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The story of Theron P. Foster b:1890-South Dakota
Hibner-Foster: Ella May (Hibner), Charles A. Foster, Theron P. Foster, Theron P. Smith
Posted Apr. 17, 2005, Update:Feb 10, 2007
Song title: Spirit in the Lake
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
OUR ANCESTORS
Who are they, where did they come from, our ancestors?
What hardships did they endure, what brought joy,
to our ancestors?
Who will wonder, who will care, from where we came?
Will the now generation remember us in years to come,
Or will the memories of our existence fade with time,
As did the images in the album, of our ancestors?
~ 27 Oct. 2000 by: me ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
INTRODUCTION: You will learn but a snippet of the
trials and tribulations one young family experienced.
Until now, the untold story of an infant, assumed dead
by his parents. He was the first born of Ella May (Hibner)
and Charles A. Foster, named Theron P. Foster,
AKA, "Theo". Theron P. was born 1890 in South Dakota.
Update: Feb 22, 2008 - ?AKA, Theron Phillip Smith?
There had been word of a missing child of this family,
but through the confusion of names, misunderstandings
and the vagueness and reluctance, many years ago to talk
about certain family situations, or, just the lack of correct
information being passed on to other family members, a
little boy was forever separated from his parents and siblings.
Living descendants seemed to be unaware of the
existence of Theo from his birth in February, 1890
in South Dakota until this past February, 2005.
Exactly one hundred fifteen years after the birth of
Theo, a granduncle found, on an Internet genealogy
message board, a posting to which he responded.
This act brought together distant cousins, and in a
combined effort, has given us some insight into
Theo and his ancestors lives as we imagine them.
TWO STORIES, TWO GENERATIONS, TWO ADOPTIONS:
Our stories main characters are those of Theron P. Foster,
and his parents Ella May (Hibner) and Charles A. Foster.
Their story actually begins to unfold in Southeast MI with the
introduction of his paternal and maternal grandparents,
then continues into little Theo's life with his gma Mary Ann,
on to his short term guardians, to his "adoptive" parents
and beyond.
THERON P. FOSTER - Source records of "Theo"
His name appears as "Theo" in a family letter that had not
been dated, but hand written by a lady that was three years old
when Theo was born. The 1895 IA State census transcript
lists Theo as "Theron Hoffman" age 5 [living with his
grandmother Mary Ann (Straight) Hibner, Ida Susan and
Henry David Hoffman and children. [The Hoffman's are
this writers g-grandparents]. Hand written census for
1900 indicates his name is "Thurin P. Huffman" age 10,
and in 1910 on the Federal hand written census the name
appears to be "Theron Foster" age 20. He has been
reported as being born in both North and South Dakota.
Additional documents lead us to beleive that in circa 1910
Theron P. decided to start using his adoptive parents
surname "Smith". Following this trail of documents,
we are lead to believe the child Theron P. Foster born
Feb 1890 in SD would as an adult go by the name of
Theron Phillip Smith. Theron P. Smith, born 07 Feb 1890 in SD,
married three times, had a daughter in 1915, and died 1956 in CA.
Southeast Counties of Michigan:
PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS OF THERON FOSTER:
Theo's g-gpa Asa Foster was b:NY, g-gma Flora b:VT.
Their son [Theo's gpa] is Austin Foster b:Mar1831-OH.
Great-gpa Asa, Flora and the children were some of
the first to live in Rollin, Lenawee Co, MI. Rollin Twp
was organized on 17 Mar 1835. Theo's great
grandparents Asa and Flora and three sons are
living in Rollin Twp when the 1840 census was taken.
Gpa Austin met a sweet young lady by the name of Matilda
A. Comstock, born and raised in Michigan. Rollin Twp
would become the "hometown" of the new Foster family,
for they married in 1859 at the ages of about 28 and 22,
and raised their five children there. Lydia A. was their first
and Flora their second. Charles A. was the middle child
and only boy, then came along sisters Minnie and Alice.
They all grew up in Rollin.
Charles A. Foster b:Dec1863-MI would in 1890 become
the father of little Theo.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS OF THERON FOSTER:
Theo's g-gpa Joseph Hibner b:Abt.1797-NY, g-gma
Lydia (Pratt) Hibner b:Abt.1800 in Canada West.
Theo's gpa William Henry Hibner was b:1821-IN,
where he spent his early childhood. By the time
Wm. H. was nine, he, his parents g-gpa Joseph
and g-gma Lydia (Pratt) Hibner and siblings
removed to NY, and by 1840 they were living in MI.
