Leroy Everett Plummer: Fifth Child of Levi L. and Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer

As with other Plummer Children, there does not seem to be a great deal of information for Leroy Everett Plummer available.   I will happily provide what I have found and if any relative or anyone else reading this post is able to provide more information or corrections to this information , please contact me.

Leroy Everett "Roy" Plummer was born June 24, 1884 in Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska to Levi Lonzo and Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer.  He was still living with his parents and siblings in Ayr, Nebraska when the 1900 U. S. Census was taken.   He is listed as 13-years-of-age and attending school.   After his sister and brother-in-law, Anna L. and Spartan Thomas West and their children moved to Montana, "Roy" Plummer and his brother Orey seem to have followed, working as a day laborer on ranches and coal mines.

"Roy" Plummer went further west than other members of the family.   We know this because on December 3, 1907, Leroy Plummer married Elizabeth Ann Hunting in Menan, Jefferson County, Idaho.   He was 20 years old.   Elizabeth Ann Hunting was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and there are good records of the events that occurred such as marriages, baptisms and deaths.  Elizabeth Ann was known to family and friends as "Lizzie" Hunting and was born to William and Susan (Cherry) Hunting on November 29, 1887 in Menan, Idaho.

Menan, Jefferson County, Idaho was the first Mormon Settlement in Jefferson County, Idaho and her parents, William and Susan (Cherry) Hunting joined other migrants living in the Salt Lake City, Utah area in a wagon train to settle the area in 1879.

Leroy "Roy" and Elizabeth Ann (Hunting) Plummer were the parents to two children: Elizabeth Luceal Plummer, born September 13, 1908 and and Levi Leroy Plummer born February 9, 1910.   Unfortunately, both of their children died in infancy.  Elisabeth Luceal Plummer died on March 1, 1909 and Levi Leroy Plummer died on March 5, 1911 in Menan, Idaho.    The cause of their deaths is not known but both children are burried in Little Butte Cemetery, Annis, Jefferson County, Idaho.

Again, details are not known, but Elizabeth Ann (Hunting) Plummer sued Leroy "Roy" Plummer for divorce stating that he had abandoned the family and that his whereabouts was not known.  Perhaps the divorce decree was never filed or served but in any case, the couple reconciled and moved back to Adams County, Nebraska, where they had two more children.  The photograph above was taken where both Plummers worked at the Ingleside Hospital for the Insane at Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska.

Walter Orey Plummer was born on August 14, 1913 in Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska.   Very little is known of Walter Plummer's life.    According to family tradition, he died on January 1, 1933 in Marion County, Oregon suffering from polio.  He is buried in Bethany Pioneer Cemetery, Bethany, Marion County, Oregon.   I have not been able to find him on U. S. Census reports for 1920 or 1930.   It is not known whether or not he married.  As you will read below, his sister, Maude Ann Plummer, was married in Silverton, Marion County, Oregon in 1936 so perhaps the brother and sister moved from Montana to Oregon together.

Maude Ann Plummer was born December 28, 1915 in Roundup, Musselshell County, Montana.   Several of the family members had previously lived in the Roundup community and apparently Roy and Lizzie Plummer moved there from Ayr, Nebraska.   The 1920 U. S. Census records the family living in Harlowtown, Mussellshell, Montana where Leroy "Roy" Plummer is employed as a railroad brakeman.

Maude Ann Plummer married Leo John Nehl on November 6, 1936 in Silverton, Marion County, Oregon.
Leo John Nehl was the son of Florian Henry and Mary (Endres) Nehl and was born April 11, 1912 in Wadena, Minnesota.  He is shown still living with his family in Minnesota on the 1930 U. S. Census, but by 1935, he had moved to Marion County, Oregon.  By the 1940 U. S. Census, the Leo John and Maude Nehl were living in Portland, Oregon

                                                         Maude Ann Plummer

                       The 1936 Wedding Photo of Leo John and Maude Ann (Plummer) Nehl.

John and Maude Nehl were the parents of three daughters.   Beatrice J. Nehl was born about 1937, Leona Jean Nehl was born in October 14, 1938 and Sherry Ann Nehl on October 15, 1945.

I have not found any information concerning Beatrice J. Nehl.

Leona Jean Nehl was married to Ervin Loy Coleman on September 6, 1956 in Portland, Oregon.  They are the parents of one daughter, Carron Elaine Coleman born September 12, 1957 in Portland, Oregon.  Carron Elaine Coleman died December 22, 1998 in Portland, Oregon.   Ervin Coleman died in 2000 in Tillamook County, Oregon and I am assuming that Leona Jean (Nehl) Coleman is still living.

                                                             Ervin Loy Coleman at age 16.

Sheryl Ann Nehl was born October 15, 1945 in Portland, Oregon and was married to a man named Herrington.  I have not been able to find his first name.  She died on December 8, 2006 at Rockaway Beach, Tillamook, Oregon.   I have not been able to find information about whether or not there were children.

I have not been able to find a death date or location for Leroy Everett Plummer.   The last mention of him I have found is the 1920 U. S. Census, when he was living in Harlowtown, Musselshell, Montana.

I also did not find divorce papers for Leroy Everett and Elizabeth Ann (Hunting) Plummer, but a marraige certificate is among public records, stating that Elizabeth Ann (Hunting) was married a second time on May 10, 1920 in Spokane, Washington to Guy Otto Thurston.

