Steele/Steel & Snider/Snyder Families

Date: Tue, March 31, 2009 4:48 pm
I'm new to genealogy and need help to identify the birth parents of my wife's grandfather. I've summarized the information we have below, and hope you will suggest how we should proceed.

What other Greene County, Indiana records should we search?

Should we hire a local researcher to assist us?

Thanks,
Aaron Brown
Jonesboro, AR

My wife recently discovered this picture in a postal envelop among her Mother's picture collection. The envelop was addressed to Mrs. Effie Huffman, Beech Grove, Arkansas with a return address of 333 N 18 St., Terre Haute, Ind.; and postmarked Jan 20, 1:30 PM, 1941.

We think it may be Effie's mother, Matilda E. (Snider) Steele. Effie Steele married Alonzo Huffman. She's a sister to my wife's grandfather Benjamin Franklin Steele.

Is there any way to determine who lived at the above address in 1941?

Basic Question:
Who are the birth parents of John James Steele, Effie Steele, Bertha Steele, and Benjamin Franklin Steele?

Is there any way "pass the photo around" to individuals who may have seen a copy of it (and know the lady's name)?

Note items in italics have been added to information since been sent by CC:

	Birth Date	Birth Place	Death Date	Death Place	Buried
John James Steele	9 Jun 1883	Martin County, Indiana	28 Oct 1957		Owens Chapel Cemetery, Greene County, Arkansas
Effie Steele	20 Dec 1886	Martin County,Indiana	19 Sep 1969		Owens Chapel Cemetery, Greene County, Arkansas
Bertha Steele	30 May 1888	Indiana, USA	7 Mar 1913		Owens Chapel Cemetery, Greene County, Arkansas
Benjamin Franklin Steele	8 Apr 1891	Switz City, Greene, Indiana	11 May 1975	Detroit, Wayne, Michigan	Jones Ridge Cemetery, Greene County, Arkansas

Background:

John James, Effie, Bertha, and Benjamin Franklin (Frank) are siblings. Frank Steele is my wife’s grandfather. She was acquainted with Effie, knew of Bertha, and recently learned of John James through a cousin.

The 1900 Federal Census is our earliest conclusive record. Three of the children (Effie, Bertha, and Benjamin Franklin) were listed as step-children of George Huffman residing in Cache Township, Greene County, Arkansas. George Huffman was widowed, and his son, Alonzo, lived in the household.
Residence: Walcott Village
Geo W Huffman 61 Mar 1839 Indiana/Pennsylvania/Ohio Widowed
Alonzo Huffman 22
Effie Steel 13 Dec 1886 Indiana/Indiana/Indiana Stepdaughter
Bertha Steel 11 Oct 1888 Indiana/Indiana/Indiana Stepdaughter
Franklin Steel 9 Oct 1890 Indiana/Indiana/Indiana Stepson
Year: 1900; Census Place: Cache, Greene, Arkansas; Roll: T623_60 Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 30.

In the 1880 Census - a Matilda Snider age 17 born about 1863 in Indiana is listed as a housekeeper with the Absolim Lukenbill famili in Fairplay township Year: 1880; Census Place: Fairplay, Greene, Indiana; Roll: T9_280; Family History Film: 1254280; Page: 117.3000; Enumeration District: 301

and the 1860 census produces:
Isaac Snyder 28 b. about 1832
Sarah Snyder 23 b. about 1837
William W Snyder 5
Mary E Snyder 2
Year: 1860; Census Place: Smith, Greene, Indiana; Roll: M653_262; Page: 542;

and the 1870 census shows:
Isaac Snider 34
Sarah Snider 33
William W Snider 15
Mary Snider 11
Matilda Snider 8 born about 1862 Indiana
Arabella Snider 7
Edward Snider 3
James Snider 1
Year: 1870; Census Place: Smith, Greene, Indiana; Roll: M593_318; Page: 422;

