Dewitt Lennon and the Swoose

© Kathy Duncan, 2015

I'm a day late with honoring Veteran's Day. I do not have many photographs of my immediate ancestors serving in uniform because generationally they missed all the American wars except the Revolution, the Civil War, and WWI. This is a photograph of my Uncle Dewitt Lennon, standing second from the right in the back row, with the crew of the Swoose II, taken at the Celone airfield in  Foggia, Italy in 1944.

Kneeling, left to right are: K.G. Wiley, pilot; W.A. Harkins, left waist gunner; C.H. Jenkins, co-pilot; J.F. Dempsey, right waist gunner.

Standing, left to right are: W.O. Dettman, radio operator; partial face unknown; R.E. Winslow, tail gunner; J.A. Kaselonis, bombardier; M.B.Jolley, ball –turret gunner; unknown groundcrew; D.W. Lennon, flt. Engr./upper turret gunner; and H.H. Smith navigator.

My uncle flew 57 missions as a B-17 flight engineer/upper turret gunner in Europe during WWII, earning "four awards of the Air Medal for his meritorious actions while engaged in aerial combat" (source: obituary).

The original Swoose was a rebuilt B-17D that was nicknamed "half swan and half goose," or Swoose. The inspiration was a quirky little song called "Alexander the Swoose" that was popular at the time (see below). She flew under the command of Frank Kurtz in both the Pacific and European theaters for the duration of the war. Today, the Swoose is the oldest surviving B-17 and the only D model in existence. It is being restored at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Fairborn, Ohio.

Frank Kurtz named his daughter Swoosie Kurtz, who was born while he was serving during the war, after the Swoose.

"Alexander the Swoose" by Kay Kyser and his Orchestra:

Revised July 18, 2019

Sarah (King) Brundage - Sangamon County, Illinois

© Kathy Duncan, 2015

Sarah Caroline King, daughter of Sarah (Earnest) and John King, married Daniel H. Brundage on 30 Nov 1854 in Sangamon County, Illinois. She was born 12 May 1837 in Sangamon County, Illinois and died on 11 Jan 1894 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois with burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Husband, Daniel H. Brundage was born Oct 1834 and died 25 Sept 1905 in Springfield County, Illinois. He is buried beside his wife, "Caroline," in Greenwood Cemetery.

Shortly after their marriage, the Brundages removed to Dallas County, Texas, where Daniel paid taxes in 1857 and the family is found on the 1860 census.

D.H. Brundage paid taxes in Dallas County, Texas in 1857.

1860, Prct. #7, Dallas County, Texas:

Brundage, D.H. 25 M b. IL
-----Sarah C. 23 b. IL
-----Elizabeth A. 5 b. IL
-----Sarah F. 2 b. TX
-----Chas E. 0 M b. TX

By 1862, the Brundages had returned to Illinois, where daughter, Adeline was born about 1862. However, they removed to the Topeka, Kansas area sometime before 1870.

1 July 1870, Topeka Ward 1, Shawnee County, Kansas, P.O.: Topeka:

442-458
Brundage, D.H. 36 M W Keeper Boarding House $1,400-$0 b. IL
-----C. 34 F W Keeping house b. IL
-----Alice 14 F W b. IL
-----Nancy 12 F W b. TX
Burndage, Charles 10 M W b. TX
-----Adaline 8 F W b. IL
-----Albert 6 M W b. IL
-----Carolina 3 F W b. IL

1 June 1880, Beardstown, Cass County, Illinois, p. 707:

93-99
Brundage, Daniel W M 50 Laborer b. IL fb. KY mb. KY
-----Sarah W F 45 wife Keeps house b. IL fb. NC mb. NC
-----Charles W M 20 son Farm hand b. TX fb. IL mb. IL
-----Adeline W F 17 dau At Home b. IL fb. IL mb. IL
-----Albert W M 15 Work in Grocery b. IL fb. IL mb. IL
-----Joseph W M 7 son b. IL fb. IL mb. IL
----Noah W M 4 son b. IL fb. IL mb. IL

Son Joseph was born born in Kansas in 1872, which is not reflected in the 1880 census.

