DIRECT LINE OF: Don Fink;
UPDATE: 1998-02-28
!PARENTS-BIRTH-DEATH-MARRIAGE-CHILDREN: Don Fink to Terry McLean, Feb 1998; ;
GEDCOM file; ; ; ;-------------------
From Don Fink:
John Michael Fink was known as "Michael" by family and friends.
The following is taken from the "brief" in the case of Sarah FINK, widow of
John M. FINK - alias Michael FINK.
John M. FINK served in the Tennessee Militia, entering the service Nov. 13,
1814 and served to the 13th of May, 1815. The soldier died on the 16th of
August, 1843 in consequence of the disease of Rheumatism of many years standing.
Lewis ROBERTS who is certified to be a credible witness testifies that he was
well acquainted with Fink--who served in the same Company of Tennessee Militia -
(Capt. LANDER's) with him in the War of 1812. That they were mustered into
service at Knoxville, Tennessee in November 1814, and were marched south to
Mobile -- and at Fort Strother on the Coosa River in the Alabama Territory - he
Fink contracted the disease of rheumatism - his knees and anchles (sic) becoming
so much swollen - as to compel him to use two sticks as canes - to enable him to
get along - especially in the return home. He was left behind at Lookout
Mountain - in consequence of his inability to travel - and did not reach home
'till sometime after the return of ROBERTS. He continued to be acquainted with
FINK - from the time of his return 'till he died - that he was always badly
afflicted with the disease of rheumatism - and grew worse by degrees 'till the
time of his death.
George CARR, who is certified to be a credible witness, served in Capt.
LANDER's Co. with FINK and fully corroborates the testimony of Lewis ROBERTS
going however more into detail of the hardship and exposures of the service.
He states that they were marched in the middle of winter - through an almost
unbroken wilderness in the Alabama Territory - wading through rivers & creeks -
frequently plunging into swamps - which seemed to be endless and at night having
little or no protection by way of tents from the inclement weather - with sleet
and rain usually pouring upon them. And when they reached Mobile they were not
much better protected. That peace was declared soon after they reached there -
and they were ordered home for discharge - the homeward march was almost as
difficult as the march out - whilst the men from the previous fatigue and
exposures were less able to bear it. CARR marched along close to FINK in the
Company - and knows that he was so much crippled up with the rheumatism that he
scarcely got along. When they reached Lookout Mountain they were obliged to
leave him there to rest and recomit his health sufficiently to enable him to
reach home. He continued to know him well (they were neighbors) through life -
and that he never recovered from his disease that as he grew older the violence
of the disease increased upon him - frequently confining him in his last years
to his bed for months at a time. He saw him frequently and knows that he died in
August 1843 of his disease.
Dr. Isaac DOLEN who is certified to be a physician of reputable standing in
his profession testifies that he knew FINK for some years, previous to his
death, and knows that he was afflicted with Rheumatism - and that some seventeen
or eighteen years ago - he was called on professionally to attend him - and
found him in great suffering from his complaint. His limbs were drawn up -
joints distended and he exhibited every appearance of a person who had suffered
from the disease for many years. He applied the normal practice in such
diseases, but of no avail. For after giving him professional attention for some
two or three weeks he died of his disease."
Sarah was awarded the government pension of $4.00 per month from Feb. 5, 1861,
but never received anything. She reapplied and was later granted $8.00.
Sarah signed her papers with her "mark". John M. died in 1843 and Sarah's
address remained Kendrick's Creek, Sullivan Co. Tenn. until at least 1868.
At the time of his death, he owed 320 1/2 acres of farmland that was inherited
by George, his oldest son and then handed down to his sons.
Today, Orville, age 89 still lives on his 21 acres. His brother Henry sold
his 21 acres about 10 years ago and moved into town. Dec. 1996.
The death cert. of daughter Margaret shows that both John M. and wife Sarah
were born in Tennessee.
