Sophia E Brown

Sophia E Brown is the 2nd Great Grand Aunt to my wife.  She is the daughter of Odin Brown and Sally Stevens.

Sophia was born 2 Mar 1848 in Boone County, Illinois.  She was the 6th born child to Odin and Sally.  Odin would go on to father 10 more children from two wives.  Sophia was the first child born in Illinois.  The next seven children would all be born here.  In the first record for Sophia, the 1850 Federal Census, the family is farming and living in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.   The 1860 Census is much the same, it does note that Sophia is attending school at that time.

By 1870 Sophia is married to Silas Durkee and has two children.  She is residing in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.  The eldest child, Gordon, is two years old and is noted as being born in the State of New York.  So the family has been there at least the previous two years.  I can't make out the profession of her husband. I'll post it below.

Sophia's sister, Carrie, is living with them.  Her profession is dress maker.

Sophia and Silas are still residing in Buffalo, Erie County, New York during the next Federal Census of 1880.  Silas's profession at that time is Drug Clerk.  Makes me think his earlier profession is most likely 'clerk in store'.  They now have three children.  By 1884 Sophia is remarried.  It is unknown whether her and Silas are divorced or if he has passed away.  Silas most likely died before 1884.  Her second husband's name is Albert Frederick Hoge.

The next available census, the 1900 Federal Census, finds Sophia and second husband, Albert, living in Sundance, Crook County, Wyoming.  Sophia's oldest brother, Hubbel, has been living here since at least 1888.  This is what most likely brought her to Wyoming.  Her husband's profession is farming.  She has one son living with her.  It is noted that she is the mother of three children, and all are still living at the time of the census.  Living next door is her daughter, Carrie, with her husband and children.

Sophia passes away the following year, 1901, on June 22nd.  She was 53 years old at the time of her death. She is buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Sundance, Crook County, Wyoming.  Inscribed on her headstone was the following, "She was a kind and affectionate wife, a kind mother, and a friend to all".

She is buried next to her second husband, Albert Hoge, and her son, Gordon.

Sophia E Brown and Silas Durkee had the following children:

1. Silas Gordon Durkee - born 2 March 1868 in New York.  Died 3 October 1923 in Sundance, Crook County, Wyoming.  Never married.

2. Charles L Durkee - born in December of 1869 in New York.  Death unknown.  Married Adelaide, surname unknown.

3. Carrie Gertrude Durkee - born 15 November 1876 in New York.  Died 8 November 1963 in San Diego, San Diego County, California.  She married Thomas Hawken.