Thomas Edward NEAR
Birth:
Abt 1892
Canada
Death:
Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Marriage:
6 Sep 1916
Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Father:
Mother:
Notes:
4-5-01 Went to dinner with Mel & Nancy Near while they were in Las Vegas to attend son's wedding. He said that Thomas Edward Near was run over by a trolley in Detroit when his Dad (Robert) was about 3 yrs. old. That would be about 1924-25.... He said that was told to him by his father, Robert Near......a story passed down to him.
QUESTION ON THIS STORY......Doesn't fit with other information so it may have been someone else in the family.....
4-8-01 I wrote to Olive's daughter, Linda and she has a different story.
From:
To: "The Johnsons"
Subject: Re: Hi from Ellie
Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2001 09:05:52 -0400
Hi Ellie,
This is what I was told about my Mom's Dad. He died from a brain hemorrhage - I thought my Mom said unexpectedly. Grandma and Grandpa did get a divorce (Thomas Edward Near and Orpha Law). Mom said that Grandma left Mom (Olive) and Uncle Bob alone and unfed or clean - for another man. My Mom would not talk much about Grandma. I remember writing to her in California when I was little - but Mom would not write to her - I was very small and did not understand why Mom could not forgive her. I think now that .....Mom was also very young and believed whatever she was told happened to her and carried those thoughts with her - her whole life. I felt very badly about that.
Mom lived with Great Grandma Near... I think she died in the early 50's -Grandpa died I think just before I was born - like maybe 3-4 months before -Mom was very sad about that I remember her saying. Grandpa never saw me
I was born 6/28/47. This is what I remember hope that helps.
----- Original Message -----
From: "The Johnsons"
To: "Linda" ; "Gail Nelson McCrate"
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2001 10:00 AM
Subject: Hi from Ellie
Hi,
I've been having computer problems this week but hopefully the worst is over.
Met Mel & Nancy Near on Thursday. They were in Las Vegas for a son's wedding at the Treasure Island Hotel on Friday. They believe that they have a copy of Roberts Obituary and will send it. When I get it, I'll be sure to share with you.
Mel said that he was told that Thomas Edward Near (your grandfather) was killed by a trolley car when Robert was about three years old. (That would be about 1923/24). Have you any recollection of hearing that? That makes me wonder if Orpha and Thomas Edward divorced or was she left a widow with two children???? That's a new slant to the story. I do suppose that we could look for divorce records (index) in the court house in Detroit and see what can be found. Do we know the year he died....is that in the family Bible? There's probably something in an old newspaper about that time too if he was killed by a trolly. Does any of this information sound familiar to you? I guess I'll always have a little detective in me.ha
Love you....
Ellie
Gails letter
From: "McCrate, Gail (G.A.)" | Block Address | Add to Address Book
To: "'elliejohn@yahoo.com'"
Subject: Thomas Edward Near
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 07:07:14 -0400
Hi Ellie,
Sorry I haven't answered your note concerning mom's dad, Thomas Edward Near. Mel and Nancy must be referring to someone other than Mel's father's dad. Mom's dad died at the age of 50 from a heart attack. He was getting ready to go to work, he died at home while shaving. Mel must be confused with maybe his mother's father -- or maybe mom's grandma and grandpa who raised mom and Uncle Bob.
Family records from Ted Law
///////////////////
CENSUS
1920 Soundex Michigan
Soundex Code: N600 Michigan Vol 107 ED 203 Sheet 1 Line 75
Wayne County, Michigan Putnam Ave House 305 Detroit
Near, Thomas 28 B: Canada Citizenship NA 1908
" Orpha wife 27 B: Ohio
" Helen Dau 1 4/12 B:Mich (note: This would be Olive Helen Near)
///////////////////
SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX
Soc.Sec.Death Index:
Nil ....Edward Near....Michigan
Nil.....Thomas Near...Michigan
///////////////////
abt. 2000 while talking with Helen Rennell. She said that Ed & Orpha lived with Richard and Ethel......
