FGR of John Christian Metcalf & Mary Bowen Vail

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last updated 12 November 2010

Family Group Record: John Christian Metcalf & Mary Bowen Vail

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HUSBAND 1) John Christian METCALF go to photos
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BIRTH:   1 Dec 1869          PLACE: Gunnison, Sanpete, Utah
MAR.:   22 Oct 1892          PLACE: Mineral, Washington, Idaho
DEATH:     Sep 1902          PLACE: Baker, Baker, Oregon
BURIAL:                      PLACE: Mineral, Washington, Idaho
CAUSE OF DEATH: Internal Tubercu.
OCCUPATION: Farmer

FATHER: John Edward METCALF [Sr]      MOTHER: Madselia Celia ANDERSEN
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WIFE    Mary Bowen VAIL
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BIRTH:   2 Jun 1873          PLACE: Jefferson City, Cole, Missouri
DEATH:  12 Apr 1963          PLACE: Baker, Baker, Oregon
BURIAL: 15 Apr 1963          PLACE: Baker, Baker, Oregon
CAUSE OF DEATH: Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease 20 years

FATHER: Thomas Harrison VAIL MOTHER: Mary Nicatie GILLESPIE

OTHER MARR: 2) David William BENOIT 12 Jan 1904 Weiser, Washington, Idaho
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     CHILDREN
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1. NAME: Arthur Raymond METCALF go to photos
--- BIRTH:  19 Jun 1894          PLACE: Snake River area, Baker, Oregon
M  MAR.:   Abt 1921             PLACE: Baker, Baker, Oregon
    DEATH:  12 Sep 1932          PLACE: Baker, Baker, Oregon
    BURIAL:                      PLACE: Baker, Baker, Oregon
    CAUSE OF DEATH: heart
    OCCUPATION: 1930: Farm labor
    SPOUSE: Nettie DENNING
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2. NAME: Hazel Nicatie METCALF go to photos
--- BIRTH:  26 Mar 1897          PLACE: Snake River area, Baker, Oregon
F  MAR 1: 18 Aug 1916 (div)    PLACE: ,Baker,Oregon
    MAR 2:                      PLACE:
    DEATH:  12 Jan 1986          PLACE: Sun Valley, Washoe, Nevada
    BURIAL:                      PLACE: Reno, Washoe, Nevada
    SPOUSE 1: Oren Allen BROWN
    SPOUSE 2: Jess DODD
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3. NAME: Rita Pearl METCALF go to photos
--- BIRTH:   6 Jan 1901          PLACE: Snake River area, Baker, Oregon
F  MAR.:   Abt 1923             PLACE: Baker, Baker, Oregon
    DEATH:  Dec 1960             PLACE: Baker, Baker, Oregon
    BURIAL:                      PLACE: Baker, Baker, Oregon
    SPOUSE: Elbert MURREY
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DOCUMENTATION

HUSBAND John Christian METCALF

BIRTH: Gunnison, Utah LDS Ward records; FHL film 0025977; pg 202; #43: John Christian Metcalf, boy, fa:_______ mo: Cecelia, born 1 Dec 1869 Gunnison, blessed 3 Feb 1870 by J Sorenson. Note Sorenson is Cecelia's mother's maiden name. This entry is directly above Wm & Jane Ann Metcalf Bown's children. Note that the child has John Edward Metcalf's first name and Cecelia Andersen's father's middle name. The appearance of this child and mother with the Andersen (her birth name) household in the 1870 Census (noted below) makes me confident that this is the same Cecelia. It doesn't surprise me that John Edward Metcalf Sr.'s name is not given in the record-- this was a very dangerous time to acknowledge a plural marriage. Besides, I would suspect that the child is not the biological child of J.E. Metcalf Sr. This record has made me wonder if the entire purpose of this plural marriage was to give this child legitimacy as he would have been conceived prior to the polygamist marriage. Really, though, it is inconsequential whether he was the biological child of John Edward Metcalf, Sr. - he was clearly raised as the son of John Edward Metcalf, Sr. and is sealed to him. That is the ultimate familial relationship.

