The Story of James and Evangeline (PETERSON) LIGGETT

JAMES K. P. LIGGETT , born 5 Mar 1845 in Fountain County, Indiana; died 17 Dec 1910 in Burlington, Des Moines, Illinois; buried 20 Dec 1910 in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, son of GEORGE LIGGETT and CATHERINE ANN BELL . He married (1) Maria Elvina Unknown , died 28 Oct 1871 in Illiopolis, Sangamon County, Illinois; (2) on 1 Nov 1873 in Sangamon County, Illinois Susan E. Moore ; (3) on 5 Dec 1890 in Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois, divorced 9 Oct 1900 in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois EVANGELINE M. PETERSON , born, 14 Aug 1862 in Potomac, Vermilion, Illinois; died 11 Nov 1942 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois; buried 13 Nov 1942 in unmarked grave in Lutheran Cemetery, Peoria, Illinois, daughter of ELI PETERSON and SUSAN E. WRIGHT .

James K.P. LIGGETT was born 5 March 1845 in Fountain County, Indiana, the son of George & Catherine (BELL) LIGGETT. By 1850, James’ mother is not in the household. At this time, it is assumed that she has died. Instead, living in the household was James, his older brother, Andrew, his grandmother Esther (HAYS) LIGGETT, and father, George LIGGETT. James’ grandmother, Esther, died in May of 1853. It is unknown at this time what happened to his father, George, but James is found living in the household of James C. THOMPSON working as a farm hand while his brother, Andrew, is working as a farm hand for Dennis RUSK in Cain, Fountain County, IN.

James LIGGETT enlisted in the Civil War in the 20th Indiana Infantry, Company D as a "musician" on 22 July 1861. Family tradition is that James LIGGETT actually served as a water boy. James was honorably discharged at Jeffersonville, IN on 12 July 1865. James was 4' 8", hazel eyes, and brown hair according to his pension paperwork.

Following the war, James K.P. LIGGETT moved to Central Illinois. The date and place of James' first marriage to Mariah Elvina is unknown at this time. According to paperwork filed with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, James's daughter, Amanda, was born 8 July 1870. James, his wife, Mariah Elvina, and their young daughter lived in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois at the time of the 1870 Federal Census. James, age 26, was working as a laborer. Also listed in the household are: Henry (16), Martha (11), Mary (9), and Wilmer (4) KISTER. Their relationship to James and Mariah is unknown at this time. James’ first wife, Mariah Elvina LIGGETT, died 28 October 1871 in Illiopolis, Sangamon County, IL.

Two years later, James K.P. LIGGETT married Susan E. MOORE 1 November 1873 in Sangamon County, IL. The family migrated southeast sometime before 1880 where they are found living in Grayville, White County, Illinois. The 1880 Federal Census of Grayville, White County, Illinois lists James Liggett as 45 years old, probably an error, with his wife, Susan, age 24, and daughter, Amanda, age 9. James' occupation was listed as a fisherman in the 1880 census. James’ 2nd wife, Susan, is not mentioned in other documents which have been found at this time. It is unknown at this time what happened to Susan after the 1880 Federal Census.

James moved to Vermilion County sometime in the 1880s. He is found listed as a painter in the 1889 Danville City Directory. On 5 December 1890, he married Evangeline M. PETERSON in Vermillion County, IL. The marriage register states this is James' 3rd marriage and Evangeline’s 2nd. The wedding was witnessed by Clara and Ed PETERSON, Evangeline’s sister and brother, and performed by W.E. STANLEY, minister at United Brethren Church.

Evangeline M. PETERSON was the daughter of Eli PETERSON and Susan E. WRIGHT born in 12 August 1865 in Vermilion County, Illinois. She grew up as the oldest daughter of five children in Marysville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Evangeline went by many names. On various documents her name has been listed as Eva, Eva Argentine, Ella and Lena/Lina.

According to her granddaughter, Eunice MOORE LAWYER, Evangeline was married 5 times. She first married William Alexander JOHNSON on 11 March 1881. She gave birth to three children during this marriage, Lola on 25 October 1882, Stella on 17 September 1884 and Dessie on 6 August 1888. Information regarding the death of William A. JOHNSON has not been found at this time; however, in later documents, Lena listed her name as “Mrs Lina Johnson, widow of Alexander.”

