AMONS John Julius 1855-1907

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Father:  John Julius AMONS [SR] born ca 1833 Pennsylvania 
... Step Father #1:  Charles GUILD
... Step Father #2: John B. LUCAS 
Mother:  Mary Inez SMITH born 24 July 1834 Pleasant Ridge, Hamilton Co., Ohio 
Siblings:  Yes. 
Spouse:  Carrie Endora BLACK born 4 Feb 1856 Hamilton Co., Ohio

Children:  Birdie Estella AMONS born 27 Aug 1887 California, Hamilton Co., Ohio 

Johns adult description:

Grey eyes, black hair, has a dark complexion, and is 5 feet 7 inches tall.  

 

A real photo, the 'Public Landing' in 1848, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio.  

This is the 'home base' area for John J. AMONS [JR], now the baseball park area. 

Photo information & more views.  Another view, a gouache painting (circa 1835) by John Caspar Wild.

Note that in 1898 Cincinnati streets were renumbered with Vine St being the division between East and West. 100 numbers were then allotted to each square.

...  Johns Life  ... 

1855 March 18 – Birth:  Conflicting dates have been found for the birth date for John J. AMONS. Per information in the large interment book at Wesleyan Cemetery he was born on 18 March 1855, his parents being John J. AMONS [SR] and Mary Inez SMITH.

The book titled ‘History of Cincinnati, Ohio, published 1881 by FORD gives the following description on page 101 for the year 1855:

1856 Jan 20 - Baptism:  John, ‘Jno Julius AMONS’ was baptized in the Episcopal religion on 20 Jan 1856 at Christ Church by Rev. C.M. BUTLER in Cincinnati, Ohio.  His sponsors listed are ‘Parents’ which would be John J. AMONS [SR] and Mary Inez SMITH. Johns parents were not yet married but the fact that both were at the baptism rather proves that John J. AMONS [SR] was the father.  Note the baptism ahead of this one where Mrs. Elsie Stuart is listed.  These may be a misspelling for his paternal grandmother, Elsie Stewart.

Pages side by side, the above views are PHOTOGRAPHS, the first copies
emailed by church archivist, Dennis Harrell, in March 2012 of Parish
book #2. Reference: The LDS film number for Christ Church (Episcopal) is 1955202. 

Johns parents were not listed in the parent area nor was his birthday.  This was most likely left blank because they were not married.  Under that, ‘Elsie Stuart’ is listed on the next line.  This may be Johns paternal grandmother, John SR’s mother, Elsie STEWART.

Larger views of each page first emailed follow:

Enlargement of names.

Listed as sponsors for Johns baptism appears to say ‘Mr Amons & Mr E. Stuart’.  Comparing other words and the fact that John JR’s parents were not married, it appears Misters are listed, however Elsie was a widow at this time.  Also, there was no ‘Mrs’ Amons at this time. The line most likely reads ‘Mr Amons & Mrs Elsie Stuart [Stewart]’.

A second emailing of 4 photographs was sent by Dennis Harrell, the Christ Church archivist in Aug 2012.   Cropped and knitted together in two parts for two pages with over lapping wording are below.

Information is:  Date of Baptism [Jan 20, 1856], First & Middle name [Jno Julius], Last name [Amons], Parents names [blank], Birthdate [blank], Sponsors [Mr Amons & Mrs E. Stuart], Minister [C.M Butler].

Christ Church has always been located in the downtown area of the city known as the Basin. The location of the first building was on East Sixth Street. In 1835, the Church moved its present location at 318 East Fourth Street.

The neighborhood adjacent to Christ Church, now known as Lytle Park, was an area where many early community leaders lived, including many prominent members of Christ Church: Daniel Drak, General William Lytle and Nicholas Longworth. The 1820s through the post Civil War era is often referred to as the “Golden Age of Lytle Square.”

This church was built in 1835 and torn down in 1955.  The three-story structure to the right is a parish house built in 1899 (and torn down in 1907 to make way for a new six-story parish house which still stands today).  I only know of one picture taken of the interior of the church before a renovation in 1890 by Louis Comfort Tiffany. From: Dennis (Church Archivist)

Ca 2010:  Occupying nearly a fourth of a city block, the Cathedral’s immediate neighbors include the offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, a historic theater, a Masonic Temple, a residential tower and several small historic commercial buildings. Adjacent blocks are dominated by corporate headquarter buildings.  Website 2012

1858 Feb 4 – Parents Marriage:  The parents to John [JR] were married on 4 Feb 1858.  From the Cincinnati Daily Gazette on 5 Feb 1858, page 3, ‘MARRIED.  AMONS – SMITH – On Thursday, the 4^th, by the Rev. Mr. Hodges, John J. AMONS and Mary J. [I.] SMITH of Hamilton county, Ohio.’  [Clarification of marriage date by the Hamilton Co. OH library.]  Mary was age 24.  John [SR] was age 25.  The ‘inst.’ means within this month / same month.  One does have to wonder why the delay with the marriage.