MARRIAGE: Marriage record received from granddaughter Charlotte Dorf: Metcalf-Vail. State of Idaho County of Washington. I T.H. Manning, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Washington State of Idaho, do hereby certify that on the 22d day of October 1892, Mr. John C. Metcalf of Snake River Oregon and Miss Mollie Vail of Snake River Oregon were by me joined together in the bonds of Matrimony, at Mineral, in said Washington County Idaho in accordance with the laws of the United States, and of the Territory of Idaho and that I as such officiateing Majistrate, satisfied myself that neither of the parties to such marriage, had living, at the date of therof, any legal husband or wife, and that no other impediments existed to hinder the said marriage. Witnesses: John A James, Mrs. Alice Eus___. We, the parties in the foregoing certificate named as having contracted marriage at the time therein mentioned, do hereby certify and declare that all of the facts in said certificate set forth are true and correct. Dated Oct 22d 1892 John Metcalf, Mollie B. Vail. Filed Jany 3d 1893 J.B. Oakley, Clerk.

DEATH: photocopy of record of funerals for the year 1902, Greys West Funeral Home; received from granddaughter Charlotte Dorf: #445 John Metcalf, Ordered by Celia Jackson, age 31 Cause of Death Internal Tubercu.., month/day of death not given, date of burial not given., but this entry is between August & September entries in the record. Remains ordered by Celia Jackson.

DEATH-BURIAL: Death notice; seen at findagrave.com: Weiser Signal, Wed., September 10, 1902:
Mineral Man Dead
John Metcalf of Snake River died at the hospital in Baker City from the effect of an operation for appendicitis. The remains were shipped to Mineral, Idaho for interment. The deceased leaves a wife and three children to mourn their loss.

BURIAL_PLACE: email from granddaughter Charlotte Dorf: "My Mother always said he was buried in Mineral Idaho." A FindaGrave volunteer indicates that he is in the Mineral cemetery records, but that “the Mineral cemetery is long forgotten and only three headstones remain.” His is not one of those three headstones.

1870_CENSUS; FHL film 55311; pg 32; Gunnison, Sanpete, Utah; enumerated 1 July 1870:

Anderson, Christian age 65 Male, occupation Cooper Birthplace Denmark
___ Sissy age 45 Female Keeping House, birthplace Denmark
___ Mads age 43? (hard to read) Male, Labourer, birthplace Denmark
___ Celia age 20 Female, At Home, birthplace Denmark
___ John C. age 6/12 Male, At Home, birthplace Utah, born Dec., both parents foreign born.
The ages of Celia and John C. exactly match the ages of our Cecelia as given in all records, and the age of John Christian as given in the Gunnison Ward Member record. The Mads in this household is certainly Cecelia's father (He is the right age). I'll bet the 45 year old Sissy is her mother Annie--she is the right age. And I'll bet the the 65 year old Christian is her grandfather. Note that the enumerator did not change the surname to Metcalf when he got to Celia and John C. That could indicate that either she was going by Anderson in 1870, or the enumerator was unclear as to her surname. John C. went by Metcalf his whole life. Note that this house is only doors away from the house in which Mary Cathering Dahling Metcalf (later to become the plural wife of John Edward Metcalf, Jr.) was living!

1900 Census, Connor Creek Precinct, Baker County, Oregon:

Medcalf, James C Head White Male born May 1870, age 30 Married 7 years, born Utah, farmer
_____ Mary Wife born June 1873 age 26 Married 7 yrs, mother 2 of 2 children, 2 living, born Missouri, father born Virginia, mother born Virginia
_____ Arthur R Son born June 1894 age 5, single, born Oregon
_____ Hazel M Daughter born Mar 1897 age 5 single, born Oregon

WIFE Mary Bowen VAIL

NAME: marriage record has Mollie B. Vail. E-mail from granddaughter Charlotte Dorf has Mary Bowen Vail. Death Certificate has Mary Bowen Benoit.

