This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Yarbrough, Gibson, Legg, Deason Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/WEB.2ACI/441.1 Message Board Post: Karen, Did you get a lookup? If not, I would suggest you write to the reference librarian at the Rapides Public Library in Alexandria. They keep an obit index by year. When I write to them, I send a couple of dollars to cover the cost of the copies and also a self addressed stamped envelope. They've helped me out many times. Good luck Dianne

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: WILLIS, GRAHAM, HANKS, STAGG, STARK, LAWSON, STROTHER, Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/WEB.2ACI/457 Message Board Post: Robert "Bobby" Kenneth Willis, Jr. Service #274- 48 64 by Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randywillis@ev1.net Robert "Bobby" Kenneth Willis, Jr. was born February 2, 1923. He was graduated, in 1939, from Natchitoches High School in Louisiana. His half-sister (Ilie Jewel Willis Close) told me that their father encouraged Bobby to join the military and "make something of himself." Bobby's mother had died when he was barely 11-years-old. His family's patriotic background was too influence him, also. Bobby's ancestors had fought in most of the major wars in America and served their country well. His father's brother and Bobby's uncle, Daniel Oscar Willis, M.D., served in United States Army Medical Corps in World War I and was commissioned as a Captain on August, 1917. He began his medical practice in 1904 and was the first medical doctor in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. His commanding general, Brigadier General Charlie B. Lindsey, wrote to General John. J. Pershing of him with these words: "He has been one of the most efficient medical officers I have ever served with during my many years of service in the army." Bobby's cousin, Dr. Greene Strother, captured more Germans in World War I than any other soldier, besides the famed Sgt. York. Greene Strother was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. He also served as chaplain to General Claire Chennault’s "Flying Tigers," while in China as a missionary. Bobby's grandfather, Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr., enlisted, September 29, 1861, at Camp Moore, Louisiana, in the Confederate Army as a Pvt. 5th and served in the famed Washington Artillery of Louisiana. Daniel H. Willis, Jr.'s obituary, in the Alexandria Town Talk, dated June 23, 1900, stated: "He participated in all the hard battles of that army and for bravery, soldierly bearing, discipline and devotion to duty, he was unexcelled in his entire Brigade." Bobby's great-great-great grandfather, the Rev. Joseph Willis, was a Patriot during the Revolutionary War. Joseph joined the legendary General Francis (the "Swamp Fox") Marion's small army. Marion's men operated out of the swampy forest of the Pedee region in the lower part of South Carolina. Their strategy was to surprise the enemy, cut their supply lines, kill their men and release any American prisoners they might have. He and his men then retreated swiftly back again to the thick recesses of the deep swamps. They were feared, very effective and their fame was widespread. Rev. Joseph Willis’ tombstone reads: "First Baptist Preacher of the Word West of the Mississippi River." With this heritage, and only 17-years-old, Bobby enlisted in the Navy (as Seaman First Class (S1/C), on July 31, 1940 at New Orleans. He reported aboard the USS Arizona, October 8, 1940, from NTS San Diego as Apprentice Seaman (AS). On November 30, 1940, he was promoted to S2/C and on May 1, 1941, he was promoted to S1/C. Between November 22-28, 1940, he was at the US Naval Hospital, Bremerton, WA. He served for 14-months on the USS Arizona before it was destroyed by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. He was the first casualty from Rapides Parish, Louisiana in World War II. The American Legion Post in Pineville, Louisiana (his last hometown) was named the Robert K. Willis Jr. Post in honor of his service and duty to his country. (This American Legion Post no longer exists) He is entombed in the USS Arizona at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. Two weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Bobby's father (Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr.) received a message from the Rapides Parish Sheriff that he was trying too reach him. He rushed to the Sheriff's Department. Bobby's half-sister (Ilie Jewel Willis Close) told me that when their father returned, she knew the moment he walked in the front door that it had been confirmed that Bobby had been killed from the expression on their father's face. My father was Bobby's first cousin. He and many other of Bobby's cousins rushed too enlist and one of America's finest hours began. Bobby's father, Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr., first married Eula Rosalie Hilburn in 1903, and had the following children: Flossie Litton Willis (b. August 5, 1905; d. September, 1985) and Ilie Jewel Willis (b. March 8, 1907; d. May, 1995). Eula was born March 10, 1884 and died February 6, 1919, at only age 34, of the flu. Bobby's father then married his mother, Julia Mae Johnson on June 13, 1922. Bobby's mother was born September 4, 1899 and died February 17, 1934, at age 34. As mentioned before, Bobby was barely 11-years-old at time of his mother's death. Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr. and Julia Mae Johnson Willis had the following children: Robert "Bobby" Kenneth Willis Jr. (b. February 2, 1923; d. December 7, 1941), Glenn Dewey Willis (b. May 8, 1924), and Billy Edward Willis (b. June 2, 1925; d. August 6, 1991). The doctors said Bobby's father died of a heart attack in 1951; the family said it was of a broken heart. Ilie Jewel Willis Close wrote to me about Bobby and her childhood. Much of their youth was spent at their grandmother's home, The Old Willis Place: "The home was a gathering place for all the family. There was always food cooked for family and friends. There was lots of blackberries, huckleberries and fruit of all kinds for good pies. The home was about a quarter of a mile from Barber's Creek, [Babb's Bridge, Louisiana, near present-day Long Leaf] known to be one of the coldest and clearest waters in the area. Grandma [Julia Ann Graham Willis] would walk down and swim sometimes twice a day. She said that was what had prolonged her life. All of the children and grandchildren loved to go swimming with her. She was reared a Methodist but later joined the Baptist Church and was a devoted Christian. She read the Bible daily. We use to joke and say 'she didn't think there would be anyone but Baptist in Heaven.' Her hobby was making quilts and she kept the family supplied with her hand work. She was bitten by a ground rattler at the age of 75 and survived with home remedies. Her son, Dr. Daniel Oscar Willis, said at the time she would live to 90 and she lived to be 92. She was a very wonderful and a remarkable woman, a real pioneer." Another grandchild of Julia Ann Willis and first cousin to Bobby was my uncle Howard Willis; he told me she would sit on the front porch of The Old Willis Place and eat an orange and latter eat the orange peal. He ask her why she ate the peal and she said "I don't know, I think it's good for you." He said "she would read her red-lettered Bible on the front porch and then sometimes pull out her late husband Daniel Willis' Civil War picture and get a tear in her eye.' He died 36 years before her, she never remarried. My father and Bobby's first cousin, Julian Willis, said Bobby was the nicest person he ever knew. When news came of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and then the confirmation of Bobby's death, my father said that he and other family members were deeply grieved but all had a resolve that Bobby's death would not be in vain. Our families motto, as corny as it may seem, was "God, country and family." Bobby had descending from a long list of ministers. The account above testifies to his and his families patriotism. Family and God were at the center of every activity. My uncle once told me that they grew up much like the Walton's on TV. I pray we never forget the cost of our precious freedom. Randy Willis

