Descendants of Jacob Short
Generation 1
1.
JACOB1 SHORT12 was born on 26 Mar 1821 in Jonestown, Lebanon, Pennsylvania1,3. He
died 27 May 1896 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL (Age: 774,3). He married LUSETTA
“ELIZABETH” KLINEFELTER, daughter of Johannes Kleinfelter and Elizabeth B.
Grumbine on 22 May 1843 in Somerset, Pennsylvania1. She was born on 11 Jan 1827 in
Fredericksburg, Lebanon, Pennsylvania5,6. She died on 01 Jul 1900 in Troy Grove, La Salle,
IL (Age: 73)5,6.
Notes for Jacob Short:
Jacob Short, my 2nd great grandfather, was the son of Jacob (Short) Schad and Juliana
Wurteberger7 and the grandson of Revolutionary War veteran Ludwig Schad 8. The
Schads (sometimes spelled Schott or Shad) arrived from Palatinate, Germany in
Pennsylvania in 1764 aboard the Ship Chance 9,10 and settled in Hummelstown (later
Jonestown) Pennsylvania.
Jacob’s father died soon after he was born and was raised by his mother in Lebanon
County, PA. At the age of fifteen he apprenticed in the shoemaker trade 1 making a living
as a boot maker in Lebanon City, PA where he sold a plot of land to Herman Ristenbatt 11
in 1847. Apparently this sale was in anticipation of a great adventure.
Lusetta’s grandfather, Christian Klinefelter, had just returned from “way out west” (IL)
with wondrous stories about the fertility of the land and the friendliness of the Native
Americans. Her brother Jacob, a farmer in nearby Fredericksburg, decided he would
follow Christian back to IL to start a new life. He persuaded thirteen other families,
including the Shorts, to join them4.
The migration story is paraphrased below from a 1909 Obituary of Jacob Klinefelter 4:
“In May of 1849 they founded a company seeking homes in IL. They traveled by wagon
to Harrisburg, Pa., then across the mountains to Pittsburgh, then down the Ohio River by
boat to St. Louis, MO., up the IL River to LaSalle, IL, then by team to Troy Grove.
Boats in those days had no comfort and were more like barges of the present day. The
Passengers furnished their own food and provided their own conveniences for sleeping. If
1
History of LaSalle County, IL : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns…, Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co. Accessed
March 07, 2015. (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=18495.1886.)
2
Church Records, Salem Lutheran Church, St. Paul’s Evangelical Church and Zion Reformed Lutheran Church. Records for Births,
Christenings and Marriages - Schad and Scott Families. Jonestown, Pennsylvania.
3
Cemetery record, LaSalle County Genealogy Guild Cemetery Data Base, 2010, LaSalle County Genealogy Guild, Ottawa, IL
4
Obituary, Jacob Short. Jacob Short "Obituary," Mendota Reporter, 05 Jun 1896, Ottawa, IL
(http://www.lscgg.org/cgi-bin/individual.pl?type=obituary&id=22631 : 26 Apr 2015).
5
Obituary, Mendota Reporter 06 Jul 1900. Lusetta Klinefelter
6
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012),
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=FindAGraveUS&h=112690554&indiv=try, accessed 1 May 2015
7
Baptismal Records, Saint Johns Reformed and Lutheran Church, 1774-1866, Fredericksburg, PA - Shad.
8
Historical Document, Ancestry.com, History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical memoirs (The Generations
Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Record for Ludwig Schott.
9
Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Pennsylvania German Society Minutes, Volume XLII, Ralph Beaver Strasbourg, 1944, - Hans Uli
Reist, Ludwig Schad.
10
Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s (Gale Research. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s
[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010.), Schott Ludwig - SS Chance.
11
Book K, Lebanon Book of Deeds, page 10, Grantor is Jacob Shaudt and Lucetta, Grantee is Herman Ristenbatt. 26 Mar 1847.
they did not watch their baggage it was liable to reach the wrong destination.
The party was composed of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kleinfelter (the leader)
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kleinfelter and two children
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fahler and three children
Mrs. Jacob Deaner), Levi, and Lydia (Mrs. Isaac Clay)
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Krieser and two children
Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kleinfelter Jr. and two children
Mrs. Catherine Gephardt and children
Mrs. Uriah Myers
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Short, sons Josiah and Samuel and Jacob’s mother Julian
Mr. and Mrs. John Firestone
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hawk
Mr. and Mrs. John Waggoner
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kleinfelter, daughters Rebecca and Bina who died ten days
after they landed of cholera.”
The Short family settled in the Village of Homer where Jacob took up shoemaking
once again. After eight years however he abandoned the trade and became a
farmer1.
At the start of the Civil War Jacob enlisted as a private on 30 Dec 1861 in the 64th Union
Infantry but was categorized a deserter on 07 Jan 1862 for not reporting for duty – only
one week after enlisting12. No record was found of repercussions or charges being filed.
