Eliza was the daughter of Reuben McKeever and Elisabeth Carpenter. She was born in 1848 or 1849, in Eden Township, Lagrange Co., Indiana. When she was about 3 years old the family moved from Lagrange, Indiana to Poweshiek township, Jasper Co., Iowa. She married William Wadkins on Mar 15, 1863 there. He was in the Civil War, where he fought in the Battle of Shilo with Eliza's brothers. Eliza and William had 3 children. Elizabeth (Lizzie) C. Wadkins, Charles Wadkins/Watkins and Mary Emma. They removed to Shelby Co., Iowa in 1869. Shortly after, tragedy struck.
Eliza died on June 15, 1869 Shelby Co., Iowa along with her baby Mary Emma and her 1/2 brother John McKeever (Memorial #17613652 - also buried at Oak Hill Cemetery) and some of his family. There was a smallpox epidemic and the story that was passed down through the generations is that some of John's children were found wandering around on the farm, after the parents had died. Eliza, Mary, John and his wife
can be found on the mortality schedule for Jackson, Shelby Co., Iowa for the year 1870 (those that died in the year ending June 1, 1870). The year on Eliza's headstone must be an error. It shows 1875 and her age as 26. Eliza died at age 21. Her husband William Wadkins remarried ( Louisa J. Edwards ) in 1872. Perhaps the headstone was added later - hence the error.
Eliza died on June 15, 1869 Shelby Co., Iowa along with her baby Mary Emma and her 1/2 brother John McKeever (Memorial #17613652 - also buried at Oak Hill Cemetery) and some of his family. There was a smallpox epidemic and the story that was passed down through the generations is that some of John's children were found wandering around on the farm, after the parents had died. Eliza, Mary, John and his wife
can be found on the mortality schedule for Jackson, Shelby Co., Iowa for the year 1870 (those that died in the year ending June 1, 1870). The year on Eliza's headstone must be an error. It shows 1875 and her age as 26. Eliza died at age 21. Her husband William Wadkins remarried ( Louisa J. Edwards ) in 1872. Perhaps the headstone was added later - hence the error.
Eliza was the daughter of Reuben McKeever and Elisabeth Carpenter. She was born in 1848 or 1849, in Eden Township, Lagrange Co., Indiana. When she was about 3 years old the family moved from Lagrange, Indiana to Poweshiek township, Jasper Co., Iowa. She married William Wadkins on Mar 15, 1863 there. He was in the Civil War, where he fought in the Battle of Shilo with Eliza's brothers. Eliza and William had 3 children. Elizabeth (Lizzie) C. Wadkins, Charles Wadkins/Watkins and Mary Emma. They removed to Shelby Co., Iowa in 1869. Shortly after, tragedy struck.
Eliza died on June 15, 1869 Shelby Co., Iowa along with her baby Mary Emma and her 1/2 brother John McKeever (Memorial #17613652 - also buried at Oak Hill Cemetery) and some of his family. There was a smallpox epidemic and the story that was passed down through the generations is that some of John's children were found wandering around on the farm, after the parents had died. Eliza, Mary, John and his wife
can be found on the mortality schedule for Jackson, Shelby Co., Iowa for the year 1870 (those that died in the year ending June 1, 1870). The year on Eliza's headstone must be an error. It shows 1875 and her age as 26. Eliza died at age 21. Her husband William Wadkins remarried ( Louisa J. Edwards ) in 1872. Perhaps the headstone was added later - hence the error.
Eliza died on June 15, 1869 Shelby Co., Iowa along with her baby Mary Emma and her 1/2 brother John McKeever (Memorial #17613652 - also buried at Oak Hill Cemetery) and some of his family. There was a smallpox epidemic and the story that was passed down through the generations is that some of John's children were found wandering around on the farm, after the parents had died. Eliza, Mary, John and his wife
can be found on the mortality schedule for Jackson, Shelby Co., Iowa for the year 1870 (those that died in the year ending June 1, 1870). The year on Eliza's headstone must be an error. It shows 1875 and her age as 26. Eliza died at age 21. Her husband William Wadkins remarried ( Louisa J. Edwards ) in 1872. Perhaps the headstone was added later - hence the error.
Inscription
Eliza A. wife of Wm. Wadkins, died June 15, 1875 aged 26 ys.
Mary E. Dau of Wm.& E.A. Wadkins died June 15, 1875 aged 2 ys.
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