Esther Marie Harmon

Last updated 27 Feb 2024 in Spear–Johnson Family.

Individual

Born: 1 Jun 1896 in Milan, Sullivan County, Missouri, United States

Father: Andrew C. Harmon (1868 – 1954)

Mother: Minnie E. Birdsell (1868 – 1934)

Supporting evidence for:
name

census-us-1930-ps-ks-decatur-20-5-1a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Center Township, enumeration district 1-20-5, sheet 1A (form/penned) or page 14A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 24 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Center ⟩ District 0005”, image 1; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 699 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2340434]

Reference Detail: Lines 40-42, dwelling 10, family 10

Comment Detail: Source includes [married] name (Spear[Spears], Esther M.).

census-us-1940-ps-ks-decatur-20-23-2a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Oberlin Township, enumeration district 10/20-23, sheet 2A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ 20-23”, image 4; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 1228 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 27-30, household 32

Comment Detail: Source includes [married] name (Brown, Esther). The record shows her married surname was partially written and replaced with the standard dash line to represent surnames common to the family, after being written for the head of the household.

military-draftreg-john-brown-1942: Draft registration card for John Jackson Brown (1942); U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ All ⟩ Brown, Eli-Brown, Laverne”, images 1552-1553; citing “National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For Kansas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 47 [original data: Draft Registration Cards for Kansas, October 16, 1940–March 31, 1947; 381 boxes; NAID: 7644730; Records of the Selective Service System, 1926–1975, Record Group 147; National Archives at St. Louis, Missouri] ”

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Esther Brown).

periodical-wedding-harmon-spear-1915: “Those Wedding Bells / Harmon-Spear,” wedding description; Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 3 May 2021) ⟩ “United States of America ⟩ Kansas ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ The Oberlin Times ⟩ 1915 ⟩ 04 ⟩ 16” page 1; citing “The Oberlin Times (Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas), 16 Apr 1915 (Friday), page 1, column 2”

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Esther Harmon).

ssa-npri-ssaci-esther-harmon-b1896: Social Security Administration record (SSACI) for Esther Harmon Spear (b.1896); U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 26 Feb 2024), no physical record image; citing "Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007” [The record does not include a death date.]

Comment Detail: Souce includes several names (Esther Harmon Spear, Esther Marie Brown, and Esther Harmon Harmon). The first two are married names, registered in Jun 1937 and Oct 1943, respectively. The third is her birth name, but duplicates her surname as her middle name. Using her married names, this databae assumes Marie is her actual middle name.

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,
birth

census-us-1930-ps-ks-decatur-20-5-1a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Center Township, enumeration district 1-20-5, sheet 1A (form/penned) or page 14A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 24 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Center ⟩ District 0005”, image 1; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 699 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2340434]

Reference Detail: Lines 40-42, dwelling 10, family 10

Comment Detail: Source includes age (⟨conflict⟩) and location (Missouri [, USA]). See research notes for conflict details.

census-us-1940-ps-ks-decatur-20-23-2a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Oberlin Township, enumeration district 10/20-23, sheet 2A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ 20-23”, image 4; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 1228 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 27-30, household 32

Comment Detail: Source includes age (⟨conflict⟩) and location (Missouri [, USA]). See research notes for conflict details.

periodical-wedding-harmon-spear-1915: “Those Wedding Bells / Harmon-Spear,” wedding description; Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 3 May 2021) ⟩ “United States of America ⟩ Kansas ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ The Oberlin Times ⟩ 1915 ⟩ 04 ⟩ 16” page 1; citing “The Oberlin Times (Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas), 16 Apr 1915 (Friday), page 1, column 2”

Comment Detail: Source includes location ([⟨conflict⟩]). See research notes for conflict details.

ssa-npri-ssaci-esther-harmon-b1896: Social Security Administration record (SSACI) for Esther Harmon Spear (b.1896); U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 26 Feb 2024), no physical record image; citing "Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007” [The record does not include a death date.]

Comment Detail: Source includes date (1 Jun 1896) and location (Milan, Sulliva[n], Missouri).

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,
father

ssa-npri-ssaci-esther-harmon-b1896: Social Security Administration record (SSACI) for Esther Harmon Spear (b.1896); U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 26 Feb 2024), no physical record image; citing "Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007” [The record does not include a death date.]

Comment Detail: Source identifies Andrew C. Harmon as the father of Esther Harmon Spear. [Esther Marie (Harmon) Spear Brown]

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,
mother

ssa-npri-ssaci-esther-harmon-b1896: Social Security Administration record (SSACI) for Esther Harmon Spear (b.1896); U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 26 Feb 2024), no physical record image; citing "Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007” [The record does not include a death date.]

