| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. Reviewed LDS Ancestral File and Rootsweb World Connect Oct 2003.
2. Middle name seems to vary depending on source. Pitt book cited below uses George, 1851 census uses "L," and 1891 Harrison County history book cited below uses "A." I arbitrarily use "L".
3. Censuses:
1850 US: District 21, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 128b, dwelling and family 1020:
Michael Graybel, 63, labour, NC.
Polly, 58, NC. [Wife]
Cimiel, 34, M, OH. [Son; should be Simeon.]
Michael, 22, OH. [Son]
Elizabeth, 17, OH. [Daughter]
Sidney, 14, OH. [Son]
Almeda, 14, OH. [Grandchild through David.]
Maridith, 12, OH. [Grandchild through David.]
David, 7, IL. [Grandchild through David.]
Amanda, 4, IL. [Grandchild through David.]
William, 10, IL. [Grandchild through Simeon.]
Andrew, 8, IL. [Grandchild through Simeon.]
Aaron, 5, IL. [Grandchild through Simeon.]
Cathern Stoker, 77, NC. [Most likely Catherine Eller, Polly's mother; census was taken 11 Nov 1850.]
1851 Iowa State: Pottawattamie County. FHL film 1022203. The entire state was counted but only Pottawattamie listed everyone by name in the household and their ages; other counties only listed the head of the household and a numerical count without names of the various ages by sex in the household. No date is given when the census was taken but it was certified in Dec. 1851; however, the other counties show a Sep 1851 date which also appears more likely for Pottawattamie as well in light of ages given some children with known birthdays in October. Census return:
Pugh: Hannah 76, Elizabeth 22, Martha 66. Also in household are Grabill: Simeon P. 34, William A. 10, Andrew J. 8, Aaron L. 5. [Note that the following related families are in this census and very close neighbors: Simeon P. Graybill, Michael/Polly Graybill with Polly's mother Catherine Eller Stoker, Eller/Margaret Stoker, Jacob/Catherine Stoker, Philip/Catherine Gatrost, David/Barbara Stoker, Edward/Sarah Davis, and William/Almira Stoker. Other relatives in same county but separated by several pages of census include the following families: Thomas/Hannah Pilling whose daughter Hannah, later marries William Lenore Graybill, Levi/Patience Graybill, John W./Sarah Stoker, Hannah Ford whose son Martin later marries Zibiah M. Stoker, and John/Sarah Smith. Also note that James Welker and Ann Pugh also show up in this census - James is the son of James Welker, Sr. and Elizabeth Stoker; Ann is probably related to these Pughs.]
1856 Iowa: (From Ancestry.com) Kane, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 21 of 63, 130/131:
Simeon Graybill, 38, 8 years in Iowa, OH, farmer.
Wm., 15, 8, IL.
Andrew, 12, 8, IL.
Aaron, 10, 8, IL.
1860 US: Council Bluffs Post Office, Kane Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 362, dwelling 470, family 413, living next door to George W. and Hannah Graybill:
Simeon P. Graybill, 44, farmer, $1500 real estate, $1000 personal property, OH.
William, 19, farmer, IL.
Andrew, 17, farm hand, IL.
Aaron, 14, IL.
4. Mentioned in brother William's biography per two sources: www.rootsweb.com/~iaharris/ and FHL book 977.747-H2n:
"History of Harrison County, Iowa," 1891, pp. 686, 687: "They [father's family] removed back to Caldwell County, remained until 1839 and went to Adams County, Illinois, where they remained until 1848. February 14 of that year, his [father's] wife Amanda, was taken sick and died February 21. The same week, her eldest daughter, Rachel, sickened and died March 22. In the autumn of 1848, the family started West and arrived in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, December 5. The mother of our subject was born in 1817 in Jackson County, Ohio, her maiden name being Amanda Hill. They were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter. One son, Aaron A., was killed in the time of the Civil War. He was killed at Camp Creek, Ga. August 31, 1864."
5. FHL film 702: "Journal of John Stoker, b. 1817; Journal starts November 1, 1869." John was the son of David Stoker and Barbara Graybill. The first 35 pages detail his mission taken from Utah to Virginia and Tennessee through Council Bluffs, Iowa, which I have summarized and included with his notes in this database. Pp. 36-227, the balance of John's journal, are genealogical notations of family. Many pages are blank. Besides family, the journal also notes many other unrelated Stokers who were probably gleaned from books and other sources. It appears as if maybe his son David may have taken over the book later. Many entries are repetitive at different times. Pertinent data for this family or individual is quoted verbatim as follows on pages:
109: Simion Peter Graybill, born Mar. 25, 1813, died Oct 27, 1889. Amanda Hill. Children:
Aaron Lenoer Graybill, born Oct 30, 1845, Ill., Adams Co., killed in the army near Atlanta, Georgia, 1864.
Andrew Jackson Graybill, Dec. 29, 1842, Adams Co., Ill.
179: Simeon Peter Graybill, Amanda Hill, children;
Wm. Amlicy Graybill, b. July 28, 1840, Adams Co., Ill.