///////////////
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 22:27:36 -0800 (PST)
From: The Johnsons | Block address | Add to Address Book
Subject: From Ellie
To: Linda , Gail Nelson McCrate
Hi,
I was wondering.....Do you have any information on Thomas Edward Near? I believe he was born in Canada but I don't know where or when. Do you have his birthdate & place also his death date and place. Did he marry again after he and Orpha divorced? I wonder what year Orpha and Edward divorced? Why did she leave? So many questions? I have his parents names as James Smith Near and Mary Elizabeth Lambert. Is that correct? The following is pretty much all I have as far as notes on Thomas E. Near:
///////////////////////////////////////
1920 Soundex Michigan
Soundex Code: N600 Michigan Vol 107 ED 203 Sheet 1 Line 75
Wayne County, Michigan Putnam Ave House 305 Detroit
Near, Thomas 28 B: Canada Citizenship NA 1908
" Orpha wife 27 B: Ohio
" Helen Dau 1 4/12 B:Mich
Let me know if you can help me out with this.
Love & hugs,
Ellie
Orpha Ellen LAW
Birth:
18 Feb 1891
Milford Township, Defiance, Ohio
Death:
9 Sep 1967
Thousand Oaks, Ventura, California
Burial:
24 Jun 1967
Ivy Lawn Cemetery, Ventura, Ventura, California
Father:
Mother:
Sources:
Family Bible
Notes:
BIRTH:
Law Family Bible in possession of Herbert Law, Minneapolis,Minnesota.
CENSUS
1900 Census, Defiance County, Mark Township ED #14 sheet 13 line 99,100, lines 1-8 on pg 203A Sheet 14
Jason A. Law head white male Dec 1856 43 Married number of years married 10
Born Ohio Father: Penn Mother: Ohio Farmer months not employed 0 Can read,write,speak English
Rent -Farm 183(number of farm schedule)
Edna Law wife white female Aug 1862 age 37 married 10yrs number of children 5 living 5 Born: Ohio
Father:Ohio Mother: Massachusetts Can read,write,speak English
Orpha E. daughter white female Feb 1891 age 9 single Ohio/Ohio/Ohio occupation: school attended 7 mo
can read,write,speak English
Opal E. daughter white female Mar 1893 age 7 single Ohio/Ohio/Ohio " " " " "
Richard C. son white male Apr 1895 age 5 single Ohio/Ohio/Ohio " " " " "
Jasen N. son white male Sept 1897 age 2 single Ohio/Ohio/Ohio
Dewey D. son white male May 1900 age 0/12 single Ohio/Ohio/Ohio
Sulivan, Bertha servant white single Mar 1898 22 Ohio
Bradford,Sam W. hired man white Mar 1868 32 Indiana/Virginia/Indiana farm labor
Boyles,Dennis B. hired man white Oct 1850 33 Ohio farm labor
///////////////////////////////////////
CENSUS
Ohio 1910 Census Miracode Index
Search Results U.S. Census.
View original documents online
Ray F Hoover
Age: 23 State: OH
Color: W Enumeration District: 0050
Birth Place: Ohio Visit: 0053
County: Paulding
Relation: Head of Household
Other Residents: Relation Name Color Age Birth Place
Wife Orpha E 19 Ohio
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MARRIAGES: She was married several times. According to Ted Law, she was married in Kelso, Washington for a short period of time to an unnamed 3rd husband.. To my knowledge she had one child by Hoover and two children by Near. Do not know of any other children.
MARRIAGE: Old letter gives date of marriage to William Matthews...in possession of Eleanor Law Johnson,
c/o 530 S.4th St.,Las Vegas, NV 89101.
LETTERS:
Old letters from Orpha to Eleanor L. Johnson regarding family history information. 530 S. 4th St.,Las Vegas, Nevada 89101.
INTERVIEW: With Ted, Richard and Dewey Law....Interviewed by Eleanor Law Johnson..
OBITUARY: Her husband's obituary notice from Ventura, Calif. newspaper listed her as his wife.
CALIFORNIA DEATH INDEX
rootsweb.com.....
