I'm searching for a missing child of the above couple, who lived in Athena. John was both a farmer and a constable, and he's buried in the Athena Cemetery. When John died in 1907 his father (who is my 2nd ggrandfather) wrote a note to a relative telling her of John's death and adding that he "leaves behind a wife and 6 children, the youngest a boy of 10."

I've found the family in the 1900 federal census along with their last five children: Jessie E., Bernice, Roy, Bessie, and Earl (who was born in 1897, which makes him the 10-year-old in the letter). Also in this census Mother Nannie says she's had 6 children and 6 are still living, so the number of children in this family isn't a figment of their grandfather's imaganation.<g>

I've haunted the 1900 censuses of OR, WA, and ID for a child born between 1884 (the year John and Nannie were married) and 1888 (birth year of the next child, Jessie E. above) and one who is not listed as a son or daughter. There are three close matches in Umatilla Co., but the birthplaces listed for their parents don't quite match those of John (Iowa) and Nannie (Oregon).

Does anyone know of this family or have suggestions for further searching?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Beth