Gpa William Henry Hibner married a lady two years
his senior, Theo's gma Mary Ann (Straight). She
was b:1818-NY, and was the first of seven children.
Gma Mary Ann's father Great-gpa George R. Straight
was b:1795-NY, passing on at the age of 35, before
gma Mary Ann turned 12. Her mother g-gma Lucy
(Hoisington) Straight was b:1793-VT, and was with
child at the time of g-gpa George R.'s death. Just two
months four days after the death of g-gpa George R.,
g-gma gma Lucy gave birth to their seventh child, a
daughter named Caroline R. (Straight).
G-gma Lucy now had to depend on Mary Ann's help in
raising the new baby and tending the five other children.
G-grandmother Lucy never remarried, remaining a
widow to her death in 1881 in Michigan.
Gma Mary Ann was a happy young girl, eleven years
of age, leading her life as any other preteen aged girl,
but after her fathers death she took on many more of
the responsibilities of adulthood. She no longer had
time to be the little girl she once was.
Theo's Gma Mary Ann was about 18 or 19 when her
mother g-gma Lucy, decided to leave New York to be
nearer her sister Achas (Straight) Maples and her family
in Southern Michigan. G-gma Lucy's father, and a few
of her siblings and their families were part of the group
leaving New York, likely in the spring of 1836/37.
Some of those family members were, Theo's g-gma
Lucy (Hoisington) Straight with her seven children,
gma Mary Ann Straight, Hannah Straight,
William Clinton Straight, Daniel Alonzo Straight,
Lucia T. Straight, Lydia Lucretia Straight, [this writers
g-g-gma] and little Caroline R. Straight now about 6 years
of age. G-gma Lucy's father g-g-gpa Verlina Hoisington
a widower, was in the group as well as some of g-gma
Lucy's siblings Joab Hoisington and his family.
They disposed of their NY properties, packed up their
personal belongings and boarded a steam boat at the
nearest NY port on Lake Erie, making their destination,
Detroit, Michigan.
Once landing in Detroit, the mode of transportation in
Southern Michigan was limited. The 35 mile distance
between Detroit, Wayne Co, MI, and Ypsilanti, Washtenaw
Co, MI, had just been connected by way of the new
railroad in 1836. Washtenaw County was the "end of the
line", and Washtenaw County is where the families first settled.
Circa 1837: Speculated journey from Wayne Co, NY to Washtenaw Co, MI.
MICHIGAN RAILROAD EARLY PROGRESS:
1836 First railroad service between Detroit and Ypsilanti
1838 A railroad line extended to Jackson, Jackson Co, MI
1843 Rail service ran from Adrian to Hillsdale
1846 Railroad line completed to Kalamazoo
1853 A railroad line continued to Coldwater and beyond
By 1840 Theo's g-grandparents Joseph and Lydia (Pratt) Hibner
were living in Scio Twp, Washtenaw Co, located next to
Lenawee Co, about half way between Ypsilalnti and Jackson.
G-gpa Joseph and g-gma Lydia remained in Washtenaw Co,
but gpa William Henry Hibner married gma Mary Ann (Straight)
in 1849 and they settled and remained until 1853, in Seneca
Twp, Lenawee Co, just 15 miles SE of Rollin where the
Foster family was living. In 1849, Gma Mary Ann and
gpa William Henry had their first child, a little girl named
Julia A., born in Seneca, Lenawee Co, MI.
Gma Mary Ann and gpa William Henry left MI, likely in
the spring or early summer of 1855, when Mary Ann's
younger sister Lydia Lucretia (Straight) Goodwin Hubbard,
her husband Elizar B. Hubbard and their children Horace J.
Goodwin, Helen M. Hubbard and Henry William Hubbard,
become some of the first pioneers of Black Hawk Co, IA.
The Hibner's had a second child, little Francis E. born the
same year they removed to IA. Both Julia A. and Francis E.
died at a young age. The 1856 State Census for Spring Creek,
[Fox], Black Hawk Co, IA indicates Mary Ann and William Henry
Hibner had no children. Little William Ora Hibner came along
in 1857, and Andrew in 1859. Andrew passed at a young age.
The fifth and last child gma Mary Ann had was George Rex
Hibner b:1861 in Fox, Black Hawk Co, IA.
> > > FYI: Though Theo's grandparents, the Hibner's, had five
children, they raised six. They adopted a little
girl, possibly a newborn b:Dec1866-MI. They
named her Ella May (Hibner). Ella May would,
in 1890, become the mother of little Theo.
