Sarah was the daughter of Scottish-born Moses Smith (imm. ca. 1808) and Mary "Polly" Cole. I found an 1828 marriage in Geauga Co., Ohio that may have been theirs. A newspaper piece on them says they had four children. I found six—Catharine (1 Jan 1833 – 27 Aug 1855, m. George Wilhelm); Lovina (7 May 1836 – 25 Feb 1854, m. Thomas J. Russell, died in childbirth); William (b. ca. 1838 OH); Esther Ann (9 May 1841 – 3 Sep 1852); Sarah Ann (13 Oct 1843 – 23 Apr 1925, m. Lewis C. Rector); and Moses Jr. (b. ca. 1848 IA).
I found this little gem about Sarah's father. (The Culver Citizen – Wed 3 Apr 1935 p. 15) "…Also among the early settlers at Maxinkuckee was Moses Smith who came there from Fulton County in the 'fifties. He was born in Scotland and came to America when about seven years old. His wife's name before her marriage was Mary Cole. Moses Smith operated a potter shop at Maxinkuckee. It was up on the hill. The kiln stood for years, then fell to ruin. The old building, however, still stands to this day. The owner was a very industrious man. He hauled his clay for the pottery all the way from Ohio with an ox team. Moses and Mary Cole Smith had four children. One of them died from a rattlesnake bite. There was a son named Moses, and a daughter, Sarah Ann." I couldn't discover who the unlucky victim of the rattlesnake was, but it wasn't Sarah Ann. If I had to guess, I would say it was son William, as I could find no trace of him as an adult.
The 1850 Census placed the family in Richland Twp., Fulton Co., Indiana. Moses Smith, 49, was noted as a potter. Mary, 47, was home with their six children—Catharine, 17, Lovina, 14, William, 12, Esther, 9, Sarah, 7, and 2-year-old Moses.
A few observations from that 1850 record are that both Moses' and Mary's birthplaces are noted as New York, disputing that Moses was born in Scotland. The five oldest children have an Ohio birthplace noted, but son Moses has an Iowa birthplace noted, suggesting that the family spent time in Iowa between 1843 and 1848, and which might explain why Sarah and her future husband would eventually live there for a time.
Sadly, Sarah's mother appears to have died before the next decade's enumeration in 1860. Sarah's father Moses, 55, and Sarah's brother Moses Jr., 12, appeared together in 1860, living in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana, where Moses Sr. was again noted as a potter. Also noted again was a New York birthplace, not a birth in Scotland.
Sarah was not living with her father and brother in 1860. On 7 May 1859, she had married Lewis C. Rector. They would bring eight children into the world. I found names and dates for seven—Samuel C. (1859 – 21 Jun 1925); Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ellis (10 Dec 1861 – 5 Jul 1930, 1st m. Eben Cephas Ives in 1880, 2nd m. William A. Balk in 1890, 3rd m. George Garver in 1907); Lewis E. (21 Sep 1864 – 7 Sep 1914, m. Mary Alpharetta "Etta" Haynes); Nathan William (16 Apr 1866 – 20 Jan 1947, , m. Anna Elizabeth Miller); Ida M. (28 Feb 1868 – 3 Nov 1947, m. Frank Marion Parker); Minnie L. (28 Feb 1870 – 27 Sep 1896); and Dow Allen (15 Apr 1877 – 19 Jun 1930, 1st m. Matilda "Tillie" Worthington in 1898, 2nd m. Georgia Riggs in 1925).
Sarah and husband Lewis appeared together on the 1860 Census, living in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana. Lewis Rector, 22, was farming for a living. Sarah, 17, had 4-month-old son Samuel (Lena on the record) to cheer her days.
The spring after that enumeration, the Civil War erupted. Lewis Rector would answer the call. He served with Co. C of the 48th Indiana Infantry, reporting for duty on 18 Nov 1861 at Camp Ellis in Goshen, Indiana.
A month after Lewis went to war, Sarah gave birth to daughter Elizabeth two weeks before Christmas on 10 Dec 1861. Hopefully she had a midwife or doctor to assist in the birth of her second child and had more than a stick to bite during the delivery, almost certainly taking place at home. Elizabeth's middle name "Ellis" was a nod to where Lewis was stationed when she was born.
What follows is a regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 3. "This regiment [48th Indiana Infantry] was organized at Goshen in the fall of 1861, and was mustered in Jan. 28, 1862. It left for Fort Donelson on Feb. 1, arriving the day after the surrender. It moved to Paducah, thence to the Tennessee river, and participated in the siege of Corinth. After the evacuation the regiment was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, Army of the Mississippi, and took part in the pursuit of Price's forces. It was in the battle of Iuka, losing 116 in killed and wounded; was under Rosecrans in the second battle of Corinth in October; then moved to Oxford and back to Memphis, where in Jan., 1863, it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 7th division, 17th army corps. It moved to the rear of Vicksburg in March, participated in engagements at Forty Hills, Raymond, Jackson and Champion's hill, losing 33 killed and wounded in the last engagement. It was in the trenches before Vicksburg and took part in the assault of May 22, losing 38 in killed and wounded. It moved to Memphis in August, thence to Chattanooga and was engaged at Tunnel Hill. At Huntsville, Ala., it reenlisted as a veteran organization in Jan., 1864, and after enjoying a furlough, returned to Huntsville in March. It moved to Cartersville, Ga., in June, hunting guerrillas and protecting railroad communications, and then joined the army at Atlanta. It marched to Savannah with the 1st brigade, 3d division, 15th corps, then moved to Beaufort, S. C, participated in the campaign of the Carolinas to Raleigh, and after Johnston's surrender marched to Washington. It was then transferred to Louisville and mustered out July 15, 1865. While at Washington, the 48th received 250 recruits from the 12th, 83d, 97th, and 99th regiments, whose terms had not expired at the time of the muster out of these organizations, and these were discharged with the 48th. The original strength of the regiment was 991; gain by recruits, 603; reenlistments, 284; total, 1,878. Loss by death, 213; desertion, 96; unaccounted for, 199."
