A Biography of DeWitt B. Vaughan
by his grand nephew, William Mortensen Vaughan
dated September 29, 2022
Despite what his tombstone says, Uncle Bert was probably born, in Floris, Davis County, Iowa, on February 16, 1877. Those are his place and date of birth, according to his U.S. WWI Draft Registration Card, and the record of his son's birth.
Uncle Bert probably died, in Pinellas County, Florida, on June 24, 1960. According to the Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, he died in June of 1960. Presumably, whoever was responsible for the creation and placement of his tombstone found it easier to remember when he died than the year he was born.
Despite what his tombstone says, Uncle Bert was probably named, by his parents ("Luther C." and "Mary C. Vaughn" [sic]) "Rutherford Birchard Vaughan," in 1877, the year he was born. The U.S. Census of 1880 indicates that he was three years old that year, and born in Iowa, where he was found, in Bloomfield, Davis County, Iowa. This census record also indicates that his name was "Rutherford B. Vaughn" [sic]. Rutherford Birchard Hayes served as the 19th president of the United States from 1877 to 1881. His inauguration took place on March 5, 1877, seventeen days after DeWitt's birth.
According to Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan" had a wife named "Mae Mcdonald Evans," and they had a son named "Birchard Dewitt Vaughan," who was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, on June 3, 1899. DeWitt, this record alleges, was born in Floris, Iowa. DeWitt would have been about twenty-two years old.
The U.S. Census of 1900 indicates that a man named "Dewitt R. Vaughan," age twenty-five (born circa 1875) was living in Stillwater Township, in the Oklahoma Territory, with a twenty-five-year-old wife named "Mary Vaughan," and a son named "Birchard D. Vaughan," who was born in Illinois one year prior.
The U.S. Census of 1910 indicates that a man named "Dewitte Vaughn" [sic] was living, in Milesville, Stanley County, South Dakota, with a wife named "May," and a son named "Birchard Vaughn" [sic], who was ten years old, born circa 1900. Both Dewitte and May were, allegedly, thirty-five years old.
United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 shows that a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan" was registered during one of those years, in Morgan County, Tennessee. He was born on February 16, 1877.
The U.S. Census of 1920 indicates that Dewitt and Mae Vaughan, ages forty-two and -six, respectively, resided in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, with their son, Birchard Vaughan, who was twenty years old.
According to the Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, a man named "Dewitt Bert Vaughan" died, in Pinellas County, Florida, in June of 1960.
Research Notes
Uncle Bert is a genealogical mystery which I have yet to resolve. To start with, I doubt that the name on his tombstone was the name his parents gave him when he was born. Nor do I believe that the date of birth on his tombstone is accurate. I'm not even completely convinced that the tombstone pictured on this memorial corresponds to the remains of my granduncle. Until I can prove otherwise, I operate on the assumption that this is the same man.
The reasons I think this is probably the same man are as follows:
1. The first name, middle initial, and surname are close to the various ways that his name has been listed in various places.
2. The month and year of death are identical.
3. The place of burial seems correct, given that a Y-DNA match still resides in Florida.
My knowledge about Uncle Bert starts with an e-mail in which his nephew, Sidney Knowlton Vaughan, mentioned him. Sidney, a.k.a. as "my Uncle Sid," sent me this message upon my request, with a collection of genealogical notes, circa 2000. Uncle Sid listed the spouses and children of several echelons in our paternal lineage, from "John M. Vaughan" and "McKee" to Luther Clay Vaughan and Mary Catharine Swift; to William Swift Vaughan and Maud Osborn Knowlton; to Uncle Sid and his only sibling, William Knowlton Vaughan; to me, William Mortensen Vaughan (William Knowlton Vaughan's only child).
These notes were published, at my request, on the Vaughan-Vaughn.org website, but contained mistakes and omissions which have since been corrected and improved.
The following is a copy of the original webpage before any corrections or improvements were published, with my notes in brackets:
"Kit# 157904 [My FamilyTreeDNA Kit Number]
"John M Vaughan married McKee. [I don't believe that "M." was this man's middle initial, nor that he married anyone surnamed or nicknamed "McKee"; I believe he married a woman named "Louisa Hensley."]
"children:
"Luther Clay Vaughan 16 May 1849 [I believe that John Vaughan and Louisa Hensley's firstborn child was Luther Clay Vaughan, and that he was born in 1849, because the U.S. Census of 1850 indicates that they had one child, one year old, named "Luther C. Vaughan."]
