I've used FREE Artificial Intelligence tools to create biographies, poems and songs about my ancestors lives, genealogy research, and family history in the recent past. Today, I want to share a poem and a song about my second great-grandfather, David Jackson "D.J." Carringer (1828-1902).
In the 1850 U.S. Census, D.J. was a carpenter living with his parents in Sandy Creek Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. On 16 October 1851, D.J. married Rebecca Spangler (1832-1901) in Mercer County, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (King) Spangler. They had three children - Harvey Edgar Carringer (1852-1946), Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946), and Effie Eva Carringer (1858-1874).
In about 1858, D.J. moved his family to Columbus City, Louisa County, Iowa. In the 1860 U.S. census he was a carpenter and had real property worth $200. In 1862, he bought 40 acres of land in Section 17 of Township 74 in Louisa County, Iowa for $300. He sold that land in 1864 for $320.
He moved to Jackson township, Washington County, Iowa in 1865 and bought land there. In the 1870 US census he was a farmer on 40 acres worth $1200, produced spring wheat, Indian corn, oats and Irish potatoes, with horses, milch cows and swine. On 11 October 1872, he put his land in Jackson township up for public sale, including livestock, wagon, tools, machinery and furniture.
In 1873, D.J. moved his family to Caribou, Boulder County, Colorado. His daughter Effie Eva died 8 June 1874 in Caribou, Boulder County, Colorado and was buried in Columbia Cemetery in Boulder.
In the 1880 US census, D.J. was a carpenter and joiner in Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado. In the 1885 Colorado state census, he was a fruit grower. He was one of the directors of the Longmont Horticultural Society and Boulder Fruit Association. D.J.'s father, Henry Carringer died in 1879 in Iowa, and D.J. inherited 40 acres of land in Louisa County, Iowa, which he sold to his sisters, Mary and Louisa Carringer for $1.
In 1898, D.J. and his wife moved to San Diego, California where his two sons resided. He built a house on the corner of 30th St and Ivy St, one block from where son Henry Austin Carringer's family resided. In the 1900 US census, D.J. was listed as a rancher, and grew potatoes, cherimoya, and alfalfa (for his cow) on his lot. In October 1901, D.J. and Rebecca celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Rebecca died 13 December 1901 at home of cancer, and was buried in La Vista Cemetery in National City, San Diego County, California. David Jackson "D.J." Carringer died 20 January 1902 at home of kidney and bladder trouble. He was buried next to his wife in La Vista Cemetery. D.J. and Rebecca had two grandsons, Devier David Carringer (1889-1890) who died at 9 months, and Lyle Lawrence Carringer (1891-1976) of San Diego, sons of Henry Austin Carringer.
D.J.'S JOURNEY
In the hills of Pennsylvania, where the Carringers did dwell,
David Jackson, known as "D.J.," rang out life's opening bell.
Born to Henry and to Sarah in eighteen twenty-eight,
A carpenter by trade, his hands shaped many a fine state.
From Mercer to Louisa County, where Iowa's fields did spread,
He farmed and built, his life a journey, wherever he was led.
With Rebecca by his side, their love a story to tell,
Three children graced their union, in whom they loved so well.
To Colorado's rugged peaks, they moved with hope and cheer,
A carpenter, then a farmer, in Boulder's atmosphere.
Effie's loss, a shadow cast on dreams so bright and new,
But through the sorrow, D.J. with resilience grew.
From fruit trees to the fertile soil of San Diego's sun,
He built a home, a final chapter, where his work was done.
A rancher now, with fields of green, his legacy to see,
Potatoes, cherimoya, alfalfa, grown with love and glee.
Fifty years of marriage, a golden milestone shared,
But grief soon followed, as Rebecca, his love, was spared no more.
In La Vista Cemetery, they rest beneath the sky,
A testament to love and work, their spirits never die.
D.J. Carringer, a man of craft, from wood to earth he went,
His life a tapestry of moves, of love, and time well spent.
So here's to you, dear D.J., in memory we'll keep,
A life well-lived, a journey vast, in history's gentle sweep.
D.J.'S JOURNEY
Verse 1:
Born in Pennsylvania, eighteen twenty-eight
A carpenter's son with a pioneering fate
Nine siblings around him, dreams burning bright
Mercer County morning, preparing to take flight
Verse 2:
Married to Rebecca, three children they'd raise
Moving west through the country in those frontier days
Forty acres of farmland, wheat growing tall
Building life with his hands, answering adventure's call
Chorus:
He's a wandering man, with hammer in hand
Crossing rivers and prairies, claiming his land
From Iowa's fields to Colorado's peaks
David Jackson Carringer, adventure he seeks
Verse 3:
San Diego calling, his final frontier
Fifty years of marriage, his loved ones held dear
A ranch on the corner of Thirtieth Street
Where his story would finally find its retreat
Bridge:
Time rolls like wagon wheels, seasons come and go
From carpenter to farmer, wherever the wind might blow
Fruit trees and potatoes, a life lived bold and free
Writing history with every mile of his journey
Verse 4:
In nineteen-oh-two, his journey complete
Two sons to remember, his legacy sweet
From Pennsylvania hills to California's shore
David Jackson Carringer would wander no more
Chorus:
He's a wandering man, with hammer in hand
Crossing rivers and prairies, claiming his land
From Iowa's fields to Colorado's peaks
David Jackson Carringer, adventure he seeks
Outro:
A wandering man... (softly)
David Jackson Carringer... (whispered)
His legacy lives on...
The AI tools do this so much better than I could, and weaves the poem and song along a story theme that is true and heartfelt. Each tool provides a different poem and song from the same prompt --I love fishing in all of the AI streams!! Frankly, doing the poems and song are the most genealogy fun I have every week!
4) These stories, told in verse and song, are part of my genealogy and family research. My hope is that they will be passed down to my grandchildren and their descendants to highlight the importance of sharing stories, memories, admiration, and love of our ancestors. I will add them to my Google Drive and to my YouTube channel and my FOREVER account.
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