Perry B. Eneau Obituary

According to his death certificate, Perry B. Eneau passed away on July 14, 1955 at St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri of Thrombophlebitis due to gangrene in his left leg.  He is buried at the Ashland Cemetery, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri in Lot F-11, Location 2W, according to the cemetery record.

I have two (2) newspaper clippings for Perry B. Eneau.  Both are from unknown newspapers which I someday hope to identify.

Perry B. Eneau

The body of Perry B. Eneau, who died last night, is at the Meierhoffer-Fleeman funeral home.

Mr. Eneau, 82, died at his home, 418 North 29th street.  A lifetime St. Joseph resident, he had been a gardener at the William Albrecht home until six years ago and prior to that, for 35 years, had been an employee of the old Noyes-Norman Shoe Co.

Mr. Eneau is survived by his wife, Mrs. Carrie A. Eneau of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Harry Modrell, Dearborn, Mo.; two half sisters, Mrs. Sophia Wiscamb, Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Priscilla Lavelette, Colorado Springs, Colo.; a grandson and a great-grandson.

Eneau Services

Services for Perry B. Eneau will be held Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Meierhoffer-Fleeman chapel, the Rev. E. C. Hunt officiating.  Burial will be in Ashland Cemetery.  Mr. Eneau, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph died Thursday night at his home, 418 North 29th street, at the age of 82.

Who Are The Parents?

Perry B. Eneau is a man that has confused me to no end.  The brick wall with him is so tall I can’t even see to the top.

Perry was born August 15, 1872 in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, according to his death certificate.  He married Carrie A. Young on October 28, 1898 in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, according to his marriage license.  They are the parents of Maxine W. Eneau (my paternal grandmother).

I believe Perry was actually born with the last name of Heneault, which was shortened at some time to Eneau.  I don’t know when, why or how.  I find records under both names and his siblings and possible parents records always refer to Heneault (with various spellings, never Eneau like his records).

I need to look at the christening record from Immaculate Conception which is indexed at FamilySearch.org that shows his name as Perier Eduardum Eneau, however, I have a note handwritten by my father (Jerry Eneau Modrell), which states his name is Perry Baptiste Eneau with the same date of birth as above and also states he was born in the French Bottoms of St. Joseph, Missouri.  His death certificate and marriage license both show his name as Perry B. Eneau, as well as his obituary and tombstone.

His death certificate states his parents are Stephen Eneau and Victoria Lavelette.  There are several issues with this theory:

·         Victoria Lavelette married Xavier Lavelette on January 7, 1879 and they had no children (still trying to figure out if they were related – cousins maybe?).  This is according to FamilySearch.org, so will need to look at the record for this to see if there is any additional information.

·         Stephen Eneau married Victoria Didlo November 29, 1883 which is 11 years after Perry was born.

·         Victoria Didlo was born January 18, 1865 which puts her at 7 years old having Perry as a child which is not likely to have happened.

·         Stephen Heneault obituary from the Catholic Tribune states he leaves a brother, Perry Heneault in St. Joseph.

·         Victoria Didlo obituary from the Catholic Tribune states she leaves two (2) sons, Edward and David.

His christening records states his parents are Stephano Eneau and Victoria.  Again, only the above records and issues were discovered.

The 1880 US Federal Census states he is the son of Sylvester Henault and Lucinda Henault.  Following is a synopsis of the information found on Sylvester/Lucinda:

·         Sylvester Henault was 56 years old in the 1880 Census which would have put him at 48 years old in 1872 when Perry was born which is more likely than 7 year old Victoria.

·         Lucinda was 59 in the 1880 Census which would have put her at 51 years old in 1872 when Perry was born – is that likely?  I am not sure.

·         The 1900 US Federal Census shows a Sylvan Eneau living with his daughter, Victoria Richart. Most likely her maiden name was Eno, was she the Widow in the 1880 US Federal Census?  Was she married before Richart?