California Death Index:
Search Terms: ORPHA (854), MATTHEWS (3905)
Database: California Death Index, 1940-1997
Combined Matches: 1
Surname MATTHEWS
Given Name: ORPHA
Middle Name: E
Sex FEMALE
Birth Date 02/18/1891
Death Date: 09/09/1967
Birth Place: OHIO
Death Place: VENTURA
Social Security # 550845275
Mothers Maiden Name: HULBERT
Father's Surname:
Results 1-1 of 1
Last Name: Matthews
First Name: Orpha
Middle: E.
Birth Date 02/18/1891
Mother Maiden: Hulbert
Father Last:
Sex F
Birth Place: Ohio
Death Place: Ventura
Residence
Death Date: 09/09/1967
SSN: 550-84-5275
Age: 76
Post-ems
SOC.SEC.DEATH INDEX..Her number: 550-84-5275..Issued in California..
ORPHA MATTHEWS
Born: 18 Feb 1891
Death: Sept 1967
Residence: 91360 Moorpark, Ventura,CA
SS# 550-84-5275
Issued: CA (1966)
BURIAL: Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Rd., Ventura, California. Telephone 805- 642-1055.
My father, Ted Law, had told me Orpha was buried at Ivy Lawn Cemetery. But, on 3-14-96 while visiting at the cemetery office, they could not find any record that stated that her ashes were interred with her husband or her mother. They stated that she had been cremated there, but the ashes picked up or taken by Theodore T. Law and his wife....who had made the arrangements.. My parents, Ted & Dorsa Law, never spoke to me regarding the scattering of her ashes but that may be what happened....unless the cemetery records just didn't record the burial. The cemetery office stated that they have no record that she's buried with anyone else. Her husband, William Matthews was not cremated and is buried at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park D-5-204
Sent above information to Linda Little and Gail McCrate...Orpha's granddaughters.
Mel Near told me that there was a bitter divorce between Orpha & Edward Near......
1999 Law Reunion: Helen Swindler Rennell. my cousin, said that Ed & Orpha lived with Richard and Ethel......That Ethel raised Orpha's children: Bob and Olive Near.... Orpha wasn't around any more.....went west. I remember seeing them at Ethels.....Helen also said that she married one of her husbands twice....she thought it was Matthews.
Kristina K. Swanson, Cowlitz County Auditor Dec.13,1999
County Administration Building
207 Fourth Avenue North
Kelso, Washington 98626-4193
Note to myself:
Sent for Marriage license and record from that county and request was returned with note: Enclosed find order form for marriage as I do not find it here. (Wash.State Vital Records Application )
Marriages in Washington state are available after Jan. 1, 1968. Prior to this date the record is filed only in county.
Therefore, not being successful in Kelso, I have decided not to pursue this record at this time. ELJ
May 2001
Received records of Marriage to Thomas E. Near and divorce record from Detroit, Wayne, Michigan....
/////////////////////////////////////////////
From: "Linda" | Block Address | Add to Address Book
To: "The Johnsons"
Subject: Re: Emailing: Postal 006
Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002 17:11:22 -0500
January 18th, 1962.
My Dear Daughter and family,
Your-darling Christmas card and note, I received so much happiness, you'll never know. I had a lovely holiday this year. Jean and Robert always send me a nice box, lots of gifts, the most precious, is home made fruit cake and
three nice bottles of real perfume. Jean, Robert and three children sure am proud of them, your family also, and Leona and family in Columbus, Ohio my step daughter a graduate, nurse in 1931 Mrs. Harry Kennedy of Bell
Calif. always remembers me on every holiday, Marvel Taff (Teff)? of Alameda, Calif. an adopted cousin your Grandpa Laws sister Aunt Geneva, was a music teacher and later years she had her own millenary shop in Edgerton, Ohio. That was before you came to this world.
Am-glad you like your new home, and I know is much more fitted to you and family so much more free life.
I always loved the country I loved to bake pie, cake, bread, doughnuts and etc. I also loved horses., cows all animals I started to milk a cow at 6 years so I always loved the out door work too. Oh-dear, time goes so fast as ne-grows older. Feb. 18th will be here before I know it. Is it possible, my 71st BD? I just can not keep from remembering dates. Your grandpa (great) his 100th BD the 7th of Feb. He sure was a man to be groud of. he was a Black smith, in Canada. Jean and Robert sent me a lovely photograph of them. Robert has white hair at the temples a fine looking couple. It is on my stand by my bed. this is the only way I an able to visit. My best Love to Olive, Roland, Linda & Gail.
