The Catherines

When I was born in 1951, I believe that my parents wanted to choose a name for me that carried the ancestry and history of women in my family. Research has shown me that the name Catherine, is evidently well known and appreciated in my paternal family. They named me:
                                                                  
 Catherine Lee Lowe

These ancestral women came from England and Germany, eventually living in and around Catawba County, North Carolina:

Anna Catharina Mull 1707-1762

Catherine Brown Warren Boone  1708-1778

Catherine Sherrill Robinson  1732 -

Anna Catherina Schuffert  1732 -                     

Catherine Rosannah Boone Coulter  1733-1813

Catherine Mary Mull Weidner  1733-1804

Catherine Weidner Mull 1755-1838

Anna Catherine Schell Whitener 1770-1822

Susannah Catherine Hoyle Wilfong  1774-1829

Catherine Wilfong Hoyle  1774-1850

Catherine Coulter Lowrance  1774-1851

Catherine Yoder Baker 1782-1867

Catharine Robinson Wilson 1799-1872

Catherine Baker Shuford  1810-1877

Catherine Elmina Robinson Corpening 1822-1870

Catherine Elizabeth Shuford Whitener  1841-1908

Catherine Augusta Coulter Robinson 1863-1952

Mary Catherine Robinson Self  1867-1951

My middle name, "Lee" derives from my Great-great Uncle Lee Winston Taylor, my Great-great Uncle Thomas Lee Lowe, my Grandfather Thomas Lee Lowe, my Grandmother Lillian Lee Taylor Lowe, and my paternal Aunt Norma Lee Lowe. 

Finding My Terry and Nesmith Families

My mother's maiden name was Donna Patricia Terry, or Patty Terry to family and friends. Her parents were Jesse Wall Terry and Ruth Adell Nesmith.

In my childhood I spent time with Grandma and Grandpa Terry while they lived in Seattle. Later, when my grandfather passed on, my grandmother moved to Ephrata and I was able to continue being involved in her life.

As a child and young adult I didn't think much about asking my grandparents to share about the lives they had lived. It wasn't until 2011 that I came to realize that I didn't have much to share with my children and grandchildren about their Terry and Nesmith ancestors. What I did know was that my grandmother and grandfather came from Wauneta, Nebraska. And what I did have was a large box of unlabeled photos of people and places in Massachusetts, Nebraska, Colorado and Washington. I began to put together the story of their lives.

In doing so I realized that I wanted to travel to these places to better understand the lives they had lived.

I started with the website findagrave.com and over time and researching found four cemeteries where Terrys, Nesmiths, Brides, Maddux's and other family members were buried. Originally I told Bruce that my goal was not to stand in the middle of a cemetery and mourn the dead. As time went by, though, I came to understand that being in the cemetery and the environ I could also find where ancestors had walked through the years.

Bruce, my best friend and husband, supported me in the search for the Terry and Nesmith families. He agreed that we should travel to the mid-west and find out where my family lived.

We set out in September 2012, for a trip that would take us across the country to Indiana (Bruce's home state) and then turn about and follow another route home. On this second half of the trip my goals were to find family, find where they lived, experience the areas that had been their homes and maybe answer some of my questions.

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The first two cemeteries we were looking for were not more than 5 miles apart, as the crow flies. They were Old Scotland Cemetery ~ east of Hwy 13, southeast of Coffey, MO and northeast of Jameson, MO, and McClary Cemetery ~ east of Coffey, MO, both in Daviess County.

McClary Cemetery and Old Scotland Cemetery, in Daviess County, Missouri

The first cemetery we looked for was the Old Scotland Cemetery, near Coffey and Jameson, Missouri. Research found it located at coordinates  N 40° 03.570 W 93° 54.731

We set the coordinates in our GPS and began driving cross-country.  Soon we found the Scotland  Church of Christ sign and the name of the original old town property of Madelaine, MO 1850-1913.

Eventually we came to a plank bridge and stopped to consider whether to cross here. Bruce got out and replaced a plank, then drove carefully across.

