Nov 2, 1861 Louisa Bannse born in Willapa, Washington. 1900 Census & 1938 Coroner’s report.
1864 Bannse family moved from Willapa to south of Bucoda on a farm just north of the Thurston County Line. “From Aurora he went to Shoalwater Bay, WA., and thirty years ago he bought out the farm the family now resides upon of about 320 acres of choice farming land.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
July 1870 Louisa Bannse appeared in the 1870 census age 7 (should be age 8) living on Bannse farm
Oct 7, 1880 Louise Bannse and Frank DeWitt married in Lewis County. Lewis County Marriage Records.
August 29, 1881 Frances (Grace) DeWitt born on Vashon Island
Sept 29, 1881 Frank DeWitt shot on Sept 29 and died on Sep 30 in Tacoma.
Nov 1, 1881 Frances Louise (Grace) DeWitt (age 2 months) obtained property and a house in Centralia (one acre) from funds raised in Tacoma and Centralia for her support.
Oct-Dec 1881
“After burying her husband, my sister lived at home on our farm for a few months until my brother, Eli, who was working for Ezra Meeker at Puyallup, sent for her, having secured her a position in the house of Marion Meeker as cook. December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview.
February 12, 1880 Frank and Ettella Meeker arrived from Ithaca, NY —lived with Ezra Meeker according to the 1880 Census. “F. O. Meeker,,” Seattle Daily Post Intelligencer, February 12, 1880, pg. 4 and 1880 census. A year later he and Etella moved in with Marion Meeker.
“At that time my sister was very sickly, and she was but a few months, perhaps a little over a year, in Puyallup, when she was brought home very ill, leaving Gracie with Frank O. Meeker.” Louisa very ill and returned to Bucoda according to Augustus Bannse. “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview Confirmed in adoption record, “Louisa DeWitt is in poor health and unable to support and educate said minor, that she has given her consent as required by law to such adoption,”
Case # 268
In the Probate Court of Pierce County, Washington Territory
Order of Adoption
In the matter of the adoption of Frances Louisa DeWitt, a minor by Frank O. Meeker and Ettella W. Meeker, his wife.
Aug 10, 1883 Frank and Etella Meeker adopted Frances DeWitt (Just under age 2) & legally changed her name to Grace Meeker.
“Mrs. Frank O. Meeker, having no children, became greatly attached to the little girl and begged my sister to let them adopt Frances, for they changed her name to Grace.
Louisa finally consented to let them have Gracie provided they would let her take the child whenever she wished to and it was convenient for all concerned.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
“that they have for several months past taken care of said minor and have become attached to her, and it further appearing to this court that it is for the best interests of said minor that the prayer of said petitioners be granted . . . It is further ordered that the name of said minor be changed from Frances Louisa DeWitt to Grace Meeker in Open Court this 10th day of August-A.D. 1883
L. C. Hawes
Judge of the Probate Court
Case # 268
In the Probate Court of Pierce County, Washington Territory
Order of Adoption
In the matter of the adoption of Frances Louisa DeWitt, a minor by Frank O. Meeker and Ettella W. Meeker, his wife.
“After recovering she returned to Puyallup, took possession of Grace and earned a living doing needlework. I am not certain how long Louisa was at home, but after getting well, she went back to Puyallup, and according to the agreement between them, my sister took her child and went to Tacoma, earning her living with her needle, as she is a fine needlewoman.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
“When Mr. Meeker became wealthy he persuaded my sister to quit sewing and let him support them both, saying that it did not look well for the mother of his adopted child to earn her living with her needle. Well, she consented. You know the rest.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg 1 Augustus Bannse interview
On Oct 23, 1893 Paul DeWitt (Meeker) was born in St. Lukes Hospital, San Francisco. Louisa DeWitt stated in a Tacoma newspaper that Frank Meeker was the father.
December 13, 1894 Louisa shot Frank Meeker in Tacoma
Dec 14, 1894 to April 9, 1900 Louisa and children were either on the Bannse Farm or Centralia property
April 9, 1900 Frances Louisa DeWitt (Grace) (18) sold Centralia property. Lewis County Deed Book #58, page 159.
June 1, 1900 Louisa (38), Frances (Grace) (18), Paul (DeWitt) (6) were living on the Bannse farm in Bucoda 1900 Census
Sept 8, 1900 Louisa DeWitt, dressmaker (37) married Frank Carl, blacksmith (41) in Lewis County. Lewis County marriage records
Sept 19, 1900 Louisa DeWitt’s marriage to Frank Carl is recorded as age 37 (should be age 38) Lewis county marriage records
Carl gave his last name to Paul DeWitt. Whether this was by adoption or informally is not known. Paul was almost 7 years old.
