Genealogy of Our Esterbrook Family

First Generation

1. John George ESTERBROOK was born on 8 Aug 1849 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL. He died on 20 Feb 1941 in Avalon, Livingston County, MO. He was buried on 22 Feb 1941 in the Avalon Cemetery in Livingston County, MO.

John George Esterbrook and his parents have not been found in the 1850 census when he would have been 1 year old, but, as noted earlier, he has been found in the 1860 census living with the family of James Hamilton in the Pike Township, Warren County, Indiana. We then find John George in the 1870 census in the Shawnee Township, Fountain County, Indiana, where John George is working as a farm laborer on the farm of Benjamin Foster, his future father-in-law. In this census he is listed as Geo “Easterbrook”, age 20, born Canada.
John George and Mary Abigail Foster, daughter of Benjamin Foster, were married on 14 Jan 1875 in Fountain County, Indiana. On the marriage record John George is listed as George “Easterbrook” and Mary Abigail is listed as Mary A. Foster. After their marriage John George and Mary Abigail settle on a farm in neighboring Warren County, Indiana where they are found in the 1880 census. John George is listed as George “Easterbrook”, age 29, Farmer, born Illinois. Mary Abigail is listed as Mary, age 26, born Indiana. With them are their two oldest children, Nellie, age 4, born Indiana and Jessie, age 2, born Indiana.
They lived in Warren County, Indiana for 16 years before they moved to Ross Township in Vermilion County, Illinois in 1891 where they are found in the 1900 census. In this census John George is listed as John “Easterbrook”, born Aug 1849, age 50, born Illinois, Farmer. Mary Abigail is listed as Mary A., born Jan 1854, age 46, born Indiana. With them are six children: Jessie L., born June 1878, age 21, born Indiana. Benjamin F., born Apr 1881, age 18, born Indiana. John L., born Jun 1882, age 17, born Indiana. Harley R., born June 1885, age 14, born Indiana. Harry E., born Jan 1890, age 10, born Indiana. George L., born Feb 1897, age 3, born Illinois.
The family lived in Vermilion County, Illinois for 12 years before moving to the Grand River Township, Livingston County, Missouri in 1903. They are found there in the 1910 census and for the first time, John George is listed as John G. “Esterbrook” rather than as “Easterbrook”, age 60, born Illinois, Farmer. Mary Abigail is listed as Mary A., age 56, born Indiana. Living with them are four children. Jessie L., age 31, born Indiana. Harley R., age 24, born Indiana. Harry E., age 20, born Indiana. George L., age 13, born Illinois. In the 1920 and 1930 censuses John George and Mary Abigail remain in the Grand River Township, Livingston County, Missouri and John George’s surname is listed as “Esterbrook”. Their daughter Jessie is still living with them in both censuses. After almost 30 years on their farm, in 1932 John George and Mary Abigail move to Avalon in the Fairview Township, Livingston County, Missouri where they retired.

Why John George’s last name was spelled “Eastbrook” in the 1860 census and “Easterbrook” on his marriage record and in the 1870, 1880 and 1900 censuses rather than “Esterbrook” is unclear. Perhaps not too much should be made of it because census takers and county clerks during this time period usually spelled people’s names phonetically and as a result there were many misspellings. It should also be kept in mind that before the twentieth century, names were offend only written down at significant life events such as baptism and marriage and occasionally for official purposes such as censuses. Therefore the family name was defined by how it was spoken, and this could change over an individual's lifetime. It should be noted that on John George’s mother’s marriage license when she married William Umstead in 1855 her name was spelled “Esterbrook”.