The entire Short family moved to Grundy, IA in 1868 and continued farming. Jacob had
a farm next to his oldest son Josiah and wife 13. Iowa unfortunately did not suit Jacob and
Lucetta and they moved the family back to Troy Grove, IL to stay in 1871.1
Back in Troy Grove he returned once again to shoemaking and taught two of his sons the
trade.
He is buried with many of his family members in Troy Grove Cemetery. 14,15,16
Lucetta lived until 1904 and resided with her son Augustus in Troy Grove17 until her
death. They were both interred in Troy Grove Cemetery 18.
12
Military Record, Jacob Short, Homer, IL. 64th IL Infantry Regiment, The IL USGenWeb Project. © 1997 The ILGenWeb Project.
http://civilwar.ILgenweb.org/reg_html/064_reg.html.
13
1870 U.S. Census, Grundy, Iowa, Grant, database on-line, 115A, dwelling 16, family 15, Jacob Short; digital image,Ancestry.com
(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 Apr 2015); citing NARA microfilm 545892, roll 393.
14
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Jacob Short.
15
Obituary, Jacob Short. Jacob Short "Obituary," Mendota Reporter, 05 Jun 1896, Ottawa, IL (http://www.lscgg.org/cgibin/individual.pl?type=obituary&id=22631 : 26 Apr 2015)
16
Cemetery record, LaSalle County Genealogy Guild Cemetery Data Base, 2010, LaSalle County Genealogy Guild, Ottawa, IL,
http://www.lscgg.org/lscgg_search.html, accessed 15 May 2105
17
1900 U.S. Census: Troy Grove, La Salle, IL; Roll: 317; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0088; FHL microfilm: 1240317,
http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1900usfedcen&h=19503843&indiv=try, accessed 29 Apr 2015
18
Find A Grave, Database And Images (Http://Findagrave.Com: Accessed 15 May 2015), Memorial Page For Jacob Short, Find A
Grave Memorial No. 137062318, Citing Troy Grove Cemetery, Troy Grove, IL.
Jacob Short and Lusetta (Klinefelter) Short had the following children:
i.
JOSIAH2 SHORT19 was born in 1844 in Fredericksburg, Lebanon,
Pennsylvania. He died on 02 Feb 1916 in Louisburg, Miami, KS (Age:
74)19. He married (1) NANCY E BURRELL on 10 Oct 186719. She was born
on 08 Dec 1844 in Somerset, Pennsylvania20. She died on 30 Aug 1888 in
Louisburg, Miami, KS (Age: 43)20. He married (2) MARY ELLEN
DAWSON on 05 Feb 1890. She was born in Feb 1865 in Virginia19. She
died after 1915 in Louisburg, Miami, KS21.
Notes for Josiah Short:
Lived in Louisburg, KS (mostly as a farmer) for over thirty years. Per his
obituary, he ran a furniture store in MO for short time and was a long time
member of The Louisburg Methodist Church.19
Even though he married twice, he had no children.
2.
ii.
SAMUEL SHORT22 was born on 01 Apr 1846 in Fredericksburg, Lebanon,
Pennsylvania22. He died on 29 Jan 1937 in Nevada, Vernon, MO (Age: 89 Living with Liel22). He married CATHERINE M (KATE) WILLAMAN on
26 Jun 1873 in Plain City, Stark, Ohio 23. She was born on 13 Jan 1843 in
Plain City, Stark, Ohio24. She died on 26 Jun 1932 in Union City, Barton,
MO (Age: 8924).
Notes for Samuel Short:
Tried farming in Benton, IA and became a blacksmith in Barton MO. He
lived in MO the final 30 years of his life and died in the home of his son
Liel25.
iii.
JOHNNIE SHORT26 was born on 06 Mar 1850 in Troy Grove, La Salle,
IL26. He died of an unknown illness on 01 Mar 1851 in Troy Grove, La
Salle, IL one week shy of his first birthday14.
19
Obituary, Josiah Short. Lewisburg Herald, 06 Feb 1916.
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Nancy E. Short.
21
Ancestry.com, Web: Ohio, MOLO Obituary Index, 1811-2012 (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for M. E. Dawson.
22
Death Certificate, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of MO, Vernon, 01 20 1926, Age 80, Samuel Short.
23
Ancestry.com, IA, Select Marriages, 1809-1992 (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2014), Ancestry.com. IA, Select
Marriages, 1809-1992 [database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2014.
Original data: IA, Marriages, 1809-1992. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.
24
Death Certificate, Catherine M Short. Death Certificate, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of MO, Vernon, 01 20 1926.
25
Obituary, Samuel Short. Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada, MO., 31 Jan 1937
26
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Johnnie Short.
20
3
3.
iv.
EDWARD G SHORT27 was born on 14 Jan 1852 in Troy Grove, La Salle
IL. He died on 30 Mar 1937 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL (Age at death:
8527). He married (1) KATHERINE (KATIE) MILLER on 02 Aug 1877 in
Troy Grove, La Salle, IL28. She was born in 1853 in Germany. She died in
1899 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL (Age: 4629). He married (2) LILLIE JANE
HOLDREN, daughter of Matthias Clarence Holdren and Eliza Ann Melugin
about 1899 in Compton, Lee, IL. She was born on 21 Mar 1868 in
Compton, Lee, IL30. She died on 19 Dec 1944 in Compton, Lee, IL (Death
Age: 76).
