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NATION/S FAMILY HISTORY
The Family Tree Maker web site of R.H. Nations contains several dozen incredible pages listing the numerous ancestors/descendants of this family. He has traced this family to the late 1500's in North Petherton, Somerset County, England. I would also like to thank Stephen L. Candela for his help in locating my Nation/s ancestors. Also to be thanked are Harrell Nation and Cheri Baynes, grandchildren of Wade Nation, who helped fill in some of the blanks, Geneva McCown Garrett who supplied much information on collateral lines, and Carla (Dunlap) Krehbiel, who supplied not only information, but some precious photographs.
Other sources include: 1860 Federal Census for Liberty Twp., Stoddard County, MO, M653, #657; 1880 Federal Census for Liberty Twp., Stoddard County, MO, T9, #738, ED 165, p. 28; 1900 Federal Census for Mill Spring Twp., Wayne County, MO, T623, #907, ED 155, P. 11.
At some point in time, my Nation family dropped the final "s" from their surname and began using the name NATION.
JAMES NATIONS
James Nations was born in Warren County, Kentucky in about 1813, to parents Nathan and Levisa (Stevens). On November 20, 1834, James married Frances Eleanor Brown in Kentucky. Some time between that date and 183, they moved to Missouri.
James bought land in Cape Girardeau County, MO on 2 Feb 1840 (40 acres) and again on 10 August 1841 (40.4 acres). Probably some time after 1841 but before 1850, part of Cape Girardeau County became Stoddard County. On 1 Jan 1850, he bought 80 acres in Stoddard County (BLM Land Patent Records).
Although it seems likely that at least one child was born in Kentucky in the three years between their marriage and moving to Missouri, the first child I know of, a son, was born in Missouri in about 1837. They named him John.
The next year, William B. was born (about 1838).
There are several years before the next child is noted in the census records and it would be not unlikely that some babies were born and died in the mean time.
George R. Nation was born June 14, 1846. George was a Civil War soldier, serving in Missouri's 4th Cavalry regiment for the CSA. He was killed in action on Aug. 16, 1862 in Craighead County, Arkansas. He is buried in the Bloomfield Cemetery in Stoddard County, Missouri. According to the dates on his gravestone, he was just getting ready to turn 16 when he died.
Next came Elizabeth L., born in about 1849. She was followed by Henry Clay Nation on March 2, 1852. His story will be followed a few paragraphs below.
Jane M. was born in about 1854, followed by Benjamin F. on May 09, 1856.
Contact with several of Benjamin's descendants provided more information about Ben. He married Myra Mildred Louden on September 30, 1876 and they had at least nine children: Chloe, Willie, Earl, Virginia, Myrtle, Daisy, Mary, Mildred, and Frances. Ben died November 18, 1924 in Butler County, Missouri and is buried in Mole Hill Cemetery there. Myra died the following year, August 02, 1925, and is buried next to him.
In the 1850 Federal Census, taken 26th of August, the family was living in Castor, Stoddard County, MO.
Nations, James, 37, tanner, real estate owned $1075, b. KY
Nations, Francis E., 38, b. NC, cannot read/write
Nations, John, 13, b. MO, attended school within the year
Nations, William, 12, b. MO, attended school within the year
Nations, George, 4, b. MO
Nations, Elizabeth, 2, b. MO
Tate, Elisabeth, 17, real estate owned $25, b. MO
In the 1860 Federal Census, James estimates his real property to be worth $9,000 and his personal estate at $4,300 (1860 Federal Census, Stoddard County, MO.)
James was a "citizen" Confederate. As I understand it, he was not officially inducted into the Confederate Army but was either a sympathizer or suspected of being one. At any rate, he was captured at home in Stoddard County, Missouri on August 17, 1862. He was sent to prison at Alton, Illinois on September 12 and died there on October 5 of either dysentery or typhoid fever. However, Steven Candela, a fellow Nations researcher, notes the following interesting information:
"I was in Missouri doing some further research on James and I found an article on him which says he was taken Prisoner in Bloomfield MO during the Civil War, and two of his sons were drafted into the Union Army. While a prisoner they were fed cherry pie, but the prisoners were suspicious. They drew straws, he got the short one and died from poison in an hour. Worse, he had buried the deeds to the farm and the wife couldnt find them, she lost everything. Another story says when one of the sons returned from the war he found squatters on his farm who killed him and buried him on the farm, it says which one but I can't remember who."
James died intestate (without a will) at the age of 49 and there are several legal documents that were filed trying to settle his estate. He was buried in Bloomington Cemetery in Stoddard County, near his son.
It is not known when Frances died or where she is buried.
None of this family can be found by me in the 1870 census. It is s if they had disappeared. No one of them. Except for:
HENRY CLAY NATION
Henry was born March 02, 1852 in Mill Spring, Wayne County, Missouri (per his granddaughter, Elzida Cowsert).
In the 1870 census, Henry is working as a farm hand in Cape Girardeau with a family called Martin. He is 17 years old.
Approximately five years later, Henry married Frances Elizabeth Morrow. She was born September 25, 1857 in West Plains, Stoddard County, Mo. Her parents were Andrew Jackson Morrow and Agnes Clinton. Francis' granddaughter, my aunt Elzida Cowsert Cardello, relates that Francis was a midwife and was known about town as "Aunt Frankie."
On August 05, 1877, they had a daughter they named Clara A. Unfortunately, Clara died just before reaching the age of 2, June 30, 1879. She is buried in Edmonds Cemetery in Stoddard County.
The 1880 census finds now 28-year-old Henry Clay Nations and his 22-year-old wife Frances, are farming in Liberty Township, but still in Stoddard County, MO. Listed is their one-year old daughter named Clara A., but a line is drawn through her name to indicate that she is no longer living. Wife Frances (spelled Francis on this and other documents) is listed as "confined" and all three give Missouri as their birth place. Also living in the home is 13-year old Almerta Hurtman, listed as a Ward, born in Kentucky.
Another daughter, Lovina was born June 28, 1880 just after the census was taken. Lovina grew up and married Charles Clinton Thomas in 1900. Charles Clinton Thomas was for a time sheriff of Poplar Bluff, MO. Raymond Cowsert, his nephew, said that on the day his mother, Bertha Nation married Richard Cowsert, Charley "mock arrested" them both before the wedding, pretending not to let them get married.
Lovina and Charlie had at least nine children. According to her granddaughter, Dorothy Cowsert De Coopman, "Aunt Veenie got a sharp pain in her head and then she died." Not known how long between pain and death, or cause of death. Possibly stroke or cerebral hemorrhage.
Next was a son, Vert Carl. He died as a baby, only 9 months old.
Then another daughter, Minnie Evaline Nation, born April 20, 1884 and died July 30, 1887, barely three years old.
Benjamin Lee was born in 1866 and he married Ida Turnbough. Benjamin was registered for the draft (World War I) which gives his date of birth as 14 December 1886 (in Missouri). He is in the1 1920 Federal Census in Poplar Bluff, along with wife Ida and nephew, Elmer Diamond (sister Maggie Mae's sone with Hiram Diamond). Just five years later, Benjamin and Ida are living in Iowa and counted in the 1925 state census in Pottawattamie County. The family is still there for the 1930 federal census. In 1930, Benjamin was 45 years old and a laborer on the steam railway. No children have been found yet for this couple.
Maggie Mae was born May 23, 1891. She married Hiram J. Diamond and they had at least three children, one of whom, Theodore, died on the ill-fated aircraft carrier The Lexington.
I found this short newspaper article about the event:
May 8, 1942
On the morning of the 8th, a Lexington plane located the Shokaku group. A strike was immediately launched from the American carriers, and the Japanese ship was heavily damaged.
The enemy penetrated to the American carriers at 1100, and 20 minutes later Lexington was struck by a torpedo to port. Seconds later, a second torpedo hit to port directly abreast the bridge. At the same time, she took three bomb hits from enemy dive bombers, producing a seven degree list to port and several raging fires. By 1300 her skilled damage control parties had brought the fires under control and returned the ship to even keel. Making 25 knots, she was ready to recover her air group. Then suddenly Lexington was shaken by a tremendous explosion, caused by the ignition of gasoline vapors below, and again fire raged out of control.
A newspaper in Orange County, California, had published this mention:
Santa Anan on Lexington Was Killed in Attack
Santa Ana, June 18 (1942)
Onto the county's roll of honor was inscribed today the name of Lee Diamond, 22, who joined the U.S. Navy 18 months ago and who was killed in action while on the ill-fated air-craft carrier Lexington.
Diamond came to Santa Ana in 1937 from his home at Poplar Bluff, Mo., and lived with his aunt, Mrs. Richard Cowsert of Route No. 4, Box 143, Santa Ana. She has received word of his death.
The young war hero is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Diamond of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; a sister, Mrs. Velma Baugh of that city, and a brother, Carl Diamond of St. Louis Mo.
Later that same year, his mother, Maggie Mae, committed suicide by hanging.
Next in the family is my grandmother, Bertha Adeline Nation, born March 21, 1893. More will be given on her a bit later.
After Bertha came Wade Hampton, born November 1896. Wade married Ida Arizona Gulledge and they had five children. After Ida's death in 1956, Wade married her sister, Mittie Pearl Gulledge.
Last in the family was Ollie Nation, born November 06, 1900. Ollie was married to a Mr. Simmons and a Mr. Pokorney. I have no further information about Ollie to report.
In the 1900 census, we find the following persons accounted for:
Mill Spring Twp., Wayne County, MO, June 11, 1900
Nations, Harry, head, March 1851, age 49, married 23 years, b. MO, father b. NC, mother b. SC, can read, write and speak English, owns farm free of mortgage.
Nations, Frances, wife, Sept 1857, 43 years old, married 23 years, gave birth to 6*, 5 survive, b. MO, parents b. MO
Nations, Ben, son, Dec 1886, age 13, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 5 months, can read/write
Nations, Maggie, daughter, May 1890, age 10, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 4 months, can read/write
Nations, Bertha, daughter, March 1893, age 7, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 4 months
Nations, Wade H., son, Nov 1896, age 3, b. MO, both parents b. MO
In this above photo, Henry Clay Nation is seated; his son-in-law, Charles Clinton Thomas, standing.
Henry is holding an ear of corn in his right hand. No one knows why.
Henry Clay Nation died on November 03, 1915 in Brosley, Missouri, and is buried in Mole Hill Cemetery.
One last thing about Henry Clay Nation: According to his grandson, Ray Cowsert, Henry shot both his heels off with a shotgun. No other details of this event are known.
The following census year, 1920, finds the Frances and some of the family still in Mill Spring Twp., Wayne County, MO:
Nations, Frances E., head, renting, age 62, widow, can read/write, b. MO, parents b. MO, farming
Nations, Ollie B., daughter, age 19, single, b. MO, parents b. MO, attended school in last year, can read/write, no occupation
Diamond, Earl, boarder, age 9*, attended school in last year, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
*A grandson it seems.
Finally, in the 1930 census of Poplar Bluff, Stoddard County, Missouri, dated April 30, 1930, we find Frances living with her daugher Maggie and her family:
Diamond, H.J., head, rents ($25), radio, 40, married age 24, able to read and write, b. MO, father b. U.S. mother b. MO
Diamond, Maggie, 39, married age 23, able to read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Viola, 15, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Carl, 12, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Lee, 10, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Nation, H.C. Mrs., 73, mother*, widowed, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
*mother-in-law, not mother.
Frances Elizabeth (Morrow) Nation died January 16, 1939 in Ash Hill, Butler County, Missouri, and is buried in Mole Hill Cemetery.
The above picture postcard of Frances was sent to her grandson, Raymond Cowsert. On the back, in clear and legible handwriting, she pends a note to him and signed it Grandmother Nation.
Grateful thanks to Karla (Dunlap) Krehbiel for these photos of Henry and Frances' gravestones.
Bertha, Wade, and Ollie Nation
CLARA ADELINE NATION
Bertha Adeline, my grandmother (born March 1893 in Mill Spring, Wayne County, MO), married Richard Andrew Cowsert in 1913. It was the second marriage for Richard and the first for Bertha. Richard and Bertha had four daughters and one son, and one daughter who was stillborn.
Elenora Irene, born March 21, 1914
Leora Alline, born November 05, 1916
Raymond Omer, born October 24, 1918
Elzida Mae, born February 02, 1921
Dorothy Jewell, born November 27, 1922
and an unnamed baby girl born and died on June 24, 1930
Richard and Bertha Cowsert lived in Missouri and Arkansas before moving to southern California in about 1924.
Bertha's husband, Richard, died February 10, 1953 and Bertha died February 3, 1962. They are both buried in Harbor Lawn-Mount Olive Memorial Park in Costa Mesa, California.
Bertha and Richard
NOTE: Distant ancestor John Nation emigrated to this country from England in about 1702, residing for a time in Crosswicks, New Jersey. In 1732, he and his wife, Bethian Robbins, moved from NJ with Benjamin Borden to Virginia. There, John may have met future father of our country George Washington as Washington did the survey in John's neighborhood in 1748 when the deed was recorded. In 1751, Lord Thomas Fairfax (who was to later purchase the Natural Bridge) bought out Nation, and John and his family then moved on to North Carolina.
Hopping Bunny Productions
Copyright ©2010
Judith Stevens
All Rights Reserved
JAMES NATIONS
James bought land in Cape Girardeau County, MO on 2 Feb 1840 (40 acres) and again on 10 August 1841 (40.4 acres). Probably some time after 1841 but before 1850, part of Cape Girardeau County became Stoddard County. On 1 Jan 1850, he bought 80 acres in Stoddard County (BLM Land Patent Records).
Although it seems likely that at least one child was born in Kentucky in the three years between their marriage and moving to Missouri, the first child I know of, a son, was born in Missouri in about 1837. They named him John.
The next year, William B. was born (about 1838).
There are several years before the next child is noted in the census records and it would be not unlikely that some babies were born and died in the mean time.
George R. Nation was born June 14, 1846. George was a Civil War soldier, serving in Missouri's 4th Cavalry regiment for the CSA. He was killed in action on Aug. 16, 1862 in Craighead County, Arkansas. He is buried in the Bloomfield Cemetery in Stoddard County, Missouri. According to the dates on his gravestone, he was just getting ready to turn 16 when he died.
Next came Elizabeth L., born in about 1849. She was followed by Henry Clay Nation on March 2, 1852. His story will be followed a few paragraphs below.
Jane M. was born in about 1854, followed by Benjamin F. on May 09, 1856.
Contact with several of Benjamin's descendants provided more information about Ben. He married Myra Mildred Louden on September 30, 1876 and they had at least nine children: Chloe, Willie, Earl, Virginia, Myrtle, Daisy, Mary, Mildred, and Frances. Ben died November 18, 1924 in Butler County, Missouri and is buried in Mole Hill Cemetery there. Myra died the following year, August 02, 1925, and is buried next to him.
In the 1850 Federal Census, taken 26th of August, the family was living in Castor, Stoddard County, MO. Nations, James, 37, tanner, real estate owned $1075, b. KY Nations, Francis E., 38, b. NC, cannot read/write Nations, John, 13, b. MO, attended school within the year Nations, William, 12, b. MO, attended school within the year Nations, George, 4, b. MO Nations, Elizabeth, 2, b. MO Tate, Elisabeth, 17, real estate owned $25, b. MO
In the 1860 Federal Census, James estimates his real property to be worth $9,000 and his personal estate at $4,300 (1860 Federal Census, Stoddard County, MO.)
James was a "citizen" Confederate. As I understand it, he was not officially inducted into the Confederate Army but was either a sympathizer or suspected of being one. At any rate, he was captured at home in Stoddard County, Missouri on August 17, 1862. He was sent to prison at Alton, Illinois on September 12 and died there on October 5 of either dysentery or typhoid fever. However, Steven Candela, a fellow Nations researcher, notes the following interesting information:
"I was in Missouri doing some further research on James and I found an article on him which says he was taken Prisoner in Bloomfield MO during the Civil War, and two of his sons were drafted into the Union Army. While a prisoner they were fed cherry pie, but the prisoners were suspicious. They drew straws, he got the short one and died from poison in an hour. Worse, he had buried the deeds to the farm and the wife couldnt find them, she lost everything. Another story says when one of the sons returned from the war he found squatters on his farm who killed him and buried him on the farm, it says which one but I can't remember who."
James died intestate (without a will) at the age of 49 and there are several legal documents that were filed trying to settle his estate. He was buried in Bloomington Cemetery in Stoddard County, near his son.
It is not known when Frances died or where she is buried.
None of this family can be found by me in the 1870 census. It is s if they had disappeared. No one of them. Except for:
HENRY CLAY NATION
Henry was born March 02, 1852 in Mill Spring, Wayne County, Missouri (per his granddaughter, Elzida Cowsert).
In the 1870 census, Henry is working as a farm hand in Cape Girardeau with a family called Martin. He is 17 years old.
Approximately five years later, Henry married Frances Elizabeth Morrow. She was born September 25, 1857 in West Plains, Stoddard County, Mo. Her parents were Andrew Jackson Morrow and Agnes Clinton. Francis' granddaughter, my aunt Elzida Cowsert Cardello, relates that Francis was a midwife and was known about town as "Aunt Frankie."
On August 05, 1877, they had a daughter they named Clara A. Unfortunately, Clara died just before reaching the age of 2, June 30, 1879. She is buried in Edmonds Cemetery in Stoddard County.
The 1880 census finds now 28-year-old Henry Clay Nations and his 22-year-old wife Frances, are farming in Liberty Township, but still in Stoddard County, MO. Listed is their one-year old daughter named Clara A., but a line is drawn through her name to indicate that she is no longer living. Wife Frances (spelled Francis on this and other documents) is listed as "confined" and all three give Missouri as their birth place. Also living in the home is 13-year old Almerta Hurtman, listed as a Ward, born in Kentucky.
Another daughter, Lovina was born June 28, 1880 just after the census was taken. Lovina grew up and married Charles Clinton Thomas in 1900. Charles Clinton Thomas was for a time sheriff of Poplar Bluff, MO. Raymond Cowsert, his nephew, said that on the day his mother, Bertha Nation married Richard Cowsert, Charley "mock arrested" them both before the wedding, pretending not to let them get married.
Lovina and Charlie had at least nine children. According to her granddaughter, Dorothy Cowsert De Coopman, "Aunt Veenie got a sharp pain in her head and then she died." Not known how long between pain and death, or cause of death. Possibly stroke or cerebral hemorrhage.
Next was a son, Vert Carl. He died as a baby, only 9 months old.
Then another daughter, Minnie Evaline Nation, born April 20, 1884 and died July 30, 1887, barely three years old.
Benjamin Lee was born in 1866 and he married Ida Turnbough. Benjamin was registered for the draft (World War I) which gives his date of birth as 14 December 1886 (in Missouri). He is in the1 1920 Federal Census in Poplar Bluff, along with wife Ida and nephew, Elmer Diamond (sister Maggie Mae's sone with Hiram Diamond). Just five years later, Benjamin and Ida are living in Iowa and counted in the 1925 state census in Pottawattamie County. The family is still there for the 1930 federal census. In 1930, Benjamin was 45 years old and a laborer on the steam railway. No children have been found yet for this couple.
Maggie Mae was born May 23, 1891. She married Hiram J. Diamond and they had at least three children, one of whom, Theodore, died on the ill-fated aircraft carrier The Lexington.
I found this short newspaper article about the event:
May 8, 1942
On the morning of the 8th, a Lexington plane located the Shokaku group. A strike was immediately launched from the American carriers, and the Japanese ship was heavily damaged.
The enemy penetrated to the American carriers at 1100, and 20 minutes later Lexington was struck by a torpedo to port. Seconds later, a second torpedo hit to port directly abreast the bridge. At the same time, she took three bomb hits from enemy dive bombers, producing a seven degree list to port and several raging fires. By 1300 her skilled damage control parties had brought the fires under control and returned the ship to even keel. Making 25 knots, she was ready to recover her air group. Then suddenly Lexington was shaken by a tremendous explosion, caused by the ignition of gasoline vapors below, and again fire raged out of control.
A newspaper in Orange County, California, had published this mention:
Santa Anan on Lexington Was Killed in Attack
Santa Ana, June 18 (1942)
Onto the county's roll of honor was inscribed today the name of Lee Diamond, 22, who joined the U.S. Navy 18 months ago and who was killed in action while on the ill-fated air-craft carrier Lexington.
Diamond came to Santa Ana in 1937 from his home at Poplar Bluff, Mo., and lived with his aunt, Mrs. Richard Cowsert of Route No. 4, Box 143, Santa Ana. She has received word of his death.
The young war hero is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Diamond of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; a sister, Mrs. Velma Baugh of that city, and a brother, Carl Diamond of St. Louis Mo.
Later that same year, his mother, Maggie Mae, committed suicide by hanging.
Next in the family is my grandmother, Bertha Adeline Nation, born March 21, 1893. More will be given on her a bit later.
After Bertha came Wade Hampton, born November 1896. Wade married Ida Arizona Gulledge and they had five children. After Ida's death in 1956, Wade married her sister, Mittie Pearl Gulledge.
Last in the family was Ollie Nation, born November 06, 1900. Ollie was married to a Mr. Simmons and a Mr. Pokorney. I have no further information about Ollie to report.
In the 1900 census, we find the following persons accounted for:
Mill Spring Twp., Wayne County, MO, June 11, 1900
Nations, Harry, head, March 1851, age 49, married 23 years, b. MO, father b. NC, mother b. SC, can read, write and speak English, owns farm free of mortgage.
Nations, Frances, wife, Sept 1857, 43 years old, married 23 years, gave birth to 6*, 5 survive, b. MO, parents b. MO
Nations, Ben, son, Dec 1886, age 13, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 5 months, can read/write
Nations, Maggie, daughter, May 1890, age 10, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 4 months, can read/write
Nations, Bertha, daughter, March 1893, age 7, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 4 months
Nations, Wade H., son, Nov 1896, age 3, b. MO, both parents b. MO
In this above photo, Henry Clay Nation is seated; his son-in-law, Charles Clinton Thomas, standing.
Henry is holding an ear of corn in his right hand. No one knows why.
Henry Clay Nation died on November 03, 1915 in Brosley, Missouri, and is buried in Mole Hill Cemetery.
One last thing about Henry Clay Nation: According to his grandson, Ray Cowsert, Henry shot both his heels off with a shotgun. No other details of this event are known.
The following census year, 1920, finds the Frances and some of the family still in Mill Spring Twp., Wayne County, MO:
Nations, Frances E., head, renting, age 62, widow, can read/write, b. MO, parents b. MO, farming
Nations, Ollie B., daughter, age 19, single, b. MO, parents b. MO, attended school in last year, can read/write, no occupation
Diamond, Earl, boarder, age 9*, attended school in last year, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
*A grandson it seems.
Finally, in the 1930 census of Poplar Bluff, Stoddard County, Missouri, dated April 30, 1930, we find Frances living with her daugher Maggie and her family:
Diamond, H.J., head, rents ($25), radio, 40, married age 24, able to read and write, b. MO, father b. U.S. mother b. MO
Diamond, Maggie, 39, married age 23, able to read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Viola, 15, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Carl, 12, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Lee, 10, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Nation, H.C. Mrs., 73, mother*, widowed, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
*mother-in-law, not mother.
Frances Elizabeth (Morrow) Nation died January 16, 1939 in Ash Hill, Butler County, Missouri, and is buried in Mole Hill Cemetery.
The above picture postcard of Frances was sent to her grandson, Raymond Cowsert. On the back, in clear and legible handwriting, she pends a note to him and signed it Grandmother Nation.
Grateful thanks to Karla (Dunlap) Krehbiel for these photos of Henry and Frances' gravestones.
Bertha, Wade, and Ollie Nation
CLARA ADELINE NATION
Bertha Adeline, my grandmother (born March 1893 in Mill Spring, Wayne County, MO), married Richard Andrew Cowsert in 1913. It was the second marriage for Richard and the first for Bertha. Richard and Bertha had four daughters and one son, and one daughter who was stillborn.
Elenora Irene, born March 21, 1914
Leora Alline, born November 05, 1916
Raymond Omer, born October 24, 1918
Elzida Mae, born February 02, 1921
Dorothy Jewell, born November 27, 1922
and an unnamed baby girl born and died on June 24, 1930
Richard and Bertha Cowsert lived in Missouri and Arkansas before moving to southern California in about 1924.
Bertha's husband, Richard, died February 10, 1953 and Bertha died February 3, 1962. They are both buried in Harbor Lawn-Mount Olive Memorial Park in Costa Mesa, California.
Bertha and Richard
NOTE: Distant ancestor John Nation emigrated to this country from England in about 1702, residing for a time in Crosswicks, New Jersey. In 1732, he and his wife, Bethian Robbins, moved from NJ with Benjamin Borden to Virginia. There, John may have met future father of our country George Washington as Washington did the survey in John's neighborhood in 1748 when the deed was recorded. In 1751, Lord Thomas Fairfax (who was to later purchase the Natural Bridge) bought out Nation, and John and his family then moved on to North Carolina.
Hopping Bunny Productions
Copyright ©2010
Judith Stevens
All Rights Reserved
Santa Anan on Lexington Was Killed in Attack
Santa Ana, June 18 (1942)
Onto the county's roll of honor was inscribed today the name of Lee Diamond, 22, who joined the U.S. Navy 18 months ago and who was killed in action while on the ill-fated air-craft carrier Lexington.
Diamond came to Santa Ana in 1937 from his home at Poplar Bluff, Mo., and lived with his aunt, Mrs. Richard Cowsert of Route No. 4, Box 143, Santa Ana. She has received word of his death.
The young war hero is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Diamond of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; a sister, Mrs. Velma Baugh of that city, and a brother, Carl Diamond of St. Louis Mo.
Later that same year, his mother, Maggie Mae, committed suicide by hanging.
Next in the family is my grandmother, Bertha Adeline Nation, born March 21, 1893. More will be given on her a bit later.
After Bertha came Wade Hampton, born November 1896. Wade married Ida Arizona Gulledge and they had five children. After Ida's death in 1956, Wade married her sister, Mittie Pearl Gulledge.
Last in the family was Ollie Nation, born November 06, 1900. Ollie was married to a Mr. Simmons and a Mr. Pokorney. I have no further information about Ollie to report.
In the 1900 census, we find the following persons accounted for:
Mill Spring Twp., Wayne County, MO, June 11, 1900
Nations, Harry, head, March 1851, age 49, married 23 years, b. MO, father b. NC, mother b. SC, can read, write and speak English, owns farm free of mortgage.
Nations, Frances, wife, Sept 1857, 43 years old, married 23 years, gave birth to 6*, 5 survive, b. MO, parents b. MO
Nations, Ben, son, Dec 1886, age 13, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 5 months, can read/write
Nations, Maggie, daughter, May 1890, age 10, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 4 months, can read/write
Nations, Bertha, daughter, March 1893, age 7, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 4 months
Nations, Wade H., son, Nov 1896, age 3, b. MO, both parents b. MO
In this above photo, Henry Clay Nation is seated; his son-in-law, Charles Clinton Thomas, standing.
Henry is holding an ear of corn in his right hand. No one knows why.
Henry Clay Nation died on November 03, 1915 in Brosley, Missouri, and is buried in Mole Hill Cemetery.
One last thing about Henry Clay Nation: According to his grandson, Ray Cowsert, Henry shot both his heels off with a shotgun. No other details of this event are known.
The following census year, 1920, finds the Frances and some of the family still in Mill Spring Twp., Wayne County, MO:
Nations, Frances E., head, renting, age 62, widow, can read/write, b. MO, parents b. MO, farming
Nations, Ollie B., daughter, age 19, single, b. MO, parents b. MO, attended school in last year, can read/write, no occupation
Diamond, Earl, boarder, age 9*, attended school in last year, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
*A grandson it seems.
Finally, in the 1930 census of Poplar Bluff, Stoddard County, Missouri, dated April 30, 1930, we find Frances living with her daugher Maggie and her family:
Diamond, H.J., head, rents ($25), radio, 40, married age 24, able to read and write, b. MO, father b. U.S. mother b. MO
Diamond, Maggie, 39, married age 23, able to read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Viola, 15, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Carl, 12, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Lee, 10, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Nation, H.C. Mrs., 73, mother*, widowed, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
*mother-in-law, not mother.
Frances Elizabeth (Morrow) Nation died January 16, 1939 in Ash Hill, Butler County, Missouri, and is buried in Mole Hill Cemetery.
The above picture postcard of Frances was sent to her grandson, Raymond Cowsert. On the back, in clear and legible handwriting, she pends a note to him and signed it Grandmother Nation.
Grateful thanks to Karla (Dunlap) Krehbiel for these photos of Henry and Frances' gravestones.
Bertha, Wade, and Ollie Nation
CLARA ADELINE NATION
Bertha Adeline, my grandmother (born March 1893 in Mill Spring, Wayne County, MO), married Richard Andrew Cowsert in 1913. It was the second marriage for Richard and the first for Bertha. Richard and Bertha had four daughters and one son, and one daughter who was stillborn.
Elenora Irene, born March 21, 1914
Leora Alline, born November 05, 1916
Raymond Omer, born October 24, 1918
Elzida Mae, born February 02, 1921
Dorothy Jewell, born November 27, 1922
and an unnamed baby girl born and died on June 24, 1930
Richard and Bertha Cowsert lived in Missouri and Arkansas before moving to southern California in about 1924.
Bertha's husband, Richard, died February 10, 1953 and Bertha died February 3, 1962. They are both buried in Harbor Lawn-Mount Olive Memorial Park in Costa Mesa, California.
Bertha and Richard
NOTE: Distant ancestor John Nation emigrated to this country from England in about 1702, residing for a time in Crosswicks, New Jersey. In 1732, he and his wife, Bethian Robbins, moved from NJ with Benjamin Borden to Virginia. There, John may have met future father of our country George Washington as Washington did the survey in John's neighborhood in 1748 when the deed was recorded. In 1751, Lord Thomas Fairfax (who was to later purchase the Natural Bridge) bought out Nation, and John and his family then moved on to North Carolina.
Hopping Bunny Productions
Copyright ©2010
Judith Stevens
All Rights Reserved
Next in the family is my grandmother, Bertha Adeline Nation, born March 21, 1893. More will be given on her a bit later.
