Charles Medaris (4) (John Thomas 3, Charles 2, Domingo1) was born abt. 1745, in Essex County, Virginia in the area known as Dragon Swamp. He married Elizabeth “Betsy” Gregory in 1765. Charles was a Saddler by trade. The Medaris brothers kept close together during the 1700’s and they all moved to Chatham County, North Carolina by the 1770’s. By 1789 Charles and his brothers moved to the Belews Creek District of North Carolina on 200 acres purchased on 04 Nov. 1789. By the 1790 Census Charles was in Guilford County, Salisbury District.

    When the American Revolution started, Charles was a member of Capt. Elisha Cain’s Company of the North Carolina Militia in Chatham County, North Carolina.  Although many of the records from North Carolina were burned during the war, Charles was found in a list of Militia members of 1772.  He lived in Chatham County until about 1780 when he moved to Guilford County, closer to his brothers.  He was in good health at the time, and it is a reasonable assumption that he did serve in the war.  Many of these members received land grants in Ohio under the “United Brethren Warrant Act” of 01 Jun. 1796.  John’s children moved to Ohio on land likely achieved through this grant from Charles’ service.  He is listed in a Reconstructed List of Participants of the Revolutionary War from Chatham County, North Carolina.

    Most of what is known about Charles is found in his will, which was written 15 March 1793. Charles died in July or August of 1793, as that is when his will was probated. Charles apparently died from a long illness as he mentions at the writing of his will in March that he was in very poor health. He is most likely buried in Guilford County, North Carolina. It would be amazing to be able to locate his place of burial. It is interesting to note that in his will he mentions his “Sorrel Mare” who he named “Bet”.  When I first read that I wondered if Betsy knew the Mare’s name before the will was read?  I later found out that it was common practice to name your work mule or horse after your wife during this time.

Supporting Documents

Chatham County Court Of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1774 – 1779Chatham County Deed Bk. A.pg 20,7 June 1773

Charles Medearis, Sadler, of Chatham Co., N.C. to Alburt Siers of Orange Co., N.C. (for 12 pounds), 100 acres, lying in the fork between Panter (Panther?) Creek and Middle Creek. Signed by Charles Medearis and Betty Medearis, his wife. Witnessed by Chas. Abercrumby and Wm. Campbell

Chatham County, North Carolina 1771 – 1871
A Partial List of Soldiers from Chatham County in the War of the Revolution as compiled from pension roles and militia rosters.

Page 454
Capt. Elisha Cain’s Company of Chatham County, NC, Militia

Charles Medearis

pg. 62, Court of Aug 1778

“A road be laid out the best way from Orange County line near Henry Beazleys down by Gray Barbys crossing the North East branch of Newhope above the mouth, and from thence near Archibald Cains into the road that leads by Robert Cobbs to Atkinses ferry on Cape fear and any twelve of the following persons be a Jury to lay out the same- Presely George, Henry Beazley, Lewis Wimberly, Jacob Wimberly, John Little, Elisha Cain, Gray Barby, Dunkin Bohannon, Elliot Bohannon, John Pitts Sr., Wm. Cain, John Gregory, Charles Medearis , Matthew Davis, Henry Kelley, Francis Sypart, Sr., John Dockery and James Christian, Jr.”

The road being laid out went through all of the above named, lands. All the members named above were later assigned to the road crew for its construction.

“Land Transaction N. C. Bk. 2, p. 350″4 Nov. 1780

Charles Medearis of Chatham Co., North Carolina buys 200 acres of land on Belews Creek from William Woods of Washington Co., North Carolina. Witnesses: Justain Knott, Isham Bobbitt. Nov. 4, 1780

From the Abstract of Guilford Co., NC Deed Book 2 1779-1783Page 30,4 November 1783,

William Woods of Washington County, NC to Charles Medeares of Guilford, eighty pounds, two hundred acres on the waters of Balues Creek on both sides of Mill Branch (granted to sd Woods by patent date 1 March 1780), begin at white oak in the Surry County line S crossing sd branch and another branch 200 p. to Andrew Hannah’a (sic) corner white oak,  E to his corner, same course crossing a branch 160 p. to a white oak, N crossing Mile (Mill) Branch 200 p. to a black jack, 160 p. to the first station.  Signed William Woods; witness Juston Knott, Isham Bobbet, Hugh McKilip; proved August Court 1783 by Isham Bobbet.

    Charles and Elizabeth had the following children:

  1. John D. Medaris (5) b. abt. 1765; d. 1823 in North Carolina. He married 1) Susannah Waggoner, 2) Mary Pegram.
  2. Thomas Medaris (5) b. 16 Feb. 1767 in North Carolina; d. 07 Oct. 1849 in Clermont County, Ohio. Thomas married Nancy Sanders
  3. Sarah “Sally” Jane Medaris (5) married Joseph Jean married on 12 Oct. 1796 in Guilford Co., N.C.  They moved to Clermont County, Ohio, across the river from Bracken, Kentucky. He had first bought land at Milford Ohio. Joseph died in Bracken, Kentucky.
  4. Shadrach Medaris (5) v. 1771, appears to have died before 1790.
  5. Mary Medaris (5) b. 1773
  6. Millie Medaris (5) b. 1775
  7. Elizabeth “Betsy” Medaris (5) b. 1777, married William Lain (Lane) in Stokes County, North Carolina on 10 Apr. 1798.
  8. Malachi Medearis (5) b. 1778 in North Carolina, d. in the 1850’s in Conecuh County, Alabama. He married 1) Elizabeth Lane, 2) Nancy ????.
  9. Stephen Medaris (5) b. abt. 1784, d. 04 Sept 1859 in Ohio.  He married Elizabeth Jean.
  10. William Medaris (5) b. 1786 in NC. He married Nancy Jean.
  11. Nancy Medaris (5) b. 20 Jan. 1789 in North Carolina; d. 23 May 1832 in Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio. She married Jesse Ellis.

    It appears that Stephen and William had a double Wedding. Betsey and Nancy Jean were the daughters of William and Hulda Jean.

(CR: 1772 Chatham County, North Carolina; 1790 Guilford Co., North Carolina)

(credits 00, 10, 50, 51)

Generation 5

John D. Medaris (5) (Charles 4) born abt. 1765 in Guilford County, North Carolina. He died in 1823 in North Carolina.  John married Susannah Waggoner on 29 Apr 1797 in Stokes County, NC. 

     John and Susannah had the following children:

  1. Thomas J. Madaris (6) b. 1798 in North Carolina; d. 13 Apr 1869 in Decatur County, Georgia.  He married 1) Sarah Jane Preddy, 2) Nancy Kelley
  2. Mary Madaris (6) b. 1800 in North Carolina.
  3. Elizabeth “Betsy” Madaris (6) b. 01 Mar. 1801 in North Carolina; d. 17 Sept. 1823 in Ohio. She married William Barrow.
  4. Alfred W. Medearis (6) b. 1808 in North Carolina; d. 05 Jan 1877 in Drakesville, Iowa.  He married Mary Marshall.

    Susannah died in 1808, and it appears she died in or just after childbirth with Alfred. After Susannah’s death John married Mary “Polly” Pegram in 1808 in Stokes County, NC. Mary was the daughter of Daniel and Agnes Jones Pegram. She was born 28 Nov 1783 in Warren County, North Carolina.

    John and Mary had the following children:

  1. John Fletcher Medearis (6) b. 16 Nov 1809 in North Carolina; d. 16 Nov. 1909 in Wayne County, Indiana on his 100th birthday. John married Sarah Caroline Abrams.
  2. Charles Rankins Medaris (6) b. 1812 in North Carolina; d. 15 Nov 1889 in Davis County, Iowa.  He married Harriett S. Owens.
  3. Emsley Thomas Medearis (6) b. 1815 in North Carolina; d. 1850 in Indiana.  He married Mary Ann Dougherty.
  4. Martha Medearis (6) b. Sept. 1816 in North Carolina; d. 23 June 1911 in Wayne County, Indiana. She married John Wesley Keys.
  5. Nancy Medearis (6) b. 04 Nov. 1819 in North Carolina; d. 14 Nov 1913 in Wayne County, Indiana. She married 1) William Smith Woods 2) Thomas Crooks.
  6. William Jefferson Medearis (6) b. 02 Jan. 1822 in North Carolina; d. 25 Dec. 1911 in Wayne County, Indiana. He married Martha Marilla Sacket.

    In 1823, John died at the age of 58 in North Carolina.  In 1828, Mary and the children from this second marriage moved to Indiana. They traveled with all of their belongings in two, one horse wagons. They settled in the site of Old Salisbury, then later moved to Centerville. Their descendants have lived in the area of Wayne County ever since. The children from John’s first marriage to Susannah, moved to Carroll County, Georgia around 1826 as the land was purchased from the Creek Indians.

    Mary died on 07 July 1877 in Indiana at the age of 93Y-7M-9D. She is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, in Wayne County, Indiana.

Supporting Documents

Deed Abstracts, Guilford County, NC

1813 / BENJAMIN SHAW sold to JOHN D. MEDARIS 296 ac on Lick Branch Haw River, next to ABRAHAM ENDSLEY. (DB 11:262)

9 January 1819 /  WM. PEGRAM to JOHN PEGRAM for $166.66 & 2/3 – two tracts on waters of Balews Creek..being part of land formerly owned by EDWARD PEGRAM decd. Who devised that said land would be publicly sold at yongest child being of age…etc. WILLIAM PEGRAM purchased said land 11 Nov. 1816 – Tract 1) 43 & 3/4 acres..begin at a black oak in JOHN MEDEARES line…to a stump & stake in a field near to a stable (formerly EDMOND JEANS) now DEMSY  McKINNEYs).. thence N on SOLOMON WARREN’s line (formerly McKILLESS)..; Tract 2) 58 acres..begin at a white oak on head of a branch…to black oak in JOHN MEDEARES line…to large Hickory at corner of WM. PEGRAM’s field… Wit: GEORGE PEGRAM, TRAVIS JONES Proved Feb. 1819. (DB 13:257)

1 Feb. 1834 – JOHN F. MEDEARIS of Wayne Co., IN., by virtue of a Power of Attorney from his brother, CHARLES D. MEDEARIS of Wayne Co., IN., dated 17 Sep. 1833, to JOHN PEGRAM of Guilford Co., N.C. for $ 85 – 98 & 1/2 acres on waters of Belews Creek – begin at a hickory grub in the Widow NOTT’s line…S with EMSLEY MEDEARIS ‘s line…W with D. McKINNEY’s line…to black oak in JOHN PEGRAM’s line …..N to large hickory in sd. PEGRAM’s line and Widow KNOTT’s corner…Wit: FRANCIS JONES, GEORGE PEGRAM. Proved May 1835. (DB 22:87).

(CR: 1810, 1820 Guilford Co., North Carolina; Mary Pegram Medearis 1840, 1860 Wayne Co., Indiana)

(credits 00, 01, 10, 18, 50, 146)

Thomas Medaris (5) (Charles 4) b. 16 Feb. 1767 in North Carolina; d. 07 Oct. 1849 in Clermont County, Ohio. Thomas married Nancy Melinda Sanders, daughter of Nahum and Susannah Sanders.

    Thomas and family moved to Clermont County, Ohio in 1803 with the family of Oliver (5), and many of their North Carolina neighbors. The women and children traveled by flatboat from Pittsburgh. The men traveled by wagon and horseback and drove the livestock overland by way of Chillicothe.  Thomas remained in Clermont County, Ohio Township for most of his life.

    Thomas and Nancy had the following children:

  1. John Medaris (6) b. abt. 1790 in North Carolina; d. 1870 in Wright County, Missouri.  He married Frances Jones. 
  2. Elizabeth Medaris (6) b. abt. 1795 in North Carolina; d. 21 Aug. 1858.  She married Elijah Mattox Jr.
  3. Charles Medearis (6) b. abt. 1804; d. 09 December 1858.  He married Matilda Maddox. After Charles death she married Elijah Mattox, Jr., the widower of Charles’s sister Elizabeth.
  4. Martha “Patsy” Elizabeth Medaris (6) b. abt. 1805; d. 04 January 1892, she married John Behymer. 
  5. Malachi Medearis (6) b. abt. 1806; d. bef. 1846. He married Ann Wood.
  6. Elias Medaris (6) b. abt. 1808.  He first shows in the Ohio census, then re-appears in 1850 Ohio.
  7. Emilia Medaris (6) b. abt. 1810, she married Joseph Smith, 3 Jun 1830.
  8. Nancy Medaris (6) b. 05 Oct. 1811 in Clermont County, Ohio; d. 25 Sept. 1899 in Clermont County, Ohio. She married Rueben Laycock.
  9. Sarah Medaris (6) b. abt. 1812 she married Stephen J. Lewis 21 Jan 1830.
  10. John W. Medaris (6) b. 22 Oct. 1814 in Clermont County, Ohio.

    Nancy died 03 Dec. 1856. Thomas, his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Elijah Mattox are buried in the Medaris Family Cemetery, Old Apple Farm, Pierce Township. Thomas’ will was probated in Sept. 1849.

Findagrave  (39.03581666 -084.29121666)

(CR: 1809, 1820, 1830, 1840 Clermont Co., Ohio)

(credits 00, 10, 50, 51, 97, 113, 256)

Malachi Medaris (5) (Charles 4) was b. 1778 in North Carolina, d. in the 1850’s in Conecuh County, Alabama. He married Elizabeth Lane on 22 Jul. 1798. Elizabeth was born April 1779 in Maryland. 

     In 1803, Malachi along with his brother Thomas and their families moved to Clermont County, Ohio. They settled near Olive Branch until 1818, when they moved to Batavia.

    Malichi’s life is a bit of mystery as Malachi moves to Iowa around 1810. He returns to Ohio by 1820, but he is in the Mississippi census from 1830 to 1840.  He is appointed Postmaster of Olive Branch, Clermont County, Ohio on 12 Feb 1845. 

     Malachi and Elizabeth apparently divorced before 1820.  Malachi is next found in Alabama by 1850 married to Nancy ???? .  Nancy was born in 1780.  It us unknown when Malachi and Nancy married but it is likely that it was in the 1820’s.

    Elizabeth continued to live in Ohio with her children until her death on 12 Nov 1870 in Clermont County.

    Malachi and Elizabeth had the following known children:

  1. Charles Medearis (6) b. 27 Jun 1799 in North Carolina; d. 21 Feb 1876 in Clermont County, Ohio.  He married Lydia Gest.
  2. Samuel Medaris (6) b. 1800 – 1810
  3. Shadrach Medaris (6) b. 1802 in North Carolina; d. 27 May 1880.  He married Sarah E. Ferree.
  4. Sarah J. Medaris (6) b. 1806 in Ohio. She married John W. Gest.

    Malachi and Nancy had the following children

  1. Malachi Medearis (6) b. abt. 1825 in Mississippi. He married Mary Hassy, 24 Jan. 1852 in Conecuh County, Alabama.
  2. Mary A. C. Medaris (6) b. abt. 1818 in Alabama; d. 31 Aug 1889 in Jackson County, Mississippi. She married Arrington Phelps.
  3. Louisiana Medaris (6) b. abt 1830, married W. C. McDonald a physician from Georgia. She has a Sarah living with her in 1860 who was born about 1845. She may be a sister or a niece to Louisiana.
  4. Daniel Medaris (6) b. 1831 in Ala. Although his mother Nancy would be 51 at the time of his birth, census records suggest this is accurate for he and his sister Eliza.
  5. Eliza Medaris (6) b. 1832 in Ala. 

Western American Newspaper

24 Jun 1815

Taken Up By
John Mattox of Union Township,
Clermont county,
A black mare, 13 hands high, supposed to be ten years old, branded on the off shoulder and buttock with the letters CN, marked very much with the saddle, and the hair of her mane and tail cut chiefly off–appraised to 8 dollars by John M’Kee and Malachi Medaris
Certified by Shadrack Lane, J.P.
May 19th, 1815.