·         The 1880 US Federal Census shows a Victoria Eno as a widow living with Michael and Priscilla Lavlett.  It states Delia and Edward as daughter and son respectively, supposed relationship to head of household, however, Victoria Lavelette and Stephen Heneault were parents of Delia according to her marriage license to Julius Henry on September 9, 1918, not to mention Victoria Didlow (who married Stephen Heneault) also had a son named Edward.  Are these the same women?  Due to supposed age at birth of children, I doubt it, but I can’t find any other references to a Victoria Heneault, Eno, or Lavelette.

So, as you can see, I am so confused.  I can’t seem to find a record that will straighten all this out and provide me the information I need to move forward (or backward in the case of genealogy).  If anyone out there has any ideas, please feel free to let me know.

Sympathy Saturday

Following are the newspaper notices of the deaths of my father’s parents.

Harry Modrell

            Harry H. Modrell, 78, formerly of the 400 block of N. 29^th St., died Thursday afternoon at a Kansas City medical center following an illness of several months.

            A native of St. Joseph, he had lived most of his life here prior to moving to Grandview, Mo., in 1972.

            Mr. Modrell was an industrial engineer, having worked for Swift & Co. in St. Joseph and Pratt & Whitney in Kansas City before retiring in 1972.

            He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine W. Eneau, in 1967.

            Survivors include one son, Jerry E. Modrell, Grandview, and two grandchildren.

            The body is at the Meierhoffer-Fleeman funeral home.

St. Joseph Gazette, January 22, 1982

Mrs. Maxine W. Modrell

            Funeral services 3 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, Meierhoffer-Fleeman chapel, the Rev. Arthur W. Ballard officiating, Internment Ashland Cemetery.

St. Joseph Gazette, September 18, 1967

Tombstone Tuesday

This is the Tombstone of my grandparents on my father's side.  The grave is located in Ashland Cemetery, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.  I apologize for the glare - I have got to return soon and take a better picture!

MODRELL

Harry H

Oct. 24, 1903

Jan. 21, 1982

Maxine W.

May 24, 1907

Sept. 17, 1967

Grandparents Harry H. and Maxine W. Modrell
Ashland Cemetery, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri

Census Sunday

This is the 1940 Census for Harry House Modrell.  Below the image is the information for each of the columns.  Harry House is my grandfather on my father's side.  My father is listed as son.

I just can't wait for the 1950 Census!  Census images give me look at life in a different time and place.  I enjoy learning information from all records created in the past.

State - Missouri; County - Buchanan; Township - Washington; Incorporated Place - St. Joseph City; Ward of City - 2; Block No. - Blank; Unincorporated Place - Blank; Institution - Blank; Supervisor's District No. - 3; Enumeration District No. - 11-22; Enumerated By Me On - May 4, 1940 (however, along left side is the date May 6, 1940); Sheet - 66A; Enumerator - Donald W. Gulick (can't read last name, this is just a guess).

Line No.15
Column 1 - N. 29th Street; 2 - 418; 3 - 460; 4 - Rented; 5 - 13; 6 - No; 7 - Modrell, Harry House; 8 - Head; Code - Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 36; 12 - M; 13 - No; 14 - C-2; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same Place; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - No; Code  - Blank; 21 - No; 22 - No; 23 - No; 24 - Yes; 25 - Blank; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Clerk; 29 - Packing House; 30 - PW; Code - Blank; 31 - 52; 32 - 1612; 33 - No; 34 - Blank

Line No. 16
Column 1 - N. 29th Street; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 - Modrell, Maxine W; 8 - Wife; 9 - F; 10 - W; 11 - 32; 12 - M; 13 - No; 14 - H-4; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same Place; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - No; Code - Blank; 21 - No; 22 - No; 23 - No; 24 - No; 25 - H; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 - Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - 0; 32 - 0; 33 - No; 34 - Blank

Line No. 17
Column 1 - N. 29th Street; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 - Modrell, Jerry E; 8 - Son; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 11; 12 - S; 13 - No; 14 - 4; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same Place; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - No; Code - Blank; 21 - Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - Blank; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank; 33 - Blank; 34 - Blank

