John A. Crossman

Spouse: Mary Cathcart

1. William C. Crossman, born 22 Feb 1851, IA

Mary Cathcart

Spouse: John A. Crossman

1. William C. Crossman, born 22 Feb 1851, IA

Henry Sumner Bennett

Birth: 20 Feb 1876, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL

• "Dr. Bennett Claims His Winsome Bride," The Moline Daily Dispatch (Moline, Illinois), 5 Sep 1902, p. 5, col. 1; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.
• "Dr. Henry Bennett Claimed by Death," The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 26 Sep 1949, p. 23, col. 3; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Death: 25 Sep 1949, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL

• "Dr. Henry Bennett Claimed by Death," The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 26 Sep 1949, p. 23, col. 3; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Father: William C. Bennett
Mother: Florence DeMeritt

Spouse: Helen Grace Crossman
Marriage: 4 Sep 1902, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL

• "Dr. Bennett Claims His Winsome Bride," The Moline Daily Dispatch (Moline, Illinois), 5 Sep 1902, p. 5, col. 1; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Notes:

Dr. Bennet was a physician, a lifelong resident of Moline. He was survived by his widow; two sons, Edward P. of Grand Mound, and W. C. of Moline; one daughter, Mrs. James Biggane of Newton, Iowa; one sister, Mrs. Margaret Smythe of Portland, Oregon; six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.¹

Sources:

1. "Dr. Henry Bennett Claimed by Death," The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 26 Sep 1949, p. 23, col. 3; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

William C. Bennett

Spouse: Florence DeMeritt
Marriage: 2 Dec 1862, Lasalle Co, IL

• "Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920," database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1414366:60984 : accessed 26 Aug 2024), Florence V. Demerett and William C Bennett (1862); from online indexes at The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State (https://www.ilsos.gov/ : 20 March 2024), Home > Departments > Archives > Databases.
• "Death of Mrs. Capt. Bennett," The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois), 7 Feb 1881, p. 4, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

1. Henry Sumner Bennett, born 20 Feb 1876, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL

Spouse: Sarah Reed
Marriage: 15 Feb 1883

• "Mrs W. C. Bennett, Civic Worker of Moline, Is Dead," The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 11 Jan 1915, p. 17, col. 6; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Florence DeMeritt

Birth: 26 Jan 1843, Portland, Cumberland Co, ME

• "Death of Mrs. Capt. Bennett," The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois), 7 Feb 1881, p. 4, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Death: 6 Feb 1881, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189366113/florence-bennett: accessed August 26, 2024), gravestone photo for Florence Demeritt Bennett (unknown–6 Feb 1881), Find a Grave Memorial ID 189366113, Riverside Cemetery, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL.
• "Death of Mrs. Capt. Bennett," The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois), 7 Feb 1881, p. 4, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Moline, Rock Island County, IL

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189366113/florence-bennett: accessed August 26, 2024), gravestone photo for Florence Demeritt Bennett (unknown–6 Feb 1881), Find a Grave Memorial ID 189366113, Riverside Cemetery, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL.

Spouse: William C. Bennett
Marriage: 2 Dec 1862, Lasalle Co, IL

• "Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920," database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1414366:60984 : accessed 26 Aug 2024), Florence V. Demerett and William C Bennett (1862); from online indexes at The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State (https://www.ilsos.gov/ : 20 March 2024), Home > Departments > Archives > Databases.
• "Death of Mrs. Capt. Bennett," The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois), 7 Feb 1881, p. 4, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

1. Henry Sumner Bennett, born 20 Feb 1876, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL

Sarah Reed

Birth: 8 May 1843, Geneseo, Henry Co, IL

• "Mrs W. C. Bennett, Civic Worker of Moline, Is Dead," The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 11 Jan 1915, p. 17, col. 6; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Death: 10 Jan 1915, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL

• "Mrs W. C. Bennett, Civic Worker of Moline, Is Dead," The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 11 Jan 1915, p. 17, col. 6; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Spouse: William C. Bennett
Marriage: 15 Feb 1883