Lewis Rector was one of the lucky ones who was able to return home to his family at the end of the war. He rose through the ranks during the conflict, promoted from Private to Colonel and then to 1st Sergeant before being discharged with the remaining members of his regiment. During Lewis' furlough in Jan 1864 that was mentioned in the narrative, Sarah got pregnant with son Lewis, born on 21 Sep 1864. When Lewis got home in the summer of 1865, a joyful reunion with his wife resulted in another visit from the stork, who showed up with son Nathan on 16 Apr 1866.
The 1870 Census caught up with the Smith family in Center Twp., Starke Co., Indiana, which is the Knox area. Lewis Rector, 31, was supporting his family doing carpentry work. Sarah, 23, had her hands full tending to the household and their six children—Samuel (Simon on the record), 10, Elizabeth, 7, Lewis, 4, Nathan, 3, Ida (Ellis on the record), 2, and 2-month-old Minnie (Sarah on the record). A few scenarios present themselves: the enumerator was hard of hearing, Sarah did not enunciate well, 3-year-old Nathan relayed the information to the enumerator, someone was messing with the enumerator, unaware that their prank would throw off future generations of family researchers. Choose the option you like.
A few years after that census, Sarah and Lewis packed up the children, and whatever belongings they could carry with them, and moved to Iowa, where Dow joined the family in the spring of 1877. There was a seven-year gap between Ida's and Dow's births, which is likely when the unidentified eighth child came along. The 1880 Census placed the Smith family in Dahlonega Twp., Wapello Co., Iowa. Lewis Rector, 44, was working a new farm. Sarah, 36, was keeping house. Part of that equation included seven children—Samuel (Simon on the record), 20, Elizabeth, 18, Lewis, 16, Nathan, 14, Ida, 12, Minnie, 10, and 3-year-old Dow. Somebody in this family had trouble pronouncing Samuel, given that two different census enumerators heard Simon, and one Lena, instead of Samuel.
On 18 Jul 1883, Lewis filed for an invalid's pension. He died late the following year, the Argos Reflector newspaper mentioning his passing in December of 1884. Sarah filed for a widow's pension on 5 Feb 1885, which wouldn't be enough to live on, or support seven children on, but it would help.
Two days after Christmas, 27 Dec 1896, the Rector family suffered a terrible loss when daughter Minnie died at age 26.
Sarah became a widow at age 41. One way for a widow with children to support the family was to take in boarders. Sarah's endeavor was grander than that, and by 1898 she was the proprietor of the Rector House, located on the east side of Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Marshall Co., Indiana, built on the site owned by the Rector family. The newspaper ad that advertised her hotel was as follows: "RECTOR HOUSE, near Maxinkuckee Landing, Maxinkuckee, Indiana…Excellent Accommodations Within 'Stone's Throw' of Beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee. Plenty of Shade, a delightful spot to spend the Summer. Terms made known on application. SARAH A. RECTOR, Proprietress." Plat maps note Sarah's property on Lake Maxinkuckee's east shoreline.
When the 1900 Census enumerators began knocking on doors, Sarah Rector's door was in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana. Sarah, widowed, 56, was noted as a hotel keeper. She reported that she had had eight children, but that only six had survived to that census. Living under her roof were son Dow, 22 and working as a drayman (i.e. hauler of goods), Dow's wife Tillie, and their daughter Helen, 1.
Sarah's son Dow opened up a livery stable about that time. "9 Aug 1901 – The Rector Hotel on the east side near Maxinkuckee landing, has a first class livery stable in connection. Terms reasonable."
"30 Mar 1905 – The Rector Hotel is being prepared for the summer. They already have several boarders." "6 Apr 1905 – Dow Rector has reopened his livery barn for the season and also announces to his patrons that the Rector House and livery will be open as usual this season."
When the 1910 Census came around, Sarah was still in the same place. She was 64 and again noted as the keeper of a boarding house. She again reported having had eight children, six still living. Son Dow's family was still with her, Dow, 31, noted as the owner of a livery.
On 8 Jun 1911, Sarah leased the Rector Hotel to Paul Kroesing and chef J.W. Reckert of Indianapolis for the summer. On 21 Sep 1911, Sarah took the operation of the hotel back under her purview.
The family was visited by tragedy a few years later. Sarah's son Lewis, who had suffered a head injury after an automobile accident, took his own life. "Mr. Rector went from the hotel to his mother's cottage and upon his appearance, in answer to her question, responded that he was 'feeling fine.' 'Breakfast is almost ready,' Mrs. Rector said, and her son replied, 'All right, I'll be ready.' He then passed into the bedroom, closing the door, sat up on the edge of the bed, placed the revolver to the right side of his head and fired the fatal shot. Neither Mrs. Rector nor Maria Norris, her assistant, heard the shot, and learned of the tragedy only when Mrs. Rector went into the room to summon her son to breakfast. Mr. Rector's act was undoubtedly due to an unbalanced mental condition which has been evident since he arrived here about seven weeks ago to recuperate from an automobile accident in which one of his business partners was killed in Minneapolis,…" So sad.
In 1915, Robert Wolley and his wife became caretakers at the hotel, and in 1916, Dow Rector added a cement porch and walkways to the property, and in 1922, Dow built a gasoline service station at the hotel site.
