My dear Grandma . . .
MADGE DELORES GRAVES Widdifield 1904-1988
Wedding Anniversary 8 December 1922
**Picture of Madge in her jacket has the WRONG DATE on it. I personally took the photo and added the date with the new iphone app but put the wrong date on it. She died in 1988. Sorry for any confusion! Carole
Madge Delores GRAVES was born on the 8th of December 1904 the daughter of Burleigh Graves 1881-1964 and his wife, Artena Belle ASHCRAFT Graves 1878-1932. She had a baby brother born prematurely and did not survive.
Madge's Father - Burl and Mother - Belle were the Parents of 2 Children:
(1) Unnamed Baby Boy Graves 1904-1904
(2) Madge Delores Graves 8 Dec 1904 - 24 Oct 1988
On the 8th of December 1922 Madge Delores GRAVES married her sweetheart - Clarence Eugene Widdifield 1903-1965 in Paulding, Paulding County, Ohio. Interesting note - it was also Madge's Birthday!
Madge GRAVES and Clarence Eugene Widdifield were the parents of 4 children:
1 - Billy Gene Widdifield 1923-1925
2 - Phyllis Elaine Widdifield 1926-2000
3 - Garth Eugene Widdifield, M. D. 1928-2014
4 - Duane Alden Widdifield
In 1965, after the death of her husband - Clarence, Madge started a whole new life. She learned to live by herself in her own apartment, drive a car, and also was employed as a home medical stenographer by her son, Dr. Garth E Widdifield, until she retired.
Madge was a Charter Member of the Mary Bryan Greenwood Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was the first Historian for the chapter. She received numerous awards for her work with the DAR. Her membership in the DAR was through her maternal side of the family - Ichabod Ashcraft of which she was so very Proud!
Madge died at 11:55 PM on the 24th of October 1988 at the age of 84 in the Southside Health Care Center Nursing Home in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. The cause of death was Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, with Dementia Syndrome, and Multi-Infarction contributing. Her death certificate states she was born on the 8th of December 1904 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana to Burl Graves and Belle Ashcraft. The informant was her son, Garth Eugene Widdifield, M.D. On the 26th of October 1988, Madge was buried in Concordia Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Clarence Widdifield who died 23 years earlier. They have a large shared upright stone marker with vase.
I am truly blessed to have had a Grandma that loved her family so much. She was our family historian and I inherited her gene, haha. Thank you, Grandma for keeping such good records and all the pictures you saved and gave to me. I am taking good care of them and have traced our families back even further. I dearly wish you were here to see it all.
Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Grand-daughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore on 2 September 2016.
Sources
Birth Certificate
of Madge Delores GRAVES Widdifield Born: 8 Dec 1904 Portland Jay Co Indiana PARENTS: Burleigh Graves Bell ASHCRAFT Graves BOOK: CH-1 PG:34 Issued 27 Oct 1965
[1] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
ERROR in Ohio Birth & Christening Index 1800-1962
8 Dec 1904 Ohio Madge Dolores GRAVES: Birth PLACE ERROR: NOT OHIO She was born in Portland Jay IN SOURCE: Birth Certificate Dept of Health Jay County IN Book No: CH-1 PG 34
[2] ancestry.com and birth certificate in possession of Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
National Archives and Records Administration. OHIO 1910 CENSUS
Miracode Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. GRAVES: Burl 29 Indiana Wife Belle A 29 Ohio Daughter Madge D 05 Indiana 1910 Mercer, Fort Recovery, Ohio, USA
[3] ancestry.com
1920 Census
Place: Carryall, Paulding, Ohio; Roll: T625_1426; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 79; Image: 147. **GRAVES: Burl 38 Artie B 41 Madge D 15.
[4] ancestry.com
Antwerp High School Class of 1922
Jun 1922 Antwerp, Paulding, Ohio, USA The Antwerp Graduating Class of 1922 Madge GRAVES
[5] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Marriage License 8 Dec 1922
Paulding, Paulding, Ohio, USA NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Paulding Co (OHIO) Official Business MARRIAGE LICENSE: Clarence E Widdifield 19, and Madge D. Graves 18, Antwerp
[6] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Birth of Son Billy Gene Widdifield 1923–1925
28 Sep 1923 Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana, USA Birth Announcement written by Father, Clarence Eugene Widdifield
[7] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
1924 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Widdifield, Clarence E. Clerk H.Clay Shoe Store 531 Madison
[8] ancestry.com
Death of 23 mo old Son, Billy Gene Widdifield 1923–1925
7 Sep 1925 Spencerville, DeKalb, Indiana, USA Billy died at the age of 1 year 11 months 9 days from meningitis. Death certificate says pneumonia.
