Research Page: Erastus Mcmains

Research Notes: Erastus Mcmains

The Wisconsin/Minnesota Connection


Erastus R. Mcmains carried the Mcmains name to Wisconsin and Minnesota , a very different direction than the majority of Mcmains descendants. I would like to know the story behind Erastus' move. Why did he choose Wisconsin, and why didn't he stay in Wisconsin? In  Seattle, he worked in an office as a bookeeper. When he moved to Wisconsin, he listed his occupation as farming. Later on, in Minneapolis, he was again working in an office as an office manager. Two of his sons had followed suit and were also working in offices. What was it that lead Erastus away from farming and back to office work?

PAGE CONTENTS AND LINKS

I .        Transcriptions of Birth Certificates
II .      Descendants of Erastus R. McMains
III .    1920 Census, Minneapolis, MN
IV .    Death Certificate Index
V .     City Directory, Seattle, WA
VI .    Land Patent  Document and Travel Map
VII .    Land Patent Maps
VIII .   Photographs


Descendants of Erastus R. McMains


Generation No. 1

    1.  Erastus R. McMains  (John, James Matthew, Robert)1 ,2 ,3 ,4 was born February 25, 1870 in Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, IA 5 , and died March 14, 1936 in Hennepin County, Minnesota6 .  He married Mabel Farrar7 ,8 .  She was born August 24, 1876 in Vermont9 , and died December 02, 1937 in Hennepin County, Minnesota 10 .

Notes for Erastus R. McMains:
There is reference to a Erastus R. Mcmains land patent in Wisconsin, 1903.  Burnett County is the location, which is a border county with Minnesota. The land is in the township of Scott . In 1915, the land was owned by a Jack Norris, so Erastus must have sold his land before this time. The land is near Oak Lake.

More About Erastus R. McMains:
Census: 1920, Hennepin County, Minnesota11
Residence 1: Bet. 1897 - 1903, Scott Township, Burnett County, WI 12 ,13
Residence 2: 1889, Seattle, WA
Residence 3: Bef. 1896, Mahaska County, IA
Residence 4: Bef. 1915, Hennepin County, Minnesota13

More About Mabel Farrar:
Census: 1920, Hennepin County, Minnesota14
   
Children of Erastus McMains and Mabel Farrar are:
+    2    i.    James Bolton McMains, born January 19, 1896 in Oskaloosa, IA; died 1948.
    3    ii.    Carl Eugene McMains15 , born May 03, 1897 in Washburn County, Wisconsin16 ,17 ,18 ; died April 1975 in Minnesota.

More About Carl Eugene McMains:
Census: 1920, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN19

    4    iii.    Dewey Dwight McMains20 , born July 07, 1900 in Washburn County, Wisconsin21 ,22 ; died August 17, 1995 in Crow Wing County, MN.  He married Elsie Barrett March 28, 1931 in Crow Wing County, MN; born Unknown.

More About Dewey Dwight McMains:
Census: 1920, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN23
Residence: 1965, Pillager, Cass County,  MN

More About Dewey McMains and Elsie Barrett:
Marriage: March 28, 1931, Crow Wing County, MN

    5    iv.    Lucille McMains, born Bet. 1901 - 1902 in Wisconsin24 ; died Deceased.

More About Lucille McMains:
Census: 1920, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN25

    6    v.    Elizabeth McMains, born Bet. 1903 - 1904 in Washburn or Burnett County, Wisconsin 26 ; died Deceased.

More About Elizabeth McMains:
Census: 1920, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN27


Generation No. 2

    2.  James Bolton McMains (Erastus R., John, James Matthew, Robert)28 ,29 was born January 19, 1896 in Oskaloosa, IA, and died 1948.  He married Emily Groves30 .  She was born December 31, 1899 in Lacrosse, WI, and died 1946.

