Great Grandfather Died During the Civil War

Over 620,000 soldiers died during the American Civil War.  Two thirds of those -- over 400,000 -- died from disease. 

My 3rd great grandfather Rifford Hallowell died from extended disability and dysentery following prolonged exposure on a march from Ashby's Gap to Piedmont VA about 15 June 1863. 

He resigned his commission on 13 Sep 1863 and never recovered.

2nd Lieutenant Rifford Randolph Hallowell (my 3rd great grandfather) was born 17 Dec 1816 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He died 10 Jan 1864 in Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Rifford Randolph Hallowell enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant on 20 July 1861.  He was commission in Company K, 28th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania on 20 Jul 1861.

He resigned his commission from Company K, 28th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania on 13 Sep 1863.

Nearly half of all the Americans who died in a war died during the American Civil War.

Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas -- Alan Ladd

Alan Ladd (1913 – 1964) was an American actor and film and television producer.  Ladd was best known for his role in Westerns during the 1940s and early 1950s.

Alan Ladd's Santa Susana locations filmography includes:

Supporting roles...

Pigskin Parade (1936) - Stuart Erwin, Patsy Kelly, Jack Haley (Railroad Station, Chatsworth)  20th Century Fox

The Last Train from Madrid (1937) - Dorothy Lamour, Lew Ayres and Gilbert Roland (Iverson Ranch) Paramount

Come On, Leathernecks! (1938) - Richard Cromwell, Marsha Hunt, Edward Brophy (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Starring roles...

China (1943) - Loretta Young, Alan Ladd, William Bendix (Iverson Ranch) Paramount

Red Mountain (1951) - Alan Ladd, Lizabeth Scott, Arthur Kennedy (Iverson Ranch) Paramount

Shane (1953) - Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin (Iverson Ranch) Paramount

Drum Beat (1954) - Alan Ladd, Audrey Dalton, Marisa Pavan (Iverson Ranch) Warner Bros.

One Foot in Hell (1960) - Alan Ladd, Don Murray, Dan O'Herlihy (Iverson Ranch) 20th Century-Fox

Reel Cowgirls of the Santa Susanas -- Nell O'Day

Nell O'Day (1909–1989) was an accomplished equestrian and B-Western actress of the 1930s and 1940s.  Beginning in 1941 she won starring in roles placing her as the heroine in westerns, often opposite Johnny Mack Brown, Ray "Crash" Corrigan, Max Terhune, and John 'Dusty' King.

In 1943, while under contract with Republic Pictures, she began starring in the serial films of the Three Mesquiteers, alongside Bob Steele, Tom Tyler and Jimmie Dodd. Her last starring role was in 1943, in the film Boss of the Rawhide, opposite Dave O'Brien. 

About 1946, she then turned full-time to writing; one success was the play "The Bride of Denmark Hill," which was later turned into a BBC-TV production in England.  She died of a heart attack on January 3, 1989, in Los Angeles, California.

Nell O'Day's Santa Susana locations filmography includes:

Boss of Bullion City (1940) - Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Nell O'Day (Iverson Ranch) Universal

Pony Post (1940) - Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Nell O'Day (Iverson Ranch)(Corriganville) Universal

Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie (1941) - Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Nell O'Day (Iverson Ranch) Universal

Law of the Range (1941) - Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Nell O'Day (Brandeis Ranch)(Iverson Ranch) Universal

Rawhide Rangers (1941) - Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Kathryn Adams, Nell O'Day (Iverson Ranch) Universal

The Masked Rider (1941) - Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Nell O'Day - Universal

Arizona Cyclone (1941) - Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Nell O'Day (Iverson Ranch) Universal

Fighting Bill Fargo (1941) - Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Jean Brooks (Iverson Ranch) Universal

Stagecoach Buckaroo (1942) - Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Nell O'Day (Iverson Ranch) Universal

Arizona Stage Coach (1942) - Ray 'Crash' Corrigan, John King, Max Terhune (Corriganville) Monogram

Thundering Trails (1943) - Bob Steele, Tom Tyler, Jimmie Dodd - Republic

The Return of the Rangers (1943) - Dave O'Brien, James Newill, Guy Wilkerson - PRC

Boss of Rawhide (1943) - Dave O'Brien, James Newill, Guy Wilkerson (Corriganville) Alexander-Stern

Update 2022:

November, 2022: Merrill T. McCord has written a wonderful biography on Nell O'Day titled Ballerina on a Horse, The Life, Careers, and Times of Nell O'Day.

This 8 1/2 x 11 softcover has 219 pages, over fifty photos, and a complete film listing as well as a year-by-year careerology.The book is $33.00 ($29.50 plus $3.50 U. S. postage), and can be ordered from:

Merrill T. McCord

10208 Fleming Avenue

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas -- Noah Beery Jr.

