Burrell/ Burwell F Ward

Note: This branch of the family tree can be very confusing. The Ward-Greer- Bloodworth families appear to have known each other perhaps as far back as North Carolina and then traveled across to Tennessee and later to Illinois together. The families inter-married and named their children after other family members. This makes it difficult to know if you are putting the right person with the right family. So, please assume there are errors in my research. Maybe one day I will have it all sorted out correctly.

Burrell F Ward was born about 1847  in Tennessee to Elizabeth ( Greer?) and Thomas J Ward.

In the 1850 Census he is found with his family in Benton, Tennessee.

Ward, Thomas, 45, farmer, value of real estate owned:600, born North Carolina,

                              cannot read or write

           , Elizabeth, 40, born Tennessee

           , William, 20, farmer

           , Sarah, 17

           , Joseph, 15, farmer, attended school

           , Thomas, 13, attended school

           , Elizabeth, 11

           , Rebecca, 9

           , Lucinda, 7

           , Burwell, 3

All the children were born in Tennessee.

Note: There is a Lavisa Ward (18 ) living with the family next door.  There is a Greer family that lives down the road.

In the 1860 Census he is still with his family in Benton, Tennessee.

Ward, Thomas, 55, farmer, value of real estate 1500, value of personal estate 621

          , Elizabeth, 51

          , Elizabeth, 19

          , Becky, 17

          , Lucinda, 15

          , Burwell, 13, attended school

          , Andrew, 13, attended school

Burwell and Andrew are marked as twins on the census record.

I believe several of the children live on the farm, although the census is difficult to read. 

There is a William Ward with a wife and 2 children. He is a farmer and the value of his personal estate is 357.

There is a JR (Joseph ?) Ward with wife Elizabeth and son John. He is a farmer and the value of his personal estate is 200.

There is a Sara with husband McGill and their son. He is a farmer and the value of his personal estate is 160.

There is a T.A. ( Thomas ?) Ward with wife Martha. They have been married within the year. He is a farmer and the value of his personal estate is 195.

There is another Ward ( Jasper??) that is living next door to T.A. Ward. He would have been born between Sara and Thomas, but not listed on the 1850 Census. He is living with his wife and 2 children. He is a farmer and the value of his personal estate is 170.

Burrell Ward married Parthenia Ward on December 26, 1866 in Benton County, Tennessee. Her parents might be Frances Cook and Robert Ward ( found the family in the 1850 Census in Benton, Tennessee). There is a possibility that Thomas ( Burrell's father ) and Robert ( Parthenia's father) could have been brothers. Parthenia was born about 1847 and died somewhere between 1870-1877. I am not sure if she is buried in Tennessee or was a live when the family moved to Illinois.

In the 1870 Census Burrell is living with his wife, 2 children and (assumed) widowed mother.

Ward, B.F. , 22,farmer, value of real estate is 400, value of personal estate is 250

           , P. C., 23, keeping house

           , T.J., 1, son

           , John T, 3 months, son

           , Elizabeth, 61

The census states that both children are "sons" however I think this is an error. I believe the oldest is son John and the youngest is daughter Sarah Jane.

Several of Burell's sibling are living in the same area. I am assuming that their father Thomas has died and divided his land among the children.

Ward, W. J., 39, farmer, value of real estate is 400, value of personal estate is 250, he is living with his wife and childen

Ward, Rebecca, 27, keeping house, value of real estate is 350, value of personal estate is 125, she is living with 4 children; I am assuming this is their sister Rebecca but it could be a sister-in-law ??

Ward, Visa, 38, keeping house, she is living with 5 children; I am assuming this is their sister Lasvisa but it could be a sister-in-law

Note: Within this 10 year span, it appears that Thomas the father has died, perhaps  2 of the sons/son-in-laws have died -- civil war or illness? Also there is a 10 year age span between William's 2 oldest children. His children's ages read 15, 5, 2 and 3 months -- again perhaps illness?

Burrell married Martha Bloodworth on August 8, 1877 in Williamson County, Illinois. She was born around 1854 in Tennessee. I believe her parents were Harriet and Rufus Bloodworth and that she had a brother Jim Bloodworth. She is found with her family in the 1860 and 1870 Census. After her husband's death she is found in the 1920 Census in Johnson County, Illinois.

In the 1880 Census the family is found in Saline, Williamson County, Illinois.

Ward, Burel, 33, farmer, cannot read or write, born TN

           , Martha, 25, keeping house, cannot read or write,

           , John, 10, son

           , Jane, 8, daughter

          , Ida, 2, daughter

Note: There is a George Greer and family living next door.

In the 1900 Census the family is in Goreville, Johnson County, Illinois.