[9] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
1930 Census
Place: Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio; Roll: 1853; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 1013.0. **Staying with Belle & Burl Graves - wife's parents
[10] ancestry.com
1934 City Directory
Clarence Widdifield Gender Male Res 1934 Address 8l8 E Jefferson Res Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation MacHine Operator Household Members Madge Widdifield Clarence Widdifield
[11] ancestry.com
1935 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence Madge Widdifield Residence Year 1935 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Employee Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1935 Household Members Clarence Madge Widdifield
[12] ancestry.com
1936 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence Widdifield Residence Year 1936 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Employee Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1936 Household Members Clarence Widdifield
[13] ancestry.com
1937 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name C E Widdifield Residence Year 1937 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Framer Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1937 Household Members C E Widdifield
[14] ancestry.com
1940 Census
Place: Spencer, DeKalb, Indiana; Roll: T627_1036; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 17-20 **WIDDIFIELD: Clarence 37 Madge 35 Phyllis 13 Garth 11 DeWayne 6 -error spelling is Duane
[15] ancestry.com
1942 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence E Widdifield Gender Male ResYr 1942 Street Address 3308 N Illinois ResPlace Indpls IN Occupation Machinist Spouse Madge D Widdifield Publication Title Indpls IN City Directory, 1942 Household Members Madge D Widdifield Clarence E Widdifield
[16] ancestry.com
Trip out West - Las Vegas, Nevada
Jun 1958 Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada, USA Photo stamp of: Madge & Clarence Widdifield and their son: Duane & his wife, Marlene LaVonne BROWN Widdifield. They had a great sense of humor and enjoyed having fun together.
[17] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Personal Appearance - Medical issue
1960 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge was very tiny - 4'9" and always wore 3" heels (size 5 because they didn't make size 4 1/2) since she was so short. Med Brown hair that turned gray. She was always embarrassed over it. Madge's left hand was crippled due to the polio virus. It didn't look bad, her fingers just curled inward a little. She would always hold a handkerchief in that hand so it looked natural, or hide her hand if possible.
Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore, Granddaughter - first hand knowledge
Our Family HISTORIAN
1962 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge made scrap books and saved old photos, newspaper articles, letters, etc and made her own genealogy book for her family. GrDau Carole Brown Whittemore inherited that gene and continues on today.
Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore, Granddaughter - first hand knowledge
Medical Stenographer for Son, Dr. G.E. Widdifield
1968-1978 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge never worked before and now was alone after 43 years of marriage. Her son, Dr. Garth, employed her as his stenographer for ten years, retiring in 1978. He also taught her to DRIVE a car for the 1st Time in 62 years!
[18] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Lifetime Member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution
16 Apr 1977 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Grandma was so very PROUD of joining the DAR!! We applied together so my # is one ahead of hers. She had been working on the ASHCRAFT line for a long time & is honored to add CAPT ICHABOD ASHCRAFT as our REV WAR patriot Joined: Mary Bryan Chapter
[19] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
National Society DAR # 617124
CHARTER and Lifetime MEMBER of the Mary Bryan Chapter. Madge also served as the Chapter Historian. ANCESTOR: Ichabod Ashcraft.
[20] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Obituary of Madge D Widdifield
24 Oct 1988 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
[21] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
US Social Security Death Index 1935-Current
Name: Madge D Widdifield SSN: 315-58-1416 Last Res: 46227 Indpls Marion IN Born 8 Dec 1904 Died 26 Oct 1988 State (Year) SSN issued: Indiana (1968)
[22] ancestry.com
Burial & Find A Grave Memorial# 38486553
Oct 1988 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Concordia Cemetery Web: Indiana Find A Grave Index 1800-2011 Find A Grave Memorial# 38486553 Name: Madge Delores Graves Widdifield Birth Date:8 Dec 1904 Age at Death:83 Created by Carole Whittemore (grdau)Rec added 18 Jun 2009
[23] FindAGrave.com
Descendants of James Graves and Sarah Watkins of North Carolina and Indiana Rev. 10 Nov. 2005, Gen. 161
Ancestry of this Graves Family
[24] gravesfa.org
Graves Family Association & DNA Study
2016 The Graves Family Association (2016 link) & DNA Study
[25] gravesfa.org
Ancestry.com
My Graves Family Tree by CaroleAnne269 Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Granddaughter, Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore on 2 Sep 2016
[26] ancestry.com
wikitree Profile: Graves-4659
Created by Brown-44556 Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Granddaughter, Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore on 2 Sep 2016
[27] wikitree.com
MADGE DELORES GRAVES Widdifield 1904-1988
Wedding Anniversary 8 December 1922
**Picture of Madge in her jacket has the WRONG DATE on it. I personally took the photo and added the date with the new iphone app but put the wrong date on it. She died in 1988. Sorry for any confusion! Carole
Madge Delores GRAVES was born on the 8th of December 1904 the daughter of Burleigh Graves 1881-1964 and his wife, Artena Belle ASHCRAFT Graves 1878-1932. She had a baby brother born prematurely and did not survive.
