Difference between revisions of "User talk:AaronWhitney"

From WRG
Jump to navigationJump to search
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{UserTalk}}
 
{{UserTalk}}
  
== Welcome! ==
 
  
Aaron:
 
 
Add what you know to your user page and we'll do what we can to extend your Whitney line!
 
 
- [[User:Tdoyle|Tim Doyle]] - [[User talk:Tdoyle|Talk to me]] 15:08, 8 March 2007 (CST)
 
  
 
== Your Lineage ==
 
== Your Lineage ==
Line 14: Line 8:
  
 
I think I found your grandfather Dewayne C. Whitney on the 1930 census. He was born about 1915 in Wisconsin. His parents were "Floyd F." Whitney, born about 1888 in Illinois, a farmer, and his wife Victoria C., born about 1890 in Wisconsin. The children in the family were Elmer W., Dewayne C., Lucile I., Gertrude L., Arland G., John W., and Loraine C., all born in Wisconsin. They were living in Arland Township, Barron County, Wisconsin.
 
I think I found your grandfather Dewayne C. Whitney on the 1930 census. He was born about 1915 in Wisconsin. His parents were "Floyd F." Whitney, born about 1888 in Illinois, a farmer, and his wife Victoria C., born about 1890 in Wisconsin. The children in the family were Elmer W., Dewayne C., Lucile I., Gertrude L., Arland G., John W., and Loraine C., all born in Wisconsin. They were living in Arland Township, Barron County, Wisconsin.
 
Is this the right family?
 
  
 
- [[User:Tdoyle|Tim Doyle]] - [[User talk:Tdoyle|Talk to me]] 16:43, 8 March 2007 (CST)
 
- [[User:Tdoyle|Tim Doyle]] - [[User talk:Tdoyle|Talk to me]] 16:43, 8 March 2007 (CST)
Line 63: Line 55:
 
- [[User:Rlward|Robert]] - [[User talk:Rlward|Talk to me]] 21:09, 13 March 2007 (CDT)
 
- [[User:Rlward|Robert]] - [[User talk:Rlward|Talk to me]] 21:09, 13 March 2007 (CDT)
  
wow.. this could be.  I found a John Henry listing in Iowa earlier today too.  Maybe I have been stuck.. because I was too focused on Wisconsin.  I need to find that listing I found earlier again.  I hope I can find another source to back this up because it means we are off to the races on the line now...  Thanks a ton Robert.
 
Adeline really does narrow it down though.. hmmm
 
  
found the source I had.. and some others.. not much info on him.. just names and dates for the 2 brothers in Iowa. How does one determine to run with stuff like this?  I think some  sources mix up the birthdays for James and John.
+
I suspect I am going to have to do the DNA thing to be sure.  I charted out from there on tribalpages and it all seems to work.  Gramps says it goes along with what he can remember hearing over the years.  Short of spending a summer going back to actual places for verification.. I guess DNA would be the next logical step.
 +
 
 +
**http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=:3259905&id=I28635
 +
 
 +
 
 +
ARGH  http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ldshistorical&id=I14635
 +
 
 +
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=ancestorsearchresults.asp
 +
 
 +
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2006296&id=I3122
 +
 
 +
 
 +
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ldshistorical&id=I14635
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Gave my grandfather everything I had put together so far today on his 93rd birthday. He was very pleased. Now I just hope it was right....
 +
 
 +
Per conversation with Grandpa.
  
***this makes no sense.. http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/AF/individual_record.asp?recid=7780378&lds=0&frompage=0
+
He can not remember his grandparents names.  But remembers his father taking trips to Illinois and Iowa to visit what he thinks were his Aunts.  Clark Lyman offspring being in both locations tends to back this up.. I would like to find one more source backing up the Clark Lyman to John Henry line. If that is sound then my line seems to be correct to Mary Bray. Also was given an incredible picture of the Robarge family with victoria to her grandparents in one photo.. very cool.
  
I suspect I am going to have to do the DNA thing to be sure.  I charted out from there on tribalpages and it all seems to work.  Gramps says it goes along with what he can remember hearing over the years.  Short of spending a summer going back to actual places for verification.. I guess DNA would be the next logical step.
+
Gramps cant recall any Whitneys before himself doing anything other than farming.
  
