Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Eliza Arilla Rickman

Female 1850 - 1936  (85 years)


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  • Name Eliza Arilla Rickman 
    Born 22 Oct 1850  , Jasper, Illinois, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 8 Aug 1936  Walthill, Thurston, Nebraska, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 11 Aug 1936  Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, Burt, Nebraska, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I262  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family Joshua Tumer Adair,   b. 25 Dec 1849, Kanesville (now Council Bluffs), Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Aug 1938, Decatur, Burt, Nebraska, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 88 years) 
    Married 10 Oct 1869  Onawa, Monona, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F233  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Censuses:
      1852 Iowa: father not listed in FHL book heads of household index for the 1852 Iowa census.

      1860 US: Per Jeanie Aldredge: Walnut Creek Township, Potawattamie, Iowa-Enumerated July 16, 1860 US:
      Aurilla Rockman, Age 9, Female, Born in Illinois.
      Others in household: Thomas, Rebecca, Melinda, Joseph, Nancy, Unnamed.

      1870 US: Belvidere, Monona, Iowa. p. 249b, dwelling and family #23 [note there are several Rickman families as neighbors looking like relatives - census taker has them all marked mulatto]:
      Thomas Rickman, 51, mulatto, farmer, $400, OH.
      Rebecca Rickman, 72, mulatto, KY, keeps house.
      Joseph Rickman, 16, mulatto, at home, IA.
      Nancy, 14, mulatto, IA.
      Ellen, 10, mulatto, IA.
      Joshuay Adair, 18, mulatto, laborer, IA.
      Eliza R. Adair, 19, servant, IL.
      Rebecca Adair, 9/12, mulatto, IA.

      1880 US: Jordon, Monona, Iowa Source: FHL film 1254357 National Archives Film T9-0357 Page 92C:
      J. Adair,Self, M, M, W, 30, IA ___ ___, farm hand.
      Eliza, Wife, F, M, MU, 29, IL OH KY, keeping house.
      Florence, Dau., F, S, MU, 7, IA IA IL.
      Willie, Son, M, S, MU, 5, IA IA IL.
      Daniel, Son, M, S, MU, 3, IA IA IL.
      Mary, Dau., F, S, MU, 1, IA IA IL.
      Eliza's mother? US 1880 Census Place: Jordon, Monona, Iowa Source: FHL film 1254357, National Archives Film T9-0357 Page 91A:
      Thomas RICKMAN, Self, M, M, MU, 62, OH OH OH, farmer.
      Rebecca, Other, F, M, MU, 72, KY KY KY, keeping house.
      Rebecca Adair, GDau, F, S, MU, 11, IA IA IA.
      Note: Per Amy VunCannon: Rebecca living with Rickman grandparents in 1880 is Joshua's eldest child.

      1885 From Jeanie Aldredge: Nebraska State Census, Burt County Enumeration District 94, Decatur Village, enumerated on June 25, 1885 [some obvious errors in census], all ages were at last birthday prior to June 1, 1885:
      Johana Adair, white male, 35, teamster, IA, NY, TN.
      Elisa C. Adair, white female, 33, wife, Housekeeper, IL, O, TN.
      Florence, white female, 12, attending school, IA.
      Daniel, white male, 8, attending school, IA.
      Mary, white female, 6, attending school, IA.
      Margret, white female, 4, IA.
      Lillie, white female, 2, IA.
      Walter A., white male, 2 months old born in May of 1885.

      1900 US: Decatur, Burt, Nebraska, p. 37A, [all noted as White for race]:
      Joshua Adair, W, Dec 1848, 50, m. 30 years, IA TN TN, day labor.
      Eliza, wife, W, Nov 1848[?], 49, m. 30 years, 13 total children with 11 living, IA OH IN.
      John W., son, Jan 1874, 26, S, IA IA IL, day labor.
      Daniel L., son, Dec 1875, 24, S, IA IA IL, day labor.
      Walter, son, March 1884, 16, S, NE IA IL, day labor.
      Clyde, son, March 1887, 13, S, NE IA IL, at school.
      Samuel, son, Oct 1888, 11, S, NE IA IL, at school.
      Ralph, son, Aug 1890, 9, S, NE IA IL.
      Thomas, son, Aug 1893, 6, S, NE IA IL.