The plank by my foot was loose

After the plank was set, Bruce drove across

Soon we arrived at the Old Scotland Church of Christ and Cemetery. The Church is still in use and later we were able to go indoors.

 

Old Scotland Church of Christ and Cemetery

Specifically we were looking for the Terry family. Here I found great-great-grandparents David Nelson Terry (born Oct. 21, 1825 in Franklin Twp, Ripley Co, IN and died June 26, 1908 in Daviess Co) and his wife Ruth Blackburn Scott Terry (born May 16, 1831 in Mclean, ILL and died Dec. 1, 1920 in Jameson, MO). They were married Sept 26, 1859. David lived to the age of 83 and Ruth lived to the age of 89 years old. These two ancestors were the parents of Sarah Elizabeth, Rachel P., great-grandfather Lewis Sherman Terry, Mary Emaline, Nancy Isabell and Thomas Benton.

Headstone of David Nelson and Ruth Blackburn Scott Terry

Great-great grandfather, David Nelson Terry was the fourth of five sons of Ansel Admoral Terry and Elizabeth Foster Terry.

David's wife, great-great grandmother, Ruth Blackburn Scott Terry was the daughter of Alexander Scott and Rebecca Blackburn, (who were parents of 11 children). We found many headstones for the Scotts and Blackburns in this cemetery.

While we walked on hallowed ground, we also felt that we were walking where my ancestors had been and where they had shared life and death.










David Nelson Terry's first wife Rachel Brown's headstone was nearby. Rachel was born Feb. 14, 1828 in Henry Co, IN and died Feb. 14, 1859. Rachel was 31 years old.

Terry baby brother, Mark Twain

Grandfather Jesse Wall Terry's family was quite large. I thought it would be interesting to write out the members from the date of the birth of the youngest, Claude:

Father Lewis Sherman Terry, age 43,
Mother Hattie Terry, age 45,
Ora Nelson, age 25,
Edna Marion, age 23,
Minnie Ethel, age 20,
Paul Harlan, age 18,
Mark Twain, died in infancy (see headstone)
Alice Pearl, age 13,
Harvey Edgar, age 11,
Jesse Wall, age 8, my grandfather
Walter Scott, died at age 1,
Norman Glen, age 3 and
Claude Burton, newborn.

Another view of the Old Scotland Church and Cemetery

Our next goal that day was to locate the McClary Cemetery where we would find more Terry family members. This cemetery was about 5 miles from the Old Scotland Cemetery, as the crow flies. But as we know, a crow flies straight and cars travel on roads. The coordinates for the cemetery are:  
N 40° 06.897 W 93° 57.851
 

Driving cross-country to McClary Cemetery.

This cemetery was very interesting in that the land had belonged to great-great-great grandfather, Ansel Admoral Terry. He donated the land to the McClary family (who leased the land) when children in their family had died from illness. Ansel himself did not wish to be buried in the cemetery as he felt that no one would come to visit his headstone. Well, he was buried there, and we DID come to see his headstone and share the view.

McClary Cemetery

One of the remarkable things that Bruce and I learned on this trip was how giving and sharing are the people you meet on the way. I knew that the McClary cemetery was on private property and that the map showed a long drive from the main road. We decided to take our chances. We drove into the rancher's driveway, not knowing what would happen. He came from his house and when he learned why we were there he said, "You're the first family to come this year to visit the cemetery. Go ahead, drive on down there to that gate yonder, open it and go inside." A few minutes later he arrived at the gate with a map of the cemetery plots. The grasses shown here are original plains grasses, so he has left them to grow. His cattle cannot get into the cemetery and eat the grasses.

Great-great-great grandfather Ansel Admoral Terry

Great-great-great grandmother Elizabeth Foster Terry

Here I spoke of my thoughts to Ansel and wished him peace

McClary Cemetery - beautiful!