== Parentage of Thomas Whitney ==
+
== Your Line ==
  
 
Aaron:
 
Aaron:
  
I noticed in your website that you have the parents of the immigrant John Whitney's father Thomas Whitney listed as Robert Whitney and Elizabeth Guillims. This was long ago proven to be '''incorrect'''. We have worked hard to update all of the online databases which continue to list this incorrect information, but it keeps popping up.
+
Just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you. I'm currently on vacation and am planning to revisit your line after I return in about a week.
 +
 
 +
- [[User:Tdoyle|Tim Doyle]] - [[User talk:Tdoyle|Talk to me]] 10:51, 19 March 2007 (CDT)
 +
 
 +
still stumped
 +
 
 +
== Your Line, Round Two ==
  
The purported paternal grandparents of Thomas Whitney were originally put into doubt on chronological grounds in the article by Donald Lines Jacobus, [[Archive:Pre-American Ancestries|"Pre-American Ancestries:  John Whitney of Watertown, Mass.,"]] ''The American Genealogist'', vol. 10 (1933-1934), pp. 84-88; and were conclusively ruled out in the article by Paul C. Reed, [[Archive:Whitney Origins Revisited|"Whitney Origins Revisited:  John<sup>1</sup> Whitney of Watertown, Massachusetts, and Henry<sup>1</sup> Whitney of Long Island and Norwalk, Connecticut,"]] ''The American Genealogist'', vol. 69 (1994), pp. 9-14.
+
Aaron:
  
- [[User:Tdoyle|Tim Doyle]] - [[User talk:Tdoyle|Talk to me]] 22:04, 14 March 2007 (CDT)
+
After a long delay, I've finally gotten back to your line. Here's what I have been able to find:
  
fixed... I have not released it anywhere yet.  I wanted someone like you who actually knows what they are doing to kick the tires on it a bit first.
+
Here they are in 1930, or at least I think it's them based upon your agreement previously:
  
== Steve ==
+
1930 U.S. Census, Arland Township, Barron County, Wisconsin, p. 3A
 +
  42  42 Whitney F. ?.  Head M W 42 M 19 Illinois  Wisconsin Wisconsin Farmer, General
 +
          -- Victoria C.  Wife F W 40 M 17 Wisconsin Canada    Canada    None
 +
          -- Elmer W.    Son  M W 17 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin Laborer, Farm
 +
          -- Dewayne C.  Son  M W 15 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
 +
          -- Lucile I.    Dau  F W 10 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
 +
          -- Gertrude L.  Dau  F W  9 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
 +
          -- Arland G.    Son  M W  2 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
 +
          -- John W.      Son  M W 0M S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
 +
          -- Loraine C.  Dau  F W 0M S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
  
I guess Steve is a friend or relative of yours?
+
I then followed them back in 1910 and 1920:
  
- [[User:Tdoyle|Tim Doyle]] - [[User talk:Tdoyle|Talk to me]] 22:06, 14 March 2007 (CDT)
+
1910 U.S. Census, E. D. 19, Rice Lake Ward 3, Barron County, WI, p. 7B
We just met a few years back and are in a band together...  His brother joe is of some note:..(www.joewhitney.de) I am just helping him with this because he is almost as worthless on the computer... as he is on the Bass...
+
134  142 Whitney Floyd  Head M W 22 M 3    Illinois  Wisconsin Nebraska  Laborer, Saw Mill
 +
          -- Victoria    Wife F W 20 M 3 2 2 Wisconsin Can      Can      None
 +
          -- Marie        Dau  F W 2  S      Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
 +
          -- Dorathy      Dau F W 1&1M S    Wisconsin Illinois Wisconsin None
  
just kidding.. he is awesome on the bass.. but really bad on computer. We have always wondered about the connection.. I started charting my stuff a bit and he told me that nobody has been able to do anything on his line even with "professional" help. You guys already did way better than anyone else so far.
+
1920 U.S. Census, Crystal, Washburn County, Wisconsin, p. 4B
 +
  21  21 Whitney Floyd  Head M W 32 M    Wisconsin U.S.     U.S.     Farmer, General Farm
 +
          -- Victoria    Wife F W 30 M    Wisconsin Canada    Canada    None
 +
          -- Marie        Dau  F W 12 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
 +
          -- Dorotha      Dau  F W 11 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
 +
          -- Clarence    Son  M W  9 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
 +
          -- Elmer        Son  M W  7 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
 +
          -- Du Wayne    Son  M W  5 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
 +
          Whitney Lucille Dau F W 8M S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
  