In the 1880 Federal Census, George Washington Huffman, his wife Martha, son Alonzo, and six additional children resided in Taylor Township, Greene County, Indiana.
George Huffman 43 born about 1937 Indiana.
Martha Huffman 40
William Huffman 18
Mary Huffman 14
Clara Huffman 13
Rhoda Huffman 10
Winfred Huffman 9
Alonzo Huffman 3
Ollie Huffman 2
1880; Census Place: Taylor, Greene, Indiana; Roll: T9_281; Family History Film: 1254281; Page: 199.3000; Enumeration District: 308; Image

William Steele married Matilda E. Snyder on March 3, 1886. (Greene County, Indiana, Bk. M, p. 123)

December 20, 1886, a daughter was born to William and Ermma Steele. (Greene County, Indiana, Bk. R-1, p 21) in the online version at: http://www.bloomfield.lib.in.us/project1/birth/Birth253.pdf

She is listed as unknown in the Greene County Indiana WPA Index book form (copy from Ft.Wayne Library) and the WPA Birth CD as follows:
STEELE --- WILLIAM W EMMA G SNYDER F W DEC 20 1886 R-1 Page: 21

The book and CD version lists no other births for this couple - but the online version lists Benjamin Franklin as given below

August 8, 1890, a son, Benjamin Franklin was born to William and Emma Steele. (Greene County, Indiana, Bk. H-7, p 13) in the online version at: http://www.bloomfield.lib.in.us/project1/birth/Birth253.pdf

April 6, 1895, George Huffman married Matilda Steel. (Greene County, Indiana, Bk. O, p 171)

Hypothesis: William Steele fathered a child (John James) in 1883 with ______.

Steele-Simpsons of Southern states -
Pg. 6 - Isaac Westfall b. c. 1801 Indiana territory settled Owen county Indiana Nancy Steele b. c. 1801 Tn. Thei son John R. b. 9 Nov. 1823

Pg. 33 - Marriages in Owen county were: Jane A. Steele b. 26- Jun 1811 d. 11 Apr. 1845 and int. Fain Cemetery; Mary Ann Burk and Joseph H. Steele on 31 Dec. 1851.

Pg. 51 - In Owen county...James H. Shields b. c. 1814 Tn. (s/o WIlliam who left will 1848) m. 16 Jan. 1840 Elizabeth Steele b. c. 1821 In.

pg.57 - 1819 Ky & NC - Edward Simpson and w. both n. 1780-90 were pioneer settler in 1819 in Richland Township. - - Thomas Simpson b. c. 1805 Ky., a blacksmith m. 18 Aug. 1849 Mrs. Margaret Caldwe.. b. c. 1825 Pa. Her son George Cadwell b. c. 1846 Ky. - - John SImpson b. 29 May 1811 NC d. 23 Jul. 1885 and w. Louvina b. 28 Jan. 1823 In. d. 24 Aug. 1895 settled Highland township with seven children b. In. from 1832.

Early M. were:
Benjamin C. Simpson and Sarah Cavins 1 May 1819:

George Simpson and Elizabeth Cooper 11 Oct 1827

Levi F. Simpson b. Oct 1818 8 Feb. 1897 and Mary Jan Records b. 10 Jan. 1829 d. 21 Aug. 1900 m. 14 Nov. 1844

Robert Simpson and Sarah Katherine Dayhoff 20 May 1839

Rebecca Simpson and John Clark 20 Sep.1840

Sally Simpson and George Steele 22 Sep. 1836

Frederick Simpson (d. prior 1830) m. Susannah Slinkard b. 1798 Lincon county, NC. (d/o John Slinkard and Catherine Wentz) and settled in Daviess count. In.

Early marriages in Lawrence countywere: Elizabeth Simpson and John Williams 30 Dec. 1830

Early m. in Monroe county were: Philip Simpson and Margaret Tincher 25 Jan. 1821; and Luke SImpson and Ann Whisennad 27 Apr. 1831.