By the time the 1920 Census was taken, Sarah Rector, 78, was enjoying a much-deserved retirement. She was still living in the same place, son Dow and his family living close by, Dow driving a taxi for a living, hauling people and luggage to the homes of Lake Maxinkuckee's summer cottages.
On 23 Apr 1925, Sarah took her last breath and crossed into the light at age 81.
I found this little gem about Sarah's father. (The Culver Citizen – Wed 3 Apr 1935 p. 15) "…Also among the early settlers at Maxinkuckee was Moses Smith who came there from Fulton County in the 'fifties. He was born in Scotland and came to America when about seven years old. His wife's name before her marriage was Mary Cole. Moses Smith operated a potter shop at Maxinkuckee. It was up on the hill. The kiln stood for years, then fell to ruin. The old building, however, still stands to this day. The owner was a very industrious man. He hauled his clay for the pottery all the way from Ohio with an ox team. Moses and Mary Cole Smith had four children. One of them died from a rattlesnake bite. There was a son named Moses, and a daughter, Sarah Ann." I couldn't discover who the unlucky victim of the rattlesnake was, but it wasn't Sarah Ann. If I had to guess, I would say it was son William, as I could find no trace of him as an adult.
The 1850 Census placed the family in Richland Twp., Fulton Co., Indiana. Moses Smith, 49, was noted as a potter. Mary, 47, was home with their six children—Catharine, 17, Lovina, 14, William, 12, Esther, 9, Sarah, 7, and 2-year-old Moses.
A few observations from that 1850 record are that both Moses' and Mary's birthplaces are noted as New York, disputing that Moses was born in Scotland. The five oldest children have an Ohio birthplace noted, but son Moses has an Iowa birthplace noted, suggesting that the family spent time in Iowa between 1843 and 1848, and which might explain why Sarah and her future husband would eventually live there for a time.
Sadly, Sarah's mother appears to have died before the next decade's enumeration in 1860. Sarah's father Moses, 55, and Sarah's brother Moses Jr., 12, appeared together in 1860, living in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana, where Moses Sr. was again noted as a potter. Also noted again was a New York birthplace, not a birth in Scotland.
Sarah was not living with her father and brother in 1860. On 7 May 1859, she had married Lewis C. Rector. They would bring eight children into the world. I found names and dates for seven—Samuel C. (1859 – 21 Jun 1925); Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ellis (10 Dec 1861 – 5 Jul 1930, 1st m. Eben Cephas Ives in 1880, 2nd m. William A. Balk in 1890, 3rd m. George Garver in 1907); Lewis E. (21 Sep 1864 – 7 Sep 1914, m. Mary Alpharetta "Etta" Haynes); Nathan William (16 Apr 1866 – 20 Jan 1947, , m. Anna Elizabeth Miller); Ida M. (28 Feb 1868 – 3 Nov 1947, m. Frank Marion Parker); Minnie L. (28 Feb 1870 – 27 Sep 1896); and Dow Allen (15 Apr 1877 – 19 Jun 1930, 1st m. Matilda "Tillie" Worthington in 1898, 2nd m. Georgia Riggs in 1925).
Sarah and husband Lewis appeared together on the 1860 Census, living in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana. Lewis Rector, 22, was farming for a living. Sarah, 17, had 4-month-old son Samuel (Lena on the record) to cheer her days.
The spring after that enumeration, the Civil War erupted. Lewis Rector would answer the call. He served with Co. C of the 48th Indiana Infantry, reporting for duty on 18 Nov 1861 at Camp Ellis in Goshen, Indiana.
A month after Lewis went to war, Sarah gave birth to daughter Elizabeth two weeks before Christmas on 10 Dec 1861. Hopefully she had a midwife or doctor to assist in the birth of her second child and had more than a stick to bite during the delivery, almost certainly taking place at home. Elizabeth's middle name "Ellis" was a nod to where Lewis was stationed when she was born.
What follows is a regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 3. "This regiment [48th Indiana Infantry] was organized at Goshen in the fall of 1861, and was mustered in Jan. 28, 1862. It left for Fort Donelson on Feb. 1, arriving the day after the surrender. It moved to Paducah, thence to the Tennessee river, and participated in the siege of Corinth. After the evacuation the regiment was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, Army of the Mississippi, and took part in the pursuit of Price's forces. It was in the battle of Iuka, losing 116 in killed and wounded; was under Rosecrans in the second battle of Corinth in October; then moved to Oxford and back to Memphis, where in Jan., 1863, it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 7th division, 17th army corps. It moved to the rear of Vicksburg in March, participated in engagements at Forty Hills, Raymond, Jackson and Champion's hill, losing 33 killed and wounded in the last engagement. It was in the trenches before Vicksburg and took part in the assault of May 22, losing 38 in killed and wounded. It moved to Memphis in August, thence to Chattanooga and was engaged at Tunnel Hill. At Huntsville, Ala., it reenlisted as a veteran organization in Jan., 1864, and after enjoying a furlough, returned to Huntsville in March. It moved to Cartersville, Ga., in June, hunting guerrillas and protecting railroad communications, and then joined the army at Atlanta. It marched to Savannah with the 1st brigade, 3d division, 15th corps, then moved to Beaufort, S. C, participated in the campaign of the Carolinas to Raleigh, and after Johnston's surrender marched to Washington. It was then transferred to Louisville and mustered out July 15, 1865. While at Washington, the 48th received 250 recruits from the 12th, 83d, 97th, and 99th regiments, whose terms had not expired at the time of the muster out of these organizations, and these were discharged with the 48th. The original strength of the regiment was 991; gain by recruits, 603; reenlistments, 284; total, 1,878. Loss by death, 213; desertion, 96; unaccounted for, 199."
