Information from Dugger Cemetery burial records. She is shown on the Walter S.
Seay tombstone as "Walter S. Seay, AND Bertha C. (Gombert)".
Assumed from burial position in the Dugger Cemetery.
William Benjamine Franklin SIMPSON Major
Information from:
Hulda Pearl Keilberg Hayter
1101 Donaldson Ave
San Antonio TX 78228(210) 735-8018
"William Benjamine Franklin Simpson was a Major in the army. He fought in
the Civil War. He played violin, and came to Texas to play for an opera
singer. He had a sister named Josephine. His family was involved in the
textile business in Philladelphia. He died in Lee County Texas at the age of
92. He lived around the area of Smithville."See notes for wife Mary Ethington for comments about William's birth year.
Application of William F. Simpson:
Approved Sept 22, 1922, shows that he enlisted in Captain Andrew Downing's
Company. Colonel Cornell's Missouris Reg., of Volunteered Cavalry, about April
15th, 1861, and served until 1865.From Vernon Times Ethie Hemple article:
Major Simpson served in the Civil War from 1861 until 1865. He was in
Captain Andrew Downing's company and with Col. Cornell's Missouri regiment of
Volunteer Cavalry.William Simpson's family owned Simpson Prints, made calico prints in Phil.. He had a sister named Elizabeth. He was in Civil War 1861-1865
Capt. Andrew Downings Co. - also have note Col. Cornell's Missouri Vol.
Cavalry. Gus is buried at Fort Sam Houston, TX. has son G.W. and daughter
Dorothy. Pete is buried at Mission, southside of San Antonio, Tx.1870 Washington Co.TX age 30, married to Mary, bp Ohio. pg 185
June 1994 - by talk with Pearl Hayter. Said there was Gus, Eulis (Male)
and Peter and Viola (who married somebody Michael, Michael is the last name.) Pearl's mama said that they (Viola and her husband) lived in the
country and that he would go into town on the weekend and get drunk and
he had a horse, that, if he fell off the horse, the horse would stay right
over him until he woke up. (This is John Michael).
June 1994, Pearl Hayter. William Simpson was one of the Phila Calico Mill Simpson's and their ancestral home is a historical house on display.
(There is probably some truth to this legend, as there really was such a
place and family in Phila. However, I don't know where he fits in.
Maybe
his father was a younger brother of nephew of the family.) He played violin (fiddle) and won regularly in the fiddle contests in Austin.
His full
name was William Benjamin Franklin Simpson. He was a Capt. in the army during civil war. Ethie said that one time they were fighting and he fell
into a ditch and the enemy went over him. Then he stayed in a church house while it was raining. Pearl said the young Ethington children died
on the boat. She said they were going to some acreage they had.Feb 1995 from Pearl, (family folklore) Wm Simpson was a concert violinist before he came here, then played fiddle and used to go to Austin
and win fiddle contests every year.From the Texas Comptroller's Office, says records show he enlisted in Capt. Andrew Downing' Company. Col. Cornell's Missouri Reg., of volunteered Cvalry, about 15 april 1861 and served until 1865.
Received
pension in Texas.
Census:
Mary Ethington and her husband William F. Simpson are found in the 1880
Fayette County Texas census ED 163 page 12 family 107/110 as follows:Simpson, W. F. W M 40 (born 1840) Military born Philladelphia Ireland
Mary E. W F 32 (born 1848) Wife Texas
VA
Viola H. W F 9 (born 1871) Dau Texas
Phil
William L. W M 7 (born 1873) Son Texas
-------- W M 5 (born 1875) Son Texas
Ethie M. W F 2 (born 1878) Dau TexasFrom this census it is seen that William Simpson was not born in 1810 as
supposed by Maud Hayter. He was just slightly older than his wife.
Her
recollection is that Mary Ethington was "real small".From Hulda Ethie Hempel notes:
"Mary Elizabeth Ethington was married to Major William Franklin Simpson Aug
17, 1868. My Mother, Mary Elizabeth Ethington was born June 14, 1845.""Pearl says family history has it that Mary died near the time Ethie got
married, ie 1897."
"Mary Ethington was married to W.F. Simpson Aug 17, 1868."Additional birthdate given by Darcy Fowler as Jan 1845.
1850 Fayette Co., TX, page 201; Mary 4 TX;
1860 Fayette Co., TX age 15 bp TX page 350B
1870 Washington Co. TX age 25, lists bp as Indiana, but that should be wrong, unless her parents went back up to visit relatives. pg 185, married to William then, no children.June 1994 - by talk with Pearl Hayter. One of their children died from medical drug complications.
Pearl said Mary died about the time Ethie got married, because Mary asked Wm Simson to take care of Ethie for her.