Madge's Father - Burl and Mother - Belle were the Parents of 2 Children:
(1) Unnamed Baby Boy Graves 1904-1904
(2) Madge Delores Graves 8 Dec 1904 - 24 Oct 1988
On the 8th of December 1922 Madge Delores GRAVES married her sweetheart - Clarence Eugene Widdifield 1903-1965 in Paulding, Paulding County, Ohio. Interesting note - it was also Madge's Birthday!
Madge GRAVES and Clarence Eugene Widdifield were the parents of 4 children:
1 - Billy Gene Widdifield 1923-1925
2 - Phyllis Elaine Widdifield 1926-2000
3 - Garth Eugene Widdifield, M. D. 1928-2014
4 - Duane Alden Widdifield
In 1965, after the death of her husband - Clarence, Madge started a whole new life. She learned to live by herself in her own apartment, drive a car, and also was employed as a home medical stenographer by her son, Dr. Garth E Widdifield, until she retired.
Madge was a Charter Member of the Mary Bryan Greenwood Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was the first Historian for the chapter. She received numerous awards for her work with the DAR. Her membership in the DAR was through her maternal side of the family - Ichabod Ashcraft of which she was so very Proud!
Madge died at 11:55 PM on the 24th of October 1988 at the age of 84 in the Southside Health Care Center Nursing Home in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. The cause of death was Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, with Dementia Syndrome, and Multi-Infarction contributing. Her death certificate states she was born on the 8th of December 1904 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana to Burl Graves and Belle Ashcraft. The informant was her son, Garth Eugene Widdifield, M.D. On the 26th of October 1988, Madge was buried in Concordia Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Clarence Widdifield who died 23 years earlier. They have a large shared upright stone marker with vase.
I am truly blessed to have had a Grandma that loved her family so much. She was our family historian and I inherited her gene, haha. Thank you, Grandma for keeping such good records and all the pictures you saved and gave to me. I am taking good care of them and have traced our families back even further. I dearly wish you were here to see it all.
Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Grand-daughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore on 2 September 2016.
Sources
Birth Certificate
of Madge Delores GRAVES Widdifield Born: 8 Dec 1904 Portland Jay Co Indiana PARENTS: Burleigh Graves Bell ASHCRAFT Graves BOOK: CH-1 PG:34 Issued 27 Oct 1965
[1] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
ERROR in Ohio Birth & Christening Index 1800-1962
8 Dec 1904 Ohio Madge Dolores GRAVES: Birth PLACE ERROR: NOT OHIO She was born in Portland Jay IN SOURCE: Birth Certificate Dept of Health Jay County IN Book No: CH-1 PG 34
[2] ancestry.com and birth certificate in possession of Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
National Archives and Records Administration. OHIO 1910 CENSUS
Miracode Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. GRAVES: Burl 29 Indiana Wife Belle A 29 Ohio Daughter Madge D 05 Indiana 1910 Mercer, Fort Recovery, Ohio, USA
[3] ancestry.com
1920 Census
Place: Carryall, Paulding, Ohio; Roll: T625_1426; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 79; Image: 147. **GRAVES: Burl 38 Artie B 41 Madge D 15.
[4] ancestry.com
Antwerp High School Class of 1922
Jun 1922 Antwerp, Paulding, Ohio, USA The Antwerp Graduating Class of 1922 Madge GRAVES
[5] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Marriage License 8 Dec 1922
Paulding, Paulding, Ohio, USA NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Paulding Co (OHIO) Official Business MARRIAGE LICENSE: Clarence E Widdifield 19, and Madge D. Graves 18, Antwerp
[6] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Birth of Son Billy Gene Widdifield 1923–1925
28 Sep 1923 Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana, USA Birth Announcement written by Father, Clarence Eugene Widdifield
[7] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
1924 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Widdifield, Clarence E. Clerk H.Clay Shoe Store 531 Madison
[8] ancestry.com
Death of 23 mo old Son, Billy Gene Widdifield 1923–1925
7 Sep 1925 Spencerville, DeKalb, Indiana, USA Billy died at the age of 1 year 11 months 9 days from meningitis. Death certificate says pneumonia.