Clues lead us to believe Ella May's birth mother
may have been Emily (Cooley) b:1850-OH, a
daughter of Harrison Cooley b:11 Mar 1819-MA
and Harriet (Day) Cooley b:12 Mar 1821-MA.
Emily (Cooley) married in 1869, Van Buren Co,
MIchigan to William C. McKenney b:1848-Canada,
New Brunswick. Could the pictures below be
Emily and Ella May?
1 2 3
Feb. 21, 2006, [note to CarolH]
Only difference noted, shape of eyebrows.
Photo 1: My photo and yours combined
Photo 2: Your photo [could this be Emily (Cooley)?]
Photo 3: My photo is Ella May (Hibner) Schermerhorn Foster
I also have a photo I believe to be the same couple
as one of yours, Harrison and Harriet (Day) Cooley.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
TEMPORARY GUARDIANS: HOFFMAN
Gma Mary Ann (Straight) Hibner's niece is the mother in
the photo below. Her name is Ida Susan (Hubbard) Hoffman,
and is the daughter of Elizar B. and Lydia L. (Straight) Hubbard.
Ida Susan (Hubbard) Hoffman was b:1859-IA. Ida's daughter,
sitting to her left, is Cora Bell b:1883-IA. Cora B. was about
9 years old when she first met her cousin "Theo".
The Hoffman family, ancestors of this writer, [Ida Susan
is my great grandmother] become a very important part of
little "Theo's" life. They cared for him at age about one and
a half along with his ailing gma Mary Ann in late 1891,
through to his gma Mary Ann's death in 1897 and beyond,
about 1898-1899 when Theron P. Foster was 8 or 9.
Creek Nation was later known as Muskogee County, OK:
Standing:
Pearl Olive, Earnest Llewellyn, Myrtle May, William H.
[William H. and wife Cora Bell married in 1901]
Sitting: Henry David Hoffman, Mabel Esther, Ida Susan,
and Cora Bell.
Family connection:
Henry David Hoffman 1853-1932
Ida Susan (Hubbard) Hoffman 1859-1932
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
The plot to this mystery thickens, but puzzle pieces seem to fit!
ADOPTIVE PARENTS OF THERON FOSTER: SMITH
Franklin A. Smith b:1842-OH, and his wife Sarah A. (Sands)
b:1847-NY were the "adoptive" parents of Theo.
Note: On the 1910-MO Federal Census, Theron P. Foster's
occupation, Mason. Theron P.'s adoptive
grandfather was, in 1860-MI listed as, Mason.
Franklin A.'s parents were Russell Smith b:1816-MA, and
Harriet (_______) Smith, b:1816-NY. Russell, in 1850,
indicated three occupations, Laborer, Shoe maker, and
Well digger. In 1860 - Russell 44, and his eldest son
George age 22, are listed as, Mason. Franklin age 18 is
a baker. Russell and Harriet had a total of six children,
George, Daniel, Franklin A. b:May1842-OH, Louisa,
Elmira, and Louis. Their first child George was b:1838-NY
as were the next four children [b:NY]. By 1850 the Russell Smith
family removed in about 1854 to OH. By 1860, Russell,
Harriet and their six children removed to, "YES",
Lenawee County, Michigan, to the township of Adrian,
about 18 miles West of Rollin where the Foster family
is living, and 15 miles NE of where the Hibner family had
been living in 1850.
A COMMON LINK!
The Hibner, Smith, and Straight families at some point
in time all lived in Lenawee Co, MI, during the time of
residence of the Fosters, in Rollin, Lenawee Co, MI.
You have been given a little background on a few important
people in Theo's life. It is now time to learn about Theo. A poem
has been written, Theo's story as we imagine who he was, and,
how he came to be! It reveals one theory of what may, in some
way, resemble his life and the lives he touched.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
Ella May (Hibner) Schermerhorn Foster
EL L A M A Y ( H I B N E R ) and
C H A R L E S A. F O S T E R' s,
~:~
LITTLE BOY LOST ~:~
"THE THERON FOSTER STORY"
Oh, little sapling where could you be,
Tiny sprout severed from your family tree?
Passed on by your parents at such a young age,
Broken hearts and sadness following them to their grave.
Your place in the family album left empty and barren,
Only showing a birth date and the name of Theron.
You were passed on to another at such a young age,
There was but an empty space on your own special page.
