Generation 3

Marcus Harrison Onan (1831-1917) RIN 324
Ester Lucretia Searles (1841-1921) RIN 547
MRIN 167

Marcus Harrison Onan: the youngest child of 8. Thirteen years between him and his oldest brother, Warren, and maybe a world of difference in personality. Warren disdained farming; Marcus stayed on the farm. Warren saw as his obligation to fight in the Civil War, Marcus took care of the family and contributed effort and produce at home. Yet there were going to be events that brought them very close together in the later years of their lives.

When Marcus was born, the centers of population in Tompkins county NY were mainly along the primitive roads and waterways between Ithaca and Dryden. Dryden and Varna are listed as locations for the farm of James and Mary Onan, his parents. Not far away to the northwest was Lansing, adjacent to Cayuga Lake. James and Mary had all their children baptized in the Presbyterian church of Lansing in July 1831, and Marcus in 1832.

On the west side of Cayuga Lake is the town of Trumansburg and Taughannock falls. Another clutch of Onans lived there. In fact there seems to be a concentration (for the Onan family that’s not many) along Cayuga Lake from the north at Auburn to the south near Ithaca. Many Onans with names I cannot connect to are buried in the East Lawn cemetery located in an eastern suburb of Ithaca; on the road to Dryden.

Industry in the area included farming, sheep raising, tanning, milling and distilling alcohol. Many streams provided water power because of the gorges common in the county. These gorges proved to be a real problem for transportation because crossing them with roads was difficult. Subsequently roads in the area stayed poor until well into the 1900’s.

By 1850, Marcus his parents and all the family had moved to Rice [now Ischua] in Cattaraugus county NY. From a farming point of view this was a little better. In this western part of the state, the hills are a little more rolling and a few patches of 10 acres of flat ground can be found. Never the less, farming probably still involved clearing or in other ways improving land. The industry here also included lumbering and shingle making; which involved Warren.

Marcus remained living with his family until he married in 1865 to Ester Lucretia Searles, a native of New York. His mother Mary lived with them until she died in 1869. An 1869 map of Ischua shows Marcus’ farm just east of the 5 Mile creek in section 35. It appears that a farm of his brother John, was adjacent to the west, but in the town of Humphrey.

A home converted from a church stands at the intersection of Church Road and Cherry Valley Road that not only straddles the town lines of Ischua and Humphrey, but simultaneously served a Baptist and Presbyterian congregation. Marcus was a deacon of this church.

He had taken care of his mother and father until their death, seen his sisters die and brothers move away. His brother John was the only living relative left in Cattaraugus county NY.

A manuscript which my be an obituary for Marcus gives some more insight into the family. The author is unknown, but probably someone living in Moorhead who knew the family well. The following is excerpted.

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"One of the early settlers of Clay county, Minn. Age 86, who died at his home in Sabin, Minn. March 15, 1917. Mr. Onan was born and reared on his father’s farm at Is[c]hua, Cattaraugus count, New York, where his early age was spent at district school. He began his labors of life at an early age and worked hard clearing his father’s farm and like many others in the history of that wooded country cut wood and split rails to fence the old homestead and later was successful in making the farm pay.

He made a trip to Moorhead in 1881 to visit his brother Warren Onan and being delighted with this country after a short stay returned to New York and disposing of his farm and stock there, came to Moorhead in the early spring of 1882 and built the residence now standing at number 309 sixth street south Moorhead, Minn. Having purchased a farm a few miles east of Moorhead he proceeded to break the same and engaged in raising wheat. The first few seasons being unfavorable for crops, this wild prairie sod being hard to break in those days, he found it quite discouraging. He than purchased a farm three miles south of Sabin and entered into diversified farming and has been very successful for the past twenty years, building himself a home at Sabin and improving his farm and buildings where his son Charles and family, a wife and one son, are now living, Charles J. being a partner in the farming interests. His surviving wife Lucritia and her daughter Ella reside at the old home at Sabin, Minn.

At an early age Mr. Onan displayed a talent in music and singing and his neighbors for miles around used to gather to partake of his entertainment. He was always pleasant and entertaining and being blest with a pleasing personal make up, his cheery stories never failed to interest those who chanced to listen and in his adversities his uprightness and square dealing won for him the unsolicited assistance of his friends and companions as men from his New York home would seek to send him money without stint or interest or even the scratch of a pen and his good traits were many. His arguments were always clear and convincing, always showing great respect for the ideas of others.

