The State Historical Society of Missouri...Part 3

OK...now SHSM is getting positively speedy. I sent for Jesse Lemuel McKee's obituary about 48 hours ago and here it is.

Piedmont Wayne County Journal-Banner. 11 Feb 1971, Page 2 Columns 4 and 5

J. L. McKee Rites Held in Williamsville

Jesse Lemuel McKee, the son of Jesse and Rosa Noble McKee, was born in Wayne County, Missouri, on January 6, 1890.

Mr. McKee was converted early in life and attended the Assembly of God Church for many years.

On November 1, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Grable. Mr. and Mrs. McKee made their home in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as a tool and die maker for General Motors Corporation until his retirement. Mrs. McKee passed away on May 29, 1959. On December 21, 1960, he was married to Mrs. Nellie Mae Frazier who survives.

Other survivors include a step-daughter, Mrs. Gloria Salamore of Harvey, Illinois; two sisters; Mrs. Julia Hillis of Dexter, Missouri and Mrs. Alice Howard of Jackson, Missouri; three-step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Mr. McKee passed away at the Doctors Hospital, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on February 4, 1971 at the age of 81 years and 21 days.

Funeral services for Mr. McKee were held in the Assembly of God Church, Williamsville, Missouri on February 7, 1971 with Rev. Lester Freeman officiating. Music was furnished by the church choir, with Mrs. Floyd Gurley at the piano. Serving as casketbearers were O. L. Holmes, William Cradic, Charles Tinker, Sam Willard, Gene Manns, and Donald Murray.

Interment was made in the Holladay Cemetery at Williamsville. Coder Funeral Home of Williamsville, in charge of arrangements.

As you can see from the obit, I now know his mother's name, including her maiden name. So I should be able to click right along finding information for her. We'll see.

I'm getting to be positively enthusiastic about The State Historical Society of Missouri. So much so, I'm going to have to revisit their website to order my next obit and see what other info they might be able to provide me with. If I unearth anything of interest, I'll be sure to post it. But for now, I'm off in pursuit of all things Rosa Noble.

The State Historical Society of Missouri...Part 2

I've persevered with sending obituary requests to The State Historical Society of Missouri. The most recently received obituary has turned out to be a blockbuster...for a brick wall I didn't know I had! Here's the layout of the family unit that I had before I had the obituary.

Jesse Alexander McKee
b. 25 Jul 1956 Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
d. 1 Sep 1911 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri
m. 4 Dec 1890 Butler County, Missouri
Celia Adeline Skief
b. 13 Dec 1872 Clay County, Arkansas
d. 4 Feb 1954 Dexter, Scott County, Missouri

Child 1: Mary J. McKee
b. Aug 1888 Missouri

Child 2: Jesse Lemuel McKee
b. 6 Jan 1890 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri
d. 4 Feb 1971 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri

Child 3: John Alexander McKee
b. 26 Nov 1891 Moark, Clay County, Arkansas
d. 28 Aug 1914 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri

Child 4: Jesse Franklin McKee
b. 19 Feb 1894 Moark, Clay County, Missouri
d. 30 May 1956 Saint Louis, Saint Louis City, Missouri

Child 5: Julia Ann McKee
b. Jan 1895 Missouri
d. 1972

Child 6: Alice Mae McKee
b. 11 Oct 1896 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri
d. 16 Feb 1976 Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

Since Child 1 and Child 2 were born before the McKee/Skief marriage, I knew I was missing info...or an interesting story. The obituary I received cleared up the status of Child 1 and Child 2; however, it also introduced another wife for Jesse. Here's the obituary.

Dexter Messenger, 11 Feb 1954, Page 5, Column 4

CELIA ADELINE HILLIS BURIED SUNDAY

Celia Adeline Hillis, daughter of John and Winnie Edwards Skief was born on December 13, 1872 and departed this life on February 4, 1954, at the age of 81 years, 1 month and 22 days.

In 1886 she was married to John Stuart, who preceded her in death. To this union a daughter was born, who also preceded Mrs. Hillis in death. On December 4, 1890 she was united in marriage to Jesse A. McKee, and to this union five children were born. Mr. McKee and two children preceded her in death. Surviving this marriage are Mrs. Julia Hillis of Dexter, Jesse F. McKee of St. Louis, and Mrs. Alice Howard of Neeley's Landing, Mo.

On May 18, 1913, she was married to Samuel Hillis, who preceded her in death. Surviving are one step-daughter, Pearl Skief, Kennett, and one step-son, Jesse L. McKee, Pontiac, Mich. Also surviving are 25 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren, a number of nephews and nieces, and many other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Hillis was born in Ill., and later moved to Williamsville, where she spent the greater portion of her life. She lived her last nine years in Dexter.

She was converted in the General Baptist church at an early age, then affiliated with the Assembly of God church in 1925 and lived a consistent Christian life, having won the respect of all who knew her.

Funeral services were conducted at the Assembly of God church, Dexter, Sunday afternoon, February 7, Rev. W. P. Campbell officiating. The remains were then taken to Williamsville where short graveside services were conducted by Rev. Morgan. Interment in Williamsville cemetery.

Stricland-Rainey service.

As you can see from the obituary, Celia also had a previous marriage (John Stuart) and a daughter (Child 1 Mary J. Stuart...shown as McKee on census records...thus the confusion).

In addition, the obituary lists Child 2 Jesse Lemuel McKee as a step-son. This fact introduces a new (unknown) first wife for Jesse Alexander McKee.

When the McKee/Skief marriage occurs, they are a blended family. The remainder of the children shown for Jesse and Celia are correct. The obituary also notes one missing child who preceded Celia in death...more details to chase down.

Going forward, I've sent for Jesse Lemuel McKee's obituary to see if it by chance lists his mother's name. Finding it in an obituary could short cut a long expensive search to breakdown this brick wall. If the obituary provides enlightening details, I'll be sure to post it.

So all in all, I'm glad I didn't give up on The State Historical Society of Missouri. The society's services have turned out to be faster and better than my first brush with them. So first impressions aren't always right...sometimes it's worth just going with the flow to see what happens.

Ruby Thea (White) Bogue

My run of luck in locating death info on women continues. This time it's Ruby. You can find her details in the Find A Grave memorial 66740589. Here's Ruby's line going back.

Ruby Thea (White) Bogue-->Virgil Lee White-->Alice Mae (McKee) White Howard-->Jesse Alexander McKee-->Alexander McKee (Jr.)-->Alexander McKee (Sr.)

You can find brief bios for both Alexander (Jr.) and (Sr.) on this blog.

In the late 1800's Jesse Alexander McKee moved from Randolph County, Illinois to Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri where he bought land and made a living as a farmer. On 4 Dec 1890 Alexander married Ceclia Adeline Skief in Butler County, Missouri. Jesse and Ceclia had six children. Alice May McKee was their youngest child.

Alice Mae McKee grew up in Williamsville, and on 31 Aug 1914, she married Grant Washington White. Alice and Grant had nine children. Virgil Lee White was child number three.

Virgil Lee White grew up in Southern Missouri--mostly in New Madrid County. On 18 Apr 1942, he married Mary Josephine Hayes. Virgil and Mary had five children. Ruby was their oldest child.

On Find A Grave, you can track back through a few people. The details of their lives are included in bios.