Archive for June, 2021

Lavinia (Paul) Whales

Lavinia (Paul) Whales (ca. 1843-1925) was born enslaved around 1823 in West Virginia to Armstead and Lucy Ann Paul. Not much is known about her early life. According to the 1916 “Centennial Encyclopedia of the African Methodist Episcopal Church,” “Lavinia belonged to a family named Ruffners, the same people who held Booker T. Washington in slavery.” Washington was an educator who went on to be an adviser to several United States presidents. According to records, Washington arrived at the Ruffner’s home after emancipation to work during his teenage years. Lavinia and her family moved to Cincinnati, OH after their emancipation. On November 30, 1867, she married James Whales (ca. 1848-1906), son of John and Caroline Whales. James was a Civil War veteran (Commissary Sergeant, 119th US Colored Infantry, Company A).

By 1870, the Lavinia and James were living in Louisville. They first lived on Churchill Street between 11th and 12th Streets in the California Neighborhood. Churchill Street was later renamed St. Catherine Avenue. James worked as a carriage driver and expressman and Lavinia worked as a laundress out of their home. By 1888, the couple owned their own house at 1211 Oldham Street in the California Neighborhood. On February 18, 1906, James died at the approximate age of 58 from pneumonia. He was buried in Cave Hill National Cemetery. Lavinia continued to live in their home and work as a laundress until her death. On December 27, 1925, she died at the approximate age of 82. She was buried in Section B, Range 11, Lot 49 of Eastern Cemetery. Her grave appears to be unmarked. She was a member of the Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The photo of Lavinia is from “Centennial Encyclopedia of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.”

Virginia Ruth Schaffer

Virginia Ruth Schaffer (1881-1960) was born in Kentucky on October 4, 1881 to Jacob F. and Emma (Rehm) Schaffer. Jacob and Emma were both children of German immigrants. Jacob worked as a hotel clerk and Emma kept house. Virginia was the eldest of the three children. The family lived on S. Floyd Street in the Phoenix Hill Neighborhood. In 1901, Virginia graduated from the Louisville Female High School. She then attended the Louisville Normal School where she received education courses. She also took courses at Nazareth College and the University of Kentucky. Virginia began her teaching career at George W. Morris School (302 E. Chestnut Street), but she was only there for one year. Virginia was a teacher at the Kentucky Street School in Louisville, which became the Victor H. Engelhard School in 1919 (111 E. Kentucky Street). She taught third and fourth grade classes at the school for 48 years before her retirement in 1953. In total, she taught for 49 years.

After her father’s death in 1922, Virginia, her mother Emma, and her niece Virginia moved to 1332 Christy Avenue in the Highlands Neighborhoods. Emma (Rehm) Schaeffer died on January 31, 1952 and was buried next to her husband in Section A, Range 7, Lot 10. Virginia remained in the house on Christy until her death on October 4, 1960 at the age of 79. She was buried next to her parents. It appears that her grave is unmarked. Her obituary credits her with “rearing” her niece Virginia (Schaeffer) Stevens. The photo of Virginia is from her “Courier-Journal” obituary from October 5, 1960.

Martha (Pennington) Robertson

Martha (Pennington) Robertson (1864-1937) was born in Meade County, KY on December 4, 1864 to George and Angeline “Carrie” (Brown) Pennington. She was one of five children. Her father was a farmer and her mother took care of the home. On October 5, 1882, Martha married Joseph Robertson also from Kentucky. In 1900, the couple was living on a farm at Walnut Bottom, Henderson County, KY. Joseph took care of the farm along with his helper, George Norman, while Martha took care of the house and their eight children: Benjamin, Mamie, Mary, Darla, Lizzie, Joseph, Carrie and Dollie. By the time of the 1910 Census, the couple was still living in Henderson County and had added two more children to their family, Pearl and John.