The late Wm G. Laidlaw, M. C. [?] , 32d District N.Y and District Attorney Cattaraugus county, who had known Mr. Onan a lifetime once said to the writer that he considered Mr. Onan one of the best citizens of his county. That he was patriotic during the war of [18]61 to 65, the records of his former town will show as he contributed his prorata during those dark days.

On Dec 5, 1865 he married Lucritia Searles at Olean N.Y. Mr. and Mrs. Onan are parents of four surviving children. Ella, now Mrs. Spence Robins of Grafton N.D., Minnie, now Mrs. Benjamin Lewis of Moosejaw, Canada, May of Grafton N.D., and Charles J. Onan of Sabin, Minn."…."Mrs. Ella Robbins, daughter of the deceased was with him through his late lingering illness, administering to his every want, unceasingly cared for him until the last."

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Grace Onan, the wife of Marcus’ grandson Cedric, has written the following history for me.

Marcus Harrison Onan (1831-1917)

Written by Grace Onan

Marcus Harrison Onan arrived at Moorhead in the early spring of 1883 with his wife and three daughters and one son. Before leaving New York he had purchased a ¼ section of land south of Moorhead where he planned to farm and raise his family. On his arrival he found that this land was a part of the "big slough" south of Moorhead. To support the family he started a dray line in Moorhead which he operated for three years until he had saved enough money to make a down payment on a ¼ section of land in Elmwood township on the Buffalo River. He built a tar paper shack and move his family to the farm.

To supplement the farm income, Marcus sold insurance and in the winter would haul grain from the Abercrombie elevator to the Magill Seed Company in Fargo.

In 1887 Marcus enlisted the help of a couple neighbors and they petitioned the county commissioners to establish a local school. School district 59 resulted. It was more commonly known as the Onan School. Marcus served on the school board for years. Three generations of Onan children attended this one room school; Charles, Marcus’ son; Cedric son of Charles; and Kay and Mark children of Cedric. The school closed in 1955 when it became a part of the Moorhead District 159 school system.

Marcus loved music and was well known for his fiddle playing. It is said he had perfect pitch. His children all learned to play the piano and sing. Charles also learned to play the fiddle.

In 1897 ‘the big flood’ inundated Marcus’ farm and land. After that he built a two story three bedroom house which cost him $800. This included labor as well as material.

Daughters Minnie and Ella had married and moved away. May had moved to Moorhead where she was teaching piano and Charles remained home on the farm. Marcus had purchased some lots in Sabin earlier where he planned to retire.

In 1905 after Charles’ marriage, Marcus and his wife retired to Sabin where they lived their remaining years. It seems that every traveling preacher coming through the area ended up spending the night at their house.

After moving into Sabin, as long as he was able, Marcus would make trips at least three times a week out to the farm with his horses and buggy. Often it was to help and sometimes just to bring an apple to that grandson who would follow him around. He never came without an apple in one of his pockets.

Marcus was not a tall man but he was broad shouldered and very strong. Marcus had a long full beard of which he was quite proud. One day the ashes from his pipe started a fire. When the fire was put out, the kitchen curtains and tablecloth were destroyed, but worse than that, his beard was damaged and it never again was as it had been.

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Generation 4

Ellen : married Spence Robbins. Left no offspring; a son died in infancy.

Minnie : married Ben Lewis. Moved to Canada. Children: Frances, Edith.

May : Did not marry. Nothing known.

Charles James Onan:       (1878-1963) RIN 551
Sarah Jane (Jennie) Stewart: (1882-1968) RIN 557
FGR 170

The following is the text of a manuscript by Grace Onan the wife of Charles’ son Cedric.

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Charles James Onan (1878-1963)

By Grace Onan

Most commonly known as Charlie. Usually signed papers with his initials C. J. Onan.

Charlie grew up on the family farm in Elmwood township (Clay co. Minnesota). He attended the one room school across the road. Since he was the only son, he began early to help his father with the cattle, which he didn’t like. When he was old enough to drive horses, he enjoyed the work. His sisters moved away, but Charlie remained at home with his folks.

On Thanksgiving Day 1904, Charlie married Sarah Jane (Jennie) Stewart who had been a teacher in the Onan school. In 1905 Charles parents moved to a house in Sabin that Marcus owned and Charlie took over the farm.

