A letter for George in Denison City, Texas(March 1888)

In George Solifelt's pension application, he claimed he had been living in Denison City Texas in 1886 when he began his pension application process. Many of the things George claimed in his pension are sketchy and some are just outright lies, but today I found evidence that he was likely in Denison City Texas before March of 1888(at least). A newspaper included a Letter list of those with letters at the Denison City post office on March 24th of 1888; Geo H Solifelt was on that list. So someone had reason to believe that they could reach him by mail there. Did he ever get that letter?  Who was it from?  And where is the Bosque Co TX marriage record for him?  He denied being married repeatedly and then admitted that he had been married but was no longer married. Not sure at this point how many times he was married.  Hopefully, more pieces to the puzzle will surface soon.

Source:

"Letter List Denison City, Grayson County, Texas: Date of List, March 24, 1888," The Sunday Gazetteer(Denison, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 47, Ed. 1 Sunday, March 25, 1888, p 4, col 6, Solifelt Geo H on unclaimed letter list; digital imaged at University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth555506/m1/4/zoom/?q=Solifelt&resolution=1.5&lat=2011.722868720386&lon=4532.198686273052 : accessed March 2, 2025); original newspaper for digitization provided by Grayson County Frontier Village.

George Solifelt(Pvt., Co. E, 20th PA Cav., Civil War), pension application no. 580,089,
certificate no. 950,395, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications, 1861-1934; Civil
War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National
Archives, Washington, D.C [George used the aliases George Sullivan & Theodore Sullivan both of which are noted in the Pension Index Cards. He also served in Co. C 2nd PA Inf., Co. H 126th PA Inf., and Co. C 1st PA Prov. Cav.]

Residence listings for George Solifelt

I contacted the office of the Register of Deeds at Iola Kansas and they were very helpful in letting me know the descriptions for the deed that was transfered from George to Tennie. The deed was written as a survivorship so that if either passed on it would pass to the other.

Warranty Deed, Iola Kansas, Register of Deeds pg 555(Book covering March 1932); Lot 12 Block 97 From Klaumanns to Geo & Tennie[Mailing Address is 421 South Buckeye, Iola, KS]

Residence listing for George Solifelt:

620 N 1st(1910)
628 N Kentucky (1912)

618 N 1st (1916)
616 N 1st (1920)
616 N 1st (1925)

Lot 6 Harmons Sub-Division Deeded to Arthur T Cundy (Oct 6, 1927)
711 S Jefferson Ave(1929)

505 N Washington (1930)

504 N 2nd (1931)

210 N Cottonwood(Mar 1931)
210 N Cottonwood(Sep 15 1931)

Lot 12 Block 97 From Klaumanns to Geo & Tennie(July 1932)
421 South Buckeye(Aug 1932)
421 South Buckeye(Jan 30 1935)
(alias: Lot 12 Block 97 City of Iola).

Tennie was living at same residence in 1946 at time of her death

Sources:

1910 US Federal Census, Iola Ward 1, Allen, Kansas, Iola Ward 1 Dist 9, p 17b; digital image at Ancestry, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : accessed Feb 2, 2024)Kansas > Allen > Iola Ward 1 >Dist 0009, img 34 of 43..

1920 US Federal Census, Iola Ward 1, Allen, Kansas, Iola Ward 1 Dist 9, p 18a; digital image at Ancestry, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : accessed Feb 2, 2024) Kansas > Allen > Iola Ward 1 > Dist 0009, img 35 of 41.

1930 US Federal Census, Iola Ward 1, Allen, Kansas, Iola, Dist 13, p 5b; digital image at Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ : accessed Feb 2, 2024) Kansas > Allen > Iola > Dist 0013, img 10 of 21..

R.L. Polk's Iola (Kansas) City Directory, 1910; database with images. "Iola(KS) City Directory" Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/ ; entry for George Solifelt.

R.L. Polk's Iola (Kansas) City Directory, 1912; database with images. "Iola(KS) City Directory" Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/ ; entry for George Solifelt.