The 1920 Census is the first trace of the Robertson family in Louisville. Coincidentally, they were living at 1920 S. Campbell Street in 1920 in the Phoenix Hill Neighborhood. Joseph was working as a truck man for the railroad. Grover and Pearl were still at home. By 1929, the family was living at 913 E. Walnut Street still in the Phoenix Hill Neighborhood. On March 8, 1929, Joseph died from bronchitis at the age of 73. He was buried in Section B, Range 7, Lot 15 of Eastern Cemetery. Martha lived another 8 years. On June 20, 1937, she died of kidney disease at the age of 72. She was buried next to her husband in Eastern Cemetery. She was still living at the house on E. Walnut Street at the time of her death. According to her obituary, she was survived by three sons, six daughters, 21 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. The photo of Martha is from Find a Grave user Cadmus.

Georgia A. (Lattimore) Lewis

Georgia A. (Lattimore) Lewis (ca. 1800-1961) was born in North Carolina around 1880 to John and Marcella (Hambrick) Lattimore. She was the one of nine children. John was a farmer and Marcella kept house. In 1888, Marcella married David Thompson, and she and her daughters were living with him in the 1900 census. By 1907, Georgia was living with her brother Dr. John A.C. Lattimore in the Russell Neighborhood in Louisville. She was working as a teacher at Central Colored High School, which is now Louisville Central High School. Georgia taught home economics at the school until 1925. During this time, she continued living with her brother at 1502 W. Walnut Street. She was also involved civically with the Forum and the Red Cross.

While we could not find the exact date, sometime around or after 1925, Georgia married Cary Blackburn Lewis, Sr. (1888-1946), originally from Louisville and son of Plummer Lewis. Georgia moved to Chicago to live with Cary who was a newspaper journalist and editor as well as at one time publicity director for Booker T. Washington. The couple were frequently featured in the “Pittsburgh Courier” society pages and lived at 4510 Vincennes Avenue. On December 8, 1946, Cary died at the age of 58. He was buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Chicago. Georgia remained in Chicago after his death and was still active. On April 30, 1949, the “Pittsburgh Courier” stated, “the exquisitely appointed Chicago home of Mrs. Cary B. Lewis Sr. was the scene of an Eastern supper party of such magnificence as has not been seen since before the war. Amid the priceless collection of art pieces, interspersed with colorful blossoms, homage was paid to the hostess’s brother and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. J.A.C. Lattimore of Louisville and Mrs. Neil Hunter of Durham.”

Not many records could be found on Georgia’s later years. On March 3, 1961, Georgia died at the Red Cross Hospital in Louisville at the approximate age of 81. She was buried in Section A, Range 26, Lot 39 of Eastern Cemetery. The grainy photo of the Easter supper is from the “Pittsburgh Courier” April 30, 1949.

Theresia (Sommers) Krug

Theresia (Sommers) Krug (1883-1962) was born on November 18, 1883 to Philip and Mary (Dietrich) Sommers in Louisville. She was the second of four children. The family made their home at 827 East Main Street in the Butchertown Neighborhood. Frank was a teamster, and Mary took care of the home and the family. They were first generation German Americans. At the age of 17, Theresia was working as a seamstress while living with her parents. On June 24, 1908, she married George Krug, son of Christopher and Katherine (Sorger) Krug, in Louisville. The couple made their home at 918 Washington Street in the Butchertown Neighborhood. George was a candy maker for the Frank A. Menne Company.

 

On December 26, 1911, Theresia gave birth to the couple’s only child, a daughter they named Thelma. The family eventually made their home at 255 Haldeman Avenue in the Clifton Neighborhood. By the time of the 1940 Census, the family was operating their own candy business with George, Theresia, and Thelma all working together. On August 21, 1962, Theresia died at the age of 78. She was buried in Section 9, Row 1, Grave 15 of Eastern Cemetery. On May 26, 1964, George died at the age of 78. He was buried next to his wife. They share a headstone. Thelma’s name and date of birth are included on the headstone; however, she died in 1995 and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery. The photos of Theresia and George are from Find a Grave user Todd Mattingly. We also included a photo of Thelma standing in front of the family home on Haldeman Avenue. That photo is also from Find a Grave user Todd Mattingly.