Noah Beery Jr (1913-1994) or sometimes just Noah Beery, was an American born actor that was usually cast in a 'warm and fuzzy' character role.  He was a well known B-Western cowboy that played mostly in supporting roles.  His nickname was Pidge, and he was the son-in-law of Western star Buck Jones.

Beery was perhaps best known as James Garner's father, Joseph "Rocky" Rockford, in the 1970s NBC television series "The Rockford Files" -- not lensed in Chatsworth.

Noah Beery Jr's Santa Susana locations filmography includes:

Fighting with Kit Carson (1933) starring Johnny Mack Brown, Betsy King Ross, Noah Beery Jr. (Iverson Ranch) Mascot

The Trail Beyond (1934) starring John Wayne, Noah Beery Jr., Verna Hillie (Chatsworth Trains) Monogram

Of Mice and Men (1939) starring Lon Chaney Jr., Burgess Meredith, Betty Field (Chatsworth) Hal Roach Studios

The Light of Western Stars (1940) starring Victor Jory, Jo Ann Sayers, Russell Hayden, Morris Ankrum (Iverson Ranch) Paramount

The Carson City Kid (1940) starring Roy Rogers, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Bob Steele (Burro Flats) Republic

Riders of Death Valley (1941) starring Dick Foran, Leo Carrillo, Buck Jones (Iverson Ranch) Universal

Sergeant York (1941) starring Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie (Burro Flats) Warner Bros.

Dudes Are Pretty People (1942) starring Jimmy Rogers, Noah Beery Jr., Marjorie Woodworth, Paul Hurst (Iverson Ranch) United Artists

Under Western Skies (1945) starring Martha O'Driscoll, Noah Beery Jr., Leo Carrillo (Iverson Ranch) Universal

The Daltons Ride Again (1945) starring Alan Curtis, Lon Chaney Jr., Kent Taylor (Iverson Ranch) Universal

The Doolins of Oklahoma (1949) starring Randolph Scott, George Macready, Louise Allbritton (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Davy Crockett, Indian Scout (1950) starring George Montgomery, Ellen Drew, Phillip Reed (Iverson Ranch) United Artists

The Texas Rangers (1951) starring George Montgomery, Gale Storm, Jerome Courtland (Corriganville)(Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Wagons West (1952) starring Rod Cameron, Noah Beery Jr., Peggie Castle (Burro Flats)(Corriganville) Monogram

Wings of the Hawk (1953) starring Van Heflin, Julie Adams, Abbe Lane (Burro Flats) Universal

The Black Dakotas (1954) starring Gary Merrill, Wanda Hendrix, John Bromfield (Iverson Ranch)(Corriganville)(Burro Flats) Columbia

Escort West (1958) starring Victor Mature, Elaine Stewart, Faith Domergue (Iverson Ranch)(Corriganville) United Artists

"Circus Boy" (1956) TV Series -- Noah Beery Jr. as Uncle Joey (49 episodes, 1956-1957)

"General Electric Theater" (1953) TV Series - episode: The Day of the Hanging (1959)

"Real McCoys, The" (1957) TV Series - episodes: The Investors (1961); El Gato (1961)

"Death Valley Days" (1952) TV Series - episode: The Train and Lucy Tutaine (1963)

"Wagon Train" (1957) TV Series - episodes: The Kate Crawley Story (1964); Path of the Serpent (1961); The Jonas Murdock Story (1960)

"Perry Mason" (1957) TV Series - episodes: The Case of the Hasty Honeymooner (1965); The Case of the Golden Venom (1965)

"Gunsmoke" (1955) TV Series - episodes: Honor Before Justice (1966); Prairie Wolfer (1964)

"Bonanza" (1959) TV Series - episodes: The Crime of Johnny Mule (1968); Lothario Larkin (1965)

"Virginian, The" (1962) TV Series - episodes: Follow the Leader (1970); You Can Lead a Horse to Water (1970); The Long Way Home (1966)

"Lassie" (1954) TV Series - episodes: A Year of Sundays (1970); Danger Mountain (1966)

Great Granddad Died at Sea in 1847

James L. Pierce, my 3rd great grandfather, was born about 1820 in Nantucket, Massachusetts.  

He married Elvira W. Brayman about 1841, most likely in Providence, Rhode Island.

Next, I learned that Elvira re-married to William A Corey on 8 Feb 1849 in Windham County, Connecticut.

On the 1850 US census for Cumberland, Providence, Rhode Island I found William and Elvira Cory, and children of James and Elvira: Marcus M Pierce age 7, Mary L V Pierce age 5, and Ellen T Pierce age 4.

I confirmed that James and Elvira were the parents of the children on Ellen T. Pierce's death record (above).

I spent more than forty years trying to learn what happened to James L Pierce -- did he die or divorce Elvira?

In 2014, I finally discovered a record in the National Archives that shows he enlisted in the US Army and died at Sea on the way to fight in the Mexican-American War in 1847.