Guy Thurston and Elizabeth Ann Hunting-Plummer-Thurston were the parents of three children:
Allen Ray Thurston in 1922, James Edward Thursday in 1925, and Florence I. Thurston in 1929.   While these three children do not have any Corbin ancestry, I have done their genealogy on my www.ancestry.com website.

This is all of the information I have been able to find regarding Leroy Everett "Roy" Plummer and his descendants.    If anyone reading this has more, please let me know.

Orey Ellbridge Plummer: The Fourth Child of Levi L. and Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer

Orey Ellbridge Plummer was born to Levi L. and Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer on April 10, 1883 at Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska.  Orey obtained 8 years of education attending schools in Hastings and Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska.

When the 1900 Census was taken, the Levi Plummer Family had moved from Hastings to Ayr, Nebraska where many other members of the Corbin family lived.  In 1900, he was listed as 16 years of age and attending school in Ayr.

I find no further mention of Orey Plummer in official records, until 1916, when his mother's obituary states that he is living in Roundup, Mussellshell, Montana.  In that same obituary, it states that Leroy Plummer, the older brother of Orey Plummer, is also living in Roundup, Mussellshel, Montana.

The records clearly indicate that several members of the Plummer family moved to Montana, where they became employed on area ranches and in the coal mines.   I have no idea who began this migration but the idea that a better life existed in Montana must have lured family members west.

Above is a map showing the location of Roundup, Montana.   It is the county seat of Musselshell County.   The very name indicates that it was cattle country.

It may have been that Levi and Martha Jane Plummer's oldest child, Anna L. Plummer, was responsible for her brothers moving to Montana.   Anna L. Plummer married Spartan Thomas West, 30 years her senior, and with her 10 step children moved from Adams County, Nebraska to Wheatland, Fergus County, Montana where the family was engaged in farming and ranching.   Fergus County adjoins Musselshell County and Anna (Plummer) West's residency in Fergus County could provide at least one reason why the brothers were located there.

Orey Ellbridge Plummer was married in 1916 while living in Musselshell County, Montana.  He  was living there and working as a day laborer for ranchers and in the mines.  He married Leonora Cornelia Stone, who was the daughter of William B. and Fedilia (Clement) Stone.

Leonora C. Stone was known to her family and friends as Nora.   She was born on February 28, 1888 in Leola, McPherson County, South Dakota and was the first and oldest child.   William and Fedilia (Clement) Stone moved a great deal, living in Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Texas.    William Stone was a day laborer who worked on ranches and mines and in the Texas oil fields.

Orey and Leonora Cornelia (Stone) Plummer were married on February 28, 1916 (her birthday) in Roundup, Musselshell County, Montana by a Justice of the Peace.  Orey and Nora (Stone) Plummer had moved to Casper, Wyoming when Orey registered for the Draft in World War I.   He registered for military service in World War I in September 1918.  In those papers, he states that he was born on April 10, 1883 in Adams County, Nebraska.  He states that he is 35 years old, and that he is married.   He gives his wife's name as Nora Cornelia Plummer.  He states that he is driving a laundry truck.

Orey and Nora Plummer were the parents of a daughter, Maidie Ruth Plummer, born January 30, 1917 at Roundup, Musselshell County, Montana.  William B. Stone moved his family from Roundup, Musselshell, Montana to the oil fields of Texas, settling at Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto, Texas.   It was not long before Orey E. and Nora C. (Stone) Plummer and their little daughter Maidie Plummer joined the Stone family there.

I do not know any of the circumstances, but I'm now in possession of the Death Certificate of Leonora Cornelia "Nora" (Stone) Plummer, which relates that Nora Plummer was severely burned in an accident on December 14, 1919.   She lived under a doctor's care for 18 days and passed away on December 31, 1919.   She was buried in Ashwood Cemetery, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto, Texas on January 1, 1920.

William B. Stone and his wife Fedilia (Clement) Stone must have taken custody of Maidie Ruth Plummer since she is shown living with them on the 1920 living with them in South Dakota.  Sometime between 1920 and 1930, William B. Stone and Fedilia (Clement) Stone either divorced or separated because he is living in Callifornia in 1930 and she is living with several of her children in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.  Maidie Ruth Plummer was living with her grandmother Fedilia Stone and her several of her aunts and uncles in Tacoma, Washington.  William B. Stone died July 29, 1942 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.   Fedilia (Clement) Stone death date and location is not known at this time.

Maidie Ruth Plummer, the daughter of Orey Ellbridge and Leonora Cornelia (Stone) Plummer, grew up in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington where she was married to Howard Nymoen Johnson by the time the 1940 U. S. Census was taken.  

Maidie R. and Howard N. Johnson were the parents of three children:  Dale, Theodore and Beverly Ann Johnson.    They lived in Tacoma, where Maidie Ruth (Plummer) Johnson died on March 24, 2002.  She is buried in Oakhill Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.  Her husband, Howard N. Johnson, died on July 27, 1973 and is buried at Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.

Orey Ellbridge Plummer is listed in the Tulsa City Directory, Tulsa, Oklahoma every year between 1920 and 1947.   The Tulsa City Directory for 1921-1923 indicates that he is a painter, and that he has married a second time to Martha Louis "Lillian" Landru.  They lived the remainder of their lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma and both are buried there.