July 10, 1903 Grace F DeWitt (21) married Merton J. Corwin (26) in Chicago
April 18, 1910 census lists Grace Corwin (28), born 1882. (It should be 1881.) According to the 1910 Census Grace and Merton (32) were living in Ward 7, Seattle, Washington and Grace’s brother Paul Carle (16) was living with them. Family history says Grace raised her younger brother Paul.
July 5, 1911 Lewis County Superior Court Summons summoned Louisa to court as Frank Carl was seeking a divorce due to abandonment.
June 1912 Paul Carle graduated from Broadway High School in Seattle he was 18 years old. He went on to graduate from the University of California at Berkeley. Whether his sister or someone else was his benefactor is not known.
Around 1920 Louisa’s sister Huldah and her second husband, Faye Jackson, moved to San Francisco. Louise may have followed her to San Francisco.
Paul became a naval officer and later a contractor and inventor in San Diego. (He built the Egyptian Court in San Diego, a local historic landmark.)
1922 Paul settled in Coronado, CA after he got out of the Navy in 1922. He lived there until his death in 1961
1864 Bannse family moved from Willapa to south of Bucoda on a farm just north of the Thurston County Line. “From Aurora he went to Shoalwater Bay, WA., and thirty years ago he bought out the farm the family now resides upon of about 320 acres of choice farming land.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
July 1870 Louisa Bannse appeared in the 1870 census age 7 (should be age 8) living on Bannse farm
Oct 7, 1880 Louise Bannse and Frank DeWitt married in Lewis County. Lewis County Marriage Records.
August 29, 1881 Frances (Grace) DeWitt born on Vashon Island
Sept 29, 1881 Frank DeWitt shot on Sept 29 and died on Sep 30 in Tacoma.
Nov 1, 1881 Frances Louise (Grace) DeWitt (age 2 months) obtained property and a house in Centralia (one acre) from funds raised in Tacoma and Centralia for her support.
Oct-Dec 1881
“After burying her husband, my sister lived at home on our farm for a few months until my brother, Eli, who was working for Ezra Meeker at Puyallup, sent for her, having secured her a position in the house of Marion Meeker as cook. December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview.
February 12, 1880 Frank and Ettella Meeker arrived from Ithaca, NY —lived with Ezra Meeker according to the 1880 Census. “F. O. Meeker,,” Seattle Daily Post Intelligencer, February 12, 1880, pg. 4 and 1880 census. A year later he and Etella moved in with Marion Meeker.
“At that time my sister was very sickly, and she was but a few months, perhaps a little over a year, in Puyallup, when she was brought home very ill, leaving Gracie with Frank O. Meeker.” Louisa very ill and returned to Bucoda according to Augustus Bannse. “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview Confirmed in adoption record, “Louisa DeWitt is in poor health and unable to support and educate said minor, that she has given her consent as required by law to such adoption,”
Case # 268
In the Probate Court of Pierce County, Washington Territory
Order of Adoption
In the matter of the adoption of Frances Louisa DeWitt, a minor by Frank O. Meeker and Ettella W. Meeker, his wife.
Aug 10, 1883 Frank and Etella Meeker adopted Frances DeWitt (Just under age 2) & legally changed her name to Grace Meeker.
“Mrs. Frank O. Meeker, having no children, became greatly attached to the little girl and begged my sister to let them adopt Frances, for they changed her name to Grace.
Louisa finally consented to let them have Gracie provided they would let her take the child whenever she wished to and it was convenient for all concerned.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
“that they have for several months past taken care of said minor and have become attached to her, and it further appearing to this court that it is for the best interests of said minor that the prayer of said petitioners be granted . . . It is further ordered that the name of said minor be changed from Frances Louisa DeWitt to Grace Meeker in Open Court this 10th day of August-A.D. 1883
L. C. Hawes
Judge of the Probate Court
Case # 268
In the Probate Court of Pierce County, Washington Territory
Order of Adoption
In the matter of the adoption of Frances Louisa DeWitt, a minor by Frank O. Meeker and Ettella W. Meeker, his wife.
“After recovering she returned to Puyallup, took possession of Grace and earned a living doing needlework. I am not certain how long Louisa was at home, but after getting well, she went back to Puyallup, and according to the agreement between them, my sister took her child and went to Tacoma, earning her living with her needle, as she is a fine needlewoman.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
“When Mr. Meeker became wealthy he persuaded my sister to quit sewing and let him support them both, saying that it did not look well for the mother of his adopted child to earn her living with her needle. Well, she consented. You know the rest.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg 1 Augustus Bannse interview
On Oct 23, 1893 Paul DeWitt (Meeker) was born in St. Lukes Hospital, San Francisco. Louisa DeWitt stated in a Tacoma newspaper that Frank Meeker was the father.