Parting from your parents to the care of another,
You were left in tender hands, those of your own grandmother.
She tended you in Michigan giving you loving care,
Removing you from harm and the frigid Dakota air.
Alas, you were still small when as hard as she would try,
Gma knew not of your parents, and didn't understand why.
She was frail in mind and body, she soon would be gone,
She realized life for her would not continue on.
So after time, it would soon come to be,
Grandmother likely realized the beginnings of senility.
She took you, her grandson, to a new place where,
You and she would receive personal loving care.
She knew the both of you would be tended exceptionally well,
By the family of her niece including her grandniece, Cora Bell.
Safe with the Hoffman’s, starting a new journey in your wee life,
You have your grandma Mary Ann, my great-grandpa Henry,
and great-grandma Ida, his wife.
Unbeknownst to your parents, you were alive and well,
In the good hands of your cousin, my Gma Cora Bell.
My gma Cora Bell, in the preteens of her life,
Was of an age to be helpful with struggles and strife.
She was always there for you when you fell scrapping your knee,
She read to you, sang with you, protected you from the town bully.
When your gma passed on, you were then only seven,
Not understanding her leaving and going to heaven,
But it seemed as though destiny was pre-planned just for you,
Soon after your gma’s death, you would meet someone new.
Once more as a child you will begin another new page,
Life will be good for you when you're coming of age.
On your journey in life, you will travel once again,
To another place, one you have not yet been.
You'll soon go with the Hoffman’s still a young boy and shy,
To be adopted by loving people, you'll become the apple of their eye.
For the Hoffman’s knew of a couple nearing their golden years,
That had lost their own two children oh so dear.
They welcomed you into their home and into open arms,
Continuing to care for you and protect you from harm.
You, this small boy, gave the Smith's many years of joy and pride,
They raised you and loved you to the day that they died.
They lived to see you reach twenty or more years of age,
Near the time of their passing, your life proceeded to another page.
Your adoptive father Franklin when he was quite young,
Lived in the same county as your grandparents in Michigan.
ALL of them lived in Lenawee County from time to time,
Not knowing decades later they would share their family line.
Grandparents Hibner lived in Seneca in the 1850’s,
The Smith Family in Adrian at least during the 60’s.
And of course your grandparents Foster in Rollin in 1870,
In 1880, and 90 And many years beyond,
Had they only known where you could have gone.
On through the decades gpa Foster worked hard with his hands,
Supporting his family by farming their land.
They were the Michigan roots that surely seemed to be,
A solidly strong branch of this old family tree.
Now we'd like you to have the chance that you never had,
To learn more of your family, your birth Mom and Dad.
They missed you so, not knowing where you could be,
Sadly going on with their lives, caring for their growing family.
~:~ YOUR SIBLINGS ~:~
Sister Jessie was born in October before you were two,
The first little sister that you never knew.
Glen Austin came along near your birthday of five,
If only your parents had known you were well and alive.
Sybil was born next soon after you turned ten,
They had no clue you had been adopted by then.
Gertrude Marie was born in 1903,
As a teen age boy how proud you would be,
To have the chance to hold her on your knee.
And the year 1904 brought your second brother Clyde,
You were 14 and would have beamed with pride.
Sister Jane born in 1913, there would be no other,
None ever had the chance to meet their big brother.
A tall straight young tree, now on your own you've grown to be,
A handsome young man, possibly with your own family.
You, that once little sapling, who was a tiny little sprout,
A part of our family there is certainly no doubt.
The saddest of all, is that you never knew,
Your parents were living, you had six sibling, too.
They never had a chance to meet you, never realizing you to be,
The first sapling to sprout from this branch of the family tree.
Allow us to dream of what may have been your story,
We've contemplated your sadness,
We've rejoiced in your glory.
And, being a Mother, I most certainly do know,
If at all possible, your memories will grow.
For as a contribution to help them live on,
This poem is for remembering, long after I'm gone.
~Mar 2005 by: me ~
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
VERA's LETTER ~ ELLA MAY's STORY:
FIRST RECORD FOUND REGARDING THERON P. FOSTER:
FYI: "Grandpa" is William Clinton Straight
Vera b:1887, wrote in her letter, in part:
"Grandpas sister Mary married a Mr. Hibner and lived
in the west for years. She had two boys and an adopted
daughter. The boys were Will and George. I think the girls
name was Ella. Ella had a son by the name of Theo. After
grandma Straight died Aunt Mary came here to keep house
for Grandpa and had Theo with her."
