Story of Antonia Gineste and Margaret Rollins (After Divorce)

Antonia and Anna Stanley Marriage (1896-1919)

Antonia married Anna L. Robb Stanley 7 Apr 1896, she was twenty-five years younger than him and had been married before.  Family stories describe Antonia was very "old country" in his farming practices, meaning he did not believe in machines. Supposedly, everything had to be done by hand. 

Antonia Gineste and Anna Stanley marriage license - 21 Apr 1896

Oil Discovered on Antonia Farm
The Iola Register newspaper from Mar 21, 1904, describe Osage Valley Co-operative company struck oil after drilling an 871 deep well on Antonia's farm 17 Mar 1904.  It further shows the well could produce ten to twenty barrels of oil a day.  More research needs to be done to determine how this impacted Antonia and Anna Gineste.

Humbolt Union - 26 Mar 1904

Antonia Death and Burial
Antonia died on the farm and his body taken by wagon to the Kincaid Cemetery for burial at Section 4, Lot 19.  At the time of his death, his children by his first marriage transferred their rights of personal property to his second wife, Anna, via an Agreement and Bill of Sale dated 7 Apr 1919.  Assets listed included the following: kaffir fodder $39.40, two hogs 2001 pound $32.00, one cow $50.00, one horse (18 years old) $10.00, four ton of hay $80.00, kaffir 80 bushels $80.00, corn 40 bushels $50.00, harness $5.00, wagon $15.00, mower $5.00, disc harrow $2.50, disc cultivator $2.50, plow $5.00, surrey $2.00, cash $61.76, six war savings stamps valued at $25.50. 

Antonia and Anna's son Leo and his wife Otha owned the farm until Otha death in 1990.  Leo and Otha son, Russell Harry Gineste, received a quick Claim Deed for the farm 4 May 1990 and farm was sold out of the family on 11 Jan 1993. 

Antonia Gineste obituary - Moran Hearld - 7 Mar 1919

Antonia and Anna Gineste gravestone at Kincaid Cemetery (Kincaid, Kansas)

Margaret and Leonard Jewell Marriage (1895-1906)
While Margaret was living in Topeka, she met and married a railroad worker, Leonard Jewell, in approximately 1895.  Based on a 1900 census, they were living in a rented home in Augusta, Butler, Kansas, and Leonard was a brakeman for the railroad.  Family stories describe Leonard working for the railroad and was a lady's man.  Margaret suspected his activities, so she followed him on one of his trips and caught him with another woman. They soon separated, and he later quit the railroad to begin working at a powder mill in Arkansas City, Cowley, Kansas.  An explosion at the mill on 17 Jan 1906 killed Leonard. A possible burial of him was found in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri at Block 48, Lot 20, Space 14. Unfortunately, records are blocked from viewing to confirm it is him.  

Leonard Jewell gravestone at Forest Hill Cemetery (Kansas City, Missouri)

After Leonard's death, Margaret moved to Sunnyside area of Sarcoxie, Jefferson, Kansas, near the farm of her daughter, Cora Lamont, family.

Margaret and David Tenpenny Marriage (1908-1928)

At the age of 54, Margaret Jewel married David Tenpenny on 2 Dec 1908. A marriage certificate from the courthouse in Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas was found but does not indicate where the ceremony was held.  David was an Indian Agent and a Civil War Union Veteran from Woodbury, Cannon, Tennessee. He had outlived his two-prior wife's, Mary Ann Alexander, and Matilda Ann Curtis. He brought six adult children into the marriage.  David and Margaret initially lived at his farm in Oskaloosa, Jefferson, Kansas and later moved into a home at 322 Isacks Street in Lecompton, Douglas, Kansas, located up the hill from Constitution Hall.