The following is the obituary of John George Esterbrook:
“Prominent Avalon Resident Is Dead- John George Esterbrook Died at His Home Early Thursday”
John George Esterbrook, prominent Avalon resident died at his home in Avalon this morning at 5 o'clock. Mr. Esterbrook, 91 years of age, was a retired farmer. The funeral arrangements will not be completed until arrival of relatives living at a distance. The Norman Funeral Home has charge of the service. Burial will be at Avalon. Mr. Esterbrook was born August 8, 1849 in Waukeegan, Ill. He and his family moved to Avalon in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Esterbrook observed their sixty-sixth wedding anniversary on January 14. Besides the widow, Mrs. Mary A. Esterbrook, these daughters and, sons survive: Mrs. Nellie Renville of Hale, Miss Jessie Esterbrook of the home, B. F. Esterbrook and Harry Esterbrook of Cedar Rapids, Ia., J. L. Esterbrook of Ft. Collins, Colo., Harley Esterbrook of F1anders, South Dakota, and Leland Esterbrook of Avalon. Ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren also survive. (Chillicothe Constitution Tribune, Chillicothe, Livingston County, Missouri, 20 Feb 1941)

John married Mary Abigail FOSTER daughter of Benjamin FOSTER and Samantha GRIFFITH on 14 Jan 1875 in Attica, Fountain County, IN. Mary was born on 11 Jan 1854 in Attica, Fountain County, IN. She died on 16 Dec 1941 in Avalon, Livingston County, MO. She was buried on 19 Dec 1941 in the Avalon Cemetery in Livingston County, MO.

The following is the obituary of Mary Abigal Esterbrook:
“Mrs. Mary Abigal Esterbrook Dead - Funeral Friday Afternoon at 2 o’Clock at the Avalon Methodist Church"
Mrs. Mary Abigal Esterbrook died at her home in Avalon at 6:30 o’clock Tuesday night. The body is at the Norman Funeral Home, and will remain there until funeral services are held at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon at the Methodist Church in Avalon. The Rev. Andrew C. Preston will conduct the services.
Mrs. Esterbrook was the daughter of Benjamin Foster, and was born near Attica, Indiana, January 11, 1854. She lived there until she married John George Esterbrook and moved to a farm nearby, where she lived 16 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Esterbrook then moved near Danville, Ill., where they lived 12 years. From there they came to Livingston County and settled on a farm two miles east of Avalon, where they lived until nine years ago, when they moved to Avalon.
Mr. Esterbrook died February 20, 1941.
Surviving are seven children, ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two sisters, and one brother. The children are: J. L. Esterbrook of Fort Collins, Colo.; Harlie Esterbrook, of Flanders, S. Dak.; Mrs. Nellie Renville of Hale; Miss Jessie Esterbrook of Avalon; Leland Esterbrook of Chillicothe; B. F. Esterbrook and Harry Esterbrook, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mrs. Easterbrook was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Avalon. (Chillicothe Constitution Tribune, Chillicothe, Livingston County, Missouri, 18 Dec 1941)

John and Mary had the following children:

+	2	F	i	Nellie Samantha ESTERBROOK was born on 7 Feb 1876. She died on 24 Feb 1946.
	3	F	ii	Jessie Lee ESTERBROOK was born on 8 Jun 1878 in Attica, Fountain County, IN. She died on 10 May 1977 in Chillicothe, Livingston County, MO. She was buried in the Avalon Cemetery in Livingston County, MO. The following is the obituary of Jessie Lee Esterbrook: “Miss Jessie Esterbrook’ Miss Jessie Lee Esterbrook died at 6 o’clock Wednesday evening at Livingston Manor, following an illness of several years, She was 98. Miss Esterbrook was born in Attica, Ind., June 8, 1878, daughter of John George Esterbrook and Mary Abigail Foster Esterbrook. She attended the Vail school in Attica and the Greer College in Hoopeston, Ill. In 1903, she moved with her family to Avalon and resided on a farm. She was tax collector for Fairview township for several years. She resided in Avalon and cared for her parents until their death, at which time she moved to Chillicothe. Miss Esterbrook was a housekeeper and cared for the elderly. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and lived at the Lambert Hotel prior to going to Livingston Manor. Survivors include a brother, Harry Esterbrook, Albert City. Ia., several nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and a sister. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the chapel of the Norman Funeral Home with the Rev. William Lindblom officiating. Burial will be in the Avalon cemetery. (Chillicothe Constitution Tribune, Chillicothe, Livingston County, Missouri, 19 May 1977)
+	4	M	iii	Benjamin Foster ESTERBROOK was born on 17 Apr 1881. He died on 10 Feb 1959.
	5	F	iv	Jennie ESTERBROOK was born on 17 Apr 1881 in Attica, Fountain County, IN. Twin sister of Benjamin Foster Esterbrook, died in infancy.
+	6	M	v	John Lewis ESTERBROOK was born on 16 Jun 1882. He died on 26 Dec 1972.
+	7	M	vi	Harley Rice ESTERBROOK was born on 29 Jun 1885. He died on 22 Sep 1957.
	8	M	vii	Harry Elmo ESTERBROOK was born on 28 Jan 1890 in Attica, Fountain County, IN. He died on 11 Mar 1978 in Albert City, Buena Vista County, IA. He was buried on 14 Mar 1978 in the Avalon Cemetery in Livingston County, MO. The following is the obituary of Harry E. Esterbrook: “Harry Esterbrook burial at Avalon” Funeral services for Harry Esterbrook who died Saturday were held Monday, March 13, at 10 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Albert City, with Pastor Donald L. Anderson officiating. Jim and Steven Mickelson, accompanied by the organist, Mrs. Roger Mickelson, sang "Beyond the Sunset" and "How Great Thou Art." Pallbearers were Thomas Kirkman, Chester Larson, Roger Mickelson, Kenneth Gjere, Irven Nelson and Bill Anderson. Masonic services by the Enterprise Lodge No. 332 of Sioux Rapids were held Sunday, March 12 at 8 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City. Graveside services were held at the Avalon cemetery at 11 a.m. Tuesday March 14, conducted by Dr. Clinton B. Galatas of the United Methodist Church. Pallbearers were Harold B. Gray, Ralph Shipley, Willis Paris, Howard Miller, Thomas O. Posey, and Frank Shannon. Interment followed in the Avalon cemetery under direction of the Sliefert Funeral Home of Albert City, Ia. Harry Elmo Esterbrook, 88, of Albert City, Ia., died Saturday morning, March 11, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas, Ia. He had been in failing health for several months and seriously ill the last three weeks. Mr. Esterbrook was born Jan. 28, 1890, near Attica, Ind., son of George and Mary Foster Esterbrook. At the age of three he moved with his parents and family to Alvin, Ill., where he attended his first school. In 1913, the family moved to Avalon, where they farmed. It was there that Harry finished school through the tenth grade. He married Irma Shannon on June 7, 1916. They farmed near Flandreau, S. Dak., until 1939, when they went into the International Harvester implement business, first in Spirit Lake, one year: then moved to Sioux Rapids, and continued in the implement business for six years, before retiring. Irma died Oct. 5, 1958. He married Dolly Olson, February 1, 1965. They lived near Rembrandt and Albert City. She died in April, 1976. On July 16, 1976, he married Clara Dye of Chillicothe. Preceding him in death besides his wives were his parents, two sisters and four brothers. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albert City, and a member of Enterprise Masonic Lodge, No. 332, Sioux Rapids. Survivors include his wife, Clara; a number of nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. (Chillicothe Constitution Tribune, Chillicothe, Livingston County, Missouri, 17 Mar 1978)
				Harry married (1) Irma M. SHANNON daughter of James Watson SHANNON and Jennie Elizabeth MILLER on 7 Jun 1916 in Hale, Livingston County, MO. Irma was born on 17 Apr 1890 in Carroll County, MO. She died on 5 Oct 1958 in Sioux Rapids, Buena Vista County, IA. She was buried on 9 Oct 1958 in the Avalon Cemetery in Livingston County, MO.
				Harry married (2) Dolly OLSON on 1 Feb 1965. Dolly died in Apr 1976.
				Harry married (3) Clara DYE on 16 Jul 1976.
+	9	M	viii	George Leland ESTERBROOK was born on 4 Feb 1897. He died on 15 Dec 1964.

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