(CR:  1820 Clermont Co., Ohio; 1830 Warren Co., Mississippi; 1840 Clark Co., Mississippi; 1850 Conecuh Co., Alabama; 1860 Clark Co., Mississippi)

(credits 00, 50, 51, 170, 171)

Stephen Medaris (5) (Charles 4) b. abt. 1784, d. 04 Sept 1859 in Ohio.  He married Elizabeth Jean, 01 Sept 1806 in Stokes County, North Carolina. They moved to Ohio about 1803 with the rest of the family.  They eventually moved to Kentucky before 1815.  Stephen shows back up in 1850 Hamilton County, Ohio with his daughter Mary.  “Betsey” died 04 Mar 1838 in Ohio.

    Stephen and Betsey had the following children:

  1. Female Madaris (6) b. 1804 – 1810.  Shows in 1820 Ohio census, currently unidentified.
  2. Prior Medaris (6) b. abt 1807; d. Mar 1850 in Hamilton County, Ohio.   He married Catharine Guion.
  3. Mary Medaris (6) b. abt. 1810.  First shows in 1820 Ohio census and is still living with her father in 1850 when he returned to Ohio.

Stephen and Betsey are buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Hamilton County, Ohio.  Stephens will is recorded in Volume H, page 284.

Findagrave: Stephen – Betsey

(CR: 1820 Clermont Co., Ohio)

William Medaris (5) (Charles 4) b. 1786 in NC. He married Nancy Jean on 11 Sept. 1806 in Stokes Co., NC. Nancy was born 01 Nov. 1782 in Virginia.  

    William was in 1st Regiment, (Riddles) Ohio Militia during the War of 1812. After the war he moved to Clermont County, Ohio, likely to property his father received as a Revolutionary pension.  The he purchased 6.2 acres of land in Vincennes, Sullivan County, Indiana on 23 Oct 1835 and he moved his family there. William and many of his descendants lived on this land for many years.  In 1860, William is living with William Worley who was born in Kentucky abt. 1823.  It is suspected that William Worley is a son-in-law to William, likely marrying one of the unknown daughters listed below.  The wife of Worley is not present in this family unit in 1850.  

    William and Nancy had the following known children:

  1. Male (6) b. abt. 1804 in North Carolina.
  2. Hyatt Medaris (6) b. abt. 1810 in resided in Indiana in 1840.  He married Elizabeth ????.
  3. Female (6) b. 1810 – 1820. Shows in 1820 Ohio census, currently unidentified.
  4. Female (6) b. 1810 – 1820. Shows in 1820 Ohio census, currently unidentified.
  5. Female (6) b. 1810 – 1820. Shows in 1820 Ohio census, currently unidentified.
  6. William S. Medaris (6) b. 1822 in Ind. He married Susan Burnett.
  7. Andrew Medaris (6) b. 1823 in Ind.  He married Nancy ????.
  8. Narcissus Medaris (6) b. 1828 in Indiana.  She married William Simmons on 29 Sept. 1850 in Vigo County, Indiana.

(CR: 1820 Clermont Co., Ohio; 1830, 1840 Sullivan Co., Indiana; 1850 Vigo Co., Indiana, 1860 Douglas Co., Illinois)

(credits 00, 50)

Nancy Medaris (5) (Charles 4) b. 20 Jan. 1789 in North Carolina; d. 23 May 1832 in Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio. She married Jesse Ellis, 08 Oct. 1806 in Rowan Co., North Carolina. They moved to Ohio with the rest of the family. Jesse was b. 04 Jan. 1784 in Chatham Co., North Carolina; d. 09 Sept. 1845 in Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio.

     Nancy and Jesse had 13 children.

  1. Elizabeth Ellis (6) b. 1807; d. 1815.
  2. William M. Ellis (6) b. 28 Oct 1809.
  3. Saul D. Ellis (6) b. 13 Dec 1811; d. 14 Aug 1828
  4. Margaret Ellis (6) b. 22 Mar 1814 in Clermont County, Ohio; d. 23 Aug 1868
  5. Eliza Enoch Ellis (6) b. 04 Mar 1816 in Clermont County, Ohio; d. 1876 in Claiborne County, Mississippi.  She married Julien L. Foote
  6. Sarah Ellis (6) b. 05 Feb 1818; d. 17 Jan 1885
  7. Mary Ellis (6) b. 17 Jan 1820
  8. John Samuel Ellis (6) b. 01 May 1822 in Ohio; d. 13 Oct 1906 in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. He married Maria Leonard.
  9. Nancy Ellis (6) b. Dec 1824, she married Thomas Mattox.
  10. Carolina Ellis (6) b. Aug 1825; d. Sept 1826
  11. Jesse Ellis (6) b. 14 Feb 1826 in Clermont County, Ohio; d. 19 Sept 1863 at Chicamauga, Walker County, Georgia.  He married Sarah C. Kain.
  12. Albert D. Ellis (6) b. 18 Aug 1829; d. 1829.
  13. Martha J. Ellis (6) b. May 1830; d. May 1830

Generation 6

Thomas J. Madaris (6) (John 5, Charles 4) was born 1798 in Guilford County, North Carolina. Although we do not know for sure, Thomas’ middle name is most likely “Jefferson” based on naming trends, but it is not known for sure. He married 1) Sarah Jane Preddy (sometimes spelled Priddy) 29 Sept. 1819 in Guilford County, NC.

    Thomas and Sarah had the following children:

  1. William Fletcher Madaris (7) b. Jun 1820 in Guilford County, NC. He married Barbara Allen Buford.
  2. Haywood Madaris (7) b. abt. 1821 in Guilford County, NC. He married Lucinda Adams.
  3. John Madaris (7) b. 1823. John apparently never married. He went into the mill business with his brother Haywood. With the help of their brothers, John and Haywood built a Lumber Mill in Buckeye on the Madaris land. It was evidently a prosperous business for many years. They helped to build other mills in the area of Buckeye and Sargent, Georgia. John died 29 Nov. 1853 in Pike County, Georgia. The area known as Buckeye today no longer exists. In fact, there is not even a water source there anymore with the changes in the Chattahoochee River. Some of the houses in the local area however contain remnants of the old mill. One house was built with a 22′ wooden beam as the main support of its sub floor. This solid timber was drug from the woods and was obviously a part of the old mill that had fallen to ruin after the War for Southern Independence. Another local man says that he pulled the stones from the site, and another uses the millstone for steps at his home.
  4. Franklin Madaris (7) b. 1828 Carroll County, Ga. Franklin married Margaret Davis.
  5. Jefferson Madaris (7) b. 1832 Carroll County, Ga.  Little is known about Jefferson’s military history; he was only discovered when Franklin was traced to the Port Society Cemetery on the Ashley River. (See listing for Franklin) Jefferson was a member of the Confederate States Navy. (CR: 1850 Carroll Co., GA)
  6. Delona Jane Madaris (7) b. 1834 Campbell County, Ga.  Delona married Abraham Ballard.
  7. Elizabeth M. Madaris (7) b. 1836 Carroll County, Ga.  She married Elijah Peppers, 08 June 1852 in Carroll County, Georgia.  Elijah was the son of Samuel Peppers and was born about 1830 in Georgia.
  8. Jackson Madaris (7) b. Sept. 1835 Carroll County, Ga., Jackson was in Company K. of the 30th Georgia regiment, known as the Chattahoochee Volunteers. He was captured near Nashville Tennessee and sent to a POW Camp in Camp Chase Ohio. 
  9. Thomas P. Madaris (7) b. 10 Jun 1838 Carroll County, Ga. Thomas married 3 times and has 13 children. He moves to Louisiana after the War for Southern Independence and changes his name to Medaries.

       Thomas and Sarah moved to Western Georgia in 1829, along the border of the Cherokee Nation.  What was the draw to go to Georgia when the rest of his family was moving to Ohio?  A discovery by Benny Parks in then Hall County, Georgia, may be the reason.  While walking in a creek, he stubbed his toe and found the first gold in the nation.  This started the first gold rush in the nation and brought many men and families from the Carolina’s to Western Georgia.  Now in present day Lumpkin County, and the City of Dahlonega.  Gold mines eventually dotted the counties of Carroll and Douglas as well, and the area also provided rich farmlands and abundant water supplies.

    The first document found to place this family in Carroll County, was dated 04 Nov. 1829 when Alfred W. “Medearis”, brother to Thomas, witnessed a deed in Carroll County, Georgia for George Aderhold. Sarah’s brother, Lemuel Preddy, was married to Margaret Aderhold, George’s daughter.  Then in 1832, Thomas won a Gold Lot in the final Land Lottery where he received land in the Carroll County listed in Higgenbothams Militia District, Land lot NO. 1319, district 14, Section 1.

    This period of settlement was tough, and times were hard. Though most of the settlers in this region were well to do and owned vast amounts of property there were also hardships to deal with. Many squatted large portions of land that Indians still claimed was rightfully theirs. Settlements were sparse and it was difficult to sell your crops when there were so few people to sell to. There was also no way to move your crops and no markets to sell them in. This infant country was for the most part lawless and the settlements to the north in Cherokee land fell under no one’s rule since it was outside of the US jurisdiction. The dealings with the Indians caused many of the settlers to band together. It appears that Thomas was one of these frontiersmen and he too joined the band of settlers who became known as the notorious “Pony Club”. These settlers would raid Indian homes, stealing Indian ponies that were of a much better breed than any other available. This created a market for the ponies and brought a lot of money to the club members. The Pony Club became the law of the land, and they became essentially a frontier mob. Some would even steal from their neighbors and there are many stories of travelers being robbed of their horses and bobbles. Although they were a lawless group, they mostly went unpunished because they had members who they elected as Judges, who then placed Pony Club members on juries. They made sure their members were elected to office and held positions of power. Being protected by their members they ran unchallenged for nearly two years causing what some described as terror in the land.

    The Pony Club ruled over land that soon became Paulding and Carroll Counties in Georgia. As the area settled, some law-abiding citizens became fed up with the lawlessness and were tired of having their livestock stolen. Some of these citizens banded together to create a counter group to the Pony club calling themselves the “Slick Company”. The Slicks organized in Alabama and had members of the Cherokees in their party. The Slicks eventually ran the Pony Club out of the Cherokee lands, starting with Paulding County. As the resistance grew stronger and law started entering the land the Pony Clubs set their headquarters and stronghold in Carroll County. The tensions between the Pony Club and the Slicks culminated on Election Day of 1832 in Carrollton. A large fight broke out in the streets. According to one witness no guns were used, just fists, rocks and sticks. The Slicks, headed up by then Sheriff Giles S. Boggess, were victorious and this was the beginning of the end for the Pony Club.

    At the September / October meeting of the Grand Jury, Sheriff Boggess was presented before the court as the aggressor in the may lay by the Pony Club controlled court. The jury was stacked with Pony Club members and the officer of the court was John A. Jones, also a member of the Club. Several members of the Club were also on trial for other charges. To the surprise of many it appeared that even the Club members were tired of the lawlessness. Perhaps like any other gang, membership was not always a choice. The Grand Jury did not file charges against Sheriff Boggess, but instead congratulated him and his Slicks for helping to bring peace and law to the area. Judge Colquitt disbanded the court as he knew that Jones “would have been justified in breaking up the court by any means he may have chosen…the judge’s duty to protect him as an officer of the court”. No one was charged that session of the jury; Slick Company or Pony Club.

    Other members who had been brought before the Jury were: “Edward Hall and Joel D. Hicks for keeping a Gambling House at the Gold Mines….Thos. Medaris for keeping a disorderly & drunken company about his house…selling liquer on Sabbath & allowing fiddling & dancing on Sunday, having work of various kinds done…selling spiritous liquers to Negroes and trading with them…Thusly corrupting them to the great misry of their owners the county at large.:” All identified as members of the Pony Club. Many members of the Pony Club were run out of Carroll County afterwards and peace and law were brought to the area. Many members of the Club remained in Carroll County and became respectable and productive citizens.

    The Madaris family left Carroll County after the disbandment of the Pony Club. According to a Campbell County deed, Thomas was a resident of Warren County, Georgia, in 1834 when he sold 202 1/2 acres in Campbell County, to Burgess Gentry.  On 06 Sept. 1843, Thomas purchased 101 1/4 acres of land in Coweta County, directly across the Chattahoochee River from the McIntosh Indian Reserve. This area was known as “Buckeye”. The only evidence of this small community left today is the old one room schoolhouse that is now a residence. Thomas’ children John and Haywood also purchased surrounding land in Buckeye where they built a Lumber Mill and operated a very successful business for a number of years until John’s death in 1853. By 1848 Thomas has sold almost all his land in Coweta County to his children John and Haywood and he was again residing in Campbell County on property he retained in the 1834 transaction.

    Thomas became a respectable member of the community where he worked as a Miller by trade. In 1847, he operated a mill on Cedar Creek in an area to be known as Sewell’s Mill an industrial community near the present community of Roscoe. This was discovered by a newspaper article in the Newnan Times Herald detailing hangings in early Coweta County. One of the hangings was “a white man named William Harris who killed a Mr. McCollum at Thomas Medaris’ mill (a place later called Sewell & Petty’s Mill).” This mill stood until the 1980’s. The ruins are still visible from the bridge over Cedar Creek on Sewell Mill Road just south of Roscoe. This area later became known as the Panther’s Creek District of Coweta County.

    Thomas and his sons built several mills, and it is believed they may have built many of the mills in the area of Coweta, Carroll and Campbell counties along the Chattahoochee River. At one time Thomas owned several hundred acres in these counties on both sides of the Chattahoochee River.

    In 1860 the War for Southern Independence came to the country. All of Thomas’s surviving sons joined the Confederacy, all but two would return home.

    The Cities of New Manchester and Campbellton, lying just west of Atlanta, were attacked and shelled during Sherman’s March to the Sea. We know that Thomas and Sarah’s residence was near the city of Campbellton in 1856. They likely fled for their safety as Sherman’s Army marched through the area. Residents of nearby New Manchester, whose factory-made Confederate Uniforms, were taken prisoner and sent to the prison camp in Camp Chase, Ohio. (credits 00, 01)

    Thomas moved to Decatur County in South Georgia sometime in the 1860’s. This is along the Georgia – Florida line near Chattahoochee Florida. It is unknown what happened to Sarah at the time of the move, but it appears that she either died in Campbell County or she died shortly after the move. The next record of Thomas shows him across the line in Gadsden County, Florida where he married 2) Nancy Kelly Smith McAlily on 31 Dec. 1868. 

    Nancy Kelly had originally married Daniel Andrew Smith, 26 Nov. 1856. She and Daniel had two children: Alfred Smith, born 03 June 1857; and Andrew Smith, born 04 Sept. 1859 in Decatur County, Georgia. He died May 04, 1939. There may have been a girl named Grace that was just younger than Andrew who was killed by lightening who appeared in a newspaper article about the incident. Daniel Smith died in 1863 in the War for Southern Independence leaving Nancy a soldier’s widow.

    Nancy secondly married a Confederate veteran; John McAlily who was born about 1796 in Chester, South Carolina. John and Nancy were married 17 Jul. 1866 in Gadsden, Florida. John was 70 and Nancy was in her 30’s. Because of the loss of men in the war, there were so few young men in the area that it was not uncommon for younger women to marry much older men.

    It is suspected that John McAlily died in October or November of 1868. He and Nancy did have two children: Tommus Smith McAlily, whose birth date is unknown, and Nancy was about two months pregnant at the time that her and Thomas Madaris married. Seven months after their marriage, Nancy gave birth to John Medaris / Darus who was born July 26, 1869, in Gadsden, Florida.

    Although Nancy’s son John is listed in her bible as John Medaris, he and his descendants went by the surname Darus. It is unknown why they chose this particular spelling, but it could merely be a phonetic take on Medaris. Being married at the time of his birth it is likely that John was given Nancy’s married name of “Madaris”. It was originally thought that John was a child of Thomas Madaris, but DNA testing of his descendants have ruled that out.

    John Darus married 1) Onie Hand. 2) Mary Jane “Mollie” Cone 3) Polly Ann Walden Taylor.

    Thomas Madaris operated a sorghum mill in South Georgia. Sorghum was the principal sweeteners used by our early ancestors. Sugar as we use today was not common and Sorghum made the food tastier and more nutritious as sorghum contained such hard-to-find nutrients as calcium, iron, potassium and phosphorous. It was necessary for baking items such as pies, breads, cakes and cookies. Sorghum syrup is made from the cane like plant by squeezing the juice from the cane and cooking off the excess water to obtain a sweet, sticky syrup.