4.
v.
ALBERT JOHN SHORT31 was born on 09 Jul 1853 in Troy Grove, La Salle,
IL31. He died on 15 Oct 1892 in Pittsburg, Crawford, KS (Age: 24)31. He
married MARY (AMELIA) E TRIMPLER on 10 Aug 1876 in Troy Grove,
La Salle, IL. She was born in Feb 1856 in IL. She died on 07 Jun 1924 in KS
City, Jackson, MO (Age: 6831).
vi.
AUGUSTUS SHORT32 was born on 27 Jan 1856 in Troy Grove, La Salle,
IL33. He died on 07 Apr 1931 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL (Age: 7533). He
married WILEMINA (MINA) GRUMBINE, daughter of William Grumbine
and Lydia Eisenhauer on 22 Oct 1901 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL (Rev R W
Frees34). She was born on 07 Mar 1844 in Johnstown, Cambria,
Pennsylvania34. She died on 25 Nov 1916 in Troy Grove, Troy Grove Twp.,
Il. (Age: 7234).
Notes for Augustus Short:
Augustus was mail carrier for 41 years and a master shoemaker until his
death33:
27
Ancestry.com. IL, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 [database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original records.
28
Short Family Bible, Samuel Short, Liel Short, Edward Short, Otto Short, Maud Short.
29
Ancestry.com, Web: IL, Find A Grave Index, 1809-2012 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.),Katherine (Miller) Short, Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com.
30
Ancestry.com, IL, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 Lillie Jane Holden, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.).
31
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Albert John Short.
32
Probate Record, State of IL, LaSalle County, Probate Court, “Probates and Wills” Augustus Short, file number 1071-9 dated 12
1932, Supplemental Proof of Heirship.
33
Obituary, Mendota Reporter, 09 Apr 1931 - August Short.
34
Obituary, Utica Gazette, 01 Dec 1916. Wilhelmina Grumbine.
Augustus Short circa 1930
He died intestate in 1931 and his brother Harvey served as Administrator32.
The LaSalle County Court interviewed Harvey on two occasions and his
testimony provided many details of the Short family. Highlights32:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Augustus date of Death was 07 Apr 1931
Confirmed Harvey as his brother
Named Wilhelmina (Mina) Grumble as Augustus’ first wife
Augustus had no children
Second marriage disclosed, but Harvey did not know the details. He
had heard they had become divorced at some point.
Named Jacob Short and Lusetta (Klinefelter) Short as their parents
Named all Jacob and Lusetta’s children:
⁃ Joshua, Samuel, John, Edward, Augustus, Elias, Lincoln, Harvey
and Clara
Two other children died as infants
Joshua married, but had no children
Samuel living in Elgin, Montana in 1931
Edward living in Compton, IL
John married Amelia Trimpler and had issue:
⁃ Maggie (Short) Wagner,
⁃ Della (Short) DeWitt and
⁃ Wylie Short (deceased)
Elias was married and had five children:
⁃ Carrie Alma (Short) Montgomery of Frankfort, IL
⁃ Ethyl Elizabeth (Short) Murphy of Oktaha, OK
⁃ Edith Almeda (Short) Christian of Deisert, IA
⁃ Elmer Osman Short of Deisert, IA
⁃ Elsie May (Short) Fox of Laporte City, IA
Lincoln lives in Sedalia, MO
Harvey married Lola M. Roach
Harvey lives in Troy Grove, IL
Clara married Fred D. Zorn and lives in Louisburg, KS
5
5.
vii.
ELIAS SHORT35 was born on 21 Jul 1859 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL36. He
died on 11 Mar 1902 in Vinton, Benton County, IA (Age: 42). He married
SARAH ISABELLE RALF, daughter of James Ralf and Elizabeth Hibner
on 01 Jun 1882 in Gardner, Grundy, IL37. She was born on 08 May 1861 in
Joliet, Will, IL37. She died on 22 Feb 1944 in Jessup, Buchanan, IA (Age at
Death: 8237).
6.
viii.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN SHORT38 (my Great Grandfather) was born on
28 Aug 1860 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL39. He died on 26 Apr 1939 in
Smithton, Pettis, MO39. He married (1) CARRIE JANE SKILES, daughter
of James Spires Skiles and Sarah J McLaren on 27 Sep 1883 in Troy Grove,
La Salle, IL40. She was born on 30 Nov 1864 in Arona, Westmoreland,
Pennsylvania41. She died on 28 May 1919 in Smithton, Pettis, MO (Age at
Death: 5541). He married (2) ALMEDA A RALF on 20 Nov 1920 in KS
City, Clay, MO42. She was born on 31 Mar 1865 in Jackson, Will, IL43. She
died on 06 Feb 1939 (Smithton Cemetery43).
7.
ix.