1 June 1900, Third Pct, 1228 E. Eight St., Springfield, Sangamon Co., IL:

58-61
Brundage, Charles Head W M Mar 1860 40 M-17 b. TX fb. IL mb. IL
-----Ruth Wife W F Dec 1861 38 M-17 2-2 b. IL fb. MO mb. IL
-----Claude son W M July 1885 14 S b. IL fb. TX mb. IL
-----Ethel dau W F Jan 1891 9 S b. IL fb. TX mb. IL
-----Daniel H. father W M Oct 1834 65 Wd b. IL fb. OH mb. VA

Obituaries for Sarah Caroline (King) Brundage:

BRUNDAGE--At her home in Decatur, Thursday, Jan. 11, of inflammation of the bowels, Mrs. Sarah C. Brundage, aged 56 years.

The deceased was born near this city, but for several years past has been a resident of Decatur. She leaves to mourn her loss seven children: Charles, Bert, Joseph and Miss Nora [sic] Brundage and Mrs. Alice Ford, all of Decatur; Mrs. Fannie Morrison, of Chatham, and Mrs. Ida Hart, of Colorado. The funeral occurred at 1 p.m. Saturday from the residence in Decatur .
[Source: Daily Illinois State Register; Springfield, IL; Tues., Jan. 16, 1894]

"Mrs. Brundage"
Mrs. Sarah C. Brundage, wife of D.H. Brundage, died Thursday, Jan. 11th, after a brief illness of inflammation of the bowels, aged 56 years. Mrs. Brundage was taken ill on Sunday and grew rapidly worse. She leaves a husband and seven children, all grown. They are Charles, Bert, Joseph and Noah Brundage and Mrs. Alice Ford of Decatur and Mrs. Fannie Morrison and Mrs. Ada Hart of Colorado.

Mrs. Brundage was born near Springfield, May 12, 1837, but for many years has been a resident of Decatur. She was an excellent Christian woman and a host of friends will mourn her death.
[Source: The Weekly-Herald Dispatch; Decatur, Illinois; Sat 20 Jan. 1894]

Obituaries for Husband Daniel H. Brundage:

Mortuary. Brundage - At the residence of his son, Bird Brundage, 116 West Carpenter street, at 4 a.m., Monday, Sept. 25, 1905, Daniel H. Brundage, aged 70 years and 10 months.

Mr. Brundage was born on a farm ten miles west of the city and resided there all his life. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brundage, who were among the earliest settlers of this county, settling on land where the deceased was born and reared. In 1855 Mr. Brundage was united in marriage to Miss Sarah King, who died twelve years ago. Mr. Brundage had enjoyed good health up until a short time ago, and about ten days ago was taken ill with paralysis and was removed to St. John's hospital, but last Saturday his condition was such that he was removed to the home of his son, where his death occurred yesterday.

The deceased is survived by four sons, Charles and Bird Brundage of this city, Joseph and Noah Brundage, who reside in Davenport, Ia.; also by two daughters, Mrs. Addie Hart of Fort Collins, Colo., and Mrs. Conrad who lives in Iowa.
[Source: Daily Illinois State Register; Springfield, IL; Tues. 26 Sept 1905]

Brundage--The funeral of Daniel Brundage took place at 10 o'clock yesterday morning from the residence of the deceased's son, Bird Brundage, 116 Carpenter street, the Rev. D.G. Bradford pastor of the Portuguese Presbyterian church, officiating. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the remains were sent to Decatur where the interment was made.
[Source: Daily Illinois State Register; Springfield, IL; Wed. 27 Sept 1905]

Brundage marriage and divorce records:

Joe Brundage, age 24, born in Topeka, Kansas, son of D.H. Brundage and Caroline Sarah King, married Viola Lee Shimer, age 27, born in Hillsboro, lllinois, daughter of J.H. Shimer and Lititia Harris, on 1 Jan 1896 in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.