Why did James L. Pierce join the Army in 1847

Perhaps the answer is in a family legend my grandmother Bailey told me… she always said we are related to President Franklin Pierce (1804 – 1869).  He was the 14th President of the United States (1853–1857).  Franklin Pierce became a Brigadier General in the Army during the Mexican–American War.

General Franklin Pierce from the United States Library of Congress

Did James L. Pierce, a farmer from Rhode Island, join the Army to fight in a far away war at the urging of Franklin Pierce a relative?  I'll probably never have the answer to that question, but the probability is strong.

The death of James L Pierce was just the beginning of tragedy that followed this family for the next 35 years.  

See Cowboy Legacy -- The short, tragic life of Marcus Pierce

http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2011/11/cowboy-legacy-short-tragic-life-of.html

11th Chatsworth Day of the Horse

Howdy folks!

Kasidy -- my horse -- wants me to remind you that the 11th annual Chatsworth Day of the Horse is next Sunday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stoney Point Ranch in Chatsworth.

See the flyer below for details...

Hope to see you there.

The Iverson Movie Ranch -- that I often blog about -- is within sight of the event, so stop by my booth and I'll spin some yarns about Hoppy, Gene and Roy and the multitude of Chatsworth horses that galloped across the silver screen during the past 100 years.

And, of course I'll be signing copies of my books.

***

To learn more about the film locations in Chatsworth check out these earlier blog posts...

San Fernando Valley Horses and Movies Are Forever Linked

http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2012/08/san-fernando-valley-horses-and-movies.html

Chatsworth's Rock Stars

http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2012/05/chatsworths-rock-stars.html

Big News on the Iverson Movie Ranch

http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2013/03/big-news-on-iverson-movie-ranch.html

My Baby Loves Western Movies & Ranches

http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-baby-loves-western-movies-ranches.html

Masked Men Behind Every Rock

http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2013/06/masked-men-behind-every-rock.html

Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas -- Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams

Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams (1899–1962) was an American actor who appeared numerous B-Westerns during a career that span more than four decades.  He was nicknamed "Big Boy" as he was 6' 2" and muscular from years of working on ranches and playing semi-pro and pro baseball.

His Santa Susana locations filmography includes:

Noah's Ark (1928) - Dolores Costello, George O'Brien, Noah Beery (Iverson Ranch)  Vitaphone Corp

Cowboy Holiday (1934) - Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Janet Chandler, Julian Rivero (Iverson Ranch)  Beacon Prod.

Vigilantes Are Coming, The (1936) - Robert Livingston, Kay Hughes, Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Raymond Hatton (Iverson Ranch)  Republic

Army Girl (1938) - Madge Evans, Preston Foster, James Gleason (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Wagons Westward (1940) - Chester Morris, Anita Louise, Buck Jones (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Riders of Death Valley (1941) - Dick Foran, Leo Carrillo and Buck Jones (Iverson Ranch) Universal

Desperadoes, The (1943) - Randolph Scott, Claire Trevor, Glenn Ford (Corriganville) Columbia

Hands Across the Border (1944) - Roy Rogers, Trigger, Ruth Terry (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Cowboy and the Senorita (1944) - Roy Rogers, Trigger and Mary Lee (Iverson Ranch)(Corriganville) Republic

King of the Wild Horses (1947) - Preston Foster, Gail Patrick, Billy Sheffield (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Over the Santa Fe Trail (1947) - Ken Curtis, Jennifer Holt, Guy Kibbee (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Bad Men of Tombstone (1949) - Barry Sullivan, Marjorie Reynolds, Broderick Crawford (Iverson Ranch) Allied Artists

Al Jennings of Oklahoma (1951) starring Dan Duryea, Gale Storm, Dick Foran (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Man in the Saddle (1951) - Randolph Scott, Joan Leslie, Ellen Drew, Alexander Knox (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Hangman's Knot (1952) - Randolph Scott, Donna Reed, Claude Jarman Jr. (Corriganville) Columbia

Massacre Canyon (1954) - Philip Carey, Audrey Totter, Douglas Kennedy (Iverson Ranch)(Corriganville) Columbia

"Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok" (1951) TV Series - episode: Blake's Kid (1955)

Hidden Guns (1956) - Bruce Bennett, Richard Arlen, John Carradine (Corriganville) Republic

"Gunsmoke" (1955) TV Series - episode: Skid Row (1957)

"Circus Boy" (1956) TV Series - starred Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams as Pete (49 episodes, 1956-1957)

"Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, The" (1954) TV Series - episode: The New C.O. (1958)

"Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957) TV Series - episode: Cow Town (1958)

"Wagon Train" (1957) TV Series - episode: The Vincent Eaglewood Story (1959)

"Restless Gun, The" (1957) TV Series - episode: A Trial for Jenny May (1959)