Person Sheet
Birth17 Feb 1871, Swalwell Whickham, Durham, England [58]
Christen1871, Writing, Durham, England Age: <1
Death27 Feb 1943, Smith #3 Mine, Bearcreek, Carbon, Montana [58] Age: 72
Burial9 Mar 1943, Bearcreek Cemetery, Bearcreek, Carbon, Montana
Cause of deathConcussion And Gas Poisoning (CO) - Coal Mine Explosion [59]
OccupationGlass Cutter For Pittsburg Plate Glass Company In Davenport, Iowa In 1900; Coal Miner [60], [56]
FatherThomas WAKENSHAW (~1825-1905)
MotherThomasine Ann LEE/FORSYTH (~1827-1895)
Misc. Notes
1. Carbon County Montana Archives, Bureau of Land Management Database: Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The South Dakota Land Patents Database, derived from General Land Office and BLM information, contains deeds (primarily patents) issued by the United States in the region now known as the State of South Dakota between 1859 and 1995.
NAME MERIDIAN TWP RANGE SECTION ACREAGETYPE CASETYPE DOCID DATE
WAKENSHAW ADAM 20 005 S 022 E 007 120 251101 PA 495725 10/26/1915
WAKENSHAW ADAM 20 005 S 022 E 008 40 251101 PA 495725 10/26/1915
251000- Homestead; PA - Patent; Meridians: 05 - 5th Principal Meridian -- located in the eastern part of Iowa; 06 - 6th Principal Meridian -- located south of Yankton - not used by east River counties; 07 - Black Hills Meridian -- located on the SD - WY border
2. Adam made a model of a sailing ship out of a railroad tie. It was named “Nancy Lee” (possibly his grandmother’s name?) He also did stained glass windows and was a very good musician, especially on the trombone. [61]
3. As told by Robert Lee “Bob” Wakenshaw to me in an email message: “During the years before WW II the coal miners only worked in the mines in the winter when people needed coal. In the summer they had to find other work, or busy themselves with other projects. When the war came, they were working the mines around the clock at the Smith Mine. Bearcreek coal was needed in the steel mills, so safety took a back seat. My dad and grandpas had worked in the mines for over 18 years and had never been on the same shift until Feb.1943. They were happy about that because they could all go to work together. Adam was the oldest of the 74 miners who died that day. He and most of the other miners would have been retired if it had not been for the war effort, as all the young men went to the services.”
4. From the Carbon County Journal, Joliet, Mt. dated Friday Nov.26,1909, Local News: “Word was recently received that Adam Wakenshaw, a coal miner and enthusiastic band man, is soon to take up his residence in the vicinity of Joliet again. He will be employed by the Joliet Coal and Fuel Company. Mr. Wakenshaw is an expert slide trombone player, and his presence here will add materially to the strength of Joliet’s musical population. Motto: Patronize home industry by throwing all the business possible to the Joliet coal diggers, and more of these fellows will be induced to come here. The more the merrier.”
5. Carbon County Journal, Red Lodge, Mt. dated Friday Sept.6,1912, Bearcreek News: “Mrs. Adam Wakenshaw arrived here Saturday from Joliet to visit a few days with Mr. Wakenshaw, and attend the band dance.”
6. In an email from Jeanette WALKINSHAW Brunlees, (Member of Guild of One Name Studies, researching all references world-wide of Walkinshaw, Walkingshaw, Wakenshaw, Walkenshaw, Wicketshaw and all other variant spellings), June 2002, she sends this report:
THOMAS2 WAKENSHAW (JOHN1) was born c. 1825 in Longframlington, Northumberland, England. He married THOMASINA A.. She was born c. 1829 in Unthank Sq, Northumberland, England.
More About THOMAS WAKENSHAW:
Bapt/Chrs: Batch number: C000942
Baptism: 30 January 1825, Longframlington, Northumberland, England
Census: 1881, Bedlington, Northumberland, England
Occupation: 1881, Coal Miner
More About THOMASINA A.:
Census: 1881, Bedlington, Northumberland, England
Children of THOMAS WAKENSHAW and THOMASINA A. are:
i. JOHN3 WAKENSHAW, b. c. 1862, Earsdon, Northumberland, England.
