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Tri-County Legal Documents |
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Tri-County Legal Documents |
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Transcribed by Maryann Stalpers |
Name: Chas. Bockus Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C. January 15, 1898.
Sir:
In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below.
Very respectfully,
H. Clay Evans, Commissioner
First, Are you married? If so, please state your wife=s full name and her maiden name.
Answer: Yes; Laurah J. Bockus nee Compton
Second, When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer. April 3, 1892. William Branson Cox Taney Co. MO.
Third. What record of marriage exists?
Answer. Two--Taney Co., MO.
Fourth. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.
Answer. Mary Jane Strawn. Died Jan. 9, 1889.
Fifth. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their births.
Answer. Sadie E. March 19, 1873
Edwin A. March 30, 1875
Thomas F. February 28, 1878
Charles O. November 19, 1876
Robert O. January 24, 2880
Richard G. February 22, 1882
Eva Laura September 28, 1884
John A. July 1, 1895
Ernest W. Jan. 7, 1892
DECLARATION FOR PENSION
act of May 1, 1920
State of Nebraska, County of Pawnee, ss:
On this 9th day of February, 1925, before me the undersigned, personally appeared Charles Bockus, who makes the following declaration as an application for pension under the provisions of the act of Congress approved May 1, 1920.
That he is 78 years of age; that he was born May 12, 1846 at Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.
That he is the identical Charles Bockus who enlisted February 18, 1864 at Wellsboro, Pennsylvania under the name of Charles Bockus, in Co. A 187 Penn. Inf. Vols.
Discharged August 3, 1865 at Harrisburg Pennsylvania, having served the United States, in the Civil War.
That otherwise than herein stated he was not employed in the United States Military or Naval service.
That his personal description at time of first enlistment was as follows: Height 5 feet 9 inches; complexion Dark; color of eyes Gray; color of hair brown; that his occupation was farmer
That since leaving the service he has resided at Wellsboro 2 years
Richardson Co., Nebr. 16 years
Wellsboro l year
Rooks Co., Kansas 2 years
Brown Co. Kans 2 yrs.
Taney Co. Mo. 2 years
Lawrence Mo. 7 years
Shawnee Okla. 2 yrs.
Pawnee Co. Nebr. To date.
That he requires the regular personal aid and attendance of another person and has required such aid and attendance since February l, 1923 on account of the following disabilities:
Unable to do any kind of labor for two years. Losing eyesight, constipated.
Files very bad. Lumbago, Rheumatism in legs, can hardly walk. Dizziness.
Legs will not support him at times. Falls over.
That he has not applied for pension under Original No._____; that he is _____a pensioner under Certificate no. 688,579.
Claimant should answer fully the following:
No. L. Are you a married man? If so, state your wife=s full name and her maiden name. Answer. Yes. Laura J. Bockus... Laura J. Compton.
No. 2. When, where and by whom were you married to your present wife? Answer. April 3, 1892. Branson, Taney Co., Mo. William Cox, J. P.
No. 3. What record of your married to her exists? Answer: Had Family Record, is lost. Records of Taney Co., Mo. At Forsyth, County seat.
No. 4. Were you previously married? Answer. Yes. Mary J. Strawn, 1880. Died Jan. 9, 1887.
DECLARATION FOR WIDOW=S
PENSION.
State of Nebraska, County of Pawnee, ss:
On the 10th day of November 1932, personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Laura J. Bockus, who, being duly sworn by me according to law, declares that she is 64 years of age and that she was born August 3, 1875 at Osage County, Missouri.
That she is the widow of Charles Henry Bockus who enlisted Feb. 8, 1864 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under the name of Charles Henry Bockus as a private, in Company A, 187 Pennsylvania Volunteers and was honorably discharged August 3, 1865, having served ninety days or more, or was discharged for or died in service of a disability incurred in the service and in the line of duty, during the Civil War.
That he also served No service except as stated above.
That she was married to said soldier (or sailor) April 3, 1892, under the name of Laura J. Combs at Branson, Taney County, Missouri by W. S. Cox; that she had been previously married:
She was married Aug. 19, 1881 to Jasper J. Combs who died September
25, 1885 in Taney Co., Missouri
He was married April 30, 1870 to Mary Jane Strawn in Richardson Co., Nebraska.
That wife died in 1889 in Brownnville, Nemaha County, Nebraska.
That said soldier died Nov. 6, 1932 at Pawnee City, Nebraska that she was not divorced from him; and that she has not remarried since his death.
Signed/reference to his certificate No 688579.
Exhibit No. 1
In compliance with Paragraph No. L
Charles Bockus Co. A. 108 Pa. Inf. WO 1727872
Pawnee City, Nebraska
December 19, 1932.
I certify that the records in my office show the following facts concerning Charles Henry Bockus, deceased.
That Charles Henry Bockus died at Pawnee City, Nebraska, November 5, 1932, a married man; that the date of his birth was May 12, 1846; that at the time of his death the decedent was of the age of 86 years, five months and 24 days; that his birthplace was New York state; that his father=s name was George Bockus of New York; that his mother=s name was Eliza Jane Rockford (Rockwell), of New York; that the decedent was attended by Leo D. Harman, M. F. Of Pawnee City, Nebraska, that the cause of the death of decedent was chronic myocarditis; and that the date of the burial of decedent was November 8, 1932, at Pawnee City, Nebraska.