    Thomas Madaris died in Decatur County, Georgia on 13 April 1869 only four months after his marriage to Nancy.  In August of 1869, Thomas’ oldest son, Fletcher filed in Campbell County, Georgia, to administer the estate of his father which included 100 gallons of syrup, 50 acres of land “in the lower part of this state” (GA), and an estate worth approximately $150. Nancy is not mentioned in the records in Campbell County relating to the estate.

    It is unknown where Sarah or Thomas are buried.

    Nancy lived with her son John until her death in Cairo, Georgia in 1906. She is buried there in Midway Cemetery.

Supporting Documents

Carroll County, Georgia List of Petty Jury drawn the 19th Day of January 1829

37. Thomas Medearis

Minutes of the Inferior Court of Carroll County, Georgia

July Term 1829. The following persons were appointed as road commissioners of the County of Carroll viz. For the 2nd District Willis Rabun, Esqr., Johnathan Sanders and James Poe. For the 3rd District Carrington Knight, Esqr., Pucket Wood and Thomas Bonner. for the 4th District, George H. Cosper Esqr., William G. Springer & Thos. Medearis. For the 5th & 6th Districts Wright Magers, Esqr., Johnathan Walker, James Baskins. For the 7th & 8th Districts John Robinson, Thomas M. Kenan Esqr., & F. F. Adrian. For the 9th and 10th Districts Hiram Wright, Esqr., Elijah Hendon & Hiram Sharpe. for the 11th, 12th, 13th & 9th Hinchey P. Mabrey Esqr., John Routon & Hawkins Phillips.

Inferior Court of Carroll County, Georgia 1831

John McCoy, deceased, Estate. Caleb Garrison, Esq.; George H. Cosper, Esqr.; William O. Wagnon; Thomas Medearis; and Francis Rose are appointed as Appraisers. Christopher Bowen, Administrator. Registered 4 May 1831.

1832 Tax Digest

Captain Higginbotham District

All in District 4, Carroll Co., unless otherwise noted

Thos. Madaris, 1 poll, $75 stock in trade, 202-1/2 acres, 2nd quality, lot 157, Dist. 4, water course Chattahoochee, bounded by Cosper.

The Gold lottery
The last, or 1832 land lottery of Georgia, made available for distribution in settlement that part of the Cherokee Indian nation which was in Georgia. This was a large area generally north of the Chattahoochee River in the northwest and north central parts of the state. There were two distinct areas involved in this lottery: the gold lots and the land lots. The gold lottery grants lay along the south and southeastern boundary of Cherokee County. Forsyth, Paulding, and portions of Floyd, Cass, Cobb, Lumpkin, Union and (later) Cherokee counties included Gold Lots.

Grantee: Medearis, Thomas
Militia District: Higginbothams
Land Lot No.: 1319
Dist.: 14
Sect.: 1

Carroll County Georgia Tax Digest 1842

Last NameFirst NameMisc. NotationsMilitia DistrictLand Districts
MedarisThomasDefault6810

(CR: 1820 Guilford Co., North Carolina; 1830, 1840 Carroll Co., Ga, 1850 Campbell Co., Georgia)

(credits 00, 01, 34, 232, 233)

Elizabeth “Betsy” Madaris (6) (John 5, Charles 4) b. 01 Mar. 1801 in North Carolina; d. 17 Sept. 1823 in Ohio. She married William Barrow on 18 Feb 1818 in Guilford County, North Carolina. William was b. 11 Nov 1795; d. 01 Oct 1823. William was the son of Moses and Jemina Gates Borrow.

    Elizabeth and William both died of “the great western epidemic fever” that prevailed in the Ohio Valley in 1822 and 1823. It was said to sweep the Ohio area with “great virulence, few persons escaping it’s attack”. It is described in writings by Dr. Samuel Prescot Hildreth who treated many of the patients at the time. Although most texts describe it as an unknown fever, others described it as “malignant malarial fever”. The death rate in Ohio was quite high from this un-treatable epidemic.

    After the death of Elizabeth and William, the children lived with their Barrow grandparents.

    Elizabeth and William had the following children:

  1. Louisa Borrow (7) b. 15 Nov 1818
  2. Susanna Borrow (7) b. 13 Feb 1821

(credits 00, 236)

Alfred W. Medearis (6) (John 5, Charles 4) b. 1808 in North Carolina, d. 05 Jan 1877 in Drakesville, Iowa.  Alfred moved to Georgia around 1826 with his brother Thomas. On 04 Nov. 1829 Alfred witnessed a deed in Carroll County, Georgia. He apparently returned to North Carolina shortly afterwards where he married Mary Marshall on 11 May 1831 in Stokes County, NC. The daughter of William and Mary Connerly Marshall, Mary was b. 01 May 1811 in VA, d. 02 Mar 1883 in Davis County, Iowa. Alfred and family move to Iowa between 1851 and 1855. Alfred and Mary are buried in the Drakesville Cemetery, Davis County, Iowa.

    Alfred and Mary had the following children:

  1. Susan Medearis (7) b. 1832. She married William Henry Morgan. William was the son of Enoch and Jane Hester Morgan and was born 30 Jan 1828 in Guilford County NC.  Susan and he were married on 17 Oct 1858 at the house of her parents in Davis County, Iowa.  This was her first marriage and his second.  William had a son named Calvin by his first wife.  It has not been determined who his first wife was or what happened to her.  (CR: 1860 Davis Co., Iowa; 1860 Green Co., Iowa)
  2. Elizabeth Medearis (7) b. 1834
  3. John Wesley Medearis (7) b. 1844 in NC. John later lived in Drakesville, Iowa where he enlisted into Company G, 2nd Iowa Infantry on May 6, 1861.  He died of sickness while in the army on 05 Dec 1861, in Drakesville, Iowa at the age of 18. He is buried in the Drakesville Cemetery, Davis County, Iowa.  Findagrave
  4. James E. Medearis (7) b. 1848

Supporting Documents

Real Estate records for Davis County, Iowa

For $300 Alfred W. Mediaris and Mary sold Lot 1 in Block 8 of Drakesville to Samuel Holt on 5 Nov 1855.

For $425 Alfred W. Medearis and Mary sold SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 22 Township 69 North of Range 15 West in Davis County on 16 March 1857.

A. W. Maderis and E.W. Reynolds bought S ? of the SW ? of the NE ? and the N ? of the NW ? of the SE ? of Section 9 Township 69 North of Range 14 West containing 40 acres from Alexander Fouts and Elizabeth Jane Fouts.  Subject to the following conditions: A.W. Maderis and E.W. Reynolds have this day signed with the said Alexander Fouts three promissory notes to Alexander Breeding as securities for the said Alexander Fouts two notes for the sum of fifty five dollars each and the other for ten dollars due twelve months after date dated June 18th 1861 with ten per cent interest from maturity.  Now if the said Alexander Fouts shall pay or cause to be paid the said notes to the said Alexander Breeding at their maturity then this obligation shall be null and void.

The Constitution Newspaper
30 Aug 1859News and Miscellaneous News

The Bloomfield Clarion of the 10th states that on the
Saturday previous Mr. Alfred Medaris, residing about one
mile and a half west of Drakesville, when in the act of
loading rails, was bitten by a rattlesnake in the left foot.
He was not aware that he had been bitten until he went
home, when he said his foot pained him, and he would
take off his boot to examine.  Soon his foot and leg com-
menced swelling, and on close inspection he found one of
the fangs of the reptile still remaining in the wound,
whiche he immediately removed, and took a quantity of
whiskey–about a quart–and on the 9th he was able to
be about, although his foot and leg were yet considera-
bly swollen.

Findagrave: Alfred, Mary

(CR: 1840, 1850 Guilford Co., North Carolina; 1856 Iowa; 1870 Wapello Co., Iowa)

(credits 00, 10, 18, 166)

John Fletcher Medearis (6) (John 5, Charles 4) b. 16 Nov 1809 in North Carolina; d. 16 Nov. 1909 in Wayne County, Indiana. He died on his 100th birthday. John married Sarah Caroline Abrams in 1838.  Sarah was b. 02 May 1822 in Wayne County, Indiana: d. 22 April 1902 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana. John and Sarah are buried along with some of their descendants at Crown Hill Cemetery, in Centerville, Indiana.

(Findagrave: John, Sarah)

In 1844, “Fletcher Medaris” is listed as a grocer in Wayne County. He was appointed as the Postmaster of Oliver Hill, on 04 June 1861. All other census records show him as a “Farmer”.

    John and Sarah had the following children:

  1. Mary Adeline Medaris (7) b. 29 Aug 1839 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 16 May 1862 in Wayne County, Indiana. Mary married Caleb W. King.
  2. Martha A. Medaris (7) b. Mar 1841 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 1923. She married Allen W. Cotton.
  3. William A. Medaris (7) b. 1843 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 10 Nov 1910 in Wayne County, Indiana. He married Anna M. Addington.
  4. Israel A. Medaris (7) b. 1844 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 1879 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He married Martha Curtis.
  5. Sarah C. Medearis (7) b. Aug 1847 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 02 Aug 1931 in Wayne County, Indiana. She married 22 Feb. 1867 to Joseph T. Russell.
  6. Daniel B. Medearis (7) b. 17 Sept. 1848 in Indiana, d. 1921 in Indiana. He married Eveline Kem.
  7. Amanda Medearis (7) b. 30 Dec. 1850 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 09 Oct. 1933 in Indiana. She married John Martindale.
  8. Elizabeth Medaris (7) b. Mar 1852 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 1924 in Wayne County, Indiana.  She married Lafayette M. Jackson.
  9. Gertrude Margaret Medaris (7) b. 15 Feb 1853 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. July 1948 in Marion County, Indiana. She married Jasper Newton Gunder.
  10. John Fletcher Medearis Jr. (7) b. 1856 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 15 Oct 1881 in Wayne County, Indiana at the age of 24.
  11. Luella Nancy Medearis (7) b. 28 Aug 1857 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 24 May 1932 in Wayne County, Indiana.  She married 1) Thomas D. Davis; 2) DeWitt Clinton Russell.
  12. Charles W. Medaris (7) b. 1858 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 18 Dec 1932 in Wayne County, Indiana. He married 1) Nola M. Endsley, 2) Florence Smith.
  13. Fannie J. Medearis (7) b. 1863 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 14 Oct 1881 in Wayne County, Indiana.  She was 18 years old.  She is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Indiana.

    Living to be 100 years old was a big deal in 1908.  Add that to the resulting death on his birthday and it became a very big story.  All of these articles appeared regarding John’s accomplishment.

The Cambridge City Tribune
Cambridge City, Indiana
June 25, 1908

     The oldest resident of Wayne County, Fletcher Medearis, 
aged 99 years, is enjoying good health and quite active.  
He often leaves his home at Greensfork and visits friends 
at other places.  He enjoys reading and takes a lively interest
in the general affairs of the day. 

Cambridge City Tribune
Cambridge City, Indiana
October 28, 1909     

The citizens generally of Greensfork and vicinity are taking great
interest in the proposed public celebration of the 100th birthday 
anniversary of Fletcher Medearis, of Greensfork, the oldest resident
in Wayne County and among the few in the state.  The date is Tuesday, 
November 16, will be an all day observance, a big dinner and a great event.

“The Lenoir Topic” 
Caldwell Co.N.C.
DIES ON 100TH BIRTHDAY—–Richmond,Ind.–Nov. 16—
Wed. Dec. 8, 1909
     At the close of a big celebration in honor of the one hundreth anniversary
of his birth, John Fletcher Medaris, of Greens Fork, Ind..died today.
Medaris all but collapsed early in the day , but by grim determination lived
until the birthday party was over. The entire population turned out to honor
Mr. Medaris.
    Medaris had been a citizen of Wayne County for 80 years. His father
died in North Carolina, and when he was 20 years old he started with his
mother and several brothers and sisters overland for Indiana. Until eight
years ago, when he went to make his home with his daughter in Greens
Fork his entire life had been spent on a farm.

The Weekly Sentinel
Wayne County, Indiana
November 17, 1909CENTENARIAN CELEBRATES
John Medearis and Family Keep Day at Greensfork, Ind.Richmond, Ind.,   Nov. 16. — 

John Fletcher Medearis is 100 years old 
today and the members of his family and hundreds of his friends are
celebrating his centenary at Greensfork.  He and his relatives had dinner
at the home of one of his daughters, Mrs. John Martindale.  Covers
for 200 were laid on a long table in the town hall.  Medearis is said to
be the oldest Methodist in Indiana.  He joined the church eighty-five
years ago.  He has been a citizen of Wayne County eighty years.  He
was married in 1838 to Caroline Abrahams, of Centerville, who
died eight years ago.

This article appeared in the Nov. 24, 1909 edition of
The Hartford (Ohio Co., Ky.) Herald newspaper.

HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY
___________

Was His Last–Died Close of Big Celebration in His Honor.

     Richmond, Ind., Nov. 20.–One hundred years ago yesterday, near
Dobson’s Cross Roads, in North Carolina, John Fletcher Medaris was born,
as the son of John and Mary Pegrim Medaris. Yesterday the centennial
anniversary of his birth was celebrated by a hundred or more of his relatives
and fully as many friends at Green’s Fork, and the centenarian himself entered
as actively in the festivities as his fast waning strength would permit.

     Originally it had been planned that the aged man should hold an all-day
reception to the general public in the Town Hall, but two weeks ago suddenly
he became feeble, and, though able to walk about the room and converse
freely, the condition of Medaris was such that it was deemed unwise to
overtax him by permitting him to be the center of attraction for a large crowd
of people. Consequently the centenarian spent the forenoon at the home of
his daughter, Mrs. John Martindale, many of his relatives and friends calling
to pay their respects and to offer congratulations.

    The relatives gathered in the Town Hall, and noon dinner was served, covers
being laid for 250 guests. Medaris and several members of his immediate family
partook of dinner at the Martindale home. In the afternoon exercises were held
in the Methodist church, when an informal program of music and addresses was
given.

    By this time the centenarian showed the effects of the day’s strain, and became
so feeble that it was impossible for him to attend the exercises at the church, fixed
for the afternoon, The visitors, however, came to tell him good-bye, but Mr.
Medaris was but partially conscious, and he was sinking rapidly. Within an hour
he lapsed into unconsciousness and he died at 5:30 o’clock.

CR: 1850-1900 Wayne County, Indiana
( credits 00, 43, 50, 131, 146, 257, 270)

Charles Rankins Medearis (6) (John 5, Charles 4) b. 18 Feb. 1812 d. 15 Nov. 1889. Married Harriet S. Owens, 21 Jan 1834. She was b. 5 Dec 1814 in Barnwell Co., SC., d. Jul. 1899, the daughter of James and Harriet Henrietta Stanyarne Owens

    Charles and Harriet are buried in the Drakesville Cemetery, Davis County, Iowa. Most of their children are buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, in Wayne County, Indiana.