Lewis Rector was one of the lucky ones who was able to return home to his family at the end of the war. He rose through the ranks during the conflict, promoted from Private to Colonel and then to 1st Sergeant before being discharged with the remaining members of his regiment. During Lewis' furlough in Jan 1864 that was mentioned in the narrative, Sarah got pregnant with son Lewis, born on 21 Sep 1864. When Lewis got home in the summer of 1865, a joyful reunion with his wife resulted in another visit from the stork, who showed up with son Nathan on 16 Apr 1866.
The 1870 Census caught up with the Smith family in Center Twp., Starke Co., Indiana, which is the Knox area. Lewis Rector, 31, was supporting his family doing carpentry work. Sarah, 23, had her hands full tending to the household and their six children—Samuel (Simon on the record), 10, Elizabeth, 7, Lewis, 4, Nathan, 3, Ida (Ellis on the record), 2, and 2-month-old Minnie (Sarah on the record). A few scenarios present themselves: the enumerator was hard of hearing, Sarah did not enunciate well, 3-year-old Nathan relayed the information to the enumerator, someone was messing with the enumerator, unaware that their prank would throw off future generations of family researchers. Choose the option you like.
A few years after that census, Sarah and Lewis packed up the children, and whatever belongings they could carry with them, and moved to Iowa, where Dow joined the family in the spring of 1877. There was a seven-year gap between Ida's and Dow's births, which is likely when the unidentified eighth child came along. The 1880 Census placed the Smith family in Dahlonega Twp., Wapello Co., Iowa. Lewis Rector, 44, was working a new farm. Sarah, 36, was keeping house. Part of that equation included seven children—Samuel (Simon on the record), 20, Elizabeth, 18, Lewis, 16, Nathan, 14, Ida, 12, Minnie, 10, and 3-year-old Dow. Somebody in this family had trouble pronouncing Samuel, given that two different census enumerators heard Simon, and one Lena, instead of Samuel.
On 18 Jul 1883, Lewis filed for an invalid's pension. He died late the following year, the Argos Reflector newspaper mentioning his passing in December of 1884. Sarah filed for a widow's pension on 5 Feb 1885, which wouldn't be enough to live on, or support seven children on, but it would help.
Two days after Christmas, 27 Dec 1896, the Rector family suffered a terrible loss when daughter Minnie died at age 26.
Sarah became a widow at age 41. One way for a widow with children to support the family was to take in boarders. Sarah's endeavor was grander than that, and by 1898 she was the proprietor of the Rector House, located on the east side of Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Marshall Co., Indiana, built on the site owned by the Rector family. The newspaper ad that advertised her hotel was as follows: "RECTOR HOUSE, near Maxinkuckee Landing, Maxinkuckee, Indiana…Excellent Accommodations Within 'Stone's Throw' of Beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee. Plenty of Shade, a delightful spot to spend the Summer. Terms made known on application. SARAH A. RECTOR, Proprietress." Plat maps note Sarah's property on Lake Maxinkuckee's east shoreline.
When the 1900 Census enumerators began knocking on doors, Sarah Rector's door was in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana. Sarah, widowed, 56, was noted as a hotel keeper. She reported that she had had eight children, but that only six had survived to that census. Living under her roof were son Dow, 22 and working as a drayman (i.e. hauler of goods), Dow's wife Tillie, and their daughter Helen, 1.
Sarah's son Dow opened up a livery stable about that time. "9 Aug 1901 – The Rector Hotel on the east side near Maxinkuckee landing, has a first class livery stable in connection. Terms reasonable."
"30 Mar 1905 – The Rector Hotel is being prepared for the summer. They already have several boarders." "6 Apr 1905 – Dow Rector has reopened his livery barn for the season and also announces to his patrons that the Rector House and livery will be open as usual this season."
When the 1910 Census came around, Sarah was still in the same place. She was 64 and again noted as the keeper of a boarding house. She again reported having had eight children, six still living. Son Dow's family was still with her, Dow, 31, noted as the owner of a livery.
On 8 Jun 1911, Sarah leased the Rector Hotel to Paul Kroesing and chef J.W. Reckert of Indianapolis for the summer. On 21 Sep 1911, Sarah took the operation of the hotel back under her purview.
The family was visited by tragedy a few years later. Sarah's son Lewis, who had suffered a head injury after an automobile accident, took his own life. "Mr. Rector went from the hotel to his mother's cottage and upon his appearance, in answer to her question, responded that he was 'feeling fine.' 'Breakfast is almost ready,' Mrs. Rector said, and her son replied, 'All right, I'll be ready.' He then passed into the bedroom, closing the door, sat up on the edge of the bed, placed the revolver to the right side of his head and fired the fatal shot. Neither Mrs. Rector nor Maria Norris, her assistant, heard the shot, and learned of the tragedy only when Mrs. Rector went into the room to summon her son to breakfast. Mr. Rector's act was undoubtedly due to an unbalanced mental condition which has been evident since he arrived here about seven weeks ago to recuperate from an automobile accident in which one of his business partners was killed in Minneapolis,…" So sad.
In 1915, Robert Wolley and his wife became caretakers at the hotel, and in 1916, Dow Rector added a cement porch and walkways to the property, and in 1922, Dow built a gasoline service station at the hotel site.
By the time the 1920 Census was taken, Sarah Rector, 78, was enjoying a much-deserved retirement. She was still living in the same place, son Dow and his family living close by, Dow driving a taxi for a living, hauling people and luggage to the homes of Lake Maxinkuckee's summer cottages.
On 23 Apr 1925, Sarah took her last breath and crossed into the light at age 81.