Signed/ registrar of vital statistics
Pawnee City Cemetery Association
Dec. 3, 1948
Interment in Grave space 8, lot 12, Block 10, North add to
Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City Neb. 15.00
Received payment in full, of the above account Dec. 3, 1948.
KENNETH S. WHERRY
Attorney-at-Law
Jan. 5, 1933
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
MBAB W.C. 1727872-Charles Bockus
Enclosed you will find exhibits containing the data outlined in your letter to Mrs. Laura J. Bockus, wife of Charles Bockus mentioned above, all pertaining to securing her pension as the wife and now the widow of Charles Bockus.
In your letter of Dec. 14th you ask that evidence be shown meeting the requirements of paragraphs l, 1, 3, 4, 7 and 9 which are part of pension form 5301 designated as call for evidence--Widow=s Claim. In compliance with paragraph l, we enclose to you the verified copy of the death certificate of Charles Bockus duly and sworn to by the local Registrar of Vital Statistics of Pawnee City, Nebraska; also three (3) affidavits numbered Exhibit 2, two of which state that the affiant were present at the marriage of Laura J. Combs and Charles Bockus, April 3, 1892, the third one signed by W. R. Cox the Justice of the Peace who married the couple in Taney County, Missouri, altho it doesn=t state that fact in the affidavit; also the claimant=s affidavit which states that she was previously married to Jasper Combs who died in August 1887 and who was not a veteran and therefore no application for pension. In compliance with paragraph No. 5 we have two (2) affidavits stating the time of her previous marriage to Jasper Combs and his death signed and sworn to by W. R. Cox and j. W. Heryford and also by W. H. Crowder and M. E. Compton all of Taney County, Missouri, which is in full compliance with requirement No. 5.
Exhibit No. 7 is in compliance with paragraph No.7 stating that Mr. Charles Bockus was married previous to the marriage to Laura J. Combs and that his first wife Mary Jane Bockus died in January 1889. The affidavit is signed by one who helped dig the grave, Samuel C. Barnum who states that Mary Jane Bockus the first wife, was buried in Shelton Cemetery Northeast of Hiawatha, Kansas.
Paragraph No. 9 has been complied with by exhibits No. 9 consisting of the testimony of Charles O. Bockus of North Platte, Nebraska, Mrs. Frank S. Colwell and David Osborn of Pawnee City, Nebraska, all of whom knew the Bockus family and who testify that they lived together as man and wife since 1892 until the death of Charles Bockus Nov. 6, 1932.
All the statements have been properly sworn to and authorized by the officer administering such oath. All of the Nebraska affiants have testified according to the statutes of the state relative to ages and residence and legal requirements, and such is the case of the same requirements in Kansas and Missouri. Each instrument has on it the name and the service and the claim number of Charles Bockus.
Also accompanying your letter to Mrs. Bockus and over the signature of E. W. Morgan you ask that a statement by Laura J. Bockus be made relative to Mr. Bockus=; full christian name. We are enclosing a real estate mortgage and note signed by Charles H. Bockus and the signature of Laura J. Bockus > her mark= which is the best evidence that can be given on this point. Accompanying this real estate mortgage and note is a statement of Nettie Hanon a Notary Public who states that Charles Bockus and Charles Henry Bockus was one and the same person. I think this is self-explanatory for Charles Bockus who was known to all in this community as just Charles Bockus was the husband of Laura J. Bockus and was so known in this community. I have marked this exhibit No. 10.
Mrs. Bockus is in dire need of this pension and all of the people in this community are very anxious that all matters be expedited as quickly as possible so that she might obtain this pension. I am a veteran myself and have helped many boys secure relief because I am interested in their welfare. If for any reason all the requirements have not been complied with, I would appreciate very much if you would inform me immediately so that we can get any difficulty straightened out as quickly as possible and I sincerely trust that the department can see its way clear to start paying Mrs. Bockus this pension immediately.
Signed/Kenneth S. Wherry
General Notes in File:
Cert. No. 688579
General Affidavit
Case of: Chas. Bockus
Marionville, Mo.
For; Restoration of Pension\
Co. A. 187 Pa. Inf. Vols.
Affidavit of J. W. Compton
Date 14, Jan. 1895
.....................................................................claim Against the U. S. For Amounts Due in the
Case of a Decedent: children listed of Laura J. Combs when she passed away were:
Gertie Schnepp, daughter
Lucy Colson, daughter
Arthur Combs, son
................Affidavit of Laura J. Combs wherein her birth date is taken from her family bible and reads as follows:
8/23/1865 Laura J. Combs and notarized.
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Missouri, County of Lawrence, ss:
In the matter of the Pension of Chas. Bockus Co. A. 187 Pa. Inf. Vols.
Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for aforesaid County and State, G. W. Compton, aged 26 years and M. V. Compton, aged 25 years, citizens of the town of Branson, County of Taney, State of Missouri, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case, as follows:
We have been personally acquainted with claimant for the last four years past have worked with him frequently during that time he complains of piles and a weakness of the back he has not been able to do but very little labor since we have known him we have known him to have to quit his work while working with ___ we think as many as twenty times on account of giving out in his back we believe under his present condition he is totally disabled his disease cannot be due to vicious habits as he is a man of good habits during our acquaintance we have had E. J. Milton of Marionville, Mo. To write the above affidavit for us which is wrote from our oral statement to him and dictated entirely by us and that we have not been prompted by any written or printed statement in making said affidavit and that we further declare that we have no interest in said case, and are not concerned in its prosecution.
Signed by both.
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