This is a photograph of Orey Ellbridge and Martha Louisa "Lillian" (Landru) Plummer in their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.   The date is unknown but prior to 1960.

Martha Louisa "Lillian" Landru was born March 28, 1870 in Forest City, Winnebago County, Iowa to Hiram and  Ingaborg (Lundsaeteren-Anderson) Knudson.  Lillian Landru was married the first time to Edson A. Pinckney on September 19, 1893 in Forest City, Iowa.  She married Edson Pinckney, who was the widower of her older sister, Isabella Josephine (Landru) Pinckney.   Edson Pincknew was the druggist in the small town of Forest City, Iowa.

Isabella Josephine (Landru) Pinckney evidently died from childbirth complications.   Edson and Isabella Josephine's child, Raymond Landru Pinckney, who was born on February 7, 1892 in Forest City, Iowa and his mother died on February 15, 1892 and was buried in the Forest City Cemetery, Forest City, Iowa.

Martha Louisa "Lillian" (Landru) Pinckney raised Raymond Landru Pinckney and was the mother of two additional children born to she and Edson A. Pinckney.   They are:  Lucille A Pinckney born April 30, 1895 in Forest City, Iowa and Lawrence Melville Pinckney born January 4, 1899 in Forest City, Iowa.

Lucille A. Pinckney married John Farragut "Jack" Robinson and they moved to Pampas, Gray County, Texas and spent most of the remainder of their lives.

Lawrence Melville Pinckney died November 21, 1913 at Minneapolis, Minnesota from typhoid fever and spinal meningitis and was buried in the Pinckney Family Lot in the Forest City, Iowa cemetery.

So far as is known, Orey eventually became an insurance salesman and finished his career in Tulsa, Oklahoma.   Martha Louisa "Lillian" (Landru) Plummer was a housewife.    Orey and Lillian Plummer did not have any children of their own, but raised her daughter Lucille A. Pickney and included her family as their own.

The Plummers died just about a year apart and are buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Orey E. Plummer died on May 2, 1960 and Martha Louisa "Lillian" (Landru) Plummer died on March 15, 1961.

If anyone reading this has more information, I'd be happy to add it to this blog.

Happy Trails!

Thoughts From The Author About Christmas

At this time of year, I focus on and do my best to remember, why I celebrate Christmas.  The media, organized religion and others are all blasting us with what we should and shouldn't believe and say and do.  I am often called Scrooge because I just can't get into the spirit of commercialism---but I celebrate Christmas joyfully because I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior, a Savior of love and forgiveness freely given to me.  

I have used the first person pronoun because I wouldn't want anyone to think that I speak for them, feel for them, or believe for them.   I only speak for myself and I don't ask anyone to speak for me.  This is about my personal relationship with the Baby Jesus.  It is my personal testimony.

Christmas is the time of year when I'm able to give one special gift to myself and others.  It a gift I can't buy in a department store, it's a pledge to "walk the walk" by putting into practice the words which Christ gave to me from Luke 6: 37-38:

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

For certain---I often miss that mark. I find myself condemning others, I want to give but I hold back, I want to forgive but I'm not able.  Its at these times that I feel badly and lonely. That's when I count on that special relationship I have with the Baby Jesus in the manger.  I remember what He did for me.   I am often not the person I want to be, I don't "practice what I preach," but I try to associate Christmas with the verses from Luke and remember my focus.  

I know when I miss the mark, I will not receive judgment, but eternal forgiveness and love.  I try not to tell others what to do, but I fail.  I try not to tell others what to believe but I fail.   And when I fail, I try to remember the words from Luke and govern myself accordingly.  I am happy and fulfilled because I believe in the Baby Jesus and what He did for me.  Now its time to again give that gift to myself and others.

Merry Christmas!

Continuing with the Children of Levi L. and Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer: Maude and an Un-named Child

The 1916 obituary for Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer, states that she is the mother of eight children, two who have already preceded her in death.   One of those, Maude, is known, while the other was likely a still born baby or a child born prematurely.

The only record for Maude Plummer, is the 1885 Nebraska State Census, which records her as the daughter of Levi and Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer and lists her birth state as Nebraska and her age as four.   That would indicate that Maude Plummer was born in 1881.

Levi L. and Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer are both buried in the Blue Valley (LeRoy) Cemetery at Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska but a search of the records there does not indicate that Maude Corbin was buried there prior to or after her parents.   There are others members of the family buried in that cemetery, but no record for their little daughter Maude has been found.

In addition, a search of Adams County, Nebraska cemeteries has not provided any additional records for Plummer Children.

I have not been able to find any information about either of these two children in visiting with surviving members of the Levi and Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer families.

The Children of Levi L. and Martha Jane Corbin Plummer: Anna L. Plummer

AnneaL. Plummer was the first and oldest child of Levi L. "Lawn" and Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer.   She was born June 2, 1877 in Adams County, Nebraska.  Levi was 25 and Martha Jane was 21 when Anne was born.

In preparing the genealogy for Anna L. Plummer, I thought that I had also found the family ancestry of her father, Levi L. Plummer.   Here's why.

Anna L. Plummer married Spartan Thomas West on December 15, 1903 at Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska.   Spartan Thomas West was thirty years older than Anna Plummer, and had been married twice before he married Anna Plummer.   Both of his earlier wives had died before his marriage to Anna in 1903.

