Roots Disentangled

Frank and Lillie (Colna) Rentfrow were the 4th great grandparents of my child. It appears in November of 1906 Lillie left her husband, refusing to return. Was she fleeing emotional or physical abuse? Unknown. In December, Frank, after filing for divorce, and having his insurance policy beneficiary changed from his wife to their kids, died in an ‘accident’ at work. He was found hanging from belting in a water tower shaft, neck broken. It could have been an accident that coincidentally occurred the day after being notified the insurance beneficiary was changed.  In the 1910 census Lillie is remarried with all three children.  Below is a transcription of the two newspaper articles I base the above on. I've included an image of the second article to show some of the transcription is my best guess of what is missing from the online image. Mattoon Morning Star Mattoon, Illinois 11 Nov 1906, Sun   Page 1 MOTHER PARTS WITH CHILDREN RATHER THAN RETURN HOME “You can take my ch...

The below obituary appeared in The Ottawa Herald, Ottawa Kansas, May 9, 1917, page 1. Emily is the third great grandmother of my child. MRS. EMILY WAKEFIELD DEAD  Colored Woman Was Born in Kentucky in Ante-bellum Days.   Mrs. Emily Wakefield, 72 years old, colored, died yesterday afternoon at her home, 128 Sycamore street. Paralysis caused her death. Mrs. Wakefield was the widow of the late Jasper Wakefield who fought in the Civil War. They were married fifty-six years ago. Mrs. Wakefield was born in slavery in Louisville, Ky., in 1845. Her husband died February 16, 1909. The Wakefields came here thirty-five years ago.  Five sons, William, Chat and Chris Wakefield of Ottawa, Joe Wakefield of Kansas City and Fred Wakefield, address unknown, and one daughter, Mrs. Laura McNear of Ottawa survive. There are three brothers, George, William and Stephen Smith in Louisville, Ky.  The  funeral will be field at the Third Baptist church, Second and Poplar streets at...