More About JOHN WAKENSHAW:
Census: 1881, Bedlington, Northumberland, England
Occupation: 1881, Coal Miner
ii. ADAM WAKENSHAW, b. c. 1871, Writing, Durham, England.
More About ADAM WAKENSHAW:
Census: 1881, Bedlington, Northumberland, England
7. US Census 1920, Carbon, Town of Bearcreek, Montana, District 23, Sheet 7A, enumerated 12 Jan 1920:
Adam Wakenshaw is listed as a boarder [in the home of Natal Ievetti (sp)], age 47, single, immigration to the US is listed as 1882 (but crossed out), “Am. Cit” is written in next to it, POB - England, Father’s POB - England, Father’s tongue - English, Mother’s POB - Scotland, Mother’s tongue - Scotch, Trade - Mine Foreman, working on own account.
Note: Adam and one other miner were boarders at this home. This other miner was Italian, and possibly a friend or relative of this family, who were also Italians (just a guess on my part.)
8. A story told to me by Bob Wakenshaw in August 2002: Adam applied for a US Patent in 1928 (Application #267039, filed 3 April 1928). He designed an automatic coal car coupler. The original coal cars had couplers that required a pin be dropped in place to hold them together. This required a man to step between the cars to insert the pin. Adam’s son, Bud got his leg caught inbetween the cars and had it crushed. Adam thought there should be a better way to couple the cars. He applied for a US Patent on his idea in 1928. He had drawings made and even crafted two small coal car models using the coupler he had designed (see Adam’s photo page for pictures of these models). The US Patent process is a long and expensive one. Adam received favorable letters from his attoney (Victor J. Evans - Victor Building 9th St NW. Washington DC), and the Commissioner of Patents, Department of Commerce, US Patent Office in Wash DC., but as is the government’s way of red tape, it was one form after another and each requiring a fee of some kind. Adam never persued his invention any further.
9. From the 1900 US Census, Iowa, Scott, Davenport Township, Davenport City, Ward 6, ED 136, Sheet 4A and 4B, Enumerated 4 June 1900:
Sheet 4A, Lines 48-50:
Robert Gregg; Head; Born June 1848; Age 56; Married 25 years; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; Naturalized; Occupation - Tailor; Rents Home.
Elizabeth Gregg; Wife; Born Aug 1854; Age 45; Married 25 years; Mother of 3 children, 3 still living; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years.
Robert G. Gregg; Son; Born Apr 1880; Age 20; Single; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; Naturalized; Occupation - Printer.
Sheet 4B, Lines 51- 54:
Henry Gregg; Son; Born Apr 1884; Age 16; Single; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; occupation - Printer.
Thomas Wakenshaw; Father-in-law; Born Nov 1821; Age 78; Widower; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; Naturalized; Occupation - Miner.
Adam Wakenshaw; Borther-in-law; Born Feb 1871; Age 29; Single; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; Naturalized; Occupation - [hard to read, but looks like] Arthwindow Maker.
Charlie Oswald; Boarder; Born May 1871; Age 29; Single; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1890; Been in USA 10 years; Naturalized; Occupation - Book Keeper.
NAME MERIDIAN TWP RANGE SECTION ACREAGETYPE CASETYPE DOCID DATE
WAKENSHAW ADAM 20 005 S 022 E 007 120 251101 PA 495725 10/26/1915
WAKENSHAW ADAM 20 005 S 022 E 008 40 251101 PA 495725 10/26/1915
251000- Homestead; PA - Patent; Meridians: 05 - 5th Principal Meridian -- located in the eastern part of Iowa; 06 - 6th Principal Meridian -- located south of Yankton - not used by east River counties; 07 - Black Hills Meridian -- located on the SD - WY border
2. Adam made a model of a sailing ship out of a railroad tie. It was named “Nancy Lee” (possibly his grandmother’s name?) He also did stained glass windows and was a very good musician, especially on the trombone. [61]
3. As told by Robert Lee “Bob” Wakenshaw to me in an email message: “During the years before WW II the coal miners only worked in the mines in the winter when people needed coal. In the summer they had to find other work, or busy themselves with other projects. When the war came, they were working the mines around the clock at the Smith Mine. Bearcreek coal was needed in the steel mills, so safety took a back seat. My dad and grandpas had worked in the mines for over 18 years and had never been on the same shift until Feb.1943. They were happy about that because they could all go to work together. Adam was the oldest of the 74 miners who died that day. He and most of the other miners would have been retired if it had not been for the war effort, as all the young men went to the services.”
