Minerd.com Biography of Benjamin S. and Alora Ellen (Bush) Johnson of Greenfield, IN and San Benito, TX

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Allora Ellen (Bush) Johnson
(1853-1927)

Allora Ellen (Bush) Johnson -- also spelled "Alora" -- was born on Dec. 3, 1853 in Hancock County, IN, the daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Miner) Bush.

On March 16 or 25, 1876, at the age of 23, Allora married 24-year-old Benjamin S. "B.S." Johnson (Aug. 20, 1852-1939), son of William and Mary (Noel) Johnson, also of Greenfield.

They went on to bear a family of seven children -- Bernie L. Johnson, Flora "Myrtle" Freeman Greenway, Mary "Ethel" Johnson, Elizabeth F. Walsh, Martha Hunter, Nelle Bush Hinkly and Verna Lott.

Benjamin was a native of Greenfield. He considered the town's famed "Hoosier Poet" -- James Whitcomb Riley -- as one of his closest childhood friends. Riley was beloved for his usage of Hoosier dialect in his writings and the author of such works as "The Old Swimmin' Hole" and "Mongst the Hills of Somerset."

Benjamin's boyhood friend in Greenfield, the famed "Hoosier Poet"

In 1876, Benjamin bought a town lot in Greenfield, where they resided for many years. They purchased another town lot from Allora's mother in May 1890.

The federal census enumeration of 1880 shows the Johnsons living next door to Allora's parents on Main Street in Greenfield. Benjamin at age 27 earned a living that year working in a local flour mill. Benjamin continued in the milling business for decades, as shown in the U.S. Census of 1900.

When the census count again was made in 1910, Benjamin generated income through his work as an engineer at the local waterworks. Later that same year, after 34 years together in Greenfield, the Johnsons migrated to Texas, settling in San Benito, Cameron County. They resided there at 474 North Reagan Avenue. Daughters Martha Hunter, Nell Hinkly and Ethel Johnson also lived in San Benito, while daughter Myrtle lived in Weslaco, TX.

Benjamin worked for the Valley Box and Crate factory in San Benito. He was active with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the late 1930s helped to entertain northern tourists at the tourist headquarters facility in town.

Main Street of San Benito, Texas in the 1920s

Allora's widowed sister Mary Anderson came for an extended visit in the spring of 1913 and, upon her return home, was given a farewell party. Allora and daughter Ethel returned to Greenfield for a visit that fall.

She was a member of the Ladies Missionary Society, led Bible lessons and circa 1918 gave papers such as "The Humanitarian Law -- One Day of Rest in Seven." She also belonged to the Culture Club in town, supporting American Red Cross activity and presenting a 1917 paper, "South America's Modern Advancement."

Allora's widowed sister Mary moved into their dwelling-place in about 1926, and died there in 1938. Their brother, Civil War veteran Henry Bush, came to stay for a short while and died there in 1933. One of their cousins, Kate (Warner) Roberts, also resided in San Benito in the 1930s.

Sadness blanketed the family when Allora suffered a stroke and died at the age of 73 on Jan. 9, 1927. Word of her death was telegraphed to her sister-in-law Martha Wilson in Greenfield. Burial was in Mont Meta Cemetery.

Benjamin and daughter Esther are known to have been guests at the New Year's 1933 annual dinner of the Lateral T Club on the lawn of the home of A.R. Middleton in San Benito, "with the usual summer like weather prevailing," reported the Brownsville Herald.

Benjamin outlived his wife by more than a dozen years and maintained his dwelling-place at 474 North Reagan Street. He and daughter Verna Lott and grandson Benjamin "Noel" Walsh attended the annual Johnson Reunion in 1929, held at the home of Mary E. Hayes south of Anderson, IN.

In the early weeks of 1939, the Valley Morning Star reported that a Brazilian Pepper tree stood in Benjamin's front yard, three years in age, and measuring 18 feet in height and 25 feet in width. The tree was "covered with very small red pappers, makes a very pretty sight to behold [and] resembles holly very closely and its branches are equally effective for decorating."

He remained active well into his 80s, playing in a shuffleboard tournament in February 1939, with a dinner held at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. At his 88th birthday, in August 1939, the daughters held a garden party at his home. A related story in the Herald said that "Fellow members of the I.O.O.F. Lodge and neighbors called during the late afternoon for the informal reception. Miss Helen Hinkly, a granddaughter, assisted in serving iced watermelon. Throughout the day Mr. Johnson received numerous gifts, telegrams and messages of congratulations from friends throughout the Valley and the nation."

Sadly, just a few days after the 87th birthday part, he contracted pneumonia and died at home on Aug. 24, 1939. The Herald called him a "Valley pioneer" and noted his childhood friendship with the poet Riley. The obituary noted that he was "Beloved by the winter tourists here" and "delighted in entertaining them and telling the northerners of the Valley's charms." With the funeral led by Rev. L.J. Rode, of the First Methodist Church, interment was in Mont Mesa Cemetery. Pallbearers were Asa S. Agar, W.B. Haines. E. Frost Bohner, Ralph Agar, Henry H. Hagedorm and Charles Wunderman.

~ Daughter Bernie L. Johnson ~

Daughter Bernie L. Johnson (1877- ? ) was born in about 1877 in or near Greenfield, IN. At the age of three, she lived with her parents in Greenfield, as shown in the 1880 federal census enumeration.

Bernie's fate after that is not known.

~ Daughter Flora "Myrtle" (Johnson) Freeman Greenway ~

Daughter Flora "Myrtle" Johnson (1878-1951) was born on May 26, 1878 in Greenfield, IN.

On May 26, 1897, in Union County, IN, she first entered into marriage with Wilbur L. "W.L." Freeman (Oct. 1867- ? ). He was at least 10 years older than his bride.