Sarah was the daughter of Scottish-born Moses Smith (imm. ca. 1808) and Mary "Polly" Cole. I found an 1828 marriage in Geauga Co., Ohio that may have been theirs. A newspaper piece on them says they had four children. I found six—Catharine (1 Jan 1833 – 27 Aug 1855, m. George Wilhelm); Lovina (7 May 1836 – 25 Feb 1854, m. Thomas J. Russell, died in childbirth); William (b. ca. 1838 OH); Esther Ann (9 May 1841 – 3 Sep 1852); Sarah Ann (13 Oct 1843 – 23 Apr 1925, m. Lewis C. Rector); and Moses Jr. (b. ca. 1848 IA).
I found this little gem about Sarah's father. (The Culver Citizen – Wed 3 Apr 1935 p. 15) "…Also among the early settlers at Maxinkuckee was Moses Smith who came there from Fulton County in the 'fifties. He was born in Scotland and came to America when about seven years old. His wife's name before her marriage was Mary Cole. Moses Smith operated a potter shop at Maxinkuckee. It was up on the hill. The kiln stood for years, then fell to ruin. The old building, however, still stands to this day. The owner was a very industrious man. He hauled his clay for the pottery all the way from Ohio with an ox team. Moses and Mary Cole Smith had four children. One of them died from a rattlesnake bite. There was a son named Moses, and a daughter, Sarah Ann." I couldn't discover who the unlucky victim of the rattlesnake was, but it wasn't Sarah Ann. If I had to guess, I would say it was son William, as I could find no trace of him as an adult.
The 1850 Census placed the family in Richland Twp., Fulton Co., Indiana. Moses Smith, 49, was noted as a potter. Mary, 47, was home with their six children—Catharine, 17, Lovina, 14, William, 12, Esther, 9, Sarah, 7, and 2-year-old Moses.
A few observations from that 1850 record are that both Moses' and Mary's birthplaces are noted as New York, disputing that Moses was born in Scotland. The five oldest children have an Ohio birthplace noted, but son Moses has an Iowa birthplace noted, suggesting that the family spent time in Iowa between 1843 and 1848, and which might explain why Sarah and her future husband would eventually live there for a time.
Sadly, Sarah's mother appears to have died before the next decade's enumeration in 1860. Sarah's father Moses, 55, and Sarah's brother Moses Jr., 12, appeared together in 1860, living in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana, where Moses Sr. was again noted as a potter. Also noted again was a New York birthplace, not a birth in Scotland.
Sarah was not living with her father and brother in 1860. On 7 May 1859, she had married Lewis C. Rector. They would bring eight children into the world. I found names and dates for seven—Samuel C. (1859 – 21 Jun 1925); Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ellis (10 Dec 1861 – 5 Jul 1930, 1st m. Eben Cephas Ives in 1880, 2nd m. William A. Balk in 1890, 3rd m. George Garver in 1907); Lewis E. (21 Sep 1864 – 7 Sep 1914, m. Mary Alpharetta "Etta" Haynes); Nathan William (16 Apr 1866 – 20 Jan 1947, , m. Anna Elizabeth Miller); Ida M. (28 Feb 1868 – 3 Nov 1947, m. Frank Marion Parker); Minnie L. (28 Feb 1870 – 27 Sep 1896); and Dow Allen (15 Apr 1877 – 19 Jun 1930, 1st m. Matilda "Tillie" Worthington in 1898, 2nd m. Georgia Riggs in 1925).
Sarah and husband Lewis appeared together on the 1860 Census, living in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana. Lewis Rector, 22, was farming for a living. Sarah, 17, had 4-month-old son Samuel (Lena on the record) to cheer her days.
The spring after that enumeration, the Civil War erupted. Lewis Rector would answer the call. He served with Co. C of the 48th Indiana Infantry, reporting for duty on 18 Nov 1861 at Camp Ellis in Goshen, Indiana.
A month after Lewis went to war, Sarah gave birth to daughter Elizabeth two weeks before Christmas on 10 Dec 1861. Hopefully she had a midwife or doctor to assist in the birth of her second child and had more than a stick to bite during the delivery, almost certainly taking place at home. Elizabeth's middle name "Ellis" was a nod to where Lewis was stationed when she was born.
What follows is a regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 3. "This regiment [48th Indiana Infantry] was organized at Goshen in the fall of 1861, and was mustered in Jan. 28, 1862. It left for Fort Donelson on Feb. 1, arriving the day after the surrender. It moved to Paducah, thence to the Tennessee river, and participated in the siege of Corinth. After the evacuation the regiment was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, Army of the Mississippi, and took part in the pursuit of Price's forces. It was in the battle of Iuka, losing 116 in killed and wounded; was under Rosecrans in the second battle of Corinth in October; then moved to Oxford and back to Memphis, where in Jan., 1863, it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 7th division, 17th army corps. It moved to the rear of Vicksburg in March, participated in engagements at Forty Hills, Raymond, Jackson and Champion's hill, losing 33 killed and wounded in the last engagement. It was in the trenches before Vicksburg and took part in the assault of May 22, losing 38 in killed and wounded. It moved to Memphis in August, thence to Chattanooga and was engaged at Tunnel Hill. At Huntsville, Ala., it reenlisted as a veteran organization in Jan., 1864, and after enjoying a furlough, returned to Huntsville in March. It moved to Cartersville, Ga., in June, hunting guerrillas and protecting railroad communications, and then joined the army at Atlanta. It marched to Savannah with the 1st brigade, 3d division, 15th corps, then moved to Beaufort, S. C, participated in the campaign of the Carolinas to Raleigh, and after Johnston's surrender marched to Washington. It was then transferred to Louisville and mustered out July 15, 1865. While at Washington, the 48th received 250 recruits from the 12th, 83d, 97th, and 99th regiments, whose terms had not expired at the time of the muster out of these organizations, and these were discharged with the 48th. The original strength of the regiment was 991; gain by recruits, 603; reenlistments, 284; total, 1,878. Loss by death, 213; desertion, 96; unaccounted for, 199."
