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September 15, 2013

Maynard D. - Son of Caleb and Sophia Camp Case

The Children of Caleb and Sophia Camp Case

Maynard D.- c. 1832 - 1867
Isum W. - c. 1834 - 1861
Dexter Rival - 1835 - 1912
Emillus - 1837 - 1924
Mahlon - 1840 - 1861
Harriet - 1842 - 1861
Martha - c. 1853 - 1933

Maynard D. Case

Until just this week, I really didn't know much about Maynard, but a little persistence paid off, and I can now write his story.  
The oldest son of Caleb and Sophia Case was born about 1832 in New York, according to census records.  In both 1840 and 1850, he was enumerated with his parents in the Federal Census.  However, in 1860, an M. D. Case, 27 and born in New York, was living in Ophir Township, Butte County, California, with the nearest post office being Oroville.
A miner with $200 of personal goods, he was boarding with a widow and her daughter and three other miners.  So he likely had not married.  Was this Maynard D.?

As it turned out, it was.  Once I found this tombstone in the Old Oroville Cemetery, I knew Maynard Case had been located.


This stone was obviously erected by a loving family back home in Indiana.  With the emphasis on his hometown of Spencerville, Indiana and the verse indicating that he would never be forgotten, I could imagine a grieving family thousands of miles away when they heard of this adventurous son's death, alone in California.

But what was the rest of the story?  The next document discovered was a mention in the Sacramento Daily Union on March 21, 1859.  
"Butte County.  We notice in The Record of March 19, the annexed intelligence: 
A Chinaman was shot lately by M. D. Case, a miner, while robbing sluices."
Wow.  Hope it was just a wounding, but apparently Maynard had a mining claim to protect by this time.

A military land warrant dated October 25, 1861 was another clue, even though it was not originally made out to Maynard.
Abner Randall was awarded 160 acres for his military service in Captain Grayham's Company of California Volunteers.  This group fought against different Indian raids in California and also helped protect the overland mail routes.  This land patent noted that the land was assigned then to Maynard D. Case and then he passed it to Isaac Newton Webbin who currently had it.  So we know that Maynard was interested in acquiring land in Butte County.

By pure luck while browsing through a large file of unindexed probate records for Butte County 1866-1867 on www.familysearch.com (begin p. 974), I came upon fifty pages of estate files for Maynard D. Case, first filed on January 28, 1867, a week after his death.  The county administrator asked the court if he could be named administrator of Maynard's estate because
"...Maynard D. Case for many years a resident in this county (died) on or about the 22nd day of January A.D. 1867, making no will...and leaving no relations nor heirs in the state..and, at his death owned real estate to the probable value of about Five Hundred Dollars, located in the county."

A missing piece of this story is how Maynard's family was discovered back in Indiana.  It must have taken awhile because the first correspondence included in the file occurred in the fall of 1868 in response to a letter from the county administrator.  First, Maynard's brother, Emillus wrote:

" Spencerville, September 26, 1868
L. Van Orden, Esq.
I received your kind letter a short time since.  Enclosed you will find the affidavits of three disinterested persons signed and sworn in the presence of the clerk of the circuit court of Dekalb conty.  You will please write and let me know if these affidavits will be considered sufficient proof of the heirship of Sophia Case, the mother, Lydia Case, Dexter Case, Mary Case, Martha Case, and Emillus Case, the sisters and brothers of Maynard D. Case who died in California, and entitle them to the estate.
The power of attorney we shall send to Isham Case, Brooklyn, California.  Will you please also write to him and tell him whether he can draw the estate on presentation of power of attorney and tell him when to come?
If any further evidence is necessary, please state what and give any other advice necessary to be followed.
If it is necessary to have an att'y appointed by the court then to take depositions here, please have Wm. H. Dils appointed.
Thanking you for the kindness you have manifested thus far and hoping that the proof will be accepted and satisfactory.
I remain yours,
Emillus Case
Spencerville, Ind."

(I believe Isham Case was the son of Caleb's brother, Hiram.  So he would be a cousin to Maynard and his siblings.)

The family also submitted another letter, notarized, stating that they were the heirs of Maynard and this was sealed on October 30, 1868.  The great thing about that particular letter was that everyone in the family signed it.