They were the parents of Donald Johnson Freeman and Robert Willis Freeman.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1900, the family lived in Center Township, Union County, where Wilbur taught school in Liberty. Within a few years, he landed a more lucrative position in the U.S. Post Office in Greenfield. He spent a year in Greenfield and then, after achieving the highest grade in examinations, was transferred to the post office in Indianapolis.

Flora was a talented musical vocalist and joined a choir in Indianapolis. In April 1905, after giving a concert at the Bradley Methodist Episcopal Church, the Hancock Democrat sang her praises, saying "Mrs. Freeman has a voice of rare promise and after another year at the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music will go to Germany to complete her studies."

The Freemans were attracted by the milder weather climate available in south Texas and in August 1907 traveled to Brownsville with the intent of "viewing the situation with the idea of locating here," reported the Brownsville Herald. Back in the area that fall, Wilbur purchased acreage in San Benito on Nov. 1. Four days later, he advertisied residence lots and business sites in San Benito in addition to 40 acres, less than a mile from Harlingen, "all level ground," said the Herald. "A bargain if taken at once." While Myrtle and son Donald stayed with Capt. and Mrs. Wilson at Fort Brown, Wilbur then traveled to San Benito in December to begin building a house.

They are known to have traveled with Myrtle's father and sister to Brownsville again in November 1908, traveling by rail and staying for a few days at the Rio Grande Hotel. Quickly they joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, with both taking leadership roles in the governing body and ladies aid society. In August 1909, they took an overnight trip into Mexico, exploring the town of Matamoros during the day and listening to a concert in the plaza that evening.

Having put down roots in San Benito, the Freemans returned to Indiana for occasional visits. The Greenfield Republican stated on July 21, 1910 that "Mrs. W.L. Freeman and son, Donald, and sister Miss Nelle Johnson will go to Indianapolis tomorrow where they will visit Mrs. Frank Caldwell and Mrs. A.B. Mitchell. A party will be given in the honor of Mrs. Freeman at the Riverside Park Friday afternoon, to all the San Benito, (Tex.) people visiting Indianapolis. Mrs. Freeman, her son and her sisteer will spend Sunday with her uncle, William Johnson." A gossip column item in the Richmond (IN) Item in June 1915 said that Myrtle and her two sons from San Benito were back in Indiana, visiting with Mary Bond.

In 1910, the U.S. Census shows that family near San Benito in Cameron County, TX, with Wilbur generating income as a farmer. Myrtle's single sister Ethel Johnson, age 23, resided under their roof that year and worked as a bookkeeper for a bank. Wilbur penned a long letter to the editor of the Greenfield Republican, published on June 12, 1913:

To step into Matamoras five years ago was like being transported to lands of the Far East in ages gone by. The old adobe buildings with windows barred in the old Spanish custom, the narrow streets and donkey carts were strange to American eyes. But the great material advance made by the Texas side of the Rio Grande Delta; the great influx of Northern energy and capital to this region has brought much of modern methods of life and its influence has been felt across the Rio Grande. The sleepy old city of Matamoras has stirred itself a little, and the Senoritas now promenade the plaza beneath electric lights, and the motor car has displaced the mule car on the street railway. When the rule of President Diaz was finally ended and Francisco Madero became president, the military garrison at Matamoras, without resistance, gave allegiance to the Madero rule. Following the death of Madero (evidently by assassination) the Matamoras garrison surrendered to the demands of the Huerta government. The mayor and all other civil officers were deposed and others in sympathy with the Huerta regime, put in their stead. The better element in Mexico never recognized Huerta as the president, and this crystallized into a body or party known as Constitutionalists. These have been making much trouble for the Huerta government in various parts of Mexico. About 1,200 of the Constitutionalists or Rebels under Gen. Blanco advanced on Matamoras. Real fighting began about 3 p.m. Tuesday. All the streets were barricaded and the men fought from the tops of buildings and from inside the brick houses. The old "bullring" was burned, and a few houses destroyed by dynamite, but the main part of the city was uninjured but about 80 were killed, and a few taken prisoners. Six of the Federals were executed for using a white flag to draw the others into a trap. Many of the Federals fled to the American side of the river where they were disarmed by the United States Troops.

Wilbur accepted a nomination in August 1912 for the position of Cameron County superintendent of schools in Brownsville, replacing Dr. Wortman. In 1913, he won an honorable mention in a strawberry competition at the spring meeting of the Rio Grande Horticultural Society.

Myrtle joined the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs. She attended the Federation's 1916 convention of the 5th District and, said the Houston Post, "reported delegates registered from forty-six clubs." With her mother and sister Ethel, she also held a membership in the Women's Club of San Benito and in May 1917 hosted a "Guest Day" cooperative picnic at their home. Continuing her musical interests, she performed at Fort Brown in June 1918 to entertain soldiers and local civilians.

By 1919, news reports show the Freemans as living in Corpus Christi, where their elder son was in military training. She is known to have dwelled in San Antonio in 1920.

Then the record goes silent for the next nine years, and during that time, the couple is believed to have separated and eventually divorced. Wilbur appears in a newspaper article in September 1929, as operator of Freeman's Hatchery, and sponsoring a poultry meeting at the fairgrounds in Harlingen. When the 1930 federal census enumeration was made, Myrtle and son Robert were in San Benito, with her operating a cafe and claiming to the census-taker that she was widowed, while Wilbur rented a room at the Madison Hotel in Harlingen and was employed as manager of a chicken hatchery. In September 1930, he moved from San Antonio to McAllen "to take up his duties as new manager of the Edelstein's branch," said the Herald.

As of August 1931, Myrtle was living at Stuart Place in Harlingen and hosting a meeting of the Harlingen Women's Christian Temperance Union. She remained with the WCTU until she resigned in February 1933. In 1934, she was volunteering her time with the South Harlingen Home Demonstration Club and the Woman's Chamber of Commerce.

