an unincorporated area of Clay Township near Pearl Beach. The obit does not mention him being a sailor, but it does mention that he was known in the area as a fisherman and hunter. I have been looking for the death date of his sister, Eva, and I just noticed that she is not listed as a survivor. Perhaps she died between 1940 (she is in the 1940 census) and 1948. Oaklawn Cemetery is located in Clay Township. According to an online transcription, Mary is buried there too (her obit said funeral arrangements were not finalized). Trinity Methodist Church (today called Trinity United Methodist Church) is located at 424 Smith St. in Algonac. I have not seen this church referenced in any other family member obituaries. No children were listed as survivors in the obituary. It does not appear that William and Mary/Matie had any children.

One other source that I still need to record in my database is a new source that I've found. It's a book called Saginaw Bay Waterfowl Hunting and Decoy Carvers by William A. Stout. Apparently, William Finkle and his brother Hayes were duck decoy carvers. I do not know the source, but his birth date is given as 18 May 1866. The author apparently had one source who knew William "Bill" Finkle during his lifetime. This source stated that Bill lived a simple life and did not own a car and raised his own vegetables for sale to others. He drove Bill around to sell his vegetables. The book states that after his sailing days, Bill earned a modest living by hunting and fishing and selling his duck decoys and fishing lures. Bill lived on Harsens Island throughout his life.

In summary:

• William Finkle was the oldest child of David and Eliza (Pemberton) Finkle.
• He was likely born 17 Mar 1866 in Pointe aux Tremble, St. Clair, Michigan.
• He was a sailor. He became a hunter and fisherman after he retired from sailing.
• He married Mary "Matie" Bronson/Brunson 15 Jan 1896 in Detroit.
• Mary was likely born 24 Aug 1870 in Wyandotte, Wayne, Michigan. She was the daughter of Marshall Bronson/Brunson.
• William and Mary lived in Tashmoo Park on Harsen's Island (Clay Township) for most of their married life.
• It does not appear that William and Mary had any children.
• Mary died 12 Sep 1946 in Clay Township, St. Clair, Michigan.
• William died 11 Sep 1948 in Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan.
• William and Mary are buried in Oaklawn Cemetery in Clay Township.

David Finkle (1844-1915)

PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS SERIES:

Eliza Jane (Pemberton) Finkle (1844-1927)
Sarah Maria (Pemberton) Morrison Jones (1851-1941)
 
I've been cleaning up source citations and events in my RootsMagic database, and I have been trying to blog about families as I clean them up. Previously, I wrote about the family of my 3rd great-grandfather's younger sister, Eliza Jane (Pemberton) Finkle. I alluded to the fact that I had done some additional research on Eliza's husband, David. This post is going to be about the research I've done on David's origins.

David and Eliza were married on 27 Apr 1865 in Clay Township, St. Clair, Michigan.

St. Clair County, Michigan, Marriage Book 2: 476, Fincle-Pemberton, 1865; FHL microfilm 976,870.

 

Recorded July 4th 1865
Geo. F. Collins, Clerk
State of Michigan
St. Clair County
I hereby certify that on the 27th day of April 1865, at Clay, I did join in marriage, David Fincle of this township of Clay aged 20 years, and Eliza Pemberton of the same place aged 19 years, in presence of two witnesses (to wit) Sylvester Sumners and Isaac Combs of Clay, St. Clair County Mich.
Isaac Klein
Justice of the Peace

According to the marriage record, David was 20 and Eliza was 19. This would suggest a birth date April 1844 and April 1845 for David. Witnesses were Sylvester Sumners and Isaac Coombs. Isaac Coombs was a farmer and the stepfather of Eliza's future brother-in-law, Joseph Phelps. Sylvester was a laborer who was born about 1820 in New York (1870 census - Clay, St. Clair, Michigan). I don't know of any relation between Sylvester and David or Sylvester and Eliza. The marriage was performed by Isaac Klein, Justice of the Peace.


When I was at the courthouse in St. Clair County in 2007, I found David's death record. Below is a transcription:

Decedent: David Finkel
Date of death: 1 Apr 1915
Place of death: Pt. Huron
Sex: M
Race: W
Marital Status: Married
Age: 70 y, 5 m, 1 d
Cause of death: Mitral Insufficiency
Birthplace: Mich.
Occupation: Retired
Father: John Finkel
Father's birthplace: Holland
Mother: Don't know
Mother's birthplace: Don't know

 Source: St. Clair County, Michigan, Death Book 5: 93, David Finkel, 1915; County Clerk, Port Huron.

David died from mitral insufficiency on 01 Apr 1915 in Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan. According to the death record, he was 70 years, 5 months, and 1 day at the time of his death. This would put his date of birth as 31 Oct 1844. His birthplace is given as Michigan. His father is listed as John Finkel, who was born in Holland. His mother's name and birthplace was not known.

