This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: CASSEL, WOOD, SMITH, DELONG Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gFC.2ACI/1296.1 Message Board Post: THIS WAS A TOUGH ONE BUT LOTS OF FOLKS HAVE MADE IT EASIER, HERE WE GO: My grandfather Forest Henry CASSEL WOOD was probably born in Mallory, Clayton Co, Iowa in 1874 (he believed it was Colesburg, Delaware Co, Iowa on February 18, 1872 -- but we're finding differently). Iowa didn't officially start keeping records until 1880 so it’s difficult to confirm. HERE'S WHERE IT GETS COMPLICATED: Forest was born out of wedlock to Alice CASSEL. At a very early age he was transported up the Mississippi River to Eau Galle, Dunn Co, Wisconsin and adopted by Eliza CASSEL (sister to Alice) and her husband George William WOOD. NOW THROW IN THE FAMILY LEGEND: Alice had been captured in an Indian raid (Lacota Sioux) and when she was rescued or "came out" she brought Forest with her. We've found Alice listed in the 1870 Federal Census at the age of 10, so she would be 14 or 15 years old at the time of Forest's birth. VISITS TO IOWA: During the 1920's Forest drove the River Road from Eau Galle, Wisconsin to Iowa. We thought it was to visit his mother, but we’ve found her husband (Rube SMITH) in the 1920 Federal Census in Eau Galle, Dunn Co, Wisconsin living with a niece. THE TRAIL IS HOT IN IOWA AND WISCONSIN: A week ago it was COLD, but thanks to the many great folks in Iowa and postings on the Clayton County, Iowa and Cassel Surname boards we’ve made tremendous progress. Any and all advice or assistance is greatly appreciated. Everyone has been so helpful and we’re amazed to make this much progress in a week! Here’s what we know as of today: Clarification 1 Forest CASSEL was probably born in Mallory, Clayton Co, Iowa (1 mile north of Colesburg, Iowa). Part of the Federal census information for Mallory shows “Colesburg” as the post office. Clarification 2 From census information showing Forest CASSEL WOOD’s age I believe that he was born in 1874 and not 1872. Clarification 3 I knew that Forest CASSEL went to Dunn Co, Wisconsin when he was adopted by Eliza CASSEL WOOD and George WOOD and I have been able to connect several of the CASSEL siblings moving to Dunn Co, Wisconsin (Joseph Wiley, John, George and Eliza) and in 1920 Rube SMITH (widower) was living with a daughter of Joseph Wiley CASSEL in Eau Galle, Dunn Co, Wisconsin. Many of the birth years are estimated based on census information: 1 Father Jacob G CASSEL Born 7/9/1815, Pennsylvania Died 12/7/1876, Mallory, Clayton Co, Iowa Buried Bethel Cemetery, Mallory, Clayton Co, Iowa Marriage Date and location unknown Spouse Jane UNKNOWN (possibly NOLAN) Born 1816, Pennsylvania Died 1876, Iowa Buried Bethel Cemetery, Mallory, Clayton Co, Iowa 2 Son Joseph Wiley CASSEL Born 1843, Ohio Died 1924 Marriage 1/4/1862, Mallory, Clayton Co, Iowa Spouse Mary Elizabeth WHITE Born 1843, Maine Died 1929 3 Son William CASSEL Born 1845, Ohio 4 Daughter Eliza A CASSEL (Forest’s stepmother) Born 1847, Iowa Marriage 8/8/1865, Grant Co, Wisconsin Spouse George William WOOD Born 3/30/1834, New York Died 3/12/1902, Wisconsin Son William WOOD Born 1864, Iowa Nephew Forest Henry CASSEL WOOD Adopted 1874, Dunn Co, Wisconsin 5 Daughter Catherine CASSEL Born 1849, Iowa 6 Son John CASSEL Born 1851, Iowa Died 1924, Eau Galle, Dunn Co, Wisconsin Buried 1924, Clearview Cemetery, Eau Galle, Dunn Co, Wisconsin Marriage Date unknown, Iowa Spouse Melvina (Vine) UNKNOWN Born 1846, Iowa Died 1948, Eau Galle, Dunn Co, Wisconsin Buried 1948, Clearview Cemetery, Eau Galle, Dunn Co, Wisconsin Daughter Jennie CASSEL Born 1874, Iowa 7 Son George CASSEL Born 1853, Iowa 8 Daughter Susan CASSEL Born 1856, Iowa 9 Daughter Alice S CASSEL (Forest’s mother) Born 1860, Iowa Death Before 1920 1st Marriage never took place ??? Spouse UNKNOWN Son Forest Henry CASSEL Born 2/18/1874, Iowa Died 12/2/1932, Eau Galle, Dunn Co, Wisconsin 2nd Marriage Date and place unknown Spouse Ruben SMITH Born 1856, Pennsylvania Death 1924, Wisconsin or Iowa Buried Mount Harmony Cemetery (originally Hall Cemetery) Elk Township, Clayton Co, Iowa