THE FLOWERS FAMILY
OF MASON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
"Generation Number 1"
According to some Flowers researchers, the family came to West Virginia / Virginia from southwestern Pennsylvania, traveling south along the rivers and waterways. We have not yet been able to link our line to this scenario, but are still looking. Little by little, we are reconstructing his family's history.
"Generation Number 1"
So far, the first Flowers we can conclusively identify with our line is THOMAS W. FLOWERS, who married VINA (OR LAVINA) McDADE (born about. 1846). The information we have on these two people is very sparse. To be honest, we're not even sure if Thomas married Lavina, or if their son James Wilson was born out of wedlock. These are avenues that require further research.
A preliminary search of Census records has revealed a LAVINA McDADE residing in the household of Elizabeth Rhodes, her sister, in Cologne Twp, Mason County, West Virginia in 1870 (second line from bottom - below). What is also interesting is that many of these neighbors are related in various degrees by marriage -- McDade, Stover, Rhodes. Even more interesting is the family of Benjamin McDade listed first, as this is the same family that eventually moved to Ross County, Ohio, and with whom an orphaned Laura Cahill lived prior to her marriage to Howard Franklin Flowers.
Child of THOMAS W. FLOWERS and VINA McDADE is:
- James Wilson Flowers.
"Generation Number 2"
Picture of James and Luverna (Stover) Flowers, courtesy of Jackie Strande.
JAMES WILSON FLOWERS was born August 13, 1873, in Mason County, West Virginia, the son of Thomas W. Flowers and Vina McDade. He married (1)LUVENIA / LUVERNA M. STOVER on April 26, 1894 in Mason County, West Virginia, daughter of DAVID STOVER and MARY RHODES. She was born October 15, 1878 in Mason County, West Virginia, and died August 27, 1915 in Eagle Township, Vinton County, Ohio. He married (2) Minnie (Baker) Cossin on September 13, 1923 in Franklin County, Ohio.
James Wilson Flowers originally went by the name of James Wilson McDade until around the time his father, Thomas, was institutionalized. At that time, he started going by Flowers. We do not know the reason behind this. Later, he also went by Wilson Flowers or J W Flowers, and his name can be found under these different forms in the various documents we've researched and, at times, can cause some confusion! Adding to this is the fact that in Mason County, West Virginia, about the same time "our" James Wilson Flowers was living in that area, census records and deeds show that there was another J. W. (John Wesley?) Flowers residing in Mason County. Our initial research strongly suggests that this second J. W. Flowers is also a son of Thomas by his marriage to Virginia Slaughter. It could also suggest that James Wilson McDade/Flowers was born out of wedlock.
For the Stover Family Genealogy, Click Here.
Detail of Marriage Certificate
On the marriage record for LUVENIA STOVER and JAMES W. FLOWERS, April 26, 1894 [recorded in volume 7, page 74 of the Mason County, West Virginia marriage records], James's last name was originally written as FLOWERS, then crossed out and changed to McDADE. Why this happened is a puzzle we haven't quite figured out. A partial answer may have been found when a copy of the record for James W. Flowers' second marriage was obtained. On that second document, James identified his parents as Thomas W. Flowers and Vina McDade. Is it possible that Vina McDade's marriage to Thomas W. Flowers was her second marriage, and that James Wilson was a son from her first marriage and adopted -- formally or otherwise -- by the second husband? Was there some irregularity surrounding James Wilson's birth? Or was it simply a slip of the clerk's pen? At this time all we have is speculation. We may never figure out the whole story behind this one, but at least we have solved James Wilson's connection to the McDades.
THE McDADE CONNECTION: PART II: There is another interesting McDade connection when it comes to the Flowers family. After the death of her mother, Laura Cahill, daughter-in-law of James and Luverna Flowers, went to live with the family of Benjamin & Martha McDade. Laura is listed with them as a "servant private family" in the 1920 Ohio census for Ross County: Scioto Twp East. Benjamin is listed as 66 years of age, born in West Virginia. Martha's age is listed as 58, also born in West Virginia. There is also a granddaughter Frances, age 14, in the household. Is it merely a coincidence that the name McDade reappears in the family's history? Could it be that, directly or indirectly, Laura Cahill met Howard Flowers, son of James Wilson Flowers, through this McDade family? Are these McDades related to the James Wilson? Or is this just one of those uncanny coincidences that happen from time to time?
