Walter Little Jones, Archie Davis & Family

Walter Little Jones was born on 12 January 1850 in Fort Bend, Texas (1), to James Jones and Mary Jane Little. 

Walter's mother died soon and his father remarried. On ⚭ 31 January 1855 (2), James Jones married 16-year-old Miss Fannie (Frances) E. Hill. She was the daughter of Mr. John P. Hill. The young lady was born on 10 June 1839, in Louisiana. 

Walter's father James passed away about two years later.

On  ⚭ 20 September 1859, in Fort Bend, TX (3), Ms. Fannie Jones, the stepmother, married Mr. William O. Bohannon (born on 29 February 1832). The latter was a stock raiser. In 1860, the man paid taxes for 36 horses and 2500 head of cattle. He also owned 701 acres of land worth $2000  (4).

Walter started his own family at the age of 19. His wife was Ms. Virginia Smith, age about 15. The marriage ceremony took place on ⚭ 11 November 1869 in Richmond, Fort Bend, TX (5). Virginia was the daughter of Mr. Thomas Jefferson Smith and Julia Maria Lee Beale. Mr. T. J. Smith used to be  a sheriff of the Fort Bend County, he owned a hotel in Richmond, operated a local blacksmith shop, and livery as well.

🏠 July 1870 (6) -  Walter and his young wife lived with her parents and siblings (at Mr. and Mrs. Smith's home in Justice Precinct #4, Fort  Bend, TX). Walter was a stock raiser.

🏡15 October 1870 (7) - the young couple were registered at their household. The value of both their personal and real estate were given as $300 each. Walter's uncle William s James lived with his wife and children in the nearby house.

Soon, Walter and Virginia's son Alex was born (see below).

♦ Sadly, Virginia Smith Jones passed away.

⚭ 4 March 1874 (8) - Walter married Miss Archietta (Archie) Davis, who was the daughter of William Kinchen Davis and Eloniza Jane Pickens. Archie was about 7 years younger than Walter, she was born  on 15 June 1857 in Bend, San Saba County,  TX.

🔹 22 September 1875 their youngest daughter Jenetta was born in Richmond.

At that time, Walter operated the livery stable.

Clipping source: The Four Counties. (Richmond, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 25, 1875, newspaper, March 25, 1875; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth181362/: accessed March 18, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

👉 1875 - The Brazos River flooded Richmond (*) - many  merchants lost their business places. How it affected Walter Little Jones I am not sure,

🔹 28 April 1877 - Hattie E. was born
August of the same year - Walter still owned the Livery Stable

Clipping source: The Fort Bend Flag. (Richmond, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 3, Ed. 1 Saturday, August 11, 1877, newspaper, August 11, 1877; Richmond, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth181150/: accessed March 18, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

🔹 19 September1878 - another daughter, Abbie H, arrived.

 

By 1880, Walter had started a new business venture.

🏡 June 1880  - Census registered W. L. Jones (bar keeper, age 30), and his family in Richmond, ED 45, Fort Bend, TX (9). The names of Archie (age 21) and the children were  misspelled in the records - Aleck (Ellick - age 9), Jenny (age 4), Hattie (Hatty  - age 3), and Abbie (Abby - age 1).

 

🔹 12 December 1880 - Walter and Archie's son Thomas Harris Little Jones came to this world. Mourning came about a year later, when little baby Thomas died on ♦ 14 October 1881.

🔹 8 February 1882 -  William Eugene was born.

♦ 21 November 1883 - sad time again - little Abbie left this world.

🔹 22 October 1883 - new arrival in the family - another son, Joe A, was born.

August 1884

 

Clipping source: Walford, J. H. The Nation. (Richmond, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 4, Ed. 1 Friday, August 8, 1884, newspaper, August 8, 1884; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth181501/: accessed March 19, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

 

👉 June 1885 - great fire in Richmond (possibly arson according to the news) destroyed many business holdings. Unfortunately, Walter Little Jones' bar place was affected as well.