Valley Falls New Era – 31 Dec 1908

David Tenpenny and Margaret Jewell marriage license - 29 Dec 1908

David Tenpenny and Margaret Tenpenny

Infront of home in Lecompton, Douglas, Kansas (322 Isacks Street)

David Tenpenny Death and Burial
David died at their home 10 Oct 1928 and is buried next to his first wife, Mary Ann, in the Underwood Cemetery at southwest area.  Following David's death, Margaret continued to live at the home in Lecompton and managed her affairs. David's will show real estate given to his children after Margaret's death and personal property can be sold for Margaret's benefit.  It further describes that Margaret can occupy their home until her death.

David Tenpenny Obituary (Lawrence Daily Journal World) - 16 Oct 1928

David and Mary (first wife) Tenpenny gravestone

at Underwood Cemetery (Williamstown, Kansas)

Margaret after David Death (1928-1948)

Margaret was known to smoke and drink. She preferred to smoke Prince Albert cigarettes while sipping an alcoholic drink.  She enjoyed listening to music on her Victrola while quilting, sewing, and reading.  Family stories tell of her using Prince Albert cigarette packages to make a quilt.  She belonged to a group in Lecompton, that made many quilts.  One such quilt is preserved at the Territorial Capital Museum in Lecompton.  The Lecompton United Brethren Church Ladies Aid Society from 1933 made the quilt. It is a friendship quilt, with Margaret in the center square, with four names on each side, for a total of seventeen names. 

In 1936, Margaret's youngest son, Edward, and his new bride, Billie B. Alsdorf visited her.  Billie reported in an interview that she was welcomed with open arms by Margaret, and they visited every fall for several years. Billie also stated that a lot of the houses, including Margaret's, were on hills above the town and as a result, there were no fat people to be seen.

In Feb 1944, following a visit, Edward wrote a letter to his brother, and described Margaret's assets as follows.

Checking Account $1,897.29

Savings Account $500.00

Cash in Safety Deposit Box $1,580.00

Various Bonds $3,075.00

Time Certificate of Deposit $1,772.52.

Moving in with Cora, her daughter (1944-1948)

At the age of 90, Margaret relocated to North Lawrence area of Grant, Douglas, Kansas, due to her age and health.  She stayed in the home of her oldest daughter, Cora, and husband, Edwin Lamont.  She had a bedroom and a kitchen on the first floor. While staying with Cora and Edwin Lamont, she was not allowed to smoke in the home.  She would roll her own Prince Albert cigarettes and smoke in her closet. Smelling the smoke in the closet upset Edwin and Cora Lamont.  She maintained her apartment, was always alert to national affairs, and spent many happy hours with her radio and visiting with friends.  Her family never tired listening to her share about early pioneer days of Kansas. 

1944 Five Generations (L-R) Hazel (Lamont) Heizer, Margaret Neil (Heizer) Majors, 

Emma Majors, Margaret (Rollins) Gineste-Jewell-Tenpenny, Cora (Ginest) Lamont

Margaret Death and Burial

Margaret died at the home of her daughter, Cora Lamont in North Lawrence, Kansas 12 Feb 1948 of cardiac insufficiency. She was 93 years old and has been a residence of Kansas for over 81 years. Funeral services were held at the United Brethren Church in Lecompton, Kansas 15 Feb 1948 and burial at Underwood Cemetery in Williamstown, Kansas. Margaret’s burial was not near her last husband, David Tenpenny, up the hill and at the back of the cemetery. 

Margaret Tenpenny funeral card - 15 Feb 1948

Margaret Tenpenny gravestone 

at Underwood Cemetery (Williamstown, Kansas)

Margaret Tenpenny obituary 

Lawrence Daily Journal World - 18 Feb 1948

Margaret Tenpenny - age 80's

Story of Antonia Gineste and Margaret Rollins

Parents' of Cora Ginest Lamont from the previous blog post are Antonia and Margaret

Antonia Before Marriage (1842-1870)

Oral family history and limited documentation indicate Antonia was born in France or a French possession country.  There is a family story describing that he was born in a village just outside of Marseilles, France.  Since Antonia's obituary states that he was born in Algeria, France 15 Mar 1842, he may have been born in what is now Algeria, which was in French possession until about 1962. 

