johnsamuelweekly

Marriage 1: Emily R Fish (Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, Oregon, by Orvil Dodge), born ABT 1854 in Oregon.

Emily died at the age of 21 on October 2nd, 1875, in Coos County, OR. Plaindealer (newspaper), published 23 Oct 1875 reads (under the heading"DIED"): "WEEKLEY. - In Coos county, October 2d, 1875, Mrs. Emily R., wife of John S. Weekly, aged 21 years.

Deceased leaves a husband and one child. Oregon City and Jacksonville papers please copy."

Oscar Elmer Weekly, born 7 Mar 1874, was apparently the only child from this marriage to have survived to adulthood. He died Oct 1964 at the age of 90.

The 1870 Census shows John, 22, and Rebecca (AKA Emily R.) Weekly, 16, living in Lookingglass, Douglas County, Oregon. They had a daughter, Effa, who was born in May of that year.

Also found in the Plaindealer newspaper:

26 Jul 1872 issue: (under the heading "BORN") On the 19th of July, to the wife of J.S. Weekley, a son.

20 Sep 1872 issue: (under the heading "DIED") In Douglas County, September, 18, 1872, the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Weekley.

It seems likely that Effa died on 20 Sep 1872. Most likely, she did not survive to adulthood as there is no mention made of her elsewhere.

The son born 26 Jul 1872 was, in my opinion, likely to be William Henry, who died 31 Oct 1874. The Plaindealer issue of 21 Nov 1874 reads: "DIED. Weekly - William Henry, infant son on John S. and Emily R. Weekly, Coos County, Oregon, October 31 1874. Walla Walla papers copy."

Since all of that may be confusing, here is a more concise picture of Emily Rebecca's short life:

Born: About 1854

Married John S Weekly: 11 June 1869

Child born: Effa, girl, May 1870

Child born: Son, 19 Jul 1872 (Probably William Henry)

Child born: Oscar Elmer, born 7 Mar 1874

Death dates of children:

Infant daughter, died 18 Sep 1872. (Probably Effa)

Infant son, William Henry, died 21 Nov 1874. (Probably the son born 19 Jul 1872)

Emily Fish Weekly died October 2nd, 1875.

It's important to note that in the 1700s, the word "infant" meant any underage child, even a teenager. By the 1800's, the word may not have necessarily meant exactly what it does today. I think it's very possible that in the 1872/74 stories quoted, the word "infant" could apply to Effa and William Henry, each of whom would have been about 2 years and 4 months old when they died. Strange coincidence.

Because the surrounding families in the 1870 Census typically had children that were born two years apart, it seems likely that three children were born to John and Emily.

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Emily's parents are Albert H Fish 1825-1891, and Hannah Ann Gribble 1830-1907. I found a Gribble web site which appears to have been deleted, however there is a cached copy available, which you can view by clicking "Gribble web site" above. If the link no longer works, contact me by using my email address which is displayed at the bottom of the page. I have a Word Document of the contents of this site.

See also "The Gribble Family", a section out of the Book entitled, Dixon and Amburn family history, by Shelia Steele Hunt, which is available on Google Books. See page 144.

Marriage 2: Mary Jane Godfrey (Lusk - name from previous marriage), born 1841 (maiden name from Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, Oregon, by Orvil Dodge, pg 95. Luke Eusk [sic], former husband, was accidentally killed in Douglas County, OR - pg 180. The last name was really Lusk.)

On the Douglas County, OR message board at Rootsweb I found a posting regarding Mary Jane's husband and he is referred to as Reece Thompson Lusk, who died in Douglas County on 9-24-1876. Children are listed as:

James McComas Lusk 1859

Eli C Lusk, Apr 24, 1862

Virginia Caroline Lusk, Dec 16, 1865

James Thompson Lusk, Sep 26, 1870.

Plaindealer newspaper, 30 Sep 1876, page 3, column 3 contains an article that explains how Reese Lusk died in an accident on 24th Sep 1876.

I have found no record of Mary and John Samuel Weekly having any children.

John was one of the builders of the Coos Bay Wagon Road. (Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, Oregon, by Orvil Dodge)

1872: John arrived in Shils, Coos County (Pioneer History of Coos and Curry Counties, Oregon, by Orvil Dodge)

Census records may contain errors.

1880 Census: Missouri Precinct, Coos County, Oregon

John: 37, birthplace: self - Missouri / father KY / mother TN

Wife: Mary J, 39, VA / VA / VA

Stepdaughter: Virginia C Lust, 14, Illinois / VA / VA

Stepson: James T Lust, 10, Missouri / VA / VA

Son: Oscar E Weekly, 6, Oregon, MO / OR

1900 Census: Arlington, Gilliam Co, Oregon; Roll: T623 1347; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 18.

John, 57

Mary J, 61

James T Luska (same person as James T above), 39

1910 Census: Clarno, Wheeler Co, Oregon; Roll: T624_1283; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 313; Image: 1165.

John S Waekly 67 (Farmer)

Mary J Waekly 71 born in W.Va, parents, W.Va/W.Va

James T Lusk 39 (Farmer - partner) born in MO, parents, W.Va

Appolonia Gonzales 31 (boarder)

Oregon Death Index:

Weekly, John

May 15, 1915

Wheeler County

Certificate #2350

Oregon Death Index, 1903-98

Name: Weekly, Mary

County: Portland

Death Date: 3 Feb 1922

Certificate: 313

John is buried at :

Fossil IOOF Cemetery

Fossil

Wheeler County

Oregon, USA

Plot: Row 20 #2

Mary is buried next to John. Photos of headstone at findagrave.com.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=54680386

Her son, James T Lusk is also buried there. He died March 13, 1919 in Wheeler Co, OR.

http://www.theheritagegazette.com/theheritagegazette1_002.htm (meaning of the word infant)