March Letters

March Letters - 1920

These treasured letters were sent to me as scanned images of the original letters
and were transcribed to place here. Where possible, I added info in [ ] brackets.
I have lost the email of who sent these to me, so will the one that sent them, please write and tell me.

Please understand that these letters were transcribed "as they were written" in 1920.
I will not change spelling of names, even though there are probably a few errors.
We researchers have enough March info to compare. Some of the names I am not familiar with.

List of copies of 23 letters dating 1920 as follows:

Missing:
[00-00]07- To: Frances W. March From: S.F. March, MD
[00-00]14- To: J.T. Simpson From: W.T. March
[00-00]15- To: J.T. Simpson From: W.T. March

[CLICK ON LINK TO JUMP TO IT and BACK BUTTON TO RETURN ]
[07-06]06- To:? Bible Records From: W.T. March (Children of Jacob March) 1920

[08-08]08- Typed statement of W.T. March no date

[24-24]24- To:? From: C.A. March no date

[12-12]11- To: W.T. March From: J.C. & Leona March April 1

[19-19]19- To: Frances W. March From: C.J. March, MD April 23

[06-05]05- To: Geo. E. Carkeet From: J.F. McCubbins-Clerk of Superior Court, Rowen Co., NC April 29

[05-04]04- To: J.T. Simpson From: Frances March July 21

[09---]09- To: Mrs. G.E. Carkeet From: Charles A. March July 26

[15-15]12- To: Frances W. March From: W.T. March July 26

[03-03]03- To: ? Dear Cousin: From: C.J. March Aug 1

[14-14]13- To: Mr. Simpson (J.T. ?) From: Frances W. March Aug 6

[16-16]16- To: J.T. Simpson From: W.T. March Aug 8

[20-20]20- To: J.T. Simpson From: Arch M. March Aug 9

[17-17]17- To: Mrs. G.E. Carkeet From: C.J. March Aug 19

[18-18]18- To: ? From: Frances W. March no date

[21-21]21- To: Mrs. C.E. Carkeet From: R.W. Haselwood, Co Clerk, Knox Co. MO Aug 27

[22-22]22- To: Mrs. Frances W. March From: Orie L. March Sep 12

[02-02]01- To: Miss Frances W. March From: Orie L. March Sep 20

[04-05]02- To: Mr. Simpson (J.T) From: Frances March Sep 1920

[23-23]23- To: Mrs. J.T. Simpson From: W.T. March Oct 12

[10-10]10- To: Mr. & Mrs. J.T. Simpson From: Charles A. March Dec 1920

[11-11]11- James Oliver March & Margaret Elizabeth Byler Children

[13-13]01- To: Francis From: W.T. March 1920

Samuel Franklin March Autobiography

Dr. Samuel F. March Obituary

Jacob C. March by W. T. March
Note: J. T. Simpson is Joseph Taylor Simpson, husband of Mariah Catherine March.

Napoleon B. March Family Pictures

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[07-06]06-
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CHILDREN OF JACOB MARCH

Jacob March was married to Margaret Hinkle, August 26, 1779
in Rowan County, North Carolina. Married the second time to
Honor Roberts, about the year of 1787.

The children were by the second marriage.

Absolom March born June 6th, 1789 at Bryants Station, Ken.
Mary March " Nov. 25th, 1791
Archibald March " Sep. 25th, 1792 (Father of Chas. J. & Jacob C)
Susanna March " Oct. 24th, 1794
Nancy March " Jan. 22nd, 1797
John March " May 3rd, 1799
Eleanor March " May 24th, 1801
Steven March " Jan. 30th, 1804
Betsy March " Aug. 6th, 1806
Lucy March " Apr. 27th, 1809

These names were copied from Jacob March's old Bible, and are
official. This Bible is now in possession of Mrs. C.E. Fenton,
Bloomfield, Iowa. All were born in Clark County, Kentucky,
except the first child, who was born at Bryants Station, which
was then a kind of stockade or fort.
Jacob March's birthplace seems to have been South Carolina. In
fact, I believe that nearly all, if not all, of Larry March's
family were born in South Carolina, and moved to North Carolina,
for the reason that the British soldiers occupied all the coast
country, and the move to the interior was for safety from the
British raids and for forage and food; for the original "Martz"
settled in South Carolina first, and at Port Royal, I think.
This record brings us down to Uncle Absolom's (Alp's) time.

I think it is a mistake about Jacob the 1st, dying in Kentucky.
He and his family came to Boone County, Missouri, in 1821. This
I got from Aunt Lucy Fenton, who said she was 12 years old when
they moved to Boone County, Missouri. Another reason for thinking
he died in Missouri, is that he gave my grand-father, Archibald
March 40 acres of land in Missouri. My Father, Jacob C. March,
said his grand-father Jacob came to Bracken County Kentucky, to
see them before they left Kentucky for Missouri, and that is when
Father said his grand-father Jacob spoke broken English.

(Statement of)
W. T. March

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[08-08]08-
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A statement by William Tecumseh MARCH dated 1920:

Archibald March, my grandfather, was married to Jerusha Tracy
in Clark County, KY., Dec. 22, 1814. Three sons and four
daughters were born to them, one son and one daughter dying when
young. Of the two sons and three daughters remaining, Charles
January March was born January 9th, 1816, and Jacob C March born
June 15, 1817. The daughters were Polly, Susan and Frances - dates
and births not known.

Charles January was married in Boone County, Missouri, and moved
to Iowa in 1845[3], where a family of eight children were born, all
of whom are dead except Jacob March, who lives in La Grande, Oregon,
aged 77 years; and Allie Jane White, who lives in Weiser, Idaho.
James O March, Charles J March's oldest son, aged 84 years, just
died on February 19th, 1920, at his home in Chico, Butte County, Calif.

Jacob C March, second son of Archibald March, was born in Clark
County, Kentucky. The family moved from Clark to Bracken County,
where they lived for a few years, moving to Missouri in 1829. When
20 years of age Jacob enlisted in Captain Grant's Company and Colonel
Dick Gentry's Missouri Volunteers (Cavalry), and went to Florida to
help in the Seminole War. Enlisted Nov. 1st, 1837, and was dis-
charged April 1st, 1838. After one-and-one-half years spent working for
Joel Fenton, he married Mariah Fenton in May of 1840, coming to
Iowa, where they settled on a claim. His wife died in the fall of
the same year, without child.. May 30th, 1841, he was again married
to Harriet Kelly. Two sons and six daughters were the children born
to them. W.T. March, (William Tecumseh) the writer of this sketch,
was the oldest child, and was born February 6th 1843. David A March,
born July 17th, 1844. Louisa Jane, Portland Oregon; Hannah E. of
Lincoln, Neb.; Almira S. of Baker City, Oregon; The three other
sisters having died a few years ago.

David A March, the second son, was a successful business man in
Weston, in this County (Saunders) Nebraska. He died two years ago,
and is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery. He left three sons, two of
whom are influential business men. Arthur, the eldest, a banker in
El Reno, Oklahoma. and Fred March, an auditor of the Great Northern
Railroad, with headquarters at Seattle. The third son, Claude, lives
in Lincoln, Nebraska, as do two of his daughters, Mrs. Milo Garside
and Mrs. Frank Henline.

Of my own family, two sons and two daughters, my oldest son,
E.[mund] L.[incoln] March, dropped out of sight 15 or 16 years ago
and we think he was murdered. He lived at Wycondah, Missouri at the
time. He left three sons and two daughters. The sons are W. T. March,
of Centerville, Iowa; Elvin, of near Sioux City, Iowa; and Ray, of
Grand Junction, Colo. One daughter in Chicago, Ill., and one in
Kansas City, Missouri.

