Friday, November 11, 2011

Veteran’s Day Research

Charles is a common name in the Turpin family.  One of Robert Newton Turpin’s sons was named Charles Francis Turpin.  Today I’m looking at one of his great nephews who registered for both World War I and II.
Charles L. Turpin was a great nephew of Robert Newton Turpin.  Born 1877 in McLean County, Illinois to William Richard Turpin and Audra Adeline Hinthorn, he was the grandson of Henry W. Turpin.  He married Nancy Leona Turney in 1891 and Martha Frances Huffington in 1897.

I found Charley’s World War II Draft Registration Card in Ancestry.com today.  He registered at the age of 65.  Wow!  This was referred to as the "Old Man's Draft."

A little more poking around revealed his World War I Draft Registration which tells us that he is of medium height and slender build with gray eyes and light hair. 

And surprisingly, there is a listing for Charles in the SSDI (Social Security Death Index).  He died January 1966 in El Paso, Woodford County.


His family included Lora Pearl, Cecil, Richard William, Mildred, Mamie, and David.  I have not researched his first wife Nancy.  I believe his second wife, who is the mother of the children listed, was the daughter of John William Huffington and Eliza Ellen Cline.
There are census listings for Charley's family in Ancestry for 1900-1930.  The 1940 census may not tell us more than what we know but it will be fun to see what is there.
I’m seeking any descendants from that family who may have photos. 

5 comments:

  1. I think that everyone on the WW I draft board was color blind because every ancestor I have is listed with gray eyes. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Cecil Jane was my great-grandmother. She married Edward Lloyd Kingdon, son of Frank Alonzo/Lonzo Kingdon and Edna M Sithman/Seithman. Their daughter, Marjorie Irene, was my paternal grandmother.

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    1. Thanks for the info Kat! I don't have as much information on this part of the family, so it's very helpful.

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  3. Just an FYI, there are pics of Charles, Martha, and David on Find A Grave. Charles is listed as Charles Lensey Turpin. The info I had from family was Charles Linsey Turpin. I have pics of Cecil. I also have her obit.

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  4. Marcia, thank you for all your work. My grandfather was James Lawrance Turpin (brother to Cecil Jane) and one of Charles Lensey's sons. One of my first memories as a child was visiting Charles in a nursing home before he died.

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