"Edward Vaughan 6 Nov 1851 - 1862
"Edwin Vaughan 6 Nov 1851 - 1862 [I have yet to find any evidence, other than these notes, that either of these twins ever existed.]
"Melville McKee Vaughan 17 Sept 1854 [I believe that this man was a Senior at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, in the school year of 1877 and 1878, but I do not believe he was Luther's sibling.]
"Mary Adeline Vaughan 21 June 1857 [The U.S. Census of 1860 identifies this girl as "Mary Vaughan," born to John and Louisa Vaughan, in Indiana, circa 1851.]
"Frank Vaughan 23 Dec 1864
"Lillie Vaughan 23 Dec 1864 [I have yet to find any evidence, other than these notes, that either of these twins ever existed.]
[The U.S. Census of 1850 indicates that John and Louisa Vaughan had one child that year, born circa 1849, in Indiana - a boy named "Luther C. Vaughn" [sic]. There is a discrepancy between this Census and the next U.S. Census, of 1860, which indicates that "Clay Vaughan" was born circa 1846, and James Vaughan circa 1849. It also indicates that Luther's other siblings were Mary, John, Thomas, and Ellen, born circa 1851, 1854, 1856, and 1859, respectively." Based on Civil War records, I believe that Luther, and one, two, or three of his brothers served in the Union Army during the Civil War, as veterans of under-age military service; I have no doubt that Luther did, but "John," "James," and "Thomas" are such common names that the records of their service may refer to his cousins rather than his siblings.]
"His son Luther Clay Vaughan was born 16 May 1849 in Putnam Co, IN and died 5 May 1916.
"He married Mary Catherine Swift.
"children:
"Vincent Sylvester Vaughan 3 Nov 1862 - 1925
[Vincent's Registration for the WWI Draft indicates that he was born on
"3 Nov 1872"; the record of his death indicates that he was born on that date, and died on "21 Apr 1927."]
"John Franklin Vaughan 28 Mar 1874
"Maud Emily Vaughan 29 Oct 1875
"Rutherford DeWitt Vaughan [I find it interesting that my Uncle Sid did not give a year (let alone a date) for this uncle's birth. I have communicated, via e-mail, with the wife of a close, genetic cousin and Y-DNA match to me, listed on FamilyTreeDNA, who believes that he is a direct descendant of a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan," "b. 16 Feb 1877 - per draft card/Floris, Davis, Iowa, USA, d. 24 Jun 1960 - Florida Death Index, 1877-1998/St Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, USA." The U.S. Census of 1880 indicates that Luther and "Mary C. Vaughn" [sic] had all five of the children Uncle Sid lists as theirs, with slight variations in their names and dates of birth. Mary C. and all of her children except the baby, "William M. Vaughn," (middle initial incorrect) were born in Iowa; "Rutherford B. Vaughn" [sic] was born circa 1877, about two years after and two years before Maud and William, respectively. I am 100% confident that my cousin's forebear, (Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan) and this Rutherford B./DeWitt Vaughan are the same man, and that Luther Clay is our Most Recent Common Ancestor.
[I also find it interesting that this man, named "DeWitt B. Vaughan" has a FindaGrave Memorial which indicates that he had the same date of birth, albeit four years earlier, and the same year of death, and the same location of burial as Rutherford's death, in Pinellas County, Florida. Unfortunately, Rutherford's descendant's wife is unable to explain to me why Rutherford left his family in the Mid-West to move to Florida.]
"William Swift Vaughan 12 July 1879
"His son William Swift Vaughan was born 12 July 1879 and died 4 Nov 1952.
"He married Maud Knowlton.
"children:
"William Knowlton Vaughan 14 Jun 1921
"Sidney Knowlton Vaughan 30 Jul 1923
"His son William Knowlton Vaughan
was born 14 Jun 1921 in Chicago, IL and died 30 Aug 1966 in Winthrop Harbor, IL.
"He married Merle on Mar 24, 1961 in Salt Lake City Temple in UT.
"His son William Mortensen Vaughan was the person tested."
NOTE REGARDING THE NAME DeWITT:
Perhaps the reason that Rutherford Birchard Vaughan replaced his middle name with "DeWitt" is because he thought more of DeWitt Clinton, the seventh Governor of the State of New York, who built the Erie Canal, than of U.S. President Rutherford Birchard Hayes.
by his grand nephew, William Mortensen Vaughan
dated September 29, 2022
Despite what his tombstone says, Uncle Bert was probably born, in Floris, Davis County, Iowa, on February 16, 1877. Those are his place and date of birth, according to his U.S. WWI Draft Registration Card, and the record of his son's birth.
