Flipside: Michael Souder and Margaret Cannon Souder

Margaret Cannon, my maternal great great grand-aunt, daughter of Lindsey Cannon and Elizabeth Fife Cannon, was born in July 1813 in Columbiana County, Ohio. According to an 1816 tax assessment, the Cannon's were making their home in Section 11, Madison Township. Margaret was probably born on the family farm in Madison Township.

Margaret's father was a farmer and purchased new property in St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio. By 1830, the Cannon's had relocated to that area. As the second oldest child, Margaret would have helped her mother with household chores and raising her younger brothers nd sisters.

On September 11, 1833, twenty year old Margaret Cannon married twenty year old Michael Souder in Columbiana County, Ohio. The wedding ceremony was performed by Reverend William Reed of the Presbyterian Church. Michael's parents were Michael Souders and Elizabeth Adams Souders. Also written as Sowders. The Souders were also landowners in St. Clair Township.

Michael's wedding listing is spelled Souders; however, the final "s" must have been dropped and the surname became Souder.

According to the 1840 St Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio census, Michael Souder was employed in a trade or manufacturing. He is enumerated directly under his father-in-law, Lindsey Cannon. Perhaps Michael is working in one of the trades that were supplied at Cannons Mills.

By 1840, the Souder's had three daughters all born in St. Clair Township.. Amanda Souder, born in 1834, Mahala Souder born November 8, 1835 and Elizabeth Souder born in 1838.

It is unknown how long after 1840, the Souders lived in St. Clair Township. Between 1840-1849, two more children joined the family, John Souder born in 1842 and Frances Souder born in 1845. The Sounders remained in Columbiana County during that decade.

1850 Ohio Federal Census
Elkrun Township, Columbiana County
August 29, 1850

The Souders relocated to Elkrun Township and Michael is employed as a miller. Undoubtedly, he was working for his father-in-law as a miller at Cannons Mills grist mill operation. Of interest the Souders are enumerated directly under family. Jane Cannon is Margaret Cannon Souder's maternal aunt and Nancy Orr is her younger sister.

Michael Souder, age 38, miller, born in Ohio

Margaret Souder, age 38, born in Ohio

Amanda Souder, age 15, born in Ohio

Mahaly Souder, age 13, born in Ohio

Elizabeth Souder, age 11, born in Ohio

John Souder, age age 9, born in Ohio

Frances Souder, age 5, born in Ohio

Matthew Souder, age 3/12, born in Ohio

During the 1850 decade two additional children were born in Elkrun Township. Margaret Armina "Mina" Souder on March 22, 1853 and Lindsey Cannon Souder on April 15, 1855. After Lindsey's birth the family relocated to Kansas. Frances is missing on this census.

Michael and Margaret's daughter, Mahala Souder at age twenty-two married thirty year old Thomas D. Searan in Clark County, Ohio.

1860 Kansas Federal Census
Mound City Township, Linn County
August 6, 1860

M. Souder, age 43, male, miller, value of real estate $150, value of personal estate $30, born in Ohio

Margaret, age 43, female, born in Ohio

Amanda, age 25, female, teacher, born in Ohio

Elizabeth, age 22, female, teacher, born in Ohio

Marion, age 16, male, born in Ohio. Is this son, John. Possibly named John Marion?

Mathew, age 10, male, attended school, born in Ohio

Margaret, age 8, female, attended school, born in Ohio

Lindsey, age 6, male, attended school, born in Ohio

John Armstrong, age 38, male, farmer, value of real estate $500, value of personal estate $75, born in Ohio. Census was taken six days before John Armstrong and Amanda Souder married.

On August 12, 1860, twenty-six year old Amanda Souder married thirty-three year old John Armstrong in Linn County, Kansas. John's parents were Nehemiah Armstrong and Achsah English Armstrong.

Michael and Margaret suffered the loss of their son, John Souder in 1860.

Ellen Elizabeth Souder at age twenty-two married twenty-one year old William Wright Wilson on October 22, 1860 in Lin County, Kansas. William was the son of Joseph Wilson and Sabrina Grisell Wilson.

1870 Missouri Federal Census
Dunksburg, Pettis County
August 20, 1870

Michael Souder, age 56, miller, value of real estate $300, value of personal property $100, born in Ohio

Margaret Souder, age 56, keeping house, born in Ohio

Mathew Souder, age 19, laborer, born in Ohio

Margaret Souder, age 17, at school, born in Ohio

Lindsey Souder, age 15, at school, born in Ohio

Twenty-three year old Margaret Armina "Mina" married thirty year old David Price Gilger in 1876. His parents were Daniel Campbell Gilger and Anna Price Gilger.

