Family:Whitney, Melissa Rebecca (1839-1915)

Melissa Rebecca⁷ Whitney (Nathan⁶, Joseph⁵, Benjamin⁴, John³, Benjamin², John¹), daughter of Nathan⁶ and Mary Jane (Moore) Whitney, was born 11 Nov 1839, Port Gibson, MS, and died 15 Sep 1915, St. Charles, MO.

She married, 31 Aug 1864, Olney, IL, William James "Otto" Berner, son of Ernest Victor and Anna Marie Louise (-----) Berner. He was born 28 Jul 1839, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, and died 18 Dec 1922, Soldier's Home, Sawtelle, CA.

Otto was a veteran of the Civil War, serving in Co. H, 17th Indiana Infantry. He and Melissa received pension benefits due to his service.

Otto is buried at the Los Angeles National Cemetery Los Angeles, CA. Melissa is buried at Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney, IL.

Children of William James "Otto" and Melissa Rebecca⁷ (Whitney) Berner:

i.	Lillie Nora Berner, b. 27 Feb 1868, Lee's Summit, Jackson Co., MO; d. 9 Aug 1952, Pima, AZ; m. 28 Sep 1897, Richland Co., IL, Andrew Ellsworth Hood.
ii.	Arthur Cyrus Berner, b. 23 Dec 1869, Lee's Summit, Jackson Co., MO; d. 10 Mar 1943, St. Louis, MO; m. 6 Oct 1897, Richland Co., IL, Margaret E. Hart.
iii.	Walter Emit Durward Berner, b. 23 Sep 1871, Lee's Summit, Jackson Co., MO; d. 2 Aug 1924, Pittsfield, IL; m. 5 Feb 1911, Pike Co., IL, Emma J. Rowley, 5 Feb 1911 in Pike Co., IL.

Census

1860 Census: Olney, Richland Co., IL; Melissa with her parents.

1870 Census: Lee Summit, Jackson Co., Missouri; William is boot & shoe maker

1880 Census: Olney, Richland Co., IL; Arthur & Walter still reside in the household.

1900 Census: Cochise Co., Arizona; Otto lives alone; fruit farmer

1910 Census: Hereford, Cochise Co., AZ; Otto lives alone

References

• Census records.

1. From the Civil War Pension File of William J. Berner, Company H, 17th Indiana Infantry; Invalid Application #121459, Certificate #97928; The National Archives Building, Washington, DC.

2. U.S., Naturalization Records, 1840-1957; Ancestry.com

3. Arizona, Death Records, 1887-1960; Ancestry.com

4. Illinois, County Marriages, 1800-1940; Ancestry.com

5. Missouri, Death Certificates, 1910-1962; Ancestry.com

6. Illinois, Deaths and Stillborns Index, 1916-1947; Ancestry.com

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Copyright © 2019, Kenneth L. Whitney, Robert L. Ward, and the Whitney Research Group.