December 13, 1894 Louisa shot Frank Meeker in Tacoma
Dec 14, 1894 to April 9, 1900 Louisa and children were either on the Bannse Farm or Centralia property
April 9, 1900 Frances Louisa DeWitt (Grace) (18) sold Centralia property. Lewis County Deed Book #58, page 159.
June 1, 1900 Louisa (38), Frances (Grace) (18), Paul (DeWitt) (6) were living on the Bannse farm in Bucoda 1900 Census
Sept 8, 1900 Louisa DeWitt, dressmaker (37) married Frank Carl, blacksmith (41) in Lewis County. Lewis County marriage records
Sept 19, 1900 Louisa DeWitt’s marriage to Frank Carl is recorded as age 37 (should be age 38) Lewis county marriage records
Carl gave his last name to Paul DeWitt. Whether this was by adoption or informally is not known. Paul was almost 7 years old.
July 10, 1903 Grace F DeWitt (21) married Merton J. Corwin (26) in Chicago
April 18, 1910 census lists Grace Corwin (28), born 1882. (It should be 1881.) According to the 1910 Census Grace and Merton (32) were living in Ward 7, Seattle, Washington and Grace’s brother Paul Carle (16) was living with them. Family history says Grace raised her younger brother Paul.
July 5, 1911 Lewis County Superior Court Summons summoned Louisa to court as Frank Carl was seeking a divorce due to abandonment.
June 1912 Paul Carle graduated from Broadway High School in Seattle he was 18 years old. He went on to graduate from the University of California at Berkeley. Whether his sister or someone else was his benefactor is not known.
Around 1920 Louisa’s sister Huldah and her second husband, Faye Jackson, moved to San Francisco. Louise may have followed her to San Francisco.
Paul became a naval officer and later a contractor and inventor in San Diego. (He built the Egyptian Court in San Diego, a local historic landmark.)
1922 Paul settled in Coronado, CA after he got out of the Navy in 1922. He lived there until his death in 1961
Nov 2, 1861 Louisa Bannse born in Willapa, Washington. 1900 Census & 1938 Coroner’s report.
1864 Bannse family moved from Willapa to south of Bucoda on a farm just north of the Thurston County Line. “From Aurora he went to Shoalwater Bay, WA., and thirty years ago he bought out the farm the family now resides upon of about 320 acres of choice farming land.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
July 1870 Louisa Bannse appeared in the 1870 census age 7 (should be age 8) living on Bannse farm
Oct 7, 1880 Louise Bannse and Frank DeWitt married in Lewis County. Lewis County Marriage Records.
August 29, 1881 Frances (Grace) DeWitt born on Vashon Island
Sept 29, 1881 Frank DeWitt shot on Sept 29 and died on Sep 30 in Tacoma.
Nov 1, 1881 Frances Louise (Grace) DeWitt (age 2 months) obtained property and a house in Centralia (one acre) from funds raised in Tacoma and Centralia for her support.
Oct-Dec 1881
“After burying her husband, my sister lived at home on our farm for a few months until my brother, Eli, who was working for Ezra Meeker at Puyallup, sent for her, having secured her a position in the house of Marion Meeker as cook. December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview.
February 12, 1880 Frank and Ettella Meeker arrived from Ithaca, NY —lived with Ezra Meeker according to the 1880 Census. “F. O. Meeker,,” Seattle Daily Post Intelligencer, February 12, 1880, pg. 4 and 1880 census. A year later he and Etella moved in with Marion Meeker.
“At that time my sister was very sickly, and she was but a few months, perhaps a little over a year, in Puyallup, when she was brought home very ill, leaving Gracie with Frank O. Meeker.” Louisa very ill and returned to Bucoda according to Augustus Bannse. “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview Confirmed in adoption record, “Louisa DeWitt is in poor health and unable to support and educate said minor, that she has given her consent as required by law to such adoption,”
Case # 268
In the Probate Court of Pierce County, Washington Territory
Order of Adoption
In the matter of the adoption of Frances Louisa DeWitt, a minor by Frank O. Meeker and Ettella W. Meeker, his wife.
Aug 10, 1883 Frank and Etella Meeker adopted Frances DeWitt (Just under age 2) & legally changed her name to Grace Meeker.
“Mrs. Frank O. Meeker, having no children, became greatly attached to the little girl and begged my sister to let them adopt Frances, for they changed her name to Grace.
