Re: Hollenshead/Purdy marriage Iowa 1867
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In reply to:
Hollenshead/Purdy marriage Iowa 1867
John Purdy 11/02/00
There is a Catherine HOLLINSHEAD, age 38, b. PA, wife of Levi, age 38, b. PA in the 1860 census in Springcreek Twp., Black Hawk Co, IA.
Nathan, age 64, is living or visiting with his brother Oliver H. PURDY in the 1870 census in Black Hawk County - no wife.
A Catherine HOLLENSHEAD is listed in the index to "History of Black Hawk County, Iowa" (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878. LaCrosse: Brookhaven Press, 2001.
A Levi HOLLENSHEAD died "of disease" on 10 February 1863 in Jefferson Barracks, MO during the Civil War. He enlisted as a Private on 20 August 1862 at the age of 42 in Company C, 31st Infantry Regiment Iowa. On his pension file is listed his widow, Catherine and also a minor - "C. PURDY" (could be "E." or "S" - hard to read). Pension for Catherine was applied for July, 1863; Pension for minor was applied for on Oct. 15, 1869.
Then we go back to the 1870 census and find Catherine PURDY, age 47, b. PA with a child Stephen PURDY, age 9, b. IA. She is found on page 499, where Nathan is found on page 507.Was he just visiting his brother Oliver? Or were Nathan and Catherine separated or divorced?
Certainly makes a good circumstantial case that this Catherine, widow of Levi HOLLENSHEAD is the one who married a Nathan PURDY on Oct. 16, 1867. And was there a child born to them? Or is the "C. Purdy" the son Stephen HOLLENSHEAD, age 3 mos in the 1860 census? Was he adopted by Nathan or just a census error in listing his name as "Purdy"?
Catherine would have been born c. 1822-1823.
Lots more questions, but lots of places to look for documentation...adoption records, divorce records, pension records.
Would be interested in any additional findings.
Best regards,
Karin Corbeil