I've also found his state death record online at the Seeking Michigan website. It has slightly different information than the county register. His age at death is the same, but it states his birth date as 10 Oct 1844. It gives his place of death as 1733 Stone St. in Port Huron. From WWI draft registrations of David's sons, we know this was the family home two years later in 1917. He was buried 03 Apr 1915 at Lakeside Cemetery in Port Huron. His  name is actually spelled "Finkle" rather than "Finkel" on the sate version of the death certificate. The informant was Mrs. David Finkle of Port Huron, Mich. His occupation is given as Ret. Farmer.

After finding his death record, I decided to search for David in the census records in 1850 and 1860, when he should have appeared in the household of his parents. 

I found a David Finkle, age 15, in 1860 living with David and Jenny Combs in Clay Township. He was of the right age to be my David Finkle. David Combs was an 82-year-old farmer who was born in Vermont. His wife, Jenny, was 80 years old and was also born in Vermont. Obviously, David and Jenny were too old to be his parents, and they did not share his surname. Could they be his maternal grandparents? Perhaps he was named after his grandfather. At this point, I started to wonder if David Combs had any relation to Isaac Coombs, the witness to David Finkle's marriage record and the stepfather of his wife's brother-in-law, Joseph Phelps. Oh, and did I mention that my 3rd great-grandfather, John Pemberton, married a woman named Mary Ann Coombs in 1865?

I did not immediately find a David Finkle in the 1850 census, but I did find Isaac Combs in the 1870 census.  

Isaac and his wife, Mary A. Combs, were living in Clay Township. Isaac, a farmer, was age 60 and was listed as born in Maine. Mary was age 61 and was listed as born in England. Also in the household was Janette Combs, age 90, born in Vermont. Was Janette the same person as Jenny Combs in 1860? Her age and birthplace match exactly. Furthermore, I cannot seem to find David and Jenny Combs in 1870. Was Janette the mother of Isaac? If Janette was the same person as Jenny, and she was Isaac's mother and David Finkle's maternal grandmother, then this means that David Finkle's mother and Isaac Combs were siblings.

As I was combing the marriage records for St. Clair County on microfilm at the local Family History Center, I came across a record for a John Finkle, age 34 of Clyde Township, and Nancy H. Comb, age 22 of Clay Township. 

They were married 15 Nov 1840 in Clyde at the home of David Donaldson. The witnesses were David and Clarissa Donaldson. Could these be David Finkle's parents? They were married just four years before his birth. I have not found John and Nancy in any census records.

I also found Isaac Combs' death record at FamilySearch.org. 

Date of death: May 5, 1879
Name: Isaac Coombs
Sex: Male
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Age: 71
Place of death: Clay
Cause of death: Old Age and General Debility
Place of birth: Maine
Occupation: Farmer
Father: Unknown
Mother: Unknown
Parents' Residence: Unknown
Date of record: May 25, 1880

Unfortunately, it does not list his mother or father.

I eventually found a David "Coon" living in Clay Township in 1850 with David and Jenett "Coon."

He was age 5 and born in Michigan. This is in line with the age and birthplace of my David Finkle. The elder David Coon was listed as age 72 and born in Massachusetts. This is in line with the age of the David Combs, age 82, in 1860. His birthplace in 1860 was given as Maine, but at one point, Maine was part of Massachusetts. Jenett is listed as age 72, just two years off from Jenny Combs in 1860 and Janette Combs in 1870. Jenett's birthplace is given as Vermont. There is a Marie Coon, age 16, born in New York, also in the household. Perhaps this is another grandchild of David and Janette/Jenny Combs.

In 1840, I found a David Coombs living in Clay Township.

In the household is one male age 60-69 and one male age 20-29. There is one female age 20-29 and one female age 60-69. Presumable the older male and female are David and Jenny/Janette. Could the female age 20-29 be Nancy H. Comb? She was 22 years old in November 1840 when she married John Finkle. 

I need to research in probate records in St. Clair County to see if John Finkle or David Combs left a will. Perhaps the will or probate file would list David Finkle's relationship to the Combs family. I also need to look at land records for John and David. To sum up my research thus far:

• David Finkle married Eliza Pemberton 27 Apr 1865 in Clay Township.
• Isaac Coombs witnessed the marriage of David Finkle and Eliza Pemberton.
• David Finkle died 01 Apr 1915 in Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan.
• David's date of birth on his death certificate is stated as 10 Oct 1844, but calculates to be 31 Oct 1844 based on his age at death.
• David was likely born in Michigan. 
• David's father is listed as John Finkle, born in Holland, on his death certificate.
• David Finkle, age 15, lived with David and Jenny Combs in Clay Township in 1860.
• David and Jenny are too old to be David's parents. Could be grandparents.
• Janette Combs was living with Isaac Combs in 1870. She was the same age and had the same birthplace as Jenny Combs in 1860. 
• David "Coon," age 5, lived with David and Jenett Coon in 1850 in Clay Township. This is likely David Finkle enumerated with the wrong surname.
• John Finkle, age 34 of Clyde, married Nancy H. Comb, age 22 of Clay, 15 Nov 1840 in Clyde. Have not found them in any census record from 1850 onward.
• There is a woman age 20-29 in the household of David Coombs in Clay Township in the 1840 census. Could be Nancy.

If anyone has further suggestions of where to take this research, please let me know.