Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Mervyn Holbrook Amsden


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Mervyn Holbrook Amsden and one of his descendants down to the second generation.


First Generation
1. Mervyn Holbrook Amsden,1 born 18 August 1875 in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa, the son of William S. Amsden and Ella Isabella Masterton;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 died 4 November 1945 in Los Angeles County, California.3, 12 Mervyn married, first, 8 January 1896 in Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota, Cora L. Sims14 (born ca. January 1875 in Minnesota, parents not determined13). Their marriage ended in divorce in 1899.14 Mervyn married, second, ca. 1903, Effa Blanch Hone8 (born 2 October 1877 in River Falls, Pierce County, Wisconsin, parents not determined;8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 Effa died 7 June 1942 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California15, 16, 17). Mervyn is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota.12 Effa is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota.15

Child of Mervyn Holbrook Amsden and Cora L. Sims:

+2i. Helen Elizabeth Amsden, born ca. April 1897 in Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota. Married Frank John Lawler.

  1. Draft Registration Card, World War I, Mervyn Holbrook Amsden, Serial Number 3786; born: 18 August 1876; underwear manufacturer; nearest relative: Effa Blanche Amsden.
  2. California, County Marriages, 1850-1952; County of Los Angeles, Marriage License and Certificate, Registrar No. 18687, Frank John Lawler; age 56, born in Minneapolis, Minn.; physician; father: Lawrence H. Lawler, born in Virginia; mother: Margaret Kelly, born in Wisconsin; and Helen Elizabeth Amsden; age 46, born in Alexandria, Minn.; father: Merbyn Holbrook Amsden, born in Dubuque, Iowa; mother: Cora Sims, born in Minnesota; married on 12 June 1946 in Beverly Hills.
  3. California Death Index 1940-1997; Ancestry (website), and Familysearch (website). Amsden, Mervyn Holbrook, died: 4 November 1945 in Los Angeles [County], California; born: 15 August 1875 in Iowa; father: Amsden; mother: Holbrook.
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Iowa, Dubuque County, Dubuque, Enumeration District 174, Page No. 1A, family of N. C. Amsden (54, N.Y., cmmr. mercht); wife Sarah S. Amsden (52, N.Y.); son C. M. Amsden (31, Ill., twin, cmmr. mercht); son M. R. Amsden (31, Ill., twin, cmmr. agent); son W. S. Amsden (29, Ill, druggist); mother Anna H. Amsden (80, N.Y.); daughter Ellen Amsden (24, Ill.); son [sic, probably grandson] Melvin Amsden (4, Iowa); son [sic, probably grandson] Chas. M. Amsden (1, Iowa); servant Martha Qualy (20, Ireland, servant).
  5. Minnesota Territory and State Census, 1885, Stearns County, Village of Sauk Center, Page No. 1, family of Wm. S. Amsden (34, Illinois [sic]; Alas [sic] H. Amsden (32, Norway [sic]); Marvin H. Amsden (8, Iowa); Charles M. Amsden (6, Iowa); Anna Larson (21, Norway); Hans Larsen (19, Norway).
  6. Minnesota Territory and State Census, 1895, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, 5th Ward, 7th Precinct, Pages 75, 76, family of W. S. Amsden (44, Illinois, elevator); C. M. Amsden (46, Illinois, elevator); M. H. Amsden (18, Iowa); C. M. Amsden Jnr. (16, Iowa); N. C. Amsden (70, New York).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Enumeration District 63, Sheet No. 17B, family of Sm. Amsden (49, Minn., Apr. 1851, grain dealer); mother S. S. Amsden (74, Minn., Aug 1825); son Mervy H. Amsden (23, Minn., Aug. 1876, grain dealer); border Florence Buffan (36, Mass., Sept 1863, stenographer); border Chas Dahlgren (25, Minn., June 1874, carpenter). [The birth states shown here for the Amsdens are most likely incorrect compared with other records.]
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Enumeration District 80, Sheet No. 12A, family of Marvin Amsden (33, Iowa, 2nd marriage, traveling auditor, grain elevators); wife of 7 years Effa Amsden (32, Wisconsin). daughter Helen Amsden (12, Minnesota).
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis City, Enumeration District 82, Sheet No. 11B, family of Mervyn H. Amsden (43, Iowa, proprietor, lingerie shop); wife Effa B. Amsden (43, N. Dakota, proprietor, lingerie shop); daughter Helen E. Amsden (22, Minnesota.
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis City, Enumeration District 27-163, Sheet No. 19B, family of Mervyn H. Amsden (53, Iowa, first married age 25, late proprietor, lingerie factory); wife Effa Blanch Amsden (51, Wisconsin, first married age 23); daughter Helen Amsden (30, Minnesota); servant Cecelia Gayke (30, Minnesota, servant, private family).
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, California, Los Angeles County, Beverly Hills City, Enumeration District 19-40, Sheet No. 16A, family of Mervyn Amsden (63, Iowa, retired); wife Effa Amsden (62, Wisconsin); daughter Helen Amsden (38, Minnesota); cheufer Earl Jamry (34, Oklahoma, cheuffer, private family); maid Margaret Jamry (56, Holland, maid, private family).
  12. Find a Grave (website). Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Mervyn Halbrook [sic] Amsden, born: 1875; died: 4 November 1945 [from record].
  13. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Enumeration District 58, Sheet No. 7A, Cora L. Amsden (25, Minneapolis, Jan 1875, divorced); H. Edith Amsden (3, Minnesota, Apr 1897). [Both are roomers among 5 other roomers in the residence of F. C. Williams and wife Addie.]
  14. Divorce, The Lake Review, Osakis, Douglas County, Minnesota, 18 May 1899, article announcing that Mrs. Cora L. Amsden is bringing an action for divorce from her husband, Merwyn [sic] H. Amsden. The article indicates they were married on 8 January 1896 at Alexandria [in Douglas County, Minnesota], and that they have a two-year-old child, Helen. The article indicates the maiden name of Mrs. Amsden was Cora L. Sims. Transcription by Joel Watne, posted 29 April 2006 at Ancestry Boards.
  15. Find a Grave (website). Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Effa Blanch Amsden; born: 1878; died: 7 June 1942 [from record].
  16. California Death Index 1940-1997; Ancestry (website), and Familysearch (website). Amsden, Effa Blanch; died: 7 June 1942 in Los Angeles [County], California; born: 2 October 1877 in Wisconsin; father: Hone; mother: Schofield.
  17. Obituary, Los Angeles Times, California, 9 June 1942, Mrs. Effa Blanche Amsden, died 7 June 1942 at her home in Beverly Hills. The article indicates she was born in River Falls, Wisconsin, and she leaves her husband Mervyn H. Amsden.
Second Generation
2. Helen Elizabeth Amsden2 (Mervyn1), born ca. April 1897 in Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Helen married, 12 January 1946 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California, Frank John Lawler1 (born ca. 1890 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, the son of Lawrence H. Lawler and Margaret Kelly1).

