The story of Joseph Donald and Dollie Vought McCurdy's "Journey Through Life".
They were my maternal greatgrandparents.
December 2, 1858 Dorothy A. “Dollie” Vought was born in Connellsville, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The only daughter of William and Elizabeth Kuntz Vought. She had 2 brothers , Hiram and Lewis. Dollie and Hiram were born in Pennsylvania. The Vought family moved to Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio when Dollie was 8 years old. Her brother, Lewis, was born in Ohio. William Vought was a farmer.
June 29, 1878 Joseph Donald McCurdy and Dollie A. Vought were married in Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Joseph was 24 years of age and Dollie was 19 years of age. During the first years of their marriage they lived on the farm in Liberty with Joseph’s father, William, and his sister, Sarah. Joseph’s mother, Zilpha, had died on October 4, 1877 and William was 70 years old … so I assume the young couple lived with Joseph’s father to help take care of him and to run the farm.
October 29, 1879 Joseph and Dollie’s first daughter was born. She was named Bertha May McCurdy.
October 17, 1881 William McCurdy’s will was written. According to the information in the will Joseph and Dollie were living in New Robinson, Ohio at this time.
August 20, 1881 Another joined the family. She was named Etta Blanche McCurdy. Etta Blanche many many years later became my Grandmother.
January 1, 1882 Dollie’s brother, Lewis Vought, died at the age of 12 years, 9 months and 18 days. He was buried at Liberty Chapel Cemetery in Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio.
July 26, 1883 Joseph’s father, William M. McCurdy, died at 80 years of age. He was buried at Stewart Cemetery, Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio.
August 22, 1883 Dollie’s father, William Vought, died at 55 years of age. He was buried at Liberty Chapel Cemetery beside his son, Lewis. ( I have not yet found when Dollie’s mother, Elizabeth, died or where she is buried. Her name is not on the headstone with William and Lewis.)
November 12, 1883 Joseph and Dollie became the parents of their first son. He was named William Arthur McCurdy.
April 23, 1885 William McCurdy’s will was probated. At this time Joseph and Dollie were listed as living in Van Wert County, Ohio.
March 31, 1886 A second son was born. He was named Joseph Ernest McCurdy.
September 17, 1887 Joseph Donald McCurdy's "Journey Through Life" came to an end. According to his death certificate he died of neuralgia of the stomach. He was 33 years of age. They were living in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, Ohio. Dollie was left with four young children to raise. Bertha May age 8, Etta Blanche age 6, William Arthur age 4 and Joseph Ernest age 1. I have not yet found where he is buried.
March 21, 1888 Final disbursement of William Shrider's will was made. William’s idebtedness totaled $442.00 at the time of his death. Each of his living children were left $400.00. Part of William’s property was sold at auction to pay his debts and legatees. Dollie received Joseph's portion. William Washington McCurdy was the executore.
On Christmas day 1890 Dollie Vought McCurdy married John D. Bowen in Van Wert County, Ohio.
August 25, 1898 There is a wedding in the family! Ninteen year old Bertha May McCurdy married Jacob Andrew Fifer. Jacob was the son of John and Susan Shupe Fifer.
September 1899 Dollie's first grandchild arrives! Bertha gave birth to a daughter. She was named Goldie Fifer.
1900 Ohio Census
On the 1900 census Jacob, Bertha and Goldie were living in Marion Township, Allen County, Ohio. Jacob was a farmer.
John and Dollie Bowen were living in Amanda Township, Allen County, Ohio. John was a laborer. Dollie keeping house. Etta Blanche was 18 years old and listed as a Domestic. This census also listed William A. and Joseph E. as step children of John. John and Dollie had 4 children:
Ira T. Bowen age 8 born August 1891
Esther E. age 6 born July 1893
Earl age 2 born September 1897
Mabel age 1 born May 1899
July 31, 1901 Bertha May McCurdy Fifer was killed in a horse and buggy accident 30 feet from her home. She was 22 years old. Dollie and Bertha had gone to Delphos in Dollie’s wagon. The accident occurred after they arrived back at the Fifer’s cabin. Bertha is buried in Harford Cemetery, Harford. Ohio.
*** Jacob Fifer married Effie Light in 1902. They had 3 children. Jacob died March 5, 1911. On the 1910 census Goldie was living with her grandfather, John Fifer, in Marion Township, Allen County, Ohio.