On Nov. 26, 1932, in Brownsville, Myrtle at age 46 tied the knot with her second spouse, Grant William "G.W." Greenway (Dec. 1, 1872-1938), a native of Georgia. Rev. W.B. Oliver officiated.

Grant brought two stepdaughters into the union -- Nell Fleming and Mabel Buck. Grant was a longtime vegetable grower in Wolf City, TX and then in Weslaco, Hidalgo County, TX after a move circa 1924.

Ex-husband Wilbur remarried to Lena M. (1881- ? ). In 1935, they moved to nearby Edinburg, staying a year. Lena threw a surprise birthday dinner party for her husband at their home north of Edinburg in October 1935. The Valley (TX) Morning Star noted in May 1936 that Wilbur had "returned and taken over the management of the Palm Drive Service Station and Grocery." He made news again in September 1937 when he broke both wrists in a fall from the roof of their residence and was treated in the Medical Arts Clinic in Harlingen.

Wilbur and his new wife were Republican in their politics. Both were quoted in a Morning Star story in July 1939 as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt contemplated a run for re-election for an unprecedented third time. she said that "I didn't vote for Roosevelt the first time and certainly I wouldn't for the third term," while Wilbur quipped "I never have been for Roosevelt and this is no time to quit." In the ensuing election in November 1940, FDR crushed businessman Wendell Willkie, receiving 54.7 percent of the popular vote. The 1940 U.S. Census shows the Freemans in Harlingen, with them now owning a grocery. By 1950, they were living in the Palm Gardens Trailer courts, perhaps also known as Fair Park Trailer Courts, where they managed a grocery. Wilbur died at home in Harlingen at the age of 84 on July 18, 1951. His obituary in the McAllen Monitor failed to mention his sons, and said that his survivors were his widow, sister Mrs. O.L. Chance, and brothers Alfred Bond and Leland Bond. Rev. Don Redmond, of the First Methodost Church, led the funeral service, with burial in Mont Meta Cemetery.

Weslaco, Texas, Myrtle's home, 1938 - Courtesy Lantz Hupp Ullom Collection

Circa 1938, the Greenways dwelled in Weslaco at the address of Mile 6 West, Mile 7½ North. She was named in the Brownsville (TX) Herald obituary of her aunt, Mary (Bush) Anderson.

Sadly, Grant was burdened with "myocarditis" (heart disease) and died at the age of 65 on June 9, 1938. Rev. Archie Reed of the Presbyterian Church conducted the funeral in the Greenway home. Burial was in Weslaco, with an obituary appearing in the Harlingen Valley Morning Star. At that time, stepdaughters Nell lived in Dallas and Mabel in Los Indios, TX.

Then in 1940, now residing in New York, Myrtle made news in the Herald when visiting her sisters in San Benito, with plans to go to Austin to see another sister Nelle Hinkly, and then to spend Christmas with her married son Robert at Marshall Ford Dam. As of November 1943, Myrtle's address was 2220 San Gabriel in Austin, TX.

In 1944, she was named manager and dietician for the Georgian Tea Room at the Federated Women's Club in Austin, and told an Austin American reporter that World War II food rationing "has taught people how to make the less expensive cuts of meat into attractive, palatable servings. She points out the returning soldiers will demand better cooked food and that even well balanced meals can be ruined by poor cooking." She was so vital to the operation that when she went away on a two-week vacation in August 1945, the club closed entirely, and upon her return re-opened for regularly scheduled, twice-a-week luncheons for members on Wednesdays and Thursdays. She also held a membership in the Texas Fine Arts Association.

Myrtle is known to have spent six months visiting her son Robert and family in San Jose, CA in 1949.

Her final employment was as housemother of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity in Austin, located at 710 West 24½ Street. She was active in the Harmony Club in Austin, where she played piano and sang solos, and attended a meeting just a few weeks prior to her death.

Myrtle passed away from heart problems at the age of 72 on April 29, 1951. Rev. G.A. Schultze led the funeral services. Interment of the remains was in Mont Meta Cemetery. Obituaries appeared in the Harlingen Valley Morning Star and Austin American Statesman.

Son Donald Johnson Freeman (1899-1984) was born on May 21, 1899 in Greenfield, IN and grew up in Texas. He was a 1917 graduate of San Benito High School, where he received training at the Paul Jones Military School. He then enrolled in the naval reserve at Corpus Christi. From there he trained at Camp Dewey in Connecticut. Circa 1919, he was stationed at Fort Sill, OK. He first married Ruth (1905- ? ). They were in Honolulu in 1935-1939 and in 1940 dwelled in LaMesa, San Diego County, CA, where he earned a living as an instructor at a naval aviation school. Circa 1943, his name appears in a Select Military Register as a chief machinist, having joined the Armed Forces on June 15, 1943. He retired from the Navy in August 1949. Clues hint that Donald later was joined in wedlock with Evelyn J. (1907-1985), a native of Pennsylvania and the daughteer of Lottie Jackson. The pair is not known to have reproduced. They resided in New Jersey in 1950-1951, in Moorestown, with him having no occupation and she working as a sales lady in a department store. They appear to have moved to Wyncote, PA and thence to Bryn Mawr, PA, where he died on Aug. 13, 1984. Evelyn followed him to the grave a year later on Sept. 18, 1985. Their remains are at rest in West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, PA.