 The three "disinterested persons" who submitted affidavits to the court in Butte County were William H. Dils, an attorney, George Barney who was the notary public, and William Henderson.  All of them had known the family since 1845 which must have been the year Caleb and Sophia came to Dekalb County, Indiana.  William Dils wrote the most detailed account which in part said:

"William H. Dils, being duly sworn upon his oath, says that he is thirty four years of age and has been a resident of Dekalb County since August 1844, that from about the year 1845 until about 1856, he was personally acquainted with one Maynard D. Case, who was about said 1845, a minor living in the family of one Caleb Case, who was the father of said Maynard.  That the affidant resided within one-half mile of the residence of Caleb Case from 1846 to 1856.  That said Caleb Case died in the year 1854, leaving his widow, Sophia Case who is still alive and unmarried, and as his heirs and children the following: said Maynard D. Case, Isum Case who died in the year 1861, Dexter Case who is still alive, Lydia Case who is still alive, Emillus Case who is still alive, Maylon Case who died in the year 1861, Harriet Case who died in the year 1861, Mary Case who is still alive and Martha Case who is still alive..."

Dils goes on to say that those siblings who died named above, died without issue and that Maynard left for the state of California in 1856, unmarried and without children.  

In the meantime, the California courts were taking inventory, appraising and selling part of Maynard's estate.  
On the positive side, Maynard had -
Money found on his person at the time of his death       $ 93.50
Sold mining claim to Chinaman                                     $160.00
Sold his interest in the Spring Valley & Eureka
     Mining Company                                                       $900.00
Sold Cabin                                                                     $  25.00
Total Assets   = $1178.50

His debts and fees added up to $236.14, giving a final settlement of
$942.36.  Nowhere in the file could I find any reference to the land that he held, unless that is part either the mining claim or Spring Valley interest above.  The inventory was dated January 14, 1869.
 
I think several of his bills indicated that Maynard must have taken sick.  
 T. J. Jenkins was apparently the doctor and by his bill, we can see that he made several visits, one in the night to tend to Maynard.
 And the bill from the druggist indicated that he had several prescriptions.  Was he suffering from influenza, consumption, or something else?  That we will never know.
 
On March 10, 1869, Isham Case traveled to Butte County from his home in Brooklyn, California to receive the sum of $942.36 "in United States gold coin" to distribute to Maynard's heirs.
 
We know that Maynard had a very simple funeral - no procession of carriages or flowers and probably not many mourners.  His funeral bill charges only for a simple coffin costing $45.00.
 
A monument to a son who was not forgotten...


 

September 11, 2013

Lydia - Child of Caleb and Sophia Camp Case

Although in Mary Lucetta Case's obituary, it mentioned that she was one of ten children, I have only been able to identify nine.  Perhaps a child died in childbirth, in infancy or as a small child, but I haven't found a record of that as yet.  We can surmise, from census records, that all of the children were born in New York, except Mary Lucetta and her younger sister, Martha, who were born in Indiana.  

I wish I had photos of these siblings to share, but with so many photos unidentified in the boxes, it would only be a guess if I were to post them.  Maybe a reader will come forth with photos; it's happened many times!

The Children of Caleb and Sophia Camp Case

Lydia - 1830 - 1893
Maynard - c. 1832 - 1867
Isum W. - c. 1834 - 1861
Dexter Rival - 1835 - 1912
Emillus - 1837 - 1924
Mahlon - 1840 - 1861
Harriet - 1842 - 1861
Martha - c. 1853 - 1933

LYDIA

Lydia Case was born on January 26, 1830 in upstate New York (birthdate calculated from tombstone).  President Andrew Jackson was in charge of the country, the Oregon trail would soon open for pioneers west, and the government was busily trying to move the Indians westward, too.  
So little is known of the life of Lydia, as she stayed at home with her parents, and later her mother and brother, throughout her life, never marrying.
Tragically, about five years after her mother died in 1888, Lydia suffered a tragic accident at home when she was about 62.

The Courier, Auburn, Dekalb County, Indiana:

August 3, 1893, p. 3:
"Concord - Miss Case, who was so severely burned a few days ago by her clothes igniting, is lying in critical condition."