I just talked to him this morning.. he is kind of stunned at what you guys can do.  So know that your work is appreciated by both of us.  This is us together in our former band.  We play for his brother now. 
+
I was stuck here for a minute until I checked the following online database:
http://mewhitme.zoomshare.com/album/band/images/c3da5d71cb9c3c6582756d2010f56bf2_11519442920/:album?css=/lib/style/trebuchet.css&css=/lib/style/type_album.css
 
  
Steve on bass far left.. me on drums
+
http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=420angel&id=I974997
  
** and now he's is giving me nothing but grief because he is charted and I still have a fuzzy area. **
+
                    /John Henry Whitney b: 1853
 +
            /Floyd John Whitney b: 15 Dec 1887 d: 30 Jan 1970
 +
            |      \Cecilia Bequette b: 1857
 +
    /Elmer William Whitney b: 28 Jan 1913 d: 15 Jul 1992
 +
            |      /George Robarge b: 1864 d: 1925
 +
            \Marie Victoria Rose Robarge b: 6 Mar 1890 d: 8 Jul 1963
 +
                    \Emma Bellan b: 1868 d: 1929
  
 +
From this, we see that Floyd's parents are John and Cecilia. I was then able to pick that family up as follows:
  
**http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=:3259905&id=I28635
+
1900 U.S. Census, Auburn, Chippewa County, WI, p. 24
 +
  8    8 Whitney John H? Head W M Sep 1847 52 M 28      Nebraska  Missouri Massachusetts Painter
 +
          -- Celisia E.   Wife W F Apr 1853 47 M 28 10 9 Wisconsin Missouri Ohio
 +
          -- Clarence    Son  W M Oct 1881 18 S        Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin    Teamster
 +
          -- George      Son  W M Jun 1884 15 S        Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin    At School
 +
          -- Floyd        Son  W M Dec 1887 12 S        Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin    At School
 +
          -- Hazel        Dau  W F Jul 1892  8 S        Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin    At School
 +
          Whitney Howard  Son  W M Oct 1895  5 S        Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin
  
 +
1910 U.S. Census, E. D. 18, Rice Lake Ward 2, Barron County, WI, p. 187
 +
  5    6 Whitney John    Head M W 68 M1 38    Kansas    U.S.    Massachusetts None
 +
          -- Celia        Wife F W 59 M1 38 9 9 Wisconsin Missouri Ohio          None
 +
          -- Harry        Son  M W 27 S        Wisconsin Kansas  Wisconsin    Barber
 +
          -- George      Son  M W 24 S        Wisconsin Kansas  Wisconsin    Laborer, Lumber Yard
 +
          -- Howard      Son  M W 15 S        Wisconsin Kansas  Wisconsin    None
  
ARGH  http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ldshistorical&id=I14635
+
And now I was stuck again, as the 1890 census was destroyed by fire. Then I noticed that John and Cecilia had been married for 28 years, indicating a marriage date of about 1872, so they should have been married when the 1880 census was taken. Sure enough, here they are:
  
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=ancestorsearchresults.asp
+
1880 U.S. Census, Alma, Jackson County, WI, p. 8
 +
  75  80 Whitney John W M 31        Farmer        Nebraska  New York Conn
 +
          -- Celicia  W F 26 Wife  Keeping House  Wisconsin Missouri Ohio
 +
          -- Ethel    W F  7 Dau                  "        Nebraska Wis
 +
          -- Lena      W F  5 Dau                  "        "        "
 +
          -- Inez      W F  2 Dau                  "        "        "
 +
          -- Adeline  W F 52 Mother At Home        Conn      Conn    Conn
  
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2006296&id=I3122
+
Now we know that John was born in Nebraska and that his mother was named Adeline.
  
