Indiana McCaslins

From "The Family Record of David Luther Dennis and his wife, Iva Iona Steele", Earl Emanuel Dennis was born in Franklin, Johnson, Indiana on 11 apr 1897 at 6:50 am. The attending physcian was Dr Dobbins. He began teething in December 1897, had whooping cough in Apr 18988, and scarlet fever in Aug 1898.

In the 1900 US Federal Census for Franklin, Johnson, Indiana, 24-year-old farm laborer David L Dennis and his 19-year-old wife Iva J [Steele] Dennis have been married four years. In their household are their sons, 3-year-old Earl E and new born Carl R, and an 18-year-old servant, Sarah A Dennis whose relationship to the family is unknown. David is living next door to his parents, 52-year-old Benjamin and 60-year-old Sarah J [McCaslin] Dennis, and his sister 17-year-old Mary J Dennis.

In the 1910 US Federal Census for Franklin, Johnson, Indiana, 34-year-old aeronaut David L [Luther] and his wife Iva J [Steele] Dennis have been married 14 years. Iva has borne two children, 13-year-old Earl and 9-year-old Carl. The family is living at 65 Herriott Street. Both boys have attended school in the past year.

On 5 Jun 1918 when 21-year-old Earl E Dennis regiesters for the WWI Draft, he was living with his parents and working for his father, D. L Dennis, at the family farm on RD 3 Franklin, Indiana. He listed his mother Iva Dennis as nearest kin. His physical description was medium height and build, with blue eyes and dark brown hair. He has no physical disabilities which would disqualify him for the military.

In the 1920 US Federal Census for Franklin, Johnson, Indiana 46-year-old house carpenter Luther [David Luther] Dennis, his 36-year-old wife Iva [Steele] Dennis and their two sons, 22-year-old Earl and 19-year-old Carl are living in a mortgaged house on Martinsville Road. Earl has no employment but Carl is a motortruck driver.

Earl E Dennis was admitted to the US National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Grant, Marion, Indiana, on 1 Aug 1926, released on 6 Oct I927 and re-admitted on 7 Nov 1930. He had enlisted on 30 Aug 1918 as a private in Company I, 78th Infantry. He was discharged on 27 Nov 1918 at Custer, Michigan for a SCD [Service Contracted Disability]. His diagnosis when admitted to the home was Mental Insufficiency-Moron. On adminssion, he was 29, 5 ft 9 in, with fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was literate, a Protestant, and worked as a laborer. He was single and his nearest relative was his mother, Iva Dennis of RR#2, Franklin, Indiana. General Remarks records that Earl had one "Admission Paper", his Army Discharge, his Certificate of Service and his Pension Certificate, C-154772.

The 1930 US Federal Census for Franklin, Johnson, Indiana records David as Luthor Dennis. He owns his house, which is worth $4,000. 55-year-old Luther [David Luther] and his 49-year-old wife Iva J [Steele] Dennis have been married about 33 years as Luther was 21 and Iva was 16 when they married. Luther is a fireman at the County Courthouse and worked the day before the census was taken. Living with them are their two sons 33-year-old Earl E and 30-year-old Carl. The family owns a radio. Earl is single and has served in WWI. He does not have a job. Carl is a truck driver for an oil company. Everyone is literate. Everyone's parents were born in Indiana.

In the 1940 US Federal Census for Franklin, Johnson, Indiana, 64-year-old Indiana-born David L Dennis and his wife 58-year-old Indiana-born wife Iva [Steele] Dennis have in their household their Indiana-born sons, 40-year old Carl and 43-year-old Earl, who is curiously listed as if he were an afterthought. The family is living at 1020 W Jefferson in a house that David owns, worth $2,100. It is not on a farm. They were living in this house in 1935. David, Iva and Carl have completed the 8th grade. Earl has completed no grades. David is a balloonist who does balloon ascensions for hire. He has worked nine weeks of the year and has income other than salary or wages. Iva is a housewife. Earl has no occupation and is not looking for any. Carl is an auto repair mechanic who has worked 52 weeks of the year, and 54 hours in the last work week. He has earned $940 in salary or wages. He has no other source of income.

Earl E Dennis is recorded for a second time in the 1940 Census for Center, Grant, Indiana as a 43-year-old Indiana-born inmate of the US Veterans Administration Facility.

Page 119 of the 1952 Franklin, [Johnson], Indiana City Directory lists Carl R and Margt B as living at 955 Graham. Their home phone number is 192R. Carl has a business listing as Dennis Auto Repair, 247 S Main, phone number 334J. This page also lists Carl's brother, Earl E Dennis and Earl and Carl's mother, Iva I Dennis (widow of Luther [sic]. Their residence is 900 W Jefferson, phone number 66J.

Page 224 of the 1957 Franklin, [Johnson], Indiana City Directory lists Carl R and Margt B as living at 955 Graham. Their home phone number is 192R. Carl has a business listing as Dennis Auto Repair, 247 S Main, phone number 334J. Margaret also has a business listing as Dennis Margt B (Mrs C R) bookeeper Central L&M Supply. This page also lists Carl's brother, Earl E Dennis whose residence is 900 W Jefferson, phone number 66J.

Page 53 of the 1959 Franklin, [Johnson], Indiana City Directory lists Carl R and Margt B as living at 955 Graham. Carl has a business listing as Dennis Repair, 247 S Main. Margaret also has a business listing as Dennis Margt B Mrs bookeeper Central L&M Sup Co. This page also lists Carl's brother, Earl E Dennis and Earl and Carl's mother, Iva I Dennis (widow of Luther [sic]). Their residence is 900 W Jefferson.

Earl E Dennis, born 11 Apr 1897, died 25 Mar 1976 and was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery Section M Row 11 Stone 12, Franklin, Johnson, Indiana. He has a military marker, stating that he was a Private, US Army, WWI.