Tombstone Tuesday - September 27, 1994 - Elizabeth Jean Kaake Tietz

Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Kaake Tietz

Elizabeth was born on January 27, 1934 in Sandusky, Michigan, the oldest daughter of a set of twins born to Charles and Rose (O'Malley) Kaake . Her twin sister was Patricia Louise. She had three brothers and three sisters; Betty(1934), Pat(1934), Charles(1935), John(1938), Rose Mary(1939), Colin, Sharon.

Betty (as we knew her) married Howard F. Tietz on December 5, 1952. They had five children; Gary Arthur, Patti Lee, David Allen, Amy Lyn, Mark Edward. Betty was my Mother -in-law for 19 years and a forever, wonderful friend.

Howard ran Tietz's Restaurant with his brother, Harold after taking it over from their parents. Betty worked at the Imlay City Bank after her children were all in school before going to work for Doctor Harrington for many years.

Leah Smith and Betty Tietz at my graduation -1973

Betty was a special person though she and I did not always see eye to eye. I have learned that it is often the case with mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws. She helped me to learn a lot about relationships and how to navigate through the good times and the bad.  Betty had a host of medical aliments through the years but it was Ovarian Cancer that took her life on September 27, 1994. She is buried in the Imlay Township Cemetery in Imlay City, Michigan. She will always hold a special place in my heart. I think of you often, Betty!

Rest in Peace.....Love you,

Jan Smith

Tombstone Tuesday - September 20, 2016 - Ina (Anna) Alice McGoogan

Ina (Anna) Alice McGoogan

Ina (Anna) Alice McGoogan was born on September 24, 1859, the daughter of William and Hannah Robart McGoogan in Zanesville, Indiana. In the 1860 Federal Census, William and his family is found living in Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana. The last name is spelled McGougan and the family is living between brother, John MaGougan with his family and sister, Elizabeth Clark with her family. They have three children listed; Amanda which was translated as Annanuda(age 5), Austacias (age3) and Anna (9 months old). My information indicated that Anna was Ina. Hannah is listed as Fanny M. Ina (Anna) died on September 20, 1861. The other daughter, Austacias (Anstacia) must have died between the 1860 census and the 1870 Census because Amanda(age 16) is listed in the 1870 census and the next child listed is George who is 8 years old and born in 1862. The children listed in 1870 census are; Amanda(1854), George (1862), Mary L. (1866), Arabella (1868). 

I do not have tombstone photos for these children , this is the family plot in Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville, Indiana  where the rest of the family is buried. 

Rest in Peace, to these two McGoogan Angels!

Jan Smith

Tombstone Tuesday - September 13, 2016 - William Bly

William Bly - September 13, 1891

William Bly was born on November 9, 1820 in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, the son of Jacob and Sophia M. (Eckhart) Bly.  Jacob and Sophia Bly had five children; William(1820), Sarah(1822), David(1824), George(1829), Edwin.

William married Mary Elizabeth Blauser on August 30, 1846 in Ohio. William and Mary Elizabeth had nine children; Caroline Martha(1847-1870), Abraham(1850), Sally Ann(1852), Nancy Isobelle(1854), Phoebe Elizabeth(1857-1863), Lafayette Valentine(1859-1863) Noah William(1861-1865), Sophia Elizabeth(1865-1870), Mary Rebecca(1869).

In the 1850 Federal Census, William and Elizabeth Bly are living in Marion, Hancock County, Ohio with Caroline and a new born son, Abraham. By the time of the 1860 Federal Census, they have moved to Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana area which is known as Nine Mile Indiana. They now have 5 children; Caroline, Abram, Sally, Nancy, Phoebe, and Lafayette. My research indicates that in the decade between the 1860 and 1870 census, the family lost four children. Phoebe Elizabeth and  Lafayette Valentine died in 1863. Noah William died in 1865.  Caroline Martha and Sophia Elizabeth died in 1870. In the 1870 Federal Census, the Bly children listed are; Abram, Sally, Nancy and Mary Rebecca ( a new child) are listed but they are still in Allen County, Indiana.

I found a divorce record dated August 6, 1879, in which Elizabeth is requesting a divorce and it was granted. By the 1880 Census she is still listed in the Nine Mile area with Abraham, Nancy and Mary Rebecca are listed with their Mother Mary Elizabeth.

William Bly and Daughter Mary Rebecca Smith

After the divorce and prior to his death, William lived with his daughter Rebecca and her husband Levi Smith.  William died on September 13, 1891. he is buried in Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville, Indiana. 

Hoverstock Cemetery, Zanesville, Indiana

 Rest in Peace,

Jan