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Person Page 24939

George Dow Black    great grand father
b. 13 July 1871, d. 5 July 1935, #24939
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Birth	13 July 1867	George Dow may have been born on 13 July 1867 at WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania.   Loretta Black in her work on this family gives 13 July 1867 as the birth date and WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania as the birth place for George Dow Black, with no supporting evidence. This does not seem likely. The place as WilkesBarre, PA MAY have been where his father was born.3   It does not seem likely that Margaret and husband George Dow went to Pennsylvania for the birth of George, the son and then returned to Freeport Illinois.
Birth	13 July 1871	The evidence indicates that George Dow Black was born on 13 July 1871 at Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois. He is NOT on the 1870 census in Freeport tho' both Maggie and George Dow and William and Adelia Black are there. In 1880 he shows as 8 years old, living with William and Adelia and in 1900 he is in Freeport as 28 years old. In 1910 he is in Freeport as 39 years old. On Marriage license in March of 1894, he states that he will be 23 on his next birthday. This puts his birthday in 1871; The info from the CENSUS is as follows: 1870 Census, parents show in Freeport with NO CHILDREN. 1880 Census says 8 years old and born in ILLINOIS. Therefore born ca. 1872 1900 Census says born July 1871 in ILLINOIS; father born PA; Mother born OHIO; 28 years old 3 Therefore born ca. 1871/2. 1910 Census says 39 years old . Therefore born ca 1871 in ILL His death certificate indicates that he was born in Freeport, Illinois with no birthdate given. Age given as 65 years on death certificate. If he was 65 in early July of 1935, then he was born about 1870. IF he was born 13 July 1871, he would have not been quite 65 when he died. On son George C. Black's birth certificate in Nov 1903 his age is given as either 33 or 35. Writing is poor. If he was 35 at this time, his birth date is in 1868; if it reads 33 then his birth date is in 1870 or 1871.4,5,6,7,2,8
	13 July 1871	On his marriage license application in 1894 he gives his parents as William Henry Black and Adelia Black. Since Margaret Black was married to George Dow it is surmissed at this point that George Dow Black was really the son of George Dow and Margaret Black and that he was raised by William and Adelia. George Dow died in 1878 of consumption. It can be assumed that if his mother WAS Margaret that she would have had her hands full caring for a sick husband and that the care of the child would have been assumed by her step mother who was not much older than Margaret.1,2
	17 June 1878	On 17 June 1878 the man we believe to be George Dow Black's father, died in Freeport, Illinois.7
Cen1880	7 June 1880	George shows on the 1880 census done on 7 June 1880 in Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois as 8 years old and born in Illinois and in school. He is living with William and Adelia Black. His mother, Margaret Black Dow Coggins IS NOT in Freeport, Illinois. His father was dead.4
	17 January 1885	On 17 January 1885 the man that George Dow considered to be his father, but was really his grandfather,  died in Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois.9
	25 March 1885	Margaret Black Dow, the woman that was most likely his birth mother, married Thomas Coggins of Ogle county, Illinois on 25 March 1885 in Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois. George Dow and Adelia Jones Black were witnesses at this marriage.10
Marriage	27 March 1894	George Dow Black married Nellie Louise Ellen Broad, daughter of Augustus Frederick Broad and Anna Marie Hamm, on 27 March 1894 at Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois. A Marriage License was issued to George Dow Black, will be 23 on his next birthday and Ellen L Broad, 26 years old on the 26 March 1894 in Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois. They were married on 27 March 1894 by Rev. Clemens Kalvelage, Rector of St. Joseph's Church (Catholic) in Freeport, Illinois. Neither had been married before. Witnesses to the marriage were Mollie Broad and Hattie Sheridan. This priest is the same one that shows with George Charles' First Communion Class in 1914. Names of witnesses as given in the Church records are Maria Broad and Henrietta Sheridan. Maria Broad is her sister. It is not known if Hattie (Henrietta) is family or friend. In the church records her Ellen's name is given as Helenae Broad. Since George Dow Black was not Catholic there is a note to that effect in the Church record, "with dispensation", that is a mixed marriage, Catholic and non-Catholic. George Dow's parents are given as William Black and Adelia Jones. This may or may not be true.2,11
	28 March 1894	George Dow_Nellie Broad Marriage.2
		In a letter from Marguerite Black Hille Erwin, she has notes that indicate that Nellie was married 17 Feb 1893. This was either from notes kept by Marie Black Hille or Marguerite from information from Marie Black. This is incorrect info.12
Religion	1895	George and Nellie were married in the Catholic church. Their children were baptised at St. Joseph's church and went to school there. Nellie's burial service was at St. Joseph's. But George Dow Black WAS NOT Catholic. Their marriage is listed in the Books of St. Joseph's as "with dispensation", a mixed marriage. Grandson, Arthur LaVerne Harkins says that they were Catholic.2,13
Living	between 1896 and 1898	between 1896 and 1898 George Dow Black, wife and their children were living at an 105 Benton Place in Freeport, Illinois.