My oldest daughter, [Harriet I] Mrs. George P. Bemis, is in Lincoln,
Nebraska, and her daughter, Mrs. Chapman is living with me, also Mrs.
Chapman's daughter, Genevieve (my great-granddaughter). My daughter
Gertrude is Mrs. John Peterson. My youngest son, W.T. March, Jr. is
living in St.Paul, Minn., is married and has two little girls, 8 and
10 years of age. He is in the landscaping business.

Statement of W. T. March
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[12-12]11-
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2704 N. Ash St.
La Grande, Oregon.
April 1^st, 1920
Mr. W. T. March,
Ceresco, Neb.

My Dear Cousin Will:
I received your very kind and welcome letter yesterday, and
was glad to hear from you, for you don’t know what comfort it gave
me. It found me reasonably well. I told my wife, Leona, of the
letter, and let her read it, and she seemed so glad for me. She
is a fine, sympathetic Christian woman.

Leona has helped me through great sorrows in the past three
or four months. On the 19^th of January, Brother Jim passed away.
I was at Hood River at the time we got the message that he was
dead. I was at Sister Susan Cates', and Susan said to me, "Jake,
there are only three of us left, you, Allie White and me." Two
weeks from that time, Susan went down to Hood River with me in a
light, one-horse wagon, and as we started back to her house, on
the way, she was taken with a hard chill. We put her to bed, and
the result was pneumonia, after which she lived only four days,
and passed away on the 15^th of February; so now only Allie and I
are left. Allie and Hyram live in Weiser, Idaho.

Well, when I went to Hood River in December, Visey was work-
ing in the Canning Factory. She was inspector of the fruit. Susan
and I went to Hood River to see her, but she was away some place,
and we did not get to see her. Then a day or two after that we
'phoned to her that I was at Sister Susan's, and invited her to
come out and take dinner with us, but she never got to come before
she returned to Portland. I did not go to Portland, and so did
not get to see her.

Clarinda, my oldest child, was the only child I had by my
first wife before we separated. Her mother's name was Beatty.
I got a divorce from her. I afterward married a girl by the name
of Bardkin, and we had six children, of which four are living,
three boys and one girl, as follows: Mary, Jim, Will, and Harve.
Their mother died four years ago; and I married again. This wife
died also, and now I have a fourth wife, and we are living happ-
ily together. She is a good, Christian woman, and we both belong
to the Christian Church here in La Grande.

Would like, you to make us a visit in the near future if it be
possible. We would both be very much pleased to have you come.
I guess you are like myself, losing our parents, brothers and
sisters, wives and children. Clara and her youngest child live
here in La Grande, and Will is living with Clara and the little
granddaughter. Harve is living here, and Jim and his wife will
be here inside of a month. We will all make you as happy as we
can if it is possible for you to come, and I don't suppose you have
much to hold you now.
Hoping to hear from you soon, we remain,
Your cousins,
J. C. and Leona March

Handwritten Note:
Jacob C[harles] March who wrote this letter was a brother to Napoleon
B. March, our greatgrandfather James March was 84 years when he died.

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[19-19]19-
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Fordyce Ark.
April 23^rd, 1920.
Miss Frances W. March,
Shreveport, La.,

My dear Cousin:

Your interesting communication received this morning.

You write of having corresponded with Judge Joseph B,
March. Joe is one of my first cousins, son of Willis March,
a brother of my father's, my father being Milton Harvey March.
I am the second child of Milton Harvey March, of Clark County,
Ky. and Elenor March of Boone County, Mo., and was born near
the present village of Harrisburg, Boone County, Mo., Sept.
29^th, 1853. My full name is Claiborne Jackson March. I have
a wife, Hattie Virginia March, a native of Arkansas, and one
daughter, the wife of Captain L. W. Amis, of Co. A, 60^th Inf.,
now at Camp Gordon, Ga. I am a graduate of the Medical Dept.
of Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., of the class of 1880.

I have been in Shreveport only once, and think it is a fine
city. I met some fine people while in the City overnight.

I have a similar diagram of the March family, which I
obtained from Robert Lee March, of Duncan, Oklahoma.

It is probable that I may have occasion to visit Shreve-
port in the near future, and if agreeable to you, I should like
very much to meet you.

It is said that my father descended from Rudolph March,
though I do not know about this.

Thanking you for the pleasure, and the information you
have furnished me, I am,

Yours very truly,
(signed) C. J. March, M. D.

[Claiborne Jackson March] 67 years old at this writing
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Social Security Records:
ANNA CARKEET 01 Jul 1910 Dec 1978 77009 (Houston, Harris, TX) 453-36-4361 Texas
JOHN CARKEET 25 Dec 1900 May 1983 77008 (Houston, Harris, TX) 460-03-7543 Texas
GEORGE CARKEET 30 Apr 1875 Oct 1966 77009 (Houston, Harris, TX) 460-07-1613 Texas
BLANCHE CARKEET 01 Jan 1896 Jun 1975 77008 (Houston, Harris, TX) 466-78-7405 Texas
GEORGE CARKEET 20 Dec 1907 Dec 1968 77009 (Houston, Harris, TX) 467-07-0484 Texas

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[06-05]05-
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Salisbury, N. C.
April 29^th, 1920.
Mrs. Geo. E. Carkeet,
Houston, Texas.

My Dear Madam:
Yours of the 22^nd inst, just received, and contents
noted. There are at present no Marches living in this, Rowan County.
By looking over my records, I find that there were quite a number
years ago, and they are evidently the ones you are looking after.
The following marriage bonds appear:
Rudolph March Married Agnes Roberts Sept. 27, 1779 [s/o Rudolph I]
George March " Amelia Gardner Sept. 27, 1779 Bondsman: Rudolph March [s/o Rudolph I]
Jacob March " Margaret Hinkle Aug 26, 1779 [s/o Rudolph I]
John March " Caty Hinkle July 18, 1802 [s/o Rudolph I]
George March " Mary Lenson July 6, 1804 Bondsman: Hesakiah Smith [s/o Rudolph I]
John March Jr. " Elizabeth Gaither Jan. 18, 1810 Bondsman: Richard Hig…. [s/o Col John]
Abraham March " Elizabeth Booe June 3, 1814 Bondsman: Wm. Glasscock [s/o George]
Jacob March " Fanny Booe Aug. 19, 1816 Bondsman: Thos. Bailey [s/o George]
Branson J March " Elizabeth Page May 19, 1846

NOTE:
Arrow pointing to Jacob March in handwriting says:
First marriage, Caty Hinkle
Second marriage, Honor Roberts 1787, His children by second marriage
[NOTE: I have Col. John March, son of Col. John March & Elizabeth Peeler, marrying Elizabeth Gaither.]

I can find only one will be a March and that was Benjamin March,
who died in 1832, leaving a wife but no children. Mary Hampton
and Susanna Dial were his sisters, and William and Benjamin March
were his nephews named they being children of Jacob March.

There have been several counties formed from Roawn [Rowan] since it was
formed from Anson County in 1753. We have no records prior to 1753.
Davie County was formed from Rowan in 1857 and some of the above lived
there. When I was a boy I went to Meekerville, the County Seat of
Davie County and was well acquainted with Wm. B.[Booe] March a son of
Jacob March, Jr. He had only two children, Mrs. Fannie Williams and
Miss Alice March. They are all dead now. Mrs. Fannie Williams left
two daughters, Mrs. Estella Hanes (later Mrs. Walker) and Mrs. S. E.
Williams. The former is dead, but Mrs. S. H.[E] Williams is now
living in Lexington, N. C.

