I was going through photos today and came across the one above, of Albert Henry’s younger half sisters from Hiram Henry‘s 2nd marriage to Hannah Evans. The photo is labeled under each girl. Bessie is on the left, Gladys in the middle, and Helen on the right. It’s dated Apr 1923, in Canton IL.
While looking at the faces, it dawned on me that Bessie looks a lot like two of my “mystery” unlabeled photos. Tell me what you think, Is this the same person as the girl on the left in the top photo?
Bessie Mary Henry was the middle child but oldest daughter of Hiram L. Henry and Hannah M. Evans. She was born 13 Jan 1895 in Breeds, Fulton County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 US Census Bessie was 5 years old and lived with her parents in Mound Township, McDonough County, Illinois.
The 1910 US Census finds the family at 509 East Olive St, Canton, Fulton County. Bessie was 15.
Sometime between 1913-1916 Bessie married James Estie Wages of Banner Township, Fulton County. Estie was a farmer and son of Henry Wages and Nancy J. Hughes. He was born 10 Nov 1889 and died 25 Feb 1978 in Fulton County at the age of 88.
Henry Wages, pioneer of Fulton County and only survivor of the storm of 1835 which almost destroyed Canton…Wages was born near Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, August, 30, 1831. He came to Illinois in 1835, with his parents [Ephraim and Nancy (Buckingham) Wages] traveling with a three-horse team and was six weeks on the road. He crossed the Illinois river at Peoria or Pekin. From there he came to Utica and later to Canton, settling one mile north of Canton on a place known as the Coleman settlement in a log cabin. This was a few months before the great storm of 1835, which took the roof off the house occupied by the Wages family. This veteran resident lived there six years. His next pilgrimage was to Monterey in Banner township, where he has lived alone.
Henry Wages obituary, 1923
Wages was the first to cast a vote in Banner. He has always voted the democratic ticket. He also claimed the distinction of being the oldest voter.
Bessie and Estie had 5 children, all born in Banner Township:
- Lewis Henry Wages b. 7 Apr 1914; d. 1 Oct 1989 in Canton
- Frank Morris Wages b. 5 Oct 1918; d. 5 Sep 1923 in Fulton County
- Roy Lee Wages b. 28 Jul 1920; d. 9 Feb 2011 in Canton (obituary)
- Raymond E Wages b. 18 Dec 1927
- Rev. Lloyd R. Wages b. 20 Jul 1931
Estie Wages’ WWI Draft Card signed 15 Jun 1917 states he was 28 years old, born and living in Banner Township (Rt 7) with a wife and child (Lewis). He had blonde hair and brown eyes, was of medium height, medium build, and was a self employed farmer. On 5 October 1918 in Banner Township, Fulton County, the couple had a son, Frank Morris Wages. Sadly, Frank died at the age of 4 on 5 September 1923.
The 1920 US Census finds Bessie living with her husband and in-laws, Henry and Nancy Wages, brother in law John, and 5-year-old son Lewis Wages in Banner Township, Fulton County. Estie was working as a farm laborer.
At the time of the 1930 US Census, Bessie was 35 years old, still living in Banner. She and Estie had 3 children. Lewis was 16, Roy was 9, Ray was 2 years and 3/12 months. Bessie’s mother in law, Nancy, now a widow aged 72, lived with them. Estie was a farmer. In the 1940 Census, Nancy was no longer present. Lewis was 26 and still single living at home, as was Roy (19) and Raymond (11). Bessie and Esta also had a 4th child, a 9 year old named Lloyd R.
Bessie Wages died 25 Aug 1991 in Canton, 13 years after her husband, and was buried beside him at Orendorff and Breed Cemetery in Canton.
Below is another photo I found from April 1923, just 6 months before Bessie and Estie lost Frank. I’m unsure if the smallest child at bottom center is their son Frank or Bessie’s brother Earl’s son Frank. I have done my best to try and figure out who everyone is based on the caption on the back of the photo. Let me know if you can help me get further!
