William Brooks and Elizabeth

Family of Bobbie Cabell Merideth

Today I'm going to talk about William Brooks. William is my husbands ggg grandfather on the Merideth side of the family.

William Brooks was born in Pennsylvania in 1855. Both of his parents were also from Pennsylvania. Depending on the record, they were either born there or in Ireland. They died when he was quite young, and he was raised by a relative (perhaps a sister). Later, he moved to Tennessee where he met and married Elizabeth. Elizabeth was at least part Native American according to family lore. She was born about 1851 in Tennesee. Both of her parents were from Tennessee as well. Together, William and Elizabeth had seven children and eventually moved to Kentucky. First, they lived in East Fork, Metcalfe County, Kentucky. They are found there in the 1880 census. William is listed as a "laborer." Eventually the family moved to Adair County. The four youngest girls are found enrolled in school there in 1895.

Children of William and Elizabeth Brooks

1. Marion Brooks born c. 1869 in Tennessee
2. Charles Brooks born c. 1874 in Tennessee
3. Dina Brooks born c. 1876 in Tennessee
4. Margarett "Maggie" Brooks born c. 1878 in Tennessee
5. Anna B. "Annie" Brooks born c. 1882 in Kentucky and died c. 1906. She married Loren Washington Tabor in March 1901. They had three children together. 
6. Lou Ella Brooks born c. 1883 in Kentucky
7. Victoria "Bunch" Brooks born in April 1886 in Metcalfe, Kentucky and died Jan 1 1981 in Adair County. She married Joe F. Gadberry of Adair County Nov. 19 1903.

Elizabeth died before or after the family moved to Adair. William also married Clemma Melson. She died in childbirth and the baby didn't survive. William later married Ella Francis Floyd (Powell) 24 Nov 1893. She was a native of Adair County and the wedding took place there. They lived in Columbia, Kentucky. William worked as a stonemason. He built several walls around Columbia. Some are still standing. William and Ella had four children together. They are found in Columbia in both the 1900 and 1920 census.

Children of William and Ella Brooks.

1. Mike B. Brooks born August 31, 1896 in Columbia. He married Mabel J. Hall on April 19, 1919 in Indianapolis.
2. Cary Brooks born December 15, 1898 and died June 7, 1911, both in Adair County.
3. Rollin Brooks born c. 1901 in Kentucky.
4. Ida Mae Brooks born c. 1909 in Kentucky and died January 9, 1990 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She married Vernon Holt, Dec 22, 1923 in Indianapolis.

Cary died of Typhoid fever and pneumonia in 1911. Sometime after that the family moved to Indianapolis. In 1920, they lived on Concordia Street. William was a Fireman in a factory. He also had living with him his 18 year old grandson Earnest R. Tabor (son of Annie B. Brooks and L.W. Tabor). Earnest, Mike and Rollin were all working in an auto factory. By 1930, William and Ella are living with their daughter Ida Mae and her family. William listed his age as 75 and was still working at a Hosiery Mill. William died March 25, 1938 and was buried in New Crown Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Rody Lynn (c.1855-1896)

Family of Jeptha Moxley

Rody Lynn is my great great grandmother. She is an ancestor in our Moxley family tree. Rody was born about 1855 in Warren, Tennessee. Her parents were William Riley Lynn and Nancy Hobbs. Her family eventually came to Hurricane, Crittenden County, Ky. They are listed in the 1870 census there.

Rody married William E. Lynn on August 10th, 1874. He was born in Warren County as well and was 20 years old. I do not know if or how they were related. She was 19. The marriage was performed at Rody's house by Thomas Riley. Rody and William "Buddy" Lynn had at least four children together.

1. Richard Lynn
2. William Thomas Lynn b. March 1885. He married Mildred Hagger. They lived in Michigan.
3. Lacy Ellis Lynn b. March 4, 1889
4. Jennie Lynn b. Dec 1889, quite soon after Lacy, and d. May 13, 1965. She married Robert Earnest Guill

There is a gap between the next child and family has reported that Buddy Lynn had died before Katherion Lynn was born.

1. Katherion Lee Lynn (Dec 12, 1894- July 24, 1941) She married John Given Moxley in 1919. They had six children before she died at the age of 46 from diabetes.
2. Ada Mae Lynn b. May 1896.

Rody Lynn died sometime between 1896 and 1900. Her six children were left behind and distributed amongst relatives in Crittenden County. In 1900, they are found in the local census as follows. William T. Lynn is a servant in the home of William and Victoria Nation. Lacy Lynn is a servant in the home of Joel and Lorne Taber. Jennie Lynn was in the home of her uncle Richard and aunt Elizabeth Lynn. Richard was Rody's brother. Katherine was raised by George Barley and Catherine Beanblossom Barley. Ada lived with her second cousin Mary Isabelle Lynn and her husband William H. Riley.
To Do: locate birth and death records for Rody if they exist.
I always appreciate help from others. If you have additional information or a relation to the folks above please leave a comment.