Comment Detail: Source identifies Minnie E. Birdsell as the mother of Esther Harmon Spear. [Esther Marie (Harmon) Spear Brown]

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Family #1

Spouse/Partner: John Jackson Brown (1900 – 1966)

Married: ?

Supporting evidence for:
marriage

census-us-1940-ps-ks-decatur-20-23-2a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Oberlin Township, enumeration district 10/20-23, sheet 2A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ 20-23”, image 4; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 1228 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 27-30, household 32

Comment Detail: Source identifies Esther Brown as the wife of John Brown.

military-draftreg-john-brown-1942: Draft registration card for John Jackson Brown (1942); U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ All ⟩ Brown, Eli-Brown, Laverne”, images 1552-1553; citing “National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For Kansas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 47 [original data: Draft Registration Cards for Kansas, October 16, 1940–March 31, 1947; 381 boxes; NAID: 7644730; Records of the Selective Service System, 1926–1975, Record Group 147; National Archives at St. Louis, Missouri] ”

Comment Detail: Source identifies Esther Brown as the wife of John Jackson Brown.

census-us-1930-ps-ks-decatur-20-5-1a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Center Township, enumeration district 1-20-5, sheet 1A (form/penned) or page 14A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 24 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Center ⟩ District 0005”, image 1; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 699 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2340434]

Reference Detail: Lines 40-42, dwelling 10, family 10

Comment Detail: Source notes Emmet's first marriage at ⟨conflict⟩ and Esther's first marriage at ⟨conflict⟩. See research notes for conflict details.

periodical-wedding-harmon-spear-1915: “Those Wedding Bells / Harmon-Spear,” wedding description; Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 3 May 2021) ⟩ “United States of America ⟩ Kansas ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ The Oberlin Times ⟩ 1915 ⟩ 04 ⟩ 16” page 1; citing “The Oberlin Times (Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas), 16 Apr 1915 (Friday), page 1, column 2”

Comment Detail: Source includes date (7 Apr 1915) and location ("Presbyterian Manse" in [Oberlin, Dacatur County, Kansas]).

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Child: Imogene E. Spear (bet 1921/1922 – ?)

Child: {private}

Family #2

Spouse/Partner: Emmet Spear (1891 – bef 1967)

Married: 7 Apr 1915 in Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas, United States

Supporting evidence for:
marriage

census-us-1940-ps-ks-decatur-20-23-2a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Oberlin Township, enumeration district 10/20-23, sheet 2A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ 20-23”, image 4; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 1228 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 27-30, household 32

Comment Detail: Source identifies Esther Brown as the wife of John Brown.

military-draftreg-john-brown-1942: Draft registration card for John Jackson Brown (1942); U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ All ⟩ Brown, Eli-Brown, Laverne”, images 1552-1553; citing “National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For Kansas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 47 [original data: Draft Registration Cards for Kansas, October 16, 1940–March 31, 1947; 381 boxes; NAID: 7644730; Records of the Selective Service System, 1926–1975, Record Group 147; National Archives at St. Louis, Missouri] ”

Comment Detail: Source identifies Esther Brown as the wife of John Jackson Brown.

census-us-1930-ps-ks-decatur-20-5-1a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Center Township, enumeration district 1-20-5, sheet 1A (form/penned) or page 14A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 24 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Center ⟩ District 0005”, image 1; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 699 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2340434]

Reference Detail: Lines 40-42, dwelling 10, family 10

Comment Detail: Source notes Emmet's first marriage at ⟨conflict⟩ and Esther's first marriage at ⟨conflict⟩. See research notes for conflict details.

periodical-wedding-harmon-spear-1915: “Those Wedding Bells / Harmon-Spear,” wedding description; Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 3 May 2021) ⟩ “United States of America ⟩ Kansas ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ The Oberlin Times ⟩ 1915 ⟩ 04 ⟩ 16” page 1; citing “The Oberlin Times (Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas), 16 Apr 1915 (Friday), page 1, column 2”

Comment Detail: Source includes date (7 Apr 1915) and location ("Presbyterian Manse" in [Oberlin, Dacatur County, Kansas]).

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Child: Imogene E. Spear (bet 1921/1922 – ?)

Miscellaneous Facts

Attributes

Residence: at Center Township, Decatur County, Kansas, United States

Residence: at , Decatur County, Kansas, United States

Residence: at Oberlin Township, Decatur County, Kansas, United States

Residence: at Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas, United States

Supporting evidence for:
attributes

census-us-1930-ps-ks-decatur-20-5-1a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Center Township, enumeration district 1-20-5, sheet 1A (form/penned) or page 14A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 24 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Center ⟩ District 0005”, image 1; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 699 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2340434]

Reference Detail: Lines 40-42, dwelling 10, family 10

Comment Detail: Source includes census date (1 Apr 1930) and residence location (Center Township, Decatur County, Kansas [, USA]).