BIRTH: 1900 census has June 1873 Missouri. Death certificate has 2 June 1873 Jefferson City, Missouri. IGI has Tazewell County, Virginia

MARRIAGE_2: (David Benoit) email from granddaughter Charlotte Dorf: "Mary Bowen Vail Metcalf married David william Benoit in Weiser Idaho January 12,1904 . They were both living in Mineral Idaho."

DEATH-BURIAL-PARENTS: Death cert photocopy received from granddaughter Charlotte Dorf. Died at St. Elizabeth Hospital, name given as Mary Bowen Benoit, widow of David Benoit. Age 89. Buried at Mount Hope Cemetery. Informant Hazel Dodd, daughter

CENSUS: 1880 US Census; Census Place Elliot, San Joaquin, California, Page Number 160B
Thomas H. VAIL Self Married Male age 31 born VA Farmer both parents born VA
Mary Ann VAIL Wife Married Female age 28 born VA House Keeper both parents forn VA
Mary B. VAIL Dau Single Female age 7 born MO
James H. VAIL Son Single Male age 4 born WV
Nany Mc. VAIL Dau Single Female age 2 born CA

1910 Census, Sparta Precinct, Baker County, Oregon:
Benoit, David W. Head Male White age 35 first marriage, six years married, born Oregon, father born Canada (French), mother born Oregon
____, Mary B. Wife age 36 2nd marriage, mother of five children, five living, born Virginia, parents b Virginia.
Metcalf, Arthur R Son age 15 or 16, born Oregon, father born Utah, mother born Virginia
______, Hazel N. Daughter age 13, born Oregon, father born Utah, mother born Virginia
______, Rita P. Daughter age 9, born Oregon, father born Utah, mother born Virginia
Benoit, David E. Son age 5, born Idaho, father born Oregon, mother born Virginia
_____, Daisy D. Daughter age 2, born Oregon, father born Oregon, mother born Virginia

RESIDENCE 1963: 2365 4th Street, Baker, Baker, Oregon; source: death cert

CENSUS: 1920 US Census; Census place Depot, Baker, Oregon; ED 20 sheet 6A; 31 Jan 1920; Baker County Road
Benoit, David W. Head Renting Male age 44 Married Born Oregon Father born French Canada Mother born Oregon, occupation Caretaker City Reservoir
-- Mary B. Wife age 46 Married Born Missouri both parents born Virginia
Metcalf Rita P. Stepdaughter Female age 18 Single Born Oregon Father born Utah Mother born Missouri
Benoit, David E. Son Male age 14 Single born Idaho Father born Oregon Mother born Missouri
-- Daisy D. Daughter Female age 11 Single born Oregon Father born Oregon Mother born Missouri

CENSUS: 1930 US Census; census place Depot Ward, Baker City, Baker County, Oregon; ED 1-8 Sheet 7A; 9 April 1930
Benoit, Mary Head Owns home Female age 56 Widow born Missouri both parents born Virginia
-- David Son Male age 25 Single born Idaho, father born Oregon, mother born Missouri, occupation Musician, own orchestra

MARRIAGE_2: (David Benoit) Western States Marriage Record Index; http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/index.cfm
Groom Last Name:            BENOIT
Groom First Name:             David William
Bride Last Name:                MEDCALF
Bride First Name:                Mary Bowen
Place:     Weiser
Date:      12 Jan 1904
County of Record: Washington
State:     Idaho
Volume: 3
Page:      179

CHILD 1 Arthur Raymond METCALF

BIRTH: 1900 Census gives month/year/state of birth. e-mail from niece Charlotte Dorf gives full date and place

MARRIAGE-DEATH-BURIAL: e-mail from Charlotte Dorf: "He also died very young about 32-34. He was in a bob-sled accident when he was delivering mail in Robinette Oregon. My Mother said he was never well after that. He died from something about the heart." Buried in Mt Hope Cemetery.