Mansfield Dam, Marshall Ford, TX, which Robert Freeman helped build

Son Robert Willis Freeman (1911-1988) was born on Sept. 18, 1911. At the age of 18, in 1930, he dwelled with his divorced mother in San Benito. In adulthood he stood 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighed 140 lbs. Robert obtained employment in young manhood as an engineer with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. On March 27, 1937, he wed Shirley McGill ( ? - ? ), daughter of Ida McGill of Austin, TX. The ceremony was held in the parlors of the First Baptist Church in Austin, by the hand of Rev. S.G. Posey. The marriage was announced in the Austin American-Statesman. Robert and Shirley do not appear to have reproduced. At the time of their nuptials, Shirley earned a living in the bridge division of the Texas Highway Department. As of 1939, he was on the Buchanan Dam project site in Llano County, TX. Then in 1940-1941, the Freemans made their home in a government camp at Marshall Ford, TX. There, he worked as a government inspector on construction of the 7,000-foot long Marshall Ford Dam, today known as the Mansfield Dam, spanning a canyon along the Colorado River, 13 miles northwest of Austin. The dam was a project jointly sponsored by the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Bureau of Reclamation, funded in part by the U.S. Public Works Administration. They relocated in late 1941 to Redding, CA, where Robert was employed as a surveyor with the American Bureau of Shipping in Palo Alto. Shirley helped to launch a merchant ship at its completion in the fall of 1943, during World War II. As of 1949, when Robert's mother came for a six-month visit, they resided in San Jose, CA. The United States Census of 1950 shows the pair in San Jose, with him working in sales engineering for a cement business. Sadly, Robert died in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County on April 26, 1988.

~ Daughter Mary "Ethel" Johnson ~

Daughter Ethel Johnson (1880-1960) was born on Aug. 20, 1880 in Greenfield, IN.

She never married. Ethel was employed in 1900, at the age of 19, as a sales lady in Greenfield. Then in 1910, now age 29, she was a bookkeeper in a Greenfield bank.

After moving to Texas later in 1910, she lived with her married sister Myrtle Freeman near San Benito in Cameron County and earned a living as a bank bookkeeper.

She attended a normal school in Corpus Christi during the summer of 1917 to prepare for a career as an educator. Ethel went on to teach school in San Benito for years. She took a class in methods of psychology in the summer of 1927 at the Indiana State Teachers College at Muncie. She also took summer classes in 1930 at Sul Ross College in Alpine, TX.

Ethel and her father and aunt Mary Anderson spent the summer of 1931 with her sister Verna Lott in Windfall, IN.

She is known to have spent Christmas 1941 at the residence of her married sisteer Martha Hunter in San Benito, TX. In the summer of 1957 she dwelled in Crystal City, TX, and with her sister Nelle took a seven-week vacation to North Carolina, Washington DC, New York and Boston. She and her sister Martha shared a home as of 1958 and hosted a visit from their nephew Robert W. Freeman and family.

As had her mother, Ethel belonged to the Woman's Culture Club of San Benito.

For years, she bore hardening of the arteries. After suffering a stroke, she was admitted to Dimmit Memorial Hospital in Carrizo Springs, TX. AFter her kidneys ceased to function, she died on Aug. 14, 1960, just six days shy of her 80th birthday. The remains were laid to rest in San Benito Cemetery.

~ Daughter Elizabeth (Johnson) Walsh ~

Daughter Elizabeth Johnson (1882-1923) was born on Feb. 16, 1882 in Greenfield, IN.

In 1905, at the age of 22, she wed Greenfield native Leo Richard Walsh (Dec. 25, 1887-1952), son of John and Rose Walsh.

The pair's only son was Benjamin "Noel" Walsh.

They initially lived in Greenfield, with Leo making a living as a chain-maker circa 1908. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1920, the Walshes resided in Cleveland, OH, with Leo's occupation shown as "chain-maker foundry." Their address in 1920 was 8808 Miles Park Avenue.

At the age of 40, having undergone surgery, followed by a cerebral hemorrhage, Elizabeth died in Cleveland on Feb. 24, 1923. Interment of the remains was in the city's Lake View Cemetery.

