Edward Levi Lightfoot ^{1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13}

   Another name for Edward was Levi Lightfoot.¹⁴

  General Notes:

Edward's age was never consistently reported on the various US census records. The age of his wife, Minnie Belle Burget/Burchett, was always consistent.
----------------------------------------------

The family was living in or near Minneapolis at the time of his death in 1917. His wife, Minnie, is buried in Sunset Memorial Park but that did not open until 1922 so the exact location of his burial is not known.
--------------------------------------------

There is a marriage record from Henderson County, Illinois in 1866 which shows a Levi Lightfoot in marriage to Sarah A. Holden. Some researchers claim this was Edward Levi Lightfoot while others claim it was Levi C. Lightfoot, son of Francis Lightfoot. Edward Levi Lightfoot and Levi C. Lightfoot were not related.

Keep in mind that Henderson County, Illinois is on the river border between Illinois and Iowa and is a direct, nearly straight line route from Ottawa, Illinois to Des Moines County, Iowa. In addition Henderson County, Illinois is directly across the river from Des Moines County, Iowa. Those facts make it seem very likely that the marriage record to Sarah A. Holden would seem to apply to Edward Levi Lightfoot.

On the other hand, some researchers are now claiming that this marriage record should be for Levi C. Lightfoot and Sarah A. Holden. His father was Francis Duncan Lightfoot who was born in Kentucky but was married in 1841 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. That date and location for the marriage of his parents is important because the city of Des Moines and the county of Des Moines are two distinct locations in Iowa and they are located just under 200 miles apart. All of the alleged siblings of Levi C. Lightfoot were born in Iowa yet we are to believe that just this one son, Levi C. Lightfoot, was born Illinois. Later records in 1922 from the "United States National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers" indicate that his birth location was actually "near Galena, Illinois".

The name of Levi C. Lightfoot does not appear on any census with his parents other than the name of "Love Lightfoot" which some researchers assume is the same person as Levi C. Lightfoot. Some other researchers claim that Love Lightfoot was female and therefore could not be the same person as Levi C. Lightfoot.

Let's now look at the census data and other records known for both Levi C. Lightfoot and Edward Levi Lightfoot after the questionable marriage record in 1866 from Henderson County, Illinois.

The 1870 US Census from Jackson Township, Des Moines County, Iowa shows Levi Lightfoot, born in Iowa, living with a wife named Sarah, born in Indiana. The names on the census record would seem to match the names on the 1866 marriage record from Henderson County, Illinois. It would be difficult to say that this marriage record was actually Edward Levi Lightfoot based on the fact that he almost never used just the name of Levi instead of Edward so as to avoid confusion with his own father named Levi Edward Lightfoot. Therefore, it quite probable that the marriage record for was Levi C. Lightfoot except for the fact that he was supposedly born in Illinois instead of Iowa. In addition, Levi C. Lightfoot's family was located in the city of Des Moines, Iowa nearly 200 miles away. But apparently this Levi C. Lightfoot would eventually establish residency in Des Moines County, Iowa and lived away from his parents and siblings for all of his adult life.

Perhaps the most telling document of all would be the Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa City Directory ((https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:68G2-BD4G : 15 February 2022), Levi Lightfoot, 1880-1881.) for 1879-1880 which lists the following:

Lightfoot, Edward, carpenter, res 1226 s Tenth.
Lightfoot, Levi, carpenter, res 1601 s Tenth.
Lightfoot, Levi, lab(orer), res 1323 Joy

It is known that by 1880 Edward Levi Lightfoot was married to Minnie Belle Burchett and his actual 1880 US Census document confirms that. It is also known that the Levi Lightfoot who was listed second in the City Directory and who resided at 1601 South Tenth was the father of Edward Levi Lightfoot according to his actual 1880 US Census document. Also notice that they both were carpenters and lived only four blocks apart. The Levi Lightfoot listed third in the City Directory was probably Levi Lightfoot, son of Francis Lightfoot and husband of Sarah. Unfortunately I can find no 1880 US Census record for Levi Lightfoot and wife, Sarah, even though they appeared to have remained in the Des Moines County, Iowa area.

