Picking up where we left off last month, I have since received the awaited for documents (divorce records) regarding Henry Stone, Will's biological father. It does appear that Henry was indeed married and divorced previous to marrying Will's biological mother, Harriet. The timeline fits and looks like this:
29 December 1869:
Henry Stone marries Fanny M. Hollister
April 1871:
Henry and Fanny are no longer living together per divorce testimony
1872:
Henry has relocated to Kenosha (divorce testimony)
16 June 1873:
Henry and Fanny divorce
16 April 1874:
Henry marries Harriet Parks in Kenosha.
18 December 1874 or 1875:
William Henry Stone born to Henry and Harriet.
My great-grandfather, William, standing on the left, next to him are his sons Claude, my grandfather, Harry Atwell and either his daughter Joan or Marlene. Circa, 1932-1934. Location unknown.
The divorce records and testimony helped me to solidify a timeline that allowed the marriage between Henry and Harriet to be possible. Although the records were a great genealogy find, the testimony was only one-sided since Henry Stone could not be found and, not surprising, he is not portrayed well.
Racine Wagon & Carriage Company, circa 1890, courtesy of Chicago Public Library (link below).
Moving forward, William H. Stone was never formally adopted however he became the foster child of James and Lovina (Savage) Atwell of Lake County, Illinois and was living with them in 1880. The next record I have is his marriage to Helena Besack in 13 June 1902 at St. Rose Church in Racine, Wisconsin. Together they had 5 children; 4 sons and 1 daughter and I will go into more detail on both the marriage and children when I write about Helena.
Helena and Will with granddaughters Joan & Marlene Atwell at Round Lake.
He remained in Racine working for Racine Wagon & Carriage Company (see link below for history) and over the next 12 years held jobs as clerk, assembler and inspector. By 1930 Will is living and working in Chicagofor the Wabash Railway Company where he eventually retired.
Obituary from The Antioch News, May 18, 1944.for the Wabash Railway Company where he eventually retired.
After retirement, Will and Helena enjoyed their small lake cottage on Round Lake, Lake County, Illinois before his death in May, 1944.
There is certainly much more to learn about my great grandfather William H. Stone Atwell especially regarding his early life and the circumstances that bought him to live with the Atwell's. My search continues....
References/Credits
Racine Wagon & Carriage Company photo credit,
http://digital.chipublib.org/cdm/ref/collection/woop/id/47
For more information on Racine Wagon & Carriage Company
http://www.racinebusinesscenter.com/history-of-racine-business-center