Spartan Thomas West was born on May 28, 1847 in Georgia, the only child of Curtis Green and Melvina (Collins) West.   His family moved north where they are found in Tennessee when the 1850 U.S. Census was taken.  Ten years later, when the 1860 US Census was taken, they were living in Elm, Putnam County, Missouri.  In a family testimonial, a descendant states "Grandpa West told me he wanted to find his fortune farming in the west, and moved to Putnam County, Missouri."  Spartan Thomas West was then 13 years old. If you have been following the story of the Corbin Family, you will also recall that James and Cynthia (Casteel) Corbin and their extended family were also living in Putnam County, Missouri and continued to do so until moving to Adams County, Nebraska to take homesteads in the mid-1870s.   Therefore, the Spartan and Corbin Families were acquainted in Missouri.

Spartan Thomas West was first married to Elizabeth McDowell.  Elizabeth McDowell was the daughter of Patrick Henry and Sarah Jane (Dickenson) McDowell and was born on May 30, 1850 in Ohio.  She married Spartan Thomas West on March 26, 1868.

Spartan and Elizabeth (McDowell) were married just a little over a year when Elizabeth died giving birth to their first child,  May Villa "Zella" West, on May 1, 1869 in Fremont County, Iowa.  I have not been able to find a burial place for Elizabeth (McDowell) West.  

I don't want to leave Elizabeth (McDowell) West before mentioning that she came from a distinguished Colonial Family.   The McDowell Family migrated from Ireland and settled first in Pennsylvania a few short years before moving to Virginia where they became large landowners.   Her ancestors served with distinction in the American Revolutionary War.   Her grandfather moved to Pike County, Georgia where he established a large plantation and owned over 100 slaves.  Elizabeth's father, like so many younger children of wealthy parents, moved north and west because most of the time wealth and land was given to the oldest son.

Spartan west then moved West to the State of Nebraska where he located.   There, he married a second time to Mariah Louisa Plummer.  Mariah was born September 25, 1855 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Joseph West and Mary (Parsons) Plummer.   She married Spartan West in 1871 and they become the parents of ten children over the next 23 years.    She died on November 22, 1896 in Canton, Montana at the age of 41.

In Mariah Plummer West, I thought I had also found the families and ancestors of Levi L. "Lawn" Plummer, but that was not the case.  I do continue to believe that there is some distant relationship, but I do not know how they are related.   Mariah's father, Joseph West Plummer, was born into the Plummer families that lived in Frederick County, Maryland.   He then moved west to Jefferson County, Ohio, and on west to the State of Iowa where he lived out the remainder of his life.  

I spent many days researching the genealogy of the entire Joseph West Plummer line including his siblings, parents, their children and grandparents.   But to no avail.   I did not find Levi L. "Lawn" Plummer or anyone that could have been his parents.   Levi L. "Lawn" Plummer was born in Ohio, but that is all we know of his ancestry at this time.

I have to ask the question:   Is it just coincidence that Mariah Louisa (Plummer) West died, and her widower then marries a third time to Anna L. Plummer?   There must be some kind of relationship but I have not found it.

Anna L. Plummer was raised in Hastings and Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska.   When she married the widower Spartan Thomas West, he was thirty years her senior and had ten children.   Spartan and Anna (Plummer) West never had any children, but Anna raised all of Spartan's children as her own.  Those children are as follows:

Mother: Elizabeth (McDowell) West
             May Villa "Zella" West - May 1, 1869
Mother: Mariah Louisa (Plummer) West
             Inez Louise West - July 10, 1873 - Council Bluffs, Pottawatomie County, Iowa
             Curtis William West - January 22, 1875 - Putnam County, Missouri
             John Peter West - January 31, 1878 - Putnam County, Missouri
             Helen Orpha West - December 14, 1878 - Putnam County, Missouri
             Chester Carl West - June 25, 1882 - Helena, Lewis & Clark, Montana
             Joseph Charles West - December 31, 1883 - Helena, Lewis & Clark, Montana
             Ida Montana West - September 21, 1885 - Helena, Lewis & Clark, Montana
             Walter Spartan West - December 23, 1888 - Canton, Broadwater, Montana
              Earl Plummer West - June 23, 1896 - Canton, Broadwater, Montana

Keep in mind, that Anna L. (Plummer) West was younger than three of her step-children when she married Spartan Thomas West.   Anna was very brave to take on raising 10 step children who were not so different in age from she.    Life was very hard in Montana, where most of the Plummer and West Families were engaged in mining coal or silver.

Anna and Spartan West moved from Montana to Washington State in the 1920s, then to California, and finally back to Washington where Spartan died at Leavonworth, Chelan County, Washington on November 10, 1933.   He is buried in the Leavonworth Cemetery there.

After Spartan's death, Anna (Plummer) West moved to San Diego, California where she lived the remainder of her life.   She died there on July 16, 1940 at the age of 63.

Anna and Spartan did not have any children of their own, therefore, Anna L. (Plummer) West does not have any direct descendants.   However, I have done the genealogy for all of the West children and most had large families.  Their descendants number in the hundreds and many must think of their step-mother, Anna L. (Plummer) West, as the only mother they knew.

All of the genealogical information on the children of Spartan Thomas West, can be found on my genealogical website at:   http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/53479667/person/26044416802

Happy Trails!!

