Person:James Derr (2)

Parents

He is listed in the 1860 and 1870 censuses with Margaret Derr, and is assumed to be her son. If so, Ezra Derr was not his father, since it is clear from the census records that James was born well after Margaret was widowed. However, it is possible that he had a different relationship to Margaret, such as nephew, cousin, or foster son. He is tentatively identified as Margaret's son by an unknown father.

Other Notes

He was born in Logan Co., IL and married Susan Brumfield. He died in Charleston, IL on 10 November, 1907 and is buried in Sheridan Township, Logan Co., IL. Susan was living in Lincoln, IL at the time of his death. He and his wife had no children but raised two foster children. James was a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. In the 1880 census he and wife Susan J. were living in Sheridan, Logan Co. where his occupation is listed as constable. It shows that both his parents were born in OH.

His death certificate says cause of death was "starvation from utter inability to digest food". Certificate doesn't name parents so the name of his father is still a mystery. He was 56 yrs., 1 mo. and 3 days old at the time of death. That would make his birth date 1851.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Rev J. W. Derr, in Find A Grave.

   includes photo of his gravestone with the inscription:
   Rev. J. W. Derr
   Oct. 8, 1852 - Nov. 10, 1907

2.   Lincoln, Logan, Illinois, in United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M653).

   in the household of Jacob Newood (Niewold) [Jacob was the future father-in-law of two of Margaret's daughters]:
   Margaret Derr, age 43, born in Ohio
   James Derr, age 8, born in Ohio

3.   Sheridan, Logan, Illinois, in United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publications M593 and T132).

   in the household of Ono and Sarah Niewold [Margaret's son-in-law and daughter]:
   Margaret Derr, age 53, born in Ohio
   James Derr, age 18, born in Illinois

4. ↑ South Palmyra, Macoupin, Illinois, in United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T623).

   James Derr, born Oct 1852 in Illinois

5. ↑ It is not certain from the census records whether James was born in Ohio or Illinois. However, his mother was already living in Logan County, Illinois in the 1850 census (in which James is not listed).