An early m. in Owen county was Hannah Simpson and Thomas Dunagan 15 Dec. 1831

Pg.pg. 81 - In Clay twp.Owen county Jonathan Payne left qwill 8 Feb. 1845 (R) 7 Oct 1845 naming w. Elizabeth....dau. Nancy B. Steel who m. 10 Nov. 1829 Robert Steele.
pg. 91. c. 1821 - NC Via IN & Ky.:
George Steele b. c. 1816 Ky. m. 22 Oct. 1836 Sarah Simpson b. c. 1823 In. and settled in Eel River twp.
Early marriages were:

Samuel Steele and Nancy Indland (no date)
Jackson Steele and Martha Richey 9 Aug. 1838
Catherine Julia Steele and Isaac C. Todd 8 Oct. 1838

In Owen county were the following in Montgomery Twp.:

G. A. Steele b. c. 1785 NC w. Anna b. c. 1788 Ky.

Samuel Steele b. c. 1791 NY w. Mary b. c. 17913 Ky.

Harvey Steele b. c. 1827 Ky. who m. 8 Feb. 1849 Mariah Mc Cormick b. c. 1832 In.

John S. Steele b. c. 1786 NC. w. Margaret b. c. 1793 NC., and son George b. c. 1820 Tn.
John A. Steele b. c. 1822 Tn. who m. 14 May 1846 Elizabeth Jane Taylor b. c. 1830 Tn.

James Steele b. c. 1816 Tn. who m. 23 Dec. 1846 Sarah Cruddick b. c. 1816 Ky.

Philalnder Steele b. c. 1813 Ky. and w. ELiza J. b. c. 1816 Ky. with seven ch. b. In. from 1836

Samuel Steel b, c, 1799 Va, w. Sarah b. c. 1799 NC with daus. Louisa b. c. 1826 Ky. and G. A. b. c. 1829 were settlers in Taylor township Owen county.

Early marriagies in Owen county were:

Jesse Steele (s/o Niniain Steele) who left will 1 Jan. 1844 (R) 14 Feb. 1844, and Jane (Young) Fain b.13 Dec. 1821

Joseph H. Steele b. c. 1802 Ky. who mm. 23 Mar. 1826 Margaret Killough b. c. 1799Ky.

Ninian Steele and Joanna Westfall 4 Oct. 1825

Margaret Steele and John Modery 12 Dec. 1827

Robert Steele and Nancy Payne 10 Nov. 1829
plus some twenty more by 1850.

Ninian Steel left will 25 Aug. 1827 (R) 27 Jul. 1846 naming sons: Joseph H., Ninian, and RObert, - he did not name Jesse but Jesse named Joseph H. as brother.

Early Settlers of Greene County, Indiana [From Southern States} Compiled by William R. Henry. There are a few Snyder/Snider names listed but can't connect to ones listed above. Note this is just a compilation from census and marriage records no documentation

the 1850 Census produces:
George Steel 34 Ky.
Sarah Steel 27
Mary A Steel 12
Francis M Steel 10
George W Steel 8
Louisa Steel 5
Almira Steel 3
Year: 1850; Census Place: Eel River, Greene, Indiana; Roll: M432_148; Page: 398 this is area of Jefferson & Highland Twp. now.

the 1860 census - produces:
George Steel 43 about 1847 Kentucky
Sarah Steel 38 about 1822
George W Steel 18
Louisa Steel 15
Elmira Steel 13
Sarah Steel 10
Samuel Steel 7
William W Steel 1 about 1859 Indiana
Williamson Helmer 26
Orlando H Helmer 24
Melchert Helmer 20
Jeremiah Helmer 17
John Furgeson 25
Harrace V Norvell 20
Mary A Walker 54
this family does not appear with the Steele family on the actual census record and there is no Steel family listed on this page so far not been able to locate the correct entry for the Steel/Steele family!

Year: 1860; Census Place: Richland, Greene, Indiana; Roll: M653_262; Page: 707;

the 1870 produces:
George Steele 54
Samuel Steele 14
William Steele 10 about 1860 Indiana
Year: 1870; Census Place: Fairplay, Greene, Indiana; Roll: M593_318; Page: 312; Image: 141

and the 1880 census produces:
Wm. W. Steel 21 about 1859 Indiana/Kentucky/Indiana Laborer
Emma Steel 15 about 1865 Kentucky/Kentucky/North Carolina
Year: 1880; Census Place: Richland, Greene, Indiana; Roll: T9_280; Family History Film: 1254280; Page: 121.3000; Enumeration District: 302

No marriage record is found for William W. Steel/Steele and a Emma [-?-] in the Indiana WPA marriage CD
Also the cemetery books do not produce an entry for an Emma Steele.