March 30, 1902 There is a second wedding in the family! Twenty one year old Etta Blanche McCurdy married Levi Shrider. Levi was the son of William and Pheobe Spurlin Shrider. They were married in Lima, Allen County, Ohio. Etta Blanche was 21 years old and Levi Shrider was 20 years old. Levi’s father, William Shrider, owned oil drilling equipment and Levi worked with him as a driller. In the 1902 Lima City Index Levi was boarding at 446 North Main Street in Lima and was a Driver. Blanche was living at 814 West Spring Street in Lima and worked as a Domestic.
March 6, 1903 Blanche and Levi Shrider became the parents of a daughter. She was named Dorothy May Shrider. In the 1903 Lima City Index the Shriders were living at 339 East North Street and Levi was listed as a Teamster.
*** This whole block of North Street has since been torn down and there is now a school there.
December 29, 1904 Blanche and Levi Shrider became the parents of a son. He was named James Sylvester Shrider.
The Lima City Index 1905 lists Levi and Blanche Shrider living at 603 North Jackson. Levi is listed as a Driver.
September 20, 1906 Joseph Ernest McCurdy, youngest son of Joseph and Dollie McCurdy was killed in a collision between 2 trains. Joseph was a fireman with CH & D Railroad. He was 21 years old. Joseph is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lima. Dollie was named executrix of his estate.
In the Lima City Index John and Dollie Bowen were living at 126 Water Street in 1906. John was a laborer.
January 25, 1907 Dollie sued the CH & D Railway Company for damages in the death of her son, Joseph Ernest McCurdy. It was settled out of court. She received $1250.00. (Lima News)
April 15, 1907 Dollie Bowen filed for divorce for John Bowen on the grounds of gross neglect of duty. (Lima News)
November 25, 1907 James Sylvester Shrider, son of Blanche McCurdy and Levi Shrider, died of Membranous Croup in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. He was two years, 10 months and 27 days old. The Toledo City Index lists Levi and Blanche living at 423 Payne Street. Levi is listed as a Laborer. James Sylvester is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Toledo.
1908 Levi and Blanche Shrider and their daughter, Dorothy, hooked up their horses to their wagons and moved to Clark County, Illinois. Along with Levi’s parents, William and Pheobe Shrider and family. Levi's father owned oil drilling equipment and they were following the Oil Boom.
January 24, 1909 Another daughter is born to Blanche and Levi Shrider. She was born in Oilfield, Clark County, Illinois. She was named Leona Mae Shrider. (Leona is my mother)
In the Fort Wayne, Indiana City Index for 1908 and 1909 Dollie Bowen was living at 829 West Jefferson. It did not state what she was doing.
In the Fort Wayne, Indiana City Index for 1910 Dollie was living at 208 West Main and was listed as a Chambermaid at the Randall Hotel.
1910 CENSUS
The 1910 Fort Wayne, Indiana Census shows Dollie living on West Main Street. Her children, Earl and Mabel, living with her. Dollie was a chambermaid in a hotel. Dollie was age 50, Earl 13 and Mabel 12.
The 1910 Toledo, Ohio Census shows her daughter, Esther, living with her father,John Bowen. John was a laborer in a livery. John was age 50, Esther 17.
The 1910 Lima, Ohio Census shows her son, William Arthur, boarding with Noble and Theresa Fox on Grand Street. Arhur was a Conductor on a street car.
The 1910 Illinois Census shows her daughter, Blanche and Levi Shrider living in Parker Township, Clark County, Illinois. Levi was an Oil Pumper. Levi was age 27, Blanche 29, Dorothy 7 and Leona 1.
The 1911 Fort Wayne, Indiana City Index shows Dollie living at 208 West Main and was a Maid at the Elks Temple.
1911 Arthur McCurdy married Chloe Davis. Chloe was the daughter of Thomas E. and Martha J. Davis.
April 30, 1913 Arthur and Chloe McCurdy became the parents of a baby girl. She was named Helen Bertha McCurdy.
March 4, 1913 Chloe McCurdy died of Tuberculosis. She was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lima. Athur and Chloe’s baby daughter, Helen, was taken to Illinois to live with Arthur’s sister, Blanche, and her family.
October 6, 1915 William Arthur McCurdy married Hazel A. Gipe in Van Wert, Ohio. Helen McCurdy was returned to Ohio to live with her father.