THE ELLA MAY (HIBNER) SCHERMERHORN FOSTER STORY
Parents, unable to care for their baby born in Michigan in
Dec 1866, gave her up for
adoption to Mary Ann (Straight)
and William Henry Hibner. The baby girl was named Ella
May (Hibner). She joined the family gaining a new mother
and father, and two big brothers that would love her, protect
her and help with her care. Little did they know in 1866, the
life that lay ahead for this little girl.
Ella May was possibly born in Hillsdale Co, MI. By 1880
she was a teenager living in Montcalm Co, MI, and in 1885
she married her first husband Charles Sumner Schermerhorn
in Jackson Co, MI. This marriage was short lived, producing
no children. Her brothers had both moved on to South Dakota
in the early 1880's, and by 1889 Ella May was living there as
well, with her second husband, Charles A. Foster. Ella May's
marriage took place in Eureka, McPherson Co, SD in 1889.
By coincidence, both men she had married were named
Charles. Charles A. and Ella May's first child was born in
1890 in Brown Co, or, McPherson Co, SD. Their baby boy
was named Theron P. Foster, but was known as, Theo.
Ella May and Charles A. made the decision to move on
westward to homestead in Collamer South Dakota, about
20 miles South of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.
Because Theo was a small baby, they left him in the care of
his maternal grandmother Mary Ann (Straight) Hibner. Likely,
their intentions were to get settled, then send for baby "Theo",
but by October of 1892, Ella May and Charles A. had another
child and they were still unwilling to expose little ones to the
harsh environment. So, with the children's best interest at heart,
they send their second baby Jessie to live with her paternal
grandparents in MI for a time.
The sadness of relinquishing their first two babies to the
grandparents would be hard to bare. Ella May and Charles A.
never realized at the time of their parting, they would never
see their first born again! And after years of no word of their
young son Theo's where abouts, Ella May and Charles A. had
nothing left to do but presume he had parrished as a young boy,
as indicated on the 1900 Federal Census.
In Feb 1895, five years to the month of Theo's birthday,
Charles A. and Ella May had their third child, naming him
Glen Austin. It seems important to now analyze some of our
puzzle pieces shared by the granduncle of Theo. In part, he
mentions: "my grandmother, [daughter of Ella May] said that
there was trouble", the granduncle mentioning their concerns
of raiding. He continues, "so Charles and Ella May sent Jessie
and Glenn back to Michigan to stay with family. (This story
is somewhat supported in the 1900 census. Jessie was living
with Charles' parents in Rollin, MI; Glenn was in Collamer).
So in the 1890s Mary Ann might very well have had Ella
May's son with her in Michigan, but his name would have
been Theo rather than Glen. "Our scenario is as follows:
There is total agreement to what the granduncle has shared,
with but few exceptions. It is very likely the first two children
lived with Michigan families. But, the first two children were
Theo and Jessie. Theo went with gma Mary Ann to live with
her brother William Clinton Straight in MI, and his death in
Nov 1891 resulted in gma Mary Ann and Theo removing to
Iowa to live with her niece and family, as evidenced by the
transcript of Summit, Clay Co, IA State Census. Little Jessie
was sent to live with gma and gpa Foster as is evidenced on
the 1900 Rollin, Lenawee Co, MI Federal Census. When
baby Glen was born, Charles A. and Ella May likely had, in
their minds, forever lost their first son. For some unknown
reason, the Fosters apparently lost ALL contact with Ella May's
mother Mary Ann and Ella May's son Theo. They never got
to see their babies Theo and Jessie take there first steps. Life
had become just a little more tolerable by now in 1895, so
they have become determined to keep their third baby
Glen Austin with them, with the hopes of fetching little
Jessie in the near future. Soon after his fifth birthday,
Glen A. became a big brother.
Charles A. and Ella May had their forth child in 1900 they
named Sybil Florene. Each of the four children, Theo, Jessie,
Glen and Sybil F. were born in South Dakota, either in
Brown County, Eureka, Pierre, and/or Collamer.
In 1900 little Jessie is now age 7 and has a little 5 year old
brother and a new baby sister living in South Dakota with
their parents Ella May and Charles A. Jessie is still living
with gpa Austin age 70, and gma Matilda age 63 and attending
school in Rollin, Lenawee County, Michigan. The only other
person living at the Foster residence is a "servant" by the name
of Ray Murdock.