Continuing with the Children of my Maternal Great Great Grandparents, James and Cynthia Ann (Casteel) Corbin. The History of Their Eighth Child: Martha Jane Corbin

While I do have photographs of my maternal great great grandparents, James and Cynthia Ann (Casteel) Corbin, I am sorry that no photographs of their eighth child, Martha Jane Corbin, seem to have survived.    At least the family members that I have been in contact with do not have a photograph of Martha Jane.

James Corbin was born in Clermont County, Ohio in 1813 and had moved to LaPorte County, Indiana with several members of his family by 1835, where he married his wife, Cynthia Ann Casteel on February 5, 1837.

The Casteel Family had also lived in Clermont County, Ohio where it is likely that James and Cynthia had met.   James and Cynthia remained in Indiana for about 10 years before moving to Dodge County, Missouri where they were recorded on the 1850 U. S. Census.  Family tradition has it that their son, James Polk Corbin, was born at West Liberty, Putnam County, Missouri in 1850.   An oral history taken from their daughter Mary Elizabeth Corbin says that they moved from Lake County, Indiana to their farm at West Liberty, Putnam County, Missouri via a short stop in Dodge County, Missouri.    She also states that the family then moved to northern Texas where they investigated land but decided to return to their farm near West Liberty, Missouri.

By the time Martha Jane Corbin was born, May 27, 1856 at West Liberty, Putnam County, Missouri. the Corbin Family was living at West Liberty, where James and several members of the family were both farming and operating a small country store.   James and Cynthia Corbin and several members of their family decided to go West and seek their fortunes in 1872.  We think we are "mobile" today, but think about how far James and Cynthia had moved in their lifetimes.   Born near Cincinnati, Ohio they had moved to the shores of Lake Michigan in LaPorte County, Indiana, then to northeast Missouri, moving again to north central Missiouri, a fourth move to northern Texas, then back to Putnam County, Missouri and finally to Adams County, Nebraska.   Pioneer families, motivated by new opportunity and the potential of personal gain, were not hesitant to move long distances.   Most of James and Cynthia (Casteel) Corbin's family went to Adams County, Nebraska and took homesteads.  Most settled in or near the new town of Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska.    Martha Jane Corbin was 16 years old when this move occurred.

Finding the Family of Levi Lonzo, or Alonzo Levi Plummer Difficult at Best!!!

Martha Jane Corbin lived on her parent's farmstead in Adams County, Nebraska until August 19, 1876 when she married Levi Lonzo or Alonzo Levi Plummer.  Family and friends called him, "Lawn" Plummer.  Like so many others, L. L. Plumber had come to Nebraska seeking a better life. 

I will stop at this point to discuss Mr. Plummer's name.   Many of the family believe that his name was Alonzo Levi Plummer.   Others believe that it was Levi Lonzo Plummer.   His tombstone in the Blue Valley Cemetery at Leroy, Adams County, Nebraska says simply: "L. L. Plummer" and provides no help.  This stone was erected when his wife, Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer died in 1916, so L. L. Plummer was alive at that time and most likely chose the wording on the tombstone.

Apparrantly, there is no surviving information about his parents within the members of the Plummer Family that I have visited or corresponded with, including his grandchildren.

The exact day of his birth is not known, but he provided "March 1856" as the month and year of his birth for the 1900 U. S. Census, which found him living with Martha Jane (Corbin) in Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska.

Some of the family members have listed him as the first or second child of Abraham P. Plummer and Elizabeth "Betsy" (Wright) Plummer of Cherry Hill, Winchester County, Ohio.  If all other genealogical information I have found for Abraham and Elizabeth (Wright) Plummer is correct, it is not possible for our L. L. Plummer to be their child.

With absolute certainty, Abraham P. and Betsy (Wright) Plummer already have a first or second son named Levi Moore Plummer, who was born to them on December 6, 1855.   There is no questioning this birth date or parentage because Levi Moore Plummer married Rachel Hiatt and they had at least five children.   They lived near family in Ohio all of their lives and their children have documented the family history many times over.

If Levi Moore Plummer was born on December 6, 1855, it is physically impossible for Abraham and Betsy (Wright) Plummer to have had another child in March 1856.  Therefore, it seems difficult to assign our Levi Plummer to Abraham and Betsy (Wright) Plummer.   On future U. S. Census reports in 1860 and 1870, only one child named Levi is assigned to Abraham and Betsy (Wright) Plummer, and that is the Levi born in 1855, and often is shown "Levi M. Plummer" indicating that it was "the other" Levi Moore Plummer and not our own L. L. Plummer.



This photograph was used with the obituary of  Levi Plummer in 1933.

Levi Plummer seems to have arrived in Adams County, Nebraska about the same time as members of the Corbin family.     Unfortunately, Adams County, Nebraska did not take a state census in 1875, but Mr. Plummer was there by that time.  He married Martha Jane Corbin on November 19, 1876.

By the time the 1880 U.S. Census was taken, Levi and Martha (Corbin) Plummer were living in the town of Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska.   The census lists Levi's occupation as Rail Road Section Hand.   Martha is housekeeping and they have a two-year old daughter, Anna L. Plummer.

There was an 1885 Nebraska State Census taken and at that time, Levi and Martha (Corbin) Plummer were living in the town of Hastings, Nebraska and they have three children:  Anna L., Maude, and Orey L. Plummer. 