NAME: Went by Ray

1920_US_CENSUS: Enumerated at Copperfield, Baker, Oregon; ED 14 Sheet 4A, 10 Jan 1920. Living in a boarding house with several other boarders.
Metcalf, Raymond A Boarder Male White Single Born Oregon father born Utah mother born Virginia, common labor

CENSUS: 1930 US Census; census place North Powder, Union, Oregon; ED 5 Sheet 3B, 7 April 1930
Metcalf Raymond A. Renting Male Age 34 Married, age 25 at first marriage, born Oregon, father born Utah, mother born Virginia, occupation Farm laborer, General farm
-- Nettie Wife Female age 30 Married, age 21 at first marriage, born Oregon, father born California, mother born Oregon
-- Mary A. Daughter Female age 8 Single born Oregon, both parents born Oregon

CHILD 2 Hazel Nicatie METCALF

BIRTH: 1900 Census gives month/year/state of birth. E-mail from daughter Charlotte Dorf gives full date & place.

MARRIAGE_1: (Oren Brown) marriage certificate received from Charlotte Dorf. Name is given as Hazel Medcalf, age is 19 years, of Baker County.

DEATH-BURIAL: e-mail from daughter Charlotte Dorf. Buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

1920_US_CENSUS: Enumerated at Baker, Baker, Oregon; ED 6 Sheet 10A; 9 Jan 1920.
Brown, Oren O. Head Renting Male age 26 Married born Iowa Both parents born Iowa, Farmer
-- Hazel Wife Female age 22 Married born Oregon, father born United States Mother born Virginia
-- Harry Son Male age 2 1/2 Single born Oregon father born Iowa mother born Oregon
-- Raymond Son Male age 1 Single born Oregon father born Iowa mother born Oregon

1930_US_CENSUS: Enumerated at Merrill, Klamath, Oregon 10 Aug
Brown Orin Head male age 36 married, age 21 at first marriage, born Iowa, both parents born United States, laborer, genl farm
--- Hazel wife female age 32 married, age 17 at first marriage, born Oregon, father born Oregon, mother born Missouri, laborer, genl farm
--- Harry O. son male age 12 born Oregon, laborer, genl. Farm
--- Dorothy N. daughter female age 8, born Oregon
--- LIVING daughter
--- Frank L. son male age 5 born Oregon
--- LIVING son
--- James R. son male age 1 5/12? born California
--- LIVING son

DIVORCE-MARRIAGE_2: Informant on Hazel’s mother's death certificate (Apr 1963) is Hazel Dodd, daughter. But Hazel's husband Oren Brown died after her mother's death. Oren Brown's obituary (Dec 1963) does not mention his wife Hazel Metcalf Brown, who is still living. Son Harry's obituary (1977) lists his survivors: "his mother, Hazel Dodd, and step-father Jess Dodd of Elko." Her Social Security Death Index record (1986) has her last name as Dodd.

DEATH: Social Security Death Index:
Name: Hazel Dodd
SSN:       530-14-6624
Last Residence: 89431 Sparks, Washoe, Nevada
Born:      26 Mar 1897
Last Benefit:        89442 Wadsworth, Washoe, Nevada
Died:      Jan 1986
State (Year) SSN issued:    Nevada (Before 1951 )

CHILD 3 Rita Pearl METCALF

BIRTH-MARRIAGE-DEATH-BURIAL. E-mail from niece Charlotte Dorf

BURIAL: Buried in Mt Hope Cemetery; LOC 14 GRAVE 6 Murray, La Rita Pearl; source is http://www.accessgenealogy.com/data/MountHope.php
It looks like her son Vernon is next to her: LOC 14 GRAVE 5 Murray, Vernon E. DOB: 10 April 1926

1930_US_CENSUS: Enumerated at Baker, Baker, Oregon
Murray Albert T Head Male age 27 Married, age 20 at first marriage, born Oregon, both parents born United States, Occupation Truck driver, road construction
--- Lareta P Wife female age 27 Married, age 22 at first marriage, born Oregon, father born Utah, mother born Missouri
--- LIVING Son
--- Vernon Son male age 4 born Oregon

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