Person:Eliza Liscum (4)

Biography

Eliza Bliss Liscum was born 11 July 1846, in Grant County, Wiscoinsin, the oldest daughter and child of Heman Lowery and Sarah (Jacobs) Liscum, named for her father’s deceased first wife. She likely received a good education, as both of her parents had been school teachers, and she is said to have named one of her children for a character in a novel she had read. She may also have had some musical talent, as family stories from several branches of the family claim that she played the violin.

Eliza married George Washington Jones on 14 February 1862, in Grant County, Wisconsin. He may have left soon after to take part in the Civil War. Their first child, Adelbert (Dell) was born later that year. Their second known child, Stephen, was born about five years later. There may have been others in between, but there is no record of them.

During most of their marriage, Eliza and George remained close to Eliza’s family. At first they lived near her parents near the town of Lima, then followed her father to the area around Lancaster. Eliza continued to have children, losing at least one, Addie, in early childhood.

When one of Eliza’s sisters moved to Wright County, Iowa, George and Eliza moved along with them. They didn’t stay there long, however, moving further west to Palo Alto County. And Eliza continued to have children.

In Palo Alto County, George applied for a Homestead grant. He also bought property, sold it to their son Stephen, who then sold it to Eliza, perhaps in an effort to protect it from any debts George may have accrued. The family was said to be quite poor, and there are indications that George may have been unable to work full time. Eliza, however, continued to have children. Her last was born on the 22nd of February, 1888, in the middle of a major blizzard, according to family stories. Eliza died the following day, possibly due to complications from measles, again according to family stories.

Later, when weather permitted, Eliza was buried in a small cemetery just across the county line, in Wittemore, Kossth County. Today, her grave is marked by a stone that stands in isolation, surrounded by empty lots that George purchased for other members of the family but were never used. Her children had all moved on.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 E. District, Grant, Wisconsin, in United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432)
   HH1522, Family 1542.

   Haman L. Liscome, age 38, male, farmer, RE=$1000, born VT
   Sarah A. Liscome, age 34, female, born MD
   Eliza Liscome, age 5, female, born WI, attending school
   Sophia Liscome, age 3, female, born WI
   Georgia Liscome, age 2, female, born WI
   [no name] Liscome, age 1/12, female, born WI
   John Bailey, age 60, male, born VA, pauper
   Thomas Cumming, age 32, male, laborer, RE=$1000, born Tenn

2. ↑ Lima, Grant, Wisconsin, in Grant, Wisconsin, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   HH 688, Family 667.

   H. L. Liscom, age 47, male, occupation farmer, real estate= $2000, personal estate = $700, born Indiana
   , Sarah Ann, age 44, female, born Vt.
   , Eliza, age 13, female, born Md., attended school
   , Hamith, age 12, female, born Wis., attended school
   , Abigal, age 10, female, born Wis., attended school
   , Sharloth, age 9, female, born Wis., attended school
   , Susan A., age 8, female, born Wis., attended school
   , George, age 5, male, born Wis., attended school
   , John R., age 4, male, born Wis.

3. ↑ Lancaster Township, Grant County; FHL #0553216, in United States. Census Office. 9th census, 1870. Wisconsin, 1870 federal census : population schedules. (Washington, District of Columbia: The National Archives, 1962, 1968)
   HH #254, Family #250.

   Jones, George, age 30, white male, farmer, real estate = $1,600, personal estate = $400, born Wisconsin
   , Eliza, age 25, white female, keeping house, born Wisconsin
   , George, age 8, white male, born Wisconsin
   , Stephen, age 4, white male, born Wisconsin
   , Addie, age 2 months, white female, born Wisconsin in April

4. ↑ Troy Township, Wright County; FHL #1254371, in United States. Bureau of the Census. 10th census, 1880. Iowa, 1880 federal census : soundex and population schedules. (Washington, District of Columbia: The National Archives, 19--?)
   HH 59, Family 61.