At the time of his marriage to Evangeline, James was living in Danville and working as a minister. According to The Danville Daily News 9 December 1890, "Rev. J.K.P. Liggett came down from Potomac yesterday. He will probably remove his family to this city in the near future." It is unknown at this time if James’ daughter, Amanda, was living with the couple.

Sometime before the fall of 1892, the family moved to Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois where their first daughter, Eva Edna LIGGETT, was born on 9 October 1892. Eva's birth record states this is the fourth child born to "Eva Argentine Peterson". The medical attendant at the birth was L. SMITH. Their second daughter, Fern, was born 12 May 1897 also in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois.

While living in Bloomington, James made his way as a painter. James was first listed in the 1893 Bloomington/Normal City Directory as a partner in a painting business named "Liggett & Lingenfelter". James' partner was Sherman LINGENFELTER. The advertisement on page 287 of the 1893 Bloomington/Normal City Directory stated the business did "House, Sign and Carriage Painting, Paper Hanging and Graining". The paint shop was located on 116 E. Grove Street opposite of the "First M E Church". The business is not listed in subsequent city directories even though James' occupation is still listed as a painter. In the 1893 Bloomington City Directory, "Lina LIGGETT" is listed as a dressmaker living at 702 S. Madison.

The following listings were found for James Liggett in the Bloomington City Directories:
· 1893: 702 S. Madison, Bloomington, IL
· 1895 & 1897: 901 S. Mason, Bloomington, IL
· 1899: 109 Magoun, paint shop under 110 E. Washington, Bloomington, IL
· 1900: 814 E. Walnut, Bloomington, IL

Evangeline "Lena" LIGGETT filed for divorce from her husband, James, in the fall of 1900. The divorce was settled on the ninth of October 1900, Eva’s 8th birthday, with the court finding James "guilty of extreme and repeated cruelty towards the complainant (Lena) and has threatened the life of the complainant". In 1902, Evangeline was listed in the Bloomington city directory as "Johnson Lina Mrs (wid Alexander), res 310 S. Prairie". Her daughters, Stella and "Lulu", were also listed in the city directory at the residence at 310 S. Prairie as well. James was living at 201 S. Center, Bloomington, in 1902.

Lena’s daughter, Lola, married Eugene JOURNEY on 14 March 1900 in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois. Their son, Howard Lester JOURNEY, was born 15 January 1901 in Bloomington, Illinois. It is unclear whether Eugene JOURNEY died or if they divorced, but in 1903 Lola married again to A. Frank MOON in Clinton, Macon County, Illinois. Lola gave birth to two more daughters, Anna Lavern (1906) and Mary Maxine (1917). Dessie, Lena’s youngest daughter from her first marriage, married Theodore B. GREENE, a baker from Bloomington, sometime around 1905. Dessie gave birth to Melvin (1905) and Pauline (1907).

Eva and her sister, Fern, continued to live with their mother, Lena, after the divorce but Eva could not wait to move out. She didn’t agree with some of her mother’s beliefs and couldn’t wait to go live with her father. Lena continued to live in Bloomington through 1909.

According to his pension paperwork, James was living in Peoria, Illinois by 1907. In 1909, James and his daughter, Eva, lived in Peoria, Illinois where James was working as an Elder at the Advent Christian Mission. Around 1910, James and Eva moved to Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, where Eva met William Moses MOORE. The couple was married in Burlington on 26 April 1910 in the home of Benjamin and Kittie GILLESPIE. James performed the wedding ceremony.

On 11 June 1910, Evangeline “Lena” married a Swedish immigrant, Axel LINDGREN, in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. H.C. LINCOLN, Justice of the Peace, married the couple. According to the marriage license, Lena is a 43-year old widow of a "Mr. Waterhouse" and her place of residence is Peoria. The marriage license also states this is her 2nd marriage, which, of course, is incorrect. No further information on her marriage to Mr. WATERHOUSE has been found at this time.