Probate	13 September 1899	In the probate of William Henry Black that appears to have been finalized in 1899, George Dow Black is listed as "son".14
School		He was in school on the 1880 census and on 1900 and 1910 census he indicates that he could read and write.5,4
Cen1900	19 June 1900	George Dow Black shows on the 1900 U.S. census in Freeport, Harlem township, Stephenson county, Illinois. Census says George was born July 1871 in ILLINOIS; father born PA; Mother born OHIO(Not so); 28 years old therefore born ca. 1871/2. His occupation is given as a farmer on this census and they are renting their home. George and Nellie have three children. Nellie says that she is 33 years old and born in Illinois in Feb 1866. She has had three children and all three are living. They have been married for 6 years.15
Cen1910	22 April 1910	George Dow Black shows on the 1910 U.S. Census taken on 22 April 1910 in Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois as 39 years old, born in Illinois with wife, Ellen, and family. Occupation given as painter in a factory. They are renting a house and have been married 14 years. This is not correct. They had been married for 16 years.5
	1912	About 1912, daughter Margaret has a baby, tho' she is not marrried. He insists that the child be given up for adoption, possibly thru' the Catholic Church. Check this out. Information from EEB well after the fact as she did not know Margaret at this time.16
Separation	between 1912 and 1918	George Dow and Nellie were either separated or divorced between 1912 and 1918. This is also supported by Nellies death certificate. On the 1920 census Nellie says that she is divorced. Her death certificate states that she was "estranged". Death Certificate information was given by daughter, Margaret, as Margaret Stover.3,17,18
(Witness) Marriage	17 Nov 1912	In 17 November 1912 daughter Marie was married to Sam Heisler; In the margin of the Baptismal records of St. Joseph's in Freeport is a notation that says "wed 11/17/1912" and initialed "CK" . Clemens Kalvelage was the priest in this parish at that time. There is no indication that she was married in the St. Joseph's parish.11
(Witness) Marriage	circa 1913	Circa 1913 daughter Margaret and Arthur Harkins were married.3
Land		It would appear that he never bought any land. He was renting on the 1900 and 1910 census and in 1920 he is in Cleveland Ohio in a rented house.
Occupation	1915	George Dow Black was named as a "former city fireman" on the marriage announcement when Marie married Art Hille in 1918. At the time of death no occupation is listed on the death certificate. On 1900 census he is listed as a farmer and on 1910 he is listed as a "painter" in a factory. On George C. Black's birth certificate issued in 1903 his job is listed as "painter". At Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois.19,7,8
	1915	Sometime about 1915 he left Freeport. We do not know where he went, but he shows up in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1930s. He MAY have been in the Freeport area as late as 1918 as he is named as the father of Marie when she married Hille in 1918.3
	1915	His Death Certificate, in 1935, states that he had been a resident of Cleveland for 20 years. That would mean about 1915. This may not be accurate; the informant may only have been guessing. But this is somewhat consistent with when Nellie says that she became ill............and there are those in the family that believe that her "illness" was the result of beatings by George Dow.7
Census	15 January 1920	George Dow Black may be the 1920 census in Cleveland, Ohio, living in a boarding house at 1927 St. Clair St, 52 years old born in Ohio, single, parents born in OH (not true), machinist in a tool company for wages, ward 9 of Cleveland city. Could be our George even tho' birth date and place appear to be incorrect. Our George would be about 50 years old. But if he was actually born in 1867 the age would not be that far off. He may not have personally given the information.20
		This photo of George Dow Black was discovered in the papers of Evelyn Eva Brenner Black It is dated 1927. George Dow Black and Daughter Marie Black Hille.