NEW BEGINNING FOR THE FOSTER FAMILY:
Life was still harsh in SD. After, I'm sure, much discussion
and many conversations, Ella May's brother George Rex Hibner,
his wife Linda Dows (Schermerhorn) Hibner, Charles A. and
Ella May Foster made a big decision. Together, they would go
South to Oklahoma, but first they must retrieve their daughter
Jessie, in Michigan. Ella May likely didn't realize she was
expecting their fifth child when plans for the move began. The
new baby was due in June of 1903 so the trip was probably
made in early spring where they were near, or with, Charles A.'s
parents and their daughter Jessie, now almost eleven. Jessie
was finally able to be a part of the family once again. Baby
Gertrude Marie was born in Rollin, but the family was still
incomplete without their first born, Theo. Soon after baby
Gertrude M.'s birth, the two families loaded up all the
children and headed out for Oklahoma.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
As an infant, Theo is taken from South Dakota by gma
Mary Ann to her widowed brother William Clinton Straight's
home in North Shade, Gratiot Co, Michigan to live with and
keep house for him, according to Vera's letter. William C.
died in November 1891.
Little Theo is still less than two years of age and gma Mary Ann
is about 73 and likely unable to care for Theo as well as is needed.
Because of her brothers death, they must find another place to live.
Gma Mary Ann seemed to be in touch with her younger sister
Lydia L. and family and it was decided Theo and gma Mary Ann
would leave Michigan to live in Iowa with Lydia L.'s daughter
Ida Susan (Hubbard) Hoffman and her family. Theo and his gma
Mary Ann were living with the Hoffman's during the taking of
the 1895 Iowa State census. The transcript indicates Theo's
name is Theron Hoffman age 5, and gma Mary Ann's last name
is misspelled by the transcriber, as Hubner. Ida Susan and family
are still caring for Theo and gma Mary Ann at the time of gma
Mary Ann's death in May of 1897. The Hoffman's [my
g-grandparents] continued to care for 7 year old Theo. The
Hoffman's and Theo lived in the same county as Ida Susan's
parents [my g-g grandparents] Lydia L. and Elizar B. Hubbard,
but, not long after the death of Mary A., the Hoffman
family Ida S., Henry D., their five children and Theron Foster
left NW Iowa traveling nearly 650 miles South to West Plains,
Howell County, Missouri. In the beginning, it wasn't clear as to
why they spent but a short time in West Plains. But as more
information has been gathered on the families, the more it
seems to make sense.
We previously touched on Russell Smith and his family in
Lenawee Co, MI. Apparently the Hoffman family knew some
time before their leaving Clay Co, Iowa to head South, that
Franklin A. Smith, son Russell and Harriet was in 1898,
living in West Plains with his wife Sarah A. (Sands) Smith.
By 1900, the Hoffman family had moved on another 250 miles
Southwest to Wagoner, Creek Nation, Indian Territory,
Oklahoma. Little Theo remained with the Smith. On the
1900 Federal census he is listed as Therin P. Huffman,
relationship to head of the household is listed as adopted, and
is 10 years old. He is shown as having been born in North Dakota.
He remained with the Smith's, but is listed on the Federal census
as lodger in 1910. It also says he is a Mason, Brick Layer by
trade. The quality of the 1910 census page is poor and very hard
to read the birth state. It appears to be either North Dakota, or,
South Dakota. It does however, indicate both his parents were
born in Michigan. Theron P. Foster has left no obvious paper trail
after 1910. Theo's adoptive mother Sarah A. (Sands) Smith
died in Mar 1918 in West Plains, Cowell Co, MO.
THERON P. FOSTER - THERON PHILLIP SMITH:
Note - 1910 census for West Plaine, Howell Co, MO
Theron Foster's relationship to the head of household,
[Franklin A. Smith], is lodger, male, white, age 20, single,
b:SD/ND fb:MI mb:MI. Theron Foster is a Mason, Bricklayer,
and was working on April 15, 1910. The number of weeks
out of work in 1909 was 20. The census also indicates he
speaks English, and can both read and write.
Note - 1910 census for Goldsberry, Howell Co, MO
FYI: Goldsberry is located 25 miles NE of West Plains.
Theo Smith's relationship to head of household is boarder,
male, white, age 20, single b:ND fb:NY mb:NY. Theo Smith
is a Mason, Bricklayer, and was working on April 15, 1910.
The number of weeks out of work in 1909 was 0. The census
also indicates he speaks English, and can both read and write.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Both Foster and Smith say they were born 1890, in the Dakota's.
They are both single, and there trade is Mason, Bricklayer.