1860 – Federal Census enumeration date June 1, enumerated on 11 June:  John [JR], age 5 born Cinti O, [ca 1855], is living with his mother, Mary I, age 25  born Ohio [ca 1835], and father, John, age 27 born Penn [ca 1833], in ward 2 in Cincinnati in what appears to be an apartment building.  His paternal grandmother, then by the name of Eliza Stewart, age 50 born Penn [ca 1810] , is also in the same building, possibly the same ‘apartment’ although she is counted as a separate family.

1860 Time line reference:  Nov 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States.

1861 – Residence:  John is now age 6.  The family is living at 128 Walnut in Cincinnati.  Per the 1861 directory, the location of this address is:  ‘Walnut [runs] n. from River b. [by] Main and Vine.’  ‘[128 would be between] W. 3d and Burnet.’

1861 June 18  – Sister born:  John now becomes a brother as sister Elsie Susanna AMONS was born.  When grown, she would marry Henry Clay FELIX.  The family is now four people being mom Mary, dad John, John [JR] and Elsie Susanna. 

1861 Nov 17 – Sister Baptized:  Sister Elsie was baptized at Christ Church (Episcopal).  Thoughts are that John surely would have been there with his parents. 
  
1861 Time line reference:  Mar 1861 Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated.  April 1861: Civil War begins.  

1862 – Residence:  Home is now at 13 W. 4^th.  Johns dad, John [SR] is working as a machinist.

1862 Time line reference:  Apr 1862 Battle of Shiloh.  Jun 1862 Lee attacks McCellan’s Union army near Richmond, VA.  Jul 1862 Gen. Robert E. Lee assumes command of the Confederate Army of Northern VA.  Aug 1862 Second Battle of Bull Run.  Sep 1862 Battle of Antietam.  Sep 1862 Lincoln issues a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.  Dec 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg in VA. 

1863 – Residence:  John, age 8, appears to be fatherless at this time.  There is no listing for his father.  His mother is found with two listings.  One is 72 Providence with no occupation listed.  The other is 68 W. 3^rd and she is working as a seamstress.   They may both refer to her with a move within the first few months of the year as the directory winds up at June 1 each year.  No military record has been found for Johns father in 1863.
   

1863 Time line reference: Jan 1863 Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation.  Mar 1863 Congress enacts the first draft in American history.  May 1863 Battle at Chancellorsville. May 1863 Stonewall Jackson dies.  Jul 1863 Battle at Gettysburg, PA.  July 1863 Pickett’s Charge.  Jul 1863 Battle at Vicksburg.  Sep 1863 Battle of Chickamauga and Gettysburg Address. 

1864 - Residence:  There is no AMONS listed in the city directory for 1864.

1864 Aug 25 – Mother remarries:  John and Elsies mother, Mary Inez (SMITH) AMONS, age 30, married her second husband, Charles GUILD, age 58, in Boston, Massachusetts.  John was age 9.  He has gained at least five GUILD step-siblings, all of adult ages, being George H, born two years after his mother, ca 1836; Chas F, born ca 1839; Mary, born ca 1844; Harriette, born ca 1846; and Huber, born 1846 and deceased in 1847.

1864 Time line reference:  Jan 1864 General Sherman began his march to the South.  Mar 1864 Ulysses S. Grant was appointed by President Lincoln as commander of the Union armies.  May 1864 Grants Virginia Campaign.  June 1864 Siege of Petersburg.  May 1864 Battle of the Wilderness and Battle of Spotsylvania.  The most popular song of the year was ‘Tenting on the Old Camp Ground’.

A view of Cincinnati, Ohio ca 1961-1965, 
‘The Pontoon Military Bridge’ located east of Vine St.

1865 – Residence:  John, age 10, would now be living in the household of his step-father, Charles GUILD at 156 Livingston in Cincinnati.

1865 Time line reference:  The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the US Constitution were adopted.  March: Lincoln gave his Second Inaugural Address. April 9: Robert E. Lee surrenders.  April 14: President Lincoln assassinated.

1866 June 27 – New brother:  John now has a new baby brother, a one-half brother by the name of Elmer E. GUILD who is at 11 years his junior.  There is no listing in the city directory this year for the GUILD household.

1866 Time line reference:  Thomas Edison, age 19, became a telegraph operator.  The 13^th, 14^th and 15^th Amendments to the US Constitution were adopted.  Author H.G. Wells born.    

1867 – Residence:  There is a Charles GUILD household 207 W. 7^th in Cincinnati.  He works in ‘coal’.  

1867 Oct 16 – Step father death:  At age 12 ½ John has lost a second father as Johns step-father, Charles GUILD, age 58, passed away.  On Oct 18 Charles was buried in the Charles GUILD lot, Section 35, Lot 112, Grave 3 at Spring Grove Cemetery at Cincinnati, Ohio.  Charles former wife, Emma V. is in grave 2 and a son Huber is in grave 6 at this time.  

