Faded into the Mist of Time
Mariann Musgrave Brownson
Worstenholm Family History
In the 1880 census they were listed in Arrington Township,
Wayne County, IL.
An interesting sidelight: The greatest concentration of the
Worstenholm name is found in Sheffied, England, where in the "Sheffield
Directory of Trades" several Worstenholm’s (John, John and George) are
listed a manufacturers of "table, pen, pocket and fruit knives...razors,
razor strops and cabinets".
The Worstenholm Company in the early 1800's supplied 80 per
cent of the tableware to the United States, since there were no large
factories at the time to produce forks, knives, and spoons.
Worstenholm knives made in the mid-1800's are famous and
collectible. The most famous was the "1XL", otherwise known as the
"Bowie" knife that James Bowie carried in the battle of the Alamo.
Our Worstenholm’s were a mechanically-inclined family. George
gave his occupation as a "role" (rowel) turner (lathe operator) and a
make of small wheels for wagons. George L., his son, was listed as a
machinist, and later worked as a miller.
I did turn up one story about the son, George L. (Evelyn's
brother) in a Mar. 12, 1901 Paducah, KY, newspaper article, under the
headline "Runaway Cousins Married", when George, 44 years old, ran away
with his cousin Alice Coggins from East St. Louis, MO, to Kentucky,
where it was still legal to marry a first cousin.
Tracey was a quilter, and her husband George made her metal
templates to cut pattern pieces for her quilts, one of which was called
“Steps to the Altar”.
Tracy Young Worstenholm died at the home of her daughter, Ms.
Nellie (Allen) Kisner in Lamard Township, Wayne County, IL. George and
Tracy were buried in Lappin Cemetery, Wayne County, IL, along with our
third-great grandparents James and Mary Ellen Sons.
Worstenholm Tombstone
(Photo courtesy of Mariann Musgrave Brownson)Tracey Young Worstenholm
(Photo Courtsey of Mariann Musgrave Brownson)
If you look closely at the brooch Tracy wears in her
photograph, you will see a picture of her deceased husband George. This
kind of mourning jewelry was common at the time.
Evelyn Ada Worstenholm (May 21, 1871, St. Louis, MO - after
Dec., 1947, Michigan) married in 1890 James Alfred Gaston, Jr. (Nov. 23,
1869, MO – Jul. 17, 1943, Michigan). (See Gaston and Sons Family
Histories)