[9] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
1930 Census
Place: Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio; Roll: 1853; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 1013.0. **Staying with Belle & Burl Graves - wife's parents
[10] ancestry.com
1934 City Directory
Clarence Widdifield Gender Male Res 1934 Address 8l8 E Jefferson Res Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation MacHine Operator Household Members Madge Widdifield Clarence Widdifield
[11] ancestry.com
1935 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence Madge Widdifield Residence Year 1935 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Employee Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1935 Household Members Clarence Madge Widdifield
[12] ancestry.com
1936 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence Widdifield Residence Year 1936 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Employee Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1936 Household Members Clarence Widdifield
[13] ancestry.com
1937 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name C E Widdifield Residence Year 1937 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Framer Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1937 Household Members C E Widdifield
[14] ancestry.com
1940 Census
Place: Spencer, DeKalb, Indiana; Roll: T627_1036; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 17-20 **WIDDIFIELD: Clarence 37 Madge 35 Phyllis 13 Garth 11 DeWayne 6 -error spelling is Duane
[15] ancestry.com
1942 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence E Widdifield Gender Male ResYr 1942 Street Address 3308 N Illinois ResPlace Indpls IN Occupation Machinist Spouse Madge D Widdifield Publication Title Indpls IN City Directory, 1942 Household Members Madge D Widdifield Clarence E Widdifield
[16] ancestry.com
Trip out West - Las Vegas, Nevada
Jun 1958 Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada, USA Photo stamp of: Madge & Clarence Widdifield and their son: Duane & his wife, Marlene LaVonne BROWN Widdifield. They had a great sense of humor and enjoyed having fun together.
[17] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Personal Appearance - Medical issue
1960 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge was very tiny - 4'9" and always wore 3" heels (size 5 because they didn't make size 4 1/2) since she was so short. Med Brown hair that turned gray. She was always embarrassed over it. Madge's left hand was crippled due to the polio virus. It didn't look bad, her fingers just curled inward a little. She would always hold a handkerchief in that hand so it looked natural, or hide her hand if possible.
Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore, Granddaughter - first hand knowledge
Our Family HISTORIAN
1962 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge made scrap books and saved old photos, newspaper articles, letters, etc and made her own genealogy book for her family. GrDau Carole Brown Whittemore inherited that gene and continues on today.
Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore, Granddaughter - first hand knowledge
Medical Stenographer for Son, Dr. G.E. Widdifield
1968-1978 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge never worked before and now was alone after 43 years of marriage. Her son, Dr. Garth, employed her as his stenographer for ten years, retiring in 1978. He also taught her to DRIVE a car for the 1st Time in 62 years!
[18] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Lifetime Member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution
16 Apr 1977 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Grandma was so very PROUD of joining the DAR!! We applied together so my # is one ahead of hers. She had been working on the ASHCRAFT line for a long time & is honored to add CAPT ICHABOD ASHCRAFT as our REV WAR patriot Joined: Mary Bryan Chapter
[19] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
National Society DAR # 617124
CHARTER and Lifetime MEMBER of the Mary Bryan Chapter. Madge also served as the Chapter Historian. ANCESTOR: Ichabod Ashcraft.
[20] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Obituary of Madge D Widdifield
24 Oct 1988 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
[21] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
US Social Security Death Index 1935-Current
Name: Madge D Widdifield SSN: 315-58-1416 Last Res: 46227 Indpls Marion IN Born 8 Dec 1904 Died 26 Oct 1988 State (Year) SSN issued: Indiana (1968)
[22] ancestry.com
Burial & Find A Grave Memorial# 38486553
Oct 1988 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Concordia Cemetery Web: Indiana Find A Grave Index 1800-2011 Find A Grave Memorial# 38486553 Name: Madge Delores Graves Widdifield Birth Date:8 Dec 1904 Age at Death:83 Created by Carole Whittemore (grdau)Rec added 18 Jun 2009
[23] FindAGrave.com
Descendants of James Graves and Sarah Watkins of North Carolina and Indiana Rev. 10 Nov. 2005, Gen. 161
Ancestry of this Graves Family
[24] gravesfa.org
Graves Family Association & DNA Study
2016 The Graves Family Association (2016 link) & DNA Study
[25] gravesfa.org
Ancestry.com
My Graves Family Tree by CaroleAnne269 Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Granddaughter, Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore on 2 Sep 2016
[26] ancestry.com
wikitree Profile: Graves-4659
Created by Brown-44556 Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Granddaughter, Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore on 2 Sep 2016
[27] wikitree.com
My dear Grandma . . .