Lewis Rector was one of the lucky ones who was able to return home to his family at the end of the war. He rose through the ranks during the conflict, promoted from Private to Colonel and then to 1st Sergeant before being discharged with the remaining members of his regiment. During Lewis' furlough in Jan 1864 that was mentioned in the narrative, Sarah got pregnant with son Lewis, born on 21 Sep 1864. When Lewis got home in the summer of 1865, a joyful reunion with his wife resulted in another visit from the stork, who showed up with son Nathan on 16 Apr 1866.
The 1870 Census caught up with the Smith family in Center Twp., Starke Co., Indiana, which is the Knox area. Lewis Rector, 31, was supporting his family doing carpentry work. Sarah, 23, had her hands full tending to the household and their six children—Samuel (Simon on the record), 10, Elizabeth, 7, Lewis, 4, Nathan, 3, Ida (Ellis on the record), 2, and 2-month-old Minnie (Sarah on the record). A few scenarios present themselves: the enumerator was hard of hearing, Sarah did not enunciate well, 3-year-old Nathan relayed the information to the enumerator, someone was messing with the enumerator, unaware that their prank would throw off future generations of family researchers. Choose the option you like.
A few years after that census, Sarah and Lewis packed up the children, and whatever belongings they could carry with them, and moved to Iowa, where Dow joined the family in the spring of 1877. There was a seven-year gap between Ida's and Dow's births, which is likely when the unidentified eighth child came along. The 1880 Census placed the Smith family in Dahlonega Twp., Wapello Co., Iowa. Lewis Rector, 44, was working a new farm. Sarah, 36, was keeping house. Part of that equation included seven children—Samuel (Simon on the record), 20, Elizabeth, 18, Lewis, 16, Nathan, 14, Ida, 12, Minnie, 10, and 3-year-old Dow. Somebody in this family had trouble pronouncing Samuel, given that two different census enumerators heard Simon, and one Lena, instead of Samuel.
On 18 Jul 1883, Lewis filed for an invalid's pension. He died late the following year, the Argos Reflector newspaper mentioning his passing in December of 1884. Sarah filed for a widow's pension on 5 Feb 1885, which wouldn't be enough to live on, or support seven children on, but it would help.
Two days after Christmas, 27 Dec 1896, the Rector family suffered a terrible loss when daughter Minnie died at age 26.
Sarah became a widow at age 41. One way for a widow with children to support the family was to take in boarders. Sarah's endeavor was grander than that, and by 1898 she was the proprietor of the Rector House, located on the east side of Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Marshall Co., Indiana, built on the site owned by the Rector family. The newspaper ad that advertised her hotel was as follows: "RECTOR HOUSE, near Maxinkuckee Landing, Maxinkuckee, Indiana…Excellent Accommodations Within 'Stone's Throw' of Beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee. Plenty of Shade, a delightful spot to spend the Summer. Terms made known on application. SARAH A. RECTOR, Proprietress." Plat maps note Sarah's property on Lake Maxinkuckee's east shoreline.
When the 1900 Census enumerators began knocking on doors, Sarah Rector's door was in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana. Sarah, widowed, 56, was noted as a hotel keeper. She reported that she had had eight children, but that only six had survived to that census. Living under her roof were son Dow, 22 and working as a drayman (i.e. hauler of goods), Dow's wife Tillie, and their daughter Helen, 1.
Sarah's son Dow opened up a livery stable about that time. "9 Aug 1901 – The Rector Hotel on the east side near Maxinkuckee landing, has a first class livery stable in connection. Terms reasonable."
"30 Mar 1905 – The Rector Hotel is being prepared for the summer. They already have several boarders." "6 Apr 1905 – Dow Rector has reopened his livery barn for the season and also announces to his patrons that the Rector House and livery will be open as usual this season."
When the 1910 Census came around, Sarah was still in the same place. She was 64 and again noted as the keeper of a boarding house. She again reported having had eight children, six still living. Son Dow's family was still with her, Dow, 31, noted as the owner of a livery.
On 8 Jun 1911, Sarah leased the Rector Hotel to Paul Kroesing and chef J.W. Reckert of Indianapolis for the summer. On 21 Sep 1911, Sarah took the operation of the hotel back under her purview.
The family was visited by tragedy a few years later. Sarah's son Lewis, who had suffered a head injury after an automobile accident, took his own life. "Mr. Rector went from the hotel to his mother's cottage and upon his appearance, in answer to her question, responded that he was 'feeling fine.' 'Breakfast is almost ready,' Mrs. Rector said, and her son replied, 'All right, I'll be ready.' He then passed into the bedroom, closing the door, sat up on the edge of the bed, placed the revolver to the right side of his head and fired the fatal shot. Neither Mrs. Rector nor Maria Norris, her assistant, heard the shot, and learned of the tragedy only when Mrs. Rector went into the room to summon her son to breakfast. Mr. Rector's act was undoubtedly due to an unbalanced mental condition which has been evident since he arrived here about seven weeks ago to recuperate from an automobile accident in which one of his business partners was killed in Minneapolis,…" So sad.
In 1915, Robert Wolley and his wife became caretakers at the hotel, and in 1916, Dow Rector added a cement porch and walkways to the property, and in 1922, Dow built a gasoline service station at the hotel site.