    Charles and Harriet had the following children:

  1. John I. Medearis (Fletcher) (7) b. 30 Nov. 1834 d. 11 Mar 1862 possibly in War for Southern Independence. He is buried in the Drakesville Cemetery, Davis County, Iowa. He has been listed as John Fletcher in family group sheets, but the Iowa Cemetery index states John I.
  2. Waldo J. Medearis (7) b. 5 May 1837 in Indiana. He enlisted May 6, 1861, into Company G, 2nd Iowa Infantry. He mustered first on 27 May 1861. The 2nd Iowa Infantry was ordered to take control of the lines of the Hannibal and St. Joseph and North Missouri Railroads in June 1861. Waldo was apparently injured in the conflicts that occurred there. He was discharged for disability 21 Aug 1861 in Missouri. He spent time in the Marshalltown Iowa Soldiers Home around 1900. Waldo married Ella Jenkins 23 Dec 1864. Had son listed as G. E. Medearis (9).
  3. Mary Elizabeth Medaris (7) b. 23 Apr 1839 d. 23 Mar 1899 married John Alexander Hancock.
  4.  Alfred M. Medearis (7) b. 19 May 1841 in Indiana, d. 17 June 1911, he married Martha Rebecca Morgan, 08 Apr. 1869 in Wayne County, Indiana.  She was the daughter of Joseph and Louisa ???? Morgan.  She was b. June 1844, d. 17 May 1913 in Richmond, Indiana. Living in Davis County, Iowa when the War Between the States started, Alfred enlisted 31 Aug 1861 into the 3rd Iowa Cavalry. He was wounded 25 May 1863, at Pope’s Farm Ark. He was working as a janitor at the Wayne County, Indiana courthouse in 1897.  It does not appear that Alfred and Rebecca had any children.  Alfred and Martha are buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, in Wayne County, Indiana. Findagrave: Alfred, Martha
  5. Emma Medearis (7) b. 3 Nov. 1843
  6. Martha J. Medearis (7) 16 Jul. 1846 married Robert M. Bryant.
  7. David C. Medearis (7) 7 Feb. 1849 d. 23 Feb. 1874 married Lydia Jinks.
  8. Josephine “Jose” Medearis (7) b. 25 Aug. 1855 married George Breeding 10 May 1874.
  9. Charles William Medearis (7) b. 1858, d. 18 Dec. 1932 in Indiana.  He married Emma A. Strohm Alexander.  In 1885, Charles is working for L. M. Jones & Co., as a clerk in Wayne Co., Indiana. He lived in St. Louis in 1910 but returned to Indianapolis, Indiana by April 1911.

(CR: 1840 Wayne Co., Indiana; 1860 Davis Co., Iowa; 1880 Agriculture Census, Iowa)

(credits 00, 18, 43, 146, 166)

Emsley Thomas Medearis (6) (John 5, Charles 4) b. 1815 in Guildford County, North Carolina; d. 1850 in Hancock County, Indiana. He married Mary Ann Dougherty.

    Emsley and Mary had the following child:

  1. Emsley Thomas Medearis Jr. (7) b. March 1836. He married 1) Martha Jane Fouts. 2) Cynthia E. Brockman.

(credits 18, 101)

Martha Medearis (6) (John 5, Charles 4) b. Sept. 1816 in North Carolina, d. 23 June 1911 in Indiana. She married John Wesley Keys in 1841. He was the son of Allison George and Dorcas Chaney Keys.  John was b. Oct. 1816 in Ohio, d. 12 Jan. 1907 in Indiana. They are buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, in Wayne County, Indiana. John is listed as a harness maker by trade.

Martha and John had the following known children:

  1. Charles A. Keys (7) b. 07 Aug 1842 Indiana; d. 17 Jan. 1926 in Fountain City, Indiana.  Lives next to his parents in 1870 Wayne County, Indiana.  Occupation Saddler.  He is married to Cora or Carrie ????.  John was a soldier in Company A, 69th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War.  He was mustered out on 15 Nov. 1865 at Galveston, Texas, then transferred to Company B. Indiana Infantry.  He was treated at the US Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for “Cardiac Degeneration and Chronic Arterioschlerosis”.  He had one child.
  2. John E. Keys (7) b. 1 Jun 1845 in Centerville, Indiana; d. 18 Feb 1924 in Knightstown, Henry County, Indiana.  He married Sophia L. Weaver, 27 Feb. 1867 in Henry County, Indiana.  They had one son.
  3. Mary E. Keys (7) b. Sept. 1847 in Indiana; d. 23 Sept 1910 in Wayne County, Indiana.  It appears that she married George W. Reynolds.
  4. Sarah N. Keys (7) b. 1854 in Indiana.

(cr: 1850 Wayne Co., Indiana; 1860 Monroe Co., Iowa; 1870 – 1900 Wayne Co., Indiana)

(credits 00)

Nancy Medearis (6) (John 5, Charles 4) b. 1819, d. 13 Nov. 1913. She married 1) William Smith Woods.

    Nancy and William had the following children:

  1. Adaline J.  Woods (7) b. 1840, d. 01 May 1914. She married Addison H. Harris on 14 July 1859. Addison was b. 18 Apr. 1826, d. 25 Jun 1915. He was the son of Benjamin and Lydia Hiatt Harris. Adaline and Addison are buried in Williamsburg, Indiana.
  2. Andrew Woods (7) b. 1842 in Wayne County, Indiana.

    Nancy married 2) Thomas Crooks, b. 1809, d. 1886. They are buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co., Indiana. Nancy and Thomas had the following children:

  1. Mary Crooks (7)b. 1852 in Wayne Co., Indiana.
  2. Martha Crooks (7) b. 1855 in Wayne Co., Indiana.

Supporting Documents

Cambridge City Tribune
Cambridge City Indiana
November 20, 1913

The death of Mrs. Nancy Crook, age 94, at her home in 
Olive Hill, removes one of the oldest pioneer settlers of
Wayne county where she has resided since coming form
Dearborn county, North Carolina in 1830.  She was a
sister to John Fletcher Medearis who died a few years
ago on his one hundredth birthday.  Funeral services
Sunday and interment in Crown Hill cemetery at Centerville.

(CR: Crooks 1850, 1860 Wayne Co., Indiana)

(credits 00, 146)

William Jefferson Medearis (6) (John 5, Charles 4) b. 02 Jan. 1822 in NC, d. 25 Dec. 1911 in Centerville, Indiana, he was 89 years old. William married Martha Marilla Sackett, 04 Dec. 1845.  She was the daughter of Dr. David Filer and Martha Milliken Sackett and was born abt. 1825 in Indiana.  Dr. Sackett was the son of Dr. Samuel and Sarah Manning Sackett.  Martha died 27 Dec. 1909 in Centerville at the age of 84.

    William was a Harness Maker and Saddler by trade. This family lived in Wayne Co., Indiana for most of their lives, except for a brief stay in Iowa in 1854.  They moved back to Indiana by 1865 and lived for a few years in Washington, Daviess County, where William operated a Saddlery. Most of the family is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co., Indiana.

    William and Martha had the following known children:

  1. Cornelia M. Medearis (7) b. abt. 1846 in Wayne Co., IN.
  2. Katherine Medearis (7) b. Nov. 1847 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 1928 in Wayne County, Indiana.  She married Thomas Myers.
  3. Alice Marilla Medearis (7) b. 1848 in Wayne Co., Indiana; d. 1936.  She apparently never married and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co., Indiana.
  4. Albert B. Medearis (7) b. 09 Nov. 1848 in Wayne Co., IN, d. 29 July 1852. 
  5. Oran B. Medearis (7) b. 1851 in Indiana; d. 22 Sept 1922 in Wayne County, Indiana. He married Henrietta Richter on 23 Jul 1874 in Wayne County, Indiana. In 1885 Wayne Co., Indiana, he is listed as a clerk for J. B. Gausepohl.  It does not appear that they ever had any children as in the 1900 census, she is listed as the mother of “0” children.  In the 1930 census, Henrietta is found in the Odd Fellows Home and Hospital at the age of 81 in Decatur, Washington Co., Indiana.  Henrietta was the daughter William and Lucinda Lewis Richter.
  6. Margaret Elmira Medearis (7) b. 1854, married Dr. Joseph N. Study.
  7. Martha Caroline Medearis (7) b. 1856 in Davis County, Iowa.  She was listed as Sarah C. in the Iowa census.  She married Dr. James S. Blair.
  8. Charles W. Medearis (7) b. 21 Mar 1851; d. 27 July 1853.  He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery next to his mother.
  9. William C. Medearis (7) b. 1855 in Ohio; d. aft 1883.  He married Caroline Halsey.
  10. Fletcher C. Medearis (7) b. 13 Oct 1860; d. 1921.  He married Mabel B. Bendere.  She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Henry C. Bendere who lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He is listed as a jeweler at E. F. Hirst in Wayne Co., Indiana in 1885.  In 1911, the Medearis family lived at 1025 Oxford Street in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1913 their address is listed as 135 North Rural Street.  In 1910 he is employed at Burton Jewelry Co, as a jeweler. It does not appear that they had any children.
  11. Oscar H. Medearis (7) b. 1865 d. 12 Dec. 1937. He married 1) Cora M. Owens 2) Effie E. Siliven.  

Supporting Documents

Cambridge City Tribune

Cambridge City, Indiana

June 26, 1902

William Jefferson Medearis, living at Indianapolis, celebrated his 80th birthday anniversary Friday.  A family dinner, attended by six of the children, two of whom live in Richmond, and one, Mrs. J. N. Study, in Cambridge City, was enjoyed at noon.  Three children live at Indianapolis.  The affair was in the nature of a reunion.  Friday afternoon a number of old acquaintances of the octogenarian called to pay their respects.  Mr. Medearis’s earlier years were spent in Centerville, this county.  There he learned the saddler’s trade in the same shop that Oliver P. Morton leaned to be a hatter.  He and Morton was a member of the famous Centerville band that campaigned with Henry Clay when he was a candidate for the presidency.  Mr. Medearis went to Indianapolis in 1898. 

Cambridge City Tribune
December 07, 1905

Indianapolis Star:  Monday was the sixtieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Medearis, 1014 North New Jersey street.  There was no formal observance of the day, but the venerable couple received their friends in the afternoon and in the evening the family gathered at the home for dinner.  There were many callers who were entertained pleasantly by Mr. and Mrs. Medearis.  The former is 83 years old and the latter 80.  In spite of their advanced age they are remarkably active, and in fact their energy and youthful spirit is surprising to their friends.  Mr. Medearis is still actively engaged in business and may be found every day at his place of business on Ft. Wayne avenue.
    They were married in Centerville and later moved to Richmond, where they resided until twelve years ago, when they moved to this city.  Their children are Mrs. Myers, Miss Alice Medearis, and Fletcher Medearis, who live with their parents;  Mrs. J. N. Study of Cambridge City, C. W. Medearis of St. Louis and Oscar and Oran Medearis of Richmond.

The Indianapolis Star
December 28, 1909

Mrs. Jefferson Medearis, 84, died Monday at Centerville.  She is survived by her husband who is 89, four sons and three daughters.  Fletcher Medearis of Indianapolis is a son.

Cambridge city Tribune
December 30, 1909

Mrs. Jefferson Medaris, aged 84 years, died at her home in Centerville, Monday after a long illness from a broken hip and other ailments.  Mrs. Medearis is the mother of Mrs. Dr. J. N. Study, of this city, is well known in this county and is held in high esteem.  She is survived by her husband, four sons and three daughters.

Cambridge City Tribune

May 05, 1910

Obituary

    In this brief life-struggle amid the rush and whirl of business and the many cares incident to living, we are apt to omit the recognition of the virtues and noble qualities of our beloved friends.  This omission may be largely due to our belief in the beautiful thought, “I shall be remembered for what I have done.”  In this respect we have but to mention the name of Mrs. Margaretta E. Study to recall the many virtues of her life and to say, the world has been better for her brief sojourn here.  But life is so varied we cannot ascribe the same virtues to all.

    When we think of Mrs. Study and stop to analyze her character, how instantly we recall her modesty, a virtue so becoming in a woman.  Again, we recall her love of music, when in her early life with her harp and beautiful voice, she entertained her friends.  Very much in keeping with this love of music was her appreciation of flowers, which she deftly handled in growth.  Nature to her was ever beautiful and in her last sickness expressed a longing desire to visit again a beautiful spot not far distant, that was especially pleasing to her.  Love of humanity, too, was strong in her nature, having the keenest sympathy as well as a helping hand for the unfortunate and distressed.

    Childhood to her was a special delight in which she had interest and keen appreciation, so that many a child hs been able to discern in her more than an ordinary friend.  But in the welfare of her home, her husband, and the only child centered her greatest ambitions to which her refinement and consistent life gave an atmosphere uplifting and inspiring for the good and noble.

    Events in a life are not so important, perhaps, as the deeds, yet they shape one’s life to some extent and it is interesting to know that Margaretta Medearis was born at Greensfork, this county, January 19, 1854.  Mrs. Katherine Myers and Miss Alice Medearis, her two sisters, of Centerville, shared her childhood days in this county, as well as her brothers, Oran, of Centerville, William C., of St. Louis, Fletcher, of Indianapolis, and Oscar, of Richmond.  Her mother preceded her four months ago, but the aged father, Jefferson Medearis, now 87 years old, survives her.  That she should be taken at the age of 56 years when descending from a family noted for longevity, is one of the mysteries of our physical being.

    Her girlhood days were spent at Williamsburg, and it was here that she met her husband, Dr. Joseph N. Study, who has been a devoted companion.  Their marriage occurred March 13, 1873, thus gracing her home for 37 years.  The only child, Mrs. Mae Boden, widow of the late Walter Boden, brought up under these influences of a devoted mother, shared her tastes and home ideas, making them most companionable.

    Relatives, as well as our community, can ill afford to  lose such a sweet spirited personality.

    Funeral services were held at the family home Monday afternoon.  The attendance of relatives and friends from Indianapolis, Richmond, Centerville, New Castle, Williamsburg, Hagerstown, Connersville, Greensfork and this city and vicinity was very large and spoke the esteem and love in which Mrs. Study and her family are held.  The floral tributes were many and of great beauty.  Rev. Graham, of Richmond, conducted the services, assisted by Rev. Coffin.  The burial was in Riverside.

(Cr: 1850 Wayne Co., Indiana; 1856 Davis Co., Iowa; 1864 tax, 1870 – 1880 Wayne Co., Indiana, 1900 Marion Co., Indiana, 1910 Wayne Co., Indiana; note William appears in two 1910 census records)

(credits 18, 50, 146)

John Medaris (6) (Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1790 married Frances Jones.  They moved to Hancock County, Indiana in the 1830’s.

    John and Frances had the following known children:

  1. Elizabeth Medaris (7) b. abt. 1815, married Andrew Jarrett.
  2. Rachel Medaris (7) married Ryley Tayler on 26 Jul 1839 in Hancock County, Indiana.
  3. Rebecca Medaris (7) married Henry Spoon on 17 Sep 1846 in Hancock County, Indiana.
  4. William Medaris (7) b. 1824 in North Carolina; d. bef 1850 in Hancock County, Indiana.  He married Martha ???? in Indiana abt. 1843.
  5. Robert Edmundson Medaris (7)
  6. John R. Medaris (7) b. Sept. 1826, d. Oct. 2, 1903.  He married Sarah Permilia L. Julian.
  7. James A. Madaris (7) b. 1830 in Indiana, he married Amanda ????.  
  8. Charles Bonnier Medaris (7) b. 31 Dec. 1831 in Hancock County, Indiana. He married Elizabeth A. Myers.
  9. Isaac N. Medaris (7) b. 1834
  10. Levi Medaris (9) b. 1838
  11. Sarah Medaris (9) b. 1843

(CR: 1830 Franklin Co., Indiana; 1840 Hancock Co., Indiana; 1850 Hendricks Co., Indiana; 1860 Morgan Co., Indiana, 1870 Franklin Co., Kansas)

(credits 00, 50, 204)

Elizabeth Medaris (6) (Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1795 d. 21 Aug. 1858 married Elijah Mattox.  Elijah was b. 1791 and moved to Ohio to what was to become Pierce Township in 1810. He served in the War of 1812. After Elizabeth’s death, Elijah married Matilda Medearis widow of Charles, Elizabeth’s brother.

    Elizabeth and Elijah had the following children:

  1. Amelia Mattox (7) b. 21 July 1814 in Clermont Co., Ohio, d. 02 Oct. 1896 in Fulton Co., Ill. She married Henry Bonnell on 30 Oct. 1834.
  2. Thomas Mattox (7) b. 17 June 1817, Ohio, d. abt. 1886. He married Nancy Ellis 23 April 1840.
  3. Susanah Mattox (7) b. 19 June 1819. She married Adam Behymer, 18 Jan. 1838.
  4. Alice Mattox (7) b. 21 Mar. 1822. She married William West, 13 Aug. 1842.
  5. William Mattox (7) b. 21 Aug. 1825
  6. Benjamin Mattox (7) b. 28 Feb. 1828

(credits 50, 51)

Charles Medearis (6) (Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1804, d. bef. 09 Dec 1858. He married Matilda Maddox who was b. 20 Mar 1807 in Bracking Co., Ky and d. 13 Sept. 1895 in Clermont County, Ohio. She is buried in Mt. Matiah cemetery there.