MADGE DELORES GRAVES Widdifield 1904-1988
Wedding Anniversary 8 December 1922
**Picture of Madge in her jacket has the WRONG DATE on it. I personally took the photo and added the date with the new iphone app but put the wrong date on it. She died in 1988. Sorry for any confusion! Carole
Madge Delores GRAVES was born on the 8th of December 1904 the daughter of Burleigh Graves 1881-1964 and his wife, Artena Belle ASHCRAFT Graves 1878-1932. She had a baby brother born prematurely and did not survive.
Madge's Father - Burl and Mother - Belle were the Parents of 2 Children:
(1) Unnamed Baby Boy Graves 1904-1904
(2) Madge Delores Graves 8 Dec 1904 - 24 Oct 1988
On the 8th of December 1922 Madge Delores GRAVES married her sweetheart - Clarence Eugene Widdifield 1903-1965 in Paulding, Paulding County, Ohio. Interesting note - it was also Madge's Birthday!
Madge GRAVES and Clarence Eugene Widdifield were the parents of 4 children:
1 - Billy Gene Widdifield 1923-1925
2 - Phyllis Elaine Widdifield 1926-2000
3 - Garth Eugene Widdifield, M. D. 1928-2014
4 - Duane Alden Widdifield
In 1965, after the death of her husband - Clarence, Madge started a whole new life. She learned to live by herself in her own apartment, drive a car, and also was employed as a home medical stenographer by her son, Dr. Garth E Widdifield, until she retired.
Madge was a Charter Member of the Mary Bryan Greenwood Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was the first Historian for the chapter. She received numerous awards for her work with the DAR. Her membership in the DAR was through her maternal side of the family - Ichabod Ashcraft of which she was so very Proud!
Madge died at 11:55 PM on the 24th of October 1988 at the age of 84 in the Southside Health Care Center Nursing Home in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. The cause of death was Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, with Dementia Syndrome, and Multi-Infarction contributing. Her death certificate states she was born on the 8th of December 1904 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana to Burl Graves and Belle Ashcraft. The informant was her son, Garth Eugene Widdifield, M.D. On the 26th of October 1988, Madge was buried in Concordia Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Clarence Widdifield who died 23 years earlier. They have a large shared upright stone marker with vase.
I am truly blessed to have had a Grandma that loved her family so much. She was our family historian and I inherited her gene, haha. Thank you, Grandma for keeping such good records and all the pictures you saved and gave to me. I am taking good care of them and have traced our families back even further. I dearly wish you were here to see it all.
Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Grand-daughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore on 2 September 2016.
Sources
Birth Certificate
of Madge Delores GRAVES Widdifield Born: 8 Dec 1904 Portland Jay Co Indiana PARENTS: Burleigh Graves Bell ASHCRAFT Graves BOOK: CH-1 PG:34 Issued 27 Oct 1965
[1] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
ERROR in Ohio Birth & Christening Index 1800-1962
8 Dec 1904 Ohio Madge Dolores GRAVES: Birth PLACE ERROR: NOT OHIO She was born in Portland Jay IN SOURCE: Birth Certificate Dept of Health Jay County IN Book No: CH-1 PG 34
[2] ancestry.com and birth certificate in possession of Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
National Archives and Records Administration. OHIO 1910 CENSUS
Miracode Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. GRAVES: Burl 29 Indiana Wife Belle A 29 Ohio Daughter Madge D 05 Indiana 1910 Mercer, Fort Recovery, Ohio, USA
[3] ancestry.com
1920 Census
Place: Carryall, Paulding, Ohio; Roll: T625_1426; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 79; Image: 147. **GRAVES: Burl 38 Artie B 41 Madge D 15.
[4] ancestry.com
Antwerp High School Class of 1922
Jun 1922 Antwerp, Paulding, Ohio, USA The Antwerp Graduating Class of 1922 Madge GRAVES
[5] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Marriage License 8 Dec 1922
Paulding, Paulding, Ohio, USA NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Paulding Co (OHIO) Official Business MARRIAGE LICENSE: Clarence E Widdifield 19, and Madge D. Graves 18, Antwerp
[6] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Birth of Son Billy Gene Widdifield 1923–1925
28 Sep 1923 Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana, USA Birth Announcement written by Father, Clarence Eugene Widdifield
[7] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
1924 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Widdifield, Clarence E. Clerk H.Clay Shoe Store 531 Madison
[8] ancestry.com
Death of 23 mo old Son, Billy Gene Widdifield 1923–1925
7 Sep 1925 Spencerville, DeKalb, Indiana, USA Billy died at the age of 1 year 11 months 9 days from meningitis. Death certificate says pneumonia.