Grandma Scott

Cora Viola Main was born December 1, 1897 according to the Social Security Death Index, her tombstone and also a funeral brochure I received when I attended her funeral.  She was born in Amos, Vernon County, Missouri according to the “Scott-Mayes” book and was known to everyone as Viola.  Her parents are John Lewis Main and Diana Anna Louisa Austin (Polly).  Her siblings are: Reuben Erwin, Sarah Elizabeth, George Sylvester, Ida Nevel, Clark Brewster, Jason Archie, Nettie Diantha and an unnamed brother who was either stillborn or died the same day he was born.  I need to locate a record to prove her birth place information.

Photo provided by an aunt and uncle.
The Main Family
Back - Sarah, Clark, Jason, George, Nettie
Front - John, Cora, Polly

Viola married Guy Calvin Scott on July 18, 1919 in Butler, Bates County, Missouri.  Their children are Evelyn, George William, Leona Frances (my mother) and two (2) living sons.

After Guy passed away, Viola was moved to a Care Home in Denver, Colorado.

Viola passed away on June 20, 1981 and is buried at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Her funeral brochure provided the following information:

            Time of Service:  Tuesday, June 23, 1981 at 10:30am

            Officiating:  Dr. Joseph Laughlin

            Organist:  Mrs. W. J. Fredling

            Soloist:  Mr. W. J. Fredling

            Escorts:  Living Scott, Living Green, Living Barber, Living Scott, Living Gallegos, Living Alcaraz (name is spelled wrong on Funeral Brochure, see Correction for updated information).

            Arrangements:  Russell Funeral Chapel

Grandpa Scott

Guy Calvin Scott was born January 20, 1893 in Oakley, Logan County, Kansas according to his WWI Draft Registration Card.  He is the son of Thomas Green Scott and Susan Mayes.  His siblings were Benjamin, Ida Sue, Marybelle (Mollie), William Roy, Levi Thomas, George Elmer and Ara Elsie.

                                 

Cpl. Guy Scott served in WWI October 3, 1917 until March 27, 1919.  After November 5, 1917 he served in the Battery B 336^th Field Artillery, 87^th Division until discharged.  I have acquired copies of 35 letters he wrote home, unfortunately to another woman, not my grandmother.  These letters are stored at the WWI Museum in Kansas City, and imagine my happiness when I discovered their existence after typing his name into Google.  The information in reference to the war is invaluable.  I will be sharing some of that information in a later post.

Guy married Cora Viola Main on July 18, 1919 in Butler, Bates County, Missouri.  Their children are Evelyn, George William, Leona Frances (my mother) and two (2) living sons.

I have a copy of a book that was written by two (2) descendants of Thomas Green Scott and Susan Mayes which is titled “Scott – Mayes”.  They interviewed several family members and have provided some information and stories about family members listed in this book.  According to that book, at one point in the lives of Guy and Cora (known to everyone as Viola), they owned and operated an apartment house in North Platte, Nebraska.  They also owned two (2) different restaurants at Brighton, Colorado.  I am not personally aware of these facts, but several family members have backed this information up and spoke to me about it.

Guy passed away on December 21, 1973 at Wellington, Larimer County, Colorado.  He is buried at Grandview Cemetery at Fort Collins, Colorado.

Getting Back On Track

I have to apologize for not having any posts recently.  I attended the Genealogy Conference last weekend and my head was spinning with all the information that was provided.  It was a great conference and the speaker was wonderful.  She provided me with so much information that I didn’t know where to start upon returning home.

I was able to locate a Plat Map of Wabaunsee County in 1902 from the Kansas Memory website which shows where my Great Grandparents land was near Eskridge, Kansas.  I only wish I knew how to overlay that with a current map so I can see where that land is located in relation to what is there today.  I am also gearing up to go to the Courthouse in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri in search of documents she spoke about to try and obtain more information about my Grandparents who lived there.

I am trying to get back on track and devote some time to my genealogy and this blog.  I am preparing more posts as I continue “searching for ancestors”.  So – stay tuned!