The 1920 Federal Census find Harry and Ada are living in Greggsville, which has recently become part of greater Wheeling. They are licing with 7 of their children and witrh Ada’s Uncle, David Lytle. The family’s specific address is vague, with only an ‘X’ for the house number and no street name given.
We see that Harry was a janitor at a department store, while his two son’s, William and Earl, are working as laborers at a mill. And Ada’s Uncle David is working as laborer at a packing house.
The Location: Richland to Greater Wheeling
Intriguingly, the census page was initially marked as Richland District #6, but a note crosses this out, stating that the 50 names on the page are in Greater Wheeling. This note is highly significant, as the Greater Wheeling Movement election had just occurred on November 26, 1919, officially annexing several surrounding suburbs (like Warwood, Fulton, and Elm Grove) into the City of Wheeling on January 1, 1920. The family was clearly living right on the boundary of this massive consolidation.
Other Family, Familiar Neighbors and Personal Connections
Studying the neighbors on the census page reveals several familiar Greggsville surnames living near the Voitles. These include James E. and Margaret Gordon, whom I assume are part of Ada’s side of the family.
The presence of a McCulley family on the page also makes me wonder if they are relatives of Sammy McCulley, the Wheeling Police Officer who once lived on GC&P Road.
Perhaps the most exciting find is the Amons family, which includes a young boy named Harry. I strongly believe this is the man I grew up knowing as “Pappy” Amons (Karen Kent’s grandfather). He and Gilbert McCardle were good friends. Later, in a unique twist of personal history, I purchased his 1971 Chevelle when I was in high school!