Ward, Burl F. , 56, married 22 years, born in Aug 194?, farmer renting the land,

           , Martha, 49, mother of 10 children, 7 still living,

           , John, son, born February 1870, age 30, farm laborer

           , Sarah J, daughter, born December 1871, age 28

           , Ida, daughter, 22

           , Parthenia, daughter, born December 1881, age 18

           , Riley, son, born March 1886, age 14

           , William, son, born March 1886, age 14

           , Mary, daughter, born September 1899, age 10

           , Becca, daughter, born 1898, age 7

           , Effie, daughter, age 4

In the 1910 Census the family is living in Stokes, Union County, Illinois.

Ward, Burl, 65, 2nd marriage, 33 years married, farmer

           , Martha, 58, 1st marriage, 33 years married, 10 children, 7 still living

           , Ida, daughter, 31

           , William, son, 24

           , Becka, daughter, 18

           , Effie, daughter, 13

Harlorn, Leah?, granddaughter, age 4

Just looking at ages the granddaughter has to be Sara, Ida or Parthenia's daughter.

There are 2 Bloodworth families living next door.

I believe that Burrell died between the 1910 and 1920 Cenus and is buried in Williamson County, Illinois. A family member thought that both Martha and Burrell might be buried at Crab Orchard Lake ( in a small cemetery in that area).

A little information that I have for his children:

John T might have married Ida B Russell on September 2, 1900 in Goreville, Johnson County, Illinois. In the 1910-1930 Census they can be found in Williamson County, Illinois.  He might have died in this same county in February 1946.

Sarah Jane might have married Marshall Stout in August 1895 in Union County. I am not sure if this is her because in the 1900 Census she is with her parents and is marked "single." However, in the 1900 Census Sarah and Marshall are found living in Goreville, Illinois. She might have been counted twice in the census report. In the 1910 Census they are found in Rich, Union County, Illinois. In the 1920 Census they are found in West Marion, Williamson County, Illinois. She might have died November 14, 1946 in this same county.

Ida might have married her father's brother's son -- Thomas Riley Ward sometime after 1900. There may or may not have been a child have that union. She died in 1911 and is buried in the McGinnis Cemetery, Union County, Illinois. He remarried in 1919.

Parthenia might have married Wilford Weimer on April 18, 1906. In the 1910 Census they lived in Anna, Union County, Illinois. In the 1920 and 1930 Census they lived in Williamson County, Illinois. She might have died in this same county on November 6, 1960. I also have notes from Zora's granddaughter that Weimer was a miner and that their children were Bertie and Louie.

Riley might have married Nell Mann on July 22, 1908 in Johnson County, Illinois. The couple lived in the following places during the census:

1910 -- Stokes, Union County

1920 -- Carterville, Williamson County

1930 -- Cobden, Union County

1940 -- Caterville, Williamson County

According to Zora's granddaughter, Riley was an identical twin to William. He and Nell had 3 children - Velma, Wayne and Wanda. Wanda was born in Union County. She was living in South Bend, IN and had 2 kids. There was flooding and she was on the phone and then there was some type of explosion. She died in the house explosion. Riley moved to IN ( sometime after 1940?) and later died there. He was buried in Caterville. His wife later remarried and is buried in South Bend with her 2nd husband.

Rebecca might have married Will McCoy in Union/Johnson/Williamson County, some time after the 1910 Census. They are found in Johnson County in the 1920 Census. By the 1930 Census they are found in Caterville, Williamson County. She might have died on April 13, 1950 in that same county. According to Zora's granddaughter their children were Dallas and Annie, who married Claude Knight. Will's occupation was a carpenter and Dallas was a preacher.

Effie might have married Ezra Bloodworth ( her mother's brother's son ) around 1918. They lived in Williamson County, Illinois. According to Zora's granddaughter their children were Flossie, Luther ( who married Martha), Ezra Lee and Violet ( who died young and might have had a disability ). Ezra's parents might be Mary P and Ben Johnson. He is buried in McGinnis Cemetery. Effie remarried a "Sweet" and lived in Cario, Illinois. She died in 1977 and is buried in McGinnis Cemetery in Union County, Illinois.

Resources: census records, marriage records, gravestones, granddaughter L. Miller, email correspondence with Patricia Staley

                           

Zora and William Ward's Children

1. Edith May

She was born on February 10, 1912 and died on July 15, 1969 ( St John's Church, Cobden). Edith went to the 6th or 7th grade in Union County. She married Lee Mowery in the early 1930's in Union County. Their children were Norma Jean, Donald ( military), Joyce, Lola/Lula May, and Doris. All their children lived mainly in Cobden. Lee remarried after Edith's death. He is buried in St. John's Church in Cobden.