1867 Time line reference:   April 1867 Alaska was purchased for two-cents per acre, paid for in gold.  Wilbur Wright and architect / builder Frank Lloyd Wright were born.  Nov 1867 Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson was looked at. Dec 1867 Charles Dickens gave his first reading in New York City.

 

1868 – Residence:  Johns mother is found listed as GUILD, Mrs. b. h. [boarding house] 207 W. 7^th. 

1869 – Residence:  Johns mother has moved the family.  They are now listed as GUILD Mrs. Mary I. widow, home 195 W. 4^th. 

1870  – Residence:  Johns mother has moved the family again.  They are found under GUILD Mrs. M.J. [M.I.] widow, home 213 W. 4^th.

1870 – Census:  No AMONS or GUILD found.

1871 – Residence:  The family is still at 213 W. 4^th.  Johns mother is listed as GUILD, Mary, widow. 

1872 – Residence:  There is still no move from 213 W. 4^th.  Johns mother is listed as GUILD Mrs. Mary I. widow, h. 213 W. 4^th. 

1873 – Residence:  Johns mom still shows at being at 213 W. 4^th but this year it shows that this is a boarding house. 

Note: Family lore is that Johns mother was married five times and each husband had five letters in their last name.  If so, two would have to be between the GUILD and LUCAS marriages, unless there was a husband prior to AMONS with he unknown possibly being the father to John Jr. 

1874 – Residence:  John, listed as ‘J.J.’, age 19, is living at 166 ½ Elm.  The directory is considered complete as of June 1.  There is no listing for Johns mother and it may be that she is now married to John B LUCAS. Still searching for the marriage.

The Newport and Cincinnati Bridge opened in 1872, spanning the Ohio River between Newport, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio.   Now it is open to pedestrians only.  This bridge would have been traveled by John, his mother and step-father, John, definitely on Dec 30, 1874 by train (unless they boated across the river).  Soon afterwards it was retrofitted for other types of traffic and travel.

1874 Dec 30 – Military:  John enlisted in military service in the United States Army at Newport Barracks, Kentucky for a time period of five years.  Records show he was from Cincinnati, Ohio, was age 20 [of which he was age 19y 9m 13d] and that his occupation was a musician.  Stated is he has grey eyes, black hair, has a dark complexion, and is 5 feet 7 inches tall.  The impression from the record leads one to think he entered to play music at military funerals.  The ‘age 20’ would put his birth in 1855, assuming they hedged a little on the age. 

The ‘Declaration of Recruit’ contains a ‘Consent in Case of Minor’ form that is filled in stating John is age 20, which he is not.  It is first signed by Johns step-dad, John B Lucas, as ‘Guardian’ and then Johns mother signs under that.  [I myself get a very sad feeling when I look at the signature of Mary.  My impression is that John B, John J’s step-dad, wants John J out of the house.]  

This form shows three family signatures all on the same day, Johns signature showing twice.  An interesting fact for this time period:  Women could NOT have legal guardianship of children.  Note the ‘Guardian’ listed on the consent is Johns second step-father.

1874 Time line reference:   Harry Houdini and Winston Churchill born. 

1875 July 15 – Military Discharge:  John was discharged at Newport Barracks in Kentucky for ‘Disability’.  Stated is ‘Disability a Recruit, Dup Cert rec’d ‘ [Duplicate Certificate received].  He served at 6 ½ months.   Military records ordered 2011 Dec 31.  Received: Held only three papers, shown below.  May have to order pension files IF he got one.  Need to order Military Medical records ($75).

The Medical Officer at Newport Barracks in 1874-75 was George W. ADAIR.

More Information on the barracks. 

 

Feb 1884 view. 
The barracks flooded to the second floor which ruined the barracks.

Newport Barracks, across from Cincinnati, Ohio in Newport, Kentucky, it was operational from 1803 until 1894.  The city of Newport, after the barracks were closed, eventually built General James Taylor Park on the grounds.

1875:  In the Cincinnati city directory there is a J.J. AMEN listed as a student boarding at 173 Plum.  The city directories are considered complete as of June 1 and John didn’t leave the military until the middle of July.  Could he have been going to a school while in the military at this time and the early city directory has a famous misspell?   

The book titled ‘History of Cincinnati, Ohio, published 1881 by FORD gives the following description on page 122 for the year 1875:

1875 Time line reference: May: First Kentucky Derby.  Sept: Tarzan creator, Burroughs, born.  Oct: Creator of the National Geographic Magazine, Grosvenor, born. 

1876:  No trace of John is seen this year with the spelling of AMONS.  He is most likely living at home or with his paternal grandmother.  There is however a John J. AMEN listed as a bookkeeper working at 48 Vine who boards at 71 W. 8^th.  A guess is that the J.J. AMEN in 1875 is this John, his first working bookkeeping job out of school.  

