Descendants of John Annis of Batavia, New York

JOHN ANNIS was born Abt. 1790, and probably died after 1850 in Batavia, Genesee, New York. There is very little to inform us as to the origins of John Annis. The tract of land, including Batavia, purchased in western New York (the Holland Purchase) was a 3,250,000 acre portion of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase that lay west of the Genesee River. It was purchased in December 1792, February 1793, and July 1793 from Robert Morris, a prominent Revolutionary banker, by the Holland Land Company, a consortium of Dutch bankers. The village of Batavia was founded in 1802 by Joseph Ellicott, agent of the Holland Land Company.

The History of Genesee County, New York mentions him in regards to the village of Batavia:

FIRST SETTLERS: Peter Stage (from Onondaga Co,) settled in 1802. Benj. Ganson and John Annis were the first settlers in the E. part of the town. Gen. W. L. Churchill served in the War of 1812, and subsequently as sheriff of Genesee county from 1820 to 1825. The first birth was W. L. Churchill March 9, 1803; and the first death, was the wife of W. L. Churchill at about the same time. The first school teacher was Esther Sprout, in 1806. Frederick Walthers was the first inn keeper, at Stafford Village in 1799; this was one of the first three taverns kept in the Holland Purchase. The first sawmill was built on Bigelow Creek, in 1810 by Amos Stow; and the first gristmill, on the same stream in 1811 by Seymour Ensign.

The Federal Census record lists John and his family residing at Batavia, Genesee County, New York in 1830 and in 1840 he was at Alexander, New York (a small village about 5 miles southwest of Batavia), but he was reported to have died at Batavia. His children and grandchildren often refer to their family history that John Annis was born in Spain (son Calvin), Portugal (son Almeron) or France. It seems unlikely that this is the case. There were other Annis families residing in Genesee County, New York at this time and, as was usual for the time, families generally stayed in the same area when they moved west. In my opinion, this John Annis was the son of Phineas Annis (1753-1801). John was born April 1787 in Thetford, Vermont and although there are no further records of him in Vermont, this would make sense if he went west to New York as a young man. Other sons of Phineas also went to New York in the early 1800's.

Children of John Annis and Martha are:

Jefferson Annis, b. Abt. 1809; resided at Sandstone, Jackson County, Michigan
Charlotte Annis, b. Abt. 1814; m. Benjamin Bond, February 11, 1834, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
Almina Annis, b. June 10, 1818, Batavia, New York; m. George W. Graham; d. February 20, 1876, Batavia, New York.
Calvin Annis, b. Jan 12, 1820, Batavia, New York; d. Nov 15, 1868, Somerset, New York.
Almeron Annis, b. Abt 1821, Batavia, New York d. July 14, 1880, Chelsea, Iowa.
John Annis, b. abt 1823
Jeremiah Annis, b. abt 1826
James Madison Annis, b. Abt. 1827, Batavia, New York; d. Bef. 1893, Minnesota.
Elizabeth Annis, b. abt 1828; m. ______ Bettinger.

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Generation No. 2

ALMERON ANNIS (JOHN) was born about 1821 in Batavia, Genesee, New York, and died July 14, 1880 in Chelsea, Tama, Iowa. He married (1) Artimisia ____? before 1850. She was born about 1819 in New York. He married second Mary Hulse before 1875. She was born about 1843 in Ontario County, New York.
Almeron, moved west as early as 1850 and is found in the 1850 Federal Census at Lima, Rock County, Wisconsin. He was married (spouse Artimisia, age 31) with no children. His brother, James, age 23 was living with them and they were engaged in farming. He was still residing in Wisconsin (Leon, Waushara County) during the 1860 Federal Census and his wife, Artimisia (age 40) had two children; Henry (age 8, born in Ohio) and Mary E.(age 6 months). Almeron was engaged as a blacksmith at this time.
During the American Civil War he enlisted on August 31, 1864 at Saxeville, Wisconsin for a 1 year term and was mustered into government service on September 5, 1864 by Lt. Purcell at Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin. He was described as 5 foot 11 inches tall, blue eyes, light hair, sandy complexion and a blacksmith residing at Leon, Wisconsin at that time. He was appointed to the rank of Sergeant on September 16, 1864 and was mustered out on June 11, 1865 at Cairo, Illinois pursuant to a telegraph order from the Adjutant General's Office.
He returned home and removed to Monona, Clayton County, Iowa before 1870. He is listed there during the census with his wife Artimisia (age 49), son Henry (18), and daughter Mary (10), and still working as a blacksmith. Artimisia died after 1870 and Almeron married Mary Hulse in about 1875. They resided at Chelsea, Tama County, Iowa and had two children, Maud (c. 1876) and Claud C. (November 1878). Claud died as an infant on January 30, 1880. On June 1, 1880, Almeron is enumerated at Chelsea and is residing with his wife Mary (age 37), daughter Maud (4), stepson, Daniel Duncan (15), Stepdaughter, Alfa Hulse (10) and his father-in-law, J. D. Hulse (72). He was still engaged as a balcksmith.
Almeron died just 6 weeks after the 1880 census, July 14, 1880 at Chelsea, Iowa and is buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tama County, Iowa.