To try to help you out, I went to see Miss Jane Austin, who was
closely related to the Marches and she told me that Wm. B. March's
mother was Elizabeth Gaither, and that Mrs. S. N.[E] Williams of North
Carolina (Lexington) was the only one now living. She also
said that Mrs. Williams' sister, Estella, was very much interested
in genealogy, and that probably she, Mrs. Williams, had her papers.

There are a number of the Booe family still living in Mocksville,
and you might write to Miss Ruth Booe, Mrs. Wm. Miller and Mrs.
Philip Hanes. The Clerk of the County of Davie is a very old man
(over 80 years) and he might give you some information. His name
is A. T. Grant, Mocksville, North Carolina. I am sorry I am unable
to give you more information, but trust this will be of some inter-
est to you.

With kind regards, I beg to remain,
Yours very truly,
(Signed) J. F. McCubbins
Clerk of Superior Court, Rowen County,
Salisbury, North Carolina
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[05-04]04-
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General Delivery
Shreveport, La.,
July 21^st, 1920
Mr. J. T. Simpson
R.F.D. No 8,
Guthrie, Okla.

Dear Mr. Simpson:
I have your kind and interesting letter of July 18^th, and
thank you very much for writing me as you did, and with the
information you give, believe I can exactly place Mr. Ben March,
Mrs Simpson and their father, Napoleon B. March on the family
tree. Dr. Samuel Franklin March, of Carrollton, Ill., is working
with me in compiling this tree, and I am sending him a copy
of your letter, and he will figure Mrs. Simpson's whole branch
out for me, and I will type it and send a copy to Mrs. Simpson
and all of her brothers and sisters; and in the meantime, please
write me right away, and tell me just exactly the names of all
the children of Charles January March, the girls as well as
the boys, and their ages and dates of birth, their deaths (of
those who are dead), as near as you can give them; and the
names and dates of each of the children of Napoleon B. March.
Did I understand you right when you said that Betty Beatty [Batey]
and Maria Bardkin were the wives of Jacob March? [Jacob Charles March b1843]
Now, you asked about the Fentons: all I know of them is that
Joel Fenton married Lucy March, youngest child of Jacob March 1^st,
and that Joel Fenton had a son Caleb E.[E] Fenton, who lived and
died three years ago of heart failure, in Bloomfield, Iowa, where
his father, Joel Fenton had lived. Mrs. C.E. Fenton is still
living in Bloomfield and Mr. William Tecumseh March, of Ceresco,
Nebraska, (now 77 years old) is going to visit her in September,
when he will bring back and give me authentic information from
the Family-Bible of Jacob March 1^st, which is in Mrs. Fenton's
possession. Mr. W. T. March is the nephew of Charles January
March, being a son of Jacob C. March, brother of Charles J.
The line runs like this: Old "Larry" March, who emigrated to
America (most likely from Switzerland) though some say Holland.
Larry had four sons that we know of, but whether they came to
America with him, or were born here, we do not know, but we have
the correct marriage records of these four sons from the marriage
records of Rowan County North Carolina. (all of which I will show
on the typed branch when I send it to you). The four sons of
Larry March were: John, George, Rudolph, and Jacob.
Jacob 1^st, [b1760] had ten children that we know of, the last child
being Lucy March Fenton, and the third child was Archibald March,
who is father of Charles January, Jacob C., Polly, Susan, and
Francis March, that we know of. This Jacob C. had sons, W. T.
of Ceresco, Nebraska, and David A. March and three daughters.
I have the line from W. T. March. David A., has a son Arthur T.
March, a banker of El Reno, Oklahoma.
Dr. Calib C.[laiborne] March of Fordyce, Arkansas, is a fine man, and
a descendant of Charles January. Jacob C. March (father of W. T.[ecumseh Sr]
married Maria Fenton, I believe a daughter of Joel Fenton, she
died in less than a year. He then married Harriet Kelly.
Do not hesitate to ask any question that may interest you, as
I have quite a lot of data, and can probably answer most of them.
I have not as yet been able to find my own place in the March
family, but am busily working to that end.
With best wishes, I am.
Respectfully,
(Miss) Frances W. March.
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[09---]09-
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530 H. W. Hellman Bldg.
Los Angeles, California
July 26^th, 1920
Mrs. G. E. Carkeet,
Houston, Texas.

Dear Mrs. Carkeet:
Your letter of the 3^rd inst., seeking information regarding
your people, was duly received, but I had delayed answering account
of having been very busy.
I have a very limited knowledge of the history of the March
family; My father, James Oliver March, was born in Missouri 84 years
ago, and died last January in this State. He came to California in
1853, and lived here until his death. His father's name was
Charles January March, who died in Missouri more than sixty years ago.
I do not know how many brothers and sisters my father
had. I know of one brother, Jacob March, who died in Nebraska
about three years ago, aged 99 years. My father came to California
when he was quite young, and after the death of his father and
mother, he got out of touch with his brothers and sisters, and
only heard from them at long intervals. He had one brother who
died in Oklahoma four or five years ago, whose name was Napoleon
B. March. I knew of him as "Uncle Pole." I believe he lived in
the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and left a number of sons and
daughters, as well as grandchildren, in and around that place.
I had a letter from my Uncle some time before his death, in which
he stated that on account of my father (who was the eldest child)
having left home while he was so young, my uncle had come into
possession of a history of the family, dating back 350 years, and
that they originated in England. Some of my uncle's family, at
Shawnee, undoubtedly have this history, and they could probably
give you the desired information. I do not know the given names
of any of my cousins, but, doubtless, you could enclose a letter
to the Postmaster, asking him to deliver to one of the sons of
N. B. March, as I believe he was well known there.
One characteristic of the March family, I am told, is their
love for music, and many splendid singers are among them.
I would be much pleased to hear of the results of your
investigations, if you would kindly communicate the same when
received.
I trust you will be successful in your quest, and I believe
you can learn much from my Oklahoma cousins.

Very truly yours.

(signed) Charles A. March
Note: This is Charles Alexander March
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[15-15]12-
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Ceresco, Neb
July 26^th, 1920

Miss Francis W. March:
Shreveport, La.,

Dear Miss March:
Papa tried to write to you, but couldn't do it, so I
will to the best I can under his direction; though first I
will tell you his condition.
He had the stoke last Saturday morning about 1 A. M.
Was here alone. He thought he would be alright, so didn't
call anyone until six o'clock, when he tried to go to the
barn, and found he couldn't make it. One of the neighbors
came and called the Doctor, and they put him to bed. The
Doctor at first thought he would go right away, but today
things look brighter. The stroke was on the left side.
That hand is entirely helpless, but he can move the leg
pretty well. His voice his better, and he talks plainly.
Another point in his favor, the heart and kidneys are alright.

I suppose you wonder who I am: I am[Edna] Gertrude March
Peterson. [John W. Peterson] "Gertie" they call me, the youngest
living daughter of W. T. March.

Papa has some family history he wanted you to have right
away, and this is what little he could tell me in answer to
the letter you received from Mr. J. T. Simpson:

Napoleon B. March, lived in Missouri until almost grown.
Married Margaret Walker, and moved to Kansas. The "Jake" [Jacob Charles
March] Napoleon's uncle, is W. T. March's father
In parentheses: Archibald Marchs son Jacob C. March

Uncle Joel Fenton had four sons, Francis, Frank, Caleb and
Will. All dead. Will was killed at Pittsburg Landing, Apr.
6^th, 1862. Caleb E. died of heart-failure three years ago.
Mrs. C. E. Fenton is living in Bloomfield, Iowa. There were
quite a large family of the Fentons, but Papa doesn't remember
the girls names. As soon as he gets better he can tell me
more, but just now he can't do it, though he wants to. I am
enclosing a letter he received from J. C. March, which will
help you I hope. Papa said, ask you to return it.