CityDir	1928	George Dow Black shows in the 1928 City Directory of Cleveland Ohio at 8102 Melrose place . No wife given.21
Sp Dies	March 1929	His spouse Nellie, dies in March 1929 at Springfield, Clark, Ohio. They were either divorced or separated.
CityDir	1930	In 1930 George Dow Black shows on the City Directory of Cleveland Ohio at an 8102 Melrose place as Jessie McClelland and George D. Black. Melrose is the 2nd street south of Wade Park Ave. from 1491 E. 71st St.21
Marriage	between 1930 and 1932	It appears that George Dow Black married Jessie McClelland between 1930 and 1932 in Cleveland??, Ohio.  (No proof)  Jesse and George Dow show on Cleveland City directory as living together in 1930 as Black & McClelland and in 1932 as husband and wife. Death Certificate gives wife's name as Jessie. Since George's first wife Nellie died in 1928 and it appears that they were never divorced, only separated, it is likely that this marriage occurred after Nellie died.7
Cen 1930	15 April 1930	George Dow Black and Jessie McClelland were found on the 1930 US census taken on on 15 April 1930at at Cleveland, Ward 20 Block 11, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. George D is 58 years old, born in OHIO. This is likely a cenus error as Jessie and her son were born in Ohio. George's parents were born in Illinois. This is not true either, but he may not have known otherwise. They are rent for $35/month house or apartment and own a radio. George is an auto body painter. Wife is Jessie who is 57, born in Ohio. Her son, from a previous marriage is living there also. He is George Loomis, 15.22
CityDir	1931	He is not listed in City Directory for Cleveland. Ohio in the 1931 edition.
CityDir	1932	George Dow Black shows on the City Directory of Cleveland Ohio at 7203 Madison in the  1932 edition of the Cleveland City Directory. 8102 Melrose is vacant. Listed as George D. Black (Jessie). Jessie is NOT listed as McClelland. No occupation given.21
research	1935	Where is Harvard Grove and is it potter field?
Note	5 July 1935	Death certificate states that he was 65 years old. This is not consistent with a birth date of 1871. Notes by Loretta Black, undated and undocumented gives a date of 6 July 1835. Since he died at nite they likely did not get the news until the 6th.7,3
Death	5 July 1935	George Dow Black died on 5 July 1935 at Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, at age 63; The Death Certificate on file in the State of Ohio, Cert. # 41643 gives a date of 5 July 1935 in the City Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio at 10:55 PM. Death was the result of Carcinoma of gall bladder and liver. He was in the hospital and may have been admitted as early as 21 June 1935. The doctor was a William Martin, an autopsy was performed and the body was not embalmed. He had undergone surgery that day.7
Burial	9 July 1935	George Dow was buried on 9 July 1935 at at Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. EEB claims that he is buried in "potters field" as his family called George C. Black, his son, to secure funds with which to bury George Dow Black.  The death certificate gives the information that he was buried in Harvard Grove cemetery without embalment. The Funeral director was C. H. Rowe of 5040 Broadway in Cleveland, Ohio. There is no obit in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 7,8,9, or 10th. Very hot and humid in Ohio. " Storms and Heat Kill 6 in Ohio " was the headline of the Sunday paper 7 July 1935.7,23
Note	10 July 1935	His address is given as 6915 Pear Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio on the death certificate.
Mil Info		His death certificate indicates that he never served in the armed forces.7

This database was prepared for my children and their children......but I hope that you enjoy it, also. If you find any broken LINKS, or any errors........or if you have anything to add to this work please contact me. Thank you
Compiler: Pomala Black

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