Floreda Here is the link to the online 1880 Census, might give it a try and see where she is listed : http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp Al ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tallygators" <tallygators@earthlink.net> To: <LARAPIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, December 25, 2003 8:24 AM Subject: [LARAPIDE] Help with 1880 census Rapides > I subscribe to Ancestry.com census on line. Years ago ( in the 1970s)I > copied (from microfilm) the census that had Anna WALKER and her > family. > > She was on page 14, SD 2, ED 37 - living on 4th street in Alexandria. > This page of the census was taken June 3, 1880 by W.W. Whittington. At > that time I did not record the printed number on the page. > > I also have the 1880 census CDRom as compiled by the LDS Church. It > says this family is page 484B. I cannot find 484B. > > Have any of you had problems with this particular census? It appears to > me several pages at the beginning of the census are missing from > Ancestry.com. > > I would appreciate any suggestions anyone may have. > > >

I subscribe to Ancestry.com census on line. Years ago ( in the 1970s)I copied (from microfilm) the census that had Anna WALKER and her family. She was on page 14, SD 2, ED 37 - living on 4th street in Alexandria. This page of the census was taken June 3, 1880 by W.W. Whittington. At that time I did not record the printed number on the page. I also have the 1880 census CDRom as compiled by the LDS Church. It says this family is page 484B. I cannot find 484B. Have any of you had problems with this particular census? It appears to me several pages at the beginning of the census are missing from Ancestry.com. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone may have. Floreda

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: hayes, hays Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/WEB.2ACI/456 Message Board Post: Looking for information on Joe Hayes, originally from pineville I believe....born sometime around 1938, served in the Navy late 50's and in the US Army mid 60's in Alexandria VA and Fort Meyers. Was in Germany during Vietnam and returned in early 70's. He served under General Goodpaster in 1966. He is my birth father and I wasnt aware of this until my 25th birthday and have been attempting to locate him or his relatives ever since... I only have a few photographs and very sketchy details... any info is welcomed... I was born Erik Thomas on July, 4th 1967 in Washington D.C. and I have pictures of him with me so I assume he is aware of my existence.

Would the list administrator please contact me? thank you, Stacy McSwain

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: ROBERT, ROBERTS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/WEB.2ACI/455 Message Board Post: please join! go here: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/surname/r/robert.html then at ROBERT-REV-PIERRE-L follow instructions to subscribe... thanks!!