1917 On Arthur’s Draft Registration card Dollie was listed as living on Elizabeth Street in Detroit, Michigan. Arthur was living at 1009 Brice Avenue, Lima, Allen County, Ohio. On Levi Shrider’s Draft Registration card 1917 Levi and Blanche were living at 408 East Jefferson in Casey, Clark county, Illinois.
May 22, 1918 a son was born to Arthur and Hazel McCurdy. He was named Richard Arthur McCurdy.
1920 CENSUS
On the 1920 Ottowa Township, Lima City, Allen County, Ohio Census Arthur and Hazel and family were living on Brice Avenue. They owned their home. Arthur was 24, Hazel 27, Helen 6 and Richard 1. Arthur was a Conductor on the Ohio Electric.
On the 1920 Detroit City, Wayne County, Michigan Census Dollie was living on Elizabeth Street. She was a Housekeeper at a lodging home. Living with her were her daughter, Esther Leatherman, divorced and her son, Earl, single. Earl was a mechanic at an auto repair shop. Dollie was age 60, Esther 26 and Earl 23.
On the 1920 Casey Township, Clark County, Illinois Census Levi and Blanche McCurdy Shrider and their daughters were living on Jefferson Street. They rented their home. Levi was a driller in the oil field. Levi was age 36, Blanche 38, Dorothy 16 and Leona 10.
November 11, 1922 Etta Blanche McCurdy Shrider died of Euresephelis at the age of 42. She was buried at Washington Street Cemetery, Casey, Clark County, Illinois. Her daughter, Dorothy, was age 19 and Leona was 13.
1925 Blanche’s daughter, Dorothy May Shrider, married “Bud” Grissom in Casey Township, Clark County, Illinois.
August 1, 1928 Blanche’s daughter, Leona Mae Shrider, was married to Noble Neal Grissom, brother of Bud Grissom in Greenup Township, Cumberland County, Illinois.
January 6, 1929 Leona and Noble Grissom became the parents of a baby girl. She was named Dorothy Jeanne Grissom.
August 26, 1929 Dorothy and Bud Grissom became the parents of a baby boy. He was named Donald Lee Grissom.
July 7, 1930 Leona and Noble Grissom became the parents of a second baby girl. She was named Etta Mae Grissom. Etta Mae died shortly after birth. She was buried at Washington Street Cemetery beside her grandmother, Etta Blanche McCurdy Shrider.
1930 CENSUS
On the 1930 Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan Census Dollie was living with her son, Earl A. Bowen on Seldon Street. Earl was a Repairman in an automobile factory. Dollie was age 70, Earl 33 and single, living with them was a grandson, John E. Bowen age 9.
On the 1930 Lima Township, Allen County, Ohio Census Arthur and Hazel were living on Brice Avenue. Arthur was in automobile sales. Arhur was age 43, Hazel 37, Helen 16 and Richard 11.
March 24, 1931 Helen Bertha McCurdy, daughter of William Arthur McCurdy died of Tuberculosis. She was 18 years old. Helen was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lima, Ohio.
September 9, 1931 Leona and Noble Grissom became the parents of their third daughter. She was named Juanita Marie Grissom.
March 25, 1933 Leona and Noble Grissom became the parents of a son. He was named Thomas Levi Grissom.
March 24, 1934 Dollie’s “Journey Through Life” came to an end Dorothy A. “Dollie” Vought McCurdy Bowen died at her home on Elmsdale Avenue in Detroit of Coronary Thrombosis. Her age was 75 years, 3 months and 27 days. Her son, Earl Bowen signed the death certificate. She was buried April 2, 1934 at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan. Section E, Range 28, Lot 28. Dollie was survived by:
Her son, William Arthur McCurdy, wife, Hazel and son, Richard of Lima, Ohio.
Her daughter, Esther E. Leatherman of Detroit, Michigan
Her son, Earl Bowen of Detroit, Michigan
Her grandson, John E. Bowen of Detroit, Michigan
Her granddaughter Dorothy May Grissom and son, Donald Lee of Casey, Illinois.
Her granddaughter Leona Mae Grissom, husband, Noble and children, Dorothy Jeanne, Juanita Marie and Thomas Levi of Casey, Illinois
Her granddaughter Goldie Fifer
*** I have not been able to find information on Dollie’s son, Ira T. Bowen or her daughter, Mabel Bowen. They may have been still living and had children. I also do not know if Bertha’s daughter, Goldie Fifer, had children at this time.
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