#52Ancestors Week 6, "Social Media"

 #52Ancestors ... Week 6, 2023

"Social Media"

One suggestion for this post was something found in a social column of a newspaper... a very early version of social media.  So for this week, I was reminded of a brief mention in the "Local News" section of the Hardin Gazette paper out of Elizabethtown, IL.  

My 2nd Great Grandfather, John Wesley Miles was born in 1847, Covington KY.  His father died a few years later, and his mother took the family to Hardin County, IL, when John was about 8 years old.  He joined the Union Army when he was 16 years old, and spent most of his army life in Georgia (the battles in and around Atlanta, and later marched with Sherman in the infamous "March to the Sea").  In 1867, he married Arabelle Matthews, back at home in Hardin County.  

My 2nd Great Grandmother, Alcy (also known as Elsa and Elsie) Gustin was born in 1844, Switzerland County, IN.  Her father died a few months before she was born.  Her mother moved the family to Hardin County IL, between 1850 and 1855.  Alcy married Sam Oxford in 1864.

In the Hardin Gazette, dated November 21, 1873, there is this little nugget...

"John Miles and Mrs. Elsa J. Oxford were married on Sunday the 2nd, inst.  Last winter Miles' wife eloped with Sam Oxford, the husband of Elsa; as soon as divorces could be obtained the remaining twain were made one flesh."

Thanks to that situation, I exist.  

Alcy and John went on to have four known children, one being my Great Grandmother, Mary.  Alcy died in 1913... and John died in 1925.