By the time the 1890 U. S. Census is taken, Levi and Martha (Corbin) Plummer have moved from Hastings, a short distance to Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska where several other members of the Corbin family have taken up residence.   On the 1890 Census, there are five children listed, but they are not the same as had been listed on the 1885 Census.  It appears that Maude Plummer has died during that period of time.   The five children listed are:  Orey L., Leroy E., Charles W., Ada Evelyn, and Ara Louise.  Levi's occupation as listed as plumber.

The 1910 U.S. Census finds the family continuing to live in Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska.   The census lists Levi, Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer and youngest daughters Ada Evelyn and Ara Louise Plummer still remaining at home.

Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer died on March 3, 1916 at the family home in Ayr, Nebraska.   The following is a copy of her obituary from the Hastings, Nebraska newspaper:
Martha J. Corbin was born in Putnam county, Missouri, May 27, 1856. Died March 7, 1916, of heart failure at her home in Ayr, Nebraska aged fifty-nine years, nine months and ten days. She was converted when sixteen years old, united with the Methodist church. With her parents she came to Nebraska in 1874, and November 17, 1876, was united in marriage with L.L. Plummer. To this union were born eight children, two of them preceding their mother to the better land. She leaves to mourn her loss a husband and six children, namely,--Mrs. Anna West, Orey E. Plummer and Leroy E. Plummer, all of Roundup, Montana; Charles H. of California, and Mrs. A.H. and Mrs. F. Livingston, both of Hastings, Nebraska, and four grand-children. She also leaves behind two brothers and three sisters;--George W. Corbin, of Kansas; James P. Corbin of Missouri; Mrs. Mary Wilder and Mrs. Sarah Marshall, of Ayr, and Mrs. Anna Bell, of Hastings. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Daniel Lapp at the Methodist church Sunday at 2 p.m., March 12, with interment at the Leroy cemetery where the Rebekah ladies gave their beautiful ritualistic service.

Martha Jane (Corbin) Plummer was buried in Blue Valley Cemetery, Ayr, Adams County, Nebraska.   Martha's parents, James and Cynthia Ann (Casteel) Corbin and many of her brothers and sisters and other family members are also buried in the Blue Valley Cemetery.

I'm going to talk about each one of Levi and Martha (Corbin) Plummer's children in separate posts on this blog.  I am hopeful that information about the ancestors of Levi L. Plummer will someday be found, but for me, all remains speculation.

Happy trails!

Vivian Mae Corbin: The Youngest Child of Robert and Mildred Mae (McCauley) Corbin-Clark

Vivian Mae Corbin, was born on August 3, 1932 at Maple Hill, Kansas.   She was the youngest child of Robert and Mildred Mae (McCauley) Corbin-Clark.  She was my aunt and the "little" sister of my mother, Lucille (Corbin) Clark.  Vivian was the paternal granddaughter of George Washington and Sarah Ann (Todd) Corbin.   Sarah Ann (Todd) Corbin died in 1916 and George Washington Corbin in 1925, so both were dead before she was born.   She was the maternal granddaughter of Samuel McCauley, who died in 1911 and Lucy Mae (Lemon) McCauley-Banta-Billings-Strong who lived until 1951.   Vivian received her middle name from Lucy Mae Lemon was the only grandparent Vivian Corbin knew.

I knew Aunt Vivian particularly well, because she was just about 10 years older than I, and was still single and living with her parents (my maternal grandparents) when my early memories began.   Since I spent a lot of time with Robert and Mildred Corbin, I also spent a lot of time with Aunt Vivian.  I was born in 1944, when Aunt Vivian was 12, so she and my other aunts all spoiled me.   I believe the term "rotten" is certainly appropriately applied!

Perhaps one of the earliest photographs of the Corbin Family, taken about 1936 or 1937 in Maple Hill, Kansas.  L-R:  George S. Corbin, Lucille Corbin, Mildred M. (McCauley) Corbin and Robert Corbin.  Front row L-R:  Joan Corbin, Sarah Emma Corbin and Vivian Mae Corbin.

Aunt Vivian attended Maple Hill Grade School and Maple Hill High School, graduating in 1951.   She was musically talented and played in the Maple Hill High School Band and sang in the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church choir.  I remember Aunt Vivian and my other aunts, Joan (Corbin) Andrews-Frazier, Sarah Emma (Corbin) Justice and my mother Lucille (Corbin) Clark, all spending a great deal of time at the piano and in singing.   Grandmother Mildred (McCauley) Corbin usually prepared and hosted Sunday Dinner (which was served at lunchtime) and when the dishes were cleaned up, almost always, everyone headed to the living room when we sang popular songs as well as hymns.   It is one of my favorite memories and where I learned to sing and appreciate music.

All of my aunts spoiled me.   They all had good jobs in Topeka, Kansas and since I was the first maternal grandchild, birthdays, Christmas and other occasions were usually times when they brought me toys and clothes.   I remember Aunt Vivian giving me a record player for Christmas when I was 5 or 6, and several records with children's stories and songs.   I loved that record player.