4. From the Carbon County Journal, Joliet, Mt. dated Friday Nov.26,1909, Local News: “Word was recently received that Adam Wakenshaw, a coal miner and enthusiastic band man, is soon to take up his residence in the vicinity of Joliet again. He will be employed by the Joliet Coal and Fuel Company. Mr. Wakenshaw is an expert slide trombone player, and his presence here will add materially to the strength of Joliet’s musical population. Motto: Patronize home industry by throwing all the business possible to the Joliet coal diggers, and more of these fellows will be induced to come here. The more the merrier.”
5. Carbon County Journal, Red Lodge, Mt. dated Friday Sept.6,1912, Bearcreek News: “Mrs. Adam Wakenshaw arrived here Saturday from Joliet to visit a few days with Mr. Wakenshaw, and attend the band dance.”
6. In an email from Jeanette WALKINSHAW Brunlees, (Member of Guild of One Name Studies, researching all references world-wide of Walkinshaw, Walkingshaw, Wakenshaw, Walkenshaw, Wicketshaw and all other variant spellings), June 2002, she sends this report:
THOMAS2 WAKENSHAW (JOHN1) was born c. 1825 in Longframlington, Northumberland, England. He married THOMASINA A.. She was born c. 1829 in Unthank Sq, Northumberland, England.
More About THOMAS WAKENSHAW:
Bapt/Chrs: Batch number: C000942
Baptism: 30 January 1825, Longframlington, Northumberland, England
Census: 1881, Bedlington, Northumberland, England
Occupation: 1881, Coal Miner
More About THOMASINA A.:
Census: 1881, Bedlington, Northumberland, England
Children of THOMAS WAKENSHAW and THOMASINA A. are:
i. JOHN3 WAKENSHAW, b. c. 1862, Earsdon, Northumberland, England.
More About JOHN WAKENSHAW:
Census: 1881, Bedlington, Northumberland, England
Occupation: 1881, Coal Miner
ii. ADAM WAKENSHAW, b. c. 1871, Writing, Durham, England.
More About ADAM WAKENSHAW:
Census: 1881, Bedlington, Northumberland, England
7. US Census 1920, Carbon, Town of Bearcreek, Montana, District 23, Sheet 7A, enumerated 12 Jan 1920:
Adam Wakenshaw is listed as a boarder [in the home of Natal Ievetti (sp)], age 47, single, immigration to the US is listed as 1882 (but crossed out), “Am. Cit” is written in next to it, POB - England, Father’s POB - England, Father’s tongue - English, Mother’s POB - Scotland, Mother’s tongue - Scotch, Trade - Mine Foreman, working on own account.
Note: Adam and one other miner were boarders at this home. This other miner was Italian, and possibly a friend or relative of this family, who were also Italians (just a guess on my part.)
8. A story told to me by Bob Wakenshaw in August 2002: Adam applied for a US Patent in 1928 (Application #267039, filed 3 April 1928). He designed an automatic coal car coupler. The original coal cars had couplers that required a pin be dropped in place to hold them together. This required a man to step between the cars to insert the pin. Adam’s son, Bud got his leg caught inbetween the cars and had it crushed. Adam thought there should be a better way to couple the cars. He applied for a US Patent on his idea in 1928. He had drawings made and even crafted two small coal car models using the coupler he had designed (see Adam’s photo page for pictures of these models). The US Patent process is a long and expensive one. Adam received favorable letters from his attoney (Victor J. Evans - Victor Building 9th St NW. Washington DC), and the Commissioner of Patents, Department of Commerce, US Patent Office in Wash DC., but as is the government’s way of red tape, it was one form after another and each requiring a fee of some kind. Adam never persued his invention any further.
9. From the 1900 US Census, Iowa, Scott, Davenport Township, Davenport City, Ward 6, ED 136, Sheet 4A and 4B, Enumerated 4 June 1900:
Sheet 4A, Lines 48-50:
Robert Gregg; Head; Born June 1848; Age 56; Married 25 years; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; Naturalized; Occupation - Tailor; Rents Home.