  1. California, County Marriages, 1850-1952; County of Los Angeles, Marriage License and Certificate, Registrar No. 18687, Frank John Lawler; age 56, born in Minneapolis, Minn.; physician; father: Lawrence H. Lawler, born in Virginia; mother: Margaret Kelly, born in Wisconsin; and Helen Elizabeth Amsden; age 46, born in Alexandria, Minn.; father: Merbyn Holbrook Amsden, born in Dubuque, Iowa; mother: Cora Sims, born in Minnesota; married on 12 June 1946 in Beverly Hills.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Enumeration District 58, Sheet No. 7A, Cora L. Amsden (25, Minneapolis, Jan 1875, divorced); H. Edith Amsden (3, Minnesota, Apr 1897). [Both are roomers among 5 other roomers in the residence of F. C. Williams and wife Addie.]
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Enumeration District 80, Sheet No. 12A, family of Marvin Amsden (33, Iowa, 2nd marriage, traveling auditor, grain elevators); wife of 7 years Effa Amsden (32, Wisconsin). daughter Helen Amsden (12, Minnesota).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis City, Enumeration District 82, Sheet No. 11B, family of Mervyn H. Amsden (43, Iowa, proprietor, lingerie shop); wife Effa B. Amsden (43, N. Dakota, proprietor, lingerie shop); daughter Helen E. Amsden (22, Minnesota.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis City, Enumeration District 27-163, Sheet No. 19B, family of Mervyn H. Amsden (53, Iowa, first married age 25, late proprietor, lingerie factory); wife Effa Blanch Amsden (51, Wisconsin, first married age 23); daughter Helen Amsden (30, Minnesota); servant Cecelia Gayke (30, Minnesota, servant, private family).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, California, Los Angeles County, Beverly Hills City, Enumeration District 19-40, Sheet No. 16A, family of Mervyn Amsden (63, Iowa, retired); wife Effa Amsden (62, Wisconsin); daughter Helen Amsden (38, Minnesota); cheufer Earl Jamry (34, Oklahoma, cheuffer, private family); maid Margaret Jamry (56, Holland, maid, private family).