census-us-1940-ps-ks-decatur-20-23-2a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Oberlin Township, enumeration district 10/20-23, sheet 2A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ 20-23”, image 4; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 1228 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 27-30, household 32

Comment Detail: Source includes previous residence date (1 Apr 1935) and residence location (, Decatur County, Kansas [, USA]). Although she was still living in Decatur County in 1940, she wasn't living in the same home, and had apparently moved to Oberlin by 1940.

census-us-1940-ps-ks-decatur-20-23-2a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Oberlin Township, enumeration district 10/20-23, sheet 2A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ 20-23”, image 4; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 1228 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 27-30, household 32

Comment Detail: Source includes census date (1 Apr 1940) and residence location (Oberlin Twp., Decatur County, Kansas [, USA]).

military-draftreg-john-brown-1942: Draft registration card for John Jackson Brown (1942); U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ All ⟩ Brown, Eli-Brown, Laverne”, images 1552-1553; citing “National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For Kansas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 47 [original data: Draft Registration Cards for Kansas, October 16, 1940–March 31, 1947; 381 boxes; NAID: 7644730; Records of the Selective Service System, 1926–1975, Record Group 147; National Archives at St. Louis, Missouri] ”

Comment Detail: Source includes registration date (Febr. 16, 1942) and residence location (Oberlin, [Decatur County,] Kansas [, USA]).

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Research Notes (Conflicts/Spelling/Followup)

CONFLICTS

Birth Date: This database uses 1 Jun 1896. The 1930 US Census gives an age of (31), which, when applied to the official census date of 1 Apr 1930, gives a birth date range from 2 Apr 1898 to 1 Apr 1899. [census-us-1930-ps-ks-decatur-20-5-1a]

Birth Date: This database uses 1 Jun 1896. The 1940 US Census gives an age of (40), which, when applied to the official census date of 1 Apr 1940, gives a birth date range from 2 Apr 1899 to 1 Apr 1900. [census-us-1940-ps-ks-decatur-20-23-2a]

Birth Location: This database uses Missouri, USA. The wedding description for John and Esther Brown notes that Esther Harmon was born and reared in this neighborhood, suggesting Oberlin, Decatur County, KS, USA, where the paper is published. [periodical-wedding-harmon-spear-1915]

Marriage Date: This database uses 7 Apr 1915, when Esther was 17. The 1930 US Census notes Esther's first marriage at 18, giving a marriage range of 2 Apr 1916 to 30 Mar 1918. [census-us-1930-ps-ks-decatur-20-5-1a]

FOLLOWUP

Other than Imogene [included in this database] Emmett Spear and Esther Harmon may have had a stillborn child in 1916, in Oberlin, Kansas. The child was not given a name. [research-a-spear-family-history]

There is a Find A Grave memorial for infant girl Spear, born and died 12 Jun 1916, buried in Oberlin Cemetery (Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas), but with no gravestone or other image. (Find A Grave memorial #205558175)

Esther may have died 1 Nov 1945 in McCook, Red Willow County, NB, and been buried in Oberlin Cemetery, Oberlin Kansas. [Note that her husband John Brown's last address known to the SSA before he died in 1966, was in Holdrege, Phelps County, NB.] [research-a-spear-family-history]

There is a Find A Grave memorial for Esther Brown (1897-1945) in Oberlin Cemetery, Oberlin, Kansas. It contains a grave marker image, but the birth year differs and provides no other connection to this Esther than her name (and presumed death year, as noted above). Also, her plot information is included in the memorial, but no such information is present for Emmet or their stillborn daughter, so proximity can't be used as a clue. (Find A Grave memorial #60366646)

Supporting evidence for:
research notes

census-us-1930-ps-ks-decatur-20-5-1a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Center Township, enumeration district 1-20-5, sheet 1A (form/penned) or page 14A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 24 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Center ⟩ District 0005”, image 1; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 699 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2340434]

Reference Detail: Lines 40-42, dwelling 10, family 10

census-us-1940-ps-ks-decatur-20-23-2a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, Kansas, Decatur County, Oberlin Township, enumeration district 10/20-23, sheet 2A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Feb 2024), “⟩ Kansas ⟩ Decatur ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ 20-23”, image 4; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 1228 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 27-30, household 32

periodical-wedding-harmon-spear-1915: “Those Wedding Bells / Harmon-Spear,” wedding description; Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 3 May 2021) ⟩ “United States of America ⟩ Kansas ⟩ Oberlin ⟩ The Oberlin Times ⟩ 1915 ⟩ 04 ⟩ 16” page 1; citing “The Oberlin Times (Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas), 16 Apr 1915 (Friday), page 1, column 2”

(no additional information)

research-a-spear-family-history: {private} Engelmann, A Spear Family History, privately printed 1988, updated 2002, 2005; privately held

(no additional information)

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Sources

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