Georgia (Mullen) Roland

Georgia (Mullen) Roland (1871-1907) was born in Kentucky in 1871 to John T. and Sue E. (Reed) Mullen. John passed away sometime before the 1880 census, which shows Georgia living with her mother Sue next door to her aunt Gussie and grandmother George Ann (McBrayer) Reed. By 1893, Georgia was working as a wrapper for F.A. Menne & Co., a tobacco company, and boarding on 15th Street with her mother. By 1900, she was married to a man with the last name of Hurst. No marriage records could be found nor any information on Mr. Hurst. However, she was able to marry again on May 24, 1907 when she married Glenn P.H. Roland in Louisville. The couple resided at 936 E. Marshall Street in the Phoenix Hill Neighborhood. Unfortunately, Georgia contracted tuberculosis and died at the age of 35 on August 16, 1907. Her obituary mentions that she had only been married four months and was survived by her husband, mother, and aunt. She was buried in Section A, Range 18, Lot 51 of Eastern Cemetery. Her headstone calls her “Our Darling” and features a rose. Her mother, grandmother, and aunt are also buried in the plot.

 

Georgia is a prime example of how hard it can be to research women in history. Her headstone calls her Mrs. Georgia Roland, so you know that she was married. We found her death record, but it did not list her maiden name, spouse’s name, or parents’ names. We were lucky to find her obituary, which did list her spouse and mother’s names. Her obituary also mentioned that Georgia’s last name was Hurst at the time of her marriage. That told us that she was married previously. We then had to research her mother to see if Mullen was Georgia’s father’s surname or if it was a later husband’s. We eventually discovered that Mullen was Georgia’s maiden name, which helped us find more information on her life. Because of name changes and how record keeping has changed over time, so many women can be lost. That’s why you see us include maiden names whenever possible.

Minnis Family

Madison Beaumont Minnis (ca. 1833-1884) and Elizabeth Turner (1849-1939) were married before 1869. They had nine children: 3 boys (Albert Meade, Madison Jr., and Charles Donald) and 6 girls (Jane Rebecca, Cornelia, Ella Thomas, Lucy, Elizabeth Mason, and Emma Lewis). The couple raised their children to appreciate music. Madison was Choir Director at Fifth Street Baptist Church, and Elizabeth played piano. Madison who worked as a janitor died in 1884. Elizabeth lived with her children until her death in 1939. The family owned their home at 1208 Magazine St. in Russell Neighborhood until circa 1913 when they built a new home at 3112 Grand Ave. in Parkland Neighborhood. Charles built the home.

 

Jane Rebecca (1869-1953) remained in the Minnis home her entire life. She may have been a teacher. Daughters Lucy and Cornelia died young. Ella Thomas (1874-1963) was a teacher and retired in 1952 from Booker T. Washington School after 40 years. Ella gave piano lessons. Elizabeth Mason (1879-1963) taught music at Kentucky School for the Blind for over 35 years and retired in 1946. She gave piano lessons and was organist for Magazine St. Seventh Day Adventist Church. Emma Lewis (1880-1972) was principal of Benjamin Banneker School for 13 years and taught music at Magazine St. Seventh Day Adventist Church and its school. The school was established in 1915, but in 1970, it was renamed Emma L. Minnis Junior Academy.

 

In 1956, Elizabeth, Ella, and Emma were living in the house on Grand. Emma and Elizabeth were being honored for their service to the community and were interviewed by the “Courier-Journal.” Emma invited the reporter to the backyard, “we call it our farm and each of us takes care of 1/3 of it.” The farm consisted of roses, peonies, peach trees, and vegetables. The sisters said they had no intention of slowing down as music was their life. Emma said, “We owe everything to our mother. She was a wonderful woman.” The Minnis family is buried in Section B, Range 9, Lot 42 of Eastern Cemetery. Their graves are unmarked. Photo of Emma and Elizabeth from May 15, 1956 interview.