Uncle Bert probably died, in Pinellas County, Florida, on June 24, 1960. According to the Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, he died in June of 1960. Presumably, whoever was responsible for the creation and placement of his tombstone found it easier to remember when he died than the year he was born.
Despite what his tombstone says, Uncle Bert was probably named, by his parents ("Luther C." and "Mary C. Vaughn" [sic]) "Rutherford Birchard Vaughan," in 1877, the year he was born. The U.S. Census of 1880 indicates that he was three years old that year, and born in Iowa, where he was found, in Bloomfield, Davis County, Iowa. This census record also indicates that his name was "Rutherford B. Vaughn" [sic]. Rutherford Birchard Hayes served as the 19th president of the United States from 1877 to 1881. His inauguration took place on March 5, 1877, seventeen days after DeWitt's birth.
According to Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan" had a wife named "Mae Mcdonald Evans," and they had a son named "Birchard Dewitt Vaughan," who was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, on June 3, 1899. DeWitt, this record alleges, was born in Floris, Iowa. DeWitt would have been about twenty-two years old.
The U.S. Census of 1900 indicates that a man named "Dewitt R. Vaughan," age twenty-five (born circa 1875) was living in Stillwater Township, in the Oklahoma Territory, with a twenty-five-year-old wife named "Mary Vaughan," and a son named "Birchard D. Vaughan," who was born in Illinois one year prior.
The U.S. Census of 1910 indicates that a man named "Dewitte Vaughn" [sic] was living, in Milesville, Stanley County, South Dakota, with a wife named "May," and a son named "Birchard Vaughn" [sic], who was ten years old, born circa 1900. Both Dewitte and May were, allegedly, thirty-five years old.
United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 shows that a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan" was registered during one of those years, in Morgan County, Tennessee. He was born on February 16, 1877.
The U.S. Census of 1920 indicates that Dewitt and Mae Vaughan, ages forty-two and -six, respectively, resided in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, with their son, Birchard Vaughan, who was twenty years old.
According to the Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, a man named "Dewitt Bert Vaughan" died, in Pinellas County, Florida, in June of 1960.
Research Notes
Uncle Bert is a genealogical mystery which I have yet to resolve. To start with, I doubt that the name on his tombstone was the name his parents gave him when he was born. Nor do I believe that the date of birth on his tombstone is accurate. I'm not even completely convinced that the tombstone pictured on this memorial corresponds to the remains of my granduncle. Until I can prove otherwise, I operate on the assumption that this is the same man.
The reasons I think this is probably the same man are as follows:
1. The first name, middle initial, and surname are close to the various ways that his name has been listed in various places.
2. The month and year of death are identical.
3. The place of burial seems correct, given that a Y-DNA match still resides in Florida.
My knowledge about Uncle Bert starts with an e-mail in which his nephew, Sidney Knowlton Vaughan, mentioned him. Sidney, a.k.a. as "my Uncle Sid," sent me this message upon my request, with a collection of genealogical notes, circa 2000. Uncle Sid listed the spouses and children of several echelons in our paternal lineage, from "John M. Vaughan" and "McKee" to Luther Clay Vaughan and Mary Catharine Swift; to William Swift Vaughan and Maud Osborn Knowlton; to Uncle Sid and his only sibling, William Knowlton Vaughan; to me, William Mortensen Vaughan (William Knowlton Vaughan's only child).
These notes were published, at my request, on the Vaughan-Vaughn.org website, but contained mistakes and omissions which have since been corrected and improved.
The following is a copy of the original webpage before any corrections or improvements were published, with my notes in brackets:
"Kit# 157904 [My FamilyTreeDNA Kit Number]
"John M Vaughan married McKee. [I don't believe that "M." was this man's middle initial, nor that he married anyone surnamed or nicknamed "McKee"; I believe he married a woman named "Louisa Hensley."]
"children:
"Luther Clay Vaughan 16 May 1849 [I believe that John Vaughan and Louisa Hensley's firstborn child was Luther Clay Vaughan, and that he was born in 1849, because the U.S. Census of 1850 indicates that they had one child, one year old, named "Luther C. Vaughan."]
