Individual Details
Mary Jane Ham
(14 Jun 1846 - 12 May 1875)
From the Sedalia Daily Democrat, 19 May 1875: In Pettis county on the 12th Inst. of pneumoniam Mrs. Mary J. Dorrance, consort of Isaac Dorrance in the 29th year of her age. She was a kind companion, an affectionate mother, an accommodating neighbor and was respected by all who knew her. Elder A. P. Tennehill preached a very appropriate discourse to a large and attentive audience, from the 27th verse of the ninth chapter of Hebrews: And it is appointed unto all men once to die but after this judgment." After the sermon the funeral services were conducted by Grangers (as she was a patron). She leaves a bereaved husband, four children and many friends and acquaintances to mourn her loss.
Posted at findagrave.com: Mary J Ham married Isaac R Dorrance in Calhoun, Illinois, on August 13, 1865. They returned to Elk Fork Township, Pettis County after they were married. Her parents were Mary C. Count and Joel C. Ham. Over the years, the Hams lived in Montgomery County, Calloway County and Pettis County, Missouri. Isaac and Mary had five children: Angieleex, born on October 5, 1866; George, born on February 28, 1868; Viola, born on December 30, 1869; Joel, born on February 3, 1872, and Laura, born on February 18, 1874. According to the Sedalia Daily Democrat, when Mary died on May 12, 1875, at age 29 (28 years, 10 months, 18 days), she left four children. Angieleex preceded her in death; and Joel did not survive childhood. Mary was buried in the Dorrance Family plot, Bethel Union Church Cemetery next to Angieleex. Bethel Union Church and Bethel Union Church Cemetery were next to each other. The frame church no longer exists; however, the huge rock foundation is visible in winter. The Methodist and Baptist shared the church. One met in the morning and the other in the evening. Two other names for the cemetery are Old Bethel Cemetery or Bethel Cemetery.
Posted at findagrave.com: Mary J Ham married Isaac R Dorrance in Calhoun, Illinois, on August 13, 1865. They returned to Elk Fork Township, Pettis County after they were married. Her parents were Mary C. Count and Joel C. Ham. Over the years, the Hams lived in Montgomery County, Calloway County and Pettis County, Missouri. Isaac and Mary had five children: Angieleex, born on October 5, 1866; George, born on February 28, 1868; Viola, born on December 30, 1869; Joel, born on February 3, 1872, and Laura, born on February 18, 1874. According to the Sedalia Daily Democrat, when Mary died on May 12, 1875, at age 29 (28 years, 10 months, 18 days), she left four children. Angieleex preceded her in death; and Joel did not survive childhood. Mary was buried in the Dorrance Family plot, Bethel Union Church Cemetery next to Angieleex. Bethel Union Church and Bethel Union Church Cemetery were next to each other. The frame church no longer exists; however, the huge rock foundation is visible in winter. The Methodist and Baptist shared the church. One met in the morning and the other in the evening. Two other names for the cemetery are Old Bethel Cemetery or Bethel Cemetery.
Events
| Birth | 14 Jun 1846 | Callaway Co., Missouri |  | ||
| Marriage | 13 Aug 1865 | Calhoun Co., Illinois - Isaac R. Dorrance | | ||
| Death | 12 May 1875 | Pettis Co., Missouri | | ||
| Burial | Bethel Union Church Cemetery, Pettis Co., Missouri | |
Families
| Spouse | Isaac R. Dorrance (1836 - 1896) |
| Child | George Dorrance (1868 - ) |
| Child | Viola Mary Dorrance (1869 - 1919) |
| Child | Laura E. Dorrance (1874 - 1899) |
| Child | Joel L. Dorrance (1875 - 1883) |
| Father | Joel Campbell Ham (1818 - 1887) |
| Mother | Mary Stevens Counts (1820 - 1915) |
| Sibling | William Elliot Ham (1840 - 1915) |
| Sibling | George Benton Ham (1842 - 1920) |
| Sibling | John Steven Ham (1848 - 1928) |
| Sibling | Margaret Caroline Ham (1851 - 1915) |
| Sibling | Laura Gertrude Ham (1853 - 1895) |
| Sibling | Isaac Samuel Ham (1856 - 1922) |
| Sibling | Marietta Hannah Ham (1858 - 1865) |
Endnotes
1. 1850 Census Callaway Co., Missouri.
2. Ancestry.com OneWorldTree.
3. Illinois Marriages On-line.
4. Sedalia Daily Democrat, Obituary of Mary J. Dorrance (n.p: 19 May 1875, n.d).
5. Find A Grave.