Hello:
The following is very special information, about my great great
grandfather. It is entirely everything I know of him or his ancestory. If
anyone has any information or can connect in any way, I would appreciate the
assistance.
1880 Census Missouri:
My notes:
Merritt H. Cave, age 25, born in Missouri, White (Most likely
Poplar Bluff)
Residing with wife Jenny, born in Virginia (Jenny
Swisher/Ashworth??)
Child, Charles A. Cave, age 2, born in Illinois ( A - May
stand for Ashworth)
Residing in Butler County, Missouri in 1880
Black River
Vol. 4 ED 4, page 5, line 20
1860 Census Missouri
Josphine Cave, age 13
Merit Cave, age 8, born in Missouri
Residing St. Clair County, Missouri in 1860
Speedwell County
Page 974 - 107, line 17
Enumerated with Charles F. Ashworth, age 22 born in Virginia
Further Notes:
**** Family history has rumors that Merritt Cave and his sister Josephine's
parents died young in a forest fire in the Mark Twain National Forest.
**** What I "assume" is that Merrit Cave, named his first child, Charles A.
Cave's name after the man who raised him, one Charles Ashworth Cave. This
Charles F. Ashworth, who was 22, born in Virginia, raising Merit Cave, and
Josephine Cave, in St. Clair County Missouri in 1860, may be somehow related
to Merit Cave's wife Jenny in 1880. Both Jenny and this Charles F. Ashworth
were born in Virginia. Since both were born in Virginia, the state of birth
is the only link I currently have for them.
**** It is rumored in the family that my grandfather, Martie Caves' father
changed his name from Cave to Caves.
**** Martie Caves stated he was 23, born in Poplar Bluff Arkansas on his
marriage license information, found in Knox County, Illinois, when he married
my grandmother, Beulah Simmons. Martie Caves also listed Merritt Caves and
Jenny Swisher as his mother. It is believed he lied about his age, and the
state he was born in. Poplar Bluff Missouri is right across the border from
Arkansas.
**** It is rumored in the family that Martie Caves had a brother Bert who
lived in Havanna or Savannah Illinois and was a river boat gambler. This Bert
had one or two daughters who moved to California and got into the early
silent films.
**** Martie Caves resided for a time in Burlington Iowa, in the early
1950's, where he may have had family. Martie Caves died in 1954, the year I
was born, while he was on a trip out west, heading home on a train, he got
blood clots in the legs, and died in a hospital in Nebraska. He is buried in
Abington Illinois, in Knox County Illinois. Family believes he was born on
April 18, 1890, but he gave various dates during his life, including stating
he was 23 on his 1915 Marriage license.
**** Merritt Cave may have relations in Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois
or Arkansas.
**** His wife Jenny Swisher may have relations in Virginia, in Missouri, or
possibly Brown or Adam County in Illinois, or in Pekin, in Tazewell County
Illinois.
**** Charles F. Ashworth may have relations in Virginia or Missouri
**** Bert Cave or Caves may have died in Nevada.
**** No social security number has been found for Martie Caves.
**** Martie Caves, son of Merritt Cave, raised his family in Greenbush, in
Knox County Illinois and in Abington, in Knox County Illinois. Later, he
divorced and moved to Burlington Iowa, where he may have remarried or lived
with a woman. He worked there.
**** Am wondering if somehow my great great grandfather Merrit Cave is
somehow related to Merit Cave who married Catherine Rush in Kentucky?
**** If I can locate where Charles (A)shworth Cave(s) was born in Illinois,
in 1858, I may be able to find out more about my great great grandparents.
This is all I know. I have all of the information, or most of it, of
Martie Caves decendants. Other than what is listed, I no nothing of my
heritage. Please, if you know something, or can assist in any way my family
and I would greatly appreciate it.
Thomas