3GG - Sarah E (Elrod) Johnston 1861 to 1939
Goal: Verifying the maiden name of Sarah E Johnston
I have a general idea of Sarah E Johnston’s family origin. The general consensus on the internet believes she is from the Elrod family. Which I’m inclined to believe.
We do know she married Samuel N Johnston. There is a marriage index compiled by the Flint Hills Genealogical Society that lists the marriage of Sarah E. Elrod and Samuel Johnston on November 23rd 1881 in Lyon County, Kansas.
Their firstborn child would be Harvey Lloyd (or Loid) Johnston born on 28 August of 1882 in Kansas, so this marriage date seems appropriate chronologically.
In the 1880 US Federal Census we can find a 19 year old Sarah E Elrod living in Lyon County, Kansas. Her father is listed as Benjamin H Elrod a 59 year old farmer from Indiana. He has a listed sickness which could be a tumor or possibly a tremor, I can’t make out the handwriting.
The mother of the household appears to be Elizabeth a 55 year old from Kentucky. Her parents were also from Kentucky. From what I’ve read so far online, most people believe Elizabeth’s surname is VanCleave. I have not verified this yet.
The siblings of this household are 22 y/o son Jeremiah b. Iowa, 17 y/o son Samuel L. b. Iowa, 15 y/o daughter Marjory S. b. Indiana, 12 y/o son Benjamin F. b. Iowa. The boys help on the farm according to the Occupation column.
Many of these siblings are in a similar 1870 US Federal Census including their ages and birthplaces, but the father’s name Benjamin H Elrod gets changed to David H Elrod. Which I find confusing.
Another thing I would like to verify is Sarah’s middle name. Many seem to believe it is Emma, but I can’t find any proof.
I plan on ordering a copy of the marriage certificate from Flint Hills Genealogical Society.
Update...
While reviewing the Findagrave Memorials for the family members I noticed a news snippet on Elizabeth Elrod's memorial that helps confirm Sarah's maiden name and middle name. It appears that Sarah and Majory went by their middle names.
"Mrs. Elizabeth Elrod died March 15, at 10 o'clock, at her home in Allen (Kansas). She was born in Kentucky in 1825. She united with the United Brethren church when a girl, and lived a faithful Christian life. She was married at the age of twenty-one to Benjamin McMullen (in Montgomery County IN). To this union five children were born, three of whom survive their mother. They are Mrs. Annetta Keller, Joseph McMullen and Martha Lewis. Her husband died years ago, leaving her with a baby six days old. Five years later Mrs. McMullen married to Benjamin H. Elrod (in Montgomery County IN). To them four children were born, all of whom survive. She leaves seven children and one sister and many grandchildren and friends. Three of her children were with her when she died, Frank Elrod and family, Samuel Elrod and Susan Bible. The other daughter, Mrs. Emma Johnston and Jeremiah Elrod and little daughter arrived for the funeral.
Source: Emporia (Kansas) Gazette, March 23, 1908, p. 6"
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