   Jones, G. W., white male, age 39, farmer, born Wisconsin, father born Penn, mother born Ind.
   , Eliza, white female, age 36, wife, keeping house, born Wisconsin, father born VT, mother born MD
   , Adelbert, white male, age 18, at home, born Wisconsin
   , Stephen, white male, age 16, at home, born Wisconsin
   , Anna, white female, age 7, daughter, at home, born Wisconsin
   , Frank, white male, age 6, son, at home, born Wisconsin
   , Henry, white male, age 4, son, at home, born Wisconsin
   , Edward, white male, age 1, son, at home, born Wisconsin

5. ↑ Batch #5009533, in Patron sheets, 1969-1991. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970-1991)
   F5 095 3303; FHL #1553416.

   Eliza B. Liscum b. 11 July 1846 Plattesville, Grant, WI, parents Heman Lowry Liscom and Sarah Ann Jacobs
   Sources: Eliza Liscom birth record in family records; Census records, Grant County WI and Dickinson Co., IA; Lila (Jones) Campbell, daughter of Reuben Jones
   Submitted 28 February 1989

6. ↑ Dependent Father's Application: George W. Jones, Claimant, Father of Frank B. Jones, Soldier, Service M 50 Ia. Inf Vol, in Military Pension No. 708 908 to George W. Jones, Father of Frank B. Jones (veteran), Can No. 2752, Bundle No. 04.

   On 13 November 1899, George W. Jones declares that [Eliza Liscum] the mother of said son died on the 20th day of January 1888 near Emmettsburg Ia.
   On 6 July 1917, George W. Jones swears that he was married to Eliza B. Liscom, and that she died at Palo Alta County, Iowa, on the 22nd day of January, 1888

7. ↑ Palo Alto County (Iowa). Recorder. Deed records, 1859-1926; general index, 1859-1908. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1986)
   Book R, p. 61; FHL #1436116.

   Geo. W. Jones and Eliza B. Jones of Palo Alto County, Iowa
   in consideration of $200
   paid by H. H. Shadbolt of Palo Alto County, Iowa
   do sell, convey and forever Quit Claim unto H. H. Shadbolt his heirs and assigns
   the following premises in Palo Alto county
   N1/4 of the SW1/4 of Sec 17, T95N, R31W of the 5th Meridian
   Signed 24 March 1886, Geo. W. Jones, Eliza B. Jones
   On 21 June George W. Jones and Eliza B. Jones his wife appeared before Geo. B. McCarty NP of Palo Alto County & personally known to him and acknowledged that the above deed to be a voluntary Act
   Registered 22 Jan 1886

8. ↑ Palo Alto County (Iowa). Recorder. Deed records, 1859-1926; general index, 1859-1908. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1986)
   Vol. T, pp. 9, 34; FHL #1436117.

   Vol. T, p. 9
   George W. Jones et ux to Stephen L. Jones, filed 12 Jan 1887
   Geo. W. Jones & Eliza B. Jones of Palo Alto county, Iowa
   for $1000 paid by
   Stephen L. Jones of Palo Alto county, Iowa
   sell land in Palo alto County:
   E1/2 of the nW1/4 and NW1/4 of the NE1/4 of Sec 18, T95N, R31W of 15th PM
   Signed 3 Jan 1887, George W. Jones, Eliza B. Jones
   Witness A. P. Beck, JP, Palo Alto
   
   Vol T, p. 34
   Stephen L. Jones to Eliza B. Jones, filed 28 Feb 1887
   Stephen L. Jones (unmarried) of Palo Alto county, Iowa
   for $1000 paid by
   Eliza B. Jones of Palo Alto County, Iowa
   sell land in Palo Alto County
   E1/2 of the NW1/4 of the NW1/4 of the NE1/4 of S18, T95N, R31W
   Signed 28 Feb 1887, Stephen L. Jones
   Witness Geo B. McCarty, Notary Public

9. ↑ ^9.0 9.1 Eliza B Jones, in Find A Grave
   accessed 29 May 2014.
10. ↑ also known as
    Old Township Cemetery, Whittemore Township
    on B-40 north and east of Whittemore, Iowa
    visited August 1997
    
    Inscription:
    Eliza B
    Wife of G. W. Jones
    Died
    Jan. 23, 1888
    41 Yrs.
    May her soul rest in peace