By the time the 1920 Census was taken, Sarah Rector, 78, was enjoying a much-deserved retirement. She was still living in the same place, son Dow and his family living close by, Dow driving a taxi for a living, hauling people and luggage to the homes of Lake Maxinkuckee's summer cottages.
On 23 Apr 1925, Sarah took her last breath and crossed into the light at age 81.
I found this little gem about Sarah's father. (The Culver Citizen – Wed 3 Apr 1935 p. 15) "…Also among the early settlers at Maxinkuckee was Moses Smith who came there from Fulton County in the 'fifties. He was born in Scotland and came to America when about seven years old. His wife's name before her marriage was Mary Cole. Moses Smith operated a potter shop at Maxinkuckee. It was up on the hill. The kiln stood for years, then fell to ruin. The old building, however, still stands to this day. The owner was a very industrious man. He hauled his clay for the pottery all the way from Ohio with an ox team. Moses and Mary Cole Smith had four children. One of them died from a rattlesnake bite. There was a son named Moses, and a daughter, Sarah Ann." I couldn't discover who the unlucky victim of the rattlesnake was, but it wasn't Sarah Ann. If I had to guess, I would say it was son William, as I could find no trace of him as an adult.
The 1850 Census placed the family in Richland Twp., Fulton Co., Indiana. Moses Smith, 49, was noted as a potter. Mary, 47, was home with their six children—Catharine, 17, Lovina, 14, William, 12, Esther, 9, Sarah, 7, and 2-year-old Moses.
A few observations from that 1850 record are that both Moses' and Mary's birthplaces are noted as New York, disputing that Moses was born in Scotland. The five oldest children have an Ohio birthplace noted, but son Moses has an Iowa birthplace noted, suggesting that the family spent time in Iowa between 1843 and 1848, and which might explain why Sarah and her future husband would eventually live there for a time.
Sadly, Sarah's mother appears to have died before the next decade's enumeration in 1860. Sarah's father Moses, 55, and Sarah's brother Moses Jr., 12, appeared together in 1860, living in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana, where Moses Sr. was again noted as a potter. Also noted again was a New York birthplace, not a birth in Scotland.
Sarah was not living with her father and brother in 1860. On 7 May 1859, she had married Lewis C. Rector. They would bring eight children into the world. I found names and dates for seven—Samuel C. (1859 – 21 Jun 1925); Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ellis (10 Dec 1861 – 5 Jul 1930, 1st m. Eben Cephas Ives in 1880, 2nd m. William A. Balk in 1890, 3rd m. George Garver in 1907); Lewis E. (21 Sep 1864 – 7 Sep 1914, m. Mary Alpharetta "Etta" Haynes); Nathan William (16 Apr 1866 – 20 Jan 1947, , m. Anna Elizabeth Miller); Ida M. (28 Feb 1868 – 3 Nov 1947, m. Frank Marion Parker); Minnie L. (28 Feb 1870 – 27 Sep 1896); and Dow Allen (15 Apr 1877 – 19 Jun 1930, 1st m. Matilda "Tillie" Worthington in 1898, 2nd m. Georgia Riggs in 1925).
Sarah and husband Lewis appeared together on the 1860 Census, living in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana. Lewis Rector, 22, was farming for a living. Sarah, 17, had 4-month-old son Samuel (Lena on the record) to cheer her days.
The spring after that enumeration, the Civil War erupted. Lewis Rector would answer the call. He served with Co. C of the 48th Indiana Infantry, reporting for duty on 18 Nov 1861 at Camp Ellis in Goshen, Indiana.
A month after Lewis went to war, Sarah gave birth to daughter Elizabeth two weeks before Christmas on 10 Dec 1861. Hopefully she had a midwife or doctor to assist in the birth of her second child and had more than a stick to bite during the delivery, almost certainly taking place at home. Elizabeth's middle name "Ellis" was a nod to where Lewis was stationed when she was born.
What follows is a regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 3. "This regiment [48th Indiana Infantry] was organized at Goshen in the fall of 1861, and was mustered in Jan. 28, 1862. It left for Fort Donelson on Feb. 1, arriving the day after the surrender. It moved to Paducah, thence to the Tennessee river, and participated in the siege of Corinth. After the evacuation the regiment was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, Army of the Mississippi, and took part in the pursuit of Price's forces. It was in the battle of Iuka, losing 116 in killed and wounded; was under Rosecrans in the second battle of Corinth in October; then moved to Oxford and back to Memphis, where in Jan., 1863, it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 7th division, 17th army corps. It moved to the rear of Vicksburg in March, participated in engagements at Forty Hills, Raymond, Jackson and Champion's hill, losing 33 killed and wounded in the last engagement. It was in the trenches before Vicksburg and took part in the assault of May 22, losing 38 in killed and wounded. It moved to Memphis in August, thence to Chattanooga and was engaged at Tunnel Hill. At Huntsville, Ala., it reenlisted as a veteran organization in Jan., 1864, and after enjoying a furlough, returned to Huntsville in March. It moved to Cartersville, Ga., in June, hunting guerrillas and protecting railroad communications, and then joined the army at Atlanta. It marched to Savannah with the 1st brigade, 3d division, 15th corps, then moved to Beaufort, S. C, participated in the campaign of the Carolinas to Raleigh, and after Johnston's surrender marched to Washington. It was then transferred to Louisville and mustered out July 15, 1865. While at Washington, the 48th received 250 recruits from the 12th, 83d, 97th, and 99th regiments, whose terms had not expired at the time of the muster out of these organizations, and these were discharged with the 48th. The original strength of the regiment was 991; gain by recruits, 603; reenlistments, 284; total, 1,878. Loss by death, 213; desertion, 96; unaccounted for, 199."