 

Clippings source: Walford, J. H. Richmond Opinion. (Richmond, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, June 26, 1885, newspaper, June 26, 1885; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth179343/: accessed March 19, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

 

Not long after the fire, on 🔹 30 September 1885, Walter Little Junior was born.

♦ 20 November 1885 - Walter Little Jones (age 37)  passed away in Bend, San Saba, TX. Was his death related to the fire that happened a few months ago, I do not know.

 

Another death in the family came some time later.

♦ 11 November 1891 - Mr. William Kinchen Davis, Archie's father, passed away. 

 

Photograph Source: [William Kinchen Davis holding a cane], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8276/: accessed January 29, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

⚭ 18 July 1893 - 17-year-old Jenny married 3-year-older Mr. Toney Bernard  Wessendorff (10), born on 19 November 1872  in Richmond, to Anton Bernard Wessendorff and Anna Margaretha Johannah Janentzki.

Jennie Jones

Photograph source: [Jennie Jones (Wessendorff) wearing a white dress and a floral corsage], photograph, [1885..1910]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8296/: accessed March 19, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park. 

 

Young T B Wessensdorff

 

Photograph source: Lorenz, C.O. [T.B. Wessendorff as a teenager.], photograph, 1888; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth369/: accessed March 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

 

⚭ 1 June 1898 - Hattie married her brother-in-law Thomas Alex Wessendorff (11), born on 19 October 1877.

 

Hattie Jones

Photograph source: [Photograph of Hattie Jones Wessendorff], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8902/: accessed March 19, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

 

👉 After Walter's passing, Archie (age 49)  lived with her sons William (age 29), Joe (age 26)  and Walter Jr. (age 25) in Richmond, Justice Precinct # 1. William and Walter did odd jobs, Joe worked at a grocery store (12).

Mrs. Archie Davis and sons - Walter Little (kneeling), left - Joe, Bill holding a hat

Photograph source: Lorenz, C.O. [Archie Davis Jones and her sons.], photograph, 1892; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth483/: accessed March 19, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum. 

TB Wessendorff, Jennie Wessendorf, baby Lizzie, Walter Jones Jr.

Baby Lizzie - Elizabeth Weseendorf was born on 9 March 1894

 Photograph Source: [T.B. Wessendorff, Jennie Jones Wessendorff, Lizzie Wessendorff, etc.], photograph, 1895; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth392/: accessed March 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

Back row - from the left - TB Wessendorf, Jennie Wessendorff, Lizzie Wessendorff (standing), Archir Davis Jones, Welliam Eugene Jones, Lizzie Wessendorff, Walter Jone Jr., Joe A Jones.

Photograph source: [Group of people on the porch of a home.], photograph, 1895; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth342/: accessed March 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.+9

⚭ 10 July 1918 - William Eugene married miss Eugenia E Burges (13).

 

William Eugene Jones

Photograph source: [W.E. Jones on horseback. Man dressed in dark suit.], postcard, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth447/: accessed March 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum. 

 

 

 

Back row left: Mrs. Swinford, Lizzie Wessendorf, Jennetta Wessendorf, Mrs. Archietta Davis Jones, Jennie Jones Wessendorff,

Front row - Marguerite, Doris, and marie Wessendorf - photo taken in about 1910.

 

Lizzie Wessendorf was TB's sister. She was born on 6 November 1860.

 

Jennetta Wessendorf was born on 1 October 1896. Marguerite was born on 21 November 1901, Doris, was born on 21 November 1904, Marie was born on 15 April 1907.
 

Photograph source: [Mrs. Swinford, Lizzie Wessendorff, etc.], photograph, 1910; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth417/: accessed March 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

 

 👉 November 1918 - WW1 time - the Jones brothers were drafted.

 

 

Source: "United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXH-5CW : Sat Nov 23 05:40:21 UTC 2024), Entry for William Eugene Jones, from 1917 to 1918.
 