Questions left to solve about who we found at the McClary Cemetery.
We found the following family buried together:
Mary C. Hammons Terry, wife of Dr. Robert J. Terry died Feb 16, 1864 at the age of 31 years.
Their baby son Charles W. had died a month earlier, January 2, 1864, age 13 months
Their daughter Fanny E. died April 23, 1864, 10 1/2 years old
Their son Lewis F. died February 11, 1865, 9 1/2 years old
What happened here in one year? I'll continue to search out the answers.

Edit: June 2022, some research shows Cholera illnesses and deaths in Missouri during these years.

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We continued our search for Terry and Nesmith ancestors after arriving in Wauneta, NE a day later. We met up with the John Maddux family, relatives of the Nesmith family. Great grandfather Frank Orlando Nesmith and great grandmother Nellie Alby Nesmith were parents of three daughters: Vera Leona Nesmith Maddux, Fern Marie Nesmith Fox, and my grandmother, Ruth Adell Nesmith Terry.

This day we were looking for the Elmer/Antelope Cemetery, where I believed that great grandfather Lewis Sherman Terry and great grandmother Harriet Elizabeth Curtis Terry were buried.

Antelope/Elmer Cemetery Plot

Mr. and Mrs. Maddux offered to drive us out to the cemetery which would otherwise be very difficult to find. We found the cemetery, but not the headstones we had expected to find. They were gone. (Later we found that the caskets and headstone had been moved to nearby Riverside Cemetery, in Wauneta, NE.)

Elmer/Antelope Cemetery, north of Wauneta, NE

Looking for Terrys

 

Elmer Church Site Memorial

We did find the memorial to the Elmer Church of Christ where great grandfather Lewis Sherman Terry had preached. We were told by the Maddux family that over 200 family and friends had come to his funeral and burial here.











Last chance to find Terrys and Nesmiths. We were planning to leave Wauneta, NE and to head to North Platte, NE. Our final cemetery goal was Riverside Cemetery just on the outskirts of Wauneta. Well, in my trip planning I had depended on Google Earth to show me the locations of cemeteries, and my directions were off for this one. We drove a good 12 miles, then decided to turn around. Nearly back to town, I looked north instead of south and called out, "There it is!" I'm so glad that we were able to find it before heading north.

Here we located great grandfather Lewis Sherman Terry , born Feb 25, 1865, died April 14, 1932, and great grandmother Hattie Elizabeth Curtis Terry, born Aug 14, 1863, died May 10, 1942. He had been moved from Elmer/Antelope Cemetery to be buried together.

Harriett Elizabeth Curtis and Lewis Sherman Terry

And here, in Riverside Cemetery, I was able to find the Nesmith and Bride family. Frank Orlando Nesmith and Nellie Alby Bride Nesmith, who were parents to my sweet grandmother, Ruth Adell Nesmith Terry, mother of my very own mother, Patty Terry.

Frank and Nellie Nesmith ~ her parents, Charles and Mantie Bride

Frank Orlando Nesmith was born in 1875 and died March 8, 1954. Nellie Alby Bride was born in April 11, 1880 and died January 14, 1932.

Leaving Riverside Cemetery

I feel a great satisfaction for locating those we looked for and walking the walk in their memory. My research continues as I learn more about my mother's family. I'm happy to have completed this adventure.

William "Bill" Patterson Taylor

Paternal Great-Grandfather William P. Taylor

When I was born in 1951, my sweet "Little Grandpa" was already 80 years old.  I only knew him for 13 years, but memories of visiting on his and Grandma's farm in Ellensburg are some of my dearest.

Baby Bill Taylor, circa 1873

My great-Grandfather, William Patterson Taylor was born July 24, 1871, in Taylor, Lewis County, Missouri. He was the second son of William Inskip Taylor and Ellen Elizabeth Williams Taylor. Professional photos of baby boys and girls often featured christening gowns or dresses with styled hair. Here is baby Bill, perhaps two years old.