Louisa finally consented to let them have Gracie provided they would let her take the child whenever she wished to and it was convenient for all concerned.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
“that they have for several months past taken care of said minor and have become attached to her, and it further appearing to this court that it is for the best interests of said minor that the prayer of said petitioners be granted . . . It is further ordered that the name of said minor be changed from Frances Louisa DeWitt to Grace Meeker in Open Court this 10th day of August-A.D. 1883
L. C. Hawes
Judge of the Probate Court
Case # 268
In the Probate Court of Pierce County, Washington Territory
Order of Adoption
In the matter of the adoption of Frances Louisa DeWitt, a minor by Frank O. Meeker and Ettella W. Meeker, his wife.
“After recovering she returned to Puyallup, took possession of Grace and earned a living doing needlework. I am not certain how long Louisa was at home, but after getting well, she went back to Puyallup, and according to the agreement between them, my sister took her child and went to Tacoma, earning her living with her needle, as she is a fine needlewoman.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
“When Mr. Meeker became wealthy he persuaded my sister to quit sewing and let him support them both, saying that it did not look well for the mother of his adopted child to earn her living with her needle. Well, she consented. You know the rest.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg 1 Augustus Bannse interview
On Oct 23, 1893 Paul DeWitt (Meeker) was born in St. Lukes Hospital, San Francisco. Louisa DeWitt stated in a Tacoma newspaper that Frank Meeker was the father.
December 13, 1894 Louisa shot Frank Meeker in Tacoma
Dec 14, 1894 to April 9, 1900 Louisa and children were either on the Bannse Farm or Centralia property
April 9, 1900 Frances Louisa DeWitt (Grace) (18) sold Centralia property. Lewis County Deed Book #58, page 159.
June 1, 1900 Louisa (38), Frances (Grace) (18), Paul (DeWitt) (6) were living on the Bannse farm in Bucoda 1900 Census
Sept 8, 1900 Louisa DeWitt, dressmaker (37) married Frank Carl, blacksmith (41) in Lewis County. Lewis County marriage records
Sept 19, 1900 Louisa DeWitt’s marriage to Frank Carl is recorded as age 37 (should be age 38) Lewis county marriage records
Carl gave his last name to Paul DeWitt. Whether this was by adoption or informally is not known. Paul was almost 7 years old.
July 10, 1903 Grace F DeWitt (21) married Merton J. Corwin (26) in Chicago
April 18, 1910 census lists Grace Corwin (28), born 1882. (It should be 1881.) According to the 1910 Census Grace and Merton (32) were living in Ward 7, Seattle, Washington and Grace’s brother Paul Carle (16) was living with them. Family history says Grace raised her younger brother Paul.
July 5, 1911 Lewis County Superior Court Summons summoned Louisa to court as Frank Carl was seeking a divorce due to abandonment.
June 1912 Paul Carle graduated from Broadway High School in Seattle he was 18 years old. He went on to graduate from the University of California at Berkeley. Whether his sister or someone else was his benefactor is not known.
Around 1920 Louisa’s sister Huldah and her second husband, Faye Jackson, moved to San Francisco. Louise may have followed her to San Francisco.
Paul became a naval officer and later a contractor and inventor in San Diego. (He built the Egyptian Court in San Diego, a local historic landmark.)
1922 Paul settled in Coronado, CA after he got out of the Navy in 1922. He lived there until his death in 1961
1864 Bannse family moved from Willapa to south of Bucoda on a farm just north of the Thurston County Line. “From Aurora he went to Shoalwater Bay, WA., and thirty years ago he bought out the farm the family now resides upon of about 320 acres of choice farming land.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
July 1870 Louisa Bannse appeared in the 1870 census age 7 (should be age 8) living on Bannse farm
Oct 7, 1880 Louise Bannse and Frank DeWitt married in Lewis County. Lewis County Marriage Records.
August 29, 1881 Frances (Grace) DeWitt born on Vashon Island
Sept 29, 1881 Frank DeWitt shot on Sept 29 and died on Sep 30 in Tacoma.
Nov 1, 1881 Frances Louise (Grace) DeWitt (age 2 months) obtained property and a house in Centralia (one acre) from funds raised in Tacoma and Centralia for her support.
Oct-Dec 1881
“After burying her husband, my sister lived at home on our farm for a few months until my brother, Eli, who was working for Ezra Meeker at Puyallup, sent for her, having secured her a position in the house of Marion Meeker as cook. December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview.