Source: "United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXH-5HH : Sat Nov 23 04:21:05 UTC 2024), Entry for Joe A Jones, from 1917 to 1918.
 

 

Source: "United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXH-5CM : Fri Nov 22 18:03:57 UTC 2024), Entry for Walter Little Jones, from 1917 to 1918.
 

♦ Walter Little Jr.  passed about two years later, on 7 June 1920 (14). He lived 34 years, 8 months and 8 days.
Walter Jr., and his brother Joe had worked at a general store (15).

Hattie's husband Thomas was a bank cashier. He met his tragic end on ♦ 21 March 1923.

 

 

Clipping source: Bishop, C. M. The Giddings News. (Giddings, Tex.), Vol. 34, No. 44, Ed. 1 Friday, March 23, 1923, newspaper, March 23, 1923; Giddings, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1597458/: accessed March 19, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center.  

That must have been a devastating time for Mrs. Archie Jones. More was coming. Soon after that tragic death, on ♦ 6 April 1923 another child of hers, Joe A, died at the age of 39 (16).
Three years later, on ♦ 20 September 1926 - Jenny, the eldest daughter of Archie and Walter's  died in the Houston Hospital due to TB (17).

T. B. Wessendorff's residence

 

Photograph source: [T.B. Wessendorff Residence, Richmond, Texas, 1901.], photograph, 1901; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth362/: accessed March 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

Another death came on ♦ 13 January 1930. Toney, Jenny's husband died suddenly at the age of 57. He had been a merchant.

 

 

Clipping source: Bishop, C. M. The Giddings News. (Giddings, Tex.), Vol. 34, No. 44, Ed. 1 Friday, March 23, 1923, newspaper, March 23, 1923; Giddings, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1597458/: accessed March 19, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center.

👉 After Thomas Alex Wessendorff's passing, Mrs. Archie Jones (age 76) lived with her 52-year-old daughter Hattie (18).

♦ 7 May 1930 - Walter Little Jones Sr.'s wife Archie Davis Jones finished her life journey (19) which was full of suffering. Among others, Archie's husband and six of her seven children proceeded her in death. Archie Davis Jones lived 72 years 10 months 23 days.

 

Mrs. Archie Davis Jones' house

Photograph source: [Home of Archie D. Jones 3], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth610828/: accessed March 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend County Libraries.

 

The last one of Mrs. Archie's children was William Eugene Jones.

He was registered by the Army in 1942 (20).

 W. E. Jones passed on 7 November 1954 in Seguin, Guadalupe, TX (21).

 

To be continued...

Sources:
findagrave.com
familysearch.org

1. "Find a Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV2Z-DJG1 : 15 December 2021), Walter Little Jones, ; Burial, Richmond, Fort Bend, Texas, United States of America, Morton Cemetery; citing record ID 62521336, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

 2. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MJ-T9N : 22 January 2020), James Jones, 1855.

3. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MJ-TSV : 22 January 2020), William O. Bohannon, 1859.
4. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-6GFD : Sun Mar 10 00:02:39 UTC 2024), Entry for Wm Bohannon, 1860.
5. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLD5-CJR : Sun Mar 10 16:54:40 UTC 2024), Entry for Walter Jones and Virginia Smith, 11 Nov 1869.
6. "United States, Census, 1870", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGY-BG7 : Sat Jan 18 07:57:07 UTC 2025), Entry for Thomas J Smith and Julia L Smith, 1870.
7. ""United States, Census, 1870", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGY-5ZH : Tue Jan 21 05:21:39 UTC 2025), Entry for Walter Jones and Virginia Jones, 1870.
8. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZB-S7SW : Wed Jul 31 23:38:27 UTC 2024), Entry for Walter L Jones and Archie Davis, 04 Mar 1874.
9. "United States, Census, 1880", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFNC-H1Y : Sat Jan 11 18:45:09 UTC 2025), Entry for W.L. Jones and Archey Jones, 1880.
(* )https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/1695/History-of-Fort-Bend-County
10. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXSR-6XK : 22 January 2020), Jennie Jones in entry for T. B. Wessendoff, 1893.
11. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXSR-J57 : 22 January 2020), Hattie E. Jones in entry for Thomas A. Wessendorff, 1898.
12. "United States, Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MB-HVG : Sun Mar 10 16:41:38 UTC 2024), Entry for Archie Jones and William Jones, 1910.
13. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZB-SZW1 : Wed Jul 31 23:39:17 UTC 2024), Entry for W E Jones and Eugenia E Burges, 10 Jul 1918.
14. "Find a Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV2Z-DJPM : 7 November 2023), Walter L Jones, ; Burial, Richmond, Fort Bend, Texas, United States of America, Morton Cemetery; citing record ID 62521337, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
15. "United States, Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9C-CYM : Wed Jan 15 13:29:10 UTC 2025), Entry for Archie Jones and Joe A Jones, 1920.
16. "BillionGraves Index", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VYWW-T65 : Wed Feb 26 01:23:06 UTC 2025), Entry for Joe A Jones.
17. "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K37G-3JS : Thu Jul 18 19:19:11 UTC 2024), Entry for Jenny Ryan Wessendorf and Walter Jones, 24 Sep 1926.
18. "United States, Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HTFW-4PZ : Sun Mar 10 19:04:35 UTC 2024), Entry for Archie Jones and Hattie E Wessendorff, 1930.

 9. "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K335-CY7 : Thu Jul 18 15:16:17 UTC 2024), Entry for Archie Jones and W K Davis, 7 May 1930.  

 20. "United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XPV6-VP2 : Fri Feb 14 12:02:43 UTC 2025), Entry for William Eugene Jones, 1942.

 21. "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZJQ-6K2 : Tue Feb 25 03:55:18 UTC 2025), Entry for William Eugene Jones, 07 Nov 1954.

Jesse Bobo Gant & Family

Jesse Bobo Gant, our 3rd cousin 4 times removed, has already been mentioned here, when I talked about his father and other Bobos of the family.
Today, more about Jesse Bobo's immediate family.

👉 Jesse came to this world on 6 February 1866, in Waynesboro, Wayne, TN. His parents were Mr. Absolom Bobo Gant and Nancy E Martin. The family was registered on 23 June 1870 (1) in Civil District #7, Wayne, TN (post office Waynesboro). Absolom B. Gant (age 31) was a farmer. His wife Nancy (age 32) was keeping house. Their children were: Mary Elizabeth (age 9), Jesse Bobo (age 4), and Samantha A (age 3). There is also Ann Gant (age 14) mentioned in the record, who was a "domestic servant". Ann was most likely not Jesse's sibling, as his parents married in 1860 (2). I have not established their exact relationship, though. The family real estate was worth #600. The estimated value of their personal estate was given as $400.

 

Not long after the census, on 1 September 1870, Jesse's sister Nancy Emma was born in Wayne, TN. Another one, Sarah Clementine, arrived in January 1873. Then, on 13 April 1876, his sister Eliza Perry came to this world.

👉 The family had come to Hill County, Texas by 26 May 1879, when the youngest daughter of Absolom and Nancy Gant was born. They named the girl Tennie.

🏡 Census 30 June 1880 - Jesse lived with his parents and sisters in Precinct #1, Hill County, Texas. Absolom Bobo's (the father's) given in the record was 43, Nancy (the mother) was also 43. Then came Mary E (age 19), Jesse B. (age 13), S A (Samantha A - age 12), Nannie (age 10), S C (Sarah Clementine - age 5), Eliza P (age 4), and Tennie (age 1). Both Jesse and his sister Samantha attended school then (3).

⚭ 29 May 1881 - the family celebrated Mary Elizabeth's wedding, who married John Pritchard Clark (4). John was born on 26 July 1857, in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. He was the son of Capt. John S Clark and Priscilla Pauline Pritchard.