My great-Grandfather's parents were William Inskip Taylor (the son of Jeremiah Martin & Clarissa Lovelace Taylor) and Ellen Elizabeth Williams Taylor (daughter of Spotswood S. & Elizabeth R. Sharp Williams.) William Inskip was born Nov. 18, 1837.  Ellen was born Feb. 25, 1845. Both were born in Marion County, Missouri. They married Dec. 27, 1866.

Image enhanced by Gary Lowe

Their home was in the town of Taylor, Lewis County, Missouri. The town was named after the Taylor family and still exists on maps. The home below was built in 1863.

Great-grandfather William P., his father William I., mother Ellen, sister Lulu Mae - Taylor Homestead c. 1890-1895

Photo above is from a xerox copy made in the 1970's. Many family members have copies, but the whereabouts of the original is unknown. When my great-grandparents married, they would have come to this homestead to live. Their first son, Lucius "Lou" was born here, March 13, 1900.  My paternal grandmother, Lillian Lee, was born here November 17, 1902.

Bruce and I met with family here and took a tour inside and around the grounds. Beautiful!

Photo of homestead as it now looks. The outside has been clad in "school brick". Some of the original clapboard can be seen inside the closets. Some windows have been changed and the "slave quarters" removed from the back of the house.  It is still owned by a Taylor family member, Cathy Taylor. Her lineage is through Leander "Lee" Winston Taylor, son of William Inskip Taylor and older brother of my great-Grandfather, William "Bill" Patterson Taylor. A younger sister, Lulu or Lula Mae Taylor McIntyre also grew up in this home. The home and land was held through three generations of Taylor family members, William Inskip, Lee Winston, and Lee Winchester. Of the acreage, 284 acres were sold by Lee Winchester Taylor. It's good to know that a fifth generation Taylor, Cathy, daughter of Robert Lee, has ownership of the home.

An interesting photo was found among the Taylor collection. The Missouri Giantess - Ella Kate Ewing, posed with family in Missouri. From left, great-Grandmother Allie with my grandmother Lillian (the baby) on her lap, great-Grandfather Bill with son Lucius on his lap. The next couple, woman and the man behind her, may be my great-Grandfather's older brother Lee and his wife. The fellow with the full and bushy beard is a mystery, (though he looks like William Inskip Taylor - who died in 1897). Note the fellow in front with a cap. Inscribed on the cap is Ella Ewing. He may be D.J. Buford, Ella's manager. The others are unknown to me at this time, but I suspect they are other Taylor family members. Photo circa 1903. Research shows that Reverend Jeremiah Taylor (1774 - 1848) was an organizer of the Harmony Grove Church that Ella (1872 - 1913) attended, and where she was buried.





Oldest Children -

Lillian Lee (about 1 year old), Lucius Patterson (about 3 years old)

Lucius "Lou" Patterson Taylor was born in March 1900, in Taylor, Lewis Co. MO.

Lillian Lee Taylor, my Grandmother, was born November 1902, in Taylor, Lewis Co. MO.  They would have spent the first few years on the homestead there, with family.














Moving to Canada

William Inskip Taylor died in 1897, leaving the Taylor Homestead to his two sons, Lee and Bill. From family stories told here and there, it seems that the two brothers did not agree on the division and use of the property.

Eventually great-Grandfather Bill Taylor sold his share of the property in Taylor, Missouri, to his older brother Lee. Then he and my great-Grandmother Allie moved to Acme, Alberta, Canada, arriving on April 19, 1905, to take advantage of the Dominion Lands Act for Canadian homesteading. They traveled with their two young children, Lucius (Lou), by now age 5, and Lillian, age 3. Great-great-grandfather William Bates (Allie's father) also joined them in Canada. Later they all moved to Carstairs, Alberta, Canada, where in April 1906, they took up personal residence on their homestead. Great-Grandfather Bill became a Naturalized Citizen of Canada, June 15th, 1908.