[9] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
1930 Census
Place: Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio; Roll: 1853; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 1013.0. **Staying with Belle & Burl Graves - wife's parents
[10] ancestry.com
1934 City Directory
Clarence Widdifield Gender Male Res 1934 Address 8l8 E Jefferson Res Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation MacHine Operator Household Members Madge Widdifield Clarence Widdifield
[11] ancestry.com
1935 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence Madge Widdifield Residence Year 1935 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Employee Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1935 Household Members Clarence Madge Widdifield
[12] ancestry.com
1936 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence Widdifield Residence Year 1936 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Employee Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1936 Household Members Clarence Widdifield
[13] ancestry.com
1937 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name C E Widdifield Residence Year 1937 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Framer Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1937 Household Members C E Widdifield
[14] ancestry.com
1940 Census
Place: Spencer, DeKalb, Indiana; Roll: T627_1036; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 17-20 **WIDDIFIELD: Clarence 37 Madge 35 Phyllis 13 Garth 11 DeWayne 6 -error spelling is Duane
[15] ancestry.com
1942 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence E Widdifield Gender Male ResYr 1942 Street Address 3308 N Illinois ResPlace Indpls IN Occupation Machinist Spouse Madge D Widdifield Publication Title Indpls IN City Directory, 1942 Household Members Madge D Widdifield Clarence E Widdifield
[16] ancestry.com
Trip out West - Las Vegas, Nevada
Jun 1958 Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada, USA Photo stamp of: Madge & Clarence Widdifield and their son: Duane & his wife, Marlene LaVonne BROWN Widdifield. They had a great sense of humor and enjoyed having fun together.
[17] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Personal Appearance - Medical issue
1960 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge was very tiny - 4'9" and always wore 3" heels (size 5 because they didn't make size 4 1/2) since she was so short. Med Brown hair that turned gray. She was always embarrassed over it. Madge's left hand was crippled due to the polio virus. It didn't look bad, her fingers just curled inward a little. She would always hold a handkerchief in that hand so it looked natural, or hide her hand if possible.
Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore, Granddaughter - first hand knowledge
Our Family HISTORIAN
1962 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge made scrap books and saved old photos, newspaper articles, letters, etc and made her own genealogy book for her family. GrDau Carole Brown Whittemore inherited that gene and continues on today.
Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore, Granddaughter - first hand knowledge
Medical Stenographer for Son, Dr. G.E. Widdifield
1968-1978 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge never worked before and now was alone after 43 years of marriage. Her son, Dr. Garth, employed her as his stenographer for ten years, retiring in 1978. He also taught her to DRIVE a car for the 1st Time in 62 years!
[18] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Lifetime Member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution
16 Apr 1977 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Grandma was so very PROUD of joining the DAR!! We applied together so my # is one ahead of hers. She had been working on the ASHCRAFT line for a long time & is honored to add CAPT ICHABOD ASHCRAFT as our REV WAR patriot Joined: Mary Bryan Chapter
[19] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
National Society DAR # 617124
CHARTER and Lifetime MEMBER of the Mary Bryan Chapter. Madge also served as the Chapter Historian. ANCESTOR: Ichabod Ashcraft.
[20] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Obituary of Madge D Widdifield
24 Oct 1988 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
[21] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
US Social Security Death Index 1935-Current
Name: Madge D Widdifield SSN: 315-58-1416 Last Res: 46227 Indpls Marion IN Born 8 Dec 1904 Died 26 Oct 1988 State (Year) SSN issued: Indiana (1968)
[22] ancestry.com
Burial & Find A Grave Memorial# 38486553
Oct 1988 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Concordia Cemetery Web: Indiana Find A Grave Index 1800-2011 Find A Grave Memorial# 38486553 Name: Madge Delores Graves Widdifield Birth Date:8 Dec 1904 Age at Death:83 Created by Carole Whittemore (grdau)Rec added 18 Jun 2009
[23] FindAGrave.com
Descendants of James Graves and Sarah Watkins of North Carolina and Indiana Rev. 10 Nov. 2005, Gen. 161
Ancestry of this Graves Family
[24] gravesfa.org
Graves Family Association & DNA Study
2016 The Graves Family Association (2016 link) & DNA Study
[25] gravesfa.org
Ancestry.com
My Graves Family Tree by CaroleAnne269 Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Granddaughter, Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore on 2 Sep 2016
[26] ancestry.com
wikitree Profile: Graves-4659
Created by Brown-44556 Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Granddaughter, Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore on 2 Sep 2016
[27] wikitree.com
MADGE DELORES GRAVES Widdifield 1904-1988
Wedding Anniversary 8 December 1922
**Picture of Madge in her jacket has the WRONG DATE on it. I personally took the photo and added the date with the new iphone app but put the wrong date on it. She died in 1988. Sorry for any confusion! Carole
Madge Delores GRAVES was born on the 8th of December 1904 the daughter of Burleigh Graves 1881-1964 and his wife, Artena Belle ASHCRAFT Graves 1878-1932. She had a baby brother born prematurely and did not survive.