August 17, 1893, p. 8
"Miss Lydia Case's funeral was held in the Lutheran church Saturday afternoon, Rev. Thomas officiating, and the remains were interred in the Spencerville Cemetery.  It will be remembered that Miss Case was so frightfully burned a few weeks ago."

One other small account (with an incorrect date) may be found in the History of Spencerville by Willis Carey, 1952, p. 74: 
"Miss Lydia Case in 1892 burned and died from blood poisoning due to burns."
She is buried at the White City Cemetery, Spencerville, IN.

Lydia Case, Dau. of C & S. Case, Died Aug. 11, 1893, 62y 7m 15d





August 29, 2013

Mary Lucetta Case, wife of William Levi Hollabaugh




My husband's great-grandmother, Mary Lucetta Case, was born on the old Case homestead, located between St. Joe and Spencerville, Indiana.  The name CASE may still be spotted on the barn roof as one drives by.  She arrived on November 16, 1848, one of the youngest of ten children.









Her parents, Caleb Case and Sophia Camp Case, were natives of New York,having moved to Indiana sometime between 1843 and 1847.

Mary lived her whole life in this area of Dekalb County, Indiana, marrying William Levi Hollabaugh on April 21, 1870, when she was 21. 
Previous posts have described her husband, William Levi, and their eight children: Harriett, Bertha, Ernest, Geneva (grandmother), Clarence, Esther, Sylvia, and Stanley

Mary's obituary appeared in the St. Joe News on September 10, 1914, following her death on September 6th.

"OBITUARY -
Mary L. Case Hollabaugh was born November 16, 1848, at the old Case home near Spencerville, Ind.  She passed from this life after several weeks of severe sickness and suffering, September 6, 1914, at her late home at the age of 66 years, 10 months, 20 days.  
The deceased was the daughter of Caleb and Sophia Camp Case, and was one of ten children, but two of whom survive her - a brother, E. Case, of Spencerville, Ind; and a sister, Mrs. Martha R. Dilley of Colorado.

She was married to William Hollabaugh on April 20, 1870.  To them were born eight children, five daughters and three sons, one of the sons in his childhood having preceded his mother in death.  The surviving children are: Mrs. Hattie Fairfield of Spencerville, Ind.; Mrs. Bertha Bridges of Mishawaka, Ind.; Earnest of Logansport, Ind.; Mrs. Eva Pflaumer of Spencerville, Ind.; Esther, still at home; Mrs. Sylvia Ginther of St. Joe, Ind.; and Stanley, also of St. Joe.

All her life has the deceased been a resident of this vicinity.  Tweny years ago the family left the farm, where they had lived prior to that time, and have since resided at her late home here in St. Joe.  At the age of 14 years, she became a member of the Lutheran church at Spencerville.  Later this membership was transferred to the Lutheran church of St. Joe.  Her education was received in the public schools of DeKalb county.  
Her whole life has thus been lived amid the familiar walks and scenes and neighborly interests that her friends and neighbors know, of her kindly deeds and willing ministrations we need not speak here.  Then there are those ministrations that are peculiar to the office of wife and mother, and in the flesh we have the privilege of but one mother.  Her passing in death from the home and motherhood leaves the void of which so many of us know.  To God, with her, we commend you all who mourn here today.

The surviving near kin are the husband, the seven children, the several grand-children, the brother and sister.  Many other relatives and friends join you in thought and sympathy in this your day of bereavement and mourning.  May that faith which overcomes the world with its vicissitudes comfort you all."

Riverside Cemetery, St. Joe, Indiana




August 22, 2013

Pressed Between the Pages - Four

I really learned something while researching this last find. Pressed between the pages of the old 1885 history book were four of these...

 As you can see, this one is in terrible condition as were three of the four bills. 
One can imagine it crumpled in someone's pocket as the crinkled surface indicates!
 Measuring about 2 inches x 4 inches, these are fractional currency, printed by our Federal Government in denominations of  5, 10, 25 and 50 cents and used to take the place of copper, silver and gold coins which were in shortage during the Civil War and for awhile beyond.

Only the mint in Philadelphia was pumping out coinage in the United States at the time, beginning in 1793, and keeping enough coins in circulation was a problem.  It became even more of an issue when the Civil War began and people began to hoard coins, leaving storekeepers and banks and well, everyone, short on ways to make change and pay for small objects.  The government tried a stamp system which did not work at all, and finally on August 21, 1862, fractional currency notes were printed, with the approval of President Lincoln and a Postage Act.

