MAK Project: Betts Family III
 

The Mary Alma Kays Project
July Newsletter

This month’s feature is the third and final installment of this family line of the Benjamin Betts family record. There are many more Betts listed in the Personal Ancestral Files who may very well be related to this particular family tree. Research will be continued to find any connections to this Benjamin Betts family.

This is the story of the children of Benjamin Betts. Benjamin and wife Leah Flaugh had seven children, I Mathias, Eli C, Charles Monroe, Taylor, Scott, Katherine & Della. The record states Benjamin died around 1841; however, we believe it was several years later, certainly after 1855. We do not know the order of the birth of the children since we only have the dates of birth on three of them. At this time nothing else is known about Benjamin or Leah. This is the final part of the three part series and features Charles Monroe Betts.

Charles was born near East Williamsfield, Astabula County, Ohio, on December 20, 1855. From his home State he came west to Des Moines, IA, then on to Keokuk, IA in 1878, and made Keokuk his home until his death on February 24, 1909, at the age of 55 from a paralyzing stroke in the early morning hours at his daughter’s home. Charles had been in poor health a few weeks prior to his death. Charles married Miss Martha Wallett on October 23, 1876 in Kahoka, MO. He was well known in Keokuk and engaged in the business of buying and shipping horses and mules and was highly successful, being an expert stock man and conducting an extensive business which often took him away from home. Martha “Mattie” was born November 15, 1853 and passed away on November 26, 1889 at the age of 36. Their only child, a daughter Ethel, was 10 at the time of Mattie’s death.

Charles was a member of Morning Star Lodge No. 5 of the Knights of Pythias, having been a member for 18 years, and took considerable interest in the work of the order. Both Charles and Martha Wallett Betts are buried in Oakland Cemetery, Block R, Row 2, Keokuk, IA. We will note here Martha’s maiden name is listed as “Wallett” and as “Mallett” in the PAF file records, and to date we have not been able to determine which is correct.

Ethel Monroe Betts was born to Charles and Mattie on August 21, 1879 in Kahoka, Clark County, MO. Ethel was a member of the Congregational Church, Quid Libet society, Elmira Chapter No. 40, O. E. S. of which she was past matron. She was junior past president of Past Worthy Matrons Club, and her interest was centered on singing and music. Ethel graduated from Keokuk High School and attended Lyceman Arts of Chicago. Ethel married Oxel William Sandberg April 30, 1900; he was born in Sweden in 1874, to G. F. and Ida M. Sandberg, and since childhood resided in Keokuk, IA. Oxel was a zealous Mason and a member of the Eagle Lodge No. 12 A. F. and A. M. Gate City Chapter No. 7 of the Royal Arch Masons; past eminent commander Damascus Commandery No. 5; a past president of the Shrine Fez club; and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. He was also a member of the First Congregational Church. His business career was directed toward railroading and he served as secretary and private man to the general manager of the Keokuk and Western Railroad as well as Superintendent, Secretary and Treasurer of the Union Depot Company for eight years.

Oxel was the city clerk and auditor for 14 years and in later years was traveling examiner and auditor for cities and schools throughout the State of Iowa. After a long illness, he passed away at 1:30 AM in Graham Hospital on March 11, 1947. Ethel passed away suddenly on December 1, 1948 at Graham Hospital where she had been taken the day before. Ethel is the last of her immediate family. Closer surviving relatives include a sister-in-law, Mrs. C. S. Townsend, and a cousin, L. R. Lofton, both of Keokuk. Both Ethel and Oxel are buried in Oakland Cemetery, Keokuk, IA.

Listed in Charles Betts obituary are two other brothers of Charles, Taylor Betts of Pueblo, CO, and Scott Betts of North Bend, NE., and two sisters, Mrs. Katherine Betts Mack of East Williamsfield, OH, and Mrs. Della Betts Inman of Marysville, MO. No other information is known of Taylor, Scott, or Katherine. Della’s husband was Charles Inman.


The Family Tree of Benjamin Betts continued….

1. Benjamin Betts M Leah Laugh

C. Charles Monroe Betts B

December 20, 1855; D February 24,

1909; M Martha L “Mattie” Wallett (or Mallett) Oct 23, 1876

1) Ethel Betts B August 21, 1879; D December 1, 1948; M April 30, 1900

D. Taylor Betts

E. Scott Betts

F. Katherine Betts M Mr. Mack

G. Della Betts M Charles Inman


This concludes the three part series of the family of Benjamin Betts. If you are related to the Betts family or have any information to add to our data, please contact the Genealogy Department at the Donnellson Library. We will continue to research the Betts’ families listed in the files to try and determine how they may be related to this family tree. ~ Researched and submitted by Brenda Anderson