This 1944 photograph was taken when Robert and Mildred Corbin lived three miles east of Maple Hill in the Holmden Stone House.   Robert was working for the Franklin Adams Estate.   L-R are:  Vivian Mae Corbin, Lucille Corbin, Joan Corbin and Sarah Emma Corbin.   I have to say that my mother, Lucille Corbin and Aunt Vivian both hated this picture, so I'm glad they are not here to see me using it in this blog :)

I became a pupil at Maple Hill Grade School in 1951 and Aunt Vivian was in high school.   I'm sure she may have dated others, but I only remember her dating her future husband, George Wild, Jr.  He was a tall, athletic guy who our family enjoyed having around at gatherings.  He had a really good looking 1950 Ford and always kept it in immaculate condition.   Robert and Mildred (McCauley) Corbin lived on a farm about 1.5 miles south of Maple Hill, Kansas and the homestead had a circle driveway.  I can still see George Wild driving in and making that circle to pick up Aunt Vivian.   If memory serves me well, my grandparents would not let Aunt Vivian date on week nights, so she and George dated on Friday and Saturday night, and then attended the Pilgrim Fellowship Youth Group at the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church on Sunday evenings.

I can still hear my grandparents establishing the rules for Aunt Vivian's dates.   The most important rule, was a signal for her to come into the house.   At 11:00pm on Friday and Saturday nights, Grandfather or Grandmother Corbin, usually Grandfather Corbin, would walk into the kitchen and flip the electrical switch for the big yard light off and on.   That was the signal that Aunt Vivian should soon appear in the house!  I do remember that there were occasional pleadings but Grandfather Corbin was pretty strict and Aunt Vivian usually lost the arguments.   It was a happy household and I don't really have any unpleasant memories of my times spent there.   I'm sure my first cousins would all agree.

Aunt Vivian and George Wild continued to date after graduating from Maple Hill High School.   George worked on his parent's farm, which was located in the Turkey Creek Community north of Maple Hill.   Aunt Vivian got a job in Topeka, and while I remember that it was clerical work, I don't recall what company she worked for.   They were engaged, and on September 25, 1953, they were married at the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church by Rev. Harold Wisegarver.   Their wedding reception was held in the American Legion Hall on Maple Hill's Main Street.   Their first home was in the upstairs apartment at the home of the bride's cousin, Charles M. and Bonnie (Thomas) Mitchell in Maple Hill, Kansas.

Uncle George Wild was just a great guy, always in the middle of everything fun and yet, I remember him as having a bashful side.   He was the son of George Randolph Wild, Sr. and Fern Ivy (Lacock) Wild and grew up on the family's farm in Turkey Creek.   He was a very hard worker.  He was born on June 28, 1932 and was about a year older than Aunt Vivian, although there were in the same class at Maple Hill High School.

Uncle George soon got a job as the custodian and bus driver for the Maple Hill Grade School.   It was great because I could get on his bus and ride to Grandmother and Grandfather Corbin's home, which I did regularly.   It wasn't long until they had moved to the old Meinhardt Farm north of Maple Hill, now owned by the Porter family.  I was invited to spend many weekends there and always enjoyed myself immensely.   Aunt Vivian and Uncle George kept a mild cow, a saddle horse, and lots of chickens.   They always had outdoor cats and spending the weekend there was full of good times.  I loved having homemade butter, fresh cream and all lots of good things to eat.   Uncle George would wake me up very early in the morning, and we'd drive to his parent's farm where he would scoop fresh silage out of their silage pit and take it to the cattle.  That insured that they always had fresh beef as well.   Uncle George's mother, Fern Wild had a huge garden on their river-bottom farm, and she was wonderful to can and freeze lots of food and share it with others.    Fern also loved antiques and visited auctions and shops, always finding bargains in poor condition which she refinished and made into beautiful heirlooms.

I'm not sure when Uncle George left the school job and began working for Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Topeka, Kansas.   He was still driving the school bus when I finished grade school at Maple Hill in 1958.    The work there was very hot and hard and Uncle George spent more than 30 years building tires.   Before long, they built a new home on Prairie Avenue in Maple Hill, Kansas.   They were both very proud of their new home, where they spent the rest of their lives.

Their first child, Randolph Corbin Wild, Sr., was born on September 26, 1955 and was nearly a second anniversary present!  Randy grew up in Maple Hill, Kansas and attended Maple Hill Grade School and graduated from St. Marys High School, St. Marys, Kansas.    Randy was a good athlete and enjoyed playing sports at St. Marys High School.

Randy married Kimberly A. Tarbutton, who was born March 26, 1959.   Kim is the daughter of Joseph E. and Donna (Vanlandingham) Tarbutton and has lived all of her life in Maple Hill, Kansas.   Kim attended Maple Hill Grade School, and St. Marys High School.   Kim was involved in school activities and was a cheerleader.

She and Randolph Corbin Wild, Sr. were married in the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church on September 29, 1979.   Kim and Randy were both active in the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church Pilgrim Fellowship youth group. 
Randy Wild has been employed for nearly 3 decades by Westar Energy at the Jeffery Energy Center north of St. Marys, Kansas.    Kim (Tarbutton) Wild is employed by the St. Marys Manor, St. Marys, Kansas.  They live in Maple Hill, Kansas.

Randy Wild recently celebrated his 58th birthday with a family dinner at the Brookville Hotel, Abilene, Kansas.  L-R are: Kim (Tarbutton) Wild, grandson Parker Heim, and Randolph Corbin Wild, Sr.