Madge's Father - Burl and Mother - Belle were the Parents of 2 Children:
(1) Unnamed Baby Boy Graves 1904-1904
(2) Madge Delores Graves 8 Dec 1904 - 24 Oct 1988
On the 8th of December 1922 Madge Delores GRAVES married her sweetheart - Clarence Eugene Widdifield 1903-1965 in Paulding, Paulding County, Ohio. Interesting note - it was also Madge's Birthday!
Madge GRAVES and Clarence Eugene Widdifield were the parents of 4 children:
1 - Billy Gene Widdifield 1923-1925
2 - Phyllis Elaine Widdifield 1926-2000
3 - Garth Eugene Widdifield, M. D. 1928-2014
4 - Duane Alden Widdifield
In 1965, after the death of her husband - Clarence, Madge started a whole new life. She learned to live by herself in her own apartment, drive a car, and also was employed as a home medical stenographer by her son, Dr. Garth E Widdifield, until she retired.
Madge was a Charter Member of the Mary Bryan Greenwood Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was the first Historian for the chapter. She received numerous awards for her work with the DAR. Her membership in the DAR was through her maternal side of the family - Ichabod Ashcraft of which she was so very Proud!
Madge died at 11:55 PM on the 24th of October 1988 at the age of 84 in the Southside Health Care Center Nursing Home in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. The cause of death was Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, with Dementia Syndrome, and Multi-Infarction contributing. Her death certificate states she was born on the 8th of December 1904 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana to Burl Graves and Belle Ashcraft. The informant was her son, Garth Eugene Widdifield, M.D. On the 26th of October 1988, Madge was buried in Concordia Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Clarence Widdifield who died 23 years earlier. They have a large shared upright stone marker with vase.
I am truly blessed to have had a Grandma that loved her family so much. She was our family historian and I inherited her gene, haha. Thank you, Grandma for keeping such good records and all the pictures you saved and gave to me. I am taking good care of them and have traced our families back even further. I dearly wish you were here to see it all.
Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Grand-daughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore on 2 September 2016.
Sources
Birth Certificate
of Madge Delores GRAVES Widdifield Born: 8 Dec 1904 Portland Jay Co Indiana PARENTS: Burleigh Graves Bell ASHCRAFT Graves BOOK: CH-1 PG:34 Issued 27 Oct 1965
[1] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
ERROR in Ohio Birth & Christening Index 1800-1962
8 Dec 1904 Ohio Madge Dolores GRAVES: Birth PLACE ERROR: NOT OHIO She was born in Portland Jay IN SOURCE: Birth Certificate Dept of Health Jay County IN Book No: CH-1 PG 34
[2] ancestry.com and birth certificate in possession of Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
National Archives and Records Administration. OHIO 1910 CENSUS
Miracode Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. GRAVES: Burl 29 Indiana Wife Belle A 29 Ohio Daughter Madge D 05 Indiana 1910 Mercer, Fort Recovery, Ohio, USA
[3] ancestry.com
1920 Census
Place: Carryall, Paulding, Ohio; Roll: T625_1426; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 79; Image: 147. **GRAVES: Burl 38 Artie B 41 Madge D 15.
[4] ancestry.com
Antwerp High School Class of 1922
Jun 1922 Antwerp, Paulding, Ohio, USA The Antwerp Graduating Class of 1922 Madge GRAVES
[5] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Marriage License 8 Dec 1922
Paulding, Paulding, Ohio, USA NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Paulding Co (OHIO) Official Business MARRIAGE LICENSE: Clarence E Widdifield 19, and Madge D. Graves 18, Antwerp
[6] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Birth of Son Billy Gene Widdifield 1923–1925
28 Sep 1923 Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana, USA Birth Announcement written by Father, Clarence Eugene Widdifield
[7] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
1924 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Widdifield, Clarence E. Clerk H.Clay Shoe Store 531 Madison
[8] ancestry.com
Death of 23 mo old Son, Billy Gene Widdifield 1923–1925
7 Sep 1925 Spencerville, DeKalb, Indiana, USA Billy died at the age of 1 year 11 months 9 days from meningitis. Death certificate says pneumonia.