1876 Sep 1 - Sister born:  John, at age 21 ½, has another sister.  Sister Garnet Myrtle LUCAS, a one-half sister, was born on Sep 1, 1876 at home, 3^rd and Broadway.

1877 – Residence:  John J. AMONS is now working as an ‘expressman’ and he is boarding at 128 Walnut.  (No J.J. or John AMEN is found for this year.)

1878 Residence:  John J [JR], age 23, is now working as a laborer and is living (boarding) at 128 Walnut Street.

1878 Time line reference:   Thomas Edison patents the first phonograph.

1879 May – Step-father legal problem:  Step-father, John B. Lucas who owns/runs a hotel, has charges against him for allowing prostitution.  Need to get court record.

1880 Jan 17 – Sisters birth:  At almost age 25 John has a new half-sister as Leola Lucas was born.

1880 – Census, enumeration date June 1:  John, age 25 and single, is living with his paternal grandmother, Eliza Steuart [Stewart], age 69 and widowed. Location? in Cincinnati.  It is just the two of them in the household and it appears they are living in an apartment building.  John is working as an ‘expressman’ and his grandmother is working as a seamstress. 

1880 Census Enumerated 8 June 1880.  He is ALSO shown at 94 Eastbourne Terrace [location: e.s. Sycamore, b. 3d and 4th] being 3 to 4 blocks from the Public Landing at the Ohio River] under the last name of Almons [census taker spelling error], age 25, working as an Express Driver, living with his mother and her third husband, John B. LUCAS.  In the home are John B. Lucas, age 45; Mary I Lucas, his mother, age 45; Leola Lucas, age 12; Garnet M. Lucas, age 3; Ivy P. Lucas, age 4 months; sister Essie S. Almons [AMONS], age 19, and sons half brother, Elmer E GUILD, age 14, listed as a boarder. ….. Just a hunch but it appears mom Mary listed John as he was not married and was probably sometimes at home but he was staying with his grandmother to get away from all the sisters, three of the four being half-sisters. No work location or 1880 for John has been found to figure out which residence would be closer to get to.

On the two census that contain John in 1880, both list his age at 25 verifying the 1855 birth year. 

Questioned on June 8^th:

 Questioned on June 9th:

1880 Oct – Sisters marriage:  On Oct 17 Johns sister, Elsie Amons who was almost age 19, took out a license to marry Henry Clay Felix in Hamilton Co. Ohio.  

1880 Time line reference:  Thomas Edison patents DC electricity distribution and founds the Edison Illuminating Company. 

1881 Sep 9 – An uncle:  John becomes an uncle for the first time as sister Elsie (AMONS) FELIX has a son that she names Charles Percy.  However, later census records for Charles, leads to his birth being Sep 9, 1880, being born prior to his parents marriage. 

1882 – Occupation and Residence:  Johns occupation is listed as ‘coal’ with his job at 45 ½ E 3d in Cincinnati.  The ‘coal’ may [doubtful] be connected to the business his step-father Charles Guild had.  John ‘rooms’ at the ‘Spencer House Bldg’ which was across the street from the ‘Public Landing’.  Today this location would be at the west corner of E 3^rd St and Broadway St, possibly a little south in the I-71 highway across from 3^rd base at the ‘Great American Ball Park’.  It would have been a two or three block distance between where he lived and worked.

Spencer House location map from 1866 and a view from 2011.

From ‘A History of the Inns and Hotels of Cincinnati,
1793-1922 by Hill, published 1922, page 21.

1882 Time line reference:  Nikola Tesla begins working for Continental Edison and identifies magnetic induction field principle. Theodore Roosevelt publishes his first book and Franklin D Roosevelt is born.  Jesse James assassinated.  First Labor Day parade. 

1883 July 17 – Newspaper:  The newspaper reports that John AMONS was in Police Court and the case was dismissed.   Need to call Ham Co Clerk of Courts to inquire on record of court. 

A note on 1883 procedure given in 2011 by Lt. Stephen R. KRAMER, Museum Director, Greater Cincinnati Police Museum, 959 W. 8th Street, Suite 201, Cincinnati, OH  45203, www.GCPHS.com:  'During 1883, a person would be arrested by an officer, constable, or other law enforcement official.  If arrested by a Cincinnati Patrolman, as most were, he would be taken to the lieutenant and then to jail and the arrest would be logged as having been made by the lieutenant.  To our knowledge, the only “report” of the arrest within law enforcement would be this log.  In this log, they included the date, charge, who arrested, when they went to court, and what the sentence was.

To our knowledge, only one such log survive the Courthouse Fire of 1884.  I can’t remember if it was an 1853 log or 1883.  Is there a person you are interested in? [Note: Checked and no record book survived for 1883.]