Ethie Hempel notes:
"Sister Indiana Simpson was born May 28 1869, and died April 14th 1870."birth/death dates from Ethie Hempel.
From Ethie Hemple notes:
"Brother Ulysesses Grant Simpson born Sept 18, 1875."Name and birthdate from Ethie.
From Ethie Hempel notes:
"Brother Rudolph Simpson born Sept 21, 1886 (twin)."name and birthdate from Ethie.
Second marriage, Fayette co Courthhouse, original record, June 1994.
Feb 1995 Pearl, owned two-story painted house, only two story in the neighborhood. Close to school and school teachers would room and board there. Either Smithville or La Grange.
I have a picture of Ed & Alma Maeckel (Ethie's handwriting) and I am assuming this is a son of John.
A descendant of Viola is Mr. Andrew Michael, relationship not known at 12 Feb
1995. He can be reached at (210) 521-2978.From Ethie Hemple notes:
"Sister Viola E. Simpson born July 24, 1871."SS Death Index lists a Viola Simpson born 3 Aug 1889, died Mar 1976 in Carrollton TX. SS# 466-84-8021.
Re Pearl : Married somebody by the name last name of Michael.
birth date and middle initial from Ethie.
Peter belonged to Woodmen of the World Lodge. He worked as a farmer when living in La Grange. He is buried near San Antonio, Tx.
June 1994 - by talk with Pearl Hayter. He was an officer in Woodman of the World Lodge. His tombstone has a tree for a monument. He is buried in
Smithville, TX. Otto is buried there also, curbing around it. Pearl said her
mother said she doesn't know who did it, but someone had planted cockscomb on the grave. Peter died of typhoid fever. He had curly hair. In
Smithville there is a Kay Keilberg. Lived across the street from the schoolhouse (high school). Pearl said that Ethie had a book that had all
the family info in it, but it disappeared during one of Nannie's (Ethie's)
birthday parties. Her order of Children is Otho, Selma, Lenora, Annie, Alton, Elbert, Delbert, Hulda, Raymond.Smithville Cemetery trip-birth and death dates from tombstone.
Fayette Court House-marriage cert, have copy, 12 Jan 1897 by J of P, H.C.
ledbetter. #1650 page 107 vol 8
Notes from daughter, Maud Hayter:
"Ethie died in 1979 at age 102. She was born in 1877 in Texas.
She lived
perhaps in Lee county in 1880. I recall the town names of Smithville and
Seguin, and Wardy."Ethie and Pete Keilberg were in Smithville Fayette County in about 1910.
Ethie Hemple notes:
"Sister Ethie M. Simpson born March 9 1877."Marriage:
Marriage certificate for Mrs. Ethie Keilberg to Mr. Ernst Hempel dated 12 Jan
1897. Fayette Co TX cert no. 7895. Copy in file.Obituary:
Mrs. Ethel Hempel, age 102, passed into God's Hands Friday, September 14,
1979 at her home, 1101 Donaldson. Since she has donated her body to medical
science to beneit the living, services are not scheduled. Her Life was Her
Memorial.Her surviving children are: Mrs. Hulda Pearl Hayter, San Antonio, Mrs. Selma
Green, Dallas, Mr. Elbert Keilberg, Ft. Clark Springs, Mr. Raymond Keilberg,
Ft. Worth. She is also survived by numerous descendants, relatives, and
friends.The Vernon Times 19 Jun 1958
Mrs. Ethie Hempel, 3415 1st St. was born in Texas near La Grange, because of
a caprice of the weather. Her grandparents, residents of Terre Haute, Ind,
decided to construct a large raft and float members of the family, their
household goods, and provisions down the Wabqash River about 100 miles in
search of suitable farm land. They were not long on their way before the
river was flooded and they were washed through the Ohio to the Mississippi
River and thence into the Gulf of Mexico. After drifting for three weeks in
the Gulf, they landed on the Texas Gulf coast. They moved inland to establish
their home near La Grange.Mrs. Hempel was born near La Grange. Her first husband was Peter Keilberg
who died many years ago. To them were born 11 children, including three sets
of twins. Six of these children, three daughters and three sons, are still
living. Of the daughters, Mrs. Selma Green lives at Dallas, Mrs.
Annie Friebig
lives at Pettus, and Mrs. Pearl Hayter lives at San Antonio.One of the sons, Ramon Keilberg, lives in Vernon. Alton Keilberg lives in
Electra and Elbert Keilberg is a resident of Corpus Christi.Mrs Hempel also has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
After Mr Keilberg's death, she married Ernest Hempel at La Grange.
Her first home in Wilbarger County was on a farm in the old Streit community.