Son Benjamin "Noel" Walsh (1908-1952) was born on Aug. 20, 1908 in Greenfield. As a youth, as shown in the 1920 census, he lived in Cleveland. In 1917, and again in 1928, he is known to have spent the Christmas holidays at the Windfall, IN home of his aunt and uncle, Verna and Frederick Lott. In 1923, he was in Windfall, and then in 1928-1929 in Cleveland. By June of 1929, he had moved to Anderson, IN and continued to pay weekend visits to the Lotts throughout the summer and fall. Circa April 1930, he was engaged to marry 20-year-old Irene Frances Singleton of Anderson, a stenographer and bookkeeper at the local factory of Delco-Remy Company. Tragically, she was stricken with a pulmonary embolism and, after suffering for three months, died on April 23, 1930, with burial in Cleveland. Noel attended the funeral service and burial in Ohio and then returned to Indiana and stayed with the Lotts for several weeks. By 1931, he moved to Dayton, IN, and then by August 1933 had moved into the Lott residence. At his 25th birthday, in 1933, his aunt Verna Lott threw him a "prettily appointed dinner party," reported the Tipton Daily Tribune. After more than four years of grieving, Noel was joined in the rite of matrimony on Nov. 15, 1934 with Mary Madonna "Donna" Riegel (July 22, 1914-2016), daughter of Edard and Rose (Wardwell) Riegle of Elwood, IN. Their wedding ceremony was held in the Reigle home, by the hand of Rev. Harper McCune, and announced in the Anderson Herald. Her wedding ensemble consisted of brown crepe with accessories, and she carried Johanna Hill roses. Donna was a 1933 graduate of Elwood High School. The pair dwelled on a farm about four miles southeast of Windfall. Three offspring of the couple were Richard Edward Walsh, William Earl Walsh and Elizabeth Ann DeLong. At the birth of their elder son, on Valentine's Day 1938, their "happy anticipation... was turned to bereaement ... [when] their first child was born dead at the Mercy hospital at Elwood," reported the Tipton Daily Tribune. The little infant's remains were laid to rest in Elwood Cemetery. The Walshes remained in Windfall for the balance of their lives together. In May 1942, they purchased an 80-acre farm in the northwest corner of Wildcat Township from seller Maurice E. Dean. They obtained financing for their acquisition through the Farm Security Administration's tenant purchase program legislated into being by the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act. When FSA officials toured the area on Aug. 16, 1944, and again in August 1946, the Walshes opened their farm for a tour. They were recognized by the FSA in February 1945 for having repaid $1,000 or more on their farm indebtedness in the previous year. The family belonged to the Curtisville Christian Church, and Noel to the Lions Club of Windfall. Worry blanketed the family when Noel was diagnosed with heart valve disease and an enlarged heart in about 1950. After enduring the illnesses for two years, he contracted bronchial asthma and died suddenly at home at the age of 43 on Aug. 3, 1952. The cause of death was determined to be acute cardiac failure. Interment of the remains was in Elwood City Cemetery, with funeral rites co-officiated in the family church by Rev. Robert Fuller and Rev. Joseph Gift. Obituaries were published in the Daily Tribune, Kokomo Tribune and Anderson Daily Bulletin. Madonna outlived her first spouse by more than 60 years. In 1955, she wed again to widower John Max Petro (Oct. 7, 1910- 1971), son of Clair and Emma Petro of Swayzee, IN. John brought three stepchildren into the union -- Jay Petro, Max Petro and Annabelle Kaiser. He was a farmer and a member of the St. John Lutheran Church of Elwood and the board of directors of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. She was again rendered a widow with John's death at the age of 61 on Nov. 24, 1971. His obituary appeared in the Tribune. Madonna was active in the early 1980s wth the Curtisville Ladies Aid Society, with her name often printed in local newspaper stories about their meetings. She married once more in 1984 to Ralph S. Jack (1917-2001). Said an obituary, "Madonna had many hobbies including photography, dancing, working in her yard, and vegetable gardening. She was an excellent cook, enjoyed sewing, and was an avid Indiana Pacers basketball fan. Madonna was also very devoted to attending her grandchildren’s sporting events." Her final years were spent in northern Indiana to be near to her daughter. She reached her 100th birthday in 2014 and was pictured in a feature story in the Elwood Call-Leader. Her final years were spent in Winamac, Pulaski County, IN. Death swept her away at the age of 101 on June 18, 2016. Presiding at her funeral service were Pastor David Marty and Harold Twellman.

Grandson William Earl Walsh (1940-2016) was born on April 23, 1940 in Mercy Hospital in Elwood, IN. He grew up on the family farm near Windfall and began working on the farm at the age of 12. He was an alumnus of Swayzee High School. On Aug. 19, 1977, William was joined in wedlock with Karen Sue (Jenness) Stover (Aug. 8, 1942-2022), with their nuptials taking place in Windfall. She was a native of Logansport, IN and the daughter of Arlie Frederick "Bub" and Katherine "Kate" (Dunbar) Jenness. Karen brought two stepdaughters to the union, Donna Roby and Lisa Yohler. For many years, he was employed as a security guard by Argosy Casino. William gave of his time with the Wildcat Volunteer Fire Department. As time allowed, he liked to fish, hunt, and follow the fortunes of the Indiana University basketball team, Indianapolis Colts football team and NASCAR race driver Tony Stewart. At the age of 76, he passed away in Kokomo on May 12, 2016. His remains sleep for all time in Brookside Cemetery in Windfall. Karen lived for another six-plus years in Kokomo. Said the Tipton County Tribune, she "was Trustee Assessor for Wildcat Township (Town of Windfall) for many years. She was instrumental in the completion with the new Community Building and Fire Station. She enjoyed BINGO, watching The Big Bang Theory, the Indianapolis Colts, and going to the Casino." She surrendered to the angel of death at the age of 78 on July 23, 2022.

Step-great-granddaughter Donna Stover married Joel Roby and settled in Kokomo.

Step-great-granddaughter Lisa Stover ( ? - ? ) was an alumna of Tri-Central High School. In young womanhood, she was employed in the corporate office of Reliable Drug Stores of Indianapolis. She wed Brian Yohler ( ? - ? ), son of Doug and Inez Yohler of Indianapolis, and an alumnus of Southport High School. At the time of marriage, he worked for Blue Cross of Indiana. They put down roots in Indianapolis.
Granddaughter Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Walsh (1945- ? ) was born on June 3, 1945. She was a 1963 graduate of Swayzee High School. On June 9, 1963, six days after 18th birthday, she wed 20-year-old James Michael DeLong (Aug. 9, 1942-1995), son of Russell and Floy M. (Davis) DeLong of Marion, IN. The wedding was conducted in the Curtisville Christian Church, presided by Rev. Lowell Bain. The marriage was announced on the pages of the Elwood Call-Leader, which noted that the bride "wore a gown of nylon organza over tulle and taffeta. The scalloped Sabrina neckline was accented by the re-embroidered Alencon lace. The lacee also finished the botton of the long sleeves [and her] elbow length veil of silk English illusion fell from a crown of pearls and multi-colored sequins." James was a 1960 graduate of Windfall High School. Together, the couple produced three children -- Michelle Renee Twellman, Michael Noel DeLong and Bartholomew "Bart" DeLong. The DeLongs dwelled for years in Atlanta, Hamilton County, IN. James for 31 years worked as an electrician for Delco Remy America in Anderson. Later, he founded his own business, DeLong Electric of Elwood. The family belonged to the Curtisville Christian Church, and James held a membership in Local 441 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Rifle Association. They marked their silver wedding anniversary in 1988. Sadly, at the age of 53, James died on Aug. 28, 1995 in Community Hospital in Anderson. Burial was in Knox Chapel Cemetery, with obituaries appearing in the Tipton County Tribune and Indianapolis Star. At the death of her mother in 2016, the widowed Elizabeth lived in Winamac, IN.