Stories, passed from generation to generation, consistently report that to avoid compulsory military service, Antonia left Algeria / France when he was in his teens.  Antonia may have worked on ships, including pirate ships, before reaching America. It is unclear when or where he arrived.   His obituary describes him leaving his place of birth at the age of seventeen. 

Antonia Gineste

Civil War Years

His youngest son, Edward, obituary and Antonia's gravestone indicate that he served in the Civil War as a member of Company A, 11th Regiment, Connecticut Infantry.  This unit was formed 24 Oct 1861 and dissolved in 1865.  Family stories tell of Antonia being captured and placed in Andersonville Prison in Georgia.  It says of him, and other individuals escaped and stayed in enemy territory until after the war ended.  While on the run, they hid in the daytime and traveled at night, living on whatever they could find or steal.  He never returned to his unit for fear of being recaptured and imprisoned.  

The Kansas, Enrollment of Civil War Veterans, 1889 was found with two entries for Antonia.  The first entry describes him as a private in Company A, 11th Regiment, Connecticut Infantry. It further lists him as a substitute, wounded in the loin, and prisoner of war at Anderson Prison for eight months.  The second entry shows him in Company B, 5th Regiment, Missouri Infantry.  Additionally, it describes him as a volunteer regular and prisoner of war at Alden Prison. 

Antonia wanted to collect military pension for his Civil War service.  He was not able to qualify, because of being discharged dishonorably for desertion from the military.  In hopes to prove this an error, Antonia requested the War Department - Records and Pensions to remove desertion from his military records.  He made this request 30 Jan 1890 with Company A, 11th Regiment, Connecticut Infantry (114946) and 21 Feb 1890 with the Company B, 5th Regiment, Missouri (134473). Later, Antonia requested this 14 Dec 1897 with the Company A, 11th Regiment, Connecticut Infantry (501728).  After these three failed attempts, Antonia worked with US Rep. Edwin Ridgley from the Kansas 3rd District to remove desertion and update to honorable discharge in his military records.  US Rep. Ridgley presented house bill no. 6138 before the 55th congress-2nd session 8 January 1898.  The bill requested the removal of the desertion charge against Antone Gineste, alias John Burthong.  It was moved to the Committee on Military Affairs 78.  No other information found.  

The 1915 Kansas State Census list Antonia as dishonorable discharged, so it is believed that HR 6138 was not successful. Jul 2000, his sons, Charles La Due Ginest and Leo Antonia Gineste both describe Antonia telling he served in the military under an assumed name.

H.R. 6138 - Removal of desertion charge

Family stories say in approximately 1868, Antonia, a slightly built man and an apparent heavy user of alcohol, settled in Wamego, Pottawatomie, Kansas.   It was here that Antonia met Margaret Elizabeth Rollins, his first wife. 

Margaret Before Marriage (1854-1870)

Margaret Rollins birth information described in the family bible, census, and Kansas Death Certificate all are different. The best conclusion is she was born on 27 Dec 1854 in Fulton County, Illinois.  As an infant, Margaret, and her family moved to Washington, Lucas, Iowa, based on the 1856 Iowa State Census.  By 1860 the family was living on a farm in Hermon, Chestnut, Knox, Illinois, described in the 1860 Federal Census.  The family struggled to survive with her father, David, away serving in the Civil War as a Union soldier from Feb 1862 to Mar 1865. During 1966, Margaret and her family moved to Wamego, Pottawatomie, Kansas, based on her obituary. They settled on eighty acres near Center, Pottawatomie, Kansas, and Margaret’s father filed a homestead claim Nov 1868.  It was not long before Margaret met Antonia Gineste, a French immigrant, and Civil War veteran eleven years older than her.