She moved there in 1918 and the next year she moved to Vernon and has made
this city her home since that time.According to passport, she was 5'7", had Brown-grey hair and brown eyes
and had a scar on her forehead.June 1994 - by talk with Pearl Hayter. Pearl's father died when she was
three.Fayette County Court House- Marriage certs. have copy, page 246 15 May 1917 #7895 to Ernst Hempel. #107 to Peter Keilberg 12 Jan 1897 by JP Ledbetter.
Appl to American Legion Auxiliary - she listed her birthdate as 9 March
1880, then in heavier writing overwrote 1877. This application was in 1928. Lists her father's name and her birthplace (Fayette Co. TX)On a note, she gives her birhdate as 9 Mar 1877. So does Pearl.
Newspaper clipping of death. Age 102, died 14 Sept 1979.
Newspaper clippping, Vernon Times, 19 June 1958. Long article about how her grandparent Ethingtons came to Texas. Flooded out on raft.
States that M/M George Washington Ethington were residents of Terra Haute, Ind. and had 2 children. Rafting down the Wabash River, they were
flooded out into the Gulf of Mexico and eventually landed in Texas.
Both
children drowned while bathing in a river. Ethie's mother Mary Elizabeth
Ethington born 14 Jan 1845 married Maj. William Franklin Simpson 17 Aug 1868. Built the first gin at Smith, Texas. Maj. Simpson servied in
the Civil WAr, 1861-1865 in Capt. Andrew Downings company with Col.
Cornell's Missouri regiment of Vol. Cavalry. GWE was English and his wife Irish. After her second marriage to Hempel, their first home in Wilbarger Co., was a farm in the old Streit community. She moved there in 1918 and the next year she moved to Vernon.Pearl says Ethie attended 1st Methodist in Vernon.
Duplicate Ordinance Dates:B: 3 Dec 1998 BOUNT
E: 18 Mar 1999 BOUNT
SP: 11 Nov 1999 BOUNT
Did not marry. Was killed in WW I.
Otho had a twin that died at birth. June 1994 - by talk with Pearl Hayter.
See Darcy Fowler letter to HDE dated 21 Aug 1995.He was killed in WWI. He was a Pvt 9 Inf 2 Div Texas Army. Buried in France. He never married. He is in Grave 35, Row 5, Block D, Flanders Field. His service number was C-127, 401.
Ethie's appl to American Legion Auxiliary lists his birthdate and place;
his death date and place; and his service history. He was killed in the St.
Michiel Drive. This says he is buried in Grave #35, Row 5, Block 2 American Location, Phiancurthe, Mearthe et Moselle #100-16334.Birthdate from early record by Pearl has 1897.
SS Death Index for birthdate and death. SS#467-52-4085. Issued in Texas.
Notes from daughter, Maud Hayter:
"Ethie died in 1979 at age 102. She was born in 1877 in Texas.
She lived
perhaps in Lee county in 1880. I recall the town names of Smithville and
Seguin, and Wardy."Ethie and Pete Keilberg were in Smithville Fayette County in about 1910.
Ethie Hemple notes:
"Sister Ethie M. Simpson born March 9 1877."Marriage:
Marriage certificate for Mrs. Ethie Keilberg to Mr. Ernst Hempel dated 12 Jan
1897. Fayette Co TX cert no. 7895. Copy in file.Obituary:
Mrs. Ethel Hempel, age 102, passed into God's Hands Friday, September 14,
1979 at her home, 1101 Donaldson. Since she has donated her body to medical
science to beneit the living, services are not scheduled. Her Life was Her
Memorial.Her surviving children are: Mrs. Hulda Pearl Hayter, San Antonio, Mrs. Selma
Green, Dallas, Mr. Elbert Keilberg, Ft. Clark Springs, Mr. Raymond Keilberg,
Ft. Worth. She is also survived by numerous descendants, relatives, and
friends.The Vernon Times 19 Jun 1958
Mrs. Ethie Hempel, 3415 1st St. was born in Texas near La Grange, because of
a caprice of the weather. Her grandparents, residents of Terre Haute, Ind,
decided to construct a large raft and float members of the family, their
household goods, and provisions down the Wabqash River about 100 miles in
search of suitable farm land. They were not long on their way before the
river was flooded and they were washed through the Ohio to the Mississippi
River and thence into the Gulf of Mexico. After drifting for three weeks in
the Gulf, they landed on the Texas Gulf coast. They moved inland to establish
their home near La Grange.Mrs. Hempel was born near La Grange. Her first husband was Peter Keilberg
who died many years ago. To them were born 11 children, including three sets
of twins. Six of these children, three daughters and three sons, are still
living. Of the daughters, Mrs. Selma Green lives at Dallas, Mrs.
Annie Friebig
lives at Pettus, and Mrs. Pearl Hayter lives at San Antonio.One of the sons, Ramon Keilberg, lives in Vernon. Alton Keilberg lives in
Electra and Elbert Keilberg is a resident of Corpus Christi.Mrs Hempel also has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
After Mr Keilberg's death, she married Ernest Hempel at La Grange.