At first the sheets of bills were perforated, but that machine could not keep up, so eventually the bills were cut by hand with scissors.  The government kept fiddling with ways to thwart counterfeiting and seemed to get it right by the last two issues of the bills, the fourth and fifth issues.

Two 25 cent bills were found and both were Fifth Issue bills, printed between February 26, 1874 and February 15, 1876 with blue end paper.  Robert Walker, Secretary of the Treasury between 1845 and 1849, was the image on this denomination. (See above.)



 This bill is the best one, a Fifth Issue 50 cent bill, printed between July 1875 and February 1876.  The photo is of William H. Crawford, U. S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1816 - 1825.  It's often called the "Bob Hope" note because of Crawford's likeness to Bob Hope.

The 10 cent bill pressed between the pages was in very poor condition to the point that most of it was unreadable and very fragile.  
By the time of the Fifth Issue in 1875, it was thought by many that a shortage of coins no longer existed and probably this issue was not needed.  Hence the issue period was very short - only six months.

All the bills were carefully pressed individually inside folds of tissue paper.  So now I wonder who placed them there? 

And then, pressed in the pages ... there was the beautiful lock of yellow, blond hair, tied with a ribbon.  Was it from a child of the Leighty's who died?  Or a more recent addition?  We'll never know.

August 18, 2013

Pressed Between the Pages - Three

 Pressed between the pages were four leaf clovers...at least a dozen or more.
They were spread throughout the 1885 history book.
 These I tried to take out and they crumpled to the touch.  I think they were in the book when purchased.  Who finds that many 4 leafers?  Supposedly, only 1 in 10,000 "shamrocks" have four leaves.
I've never found one.

I left the rest in the book, even
though they are discoloring the pages.  It's just part of the history.

Oh, and if you need to know more, try this very interesting site!





August 10, 2013

Pressed Between the Pages - Two



https://www.mormonshare.com/sites/default/files/handouts/cg_log-cabin.gif  

Back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many counties, in this area, at least, had old settler or pioneer groups who met annually to socialize.  Many times, some rule would apply stating that the persons had to live in the county by a certain year in order to join.  
The DeKalb County History 1837 - 1987 described the local group on page 1389:

"The Pioneers' Association of DeKalb County was formed in 1878 and held its first meeting at Auburn on July 4, 1878.  Any person who was a citizen of DeKalb County prior to January 1, 1846, was eligible to belong.
Annual meetins were held on July 4 of each year, usually at groves near Auburn.  A "semicentennial" was held on June 21, 1883, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of the county.  The meeting was held at St. Joe with General William Blair as the principal orator.
The association continued into the 1900's.  The records of the association would be useful to historians, but unfortunately they have not been found.  Newspaper accounts of meetins are sometimes useful."

It's likely that John Leighty (original owner of the 1885 history book) and son, Jacob, would certainly participate as some of the earliest settlers in Dekalb County, Indiana.  Pressed between the pages of the 1885 history was this ribbon from one of the pioneers' meetings.

Perhaps the rules were changed by this time and to be a member of this group, one would have to be in the county between the years 1835 - 1865?  The Leightys certainly qualified as they moved to Dekalb County in 1844.  The association meetings moved all around the county, I have read, but this particular one was right in the town founded by the Leighty's, St. Joe, and apparently there was quite a crowd. 

The Waterloo Press covered the meeting in their paper of June 22, 1905:

"OLD SETTLERS MEETING
HELD AT ST. JOE LAST WEEK THURSDAY
Next Year at Houlton's
Hon. R. M. Lockhart Chosen President and H. K. Leas, Secretary of the Old Settlers Association.

The annual meeting of the old settlers of Dekalb county held at St. Joe on Thursday last week was a decided success.  The citizens of that enterprising town made every preparation possible to make the day an enjoyable one.  Hundreds of flags and banners were displayed on nearly every business house and dwelling in the town.  The attendance was large, the register showing 271 old settlers from every part of the county which was the largest number that has been in attendance for a number of years.
The meeting was held in Widney's opera house, which was tendered by the owner at no cost.  Excellent band and vocal music was furnished and enjoyed by all.

