How did Grandpa, Jim Hortenstine WALTON, get his name?

Grandpa, Jim H. WALTON, was born 1890 in Pleasanton, Alameda County, California. It appears he was named after some neighbors (and probably close friends) of the family, the HORTENSTINE family, who lived next door to the WALTON family. Jim's father was John Franklin WALTON, born 1859, in Santa Cruz, California. John F. and his father, John Bice WALTON, were carpenters in Pleasanton. John F. also owned a grocery store in Pleasanton.

John B. HORTENSTINE, born 1852 in Virginia, and his brother James W., born 1856 in Illinois, settled in Pleasanton  in 1874. In 1876 John purchased a share of the general store owned by John E. STOVER, forming Hortenstine & Stover Co.  In 1880 John and his wife, Luella were living next to STOVER. James was a clerk in the store and was living with STOVER and his family. By 1887, the store was Hortenstine Bros. When the village of Pleasanton incorporated in 1894, John was one of the first trustees.

In 1900, James HORTENSTINE and his wife Fannie and their family were living on one side of John Bice WALTON (grandfather of Jim H.) and his family. John HORTENSTINE, widowed, was living on the other side.

WEINBERGER to WINEBERG

How does a name change? Intentionally, accidentally, or incidentally... add a letter here, drop a letter there, or rearrange a few letters, and a new name is born.

My great grandfather, Joseph A. WEINBERGER, was born about 1874 in Austria. He arrived in the United States sometime between 1886-1890 and joined his older brother, "Adolph H. WEINBERGER," (born about 1870 in Austria) who arrived between 1881-1887. At the time of his birth, Austria had recently (1867) united with Hungary and was known as "Austria-Hungary" or "Austro-Hungary." Usually he was listed as Austrian, but sometimes as Hungarian.

The earliest U. S. record I have found of Joseph is the 1891 City Directory for Omaha, Nebraska, where he was working for his brother: "J. A. WEINBERGER, clerk A. H. WEINBERGER." For several years he worked for Adolph as agent and collector. Joseph and Adolph were "artists" and proprietors of the Omaha Art Studio, but they lived in Council Bluffs.

On 12 Mar 1897, Joseph married Jennie Emily BELL in Council Bluffs. Jennie was 5 days shy of being 16, and her grandmother gave her consent to the marriage, signing "Mrs Jane Richardson" as "Mother by adoption." When her father found out she had married, he threatened to disown her if she remained with Joseph. (I have not yet found evidence of a divorce or annulment.)

Joseph may not have known it, but Jennie was already four months pregnant when they married. On 1 Aug 1897, Jennie gave birth to a son, Irvin Earl. Jennie spelled his name "WINEBERG." Family 'tradition' says she changed the spelling to keep Joseph from finding his son. In 1898, Jennie married George Emory HOUCK, who raised Irvin as his own, along with 8 half-brothers and sisters. In 1910, he was even listed as "Irvin HOUCK."

Soon after this, Joseph and his brother moved to Lincoln, Nebraska (where Adolph married Lida SHAMP about 1900). Joseph lived with Adolph, Lida, and their daughter Maude. In 1905 they were living in Leavenworth, Kansas (merchants); in 1910 they were in Ray County, Missouri (farmers). By 1916, they had returned to Lincoln where Adolph became a real estate agent. In 1918 Joseph married Lillian M. STUART and the two of them moved to Independence, Kansas, where, in 1920, Joseph was an "automobile machinist." By 1930, Lillian had died and Joseph was a grocery merchant, again living in Lincoln with Adolph and Lida.

Welcome to The Captain's Quill

Occasionally, I receive questions that require a more substantive answer than a Facebook comment allows. Also, the FB comment soon vanishes into the mist and others will not, or cannot read my posts.

Often, I simply have a desire to share my thoughts or ideas with any who cares to indulge.

I will use my newfound quill to share family stories, histories, quotes, ideas, thoughts, and even a periodic rambling.

I invite you to join me as I set sail on this voyage.

Welcome aboard.