Her first home in Wilbarger County was on a farm in the old Streit community.
She moved there in 1918 and the next year she moved to Vernon and has made
this city her home since that time.According to passport, she was 5'7", had Brown-grey hair and brown eyes
and had a scar on her forehead.June 1994 - by talk with Pearl Hayter. Pearl's father died when she was
three.Fayette County Court House- Marriage certs. have copy, page 246 15 May 1917 #7895 to Ernst Hempel. #107 to Peter Keilberg 12 Jan 1897 by JP Ledbetter.
Appl to American Legion Auxiliary - she listed her birthdate as 9 March
1880, then in heavier writing overwrote 1877. This application was in 1928. Lists her father's name and her birthplace (Fayette Co. TX)On a note, she gives her birhdate as 9 Mar 1877. So does Pearl.
Newspaper clipping of death. Age 102, died 14 Sept 1979.
Newspaper clippping, Vernon Times, 19 June 1958. Long article about how her grandparent Ethingtons came to Texas. Flooded out on raft.
States that M/M George Washington Ethington were residents of Terra Haute, Ind. and had 2 children. Rafting down the Wabash River, they were
flooded out into the Gulf of Mexico and eventually landed in Texas.
Both
children drowned while bathing in a river. Ethie's mother Mary Elizabeth
Ethington born 14 Jan 1845 married Maj. William Franklin Simpson 17 Aug 1868. Built the first gin at Smith, Texas. Maj. Simpson servied in
the Civil WAr, 1861-1865 in Capt. Andrew Downings company with Col.
Cornell's Missouri regiment of Vol. Cavalry. GWE was English and his wife Irish. After her second marriage to Hempel, their first home in Wilbarger Co., was a farm in the old Streit community. She moved there in 1918 and the next year she moved to Vernon.Pearl says Ethie attended 1st Methodist in Vernon.
Duplicate Ordinance Dates:B: 3 Dec 1998 BOUNT
E: 18 Mar 1999 BOUNT
SP: 11 Nov 1999 BOUNT
Jack Fagg was a traveling shoe salesman. Aunt Pearl says that she thinks
they were married in Wichita Falls and that he had sisters in Round Rock,
TX.
LoRee Fagg's BC states that Jack was 35 years old and born in Antioch, KY.
1900 McLennan Co., TX he was 11 years old, bp KY. with his family.
SS# 449-30-8514 She worked as a saleslady.
Birth record Fayette County, have copy, says father was born in Bastrop
Co. TX, mother in La Grange. Ethie was 21, Peter 28, had 3 children, including Selma, only 2 living.Have 3 newspaper clippings of her death and death certificate.
Stillborn infant birth has not been verified.
Death Certificate shows:
Usual Occupation: Sales
Industry: Ready to Wear
Residence: 1616 Fair Court IRving Dallas Texas 75060
Informant: Austin C. Green 5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dallas TX 75235
Corporal, 5th Service Co. 30th Engineers. Physical description re: discharge papers: blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, 5'5" Served in
WWIHis sisters are Mrs. Ed Womack of Manchester, Tenn, and Mrs. Elizabeth Darnell of Fort Worth; brother J.W. Green of Lake Worth, Fla. From newspaper death notice. Article dated 25 Apr 1953. Said he died Friday morning in Dallas and funeral is Saturday.
Org. adjutant of American Legion Post 53, member of Disabled War Veterans, Skillman Avenue Church of Christ, president of Campfire Chieftains. They lived at 5221 Milam
Moved to Dallas in 1936. Worked as a security guard.
Pearl has birthdate of 2 Nov 1890. I had 1887 down.
SS# 449-30-8514 She worked as a saleslady.
Birth record Fayette County, have copy, says father was born in Bastrop
Co. TX, mother in La Grange. Ethie was 21, Peter 28, had 3 children, including Selma, only 2 living.Have 3 newspaper clippings of her death and death certificate.
Stillborn infant birth has not been verified.
Death Certificate shows:
Usual Occupation: Sales
Industry: Ready to Wear
Residence: 1616 Fair Court IRving Dallas Texas 75060
Informant: Austin C. Green 5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dallas TX 75235
Birth: Twin died at birth. June 1994 - by talk with Pearl Hayter.
Married
Billy Vann when Pearl was a teenager. She got a job at Liggit Drugstore
in Fort Worth when she was young, she lied about her age and said she was two years older.Birth index, Fayette Co. court house, spelled Lenora. bk 7 Old pg 305
Pearl said that Leonora died from something like leukemia. No children.
Ethie's note. Leonora's lot is west 1/2 lot #5, block #15, East View Cemetery, Vernon.
Pearl said that Leonora tried to change the world.