There is a 1880 US Census record from Des Moines County, Iowa for Edward Lightfoot born in Iowa and a wife named Minne, also born in Iowa. This was either Edward's first wife or if that 1866 marriage record from across the river in Henderson County, Illinois was for him, then he would have had to divorce his first wife or perhaps she died. There is no record of either event happening.

The 1895 Iowa State Census show Levi Lightfoot, born in Illinois, living with a wife named Sarah A. born in Indiana and a son named John W. born in Des Moines County, Iowa. At the same time, there is also another 1895 Iowa State Census which shows Edward Lightfoot living very close in Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa with his wife, Minnie, and five children.

There is a 1900 US Census record from Yellow Springs Township in Des Moines County, Iowa for Levi Lightfoot born in Illinois, his wife, Sarah, born in Indiana, and their son, John, born in Iowa. There is also a record of Edward Lightfoot living in close by in Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa with his wife, Minnie, and a married daughter.

There is a 1910 US Census record from Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri for Levi Lightfoot, born in Illinois, and his wife, Sarah, born in Indiana. This indicates that sometime between 1900 and 1910 Levi C. Lightfoot and family moved from Des Moines County, Iowa to Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri. At the same time, Edward Lightfoot and his family had moved from Des Moines County, Iowa to Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota.

There is a record from 1922 for the "United States National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938" which shows a Levi Lightfoot who served in Company H of the 45th Iowa Infantry and Company E of the 15th Iowa Infantry. It provides his age as 74 which equates to a birth year of 1848, born near Galena, Illinois (about 150 miles north of Des Moines County, Iowa), occupation of carpenter, widowed, and most importantly his residency as Bowling Green, Missouri. This is very likely Levi C. Lightfoot.

There is a gravestone for Levi C. Lightfoot and his wife, Sarah A. at the Bowling Green City Cemetery in Pike County, Missouri. The gravestone gives Levi's date of birth as March 5, 1848 and Sarah's date of birth as Oct 3, 1847. Edward Levi Lightfoot was buried in Minneapolis with no visible marker or gravestone. His wife, Minnie, was buried 22 later at a different cemetery in Minneapolis.

In summary, I conclude that based on the use of names, birth locations, and their future residencies, the marriage from 1866 in Henderson County, Illinois was most likely to Levi C. Lightfoot, son of Francis Lightfoot. This means that Edward Levi Lightfoot first and only marriage was to Minnie Belle Burchess in 1876 in Des Moines County, Iowa.
-------------------------------------------------------

  Death Notes:

Name: Edward L. Lightfoot
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 7 Dec 1917
Event Place: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States
Event Place (Original): Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 71
Birth Year (Estimated): 1846
Father's Name: Levi Lightfoot
Mother's Name: Anna Nelson
Reference ID: 21149

Citing this Record
"Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDSV-29Y : 16 January 2020), Anna Nelson in entry for Edward L. Lightfoot, 1917.
---------------------------------------------------------

  Burial Notes:

The City of Minneapolis began as a riverfront outpost in the 1840's when Colonel John Stevens built the first permanent residence. A settlement grew during the following decades as trapping and trading were supplanted with farming, lumber, and flour milling industries.

Lakewood Cemetery was established in 1871, four years after Minneapolis was incorporated. This cemetery site was located in the countryside, nestled between Lakes Harriet and Calhoun. Early visitors traveled to Lakewood by horse and buggy on rutted dirt roads. They would come to pay respects to loved ones and enjoy the park-like grounds with its many monuments. The natural aggressive terrain and majestic oak trees were an additional lure to its visitors.

By 1895, the Lake Harriet Streetcar brought people to the cemetery from their homes in and around downtown Minneapolis. The fare was a nickel. A restored rail section and several streetcars still provide nostalgic rides outside the western boundary of the cemetery. By comparison, the cemetery is no longer "out in the countryside", rather the City of Minneapolis has grown to encompass it and far beyond. Today Lakewood resides within the city limits, not even considered to be in a suburb.