Charlotte (Jones) Seymour Baker

Charlotte (Jones) Seymour Baker (1814-1888) was born to Jacob and Hannah (Caws) Jones on February 17, 1814 in Hampshire, England. She was one of approx. 12 children. In 1820, the family immigrated to the US aboard the “Henry Clay.” On October 29, 1829, Charlotte married George Seymour, an English immigrant, in Louisville. Together the couple had eight children: twins Hannah and Elizabeth, Jeanette, George Washington, Samuel, Francis Asbury, Charles Bond, and Mary Elizabeth. According to the 1850 census, George was a pilot, which was a boat captain. His real estate was listed at $10,000, approx. $337,000 today. In 1851, George died and was buried in Section A, Row 7, Lot 17 of Eastern Cemetery.

On August 31, 1857 Charlotte married Carroll Baker, a brick layer. Carroll was a widower with three children: John, Mary Louise, and James. The 1860 census shows the blended family with Carroll’s children Mary Louise and James along with Charlotte’s children Elizabeth, Charles, Mary Elizabeth, and Francis. The household also had domestic servant Margret Lighton, 22 years old. The family was living on W. Green Street between 7th and 10th Streets. By 1870, Mary Louise and James were still living with the couple as was Charlotte’s widowed daughter Hannah. The household also had domestic servant Alice Kelley, a 32-year-old Irish immigrant. According to the 1880 census, Mary Louise was living with the couple as was James, a Justice of the Peace, and Hannah, a school teacher.

On June 19, 1882, Carroll died at the age of 72. He was buried in Section A, Row 7, Lot 17 of Eastern Cemetery. His will left property to his son James and heirs of his deceased son John. He also set aside funds to “keep Mary comfortable” for the remainder of her life. She continued living with Charlotte to whom he left the family home. On August 7, 1888, Charlotte died at the age of 74. She was buried with her husbands. Also in the plot are George Washington Seymour, Hannah Seymour, her husband George Riley, Jeanette Seymour, her husband Dr. Joseph Maxwell, and their daughter Harriett. Photo of Charlotte from Find a Grave user L Seymour.

Adeline S. (Bird) Lanham Desurne

Adeline S. (Bird) Lanham Desurne (1897-1982) was born to Samuel and Elizabeth (Newlin) Bird on June 10, 1897 in Orange County, IN. She was one of 8 children. In 1900, the family was living in Washington County, IN where Samuel was working as a teamster and Elizabeth was keeping house. By 1910, they had moved to French Lick, IN. Samuel was a delivery wagon driver and his sons were working as farm laborers. Nora had married John Moore, a wood cutter, and the couple was living with the Bird family with their three-year-old son Alfred. On March 14, 1915, Adeline married Roscoe M. Lanham, son of Richard and Mary (Stroud) Lanham, in Orange County, IN. Together the couple had five children: Lizzie Belle, Samuel, Mary, Lillian, and James.

By 1930, the family had moved to Louisville and were living at 708 E. Washington Street in the Butchertown Neighborhood. Roscoe was working as a retail drug salesman. In 1933, the city directory notes Roscoe and Adeline living at 840 Fehr Avenue in the Phoenix Hill Neighborhood, and Roscoe working as an elevator operator at the Watterson Hotel. Around that time, Adeline and Roscoe divorced. By 1937, Adeline had married John Desurne, a widower with two children: Mattie and George. According to the 1940 Census, John, Adeline, and her children Samuel, Mary, Lillian, and James were living on Water Street in the Butchertown Neighborhood. John was an engineer for O.H. Forcht Ice Co. Adeline was a seamstress in her adult life. On January 30, 1966, John died at the age of 84 and was buried in Lebanon Junction, KY. Toward the end of her life, Adeline was living in Hodgenville, KY with her daughter Mary. On December 20, 1982, Adeline died at the age of 85. She was buried in Section 3, Range 1, Grave 6 of Eastern Cemetery. Her grave is unmarked.

