TOMPKINS, Herbert

TOMPKINS, KELSEY

Posted By: Linda Sausen Ivers (email)
Date: 2/11/2002 at 18:11:37

I am seeking information (birth records, marriage records, divorce papers, land records, etc.) on the following people:

1)Herbert Tompkins, born New York c1846

2)Mary F. (Kelsey) Tompkins, born Ohio c1848, married Herbert Tompkins 7 Feb 1867, location unknown, presumably, in the same area where children were born. Family stories say she went to Iowa as a teacher. She divorced Herbert between 1871 - 1873 when she and Irene went to Oregon.

3)Vianna J. Tompkins, born 19 Apr 1868, Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo, IA. Vianna (Vina) stayed with her father after the divorce and shows up in the 1880 census in the household of Herbert and his second wife (Harriet A.) Also in the household is Vianna and Irene's stepbrother George H. Tompkins.

4)Irene M. Tompkins, born 24 Dec 1871, Mason City, Cerro Gordo, IA.

5)Harriet A. (maiden name unknown) who married Herbert A. Tompkins after his divorce, presumably between 1871 and 1878.

6)George H. Tompkins, born 1878 in Iowa.

7)Any other children of Herbert A. and Harriet Tompkins.

The 1870 census records show Herbert as a farmer in Ellington Township, Hancock County, Mason City Post Office. One other item from the 1870 census - on the same page as Herbert (one property removed) was an E. N Tompkins and family. E.N. was born in New York, and may very well have been Herbert's brother Elias. Herbert also had a brother Elijah and an Elijah Tompkins, born in New York shows up in Ellington Township, Hancock County, Iowa on the 1880 census. The 1880 census records show Herbert as a farmer in Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County, IA, living with his second wife Harriet, daughter Vianna age 12, and son, George H. age 2. Sometime between 1880 and 1905, Herbert left Iowa and went to California. I believe that he owned his farm, suggesting that there should be some land records. Additionally, I don't know if he divorced his second wife or not -- it is possible. Any documentation that can be found for these people would be welcome. Herbert and Mary Frances Kelsey Tompkins were my great grandparents. Thank you for your help.