Aaron Lenoer Graybill, b. Oct. 30, 1845, Adams Co., Ill, killed in the war at Atlanta, Georgia, 1864.
Andrew Jackson Graybill, b. Dec. 29, 1842, Adams Co., Ill.
184: Simeon Peter Graybill, son of Michael and Polly Stoker was born March 25th, 1815, State of Ohio, Jackson County, Bloomfield Township. Died 27th June 1889.
Wm. Amliez Graybill, son of Simeon Peter Graybill and Amanda Hill was born July 29th, 1840, State of Illinois, Adams County.
Aaron Lenoir Graybill, son of Simeon Peter Graybill and Amanda Hill was born October 30th, 1845, State of Illinois, Adams County. Killed in the Army near Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864.
Andrew Jackson Graybill, son of Simeon Peter Graybill and Amanda Hill was born Dec. 29th, 1842, State of Illinois, Adams County.
6. Source: 1915 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 898 accessed 13 Dec 2008 on the Internet at http://iagenweb.org/harrison/bio1915/1915bio12.htm:
Lester D. Graybill. It is a well-attested maxim that the greatness of a community or state lies not in the machinery of government or even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish efforts and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars, he, whose name appears at the head of this review, has conferred honor and dignity upon his locality and, as an elemental part of its history, it is important that there should be recorded a resume of his career. With the object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the commonwealth as well as his splendid personal attainments. Lester D. Graybill, farmer and stockman, of Washington township, Harrison County, Iowa, was born on December 20, 1892, in Washington township, on the farm where he now lives. He is the son of Andrew and Mary (Miller) Graybill, the former born on December 29, 1842, in Adams county, Illinois. Andrew Graybill was the son of Simeon and Amanda (Hill) Graybill, the former born in 1816, in Ohio. He came to Iowa in 1848 and farmed in Pottawattamie county all his life. He died on June 27, 1889. His wife was born in 1819 in Ohio, and died in 1848. Simeon Graybill was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Frances (Graham) Downs. Three Children: Rachel, deceased; William; and Andrew, the father of Lester D., were born to the first union. Aaron, a fourth Child, died during the Civil War. There were six children born to the second marriage, three of whom are deceased. Andrew Graybill made his home with his grandparents on his father's side of the family. They were Michael and Polly (Stocker) Graybill, natives of Pennsylvania. Andrew Graybill freighted over the plains in the early days from Bellevue, Iowa, to Denver, Colorado, using oxen for his trips. In the spring of 1866, he came to Harrison county, Iowa, where he bought 75 acres of land. This farm was heavily covered with timber and Mr. Graybill began fencing it with the old-fashioned rail fence, stakes, and riders, some things that are not seen at this day and age in Harrison County, Iowa. He cut timber, erected a frame house, which still stands, used for implements, etc., a very rare sight in those days. Andrew Graybill made extensive improvements on all of his farm property and now owns 580 acres of land in Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties. Forty acres of this land is covered with natural timber. At one time, he was a heavy cattle feeder and made a specialty of Polled Durham and Shorthorn breeds. He has since retired from farm life. Andrew Graybill was married in 1878 to Mary Miller, who was born in 1857, in Decatur county, Iowa, and who is the daughter of Abraham and Sophronia (Champlain) Miller, both natives of Pennsylvania and now deceased. Lester D. Graybill attended the schools of Washington township and the Yorkshire village schools. He was reared on the farm where he lies and has always worked for his father. He is now engaged in extensive farming and the operation of the home place. Lester D. Graybill is unmarried and is not a member of any lodge. He is, however, a devoted member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and is an ardent Democrat. He deserves to rank as one of the rising young farmers of Harrison county. His friends and neighbors are convinced that sooner or later he will make a distinguished mark in his chosen profession."
MARRIAGE:
1. Appears to have been unmarried.
DEATH:
1. Died in the Civil War. Listed on regimental roster of the Fifth Iowa Cavalry at website www.scriptorum.org/c/c-pers.html. Aaron was in Company B. The site has a special tribute to him which states: "Private Aaron Graybill was truly one of the war's unfortunates. Too young to enlist at the outset of the War Between the States, during the regiment's 1864 recruiting efforts, he responded to the urges of youths seeking glory. He enlisted on June 1, 1864, being mustered on the 13th. It did not take long for eighteen-year-old Aaron to join the regiment on the frontlines of the war. On August 31, 1864, the regiment participated in a battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, One hundred and forty-nine Union soldiers lost their lives during the battle, and poor Aaron was among them. Despite his early passing, Private Graybill's contribution to the preservation of the Union continues to be remembered by his great-great-niece, Alice Graybill Russell."
SOURCES_MISC:
1. PAF file sent 3 Jul 2003 by John P. Fisher, a descendant of Henry Fisher .
2. The book "The Howard Leytham Stoker Von Dollen Family Histories," FHL 929.273 H833a, by Doris Lewis, 2017 So. 80th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, pp. 90-91.
3. FHL book 929.273 P684pn: "Graybill/Stoker/Eller/Smith/Koons/Pitt Connections," by Norman E. 'Gene' Pitt, 1996, pp. 34-38.
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
1845 - 1864 (18 years)