Good Morning List and all who responded to my query' Many thanks for the responses. Where to start,? I am not related to the Kelso's but have been in contact with a researcher who is providing me with 1820s correspondence which mentions them in conjunction with a young man named Benjamin Edwards. The J. C. Marsh cemetery information is pertinent, and is definitely my family. For Ben, this J. C. Marsh, not to be confused with his cousin J. C. Marsh of New Iberia, was married to Marzelie Eliza Boniol, daughter of Pierre Boniol and Ann Merchiol. I believe Pierre and Anne came to US from "France." I have been in contact in the past with a Boniol researcher who has a book ready for publication on this BONIOL family, but have not heard if he has released it yet. I will see if I can find his email address and send it to you off list. When I get the copies of the letters I will be happy to share what I learn. They were obtained from the American Philosophical Association in Philadelphia. Again many thanks for the help. Patricia Snyder Shadancer@aol.com

The information I posted earlier was incorrect. This is the correct information on the Kelso's. I have George Y. Kelso born 1830 in Maryland married to Mary J. Graham daughter of George Mason Graham. She was born 1835. George Kelso was the Parish Judge and owned Bayou Robert 1851-1852. He is found in 1850 census in Rapides Parish and was a large slave holder. His son was George Young Kelso born Jun 1857 and died March 22 1914. He was married to Mary Felonise Robertson. They had 8 children one who's name was George Henry Robertson Kelso born Nov. 1894 I have the name of other children. Wonder if these connect to yours. Peggy

One of the really interesting things I picked up while doing this research is the fact that some of the kin of my Walker family were able to be reimbursed by the Federal Government for property lost during the burning of Alexandria by Federal Troops during the Red River Campaign. If you were a native southerner, tough luck on your loss. But if you were a foreign subject (and some of these Germans never got around to being naturalized) you could apply to the government for reimbursement (I think it was called the Omnibus Claims Bill). Floreda -----Original Message----- From: ViniL@aol.com [mailto:ViniL@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 11:50 AM To: LARAPIDE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [LARAPIDE] Germans to Louisiana--when and why? In a message dated 12/17/2003 9:11:44 AM Mountain Standard Time, tallygators@earthlink.net writes: Gottlieb WALKER (1828 Wuertenberg, Germany, 1871 Alexandria) and wife Annie SMITH (about 1829 Prussia, 1904 Alexandria), had five children: Julia, Alphonse Lombard, Heida "Ida", William and Gottlieb. Julia was born 5/2/1855 and died 9/30/1960 at age 105 - she never married. She is buried in Mt Olivet Cemetery in Pineville. I don't know anything about this family but does anyone know anything in general about Germans coming to this area? ==== LARAPIDE Mailing List ==== Have you backed up your data lately?

Alexandria is on the west side of the river. Also, there is a J.C. Marsh (perhaps your John Christopher?) buried in Rapides Cemetery in Pineville. The Rapides Cemetery book by Barnidge & Oestriecher lists J.C. Marsh, died 14 Nov 1880, aged 66 yrs. Buried near him are the following: Marzelie L. Marsh, wife of R.L. Pruyn, 1841-1906; Nettie Marsh, daughter of John A. & M.E. Marsh, 1854-1878 [possibly an error re John's middle initial??]; Marzelie Eliza Marsh, died 12 Jun 1917, aged 94 yrs. Also buried in area with these Marshes is Ralph E. Boniol, 1842-1928. None of these people are in my lines, and I have no other information about them. I just happened to find this information about them and wanted to pass it on to you. Also, regarding Kelso, I have no records with me to confirm this, but I believe there was a Kelso plantation a little south of Alexandria, which would be separate from the plantation on Bayou Rapides (but would be in the area you described). I could very well be mistaken about this, but you may want to check it out.

In a message dated 12/17/2003 9:11:44 AM Mountain Standard Time, tallygators@earthlink.net writes: Gottlieb WALKER (1828 Wuertenberg, Germany, 1871 Alexandria) and wife Annie SMITH (about 1829 Prussia, 1904 Alexandria), had five children: Julia, Alphonse Lombard, Heida "Ida", William and Gottlieb. Julia was born 5/2/1855 and died 9/30/1960 at age 105 - she never married. She is buried in Mt Olivet Cemetery in Pineville. I don't know anything about this family but does anyone know anything in general about Germans coming to this area?