HARVEY D SHORT44 was born on 23 Apr 1863 in Troy Grove, La Salle,
IL44. He died on 19 Jan 1935 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL (Age: 7244). He
married (1) LILLIAN MAE "LILLY" KELLY, daughter of John B Kelley
and Lucy on 17 Jan 1888 in Dixon, Edwards, IL.45 She was born about 1866
in Indiana46. She died on 01 Dec 1917 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL (Age:
5146). He married (2) MINNA LOLA ROACH, daughter of Joseph Roach
and Minnie Roach on 21 Sep 192147. She was born in Aug 1887 in IL. She
died in 1981 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL47.
Notes for Harvey D Short:
Harvey was the owner and proprietor of the popular Short’s General Store in
Homer (Troy Grove), IL.1
35
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Elias Short. Grave marker.
36
1900; US Federal Census, Place: Cedar, Black Hawk, IA; Roll: 417; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0008; FHL microfilm:
1240417, http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1900usfedcen&h=14083191&indiv=try, accessed 21 Apr 2015
37
Obituary, Sarah Isabelle Ralf. Progress Review, La Porte City, IA, Thursday, March 2, 1944, Page 1
38
Ancestry.com, IA, Births and Christenings Index, 1857-1947 (Online publication - Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2011.Original data -"IA Births and Christenings, 1830–1950."Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries
derived from digital copies of original and compiled re), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Database online. Record for James
R Short.
39
Death Certificate, MO State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Lincoln Short, record #15773.
40
Marriage Certificate, IL State Board of Health, Certificate of Marriage, Photocopy, Homer, La Salle, 27 Sep 1888, Abraham
Lincoln Short and Carrie Jane Skiles.
41
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Carrie Jane Short.
42
Ancestry.com, MO Marriage Records, 1805-2002 (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Record
for Almeda A Ralf.
43
Cemetery record, Smithton Cemetery Index; www.cousin-collector.com; Pettis County, MO; Shorts. Accessed 25 Apr 2015
44
Ancestry.com, IL, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database online.
Record for Harvey D. Short.
45
Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census (Ancestry.com Operations Inc), Year: 1900; Census Place: Troy Grove, La Salle,
IL; Roll: 317; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0088; FHL microfilm: 1240317. Record for Harvey Short.
46
Ancestry.com, IL, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947 (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Lillie May Short.
47
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for M Lola Short.
Became the Administrator of brother Augustus’ estate32.
8.
x.
CLARA M SHORT48 was born on 25 Jan 1867 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL49.
She died on 17 Sep 1933 in Louisburg, Miami, KS (Age: 6649). She married
FREDRICK D ZORN in 1889. He was born on 20 Aug 1865 in Green
Garden, Will, IL49. He died on 14 Mar 1945 in Louisburg, Miami, KS (Age:
7949).
48
1870; US Federal Census, Place: Grant, Grundy, IA; Roll: M593_393; Page: 115A; Image: 233; Family History Library Film:
545892
49
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Clara M. Zorn.
7
Generation 2
2.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN2 SHORT50 (Jacob1) was born on 28 Aug 1860 in Troy
Grove, La Salle, IL50. He died on 26 Apr 1939 in Smithton, Pettis, MO50. He married (1)
CARRIE JANE SKILES, daughter of James Spires Skiles and Sarah J. McLaren on
27 Sep 1883 in Troy Grove, La Salle, IL51. She was born on 30 Nov 1864 in Arona,
Westmoreland, Pennsylvania52. She died on 28 May 1919 in Smithton, Pettis, MO (Age at
Death: 5552). He married (2) ALMEDA A RALF on 20 Nov 1920 in Kansas City, Clay,
MO53. She was born on 31 Mar 1865 in Jackson, Will, IL54. She died on 06 Feb 1939
(Smithton Cemetery54).
Kinship Determination Evidence for Jacob Short and Abraham Lincoln Short
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1870 US Federal Census shows Lincoln, eight years old, to be the son of Jacob Short
and living in Grundy, Iowa13.
1886 Book – History of LaSalle County Illinois mentions Jacob’s son Lincoln
marrying “Cary” Skiles and living in nearby Dimmick Township, LaSalle County,
IL1.
1888 Record of Marriage to Carrie J. Skiles in Homer, IL shows Lincoln Short to be
the son of Jacob Short and Lucetta Klinefelter51.
1896 Obituary of Jacob Short shows his son Lincoln attended the funeral 15.
1939 Missouri Death Certificate of Abraham Lincoln Short names Jacob Short as his
father50.
Notes for Abraham Lincoln Short:
“Linc” (as he liked to be called) struggled as a laborer in his early years. For some reason he
did not take up his fathers trade of boot making. He had little formal education so he taught
himself to read and write (which was quite an accomplishment in those days) but quality work
was hard to find. He moved to an Iowa farm with the rest of the family in 1868 55,1, but they
returned to Troy Grove, IL in 18711. There he worked odd jobs and became a competent
carpenter and cabinetmaker.