W.P. Taylor & his first winning Buff Cochin - Scored 94 1/2 circa 1909

On the Statutory Declaration of his Homestead, great-Grandfather Bill Taylor wrote of the dates he was setting up residence: "Apr.5.06 to May 26.06. Then on sec.31-29-27, which I bought, from May 27 06 to Octr.25 06. I then sold this land, but had already bought E.1/2 5-30-27, and lived on the latter from October 26th 06 to present date, except the period from Novr.15th 1907 to Mar.15th 1908, when my wife was living in town, but during this period I was back and forth to the farm, and it was really my home, and furniture, stock &c, were all there."

When asked what month and year that his present house was erected he answered thus: "October 1906. Previous to this I lived in my house on 31-29-27, except the period from Apr.5 06 to May 26 06, when living in a temporary shack on my homestead."

Regarding buildings and fencing he had erected, he wrote: "1 and 1/2 miles of fence, part 2 and part 3 wires. Value $120. Cattle shed 18 x 36. Value $50.00."

Regarding animals he owned, he wrote: "9 horses, 10 cattle. 22 hogs."

In the same Declaration he explained how much land was broken and how much was cropped. "In 1906 broke 10 acres, in 1907 broke 21 acres, in 1908 cropped 31 acres, in 1909 cropped 31 acres, in 1910 will have broke 30 acres on my other land, and cropped same last year." To the question, What area of said homestead can be brought under cultivation? He answered, "135 acres."
Dated at Carstairs, 18th January 1909.

Great-grandfather Bill at the far left.

Three more children were born -
Ruby Alice - December 28, 1907, Bates Inskip - May 5, 1909,  and William Robert - July 13, 1911.

From the back of the photo: Bates, Ruby and Billy at Green Acre on the farm, 16 miles east of Carstairs, Alberta, Canada. The cat in the background is old yellow Sam.

And, last but not least,
Little brother Albert Dudley joined the family September 11, 1913.

 Left to right, baby Dudley (about 1), Ruby (about 7), my grandmother Lillian (about 12), their father - Bill Taylor, Bates (about 5) and Billy (about 3). Photo circa 1914.

Great Grandfather William Patterson Taylor - photo taken in Carstairs, Alberta, Canada

Going back to the United States -

In 1918, great-Grandfather Bill and great-Grandmother Allie began to think of returning to the United States, with their four youngest children. Their son Lucius was already employed. My Grandmother Lillian was a teenager, living in Seattle with her Aunt Lulu Mae and Uncle Albert McIntyre, attending high school there.

First Grandfather made an application for a "Permit to Leave Canada", in which he stated that he was "to go to Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa & Illinois for the purpose of purchasing pure bred Percheron horses" ..... and that he wished "to be absent from Canada for sixty days." The permit was granted on February 8, 1918.










Great-Grandmother Mary Alice "Allie" re-entered the United States through Eastport, Idaho on April 19, 1919. The family soon moved to Hyak, WA, where great-Grandfather Bill was a sub-station operator on the electric train tracks that went over Snoqualmie Pass.  His position was Electrician Helper working between Cedar Falls to Hyak & Cle Elum, April 1919 - October 1919. From October 1919 - June 1922, his position was Operator.



















This photo was taken August 24, 1923, by Asahel Curtis. It's of the Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway passenger train on track in Kittitas County, Hyak, WA.  Sub-station #16 near Hyak, where my great-Grandfather Bill Taylor worked from 1919 - 1922.







When my Grandmother Lillian Lee Taylor graduated from Ellensburg Normal School, she became a school teacher in the one room school at Hyak. It is likely that she taught her own sister, Ruby and brothers, Bates, Billy and Dudley.

In the years of 1922 - 1924 Grandpa Taylor worked for Exide Battery of Walla Walla, until the company sold out.

In 1924 he worked as a Forest Ranger under McKenzie D.R. at Rocky Run, which is located 1.4 miles SSE of Hyak, on Keechelus Lake.

In the fall of 1924 Grandpa was hired to work for the Highway Department in paving and construction. He held these various positions until retiring in 1934: Ax-man, Chain-man & Rod-man.