More About James Bolton McMains:
Census: 1920, Hennepin County, Minnesota31
   
Endnotes

1.  Sarah (Gillespie) Huftalen, Captain Abner Hawley Ancestry,  (1943, Manchester, ID).
2.  On-line database, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records,  (Bureau of Land Management), AliquotParts    Sec/Blk    Twnshp    Range    Fract.Sect.    Meridian    State    Counties    SurveyNr.     1  E½NE  20/  40-N  14-W  No  4th PM - 1831 MN/WI  WI  BURNETT  ---   2  NWNE  20/  40-N  14-W  No  4th PM - 1831 MN/WI  WI  BURNETT  ---   3  3  20/  40-N  14-W  No  4th PM - 1831 MN/WI  WI  BURNETT  ---  .
3.  World Family Tree V. 10, #2102,  (Genealogy.Com), "Electronic."
4.  Seattle, Washington City Directories, 1888-1890, Erastus Mcmaines, working for JB Veith & Company, bookeeper, Rooms 118, Seneca, Seattle, WA, 1889
5.  John Hewes, Note, Birth place of Oskaloosa, IA is confirmed by the birth certificate of Carl Eugene McmMains which lists this as the birth place of his father, Erastus R. McMains.
6.  On-line index, Minnesota Death Certificates,  (Minnesota Historical Society), MCMAINS, ERASTUS R. CertID# 1936-MN-005962     Date of Death:  03/14/1936County of Death:  HENNEPIN.
7.  Sarah (Gillespie) Huftalen, Captain Abner Hawley Ancestry,  (1943, Manchester, ID).
8.  World Family Tree V. 10, #2102,  (Genealogy.Com), "Electronic."
9.  John Hewes, Note, Name of Mabel Farrar (Fararr) is confirmed and place of birth as VT confirmed by birth certificates of Carl Eugene McMains and Dewey Dwight McMains.
10.  On-line index, Minnesota Death Certificates,  ( Minnesota Historical Society ), MCMAINS, MABLE  CertID# 1937-MN-023163 Date of Death:    12/02/1937County of Death:   HENNEPIN.
11.  U.S. Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census , Hennepin County, MN,  (On-line images, Ancestry.com), Minneapolis, 102 N. 43rd Street, Erastus McMains, head, 50, born in IA, father in IN, mother in IN, office manager, mortgage company.
12.  On-line database, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records,  (Bureau of Land Management), 1  E½NE  20/  40-N  14-W  No  4th PM - 1831 MN/WI  WI  BURNETT  ---   2  NWNE  20/  40-N  14-W  No  4th PM - 1831 MN/WI  WI  BURNETT  ---   3  3  20/  40-N  14-W  No  4th PM - 1831 MN/WI  WI  BURNETT  ---  [NOTE: In a 1915 plat map, this land is owned by a James Norris. Erastus moved on to Minnesota sometime before then. This land is in Scott Township, NE of Oak Lake].
13.  John Hewes, Note, I have examined the plat books at the Register of Deeds Office, in Siren, Burnett County, WI. It appears that some earlier transactions are missing. The original land patent is recorded (see source note), however the next transaction is in 1920, involving the widow of James Norris. Just when or to whom Erastus sold or transferred his ownership of the land to, remains unknown.
14.  U.S. Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census , Hennepin County, MN,  (On-line images, Ancestry.com), Mabal McMains, wife, 44, born VT, parents VT.
15.  Social Security Death Master Index at Rootsweb.com, "Electronic," CARL MCMAINS  03 May 1897 Apr 1975 55426 (Minneapolis, Hennepin, MN) (none specified) 473-10-6245 Minnesota.
16.  Wisconsin Vital Records Indexes, Pre-1907 Birth Index, Marriages, and Death Indes, Ancestry.com. Wisconsin Vital Records, 1820-1907. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original Data: Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. Wisconsin Vital Record Index, pre-1907. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Vita, Name: Carl E McMainsBirth Date: 03 May 1897County: WashburnReel: 0292Record: 001867.
17.  Washburn County, Pre-1907 Birth Index,  (Washburn County, Wigenweb), https://sites.rootsweb.com/~wiwashbu/births/mbirths.htm   From Washburn County Register of Deeds Office: McMAINS Carl Eugene  03 May 1897  02  097  050.
18.  Register of Deeds Office, Registration of Births : Washburn County, WI,  (Shell Lake, Washburn County, WI), Registration #50, Carl Eugene McMains, White, Male, other issue living: J. B. McMains; father: Erastus R. McMains, farmer; mother' maiden name: Mabel Farrar; born 4:50 A.M., May 3, 1897; Spooner, Washburn County. Father born in Oskaloosa, IA, mother born in VT. Physician signing certificate: H. H. Ainsworth, Spooner, WI; date of certificate, May 3, 1897; date of registration June 24, 1897; New settlers at Birch Island, Burnett County, WI.
19.  U.S. Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Cens us , Hennepin County, MN,  (On-line images, Ancestry.com), Minneapolis: Carl Mcmains, son, 22, born in WI, father IA, mother VT, Ledger Clerk, Railroad.
20.  Social Security Death Master Index at Rootsweb.com, "Electronic," DEWEY D MCMAINS  07 Jul 1900 17 Aug 1995 56401 (Brainerd, Crow Wing, MN) (none specified) 468-30-9452 Minnesota.
21.  Washburn County Clerk of Records and Deeds, Washburn County, Pre-1907 Delayed Birth Certificate Index,  (Washburn County, Wigenweb), McMAINS Dewey Dwight  07 Jul 1900  32  070.
22.  Register of Deeds Office, Registration of Births : Washburn County, WI,  (Shell Lake, Washburn County, WI), Certificate #70, Delayed Birth Certificate: Spooner, WI, Dewey Dwight McMains, Male, White, SS#468-30-9452; born July 7, 1900; father: Erastus R. McMains; mother: Mabel Fararr; currently living Pillager, MN (when filed: Oct 11, 1965); supporting evidence: Federal Census, enumerating registrant in Minneapolis, MN (Age 19, Jan. 1, 1920); Marriage License: Certified copy, Crow Wing County, MN, for Dewey D. McMains and Elsie Barrett (Age 30, Mar 28, 1931); Social Security Record: Photo copy of application; Insurance: issued by the World Insurance Company, Omaha, NE.
23.  U.S. Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census , Hennepin County, MN,  (On-line images, Ancestry.com), Dan Mcmains, son, 19. born in WI, father in IA, mother in VT, no occupation.
24.  John Hewes, Note, I have been unable to locate documentation of this birth, however two older brothers were born in Washburn County, while their parents lived in Scott Township, Burnett County, WI. Census documents state Lucille was born in WI.
25.  U.S. Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census , Hennepin County, MN,  (On-line images, Ancestry.com), Lucille Mcmains, daughter, 18, born in WI, father in IA, mother in VT.
26.  John Hewes, Note, I have been unable to locate documentation of this birth, however two older brothers were born in Washburn County, while their parents lived in Scott Township, Burnett County, WI. Census documents state Elizabeth was born in WI.
27.  U.S. Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census , Hennepin County, MN,  (On-line images, Ancestry.com), Elizabeth Mcmains, daughter, 16, born in WI, father in IA, mother in VT.
28.  World Family Tree V. 10 #2102,  (Family Tree Maker.Com), "Electronic."
29.  John Hewes, Note, J. B. McMains is listed as "other issue living" on the birth certificate of Carl Eugene McMains, his younger brother.
30.  World Family Tree V. 10 #2102,  (Family Tree Maker.Com), "Electronic."
31.  U.S. Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census , Hennepin County, MN,  (On-line images, Ancestry.com), James McMains, son, 23, single, born in IA, father IA, mother VT, order clerk.