On the military record #374 he is listed as Michael "FINCH", of the 4th
regiment (Bayles'), East Tennessee Militia, War of 1812, Private, card number
38512342 of the Captain James LANDEN's Company, Col. Samuel BAYLES' Reg't. East
Tennessee Militia. While the remainder of his military files would indicate that
he went by Michael FINK, leaving off the John. He was on Captain James LANDER's
Company payroll from Nov 13, 1814 to May 18, 1815, for a period of 6 months and
5 days. For this service he received $8.00 per month, or $49.
33 for the total service period. John Michael later hired an attorney and went
after the govt. for not paying him for the service in the War of 1812.
John M. Fink
Landens Company
to: Power Atty
John McAlister
Know all men by these present that I, John Michael FINK, of the County of
Sullivan and State of Tennessee do hereby nominate and appoint John MCALISTER of
Jonesboro in the County of Washington and said state, my true and lawful
attorney for me and in my name to ask and receive from the paymaster, whatever
pay may be due to me for a tour of duty performed as a private in Captain James
LANDERs Company of East Tennessee from Sullivan County under the Command of
Brigr-Genl COULTER as will more fully appear by my discharge.
Given under my hand that this 9th day of May 1815.
John PATTON John M FINK seal
Justice of the Peace
Washington County Personally appeared
State of Tennessee before me John PATTON One of
the Justices of said County the above names who signed the above power and
acknowledge.
Given under my hand and seal John M. FINK
---------------------------
This from R. Dale Fink, 1997.
It is believed that John Michael's father may have come to eastern Tennessee
on horse back. Records indicate that he may have died about Aug. 18th, 1827.
He may have arrived in the Horse Creek area of Sullivan Co., on June 14th, 1790
and purchased a 42 acre farm from John CRAWFORD. At that time Tennesee had not
become a state but was still part of No. Carolina. Since we have not identified
John Michael's father, this cannot be assumed to be true. However a copy of the
deed recording such a transaction does exist.
John Michael moved to his 209 1/4 acre farm in Sullivan Co., Tenn. in 1810. He
also owned an 80 acre farm in the 15th Civil District of Greene Co., along Stony
Creek. From 1828-1829 the 80 acre farm was rented to William PICKENS. We see his
son George Washington FINK paying property taxes on the 209 1/4 acres in the 14
Civil District and a 80 acre farm in the 15 Civil District for the years
1899-1901. The larger farm was $11.73 and the smaller farm was $6.05 for the
year 1901.
In 1810 John Michael FINK moved to a farm 3 miles west of Kendrick's Creek.
This is thought to be the area now know as Cox Holler.
-------------------------------------------
DIRECT LINE OF: Don Fink;
UPDATE: 1998-02-28
!PARENTS-BIRTH-DEATH-MARRIAGE-CHILDREN: Don Fink to Terry McLean, Feb 1998; ;
GEDCOM file; ; ; ;-----------------------------------
From Don Fink:
1850 CENSUS:
Sarah FINK, 57, F , Tenn
Michael FINK, 27, M, Farmer, Tenn
Jacob FINK, 20, M, Farmer, Tenn
Samuel FINK, 24, M, Farmer, Tenn
David FINK, 21, M, Farmer, Tenn
Sarah FINK, 18, F, Tenn
Robert FINK, 16, M, Farmer, Tenn
Sarah FINK, 3, F, Tenn
UPDATE: 1998-02-28
UPDATE: 1998-02-28
=============================================================================!:
UPDATE: 1998-02-28
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UPDATE: 1998-02-28
=============================================================================!:
From Don Fink:
The following from Dale Fink, Jan. 1997
"David K. FINK was a medical doctor. He practiced in eastern Tennessee for
many years. He must have been very dedicated to the profession, as he never
got married or raised a family.
A search of the American Medical Association's "Directory of Deceased
American Physicians 1804-1929:
Page 499: Column 1: is an incomplete file on Dr. D. K. FINK.
FINK, D. K. 12/31/29 (m):(5) allopath: (8) Tenn., 1889; (9) Gainesboro, TN.