⚭ 1 December 1885 - Jesse married Lillian Hanna Hoffmann (5). The lady was born in Hammonton, Atlantic, New Jersey, on 15 September 1868. Her parents were Jacob Boyer Hoffmann and Sarah Ann Shaw.

Another marriage in the Absolom Bobo Gant family took place on ⚭ 17 December 1885 (6). 18-year-old Samantha Arabelle married 20-year-old William Frank Brown - born on 6 April 1865, in Hill County, TX, to William Marion Brown and Margaret Elizabeth Smith.

♦ 22 October 1886 - Jesse and Lillian's daughter Gertrude was born. Sadly, the baby girl died on ♦ 2 November of the same year (7). 

Another daughter, ♦ Mertie Rosalee, was born to the young couple on 20 November 1887.

A few months later, on ⚭ 15 February 1888 (8), Jesse's sister, 17-year-old Nancy Emma, married her 1st cousin once removed Elisha Thomas Harbour. It took place in Hilsboro, Hill, TX. The man was born on 6 September 1864 in Savannah, Hardin, Tennessee, to Elijah Carol Harbour and Elizabeth Ann Gant.

 
⚭ 15 February 1891 (9) - Sarah Clementine Gant (age 18), Jesse's sister, married Mr. Ross Bartow Aldridge (age 25). he was born on 16 August 1865, in Iuka, Tishomingo, Mississippi, to the family of Mr. Willliam Pope Aldridge and Sarah Charlotte Robinson.

Jesse and Lillian welcomed another son on ♦ 19 June 1892. His name was Albert Ivy (10).

Their next daughter Laura Leona arrived on ♦ 18 March 1893.

On ♦ 30 December 1894 baby girl Sadie Bell was born (11).

Then, on ♦ 13 October 1896 (12) - Theodore Floyd - another son of Jesse and Lillian's came to this world.

⚭ 20 Jan 1899 - the youngest sister of Jessie's, 19-year-old Tennie Gant married William Harvey Hardin (13). The groom was born in 1873 in Mississippi.

 

Source: "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8Y-NP5Z : Thu Jan 16 12:59:18 UTC 2025), Entry for W H Hordin and Tennie Gant, 20 Jan 1899.

 

The time of mourning came again on ♦ 22 February 1904, when Absolom Bobo Gant, Jesse's father died (14).

In the same year, on ⚭ 27 July 1904 (15), the eldest surviving daughter of Jesse's, Mertie, married Mr, Andy Glass, who was born on 24 January 1895 in Peoria, Hill, TX, to James William Glass and Katherine Victoria Winters.

On ♦ 17 September 1900 (16), baby girl Nannie Maud was born to Jesse and Lillian.

A wedding again - ⚭ 5 June 1904 (17) - Jesse's sister Eliza Perry (age 28) married a 4-year-older Mr. John Marion McDaniel. He was born in 1872 in Wayne, TN.

 

Jesse's son Albert Ivy (age 17) married Miss Ella Harris on ⚭ 21 March 1910 (18). Ella was born in the Hill County, TX, on 23 March 1892, to Archibald Barkley Harris and Martha Ann Colville.

🏠 Census - 7 May 1910 - Jesse Bobo lived with his nuclear family in Justice Precinct #7, Hill County, TX.The record mentions Jesse B, (age 44), his wife Lillian (age 41, born in New Jersey). By the time of the census, the lady had given birth to 8 children, only 6 survived*. Jesse and Lillian's children given in the record, who still live at home were Ivy (age 17), Sadie (age 15), Floyd (age 12), and Nannie (age 9). Jesse was a farmer. His daughter Mertie (age 22), her husband Andy (age 25), and their two children Blanch (age 4), and Claude (age 1) lived in the next house (19).

 

In the following year. Jesse and Lillian's family grew again. On ♦ 27 May 1911, their daughter Lillian Lorene was born (20).

On ⚭ 5 October 1913 (21), 19-year-old Sadie Bell left her parents' home. She married 2-year-older James Monroe Smith, born on 23 December 1892 in Waco, TX.

