Research Notes

• 1855 New York Census - The Van Loon (two words) children living at home are Samuel (21), Susan (19), Mary (14), Emma (10), Esther (8) and Ruth (x<1). Three doors down are William (23) and Caroline (24) Owen and their daugher Sarah... betting Caroline is a Van Loon and Sarah is that granddaughter living with them Richard and Martha 20+ years later.
• 1860 Federal Census - Ruth is 6 living in Catherine, NY with parents - Richard (52) and Martha (53). Also in the house are sisters Mary I (20), Emma (16), Esther A (12). The last name is written as "Vanloan".
• 1865 New York Census lists Ruth (11) living with parents and Emma (21). Name is listed as Van Loon.
• 1870 Federal Census - Ruth is 16, still living with parents and Emma (26). Name is now listed as Van Loon.
• 1875 New York Census - Ruth is 20. Parents ages have shifted a bit. Richard is now 69 and Martha is 66. Emma appears to have moved out. Family now hosting Amelia Owen(19) as hired hand.
• 1880 Federal Census - Ruth is living with Martha (now widowed). Ruth is a schoolteacher. The name is now listed as Van Lone. Also in the house Sarah A. Owen (24), granddaughter.
• 1889-04-28 letter from Mate Wood in Havana, NY to her mother, ME Wood in Nansfield, PA announced "Ruth Vanloon is dead," and instructs ME Wood "Don't forget to write it to Ella (Helen Stage).
• Pausing on the 1880 information, Helen (Ella) Wood is 14 years old. I am speculating that Ruth may have been a teacher of hers. I have not done the who-lives-where mapping yet to solidify this notion.