      2. See biography with husband's notes. The part about her parents' involvement with the Kirtland temple does not yet seem likely because their names thus far don't show up in Ancestral File or Ordinance Index records as would be consistent with early membership. I have also searched at the FHL several listings of early Kirtland LDS Saints compiled from every existant source without seeing any mentions of Rickmans. Judging from the age differences in parents, maybe Rebecca was married prior to Rickman and perhaps it was under that name that she was in Kirtland.

      3. On file from Jeannie Aldredge, I have a 40 page Nancy Fountain White descendancy listing with research notes. I have cited all information concerning this specific individual into these notes.

      BIOGRAPHY:
      1. Parents are Thomas and Rebecca Rickman. See 1880 census with husband's notes. Ordinance Index has extracted marriage record from Jasper County, Illinois on FHL film 1315769, batch M533831 showing a Thomas Rickman and Rebecca Benet married 18 Mar 1840 with sealing date of 5 Apr 1984 JRIVE.

      2. Email from Jeanie Aldredge 13 Sep 2003:
      a. When Eliza was three, she and her parents moved to Galland's Grove Township, Shelby County, Iowa. They later moved to Monona County, Iowa. This family was of Indian Heritage and were members of the Omaha Indian Tribe. In her later years, Eliza became an invalid. At the time of her death, she was survived by eight children, six grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren. She was remembered as a kind and loving mother.
      b. August 4, 1999: Note from Elaine Carlson: Rickman Family: The deep mystery about this side of the family may be the fact they were part of the Black Citizen's of Monona County, Iowa. In 1860 there were about 10 half-breeds but in 1870 there were several black or colored. The main settlement was in Belvidere Township. They settled on the Adam Mier land. Part of this land was deeded for a cemetery which still stands. Most of the stones are gone. The majority of them lived quiet, productive lives & either intermarried with their white neighbors or moved on. By 1885 or 1890 census they were gone, or listed as White. There are several articles at the Onawa Public Library on the Black Community. There are no actual facts as to why they settled here. Some say Adam Mier grew grass for making brooms & they worked for him. Others say Adam Miers was part of the underground railroad.
      c. March 14, 2001: Note from Amy Vuncannon: Just got a confirmation about Eliza & her parents, Thomas & Rebecca Rickman from Illinois. They are Mulatto, not Indian. This is an official document. They stated again that if she were Indian, they would have her marked as "I," not "M," & every census that I have found with her & family has "M" for Mulatto. I found relations from Allen side of family, Joshua's step-father Andrew. They knew her race.
      d. Aug. 30, 2002: Note from Amy Vuncannon: I wrote to the State of Illinois & they sent me a copy of Eliza's birth record.
      e. October 27, 2002: Note from Amy Vuncannon: "I found that Eliza's sisters name isn't Ellen, it is Clarissa Ellen Hunter. I found her marriage date on the Internet for Harrison County to IW Hunter. I still can't find it on any registers for Eliza and Joshua for Monona County."
      f. October 31, 2002: Note from Amy Vuncannon: "I found out how the Outhouses are related to the Rickmans. Adam Miers was married to one of the Rickman girls and Adams daughter married G.R. OutHouse. I found it in the history of Monona County."
      g. Residence: October 1920, Living at Route 2, Walthill, Nebraska.
