_________________________
~~ "MINNIE" EDWARDS BRANSON ~~
______________________________
"MINNIE" EDWARDS was born on 6-12-1897 in Cabot, Lonoke, Co., Arkansas.
HER PARENTS were:
"William F. Edwards" & "Zora Harris Edwards". MINNIE was their 2nd. daughter & the 5th. child of this marriage.
______________________________
MINNIE's FATHER's LINEAGE:
"William F. Edwards" was born in 1871 in Van Buren Co., Arkansas. HIS PARENTS were: "Deborah Shipp Edwards" & "Isaac D. Edwards".
WILLIAM's MOTHER was "Deborah Shipp"; she was born in Randolph Co., Alabama in 1845 to Jesse Richard & Elizabeth Shipp, & she died 11-10-1905.
WILLIAM's FATHER was "Isaac D. Edwards" & was born in Alabama in 1838 to Elisha Edwards & Nancy Canada Purcell & died in 1919. Isaac D. Edwards married Deborah J. Shipp & had 9 children. WILLIAM was their 3rd. child.
______________________________
MINNIE's MOTHER's LINEAGE:
ZORA was born to:
"Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr." & "Sarah J. Whitley Harris"
on 9-8-1868 in Lonoke Co., Arkansas.
ZORA's FATHER, "Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr.", was a Blacksmith in Lonoke Co., Arkansas; he was born in May 1839 (or 1840) in Alabama. 'His father' was "Charles Ammon Harris" who was born in 1817 in TN & last known in the 1880 Census of Union, White Co., AR. 'His mother' was "Jane Welch Harris" who was born in 1819 in NC. Samuel's parents were married in 1838 in Alabama. They later moved to Arkansas.
ZORA's MOTHER, "Sarah J. Whitley Harris", was born 3-13-1844 in Prairie, Prairie Co., Ark. She married Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr. on 1-12-1860 in Prairie Co., Ark. (Prairie Co. is next to Lonoke Co.) She is thought to have died before 1900 because she is not listed on the census for 1900 in Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark. with her husband. She died on 8-2-1898 @ Graham, Young Co., TX. 'Her parents' were "Taylor Gaylon Whitley" (1814 GA--1878 AR) & "Calista Carrol Cole m: Whitley" (1816 TN --1884 AR); they are buried @ Lonoke Co., AR @ Whitley Cemetery.
-------------------------------
ZORA's SIBLINGS: William Campbell (CAM) Harris, ZORA, RUTH Harris m: Beavers, & Samuel HARTFEL Harris, Jr. who were all born in Ark.
Her brother, Samuel Hartfel Harris, Jr. is on find-a-grave. CLICK on "Name" below, & it will take you to his page. Name
______________________________
ZORA was married twice. She 1st. married "Walter Russell" on 10-18-1889 in Lonoke Co, AR. He died after March 1891.
ZORA & "WALTER RUSSELL" had 1 child = MINNIE's Half-BROTHER:
~~Gordon W. Russell (b: 12-21-1891; d: 12-21-1949).
______________________________
WILLIAM & ZORA's CHILDREN were born in Ark. up to their daughter Lillie having been born in Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark. in 1901. Fronie, their last child, was born in Feb. 1905 in Fannin Co., TX.
So, ZORA & WILLIAM moved to Fannin Co., at least by Feb. 1905 for Fronie's birth. Just 6 weeks later, WILLIAM died @ their home (which according to his death certificate) of pneumonia; the death certificate also says that his residence was "1-1/2 miles west of Monkstown", Fannin Co., TX & that he was "34 1/2 yrs.-old" at the time of his death.
WILLIAM F. EDWARDS had had pneumonia for 11 days when he died @ 10 p.m. on 3-18-1905 @ his home @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
WILLIAM is thought to be one of the "140 unmarked graves" that ground-penetrating radar discovered in 2008 @ The Monkstown Cemetery. His grave is now marked with a cross.
______________________________
MINNIE's SIBLINGS:
Half-Brother born @ Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark.:
~~Gordon W. Russell (b: 12-21-1891; d: 12-21-1949). Gordon married "Maggie Spann" & had 7 children @ Monkstown; he was a farmer.
Full Siblings:
These children were all born @ Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark.:
~~Claude Edwards, twin (b: 3-31-1893; d: 4-3-1916);
~~Clyde (Bones) Edwards, twin (b: 3-31-1893; d: 11-6-1965);
~~Mollie Edwards Brown (b: 11-27-1895; d: 2-7-1973);
~~MINNIE EDWARDS BRANSON (b: 6-12-1897; d: 1-31-1977);
~~Lillie Edwards Roach (b: 7-1-1901; d: 6-1-1961).
This child died on the way to TX:
~~Alonzo Edwards (infant death, buried near Durant, OK.).
The last child was born @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX:
~~Fronie Edwards McVay (b: 2-8-1905; d: 2-6-2002).
______________________________
MINNIE married "ROBERT WILLIAM BRANSON" in January of 1915 @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
ROB had come to TX from Louisville, KY after the Christmas of 1907 with his new step-father, "Francis Luther Woods", & his mother, "Mattie Emma Williams Branson Middleton Woods".
ROB & his 2 siblings, Jack & Myrtle Branson, had been in the Catholic Orphanage in Louisville following their father's death in 1899. Their mother was crippled & unable to financially or physically care for the 3 small children alone. ROB was 6, Myrtle was 3, & Jack was either 7 or 9 depending on his birth year when they entered the orphanage.
Having been a widow twice, "Mattie" met "Luke Woods" who had already raised several children in Fannin Co., TX; he was a widower. He took Mattie to Louisville where they removed the 3 Branson children from the orphanage; they got married the next day @ a Branson cousin's home "with" the children there to witness the marriage on 12-26-1907! These poor children were now back with their mother, a new step-dad, & in a real home! This was in Fannin Co., TX...where MINNIE lived with her family...thus, ROB met MINNIE!
______________________________
MINNIE & ROB BRANSON had 3 sons:
~~"William" Harold Branson (11-6-1915);
~~"Hubert" Lee Branson (11-7-1923); &
~~"Rodney" Branson (12-11-1937).
All were born @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
______________________________
MINNIE "always" had a pretty, Jersey milk cow named Daisy. I didn't understand that when she got another cow she named her Daisy, too; I just thought that Daisy lived forever!
MINNE always had chickens & a "big" garden.
After several years, I "learned" to ask my grandmother what she was cooking! She would cook "anything" that someone brought her! One day, she was skinning this awful-looking thing. I asked what it was. "This is eel from Red River; it's for lunch!"
She churned her own butter but hated to sew. She loved poetry. She adored Will Rogers.
MINNIE would sell anything without sentimental attachment...I "bought" her rocker so she wouldn't sell it to the antique's lady! I cherish it!
She fiercely defended her kids; adored her mother who lived across the yard from her; enjoyed having out-of-town company but was relieved when they left!
She took-care-of her mother from the time she married Rob Branson until her mother's death in 1962; they lived next to one another. Her mother died @ 93 1/2. MINNIE would not move from Monkstown because her mother lived alone.
MINNIE wrote the kindest things about her husband when he died on 5-6-1973! She appreciated what a good, decent man he was.
She didn't like to be hugged but wanted to be loved.
The pastime in later years was to listen-in on the party-line; apparently, everyone did it & found great joy from it!
__________________________________
"Minnie Edwards Branson" was bright, intelligent, well-read, loving, unusual, hard-working, & fiercely loyal to the ones she loved!
She passed-away on the morning of 1-31-1977 following a stay @ the hospital @ Paris, Lamar Co., TX.
I had talked to her that morning, & she was so happy to be going home that day. They said she had "an aneurism" that stopped her from returning home when she died that morning.
MINNIE was loved & greatly missed by her loved ones!
__________________________________
~~Lynda.
__________________________________
~~ "MINNIE" EDWARDS BRANSON ~~
______________________________
"MINNIE" EDWARDS was born on 6-12-1897 in Cabot, Lonoke, Co., Arkansas.
HER PARENTS were:
"William F. Edwards" & "Zora Harris Edwards". MINNIE was their 2nd. daughter & the 5th. child of this marriage.
______________________________
MINNIE's FATHER's LINEAGE:
"William F. Edwards" was born in 1871 in Van Buren Co., Arkansas. HIS PARENTS were: "Deborah Shipp Edwards" & "Isaac D. Edwards".
WILLIAM's MOTHER was "Deborah Shipp"; she was born in Randolph Co., Alabama in 1845 to Jesse Richard & Elizabeth Shipp, & she died 11-10-1905.
WILLIAM's FATHER was "Isaac D. Edwards" & was born in Alabama in 1838 to Elisha Edwards & Nancy Canada Purcell & died in 1919. Isaac D. Edwards married Deborah J. Shipp & had 9 children. WILLIAM was their 3rd. child.
______________________________
MINNIE's MOTHER's LINEAGE:
ZORA was born to:
"Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr." & "Sarah J. Whitley Harris"
on 9-8-1868 in Lonoke Co., Arkansas.
ZORA's FATHER, "Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr.", was a Blacksmith in Lonoke Co., Arkansas; he was born in May 1839 (or 1840) in Alabama. 'His father' was "Charles Ammon Harris" who was born in 1817 in TN & last known in the 1880 Census of Union, White Co., AR. 'His mother' was "Jane Welch Harris" who was born in 1819 in NC. Samuel's parents were married in 1838 in Alabama. They later moved to Arkansas.
ZORA's MOTHER, "Sarah J. Whitley Harris", was born 3-13-1844 in Prairie, Prairie Co., Ark. She married Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr. on 1-12-1860 in Prairie Co., Ark. (Prairie Co. is next to Lonoke Co.) She is thought to have died before 1900 because she is not listed on the census for 1900 in Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark. with her husband. She died on 8-2-1898 @ Graham, Young Co., TX. 'Her parents' were "Taylor Gaylon Whitley" (1814 GA--1878 AR) & "Calista Carrol Cole m: Whitley" (1816 TN --1884 AR); they are buried @ Lonoke Co., AR @ Whitley Cemetery.
-------------------------------
ZORA's SIBLINGS: William Campbell (CAM) Harris, ZORA, RUTH Harris m: Beavers, & Samuel HARTFEL Harris, Jr. who were all born in Ark.
Her brother, Samuel Hartfel Harris, Jr. is on find-a-grave. CLICK on "Name" below, & it will take you to his page. Name
______________________________
ZORA was married twice. She 1st. married "Walter Russell" on 10-18-1889 in Lonoke Co, AR. He died after March 1891.
ZORA & "WALTER RUSSELL" had 1 child = MINNIE's Half-BROTHER:
~~Gordon W. Russell (b: 12-21-1891; d: 12-21-1949).
______________________________
WILLIAM & ZORA's CHILDREN were born in Ark. up to their daughter Lillie having been born in Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark. in 1901. Fronie, their last child, was born in Feb. 1905 in Fannin Co., TX.
So, ZORA & WILLIAM moved to Fannin Co., at least by Feb. 1905 for Fronie's birth. Just 6 weeks later, WILLIAM died @ their home (which according to his death certificate) of pneumonia; the death certificate also says that his residence was "1-1/2 miles west of Monkstown", Fannin Co., TX & that he was "34 1/2 yrs.-old" at the time of his death.
WILLIAM F. EDWARDS had had pneumonia for 11 days when he died @ 10 p.m. on 3-18-1905 @ his home @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
WILLIAM is thought to be one of the "140 unmarked graves" that ground-penetrating radar discovered in 2008 @ The Monkstown Cemetery. His grave is now marked with a cross.
______________________________
MINNIE's SIBLINGS:
Half-Brother born @ Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark.:
~~Gordon W. Russell (b: 12-21-1891; d: 12-21-1949). Gordon married "Maggie Spann" & had 7 children @ Monkstown; he was a farmer.
Full Siblings:
These children were all born @ Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark.:
~~Claude Edwards, twin (b: 3-31-1893; d: 4-3-1916);
~~Clyde (Bones) Edwards, twin (b: 3-31-1893; d: 11-6-1965);
~~Mollie Edwards Brown (b: 11-27-1895; d: 2-7-1973);
~~MINNIE EDWARDS BRANSON (b: 6-12-1897; d: 1-31-1977);
~~Lillie Edwards Roach (b: 7-1-1901; d: 6-1-1961).
This child died on the way to TX:
~~Alonzo Edwards (infant death, buried near Durant, OK.).
The last child was born @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX:
~~Fronie Edwards McVay (b: 2-8-1905; d: 2-6-2002).
______________________________
MINNIE married "ROBERT WILLIAM BRANSON" in January of 1915 @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
ROB had come to TX from Louisville, KY after the Christmas of 1907 with his new step-father, "Francis Luther Woods", & his mother, "Mattie Emma Williams Branson Middleton Woods".
ROB & his 2 siblings, Jack & Myrtle Branson, had been in the Catholic Orphanage in Louisville following their father's death in 1899. Their mother was crippled & unable to financially or physically care for the 3 small children alone. ROB was 6, Myrtle was 3, & Jack was either 7 or 9 depending on his birth year when they entered the orphanage.
Having been a widow twice, "Mattie" met "Luke Woods" who had already raised several children in Fannin Co., TX; he was a widower. He took Mattie to Louisville where they removed the 3 Branson children from the orphanage; they got married the next day @ a Branson cousin's home "with" the children there to witness the marriage on 12-26-1907! These poor children were now back with their mother, a new step-dad, & in a real home! This was in Fannin Co., TX...where MINNIE lived with her family...thus, ROB met MINNIE!
______________________________
MINNIE & ROB BRANSON had 3 sons:
~~"William" Harold Branson (11-6-1915);
~~"Hubert" Lee Branson (11-7-1923); &
~~"Rodney" Branson (12-11-1937).
All were born @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
______________________________
MINNIE "always" had a pretty, Jersey milk cow named Daisy. I didn't understand that when she got another cow she named her Daisy, too; I just thought that Daisy lived forever!
MINNE always had chickens & a "big" garden.
After several years, I "learned" to ask my grandmother what she was cooking! She would cook "anything" that someone brought her! One day, she was skinning this awful-looking thing. I asked what it was. "This is eel from Red River; it's for lunch!"
She churned her own butter but hated to sew. She loved poetry. She adored Will Rogers.
MINNIE would sell anything without sentimental attachment...I "bought" her rocker so she wouldn't sell it to the antique's lady! I cherish it!
She fiercely defended her kids; adored her mother who lived across the yard from her; enjoyed having out-of-town company but was relieved when they left!
She took-care-of her mother from the time she married Rob Branson until her mother's death in 1962; they lived next to one another. Her mother died @ 93 1/2. MINNIE would not move from Monkstown because her mother lived alone.
MINNIE wrote the kindest things about her husband when he died on 5-6-1973! She appreciated what a good, decent man he was.
She didn't like to be hugged but wanted to be loved.
The pastime in later years was to listen-in on the party-line; apparently, everyone did it & found great joy from it!
__________________________________
"Minnie Edwards Branson" was bright, intelligent, well-read, loving, unusual, hard-working, & fiercely loyal to the ones she loved!
She passed-away on the morning of 1-31-1977 following a stay @ the hospital @ Paris, Lamar Co., TX.
I had talked to her that morning, & she was so happy to be going home that day. They said she had "an aneurism" that stopped her from returning home when she died that morning.
MINNIE was loved & greatly missed by her loved ones!
__________________________________
~~Lynda.
__________________________________
_________________________
~~ "MINNIE" EDWARDS BRANSON ~~
______________________________
"MINNIE" EDWARDS was born on 6-12-1897 in Cabot, Lonoke, Co., Arkansas.
HER PARENTS were:
"William F. Edwards" & "Zora Harris Edwards". MINNIE was their 2nd. daughter & the 5th. child of this marriage.
______________________________
MINNIE's FATHER's LINEAGE:
"William F. Edwards" was born in 1871 in Van Buren Co., Arkansas. HIS PARENTS were: "Deborah Shipp Edwards" & "Isaac D. Edwards".
WILLIAM's MOTHER was "Deborah Shipp"; she was born in Randolph Co., Alabama in 1845 to Jesse Richard & Elizabeth Shipp, & she died 11-10-1905.
WILLIAM's FATHER was "Isaac D. Edwards" & was born in Alabama in 1838 to Elisha Edwards & Nancy Canada Purcell & died in 1919. Isaac D. Edwards married Deborah J. Shipp & had 9 children. WILLIAM was their 3rd. child.
______________________________
MINNIE's MOTHER's LINEAGE:
ZORA was born to:
"Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr." & "Sarah J. Whitley Harris"
on 9-8-1868 in Lonoke Co., Arkansas.
ZORA's FATHER, "Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr.", was a Blacksmith in Lonoke Co., Arkansas; he was born in May 1839 (or 1840) in Alabama. 'His father' was "Charles Ammon Harris" who was born in 1817 in TN & last known in the 1880 Census of Union, White Co., AR. 'His mother' was "Jane Welch Harris" who was born in 1819 in NC. Samuel's parents were married in 1838 in Alabama. They later moved to Arkansas.
ZORA's MOTHER, "Sarah J. Whitley Harris", was born 3-13-1844 in Prairie, Prairie Co., Ark. She married Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr. on 1-12-1860 in Prairie Co., Ark. (Prairie Co. is next to Lonoke Co.) She is thought to have died before 1900 because she is not listed on the census for 1900 in Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark. with her husband. She died on 8-2-1898 @ Graham, Young Co., TX. 'Her parents' were "Taylor Gaylon Whitley" (1814 GA--1878 AR) & "Calista Carrol Cole m: Whitley" (1816 TN --1884 AR); they are buried @ Lonoke Co., AR @ Whitley Cemetery.
-------------------------------
ZORA's SIBLINGS: William Campbell (CAM) Harris, ZORA, RUTH Harris m: Beavers, & Samuel HARTFEL Harris, Jr. who were all born in Ark.
Her brother, Samuel Hartfel Harris, Jr. is on find-a-grave. CLICK on "Name" below, & it will take you to his page. Name
______________________________
ZORA was married twice. She 1st. married "Walter Russell" on 10-18-1889 in Lonoke Co, AR. He died after March 1891.
ZORA & "WALTER RUSSELL" had 1 child = MINNIE's Half-BROTHER:
~~Gordon W. Russell (b: 12-21-1891; d: 12-21-1949).
______________________________
WILLIAM & ZORA's CHILDREN were born in Ark. up to their daughter Lillie having been born in Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark. in 1901. Fronie, their last child, was born in Feb. 1905 in Fannin Co., TX.
So, ZORA & WILLIAM moved to Fannin Co., at least by Feb. 1905 for Fronie's birth. Just 6 weeks later, WILLIAM died @ their home (which according to his death certificate) of pneumonia; the death certificate also says that his residence was "1-1/2 miles west of Monkstown", Fannin Co., TX & that he was "34 1/2 yrs.-old" at the time of his death.
WILLIAM F. EDWARDS had had pneumonia for 11 days when he died @ 10 p.m. on 3-18-1905 @ his home @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
WILLIAM is thought to be one of the "140 unmarked graves" that ground-penetrating radar discovered in 2008 @ The Monkstown Cemetery. His grave is now marked with a cross.
______________________________
MINNIE's SIBLINGS:
Half-Brother born @ Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark.:
~~Gordon W. Russell (b: 12-21-1891; d: 12-21-1949). Gordon married "Maggie Spann" & had 7 children @ Monkstown; he was a farmer.
Full Siblings:
These children were all born @ Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark.:
~~Claude Edwards, twin (b: 3-31-1893; d: 4-3-1916);
~~Clyde (Bones) Edwards, twin (b: 3-31-1893; d: 11-6-1965);
~~Mollie Edwards Brown (b: 11-27-1895; d: 2-7-1973);
~~MINNIE EDWARDS BRANSON (b: 6-12-1897; d: 1-31-1977);
~~Lillie Edwards Roach (b: 7-1-1901; d: 6-1-1961).
This child died on the way to TX:
~~Alonzo Edwards (infant death, buried near Durant, OK.).
The last child was born @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX:
~~Fronie Edwards McVay (b: 2-8-1905; d: 2-6-2002).
______________________________
MINNIE married "ROBERT WILLIAM BRANSON" in January of 1915 @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
ROB had come to TX from Louisville, KY after the Christmas of 1907 with his new step-father, "Francis Luther Woods", & his mother, "Mattie Emma Williams Branson Middleton Woods".
ROB & his 2 siblings, Jack & Myrtle Branson, had been in the Catholic Orphanage in Louisville following their father's death in 1899. Their mother was crippled & unable to financially or physically care for the 3 small children alone. ROB was 6, Myrtle was 3, & Jack was either 7 or 9 depending on his birth year when they entered the orphanage.
Having been a widow twice, "Mattie" met "Luke Woods" who had already raised several children in Fannin Co., TX; he was a widower. He took Mattie to Louisville where they removed the 3 Branson children from the orphanage; they got married the next day @ a Branson cousin's home "with" the children there to witness the marriage on 12-26-1907! These poor children were now back with their mother, a new step-dad, & in a real home! This was in Fannin Co., TX...where MINNIE lived with her family...thus, ROB met MINNIE!
______________________________
MINNIE & ROB BRANSON had 3 sons:
~~"William" Harold Branson (11-6-1915);
~~"Hubert" Lee Branson (11-7-1923); &
~~"Rodney" Branson (12-11-1937).
All were born @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
______________________________
MINNIE "always" had a pretty, Jersey milk cow named Daisy. I didn't understand that when she got another cow she named her Daisy, too; I just thought that Daisy lived forever!
MINNE always had chickens & a "big" garden.
After several years, I "learned" to ask my grandmother what she was cooking! She would cook "anything" that someone brought her! One day, she was skinning this awful-looking thing. I asked what it was. "This is eel from Red River; it's for lunch!"
She churned her own butter but hated to sew. She loved poetry. She adored Will Rogers.
MINNIE would sell anything without sentimental attachment...I "bought" her rocker so she wouldn't sell it to the antique's lady! I cherish it!
She fiercely defended her kids; adored her mother who lived across the yard from her; enjoyed having out-of-town company but was relieved when they left!
She took-care-of her mother from the time she married Rob Branson until her mother's death in 1962; they lived next to one another. Her mother died @ 93 1/2. MINNIE would not move from Monkstown because her mother lived alone.
MINNIE wrote the kindest things about her husband when he died on 5-6-1973! She appreciated what a good, decent man he was.
She didn't like to be hugged but wanted to be loved.
The pastime in later years was to listen-in on the party-line; apparently, everyone did it & found great joy from it!
__________________________________
"Minnie Edwards Branson" was bright, intelligent, well-read, loving, unusual, hard-working, & fiercely loyal to the ones she loved!
She passed-away on the morning of 1-31-1977 following a stay @ the hospital @ Paris, Lamar Co., TX.
I had talked to her that morning, & she was so happy to be going home that day. They said she had "an aneurism" that stopped her from returning home when she died that morning.
MINNIE was loved & greatly missed by her loved ones!
__________________________________
~~Lynda.
__________________________________
~~ "MINNIE" EDWARDS BRANSON ~~
______________________________
"MINNIE" EDWARDS was born on 6-12-1897 in Cabot, Lonoke, Co., Arkansas.
HER PARENTS were:
"William F. Edwards" & "Zora Harris Edwards". MINNIE was their 2nd. daughter & the 5th. child of this marriage.
______________________________
MINNIE's FATHER's LINEAGE:
"William F. Edwards" was born in 1871 in Van Buren Co., Arkansas. HIS PARENTS were: "Deborah Shipp Edwards" & "Isaac D. Edwards".
WILLIAM's MOTHER was "Deborah Shipp"; she was born in Randolph Co., Alabama in 1845 to Jesse Richard & Elizabeth Shipp, & she died 11-10-1905.
WILLIAM's FATHER was "Isaac D. Edwards" & was born in Alabama in 1838 to Elisha Edwards & Nancy Canada Purcell & died in 1919. Isaac D. Edwards married Deborah J. Shipp & had 9 children. WILLIAM was their 3rd. child.
______________________________
MINNIE's MOTHER's LINEAGE:
ZORA was born to:
"Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr." & "Sarah J. Whitley Harris"
on 9-8-1868 in Lonoke Co., Arkansas.
ZORA's FATHER, "Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr.", was a Blacksmith in Lonoke Co., Arkansas; he was born in May 1839 (or 1840) in Alabama. 'His father' was "Charles Ammon Harris" who was born in 1817 in TN & last known in the 1880 Census of Union, White Co., AR. 'His mother' was "Jane Welch Harris" who was born in 1819 in NC. Samuel's parents were married in 1838 in Alabama. They later moved to Arkansas.
ZORA's MOTHER, "Sarah J. Whitley Harris", was born 3-13-1844 in Prairie, Prairie Co., Ark. She married Samuel Hartfel Harris, Sr. on 1-12-1860 in Prairie Co., Ark. (Prairie Co. is next to Lonoke Co.) She is thought to have died before 1900 because she is not listed on the census for 1900 in Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark. with her husband. She died on 8-2-1898 @ Graham, Young Co., TX. 'Her parents' were "Taylor Gaylon Whitley" (1814 GA--1878 AR) & "Calista Carrol Cole m: Whitley" (1816 TN --1884 AR); they are buried @ Lonoke Co., AR @ Whitley Cemetery.
-------------------------------
ZORA's SIBLINGS: William Campbell (CAM) Harris, ZORA, RUTH Harris m: Beavers, & Samuel HARTFEL Harris, Jr. who were all born in Ark.
Her brother, Samuel Hartfel Harris, Jr. is on find-a-grave. CLICK on "Name" below, & it will take you to his page. Name
______________________________
ZORA was married twice. She 1st. married "Walter Russell" on 10-18-1889 in Lonoke Co, AR. He died after March 1891.
ZORA & "WALTER RUSSELL" had 1 child = MINNIE's Half-BROTHER:
~~Gordon W. Russell (b: 12-21-1891; d: 12-21-1949).
______________________________
WILLIAM & ZORA's CHILDREN were born in Ark. up to their daughter Lillie having been born in Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark. in 1901. Fronie, their last child, was born in Feb. 1905 in Fannin Co., TX.
So, ZORA & WILLIAM moved to Fannin Co., at least by Feb. 1905 for Fronie's birth. Just 6 weeks later, WILLIAM died @ their home (which according to his death certificate) of pneumonia; the death certificate also says that his residence was "1-1/2 miles west of Monkstown", Fannin Co., TX & that he was "34 1/2 yrs.-old" at the time of his death.
WILLIAM F. EDWARDS had had pneumonia for 11 days when he died @ 10 p.m. on 3-18-1905 @ his home @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
WILLIAM is thought to be one of the "140 unmarked graves" that ground-penetrating radar discovered in 2008 @ The Monkstown Cemetery. His grave is now marked with a cross.
______________________________
MINNIE's SIBLINGS:
Half-Brother born @ Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark.:
~~Gordon W. Russell (b: 12-21-1891; d: 12-21-1949). Gordon married "Maggie Spann" & had 7 children @ Monkstown; he was a farmer.
Full Siblings:
These children were all born @ Cabot, Lonoke Co., Ark.:
~~Claude Edwards, twin (b: 3-31-1893; d: 4-3-1916);
~~Clyde (Bones) Edwards, twin (b: 3-31-1893; d: 11-6-1965);
~~Mollie Edwards Brown (b: 11-27-1895; d: 2-7-1973);
~~MINNIE EDWARDS BRANSON (b: 6-12-1897; d: 1-31-1977);
~~Lillie Edwards Roach (b: 7-1-1901; d: 6-1-1961).
This child died on the way to TX:
~~Alonzo Edwards (infant death, buried near Durant, OK.).
The last child was born @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX:
~~Fronie Edwards McVay (b: 2-8-1905; d: 2-6-2002).
______________________________
MINNIE married "ROBERT WILLIAM BRANSON" in January of 1915 @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
ROB had come to TX from Louisville, KY after the Christmas of 1907 with his new step-father, "Francis Luther Woods", & his mother, "Mattie Emma Williams Branson Middleton Woods".
ROB & his 2 siblings, Jack & Myrtle Branson, had been in the Catholic Orphanage in Louisville following their father's death in 1899. Their mother was crippled & unable to financially or physically care for the 3 small children alone. ROB was 6, Myrtle was 3, & Jack was either 7 or 9 depending on his birth year when they entered the orphanage.
Having been a widow twice, "Mattie" met "Luke Woods" who had already raised several children in Fannin Co., TX; he was a widower. He took Mattie to Louisville where they removed the 3 Branson children from the orphanage; they got married the next day @ a Branson cousin's home "with" the children there to witness the marriage on 12-26-1907! These poor children were now back with their mother, a new step-dad, & in a real home! This was in Fannin Co., TX...where MINNIE lived with her family...thus, ROB met MINNIE!
______________________________
MINNIE & ROB BRANSON had 3 sons:
~~"William" Harold Branson (11-6-1915);
~~"Hubert" Lee Branson (11-7-1923); &
~~"Rodney" Branson (12-11-1937).
All were born @ Monkstown, Fannin Co., TX.
______________________________
MINNIE "always" had a pretty, Jersey milk cow named Daisy. I didn't understand that when she got another cow she named her Daisy, too; I just thought that Daisy lived forever!
MINNE always had chickens & a "big" garden.
After several years, I "learned" to ask my grandmother what she was cooking! She would cook "anything" that someone brought her! One day, she was skinning this awful-looking thing. I asked what it was. "This is eel from Red River; it's for lunch!"
She churned her own butter but hated to sew. She loved poetry. She adored Will Rogers.
MINNIE would sell anything without sentimental attachment...I "bought" her rocker so she wouldn't sell it to the antique's lady! I cherish it!
She fiercely defended her kids; adored her mother who lived across the yard from her; enjoyed having out-of-town company but was relieved when they left!
She took-care-of her mother from the time she married Rob Branson until her mother's death in 1962; they lived next to one another. Her mother died @ 93 1/2. MINNIE would not move from Monkstown because her mother lived alone.
MINNIE wrote the kindest things about her husband when he died on 5-6-1973! She appreciated what a good, decent man he was.
She didn't like to be hugged but wanted to be loved.
The pastime in later years was to listen-in on the party-line; apparently, everyone did it & found great joy from it!
__________________________________
"Minnie Edwards Branson" was bright, intelligent, well-read, loving, unusual, hard-working, & fiercely loyal to the ones she loved!
She passed-away on the morning of 1-31-1977 following a stay @ the hospital @ Paris, Lamar Co., TX.
I had talked to her that morning, & she was so happy to be going home that day. They said she had "an aneurism" that stopped her from returning home when she died that morning.
MINNIE was loved & greatly missed by her loved ones!
__________________________________
~~Lynda.
__________________________________