• "Mrs W. C. Bennett, Civic Worker of Moline, Is Dead," The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 11 Jan 1915, p. 17, col. 6; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Anna (--?--)

Death: 15 Aug 1889, Lancaster, IL

• The Freeport Journal (Freeport, Illinois), 21 Aug 1889, p. 7, col. 1; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Partner: (--?--) Wheelock

Notes:

Anna Wheelock's obituary is published in the 21 Aug 1889 edition of The Freeport Journal (Freeport, Illinois). It reads as follows:¹

"Mrs. Anna Wheelock died Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock at her home in Lancaster Township, after a year's illness. She leaves a husband and three grown sons to mourn her loss. She was a faithful member of the Embury M. E. Church and Rev. Matlack conducted the funeral at 1- o'clock Saturday. The remains were interred in Young's Cemetery, Lancaster Township. Mrs. Wheelock was the only negro lady in Stephenson County. Mr. and Mrs. Wheelock were both Southern slaves before the war and moved to this country [sic, county] after the war. They owned a small farm and were hard working people who gained the respect of all who knew them."

Sources:

1. The Freeport Journal (Freeport, Illinois), 21 Aug 1889, p. 7, col. 1; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

(--?--) Wheelock

Partner: Anna (--?--)

Elna (--?--)

Birth: 1 Mar 1823, Sweden

• "Obituary Record," Mrs. Elma Peterson, The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois), 24 Nov 1910, p. 2, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Death: 23 Nov 1910, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL

• "Obituary Record," Mrs. Elma Peterson, The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois), 24 Nov 1910, p. 2, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Burial: Cumberland Cemetery, Biggsville, Henderson Co, IL

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131379286/elna-peterson: accessed August 26, 2024), memorial page for Elna Peterson (unknown–unknown), Find a Grave Memorial ID 131379286, Cumberland Cemetery, Biggsville, Henderson Co, IL, maintained by Donna Smock (contributor 46542951).

Spouse: Peter O Peterson

1. Nels W. Peterson, born about 1851, Sweden
2. Peter O. Peterson, born about 1853, Sweden
3. Mary Rebecca Peterson, born 17 Dec 1858, Sweden
4. Anna Elizabeth Peterson, born 5 Mar 1863, Skåne County, Sweden
5. Andrew Peterson, born about 1866, Sweden

Notes:

She is found in the census records with the name Ellen Peterson. Her obit refers to her as Elma Peterson.

In 1870 Ellen Peterson was 46, living in Township 11, Range 5, Henderson County, Illinois with her husband Peter, 48, both born in Sweden. Rebecca, 12, Anna, 7, Andrew, 4, and John, 16, were all living in the household, all born in Sweden.

She is probably the Ellen Peterson living with her husband, Peter, in Oquawka in 1900. Next door was their presumed son, Peter O. Peterson, and his wife Emma/Eunice (the handwriting is unclear). However, several facts are not consistent. Per census, Ellen was born March 1829 (vs. March 1823 in her obit), and she had two children, one living, as opposed to at least three children known to be living in 1900 (Peter O. Peterson, Jr; Anna Wheelock; and Mrs. Alfred Freed).

If she is the Ellen Peterson living in Oquawka in 1900, then she immigrated in 1869, consistent with her obituary.

Elna died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Alfred Freed of Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois. She was born in Sweden, and came to America with her husband about 1869, and settled in Oquawka, Henderson County, Illinois. When her husband died in 1909, she came to live with her daughter in Moline. She was survived by three children: Mrs. Alfred Freed and Mrs. Anna Wheelock of Moline; and P. O. Peterson of Oquawka.¹

Nels Peterson was probably also a child of Elna. He died 31 May 1904 in Moline, aged 53 years, and was survived by his parents and two brothers in Oquawka, Illinois, and two sisters in Moline, Mrs. Alfred Freed and Mrs. Anna Wheelock. He was also survived by two sons, John LeRoy Peterson at home; and Arthur L. Peterson of Monterey, California.² His obituary was corrected in the 1 June 1904 edition of The Dispatch, stating that he died of pneumonia, rather than grinders disease as previously stated. He was a carpenter "in recent years", and was survived by but one brother in Oquawka [presumably in addition to the other survivors reported above].³

In 1900, Nels Peterson, 49, was living in Moline with his wife, Josephine Peterson, 43, Arthur Le V. Peterson, 16, and John Le R. Peterson, 13. Per census, Nels and Josephine were married circa 1883. Nels was a carpenter.

