For Love

I finally have all the documents in order to draw my conclusion to the Cleo Mallison Hughes and Illda Martha Austin debacle.

A baby girl was born to Dennis E Austin and Minnie (maiden name Daniels) Austin on 15 Mar 1895.  They had not named the baby yet.  Dennis and Minnie only had one baby which they eventually named Illda Martha Austin.  The Illda came from a Russian novel that Minnie was reading at the time and I'm pretty sure the Martha was Minnie's mom.  The baby was born in Toledo, Ohio.  Illda was born in Toledo, Ohio.  Granny Illda's birthday was 15th of March.  I feel it is safe to say that Illda, my grandmother was that unnamed child of Dennis and Minnie Austin.

I have in my possession 2 birth certificates or record of birth for my grandfather Cleo Mallison Hughes.  The record number is 181 on page 158in the County of Branch Michigan.  Earl Linn, the Clerk of Branch County, Michigan says that Cleo Mallison Hughes was born or 28 March, 1903.  His parents were Alfred J. Hughes of Coldwater City, Michigan, and Ella E Hughes of 1st Ward.  Alfred J Hughes was born in New York and was a carpenter by trade.  Ella was born in Michigan.  The date of record is May 14, 1904.

Now here comes the fun.

I have here in front of me the marriage license:

Up in the right hand corner, you can see the date is 1920.

Now here's a close up of the pertinent information:

Cleo claims that at the time of this license he is 21 years old.

Now Cleo was born in 1903.  Hmmmm.  According to my math, in 1920 Cleo would have been 17 years old.  I do believe 17 was too young to get married without your parents permission.

Illda claims to be 22 -- only one year older than her intended.  Illda was born in 1895.  In 1920 she would have been 25 years old.

I'm pretty sure that Cleo might not have known how old Illda was, but you can sure as hell bet that Illda knew that Cleo wasn't 21.

I wonder what old Ella Mallison Hughes thought when her baby boy brought home a 25 year old bride?  Of course, Ella made some questionable decisons herself.

Here is a picture of Cleo Mallison Hughes.  There is no date on it but I reckon he's around 15 or 16.

I think I look like him.  I grew up thinking that I was his favorite grandchild.  Maybe it's because we shared a face.

And here's a trio of shots of Illda Martha Austin.  I can't get it any lighter.  I'm guess she is around 11 as there is now date.

Alfred Joseph Hughes

This is a document that I recently found among my grandfather -- Cleo Mallison Hughes -- papers.  It is the obituary for his father, Alfred Joseph Hughes.  It was not written by my grandfather, but definitely in a manly handwriting.

Obituary
Alfred Joseph Hughes was born in Menia, Dutches (sic) Co New York in the year of 1861 and departed this life at his home in Battle Creek Mich July 23 - 1910 at the age of 48 years ten months and 24 days.

Deceased was 1 of a family of 11 children and moved with his parents to Storm Lake Iowa at the age of 11 years. of which place he made his home until 1884 when he came to Michigan locating in Dowagiac at which place he lived for 17 years returning to Storm Lake for 2 years thence to Coldwater Michigan and later to Battle Creek at which place he passed peacefully away of heart failure Saturday night July 23.

In the year of 1882 he was united in marriage to Miss Emily Hannon of Storm Lake.
To this union was born 4 children the eldest dyeing (sic) in infancy namely Alfred L of Kalamazoo Michigan Mrs. Bertha LaDow of Girard Michigan and Fray A of Battle Creek.  The wife of this union preceding him to the better land in the year 1899.

In the year 1900 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Ella Mallison, to this union was born 3 children Louis Lee.  Cleo M. and little baby Thelma all of which are left to mourn. the loss of a kind and affectionate husband and loving father beside one step son Charley Mallison.  The greatest part of his life was spent at his favorite occupation that of carpentering.

The funeral was held from his home 418 Upton Ave. Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev. R. Skimmerhorn of Hudson Michigan.  Internment takeing (sic) place at Oak Hill Cemetery.  Three sister (sic) and 2 brothers from Storm Lake Iowa and relatives and friends from Coldwater Quincy Kalamazoo Charlotte and Dowagiac attended his last remains.

The grief striken (sic) wife and family have the sincere sympathy of all their neighbors and friends in this their great bereavement.