Children of JAMES FLOWERS and LUVERNA STOVER are:
- Rachel Mae Flowers was born July 15, 1895 in West Virginia (probably Mason County). She died August 16, 1963 in Wellsville, Columbiana County, Ohio. She married Luther Merical.
- Howard Franklin Flowers, Sr. was born December 29, 1898 in Cottageville, either Jackson or Mason County, West Virginia. He died May 20, 1954 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.
- Sophrona Flowers was born March 20, 1900, in West Virginia (probably Mason County). She died September 28, 1914 in Eagle Township, Vinton County, Ohio.
- Joseph Luther Flowers ("Luther") was born March 23, 1903 in Mason County, West Virginia. He died December 1, 1982 in Laurelville, Hocking County, Ohio.
- Mary Flowers was born February 13, 1905 in Leon, Mason County, WV. She died January 27, 1973 in New Kensington, PA. She married Charles Geyer.
- Vernon Flowers was born June 1908 (from census records); his death certificate gives his date of birth as April 15, 1907 in Evans, West Virginia. He died on October 3, 1964 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. He married Dessie Coder (or Ader/Ater).
- George Flowers was born 1909 in WV. He died probably between 1925-1930.
George was most likely a sickly child, and is said to have died either in his teens or early twenties from tuberculosis.
- Jasper Flowers ("Jay") was born December 29, 1912 in Mason County, West Virginia. He died December 4, 1986 in Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio. He married (1) Lavern; he married (2) Viola Lindsey.
- Clevy Francis Flowers was born July 17, 1915 in Eagle Township, Vinton County, Ohio. He died September 22, 1915 in Eagle Township, Vinton County, Ohio.
New headstone erected for Flowers family members buried in Boblett Cemetery in Vinton County, Ohio.
The stone was erected by Luverna's grandson, Larry Flowers.
Detail from 1910 Census, Mason County, West Virginia:
Family of James Wilson Flowers
Family members are listed as follows: J. Wilson Flowers (Head), Verna (Wife), Rachel (Daughter), Howard (Son), Sophrona (Daughter), Luther (Son), Mary (Daughter), and Vernon (Son). Shortly after this census was taken, the family left West Virginia and moved to Eagle Township in Vinton County, Ohio.
Detail of 1920 Census for Franklin County, Ohio
Wilson Flowers (a.k.a., James Wilson Flowers) is listed as a "lodger" at the residence of Minnie Cossin, both living in Columbus, Ohio. Why James Wilson Flowers went to Columbus after Luverna's death is not known. A search through the census for this same period shows that his minor-aged children were then living with their grandparents in Mason County, West Virginia. James Wilson and Minnie were married in 1923.
"Generation Number 3"
HOWARD FRANKLIN FLOWERS, SR. (James Wilson Flowers) was born December 29, 1898 in Cottageville, West Virginia. He died on May 20, 1954 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. He married LAURA CAHILL on April 29, 1922 in Masseyville, Ross County, Ohio. At the time of their marriage, Howard listed his residence as Gillespieville, Ohio. Howard was a veteran of World War I, having served in the United States Cavalry.
Howard Franklin Flowers
Laura Cahill was the daughter of JOHN WESLEY CAHILL and VIOLA SIDERS (CYDRUS) She was born February 18, 1906 in Franklin Township, Ross County, Ohio, and died on July 23, 1982 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.
Laura Cahill Flowers
Gramma Flowers
For the Cahill Family Genealogy, Click Here.
For the Siders Family Genealogy, Click Here.
Children of HOWARD FRANKLIN FLOWERS, SR. and LAURA CAHILL are:
- Frances Marian Flowers ("Fran") was born April 25, 1923 in Highland Bend, Ross County, Ohio. She married 1) Ron Reed. She married 2) William Morea.
- Thelma Catherine Flowers was born November 18, 1925 New Boston, Scioto County, Ohio. She died July 25, 1990 at Cleveland, OH. She married Robert C. Bailey.
- Howard Franklin Flowers, Jr. ("Sonny") was born August 23, 1927 in Tappan, Taylor County, West Virginia. He died May 5, 2001 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.