The 1900 US Census of the Civil District No. 2, Jackson County Tennessee
(Enumeration District no. 20: Sheet No. 3b: line No. 80) dated June 7, 1900 we
find the following information:
"FINK, David K., Boarder - White, Male, Born Apr, 1828, 79 Years
Single; Native of Tennessee: Occ. M. D. Doctor
Father is native of North Carolina.
Mother is native of North Carolina.
UPDATE: 1998-02-28
=============================================================================
GEDCOM line 3023 not recognizable or too long:
(DEAT) 2 PLAC Glenn Co. Willows, CAGEDCOM line 3024 not recognizable or too long:
(DEAT) 2 CAUS Heart DiseaseFrom Death Cert.
Occupation: Farmer
Burial: Williams, Colusa Co., Calif.
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UPDATE: 1998-02-28
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UPDATE: 1998-02-28
GEDCOM line 3050 not recognizable or too long:
(DEAT) 2 CAUS Angina Pectoris
From the Colusa Daily Sun Tues. Nov. 12, 1929
Having successfully undergone an operation at the Arbuckle sanitarium
Thursday, Robert E. Lee Lane, 61 of Williams died Saturday evening at the
hospital,a few minutes after his daughters had paid him a visit and when he
appeared to be improving.The funeral was held at 2 o'clock this afternoon from the Community church,
under the direction of J. D. McNary & Son of Colusa. Tom Watt officiated and
interment was made in the Williams cemetery.Deceased was a native of Mendocino county and had worked on various ranches
in the Williams section. He leaves a divorced wife, three daughters, Mrs.
Charles Lott of Los Olivos, Mrs. Mildred Rodress and Mrs. Marguerite Bezlam
of Sacramento; a son, Lavere Lane of Salinas; two sisters, Miss Alta Lane of
Williams, Mrs. R. W. Pickle of San Jose and two brothers, E. J. Lane of San
Jose and George B. Lane of Red Bluff.
GEDCOM line 3069 not recognizable or too long:
(DEAT) 2 PLAC San Jose, Santa Clara Co. Calif.The following from the Colusa - Sun Herald, Colusa, CA Thur. Apr. 8, 1965
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. tomorrow in the William's Community
Church for Alta Melissa Lane, 92 former Colusa County teacher, who died of a
heart seizure Tuesday night in a San Jose hospital. She had been ill only a
week.Miss Lane was a natiave of Ukiah, but spent the greater part of her life in
Colusa County. She moved to San Jose 20 years ago and had resided there
since.She was once a candidate for the office of county superintendent of schools
and was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, the Royal Neighbors of
America, the Rebekah Lodge and the First Christian Church of San Jose.Services were held at 1:30 this afternoon in the San Jose chapel of Darling &
Fisher with members of the Rebekah Lodge conductiing the rites.Miss Lane is survived by nephews, Tom E. Lane of San Francisco, Arless Lane
of San Francisco, Earl Lane of San Leandro and Henry Lane of North Sacramento,
and nieces, Alta May and Mary Ellen Whitcomb, of Sacramento.She is buried in Williams, Colusa Co. Calif.
GEDCOM line 3598 not recognizable or too long:
(DEAT) 2 PLAC Colusa Co. Calif.
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Buried in Arbuckle, Colusa Co. Calif.
UPDATE: 198-02-28
DIRECT LINE OF: Don Fink;
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From DON FINK:
1995. Elwin was born in Porterville, Calif., the 9th child of John E. FINK
and Mary Elizabeth HERNDON-FINK. Unlike some of his siblings, he never had a
problem getting married. His first wife was Jean WHITTET, and together they
had me. He tried marriage with 4 other women: One of them he married 3 times
before getting divorced for good. I don't know if he didn't know how to pick
'em or how to treat 'em. I suspect a little of both. He was married to his
last wife, Alcie Jean HOTCHKISS for close to 30 years, and together they had a
son, Jon Jeffrey FINK.
