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    I am trying to find the earliest Rose branch in my family tree and I haven't gotten very far.
    The earliest Rose I can find is William James Rose. He is my Great-Great Grandfather.
    The first document that I have found pertaining to William Rose is his marriage license to his first wife Rebecca Jolly.
    1857- On September 8th, William Rose and Rebecca Jolly were married in Jennings County, Indiana.
    1860- The Federal Census lists William Rose as a laborer on the Jourdon Farm in Vernon, Indiana. He, along with Craig Jolly (Rebecca's brother) both work on this farm. This census also says William in 27 (born in 1835) and cannot read or write.
    What I do not find is any other mention of Rebecca Jolly Rose. I have found Rebecca's parents, William and Prudence Jolly, and they list a Mary Rose, age 1 living with them in the 1860 census. This is more than likely William and Rebecca's daughter. I cannot find any other mention of Mary Rose after the 1860 census.
    1861-William was mustered into Company B, Indiana 6th Infantry Regiment (three months service) on April 25th. He was a musician. He mustered out on August 25, 1861. William joined in Bartholomew County, Indiana.
    1861- On September 3rd, William was again mustered into the 6th Infantry, Company B. (Three years service) He was a participant in the Civil War and his Regiment's footsteps are traced in the book: History of the Sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry
    1864- On September 22, William was finally mustered out of the infantry.
    1868-William was married for the second time on March 7 to Catherine (also listed as Katherine or Kate) Burdan (also listed as Bardon and Birddon) in Jennings County, Indiana.
    This census also notes that neither William or Catherine can read or write. It is also interesting that living next to the Rose's is none other than Craig Jolly and his wife Hannah.
    If you are doing the math in your head, you will also notice that William and Catherine were married in 1868 and then in 1870 there is a child, Ada-age 5. Catherine was actually married before William. Catherine's maiden name is Skinner and she married Eugene Birddon (Burdan) sometime around 1865. Catherine and Eugene had a daughter, Ada Fern Birddon, aka Ada Rose.
    William and Kate went on to have two more children:
Burtha Rose born 1883
Clarence Rose born 1888
    One note, William applied and was awarded a pension for his service in the Civil War. He continually went before the United States of America Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions to increase his pension. He started out at 8 dollars per month and at the time of his death, had increased it to 17 dollars per month. William suffered from chronic diarrhea, piles and resulting disease of rectum and disease of liver and resulting disease of heart....poor guy!
    William Rose died on December 18, 1896.
    I believe Kate died on February 3, 1890. This date also coincides with the date William put on the intake papers for Clarence into the Soldier's and Sailor's Orphanage.
    I have traced Ada up until 1930 and then I lost her. She lived in Chicago, married twice, and no children are known.
    Harry joined the Army and was an engineer at Fort Snelling in Minnesota and drowned on July 15, 1901.
    Everett married Daisy Biddinger and had two children; Bernice Marie and Hazel. He was a switchman on the railroad. He divorced Daisy and at one time lived in Chicago with Ada.
    I do not know what happened to Redonia. I assume he did not live as there is no other reference of a Redonia in Jennings County, Indiana.
    Burtha Rose died in 1887 and is buried in a pauper's grave in Greensburg, Indiana. She was 4 years old.
    Clarence went on to have three boys with Mabel Condon; Charles, William and Robert.
    In 1943 William's youngest son, Clarence, filled out an application so that William's grave could be marked with a proper veteran's tombstone. It is displayed in Hillcrest Cemetery, North Vernon, Indiana.

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