James died later that year on 17 December 1910. His obituary as found in the Hawk Eye Gazette follows:

"Leader Dead: Elder James R. P. Liggett of Union Volunteers: Passed Away Late Saturday Night - Tried to Build up Religious Organization. James R. P. Liggett, leader of the Union Volunteers of Hope of this city, passed away Saturday evening at 9:30 o'clock at his home, 911 Stowe Street. He had been ill for a number of years with Bright's disease, the recent decline having begun three weeks ago. Saturday he seemed to be better and was able to be around, but toward evening he became weaker and breathed his last shortly after 9 o'clock. The deceased came to Burlington several years ago with the intention of establishing a new religious organization here to be known as Union Volunteers of Hope. He was sincere and worked hard, but his efforts did not have satisfactory response. He never gave up, but continued to work in the face of defeat. For a time the organization had a hall here on Washington street and later on Valley street, but of late had no place of meeting. Mr. Liggett was a musician in Co. D and Co. I of the Twentieth Indiana Volunteer infantry during the civil war. He received a pension from the government and was loyal to the cause. It was his idea of a religious organization to have it on a military basis. He is survived by two daughters: Mrs. Eva Moore of Peoria and Mrs. Kittie Gillespie of Burlington."

It is unclear at this time who Kittie GILLESPIE really is. The 1910 Federal Census for Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa lists a Benjamin & Katherine GILLESPIE. It is possible that she is James’ daughter, Amanda C. LIGGETT, from his first marriage to Mariah. No mention of Fern is given in the obituary even though she survived James. Kittie GILLESPIE was noted as the informant on James’ death certificate, but most of the genealogical information was not known. James was buried at Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa on 20 December 1910.

At the time of James’ death, Lena lived in Harvey, Illinois with her daughters, Fern and Dessie, as well as Dessie’s husband, Theodore B. GREEN. Lena filed for a Minor’s Pension for their minor daughter in February of 1911 due to James’ service in the Civil War. Fern received $14 per month from 1911-1913 until she was no longer eligible for a pension upon her 16th birthday.

According to Eunice MOORE LAWYER, her grandmother "was quite a character. She was married 5 times and had a gentlemen friend when she died… A completely different personality from her daughter (my mother)." Dorothe SPENCER MOORE, Evangeline's granddaughter-in-law, concurred with Eunice stating she "was a character...quite a looker and always dressed to the nines."

Lena lived in Peoria from 1913-1932. Lena’s daughter, Stella, married Frank MASKER on 18 February 1918 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois and later adopted a daughter, Betty Jane MASKER. In October 1918, Lena was widowed once again when her husband, Axel, passed away in Peoria, IL. The following year in 1919, James & Lena’s daughter, Fern, married Novel BRANSCOME. Lena lived with Fern & Novel following their wedding. The couple lived in Peoria where Novel worked as a coal miner. Fern developed tuberculosis and died from the disease on 27 July 1925 in Peoria.

From the mid-1930s until the time of her death, Evangeline lived in Springfield, Illinois. Evangeline died 11 November 1942 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois while visiting her daughter there. The following is a transcribed copy of her obituary which appeared on page 20 of the Illinois State Journal on 13 November 1942.

"LENA LINDGREN DIED IN PEORIA, WAS ON VISIT AT HOME OF DAUGHTER. - Mrs. Lena Lindgren, a resident of Springfield fifteen years and mother of Mrs. Eva Moore, 1117 West Lawrence Avenue, died at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at the home of another daughter, Mrs. Dessie Green, Peoria. Mrs. Lindgren was visiting in Peoria, her former home. Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Moore; Mrs. Green; Mrs. Stella Masker, Peoria; and Mrs. A. F. Moon, Covell, Ill.; eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at the Wilton mortuary, Peoria, and burial will be in the Lutheran cemetery there.”