Source: "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1H-MZ6Z : Thu Jul 11 19:03:59 UTC 2024), Entry for and Sadie Gant, 04 Oct 1913.

Their first child was born next year, in July.

 From: "Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LCR-D4ZM : 12 March 2020)

Jesse's mother Nancy E Gant died on ♦ 22 October 1913, in Hillsboro, Hill, Texas.

 

👉 It appears cousin Jesse had a creative mind. He rationalized and patented a cotton chopper in 1915.

Source: Gant, Jesse B. Cotton-Chopper., patent, March 23, 1915; [Washington D.C.]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth857830/: accessed February 24, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department. 

 
On ⚭ 26 November 1916 (22), Nannie Maud (age 16) married James John Hrabal (age 19), born on 2 February 1897 in Hilsboro, TX, to Joseph F Hrabal II and Aloisie Winklar.

 🏠 1920 - Census - only Theodore F (age 21) and Lillian (age 8) lived with their parents Jesse and Lillian in Justice Precinct #7, Hill County, TX (23).

Sad time came again, when Nannie's husband James (age about 29) died of broncho pneumonia on  ♦ 21 January 1926, in Waco McLennan, TX (24).

Grief stayed with the family - on ♦ 21 March 1927 Sadie Bell Gant Smith passed away, due to TB, at the age of 26 (25).

 

⚭ Lillian Lorene married Otis Charles Wade by 23 March 1928. On that day, their baby girl Francis, born on 12 February 1928, passed away (26, 27).

🏠 In 1930 (28), the Jesse and Lillian lived in Justice Precinct #4, Hill County, TX. The census of the 14th April registered also in their their son Theodore F (age 31) in the same household also. They looked after the children of Sadie's, who after their mother's passing lived with their grandparents and uncle. The children were Pauline (age 15), Orvis (age 13), Raymond (age 21), Hannah R (age 4), and Jack T (age 9).

Otis Wade, Lillian Lorene's husband, left this world on ♦ 2 January 1934. He lived 24 years.

Jesse Bobo Gant passed on ♦ 22 January 1934, about a week before his 68th birthday. He lived in Whithey, Hill County, TX at the time of his death (29).

Two years later, Lillian Gant mourned her child again. This time, it was Mertie, who died of influenza/pneumonia on ♦ 29 April 1936 (30). Mertie Rosalee lived 48 years, 5 months, and 9 days (30).

♦ 3 February 1941 - another daughter, Laura Leona, passed due to flu and pulmonary problems, in Waco, McLennan, TX,. She was  47 years, 10 months, and 15 days old (31).

Jesse's wife, Lillian Hannah Hoffman Gant joined her spouse on 3 June 1961, when a cardiac arrest took her from this world. She lived 92 years, 8 months, and 18 days (32).

--

Nannie remarried. Her second husband was Ben Meart Drennan who was 4 year older than Nannie. He was born on 12 March 1896 in Saline, Arkansas. His parents were John Harvey Drennan and Mary C White. Ben was also a widower.

Lillian Lorene's second spouse was Henry Tracy Boyd, born on 8 December 1910, Texas, to Robert Arthur Boyd and Edna Lee Cook.


Sources:

1. "United States, Census, 1870", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD8Z-GC4 : Sun Jan 19 03:12:44 UTC 2025), Entry for A B Gant and Nancy Gant, 1870.
2. "Tennessee, State Marriage Index, 1780-2002," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VN8X-5NH : 4 December 2014), A B Gant and Nancy Martin, 27 Aug 1860; from "Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2008); citing p. 20, Wayne, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee.
3. "United States, Census, 1880", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFNK-8SY : Sun Jan 19 10:13:00 UTC 2025), Entry for A. B. Gant and Nancy Gant, 1880.
4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-TFB5 : Fri Jan 17 15:47:02 UTC 2025), Entry for John P Clark and Mary Gant, 29 May 1881.
5. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-TVVN : Fri Jan 10 09:47:30 UTC 2025), Entry for J B Gant and Lillian H Hoffman, 17 Dec 1885.
6. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MS-BCP : 22 January 2020), S. A. Gant in entry for W. F. Brown, 1885.
7. "Find a Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVLQ-LNGD : 5 August 2020), Jessie Gertrude Gant, ; Burial, Peoria, Hill, Texas, United States of America, Peoria Cemetery; citing record ID 85826568, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
8. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-DGMN : Thu Jan 16 13:29:55 UTC 2025), Entry for E T Harber and Nancy M Gant, 15 Feb 1888.
9. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2M3-4PK : 22 January 2020), S. C. Grant in entry for R. B. Aldrige, 1891.
10. "Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LGK-FHZM : 12 March 2020), Albert Ivy Gant, .
11. familysearch.org
12. "Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L6G-B86Z : 12 March 2020), Theodore Floyd Gant, 1896.
13. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX95-RX3 : 22 January 2020), Tennie Gant in entry for W. H. Hardin, 1899.
14. "Texas, Deaths and Burials, 1903-1973", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HW5M-TZ2M : 14 April 2023), Absolen B. Gant, 1904.
15. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX9G-BNP : 22 January 2020), Mertie Gant in entry for Andy Glass, 1904.
16. "Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L6F-WXPZ : 14 February 2020), Nannie Maud Gant, 1900.
17. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX9G-YPK : 22 January 2020), Eliza P. Gant in entry for John R. McDaniel, 1904.
18. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK85-K5CQ : Sat Mar 09 09:08:26 UTC 2024), Entry for Ivy Gant and Ela Harris, 1910.
19. "United States, Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MK-5RG : Sat Mar 09 00:54:58 UTC 2024), Entry for Jesse B Gant and Lilian Gant, 1910.
20. "Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LCR-D4ZM : 12 March 2020), Lillian Lorene Gant, .
21. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-66WB : Thu Jan 09 09:52:10 UTC 2025), Entry for Mr J M Smith and Miss Sadie Gant, 05 Oct 1913.
22. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-672H : Sat Jan 18 12:27:54 UTC 2025), Entry for James J Hrabal and Nannie Maud Gant, 26 Nov 1916.
23. "United States, Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCS3-B43 : Thu Jan 16 21:59:30 UTC 2025), Entry for Jesse B Gant and Lillian H Gant, 1920.
24. "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZNX-PSQ : 24 May 2014), James John Hrabal, 21 Jan 1926; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number 2844, Mclennan, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.
25. "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3QD-KSG : Sun Jan 19 22:33:57 UTC 2025), Entry for Sadie Smith and J B Grant, 21 Mar 1927.
26. "Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V8QR-SWG : 1 January 2015), Lorine Gant in entry for Francis Gant, 12 Feb 1928; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
"United States, Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CMNV-86Z : Sat Mar 09 09:29:20 UTC 2024), Entry for J B Gant and Lillian Gant, 1930.
27. "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3QY-Y58 : Sun Jan 19 02:18:10 UTC 2025), Entry for Francis Loraine Wade and Otis Wade, 23 Mar 1928.
28.  "United States, Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CMNV-86Z : Sat Mar 09 09:29:20 UTC 2024), Entry for J B Gant and Lillian Gant, 1930.
29. "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZDZ-9HL : 24 May 2014), Jessie B. Gant, 22 Jan 1934; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number 2943, Hill, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.
30. "Texas, Deaths and Burials, 1903-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6TY-YFM : 14 April 2023), Mertie Glass, 1936.
31. "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K393-ZKG : Thu Jul 11 10:29:52 UTC 2024), Entry for Laura Leona McMurray and J B Gant, 3 Feb 1941.
32. "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3H4-FNB : Mon Jul 22 15:09:48 UTC 2024), Entry for Lillian Hannah Gant and Jacob Hoffman, 3 Jun 1961.
 

Pictures taken on 18 August 2020