He was a large and well built, powerful man, who had a knack for attracting
trouble. He especially liked trouble when it came in the form of someone
picking on an underdog. He fancied himself the underdog's equalizer.
On the night he graduated from High School, he was in an automobile wreck,
the result of which left him unconscious for a few days. His sister Margaret
cared for him in the little hospital above Dr. Miller's office and as his
condition improved, his sister Helen came home to help. His sister Hazel
always maintained that his personality changed after the wreck and that "he
was a very sweet person before the accident".
His primary occupation throughout his life was Locomotive Engineer, and
after my having done the same thing for 26 years, I can tell you from
experience, his tough bulldog personality held him in good stead during his
years on the railroad. Some of those old guys he had to work with needed a
right cross from out of nowhere, just to see if it was possible for them to be
civil. By the time I started on the railroad, my father's reputation was well
established, and I was treated fairly well, for the most part. I sure did hear
lots of stories though.
After his retirement from the railroad, he thought he would like to do
something with his hands to make extra money. He was very capable and could
have done about anything, except for the fact he was so slow. It took him so
long to do anything, he rarely got completely finished. Everything had to be
done to perfection. In his younger years, he was a perfectionist about
everything. His clothes, car, house, yard, me, and everything else had to be
in top condition at all times. In his later years, however, he was content to
sit around and let everything happen around him.
He died in Bakersfield, Calif. and is buried in a vault at the Hillcrest
Cemetery alongside his last wife, Alcie Jean.
-----------------------
ELWIN FINK MARRIAGES:
- Jean WHITTET -- in Porterville, CA. -- mother of Donald E. FINK
- Alberta ______ -- in Bakersfield, CA.
- Vivian _____ -- in Porterville, CA.
- Willie STEELE -- in Bakersfield, CA.
- Alcie Jean HOTCHKISS -- in Bakersfield, CA. -- mother of John Jeffery
FINK."
UPDATE: 198-02-28
=============================================================================
From Don Fink:
Jan. 1, 1997.
'There is some uncertainty of the spelling of Edmond (Edmund). I once
overheard John Sr. and John Jr. Talking about it. Neither of them seemed sure
of the spelling.
John was born in Sullivan Co. Tennessee in May, 1870. His parents, Robert and
Ruth moved from eastern Tennessee to Kansas when he was 9 years old. At about
age 14, the family moved to Acquila, Ark. (close to Springdale, Ark.)
In Mar. of 1890, at age 20, John made a trip to California. The first thing
he did was visit his elderly aunt Margaret (80) in Williams, Calif. He had
known her in Missouri, as she had moved from eastern Tenn. to Missouri to live
with her daughter after the death of her husband George SMITH. Margaret moved
with her daughter and son-in-law to Calif. in 1881 when she was about 70 years
old.
After visiting his aunt Margaret and other family in Williams, CA. he
traveled down to Poplar CA. He worked in the wheat fields around Poplar, CA
and also around Tulare in 1890 and 1891. At about this same time, John's
younger sister Melissa married Joe WILLIAMS in Springdale, Ark. and they moved
to Porterville, CA. John's father Robert and mother Ruth made a trip to
Porterville in late 1891 to await the birth of Melissa's first child. While on
the visit, Ruth became ill with pneumonia and died there in Jan, 1892. I don't
know if Ruth ever got to see her grandson Earl or not before she died. In
March, 1892, documents show that John revisited Margaret FINK SMITH in
Williams, and then left for Springdale. I would suppose that he and his father
Robert had decided to go back to Springdale together after Ruth's funeral, and
would visit Robert's sister before they left. The temperature around Poplar
and Tulare, Calif. in the summer when wheat harvest takes place is usually
over 100 degrees and very dry. John decided that he would rather be back in
Springdale where the weather was cooler and the landscape hilly and green and
he had more family. The fact that outlaws and bandits were still a part of the
California experience, also turned him back toward Springdale.