2. Earl William/ William Earl was born in 1913 maybe around Caterville. He married Dorothy Price ( they later divorced and she died in Ft. Wayne). Their children were David and Pauline. Earl remarried Ethyl from Ft. Wayne. They had no children together. Both Ethyl and Earl are buried in Ft. Wayne ( same cemetery as Flora). He went to school until the 4th or 5th grade. He worked as a farmer and in the steel mill. He was not in the military.

3. Paul Levi was born on March 26, 1915 and died in October 1994. He married Mildred Elizabeth Matlock, who was born on November 8, 1919. Their children were Lenis Alice, Fay Eldon, Loretta Catherine, Shirley Irene, Linda Lou, Paul Larry, Carl Dean, Rita Jean, Kenneth Lee and Denis Scott.

4. Lindle Albert married Bessie in Ft Wayne, Indiana. He attended to the 8th grade. His occupations were steel mill and the military. Their children were Phyllis, Arnold Darrel, Janet and Roger Dale.

5. Flora Catherine was born on March 7, 1915. She went to the 6th or 7th grade in Union County, Illinois. She married Rudolph Kirkpatrick. He worked in a meat factory. They moved to Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Their children were Doris, Frances, Darrell Dean, Iris Jackson, Edwin/Edward, Bruce, Mike, Jerry, Lloyd, Valerie and Darce Evelyn. ( note: I have heard that they had 10-16 children)

6. Dolly Rosette was born April 29, 1921 in Ullin, Illinois. She married Jackson Mitchell in Ullin on May 15, 1937. Their children were Marcella and Elaine. They lived in Tamms and went to Ft Wayne because of the better job. He was a Southern Baptist preacher and worked at Valley Steel Products. Jackson died on October 2, 1978 . She later married Bob.

7. William " Bud" Laverne was born on January 23, 1927 in Caterville or Wolf Lake. He married Billy (who died in 1992). They met in Ft Wayne. Their children were Gary Wayne and Kenneth Laverne (adopted son). "Uncle Bud" went to the 8th grade. He was in the military and worked in the steel mill. He attended the Nazathe Church . 

This information was collected and pieced together from visits and emails, therefore there might be errors.

Thank you to both L. Miller and D. Mitchell.

William Ward

William Ward was born on March 19, 1886 in Illinois to Martha Bloodworth and Burrell F Ward.

In the 1900 Census he is living with his family in Goreville, Johnson County, Illinois.

In the 1910 Census he is a 24 year old man living in Stokes, Union County, Illinois.

On February 2, 1911 he married Zora Catherine Smith in Pleasant Grove, Illinois. Zora's 1 year old son, Doyle, took the last name of Ward. Zora and William added 6 more children to their family.

In the 1920 Census the family is living in Perks, Pulaski County, Illinois.

Ward, William, 38, able to read and write, born in IL, farm laborer, renting a home

           , Zora C, wife, 27, able to read and write, born in IL

           , Doyle J, son, 9, attended school

           , Edith M, daughter, 7, attended school

           , William E, son, 6, attended school

           , Levi P, son, 4,

           , Flora C, daughter, 2

           , Lendel A, son, 5 months

All of the children had been born in Illinois.

Note: Sometimes the "Z" in Zora is transcribed as a "C" for Cora.

In the 1930 Census the family is living in Anna, Union County, Illinois. Not much had changed. He was still worked as a farm laborer and she kept house.

Ward, Will, 44

           , Zora, 39

           , Doyle, 19

          , Edith, 17

          , Earl, 16

          , Paul, 15

          , Flora, 12

          , Lindle, 8

          , Dolly, 6

          , Lavern, 4

Note: Zora's name is transcribed as "Jora." Doyle's name is transcribed as "Dagh."

  

On August 18, 1955 he died in Cairo, Illinois. He and Zora were living in Olmstead, Illinois. According to his daughter, William was hit on the head by a Mr Harner ( a pastor) because they had a disagreement over a rose bush. There was also a disagreement among William's children about if there should be an investigation. According to several sources and family lore, Doyle's sibling decided that since he wasn't really his son that his vote did not count. In an interview with his granddaughter in 2002 she said she never knew who said this about Doyle and it was quietly hushed up. She believes all of the brothers/sisters looked up to Doyle, because he was the oldest. They all attended his funeral in 1972.  To my understanding there was not an investigation but I have not looked for any records.

William is buried in McGinnis Cemetery, Union County, Illinois. 

resources: census records, marriage records, gravestone, interview and email with daughter D. Mitchell  and granddaughters  L. Miller and D. Moreno

Zora Catherine Smith

Zora Catherine Smith was born on July 6, 1892 in Williamson County, Illinois*. Her parents were Susan A Treece and Thomas Wilford Smith.

In the 1900 Census records she is living in Grassy, Williamson County, with her family.

In the 1910 Census records she is living in Stokes, Union County, with her sister.