It is rather hard for Papa to stay in bed and be waited
on, as this is the first time I can remember of his being in
bed, and I am 46 years old.

Sincerely yours,
Gertrude March Peterson.
(written for W. T. March)

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[03-03]03-
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Fordyce, Arkansas
Aug. 1^st, 1920

Dear Cousin:
I presume you think I am not a very courteous March, I
have been so long replying to your interesting letter. Please
forgive me this time and I shall try to do better in the future.
Shortly after your letter was received, I went to St. Louis,
Missouri, and was away over two weeks and when I came home, had
to catch up on my work. I am about even again and shall reply
to the best of my knowledge and belief as to the March family.
The tradition of the family's origin, according to my
mother's brother, Silas March, of California, is that the family
originated in England on the Welch border or march, the literal
meaning of the word "march" being a border or boundary. That
one Edward Mortimer assumed the title of the Earl of March some
time in the 14^th Century. You can find reference to Edmund
Mortimer, the Earl of March and his exploits in the Encyclopedia
Brittanica.
According to this tradition, these Marches were Baptists
in religion, and during the reign of King James, the Catholics
attained such an ascendency in the government that a good many
Protestants, including some of these Marches, emigrated first
to Holland and later to Switzerland. Tradition has it, or that
is the version of it I have, that our ancestors emigrated
from Switzerland to America, the exact date not given.
My father's brothers were; David Morton March, who lived
and died in White Cloud Kansas. I think Mrs. Brown, one of
his daughters lives there now, or did a few years ago. His
other brothers were: Willis R. (Judge Joe's father), Jeptha R.,
Absolom A., and Walter March.
My fathers Mother's maiden-name was Martha Morton; and my
mother; Eleanor March's mother was Elizabeth (Betsy) Bradenburg.
After John March, my paternal grand-father, and Betsy
Bradenberg March, my maternal grand-mother, died, Absolom
March, my mothers father, married Martha Morton March, my
paternal grand-mother.
As to my own family, Milton Harvey March and Eleanor
March, first cousins, were married in Boone County, Missouri,
about 1857. My mother had nine children of whom only two are
now living; Claiborne Jackson March (aged 66 years) and Mrs
Amanda Alice Higginbotham, both of Fordyce, Arkansas.
Claiborne J. March was married to Hattie Virginia Worth-
ington, March 16^th, 1882. We have one child, a daughter, aged
29 years, the wife of Capt. L. W. Amis, Jr., Co. A. 60^th Infantry
U.S.A. now stationed at Camp Gordon, near Atlanta, Ga.
My Uncle David, my mothers brother who lived in Knox
County, Mo. had a son Joseph. Her other brothers were James,
of Knox County, Mo; William, of Barton County, Mo.; Milton, who
died in Macon County, Mo. I think it was.
With kindest regards and best wishes to you and family,
I am.

Your cousin,
(signed) C. J. March
These are the Jacob branch.

For references to Roger Mortimer, the Earl of March and Edmund
Mortimer, see Green's History of England (Nations of the world)
Chapt 5 & 6.
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[14-14]13-
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General Delivery
Shreveport, La.,
Aug. 6^th 1920

My dear Mr. Simpson:
Your letter of July received in due time, which I have tried
to answer before now, and you were certainly kind to give me all
the information you did. I am inclosing copies of letters re-
cently received, which refer to Mrs. Simpson's immediate branch
of the March family, and I have quite a bit more data. Just soon
as I get a little more information I am going to type the Jacob
March branch, to which Mrs. Simpson belongs, and send you a copy.
I have sent copies like the enclosed to Mr. Ben March Also.
You will note the letter from your Uncle Jacob C. March of
La Grande, Oregon, who you seemed to think lived in Montana, and
that he tells of the death of your Uncle James and Aunt Susan.
Now, in your list of the brothers and sisters of Napoleon B.
March, you did not mention Susan, yet she must be a sister for Mr.
Jacob C.[Charles] March, a brother to Napoleon, mentions her as his sister.
I notice also that you name a sister Hannah, while W. T. March
in naming the children of his Uncle Charles January, does not
mention Hannah, but mentions a Hannah as his own sister, a daugh-
ter of his father, Jacob C. March. Is it a fact that both Charles
January and Jacob C. had a daughter Hannah?
I know you will be sorry to learn of the fact that Cousin
Will, Mrs. Simpson's second-cousin W. T. March, of Ceresco, Neb.,
has had a stroke of paralysis. However, as he wrote with his own
hand a note and enclosed it with his daughter's letter to me, I
am hoping that the stroke has been a slight one, and that he will
recover use of himself. He has been delivering the rural mail for
26 years, and was just this month to have received his release
from Civil Service, with pension, and it seems a tragedy that he
should be stricken on the brink of his emancipation. He has also
been editor of the Courier of his town for years. I think he is
a find old gentleman. Is 77 years of age. His father, your Uncle
Jake, lived to be 99 years and 8 months old/. He sent me a group
photograph showing five generations, beginning with his father
and ending with his little great-granddaughter Genevieve Chapman.
I will ask my sister to send you this picture to see and return.
Mr. James March lived in Chico, Calaveras County, California,
and I am sorry to hear of his death. He, no doubt, could have
given us some valuable information. I am not sure that it is
quite clear to me as to how to spell the married name of Mrs.
Simpson's Aunt Mary, is it "Ailschy"?
I notice you seemed under the impression that your Uncle
Jacob C. had only two wives, and presume that he has made the last
two marriages since you heard from him last. If you know who the
"Visey" is that he mentions, please tell me. If you know the names
and dates of any of the children of the various brothers and sisters
of Napoleon B., please tell me this also. I notice that Cousin
Will does not name the child Jeptha who died in infancy. I suppose
he did not know of the birth and death of this last child. Be sure
to give me the names and dates of the three children of Napoleon B.
who died in childhood, as I want to get all the data possible corr-
ectly on the tree. And do not forget your promise to give me the
names and dates of your own children. If you have pictures of the
family, I would like very much to see, photographs of Mrs. Simpson,
yourself and all the children. If you have none you could let us
keep, we would return them to you.
I have written to ask Cousin Will about the name of his Aunt
Polly's husband, and will tell you what I learn. Have also asked
him about Josh Walls.
Sincerely, Frances W. March.
===<>===
[16-16]16-
===<>===
Ceresco, Neb.
Aug 8^th, 1920
Mr. J. T. Simpson,
Guthrie, Okla.

Dear Sir:
Francis March, of Shreveport, La., sent me a copy of your
letter to her, written July 26^th, and in reply will say there
are only two of Uncle Charlie March's children living. They
are: J. C. March of La Grande, Oregon, and Allie (Mrs. Hiram) White,
of Weiser, Idaho; James O. March died at Chico, California last
February. He went to California in 1853. Hanna married a man
by the name of Kates, [Cate] and died last February.
Napoleon B. March and Margaret Walker---Josh Wall and Polly
March Magee were married in Missouri by Mat Kelly at his home,
in 1859 or 1859. [actually 29 Sep 1857]
Polly, the sister of Charles January March, first married Louis
Magee, about 1839 [2 Jul 1837-Boone Co MO. They had five children
of which only one is living. J. L. Magee of San Jose, California.
Louis Magee died at New Orleans on his way home from California.