    After Charles death, she married Elijah Mattox, the widower of Charles’ sister Elizabeth. They were married 09 Dec. 1858.

    Charles and Matilda had the following children:

  1. Male (7) b. 1825 – 1830. Shows in 1830 Ohio census, unidentified at this time. He likely died as a young child before 1840.
  2. Elias Medearis (7) b. 1828 Clermont Co., OH, d. 27 Nov. 1902 in Appanoose Co., Iowa.
  3. Martha A. Medearis (7) b. abt. 1837 in Ohio. She married William Monjar.
  4. Emeline Medearis (7) b. 11 Mar. 1840 in Clermont County, Ohio, d. 11 Feb. 1926 in Clermont County, Ohio. She married Benjamin Mattox on 27 Oct. 1889. She was his second wife.
  5. Hester A. Medearis (7) b. abt. Oct. 1843 in Ohio, married George Clem.
  6. Elizabeth Medearis (7) b. 31 Aug. 1845 in Pleasantville, Ohio, d. abt. 1940. She married Emery (Bidle) Craner and gained some religious notoriety as “Mother Craner”.
  7. George Medearis (7) b. abt. 20 Oct. 1850, Ohio. Moved to Iowa.

(CR: 1830, 1840 Clermont Co., Ohio, Matilda with family in 1850 Clermont Co., Ohio) (Elijah Mattox and family in 1880 Clermont Co., Ohio)

(credits 00, 50, 51, 97)

Martha “Patsy” Elizabeth Medaris (6) (Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1805, d. 04 January 1892 at Nine Mile, buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. She married John Behymer 14 Oct. 1830. He was born 21 Jun 1807 near Locust Corner, Clermont Co., Ohio.

    Martha and John had the following children:

  1. William S. Behymer (7) b. 10 Dec 1833 in Pleasant Hill, Clermont Co., Ohio. He married Nancy S. Woodlief.
  2. Jacob M. Behymer (7) b. 20 Sep 1838 in Clermont Co., Ohio. He married Harriet L. Durham.
  3. Sarah L. Behymer (7) b. abt. 1846 in Clermont Co., Ohio. She married Alex P. Felter.
  4. Elizabeth M. Behymer (7) b. abt. 1844 in Clermont Co., Ohio. She married Elisha B. Eppert.
  5. Albert W. Behymer (7) b. abt. 1846 in Clermont Co., Ohio.
  6. Westermann Behymer (7) b. abt. 1849 in Clermont Co., Ohio.
  7. Rosella Behymer (7) {b. 20 Apr 1852 in Clermont Co. Ohio. She married Charles H. Troy.
  8. Nancy Behymer (7) b. 21 Aug. 1831 in Clermont County, Ohio. She married John Fletcher Monjar.
  9. Harriet L. Behymer (7)

(credits 113, 256)

Malachi Medearis (6) (Thomas 5, Charles 4) was born abt. 1805, and died before 1846. He married Ann Wood, 25 August 1825 in Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio. Malachi’s name is spelled Madaris on his marriage bond. He lived in Ohio Township, in Clermont County, Ohio his whole life.  Malachi shows in the 1840 Clermont Co., Ohio census alone.  Unsure where the remainder of the family was at this time.

    Ann and Malachi had the following children:

  1. Paulina Medearis (7) b. 02 May 1826 in Ohio; d.16 Oct 1877. She married James M. Roudebush.
  2. John L. Medearis (7) b. abt. 1827 in Ohio. He enlisted 05 Sept. 1847 into the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C, during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).  John died 27 March 1848 at Pueblo, Mexico.
  3. Sanders Medearis (7) b. abt. 1826, Clermont Co., Ohio; married Clarinda Redmon.
  4. James Wood Medearis (7) b. 18 May 1828, Clermont Co., Ohio; d. 07 Mar 1923, Toronto, Woodson Co., Kansas.

(CR: 1830, 1840 Clermont Co., Ohio)

(credits 50, 51)

Nancy Medaris (6) (Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 05 Oct 1811, in Ohio, d. 25 Sep 1899, Ohio. She married Rueben Laycock 18 Nov. 1830. He was born 11 May 1809. They are buried at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, Mt. Pisgah, Ohio.

    Nancy and Rueben had the following children:

  1. Stephen A. Laycock (7)
  2. Malissa Laycock (7) b. 15 Apr 1839. She married Bennet French Lindsey, who was born in 1834.
  3. Martha Laycock (7) b. 1840, married O. O. Behymer.
  4. Malvina Laycock (7) b. 23 Nov. 1841, she married Wesley Calhoun who was b. 1834.
  5. Sarah J. “Sallie” Laycock (7) b. 1845, she married Nathan H. Hatfield who was born in 1842.
  6. Nancy B. Laycock (7) b. 1846, she married Hamer Swem, who was b. 1848.
  7. Dr. Rueben L. Laycock (7) b. Aug. 1850, he married Mary E. ????.
  8. Leonora V. Laycock (7) b. 12 Sep 1857, she married Dr. Frank Pierce Witham who was b. 14 Apr 1853.

(CR: 1850 Clermont Co., Ohio)

(credits 00, 50, 256)

Thomas H. Medaris (7) (John W. 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. Feb 1845 in Indiana.  He married Carlotta “Lottie” L. Tourtillot of Toledo, Ohio. Lottie was born 1860 in New York according to the 1880 Ohio Census.  She was the daughter of George R. and Amanda M. C. Gallison Tourtellot. They were married 22 July 1878 in Erie, Michigan.  Thomas went to Aspen, Colorado and took up residence in a small mining town.  He sent for Lottie who on arrival was not very pleased with the living conditions. Lottie was “a society belle” according to the local paper.  She filed for divorce in January 1885, because he “compelled her to live in a poor shanty, treated her with such cruelty that as soon as she could obtain from her friends the means she left the place and returned to Toledo”.

It does not appear that the divorce was granted. Thomas must have found success in the little mining town of Aspen. He later became a prominent member as a Judge in Denver, Colorado. Lottie is mentioned frequently in the society papers of Michigan and Colorado.

Thomas and Lottie had one child:

  1. Carlotta Medaris (8) b. 1879 in Ohio

Supporting Documents

Saturday, January 17, 1885, Cleveland Leader (Cleveland, OH) Page: 2

Special Dispatch to the Leader.

     TOLEDO, January 16.–On a July evening in 1878, Miss Lottie Tourtillot, a society belle of this city, and Thomas H. Medaris took a ride to Erie, Mich., where they were married.  On their return they reported the marriage, and as there had been little or no opposition to it they were forgiven.  To-day Mrs. Medaris attorney filed in the Common Pleas Court a petition for divorce, alleging as the grounds therefor the neglect of Medaris to provide for the support of petitioner and their child, and cruel treatment.  A few months ago she visited defendant, at his request, at Aspen, Col., a small mining town.  While there she compelled her to live in a poor shanty, and treated here with such cruelty that as soon as she could obtain from her friends the means she left the place and returned to Toledo.

Harry L. Medaris (7) (John W. 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 1850 in Ohio.  He married Charlotte Tourtillot of Toledo, Ohio. She is the sister to Lottie Tourtillot who married his brother Thomas. She was the daughter of George R. and Amanda M. C. Gallison Tourtellot.  This family lived in Aspen, Colorado in 1885.

Harry and Charlotte had one known child:

Charlotte Medaris (8) b. 1881 in Toledo, Ohio 

(Listed as Henry in the 1850 census).

Charles Medearis (6) (Malachi 5, Charles 4) was born 27 June 1799 in North Carolina, and died 21 Feb. 1876. He married 1) Lydia Gest on 02 August 1821. Lydia was born 27 Feb. 1801 near Batavia and was the daughter of Enoch and Ida Gest. They moved to Ohio in 1803 with the other members of their family.

    Charles and Lydia had the following children:

  1. Melinda G. Medearis (7) b. 1822, d. 1894.
  2. Arthur Elliot Medearis (7) b. 08 Feb. 1824, d. 30 Aug. 1845, age 21y 6m 22d
  3. Paulina Medearis (7) b. 1826. (This daughter is the same as we have identified under Malachi Medearis (6) (Thomas 6, Charles 4) (Research is underway to identify her correct family location.
  4. Female (7) b. 1825 – 1830. Shows in 1830, 1840 Ohio Census, so far unidentified.
  5. Idy G. Medearis (7) b. 18 Nov. 1831, d. 19 Oct. 1836, age 5y 1m one
  6. Keziah Medearis (7) b. 04, April 1834, d. 31 Oct. 1836 age 2y 6m 27d
  7. Shadrack Medearis (7) d. 27 May 1837
  8. Melville C. Medearis (7) b. 11 May 1838, d. 15 Jan. 1839, age 8m 4d 
  9. Enoch G. Medearis (7) b. abt. 1840, Ohio. Married Sarah Pattison.
  10. Edna A. Medearis (7) b. 25 May 1843, d. 01 Aug. 1861, age 18y 10m 8d. Listed as Emma in 1880 Ohio census.
  11. Leonidas H. Medearis (7) b. 3 Aug. 1844, in Ohio, d. 18 June 1898.

    Lydia died 28 May 1860 and Charles then married 2) Phoebe Hill abt., 1851 in Clermont Co., Ohio. She was b. 27 June 1830; d. 16 Jan 1899. Phoebe is found in the 1880 Ohio census with the following children:

  1. Charles Elmer Medearis (7) b. 1866 in Ohio, he married Irene Pearl Neiswender.
  2. Mary Louise Medearis (7) b. 1869 (1872) in Owensville, Ohio.  She married Edwin C. Ely in 1899. This was Edwin’s second marriage.  Lou and Edwin had 2 children by this marriage.

    Arthur, Edna, Melville, Idy, Shadrack, Keziah, Lydia, Phoebe and Charles are all buried in the Cemetery of I.O.O.F Boston Lodge in Clermont County, Ohio.

(CR: 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870 Clermont Co., Ohio; Phoebe and family in 1880 Clermont Co., Ohio)

(credits 17, 50, 51)

Samuel Medaris (6) (Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. 1800 – 1810.  It is unknown who he married at this time. What we know about Samuel comes from some early census records.  The 1830 Ohio census lists Samuel and family but it appears to be two families listed in one family unit.

(CR: 1830 Clermont Co., Ohio)

Shadrach Medaris (6) (Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. 1802 in North Carolina, married Sarah E. Ferree on 22 March 1827. They are buried in the Rose of Sharon Cemetery in Clermont County, Ohio.

    Shadrach and his family lived at Olive Branch in Clermont County. According to their web site, Olive Branch is believed to have received its name because of its peaceful location along Shaylor Creek in Batavia Township. It is one of the five oldest existing communities in Clermont County. Olive Branch’s first post office opened in February of 1845 with Shadrach Medaris as the first postmaster. It remained open until December 1922.  He was also listed as Justice of the Peace in 1838, Clermont County.

    Shadrach and Sarah had the following known child:

  1. Female (7) b. 1820 – 1825. Shows in 1830 Ohio Census, so far unidentified. Likely died very young.
  2. John P. Medaris (7) b. 1838 in Ohio; d. 20 Jan. 1909 in Hamilton County, Ohio. Married Mary E. ????.

(CR: 1830, 1840 Clermont Co., Ohio, 1860 Hamilton Co., Ohio)

(credits 00)

Sarah J. Medaris (6) (Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. 1806 in Ohio. She married John W. Gest, 01 Apr 1830 in Clermont County, Ohio.  He is the brother to Lydia wife of Sarah’s brother Charles. They lived in Clermont County, Union Township in 1860. Sarah’s mother Elizabeth lived in the household with them at the time.

     Sarah and John had one child:

  1. Enoch Gest (7) b. 1838 in Ohio

(CR: 1850, 1860, 1879, 1889 Clermont County, Ohio)

Malachi Medearis (6) (Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1825 in Mississippi. He married Mary Hassy, 24 Jan. 1852 in Conecuh County, Alabama. It appears that Malachi and his wife Mary died sometime in the 1860’s.  It is unknown if perhaps they fell victim to the devastation of the War for Southern Independence or if they died of disease.

    What we do know is that they had two children:

  1. Phillip Napier Medearis (7) b. 04 Aug. 1853, d. 13 Dec. 1921. He married 1) Elizabeth Charity Tisdale, 2) Tillie Mae Bird.
  2. Nimua Medearis (7) b. 1864 in Alabama. Nimua and her brother Phillip were adopted by a minister, Phillip Hawkins Napier and his wife Sarah, apparently after the death of their parents sometime prior to 1870.

(credits 00, 170, 171)

Mary A. C. Medaris (6) (Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1818 in Alabama; d. 31 Aug 1889 in Jackson County, Mississippi. She married Arrington Phelps.  He was born 182 in Georgia; d. 11 Mar 1891 in Mississippi.

     They lived in Mississippi in Clarke Co., with her parents in 1840. Malachi lived with this daughter and family in 1860.

     They had the followign children:

  1. Reuben L. Phelps (7) b. 1842 in Mississippi.  He married Elisabeth C. Thomas.
  2. Elizabeth A. Phelps (7) b. 1845 in Mississippi
  3. Samantha S. Phelps (7) b. 1847 in Mississippi.  She married Charlie Graham.
  4. Samuel Phelps (7) b. 1852 in Mississippi
  5. Parthena Phelps (8) b. 1854 in Mississippi.  She married Martin Quave.
  6. Catherine Phelps (7) (f) b. 1857 in Mississippi
  7. Georgian (7) b. 1859 in Mississippi
  8. Mary Phelps (7) b. 1862 in Mississippi
  9. Sarah Jane Phelps (7) b. 1866 in Mississippi.  She married Francis Woodcock.

(CR: 1840, 1850, 1860 & 1880 Clarke Co., Mississippi)

Prior Medaris (6) (Stephen 5, Charles 4) b. abt 1807 in New Jersey; d. Mar. 1850 of “consumption” (tuberculosis) in Hamilton County, Cincinnati, Ohio.   He married Catharine Guion on 14 Mar 1830.  Catharine was born 38 July 1818, the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Banta Guion. At the time of Prior’s death, the family lived in Hamilton Co., Ohio near Stephen, Prior’s father.  Prior is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery Section 57; Lot 36.  The Cemetery is “Situated in the Valley of the Mah-ket-e-wa (Mill Creek), about 3 miles from the present limits of Cincinati” (1869).

    In June 1843, the Cincinnati, Ohio, Board of Education payed Prior Medaris two installments of $1,900 on “building School House on Clinton Street“.

    Prior and Catharine had the following children:

  1. William Medaris (7) b. 20 Nov. 1831; d. 05 Dec. 1831
  2. John Edward Medaris (7) b. 18 Nov. 1832; d. 25 Feb. 1833.
  3. Angeline Melvina Medaris (7) b. 07 May 1834 in Ohio.  She married Henry E. Holtzinger.
  4. Elizabeth Jane Medaris (7) b. 30 July 1836 in Missouri; d. 16 July 1873.  She married Thompson Neave.
  5. Ellen Hannah Jane Medaris (7) b. 25 Oct. 1839 in Cincinati, Hamilton County, Ohio; d. 08 Aug 1923 in Cincinatti, Hamilton County, Ohio.  She married Benjamin F. Wright.

(CR: 1840 Hamilton Co., Ohio)

(credits 00)

Hyatt Medaris (6) (William 5, Charles 4) b. abt 1810 in Ohio; d. bef 1870.  He married Elizabeth Baukman who was born 1812.  Hyatt lived next to his father when the 1840 Sullivan County, Indiana census was taken.  The family moved to Warren County, Vicksburg, Mississippi by 1850.

    Hyatt and Elizabeth had the following children:

  1. Julia A. Medaris (7) b. abt. 1835 in Indiana.  She married David Byers 04 July 1850 in Vigo County, Indiana.
  2. Nancy Medearis (7) b. 1837 in Indiana.
  3. Henry B. Medearis (7) b. 1840  in Indiana.
  4. Lydia A. Medaris (7) b. 1842 in Indiana.
  5. Samuel Medaris (7)  b. 1845 in Indiana.

(CR: 1840 Sullivan Co., Indiana; 1850 Warren County, Mississippi; 1860 Vigo Co., Indiana)

(credits 00)

John W. Medaris (6) (Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 22 Oct. 1814 in Clermont County, Ohio; d. 21 Sept. 1911 in White County, Ohio.  John married 1) Martha Perry.    Little is known about Martha.  She died 16 Apr. ????, at the age of 81, in Hartford, Indiana. John’s death certificate lists his parents as Thomas and Melinda Sanders Medaris.

John had the following known children:

  1. Thomas H. Medaris (7) b. Feb 1845 in Indiana.  He married Lottie Tourtillot of Toledo, Ohio.
  2. Harry L. Medaris (7) b. 1850 in Ohio.  He married Charlotte Toiurtillot of Toledo, Ohio.
  3. Samuel Medaris (7) b. 1853
  4. Martha Perry Medaris (7) b. 03 Apr. 1855 in Hartford, Indiana.  she married Dr. W. A. Cochran. 

John married (2) Elizabeth S. ????. It is belived that they had the following children.

  1. Alta M. Medaris (7) b. 1862
  2. Wilber F. Medaris (7) b. 1866

    Very little is known about John except what was found in the following article:

A Standard History of White County Indiana

DR. JOHN W. MEDARIS

Doctor Medaris, although a physician of middle age when he became a resident of Brookston in 1859, continued to make that place his home and the center of his faithful practice, his Masonic activities and his splendid educational work— all tending to the progress of White County—for a period of more than half a century. At the time of his death on September 21, 1911, he was in his ninety-seventh year; the oldest person in White County, probably the oldest Mason in the state (having joined the order in 1846) and the veteran of the White County Medical Society, having survived Doctor Haymond for over a quarter of a century.

Doctor Medaris was born in Clearmont, Ohio, October 22, 1814, was educated in his native state, and received his medical training in the Miami School of Medicine at Cincinnati and the Sterling School of Medicine, Columbus. After his graduation he began practice at Hartford, Ohio, and in 1859 located at Brookston. The town was then very young and the doctor’s circuit of practice was often many miles out in the country, over terrible roads and through storms and mud. But, like others of his fellows, he accepted such hardships with good cheer as matters-of-course in the career of the country doctor. No member of the profession was more widely known or beloved than Doctor Medaris.

In 1867, three years after the founding of the county medical society, Doctor Medaris realized another of his ambitions, which was particularly his triumph, in the building of the Brookston Academy, one of the prominent educational institutions of Northern Indiana. During the Civil war he had served as a member of the Indiana Sanitary Commission, having been detailed by Governor Morton to give medical aid and assistance to the Union soldiers of White County detained in the Memphis hospitals. But he was best known throughout the state for his enthusiasm and steadfastness in Masonry, which endured for sixty-five years— from the time he joined the order until his death. Throughout its official life he was one of the stanchest and dearest friends of the Old Settlers Association; and at its meeting of August, 1911, held the month before his death, appeared to be in his usual health. A few days before he was called away to the Future which knows no centuries, he received a dispatch announcing the death of his daughter, at her home in Danville. The attendant shock, with a decline in his physical strength which had been noted a short time previously, undoubtedly hastened his end. A strong personality, which was evinced in practical accomplishments, honesty and sincerity, with a generosity which often went far beyond the bounds of self-protection, and an abiding affection for those nearest him, as well as a broad charity for all, were the marked traits in this revered patriarch.

(CR: 1850 Ohio Co., Indiana, 1860, 1880 White Co., Indiana)

(credits 00)

William S. Medaris (6) (William 5, Charles 4) b. 1822 in Ohio, although most census records state Indiana.  The family did not purchase the Indiana property until 1835.  William married Susan Burnett, the daughter of William and Mary Springer Burnett of Sullivan County, Indiana.  Susan was born abt 1820 in Sullivan County, Indiana.

    They had the following children:

  1. John Medaris (7) b. 1839 in Sullivan County, Indiana.
  2. James A. Medaris (7) b. Jun 1841 in Sullivan County, Indiana.  He married Catherine A. Adcock.
  3. Mary Medaris (7) b. 1844 in Sullivan County, Indiana.  She married William A. Martin.

    Listed as a “Preacher” and “insane” in the 1850, Indiana census where he is living with his father.  Susan and the kids are living with her parents in Sullivan County, Indiana.  It appears that William was a victim of a religious cult and a syndrome caused by it referred to as “Millerism”.  

    A man named William Miller was born in 1782 in Massachusetts.  He was home schooled with very little formal schooling. In 1803 he married Lucy Smith.  Miller called himself a “Deist”.  One who believed in a god who created the universe but who left it to run on its own under the laws of physics but was not involved in it.  He did not believe in miracles or salvation.  He held various positions including Constable, Deputy Sheriff and Justice of the Peace.  He was quite wealthy and inherited a lot of land and farms from his brother.  When the War of 1812 began, he enlisted in the military and achieved the rank of Captain.  His involvement in a military action would change his views on God and impact a lot of people, even until this day.  In August 1814 Miller was in the Battle of Plattsburgh, where approximately 4500 American Patriots defeated an overwhelming force of 15,000 British troops.  In a letter to his wife, Miller wrote to his wife about the grand, amazing yet awful things he had seen in battle.  “How grand, how noble, and yet, how awful!” he wrote.  Defeating the overwhelming army, Miller concluded that the outcome was “miraculous”.   This was in conflict with his deistic views of a non-participating God.    He wrote: “It seemed to me that the Supreme Being must have watched over the interests of this country in an especial manner and delivered us from the hands of our enemies…So surprising a result, against such odds, did seem to me like the work of a mightier power than man.”

    After the war, one Sunday, he was reading a sermon on the duties of parents when he had an epiphany.  He wrote “Suddenly the character of a Savior was vividly impressed upon my mind.  It seemed that there might be a Being so good and compassionate as to Himself atone for our transgressions, and thereby save us from suffering the penalty of sin.  I immediately felt how lovely such a Being must be; and imagined that I could cast myself into the arms of, and trust in the mercy of, such an One.”   Miller dedicated himself to the study of the Bible.  He began to relate current events with the “signs of the times” described in the last days.    In 1818 he concluded the end was near.  

    In 1831, he began a public ministry.  He was the fire a brimstone preacher warning of the coming end and to be prepared.  He moved all around “New England and the Middle States” bringing his message of his studies. He published papers and distributed them in mass numbers.  There were 48 Millerite periodicals in circulation.  Millerite evangelists would move into a new area and start his own publication to spread around the area.  The message spread fast and far. What was his message?  He had calculated the date for the return of Jesus Christ. He had narrowed it down to between 21 Mar 1843 and 21 Mar 1844. He later narrowed it down to 18 Apr 1844.

    His followers prepared for the return of Christ.  They gave up everything, some even their families.  The pressure and fear effected people’s minds.

(From “Millerism and Madness: A Study of ‘Religious Insanity’ in Nineteenth-Century American” by Ronald L. Numbers, Ph.D., and Janet Numbers, Ph.D., published in The Disappointed, pp. 97-101, (Knoxville, 1993))

In the early 1840’s, as Millerite enthusiasm approached its zenith, asylum superintendents in the Northeast began reacting with alarm to the influx of patients seemingly deranged by “the Miller excitement.” Samuel B. Woodward, superintendent of the Worcester State Lunatic Hospital and soon to become the first president of the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane (the present-day American Psychiatric Association), noted in his annual report for 1843 that nearly 7 percent of all admissions during the previous year—and over half of all cases resulting from religious causes (15 of 28)—could be charged to Millerism. He believed that in the other asylums of New England Millerites constituted an even larger percentage of the patient population. Although he regarded it as unusual for a “popular religious error” to have produced so much excitement in the community and rendered so many insane,” he professed to understand why so many minds were unsettled by Millerism: “the subject is momentous, the time fixed for the final consummation of all things so near at hand, and the truth of all sustained by unerring mathematics.” At Worcester the Millerite cases fell into two categories: the true believers so “full of ecstacy” [sic] that some refused even to eat and drink, and the unconverted who feared that Miller’s prophecy might be correct, “who have distracted their minds by puzzling over it, thinking about it, and dreading its approach, who have sunk into deep and hapless melancholy.”

Despite a wealth of sources linking Millerism to insanity, it is impossible to estimate with any confidence the number of Americans who suffered mental breakdowns as a result of the Millerite excitement. Many persons who experienced only temporary derangement undoubtedly remained outside of institutions and thus off the asylums’ registration books. As one historian of religious insanity in the early nineteenth century has recently observed, “the evidence from church records, published accounts, and private archives indicates that ‘religious failures,’ the obsessed men and women broken down by the burdens of scrupulous conscience, generally lived out their lives in quiet desperation within the sphere of the private family.” Besides, as even the popular press occasionally recognized, it was notoriously difficult to isolate the contribution of Millerism to any one person’s mental illness.
     When the predicted date came and passed the Millerites were devastated.  Referred to as “The Great Disappointment”.  Some wrote that they wept for days, prostrate and unable to move.  They became sick with disappointment.  Many were ridiculed in public, newspapers printed caricatures of “the most shameful manner”. When Christ’s return did not occur, there were varying reactions.  Some continued to look for his return daily and others tried to predict other dates, all in error and all leading to great anxiety to followers.  Others believed that they had entered the “Seventh Millennium” and therefore the saved should not work and became dependent on family.  Others acted as children, basing their beliefs on the words of Mark 10:15, when Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, whoever dos not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it”.    Some sadly gave up all beliefs while others returned to their previous church and beliefs.  A substantial number joined the Shakers.

    It appears that our William S. became an evangelical Preacher of the Millerites, and lived in the protection of his family, likely succumbing to the effects of pressure sometime after 1850.

    It is assumed that Susan eventually remarried.

(credits 00, 279) references “History of Seventh Day Adventist Church History, by Jeff Crocombe”.  “Millerism, Wikepedia.com”.

Andrew Medaris (6) (William 5, Charles 4) b. 1823 in Ind.  He married Nancy ????, who was born abt. 1836 in Pennsylvania.  They lived with his father William (5) and William Worley in Illinois in 1860.  

    Andrew and Nancy had the following child;

  1. Ortrellia Medaris (7) b. 1856 in Iowa.

(cr: 1860 Douglas Co., Illinois)

Generation 7

William Fletcher Madaris (7) (Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Jun 1820 in Guilford County, NC. Fletcher married Barbara Allen Buford on 12 May 1842, in Carroll County, Georgia. 

Fletcher and Barbara had the following children:

  1. Harriet E. Madaris (8) b. 1847,
  2. William Alfred Madaris (8) b. 1848, married 1) Millie Elizabeth McBurnett 2) Alice Blackwell.
  3. Sarah Jane Madaris (8) b. 1849
  4. George Washington Madaris (8) b. 17 Apr. 1852. He married Naomi J. Shropshire.
  5. Mary F. Madaris (8) b. 29 Nov. 1853 in Coweta County, Georgia; d. 30 Dec. 1939 in Fayette County, Georgia. She married C. Jasper Collins.
  6. John Thomas Madaris (8) b. 1856, he married Lizzie Johnson.
  7. Charles Buchannan Madaris (8) b. 1860, married 1) Fannie B. Richardson, 2) Martha “Mattie” Marselle Tucker.

     There is nearly five years between Fletcher and Barbara being married, and the birth of their first known child. A recent discovery has explained this childless period.  Fletcher was arrested in Talladega County, Alabama, shortly after their marriage.  He shows on the rolls of Wetumpka State Prison in Alabama in November 1846.  He was convicted to serve three years for an unspecified charge.  He shows to have been 18 at the start of his sentence, employed as a “Mill right” and a resident of Georgia. Wetumpka State Penitentiary was the first prison built in Alabama and accepted its first inmate in 1841. The prison employed the inmates for the hand manufacture of wagons, buggies, saddles, harnesses, shoes and rope. This may be where Fletcher learned his blacksmith skills that he would use throughout the rest of his life.

     Described as having walls twenty-five feet in height and having 208 prison cells, Wetumpka was known as “The Walls of Alabama”. It was located in Elmore County, Alabama, Northeast of the city of Wetumpka on the banks of the Coosa River.  Today (2011), the original 1841 prison no longer exists, the last buildings being torn down in the late 1900’s. The site of the prison sits on the Northeast side of the Coosa River where the Coosa River Parkway (Hwy 14) and Highway 231 intersect. (32°33’2.00″N, 86°11’28.00″W). 

     All of the children were born in Coweta County, Georgia. Fletcher came to Georgia with his parents around 1826. His father was a miller and Fletcher likely helped in the mills and around the farm. Fletcher worked as a blacksmith and Ferrier in the areas of Whitesburg, Handy and Newnan, Georgia.

    When the War for Southern Independence started, Fletcher enlisted on 02 August 1861 at Camp McDonald in Cobb County, Georgia. Camp McDonald was located near Kennesaw where the Big Shanty Museum is now located. He is listed as a private, as well as the unit blacksmith and Ferrier in Company D known as “The Coweta Rangers”, of Phillips Legion of Georgia, Cavalry Battalion, Army of Northern Virginia, CSA. Phillips Legion was known as “Phillips Volunteers” and “The Georgia Volunteers”. Under the command of General James Ewell Brown “JEB” Stuart, they were known as Company K, in Hampton’s Brigade under the command of Lieutenant General Wade Hampton.

    In Anderson’s Brigade, they were the “Advanced Guard” for this famous Cavalry Unit. They led and cleared the way for Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Gen. Lee once referred to Stuart’s Cavalry as his eyes and ears.

    When Fletcher joined the Confederate Army so did his horse. Although no documentation of his horse’s name has been found, his companion in battle is documented by Fletcher’s pay stubs as he was compensated for the use of his personal horse and gear. Fletcher’s horse was lost in either the battle of New Hope Church, Mine Run or Parker’s Store, Virginia on November 27-30, 1863. Fletcher himself ended up in Hospital #3 at Lynchburg, Virginia. His records show that he received clothing there on 09 December 1863. Members of the Confederate Cavalry had to provide their own horses. If theirs was lost they were given a furlough in order to go home and obtain another horse or obtain one locally. He remained dismounted until April 1864, when he obtained a new horse.

    In December 1863, Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton was promoted to General, and Fletcher’s unit was assigned to Young’s Brigade in Hampton’s Division, JEB Stuart’s Cavalry Corps. During his military tour, Fletcher participated in the following battles:

  • Stuart’s Famous Raid around McClellan’s Army,
  • The Picket Affair – Hartwood Church – Va.,
  • The Battle of Fredericksburg,
  • Chancellorsville
  • Operations against Stoneman’s Raid.
  • The Gettysburg Campaign,
  • The Battle of Manassas Gap – Virginia,
  • The Bristoe Campaign,
  • The Battle of Mine Run – New Hope Church VA,
  • The Battle of The Wilderness,
  • Battles about Spotsylvania Court House,
  • Laurel Hill,
  • Ny River
  • Fredericksburg Road VA,
  • Operations against Sheridan’s Raid (against George Armstrong Custer),
  • The battle of Yellow Tavern (in which JEB Stuart was killed at the side of Company K, Phillip’s Cavalry),
  • The Battle of Cold Harbor

     They participated in many other small skirmishes and raids throughout the war. In all Phillip’s Cavalry participated in over 100 battles and skirmishes during its existence. Fletcher was discharged on 08 June 1864 for being over the age of 45. He returned to Newnan, Georgia where he again worked as a blacksmith.

    After returning home from the War, Fletcher returned to his family and blacksmith work. Times after the war were tough, there was little, or no money and many families had lost everything they had. It is believed that Fletcher lived on the Madaris land once owned by his father and brothers in the area of Buckeye in Coweta County. He had lost two brothers in the war, Franklin and Jefferson, both who died in Charleston, South Carolina and were buried there. Little is found about the time period between 1865 and 1869.

    On 31 October 1869, at about 1:30 pm, an argument broke out between Fletcher and a good friend and fellow Confederate veteran; Sterling Harrison Thomas. Sterling had fought alongside Fletcher’s brother Thomas P. Madaris in Co. I, 37th Georgia, Infantry. According to the Thomas family it had been passed down that the argument was over a card game. We rely on their stories for the reason for the argument, but the facts of the incident were recorded in a newspaper article at the time. Sterling became enraged and started cussing and calling Fletcher insulting names. Sterling took his rifle and began to load it and according to witnesses, Fletcher left and went for the Sheriff of Coweta County, who was also Marshall for the City of Newnan. However, when Sheriff Hackney determined that the problem was outside the corporate limits of Newnan he did not go. At about 3:00 pm, Fletcher was talking with some friends at a place on LaGrange Road about a mile and a half from the Coweta County Courthouse, when Sterling approached with a large rock hidden in his shirt. As he approached (approximately 5 steps away) he threw the rock at Fletcher with all of his might. It is unclear if the rock struck Fletcher or not, but as Sterling reached for another rock to throw, Fletcher pulled his pistol and fired two shots at his attacker. The first shot missed but the second shot struck Sterling near the backbone and exited the front near his groin. Before he could throw the rock Fletcher fired a third time striking Sterling in the upper arm and lodging near his elbow. Sterling was critically wounded.

    It appears that Fletcher cared for his wounded friend, most likely regretting his actions. Later that day, Sterling asked Fletcher to take him to the home of a Mr. Allen in town. They arrived there at about 10 or 11 pm where he would receive care for his wounds. Unfortunately, the wounds would prove fatal, and Sterling Harrison Thomas died at the Allen home in Newnan, Georgia at 6:00 pm on Monday, November 01, 1869. Fletcher claimed his innocence based on self-defense and reports say he did not try to flee. He was arrested the next day on a coroner’s warrant pending an investigation.

    No record has been found to say whether Fletcher served any time for the shooting, but it is believed that he did not. He was at home in the spring of 1870 when the census taker made his rounds.

    Things seemed to go well for the family until the summer of 1871. On 08 July 1871, at about 8 or 9:00 pm, Fletcher went into the woods to gamble with a couple of local men; Gus Ector and Harrison Stephens. According to their story the two black men won Fetcher’s watch and then left. A young girl saw them leave the woods and then overheard some arguing and a scuffle in the direction in which they came. She then reported seeing another black man run away carrying a double-barreled shotgun. The next morning Fletcher’s body was found in the woods propped against a tree. His neck was bruised and broken, and he had been beaten about the head with a hard instrument. The coroner identified the weapon as a double-barreled shotgun based on the wounds he found.

    Ector and Stephens were arrested and tried for the murder of Fletcher Madaris. They were seen in the area, and they had his watch on them when they were arrested. They were tried in September of 1871 and were acquitted by an all-white jury for a lack of hard evidence to convict them. The mysterious man with the shotgun had not been found and the mostly circumstantial evidence produced enough doubt to free the two suspects. After the trial the jury stated that they felt the two were guilty, but the evidence was not proven.

    This murder mystery lasted from 1871 to 2004, when I was contacted by Lauri Martineau, of Dallas, Texas.  She had a letter written 10 Oct. 1972 by Corrine Thomas Sanders the granddaughter of Sterling Harrison Thomas.  Amazingly the details of this letter solved the 133-year-old murder mystery in Coweta County, and identifies the man seen running away from the scene with the double-barreled shotgun. 

An excerpt from this letter states:

“Newnan was where Sterling was shot in the back by his best friend.  The friend was drunk at the time.  His name was Fletch Mederris.  He got some time in Atlanta prison.  Sterling had a brother named Tommie Thomas.  He lived in Bradley Ark. according to uncle Jeff who visited Tommie Thomas sometimes, he rode a mule from Bradley back to Atlanta, Ga.  He got in a crap game with Fletch Mederris and shot him.  He was poised as a negro.  They never found him because they were looking for a negro.  He regreted having shot the man because he begged for his life when he saw who he was facing.  The riding a mule so far made him go through with it.  Sterling lived 4 days and was taken in by a widow woman that did what she could and sent the bloody clothes back to Harriet and the children.  Sterling was buried at Newnan Ga.  Papa had to ware the coat with the hole in the back.  It hurt him very bad.  Fletch Mederris was killed before Harriet and family moved from Ga. She never knew who did the work just that a negro killed Fletch Mederris.”

    This letter led us to search and find previously unknown news articles about the event. Their family legend states Thomas shot Fletcher, when in fact we now know that he strangled him with the double-barreled shotgun, breaking his neck and likely beating him over the head with it. He likely waited for Fletcher, Ector and Stephens to finish playing craps and then disguised as a black man, he killed Fletcher and left the blame for Ector and Stephens. Sterling only lived one day after being shot and Tommie Thomas and Fletcher did not play craps before the murder. Thank goodness Ector and Stephens received a fair trial. The true killer was never caught and lived out his life in Arkansas.

    Although his grave has not yet been found, Fletcher is likely buried in Coweta County most likely near the city of Sargent. There are many Madaris relatives buried in the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Sargent, but many are unmarked, and no records were kept at the time. An exhaustive search has not yet located his grave.

    Barbara moved in with her daughter Mary F. Madaris Collins and her family after Fletcher’s death. Very little is known about Barbara, though one can imagine that she must have been a dedicated wife and mother.  It is imaginable that she played the important role of running the farm and doing her part in the Confederate war effort.  She probably combined resources with the other women in her family, including Sarah, Fletcher’s mother.  My favorite quote about southern women during the Civil War is a quote from the book “The Growth of the American Republic” which says:

“The ruling class in the South, which had most at stake, gave all it had to the cause.  In the North able-bodied young men of means and position could buy substitutes without incurring social stigma: in the South the women saw to it that there were no gentlemen slackers.  The patriotism of the Southern women was only equaled by their devotion.  Left in charge of plantations they had to direct the necessary changes from cotton-raising to the production of food, to revive obsolete household industries such as spinning, weaving, and dyeing, to extract nitrates from the earth of cellars and smokehouses, to care for wounded soldiers, and to feed passing armies.  It was the southern women who made courage from terror and bread from bran.”

    It is currently unknown where Barbara died or is buried.  It is likely that Barbara died in the 1890’s, but the missing 1890 census make it almost impossible to answer these questions.

For the details on Solving A Murder Mystery in Coweta County, click here (coming soon)

(CR: 1850, 1860, 1870 Coweta Co., Georgia)

(credits 00, 01) A special credit and thanks to the Thomas family; descendants of Sterling and Thomas Thomas for coming forward with this information. Without the help of Lauri Martineau, 2nd great granddaughter of Sterling Thomas, we would never have solved this murder mystery in Coweta County and known the real story of Fletcher Madaris.

Haywood Madaris (7) (Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1821 in Guilford County, North Carolina; d. 11 May 1866 in Bogue Chitto, Lincoln County, Mississippi. Haywood was a Private in Vagnon’s Company, (Wilson’s’), 5th Battalion, Georgia Mounted Volunteers, in the 2nd Seminole War of 1835 – 1842. Haywood worked on the family farm and helped his father in the mill.  He later was a business partner with his brother John (7) as they went into the mill business themselves. He and John co-owned a Lumber Mill in Buckeye, near Lodi (present day Sargent), just west of Newnan, Ga. When John died in 1853, Haywood was the executor of his estate. Haywood married Lucinda Adams on 24 Oct. 1844 in Newnan, Coweta Co., Georgia. On 21 Sept. 1847, he was appointed Postmaster of Lodi. In 1850 Haywood was employed as a Penitentiary Guard at Milledgeville, Georgia. He and Lucinda show in the 1850 Baldwin County, Georgia census. The Penitentiary was burned by Sherman on his way to Savannah. 

    On 28 Sept 1850 the ScripWarrant Act of 1850 was authorized to give land to soldiers of the Indian Wars, just as it had done for Revolutionary soldiers. In 1859 Haywood moved his family to Mississippi. On 06 Aug 1852, Haywood received 79.94 acres in Claiborne, Louisiana. He bought an additional 40 acres of land at the Washington, Mississippi, Land Office on 13 Nov 1859. It was listed as “the South West quarter of the South East quarter of Section thirty-five, in Township Sise, of Range Seven East, in the District of lands subject to sale at Washington Mississippi“. The ScripWarrant Act of 1855 was authorized and on 10 May 1860 and Haywood received 80 more acres in Lincoln, Mississippi.

    Although Haywood did not serve in the Confederate Army, he did operate a Stagecoach in Jackson, Mississippi during the Civil War.  He provided transportation and horses for the Confederate Army.  He was paid $420 on 30 Sept. 1862, “For two horses for Arthurs Artillery Co.”  He was paid $37.50 on Oct. 27, 1862 “For transportation 5 soldiers”.  There is a receipt for the Assistant Quartermaster C.S.A. Jackson, Mississippi.  Transportation Office Aug 26, 1862.  The “Stage Line” will furnish transportation for “One” from Brookhaven to Natchez, no price listed.  Another for Aug 27, 1862, for “One”, from Brookhaven to Union Church, $3.50.  Aug. 22, 1862, Stage Line for “One”, Brookhaven to Natchez, $10.00.   Aug. 26, 1862, for “Two”, Brookhaven to Natchez, $20.00.  He is listed in Brookhaven, Mississippi as a bidder for the Confederate Contract for Mail. 

    Haywood was elected and served as Legislature of Lawrence County, Mississippi in 1865.  He was serving in the Legislature and as a road agent for Railroad in Bogue Chitto, at the time of his death.  Haywood was attempting to jump from a moving rail car, but was thrown onto the track, the train amputating his legs below the knees.  He died from shock a short time later.

    Haywood and Lucinda had one known child:

  1. Sebia Julia Madaris (8) b. 09 Jun 1852 in Mississippi. She married Franklin Larette Wallace.

(CR: 1850 Baldwin Co., Georgia; 1860 Copiah Co., Mississippi)

Franklin Madaris (7) (Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 1828 Carroll County, Georgia, near the city of Whitesburg, d. 1865 at the Naval Hospital, Fort Johnson, Charleston, South Carolina.

Franklin Madaris was born about 1828 in Carroll County, Georgia near the city of Whitesburg.  He was the son of Thomas and Sarah Jane Preddy Madaris. Franklin was born shortly after his parents and family moved from Guilford County, NC. 

    Franklin worked on the farm and in the mills operated by his father and brothers. The Madaris family operated a lumber mill on property they purchased, in 1840, in Coweta County just across the Chattahoochee River from the McIntosh Indian Reserve.

    Franklin married Margaret Davis, daughter of William and Sarah Davis of Carroll County in 1850. They were living with William Davis and family in the 1850 census with Franklin attending school.  It is believed that they had one daughter:

  1. Martha J. Madaris (8) b. Mar 1859 in Georgia.  She married John C. Winkles, the son of Steven Jackson and Nancy Ann ???? Winkles.  John was born 25 Nov 1854 in Georgia; d. 27 Aug 1926 in Etowah, Alabama.  They were married 23 Aug 1880 in Polk County, Georgia.

    When war broke out in the nation, Franklin took an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy and joined the Confederate Army on March 04, 1861, at Newnan, Georgia. He enlisted for a period of 3 years as a Private in Company E, 1st Regiment Georgia Regulars. From there he traveled with his regiment until it completed its organization at Macon, Georgia in April 1861.  On March 07, 1861, they left on the Southwestern Railroad at 9:00 p.m. on their way to Savannah. The newly organized regiment was assigned duty in Savannah, Georgia, where they received training as soldiers.

    Before seeing action, the regiment was sent to Fort Polaski where they placed the guns in position and readied the fort for action. They were then sent to Tybee Island where they awaited further orders.

    On July 20, 1861 Franklin and his regiment of Georgia Regulars was ordered to Virginia.  They left Savannah enroute to Charleston on board a freight train. They passed through Petersburg, Virginia and ended their journey in Richmond.  They were then ordered to Manassas Junction.  Franklin arrived at Hannover Junction, at the end of the battle of Bull Run.  In his tour with the 1st Georgia Regulars, Franklin participated in the following battles and skirmishes.

Sept.  15, 1861          assigned Toombs’ Brigade, Second Division, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia.  Moved to Pine Creek, towards Centreville on the 16th.
Sept. 17, 1861The Regulars are assigned picket duty at Munson’s Hill.
Dec. 26, 1861The First Georgia Regulars are assigned to camps for winter quarters.  The camp is located between Manassas Junction and the stone bridge on the Bull Run River, near the Manassas Battlefield from the First Bull Run.
April 05, 1862Siege, Yorktown, Virginia
May 05, 1862Battle at Williamsburg, Virginia
May 31 – June 1, 1862Battle of Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, Virginia
June 27, 1862The battle at Gaines Mill and Cold Harbor
June 30, 1862In a busy day of battle, the Regulars participate in battle at Glendale, Nelson’s Farm, Frazier’s Farm, Charles City Cross Roads, New Market Road, Willis Church, Virginia.
July 01, 1862Battle at Malvern Hill, Crew’s Farm, Poindexter’s Farm, Virginia.
Aug. 16 – Sept. 22, 1862 The Second Bull Run Campaign
Sept. 14, 1862Battle at South Mountain, Maryland
Sept. 16 – 17, 1862Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg), Maryland
Sept. 20, 1862Action at Shepardstown, West Virginia
Dec. 12 – 15, 1862Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia
March 13, 1863The 1st Georgia Regulars were re-assigned to the District of Middle Florida, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida
February 11, 1864Skirmish at Lake City, Florida.
February 14, 1864Evacuation, Gainesville, Florida
February 20, 1864Battle at Olustee (Ocean Pond), Florida
March 01, 1864 Skirmish at McGort’s Creek, Florida

    After this skirmish the First Georgia Regulars found themselves at Lake Seminole in Chattahoochee, Florida. This is where the Chattahoochee River enters into Florida from Georgia into lake Seminole. When the River exits the lake on the south end, it becomes the Apalachicola River.

    On May 03, 1864, the coast was being blockaded near the Apalachicola Bay by the US Steamers Somerset and Adela. Lt. G. W. Gift, in command of the CSS Chattahoochee, decided on a plan to capture one of the Union ships blockading the Apalachicola. The plan was to use small boats to overtake one of the Union blockade ships and then use that ship to overtake the other. They planned to enter the Apalachicola Bay in small launches and paddle from St. George’s Sound toward the East Point.

    The expedition arrived in Chattahoochee, Florida at 7:30 am on May 04, 1864. The expedition seeking volunteers took on 1 officer and 16 men from the First Georgia Regulars.  One of these volunteers was Franklin Madaris. His name is misspelled Medavis on the register where he is listed as a landsman.

    That morning Franklin transferred to the Confederate States Navy where he was assigned to the CSS Chattahoochee as a landsman and shows as boarding on May 04, 1864, in Chattahoochee, Florida.  The expedition left Chattahoochee at 10:40 am, enroute to Apalachicola Bay, St. George’s Sound to meet the Union Army.  A party of seventy men from the Chattahoochee and twenty volunteers from Company F, Bouneau’s Battalion of Confederate soldiers, manned seven boats.

    The accounts of the expedition state they “Took with us 2 launches, pulling 14 oars each; 2 yawls, pulling 4 oars each; 2 cutters, 4 oars each; and 1 metallic boat, 4 oars. In all 7 boats.”  The boats were outfitted with “muffled oars, grapnels, incendiary materials, signal flags, lanterns, compasses, medical stores”, and other provisions. The men were armed with “rifles, muskets and shot-guns”; the officers with “revolvers and cutlasses”. In all they had over 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

    Trying to sneak up on a ship in a calm moonlit night cause wakes in the water that are easily seen, therefore they would await a dark or stormy night to approach the unsuspecting ship and overtake it. They reached their position at East Point near the east pass of St. George’s Sound where they waited for their moonless night.  This positioned them near the blockading Adela. As their luck would have it the weather was perfect, calm and bright night after night.  The wait lasted nearly a week until they eventually exhausted all their supplies hoping for the weather to deteriorate. Finally, they were forced to send scouts into town for supplies, but they returned with disappointing news. Spies in Apalachicola had warned the Union ships of the mission. They knew of their presence and their intent.