Children of Almeron Annis and Artimisia are: Henry Annis, b. Abt. 1852, Ohio.
Mary E. Annis, b. January 1860, Saxeville, Wisconsin.

Children of Almeron Annis and Mary Hulse are: Maud Annis, b. Abt. 1876, Chelsea, Iowa
Claud C. Annis, b. November 1878, Chelsea, Iowa; d. January 30, 1880, Chelsea, Iowa.

CALVIN ANNIS (JOHN) was born January 12, 1820 in Batavia, Genesee, New York, and died November 15, 1868 in Somerset, Niagara, New York. He married Sophronia Spafford about 1839 in Batavia, New York. She was born February 12, 1822 in Somerset, New York.
In 1850, Calvin was residing at Batavia, New York, employed as a farmer. His wife, Sophronia (age 29), and children Albert (4), Margaret (9) and Maria (2) were enumerated with him, but John was not counted in his household. In 1860 he and his family were residing at Stafford, New York. Sophronia (39), sons, Fluette (21), Albert (14) and Richard (8 months). There is no mention of daughters Margaret and Maria and it is presumed that they died young. Albert and Alfred may be the same person, as there is no mention of Alfred in 1860.
Like his brother, Almeron, Calvin was a veteran of the Civil War. On April 26, 1861, Calvin enlisted in Company "F", 28th New York Infantry at Batavia, New York. He was discharged for disability at Fort Columbus, New York Harbor on July 8, 1861. It is possible that his early death in 1868 was a result of an illness contracted while he was in the army. He is buried at County Line Cemetery, Somerset, New York.

Children of Calvin Annis and Sophronia Spafford are: John Fluette Annis, b. July 28, 1840, Batavia, Genesee, New York
Margaret Annis, b. about 1841.
Albert Annis, b. about 1846.
Alfred Frederick Annis, b. March 12, 1847, Stafford, New York
Maria Annis, b. about 1848.
Richard Annis, b. November 1859, Stafford, New York

JAMES ANNIS (JOHN) was born About 1827 in Batavia, Genesee County, New York, and died before 1893 in Minnesota. He married (1st) Betsy ____? She was born in Ohio. He married (2nd) Jennie Everton September 11, 1875 in Rochester, Olmstead, MN. She was born 1849, and died 1913. James also moved west, probably with his elder brother, Almeron, as he is enumerated with him in the 1850 census at Lima, Wisconsin.
James next appears residing at Mt. Morris, Waushara County, Wisconsin in 1860 (not too far from his brother, Almeron) and he is enumerated wife his wife, Betsy (age 20) and son Leonard (2). In 1880 he was at Eyota, Olmstead County, Minnesota and his wife is Jennie (age 30) and children; Henrietta M. (3), William H. (8 months), and Leonard (22). In 1886 he was at Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota.

Child of James and Betsy Annis is: Leonard W. Annis, b. March 1858; d. 1927.

Children of James Annis and Jennie Everton are: Henrietta Annis, b. 1877; m. Charles W. Speck
William H. Annis, b. November 15, 1879.
Isabel Annis, b. January 1882.
Florence Annis, b. March 4, 1886, Alexandria, Minnesota; d. April 1980, Marshall, Illinois; m. John George Baertsch (1873-1953).

