OBITUARY
Newport Hoosier State
Wednesday, February 17, 1892
The wife of John Shoemaker, who resided about 3 miles southwest of town, died on Tuesday afternoon of last week, from effects of childbirth. She was about 20 years of age, and leaves a husband and a babe 3 weeks old. Her remains were interred in the Thomas Cemetery one week ago today.
BIRTH YEAR GUESS
Clara's age at the time of her death was likely to be either 16 or 17, not "about 20 years" as stated in the newspaper notice above. That calculation is based on the following records:
- Jun 1 1880 Census ➜ age 4 = b. 1875-1876
- Mar 15 1891 marriage record ➜ "age 16 next birthday" = b. 1875-1876
- Feb 17 1892 obit ➜ "about 20 years" = b. 1871-1872
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BABY?
The 3-week-old baby mentioned in Clara's obituary would have been born in January 1892.
When husband John died in 1911, his obituaries stated that he had two surviving children:
- a daughter Laura, age 16 (his known child with his 2nd wife)
- a son George, age 19 in one obit, and age 9 in the other
A 19-year-old son would be a perfect match for a January 1892 birth; however, a birth record for a son "George D." born to John and his 2nd wife in 1899 exists. George D. would have been 12 years old at the time of his father's death, not age 9 as stated in the one obit.
Please contact this memorial's manager if you know what became of John & Clara's child born in 1892.
OBITUARY
Newport Hoosier State
Wednesday, February 17, 1892
The wife of John Shoemaker, who resided about 3 miles southwest of town, died on Tuesday afternoon of last week, from effects of childbirth. She was about 20 years of age, and leaves a husband and a babe 3 weeks old. Her remains were interred in the Thomas Cemetery one week ago today.
BIRTH YEAR GUESS
Clara's age at the time of her death was likely to be either 16 or 17, not "about 20 years" as stated in the newspaper notice above. That calculation is based on the following records:
- Jun 1 1880 Census ➜ age 4 = b. 1875-1876
- Mar 15 1891 marriage record ➜ "age 16 next birthday" = b. 1875-1876
- Feb 17 1892 obit ➜ "about 20 years" = b. 1871-1872
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BABY?
The 3-week-old baby mentioned in Clara's obituary would have been born in January 1892.
When husband John died in 1911, his obituaries stated that he had two surviving children:
- a daughter Laura, age 16 (his known child with his 2nd wife)
- a son George, age 19 in one obit, and age 9 in the other
A 19-year-old son would be a perfect match for a January 1892 birth; however, a birth record for a son "George D." born to John and his 2nd wife in 1899 exists. George D. would have been 12 years old at the time of his father's death, not age 9 as stated in the one obit.
Please contact this memorial's manager if you know what became of John & Clara's child born in 1892.
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