Randy and Kim Wild are the parents of three children:   Rebecca Ann, born July 1, 1980; Shannon Kay Wild, born May 29, 1983 and Randolph Corbin Wild, Jr. born December 20, 1984.

All three children attended Maple Hill Grade School and all three graduated from St. Marys High School, St. Marys, Kansas.  All of the children were active in school organizations and in athletics.

Rebecca "Becky" Wild, attended Maple Hill Grade School and St. Marys High School before graduating from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in 2003.  Becky was on an athletic scholarship at OPSU. 

Barry and Becky (Wild) Sandstrom

On June 10, 2006 she was married to Barry Sandstrom at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys, Kansas.   Becky (Wild) Sandstrom is employed by Unified School District #321 at St. Marys High School as a teacher and coach.  Barry Sandstrom is employed at Home Depot in Topeka, Kansas.  The Sandstroms live in Topeka, Kansas.

L-R:  Shannon Wild, Kimberly (Tarbutton) Wild, Rebecca (Wild) Sandstrom and Randy Wild.

Shannon Wild attended Maple Hill Grade School and graduated from Washburn University in 2005 with a degree in Health Sciences and Physical Therapy.   She was married to Wade Michael Heim on July 7, 2007 at First Methodist Church in Topeka, Kansas.   Wade attended schools in St. Marys, Kanas and Kansas State University in Manhattan.   Wade is currently employed as a civil engineer and Shannon is a Rehabilitation Director and CTPA Program Manager for Genesis Services in Wamego, Kansas.

L-R:  Shannon (Wild) and Wade Heim

Shannon and Wade Heim have one child, Parker Heim, born October 23, 2008 and are expecting another in 2014.    They are building a new home west of St. Marys, Kansas.

L-R:   Shannon (Wild), Parker Heim and Wade Heim

Randolph Corbin Wild, Jr., who is called Randy, attended Maple Hill High School and St. Marys High School and was graduated from Washburn University.     Randy played on the Washburn Ichabod Baseball Team and also played semi-professional baseball during summers.  Randy was named to the All-MIAA Baseball Team twice and threw several no-hit games as an Ichabod pitcher.  Randy is a Special Education teacher at St. Marys High School and is also head girls basketball coach.   He was married to Beth Mitchell of St. Marys, Kansas on July 3, 2010.  Beth is employed at Custom Woods of St. Marys.

L-R:   Randy and Beth (Mitchell) Wild


This is a 1964 Maple Hill Grade School photo of Pamela Mae Wild.

Pamela Mae Wild was born to George and Vivian (Corbin) Wild on July 18, 1958 at Gen Hospital in Wamego, Kansas.   Pam's family lived in Maple Hill, Kansas where she attended Maple Hill Grade School and graduated from St. Marys High School.

Pam and Russell John Martin, were married on March 19, 1977.  Russ Martin is the son of John H. and Anges Martin and was raised in the Emmett Community of Pottawatomie County, Kansas where he attended elementary school and graduated from St. Marys High School.  The couple met at St. Marys High School where both were students.

Pam and Russ have lived in the Maple Hill and Paxico Communities of Wabaunsee County all of their married lives.  Russ was a carpet installer and estimater at Country Carpets, Maple Hill, Kansas.    For more than 25 years, Pam has been the clerk of the Unified School District #321 at St. Marys, Kansas.   Russ and Pam built a new home on land north of Paxico, Kansas which had been in the Wild Family for several generations.   They continue to live there. 

Russ and Pam are the parents of two children: Ryan Christopher Martin and Hillary Leigh Martin.

The Ryan Martin Family: Back Row L-R: Ryan, Leo Christopher and Michelle (Pearl) Martin.  Front Row: Vivian Paige, and Atticus Michael Martin.   The occasion was the first communion of Vivian Martin at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys, Kansas.

Ryan Christopher Martin was born on July 28, 1977 and grew up in the Maple Hill, Paxico and St. Marys Communities where he attended schools.  Ryan was married to Michelle A. Pearl on June 1, 2002 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys, Kansas.   Michelle is the daughter of Gerald "Jerry" and Hildegard Pearl of St. Marys, Kansas.   Michelle attended and graduated from schools in St. Marys, Kansas.  Ryan is employed by Country Carpets, Maple Hill, Kansas and Michelle Martin is employed by US Stone Industries in St. Marys, Kansas.

L-R:  Vivian Paige, Atticus Michael and Leo Christopher Martin

Ryan and Michelle Martin are the parents of three children:  Vivian Paige born February 3, 2004, Atticus Michael, born December 5, 2005 and Leo Christopher Martin born March 9, 2010.     The Martins live in St. Marys, Kansas




The Mike and Hillary Brunin Family.

The second child of Russ and Pam Martin is Hillary Leigh Martin, born March 6, 1981.   Hillary is a graduate of St. Marys High School, St. Marys, Kansas.   On October 8, 2005 Hillary was married to Michael David Brunin At Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Marys, Kansas.   Mike Brunin was born on March 2, 1982 and is the son of David and Kathy Brunin, St. Marys, Kansas.

Hillary (Martin) Brunin and twin sons Quinn and Corbin.

Mike and Hillary are the parents of twin sons, Quinn Robert and Corbin Nathaniel Brunin, born September 1, 2008.   The Brunins live in Eudora, Kansas where Hillary is a physical therapist and Mike is an architectural engineer.