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Generation No. 3

JOHN FLUETTE ANNIS (Calvin, John) was born July 28, 1840 in Batavia, Genesee, New York, and died Aft. 1900 in Albany, Green, Wisconsin. He married Olive S. Putnam March 22, 1865 in Decatur, Wisconsin. She was born November 26, 1843 in Lancaster, Ohio, and died after 1910 in Albany, Wisconsin.
Often recorded and referred to as "Fluette Annis", John was a veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted on April 22, 1861 at Monroe, Wisconsin for a three-year term, and was mustered into government service on June 29, 1861 at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He was described as 5 feet 7 inches tall;, gray eyes, red hair, sandy complexion and a single farmer residing at Brodhead, Wisconsin. He is also recorded as serving as a Captain of Company "G", 22nd Wisconsin Infantry. It is not known when or for how long Fluette served with the 22nd Wisconsin Infantry. He was granted a surgeon's certificate of disability and discharged by Major R. A. Smith. He resided with his family at Mt. Pleasant, Green, Wisconsin in 1880 and states that his father was born in "New York". His wife, Olive (age 37) and children Burton (14), Edith (11), and Flora (4) are enumerated with him. He was last reported residing at Albany, Wisconsin in 1900 with his wife, Olive and no children are in the household. He also stated that his father (Calvin) was born in Spain and his mother (Sophronia) in Ireland. His widow was residing at Albany, Wisconsin in 1910.

From the History of Green County, WI (1884) [Pages 1018-1019] "Capt. John Fluett Annis was captain of company G, of the 22d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted April 19, 1861, at the first call for troops, in company C, of the 3d Wisconsin; but that call was filled and he did not serve with the three months troops. He immediately re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, for a term of three years, was mustered in at Fond du Lac, in July, 1861, and went to the front and joined the army of the Potomac, at Harper’s Ferry. After serving three months in this regiment, he was detached and joined the signal service, in which he remained until June, 1862. He was then discharged on account of disability, and returned home. July 28, of the same year, he re-enlisted in company G, of the 22d Wisconsin. He was commissioned as 2d lieutenant, and went with the regiment to Kentucky.
He was promoted in November, 1862, to 1st lieutenant, and in December, 1863, to the rank of captain. He served until after the close of the war, and was discharged with the regiment, at Washington, June 12, 1865. He was mustered out at Milwaukee, June 22. Among the more important battles in which he took part, were, first: while serving in the signal corps, at Mill Spring, Ky., then, when a member of the 22d, at Thompson’s Station, Tenn., Brentwood, in the same State, where he was taken prisoner, sent to Libby prison and confined one month, then exchanged. He joined Sherman’s army at Chattanooga, went with them to Atlanta, participating in the battles on the way. From Atlanta he returned to Lookout Mountain, and was on detached duty in eastern Tennessee, some time. He then went to Dalton where he did garrison duty until March, 1865, then joined Sherman at Goldsboro and proceeded with his army to Washington. Soon after his return home, he moved to Iowa and settled in Taylor county, where he bought land. In 1867 he sold out there and returned to Green county and purchased his present farm on section 25. He has since purchased other land, and now owns 217 acres on sections 23, 24, 25 and 31. He was born at Batavia, Genesee Co., N.Y., July 28, 1841. He remained there until 1856, then engaged in farming one year, in Rock county, then came to Green county, and worked on a farm until 1858, when he returned to New York. In the fall of 1860, he came back to this county and located in Decatur, where he was living at the breaking out of the war. He was married, March 22, 1865 to Olive, daughter of John J. and Magdalena (Fleek) Putnum, a native of Licking Co., Ohio. They have three children – John Burton, born in Iowa; Edith M., born in Mount Pleasant; and Flora B., born in Jo Daviess County, Ill. In 1875 Capt. Annis rented his farm here and removed to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., where he lived three years and then returned."

The History of Green County, WI also states:

"The first school in district No. 5 was taught in 1853 by Julia Stevens, daughter of Dr. J.D. Stevens, of Monroe. The stone school house is still standing, and is now used as a stable by J.F. Annis."

"The following named in succession have held the office of assessor since the organization of the town: Thomas Fenton, Ransom Drake, Henry Barkey, B.C. Baker, B.C. Baker, Samuel Johnson, Joel Wood, Henry Adams, A.H. Pierce, E.R. Gillett, Thomas Gravenor, Franklin Pierce, Jesse Gist, L.W. Wright, Cyrus Troy, J.F. Annis, Charles Morgan, L.F. Moore and John Stauffacher."