 +
This could be them in 1860:
  
I think I may have just solved at least some of the gaps here.  John Henry was married 2 times.. to sisters.
+
  1860 U.S. Census, Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI, p. 1065
 +
  107  94 Adaline Whitney 34 F Washwoman 80 Connecticut
 +
          John "          12 M              Iowa
 +
          James "          8 M              "
 +
          Joseph "        6 M              Michigan
 +
108  95 Rhoda Whitney  35 F Washwoman 75 Connecticut
 +
          Henry "        19 M Laborer      Iowa
 +
          George "        11 M              Arkansas
 +
          Rhoda "          7 F              Michigan
 +
          David M. "      4 M              "
 +
          Nancy Richardson 72 F            Massachusetts
  
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ldshistorical&id=I14635
+
Well, I started from the beginning and came full circle, back to the identification we had the first time. I think Robert Ward found the right family - see http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/AF/family_group_record.asp?familyid=12907011&frompage=0. So it appears that John was the son of early Mormons who lived in Illinois, Iowa and then Wisconsin. The father Clark Lyman Whitney died in 1851 and his ''two wives'' Adeline and Rhoda were living next door to each other (I suspect it was a single house though) in Wisconsin in 1860. You can find quite a bit by searching Google for "Clark Lyman Whitney" (include the quotes in the search).
  
Looks like a mormon household?  Married 2 women.. sisters.. and when he died.. They got married (both) to the next in line in the family group?
+
Take a look at http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/AF/pedigree_view.asp?recid=49733992&frompage=0 for John's ancestry.
  
And why do both women have kids born in so many locations?  Were they a travelling circus?  Or turnip farmers.. following the harvest around?
+
- [[User:Tdoyle|Tim Doyle]] - [[User talk:Tdoyle|Talk to me]] 09:18, 21 December 2007 (CST)
  
Regardless of how confusing this little group may be.. my line IN and the line OUT seems to be solid.
+
Thank you so much. It got REALLY hard to navigate through the Adeline and Rhoda situation. I was 99% sure I was on the right track and in the same line you came up with, but kept running into conflicts.  It looks like those two married the same man again when Clark Lyman died.  I am pleased.. the tree that I gave my grandfather is correct then.. lol  Thank you SO much.  This has been a lot of fun.  I keep learning more and more.

Latest revision as of 18:35, 21 December 2007

This page is where you can leave messages for AaronWhitney. The next time AaronWhitney logs in, they'll be alerted that they have messages waiting. You may also select E-mail this user from the toolbox on the left to send them a personal email if they have set up their account to do so.


Your Lineage

Aaron:

I think I found your grandfather Dewayne C. Whitney on the 1930 census. He was born about 1915 in Wisconsin. His parents were "Floyd F." Whitney, born about 1888 in Illinois, a farmer, and his wife Victoria C., born about 1890 in Wisconsin. The children in the family were Elmer W., Dewayne C., Lucile I., Gertrude L., Arland G., John W., and Loraine C., all born in Wisconsin. They were living in Arland Township, Barron County, Wisconsin.

- Tim Doyle - Talk to me 16:43, 8 March 2007 (CST)

Victoria Robarge

If this is your family, I believe this is your great grandmother's lineage:

http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=craigsharrow&id=I689558&style=TEXT

and here's a pedigree for your uncle Elmer:

http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=420angel&id=I974997


You are right on the money!!! That was a ton of info very fast. THANK YOU!

John Henry Whitney

Floyd's father was John Henry Whitney, according to the 1900 census, born Sep 1849 in Nebraska. His wife was Cecelia, b. April 1853 in Wisconsin. John Henry was listed as a Painter.

John Whitney

I just found John & Cecelia Whitney on the 1880 census. Living with them was his mother, Adeline Whitney. This should allow me to trace him back further... hang tight...

- Tim Doyle - Talk to me 20:17, 8 March 2007 (CST)


I just found this note in the pierce project.