The first photo of the family includes (l to r) Lizzie, Adeline, baby Lillian, Mary, Roscoe, and Samuel. The second photo of the family includes (l to r) Lillian, Lizzie, James, Samuel, and Mary. The last photo includes John and Adeline Desurne. All photos are from Ancestry users Victoria Brown and Kristy Yates.

Anna Katharina “Kate” (Dreydoppel) Steinauer

Anna Katharina “Kate” (Dreydoppel) Steinauer (1855-1892) was born to David Jacob and Sophia (Neitzert) Dreydoppel on March 2, 1855 in Louisville. Her parents immigrated to the US from Oberhonnefeld, Germany in the 1851. Between 1820 and 1870, over seven and a half million Germans immigrated to America in order to escape economic poverty and political unrest. By 1850, German immigrants embodied nearly 20% of Louisville’s population, and they shaped every facet of daily life, from politics to fine art. Their last name was frequently anglicized to Threedouble. Kate was one of approximately 5 children. On September 21, 1875, she married Peter Steinauer, a Swiss immigrant, in Louisville. Peter was the son of Josef Leonz and Maria Elizabetha (Fuchs) Steinauer and he worked as a dairyman. Together the couple had eight children: Peter David, Joseph, Michael John, Emma Margaret, William Joseph, Andrew, Sophia, and John Frederick.

On November 17, 1892, Kate died from tuberculosis at the age of 37. She was buried in Section 4, Row 44, Lot 36 of Eastern Cemetery. Her grave appears to be unmarked. It is interesting that Kate was buried in Eastern Cemetery as she was the only member of her family buried there. Her infant son John Frederick died in 1890; her infant son Andrew died in 1893; her husband Peter died in 1902; her daughter Emma died in 1904; and her daughter Sophia died in 1908. All were buried in St. Michael Cemetery. Her remaining adult sons were buried elsewhere in Louisville. Photo of Kate is from Ancestry user Deborah Jackson.

Lucie N. DuValle

Lucie N. DuValle (1868-1928) was born in Louisville on August 16, 1868, to Peter and Irene (Watkins) DuValle. No information could be found on Peter. Irene was a single mother of five daughters: Alice Edwards, Lucie DuValle, Eva DuValle, Helen DuValle, and Mamie DuValle. By 1898, the family lived in their own home at 1923 W. Chestnut Street in the Russell Neighborhood. Lucie and her sisters were graduates of Louisville Central High School. They all had careers to support the family. Lucie was a teacher and the first female principal in Louisville for California Colored School, which became Phyllis Wheatley School. Alice worked as a domestic servant and Mamie as a milliner. Helen was a teacher at Western Colored School and Central Negro Night School. Eva was a dressmaker and during World War I became director of girl’s work for the War Camp Community Service.

On July 28, 1919, Alice died at the age of 54 from an abdominal tumor. She was buried in Cave Hill Corner of Eastern Cemetery. On December 1, 1928, Lucie died from a heart attack at the age of 60. She was buried next to her sister. On January 4, 1929, Irene died at the age of 83 from a heart attack. She was buried with her daughters. On November 7, 1929, Eva died at the age of 55. She was buried with her mother and sisters. Around this time, Helen married Walter L. Rogers and lived to the age of 64 in the family home. When she died on June 21, 1942, she was buried with her mother and sisters. They all share a headstone.

After her death, Lucie was celebrated for her contributions to education. She is credited with starting the precursors to the PTA as well as educational programs like health and vocational training. In 1952, Lucie N. DuValle Junior High School opened at 9th and Chestnut Streets in the old Central High School. In 1956, it moved to 3500 Bohne Avenue as a combined facility with Joseph S. Cotter Elementary School. Thirty years later, it was renamed the DuValle Education Center, which offered GED courses, vocational training, and Head Start. Photo of Lucie is from “Courier-Journal” February 20, 1991.