Alice Taylor, Lillian Taylor Lowe, Bill Taylor

In their later years, Bill and Allie moved to Ellensburg, where they and their daughter Lillian, bought a 10 acre farm and farmhouse at 715 E. Manitoba Street. Great-grandfather Bill  became a farmer in Ellensburg, WA. The farm is now the location of Ellensburg's hospital, but the home is still there, across the street and just as welcoming.

Bruce and I visited the Taylor home in October 2012.

Bates Taylor, Pat & Willie Lowe, Bill Taylor, Harrell Shull, Lillian Taylor Lowe

Christmas 1950 at the Taylor's home in Ellensburg, WA. This photo was taken in the main living room. Stairway led to three bedrooms, a parlor was off to the right, and the kitchen behind the photographer - Ruby Shull. My parents Pat and Willie Lowe had married in August 1950. Both look young and nervous. Out of sight of the photo, Dudley & Irene Taylor, great-Grandmother Alice and Grandmother Lillian's daughter, Norma Lee. By this time, there were so many Williams, Bills, and Billys, that my father chose to call himself Willie. And the name has stuck for 62 years.

Christmas Tree in the sitting room at Taylor's

Grandchildren from Thorp and Ellensburg gathered around great-Grandpa and great-Grandma Taylor.

Norma Lee & Lillian Taylor Lowe.

Bette, Diane, Keith & Jim, with their mother & father Irene and Dudley Taylor of Thorp.

Sharon & Joe Shull of Ellensburg.











And Here's Where I Come In -

Step-Grandpa Leonard Brown, great-Grandma Alice Taylor, Grandma Lillian Brown

My first real memories of visiting my great-Grandpa, who I affectionately called "Little Grandpa" and my great-Grandma Alice were around the time I was five years old. I was the first grandchild for Grandma Lillian Brown. Here I look a little spoiled. All the other cousins in the Taylor family ranged from 4 to 10 years old than me.This photo is at the home and farm in Ellensburg.

My Grandmother Lillian lost her husband/my Dad's father, Thomas Lee Lowe in 1947. In 1952, she married Leonard Douglas Brown, who she had known since she was a small girl traveling from Taylor, MO to Acme, Alberta Canada. Here are my little brother Bobby and me, with our grandparents, in Ellensburg.

Leonard D. Brown had an older brother, Walter, here on the left. Grandpa Brown is holding my little brother Bobby who looks none too happy. And on the right, my beloved "Little Grandpa" Bill Taylor.

Christmas 1959 at Taylor's home in Ellensburg

Great-Grandma Alice and Great-Grandpa Bill in the center. Their children, Bill Taylor, Lillian Lee Taylor Brown - newly married to Leonard Douglas Brown and Dudley & Irene Taylor. Cousins from Thorp and Ellensburg - Bette, Diane, Keith & Jim Taylor. Sharon and Joe Shull.










As I research the colorful life of my "Little Grandpa" William "Bill" Patterson Taylor, there are so many questions I would like to ask, if I could. This was a very bright man, who found a lovely wife, Mary Alice "Allie" Bates, and kept her happy and satisfied for 70 years. Together they raised six well-educated, kind and loving children. Over their lifetimes they loved and welcomed 12+ grandchildren.  Grandpa Taylor, this is for you.  I love you so much.


William Patterson Taylor passed away November 16, 1964. His beloved wife of 71 years, Mary Alice Bates Taylor passed away February 6, 1964. They are buried in the Taylor family plot at the IOOF Cemetery in Ellensburg, WA.


Ella Kate Ewing - Missouri Giantess

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Ewing

Mary Alice Bates Taylor

Paternal Great-Grandmother Mary Alice "Allie" Bates Taylor - A story of her childhood in pictures.

(The many tiny framed photos of her family were found among Allie's treasured possessions and have been in the Taylor family all these years. The frames are made of brass with a high content of copper.)

