Oscar Lyle

Wow, talk about a confusing family!  I am researching the family of Jessie B. Lyle and Caroline Cynthia Fleeman.  They had a son named Oscar born in 1872, according to the 1880 census records.  I wanted to try and find out if Oscar had any children or even married, and being a somewhat uncommon name, I though that would be easy!  Boy was I wrong.

Did you know there were TWO Oscar Lyles born in 1872... both living in Jackson County, Georgia...  Both married women named Ella... Come on!  How much more confusing can this get!  To top it all off, one of the Oscar's had a mother who's maiden name was Freeman... the other Oscar's mother has a maiden name of Fleeman.  So, you can see where they are often confused for each other!

Here, I am going to attempt to separate them out, so the confusion can end!!

Oscar #1:  Oscar O. Lyle, son of Isaac H. Lyle and Frances Freeman.  (I have not really researched Isaac and his wife since they are not related directly to me).

Oscar #2: Robert Oscar Lyle, son of Jessie B. Lyle and Caroline Cynthia Fleeman.  I have researched Caroline's line.  This Fleeman branch ties into my Farmers.

Both Oscars are living in Jackson County Georgia with their parents in 1880.

1880 Jackson County, Georgia
Self Isaac H. Lyle M 37 Georgia, United States
Wife Frances L. Lyle F 33 Georgia, United States
Daughter Hester J. Lyle F 12 Georgia, United States
Son Hoyt L. Lyle M 10 Georgia, United States
Son Oscar O. Lyle M 8 Georgia, United States
Daughter Queen V. Lyle F 6 Georgia, United States
Daughter Mable V. Lyle F 4 Georgia, United States
Sister-in-law Lucretia Freeman F 42 Georgia, United States
Sister-in-law Minerva J. Freeman F 30 Georgia, United States

1880 Jackson County, Georgia
Self Jessie B. Lyle M 38 Georgia, United States
Wife Syntha C. Lyle F 33 Georgia, United States
Daughter Dorah A. Lyle F 14 Georgia, United States
Daughter Sarah E. Lyle F 12 Georgia, United States
Son James H. Lyle M 10 Georgia, United States
Son Oscar Lyle M 8 Georgia, United States
Son Charley L. Lyle M 5 Georgia, United States
Daughter Sarah E. Lyle F 2 Georgia, United States
Son Claude E. Lyle M 0 Georgia, United States

Just studying the census records, you can tell the two families apart!!  I have seen so many mistakes in files that could have been fixed by just checking out census records more closely! (For instance, I have an 1870 census record that shows a man age 35, and also in the home is a woman age 70.  I have seen people assume it is his mother.  Upon closer inspection of the record, you see that the man is recorded as white and the woman as black.  The woman is also noted as bring a house maid.  So it is clear from the record she is NOT his mother!)


1900 Bowling Green, Oglethorpe, Georgia
Head Oscar Lyle M 27 Georgia
Wife         Ella Lyle F 30 Georgia
Daughter Katie M Lyle F 3 Georgia

1910 Bowling Green, Oglethorpe, Georgia

SELF Oscar Lyle M 38y Georgia

WIFE Fannie Lyle F 34y Georgia

DAU Katie Lyle F 13y Georgia

DAU Birdie Lyle F 8y Georgia

SON Hugh Lyle M 6y Georgia

SON Harrison Lyle M 0y 9m Georgia

AUNT     Francis C Freeman F 68y Georgia

This 1910 census record shows that Oscar who married Fannie is the son of Isaac since his wife was a Freeman.  The aunt living in the home is also a Freeman.  She is either his mother's sister or sister-in-law.

Oscar O. Lyle's first wife was Ellen White.  A transcript the the record can be found here.  I do not know his second wife's maiden name, nor have I found that marriage record.