God Bless all of you and your -dear home love from your Mother, and grandmother, Orpha Ellen Matthews.
PS: My hair is gray; not white yet.
Thats the letter I found amoung my things Mom must have given it to me - orI got it from Mom's things. I remember reading it before. What do you think? Love, Linda
Children
Marriage
1
Blocked
Birth:
Death:
Blocked
Marr:
Notes:
email from Gail Nelson McCrate, daughter of Olive.....9-6-01
"Yes, the information about my mother is correct.
Born: 9/13/1918 (Friday the 13th) in Wayne Co., MI, but I do not know what city specifically
Died: 12/26/1998 (she asked God to take her on Christmas night because she was in so much pain). She died in her own home, in her own bed in her sleep (God Bless God for doing that for her).
She is buried in Acacia Park Cemetery in Birmingham, MI. Her grave site is in Sec. R (I believe, and it does have a number, but I cannot remember what it is -- do you want me to find out for you?). I should know it because
they always have it written on the letter that they send to me for signing up for flowers to be planted in front of her grave. The grave stone is in the name of NELSON and also buried there are my father's parents,
Harley F. and Augusta (do not know her middle initial) Nelson. My father will be buried between his parents and my mother. There is also another empty grave there (we own five graves) and my mother always wanted me to be buried there if I didn't marry again (which I did -- to my Donald). I would not want to be buried there because my father and grandparents are there.
My plan is to take my mother to Brooklyn, with me, after my father passes on. etc."
Family records of Olive Near Nelson.
Research by Eleanor Law Johnson, c/o 530 S. 4th St.,Las Vegas, NV 89101
SOUNDEX 1920....CENSUS
1920 Michigan Soundex Code: N600 Vol 107 ED 203 Sheet 1 Line 75
There is a child, Helen age 1 4/12 Born: Michigan, in Thomas Near & Orpha's household, a daughter..
CENSUS
1920 Soundex Michigan
Soundex Code: N600 Michigan Vol 107 ED 203 Sheet 1 Line 75
Wayne County, Michigan Putnam Ave House 305 Detroit
Near, Thomas 28 B: Canada Citizenship NA 1908
" Orpha wife 27 B: Ohio
" Helen Dau 1 4/12 B:Mich (note: This would be Olive Helen Near)
ADDRESS:
Olive Near Nelson (Deceased)
40632 Newport Drive
Lane T
Plymouth,Michigan 48170
(313) 455-6849
'99 734 area code....
HISTORY: Helen Swindler Rennell told me 12/11/99 by phone that they used to have family reunions in Rochester, Michigan because Vera & Clement lived there. Olive came with her husband and children.
Called Olive 7-8-89 talked about records on family. She gave me information over phone. She said she was raised by grandmother Near. Her father and mother divorced and there were bitter feelings because back then, divorce was looked upon with great disfavor. She does not know much about her mother, Orpha, or where she married Matthews.
MEMORIAL CARD
Linda Little, her daughter, sent a memorial card w/picture of Olive.
Memorial Obituary:
Nelson,Olive H.----
Passed away December 26, 1998, age 80. Beloved wife of Roland. Loving mother of Linda (James) Little and Gail (Donald) McCrate. Grandmother of Michael (Kelly) Buckley, Daniel Buckley and Kerry LeMasters. Great-grand-mother of Devon and Brianna. Loving sister of Robert Near.
Funeral arrangements by Harry J. Will Trust 100 Funeral Home, Livonia (Mich). Donations to Visiting Nurse Assoc. of Hospice of Southeast Michigan. No flowers and no visitation. Interment at Acacia Park.
on the back was this poem:
"Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints upon the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain and I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush, of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there, I did not die."
SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX
OLIVE NELSON
B 13 Sep 1918
d 26 Dec 1998
Res: 48170 Plymouth, Wayne, MI
SSN 378-10-2538
Issued: MI (Before 1951)
2
Blocked
Birth:
Death:
Blocked
Marr:
Notes:
Internet...rootsweb.com
OBITURARY....DETROIT NEWS
Obituary or death notice....