February 12, 1880 Frank and Ettella Meeker arrived from Ithaca, NY —lived with Ezra Meeker according to the 1880 Census. “F. O. Meeker,,” Seattle Daily Post Intelligencer, February 12, 1880, pg. 4 and 1880 census. A year later he and Etella moved in with Marion Meeker.
“At that time my sister was very sickly, and she was but a few months, perhaps a little over a year, in Puyallup, when she was brought home very ill, leaving Gracie with Frank O. Meeker.” Louisa very ill and returned to Bucoda according to Augustus Bannse. “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview Confirmed in adoption record, “Louisa DeWitt is in poor health and unable to support and educate said minor, that she has given her consent as required by law to such adoption,”
Case # 268
In the Probate Court of Pierce County, Washington Territory
Order of Adoption
In the matter of the adoption of Frances Louisa DeWitt, a minor by Frank O. Meeker and Ettella W. Meeker, his wife.
Aug 10, 1883 Frank and Etella Meeker adopted Frances DeWitt (Just under age 2) & legally changed her name to Grace Meeker.
“Mrs. Frank O. Meeker, having no children, became greatly attached to the little girl and begged my sister to let them adopt Frances, for they changed her name to Grace.
Louisa finally consented to let them have Gracie provided they would let her take the child whenever she wished to and it was convenient for all concerned.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
“that they have for several months past taken care of said minor and have become attached to her, and it further appearing to this court that it is for the best interests of said minor that the prayer of said petitioners be granted . . . It is further ordered that the name of said minor be changed from Frances Louisa DeWitt to Grace Meeker in Open Court this 10th day of August-A.D. 1883
L. C. Hawes
Judge of the Probate Court
Case # 268
In the Probate Court of Pierce County, Washington Territory
Order of Adoption
In the matter of the adoption of Frances Louisa DeWitt, a minor by Frank O. Meeker and Ettella W. Meeker, his wife.
“After recovering she returned to Puyallup, took possession of Grace and earned a living doing needlework. I am not certain how long Louisa was at home, but after getting well, she went back to Puyallup, and according to the agreement between them, my sister took her child and went to Tacoma, earning her living with her needle, as she is a fine needlewoman.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg. 1 Augustus Bannse interview
“When Mr. Meeker became wealthy he persuaded my sister to quit sewing and let him support them both, saying that it did not look well for the mother of his adopted child to earn her living with her needle. Well, she consented. You know the rest.” “Mrs. Louis M. DeWitt,” December 16, 1894 Tacoma Morning Union, pg 1 Augustus Bannse interview
On Oct 23, 1893 Paul DeWitt (Meeker) was born in St. Lukes Hospital, San Francisco. Louisa DeWitt stated in a Tacoma newspaper that Frank Meeker was the father.
December 13, 1894 Louisa shot Frank Meeker in Tacoma
Dec 14, 1894 to April 9, 1900 Louisa and children were either on the Bannse Farm or Centralia property
April 9, 1900 Frances Louisa DeWitt (Grace) (18) sold Centralia property. Lewis County Deed Book #58, page 159.
June 1, 1900 Louisa (38), Frances (Grace) (18), Paul (DeWitt) (6) were living on the Bannse farm in Bucoda 1900 Census
Sept 8, 1900 Louisa DeWitt, dressmaker (37) married Frank Carl, blacksmith (41) in Lewis County. Lewis County marriage records
Sept 19, 1900 Louisa DeWitt’s marriage to Frank Carl is recorded as age 37 (should be age 38) Lewis county marriage records
Carl gave his last name to Paul DeWitt. Whether this was by adoption or informally is not known. Paul was almost 7 years old.
July 10, 1903 Grace F DeWitt (21) married Merton J. Corwin (26) in Chicago
April 18, 1910 census lists Grace Corwin (28), born 1882. (It should be 1881.) According to the 1910 Census Grace and Merton (32) were living in Ward 7, Seattle, Washington and Grace’s brother Paul Carle (16) was living with them. Family history says Grace raised her younger brother Paul.
July 5, 1911 Lewis County Superior Court Summons summoned Louisa to court as Frank Carl was seeking a divorce due to abandonment.
June 1912 Paul Carle graduated from Broadway High School in Seattle he was 18 years old. He went on to graduate from the University of California at Berkeley. Whether his sister or someone else was his benefactor is not known.
Around 1920 Louisa’s sister Huldah and her second husband, Faye Jackson, moved to San Francisco. Louise may have followed her to San Francisco.
Paul became a naval officer and later a contractor and inventor in San Diego. (He built the Egyptian Court in San Diego, a local historic landmark.)
1922 Paul settled in Coronado, CA after he got out of the Navy in 1922. He lived there until his death in 1961
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