After returning to Springdale, he worked as a carpenter, taking on just
about any job that needed to be done. He built 2 houses there, that I know
of, and maybe more. He met and married Mary Elizabeth (Lizzy) HERNDON in 1895.
He named his first child Margaret, in Dec. 1896. When their 5th child, Bill,
was diagnosed with Tuberculosis of the spine in 1910 and told by the doctor
that the only treatment available was to move the child to a warm, dry
climate, John & Lizzy immediately made the decision to move the family of 9 to
California. By that time John had two sisters and their families living in
Porterville, so it was not a hard decision for him to make as to where to go.
When John, Lizzy and 7 children arrived in Porterville in 1910, they were
met at the brand new train depot by John's youngest sister and her husband,
Molly and Sam WILLIAMS, and taken out to their house west of town. John
continued to do carpentry work, and was able to build them a house of their
own in time for Elwin to be born in 1915, and Johnny in 1917. John's sister
Melissa, lived right next door and was midwife to Elwin & Johnny. Around 1919,
John built a bigger house about 1/4 mile away, on the corner of Orange and H
St. In 1927, he built their dream house, a two story, 6 bedroom house on 5 1/2
acres. There he was able to grow just about everything you can imagine to help
feed his family. These three houses are still standing and in good repair
today.
When the house was completed in 1927, John had a 2 ft. x 3 ft. picture of
Abe Lincoln ready to mount over the fireplace, but Lizzy was more determined
that it was not going in her living room and it caused great problems I was
told. John lost, and in spite of his disdain for people who drank alcohol, had
a little himself and was ashamed to go home for a few hours.
In addition to doing carpentry work, he worked as a foreman in the fruit
cannery during the summer canning season. Almost all of his children worked in
the cannery at some point, helping pay their way through college.
At some point shortly after arriving in Porterville, he took a trip up to
Williams to see his cousins. His aunt Margaret had died in 1906. Since money
was in short supply, the trip was not appreciated by my grandmother Lizzy very
much. She told me this story around 1955 and was still angry about it. He
didn't go anymore after that.
In 1945, his son-in-law, Wilbert (Bud) STOCKTON was to muster out of the
army in Louisiana and talked John into going with him back as far as
Springdale, Ark. to visit his brothers, sisters and their children. I think
it was the trip of a lifetime for him.
I came to live with John & Lizzy in 1944. John died in 1950 when I was 9
years old. His wife Lizzy lived on until 1965. Both are buried in Hillcrest
Cemetery in Porterville, CA.
-------------------
April 3, 1997
I have cause to wonder about the correct middle name of John. Yesterday I
came into possession of birth certificates for Margaret and Ruth. Apparently
John had requested them from Springdale, Ark. in 1942. On these certificates,
he is shown as John Edwin Fink, and he also signed them the same way. Because
my aunt Helen named her son Louis Edwin, I thought maybe she could shed some
light on this dilemma. My first question to her was: " What was your father's
middle name?" She replied, "Edmond" but was unsure of the spelling. She went
on to say that she told her mother shortly after Louis was born that she had
named him after her father, but had made a mistake in the spelling of his name
and realized it should have Louis Edmond or Edmund. Grandma said, "Oh well, I
don't suppose it will make any difference."
On the invitation to my uncle John FINK and Mildred GIBBONS wedding
ceremony, he is shown as John Edmond FINK. I have always assumed he was John
Edmond FINK Jr., even though never once have I ever heard anyone say he was
Jr. It would seem to me that since my grandfather John E. was still alive at
the time of the wedding, that the groom's name should have been John Edmond
FINK Jr.
These two things cause me to wonder about John E. FINK's correct middle
name. I think I remember however, that the name John Edmond FINK is scratched
in the concrete in the basement at 130 Cottage St., Porterville, CA.'