1920 Census   Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota  ED: 251
3122 N. 43rd St.
Name
Relation
Age
Marr/Sgl
Born
Father
Mother
Occup.
Erastus Mcmains
Head  
50
M
IA
IN
IN
Mabel Mcmains
Wife
44
M
VT
VT
VT
None
James Mcmains
Son
23
S
IA
IA
VT
Carl Mcmains
Son
22
S
WI
IA
VT
Dan Mcmains
Son
19
S
WI
IA
VT
None
Lucille Mcmains
Daughter
18
S
WI
IA
VT
None
Elizabeth Mcmains
Daughter
16
S
WI
IA
VT
None
This states that Erastus' parents were born in IN, which differs from information I have, which states  KY and NY


Emily A. Mcmains; Born out of  Minnesota;  Mother's Maiden Name: Unknown;  Died: 06/16/1958, Hennepin County, MN;
Death Certificate # 1958-MN-023521    
How does this person relate to Erastus R. Mcmains?


City Directory, Seattle, Washington  1889
Transcribed from on-line database, Ancestry.Com
Name
Business
Occupation
Location
City
State
Year
Erastus Mcmaines
J.B. Veith & Co.
Rooms 118 Seneca
Seattle
WA
1889
It is likely that Erastus Mcmains travelled to Washington prior to marrying Mable Farrar. Perhaps they even met there. I would like to know more about the stay in Washington


Land Patent in Burnett County, Wisconsin, Dated 1903 and Area Travelled by Erastus Mcmains
Land Patent
Land PatentClick here to see full size image                                      Erastus Map       Click here to see full size map                                                                                                                              

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