Subsequently, he married Matilda Emma Snyder (1886), and fathered three children with her before dying (1891 – 1895).

Marriage License:
name: STEEL WILLIAM
Sex: M
Color: W
Age: 28
Father: GEORGE W
Mother: SARAH SIMPSON

name: SNIDER MATILDA E
Sex: F
Color: W
Age: 22
Father: ISAAC
Mother: SARAH VAUGHN
Book: LA Page: 142 from the WPA Marriage CD.

The Online Death Index for Greene county does not provided a death date for William W. Steele

She married George Huffman (1895), and died before 1900 in Indiana or in Arkansas.

The Online Death Index for Greene county does not provided a death date for a Matilda or Emma Huffman.

The cemetery books reveals no burials for William W. Steele or a Matilda Steele Huffman

The marriage of George Steele and Sarah Simpson - is found as follows:

Name: STEELE GEORGE
Spouse: SALLY SIMPSON
Date: OCT 22 1836
GREENE Book: C Page: 28

the marriage of Isaac Snider and Sarah Vaughn -is found as follows:

Name: SNIDER ISAAC
Spouse: SARAH VAUGHN
Date: JAN 30 1853
GREENE Book: E Page: 378

and her parents and siblings could be:
as found in the 1860 census
Ruben Vaughn 56
Matilda Vaughn 57
Meakey L Vaughn 23
George W Vaughn 21
Cion Vaughn 17
Ruben F Vaughn 13
Year: 1860; Census Place: Smith, Greene, Indiana; Roll: M653_262; Page: 541;

and possibly a maeried sibling:
William Volm/Vaughn 35 abt 1825 NC
Catharine Volm/Vaughn 18 abt 1842 TN.
John H Volm/Vaughn 2/12
they are listed in Jefferson twp.

and also possible sibling:
Thomas Vaughn 22 abt 1838 Oh
Mary E Vaughn 21 abt 1839 Ky
Samuel Vaughn 15 abt 1845 Ky

they are listed in Wright township.

Any listing for a Isaac Snyder/Snider in the 1850 census can not be found for Greene county nor for the stae of Indiana.

And children given as belonging to Issac and Sarah (Vaughn Snider/Snyder found listed in the Marriag licenses index for greene are:

Surname: SNYDER CARRA A Sex: M Color: W birth date: MAY 19 1875 Father: ISAAC Mother: SARAH VAUGHN County: GREENE Book: 2 Page: 161
Surname: SNYDER CARRA A Spouse: CLEADA TOLER Month: MAR 7 1908 County: GREENE Book: R Page: 476

Surname: SNIDER ARBELL Sex: F Color: W Age: 20 Date: APR 28 1886 Father: ISAAC Mother: SARAH VANAHN County: GREENE Book: LA Page: 146

Surname: SNYDER ARABEL Sex: Color: W Age: 0 Spouse: JOHN W Surname: FLETCHER Date: APR 28 1886 County: GREENE Book: M Page: 144

Surname: SNIDER MARY E Sex: F Color: W Date: JUL 4 1883 ?Typo year? Father: ISAAC Mother: F VAUGHN GREENE Book: LA Page: 56

Surname: SNIDER MARY E Spouse: MARSHALL CRANCE Month: JUL 4 1886 ?Typo year? County: GREENE Book: I Page: 423

Surname: SNIDER MATILDA E Sex: F Color: W Date: - - - Age: 22 Father: ISAAC Mother: SARAH VAUGHN County: GREENE Book: LA Page: 142

There are 2 William Snyder's marrying one in 1897 and the other in 1899

The only other Steel/Steele name to match the children listed is:
Surname: STEEL SAMUEL Spouse: LUCINDA C : HUNT Month: FEB 11 1877 County: GREENE Book: K Page: 158

Last updated 22.10.2009