Elna's Maiden Name:

Per 1882 marriage record of her son, Peter O. Peterson to Emma Polka, her maiden name was Vinstrom.⁴ Peter's 1946 death record refers to his mother as Elna Peterson.⁵

The Rock Island County 1879 marriage record of her daughter, Mary Rebecca Peterson to Alfred Freed does not identify her parents.⁶ Nor does the Rock Island marriage records of Nels W. Peterson and Anna E. Peterson.

Carlyle Capron Wheelock (CCW) in his "Wheelock Genealogy" manuscript identifies her maiden name as Johannerson, citing Lucius P. Wheelock as his source. Lucius would have been Henry Lincoln Wheelock's cousin. CCW also gives Anna E. Peterson's middle name as Elizabeth.⁷

Sources:

1. "Obituary Record," Mrs. Elma Peterson, The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois), 24 Nov 1910, p. 2, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.
2. "Nels Peterson Expires; Long at Deere & Co.'s," The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois), 31 May 1904, p. 1, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.
3. "Obituary, Nels Peterson," The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois), 1 June 1904, p. 4, col. 6; Newspapers.com, accessed 27 August 2024.
4. "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFKV-2XP : accessed 27 August 2024), Peter O. Peterson and Emma H. Polks (1882); FHL 001377856, image 381 of 414.
5. "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3ZD-NGN : accessed 28 August 2024), Peter Olof Peterson (1946); FHL 1991238, image 112.
6. "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFLV-P9Y : accessed 27 August 2024), Alfred Freed and Mary R. Peterson (1879); FHL 001428580, image 830 of 867.
7. Carlyle C. Wheelock, Winifred Thomson Argersinger Gonseth, "Wheelock Genealogy [1955]," p. 276, citing Lucius P. Wheelock as informant; Mss 792, NEHGS, Boston.

Peter O Peterson

Birth: Sep 1828, Sweden

• 1900 U.S. census, Oquawka, Henderson County, Illinois, household of Peter and Ellen Peterson.

Death: Dec 1909

• "Obituary Record," Mrs. Elma Peterson, The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois), 24 Nov 1910, p. 2, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Burial: Cumberland Cemetery, Biggsville, Henderson Co, IL

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131379262/peter_o-peterson: accessed August 26, 2024), memorial page for Peter O “Pete” Peterson Sr. (unknown–unknown), Find a Grave Memorial ID 131379262, Cumberland Cemetery, Biggsville, Henderson Co, IL, maintained by Donna Smock (contributor 46542951).

Spouse: Elna (--?--)

1. Nels W. Peterson, born about 1851, Sweden
2. Peter O. Peterson, born about 1853, Sweden
3. Mary Rebecca Peterson, born 17 Dec 1858, Sweden
4. Anna Elizabeth Peterson, born 5 Mar 1863, Skåne County, Sweden
5. Andrew Peterson, born about 1866, Sweden

Nels W. Peterson

Birth: about 1851, Sweden

• "Nels Peterson Expires; Long at Deere & Co.'s," The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois), 31 May 1904, p. 1, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Death: 31 May 1904, Moline, Rock Island Co, IL

• "Nels Peterson Expires; Long at Deere & Co.'s," The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois), 31 May 1904, p. 1, col. 4; Newspapers.com, accessed 26 August 2024.

Father: Peter O Peterson
Mother: Elna (--?--)

Spouse: Josephine Warner
Marriage: 3 Feb 1883, Rock Island Co, IL

• "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFLV-2Y9 : accessed 28 August 2024), Nels W. Peterson and Josephine Warner (1883); Rock Island County Marriage Register, Vol. D, p. 177; FHL 001428581, image 40 of 748.
• "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q288-ZGR1 : accessed 28 August 2024), Nels W Peterson and Josephine Warner (1883); FHL 001428578.