Also, there are court records including affidavits, warrants, and judges’ sheets.  I do not know the retention schedule for these records, but I suspect they are perpetual.  For those, you would have to contact the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts.'

1883 Time line reference:  William “Buffalo Bill” Cody creates “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” show. 

1883 Nov 4 – Assaulted:  Found in the Cincinnati Enquirer on Nov 6, 1883 is:  ‘Joe Medasher, aged eighteen, of 61 East Fifth street, who assaulted John J. AMONS day before yesterday, was arrested yesterday and placed in Hammond-street Station, charged with assault and battery.’  There is not anyone by the last name of Medasher in the 1882, 1883, 1884 or 1885 city directories.

1884 Jan 14 - Published 15 Jan in the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune newspaper:  John J. AMONS was shot.  The article reads:  ‘In a quarrel yesterday morning, J.B. LINTON, aged twenty three, living at No 6 Eastbourne Terrace, shot John J. AMONS in the hand with a revolver.  Linton was arrested on a charge of shooting with intent to kill.  The wound is not very serious.’  It sounds like John wrestled the gun with Linton. 

1884 Jan 17 - The Cincinnati Commercial Tribune newspaper states concerning Jan 16:  ‘J.B. LINTON, charged with shooting with intent to kill, was arraigned before Judge Von Martels yesterday.  Linton was the man who shot J.J. Amour [AMONS] on Monday at Third and Sycamore.  He was bound over.  Bond $300.  Need to see if court record exists. 

Checking for what may be at the corner of 3^d and Sycamore a story unfolded.  Three corners appear to be businesses at the lower level and have renters at the upper levels. 

Linton was a clerk in a grocery at 3d and Sycamore so John was shot where Linton worked at.  Could John have been hungry and got caught?

The NorthEast Corner it appears to be renters only.  Found are a widow, Sarah Copsy; a stone mason, Peter Kirchhoff; a widow, Mary Hobbel; a cigar maker, Louis Hobbel; a butcher, Geo. Heckmann; a stripper [most likely tobacco stripper], Julia Golski; a cigar maker, Jos. Golski; a shoemaker, Malachi Donovan; a laborer, Louis G. Bleymeyer; printer, Henry Polinsky; widow, Roberta H. Snyder; laborer, Jas. White.

The NorthWest Corner roomers found living there was a cooper, Peter C. Cramer; a cigar maker, Jos. Golski.  Businesses were J.J. Stoll, Manufacturer of cigars.

The SouthEast Corner:  On the S.E.C. it appears to be 2 renters above a grocery store.  Found are a steamboat mate, John Lee; a helper, Edward Mulvaney.  Only one business is found at this corner, being Walker & Smith Grocers.  Working at that grocery is J.B. Linton, a clerk, who lived at 6 Eastbourne Terrace.

The SouthWest Corner shows the Manchester Building listed as ‘Public Buildings, Flats & c’.  The lower part is R.A. Douglas groceries and Henry C/G Steever Druggist and Apothercary.  Renters, most likely at the upper levels are was a barber, Rudolph Aldinger; who roomed there; a hackman, Chas. M. Borman; a clerk, John Corcoran; a clerk, John F. Donnell; a widow, Maggie Donnell; a shoemaker, Matthew Mulvany.   

3rd & Sycamore area of Cincinnati.

 

1884 March 28:  Cincinnati Riots began.  Thousands of citizens stormed the county jail and courthouse. The riots lasted three days requiring forces from the Sheriff's Office, city police, and local and state militia to restore order. Fifty-four people were killed and more than 200 wounded. The courthouse and jail suffered enormous damage, and valuable records were destroyed from the assault and fire, that including much relating to family records.  It is unknown if John was involved but he lived in the area.  See if any court records concerning rioters exist.  

1884 – Residence:  John is listed as AMONS J.J. and was living at 166 ½ Elm.

1885: No AMONS is in the city directory.

1886 –Residence:  John, age 31, was working as an awning maker and lived at 42 W. Court, that being at three blocks north of 6^th St.

1886 Nov 17 – ‘Awful Accident’:   Either John was moonlighting with an extra job or he changed professions.  Found in the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper on Nov 18 on page 12 was the following horrendous report that must have left Johns body very badly scared and maimed him. ‘’An Awful Accident’.  John J. Amons, a tar-roofer, was employed with others in placing the new roof on Herancourt’s distillery yesterday.  He was walking along the slippery roof with a bucket of boiling tar in one hand when he stumbled.  As he fell he plunged both hands into the bucket, and struck with his head a sharp iron.  His nose was split the full length and several teeth knocked out.  The other workmen went to Amons’ assistance and temporarily bandaged up his injuries.  A doctor was called, and when the clothes were taken off the flesh came with them.  The right hand was burned to the bone, and will have to be amputated.  The other hand is seriously injured, but may be saved.  Amons is thirty-two years old, and lives at No. 42 West Court street.’