I am the oldest child of Jacob C. March, and a nephew of
Charles January March. The names of the rest of the family
were: *D. A. March, died two years last April; Mrs Louisa Jane
May, living at Hood River, Oregon; Hanna E. Scott, now living
in Lincoln Nebraska; Almira S. Scott, living at Hood River, Oregon.
Mary Haden, died in Idaho several years ago; Sara A. Kennedy, died
several years ago, and Olive L. March never married. Died five
years ago, at Lincoln Nebraska.
[* David A. March b17 Jul 1844 d 30 Apr 1918]

I stayed all night with *Pole and Jake at my brothers-in-law,
Winfield Scotts, in Valpraise, Nebraska, about 1886. Pole and
Jake at that time lived in Kansas.
I think Dr. S. F. March of Illinois, fathers' name was Dr. S. F.
March, and that the present Dr. was named for his father, also a Dr.
[*Pole was Napoleon B. March]

James O. March of California, left a family but I do not know
how many children or their names.

I was 77 years old last February 6^th [1843] have worked on a rural
mail route until July, 24^th when I had a stroke of paralysis and
am slowly getting better.

If there is any other information I can give you, will be glad
to do so at any time. I went to school with the Walker family of
Children.

I would like to meet you, and if I recover, as they think I
am going to, would like to come down there some time.

Yours truly,
W. T. March
[William Tecumsch March, Sr.] died 25 Oct 1930.
===<>===
[20-20]20-
===<>===
Lawton, Oklahoma.
Aug. 9^th, 1920.
Mr. J. T. Simpson,
Guthrie, Okla.

Dear Sir:
Your letter of Saturday at hand, and in reply will
state, I do not know so very much about our family, as I was
very young when my mother and father died.
My father's name was Archibald Murphy March and that is
my name. My father was born in 1827 in North Carolina, and
three or four years later his people moved to Tennessee. My
Mother's name was Sallie Jane Wells, and she was born in Geo.
I have uncles named Abraham, William, Wilburn, Dan and
Frank.
You spoke of Joseph March. I do not know of any Joseph
in our family. I have a son 21 years old by the name of
Joseph March, but he was named after his grand-dad on his
mother's side.
I have a brother in Duncan, Oklahoma, named Robert Lee
March, one named John Bell March in Acona, Texas; George
Sterling March; Abe Berton March, Lawton, Oklahoma. R. L.
March of Duncan used to have a family-tree, but it was burned
in a fire in his place.
In fact, I do not know so much about myself, except my
father and his brothers.
With best regards to yourself and wife,

Respectfully,

Arch M. March. [b 1875]
===<>===
[17-17]17-
===<>===
Fordyce, Ark.,
Aug. 19^th, 1920.
Mrs. G. E. Carkeet,
Houston, Texas.

Dear Cousin:

Yours of August 17^th at hand, and contents noted.

The Uncle David I wrote you about lived in 1864, near
a little village called Millport, in Knox County, Missouri.
He had a son Joseph, who, I think, was about 18 or 20 years
of age at that time. An older son, John, had died about
1860, at the age of 20 or 21. He had a small son, I believe
Willis by name, who died of scarlet fever in the winter of
My mother, brother (then an infant) and I were stay-
ing there at the time, and my brother contracted the disease,
but recovered. I did not take it. At that time I was 10
years old. I think Uncle David had no daughters, at least
I do not recall any.

I had an Uncle James, who lived near this same hamlet
of Missport, who had quite a large family of both sons and
daughters.

Uncle David's son Joseph was some ten or more years
older than I, so if living, is about 76.

I believe I wrote you about my own family of one daugh-
ter, who married a Captain in the Infantry, and is now at
Camp Gordon, Georgia.

I know nothing more of our line than Judge Joseph B.
March. I think my father used to speak of one "Pole"
(Napoleon) March, but do not recall the relationship. I
shall send you soon a copy of our family record, which I
have received this month from my sister.

With kindest regards to you and family,
I am,
Your cousin,
C. J. March
[Claiborne Jackson March, Dr.]
===<>===
[18-18]18-
===<>===
1920

Our father, Joseph March, the first we know of him is when
he married my mother, Etta Querengaesser, in Marshall County
Illinois. My mother's sister was also married there to Herman
Otto. My father was married in 1867 and their first child,
Emma, was born in Pontiac, Illinois, in 1868. The next child,
Amalia (we call her Mamie) was born in Bloomington, Illinois,
in 1870. Next Bertha in Memphis, Miss., where our parents
died during the epidemic of 1878, leaving me, as I have told
you, an infant. Emma and Bertha dies in infancy. When my mother
was dying (she died three days after my father) she gave the
address of her relatives to whom she wishes us sent to a friend
who was refugeeing in the house with us, but this, with all other
papers except a little record my mother kept of the births and
death of her children, was lost after we were sent to the Orphans
home. We were sent to the home in Natchez, Miss., where we part-
ially grew up, my oldest sister leaving when just about of age,
and I when fourteen years old, and we have been paddling our own
canoe and paying our own bills ever since. I started out sewing
for a living, and later took a business course, and have been
doing stenographic work for the past twenty years. Josephine,
the middle sister married when quite young, and is Mrs. George
E. Carkeet, of Houston, Texas. They have five children and two
small grandchildren. The other sister, Amalia, has never married,
as is also true of myself, and she has now been blind for the past
ten or eleven years. We are getting just a little more informa-
tion about our mother's people all the time, but as yet have found
none of them actually living; and when we do find some of them alive,
I feel confident I can then learn all about my father and his an-
cestors, and will tell you all I learn. I am sure, however, that
we are cousins, in one degree or other to Mrs. Simpson, and I
hope it will turn out that we are closer kin than we now believe.
Please tell her I will be delighted if she will write to me,
and only wish I were situated so that I could ask her to make me
a visit, with all the family; which perhaps may come to pass some
of these days.
I shall look forward to hearing from you with the information
mentioned, and meanwhile, with best wishes to all the family, I am
Sincerely,

Frances W. March
===<>===
[21-21]21-
===<>===
Edina, Knox County, Mo.,
Aug. 27^th, 1920
Mrs. C. E. Carkeet
Houston, Texas.

Dear Madam:

Your letter of the 21^st inst, at hand, and in reply
will say that I have made inquiry as to the March family,
and find from talk with Mr. John B. McMille, of this City,
an old settler of Millport neighborhood, as follows:

Joseph March, of this County, Postoffice address,
Rutledge, Missouri, is a son of David March, who is dead,
who if living would be probably ninety years or more old.
This Joseph March is about seventy-three years of age, but
never had any children.

J. A. March, also of this County, Postoffice address,
Rutledge, Missouri, is of the same family. Also James
March, who was surveyor of this County years ago, and
born about 1810. Ap March of Rutledge was a son of James,
and Ap. had a brother who died in the State of Washington
about 25 years ago.

Write to any of the above parties, and if you get no
reply, write to Mr. McMillen, and if this is of your family,
I think you will be able to trace the relationship.

Yours truly,
(signed) R. W. Haselwood
County Clerk.
===<>===
[22-22]22-
===<>===
Box 24,
Rutledge, Mo.
Sept. 12^th, 1920.

Miss Frances W. March,
Shreveport, La.

Dear Miss March:

I am writing you in reply to your letter of September
6th, to the Postmaster at Rutledge, Mo., making inquiry
for one David March and his son Joseph March.

David March has been dead for 20 or 25 years, but his
son Joseph is still living near the old home place, South
of Millport, Knox County, Missouri, and is now about 72
years of age. His postoffice address is R.F.D. No 1, Rutledge,
Missouri. Your letter will be forwarded to his address on
the Rural Route tomorrow.

My father's name is James Absolom March, [b 1854] and he is a
cousin of Joseph March. My grandfather's name was also
James, [b 1816] and a brother to David March. David had four other
brothers beside my grandfather. Their names were, Silas,
William, Archibald and Milton.

I believe you said in your letter that your father's
name was Joseph. I asked my father, and he said that his
father did not have a brother by the name of Joseph.