"Edward Vaughan 6 Nov 1851 - 1862
"Edwin Vaughan 6 Nov 1851 - 1862 [I have yet to find any evidence, other than these notes, that either of these twins ever existed.]
"Melville McKee Vaughan 17 Sept 1854 [I believe that this man was a Senior at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, in the school year of 1877 and 1878, but I do not believe he was Luther's sibling.]
"Mary Adeline Vaughan 21 June 1857 [The U.S. Census of 1860 identifies this girl as "Mary Vaughan," born to John and Louisa Vaughan, in Indiana, circa 1851.]
"Frank Vaughan 23 Dec 1864
"Lillie Vaughan 23 Dec 1864 [I have yet to find any evidence, other than these notes, that either of these twins ever existed.]
[The U.S. Census of 1850 indicates that John and Louisa Vaughan had one child that year, born circa 1849, in Indiana - a boy named "Luther C. Vaughn" [sic]. There is a discrepancy between this Census and the next U.S. Census, of 1860, which indicates that "Clay Vaughan" was born circa 1846, and James Vaughan circa 1849. It also indicates that Luther's other siblings were Mary, John, Thomas, and Ellen, born circa 1851, 1854, 1856, and 1859, respectively." Based on Civil War records, I believe that Luther, and one, two, or three of his brothers served in the Union Army during the Civil War, as veterans of under-age military service; I have no doubt that Luther did, but "John," "James," and "Thomas" are such common names that the records of their service may refer to his cousins rather than his siblings.]
"His son Luther Clay Vaughan was born 16 May 1849 in Putnam Co, IN and died 5 May 1916.
"He married Mary Catherine Swift.
"children:
"Vincent Sylvester Vaughan 3 Nov 1862 - 1925
[Vincent's Registration for the WWI Draft indicates that he was born on
"3 Nov 1872"; the record of his death indicates that he was born on that date, and died on "21 Apr 1927."]
"John Franklin Vaughan 28 Mar 1874
"Maud Emily Vaughan 29 Oct 1875
"Rutherford DeWitt Vaughan [I find it interesting that my Uncle Sid did not give a year (let alone a date) for this uncle's birth. I have communicated, via e-mail, with the wife of a close, genetic cousin and Y-DNA match to me, listed on FamilyTreeDNA, who believes that he is a direct descendant of a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan," "b. 16 Feb 1877 - per draft card/Floris, Davis, Iowa, USA, d. 24 Jun 1960 - Florida Death Index, 1877-1998/St Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, USA." The U.S. Census of 1880 indicates that Luther and "Mary C. Vaughn" [sic] had all five of the children Uncle Sid lists as theirs, with slight variations in their names and dates of birth. Mary C. and all of her children except the baby, "William M. Vaughn," (middle initial incorrect) were born in Iowa; "Rutherford B. Vaughn" [sic] was born circa 1877, about two years after and two years before Maud and William, respectively. I am 100% confident that my cousin's forebear, (Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan) and this Rutherford B./DeWitt Vaughan are the same man, and that Luther Clay is our Most Recent Common Ancestor.
[I also find it interesting that this man, named "DeWitt B. Vaughan" has a FindaGrave Memorial which indicates that he had the same date of birth, albeit four years earlier, and the same year of death, and the same location of burial as Rutherford's death, in Pinellas County, Florida. Unfortunately, Rutherford's descendant's wife is unable to explain to me why Rutherford left his family in the Mid-West to move to Florida.]
"William Swift Vaughan 12 July 1879
"His son William Swift Vaughan was born 12 July 1879 and died 4 Nov 1952.
"He married Maud Knowlton.
"children:
"William Knowlton Vaughan 14 Jun 1921
"Sidney Knowlton Vaughan 30 Jul 1923
"His son William Knowlton Vaughan
was born 14 Jun 1921 in Chicago, IL and died 30 Aug 1966 in Winthrop Harbor, IL.
"He married Merle on Mar 24, 1961 in Salt Lake City Temple in UT.
"His son William Mortensen Vaughan was the person tested."
NOTE REGARDING THE NAME DeWITT:
Perhaps the reason that Rutherford Birchard Vaughan replaced his middle name with "DeWitt" is because he thought more of DeWitt Clinton, the seventh Governor of the State of New York, who built the Erie Canal, than of U.S. President Rutherford Birchard Hayes.
