Harry R. Stiles :
---------------------------------LDS International Gene IndexHenry R. Stiles born 1870 in NJ to Joseph Stiles and Susan A. StilesSusan A. Stiles born 1836 married Joseph Stiles 1869 in NJI don't know if Joseph and Susan are Harry's parents. The dates seem to fit.---------------------------------1870 Federal Census BlackwoodtownHenry Stiles; 5 months; born NJalso listed:Henry Reed; 41; NJSarah Reed; 40; NJSusan Stiles; 34 (c.1836) ; NJWhy were Susan and Harry living with the Reeds in 1870 and where was Joseph?If he were in the Civil War, is it possible he was still away in 1870?Were the Reeds related?Family tradition is that Harry's real parents were unknown and that he was adopted. Looking at the 1870 census, obviously at least his mother was known.---------------------------------1880 Federal Census TranscriptDeptford, NJHenry Reed 52 NJ laborerSarah E. Reed 51 NJHenry Reed 10 NJIrene Barker 6 NJNorth Plainfield, Somerset, New JerseyJoseph Stiles; 36 (c. 1844); born NJ; father born NJ; mother born NJSusan A. Stiles; Wife; 44 (c. 1836); born NJ; both parents born NJHenry R. Stiles; son; 10 (1870); born NJWilliam Stiles; son; 7; NJI don't know if this is the same family. The dates fit too well to not be.What happened to Joseph, Susan and William between 1880 and 1900? (the eternal gene question - damn fire)---------------------------------1900 Federal Census MantuaHarry Reed; born Jan 1871; age 28 (*note census was taken in June - anyone born Jan 1871 should be 29*); born NJ; father born NJ; mother born NJlisted as living with mother Sarah E.I am as sure as I can be that Harry Reed IS Harry Stiles. Why is he listed as Harry Reed and as Sarah Reed's son?---------------------------------1910 Federal Census MantuaHenry Stiles; 39 (1871); married 3 yrs (1907); born DC; father born DC; mother born DC---------------------------------1915 NJ State Census Mantuaresidence - Mantua---------------------------------1920 Federal Census MantuaHenry R. Stiles; 50 (1870); born NJ; father born US; mother born US---------------------------------1930 Federal Census MantuaHenry R. Stiles; 59 (1871); age at marriage 37; born US; father born US; mother born US---------------------------------Death cert. states the following :Harry R. StilesBirth - January 1871 PA; father - John Stiles born PA; mother - Sarah (unknown) born USADeath - July 10, 1946 Mantua, NJ
Comments
Thanks to Sheila Stiles, I now have confirmation that the information that was right under my nose for years was correct. Joseph and Susan were indeed, Harry's parents. Even with indisputable proof in front of me, it is still a bizarre story.
I will share the proof here, since it is a very interesting puzzle.
Part two of the mystery is where Harry's wife came from. Her name was Catherine Conway. I have always understood that she was from Camden, NJ, however, I've never found a Catherine Conway in Camden. I HAVE found one from Plainfield, NJ., which strangely fits in with part 1 of the Harry Stiles puzzle.