NEAR, Robert E; 78; MI; Detroit News; 1999-7-28; mmtm
I believe his things have gone to Linda Nelson Little and Gail Nelson McCrate, nieces, because he was estranged from his children who live in Washington.
I wrote a letter to him 11/22/88 with pedigree chart, his family group sheets on 2 marriages, the family group sheet with he as a child and his mothers other 2 marriages on family group sheets. He is suppose to answer and fill in the missing data. He never did respond. I called him once and he gave me some information over the telephone.
11/99 I'm in touch with Linda and Gail through e-mail... They told me he died last summer ....died summer 1999...
e-mail from Gail Nelson McCrate 11-11-99
My mother is Olive Helen Near and yes her father was Thomas. He died when he was 50 of a heart attack about 3 or 4 weeks before my older sister, Linda was born. Mom was born 9/13/1918. Uncle Bob (Robert), mother's
brother, was born 5/11/1921. Mom died the day after Christmas, 1998 and Uncle Bob died the past summer. Mom's mother has another child by another man, her name was Lavern (don't know her last name) but she died several years ago. I don't remember ever meeting her. I know my mother met her one time probably about 30 years ago -- but I don't remember seeing her. Richard and Ethel Law (mom's uncle and aunt) had one son, Clement. He was older than mom but didn't know him well either other than he played the banjo and lived down south. He died several years ago of a horrible death from cancer, like my mother. I have pictures of Aunt Ethel (I look and act most like her --according to mom and Uncle Bob). Mother learned to play the piano from Aunt Ethel and I have a lot of her music (Aunt Ethel's and my mother's as well). I have my mother's piano. She played right up until about the last three weeks before she died. Just didn't have the strength to play any longer. My mother was a very beautiful woman, Aunt Ethel was too. When I see you in person, I'll tell you stories about Uncle Richard and his many brothers and their wives -- things I can remember anyway.
Uncle Bob's first wife, Aunt Jean (she was from England and Uncle Bob met and married her during W.W.II), died of cancer as well. She was quite young -- like in her 40's. Didn't know her very well either because they lived in
Oregon. Uncle Bob had two sons and a daughter with Aunt Jean. After Aunt Jean died, Uncle Bob came to Michigan and lived with us, until he met (through my sister) Lena Ronayne and married her about 30 years ago.
Aunt Lena was a beautiful woman too. She died nearly 4 years ago now -- I miss her -- she and I were "pals", like my mom and I were "best friends". Must scoot for now -- I'll write more late -- I'm at work and arrived
late today due to fire on the way in blocking my only route so they had to re-route us. We'll chat more later :-)
Love, Gail.
Had a nice voice........Herb said 12-3-99
BURIAL....
E-mail from Gail McCrate....Olive Near's daughter:
3/7/01
I'm sorry we are unable to find anything on Uncle Bob. There was only a memorial service and he was cremated and then his ashes were spread with half of Aunt Lena's, but I don't remember where they were going to spread them. Aunt Lena's daughter, Cathy, was going to take care of it. The other half of Aunt Lena's ashes went to Kansas where she was born.
We may have picked up a card from the memorial service and given it to my dad (he keeps them in his Bible). Everyone who meant anything to him is in the Bible. My mother's Death Notice may be in the Bible as well ....
FamilyCentral Network
Thomas Edward Near - Orpha Ellen Law
Thomas Edward Near
was born at Canada Abt 1892.
His parents were James Smith Near and Mary Elizabeth Lambert.
He married Orpha Ellen Law 6 Sep 1916 at Detroit, Wayne, Michigan . Orpha Ellen Law was born at Milford Township, Defiance, Ohio 18 Feb 1891 daughter of Jason Andrew Law and Edna Celestia Hulbert .
They were the parents of 2
children:
Blocked
Blocked
Thomas Edward Near died at Detroit, Wayne, Michigan .
Orpha Ellen Law died 9 Sep 1967 at Thousand Oaks, Ventura, California .