UPDATE: 198-02-28
=============================================================================
From DON FINK:
1995. Lizzy's mother died when she was 11 years old. The father, being left
with 4 girls to raise, took them to Springdale, Ark. and enrolled them in a
girls school that taught them what girls of that period needed to know in
order to manage a household. In those days it was everything from making soap
to quilts as well as cooking and child rearing.
She married in 1895, and it must have been right around that time that her
father and 3 sisters moved from Springdale, Ark. to Walla Walla, Washington.
Her first 7 children were born in Springdale, Ark. and the last 3 were born
in Porterville, Ca. By the time I came to live with her in 1944 or 45, she was
beginning to wear down some. After all, she had raised her own 10 and now here
I was to look after, and she was nearing 70 years old, but she never
complained; quite the contrary. I slipped right in, and before I knew it, she
had figured out my favorite cake just like all of her own had their favorite
desserts that she would be sure to have ready when she thought they might be
coming by. (I used to wonder if any of them knew she always made their
favorite desserts just in time for their arrival.)
I don't remember ever getting into much trouble with her, but I do remember
her telling me, almost daily, that I would get a tummy ache from eating all
the fruit I ate. I never did! I could eat a hundred figs off the tree and then
bring in a bucketful and peel them and have them in a bowl with whole cream.
(A cake mixing bowl) She also didn't mind a bit, sharing her responsibilities
with Hazel, as well as with Ruth, although Ruth's role was mostly limited to
seeing to it that I got to church every Sunday, and helping me with learning
how to type without using up too many erasers.
One thing you could count on with grandma: After you learned her habits, you
could always count on them being the same. She was steadfast in everything,
never varying one tiny bit. Her main habit was staying home. I feel like I
could almost count the times on one hand that she was ever off of the property
during the years I lived with her. Another was her very high moral character.
It was very hard for me to misbehave around her, as she would be so very much
disappointed in me. (Margaret had the same effect on me.)
Grandma died in 1965. I was able to come home 3 days before she died, from
Charleston, S.C., where I was stationed in the Navy. She was glad to see me,
and I her. She is buried in Porterville, Ca., Hillcrest Cemetery with her
husband John. '
UPDATE: 1998-02-28
DIRECT LINE OF: Don Fink;
=============================================================================
From Don Fink:
March 1997
Robert was born in the area of Kendrick's Creek, Sullivan Co. Tennessee.
Kendrick's Creek is located close to the oldest town in Tennessee,
Jonesborough. He was the 12th and last child born to John Michael FINK and
Sarah 'Sary' PICKENS. He married Ruth 'Ruthie' BAXTER in 1853 and together
they had 8 children, one of whom died as an infant.
Robert's father, John Michael FINK, died when Robert was 9 years old.
Because of documents I have read, I have estimated that he went to Missouri
when 18 or 20 years old. I also think he must have worked for Merriwach Iron
Works in Phelps Co., Mo. for a couple of years.
The following locations and estimated dates are taken from a document dated
July 24, 1888, which he filled out while making a Civil War Pension claim. (I
have estimated the dates)
'For five years immediately preceeding my enlistment into the service of the
United States, on about the 25th day of August, 1862, I resided in the
following named places.
1857-1859 During first half of above named period I resided in Crawford
County, Missouri, Merriwach Iron Works in Phelps Co., Mo. being my Post Office
1860-1862 During last half of said period I resided also in Crawford
County, Mo., but Post Office was Steelville, and my occupation was "Farmer".
1865-1878 Since my discharge from said service on the 14th day of June,
1865, I have resided near Kendrick's Creek Post Office in Sullivan Co.,
Tennessee for 13 years following my discharge.
1879 During next year I resided near Elk City, Kansas in Montgomery Co.
1880 The next year in Wilson Co., near New Albany, Kansas
1881-1882 The next 2 years I resided near Springdale, Ark., where I now
reside.