4419. JOHN HENRY WHITNEY (George P., William C., Joshua, Daniel, Benjamin, John, John), b. Oxford. Me., Oct. 16, 1851; m. Apr. 30, 1890 Lulu F. GOHLER; b., May 7, 1864; res. 26 Lisbon St. Lewiston, Me. s.p.

John Henry seems to be the thorn in my side. I think HE is the real turnip.

"

John Henry

Another Clue

Check this possibility out:

- Robert - Talk to me 21:09, 13 March 2007 (CDT)


I suspect I am going to have to do the DNA thing to be sure. I charted out from there on tribalpages and it all seems to work. Gramps says it goes along with what he can remember hearing over the years. Short of spending a summer going back to actual places for verification.. I guess DNA would be the next logical step.


ARGH http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ldshistorical&id=I14635

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=ancestorsearchresults.asp

http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2006296&id=I3122


http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ldshistorical&id=I14635


Gave my grandfather everything I had put together so far today on his 93rd birthday. He was very pleased. Now I just hope it was right....

Per conversation with Grandpa.

He can not remember his grandparents names. But remembers his father taking trips to Illinois and Iowa to visit what he thinks were his Aunts. Clark Lyman offspring being in both locations tends to back this up.. I would like to find one more source backing up the Clark Lyman to John Henry line. If that is sound then my line seems to be correct to Mary Bray. Also was given an incredible picture of the Robarge family with victoria to her grandparents in one photo.. very cool.

Gramps cant recall any Whitneys before himself doing anything other than farming.

Your Line

Aaron:

Just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you. I'm currently on vacation and am planning to revisit your line after I return in about a week.

- Tim Doyle - Talk to me 10:51, 19 March 2007 (CDT)

still stumped

Your Line, Round Two

Aaron:

After a long delay, I've finally gotten back to your line. Here's what I have been able to find:

Here they are in 1930, or at least I think it's them based upon your agreement previously:

1930 U.S. Census, Arland Township, Barron County, Wisconsin, p. 3A
 42   42 Whitney F. ?.   Head M W 42 M 19 Illinois  Wisconsin Wisconsin Farmer, General
         -- Victoria C.  Wife F W 40 M 17 Wisconsin Canada    Canada    None
         -- Elmer W.     Son  M W 17 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin Laborer, Farm
         -- Dewayne C.   Son  M W 15 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
         -- Lucile I.    Dau  F W 10 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
         -- Gertrude L.  Dau  F W  9 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
         -- Arland G.    Son  M W  2 S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
         -- John W.      Son  M W 0M S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
         -- Loraine C.   Dau  F W 0M S    Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None

I then followed them back in 1910 and 1920:

1910 U.S. Census, E. D. 19, Rice Lake Ward 3, Barron County, WI, p. 7B
134  142 Whitney Floyd   Head M W 22 M 3     Illinois  Wisconsin Nebraska  Laborer, Saw Mill
         -- Victoria     Wife F W 20 M 3 2 2 Wisconsin Can       Can       None
         -- Marie        Dau  F W 2  S       Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
         -- Dorathy      Dau  F W 1&1M S     Wisconsin Illinois  Wisconsin None
1920 U.S. Census, Crystal, Washburn County, Wisconsin, p. 4B
 21   21 Whitney Floyd   Head M W 32 M    Wisconsin U.S.      U.S.      Farmer, General Farm
         -- Victoria     Wife F W 30 M    Wisconsin Canada    Canada    None
         -- Marie        Dau  F W 12 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
         -- Dorotha      Dau  F W 11 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
         -- Clarence     Son  M W  9 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
         -- Elmer        Son  M W  7 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
         -- Du Wayne     Son  M W  5 S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None
         Whitney Lucille Dau  F W 8M S    Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin None

I was stuck here for a minute until I checked the following online database:

http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=420angel&id=I974997

                   /John Henry Whitney b: 1853
            /Floyd John Whitney b: 15 Dec 1887 d: 30 Jan 1970
            |       \Cecilia Bequette b: 1857
    /Elmer William Whitney b: 28 Jan 1913 d: 15 Jul 1992
            |       /George Robarge b: 1864 d: 1925
            \Marie Victoria Rose Robarge b: 6 Mar 1890 d: 8 Jul 1963
                    \Emma Bellan b: 1868 d: 1929