Late in the 1870’s he moved in with his future father-in-law James Spires Skiles and worked
as a laborer56. He fell in love with Mr. Skiles daughter Carrie Jane and married her in 1883 51.
50
Death Certificate, MO State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Lincoln Short, record #15773.
Marriage License, IL State Board of Health, Certificate of Marriage, Photocopy, Homer, La Salle, 27 Sep 1888, Abraham Lincoln
Short and Carrie Jane Skiles.
52
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Carrie Jane Short.
53
Ancestry.com, MO Marriage Records, 1805-2002 (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Record
for Almeda A Ralf.
54
Cemetery record, Smithton Cemetery Index; www.cousin-collector.com; Pettis County, MO; Shorts. Accessed 25 Apr 2015
55
Ancestry.com, 1870 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2003), www.ancestry.com, Year: 1870;
Census Place: Grant, Grundy, Iowa; Roll: M593_393; Page: 115A; Image: 233; Family History Library Film: 545892. Record for
Lincoln Short.
56
Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1880 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo,
UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints©
Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited), Year: 1880; Census Place: Troy
51
A few years later he returned to Iowa where he rented a farm and had three children 57.
Some time before 1910 he moved his family to Smithton Township, Pettis, Missouri where he
bought a house and worked in town as a carpenter 58.
Lincoln moved in with his daughter Emma (Looney) in Smithton shortly after his wife Carrie
died in 191959. He married Almeda Alice Ralf53 a year later and they remained in Sedalia until
his death in 1939. While in Sedalia he worked once again as a carpenter and cabinetmaker 60.
He is buried in Smithton Cemetery next to his first wife Carrie.
Abraham Lincoln Short and Carrie Jane Skiles had the following children:
21
i.
LEO WILBER3 SHORT61 was born on 18 Sep 1888 in Mount Auburn, Benton,
IA61. He died on 23 Apr 1954 in Smithton, Pettis, MO (Age: 6562). He
Grove, La Salle, Illinois; Roll: 224; Family History Film: 1254224; Page: 725A; Enumeration District: 091; Image: 0171. Record for
Luicom Short.
57
Year: 1900; Census Place: Big Creek, Black Hawk, Iowa; Roll: 417; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 0003; FHL microfilm:
1240417, Record for Lincoln Short, Accessed 12 May 2015
58
Year: 1910; Census Place: Smithton, Pettis, Missouri; Roll: T624_801; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0139; FHL microfilm:
1374814
59
Year: 1920; Census Place: Smithton, Pettis, Missouri; Roll: T625_940; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 156; Image: 478
60
Year: 1930; Census Place: Sedalia, Pettis, Missouri; Roll: 1218; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0026; Image: 344.0; FHL
microfilm: 2340953
61
Ancestry.com, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database
online. Roll 1683498, Draft Board 0. Record for Leo Wilber Short.
62
Death Certificate, Leo Wilbur Short. MO Division of Health, Death Certificate, No 12904.
9
married Edna Roberta Finley, daughter of John E Finley and Louisa Finley
on 10 Nov 1912 in Pettis, MO63. She was born on 24 Oct 1893 in Smithton,
Pettis, MO64. She died on 29 Oct 1962 in Smithton, Pettis, MO (Smithton
Cemetery64).
63
22
ii.
JAMES ROY SHORT65 was born on 17 Sep 1890 in Cedar City, Benton, IA65.
He died on 13 Oct 1955 in Smithton, Pettis, MO (Age: 6566). He married (1)
MARY S SEWELL, daughter of Jeremiah Sewell and Sarah Jane Loflin on 24
Feb 1912 in Smithton, Pettis, MO67. She was born on 09 Jul 1889 in
Houstonia, Pettis, MO68. She died on 21 Jan 1979 in Cartersville, Bartow,
Georgia (Age: 89 Years68). He married (2) ALMA E POWELL, daughter of
Wallace Powell and Marisa A Powell on 28 Jan 1930 in KS City, Jackson,
MO69 (Frederick Hotel). She was born in Sep 1893 in MO. She died before
1936 in MO70. He married (3) MARION A SMITH on 04 Jun 1936 in Chicago,
Cook, IL71. She was born on 21 Oct 1914 in MO. She died on 10 Apr 1994 in
St Louis, MO.
23
i.
EMMA ALMEDA SHORT72 was born on 08 Nov 1893 in Benton, IA72,73. She
died after 25 Apr 1954 in Edgewater, Anne Arundel, Maryland. She married
(1) MARION ARUGUS LOONEY, son of Wesley Looney and Ethel Looney on
09 Oct 1922 in Sedalia, Pettis, MO74. He was born on 15 Jan 1899 in MO75.
He died in Oct 1986 in Sedalia, Pettis, MO (Age: 8775). She married (2)
THEODORE CHRISTOPHER KNOX, son of Edward J Knox and Josie Knox in
1914 in Smithton, Pettis, MO76. He was born on 17 Jun 1884 in Sedalia,
Pettis, MO77. He died on 22 Sep 1955 in Smithton, Pettis, MO78
Ancestry.com, MO, Marriage Records, 1805-2002 (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Leo W Short.