This is about all the information I can give. Perhaps
Joseph March can give you more when he gets your letter.
If at any time I can be of assistance, I will gladly
do so.

There is no postoffice at Millport---all Millport
mail comes to Rutledge.

Respectfully,
(signed) Orie L. March.

NOTE: This is Ora Lawrence 'Orie March. b.abt 1884.
===<>===
[02-02]01-
===<>===
Box 24,
Rutledge, Mo.
Sept. 20^th, 1920
Miss Frances W. March,
Shreveport, La.

Dear Miss March:
Your letter of September 21^st at hand. I have been talking
with my father and he tells me has has no history of his father's
people any farther back than his grandfather Absolom March.
The copies of letters you sent were very interesting to me,
as they gave me more March history than I ever knew before. Yes,
the Dr. Claiborne Jackson March, of Fordyce, Arkansas, is my father's
first cousin, and my father tells me has has seen him. All those
Marches in Boone County, Mo. are related to my father.
I think I can give you a clue to another set of Marches, who
are also some relation to us. My father says he has seen the Tyra
March, spoken of in the letter from Dr. S. F. March, of Carrollton, Ill.
Father says that this Tyra March used to visit at his father's (James
March's) when he (my father) was a boy at home, and this Tyra then
lived near Bible Grove and Wilmarthville, Adair County, Missouri,
first County West of Knox County, and I think there are descendents
of Tyra March still living in that neighborhood. There is a Post
Office at Bible Grove, also one at Wilmarthville, and I would
suggest that you write to the Postmasters at these places and
they could most probably get you in touch with these Marches.
Kirksville is the County Seat of Adair County, and by writing to
the County Clerk there, he might give you some information.
My father says he has heard his father speak of Rudolph March.
As to giving you a complete line of my ancestors, I can go
no farther back than to my great-grandfather, Absolom March and it will
take me some time to get that, so I will have to wait and give it
to you later. My father had two brothers, and I have forgotten
just how many sisters, but will find out later. His youngest brother,
Willis, died before I was born and his oldest brother, David Lawrence
March, died some fifteen years ago in Anacortes, Skagit County, Wash.
My father has four sisters living. The oldest one living is Aunt
Martha Findley, address Centralia, Washington, and Aunt Emily Long-
fellow of Denver, Colorado, Aunt Amanda Emory, of Nevada, Mo., and
Aunt Lucy Eden of Port Orchard, Washington.
I have visited with all of my father's people in the West, and
only last February returned here from California after two years
absence, during which time I was in Washington and Oregon. Worked
thirteen months during the War in a ship-yard at Anacortes, Wash.
There was a family from this vicinity, who moved near *Wilmarth-
ville, Adair County, quite a number of years ago when I was only
a boy, and I was up there and visited them, and I remember going
through the cemetery there in *Wilmarthville, and saw the name of
J. A. March inscribed on a tombstone. The reason I remember it so
well is that these were my fathers initials.
I believe if you will trace this clue, you might possibly find
some connection with those Marches in Adair County.
Hoping this will be of some information to you, I am,
Respectfully,
(signed) Orie L. March.

[* Spelled WILLMATHSVILLE]

Handwritten Notes:
Tyra March Brother to Lawerance or Larry March
Absolom March is Old Jacob March 1^st son.
Archibald Marchs Brother = descendant wrote this letter
[Added by CR: David Lawrence b 9 Oct 1834 d 9 Jan 1913]
===<>===
[04-05]02-
===<>===
Shreveport, La.
Sept. 1920.

My dear Mr. Simpson:
You asked about Dr. Claiborne Jackson March of Fordyce, Ark.
He is a relative of Mrs. Simpson's, as the enclosed letter will
show you that he comes from the same Jacob that she does. The
letter from the County Clerk of Rowan County, North Carolina, will
give you a foundation for the whole March history in America. I
have not yet been able to find out whether the father of these
four brothers, Larry March (Originally Martz in the old country)
came alone and these four sons were born in America, or whether
he and the sons came to America together; at any rate, we have
learned that on the steam-ship on which the bunch came over,
they were registered as "The March Gentleman," showing that they did
not come over as steerage passengers.
I have some data on some of the descendants of each of these
four brothers.
The line of Dr. Samuel Franklin March, [b 1882] of Carrollton, Ill.,
is as follows: Larry March, Rudolph March, Lawerence March, Rudolph
March, Samuel Riley March (now living with Dr. S. F. March) and
S. F. March. S. F.'s, children are Franklin, 12 years old, [b1908] Glenda,
9 years old. [b 1911] and Alta Jane, 3 years. ]b 1917] Three pretty bright children.
We have this branch of Rudolph, or rather after it reaches Lawerence,
almost complete, and a great many of them live in Illinois.
I thank you again for your invitation, and I for one mean to
accept it at some later date. Nothing would give me more pleasure
than to take a regular "March" trip some time within the next year,
and drop around to see all with whom I have corresponded. I think
them a fine, friendly, hospitable bunch, and want to meet each of
you personally. Some of the connection, Dr. S. F. March of Carroll-
ton, Ill., Dr. C. J. March of Fordyce, Arkansas, and Cousin Will are
anxious to have a sort of March gathering or reunion, and it may be
that altogether we can arrange it.
Lets all save, and see just how many of us can really get together.
Please tell me who Mr. Hubbard is--is he one of the March family?
With very best wishes to each one of the family, I am,

Sincerely, your cousin,

Frances March
===<>===
[23-23]23-
===<>===
Estherville, Iowa.
October 12^th, 1920
Mrs. J. T. Simpson,
Guthrie,
Oklahoma.

I just received a letter this morning from La Grand, Oregon,
announcing the death of Cousin Jake March, on Sept. 16^th. It
seems as though he had been sick for some time before his
death. Am hurring the news away so you will get it at the
earliest possible moment. I judge by the letter that he died
with some kind of stomach trouble. That leaves Allie Jane,
the sole survivor of Uncle Charleys family. I surely would
have like to have seen Jake once more before he passed away.

I am not improving but little if any, so will not be able to
visit Oklahoma before next year, and it may be I will never
recover so I will be able to travel alone.

Arthur March in one of the El Reno Banks is a second Cousin
of yours. He is my brothers oldest son. So you see I have
pretty close relatives there to visit.

We here are all well except myself. I am making my home with
my daughter, Mrs J. W. Peterson.

(signed) W. T. March

NOTE: Cousin Jake March is Jacob Charles March.
W. T. March is William Tecumseh March Sr. He is a son of
Jacob Christopher March and Harriet Kelley.
===<>===
[10-10]10-
===<>===
C.A. March
530 Hellman Bldg.
Los Angeles, Calif.
December, 1920

JAMES OLIVER MARCH'S Children
Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Simpson,
Guthrie, Oklahoma

