Thanks to Richard Carstensen and checking the 1870 Lyons Census at the FHC yesterday, I found that yes, as I had guessed, Gideon A. Russell had married Mary Pier before he m Emeline Kellogg! But what a lesson in not pre-judging! I figured, since he'd married Emeline in Cooperstown NY (where they all were from) Mary had died there, and then they moved to Lyons. But no! There was the record: Gideon A, Mary, keeping house, and FOUR children. AND Melissa Pier, 70, living with daughter! Proof at last! All four children of Mary and Gideon: George E., Ada, Franny (Fanny) and Fred A., were born in IA. Then I looked again at the cemetery records Richard had sent me (thanks again!) and there were the 3 of them! RUSSELL ADA 09/13/1870 OLD 6 8 11 RUSSELL MARY 11/14/1870 OLD 6 8 10 RUSSELL GEORGE E. 07/24/1874 07/27/1874 Lyons Mirror 8/1/1874 OLD 6 8 9 Mary and Ada, 9, had died the year of the Census. Gideon married Emeline 21 Jan 1874, so he must have gone back to Cooperstown at sometime. Did Melissa go with him?? George E.? And then George d 7 months later. Still lots of questions. But it looks a though I might be able to get an obit or notice for George from the Lyons Mirror, eh? Well, I'm over the moon! Thanks again to all for your help and suggestions. Jean