After his marriage, Charlie joined the Presbyterian Church in Baker where he served in many offices including Clerk of the Session. In 1959 Charlie and Jennie were honored by the church. Charlie had served as Sunday School Superintendent and Adult Bible Class teacher for 50 years and Jennie had served as Sunday School teacher for 58 years.

Charlie was community minded and held many offices on the town boards, community boards and farm organizations. He worked closely with the Minnesota Extension Service. He served as State Representative from district 9 for two sessions, 1939 – 1942. In 1956 he was honored at the Minnesota State Fair in St Paul for his 43 years of service on the local school board.

At an early age Charlie sang for the programs in the community but it was his fathers fiddle that interested him most. In 1922 he won the Northwest Fiddlers contest. In 1923 he joined WDAY in Fargo, ND. He was known as the Go-Far-Old-Timer. (Go-Far was the name of the product of his sponsor. Don’t know if it was feed or breakfast cereal. He had both as sponsors at one time. I rather think Go-Far was feed.). He accompanied himself on the guitar and sang "folksy" tunes mostly. His program included some fiddling, a bit of patter and always a hymn or Negro spiritual. His son, Cedric, joined him in 1927. Their program was known as Charlie and Cedric. Cedric played the banjo and octone and Charlie played the fiddle, guitar, harmonica and Jew’s harp. Charlie did the singing and Cedric furnished the jokes and much of the patter.

Charlie was not a large man but broad shouldered, very strong and quick. As a youth he was known in the community for his boxing ability.

In 1936 the family home burned. It was replaced with a duplex with the idea that he and Cedric would each have his own home on the farm.

After retiring from farming, Charlie would often go to St Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead where he would sing for the patients. (He was volunteering before volunteering became popular.)

In 1956 Charlie became blind because of glaucoma, but Jennie helped him continue his activities. Charlie loved to visit with people. He was rather soft spoken. He had an easy, friendly manner that drew people to him. He enjoyed a good joke. Every day, including the one he died, he would play and sing for at least an hour.

He died unexpectedly at his home on the farm of a heart attack. He had one child – a son, Cedric Marcus.

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Generation 5

Cedric Marcus Onan : (1907-1989) RIN 558
Grace Olive Olsgaard : Living RIN 559
FGR 171

The following is by Grace Onan, wife of Cedric.

Cedric Marcus Onan (1907-1988)

By Grace Onan

He went by Cedric, but used CM for signatures. Cedric Marcus Onan was the only child of Charles James and Sarah Jane (Stewart) Onan. He was born on the family farm in Elmwood township [MN] and attended the rural school known as the Onan School District 59. He grew up in the Presbyterian church in Baker.

Cedric shared many of the same interests as his father. His father gave him a gun when he was only 9. He especially enjoyed duck, goose and sand hill crane hunting. At 81 his eye was just as accurate and he hunted at that age. He supported sports clubs, Ducks Unlimited and the N.R.A.

Cedric also learned from his father how to box. He joined a boxing club in Fargo and fought professionally for three years. The only time he was knocked out was when he was defeated in the match for the Northwest Boxing Championship.

Cedric became a professional musician in 1927 when he joined his dad on the "Charles and Cedric" program over WDAY. Their popularity grew and they soon had programs over KVOX, Moorhead and a Fergus Falls station. Cedric played banjo with other musical groups also. They discontinued the Moorhead and Fergus Falls programs but continued with WDAY until 1947. Cedric and his dad continued to play for area events and after his dad died, Cedric would perform with piano accompaniment. Cedric would practice by the hour to keep his fingers nimble. His last performance was at the Onan School Reunion when he was 81.

Cedric married Grace Olsgaard of Rustad [MN] in 1947. They moved into the second half of the duplex and Cedric took full charge of the farming operation which consisted of small grain farming and the raising of potatoes.

In 1951 Cedric joined the First Presbyterian church of Moorhead where he served as an elder, a deacon and a Sunday School teacher.

Cedric was a member of various community boards: The Buffalo River Watershed, the Farm Bureau, Elmwood township and Elmwood Cemetery board.

Cedric was built like his father – broad and very strong. He enjoyed nature very much. He enjoyed games as chess and shooting pool. He won numerous prizes and trophies for his abilities here. Cedric liked to visit and to tell jokes. In his retirement years he spent time in hospital visitations.

Cedric died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his farm home.

Cedric and Grace had three children.

[Marcus.doc]
David W. Onan II
21 December, 1999