A Biography of DeWitt B. Vaughan
by his grand nephew, William Mortensen Vaughan
dated September 29, 2022
Despite what his tombstone says, Uncle Bert was probably born, in Floris, Davis County, Iowa, on February 16, 1877. Those are his place and date of birth, according to his U.S. WWI Draft Registration Card, and the record of his son's birth.
Uncle Bert probably died, in Pinellas County, Florida, on June 24, 1960. According to the Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, he died in June of 1960. Presumably, whoever was responsible for the creation and placement of his tombstone found it easier to remember when he died than the year he was born.
Despite what his tombstone says, Uncle Bert was probably named, by his parents ("Luther C." and "Mary C. Vaughn" [sic]) "Rutherford Birchard Vaughan," in 1877, the year he was born. The U.S. Census of 1880 indicates that he was three years old that year, and born in Iowa, where he was found, in Bloomfield, Davis County, Iowa. This census record also indicates that his name was "Rutherford B. Vaughn" [sic]. Rutherford Birchard Hayes served as the 19th president of the United States from 1877 to 1881. His inauguration took place on March 5, 1877, seventeen days after DeWitt's birth.
According to Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan" had a wife named "Mae Mcdonald Evans," and they had a son named "Birchard Dewitt Vaughan," who was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, on June 3, 1899. DeWitt, this record alleges, was born in Floris, Iowa. DeWitt would have been about twenty-two years old.
The U.S. Census of 1900 indicates that a man named "Dewitt R. Vaughan," age twenty-five (born circa 1875) was living in Stillwater Township, in the Oklahoma Territory, with a twenty-five-year-old wife named "Mary Vaughan," and a son named "Birchard D. Vaughan," who was born in Illinois one year prior.
The U.S. Census of 1910 indicates that a man named "Dewitte Vaughn" [sic] was living, in Milesville, Stanley County, South Dakota, with a wife named "May," and a son named "Birchard Vaughn" [sic], who was ten years old, born circa 1900. Both Dewitte and May were, allegedly, thirty-five years old.
United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 shows that a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan" was registered during one of those years, in Morgan County, Tennessee. He was born on February 16, 1877.
The U.S. Census of 1920 indicates that Dewitt and Mae Vaughan, ages forty-two and -six, respectively, resided in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, with their son, Birchard Vaughan, who was twenty years old.
According to the Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, a man named "Dewitt Bert Vaughan" died, in Pinellas County, Florida, in June of 1960.
Research Notes
Uncle Bert is a genealogical mystery which I have yet to resolve. To start with, I doubt that the name on his tombstone was the name his parents gave him when he was born. Nor do I believe that the date of birth on his tombstone is accurate. I'm not even completely convinced that the tombstone pictured on this memorial corresponds to the remains of my granduncle. Until I can prove otherwise, I operate on the assumption that this is the same man.
The reasons I think this is probably the same man are as follows:
1. The first name, middle initial, and surname are close to the various ways that his name has been listed in various places.
2. The month and year of death are identical.
3. The place of burial seems correct, given that a Y-DNA match still resides in Florida.
My knowledge about Uncle Bert starts with an e-mail in which his nephew, Sidney Knowlton Vaughan, mentioned him. Sidney, a.k.a. as "my Uncle Sid," sent me this message upon my request, with a collection of genealogical notes, circa 2000. Uncle Sid listed the spouses and children of several echelons in our paternal lineage, from "John M. Vaughan" and "McKee" to Luther Clay Vaughan and Mary Catharine Swift; to William Swift Vaughan and Maud Osborn Knowlton; to Uncle Sid and his only sibling, William Knowlton Vaughan; to me, William Mortensen Vaughan (William Knowlton Vaughan's only child).
These notes were published, at my request, on the Vaughan-Vaughn.org website, but contained mistakes and omissions which have since been corrected and improved.
The following is a copy of the original webpage before any corrections or improvements were published, with my notes in brackets:
"Kit# 157904 [My FamilyTreeDNA Kit Number]
"John M Vaughan married McKee. [I don't believe that "M." was this man's middle initial, nor that he married anyone surnamed or nicknamed "McKee"; I believe he married a woman named "Louisa Hensley."]
"children:
"Luther Clay Vaughan 16 May 1849 [I believe that John Vaughan and Louisa Hensley's firstborn child was Luther Clay Vaughan, and that he was born in 1849, because the U.S. Census of 1850 indicates that they had one child, one year old, named "Luther C. Vaughan."]