Children of JOHN ANNIS and OLIVE PUTNAM are: John Burton Fluette Annis, b. Jun 3, 1866, Bedford, Iowa; d. Aft. 1930, Mendon, Clayton, Iowa; Occupation: 1930, Postal Clerk
Edith M. Annis, b. April 2, 1868, Mt. Plesant, Wisconsin.
Flora V. Annis, b. August 30, 1879, Jo Daviess County, Illinois.

ALFRED FREDERICK ANNIS (CALVIN, JOHN) was born March 12, 1847 in Stafford, Genesee, New York, and died after 1910 in Spokane, Washington. He married Catharina "Kate" Albracht September 23, 1870 in Winona, Wisconsin. She was born April 1851 in Austria, and died after 1930.
In 1880, Alfred and his family resided at Fargo, Cass, Dakota Territory where he was listed as a harness maker. His wife, Kate (age 27), and children; Edward (7) and Maud (4) are enumerated with him. He later resided in Bonner's Ferry Idaho and by 1900 resided in Spokane, Washington.

I.O.O.F. medallion presented to A.F. Annis
At Bonner's Ferry, ID Courtesy of Annis Family Archives

From the Manuscripts of Alonzo Lawson Annes:

In a letter dated 1896, Bonner's Ferry, ID, Mr. Annis wrote in part as follows: "I lived at home until the 2nd day of August 1862 when I enlisted in the 151st Reg. N.Y. Vol., Co. C, J.H. McMannis, Captain, and was assigned to the sixth army corps and served until the war was ended.
I was mustered out at Georgetown, near Washington D.C. and discharged at Rochester, N.Y. on 26th June 1865. I then came west and have lived in different parts of the West ever since. I am a harness maker by trade but have not worked at it for several years. Am at present a rancher. During the last ten years I have done a great deal of prospecting and mining."

Children of Alfred Annis and Kate Albracht are:

Edward Frederick Annis, b. March 24, 1873, Winona, Minnesota; d. January 3, 1904, Spokane, Washington.
Gertrude Maude Annis, b. October 2, 1875, Winona, Minnesota.

WILLIAM HENRY ANNIS (JAMES, JOHN) was born November 15, 1879 in Utah, Minnesota. He married Goldie Mason Nudart October 3, 1915 at Winona, Minnesota. He was last reported living at Albion, Wisconsin in 1942.

Children of William Annis and Goldie Nudart are:

Harold J. Annis, b. February 1916; d. April 2, 1966.
Dorothy M. Annis, b. July 1918; d. 1976, Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
Nellie Annis, b. 1923.
Charles William Annis, b. March 4, 1925; d. June 30, 1982, Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

ISABEL ANNIS (JAMES, JOHN) was born January 1882. She married James Henry Ebert.

Children of Isabel Annis and James Ebert are: Alfred Henry Ebert, b. April 3, 1900, Brockway, Wisconsin; d. August 31, 1982, New Lisbon, Wisconsin.
Charles E. Ebert, b. 1905, Brockway, Wisconson.
Goldie L. Ebert, b. March 12, 1907, Brockway, Wisconsin; d. May 1, 1999, Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
Dora Etta May Ebert, b. April 7, 1910, Brockway, Wisconsin.
Willington Ward Ebert, b. 1914, Brockway, Wisconsin.
Leonard Ebert, b. 1922, Herman, Wisconsin.

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Generation No. 4

EDITH M. ANNIS (JOHN FLUETTE, CALVIN, JOHN) was born April 2, 1868 in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin. She married in 1889 Aaron D. Gosling.

Child of Edith Annis and Aaron Gosling are: Robert Gosling, b. June 1891, Albany, Wisconsin.
Mildren Vivian M. Gosling, b. July 11, 1896, Albany, Wisconsin. <

EDWARD FREDERICK ANNIS (ALFRED FREDERICK, CALVIN, JOHN) was born March 24, 1873 in Winona, Minnesota; d. January 3, 1904, Spokae, Washington The name of his spouse is unknown and she probably died before 1900.

Child of Edward Frederick Annis is:

George Frederick Annis, b. December 1, 1896, Idaho Springs, Idaho.