1883 During the next year I resided near Navarre Post Office, Dickinson
Co., Kansas
1884 until death in 1903: During remainder of time I resided where I do now,
and my occupation has been that of a farmer. I further state that the
disability for which I claim a pension arises from disease of throat,
ulceration of left arm and injury to left eye. '
After the war, he returned to eastern Tennessee, where he looked after his
mother in her older years, and where his last 5 children were born. It appears
that he left eastern Tennessee about the time of his mother's death and moved
his family to Elk City, Kansas. In about 1884, he moved his family to
Acquilla, Ark. (close to Springdale, Ark.) and remained there until his death.
It is my belief that all of Robert and Ruth's children made the move with
them except Sarah E. She stayed on in eastern Tennessee with her husband
Joseph Clark CHASE.
In 1891, Robert and Ruthie journeyed from Springdale, Ark. to Porterville,
California to visit their daughter Melissa who was preparing to have her
first child. While visiting, Ruthie became ill with pneumonia and died on Jan.
14, 1892 and was buried there. At the same time, their son John E. was working
in the same area in the wheat fields. He had come out from Arkansas about a
year previously as a young man of 21. After the death of his mother, John and
Robert journeyed up to Williams, in Colusa Co., Calif. to visit Robert's
sister Margaret and then they went on back to Springdale together.
On Dec. 13, 1892, Robert took another wife, Mary C. CHURCHWELL, age 38,
widow of John B. HIGH.
Robert died on July 6 1903 at the age of 69 and is buried in the Friendship
Cemetery in Springdale, Arkansas. "
UPDATE: 198-02-28
DIRECT LINE OF: Don Fink;
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From Don Fink:
'1997.
Robert and Ruthie journeyed from Springdale, Ark. to Porterville, CA. to
visit their children Melissa and Molly and to see their [grand]children. The
year must have been 1891. While they were visiting, Ruthie became ill and died
in January of 1892. She is buried in the Vandalia cemetery in Porterville, CA
I was told she was of Scotch and Irish descent.
Ruth BAXTER had a brother named James BAXTER ...'
UPDATE: 198-02-28
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UPDATE: 198-02-28
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By Don Fink Aug 1995
THomas A. FINK changed his last name to his mothers maiden name, ie. BAXTER.
He was a favorite uncle of John & Mary Elizabeths' children but he was a
little bit outlaw. Rumor had it that he was wanted for killing someone in
northern California so he changed his name. Eventually he was shipped in a
pine box to Porterville. His brother John went to the train station and picked
him up and took him to the Vandalia Cemetery to be buried. One of the things
my aunt Hazel talked of was that of getting a headstone placed on the grave of
uncle Tom. To this date it has not been done.
-------------------- More Notes
by Helen Fink-Stockton. Nov. 1995
Tom FINK was an older brother of my father (John E. FINK) and he visited
some winters in Porterville, on vacation from his work in the lumber mills in
Idaho. In spring 1919 my sister Ruth and I went to Walla Walla, Wash. to
visit our grandfather and two aunts. We went on the same train that he was on
going back to Idaho. I remember his telling me that the people in Oregon had
webbed feet on account of all the rain there. He was a drinking man and it got
him into a lot of trouble.'
--------------------------
More Notes by Alta Williams -- Anderson April 1996 93 Yrs. old, niece of
Tom FINK.
'Uncle Tom owned a forest in Idaho or Canada. He bought it intending to cut
the trees and sell the timber. The forest caught fire and burned up. The next
thing I remember is that he arrived in Porterville in a pine box just like you
see in those western movies. Uncle John went to the train station and picked
him up and took him to the Vandalia Cemetery and had him buried in that same
pine box. I can see it just like it was yesterday. He never had a marker or
anything. They just put him down in the hole, and that was it.
He liked to drink whiskey and he always wanted to have his picture taken
when he drank. That's why whenever you see a picture of Uncle Tom he always
looks drunk. It was a shame he never did get married or anything.'
UPDATE: 1998-02-28
DIRECT LINE OF: Don Fink;
=============================================================================
From Don Fink:
March 1997
Robert was born in the area of Kendrick's Creek, Sullivan Co. Tennessee.
Kendrick's Creek is located close to the oldest town in Tennessee,
Jonesborough. He was the 12th and last child born to John Michael FINK and
Sarah 'Sary' PICKENS. He married Ruth 'Ruthie' BAXTER in 1853 and together
they had 8 children, one of whom died as an infant.
Robert's father, John Michael FINK, died when Robert was 9 years old.
Because of documents I have read, I have estimated that he went to Missouri
when 18 or 20 years old. I also think he must have worked for Merriwach Iron
Works in Phelps Co., Mo. for a couple of years.
The following locations and estimated dates are taken from a document dated
July 24, 1888, which he filled out while making a Civil War Pension claim. (I
have estimated the dates)
'For five years immediately preceeding my enlistment into the service of the
United States, on about the 25th day of August, 1862, I resided in the
following named places.
1857-1859 During first half of above named period I resided in Crawford
County, Missouri, Merriwach Iron Works in Phelps Co., Mo. being my Post Office
1860-1862 During last half of said period I resided also in Crawford
County, Mo., but Post Office was Steelville, and my occupation was "Farmer".
1865-1878 Since my discharge from said service on the 14th day of June,
1865, I have resided near Kendrick's Creek Post Office in Sullivan Co.,
Tennessee for 13 years following my discharge.
1879 During next year I resided near Elk City, Kansas in Montgomery Co.
1880 The next year in Wilson Co., near New Albany, Kansas
1881-1882 The next 2 years I resided near Springdale, Ark., where I now
reside.
1883 During the next year I resided near Navarre Post Office, Dickinson
Co., Kansas
1884 until death in 1903: During remainder of time I resided where I do now,
and my occupation has been that of a farmer. I further state that the
disability for which I claim a pension arises from disease of throat,
ulceration of left arm and injury to left eye. '
After the war, he returned to eastern Tennessee, where he looked after his
mother in her older years, and where his last 5 children were born. It appears
that he left eastern Tennessee about the time of his mother's death and moved
his family to Elk City, Kansas. In about 1884, he moved his family to
Acquilla, Ark. (close to Springdale, Ark.) and remained there until his death.
It is my belief that all of Robert and Ruth's children made the move with
them except Sarah E. She stayed on in eastern Tennessee with her husband
Joseph Clark CHASE.
In 1891, Robert and Ruthie journeyed from Springdale, Ark. to Porterville,
California to visit their daughter Melissa who was preparing to have her
first child. While visiting, Ruthie became ill with pneumonia and died on Jan.
14, 1892 and was buried there. At the same time, their son John E. was working
in the same area in the wheat fields. He had come out from Arkansas about a
year previously as a young man of 21. After the death of his mother, John and
Robert journeyed up to Williams, in Colusa Co., Calif. to visit Robert's
sister Margaret and then they went on back to Springdale together.
On Dec. 13, 1892, Robert took another wife, Mary C. CHURCHWELL, age 38,
widow of John B. HIGH.
Robert died on July 6 1903 at the age of 69 and is buried in the Friendship
Cemetery in Springdale, Arkansas. "
UPDATE: 198-02-28
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From Don Fink:
March 1997. The following from affadavit for Robert J. FINK's Civil War
Accrued disability pension in 1903.
'I am the claimant for accrued pension under Certificate No. 673124 and can
state that I was previously married to John B. HIGH and I was pensioned as
his widow up to date of my marriage to Robert J. FINK. Number of my claim
being 483649. Number of my certificate being lost, but dated about January or
February 1893. Evidence of my 1st husband's death being on file. The soldier
Robert J. FINK was married to Ruthie BAXTER who died on the 14th day of
January 1892, who died in California.
Signed: Mary C. Fink
----------------------
Mary C. (CHURCHWELL) HIGH was born about 1854 as she was 38 years old at the
time of her marriage to Robert J. FINK. He was sixty years old at the time of
the marriage.
UPDATE: 198-02-28
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UPDATE: 198-02-28
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