Evangeline "Lena" LINDGREN is buried in an unmarked grave in the Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria, IL. She is buried in Block 20, Row B among her loved ones, including three of her daughters, Stella MASKER, Dessie GREEN and Fern BRANSCOME. Dessie GREEN passed away in Peoria, IL on 12 August 1953. Stella MASKER passed away at the age of 105 on 11 May 1990 in Peoria, Illinois. Lena’s oldest daughter, Lola PETERSON MOON, passed away on 15 September 1978 in McLean County, Illinois. Her final resting place is unknown at this time.

Sources for James K.P. Liggett
1850 U.S. census, Fountain County, Indiana, population schedule, Cain Township, P. 129A (stamped), dwelling 585, family 596, George Liget household, NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 145.
1860 U.S. census, Fountain County, Indiana, population schedule, Cain Township, P. 90 (penned), dwelling 653, family 618, James C. Thompson household, NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 258.
National Archives (Washington, D.C.) to Carla Leber, letter, 2003, providing Compiled service record & Federal Pension files for James K.P. Liggett, Pvt., Co. D & I, 20th Indiana Infantry.
1870 U.S. census, Sangamon County, Illinois, population schedule, Springfield, P. 524A (stamped), sheet 363 (penned), dwelling 2934, family 2835, James Liggett household, NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 282.
Illinois. Sangamon County Register of Marriages, Illinois Regional Archives Depository System at University of Illinois in Springfield. James K.P. Liggett to Susan E. Moore, Vol. 4, p. 575, License no. 18696.
1880 U.S. census, White County, Illinois, population schedule, Grayville, P. 286B (stamped), sheet 34-B (penned), dwelling 313, family 314, John Herman household, NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 258.
Illinois. Vermilion County Register of Marriages, Illinois Regional Archives Depository System at Illinois State University. James K.P. Liggett to Evaline Peterson Johnson, Vol. 2, p. 183, License no. 8696.
Bloomington, Illinois, Register of Births, Book 5, Page 150, No. 12562. Eva Edna Liggett; McLean County Historical Society microfilm.
Bloomington, Illinois, Register of Births, Page 159, No. 15055. Baby girl Liggett; McLean County Historical Society microfilm.
1900 U.S. Census, McLean County, Illinois, population schedule, Bloomington, p. 293A (stamped), enumeration district (ED) 91, sheet 15-A, dwelling 311, family 330, James P. Liggett household, NARA microfilm publication T623 roll 322.
Bloomington, Illinois, Chancery Book, McLean County Circuit Clerk, Divorce of James & Lena Liggett, Page 277, 365-6.
1910 U.S. Census, Des Moines County, Iowa, population schedule, Burlington, p. 118B (stamped), enumeration district (ED) 8, sheet 17-B, dwelling 303, family 375, W. M. Moore household, NARA microfilm publication T624 roll 401.
Iowa Department of Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #29-02617, James K.P. Liggett (1910), Illinois State Archives, Springfield.
Missouri State Board of Health, Death certificate #6821, Byron R. Moore (1915), Bureau of Vital Statistics, Jefferson City.
James K.P. Liggett Obituary, Hawk Eye Gazette, Burlington, Iowa, December 1910, page unknown.
Fern Branscome Obituary, The Peoria Star, Peoria, Illinois, 29 July 1925, p. 4.