R.L. Polk's Iola (Kansas) City Directory, 1916; database with images. "Iola(KS) City Directory" Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/ ; entry for George Solifelt.

R.L. Polk's Iola (Kansas) City Directory, 1927; database with images. "Iola(KS) City Directory" Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/ ; entry for George Solifelt.

R.L. Polk's Iola (Kansas) City Directory, 1929; database with images. "Iola(KS) City Directory" Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/ ; entry for George Solifelt.

Ancestry.com. Kansas, U.S., State Census Collection, 1855-1925; 1925, Kansas, Allen County, Iola Img 146 of 446. Line 15, entry for George Solifelt.

“East Iola and other news items,” The Iola Register, 15 Sep 1931, p. 5, col. 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 2 Feb 2024.)

“Locals,” The Iola Register, 23 Mar 1932, p. 3, col. 6; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 2 Feb 2024.)

“Real Estate Transfers,” The Iola Register, 29 Jul 1932, p. 7, col. 6; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 2 Feb 2024.)

“Locals,” The Iola Register, 13 Oct 1932, p. 3, col. 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 2 Feb 2024.)

Finding George in the 1860 US Federal Census

Using George Solifelt's Military Service records(aliases included) I made a timeline of his military service and locations. (See Image below) I did this because it makes it easier to see the big picture and to get a better idea of where he might be around the time of the 1860 Census.   In addition to the information that he enrolled in St. Thomas(Franklin Co.) PA, information in his pension file in a statement from John P Wyant is also helpful.  Wyant says that he has known George since 1850 and that George's father(Ferdinand Solifelt) was in the Mexican-American War with Capt. Charles T Campbell.  After the elder Solifelt's death,  Capt. Campbell adopted George. George was led to believe his name was Sullivan and used that surname up until learning from his Mom his true surname of Solifelt.  

Armed with this information I went searching for a George Sullivan in 1860 Franklin Co PA in the St. Thomas area expanding the area of search outside of St. Thomas as needed.  I first searched for Capt Charles T. Campbell and found him enumerated in St. Thomas but George nor any of his aliases was listed in the household with Capt. Campbell. At this point, George would be around 16 years of age so that is likely not all that uncommon.  I tried searching for people with the given name of George and looking in the results for a surname somewhat close to Sullivan or Solifelt.  Nothing that fit so I did a search for persons with the given name of Theodore and found a Theodore Sallifat age 16.  This is likely George given the information known.  He is living with the Charles and Jane Gillian family as a farm hand and the listing is just 14 entries away from that of Capt. Campbell.

This makes me question what Wyant said about George's surname. However, if you pronounce the two surnames, Sullivan and Solifelt they really aren't that different sounding especially if accents come into play.

I haven't found him in the 1870 census yet but I did find the woman who I believe was his 1st wife with a school age male in her household--both bearing a creative spelling of George's surname.  George should be in the same area and may well be in jail as he had a hearing and was sentenced to a year and 6 months in Eastern State Penitentiary for highway robbery in 1870.  I have a copy of  some of the court documents that were at FamilySearch. .Ancestry has the Eastern State Penitentiary Convict Reception Registers.  The Eastern State inmate registry lists this as his first conviction and under marital status lists him as married with one child.  As complicated as George's story is, that of the first wife and her life is even more complicated and needs a good bit more research.  Her story is one for another day.

When I find his remaining census entries I'll post about them and how they were found. I've also been reading what I can find about Eastern State Penitentiary and Captain Charles Thomas Campbell.

Sources:

George Solifelt(Pvt., Co. E, 20th PA Cav., Civil War), pension application no. 580,089,

certificate no. 950,395, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications, 1861-1934; Civil

War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National

Archives, Washington, D.C. [John P Wyant's statement to Hon. H Clay Evans Com. of Pensions is dated 15 Sep 1897 p 123 &124 in the PDF scans of the 359 page document  Wyant mentions that he has known George since 1850 and lived in the same neighborhood near Capt Campbell and is currently living in Ft Smith Arkansas.]