Gottlieb WALKER (1828 Wuertenberg, Germany, 1871 Alexandria) and wife Annie SMITH (about 1829 Prussia, 1904 Alexandria), had five children: Julia, Alphonse Lombard, Heida "Ida", William and Gottlieb. Julia was born 5/2/1855 and died 9/30/1960 at age 105 - she never married. She is buried in Mt Olivet Cemetery in Pineville. Alphonse Lombard (6/1/1857 Alexandria 1/17/1920 Alex) and wife Mary Jane BAUM (3/15/1864 Catahoula Parish -12/24/1929 Alexandria). Both are buried in the Methodist Cemetery in Pineville. Heida "Ida" (about 1861 Alexandria, 2/22/1895 Alexandria). She married Henry AERTKER. There was also William born about 1862 and Gottlieb born about 1867 but I have no further informatin on these two. I would like to contact anyone knowing this family. Floreda

I'm very interested in Kelso, especially as it relates to descendants of Belgian families. Descendants of George Robert Kelso 1 George Robert KELSO b: October 06, 1894 Age at birth of last child: 35 d: January 1987 in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, LA Age at death: 92 est. .. +Gertrude FLYNN b: November 27, 1893 Age at birth of last child: 36 d: February 1984 in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, LA Age at death: 90 est. .. 2 Eloise KELSO .. 2 George Robert KELSO, Jr. .. 2 Caroline KELSO .. 2 Jack KELSO .. 2 Betty Clare KELSO .. 2 Daniel Francis KELSO b: June 12, 1930 in Alexandria , La. d: September 1976 in Alexandria , La. Age at death: 46 est. Ben Mertens mertensb@bright.net 740-477-3830 -----Original Message----- From: RememberPeggy@aol.com [mailto:RememberPeggy@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 10:06 AM To: LARAPIDE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [LARAPIDE] Re:KELSO Family George Young Kelso owned Byou Rapides Plantation. He was Married to Mary Felonise he was also a judge. I have several Kelso's in my line. If you are interested let me know. Peggy ==== LARAPIDE Mailing List ==== Have you backed up your data lately?

George Young Kelso owned Byou Rapides Plantation. He was Married to Mary Felonise he was also a judge. I have several Kelso's in my line. If you are interested let me know. Peggy

Thanks Loretta, This does help a lot. Which side of the river is the westbank? Geographically I would think the Alexandria side rather than the Pineville side, but who knows with rivers? What would be the nearest current town? My Benjamin Edwards. married the sister of John Christopher Marsh of Rapides and Orleans Parishes and is alleged to be buried in the "Old Pineville" Cemetery. No, he's not listed in the Partain books, but his grand daughter Katie Ann Atkinson transcribed the tombstone inscription and noted the place of burial in her own handwriting. Recently discovered that his wife's aunt, Henrietta Kerr's remains were taken to Alexandria to be interred in 1885. This leads me to suspect that his mother in law, Catherine Anderson Marsh may also be interred in Rapides Parish. I will have to recheck Jane Partain's books to see if I can find these two women. Thanks for the input. Patricia Snyder Shadancer@aol.com

I think there was a Kelso plantation in about the area you describe. There was also a Captain John Kelso who was active locally in the Civil War. I don't remember what his connection was to this plantation--maybe he was the owner at that time. I'm just passing this along off the top of my head. Hope it helps. Loretta

I would like to see if anyone knows of a Mr. Kelso/Relso who had a sawmill "on the westbank of the red river" located one mile below Alexandria... I am researching the family of Benjamin Ross Edwards, and have come in to possession of some letters that a "Benjamin Edwards" wrote to his father, Oliver Edwards, in New Hampshire in the 1820's. At the time he was employed by Mr Kelso, as described above. I suspect this is NOT my Benjamin Ross Edwards, but need to clarify this, and perhaps discover more about this "other" Benjamin Edwards. Any help appreciated. Patricia Snyder Shadancer@aol.com

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Auld, Antley Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/WEB.2ACI/452 Message Board Post: I would very much appreciate it if someone could look up this couple who reportedly died in Alexandria: Jewel Wesley Auld (Aulds) (1894 - 1948) and his wife Celia P. Antley Auld (Aulds) (1893-1964). Thanks!

OOPS!! They were married June 22, 1870. Floreda -----Original Message----- From: Tallygators [mailto:tallygators@earthlink.net] Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 9:35 AM To: LARAPIDE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [LARAPIDE] SILLS - NUGENT Missouri SILLS (b 9/19/1852-d 2/16/1931) married Hugh NUGENT (b 4/2/1838 -d 8/18/1930). They were married in Rapides Parish 8/18/1930. They are buried in a cemetery at Holloway Prairie (the cemetery is next to a church but the church does not own the cemetery). Missouri SILLS is the daughter of Benjamin SILLS and Louisa ACHORD SILLS BAUM NUGENT. Louisa ACHORD SILLS BAUM married John NUGENT in Rapides Parish 12/15/1869. >From documents researched there appears to be a kinship between John >and Hugh. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Floreda ==== LARAPIDE Mailing List ==== Have you backed up your data lately?