Leander's family dispersal
The period of time immediately following the 1850 census was pivotal in the breakup of Leander's family. At the time of the 1850 census, the entire family were all located within the confines of St Joseph County. The three eldest, Zoe, Gaulbertus (Gilbert) and Sophia were all married and in fact, it appears that Zoe was perhaps already a widow. She and her two daughters, Maria and Caroline, are listed in the that 1850 census as residing in the household of Leander, along with his sons Solomon and Samuel. No where can I find a record nor mention of her husband John B. Ducharme at this time. We find Leander's youngest son living with his grandparents, Francis Mouton and Catherine Navarre. Zoe may have been the first of the family to go to Kansas as there is mention of her leaving as early as 1851 with the Bertrand family and she is listed as a settler of Pottawatomie County in 1853. We know that by 1855, Solomon and Samuel were in Kansas as they are listed in the 12th district census for Kansas Territory. By 1860 we are able to find a listing in the Louisville township of Pottowatomie County, Kansas, for Zoe, Gilbert and Sophia with their families. William at this time still resides with grandparents in Michigan.
I have been unsuccessful in locating either Solomon or Samuel in the 1860 census. Has anyone else been able to locate census records for them?
Also, Zoe's obituary indicates that she and John Ducharme had three children, but only two daughters are listed in the 1850 census. Has anyone ever located information relative to the third child or to John Ducharme's death. It most likely occurred in Michigan and I would suggest there is a high probablity that it occurred in St Joseph County. Perhaps he and the third child are buried together in one of the local cemeteries around Mendon, and for that matter, the daughter Caroline may have died before Zoe left Michigan, as there is only mention of Maria in all of the Kansas records I have reviewed.
I have been unsuccessful in locating either Solomon or Samuel in the 1860 census. Has anyone else been able to locate census records for them?
Also, Zoe's obituary indicates that she and John Ducharme had three children, but only two daughters are listed in the 1850 census. Has anyone ever located information relative to the third child or to John Ducharme's death. It most likely occurred in Michigan and I would suggest there is a high probablity that it occurred in St Joseph County. Perhaps he and the third child are buried together in one of the local cemeteries around Mendon, and for that matter, the daughter Caroline may have died before Zoe left Michigan, as there is only mention of Maria in all of the Kansas records I have reviewed.
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