Margaret Rollins

Antonia and Margaret Marriage (1870-1893)

Antonia Gineste married Margaret Rollins on 13 Apr 1870.  Judge James Lyth Huggins performed the ceremony in Wamego.  They made their home in Wamego where Antonia worked as a teamster based on the 1875 Kansas State Census.  A teamster was a person who drove a team of draft animals, usually drawn by oxen, horses, or mules to deliver goods, a modern-day truck driver.  Antonia was a 27-year-old French immigrant, and Margaret was 16 years old.  They had three children while living Wamego, Mattie, died as infant; Cora Ann in 1872; William in 1875.

Antonia Gineste and Margaret Rollins marriage license – 13 Apr 1870

Moran Years

Family stories describe them moving to the Moran area of Osage, Allen, Kansas during 1877. They may have rented the farm they later bought three and a half miles north and one mile east of Moran.  They had two additional sons, Charles La Due in 1882 and Edward Everett in 1886.  Antonia and Margaret purchased an 80-acre farm 13 Apr 1885 for $320 from the Southern Kansas Railroad.  The property was located at the east half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 12 (1618 4200th Street) in the Moran, Kansas.  It is unknown where they were living between 1877 and 1885.

(L-R) Margaret, Edward, Antonia Gineste

(L-R) Charles, Cora, William Ginest

Antonia and Margaret Separation (1892)

Family stories tell Margaret leaving Antonia early 1893.  She and her son, Edward, moved to Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas where her daughter, Cora, was residing and working in a hotel.  Margaret did housework and took in laundry for railroad men and others.  Wages were 50 cents per day.  Her son, Edward, carried messages between salesmen and hotel maids and selling newspapers on the street.  He would also dance a jig for tips.  He was often able to make more money than his mother.  Another son, William, also moved to the Shawnee county area, but Charles stayed with Antonia. 

Antonia Files for Divorce (1893)

After Margaret and Antonia separated, Antonia filed for divorce at the Allen County Kansas Courthouse 5 Dec 1893.  The divorce petition describes their property, including five horses, two colts, one cow, one calf, thirteen hogs, and 300 bushels of corn.  It shows cause for divorce as follows, Margaret left home Mar 1893; committed adultery since 1884; failed to perform household duties; failed to assist in caring for, clothing, educating, and comforting the family; violently assaulted, kicked, and abused Antonia; striking him with an iron poker; cursing, swearing, and threatening his life.  All of this has been going on for eight or nine years, the divorce petition says.  Margaret was summoned by the Allen County sheriff 5 Dec 1893, now living in Topeka, Kansas.  The sheriff was not able to locate Margaret after searching until 24 January 1894. 

Margaret Files for Divorce (1893)

While Antonia was filing for divorce, Margaret was doing the same.  The Topeka Daily Capital newspaper shows Margaret Gineste filed for divorce 16 Dec 1893 at the Shawnee County Kansas Courthouse.  The records found at the courthouse were unreadable because of document quality.  Later, 23 Mar 1894, Antonia canceled his divorce petition, based on the announcement in the Iola Register newspaper.  It is assumed that Margaret's divorce petition was final in late Mar 1894, based on Antonia canceling his divorce request.

Margaret divorce filed - Topeka Daily Capital - 17 Dec 1893

Antonia divorce dismissed - Iola Register - 23 Mar 1894

4 Apr 1894, Margaret Gineste transferred her ownership of the farm, located at the east half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 12 (1618 4200th Street) in the Moran, Kansas to Antonia via a Quick Claim Deed for $1 as a single woman.  The 1895 Kansas Agriculture Census for Osage, Kansas shows Antonia and son Charles living on the farm.  It describes the property having 93 acres with 50 acres under cultivation, 73 acres fenced with 30 rods of stone, and 320 rods of wire fencing.  The cash value of the farm and improvements listed as $1,000 and machinery valued at $20.00.  Crops included corn, oats, sorghum, and flax. Livestock was five horses, a milk cow, and 17 swine. 

It was not long before both Antonia and Margaret met someone and remarried.