Elizabeth Gregg; Wife; Born Aug 1854; Age 45; Married 25 years; Mother of 3 children, 3 still living; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years.
Robert G. Gregg; Son; Born Apr 1880; Age 20; Single; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; Naturalized; Occupation - Printer.
Sheet 4B, Lines 51- 54:
Henry Gregg; Son; Born Apr 1884; Age 16; Single; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; occupation - Printer.
Thomas Wakenshaw; Father-in-law; Born Nov 1821; Age 78; Widower; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; Naturalized; Occupation - Miner.
Adam Wakenshaw; Borther-in-law; Born Feb 1871; Age 29; Single; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1895; Been in USA 5 years; Naturalized; Occupation - [hard to read, but looks like] Arthwindow Maker.
Charlie Oswald; Boarder; Born May 1871; Age 29; Single; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1890; Been in USA 10 years; Naturalized; Occupation - Book Keeper.
Spouses
Birth12 Jul 1881, Hamilton, Lanark, Scotland
Death27 Dec 1976, Billings, Yellowstone, Montana Age: 95
BurialBearcreek, Carbon, Montana
Burial MemoBearcreek Cemetery
FatherWilliam WHITE (1854-1931)
MotherMargaret “Maggie” BARROWMAN (1854-1943)
Misc. Notes
1. As told to me in an email by Robert Lee “Bob” Wakenshaw: “Adam and Mag had a farm they had homesteaded on near Boyd and Joliet, Mt. We would go to the farm every weekend to do the farm work and arrange things for Mag who had cows to milk and chickens to take care of. She operated the farm with the help of one of her sisters' children. Her sister lived in Red Lodge and was a widow with 6 children. So one after the other lived with Mag on the farm and went to a one room grade school there until they were to go to high school. Then they went back to Red Lodge and the next in line came to stay with Mag. Mag was one of 13 children. All her brothers and sisters were born in Montana. Mag was born in Scotland when her parents were visiting there.”
2. There are other marriage(s). [62]
2. There are other marriage(s). [62]
Marriage28 Nov 1901, Boone, Boone, Iowa [60]
Marr MemoIn the parlor of the Butler House
Misc. Notes
1. As told to me by Robert Lee “Bob” Wakenshaw in an email was the following: “The story goes that Mag {Margaret Mae} wanted a girl. When the Nuns from the home in Helena, Mt. came, they met Mag at the train depot. There were two Nuns, one had a baby boy and one had a baby girl. The Nuns said the girl was promised to another family. Mag insisted that she had to have the girl. The Nun who had the boy asked Mag to hold him while she went to the restroom. That was it, when she held him she couldn’t let him go.” That is when Adam Lee and Margaret adopted the boy and named him Robert Lee “Bud” Wakenshaw.
2. As told by Robert Lee “Bob” Wakenshaw to me in an email: At one time there was a town called Carbonado near Boyd. It was a thriving mining town. It was a vertical shaft mine in the early 1900's. This is where I believe Adam and Mag met, as Mag’s mother had a boarding house in the town and I think Adam and his father boarded there. The coal gave out and all that is left of the town is a slag pile. My mother remembered as a child they would pass a big rock on their horse drawn wagon on a back road and her Dad told her that a man sat down on that rock to rest during a blizzard and froze to death. When my mother later met “Bud” she said he told her that man was his grandfather Thomas Wakenshaw (John Thomas Wakenshaw).
3. 1910 US Census, Montana, Carbon, Bearcreek, School District 31, District 14, Sheet 9A; Enumerated 13 May 1910:
Robert Welsh (sp?); Head; Age 26; Single; POB Ireland; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland; Immigrated to US 1907 Pa; Occupation - Miner, coal mine; Owns Home w/ Mortgage
Adam Wakenshaw; Boarder; Age 36; Married 10 years; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated to US 1884, Naturalized; Occupation - Miner, coal mine
Maggie Wakenshaw; Boarder; Age 27; Married 10 years; POB Scotland; Father POB Scotland; Mother POB Scotland; Immigrated to US 1883
(Note): Adam & Maggie are also listed again in a different location in the 1910 US Census, just two weeks earlier...