64
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Leo Wilbur Short.
65
Ancestry.com, U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database
online. Record for James Roy Short.
66
State of MO, Division of Health, Death Certificate, #34295, filed 24 Oct 1955, James R Short.
67
Ancestry.com, MO Marriage Records, 1805-2002 (Online publication - Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.Original
data - MO Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO: MO State Archives. Microfilm. Original data: MO Marriage Records. Jefferson
City, MO: MO Stat), marriage date: 14 Feb 1912 marriage place: Smithton, Pettis, MO marriage date: 14 Feb 1912 marriage place:
Smithton, Pettis, MO Name: Roy Short.
68
Death Certificate, Mary S Sewell. Vital Records Service, State of Georgia, #022629 .
69
Marriage Record, State of MO, County of Jackson, James R Short & Alma Powell, 23 Jan 1930
70
Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census (Ancestry.com Operations Inc), Year: 1900; Census Place: Trotter, Carroll, MO;
Roll: 846; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0023; FHL microfilm: 1240846. Record for Alma E Powell.
71
Ancestry.com, Public Member Trees (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Record for Marian A.
Smith, http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=0&pid=7241.
72
Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census (Ancestry.com Operations Inc), Year: 1900; Census Place: Big Creek, Black
Hawk, IA; Roll: 417; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 0003; FHL microfilm: 1240417. Record for Emma Short.
73
Ancestry.com, Global, Find A Grave Index for Non-Burials, Burials at Sea, and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current
(Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Emma Almeda Looney.
74
Ancestry.com, MO, Marriage Records, 1805-2002 (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Theodore C Knox.
75
Ancestry.com, Social Security Death Index (Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2006), www.ancestry.com, Social Security
Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc, 2005.
76
Ancestry.com, MO, Marriage Records, 1805-2002 (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Theodore C Knox.
77
Ancestry.com, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database
online. Registration Location: Franklin County, KS; Roll: 1643516; Draft Board: 0. Record for Theodore Christopher Knox.
78
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Record for Theodore C Knox.
Generation 3
22.
JAMES ROY3 SHORT79 (Abraham Lincoln2, Jacob1) was born on 17 Sep
1890 in Cedar City, Benton, IA80. He died on 13 Oct 1955 in Smithton, Pettis, MO (Age:
6581). He married (1) MARY S SEWELL, daughter of Jeremiah Sewell and Sarah Jane
Loflin on 24 Feb 1912 in Smithton, Pettis, MO82. She was born on 09 Jul 1889
in Houstonia, Pettis, MO83. She died on 21 Jan 1979 in Cartersville, Bartow,
Georgia (Age: 89 Years83). He married (2) ALMA E POWELL, daughter of
Wallace Powell and Marissa A Powell on 28 Jan 1930 in KS City, Jackson,
MO (Frederick Hotel84). She was born in Sep 1893 in MO85. She died before
1936 in MO86. He married (3) MARION A SMITH on 04 Jun 1936 in Chicago, Cook,
IL87. She was born on 21 Oct 1914 in MO. She died on 10 Apr 1994 in St Louis, MO87.
Kinship Determination Evidence for Abraham Lincoln Short and James Roy Short
1.
2.
3.
4.
Iowa Birth Certificate of “Baby” Short shows date of birth to be 17 Sep 1890 and his
parents to be Lincoln Short and Carrie J. Skiles80.
1955 Illinois Death Certificate of James Roy Short shows his parents to be Abraham
L. Short and “Miss Skiles” and date of birth to be 17 Sep 1890.66
1900 US Federal Census lists Lincoln Short and Carrie Short as the parents of James
Short who was born Sep 189088.
1910 US Federal Census Lists Abraham L Short and Carrie Short as the parents of
James Short who was born abt. 189189.
Notes for James Roy Short:
James Roy Short, my grandfather, preferred to be called Roy90. He grew up on an Iowa
farm his father Lincoln had rented57. They worked hard to make a living on the land, but
they gave up on farming and moved to Smithton, Missouri around 190558. I searched the
Pettis County Land records but could not locate deed transfers to Abraham Short about
79
Ancestry.com, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database
online. Roll 1643517, DraftBoard 0. Record for James Roy Short.
80
Birth Certificate, James R Short. Secretary of IA State Board of Health, dated 1 Nov 1890, No 322.
81
State of MO, Division of Health, Death Certificate, #34295, filed 24 Oct 1955, James R Short.
82
Ancestry.com, MO Marriage Records, 1805-2002 (Online publication - Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.Original
data - MO Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO: MO State Archives. Microfilm. Original data: MO Marriage Records. Jefferson
City, MO: MO Stat), marriage date: 14 Feb 1912 marriage place: Smithton, Pettis, MO marriage date: 14 Feb 1912 marriage place:
Smithton, Pettis, MO Name: Roy Short.
83
Death Certificate, Mary Sewell. Vital Records Service, State of Georgia, #022629.