"Edward Vaughan 6 Nov 1851 - 1862
"Edwin Vaughan 6 Nov 1851 - 1862 [I have yet to find any evidence, other than these notes, that either of these twins ever existed.]
"Melville McKee Vaughan 17 Sept 1854 [I believe that this man was a Senior at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, in the school year of 1877 and 1878, but I do not believe he was Luther's sibling.]
"Mary Adeline Vaughan 21 June 1857 [The U.S. Census of 1860 identifies this girl as "Mary Vaughan," born to John and Louisa Vaughan, in Indiana, circa 1851.]
"Frank Vaughan 23 Dec 1864
"Lillie Vaughan 23 Dec 1864 [I have yet to find any evidence, other than these notes, that either of these twins ever existed.]
[The U.S. Census of 1850 indicates that John and Louisa Vaughan had one child that year, born circa 1849, in Indiana - a boy named "Luther C. Vaughn" [sic]. There is a discrepancy between this Census and the next U.S. Census, of 1860, which indicates that "Clay Vaughan" was born circa 1846, and James Vaughan circa 1849. It also indicates that Luther's other siblings were Mary, John, Thomas, and Ellen, born circa 1851, 1854, 1856, and 1859, respectively." Based on Civil War records, I believe that Luther, and one, two, or three of his brothers served in the Union Army during the Civil War, as veterans of under-age military service; I have no doubt that Luther did, but "John," "James," and "Thomas" are such common names that the records of their service may refer to his cousins rather than his siblings.]
"His son Luther Clay Vaughan was born 16 May 1849 in Putnam Co, IN and died 5 May 1916.
"He married Mary Catherine Swift.
"children:
"Vincent Sylvester Vaughan 3 Nov 1862 - 1925
[Vincent's Registration for the WWI Draft indicates that he was born on
"3 Nov 1872"; the record of his death indicates that he was born on that date, and died on "21 Apr 1927."]
"John Franklin Vaughan 28 Mar 1874
"Maud Emily Vaughan 29 Oct 1875
"Rutherford DeWitt Vaughan [I find it interesting that my Uncle Sid did not give a year (let alone a date) for this uncle's birth. I have communicated, via e-mail, with the wife of a close, genetic cousin and Y-DNA match to me, listed on FamilyTreeDNA, who believes that he is a direct descendant of a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan," "b. 16 Feb 1877 - per draft card/Floris, Davis, Iowa, USA, d. 24 Jun 1960 - Florida Death Index, 1877-1998/St Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, USA." The U.S. Census of 1880 indicates that Luther and "Mary C. Vaughn" [sic] had all five of the children Uncle Sid lists as theirs, with slight variations in their names and dates of birth. Mary C. and all of her children except the baby, "William M. Vaughn," (middle initial incorrect) were born in Iowa; "Rutherford B. Vaughn" [sic] was born circa 1877, about two years after and two years before Maud and William, respectively. I am 100% confident that my cousin's forebear, (Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan) and this Rutherford B./DeWitt Vaughan are the same man, and that Luther Clay is our Most Recent Common Ancestor.
[I also find it interesting that this man, named "DeWitt B. Vaughan" has a FindaGrave Memorial which indicates that he had the same date of birth, albeit four years earlier, and the same year of death, and the same location of burial as Rutherford's death, in Pinellas County, Florida. Unfortunately, Rutherford's descendant's wife is unable to explain to me why Rutherford left his family in the Mid-West to move to Florida.]
"William Swift Vaughan 12 July 1879
"His son William Swift Vaughan was born 12 July 1879 and died 4 Nov 1952.
"He married Maud Knowlton.
"children:
"William Knowlton Vaughan 14 Jun 1921
"Sidney Knowlton Vaughan 30 Jul 1923
"His son William Knowlton Vaughan
was born 14 Jun 1921 in Chicago, IL and died 30 Aug 1966 in Winthrop Harbor, IL.
"He married Merle on Mar 24, 1961 in Salt Lake City Temple in UT.
"His son William Mortensen Vaughan was the person tested."
NOTE REGARDING THE NAME DeWITT:
Perhaps the reason that Rutherford Birchard Vaughan replaced his middle name with "DeWitt" is because he thought more of DeWitt Clinton, the seventh Governor of the State of New York, who built the Erie Canal, than of U.S. President Rutherford Birchard Hayes.
by his grand nephew, William Mortensen Vaughan
dated September 29, 2022
Despite what his tombstone says, Uncle Bert was probably born, in Floris, Davis County, Iowa, on February 16, 1877. Those are his place and date of birth, according to his U.S. WWI Draft Registration Card, and the record of his son's birth.