Lindsey Cannon Souder, age twenty-three married twenty-seven year old Amanda L. Fisher on April 21, 1878 in Pettis County, Missouri. Amanda's parents were John Fisher and Jane Farris Fisher.

1880 Missouri Federal Census
Dunksburg, Blackwater Township, Pettis County
June 5, 1880

Michael Souder, age 66, miller, born in Ohio, both parents born in Virginia

Margaret Souder, age 66, keeping house, born in Ohio, both parents born in Pennsylvania

M(athew) C. Souder, age 28, work in grist mill, born in Ohio, both parents born in Ohio

Thirty-seven year old Mathew Cannon Souder married twenty-seven year old Martha I. Welch on December 22, 1887 in Johnson, Missouri. Martha's parents were William Wesley Welch and Elizabeth Teague Welch.

From Find A Grave

On January 4, 1889, Seventy year old Michael Souder died probably on his property in Pettis County, Missouri. He was buried at Mount Zion Cemetery, Dunksburg, Johnson County, Missouri. Two of Michael and Margaret's sons are buried in the cemetery along with their wives and some of their children.

Linn County Republic
Mound City, Kansas
January 3, 1890
Page 4

On December 28, 1889, fifty-five year old, Amanda Souder Armstrong, died in Linn County, Kansas. Amanda was buried in Curry Cemetery, Mound City, Linn County, Kansas.

1900 Oklahoma Federal Census
Patterson, Garfield County
June 18, 1900

Margaret Cannon Souder was living with her daughter, Margaret Armina Souder Gilger and her family in Oklahoma in 1900. Because there is not a 1890 census, it is unknown if she moved there following her husband's death. Margaret lists that she was the mother of eight children with five still living. I have not been able to find her daughter, Frances after 1860, so perhaps she died.

Margaret Cannon Souder
Posted and shared from Ancestry.com

Researchers on ancestry.com have listed Margaret's death as 1914. I have not found a 1910 census for her, a death record or a burial place.

I googled Michael Souder in Google Books and was rewarded with an article on William Wright Wilson, husband of Ellen Elizabeth Souder Wilson. I have cut the sections that pertain to the Souder family. Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas, Biographical Publishing Company, 1894, page 168-169. The biographical information on William Wright Wilson is very informative.

Children of Michael Souder and Margaret Cannon Souder:

Amanda Souder, born 1834 St Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio; died December 28, 1889, Linn County, Kansas. Married John Armstrong, August 12, 1860, Linn County, Kansas. Children: James Souder Armstrong, Ira Francis Armstrong, Isadore Linn Armstrong and Otis Chester Armstrong.
Mahala Souder, born November 8, 1835, St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died July 23, 1922, Chandler, Lincoln County, Oklahoma. Married Thomas D. Searan on March 10, 1868, Clark County, Ohio. Children: Norah Elizabeth Searan, Ellen Amanda Searan, Isadore Minnie Searan and John Thomas Searan.
Ellen Elizabeth Souder, born October 22, 1838, St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died September 16, 1925. Married William Wright Wilson on October 22, 1860, Linn County, Kansas. Children: Joseph W. Wilson and Sabina Wilson.
John Souder, born 1842, St. Clair Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died 1860.
Frances M. Souder, born 1845, Columbiana County, Ohio.
Mathew Cannon Souder, born May 29, 1850, Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died January 15, 1921, LaMonte, Pettis County, Missouri. Married Martha I. Welch on December 22, 1888, Johnson, Missouri. Children: Zola Edna Souder, Dessie W. Souder, Mary M. Souder, Elva Beatrice Souder and Cannon Clemoth Souder.
Margaret Armina "Mina" Souder, born March 22, 1853, Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died June 16, 1929, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Married David Price Gilger, 1876. David's parents were Daniel Campbell Gilger and Anna Price Gilger. Children: Dexter Gilger, Athan Gilger, Lawson Gilger, Ellsworth Gilger and Jess L. Gilger.
Lindsey Cannon Souder, born April 19. 1855, Elkrun Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, died May 1, 1941, Pettis County, Missouri. Married Amanda L. Fisher, April 21, 1878, Pettis County, Missouri. Children: Jennie Souder.

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