Searching for the location of Herancourts, found was ‘The HERANCOURT BREWING Co., Harrison Av. Near C., H. & D. R. R. [Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Rail Road], Brighton Station, 24^th Ward’.

Harrison as it was in 1864.

2013 view of Harrison Ave which runs both sides of I-75. RR area in gray. Ignore the balloon.

1886 Dec 30 – Family death:  John and sister Elsie AMONs paternal grandmother, Elsie (PRATT) AMONS – STEWART, age 76y 15d, died on Madison Pike in East Walnut Hills [Cincinnati area], Ohio. 

1886 Dec 31 – Grandmothers burial:  Johns and sister Elsies paternal grandmother was buried on New Years Eve day at 3:30 pm in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.  It is unknown who was at the burial or if John was well enough to attend. 

1886 Time line reference:  The First Coca-Cola is sold.  First train robbery.  Statue of Liberty opens.

1887 Feb 9 – step-sister marriage:  Johns step-sister, Leola Lucas, married Chas. Wunderlich in Hamilton Co., Ohio. 

1887 Feb 25 – Marriage:  A little over three months after his terrible accident, John, age 32, married Carrie Endora BLACK, daughter to Unknown BLACK and Sarah Jane Unknown in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio.  The marriage was performed by Thomas Lee, Minister of the Gospel.  At the top, hand wrote, it says ‘Don’t Report’.   "Don't Report" in marriage records usually indicates it was not to be published in the local newspapers (Marriage Notices, etc.) at the request of the couple.

John J. AMONS signature on 25 Feb, 1887. Note the ‘.’ after John.

1887 – Residence as of publishing date of June 1:  John is listed the same as he was in 1886 being an awning maker, or working in that industry, and still living at 42 W. Court.

  

1887 Aug 27 – Daughters Birth:  Birdie E. AMONS was born on 27 Aug 1887, a Saturday, at California, Ohio, a SE suburb to Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio to John J. AMONS [JR] and Carrie Eudora BLACK.  As with most births in that time frame, she was probably born on the kitchen table with the help of a midwife.  Birdies parents had been married for six months and twenty-five days.  Birdies mother, Carrie, appears to have been tied to the area of Cincinnati known as California but per the 1887 city directory, John, her father, prior to June 1, was living at 42 W. Court in Cincinnati.  It would make sense that Carrie would have gone to her mothers home, Sarah Jane BLACK, in anticipation for the birth. 

1887 Time line reference:  Hawaii grants U.S. exclusive use of Pearl Harbor as a naval base.  Dawes Act passed.  Louis Pasteur institute founded. 

1888 - City Directory: There is no listing for the John J. AMONS family this year.  The Cincinnati Business Directory listed the following Awning, Tent and Flag businesses.   The ones with a star followed by a bold number have a telephone, the bold being the telephone number.

1888 – Centennial Expo in Cincinnati: This was to celebrate 100th anniversary of settlement of "Northwest Territory," created 1787 by Federal government; now states of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.  Over 1 million people attended the exposition that ran from July 4 to Oct 27 although other reports say it ran until November 10.  The ‘Smithsonian Institution - United States National Museum’ had a large building there for it.  They coordinated all of the U.S. Government exhibits.

1890 - Census:  Most of the Federal census was destroyed by fire on the federal level.

1890 Dec 21 – Brother marries:  Johns half-brother, Elmer E. Guild, married in Columbus, Ohio.  It’s unknown if John, Carrie and daughter Birdie traveled to Columbus to be there.

1890 Time line reference:  Idaho becomes the 43rd state.  Wyoming becomes the 44th state.

1893 – Residence:  John has moved again.  AMONS John J. awning maker. Boards at the  s.e.c. [southeast corner] Columbia Av and Delta Av.

1894 – Residence:  John, age 39, is still working as an awning maker and now lives at 134 Sycamore in Cincinnati.

1895 – Residence:  John, his wife and daughter, Birdie, are now living at the ‘Spencer House Bldg’ in Cincinnati where he was 13 years ago.  He is now in Room 57 and it appears he also works at the Spencer House.  The building location, per the streets mentioned in a map search, is now located across the street from or in the ‘Great American Ball Park’ in Cincinnati at 3rd and Broadway at I-71. The 1895 description is at the NWC of Pub. [Public] Landing and Broadway.

1895 Time line reference:  Babe Ruth born.  Louis Pasteur died.  First American automobile race. 

1896 – Residence:  The listing for AMONS John J. shows he is working as an ‘expressman’ and home is 3831 Colerain Av. 