Sarah Anne (Owen) Rousseau

Sarah Anne (Owen) Rousseau (1826-1874) was born in Louisville in 1826 to Nelson Reed and Nancy (Baber) Owen. Not much is known about Sarah’s early life. Her father died when she was 12 years old. On November 7, 1844, she married Edmond Pendleton Rousseau, son of David Quincy and Catherine (Gaines) Rousseau. Edmond was the brother of General Lovell H. Rosseau, a general in the Union Army, prominent politician, and attorney. Edmond was a bricklayer with contracts with the City to build cisterns and wells. In 1845, Sarah gave birth to the couple’s first child, a son they named Pendleton Reed, but he died in infancy. Two years later, at the age of 21, Sarah gave birth to a daughter the couple named Georgiana. In 1849, Sarah gave birth to daughter, Ida, who died in infancy.

 

According to the 1850 census, Edmond, Sarah, and Georgiana were living in Louisville with six boarders: Noel Kennedy (25 years), a bricklayer; Elizbeth Kennedy (25 years); Kate Mahan (12 years); Robert Wakefield (21 years), a bricklayer; John Bullock (16 years), a bricklayer; and Edward Blanks (21 years), a bricklayer. In 1852, Sarah gave birth to Nannie Elizabeth and Lovell Quincy in 1857. By 1860, the family had moved to 1819 W. Walnut Street and Edmond was working under the title of Master Brick Mason. On February 13, 1867, while Sarah was visiting a friend in Memphis, Edmond took his own life in their home. He was buried in Section A, Range 6, Lot 38 of Eastern Cemetery. His two infant children are buried there as well. On December 2, 1874, Sarah died at the age of 48 from cancer. She was buried with her husband and two children.

 

Georgiana was a teacher for 20 years at the Madison Street School in Louisville. She remained in the family home on Walnut Street. Her sister Nannie worked as purchasing agent and split time between Louisville and Washington, DC. Lovell had married Kate Florence Staiar and soon moved to DC to work as a stock broker. By 1910, all three of the Rousseau siblings were living in DC. While the family marker also notes the names of Georgiana, Nannie, and Lovell, they are interred at Rock Creek Cemetery in DC.

Mattie Mathilda (Sills) Merrifield

Mattie Mathilda (Sills) Merrifield (circa 1866-1903) was born circa 1866 in Lyon County, KY to Lemuel and Elizabeth (Wallace) Sills. Lemuel was a farmer and Elizabeth kept house. The couple had nine children, and Mattie was the youngest. On September 15, 1882, Mattie married Simon Peter Merrifield, son of Warren and Susan Merrifield, in Lyon County. Prior to their marriage, Simon had been living in Louisville working in a rolling mill. By 1888, the couple was living on Campbell Street in Louisville’s Phoenix Hill Neighborhood. Together they had five children: Louis, Robert Warren, Eva Elizabeth, Earl, and Reba Susan. According to the 1900 census, Simon was working in a rolling mill and Mattie kept house. Their eldest son Louis (16 years) was working as a day laborer; Robert (14 years) and Eva (11 years) were in school; and their two youngest children were at home—Earl (6 years) and Reba (9 months). Simon’s sister Ellen V. Merrifield was also living in the home. On January 8, 1903 Mattie died from tuberculosis at the approximate age of 37. She was buried in Eastern Cemetery, but her exact burial location is not currently known. On March 7, 1909, Simon was found dead in a room at the Yenner Brothers Saloon on Fulton Street by Albert Tompkins who was opening the saloon that morning. According to the “Courier-Journal” article, his cause of death was heart disease, but the death records note cirrhosis of the liver. Simon was approximately 53 years old. He was buried in Section 4, Range 41, Grave 75 of Eastern Cemetery. The photo of Mattie and Simon is from Find A Grave user Barbara Ward.

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