[9] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
1930 Census
Place: Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio; Roll: 1853; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 1013.0. **Staying with Belle & Burl Graves - wife's parents
[10] ancestry.com
1934 City Directory
Clarence Widdifield Gender Male Res 1934 Address 8l8 E Jefferson Res Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation MacHine Operator Household Members Madge Widdifield Clarence Widdifield
[11] ancestry.com
1935 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence Madge Widdifield Residence Year 1935 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Employee Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1935 Household Members Clarence Madge Widdifield
[12] ancestry.com
1936 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence Widdifield Residence Year 1936 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Employee Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1936 Household Members Clarence Widdifield
[13] ancestry.com
1937 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name C E Widdifield Residence Year 1937 Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Occupation Framer Publication Title Fort Wayne, Indiana, City Directory, 1937 Household Members C E Widdifield
[14] ancestry.com
1940 Census
Place: Spencer, DeKalb, Indiana; Roll: T627_1036; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 17-20 **WIDDIFIELD: Clarence 37 Madge 35 Phyllis 13 Garth 11 DeWayne 6 -error spelling is Duane
[15] ancestry.com
1942 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Clarence E Widdifield Gender Male ResYr 1942 Street Address 3308 N Illinois ResPlace Indpls IN Occupation Machinist Spouse Madge D Widdifield Publication Title Indpls IN City Directory, 1942 Household Members Madge D Widdifield Clarence E Widdifield
[16] ancestry.com
Trip out West - Las Vegas, Nevada
Jun 1958 Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada, USA Photo stamp of: Madge & Clarence Widdifield and their son: Duane & his wife, Marlene LaVonne BROWN Widdifield. They had a great sense of humor and enjoyed having fun together.
[17] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Personal Appearance - Medical issue
1960 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge was very tiny - 4'9" and always wore 3" heels (size 5 because they didn't make size 4 1/2) since she was so short. Med Brown hair that turned gray. She was always embarrassed over it. Madge's left hand was crippled due to the polio virus. It didn't look bad, her fingers just curled inward a little. She would always hold a handkerchief in that hand so it looked natural, or hide her hand if possible.
Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore, Granddaughter - first hand knowledge
Our Family HISTORIAN
1962 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge made scrap books and saved old photos, newspaper articles, letters, etc and made her own genealogy book for her family. GrDau Carole Brown Whittemore inherited that gene and continues on today.
Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore, Granddaughter - first hand knowledge
Medical Stenographer for Son, Dr. G.E. Widdifield
1968-1978 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Madge never worked before and now was alone after 43 years of marriage. Her son, Dr. Garth, employed her as his stenographer for ten years, retiring in 1978. He also taught her to DRIVE a car for the 1st Time in 62 years!
[18] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Lifetime Member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution
16 Apr 1977 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Grandma was so very PROUD of joining the DAR!! We applied together so my # is one ahead of hers. She had been working on the ASHCRAFT line for a long time & is honored to add CAPT ICHABOD ASHCRAFT as our REV WAR patriot Joined: Mary Bryan Chapter
[19] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
National Society DAR # 617124
CHARTER and Lifetime MEMBER of the Mary Bryan Chapter. Madge also served as the Chapter Historian. ANCESTOR: Ichabod Ashcraft.
[20] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
Obituary of Madge D Widdifield
24 Oct 1988 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
[21] in possession of Granddaughter, Carole Anne Brown Whittemore who added to ancestry.com
US Social Security Death Index 1935-Current
Name: Madge D Widdifield SSN: 315-58-1416 Last Res: 46227 Indpls Marion IN Born 8 Dec 1904 Died 26 Oct 1988 State (Year) SSN issued: Indiana (1968)
[22] ancestry.com
Burial & Find A Grave Memorial# 38486553
Oct 1988 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Concordia Cemetery Web: Indiana Find A Grave Index 1800-2011 Find A Grave Memorial# 38486553 Name: Madge Delores Graves Widdifield Birth Date:8 Dec 1904 Age at Death:83 Created by Carole Whittemore (grdau)Rec added 18 Jun 2009
[23] FindAGrave.com
Descendants of James Graves and Sarah Watkins of North Carolina and Indiana Rev. 10 Nov. 2005, Gen. 161
Ancestry of this Graves Family
[24] gravesfa.org
Graves Family Association & DNA Study
2016 The Graves Family Association (2016 link) & DNA Study
[25] gravesfa.org
Ancestry.com
My Graves Family Tree by CaroleAnne269 Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Granddaughter, Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore on 2 Sep 2016
[26] ancestry.com
wikitree Profile: Graves-4659
Created by Brown-44556 Bio and Research entered by hand, not gedcom, by Granddaughter, Carole Anne BROWN Whittemore on 2 Sep 2016
[27] wikitree.com
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
See more Widdifield or Graves memorials in:
- Concordia Cemetery Widdifield or Graves
- Indianapolis Widdifield or Graves
- Marion County Widdifield or Graves
- Indiana Widdifield or Graves
- USA Widdifield or Graves
- Find a Grave Widdifield or Graves
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