My dear Cousins:
I received your interesting letter some time ago, and a few
days later sat down to answer it, but did not complete it. I made
a sudden trip back to Washington, D.C. and after my return, have
been very busy and failed to complete the letter, so I will commence
again and will ask you to forgive my seeming neglect.
It gave me much pleasure to receive your letter. I often
think of my fathers people and have always wished to meet them,
having always lived in California, I have not had that opportunity.
About sixteen years ago when I first came to Los Angeles from
my old home in Northern California, I met at the hotel a very nice
appearing gentlemen, whose name I do not recall, who stated that
he lived in Oklahoma. I believe he was a banker and also a lawyer
at Shawnee, Oklahoma. I remarked incidentally that I had an uncle
somewhere in Oklahoma as we had understood he had gone there some
years before. He asked me his name and I told him Napoleon March,
or as we knew him as uncle Pole. He said yes, he knew him well,
that he lived at or near Shawnee, and that he was selling him some
land and was going to write him that evening. Rather a strange
coincidence was it not? He told uncle Pole of meeting me and soon
after I received a short letter from him, which I answered, telling
him about our family. I then received a long letter from him, in
which he mentioned that he had a history of the family, dating back
300 or 350 years, or perhaps a memoranda of some kind. We neglected
to keep up correspondence, and I did not hear anything more until
I received a letter from Mrs. Josephine March Carkeet of Houston,
Texas, making a search for her March ancestry.
We were always proud that we were our fathers children, not
from any worldly accomplishment, but for the great qualities of his
heart and mind. He came to California in 1853 and married my
mother, Margaret Elizabeth Byler, (a native of Alabama) in Shasta
County, California, in the year of 1860. In all they had nine child-
ren born to them, two of which died in infancy. My mother died
April 10^th, 1898.
Jefferson D. born Dec. 29^th, 1861 died Sept. 12^th, 1917
John C. born Aug. 20^th, 1864 is a lawyer in Sacramento
Charles A. born Dec. 15^th, 1867 (myself)
Effie Luella Giffen Aug. 7^th, 1870 died Mch. 18^th 1907
James Franklin born Jan. 19^th 1875 merchant in Los Angeles.
David R born [Oct. 11^th] 1878 died [May 10^th] 1882
Jay Oliver born Aug. 27^th 1882 died Aug. 9^th, 1918
My father died January 19^th, 1920. aged 84 years.
Only three of us remain at this time. Dec, 1920.
My oldest brother Jefferson left two children. Dr. Harry D.
March of Chico, California. and Mrs Grace Grandstaff of Sacramento, Cal.
James F. has one daughter Effie May March.
Effie Luella left two sons, Wallace and Claude Giffen, both
married and prospering.
Jay Oliver, left one son Compton March, age 15 years.

Charles A. March
===<>===
[11-11]11-
===<>===
JAMES OLIVER MARCH Born Sept. 3^rd, 1836. Came to California
in 1853. Married Margaret Elizabeth Byler,
in Shasta County, Calif., in 1860. Died 1920.
MARGARET ELIZABETH
BYLER Born in Alabama.

CHILDREN OF JAMES OLIVER AND MARGARET E. MARCH
Jefferson D. Born Dec. 29, 1861. Died [13 Sept] 1917
John C. Born Aug. 20, 1864 Died [Nov 7, 1929]
Charles A Born Dec 15, 1867 Died [Dec 9, 1948] Married Martha E. Johnson
Effie Luella Born Aug 7, 1870 Died 1907
James Franklin Born Jan. 19, 1875 Died Mar 29, 1944
David R. Born 1878 Died 1882
Jay Oliver Born Aug. 27, 1882 Died 1918

Jefferson D. had two children. Dr. Harry D. March - Chico, Neb.
Mrs Lorene McKnight - Los Angeles
John C had one daughter Mrs. Grace Grandstaff - Sacramento Calif.
James F had one daughter Effie May March - Los Angeles, Calif.
Effie Luella Giffen had two sons Wallace Giffen
Claude Giffen
Jay Oliver had one son Compton March
Charles A. had three children Ora March Greenland (1 son-1 dau)
Stella March Dutton (1 son and dau)
Stanley D. March (1 dau)

Handwritten note:
James Oliver March
Son of Charles January March
Grandson of Archibald March

===<>===
[24-24]24-
===<>===

C. A. March
530 Hellman Bldg.,
Los Angeles, Calif

I have two daughters, Ora March Greenland, age 26, who has
given us a granddaughter and a grandson.
Our youngest daughter, age 23, Stella March Dutton, has also
given us a granddaughter and a grandson.
Our only son, Stanley D. age 22, is also married and the
father of a baby girl. Our children all live in Los Angeles.
My wife Martha Emeline (Johnson) March is a native of Calif-
ornia, a good mother of splendid children.
By profession I am a lawyer, but have not followed it for
several years.
I have given you briefly, our history and I hope that events
may be shaped that we will have the opportunity of seeing each
other before we too are gathered with those already gone.
My father, mother and most of the children were baptized
into the Christian Church.
Will be most glad to hear from you at any time, as well as
from any other of the children.
With best Christmas and New Year wishes, I am your cousin,
C. A. March

P.S. I have just learned through Mrs Carkeet that Uncle
Jacob March had recently died in Idaho. That leaves Allie Jane
White of Idaho, as the only survivor of our Fathers people,
(brothers or sisters)
C.A.M. [Charles Alexander March]
===<>===
Samuel Franklin March Autobiography written: January 1921
===<>===

I, Samuel Franklin March, was born August 12th, 1882, on what is now known as the
Daniel Flatt farm, 8 miles northwest of Carrollton, in the township of Bluffdale
in Green County, Illinois.
My father Samuel Riley March, was also born in the above township, 1 1/2 miles
north of Woody, Feb. 24th 1854.
My mother Sinah Catharine Gilbert March was born in Loudon County, Va. Nov. 9,
1851 near the town of Leesburg. Here she lived during the Civil War and was later
married to a Mr. Gillespia & moved to Zanesville, Ohio. Here Gillespia died and
Mother came on to Illinois where her folks had already moved. Sinah C. Gillespia
had one son (Ernest McElroy Gillespia) who was a small boy on coming to Ill.
Samuel R. March & Sinah C. Gillespia, were married by Squire Spencer G. Russell
of Bluffdale, Oct. 5, 1879.
To this union was born three sons.
Robert Leroy March, born Oct. 10, 1880
Samuel Franklin March, born Aug. 12, 1882
Geo Bartlett March born Jan. 1, 1886
Robert L. Married Lodelia Bushnell, & to them were born two sons and one daughter.
Delbert Lynn March born Oct. 24, 1904
Paul Taft March born July 17, 1908
Lillian Catherine March Born Feb. 23, 1913
Samuel F. March, married Alta Melinda Witt Dec. 23, 1906, and to this union was
born six children, four of which are now living. Two infants a girl & boy, dead.
As to my ancestors, will say - after investigation and with the help of my many
kinsmen, I find quite a controversy as to whether we are of German, Swiss, or
Dutch ancestry. But from all dates & correspondence with the many old Marches of
the present time and from what old records we have been able to find, I am of the
opinion that the Marches were originally English people. In reading English
History I find that during the 16th century one Edmund Mortimer was made Earl of
March. This Earldom seems to have been situated to the north of Wales and it is
here the name originated. Marches, meaning a level or flat country.
It seems the Marches were Protestants and following the reformation, were
persecuted and many left England, some coming direct to the Colonies and others
to Holland and Switzerland where many refugees fled. Some of our old Marches now
living, differ as to which of these countries our ancestor came. But all agree
that he spoke the German language and my opinion is that they came from
Switzerland on the German border near Basel/Baden. It seems that this branch of
Marches must have lived in Switzerland for at least one hundred years. Hugh March
came to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, direct from England in 1634 and about 1740 to
1760 Larry or (Rudolph) Martz came to South Carolina from Switzerland. Here we
have another difference of opinion not only as to name of our original ancestor,
but as to whether he brought his family with him as some say or that he married
in South Carolina and there raised his family.
From what information I can gather, Larry or Rudolph Martz came to South Carolina,
with his family of four sons from Penn. registered on the vessel he came in as
the "March Gentlemen." These sons were John March, George March, Rudolph March,
and Jacob March. Note the name was changed from Martz, to March & given the
English pronunciation.
Mr. Stephen March of Boone Co., Mo. tells me that Jacob March, his grandfather,
(the last of the four brothers above) was twelve years of age when he came across
the ocean. He also says his grandfather spoke English very brokenly & German
fluently. I think he came from Penn to Carolina by boat. Some time prior to the
Revolutionary War the family (Larry or Rudolph March & sons) moved to North
Carolina, in Rowan County on the Yadkin River. Here in Salisbury, we get from the
court records, the dates of marriages etc. of the four March sons. John being
married first in 1777 to Elizabeth Peiler, George & Rudolph married on the same
day Aug. 30, 1779 and Jacob, married Sept. 17 1785. From these 4 sons the Swiss
or German branch now begins in the United States.
John March reared his family of 5 daughters & 3 sons in what is now Davie Co., N
Car. George March married Amelia Gardner in Rowan County, N.Car., & reared 4 sons
& 4 daughters. Rudolph March, married Agnes Roberts Aug. 30, 1779 in Rowan Co.,
N.Car. and moved to near Richmond, Ky. about 1783. Some of their first children
being born in N.Car. There were 7 sons & 4 daughters to this union. The father
dying 1835 in Ky. The sons scattered to the many surrounding states. Wm. & Jesse
to Tennessee. Rudolph to Boone Co., Mo., later to Scotland Co., Mo. & last in Cal.
dying there in 1868. Abraham remained in Madison Co., Ky. & reared a family there.
Laurence March, my Great Grandfather, was born, very probably in Madison Co., Ky.,
Apr. 9, 1787, was left in good shape financially by his father who was a slave
holder, Laurence March had 13 negroes & land in plenty. His children were well
educated for the time. He was a tanner by trade, but, became interested in race
horses and thru a deal with horses he lost all his property. In 1839 he left Ky.
& came to Green Co., Ill, where most of his children had already come. My grand-
father Rudolph March (Born in Jessamine Co., KY Jul. 1816) came to Green Co., Ill,
in 1837. His sister Mrs. W. P. Morman having come to Ill. in 1832 and his brother
George in 1833. His brother Daniel & Jacob & sister Susannah in 1837. John March
(grandfather's next older brother never came to Green Co., but moved from Ky. to
Carlyle, Ind, & in 1852 came to Macon Co., Ill & settled in Decatur where he
worked as a carpenter until his death in 1891, Dec.9. Bought first land in city
of Decatur in 1853.
******************************