"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX5D-VFT : accessed 22 Dec 2022), St. Thomas Twp., Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, p. 57 family #407  line 1, Theodore Sallifat in entry for Chas Gillan, 1860. [Theodore is listed as a Farm Hand.  The Gillian family's entry begins at the bottom of p 56]
 

"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX5D-V6V : accessed 22 Dec 2022), St. Thomas Twp., Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, p. 55 family #393  line 13, C T Campbell, 1860.

Compiled service record, George H. Solifelt, Pvt, Co. C 1 PA Prov'l Cavalry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Record Group 94; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Compiled service record, George H. Solifelt, Pvt, Co. E 20 PA Cavalry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Record Group 94; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Compiled service record, George Sullivan, Pvt, Co. C 2 PA Infantry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Record Group 94; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Compiled service record, Theodore Sullivan, Pvt, Co. N 126 PA Infantry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Record Group 94; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Compiled service record, George Sullivan, Bookmark 1387-C-1885, Box No. 3190; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Record Group 94; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"Pennsylvania, U.S., Prison, Reformatory, and Workhouse Records, 1829-1971" database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61173/ : accessed 22 Dec 2022) Eastern State Penitentiary > Convict Reception Registers > 1842 - 1929 > Image 918 of 4522, prisoner #6718, George Solifelt. 

George Solifelt's Pension File: observations from the first 100 pages.

The Union Pension file of George Solifelt that I had on order arrived this week. It is a 359 page PDF.  That is an incredibly large file and as I do for most larger files I will be making an outline/finding aid.  For this size file it is a MUST.  I am reading thru the file first to get an idea of the structure.  

One of the questions I've had in mind since I started researching Tennie, Henry and George was answered.  I'd wondered if Henry and George knew each other because I really had no evidence of overlap as each was a part of Tennie's life at different times given the documents I had.  That is up until page 82 of George's pension file, where Henry is the Notary Public on witnesses statements of George's identity.  In later pages, George also mentions giving a sworn statement which Henry wrote down as he spoke.(dated 14th Jan 1896)  The image below is from the last part of the papers with H F Hill.

George's statement contains a list of places of residence.

1. Little Rock AR
2. Ft Smith AR
3. Lewiston, PA
4. Ft. Smith AR (at present)

Earlier in the files(abt pg 32 of the PDF) He is making a statement which is notarized in Denison, Grayson Co TX dated 5th August 1886. His application for a pension started when he was living in the state of Texas though he didn't mention it in the above list.

Source:  

George Solifelt(Pvt., Co. E, 20th PA Cav., Civil War), pension application no. 580,089,

certificate no. 950,395, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications, 1861-1934; Civil

War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National

Archives, Washington, D.C. [He used the aliases George Sullivan & Theodore Sullivan both of which are noted the Pension Index Cards. He also served in  Co. C 2nd PA Inf., Co. H 126th PA Inf., and Co. C 1st PA Prov. Cav.]  

George Solifelt(Alias Theodore Sullivan)--Book Mark Document

Looked at the Book Mark documents referenced in George Solifelt's Compiled Military Service Record and wanted to understand more about exactly what it was and why it was created.  I found an excellent article at https://twelvekey.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/ngsmagazine2015-01.pdf    
George had two alias that he used.  The information in his Book Mark file contains statements by others who knew him, and who gave sworn statements that George Solifelt & Theodore Sullivan were the same man. He also used the alias George Sullivan. One affidavit in particular contained some really interesting details.  It is a statement given by George Woomer.  

George Woomer said the following:   

I knew George H. Solifelt from his early youth.  We were boys together drove boat together on the Penns. Canal in the year 1862 and before.  in August of 1862 we left our Boats and went to Camp Curtin at Harrisburg PA and enlisted.  I enlisted in Co K 131st P.V. and he enlisted in Co H 126th Rgt P V. I saw him once in the service only.  it was after we went to the front.  Don't know the date but I know he serves in that company and regiment.  I did not then know he enlisted under the name of Theodore Sullivan--I have known him ever since and I know he is the same man who served in that Co. and Rgt.  I did not know he had served as Theodore Sullivan until he told me he gave as a reason for changing his name that he had been bound out when a boy.  I don't know whether he really knew what his name was or not.  I know his mother was Eliza Solifelt but I don't know who his Father was.