Foster indicated his parents were born in Michigan. His birth parents were.
Smith indicates his parents were born in New York. His adoptive parents were.
Foster indicates he was a lodger and out of work for 20 weeks in 1909.
Smith indicates he was a boarder and not out of work in 1909.
Could it be, Theron Foster's adoptive parents provided the information
to the census taker because he was not at home. This may well have been
the beginning of a new life for Theron, working away from home and using
his adoptive name Smith. It was not unusual for a family member, away
from home, to be counted twice during a census taking, especially young,
single adults.
FOLLOWING FACTS ARE OF THERON P. SMITH:
1917 - WWI Registration card indicates Theron P. Smith born Feb 7, 1890
in Aberdeen, [Brown Co,] SD, dated June 6, 1917, currently
living in Sapulpa, [Creek Co], OK
1920 Census - Sapulpa, Creek Co, OK,
T. P. Smith, Head of household, occupation-Brick Layer
b:IA fb:IA mb:IA, wife Helen b:AR and daughter Lydia b:OK
FYI: Regarding the fact he reported he and his parents were b:IA
1930 Census - Phoenix, Maricopa Co, AZ,
P. T. Smith, Lodger, age at first marriage:21, occupation-Brick Mason
b:MO fb:MO mb:MO
1956 Death - Theron Phillip Smith b:07 Feb 1890-SD, d:09 Sep 1956, San Bernardino, CA
Records have been found indicating Theron P. Smith signed up for WWI,
married and had a daughter, and died at the age of 66 in California.
Theron P. Foster seems to have dropped of the edge of the earth.
After 1910, no military record, no marriage, no divorce. Nothing!
No death or burial records have been found for Theron Foster,
or Franklin A. Smith. A Death Cert. photo copy for Sarah A.
(Sands) Smith has been obtained by this writer. Franklin A.
Smith was the source of information, giving his address as
West Plains, MO. Franklin A. Smith has not been found on
either 1920 or 1930 census records. Census records for
1920 have, however, been found for Theron's parents Ella May
and Charles A., as well as sister Jessie and her family, living
together in Harris Co, TX. 1930 Census record shows
Charles A. Foster is now living alone in Harris Co, TX.
His wife Ella May [Theron's mother] died in 1926. Theron's
sister Jessie (Foster) Gardner, her husband Frank and children
are living in Dallas, Dallas Co, TX.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
TIME TO PONDER, TO REFLECT:
I am left wondering! The 1900 census indicate Theron has been adopted
by Franklin A. and Sarah A. Smith but that his name was Therin P. Huffman.
The census taker was likely guessing as to how to spell Theron and Hoffman.
Either the Smith's or Theo told the census taker he was 10 years old and
was born in North Dakota, but whoever was providing the information, they
claimed they did NOT know where Theo's birth parents had been born.
Ten years later on the 1910 Federal census information given to the
census taker is that Theo's name is Theron Foster age 20, he is a Mason,
Brick layer, and that both his father and mother were born in Michigan.
I repeat my first paragraph on this web page:
"You have possibly heard of a missing child, but through
the confusion of names, misunderstandings and the
vagueness and reluctance, many years ago, to talk
about certain family situations, or, just the lack of correct
information being passed on to other family members,
a little boy was forever separated from his family."
Is it any wonder we descendants become confused while doing our
genealogy research? It is not at all surprising that a child could be
missing for one hundred fifteen years, but, I do feel, in my heart, we
have found our "LITTLE BOY LOST", our little Theron.