- Richard Lee Flowers ("Dink") was born August 18, 1929 in New Boston, Scioto County, Ohio. He died October 4, 1971 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. He married 1) Eileen Tippen. He married 2) Arlene ---. Both are deceased.
- Erma Jean Flowers was born October 7, 1931 in Portsmouth, Scioto County, OH. She died June 1, 2007 in Toledo, Lucas County, OH. She married Jack Dempsey Barker.
- Carol Marie Flowers was born December 10, 1934 in Wheelersburg, Scioto County, OH. She died January 22, 1998 in Bullhead City, Mojave County, Arizona. She married Raymond Elkins.
- Marjorie Darlene Flowers ("Darlene") was born January 26, 1937 in Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio. She died February 22, 1996 in Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio. She married 1) Roland Lee Adams. She married 2) Leonard Garland Willard.
- Charles Robert Flowers ("Bobby") was born October 13, 1946 in Harrison Township, Highland Bend, Sciotoville, Scioto County, Ohio. He died August 30, 2000 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. He married 1) Judy Gingrich. He married 2) Robin ---. He married 3) Peggy Joan Barber.
- Larry Eugene Flowers was born August 29, 1950 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.
JOSEPH LUTHER FLOWERS ("LUTHER") (James Wilson Flowers) was born on March 23, 1903 in Mason County, West Virginia. He died on December 1, 1982 in Laurelville, Hocking County, Ohio. He married (1) GERTRUDE MAY PEOPLES about 1925 in McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio. He married (2) DELLA, date unknown.
Luther Flowers
Luther Flowers is remembered by his granddaughter Jackie this way.
"He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Washington Court House. He LOVED red-heads...and women with "a little meat on their bones." His favorite phrase regarding a good looking woman was "hot-diggity!"
He used to work in a steel mill where he was injured by a piece of metal which struck him on one side of his chin and left a scar and numbness. He lived with us for a while until he was diagnosed with lung cancer which required chemo and a nurse's care. He was fiery, stubborn, ornery, funny and sound of mind till his last breath." We should all be so fondly remembered by our children and grandchildren!
Luther Flowers' Family
Gertrude Flowers Obituary
Children of JOSEPH LUTHER FLOWERS and GERTRUDE MAY PEOPLES:
MARY FLOWERS (James Wilson Flowers) was born February 13, 1905 in Leon, West Virginia; she died January 27, 1973. She married CHARLES HUTCHISON GEYER. He was born October 14, 1908 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; he died November 13, 1967.
Photo of Mary Geyer (middle)
Children of MARY FLOWERS and CHARLES GEYER:
- Donald Allen Geyer, born July 19, 1928. He died April 22, 1999 at Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH.
- Dale Jay Geyer, born December 16, 1936. He died December 22, 1988.
- Gale Carl Geyer, born December 16, 1936. He died April 25, 1884 at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA.
- Shirley Ann Geyer, born January 20, 1938. She died 2001.
- Charles Lane Geyer, born July 15, 1939. He died March 26, 2003 in Cheswick, Allegheny County, PA.
- Carol Mae Geyer, born May 26, 1943.
RACHEL FLOWERS (James Wilson Flowers) was born July 1895 in Mason County, West Virginia; she died August 16, 1963 in East Liverpool, Columbiana County, Ohio. She married LUTHER E. MERICAL. He was born March 23, 1892 in Ripley, West Virginia; he died April 7, 1970 in East Liverpool, Columbiana County, West Virginia. We currently have no further information on Rachel (Flowers) Miracle or her family.
Children of RACHEL FLOWERS and LUTHER MERICAL:
- Alice Mae Merical. She married William Craven.
- Ella Jane Merical. She married Richard Smith.
- Russell H. Merical
The following obituaries for Rachel and Luther Miracle were recently found.
Mrs. Luther Merical
Mrs. Rachael Mae Merical, 1733 Commerce St., Wellsville, (Ohio) wife of Luther E. Merical, died Friday night at 10:30 at home following an illness of several weeks. She was 68.
A native of Vinton County, *W. Va., Mrs. Merical was born July 15, 1895, to the late J. Willis Flowers and Vrona Stover Flowers. She resided in Wellsville for 46 years. At one time she was employed as a waredresser at the Sterling China Co. She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by: two daughters: Mrs. Alice Mae Craven of Wellsville (Ohio) and Mrs. Ella Jane Smith of Temple, Arizona.; a son, Russell H. Merical of Ashtabula, (Ohio); a sister, Mrs. Mary Gyer of Pittsburgh, (PA); three brothers: Vernon Flowers and Luther Flowers, both of Columbus, (Ohio) and Jasper Flowers of Washington Court House, (Ohio) and 11 grandchildren.
Services will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the MacLean Funeral Home by the Rev. Clark M. Allison. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery, Wellsville. Friends may call at the funeral home in Wellsville Sunday and Monday afternoon and evening.
(East Liverpool Review
Sat. Aug 17, 1963 ~ page 14)
Luther E. Merical
Luther E. Merical, 78, of 1716 Commerce St., Wellsville (Ohio) died Tuesday at 3:40 p.m. at City Hospital where he had been a patient for one week.
He was born in Ripley, W.Va., March 23, 1892, a son of the late James and Martha (Farley) Merical. A resident of Wellsville for 60 years, he had been employed as a crane operator for the former American Sheet and Tinplate Co., and later at Patterson Industries.
He was a veteran of World War I, a member of the American Legion Post 70 and had attended the First Church of the Nazarene in Wellsville.
His wife, Mrs. Rachael Flowers Merical, died in 1963.
Survivors include: two daughters: Mrs. William (Alice Mae) Craven, with whom he resided, and Mrs. Richard (Ella Jane) Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; a son, Russell H. Merical of Lordstown; a sister, Mrs. Nellie Scarberry of Vinton County, Ohio; 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
The MacLean Funeral Home in Wellsville is arranging services.
(The Evening Review
Wed. April 8, 1970 ~ page 6)
VERNON FLOWERS (James Wilson Flowers) was born between 1905-1912, and died October 3, 1964 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. He married DESSIE CODER (or ADER / ATER) about 1930.
Vernon Flowers -- 1954
Children of VERNON FLOWERS and DESSIE CODER (ADER / ATER):
- Mary Louise Flowers born 1932. Married Ludeke.
- Melva Lorene Flowers born 1934.
JASPER FLOWERS ("JAY") (James Wilson Flowers) was born December 29, 1912 in Mason County, West Virginia, and died on December 1, 1986 in Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio. He married (1) LAVERN. He married (2) VIOLA LINDSEY. Viola's date of birth is not known; and died between 1980-1990, probably in Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio.
Jasper "Jay" Flowers -- 1954
Children of JASPER FLOWERS and VIOLA LINDSEY are:
- Jill Flowers
- April Flowers
"Generation Number 4"
FRANCES MARIAN ("Fran") FLOWERS (Howard Franklin, Sr., James Wilson Flowers) was born April 25, 1923 in Highland Bend, Scioto County, Ohio. She married (1) BILL MOREA. She married (2) KEN REED.
Children of FRANCES FLOWERS and KEN REED:
- Ron Reed
- Patti Reed
- Dawn Reed
THELMA CATHERINE FLOWERS (Howard Franklin, Sr., James Wilson Flowers) was born November 18, 1925 in or near Portsmoth, Scioto County, Ohio. She died July 26, 1990 in South Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio. She married ROBERT BAILEY.
Bob and Thelma Bailey
Child of THELMA FLOWERS and ROBERT BAILEY:
HOWARD FRANKLIN FLOWERS, JR. ("Sonny") (Howard Franklin, Sr., James Wilson Flowers) was born August 23, 1927 in West Virginia. He died May 5, 2001 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. He married (1) EILENE; he married (2) ARLENE.
Child of HOWARD FLOWERS and EILENE:
RICHARD LEE FLOWERS ("Dink") (Howard Franklin, Sr., James Wilson Flowers) was born August 18, 1929 in New Boston, Scioto County, Ohio. He died October 4, 1971 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. He married DORIS E. WARD.
Richard's 1940 class picture from Harding School.
Richard Lee Flowers
Children of RICHARD FLOWERS and DORIS WARD:
- Richard Lee Flowers, Jr.
- Debbie Flowers
- Jeff Flowers
- Kurt Flowers
- Bruce Flowers
ERMA JEAN FLOWERS (Howard Franklin, Sr., James Wilson Flowers) was born October 7, 1931. She married JACK DEMPSEY BARKER. He was born January 5, 1929, and died October 25, 1988 in Temperance, Monroe County, Michigan.
Children of ERMA FLOWERS and JACK BARKER:
- Jack Dempsey Barker, Jr.
- Greg Allen Barker
CAROL MARIE FLOWERS (Howard Franklin, Sr., James Wilson Flowers) was born December 10, 1934; she died January 22, 1998 in Bullhead City, Mojave County, Arizona. She married RAYMOND ERNEST ELKINS, son of ERNEST and ALBERTA ELKINS, on March 15, 1955 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. Raymond was born on March 20, 1926 in Toledo, Ohio, and died on May 3, 1998 in Bullhead City, Arizona.
Carol and Ray Elkins
Children of CAROL MARIE FLOWERS and RAYMOND ERNEST ELKINS:
- Adrienne Elkins
- Stephen Elkins
MARJORIE DARLENE FLOWERS ("Darlene") (Howard Franklin, Sr., James Wilson Flowers) was born January 26, 1937 in Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio, and died February 22, 1996 in Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio. She married (1) ROLLAND LEE ADAMS. She married (2) LEONARD GARLIN WILLARD on November 1975. Leonard died 1995 in Toledo, Ohio.
Darlene Flowers Willard
Children of DARLENE FLOWERS and ROLLAND ADAMS:
- Cheryl Lynn Adams
- Terri Lane Adams
- Roland Lee Adams
- Robert Larry Adams
CHARLES ROBERT FLOWERS (Howard Franklin, Sr., James Wilson Flowers) was born October 13, 1946 in Harrison Township / Highland Bend, Scioto County, Ohio, and died August 30, 2000 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. He married (1) JUDY GINGRICH. He married (2) ROBIN. He married (3) PEGGY.
Charles Robert Flowers, better known as Bobby, celebrating his birthday.
Charles Robert Flowers, many birthdays later.
Child of CHARLES ROBERT FLOWERS and JUDY GINGRICH:
LARRY EUGENE FLOWERS (Howard Franklin, Sr., James Wilson Flowers) was born August 29, 1950 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. He married (1) GENIA DEIDRE KRAFT. He married (2) KAREN SUE JONES, daughter of John Patric Jones and Dolores Ann Walker.
Above: Larry Flowers around 1952, with his older sisters Carol and Fran
Below: Two pictures of Larry in his teens.
Children of LARRY FLOWERS and GENIA KRAFT:
- Larry Eugene Flowers II
- Julie Marie Flowers
Julie and Buster
Larry and Karen Flowers
IMOGENE FLOWERS (Joseph Luther, James Wilson Flowers) married KENNETH RILEY.
Children of IMOGENE FLOWERS and KENNETH RILEY:
- Bob Riley
- Howard Riley
- Lavonne Riley
- David Riley
- Gary Riley
- Carl Riley
- Joe Riley
DONALD FLOWERS (Joseph Luther, James Wilson Flowers) married (1) CAROL KREGER. He married (2) THELMA VENABLE JACOB.
Children of DONALD FLOWERS and CAROL KREGER:
- Theresa Flowers
- Patricia Flowers
Child of DONALD FLOWERS and THELMA JACOB:
OLIVER VERNON FLOWERS (Joseph Luther, James Wilson Flowers) was born in 1929. He married (1) DORIS REED. He married (2) ELEANOR WOLF.
Child of OLIVER FLOWERS and DORIS REED:
Child of OLIVER FLOWERS and ELEANOR WOLF is:
ELENORE MAE FLOWERS ("Patsy") (Joseph Luther, James Wilson Flowers) was born September 13, 1934 in or near Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio. She married (1) DONALD RAY SMITH, born March 31, 1930 in Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio. He is the son of GUY PATTESON SMITH and ETHEL "EFFIE" GOFF. She married (2) THURMAN MOSLEY. She married (3) RICHARD BRADEY.
Children of ELENORE FLOWERS and DONALD SMITH are:
- Vicki Lynn Smith
- Tonda Kay Smith
- Barry Joe Smith
- Jackie Sue Smith
- Angela Dawn Smith
Email us at:
hdkingsbury@att.net
URL: http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/flowers0/family/flowers.html
[Home] [Cahill] [Flowers]
[Siders] [Stover] [Pictures]
|