From this, we see that Floyd's parents are John and Cecilia. I was then able to pick that family up as follows:

1900 U.S. Census, Auburn, Chippewa County, WI, p. 24
  8    8 Whitney John H? Head W M Sep 1847 52 M 28      Nebraska  Missouri Massachusetts Painter
         -- Celisia E.   Wife W F Apr 1853 47 M 28 10 9 Wisconsin Missouri Ohio
         -- Clarence     Son  W M Oct 1881 18 S         Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin     Teamster
         -- George       Son  W M Jun 1884 15 S         Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin     At School
         -- Floyd        Son  W M Dec 1887 12 S         Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin     At School
         -- Hazel        Dau  W F Jul 1892  8 S         Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin     At School
         Whitney Howard  Son  W M Oct 1895  5 S         Wisconsin Nebraska Wisconsin
1910 U.S. Census, E. D. 18, Rice Lake Ward 2, Barron County, WI, p. 187
  5    6 Whitney John    Head M W 68 M1 38     Kansas    U.S.     Massachusetts None
         -- Celia        Wife F W 59 M1 38 9 9 Wisconsin Missouri Ohio          None
         -- Harry        Son  M W 27 S         Wisconsin Kansas   Wisconsin     Barber
         -- George       Son  M W 24 S         Wisconsin Kansas   Wisconsin     Laborer, Lumber Yard
         -- Howard       Son  M W 15 S         Wisconsin Kansas   Wisconsin     None

And now I was stuck again, as the 1890 census was destroyed by fire. Then I noticed that John and Cecilia had been married for 28 years, indicating a marriage date of about 1872, so they should have been married when the 1880 census was taken. Sure enough, here they are:

1880 U.S. Census, Alma, Jackson County, WI, p. 8

 75   80 Whitney John W M 31        Farmer         Nebraska  New York Conn
         -- Celicia   W F 26 Wife   Keeping House  Wisconsin Missouri Ohio
         -- Ethel     W F  7 Dau                   "         Nebraska Wis
         -- Lena      W F  5 Dau                   "         "        "
         -- Inez      W F  2 Dau                   "         "        "
         -- Adeline   W F 52 Mother At Home        Conn      Conn     Conn

Now we know that John was born in Nebraska and that his mother was named Adeline.

This could be them in 1860:

1860 U.S. Census, Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI, p. 1065
107   94 Adaline Whitney 34 F Washwoman 80 Connecticut
         John "          12 M              Iowa
         James "          8 M              "
         Joseph "         6 M              Michigan
108   95 Rhoda Whitney   35 F Washwoman 75 Connecticut
         Henry "         19 M Laborer      Iowa
         George "        11 M              Arkansas
         Rhoda "          7 F              Michigan
         David M. "       4 M              "
         Nancy Richardson 72 F             Massachusetts

Well, I started from the beginning and came full circle, back to the identification we had the first time. I think Robert Ward found the right family - see http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/AF/family_group_record.asp?familyid=12907011&frompage=0. So it appears that John was the son of early Mormons who lived in Illinois, Iowa and then Wisconsin. The father Clark Lyman Whitney died in 1851 and his two wives Adeline and Rhoda were living next door to each other (I suspect it was a single house though) in Wisconsin in 1860. You can find quite a bit by searching Google for "Clark Lyman Whitney" (include the quotes in the search).

Take a look at http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/AF/pedigree_view.asp?recid=49733992&frompage=0 for John's ancestry.

- Tim Doyle - Talk to me 09:18, 21 December 2007 (CST)

Thank you so much. It got REALLY hard to navigate through the Adeline and Rhoda situation. I was 99% sure I was on the right track and in the same line you came up with, but kept running into conflicts. It looks like those two married the same man again when Clark Lyman died. I am pleased.. the tree that I gave my grandfather is correct then.. lol Thank you SO much. This has been a lot of fun. I keep learning more and more.