Lewis Rector was one of the lucky ones who was able to return home to his family at the end of the war. He rose through the ranks during the conflict, promoted from Private to Colonel and then to 1st Sergeant before being discharged with the remaining members of his regiment. During Lewis' furlough in Jan 1864 that was mentioned in the narrative, Sarah got pregnant with son Lewis, born on 21 Sep 1864. When Lewis got home in the summer of 1865, a joyful reunion with his wife resulted in another visit from the stork, who showed up with son Nathan on 16 Apr 1866.
The 1870 Census caught up with the Smith family in Center Twp., Starke Co., Indiana, which is the Knox area. Lewis Rector, 31, was supporting his family doing carpentry work. Sarah, 23, had her hands full tending to the household and their six children—Samuel (Simon on the record), 10, Elizabeth, 7, Lewis, 4, Nathan, 3, Ida (Ellis on the record), 2, and 2-month-old Minnie (Sarah on the record). A few scenarios present themselves: the enumerator was hard of hearing, Sarah did not enunciate well, 3-year-old Nathan relayed the information to the enumerator, someone was messing with the enumerator, unaware that their prank would throw off future generations of family researchers. Choose the option you like.
A few years after that census, Sarah and Lewis packed up the children, and whatever belongings they could carry with them, and moved to Iowa, where Dow joined the family in the spring of 1877. There was a seven-year gap between Ida's and Dow's births, which is likely when the unidentified eighth child came along. The 1880 Census placed the Smith family in Dahlonega Twp., Wapello Co., Iowa. Lewis Rector, 44, was working a new farm. Sarah, 36, was keeping house. Part of that equation included seven children—Samuel (Simon on the record), 20, Elizabeth, 18, Lewis, 16, Nathan, 14, Ida, 12, Minnie, 10, and 3-year-old Dow. Somebody in this family had trouble pronouncing Samuel, given that two different census enumerators heard Simon, and one Lena, instead of Samuel.
On 18 Jul 1883, Lewis filed for an invalid's pension. He died late the following year, the Argos Reflector newspaper mentioning his passing in December of 1884. Sarah filed for a widow's pension on 5 Feb 1885, which wouldn't be enough to live on, or support seven children on, but it would help.
Two days after Christmas, 27 Dec 1896, the Rector family suffered a terrible loss when daughter Minnie died at age 26.
Sarah became a widow at age 41. One way for a widow with children to support the family was to take in boarders. Sarah's endeavor was grander than that, and by 1898 she was the proprietor of the Rector House, located on the east side of Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Marshall Co., Indiana, built on the site owned by the Rector family. The newspaper ad that advertised her hotel was as follows: "RECTOR HOUSE, near Maxinkuckee Landing, Maxinkuckee, Indiana…Excellent Accommodations Within 'Stone's Throw' of Beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee. Plenty of Shade, a delightful spot to spend the Summer. Terms made known on application. SARAH A. RECTOR, Proprietress." Plat maps note Sarah's property on Lake Maxinkuckee's east shoreline.
When the 1900 Census enumerators began knocking on doors, Sarah Rector's door was in Union Twp., Marshall Co., Indiana. Sarah, widowed, 56, was noted as a hotel keeper. She reported that she had had eight children, but that only six had survived to that census. Living under her roof were son Dow, 22 and working as a drayman (i.e. hauler of goods), Dow's wife Tillie, and their daughter Helen, 1.
Sarah's son Dow opened up a livery stable about that time. "9 Aug 1901 – The Rector Hotel on the east side near Maxinkuckee landing, has a first class livery stable in connection. Terms reasonable."
"30 Mar 1905 – The Rector Hotel is being prepared for the summer. They already have several boarders." "6 Apr 1905 – Dow Rector has reopened his livery barn for the season and also announces to his patrons that the Rector House and livery will be open as usual this season."
When the 1910 Census came around, Sarah was still in the same place. She was 64 and again noted as the keeper of a boarding house. She again reported having had eight children, six still living. Son Dow's family was still with her, Dow, 31, noted as the owner of a livery.
On 8 Jun 1911, Sarah leased the Rector Hotel to Paul Kroesing and chef J.W. Reckert of Indianapolis for the summer. On 21 Sep 1911, Sarah took the operation of the hotel back under her purview.
The family was visited by tragedy a few years later. Sarah's son Lewis, who had suffered a head injury after an automobile accident, took his own life. "Mr. Rector went from the hotel to his mother's cottage and upon his appearance, in answer to her question, responded that he was 'feeling fine.' 'Breakfast is almost ready,' Mrs. Rector said, and her son replied, 'All right, I'll be ready.' He then passed into the bedroom, closing the door, sat up on the edge of the bed, placed the revolver to the right side of his head and fired the fatal shot. Neither Mrs. Rector nor Maria Norris, her assistant, heard the shot, and learned of the tragedy only when Mrs. Rector went into the room to summon her son to breakfast. Mr. Rector's act was undoubtedly due to an unbalanced mental condition which has been evident since he arrived here about seven weeks ago to recuperate from an automobile accident in which one of his business partners was killed in Minneapolis,…" So sad.
In 1915, Robert Wolley and his wife became caretakers at the hotel, and in 1916, Dow Rector added a cement porch and walkways to the property, and in 1922, Dow built a gasoline service station at the hotel site.
By the time the 1920 Census was taken, Sarah Rector, 78, was enjoying a much-deserved retirement. She was still living in the same place, son Dow and his family living close by, Dow driving a taxi for a living, hauling people and luggage to the homes of Lake Maxinkuckee's summer cottages.
On 23 Apr 1925, Sarah took her last breath and crossed into the light at age 81.
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