Uncle Bert probably died, in Pinellas County, Florida, on June 24, 1960. According to the Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, he died in June of 1960. Presumably, whoever was responsible for the creation and placement of his tombstone found it easier to remember when he died than the year he was born.
Despite what his tombstone says, Uncle Bert was probably named, by his parents ("Luther C." and "Mary C. Vaughn" [sic]) "Rutherford Birchard Vaughan," in 1877, the year he was born. The U.S. Census of 1880 indicates that he was three years old that year, and born in Iowa, where he was found, in Bloomfield, Davis County, Iowa. This census record also indicates that his name was "Rutherford B. Vaughn" [sic]. Rutherford Birchard Hayes served as the 19th president of the United States from 1877 to 1881. His inauguration took place on March 5, 1877, seventeen days after DeWitt's birth.
According to Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan" had a wife named "Mae Mcdonald Evans," and they had a son named "Birchard Dewitt Vaughan," who was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, on June 3, 1899. DeWitt, this record alleges, was born in Floris, Iowa. DeWitt would have been about twenty-two years old.
The U.S. Census of 1900 indicates that a man named "Dewitt R. Vaughan," age twenty-five (born circa 1875) was living in Stillwater Township, in the Oklahoma Territory, with a twenty-five-year-old wife named "Mary Vaughan," and a son named "Birchard D. Vaughan," who was born in Illinois one year prior.
The U.S. Census of 1910 indicates that a man named "Dewitte Vaughn" [sic] was living, in Milesville, Stanley County, South Dakota, with a wife named "May," and a son named "Birchard Vaughn" [sic], who was ten years old, born circa 1900. Both Dewitte and May were, allegedly, thirty-five years old.
United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 shows that a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan" was registered during one of those years, in Morgan County, Tennessee. He was born on February 16, 1877.
The U.S. Census of 1920 indicates that Dewitt and Mae Vaughan, ages forty-two and -six, respectively, resided in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, with their son, Birchard Vaughan, who was twenty years old.
According to the Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, a man named "Dewitt Bert Vaughan" died, in Pinellas County, Florida, in June of 1960.
Research Notes
Uncle Bert is a genealogical mystery which I have yet to resolve. To start with, I doubt that the name on his tombstone was the name his parents gave him when he was born. Nor do I believe that the date of birth on his tombstone is accurate. I'm not even completely convinced that the tombstone pictured on this memorial corresponds to the remains of my granduncle. Until I can prove otherwise, I operate on the assumption that this is the same man.
The reasons I think this is probably the same man are as follows:
1. The first name, middle initial, and surname are close to the various ways that his name has been listed in various places.
2. The month and year of death are identical.
3. The place of burial seems correct, given that a Y-DNA match still resides in Florida.
My knowledge about Uncle Bert starts with an e-mail in which his nephew, Sidney Knowlton Vaughan, mentioned him. Sidney, a.k.a. as "my Uncle Sid," sent me this message upon my request, with a collection of genealogical notes, circa 2000. Uncle Sid listed the spouses and children of several echelons in our paternal lineage, from "John M. Vaughan" and "McKee" to Luther Clay Vaughan and Mary Catharine Swift; to William Swift Vaughan and Maud Osborn Knowlton; to Uncle Sid and his only sibling, William Knowlton Vaughan; to me, William Mortensen Vaughan (William Knowlton Vaughan's only child).
These notes were published, at my request, on the Vaughan-Vaughn.org website, but contained mistakes and omissions which have since been corrected and improved.
The following is a copy of the original webpage before any corrections or improvements were published, with my notes in brackets:
"Kit# 157904 [My FamilyTreeDNA Kit Number]
"John M Vaughan married McKee. [I don't believe that "M." was this man's middle initial, nor that he married anyone surnamed or nicknamed "McKee"; I believe he married a woman named "Louisa Hensley."]
"children:
"Luther Clay Vaughan 16 May 1849 [I believe that John Vaughan and Louisa Hensley's firstborn child was Luther Clay Vaughan, and that he was born in 1849, because the U.S. Census of 1850 indicates that they had one child, one year old, named "Luther C. Vaughan."]