In 1910 she gave birth to a son, Doyle Lee. She was unmarried at the time and it appears kept to herself about the father. I have interviewed several of Zora's children and grandchildren, and it appears that she did not share this information with others. I did find out she had a special place in her heart for unwed mothers in the community. It is my personal opinion that William or some other "Ward" is Doyle's father.

On February 2, 1911, she married William Ward in Pleasant Grove, Illinois. Her son Doyle took the last name of Ward. I have not been able to find an official adoption record.

Zora and William added 6 more children to their family.

The Ward family followed the crops and were always on the move.

In the 1920 Cenus the family is in Perks, Pulaski County. In the 1930 Census they are living in Anna, Union County.

Zora died in March 6, 1978 in Olmstead, Pulaski County, Illinois. She is buried at McGinnis Cemetery, Union County, Illinois. 

Below is information gathered from several emails with Zora's granddaughter and son-in-law:

Zora Ward passed away in Olmstead. She was at her side when she died. Her husband wrote a poem and read it at the funeral.

Grandpa Ward ran an ice house that was in the back of the house in Olmstead, Ill. and Grandma Ward raised canaries in one room of their house. Grandpa had a strange habit of going thru the house hitting the top of his head with the palm of his hand and you could hear it all over the house, and no one seemed to know why. He was also very jealous of Grandma, when she would go to church he would follow her to make sure she didn't talk to any men on the way. He sometimes was not very nice to her. My dad whose name was (leaving blank) said that Grandpa wasn't a very good worker and that he quit school in the fifth grade to go to work to help feed the family. Grandma was a crafty lady, she crocheted a lot, and I think I inherited that gift from her. She also had a great sense of humor. Grandpa didn't show affection to his grandchildren especially the boys. I happen to be one he liked and I have better memories than some of the others do. We use to sit in the porch swing on the porch and Grandma would tell stories about her children. She would have loved to travel but never had the chance. I know that she was pregnant before she married and Grandpa always held that over her head. She always had a lot of compassion for girls that were in the family way as she put it. Life wasn't easy for her, she also took in ironing to help put food on the table.

I can remember spending the night with grandma Ward and hearing the mantle clock strike every hour on the hour. She always made homemade biscuits and gravy for breakfast. Grandma did tend to think her boys could do no wrong and was very protective of them if they were wrong. She used to work as a cook on the church campgrounds during campmeetings time, and would always make sure we got a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.

Grandma attended the little Pentecostal frame church on the hill in Olmstead, Ill for as long as I can remember, and it still stands there and they still have church there, but the campgrounds is no longer there.

(name) and I used to visit when our kids were small and we would always swing on the porch swing. She lived in several different houses in Olmstead after grandpa died but she always had a porch swing. She would always fry us a big skillet of cat fish from the river there.

She moved to Indiana a little after grandpa died, and lived with each of her children for awhile.

Zora's house ( she lived here with William):

in Olmstead, Illinois

directions: find RR tracks, there are 2 main streets, turn down the one with buildings, at the end of buildings there was 5 houses, 5th house

Zora's house in Olmstead, Illinois:

Go straight up the hill, church will be on the left, take a right, house on the river, Zora lived there from the time William died until death ( Zora attended the church)

{end of email with granddaughter}

Below is from an interview with Zora's daughter :

Zora canned meat, fruit and veggies. She was baptisted Baptist and belonged to the Mounds City Baptist Church. She attended the other church ( Pentacostal) because it was closer. She did not believe in dancing.

{end of interview}

Below is from an interview with Zora's daughter-in- law:

She believed his family was from Caterville, Illinois. She did know the story about him not being William Ward's child. She believed an Aunt of Zora's ( with the maiden name of Smith) knew about his father. She remembers a Hounds Creek.

A few years after she married she went with husband and mother in law to put flowers on some graves. Directions: Somewhere between Carbondale and Caterville. Around Devil's Kitchen, Wolf Creek and the lake. Back off the road. It was overgrown. She believes it was a family cemetery and not a public cemetery. She believe's it was Zora's family.

She remembered that the Wards had moved a lot. They were farm hands. They lived in houses provided by the farmers.

{end of interview}

note about interview: the Aunt of Zora's was actually a Sister of Zora's, refer to Smith family

* Her marriage records state Williamson County, Illinois. According to an interview with her granddaughter, she might have been born in Mt Pleasant.

Resources: marriage license, census records, social security death index, gravestone, interviews and emails with her daughter D.  Mitchell, granddaughter L. Miller, daughter - in-law M. Scivalley

Melissa Yates and John Goot marriage

 

Melissa and John's information can be found on the 7th and 8th rows. This paperwork can be found at the Pope County Courthouse in Golconda, Illinois.