After Bertha came Wade Hampton, born November 1896. Wade married Ida Arizona Gulledge and they had five children. After Ida's death in 1956, Wade married her sister, Mittie Pearl Gulledge.
Last in the family was Ollie Nation, born November 06, 1900. Ollie was married to a Mr. Simmons and a Mr. Pokorney. I have no further information about Ollie to report.
In the 1900 census, we find the following persons accounted for:
Mill Spring Twp., Wayne County, MO, June 11, 1900
Nations, Harry, head, March 1851, age 49, married 23 years, b. MO, father b. NC, mother b. SC, can read, write and speak English, owns farm free of mortgage.
Nations, Frances, wife, Sept 1857, 43 years old, married 23 years, gave birth to 6*, 5 survive, b. MO, parents b. MO
Nations, Ben, son, Dec 1886, age 13, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 5 months, can read/write
Nations, Maggie, daughter, May 1890, age 10, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 4 months, can read/write
Nations, Bertha, daughter, March 1893, age 7, b. MO, both parents b. MO, at school, attended school 4 months
Nations, Wade H., son, Nov 1896, age 3, b. MO, both parents b. MO
In this above photo, Henry Clay Nation is seated; his son-in-law, Charles Clinton Thomas, standing.
Henry is holding an ear of corn in his right hand. No one knows why.
One last thing about Henry Clay Nation: According to his grandson, Ray Cowsert, Henry shot both his heels off with a shotgun. No other details of this event are known.
The following census year, 1920, finds the Frances and some of the family still in Mill Spring Twp., Wayne County, MO:
Nations, Frances E., head, renting, age 62, widow, can read/write, b. MO, parents b. MO, farming
Nations, Ollie B., daughter, age 19, single, b. MO, parents b. MO, attended school in last year, can read/write, no occupation
Diamond, Earl, boarder, age 9*, attended school in last year, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
*A grandson it seems.
Finally, in the 1930 census of Poplar Bluff, Stoddard County, Missouri, dated April 30, 1930, we find Frances living with her daugher Maggie and her family:
Diamond, H.J., head, rents ($25), radio, 40, married age 24, able to read and write, b. MO, father b. U.S. mother b. MO
Diamond, Maggie, 39, married age 23, able to read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Viola, 15, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Carl, 12, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Diamond, Lee, 10, attending school, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
Nation, H.C. Mrs., 73, mother*, widowed, can read/write, b. MO, both parents b. MO
*mother-in-law, not mother.
Frances Elizabeth (Morrow) Nation died January 16, 1939 in Ash Hill, Butler County, Missouri, and is buried in Mole Hill Cemetery.
The above picture postcard of Frances was sent to her grandson, Raymond Cowsert. On the back, in clear and legible handwriting, she pends a note to him and signed it Grandmother Nation.
Grateful thanks to Karla (Dunlap) Krehbiel for these photos of Henry and Frances' gravestones.
Bertha, Wade, and Ollie Nation
CLARA ADELINE NATION
Bertha Adeline, my grandmother (born March 1893 in Mill Spring, Wayne County, MO), married Richard Andrew Cowsert in 1913. It was the second marriage for Richard and the first for Bertha. Richard and Bertha had four daughters and one son, and one daughter who was stillborn.
Elenora Irene, born March 21, 1914
Leora Alline, born November 05, 1916
Raymond Omer, born October 24, 1918
Elzida Mae, born February 02, 1921
Dorothy Jewell, born November 27, 1922
and an unnamed baby girl born and died on June 24, 1930
Richard and Bertha Cowsert lived in Missouri and Arkansas before moving to southern California in about 1924.
Bertha's husband, Richard, died February 10, 1953 and Bertha died February 3, 1962. They are both buried in Harbor Lawn-Mount Olive Memorial Park in Costa Mesa, California.
Bertha and Richard
NOTE: Distant ancestor John Nation emigrated to this country from England in about 1702, residing for a time in Crosswicks, New Jersey. In 1732, he and his wife, Bethian Robbins, moved from NJ with Benjamin Borden to Virginia. There, John may have met future father of our country George Washington as Washington did the survey in John's neighborhood in 1748 when the deed was recorded. In 1751, Lord Thomas Fairfax (who was to later purchase the Natural Bridge) bought out Nation, and John and his family then moved on to North Carolina.
Hopping Bunny Productions
Copyright ©2010
Judith Stevens
All Rights Reserved
Bertha and Richard