Albert Brundage Sues for Divorce
Albert Brundage wants a divorce from his wife, Laura Brundage. He filed suit yesterday afternoon in the circuit court, alleging desertion. The couple married in 1887 and lived together until 1897 when, the complainant alleges, Mrs. Brundage left him.
[Source: Daily Illinois State Journal; Springfield, Illinois; Tues. 19 Jan 1904]

Albert Brundage, aged 39, Springfield twp; and Josephine DeFrates, aged 44, 908 East Adams street.
[Source: Daily Illinois State Journal; Springfield, IL; Tues. 29 March 1904]

Noah Brundage, son of Daniel H. and Caroline King, age 29, born in Springfield, Illinois married Nellie E. Murray, age 30, born in Scott County, daughter of James E. Murray and Hattie E. Vieno, on 8 Feb 1905 in Buffalo, Scott County, Iowa.

Brundage - Upton--Married, at 8 o'clock Thursday evening, Jan 2, 1913, at the home of the bride, Judge J.B. Weaver officiating, Albert Brundage, 116 West Carpenter street, and Mary Frances Upton, 121 West Madison street.
[Source: Daily Illinois State Journal; Springfield, IL; Fri 3 Jan 1913]

Death records of Sarah (King) Brundage's children and their spouses:

Brundage - Mrs. Ethel Urban of this city, and Mrs. M. Broadus, of Decatur, have returned home from Excelsior Springs, Mo., where they attended the funeral of Charles E. Brundage, formerly of this city, which was held last week at Excelsior. Mrs. Urban is a daughter of Mr. Brundage. Mr. Brundage is also survived by three brothers, two of whom reside here, namely, Bert and Noah Brundage.
[Source: Daily Illinois State Register; Daily Illinois State Register; Springfield, IL; Tues. 16 Nov 1909]

Albert C. Brundage born 7 Sept 1864 in Illinois; died 27 June 1922 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. Father: David Brundage b. IL. Mother: Caroline King b. IL. Occupation: trucker. Wife: Mary. Buried 30 June 1922. Oak Ridge Cemetery.
[Source: Illinios Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947, familysearch.org]

Joe Brundage, aged 60,  died 16 Apr 1933 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. Father: Daniel Brundage. Mother: Caroline King. Wife: Viola Lee Shimer Brundage
[Source: Illinios Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947, familysearch.org]

Brundage--Died at 2:15 o'clock Monday afternoon, Sept 16, 1912, at St. John's hospital following an operation, Mrs. Josephine Brundage, wife of Albert Brundage of 116 West Carpenter street, aged 53 years 1 month and 4 days.

The remains were removed to the residence of her sister, Mrs. Matt Kelly, 414 South Eighth street, where the funeral will be held at an hour to be announced later.

Decedent is survived by her husband, Albert Brundage, 116 West Carpenter street; her aged father, Mr. Miller of Peoria; six sisters, Mrs. Mattie Chase pf Peoria, Mrs. Flo Carrier of Peoria, Mrs. Mary Wilcox of Nebraska, Mrs. Rebecca Simpson of Peoria, Mrs. Anna Smith of Florida and Mrs. Matt Kelly of this city.
[Source: Daily Illinois State Journal; Springfield, Illinois; Tues. 17 Sept 1912]

Mrs. Mary Brundage
Mrs. Mary Frances Brundage, 67, of 419 W. Mason St., was pronounced dead at 7:20 a.m. yesterday at Memorial hospital, after apparently suffering a heart attack.

She was born May 8, 1889, in Springfield, and had resided here all her life. Her husband Albert Cook Brundage, died June 2, 1922. Mrs. Brundage was employed at Memorial hospital.

She is survived by her step-mother, Mrs. Laura Kirby; and two sisters, Miss Ellen E. Jacoby and Mrs. Walter Heiss, both of Springfield.

Mrs. Brundage was member of the Clementine Memorial Presbyterian church.

Remains are at the Vancil funeral home, where services will be held at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Rev. Milton W. Mosbacher will officiate and burial will be in Oak Ridge cemetery.
[Source: Daily Illinois State Journal; Springfield, IL; Thurs. 27 Dec 1956]