"Edward Vaughan 6 Nov 1851 - 1862
"Edwin Vaughan 6 Nov 1851 - 1862 [I have yet to find any evidence, other than these notes, that either of these twins ever existed.]
"Melville McKee Vaughan 17 Sept 1854 [I believe that this man was a Senior at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, in the school year of 1877 and 1878, but I do not believe he was Luther's sibling.]
"Mary Adeline Vaughan 21 June 1857 [The U.S. Census of 1860 identifies this girl as "Mary Vaughan," born to John and Louisa Vaughan, in Indiana, circa 1851.]
"Frank Vaughan 23 Dec 1864
"Lillie Vaughan 23 Dec 1864 [I have yet to find any evidence, other than these notes, that either of these twins ever existed.]
[The U.S. Census of 1850 indicates that John and Louisa Vaughan had one child that year, born circa 1849, in Indiana - a boy named "Luther C. Vaughn" [sic]. There is a discrepancy between this Census and the next U.S. Census, of 1860, which indicates that "Clay Vaughan" was born circa 1846, and James Vaughan circa 1849. It also indicates that Luther's other siblings were Mary, John, Thomas, and Ellen, born circa 1851, 1854, 1856, and 1859, respectively." Based on Civil War records, I believe that Luther, and one, two, or three of his brothers served in the Union Army during the Civil War, as veterans of under-age military service; I have no doubt that Luther did, but "John," "James," and "Thomas" are such common names that the records of their service may refer to his cousins rather than his siblings.]
"His son Luther Clay Vaughan was born 16 May 1849 in Putnam Co, IN and died 5 May 1916.
"He married Mary Catherine Swift.
"children:
"Vincent Sylvester Vaughan 3 Nov 1862 - 1925
[Vincent's Registration for the WWI Draft indicates that he was born on
"3 Nov 1872"; the record of his death indicates that he was born on that date, and died on "21 Apr 1927."]
"John Franklin Vaughan 28 Mar 1874
"Maud Emily Vaughan 29 Oct 1875
"Rutherford DeWitt Vaughan [I find it interesting that my Uncle Sid did not give a year (let alone a date) for this uncle's birth. I have communicated, via e-mail, with the wife of a close, genetic cousin and Y-DNA match to me, listed on FamilyTreeDNA, who believes that he is a direct descendant of a man named "Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan," "b. 16 Feb 1877 - per draft card/Floris, Davis, Iowa, USA, d. 24 Jun 1960 - Florida Death Index, 1877-1998/St Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, USA." The U.S. Census of 1880 indicates that Luther and "Mary C. Vaughn" [sic] had all five of the children Uncle Sid lists as theirs, with slight variations in their names and dates of birth. Mary C. and all of her children except the baby, "William M. Vaughn," (middle initial incorrect) were born in Iowa; "Rutherford B. Vaughn" [sic] was born circa 1877, about two years after and two years before Maud and William, respectively. I am 100% confident that my cousin's forebear, (Dewitt Rutherford Vaughan) and this Rutherford B./DeWitt Vaughan are the same man, and that Luther Clay is our Most Recent Common Ancestor.
[I also find it interesting that this man, named "DeWitt B. Vaughan" has a FindaGrave Memorial which indicates that he had the same date of birth, albeit four years earlier, and the same year of death, and the same location of burial as Rutherford's death, in Pinellas County, Florida. Unfortunately, Rutherford's descendant's wife is unable to explain to me why Rutherford left his family in the Mid-West to move to Florida.]
"William Swift Vaughan 12 July 1879
"His son William Swift Vaughan was born 12 July 1879 and died 4 Nov 1952.
"He married Maud Knowlton.
"children:
"William Knowlton Vaughan 14 Jun 1921
"Sidney Knowlton Vaughan 30 Jul 1923
"His son William Knowlton Vaughan
was born 14 Jun 1921 in Chicago, IL and died 30 Aug 1966 in Winthrop Harbor, IL.
"He married Merle on Mar 24, 1961 in Salt Lake City Temple in UT.
"His son William Mortensen Vaughan was the person tested."
NOTE REGARDING THE NAME DeWITT:
Perhaps the reason that Rutherford Birchard Vaughan replaced his middle name with "DeWitt" is because he thought more of DeWitt Clinton, the seventh Governor of the State of New York, who built the Erie Canal, than of U.S. President Rutherford Birchard Hayes.
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DEWITT B. VAUGHAN
FEB. 16, 1873 - JUNE 24, 1960
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