1897 - City Directory:  John, now age 42, is listed as 'Express' for his occupation.  The family was living at 412 Sycamore, Sycamore being one block west of where they were on Broadway.  Also living in this building were Francis Belgard a shoemaker, Chas. E. Boyd a salesman, George C. Boyd a postal clerk, Della Ford, Ellen Hill, Thomas Murphy a machinist, Chas Sales an engineer, and Nattie Sayles who was a domestic so there was at least eight rooms, flats or apartments in this building, assuming the two Boyds were living together.  There was also at least one business at the lower level.  Per the 1898 city directory, at this address there was also a typewriter business. It may have been businesses at the lower level and rooms on upper levels as older buildings were built for.

1897 May 26 – Sister marries:  Johns half-sister, Ivy Pearl LUCAS age 18, was married to Wilford Homer LEONARD in Hamilton County, Ohio.  It is assumed Carrie and John went to the wedding. 

1898 – Residence:  By June 1, the publishing date of the city directory, John is still living at 412 Sycamore and is working as an awning maker in Cincinnati.  The home would be between Abigail and Woodward.  It appears they were boarders or renters.  It is assumed his wife, Carrie, and daughter, Birdie, were living with him.  Per the 1898 city directory, at this address was a Typewriter business. It may have been businesses at the lower level and rooms on upper levels as older buildings were built for.  He was still working as an awning maker.

 A view in 2011 of where 412 Sycamore would have been in 1898 within Cincinnati, Ohio. Per 2011 it is currently the ‘Episcopal Diocese of S Ohio’ in a newer building in what is considered downtown Cincinnati.

1898 Aug 9 – Sister:  Johns half-sister, Garnet Lucas almost age 22, was put into Longview Hospital in Madisonville, a Cincinnati suburb.  She remained there until her death.  She had a high fever as a child that caused brain damage.

1898 Sep 6 – Daughters Death:  Johns only child, daughter Birdie E., died on 6 Sep 1898, a Tuesday, at home at 412 Sycamore in Cincinnati at age 11y 10d from ‘paralysis of heart’ per the Spring Grove cemetery record.  The health department has her death listed as Heart disease (Mitral).  It is unknown how long she had been ill.

1898 Sep 7 – Daughters Obituary:  Birdies obituary says, ‘AMONS-Birdie E., the only child of John J. and Carrie E. Amons (nee Black), aged 11 years and 11 days.  Funeral Thursday, Sept 8, at 1 p.m. from residence, 413 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, O.’  The obit appears to have two errors: (1) the age is one day more than the cemetery and health department record and (2) the address of 413 seems to be a newspaper error of one number per other address verifications.  What the obituary does show is that the funeral service started at 1PM at home and they arrived at Spring Grove cemetery by 3:30PM.

1898 Sep 8 – Daughters Burial:  Daughter Birdie was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio in Section 35, Lot 112, Grave 4, which is part of the Charles GUILD lot, Charles being Johns paternal grandmothers 2^nd husband.  The cemetery has Birdie listed as Budie on their index card which may be a typing error per hard to read hand writing on original papers in their office.  It appears that Birdies mother, Carrie, preferred Wesleyan Cemetery where her mother was buried per doings in 1907.

1898 Time line reference:  Theodore Roosevelt became Lieutenant-Colonel of the Rough Riders and in Nov was elected Governor of New York.  Annexation of Hawaii by the US. 

1899 - Residence:  John, still working in awning making and lives at 306 Delta Ave.  His wife Carrie is also listed here for this year and she is working as a seamstress.  This appears to be a first year for a wifes name being published in the Hamilton County city directories, most likely because she is working.

1899 Time line reference:  Bayer Company trademarked “Aspirin”.  Al Capone, Duke Ellington and Ernest Hemingway born. 

1900 - Residence:  The city directory publishing information shows a date of June 1 for when information was considered complete for publishing.  The address shown differs from the address listed in the census taken this year [1900].  The census address would be current for mid 1900 while the address in the city directory would have been prior to the Census address of Linn Street.  AMONS John J. awning manuf. 115 Broadway [Cinn, OH] [Awning manufacturer]

1900 – Census:  John, age 45, and wife Carrie live at 1326 Linn Street prior to June 1.  Per the auditor site in 2011 this property no longer exists.  Carrie states she has had one child with none living and they state that they have been married 14 years.  His occupation was awning and tent manufacturing.   Carrie would have furnished information to the census taker and she didn’t know where Johns father was born at.  She states they can both read, can write, can speak English, that she, age 44, was born Feb 1856 and John, age 45, was born March 1855.  John has been working steadily.

1326 Linn Street. View ca 2011.

1900 Time line reference:  Flight of the Wright Glider.  US Navy acquires its first submarine.  Winston Churchill elected to the House of Commons.  Theodore Roosevelt elected Vice President of the US.  Oscar Wilde died.  

1901 - Residence: John and Carrie are now living at 1322 Linn and John is still working as an awning maker.  The category is listed as ‘Awnings, Tents, &c.’ at 1324 Linn.  This shows the address of home being next door to the business.  It appears John may own the business.