Great-granddaughter Michelle Renee DeLong (1964- ? ) was born in 1964 and grew up in Atlanta, IN. She was a 1983 graduate of Hamilton Heights High School. On Aug. 22, 1986, in nuptials held in the Curtisville Christian Church, Michelle wed fellow college student Harold Charles Twellman III ( ? - ? ), son of Harold Charles Twellman Jr. of Florissant, MI. Co-officiating their wedding rites were Rev. John Dorney and Rev. John Dunn. In May 1988, she graduated from Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, TN, with a bachelor of science degree and double major in music and the Bible. At the time of marriage, Harold was intending to pursue a career in Christian ministry. Their first residence was in Knoxville. Her home in 1995 was in Elwood, IN and in 2006 in Winamac, IN. Today she is believed to be employed as an emergency room admissions clerk at Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

Great-grandson Michael Noel DeLong (1969- ? ) was born in 1969. On May 26, 1990, he entered into marriage with Valerie K. Patterson (March 21, 1964-1999). Two offspring of this union were James Michael DeLong and Jasmine Michelle DeLong. The family dwelled in Elwood, IN in the mid-1990s. They were plunged into heartache when Valerie suffered several heart attacks at Christmas 1998. Her name was added to a waiting list for a new heart, and miraculously one became available in a short time. She underwent transplant surgery at Indianapolis' St. Vincent Hospital on Feb. 16, 1999. The community of local businesses, schools, organizations and families rallied around her and provided support to the family in the form of donations. While she appeared to be improving the following month, including walking without a walker, Valerie underwent cardiac arrest on March 30, was placed on a ventilator and then kidney dialysis. Sadly, facing just too many complications, she passed away on April 7, 1999 at the age of 35. Her remains were lowered under the sod of Knox Chapel Cemetery in Green Township, Grant County. The news was made public in the Tipton County Tribune. Michael was quoted in the Elwood Call-Leader, saying he was grateful for his children, "because they are what keep me going. I look at them and see her." The Dickey Nursing Home hosted a fundraiser on May 15, 1999 to raise additional support for the family, including a bake sale and raffle. Michael made his dwelling-place in 2006 in Elwood.

Great-grandson Bartholomew "Bart" DeLong (1972- ? ) was born in 1972. He tied the knot with Michelle. They put down roots in Atlanta, IN and then by 2006 relocated to Noblesville, IN. Circa 2010-2023, he is believed to have been executive chef and kitchen manager at the Sagamore Golf Club in Noblesville. His and Michelle's chili won first prize in a 2010 chili cookoff competition, with him disclosing in the Anderson Herald Bulletin that he used brined pork long and many different spices in the recipe.

~ Daughter Verna L. (Johnson) Lott ~

Daughter Verna L. Johnson (1877- 1950) was born on Oct. 27, 1877 in Greenfield.

She remained behind in Indiana when her parents moved to Texas.

On Jan. 16 or 17, 1907, Verna entered into marriage with widower Frederick "Fred" Lott (Feb. 8, 1874-1963), son of Henry and Catherine (Guire) Lott of Napoleon, IN. The wedding ceremony was held in their home in Arcadia, Hamilton County, IN. News of their marriage license and/or wedding was printed in the Greenfield Hancock Democrat and Noblesville Enterprise. His first wife, Anna E. (1872-1903), had died several years earlier, in July 1903, "of exhaustion resulting from confinement," said the Noblesville Hamilton County Ledger, and was buried with their baby in Greensburg, IN..

The pair did not reproduce but were very close with a nephew, Benjamin Noel Walsh of Cleveland, OH, who often stayed at their home on vacations or resided with them outright at times.

They dwelled in Windfall, Tipton County, IN in 1918-1939. At the first of the year in 1918, and again the winter of 1925, she is known to have traveled to San Benito to see her parents and sisters. The Lotts hosted a summer-long visit from her father, sister Ethel and aunt Mary Anderson in 1931.

Verna died on April 14, 1950 in their residence in Windfall. Her body was brought to Greenfield for burial in the lot of her Bush family aunts, uncles and grandparents at Park Cemetery. Her hometown newspaper, the Greenfield Hancock Democrat, printed a short death notice.

Fred outlived his second bride by a baker's dozen years and married again in 1953 to Irene Weaver of Windfall. He held a membership in the Noblesville lodge of the Eagles.

He was ill for the last eight years of his life. As a patient in Tipton County Hospital, he succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 89 on July 11, 1963. Rev. Kenneth Fahl preached the funeral sermon. Burial was next to his first wife and parents in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Napoleon, IN. The Elwood Call-Leader and Tipton Daily Tribune published obituaries.

~ Daughter Martha (Johnson) Hunter ~

Daughter Martha Johnson (1885-1972) was born on Oct. 10, 1885 in Greenfield, IN.

She was employed in 1910, at the age of 23, as a stenographer in an office in Greenfield.

When she was 27 years of age, on Oct. 31, 1914, Martha was joined in wedlock with Joseph "Joe" Hunter (June 30, 1872-1952), a Detroit native and the son of H. and Florence (Marshall) Hunter. They tied the knot in Knox County, IN. He had no middle name.

The pair did not reproduce.

The Hunters dwelled in Tennessee in 1920 -- in Houston, TX in 1931 -- in Harlingen and Brownsville, TX -- and then in the early 1930s relocated for good to San Benito, Cameron County. Joseph was a longtime insurance and bond salesman. He was a 33rd degree Mason and a member of the Mahi Shrine Temple and Scottish Rite lodge.

At Christmas 1941, just a few weeks after the nation was plunged into World War II, Martha and Joe hosted Christmas dinner for her sisters Ethel Johnson and Myrtle Greenway. The pair migrated to Beaumont, TX in about 1950 with an address of 1155 Avenue C.