Sources for Evangeline Peterson
1870 U.S. census, Vermilion County, Illinois, population schedule, Middlefork Township, P. 266B (stamped), sheet 34 (penned), dwelling 238, family 236, Eli Peterson household, NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 285.
Illinois. Vermilion County. Deeds, 1874-177-1887.County Clerk’s Office, Danville. FHL Microfilm 1316853-1316873. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
1880 U.S. census, Vermilion County, Illinois, population schedule, Marysville Township, P. 495C (stamped), sheet 7-C penned), dwelling 80, family 82, Eli Peterson household, NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 255.
Illinois. Vermilion County Register of Marriages, Illinois Regional Archives Depository System at Illinois State University. Alex Johnson to Lina Peterson, Vol. D, p. 63, License no. 2784.
Illinois. Vermilion County Register of Marriages, Illinois Regional Archives Depository System at Illinois State University. James K.P. Liggett to Evaline Peterson Johnson, Vol. 2, p. 183, License no. 8696.
Bloomington, Illinois, Register of Births, Book 5, Page 150, No. 12562. Eva Edna Liggett; McLean County Historical Society microfilm.
Bloomington, Illinois, Register of Births, Page 159, No. 15055. Baby girl Liggett; McLean County Historical Society microfilm.
1900 U.S. Census, McLean County, Illinois, population schedule, Bloomington, p. 293A (stamped), enumeration district (ED) 91, sheet 15-A, dwelling 311, family 330, James P. Liggett household, NARA microfilm publication T623 roll 322.
Bloomington, Illinois, Chancery Book, McLean County Circuit Clerk, Divorce of James & Lena Liggett, Page 277, 365-6.
Peoria, Illinois, Return of a Marriage to County Clerk, Peoria County Clerk, Axel Lindgren to Lena Peterson Wateshouse, 11 June 1910, volume & page unknown.
1920 U.S. Census, Peoria County, Illinois, population schedule, Peoria, p. 193A (stamped), enumeration district (ED) 100, sheet 5-A, dwelling 110, family 123, Novel Branscome household, NARA microfilm publication T625 roll 399.
Fern Branscome Obituary, The Peoria Star, Peoria, Illinois, 29 July 1925, p. 4.
1930 U.S. Census, Peoria County, Illinois, population schedule, Peoria, p. 172B (stamped), enumeration district (ED) 72-63, sheet 15-B, family 18, Frank Masker household, NARA microfilm publication T626 roll 549.
Peoria County, Illinois, Peoria County Death Certificates, 1942, Lena Lindgren Certificate #44276, microfilm roll number unknown; Illinois State Archives, Springfield.
Lena Lindgren Obituary, Illinois State Journal, Springfield, Illinois, November 1942, p. 20.
Lutheran Cemetery Office (Peoria, Illinois) to Carla Leber, letter, providing administrative record for Lena Lindgren, Block 20, Grave 4.

The Children of James K.P. Liggett
Children of James K. P. Liggett and Maria Elvina Unknown were as follows:
i Amanda C. Liggett , born 8 Jul 1870.

The Children of James K.P. and Evangeline (PETERSON) LIGGETT
Children of James K. P. Liggett and Evangeline M. Peterson were as follows:
i Eva Edna Liggett , born 9 Oct 1892 in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois; died 30 Mar 1968 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois (St. John's Hospital); buried 2 Apr 1968 in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. She married on 26 Apr 1910 in Burlington, Des Moines County, IA William Moses Moore , born 4 Apr 1886 in Hannibal, Marion County, Missouri; died 9 Dec 1962 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois (St. John's Hospital); buried 11 Dec 1962 in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois, son of Byron R. Moore and Martha Ella Dunbar .

ii Fern A. Liggett , born 12 May 1897 in Bloomington, McLean, Illinois; died 27 Jul 1925 in E. Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois; buried 30 Jul 1925 in Lutheran Cemetery, Peoria, Illinois. She married in 1919 Norvel Branscome , born abt 1891 in Virginia; died 1970; buried in Lutheran Cemetery, Peoria, Illnois. Notes: The Peoria Star, Peoria, IL 7-29-1925, p.4 MRS. BRANSCOME DEAD Mrs. Fern A. Branscome passed away at her home, 124 Edmond street, last night at 8:05 o'clock following a long illness. She leaves to mourn her passing a host of friends and relatives. She is survived by her husband, Novel Branscome; her mother, Mrs. Lina Lindgren, and four sisters, Mrs. Theodore Greene, Mrs. F.J.Masker and Mrs. W.M. Moore of Peoria, and Mrs. A.F. Moon of Covell, Ill. Mrs. Branscome, before her marriage in 1919, was Miss Fern A. Liggett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James K. Liggett, and was born on May 12, 1897, in Bloomington, Ill. For the last 14 years she has lived in this vicinity, ten years in Peoria and four in East Peoria. Funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon at the Wilton mortuary at 2 o'clock. Reverend O.M. Gallion of the First United Brethren church of Peoria will conduct the services to which friends are invited. Interment will be in the Lutheran Cemetery of Peoria. MEDICAL: Cause of Death: pulmonary tuberculosis