March Woman's History Month Post 1 Mary Cassell Zion GG Grandmother Paternal Side

March is National Women's History Month . The theme for National Women's History Month 2019 is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence”. 

This is a perfect month to concentrate on my female ancestors. They may not of led efforts to end war, violence and injustice but I am sure they each have a story. of holding the family together. Being strong in their own right. And you never know I may find that story. 

This month I have been searching for the civil war records of my second great grandfather John Henderson Zion.  At this time I know he was drafted June 1863 into the Iowa 5th but I have nothing else as of now.  I need to research deeper into ancestry records.  As of this time I have found nothing more. I plan to call the National Archives to see if this is enough information to get his record.  I have asked for help from 
http://iagenweb.org/civilwar/books/logan.htm tonight. Hopefully they will be able to help me.  This is a wonderful site to find information and will be spending more time there. 

As my great great grandfather is drafted into the civil war my great great grandmother is left at home to take care of the family. 

Her name is Mary Cassell . She was born on the 19th of October 1834 in Coles, Illinois to Jonathan Cassell 1812 - 1845 and Elizabeth Carmicheal 1812 - 1899.

At the time John is drafted to fight in the war she is will be left home to care for three children.  They are Mary Elizabeth born 21st of September 1854, William McCormick born 12th of March 1858 and Johnathan Adam my great grandfather who was born 29th of September 1861.  John and Mary's fourth child will join the family in 1868 and be named Etta Anna Gertrude. 

John and Mary were living in Jamul, Decatur county, Iowa in 1863 and is a local farmer.  

Questions to answer 
Who was living near by to help Mary when John goes to war.?
What was life like in the area during this time? 
 I look at her eyes and I see a strong woman and I look forward to researching her more this week. 

To be Continued

March Is Women History Month

With March being Women History month this is a good reason to spend more time on my female ancestors.

Last year during March I shared on three of my female ancestors in my life.

this is my mom and dad

First post was about my mother and aunt daisy. You can read about them here.

bridget's wedding photo
Second posting was on my great grand aunt Bridget, sister of my great grandmother Katherine Gallagher. You can read about Bridget here.
My third post was on grand aunt Pearl Hall, sister of my grandmother Alta Hall Zion. You can read about her here.


I look forward to spending some time with my female ancestors this month. Hope that you will stop by again as I share on the women in my life.
thanks for stopping by.. Grace

March is Women's History Month ... Meet The Women In My Life # 3

March is Women's History Month ... Meet The Women In My Life # 3

This is my great aunt Pearl (Hall ) Sauer. Pictured with her is Johnnie Zion and the baby is Mary Sturm .

Pearl is the sister of my grandma Alta and baby Johnnie is Alta's son. My father identified the baby as Mary Sturm , so this would be Pearl's sister Mae daughter.

The back of the photo says that Johnnie is 19 months 5 days , Pearl is 15 years and Mary is 5 weeks. This picture would of been taken March 28 1915 using Johnnie's birthday as a time line.

March is Women's History Month ... Meet The Women In My Life # 2

March is Women's History Month ... Meet The Women In My Life # 2. This a beautiful wedding photo of my great aunt Bridget (Gallaher / Gallagher ) Mickschls. She married Jacob in La Crosse, Wisconsin November 13,1894.

Bridget was born March 12, 1869 to Patrick and Johanna ( Riordan ) Gallaher/ Gallagher in LaCrosse Wisconsin.

Jacob and Bridget had 6 children, Mary Catherine 1896, Katherine A 1897, Rose Ella 1899, Jacob 1901, Browd 1904 and Christina 1909.

Bridget passed away in LaCrosse Wisconsin March 12, 1869.

I know very little about Bridget but I do have several photos of her with my great grandmother Katherine in my collection of family photos.

I have had contact with another family member who is the great granddaughter of Bridget. Hopefully I will maybe find out a little more about Bridget from her.

March is Women's History Month ... Meet The Women In My Life # 1

I was reading a posting at Shades Of The Departed about March being Women's History Month and thought that this would be a wonderful subject for postings. I will be posting some pictures of the women in my life during March.

Number one woman in my life is my mother. My aunt Daisy was probably number two.

Mama was sweet, gentle and loving. She was always there for me from the time I was born until her last days. She never let her handicap come into the way of being involved in our school and church lives.

My Aunt Daisy took us girls ( my sister and cousin ) places where mama could not. We went to the fair and to Minneapolis on the train every year. She was always there for me and so she deserves to be here in my first posting along with mama for Women in History... My history at least.

This picture is of my mother and my aunt Daisy. It was taken in Minnesota probably Olgivee. My mother looks to be a young teenager so that would make this picture taken some where in the mid 1930's. Aunt Daisy would be in her early twenties at this time.

I love the curl in the middle of Daisy's forhead and the big bow on mama's dress.

Mama got polio in the early 1950's while we were living in Texas. That is why aunt Daisy was so close to us girls, helping to take care of us and spending time with us. Aunt Daisy never married and always called us kids her kids.

Hope that you enjoyed learning a little more about mama and my Aunt Daisy.