      h. She married John Edwin PRICE April 05, 1898 in Tekamah, Burt Co., NE, son of Franklin PRICE and Rachel HESS. Burt County Marriage Book 4, June 11, 1897 through Sep. 28, 1903 lists Lillie Adair as marrying John E. Price. John was living in Thurston County, NE and Lillie was living in Burt County, NE at the time of their marriage. He was born Oct. 20, 1876 in West of Whiting, Maple Landing, Monona Co., IA, and died July 28, 1958 in Iowa City Hospital, Iowa City, Johnson Co., IA. Per a paper written by Lillie May Adair-Price: "Lillie May Adair Price was born East of Turin, IA, Jan 29, 1883" and "John Edwin Price was born West of Whiting, Iowa, Oct 20th, 1876." Obituary of Lillian Adair-Price, date and newspaper unknown: "Mrs. Lillian Price Funeral on Monday at Onawa Church. Onawa, IA. - Special: Funeral services for Mrs. Lillian Price, 69, a resident of Onawa for more than 45 years, who died Friday night at the Onawa hospital after a heart attack, will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at the First Christian Church here. Rev. Everett Epperson will officiate. Burial will be in the Harrison Cemetery at Whiting, IA, under the direction of the Pearson Funeral Home of Onawa. Mrs. Price was born January 29, 1883, in Monona County, IA. She moved with her parents to Decatur, NE, but returned to Onawa about 1906. She was married to Edward Price April 5, 1898, at Tekamah, NE. The couple had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary four years ago at home. Survivors besides the widower are four daughters, Mrs. Rachel Johnson of Sioux City, Mrs. Muriel Ryken of Sioux Falls, SD, Mrs. Virginia England of Eufaula, OK, and Mrs. Harriett Monico of Omaha; seven sons, Clarence E. of Sioux City, Elmer F. of Kansas City, MO, Marvin J. and Paul C., both of Orson, IA, Garnet L. and Eddie A., both of Omaha and Arthur S. of Logan, IA; a sister, Mrs. Mary Rodgers of Decatur; three brothers, Will Adair of Decatur, and Walter and Ralph, both of Macy, NE; 36 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren." John Edwin's obituary states that there were 13 children born to he & Lillie, with 2 dieing in infancy. Lillie's obituary states 12 children with one preceding her in death. Per Janice Price-Aldredge, she believes that Racheal Price was with her mother, Lillie Adair-Price when she died & possibly got the pictures, bible, etc. Lillie enjoyed writing poetry & wrote the following: "In Memory of My Dear Father": The death angel came & took Father away, and oh, how we miss him tonight; But he left while asleep & suffered no pain when his spirit took its flight. He has gone to meet our loved ones in that home above & to live with Jesus, who is so full of love. He had made his peace with God & was willing & ready to go, so the spirit took its flight, to dwell in the heavens above." Lillie moved with her parents to Decatur, NE, when she was a small Child, but returned to Onawa, Iowa about 1906. More about Lillian Adair: burial: Feb. 04, 1952, Harrison Cemetery, Whiting, Monona Co., IA; cause of death: Heart Attack and Coronary Thrombosis for one hour and arterioscelerosis and arterial hypertension for 10 years; funeral home: Pearson in Onawa; member First Christian Church in Onawa; residence as of Feb. 01, 1952, at the time of her death, she resided at 1115 2nd St. in Onawa; resident of Onawa, Monona Co., IA for more than 45 years. More notes for John Price: 1880 Lincoln, Monona Co., Iowa Census: John Price, son, male, white, age 3, IA, OH, IL; others in household: Frank Price, Rachel Price, Viola Price; John's mother died when he was five & he was raised by his grandparents, St. Clair Martin & Philinda Williams Stowe-Price in Pacific Junction, IA; he grew to manhood in the Whiting, IA vicinity; John got along very well with the Indians that traveled through the area - he once traded his Model A Ford to them in exchange for a team of work horses - at the time, you could buy a Model A Ford for a few hundred dollars & a team of horses was worth more because of the labor they provided; baptism: 1916, First Christian Church in Onawa; burial: July 31, 1958, Harrison Cemetery, Whiting, Monona Co., IA; cause of death: diabetic - he quit taking insulin and went into a diabetic coma; ill for one month prior to his death; armed until 1937; residence: lived in Whiting & Onawa, IA all his life.