Until we discover what he did in his adulthood and where he has been laid
to rest, our puzzle will not be complete and the remaining chapters of his
story will remain a mystery.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
SOURCES FOR THERON P. FOSTER:
1890-SD, McPherson Co, [misplaced record and don't remember source]
1891-MI, Hand written letter from Vera b:1887
1895-IA, Clay County, Summit Twp, transcribed as Theron Hoffman b:ND
1898-MO, Howell Co, West Plains, residents of Hoffman family, hand written statement dated
1900-MO, Howell Co, West Plains, he is Therin P. Huffman b:ND
1910-MO, Howell Co, West Plains, he is Theron Foster Mason, Brick layer,
..................[poor quality doc] either b:ND or b:SD fb:MI mb:MI
..................[living with his "adoptive" parents Franklin A. Smith and Sarah Smith]
SOURCES used for the story of Theron Foster, born February 1890 in South Dakota:
From Great-great grandmother's red velvet album of the 1800's,
Photograph of Theron Foster's mother, Ella May (Hibner) Schermerhorn Foster: IDPhoto06
Two hand written documents, one by Elmer E. Hubbard dated 1898, the other not dated
State census for, 1895 IA, Clay Co, Summit Twp,
Federal census for, 1900 and 1910 MO, Howell Co, West Plains Twp
Marriage records for Hibner, Schermerhorn and Foster:
1885: 09 Oct 1885, Jackson Co, MI, Ella May (Hibner) b:1866 Charles Sumner Schermerhorn b:1857
......... Schermerhorn: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/jackson/vitals/marriage/dbn-aug-hi-2004.txt
1889: 31 Jul 1889, Eureka, McPherson Co, SD, Ella M. (Hibner) age 21 to Charles A. Foster age 24
......... Foster: http://www.odessa3.org/collections/churches/link/eurekam.txt
Parents: Ella May (Hibner) and Charles A. Foster
Children: Theron P., Jessie L., Glenn A., Sybil F.,
Gertrude M., and Clyde M., and Jane A.
Maternal grandparents: Mary Ann (Straight) and William Henry Hibner
[Theron's Uncles, William Ora Hibner and George Rex Hibner]
Paternal grandparents: Matilda A. (Comstock) and Austin Foster
FOSTER - HIBNER - SMITH:
~ FOSTER FAMILY ~
1840-1850-1860-1870-1880-1890-1900, MI_LenaweeCo_Rollin Twp
~ HIBNER FAMILY ~
1840, MI_WashtenawCo_Sico Twp
1850, MI_LenaweeCo_Seneca Twp
1860, IA_BlackHawkCo_Fox Twp
1870, MI_HillsdaleCo_Hillsdale Twp
1880, MI_MontcalmCo_CarsonCity Twp
1890, Likely Mary Ann is with children in SD, Wm. H. apparently in MI
1895, IA_ClayCo_Summit: Mary Ann and Theo with Hoffman's
1897, IA_ClayCo, Mary Ann (Straight) Hibner died, bur: Riverside Cem
1900-1910, See Smith Family
~ SMITH FAMILY ~
1850, OH_LorainCo_Wellington Twp
1860-1870: MI_LenaweeCo_Adrian Twp
1880, AR_WhiteCo_Harrison Twp
1900, MO_HowellCo_WestPlains: Adopted Theron Foster
1910, MO_HowellCo_WestPlains: Theron age 20 still with Smith's
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
LINEAGE OF THERON FOSTER:
Parents: [born in 1860's in MI]
....................... Ella May (Hibner) and Charles A. Foster of TX
Siblings: [born in 1890's, early 1900's in SD, MI,]
....................... Jessie, Glen Austin, Sybil, Gertrude Marie, Clyde, Jane
Grandparents: [born in 1830's in OH-MI and NY]
....................... Matilda and Austin Foster of MI
....................... Mary Ann (Straight) and William Henry Hibner IA and MI
Great-grandparents: [born 1790's, early 1800's in NY and VT]
....................... Flora and Asa Foster of MI
....................... Lydia (Pratt) and Joseph Hibner of MI
....................... Lucy (Hoisington) and George R. Straight d:1835 of MI
Great-great-grandparents: [born 1770's in RI-NY and CT-VT]
....................... Unknown Foster of NY
....................... Mary Ann (Potter) Chatham and Aspen Wall Straight of NY
....................... Hannah (Green) Verlina Hoisington of MI
Great-great-great grandparents: [born in 1730's and 1740's in RI and CT]
....................... Sarah (Austin) and John Straight of NY
....................... Mary (Boardman) and Joab Hoisington of VT
[Information regarding ages and marriages are circa
dates unless specific months and/or days are given]
~
De s c e n d a n t s o f ~
CLARKE LINEAGE: George R. Straight, son of Aspen W. Straight, son of John Straight,
Amey Greenman wife of Thomas Straight and daughter of Anne Clarke,
Anne Clarke wife of William Greenman and daughter of Jeremiah Clarke
son of Frances (Latham) and Jeremiah Clarke of England and Rhode Island.
STRAIGHT LINEAGE: George R.), Aspen W.), John), Thomas), John), Henry) Straight of Portsmouth, RI
HOISINGTON LINAGE: John, John, Joab, Verlina, Lucy daughter of Verlina Hoisington,
Ella May Hibner daughter of Lucy (Hoisington) and George R. Straight.
Theron Foster son of Ella May (Hibner) Shermerhorn and Charles A. Foster.
contact: