Mary Palmer Nields was the daughter of Daniel Webster Nields of Pennslyvania and Pauline Victoria Wescott of West Virginia. They were said to have had 14 children of which 10 survived to adulthood. Mary came from a family of artists; craftsmen and performers, and she was on the stage at an early age.

The Nields family moved to Indianapolis sometime in the mid-1880's and Mary married Jesse B. Bredell Sr. there on February 1, 1900. A son, Jesse B. Bredell Jr. was born to them on December 24, 1902. Mary and Jesse went their separate ways in January 1903 and Mary kept custody of Jesse, who now went by the name Jesse Elwood Bredell. Mary had a brief marriage to Albert G. Habeney of Indianapolis, but he died young and they had no children.

Mary then moved to California and married Hollywood silent screen actor Vaughn "Val" A. Paul on March 3, 1914. A son, Vaughn Paul Jr. was born to them on January 5, 1916. The family lived in Hollywood, just south of the movie studios. Val became a director and producer and both sons were also involved in the motion picture industry. Jesse became Elwood B. Bredell cinematographer and Vaughn Paul Jr. married Deanna Durbin. Mary and Val were deeply saddened when that marriage ended in divorce.

Mary was said to be vivacious and flamboyant, she liked to wear furs and attend the horse races. She passed away at her residence 7254 Hollywood Blvd., leaving behind her husband Val and two sons. When Val died, he was laid to rest next to Mary at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

(Note: Mary's death record gives her year of birth as 1882, which would be more consistent with her marriage/census information in 1900 as 18 years of age.)

Biography by Cheryl Bredell with many thanks for contributions to the story from living descendents of the Nields and Johnson families.

Mary Palmer Nields was the daughter of Daniel Webster Nields of Pennslyvania and Pauline Victoria Wescott of West Virginia. They were said to have had 14 children of which 10 survived to adulthood. Mary came from a family of artists; craftsmen and performers, and she was on the stage at an early age.

The Nields family moved to Indianapolis sometime in the mid-1880's and Mary married Jesse B. Bredell Sr. there on February 1, 1900. A son, Jesse B. Bredell Jr. was born to them on December 24, 1902. Mary and Jesse went their separate ways in January 1903 and Mary kept custody of Jesse, who now went by the name Jesse Elwood Bredell. Mary had a brief marriage to Albert G. Habeney of Indianapolis, but he died young and they had no children.

Mary then moved to California and married Hollywood silent screen actor Vaughn "Val" A. Paul on March 3, 1914. A son, Vaughn Paul Jr. was born to them on January 5, 1916. The family lived in Hollywood, just south of the movie studios. Val became a director and producer and both sons were also involved in the motion picture industry. Jesse became Elwood B. Bredell cinematographer and Vaughn Paul Jr. married Deanna Durbin. Mary and Val were deeply saddened when that marriage ended in divorce.

Mary was said to be vivacious and flamboyant, she liked to wear furs and attend the horse races. She passed away at her residence 7254 Hollywood Blvd., leaving behind her husband Val and two sons. When Val died, he was laid to rest next to Mary at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

(Note: Mary's death record gives her year of birth as 1882, which would be more consistent with her marriage/census information in 1900 as 18 years of age.)

Biography by Cheryl Bredell with many thanks for contributions to the story from living descendents of the Nields and Johnson families.