84
Marriage Record, State of MO, County of Jackson, James R Short & Alma Powell, 23 Jan 1933
85
Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census (Ancestry.com Operations Inc), Year: 1900; Census Place: Trotter, Carroll, MO;
Roll: 846; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0023; FHL microfilm: 1240846. Record for Alma E Powell.
86
Ancestry.com, Public Member Trees (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Record for Alma E.
Powell http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=0&pid=126.
87
Ancestry.com, Public Member Trees (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Record for Marian A.
Smith, http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=0&pid=7241.
88
1900 U.S. Census, Blackhawk, Iowa, database on-line, enumeration district (ED) 003, 17A, dwelling 448, family 450, Abraham
Lincoln Short; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 16 May 2015); citing NARA microfilm 1240417, roll
417.May 2015); citing NARA microfilm 1240417, roll 417.
89
1910 U.S. Census, Pettis, Missouri, database on-line, enumeration district (ED) 0139, 4B, dwelling 86, family 86, Abraham L.
Short; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 16 May 2015); citing NARA microfilm 1374814, roll
T624_801.
90
Death Certificate, Russell Short. Georgia Department of Human Resources, #14057, 29 Apr 1974.
11
that time even though the 1910 Census shows he owned his home in Smithton58.
James Roy married Mary Sewell in February 2012 82 in Smithton and quickly had their
first baby, Russell, in December of that year. My father, Roy Wayne Short, Sr. was born
in Saint Joseph, MO in 1914106, about 150 miles from Smithton. In St. Joseph, James Roy
was a streetcar conductor per my father’s birth certificate 106 and by 1917, he had moved
again to Princeton, Kansas. He registered there for the WWI Draft91. On the draft
registration card he requested a deferment due to family dependencies and listed his
occupation as a Telephone Operator for the Princeton Telephone Company.
Circa 1916 - Back – Mary Sewell and James Short. Front – Russell and Roy Short, Sr.
91
Ancestry.com, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database
online. Roll 1643517, DraftBoard 0. Record for James Roy Short.
We pick him up again in 1920 in Kansas City, MO working as a Mechanic for a motorcar
company92. Sometime between 1920 and 1925, James Roy and Mary (Sewell) Short were
divorced. Mary appears in the 1925 Kansas State Census with sons Roy and Russell and
is listed as “Head”93. James Roy is gone.
Mary is still in Kansas City in 1930, but had remarried to Henry Elmer Lyerla 94. I could
not find James Roy Short in census records for 1925 or 1930. I do know that he was still
living in Kansas City in 1930 because he remarried that year to Alma Ellen Powell on
January 28th. at the Frederick Hotel95. They were still in Kansas City for the 1932 City
Directory96, but in 1934 he divorced Alma Powell and moved to Chicago, IL where he
was listed in the Chicago phone book97. He married Marion Smith January 4, 1936 in
Chicago with whom he remained married until his death.
In the 1940 census, James and Marion still resided in Chicago where he was listed as a
house painter98. In 1945 he and Marion purchased my childhood home on the south side
of Chicago. My father needed an inexpensive place to live near the commuter train
station, so his father James Roy offered him low rent in his new house. Although my
family continued to live there until the mid fifties, James Roy only owned the home until
1947 when sold it and returned to Smithton, MO 99.
James Roy and Marion lived in Smithton, Missouri until his death on 13 Oct 1955 81. He is
buried in the Smithton Cemetery among other Shorts, including his father Abraham
Lincoln Short100,101 and mother Carrie.
92
Database online. Year: 1920; Census Place: Kansas City Ward 14, Jackson, Missouri; Roll: T625_929; Page: 3A; Enumeration
District: 227; Image: 801.
93
Ancestry.com., Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925 (Ancestry.com Operations Inc), Kansas State Historical Society;
Topeka, Kansas; 1925 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: KS1925_172; Line: 17. Record for Mary S Short.
94
Ancestry.com, 1930 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1930; Census Place: Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas; Roll: 730; Page: 40A; Enumeration District:
0057; Image: 346.0; FHL microfilm: 2340465. Record for Wayne W Short.
95
Marriage Record, State of Missouri, County of Jackson, James R Short & Alma Powell, 23 Jan 1930
96
Ancestry.com, U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011).
97
© 2015 Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI), Chicago Directories, 1934.
http://www.carli.illinois.edu/
98
Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Record
for James Short.
99
Interview, Short, Mary. Telephone recording By Roy Short, 18 May 2015. Digital. Roy Short owner,
100
Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012).
101
Cemetery record, Smithton Cemetery Index; www.cousin-collector.com; Pettis County, MO; Shorts. Accessed 25 Apr 2015
13
In a telephone interview with my sister Mary Nadine Short99, she disclosed more about
the personal side of James Roy. She is six years older than me and knew him when she
was a little girl. She tells me he was an unfriendly man who paid little or no attention to
his son Roy or grandchildren even though they lived in the same house. He was described
as mean and was an alcoholic his entire adult life. This explains his numerous marriages
and divorces. As the above timeline suggests, he was unable to hold down a job and was
forced to move regularly.
James Roy Short and Mary S Sewell had the following children:
i.