Sadly, Joseph began to experience senility in about 1947 and bore the debility for the final five years of his life. Then in early 1952 he contracted hardening of the cerebral arteries and in the spring of the year was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth. At the age of 80, he was cleaved away by the angel of death on Aug. 22, 1952. An obituary in the Brownsville Herald said he had been "a Valley resident for some 24 years..." and that in addition to Martha, he was survived by his sister Mrs. George A. Roy of Detroit. His fellow members from the Masons conducted a graveside service at Mont Meta Cemetery.

As a widow, Martha made her home in her parents' former residence at 474 North Reagan in San Benito. She is known to have made visits to her old home in Indiana over the ensuing years.

Martha was stricken by cancer of the sigmoid leading to a colon obstruction at the age of 86 and admitted to Valley Baptist Hospital in Harlingen, Cameron County, TX. There, she surrendered to the angel of death on May 13, 1972. Her remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Mont Meta Cemetery.

~ Daughter Nelle Bush (Johnson) Hinkly ~

Daughter Nelle Bush Johnson (1890- ? ) was born in Dec. 1890 in Greenfield, IN.

Nellie in young womanhood was a school teacher in Greenfield in 1910. That year, she relocated to near San Benito, Cameron County, TX with her married sister Myrtle Freeman and family.

In early 1911, she entered into marriage with William Benjamin "W.B." Hinkly (Oct. 24, 1884-1939), son of R.B. and Mary (Harrington) Hinkly of LaVerne, MN. Rev. W.H. Morrison presided with guests numbering about 40. Sister Myrtle sang "Ah, Come, My Love," followed by Mendelssohn's traditional wedding march. The San Benito (TX) Light announced the union in a story reprinted in the Hancock (IN) Democrat.

A notable function in the social affairs of San Benito was the marriage of Miss Nelle Johnson to Mr. W.B. Hinkly, both of this ciity, which event was eneacted at the home of the bride's parents... Miss Johnson, now Mrs. Hinkly, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.S. Johnson, who recently moved to this city from Indiana, and has been prominent in social affairs of San Benito For the past two seasons she has taught in the local schools and in this connection has formed many ties of friendship here. Mr. Hinkly, the groom, is the popular young cashier of the San Benito Bank & Trust Co., and is well and favorably known to poractically every person in San Benito. He has been active in business affairs of the city and is affiliated with various enterprises here... Miss Johnson was very prettily gowned in French chiffon, with lace, and carried in her arms a beautiful bouquet of bridal roses and palms. The groom was dressed in a handsome but conventional black suit. Decorations of peach blossoms and ferns predominated in the parlors, while an attractive bower of white wisteria and green feerns was improvised in a corner of one parlor where the ceremony was performed... With the happy consummation of their cherished bows Mr. and Mrs. Hinkly carry with them the best wishes of The Light for a long and prosperous married life.

Three known children of this union were Helen Elizabeth Lake, Mary Ellen Ceyanes Wagner and William Benjamin "Bennie" Hinkly Jr.

Their residence in 1938 was in San Benito. William managed Aztec Roof, assisted by their son.

The family was plunged into grief when son Bennie was killed in an automobile accident in August 1934. In his obituary, the Brownsville Herald said that "His parents are among the earliest settlers in this section."

William, at the age of 55, suffered a ruptured appendix and died from an infection of peritonitis in Brownsville on Nov. 15, 1939. Harry J. Hinkly of Corpus Christi was the informant for the official Texas certificate of death.

In the autumn of 1940, the widowed Nelle relocated to Austin, TX. She also lived in San Antonio at times in the early 1940s. In August 1955, in company with her sister Ethel, she traveled from her home in Crystal City, TX to Indiana to visit with sister Verna Lott and widowed niece-by-marriage Madonna Walsh.

Son William Benjamin "Bennie/Benny" Hinkly Jr. (1913-1934) was born on Sept. 16, 1913 in San Benito. He was a 1930 graduate of San Benito High School, where he served as class president. In his honor, a dinner was given at the Aztec Cafe, hosted by his mother and aunts Ethel Johnson and Myrtle Greenway. He then attended Texas A&M University for two years. He made his home in the 1930s on North Shore Drive in San Benito. On the fateful day of Aug. 30, 1934, when he was 20 years of age, he was badly injured in an automobile accident on Port Isabel Road and thrown from the vehicle. The Brownsville Herald reported that "the auto he was driving struck a steer on the highway between Port Isabel and Los Fresnos." Suffering from a fractured skull, he was rushed to Mercy Hospital in Brownsville, where he died the next day, on Aug. 31, 1934. Interment was in Mont Meta Cemetery.

