Person:Caroline Rittgers (1)

On the 1860 census records we find Nina, age 7, with widowed mother in Jefferson Twp., Polk Co., Ia.,[p. 94, fam #742/677] and 17 on the 1870 census.[p. 406/fam #96/106] We find Parmer (some accounts record name as Parmer and others as Palmer) on the 1860 census in Jefferson Twp. Co., Ia., with his parents, Dale and Susan McDowell, both born in Kentucky. He declares he born in Indiana.[p 105 fam #826/761] We are given his parents to be "Dabo and Susan (Terrell) McDowell." He was in the Civil War, enlisting 1 Aug 1861, Polk Co., in Co A, 10th Iowa Inf. Vols. His enlistment was up on 31 Jan 1864, Huntsville, Ala. He reinlisted on 1 Feb 1864 and discharged at Little Rock, Ark, 15 Aug 1865. (Civil War file info submitted by Janet Rogers) On 1870 census, Palmer is with his older brother, William, as a farm laborer in Union Twp., Perry P.O., Boone Co. Co., Ia. He is 27 and declares he has $800 in real estate and $410 in personal property. [p 158] 1880 census, Union Twp., Boone Co., Ia., shows "Palmer" 37 a farmer. Wife Caroline, 27, is caring for the three children. (ED12, p. 202A, fam # not given) In 1900 they are found in Beaver Twp., Guthrie Co., Ia. Palmer, 57, is farming. Here he reports parents b. Indiana. Wife Caroline, 47, declares they married 29 years and she has born 8 children, all alive at this time. 5 are still in the home. (ED 53, sheet 1.) On the 1910 census, she is age 57, with husband in Cass Twp., Guthrie Co., Ia. She declares they have been married 39 years, and she has born 8 children, all alive at this time. Peter, 67, is farming a general farm.[ED 52; p. 6A; fa m #116/119] Also in the home is Claude Devilbis, 25, hired man. Palmer died before 1920, as we see Nina on the 1920 census, age 66, a widow, listed as head of house in Panora, Guthrie Co., Ia. In home are daughters Pearl and Jessie.[ED56, p 228, fam 38/40] Caroline died 18 Mar 1929. She and Palmer are buried in Brethren Cemetery, Panora, Guthrie Co., Ia. Caroline's estate is filed in Guthrie Co., Ia., will book 5, p. 536.

Rorajoyce, The family name is Parmer and not Palmer. Walter's first born son was named Parmer as well. Additionally, it is Daboe and not Dale. Daboe is a family name that is continued on in Walter's children as well. Walter is my great-grandfather. He homesteaded Arcola, WY in 1906. Vernon McDowell (son of Fred and Vida) just died two weeks ago here in Cheyenne at the age of 96. He kept the records of the McDowell line, but I am not sure what has come of those as he was a bachelor. I do know that in passing he told me the two McDowell brothers came over in 1749 landing in Halifax. I am just beginning to research the McDowell line and will fill in additional information when I have it. --Wyogrannan

1. ↑ Abstract number 76811 - Daniel Rittgers. (Extracted from Deeds of Polk Co., Ia., under name of Daniel Rittgers.)
   Probate Journal Bk 1, p. 364, 22 Jan 1977.
2. ↑ Family Group Sheet.
3. ↑ p. 285, fam #63
   Rittgers, Daniel, 45, farmer, b Oh, #yrs in Iowa - 2
   Christina, 25, b Her
   David F., 19, b Oh
   Reuben, 17, b Oh
   Sarah, 13, b Oh
   Melinda, 11, b Oh
   John H., 9, b Oh
   George, 7, b Oh
   Michael, 3, b Oh
   Rosanna, 1, b Ia
   (Nina missed on this census, and Michael should be 6)
4. ↑ p. 94, fam #742/61
   Rittgres, Christina, 29, no occupation, $5000 RE, b Germany
   Reuben, 22, no occupation, $1000 RE, b Oh
   Mary Ann, 19, no occupation, $1000 RE, b Oh
   Malinda, 15, no occupation, $1000 RE, b Oh
   John, 13, no occupation, $1000 RE, b Oh
   George, 11, $1000 RE, b Oh
   Michael, 9, $1000 RE, b Oh
   Caroline, 7, $1000 RE, b Oh
   Rosina, 4, $1000 RE, b Oh
   Nancy J., 1, $1000 RE, b Oh
5. ↑ ED 52, p. 6A, fam #116/119
   McDowell, Peter, 67, m39yr, b Ind to par b Ky, farmer, general farm. Owns farm
   mortgaged. Veteran of Union Army.
   Nina, 57, m39yr, born 8children/8alive, b Oh to father b Va, mother b
   Germany
   Jesse, dau, 15, b Ia
   Devilbis, Claude, hired man, 25, b Ia to par b U.S., laborer on farm
6. ↑ ED 56, p. 228, sheet 2A., fam #34/40
   McDowell, Caroline, head, owns farm, widow, 66, b Oh to father b Pa mother b Ger.
   Pearl, 29, single, b Ia to father b Indiana, mother b Oh, teacher, rural sch.
   Jessie N., 24, single, b Ia to father b Ind, mother b Oh, no occupation