RUSSELL EDWARD4 SHORT102 was born on 14 Dec 1912 in Smithton,
Pettis, MO102. He died on 29 Apr 1974 in Cartersville, Bartow, Georgia 102.
He married Hester M Murray, daughter of Sam Murray and Martha Murray
on 03 Oct 1949 in Chicago, Cook, IL103. She was born on 30 Jan 1912 in
Lawrence, IL104. She died on 15 Feb 1973 in Cartersville, Bartow, Georgia
(Age: 61104).
Notes for Russell Edward Short:
Owned house at 121 Davis Dr. in Cartersville, GA and worked for
Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA. My grandmother Mary Sewell lived with
him after her husband Elmer Lyerla died in 1964. She died in 1979105.
ii.
ROY WAYNE SHORT SR.106 was born on 16 Dec 1914 in St Joseph,
Buchanan, MO106. He died on 17 Dec 1960 in Inverness, Citrus, Florida
(Age: 46107). He married (1) EDNA N FINNEY, daughter of James Herbert
Finney and Kezia C. Corlett on 01 Aug 1934 in Chicago, Cook, IL108. She
was born on 20 Oct 1913 in Cheshire, England 109. She died on 19 Feb 1937
in Chicago, Cook, IL (Age: 23109). He married (2) MARY JANE
HARDENDORF, daughter of Harry Duerdin Hardendorf and Celia
Alma Reish on 07 Jun 1938 in Chicago, Cook, IL110. She was born
on 29 Apr 1919 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan 111. She died on 03
Aug 1979 in New Sharon, Mahaska, IA112.
Notes for Roy Wayne Short Sr.:
My father Roy Wayne Short Sr. was the paperboy for the Hardendorf girls
in the early thirties in Chicago113. Marvel Hardendorf had a crush on Roy
and used to buy him ties, but he married a girl from England, Edna Finney,
102
Death Certificate, Russell Short. Georgia Department of Human Resources, #14057.
Marriage License, Russell Short. Name: Russell Short marriage date: 3 October 1949 marriage place: Cook, IL, United States.
104
Ancestry.com, Georgia Deaths, 1919-98 (The Generations Network, Inc.), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Record for Hester.
105
Death Certificate, Mary Sewell. Vital Records Service, State of Georgia, #022629.
106
Birth Certificate, Roy W Short, Sr. State of MO, Certificate of Birth, 16 Dec 1914.
107
Death Certificate, State of Florida, State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, No 60-045173, 17 Dec 1960, Roy Wayne
Short, Sr.
108
Marriage License, Roy Short, Sr. and Edna Finney. State of IL, County of Cook, Bureau of Vital Records, Marriage License, 01
Aug 1934.
109
Death Certificate, State of IL, Division of Vital Statistics, Cook County, 20 Feb 1937. Edna Finney.
110
Marriage License, Roy Short Sr & Mary Jane Hardendorf, Chicago, Cook, IL
111
Birth Certificate, State of Michigan, Department of Community Health, Certificate of Live Birth. Mary Jane Hardendorf.
112
Death Certificate, Death Certificate, State of IA Department of Public Health, Issued 05 Aug 1979. Mary Jane Sheesley.
113
Personal letters from my mother’s sisters Marvel Lumsden and Virginia Geary.
103
instead in 1934114. Sadly, Edna and their eight-month-old baby Mary died in
a horrible fire on 19 Feb 1937115.
Brokenhearted, Roy returned to the Hardendorf residence to pursue his
relationship with Marvel, but she was now married.
Roy then started dating Marvel’s sister Mary Jane Hardendorf and married
her in 1938116. They had four children (including me.)
Roy Sr. worked 35 years for the Chicago American newspaper as a
Circulation Manager. He was also a part-time Musician at local Chicago
Country and Western nightclubs.
The long hours at work plus playing music at night meant he was seldom
114
State of Illinois, County of Cook, Bureau of Vital Records, Marriage License, Roy Short and Edna Finney, 01 Aug 1934
Obituary, Chicago Herald and Examiner, 20 Feb 1937. Mary Edna Short and Edna N Finney.
116
Marriage License, State of Illinois, County of Cook, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Roy Short Sr & Mary Jane Hardendorf, 07 Jun
1938, No. 312, 447
115
15
home. My mother divorced him in 1953117.
Never one to give up, Roy once again pursued a relationship with Marvel,
who by then was also divorced. Nothing serious ever came of it, but they
remained good friends.
He retired early at 46 due to poor health and moved us to Inverness, Florida
next door to his mother. He died shortly thereafter on December 17, 1960 of
heart disease118.
117
Divorce Decree, 11 Feb 1953, County of Cook, IL, Roy Short and Mary Jane Hardendorf, docket number 53C 229
Death Certificate, State of Florida, State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, No 60-045173, 17 Dec 1960, Roy Wayne
Short, Sr.
118
Prepared By:
Preparer: Roy W Short Address: 1154 Saint Julien St.
Brentwood, CA 94513
Phone: 925-418-4495
Email: roywshort@gmail.com
17