1902 and 1903 - Residence:  Home is now listed as ‘flat 27, 235 E. 3d.’ and John at ages 47 and 48, is still working in awning manufacturing.

 

1902 Time line reference: Flight of the third Wright Glider.   In 1903:  Ford Model A car produced.  Bob Hope, Charles Lindbergh and John Dillinger born. 

1904 - Residence:  John may have changed where he worked but this year we have a job title and name of the business he works for.  He still lives at flat 27, 235 E. 3d.  He now works as the manager at Cincinnati Awning & Decorating Co. located at 925 Main.  The directories are considered complete by June 1.

 

1904 – Law Suit:  Found in the Cincinnati Enquirer, newspaper dated June 12, 1904 under the title ‘A Receiver Asked’:  John J. Amons filed suit against A.C.H. Jonstone [Johnstone] and the Cincinnati Awning and Decorating Company, at 925 Main street, asking the appointment of a receiver.  He says he was employed to manage the business by Johnstone and was to receive 50 per cent of the profits, but was to be paid 50 per a week, to be deducted from that 50 per cent.  That arrangement was to remain in force until next October.  Johnstone is alleged to have discharged Amons last March and refused since then to allow him to have anything to do with the business.  M.C. Lykins, attorney.’

Per the Cincinnati Directory, the spelling and name of A.C.H. Johnstone is correct.  He was the secretary and treasurer of the Cincinnati Awning & Decorating co. at 925 Main but he lived in Bellevue, Ky.

1904 Time line reference:   Ford Model B and C car produced. Wright Brothers build Flyer II.  Dr Seuss born.  Houdini performed the Mirror Handcuff Challenge.  Cy Young pitched a perfect game.  Rolls-Royce first car.  First subway open in NY city. 

1905 - Residence:  John, age 50, is listed as an awning maker again and is still at 235 E 3d but he and Carrie are now in flat 4.  His wife Carrie E is listed as working in a lunch room (or maybe she owns it) at 318 7^th.

1905 Time line reference:  Adolf Hitler moves to Vienna and acquires his anti-semitic beliefs. Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity is born and formulates his famous E=mc^2.  Ford Model F produced.  Theodore Roosevelt is inaugurated 26 President of the US.  Franklin D Roosevelt marries Anna Eleanor Roosevelt.  First flight with the Wright Flyer III. 

1906 – Residence:  John and Carrie have changed flats again.  They are still at 235 E 3d but now in flat 29.  John J is still an awning maker.

1906 Cincinnati, Ohio

1907 – Residence:  John, age 52, and wife Carrie are still in flat 29 at 235 E 3d in Cincinnati.

1907 June 27 – Death: At 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 1909 John Julius AMONS [JR] passed away due to cancer of the stomach.  His doctor was J.B. Wilson.  The death record has him listed as male, white, married, age 52.  The undertaker was Wm. F. Fuldner with burial at Wesleyan Cemetery.  He lived at 235 3^rd in Cincinnati and worked as an Awning Maker.  His death was five months prior to his mothers death.

Hamilton Co., OH Health Department record.

Interment book: Project 447.  Shown are two crop views from one page.

LLB: Project 176.

Four above views  from original Wesleyan cemetery records scanned by Donna M. ST. FElIX.  The area prior to ‘Endora’ is a scratch out of a ‘U’.  

Burial is in the area of the lower left green tree and the cemetery word, outside the oval area.

The 'Vault' shown in 2011 at Wesleyan Cemetery.

1907 – Will:  There is no will in the will index for 1907 for John. 

Starting a count from 1861 when John J. AMONS [JR] was at six years old, John had lived in at least 28 places in the Cincinnati area during his life from what is traceable.   

1907 Nov 4 – Johns mother:  At four months after John passed, his mother, Mary Inez (SMITH) AMONS – GUILD - LUCAS died.  She was at buried Spring Grove Cemetery in the Charles GUILD lot on Nov 6 next to Birdie, her granddaughter, Johns daughter, who died in 1898. 

1907 Nov 16 – Twelve days after Mary Inez, Johns mother, was buried, Carrie AMONS, Johns widow, had her own and Johns daughter, Birdie E., removed from the Charles GUILD lot at Spring Grove and she was reinterred at Wesleyan Cemetery, a Methodist cemetery, in Cincinnati, Ohio where John was buried. 

1940 – Wesleyan Cemetery: From the original records of Wesleyan Cemetery in Cincinnati [Cumminsville], Ohio, in a lot internment book, it appears John AMONS owned the full east half of Lot 28 in Section T.  As of at least 1940, annual payments by the family for grave maintenance stopped.  The ‘family’ would have been his widow Carrie who died 9 Oct 1940 with the last name of LACEY, again a widow.  No Carrie or Birdie (wife and daughter) was found in this time frame in this book.

From project 447 done by Donna M. ST. FELIX in 2003.  The book is dated 1894-1917.

Last Update 18 Mar 2013.