In tracing my Pier line, I found my gr-gr-grandmother, Melissa Williams Pier, living with Gideon Alonzo Russell and Emeline Kellogg Russell in Lyons, Clinton Co in 1878 when she applied for a pension (on her deceased husband Major George Pier, War 1812). In the pension she states she was living with her son-in-law Gideon Russell, age 50 and her cousin Emaline (Emeline) Kellogg Russell, age 44. Son-in-law and cousin puzzled me until I found Gideon and Emeline in the 1880 Census CDs with 4 children, (Fanny b abt 1863, Fred b abt 1867; Linn b abt 1876; Gertrude b abt 1879) 2 of whom had been born long before Gideon and Emeline were married (1874)! I'm sure Gideon must have married Melissa's dau Mary (for whom I have only a birth date), had 2 children, then Mary died and he later married Emeline. I have no record of this marriage or Mary's death.This must all have happened in Cooperstown, Otsego County NY, as that is where Gideon married Emeline, who was, in fact, a cousin through Melissa's Kellogg mother. My big problem right now is that, according to the 1880 CDs, Melissa is not living with Gideon and Emeline (she died 21 July 1888). Her son Edwin lived in Corning, Steuben Co NY, his son Erastus, in Bath, Steuben County. Perhaps Melissa was with one of them in 1880? But oh my goodness, neither Edwin nor Erastus are in the 1880 CDs! They must have been there, for her younger brother Isaac K. Williams wrote (Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown) when Edwin died (6/23/87) ""the mother who has received his kind care for years past, lingers in her 89th year." I haven't yet had a chance to check the actual 1880 census, but Melissa, Edwin and Erastus must be there somewhere! Meantime, does anyone have any connection thru Gideon Russell's descendants which might help clear up this puzzle? TIA Jean Chapman Snow Sherman Oaks, CA

Jean, I can't answer your question but I can tell you that Gideon Alonzo Russell was one of the descendants of Gideon Howland, who was wealthy and famous for leaving an odd will. He left his money to be divided among his descendants, but only after being used by his neice Hetty Green during her lifetime. It was big news in the early 1900s when Hetty died, and there was a recent article in the New Yorker about this. She is in the Guinness Book of World Records = greatest miser! I have a copy of the Massachusetts Magazine, April-July 1917, which lists all 439 of Gideon Howland's heirs, who got a piece of the inheritance then. Gideon Alonzo Russell is there with the following (he was my step-great-grandmother's brother, somehow all of the material on this got passed along to me!): ------------------------------------- 16. Gideon Alonzo Russell (son of Gideon Russell), (born 1828, died 1915) lived at Lyons, Ia, where he was a manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds and became wealthy. He was twice married, his second wife, Emeline W. Kellogg, still living. Three children died without issue, one died leaving children and three are still living and inherit: 185. Fannie J. (Russell) Furman (born 1863); married Alonzo Furman and lives at Lyons, IA. Her children: 569. Russell Furman, Spirit Lake, IA 570. Alfred K. Furman, Lyons, IA 571. Gertrude E., Lyons, IA 186. Fred A. Russell, (born 1866), Mamaroneck, NY 187. Lynn K. Russell (born 1876), Clinton, IA 188. Gertrued E. (Russell) Alban (born 1878); married Frank W. Alban and lives at Marshalltown, IA; no children. --------------------- I know that doesn't answer your question, but at least it does confirm your hypothesis that Emeline was the 2nd wife. Given the fame of the Howland/Russell family, you may be able to find more on the Internet. Jessica Utts