Lakewood Cemetery has one of the largest cemetery greenhouse operations in the United States. Groundskeepers plant nearly 100,000 flowers each season, including many unusual plant species found nowhere else in the state. Many pampered flower gardens will be found throughout the grounds. The maintenance crews keep the grass mowed, bushes trimmed, and the in-ground markers neatly edged.

You can visit the cemetery office and pick up a free brochure titled Lakewood Cemetery - A Self-Guided Tour which contains full color pictures, history, and a map with 49 key features identified. These include prominent industry leaders, politicians, and service memorials. The walking tour takes 2 to 3 hours to complete.

Lakewood Cemetery is a nonprofit association governed by a board of trustees. Their gates are open 7 days a week, including holidays, at 8:00 am. Closing times vary from 8:00 pm in the summer to 5:00 pm during the winter.

The administration building is open Mon-Fri 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday 8:00 am to noon.

Lakewood Cemetery
3600 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 822-2171

Additional note: A special area of Lakewood cemetery is managed by the University of Minnesota Medical Department. In Section 40 you will find a single monument dedicated to those who gifted their remains through the Anatomy Bequest Program. Burials in this area are unmarked. The Lakewood Cemetery Association does not keep records of these interments. Confirmation of burials can be made through the University of Minnesota.
-----------------------------------------------------

  Noted events in his life were:

• He has alternate birth date of 1847 and a birth location of Illinois.

This birth year was referenced by his age of 63 in the 1910 US Census. It was also referenced by his age of 47 in the 1895 Iowa State Census.
. ^{6 10}

• He has alternate birth date of 1848 and a birth location of Ottawa, IL.

This birth year was referenced by his age of 2 on the 1850 census. Also by his age of 12 on the 1870 census.
. ^{8 9 15}

• He appeared on the 1850 US Census in Ottawa, IL on 14 August 1850. ¹⁶

1850 US Census
Page 193B, Roll 115, Family 230
Ottawa, LaSalle County, Illinois
Edward Lightfoot..2..IL

(Living with parents.)

NOTE - If his birth date was 14 Feb 1849, then his age should have been 1 instead of 2.
.

• He appeared on the 1860 US Census in Ottawa, IL on 21 July 1860. ¹⁷

1860 US Census
Page 508, Family 4518, Roll 196
Ottawa, La Salle County, Illinois
Edward Lightfoot..12..IL

(Living with parents.)

NOTE - If his birth date was 14 Feb 1849, then his age should have been 11 instead of 12.
.

• He appeared on the 1880 US Census in Burlington, IA on June 1880. ⁴

1880 US Census
Page 324B, Roll 337
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa
Edward Lightfoot..Head..29..IA..Carpenter

(Living with 2nd wife and daughter.)

NOTE - If his birth date was in 1848, then his age should have been 31 or 32 instead of 29. His birth location was believed to be Illinois instead of Iowa.

His age of 29 suggests a birth year of 1851 but he was listed on the 1850 census with an age of 2 so a birth year of 1851 would be impossible.
.

• He appeared on the 1895 Iowa State Census in Burlington, IA on January 1895. ¹⁰

1895 Iowa State Census
Page 648 and 649, Line 28, Family 144
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, United States
Edward Lightfoot..47..Illinois

(Living with wife and 5 children.)

NOTE - If his birth date was 14 Feb 1849, then his age should have been 45 instead of 47.
.

• He appeared on the 1900 US Census in Burlington, IA on 13 June 1900. ¹¹

1900 US Census
Page 24B, District 17, Family 539
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa
728 (???) Street; house rented
Married 24 years
Edward Lightfoot ..Head..Feb 1849..51..IL..Carpenter

(Living with wife, married daughter Anna, and her son.)
.

• He appeared on the 1910 US Census in Minneapolis, MN on 22 April 1910. ⁶

1910 US Census
Sheet 11A, District 119, Family 257, Roll 703
Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
2543 13th Avenue South; House rented
Married 31 years
Edward L. Lightfoot..Self..63..IL..House Carpenter

(Living with wife and 3 children.)