      3. There is some dispute as to whether Eliza Rickman was part Indian or part African-American per the quotes above. John Adair, another descendant of Eliza provides the following per his email to me dated 6 May 2010:
      "There is one nagging issue. And that is what has been said about our G G Grandmother Eliza Rickman Adair. All the records I have reviewed would infer that Grandmother was Native American and not black. I would like to see our records reflect that we are of Native decent and not black. Every one that knew the old Adairs knew that they were of Native decent. My wife's grand parent on both sides knew them all and have said that they were native.
      This is a pretty big deal here about this issue. My sister is going to take a DNA test through DNA Tribes.com so we will see the tribe to which we belong. It was said by all 3 brothers (my dad and his 2 brothers) that they were a percent of Cherokee Indian.
      My belief is that because of prejudice against the native population back then is that when a Census worker took down that data that it was easier the put Mulato if a person was not on the Dawes roles for proof of being Native, and to be eligible for the Dawes Roles you would have had to be on the Reservation to register, well they were either in Illinois or in Kanesville, IA, when that took place. There are some other theories but I think for now this is the most evident reason. They did live on the Sioux and Winnebago Indian reservation. My dad was born on the Sioux Reservation. But the thing is no one was a registered Native. Some census recorded Daniel as Indian and I have seen where a Daniel was listed as Black, but I can't say it was the same person. If you look at the picture of Grandmother you will see that she has the characteristics of a Native American and no Black features at all. Thanks John."

      BIRTH:
      1. Approx. year and state from 1880 Census.

      2. Per death certificate.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Online Ordinance Index states Monona Co., Iowa; Amy Von Cannon states "Preparation Settlement" which I don't find on current maps; she explains that it is now part of "Preparation State Park" and that there are a couple of cabins in the field and a sign that states old town of Preparation and
      Belvidere. Both use same date for marriage. She notes October 10, 1869, Onawa, Preparation Canyon, Monona County, Iowa and that this wedding was among the first performed in Monona County in 1869.

      DEATH:
      1. Per 25 Aug 2002 email from Jeannie Aldredge at . She also notes place was in the Winnebago Indian Reservation.

      2. "State of Nebraska, Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death, No. G9329. Place of Death: Thurston Co., Omaha Township, Watthill City. Full name: Eliza Arilla Adair. Residence: Macy, Thurston County, Nebraska. Female, white, married. Husband: J. Adair. Birthdate: Oct. 22, 1850 [note age does not compute with birth date]. Age: 86 years, 9 months, 13 days. Trade, profession, or particular kind of work done: Housewife. Total time (years) spent in the occupation: 50. Birthplace: Jasper Co., IL. Name of father: Thomas Rickmand. Father's birthplace: Ohio. Name of mother: Rebbecca Bennett. Mother's birthplace: Kentucky. Informant: J. Adair of Macy, Nebr. Burial place: Decatur, Nebr.; Date: 8/11, 1938. Undertaker: W.L. Racily, Walthill, Nebr. Filed 8/10, 1936. Date of death: Aug. 8, 1936. I hereby certify that I attended deceased form July 24, 1936 to Aug. 8, 1936. I last saw him alive on Aug. 8, 1936; death is said to have occurred on the date stated above, at 7:45 p.m. The principle cause of death and related causes of importance in order of onset were as follows: hypostatic pneumonia, cerebral hemorrhage, left hemiplegia, with date of onset as Aug. 2, 1925. Signed: G.W. Riggs, M.D., Walthill, Nebr."

      3. Per Jeanie Aldredge: she died August 08, 1936 in 7:45 pm, Walthill Hospital, Walthill, Thurston County, Winnebago Indian Reservation, Nebraska.

      BURIAL:
      1. Per Jeanie Aldredge: Joshua and Eliza were buried in unmarked graves until 1996, when Grandson Arthur Price had a tombstone placed on their graves in Decatur, Burt County, Nebraska.

      2. Per obituary.