1900 Jackson County, Georgia
Head Robt O Lyle M 28 Georgia April 1872
Wife Ella Lyle F 24 Georgia Dec 1876
Daughter Cassie Lyle F 8 Georgia Dec 1892
Daughter Lollie Lyle F 6 Georgia Jul 1894
Son Herman Lyle M 2 Georgia Apr 1898

1910 Census:  Jefferson, Jackson, Georgia
SELF Robert A Lyle M 38y Georgia
WIFE Ella Lyle F 33y Georgia
SON Carrie Lyle M 16y Georgia
DAU Lollie Lyle F 14y Georgia
SON Herman Lyle M 12y Georgia
SON Hubert Lyle M 9y Georgia
SON Robert Lyle M 6y Georgia
DAU Anna Lyle F 2y Georgia

1930 DeKalb County, Georgia
Head Robert O Lyle M 57 Georgia
Wife Ella C Lyle F 53 Georgia
Daughter Annabel Lyle F 22 Georgia

1940 Jackson County, Georgia
Head R O Lyle M 68 Georgia
Wife Ella Lyle F 63 Georgia
Daughter Annie Belle Lyle F 33 Georgia

I know that Robert Oscar's wife was named Ella Mauldin.

So, I feel the above information is correct.  If you have anything to add or change, please comment below and let me know!

Sources (Other than listed above)

Georgia, Death Index, 1933-1998 (Robert O. Lyle)

Samuel Ennis Keeton

So, there appears to be two Samuel Ennis Keetons. One born December 27, 1877 in Joplin, Missouri and died on February 13, 1972 in Comanche County, Texas. The second Samuel Ennis Keeton was born on May 18, 1879 in Boxley, Newton County, Arkansas and died on September 20, 1871 in Salem, Marion, Oregon. Every tree I have looked up has the first birthdate (only recorded as May 1880) with the 1972 death date. Clearly these two Samuel's are being confused! Most people state that Samuel Ennis Keeton was born May 1880 in Newton County, Arkansas and died on February 13, 1972 in Comanche County, Texas and as being a child of Joseph S. Keeton and Zella S. Whiteley.

It seems that people are just combining the two to fit the records they find, but there are two set of census records for each Samuel.

Samuel Ennis Keeton (1877-1972) married Willa Walton White on October 16, 1898. They had 10 children: Finis Fletcher, Mary Stella, Clarence Boyd, Louella May, Lillie Bernice, Willie Pauline, Robert Victor, Chester, Lester and Kittie Marie.

Samuel Ennis Keeton (1879-1971) married Ruth Bernetta Robinson and had the following children: Thelma Elizabeth, Samuel Ennis, Jack R., Thisba and George L.

Most people attribute the first Samuel to Joseph and Zella, while the 1900 census suggest the second one is more likely their son. Part of the confusion is that the Texas death certificate lists the first Samuel's father's name as Joe Keeton. Perhaps they are both sons of a Joseph? Also, the first Samuel is married by 1900, so why would he be on the census with his parents if he is already married?

In 1880, Samuel, son of Joseph and Zella is listed as 1 year old and being born in Arkansas. I cannot find a second Samuel born in 1877 anywhere, however, there is an S. Keeton age 3 years old, born in Missouri and listed as a son of J. M. Keeton. They are living in Bates County, Missouri. Perhaps the J. stands for "Joe?"

In 1900, Samuel, son of Joseph and Zella is listed as 20 and being born in May 1880 in Arkansas. The other Samuel is married to Willa and listed as being born in Feb. 1877 in Missouri. They are clearly TWO different people.

1910, Samuel has married Ruth and is living in San Jose County, California, age 30 born in Arkansas. Samuel and Willa are living in Brown County, Texas.

I have not found either Samuel in 1920.

In 1930, Samuel and Ruth are living in Los Angeles County, California. Samuel and Willa are living in Brown County, Texas.

In 1940, Samuel and Ruth are still living in Los Angeles County, California. I have not found Samuel and Willa.

It is clear there are two Samuel Ennis Keetons, both are probably sons of a man named Joseph. I feel, however, that the Samuel listed on most genealogies as the son of Joseph and Zella Keeton is incorrect and that the Samuel Ennis who married Ruth and lived in California is actually their son. If anyone has a document that says otherwise, please let me know!