The committee on arrangements had made ample provision for tables for all who had come with lunch baskets and they furnished free tea and coffee for all who desired it.  Many of the citizens of the town entertained their friends who came from a distance.
In the afternoon, a number of addresses were made by the old settlers in attendance, after which various committee reports were made.  R. M. Lockhart, of Waterloo, made an appeal for holding the next meeting the third Tuesday, in June, 1906, in the Houlton grove, six miles north of Butler, and two miles southeast of Hamilton.  The place is well known by every old settler of the county as being the home of John Houlton and wife, who built the first log cabin in Dekalb county, on September 4, 1833, three years before any other white family made a settlement in the county.


The committee decided unanimously for holding the meeting at that place.
The committee on nominations selected the following officers for the coming year: for president, R. M. Lockhart, of Waterloo; for vice-president, Wm. L. Houlton, of Hamilton; secretary, H. K. Leas, of Waterloo; treasurer, O. H. Taylor; biographer, O. H. Widney, St. Joe.  All of the officers are excellent men and the net meeting is already assured to be a success." 

John Houlton
John Houlton, first settler in Dekalb County, Indiana

August 8, 2013

Pressed Between the Pages - One

I've been researching the Case family, the family of Mary Lucetta (Case) Hollabaugh, and I noticed that three of her siblings died in 1861.  So I wondered if an epidemic hit Dekalb County, Indiana at that time.  That's what led me to this book, once owned by my mother-in-law...the History of Dekalb County, Indiana, published in 1885.  That's how it all began.

As I began to leaf through the pages (it has no index), I began to find some interesting items pressed between the pages. I forgot all about my original mission, and slowly went page by page through the book, collecting items as I went.  My husband remembered when his mother bought the book from an elderly gentleman in St. Joe, a Leighty, who used to regularly come into the dairy store his parents owned.  Sure enough, his mother wrote in the front of the book that it was purchased in 1962, and on page 536, she wrote the words, "Bought the book from" next to the entry about Jacob Leighty.

A little research and lining up of dates led to the conclusion that Jacob was the son of John Leighty, the original purchaser of the book.  You see, the original receipt was pressed between the pages and it was signed by John Leighty.
 John apparently passed the book to his son, Jacob D. Leighty, who passed it on to his only son, John R. Leighty. Perhaps one of his descendents sold his great-grandfather's old book to my husband's mother?  That led to a little more research into the Leighty line.

The original owner of the book, a very early settler in Dekalb County, was discussed on page 536-537:
"John Leighty, one of the prominent and successful early settlers of Dekalb County, is a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., born Nov. 18, 1808, a son of John and Catherine (Welker) Leighty, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent.  When he was fifteen years of age he went to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years.  He then worked as a journeyman till his marriage and then settled on a farm in his native county, where he lived until 1844, when in the early part of June, he moved to Dekalb County, Ind., and settled on section 33, Concord Township, where he built a cabin and began improving a farm.  

In 1859, he left the farm and moved to the village of Spencerville, where in 1865 he engaged in the mercantile business with his son.  In 1875 he and his son moved to section 15, Concord Township, where they bought one hundred acres of land and laid out the town of St. Joe, which is now a thriving village.  

Mr. Leighty was married April 4, 1833, to Elizabeth Sowash, a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., a daughter of Abraham and Susan (Weaver) Sowash.  To them have been born ten children, seven of whom are living - Catherine, Alexander, Jacob D., Maria, William, Charles B. and Mary.  Susan, John and Elizabeth are deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Leighty are members of the Lutheran church.  Politically, he is a Democrat.

On the aforementioned page 535-536, the following is written of John's son:
"Jacob D. Leighty, merchant, St. Joe, Ind., was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Oct. 19, 1840, a son of John and Elizabeth (Sowash) Leighty.   He was four years of age when his parents moved to DeKalb County in 1844, and here he was reared.  When he was sixteen years of age, he began teaching school, and subsequently taught and attended school till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, being at that time in the sophomore class at Wittenburg College, Springfield, Ohio.

