The 1900 U.S. Census indicates that Elvira was the mother of 16 with 14 children still alive. In those times it is uncommon for all children in a family to live to adulthood, so it amazing that all but two of Fred and Elvira's children became adults. The who who didn't live long are Claire, who died of poisoning, and Netta or Meta, who died as an infant of liver problems.
The children are
Ida Adelia 1873-1904
Alfonzo F. 1874-1952
Alonzo J. 1874-1940
Lana Ellen 1875-1943
Edward G. 1877-1917
Della Virginia 1879-1968
Mary Alma 1881-1952
John N. 1882-1970
Bessie Leota 1884-1973
Mabel Lodenia 1886-1974
Beulah Mae 1888-1913
Warren Franklin 1890-1957
Ethel Claire 1892-1897
Netta or Meta Mildred 1894-1894
Brendice Kathryn 1895-1996
Paul Victor 1898-1972
Twelve of their adult children in the photo below are, from left to right, Della, Alonzo or Alfonzo, Alma or Leota, Alonzo or Alfonzo, Lana, Edward, Fred, Paul, Elvira, John, Mabel, Warren, Beulah, and Brendice.
The other family among my ancestors that comes close in size is that of Henry and Elizabeth (Armitage) Meinzen, my mother's paternal grandparents' family, who had 15 children. Sadly, by the time the parents died, there were only six adult children still alive.
These days I can't imagine having such a large family. Imagine the cost to feed and clothe so many, not to mention education and, these days, electronic devices!
This post was written for Amy Johnson Crow's 2019 version of 52 Ancestors. The post topic for the week was "Large Family."
--Nancy.
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What a large family - imagine having twins named Alonzo and Alfonzo!
ReplyDeleteAlonzo and Alfonzo were popular names in the mid- to late- 1800s. I see them often in census records, but to use them together is surprising. Their nicknames were Lon/Lawn and Fon. They sound so similar I can imagine lots of confusion when someone called them.
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