William H. Stone Atwell, part 1

One of three known photos to exist of William H.Stone Atwell.

My great grandfather was born with the name William Henry Stone on December 18, 1874 (or 1875), in Russell, Illinois and also known as William Henry Stone Atwell or Will.  For unknown reasons his birth was never registered until 1934 when he was about 60 years old and at that time Will along with his foster father James Atwell completed the necessary paperwork. (The Social Security Act was signed in August 1935. Was this the possible reason for registering his birth after so many years?)

 

1880 US Census for Grant County, Illinois.

A significant event occurred in his early years considering by 1880 William, aged 6, was living with the Atwell Family and neither of his biological parents. And this is where documents and family lore muddy the water. As you can see on the 1880 Census William is listed as 3 years old which is may incorrect, if we are to believe his birth certificate, he would be 6.  Errors like this on census records are not uncommon, however.  

W. H. Stone Atwell's birth record filed 1934.

All this time keep in mind his birth wasn't recorded until 60 years later and he or his foster father may have not ever known the exact year. Regardless, his biological parents were most likely Henry Stone and Harriet Parks.  I did find a marriage document for a Henry B. Stone and Harriet Parks for 16 April, 1874 in Kenosha, Wisconsin and can confidently place them together within months of my great grandfather's birth. Once again, interesting date, right?  This is a solid record, nevertheless, because at least it was filled out only ONE day after the marriage (not 60 years later) and by the two people who actually attended the event, the bride and groom, Will's parents.  The record also lists the parents of the bride and groom (another generation to add to the family tree!) Henry and Laura Stone and William and Esther Parks.

During an interview in 1987, Norman Atwell (Will's son), told me that his grandfather, Henry, died in a farm "plowing accident" and that his mother, Harriet, "married many times".  I haven't been able to confirm Henry's death with a record or obituary. In fact, the last document I have on Henry is the 1875 Wisconsin State Census for the Town of Bristol

Henry Stone, Esther Parks & Newell Parks all listed on 1875 Wisconsin State Census.

in Kenosha County.  Henry, Harriet and another male, presumably their first son Benjamin, as well as Harriet's mother and brother-in-law live within close proximity.  Harriet had her last child with Henry Stone on 14 September 1877 but listed her daughter's last name as "Parks", her maiden name, when registering the birth.  Evidently, the significant event I referred to above occurred between June 1875 and by September of 1877.  I'm skeptical of a plowing accident as I would see no reason to change the surname of the last baby due her husband's death unless you wanted to keep the birth a secret from him.

By June 1879, Harriet remarried a man named Christian Johnson and had 2 or 3 more children, all male, and there is evidence that her first child, Benjamin, was living in the household in 1900.  I have not located any records ever showing Will with his biological parents.

Just this week I have located some documents that could shed light on Henry Stone and hopefully will receive these in the next week.  To be continued ...........