Daughter Mary Ellen Hinkly (1918-1992) was born on Oct. 6, 1918 in Dallas, TX. She was an alumna of San Benito High School and Brownsville Junior College. Mary Ellen married Lorenzo Lawrence "Lencho" Ceyanes (Aug. 10, 1914-1983), son of Faustino Ceyanes. Their two offspring were Mary Ellen (Wagner) Naumann and Bart Ceyanes. The family dwelled in San Antonio in 1937 and in Del Rio, TX in 1939. For several years, she was employed as a secretary with the U.S. Army Air Forces, holding positions at Kelly Field and Bergstrom Field south of Austin. With an interest in flying, she trained as a pilot and logged 55 hours of private airtime. She also held a membership in the local civil air patrol. Then during World War II she served in the Women Airforce Service Pilots, receiving her wings in a Dec. 7, 1944 ceremony at Avenger Field in Sweetwater. The marriage ended in divorce. On Aug. 4, 1946, Mary Ellen married a second time to World War II veteran Warren E. Wagner ( ? - ? ), son of Leander E. Wagner, held in the garden of his ranch home in Crystal City, TX. Rev. Shafer, of the Crystal City Presbyterian Church, presided. The Brownsville Herald announced their union and commented that it was of "affectionate interest to a wide circle of Valley friends... The bride wore a blue street length dress with white accessories. She carried an orchid with white ribbon streamers on her prayer book." At the time, Warren had just returned from a deployment to the Philippines. Evidence suggests that Warren adopted one or both of Mary Ellen's children, as the daughter used the "Wagner" surname at marriage. As of 1956, the Wagners resided in Crystal City, TX. She passed away in Uvalde County, TX on Oct. 19, 1992. Former husband Lencho died on April 3, 1983 and is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Granddaughter Mary Ellen Ceyanes Wagner ( ? - ? ) graduated from high school in Crystal City, TX in 1956. She went on to study at the University of Texas in the college of arts and sciences during her freshman and sophomore years, followed by a year in France at the University of Montpelier. Circa June 1960, she is believed to have wed fellow UT student Mervin Lawrence Naumann (March 18, 1938-2021), son of Willie "Hartman" and Alma Naumann of Spicewood, TX. At the time, he was a senior majoring in pre-medicine. The pair first lived in Crystal City, and Mary Ellen graduated the following year with her degree. Mervin obtained his doctorate in dentistry and in August 1967 opened an office in the Children's Clinic at 1402 Nueces in Austin. Three sons believed to have been borne of this union were Stephen Naumann, Michael Naumann and David Naumann. Their marriage dissolved in divorce in Austin in April 1974 as announced in the Austin American-Statesman. Circa 1979, Mervin married again to Jo Lynn Young. In all,, he practiced dentistry for more than half a century, and as time allowed played bridge, was a member of the Austin Exchange Club and raised cattle. He died on May 14, 2021. The remains were interred in Haynie Flat Cemetery in Spicewood.

Great-grandson Stephen Naumann wed Karen.

Great-grandson Michael Naumann married Cheryl.

Great-grandson David Naumann tied the knot with Denise.
Grandson Bart Ceyanes ( ? - ? ) -- did he also take on the "Wagner" name? -- graduated from high school in Crystal City, TX in 1956.

Daughter Helen Elizabeth Hinkly (1920-2009?) was born on Sept. 26, 1920 in San Antonio, Bexar County, TX. She lived in Luverne, MN in 1934 and in San Benito in 1939. She was a student at the University of Texas in 1941 and a member of the Phi Mu Sorority. On Jan. 2, 1942, in nuptials held at Camp Callan in San Diego, CA, she married Clyde Ashton Lake Jr. (Jan. 12, 1919-2002), son of Clyde A. and Elizabeth (Butler) Lake Sr. of Dallas. Their marriage was not made public for more than nine months, until September of that year, with Helen pictured in the Brownsville Herald. They became the parents of John P. Lake and Judeth Ann Vivian Thomason. The newlyweds first lived at Bastrop, CA, while Clyde completed his training as an aviation cadet. He is known to have been a 1943 graduate of St. Edwards University. He then served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, and was deployed to Italy to pilot B-24 Liberator bombers, as a member of the 15th Army Air Force. He was promoted to first lieutenant in March 1944 and eventually rose to the rank of captain. While away, Helen made her dwelling-place at 2008 University Avenue in Austin. After the war's end, circa 1947, Clyde was a candidate to hold an office with the 20-30 Club in Austin, TX. The federal census enumeration of 1950 shows the young family in Crystal City, Zavala County, TX, with Clyde working as an agent with a retail store. The marriage ended in divorce in Austin in May 1973. Within a month or two, Clyde wed again to Betty Jo (Brown) von Rosenberg ( ? - ? ) and made a home in Austin. Clyde finished his working career as a procurement specialist with the General Services Division of the Texas Department of Transportation, retiring in 1990. He died in Austin on July 29, 2002. His remains were lowered into honored rest in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Helen entered into marriage again with "Red" Brown ( ? - ? ). Overwhelming grief cascaded over the family at the untimely deaths of both of her children in the 1990s. She is alleged to have passed away in Lovell, Big Horn County, WY on Nov. 22, 2009, but this is not confirmed.

Grandson John Paul Lake (1948-1992) was born on Jan. 16, 1948 in Austin. In young manhood he relocated to Crystal City, TX where he grew to manhood. He was valedictorian of his high school graduating class. He went on to earn a degree in music and piano pedagogy at the University of Texas at Austin. During his career, he taught piano in Austin, and in 1987 was named Teacher of the Year by the Austin District Music Teacher's Association, an organization for which he served as president during the 1984-1986 timeframe. He also entertained in venues such as Green Pastures Restaurant and the Headliners Club. John never married but was a longtime companion of Brian Hagerty. Sadly, at the age of 44, he died of AIDS on Nov. 22, 1992 in Austin. His funeral mass was held in St. Austin's Catholic Church. An obituary appeared in the Austin American-Statesman in which the family asked that any memorial donations be made to AIDS Services of Austin or the American Foundation for AIDS Research. He was named in an American-Statesman Tree of Remembrance of the AIDS Services of Austin in connection with a tree planting in memory of lives lost.

Granddaughter Judeth Ann Lake (1950-1997) was born on Oct. 13, 1950 in Austin, TX. When she was 18 years of age, on Nov. 23, 1968, she married her first husband, Barney Filmore Vivian ( ? - ? ). The nuptials were held in Dimmit County, TX. Her second spouse, whom she wed in Travis County on Sept. 3, 1976 was Billy Alfred Parker (1946-1993). News of their marriage license was printed in the Austin American-Statesman. The second union also ended in divorce. Then on Nov. 5, 1989, in Nueces County, using the surname "Lake," she wed Larry Allen Thomason (July 11, 1946-1991), son of Annetta Lou Wright. Larry passed away in Corpus Christi on Jan. 20, 1991. Judeth's final residence was in Carrizo Springs, Dimmit County. She died on Nov. 4, 1997.