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Dr. Samuel F. March Obituary
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Unknown Newspaper
April 1974
Dr. Samuel F March Dies
Served Community 47 Years
Dr. Samuel Franklin March, 74, passed away about 6 a.m. Sunday, April 28, at a
hospital in Jacksonville. He had been in failing health for over a year. Last
November, after forty-seven years in the practice of his profession, he retired.
Born on a farm in the town of Bluffdale, this county, he was the son of the
late Riley and Sinah Catherine Gilbert March.
After graduating from the Carrollton High School in 1902, he taught three terms
of school at Woodbury, before entering the school of medicine at the University
at Columbia in 1905. On Dec 23, 1906, he and Miss Alta Witt were married and
their first child, Franklin was born in 1908 before the Dr. graduated from
medical school in 1909. Following his graduation he established an office in
Jerseyville but soon moved to this city where he practiced until his retirement
last fall.
Dr March was always interested in civic and community affairs. He was a member
of the local Methodist Church and served for several years on the board of
education. He was on the board of health, the Boyd Memorial Hospital staff, was
a member of the Greene County Medical Association and an honorary member of the
Illinois Medical Association and an honorary member of the Illinois Medical
Association. He was also a member of the city council from his ward at one time.
Surviving besides his wife and son, Franklin, are three daughters, Mrs. Samuel
Klein, Ft Wayne, Ind, Mrs. Kenneth Black of Carrollton, and Mrs. Guy Quick,
Albuquerque, N. M; two brothers, Lee of Jerseyville and George B of Alton; a
sister, Mrs. Wm. Fry of Lake Village, Ind., and five grandchildren.
The body was moved from the Mehl funeral home to his late residence. Services
were conducted by Rev Robert Pitsch at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 at the church.
Mrs. Newton Ellott sang "Going Home" and "The Lord Is My Shepherd". They were
accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Donald Langer.
The beautiful floral offerings were cared for by Mrs. Everett Mehl, Mrs. James
Midkiff, Mrs. Florus Volles, Mrs. B. J. Trost, Mrs. John Boirun and Miss Margaret
Powell.
The active casket bearers were G K Hutchens, Ivan Beebe, Thomas Hough, John
Boriun, Joe Davidson and George Andrews. The honorary pallbearers were Dr. A K
Baldwin, Dr A D Wilson and Dr P A Dailey.
Attending in body were Mrs Bernice Meade, Mrs. Selma Kelley, Mrs. Robert Bandy
and Mrs Ada Shaw, nurses at Boyd Memorial Hospital.
Mayor Ivan Beebe issued a proclamation for all places to be closed during the
hour of service. Interment was in Carrollton City Cemetery.
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Jacob C. March by William Tecumseh March:
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1920
Jacob C. March, second son of Archibald March, was born in Clark Co. Kentucky.
The family moved from Clark to Bracken Co., were they lived for a few years,
moving to Missouri in 1829. When 20 years of age, Jacob enlisted in Captain
Grant's Company and Colonel Dick Gentry's Missouri Volunteers (Cavalry) and
went to Florida to help in the Seminole War. Enlisted November 1st, 1837 and
was discharged April 1st, 1838. After one-and-one-half years, spent working
for Joel Fenton, he married Mariah Fenton in May of 1840, coming to Iowa, where
they settled on a claim. His wife died in the fall of the same year, without
child. May 30th, 1841, he was again married to Harriet Kelly. Two sons and six
daughters were the children born to them. W.T. March (William Tecumseh) the
writer of this sketch, was the oldest child and was born February 6th, 1843.
David A. March, born July 17th, 1844. Louisa Jane, Portland Oregon; Hannah E.
of Lincoln, Nebraska; Almira S. of Baker City, Oregon. The three other sisters
having died a few years ago.

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[13-13]01-
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Another version from William Tecumseh March: In Letter of 1920

My dear Cousin Francis:
A little personal history of dear old Father may be of interest to you:
He, Jacob C. [Christopher] March, was born in Clark Co. Kentucky.
When he, the second child, was five or six years old, the family moved
up to Bracken Co., in the Northeast part of the State. It was while here
that his father, Archibald March, got word that his father Jacob March
(Jacob 1st) would give him 40 acres of land if he would come to Boone Co.
MO. This was in 1829. That fall the family set out for Missouri.
They were very poor, my grandfather being a very sickly man and not able
to work. Here is the lay out: One horse hitched to an old buggy. Grand-
father and two of the girls, with the bedding and their little store of
camping utensils, rode in the old buggy. Grandmother and the other girl
rode the other horse, and Uncle Charley and Father walked the entire
distance barefoot. They were several weeks on the road, and it got to be
real frosty weather before they got through. Father was then 12 years
old. Grandfather lived only a few months or a year after arriving in
Missouri. What would we people of today think of such a trip with such
scant means! Father has certainly been through the mill of poverty, and
survived to the ripe old age of 99 years and 8 months and 4 days. Was
universally loved by all who knew him.

After he grew to manhood he was always in fairly good circumstances.
He never went to school but one-half day in his life, and could neither
read or write until after we boys were good-sized school boys of 8 and 10
years of age, when he learned to read. Three or four years later he signed
we boys up for a writing. It was a long way for us to go alone, so he went
with us, and the first night he concluded to take lessons himself, and
learned to write a fair hand and from that day to the time of his death,
he attended to his own business. He was a great reader, and kept posted on
political and other matters to the last.
I am telling you this to give you an idea of what our way-back ancestors
went through.

Your cousin,
W. T. March.
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Charlotte Curlee Ramsey
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