Great-grandmother Allie was born in Palmyra, Missouri, on July 5, 1876, to great-great-grandfather, William Booker Bates and great-great-grandmother, Adalaide "Addie" Virginia Hansbrough Bates. She was their only child.

Addie V. and William B. Bates - frame is 2 3/4" x 3 1/4"

Allie's father, William B. Bates, was born in 1843. (Online research shows him as William E. Bates, but many written family documents have "B" for his middle name of Booker.)

Allie's mother, Addie V. Hansbrough Bates, was born December 30, 1846 and died January 14, 1879. Addie graced this earth for 32 years. Allie was about two and a half years old when her mother passed away. Addie is buried in Bethel Baptist Cemetery near Palmyra, Missouri.
(We visited there in September 2012.)

This photo may have been taken c. 1878, based on the style of dress, (no bustle, fitted front).

Addie - frame is 2 1/8" x 2 5/8"

Another photo of Addie V. Bates. Based on the clothing style, likely the photo was taken in the early 1870's, when she was in her mid 20's.

Addie - frame is 2 1/8" x 2 5/8"

Addie Virginia Hansbrough would have been in her late teens when this photo was taken as the dress style is from 1860.

Addie and Alice Hansbrough, sisters, photo likely taken c. 1860, this photo is on glass

Great-grandmother Allie was named after her Aunt, Alice Adelia Hansbrough (later McPike), who was three years younger than Allie's mother Addie. When her mother passed away, Allie, who was only two and a half years old, was raised by her father William Bates, with the help of her Aunt Alice and Uncle Ben McPike.

Mary Alice "Allie" Bates - about 2 1/2 years old

Allie Bates - in a Tintype photo

Allie was a bright and attractive little girl and must have led an interesting childhood in Missouri. She would have spent her youth about 12 miles south of the home of her future husband, William "Bill" Patterson Taylor, who was growing up in the town and homestead of Taylor, Missouri.

Based on the dress style "Late Victorian" (1880-1881), she would have been about 5 or 6 years old.

Allie Bates, far left, classmates and teacher

Allie (far left) attended Stephen's Female College in Columbia, Missouri, studying: English grammar, moral philosophy, algebra and celestial geography among other subjects. She is with classmates and teacher, Mame Bradly, Mabel Hanby, Gini Gravely, Bess Peeler, Delia Lail and Kate Duncan. (She was likely 15 in the photo here. Allie married "Bill" when she was 16 years old.)

Mary Alice "Allie" Bates - 15 or 16 years old

Great-grandmother Allie was 16 years old when her father gave her permission to marry 21 year old great-grandfather William "Bill" Taylor. The marriage license was signed in Marion County, Missouri. They were married November 25, 1892.

Bill and Allie Taylor

The couple would have moved to the Taylor Homestead, north of Palmyra, Missouri. Bill's father, William Inskip Taylor, older brother Lee and he, himself, owned property there. The first two of their six children, Lucius Patterson and Lillian Lee (my grandmother), were born there.

In April 1905, Allie and Bill Taylor sold their property in Taylor, Missouri to Bill's brother Lee. They moved to Acme, Alberta and then to Carstairs, Alberta, taking advantage of the Dominion Lands Act. Four more children were born in Canada: Ruby Alice, Bates Inskip, William Robert, and Albert Dudley.

William Booker Bates - Allie's father

Allie's father was my great-great-grandfather, William B. Bates.  William Bates moved to Canada fairly soon after his only daughter and son-in-law did, to join their family.

In 1919, when the Taylors returned to the United States, first to Hyak, and then to Kittitas, WA, great-great-grandfather William Bates came with them. He died January 30, 1927 (he was 83 years old) and was buried in Ellensburg's IOOF cemetery, in the Taylor Family Plot. (In November 2012, we visited the cemetery and saw his headstone.)









I greatly appreciate the efforts of Bruce Clark, my sweet husband, for his technological expertise in photo repair and enhancement for digital display on my blog. A "BIG" Thank you to cousin Ward Taylor for being the "keeper" of the family treasures.