Sources:
Census Records
Burial/Obituary - Samuel Ennis Keeton (Find-A-Grave Page)(Find-A-Grave Page)
Death Certificate - Samuel Ennis Keeton (FamilySearch.org Record)
WWI Registration Card - (FamilySearch.org Record)

The Snow Family - Thomas Snow and Mary Sue White

Thomas Snow was born in 1793. He married Mary Sue White, a daughter of Jesse White. I do not know anything more about Jesse or the siblings of Mary. If anyone happens to find anything, I'd love to know about it. Thomas and Mary are the earliest Snows that I can prove my line to. I am really confident that Thomas is the son of Mark, but I lack that document as definitive proof of the connection. Thomas and Mary were married sometime is early 1824 or before. The couple initially resided in Gwinnett County, Georgia before moving their family to Carroll County. Georgia, where they are recorded in 1850 and 1870.

Thomas and Mary's oldest child was Marcus Lafayette Snow born on December 05, 1824 in Gwinnett County, Georgia. On February 29, 1848, he married Syrena Ann Manley in Lowndes County, Alabama. After they were married, the couple lived in Carroll County, Georgia, but later moved to Cleburne County, Alabama then to Calhoun County, Alabama. They later moved back to Cleburne County where Marcus died on March 8, 1910. He and his wife are buried at the Heflin City Cemetery in Heflin, Cleburne, Alabama. Marcus and Syrena had the following children: Mary Earnestine, Jefferson Lafayette, Missouri Ann, Martha M., Fountain, Sarah Jane Kansas, Thomas Clarisy and Florence Izora.


David Snow was the second son of Thomas and Mary. He was born in 1826. I do not know anything more about him.

The third son of Thomas and Mary was George Washington Snow, born in 1828. He married Mollie C. Hamilton on March 31, 1881. I have one child recorded for this union. His name is also George Washington Snow. George Jr. was born in 1868, so he was 13 when the marriage took place. It is not known whether or not George Jr. was George Sr's son or if he adopted him after the marriage. When George Jr. died, the Snow family questioned his widow's claim to property suggesting that the family did not see George Jr. as a legitimate son of George Sr.

Launty Snow is the fourth son. He was born in 1832. Nothing further is known about him.

Thomas Jefferson Snow is the fifth son, born in 1833. He is my ancestor. I will discuss his family in my next blog post.

The sixth son is William M. Snow, born on April 12, 1835. He married Mary Hill, daughter of Marlin Hill, some time before 1859. They had the following children: Isaiah Newton, Anna A., George Washington M. and Willie J. William died on June 02, 1877 in Cleburne County, Alabama.

Seventh son was Leander Snow. He was born in 1840. Nothing further is known about him.

Benjamin Franklin Snow was the eighth son of Thomas and Mary. He was born in 1842. On December 20, 1867, Benjamin married Mary Page. They had 2 children together: Mary A. and Thomas Napoleon. I do not know if his first wife died or if they divorced. On July 30, 1876, Benjamin married for a second time to Florence Frances Durrett, sister to his brother Thomas's wife. Florence bore to him the following children: James Benjamin Franklin, William Jefferson, Martha Cora and Bennie Viola. Benjamin died on June 02, 1877. The couple is buried at the First Baptist Church in Ranburne, Cleburne, Alabama.

Adeline was the 9th child and oldest known daughter of Thomas and Mary. She was born in 1844. I do not know anything further on her.

Edna Paratine Snow was the youngest child of Thomas and Mary. She was born in 1846 and died in 1862. I know nothing else about her.


Sources
Census Records: 1850-1910 - Carroll County, Georgia
Census Records: 1860 and 1880 - Calhoun County, Alabama
Census Records: 1870-1910 - Cleburne County, Alabama
Grave Photo: Marcus Lafayette Snow
Grave Photo: Benjamin Franklin Snow and Florence Frances Durrett Snow -- Taken by Jennifer Connett in 2009.