NOTE - If his birth date was 14 Feb 1849, then his age should have been 61 instead of 63.
.

• He was buried on 10 December 1917 in the Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

No visible marker
Plot: SECTION PG21 ROW 71 GRAVE 59
Find A Grave Memorial# 108306564
. ¹³

Edward married Minnie Belle Burchett, daughter of James Burchett and Margaret, on 8 November 1876 in , Des Moines County, IA.^{1 2 3 4 5 6} (Minnie Belle Burchett was born on 18 July 1859 in Burlington, IA,^{1 3 4 5 6 10 11 18 19 20 21} died on 3 November 1939 in Minneapolis, MN ^{1 18 21} and was buried after 3 November 1939 in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN ²¹.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage Image: 8 November 1876, in Burlington, IA. ³

• They appeared on the 1880 US Census in Burlington, IA on June 1880. ⁴

1880 US Census
Page 324B, Roll 337
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa
Edward Lightfoot..Head..29..IA..Carpenter
Minnie Lightfoot..Wife..21..IA..Keeping House
Annie Lightfoot..Daughter..1..IA
.

• They appeared on the 1895 Iowa State Census in Burlington, IA on January 1895. ¹⁰

1895 Iowa State Census
Page 648 and 649, Line 28, Family 144
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, United States
Edward Lightfoot..47..Illinois
Mina Lightfoot..35..Des Moines County
Anna Lightfoot..16..Des Moines County
Nettie Lightfoot..14..Des Moines County
Frank E. Lightfoot..12..Des Moines County
Elsie Lightfoot..10..Des Moines County
Ernest Lightfoot..2..Des Moines County
.

• They appeared on the 1900 US Census in Burlington, IA on 13 June 1900. ⁵

1900 US Census
Page 24B, District 17, Family 539
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa
728 (???) Street; house rented
Married 24 years
Edward Lightfoot..Head..Feb 1849..51..IL..Carpenter
Minnie Lightfoot..Wife..Jul 1859..40..IA..8/6
Anna Young..Daughter..Sep(?) 1877..22..IA..married 3 years..2/2..Miliner
Albert H. Young..Grandson..Jun 1899..11M..IA
.

• They appeared on the 1910 US Census in Minneapolis, MN on 22 April 1910. ⁶

1910 US Census
Sheet 11A, District 119, Family 257, Roll 703
Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
2543 13th Avenue South; House rented
Married 31 years
Edward L. Lightfoot..Self..63..IL..House Carpenter
Minnie B. Lightfoot..Wife..50..IA..9/7
Ernest S. Lightfoot..Son..17..IA..Electrician
Warren C. Lightfoot..Son..13..IA
Hellen A. Lightfoot..Daughter..9..IA
.

  Marriage Notes:

Edward Levi Lightfoot & Minnie Belle Burchett
About 1907 the family moves to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Edward passes away in 1917 in Minneapolis.
Minnie passes away on 3 Nov 1939 in Minneapolis.

The library was unable to locate an obituary for Edward Levi. His burial is unknown. The Sunset Memorial Park was started in 1922 according to their website.

I recently went to Wayne Co. for further research on the Lightfoot Family. The Library & the records administration were very helpful. Wayne County has microfilmed a lot of their records(including wills & estates) & were moved to the administration building (located 3 blocks from the courthouse).

I am hoping in the near future to return to Wayne Co. & continue my research of the Lightfoot Family.

Jo Ann Lee
Findlay, Ohio
--------------------------------------

Name: E. Lighfoot
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 08 Nov 1876
Event Place: Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Birth Year (Estimated): 1850
Spouse's Name: Minnie B. Burchett
Spouse's Gender: Female
Spouse's Age: 17
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1859
Spouse's Father's Name: James Burchett
Reference ID: item 1

Citing this Record
"Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XJHZ-GZ5 : 10 February 2018), James Burchett in entry for E. Lighfoot and Minnie B. Burchett, 08 Nov 1876, Des Moines, Iowa, United States; citing reference item 1, county courthouses, Iowa; FHL microfilm 956,352.
----------------------------------------------------------