1910 US Census, Montana, Carbon, Bridger, School District 28, District 13, Sheet 9A, Enumerated 26-28 April 1910:
Adam Wakenshaw; Head; Age 37; Married 8 years; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1880, Naturalized; Occupation - Coal Miner; Owns Home, Free of Mortgage, Home
Margaret Wakenshaw; Wife; Age 28; Married 8 years; Mother of 2 Children, 0 Still Alive; POB Scotland; Father POB Scotland; Mother POB Scotland; Immigrated 1873
Robert L. Wakenshaw; Adopted Son; Age 6; POB Montana; Father POB United States; Mother POB United States
4. 1930 US Census, Montana, Carbon County, Bearcreek, District 33, Sheet 4A, Enumerated on 5 April 1930:
Adam L. Wakenshaw; Head; Owns Home; Value of Home if Owned - 1000; Age 57; Age at First Marriage - 30; POB - England; Father POB - England; Mother POB - England; Year of Immigration to the US - 1880; Naturalized; Occupation - Track Layer; Industry - Coal Mine; Class of Worker - Wage; Employment - No; Line Number for Unemployed - 50; Veteran of US Miltary - No
Margaret Wakenshaw; Wife; Age 47; Age at First Marriage - 21; POB - Scotland; Father POB - Scotland; Mother POB - Scotland; Year of Immigration to the US - 1882; Naturalized; Occupation - None
2. As told by Robert Lee “Bob” Wakenshaw to me in an email: At one time there was a town called Carbonado near Boyd. It was a thriving mining town. It was a vertical shaft mine in the early 1900's. This is where I believe Adam and Mag met, as Mag’s mother had a boarding house in the town and I think Adam and his father boarded there. The coal gave out and all that is left of the town is a slag pile. My mother remembered as a child they would pass a big rock on their horse drawn wagon on a back road and her Dad told her that a man sat down on that rock to rest during a blizzard and froze to death. When my mother later met “Bud” she said he told her that man was his grandfather Thomas Wakenshaw (John Thomas Wakenshaw).
3. 1910 US Census, Montana, Carbon, Bearcreek, School District 31, District 14, Sheet 9A; Enumerated 13 May 1910:
Robert Welsh (sp?); Head; Age 26; Single; POB Ireland; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland; Immigrated to US 1907 Pa; Occupation - Miner, coal mine; Owns Home w/ Mortgage
Adam Wakenshaw; Boarder; Age 36; Married 10 years; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated to US 1884, Naturalized; Occupation - Miner, coal mine
Maggie Wakenshaw; Boarder; Age 27; Married 10 years; POB Scotland; Father POB Scotland; Mother POB Scotland; Immigrated to US 1883
(Note): Adam & Maggie are also listed again in a different location in the 1910 US Census, just two weeks earlier...
1910 US Census, Montana, Carbon, Bridger, School District 28, District 13, Sheet 9A, Enumerated 26-28 April 1910:
Adam Wakenshaw; Head; Age 37; Married 8 years; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated 1880, Naturalized; Occupation - Coal Miner; Owns Home, Free of Mortgage, Home
Margaret Wakenshaw; Wife; Age 28; Married 8 years; Mother of 2 Children, 0 Still Alive; POB Scotland; Father POB Scotland; Mother POB Scotland; Immigrated 1873
Robert L. Wakenshaw; Adopted Son; Age 6; POB Montana; Father POB United States; Mother POB United States
4. 1930 US Census, Montana, Carbon County, Bearcreek, District 33, Sheet 4A, Enumerated on 5 April 1930:
Adam L. Wakenshaw; Head; Owns Home; Value of Home if Owned - 1000; Age 57; Age at First Marriage - 30; POB - England; Father POB - England; Mother POB - England; Year of Immigration to the US - 1880; Naturalized; Occupation - Track Layer; Industry - Coal Mine; Class of Worker - Wage; Employment - No; Line Number for Unemployed - 50; Veteran of US Miltary - No
Margaret Wakenshaw; Wife; Age 47; Age at First Marriage - 21; POB - Scotland; Father POB - Scotland; Mother POB - Scotland; Year of Immigration to the US - 1882; Naturalized; Occupation - None
ChildrenRobert Lee "Bud" (Adopted) (1903-1943)