July 8, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Indiana Infantry, and was appointed a Sergeant of his company.  His first engagement was in the spring of 1862 at Fort Henry.  Subsequently, he participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hills, and others.  At the last named battle he was wounded in the left hip and disabled from active service for sixty days.  He joined his regiment at Baton Rouge, and from there went down the Mississippi to New Orleans and into West Louisiana as far as Opelousas, his regiment being in several engagements on the way.  Then he returned to New Orleans, but as he was still suffering from his wound, he resigned in March, 1864, and returned home.  He was a gallant soldier, and for his bravery was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Jan. 24, 1862, and First Lieutenant Dec. 1 following. 

After his return home, he engaged in the mercantile business in Spencerville in company with Miller & Myers a short time, and then he and Mr. Miller purchased Mr. Myers' interest and the firm of Miller & Co. continued a year, when his father bought Mr. Miller's interest, changing the firm to John Leighty and Son.  In 1872, he bought his father's interest and in 1874 sold his stock to P. Bishop.  

In 1875 he and his father laid out the village of St. Joe and the following year, he became established in the mercantile business at this place.  He was appointed Postmaster in 1875 and served until 1880, when he was elected Township Trustee.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Concord Lodge, No. 556; William Hacker Chapter, No. 56; Angola Council, No. 27; Apollo Commandery, No. 19.  He is a member of John C. Carns Post, No. 144, G.A.R.  In March 1866, Mr. Leighty was married to Kate A. Metzger, a native of Circleville, Ohio, daughter of Judge Andrew Metzger of Fort Wayne.  To them have been born three children, but one of whom is living  - John R."


Jacob's obituary appeared in the Fort Wayne Sentinel on October 17, 1912, page 1 and continued on p. 15:

"HON. J. D. LEIGHTY HAS PASSED AWAY
Former Congressman Dies at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne Due to Hemorrhage.

Hon. Jacob D. Leighty of St. Joe, formerly congressman for this district and for many years prominent in business in St. Joe, died at 10:50 o'clock this forenoon at the St. Joseph Hospital from internal hemorrhage due to cancer of the bowels and liver.  He was 73 years of age.
With Mrs. Leighty, the ex-congressman had come from his home in St. Joe Wednesday afternoon in their automobile to enter the hospital, Mr. Leighty expecting to undergo a surgical operation for hernia, with which he was suffering, although he had not been seriously ill, but had suffered somewhat for several weeks past.

His physician in this city, Dr. Maurice Rosenthal, examined him yesterday afternoon and concluded to defer a further examination until this afternoon because of Mr. Leighty's condition, as he complained of pains about the abdomen.  He passed a fairly good night and it was not supposed that there was anything critical about his condition.

This morning after 5 o'clock, he had great difficulty breathing and this continued until 9 o'clock when he became unconscious and remained so until his death, which Dr. Rosenthal found after a post-mortem examination, was due to the causes mentioned above.

His wife and son, John R. Leighty, of Kansas City, were both with him at the time of death.  The son had been apprised by telegraph of the condition of his father and had hastened to his side, arriving here late yesterday afternoon and conversing with him at the hospital.  At that time, the father had no apprehension of death and the son and Mrs. Leighty sharing the same belief.

Mr. Leighty was a 33d degree Mason and very prominent in the affairs of that fraternity.  The remains were removed late this afternoon to the Scottish Rite cathedral were friends may view them from 7 o'clock this evening until 3 o'clock Friday afternoon, when they will be removed to his home in St. Joe.

Surviving the deceased are the widow and son, John R. of Kansas City and two sisters and brothers, as follows: Mrs. Maria Obenholtzer of Spencerville and Mrs. Dr. Bowman of St. Joe and William and Benjamin Leighty of St. Joe.

Mr. Leighty was born at Greensburg, Pa. on November 7, 1839, and as a young man came to Indiana.  At. St. Joe, he was prominent in business for many years.  In 1896, he was elected for congress from this district on the republican ticket and served in that position for one term."
http://mediasvc.ancestry.com/image/90bb0614-ce2c-450f-980f-719a81f199c5.jpg?Client=Trees&NamespaceID=1093
Jacob D. Leighty, Congressman

Jacob died in 1912, leaving just one son, and it is beside this entry that we have the words written in pencil, "Bought the book from."  I believe that the son, John R. died in 1942. 
Perhaps my mother-in-law was just indicating by her written words that the book had originally belonged to this family, not that they, themselves, sold it to her.