I located the FindAGrave entry for George Woomer & his wife.  Their grave is marked with a stone in First Methodist Cemetery, Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, USA.

There are 15 other documents within this Book Mark file.  

Source: 

"General Affidavit on George H Solifelt & alias Theodore Sullivan" by George Woomer, 13 July 1896, witnessed by C M Shull, Justice of the Peace, File 1387-C-1885, Box 3190, Enlisted Branch Letters Received, NAID 607910, RG 94, National Archives, Washington DC.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52104825/george-woomer: accessed 08 December 2022), memorial page for Pvt George Woomer (10 Mar 1844–17 Nov 1924), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52104825, citing First Methodist Cemetery, Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by RN (contributor 50495725).

Did Plans Fall Through?

One of the items I found the other night while reviewing search results at Newspapers.com was an announcement in the local social news of the Iola Register concerning  George Solifelt and Tennie.  Her name is listed incorrectly as Jennie.  Still not yet able to prove the uncle / niece relationship but feel confident that this mention is the George & Tennie I've been researching.

This was during a time period for which I didn't have much information for George and Tennie other than a deed from them to Arthur T Cundy Lot 6 Harmons Sub-division an Add to Iola $1020(deed transfer from the Iola Register) Did they not go?  If they did, they were back in Iola by the time of the 1930 Census.  What happened?  They lived at 616 N 1st at the time of the 1920 Census.  Tennie is not listed in the 1929 City Directories of Iola but George is listed with a residence of 711 S. Jefferson Ave.  I wasn't able to find an Iola directory for 1928. A search for Fort Dodge or Ford County directories for the years in question didn't turn up any online.  Need to contact the library for that area to see if any directories for those years exist.  So now I'm wondering what was going on in Fort Dodge that made them want to move there about 1927.

Sources:

 “Locals,” The Iola Register, 6 Oct 1927, p. 3, col. 2; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 Sep 2022).

Polk's Iola(Kansas) City Directory 1929, R.L. Polk & Co Publishers Kansas City, MO; imaged in "U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995," database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/ : accessed 26 Sep 2022), Kansas > Iola > 1929 > Polk´s Iola City Directory, 1929.

NARA Catalog Search Reveals Additional Records

While I was thinking of things I need to do and items I need to order, I pulled(at Ancestry) the US Civil War Pension Index Card for Henry F Hill and his wife Tennie(Ferguson) Hill, step-daughter of James Polk Cook. I need to order copies of Henry's pension file and his widow's file. I'd also like to see the service files for Henry. He was a US Pension agent in the Ozark Arkansas area. On a whim I searched the NARA catalog and found a case file containing an investigation about him.

"These records are part of subseries 1. This file contains the oath of allegiance of Henry F. Hill of Huntsville and Ozark, Arkansas, that was required for admission to practice before the Bureau of Pensions, as well as investigative reports and correspondence about procedural matters and misconduct by Mr. Hill in his capacity as a notary public."

So...now I need to get copies of the pension files of Henry and Tennie and also THIS!!

While I'm at it, it would also be a good idea to get a copy of the service records of George H Solifelt. For those who haven't read my previous blog posts about Tennie, this was the man who Tennie(about 5 yrs after Henry's death) moved from Arkansas to Iola Kansas with and lived with him as his niece. I've yet to find any connection to confirm that she was his niece. I've checked George's family which is sketchy at best and I'm pretty familiar with her parents and step-dad's families. So now I'm looking to see if the niece relationship is thru her marriage to Henry. Henry was born in OH but his parents were from Maryland and Vermont. George on the other hand, was from Pennsylvania and served some time in prison. I have little hope that the Niece/Uncle story is valid but I am checking everywhere.