    They remained until the 10th of May and as the scouts returned the storm, they had been waiting for developed. They decided it was too dangerous to attack a ship that was forewarned of their plans, so the mission was called off. As the storm intensified, they used the cover to retreat back to the safe side of the bay. The first two boats attempted the crossing; one contained officers and the other contained the soldiers. Struggling in the waves they were caught in the fury of the storm and pushed out to sea. The soldiers’ boat became swamped in the storm, and they had to be rescued by the other boat under the command of Lt. Gift. The rescue boat, now overweight with men, arms and supplies, became troubled itself. With the soldiers clinging on the outside of the boat they quickly threw their supplies overboard to bring the exhausted men into the safety of the boat. Finally, by lightening their load, they stayed afloat but were blown further out to sea.  After deciding to head into the storm they eventually landed on deserted St. George Island. Already in a starved state and losing all their supplies in the storm, the men “ate palmetto cabbage, alligators and oysters”. They would remain marooned for two days before being rescued by local citizens of Apalachicola.

    The remainder of the boats did not attempt the crossing most likely after witnessing the struggle of the first two boats. But they were about to have their own problems. Now knowing the presence of the Confederates, light boats from the USS Schooner Chambers and the USS Somerset, detached troops below the town of Apalachicola with intent of confronting the Confederates. A detachment landed and quietly marched along the shore towards town with the launches following out of sight. They encountered the confederates at the wharves as they were preparing to embark. One of the small boats approached too quickly and the approaching party was spotted. As the Confederates scattered to safety, they were fired upon by a howitzer from one of the boats.

    The Union officers determined that Gift and some of his men were on the island and they sent a detachment to try and capture them. They arrived at the island but reported that they were unable to pursue them due to the extensive undergrowth and many paths found there.

    During the two raids all of the expedition’s boats were captured along with the supplies, with the exception of the one boat that had previously sunk in the Bay.

    On the 13th, the stranded men were rescued from St. George Island by three men from Apalachicola who were working with the Confederates as scouts and spies. On their way back to Apalachicola they were confronted by the awaiting Union troops from the Chambers. Although most of the Confederates managed to escape, 7 of the group were taken prisoner. The three rescuers Thomas McClean, Anthony Murray and James Anderson were arrested and held as spies. Of the 4 soldiers captured one was Joseph Sire, Captain afterguard of the CSS Chattahoochee.

    The crew of the Chattahoochee regrouped and eventually made their way to Columbus, Georgia along the Chattahoochee River. It appears that they remained in Columbus until July 08, 1864, when a dispatch was sent to Lt. Gift to draft men from Columbus and “a good and trusty boat’s crew” and report to Captain John McGrady. This group is to be trained in placing torpedoes in the Savannah, Georgia’s waterways. Knowing he could trust the men of the CSS Chattahoochee, for this specialized and secret mission Lt. Gift had no problem making his selection.  They arrived and was listed as in quarters at Savannah on July 22, 1864, ready for orders.

     July 29, 1864, the former crew of the Chattahoochee was given orders to board the CSS Isondiga which was being used to place torpedoes upon which they would begin their training.  They were listed as the only crew in Georgia trained in the placement of torpedoes.  They would perform this important task for several months.

    Franklin was later reassigned to the CSS Floating Battery Georgia, based in Savannah, Georgia on October 01, 1864. The CSS Georgia was poorly designed making it un-steerable and needing to be towed wherever it moved.  Because of its immobility the Georgia was re-designated as a Floating Battery. Franklin served on this ship for 76 days until December 15, 1864, when he was transferred back to the CSS Isondiga, this time as a crew member.  As Sherman’s forces attacked Savannah, the Georgia being unable to flee had her guns plugged and was abandoned and burned on December 20, 1864.

After defending the city of Savannah, and being overpowered, the Isondiga and her crew headed upriver towards Augusta fleeing Sherman’s forces. However, the river was shallow and the Isondiga became grounded in the Back River near a pontoon bridge.  Franklin and the rest of the crew were forced to abandon ship and set her afire.  The crew, carrying their supplies and wounded, marched northwards to Hardeeville where they would regroup with the other crews escaping Savannah.

    On December 25, 1864, they arrived at Charleston, South Carolina where the crews of the Isondiga and Georgia were placed under the command of Lieutenant Dalton. The able-bodied men from the Isondiga and Georgia along with the marines of the CSS Savannah were sent to reinforce Fort Johnson, which was being threatened by the Union Forces.

    The men who were injured in the battles that took place defending Savannah were sent to the Naval Hospital located at Fort Johnson, in Charleston. It is unknown if Franklin died from wounds received in Savannah or was later killed in battle near Charleston, South Carolina. He was, however, buried alongside his brother, Jefferson Madaris, in the Port Society’s Cemetery on the Ashley River in Charleston.

    On Dec. 20, 1922, the Ladies Memorial Association of Charleston placed a monument at their graves in honor of the men of the Confederate Navy who died at that spot.  Franklin and Jefferson’s name is spelled Medaris on the memorial.

    When the Johnson-Hagood Stadium was built in Charleston, South Carolina, in the 1940’s, it was built on the site of the Port Society Cemetery. Before construction the builder was supposed to move the graves to the Magnolia Cemetery.  In what is claimed to be a clerical error only the headstones were moved, and the graves were left behind to be paved over.

    During the summer of 1999, under the direction of the Confederate Heritage Trust, The South Carolina Department of Archeology and the South Carolina Hunley Commission, the remains of 22 Confederate seamen and marines were removed from underneath the stadium parking lot and walls.  Over 100 volunteers worked 12-hour days to recover the remains. Among these remains were those of Franklin and Jefferson Madaris. The remains of a 3-year-old child were also discovered. The identity of the child is unknown and is suspected to be a child or brother of one of the soldiers who were buried alongside him.

    The skeletal remains were placed in small 1 foot by 2-foot caskets.  Dirt from the original grave was placed in the box on which the bones were placed. The box was then filled with more of the original dirt.  Buried along with the remains were any items found with the soldiers including buttons, buckles and a prayer book. On top of each was placed a handmade wooden cross before the lid was sealed.

    On Nov. 11, 1999, a memorial service was held at the St. Johannes Lutheran Church in Charleston. On Friday, Nov. 12, 1999, a funeral procession made up of over 300 re-enactors followed eight horse drawn caissons carrying the 23 caskets from the Battery insight of Forts Sumter and Johnson northward along E. Bay Street and Morrison Street to the Magnolia Cemetery. The family members of Franklin and Jefferson Madaris walked in honor directly behind the caissons.  At 2:00 pm the 22 Confederate heroes and the child were laid to rest in a proper service alongside their comrades who fought and died in the War Between the States in Charleston, South Carolina.

    Capt. Randy Burbage, President of the Confederate Heritage Trust, presented a flag in honor of Franklin Madaris, “for the sacrifices he made for his country and a cause he so deeply believed in” to the Madaris family.

(CR: 1850 Carroll Co., Georgia)

(credits 00)

Jefferson Madaris (7) b. 1832 Carroll County, Ga.  Little is known about Jefferson or his military history; he was only discovered when Franklin was traced to the Port Society Cemetery on the Ashley River. (See listing for Franklin) Jefferson was a member of the Confederate States Navy.

(CR: 1850 Carroll Co., GA)

Delona Jane Madaris (7) (Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 1834 Campbell County, Ga.; d. before 1870 in Campbell County, Ga.  Delona married Abraham Ballard, son of Joshua and Elizabeth Bryant Ballard.  He was born abt. 1830 in Georgia.

Abraham was a Private in Co. G, 41st Georgia Infantry. He died in battle at Chattanooga, Tenn., 15 Nov. 1862.  Delona appears to have died before 1870, as her children are found in other Ballard family listings in 1870.

Delona and Abraham had the following children:

  1. Joshua Ballard (8)
  2. Malinda Eliza Ballard (8) 
  3. Sarah Elizabeth Ballard (8) James M. Hammond
  4. Lucinda Ballard (8) married George W. Bryant
  5. Fannie A. Ballard (8) married Jefferson Davis Bryant

(CR: 1860 Campbell Co., Georgia)
(credits 00)

Jackson Madaris / Medaries (7) (Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Sept. 1835 in Carroll County, Georgia; d. 01 Dec 1923 in Farmerville, Union Parish, Louisiana. Jackson joined the Confederacy where he enlisted at Camp Bailey near Fairburn, Georgia – Campbell County, Sept. 25, 1861. He served as a Pvt., in Company K, Campbell County, known as the “Chattahoochee Volunteers”, in the 30th Georgia Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, Army of Tennessee, CSA.

    After forming at Camp Bailey, in Fairburn, Company K, joined the 30th regiment that was assembled at Milledgeville, Georgia. The 30th traveled to Savannah Georgia and was involved in several engagements there, likely near Fort Polaski. The Unit served at Charleston and in February 1863, had about 300 effectives. The 30th Regiment traveled to North Georgia and fought in the Battle of Chickamauga in late September 1863. Company K, remained on detachment until the spring of 1864 along the East Coast, therefore it was not involved in the Chickamauga campaign. While enroute to Dalton, in North Georgia, to rejoin the Regiment, many of the troops jumped train in Palmetto and Fairburn, Georgia to visit their homes in Campbell County. Company K, continued north and fought battles in:

  • Calhoun, Ga.,
  • The Battle of New Hope Church, Georgia,
  • Kennesaw,
  • Peachtree Creek and the Battle of Jonesboro.

    Then the 30th regiment traveled north again and fought battles in

  • Franklin and Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
  • Decatur and Nashville, Tennessee.

    Jackson was in a hospital in Augusta, Georgia in March and April of 1862 possibly wounded in battle. However, disease took a toll on this regiment, and he may have just been sick. He rejoined his regiment in May of 1862.

    Jackson was Captured on December 16, 1864, near Nashville, Tennessee. He was Captured by forces under Maj. Gen. Thomas, commanding Dept. of the Cumberland, and forwarded to Capt. S. E. Jones, Add’l A.D.C., Louisville. The POW roll shows that he arrived at the Military Prison in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 02, 1865. He was transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio on January 04, 1865. Given the choice between prison or enlistment to the US Army, Jackson took an oath of allegiance to the US Government at Camp Chase, on March 20, 1865. 

    The decision to sign allegiance to the US likely saved Jackson’s life.  Many men from the 30th Georgia died in this prison camp. Those soldiers who stayed in the prison camps suffered terribly, many dying from exposure, others from starvation or disease. The decision to take allegiance can certainly not be seen as a cowardly act. The Confederate service that Jackson provided from his enlistment until his capture, is certainly a record to make all his ancestors proud.  The service he continued in the 6th US just continued his service with bravery.

    After signing the allegiance, Jackson was immediately transferred to Chicago, Illinois the same day where he was assigned to the 6th U.S. Volunteer Infantry, Company A.  This regiment was ordered to Leavenworth, Kansas in May 1865, arriving there May 11.  They moved to Fort Kearney, Nebraska on May 14, then to Julesburg, Colorado.  This regiment of “Galvanized Yankees”, spent their entire time on the Great Plains fighting Indians.  They were on duty in the District of the Plains and Utah until 03 November 1866 when the regiment was mustered out.

    Given blue uniforms and sent west to fight Indians, they were known as “Galvanized Yankees”. Just like galvanized metal is a rough metal covered with a strong coating, the Galvanized Yankees were true Confederate soldiers covered in their adopted US blue uniforms.  President Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Staton resisted the idea of recruiting former Confederates until 1864, when the need for manpower arose.  It is stated that after the men were mustered into service, many Union officers remained highly suspicious of the former Confederates.  Most changed their minds, however, when they saw the Galvanized Yankees in battle.  Many veteran Union officers came to believe that the US. Volunteers were among the best troops they had ever seen.

    In July 1865, the 6th US Infantry arrived at Platte Bridge Station, (located in present day Caspar, Wyoming) to support companies of the Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. In response to the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre of Black Kettle’s Cheyenne, these tribes were increasing raids along the trails.  The regiment was in place to stand against the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho who had gathered to attack Platte Bridge Station.     

    This allegiance to the US and service as Galvanized Yankees, caused problems for most of these soldiers on their return home.  It appears the same was true for Jackson, after all, two of his brothers died at the hands of the federals in Charleston. These soldiers were shunned in the south and acceptance was difficulty not only by their friends, but even by their families.  To make things worse they were also neglected by the United States after the war.  In order to qualify for a pension for their federal service, they had to prove they were forced into joining the Confederacy against their will, which was not true for any of the soldiers.  Unlike the North, who drafted their soldiers, the Confederate Army was completely volunteer.

    After the war, Jackson moved to Alabama where he returned to civilian life working as a Mill Hand in Franklin, according to the 1870 Federal Census. Jackson moved to Louisiana by 1880 and eventually to Arkansas along with his brother Thomas P. They adopted the spelling Medaries and are the head of all families who use this spelling.  His Union service records also uses this spelling.

    Jackson married Amanda L. Greer most likely in Louisiana about 1880. At the time of their marriage, she had a son named Charles Harrison Greer from her previous marriage. Amanda was born in Louisiana in 1845. Amanda and Charles show as Gregor and Greyer in the census records, but according to Charles’ 2nd great granddaughter, Renea Virgin, their name was Greer.

    In 1880 they lived in Lincoln County, Louisiana in the 5th Ward. In 1900 he still lived in the 5th Ward but was now listed as Louisiana Parish. They had one known daughter to this marriage. It is possible that more children were born to this union but are lost in the missing 1890 census. Perhaps further research will find them if they existed.     Jackson and Amanda had the following child:

  1. Annie Medaries (8) b. May 1882 in Louisiana. She apparently never married died on 25 Nov. 1965 in Lake Village, Arkansas.

    Jackson still lived in Louisiana Parish at the time of the 1910 and 1920 census. In 1920 he was listed as 85 years old; Amanda was 74. Annie still lived with them at the age of 40, remaining unmarried.  He died from the effects of a stroke on 01 Dec 1923 in Farmerville, Union Parish.

(CR: 1870 Macon Co., Alabama; 1880 Lincoln Co., Louisiana; 1900 Union Parish, Louisiana; 1910 Louisiana Parish, Louisiana; 1920 Louisiana Co., Louisiana)

(credits 00, 01)

Thomas P. Madaris / Medaries (7) (Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 10 June 1840 in Carroll County, Georgia; d. 23 May 1924 in Jackson County, Louisiana. Thomas’ story is quite interesting and is a classic story of a southern soldier in the Confederacy. It shows the impact on the men and their families following the war.  Thomas was described in his military papers as being 5′ 9-1/2″ tall, black eyes, black hair and dark complexion.

    Thomas was married 3 times during his lifetime.  He married 1) Martha E. Argo on 24 Sept. 1859 in Coweta County, Georgia. Martha was born in Alabama in 1839. In the 1860, Georgia Census, Thomas is enumerated in Meriwether Co, on the farm of William Fincher, his employer.  Martha is enumerated with her mother Leanda Argo in Coweta County.  They did not have any children at the time.

    Thomas states in his pension application that he enlisted in the Confederate Army in June 1861 at Newnan, Georgia. He became a Pvt., in Company C, 3rd Battalion, Georgia Volunteer Infantry. They were known as “The County Line Volunteers”, and later as “Lewis and Phillips Guards”.  It should be noted that there was also a 3rd Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry that was a separate unit and is sometimes confused with the 3rd Battalion.

    After enlisting, Thomas was immediately sent to Lynchburg, Virginia where he was mustered in on 31 Aug. 1861. He normally would have spent some time training, drilling and learning to be a soldier at Camp Davis in Lynchburg, but the 3rd Battalion was immediately sent to Goldsborough, North Carolina.  An important transportation hub, Goldsborough is where the Atlantic and North Carolina railroad intersected with the Wilmington and Weldon railroad. They stayed at this assignment less than two weeks and was reordered to Virginia.  Not to stay set in one place, after arriving back in Virginia, they were quickly ordered to Bristol, Tennessee and assigned to the Department of East Tennessee, CSA.  Bristol was another railroad hub and would be the location for an important Confederate hospital.  In January of 1862, Thomas was given a 20-day furlough to Atlanta, Georgia, where he likely visited with his family.

    The 3rd Battalion was occupying Cumberland Gap, Tennessee by March 28, 1862, where they would see their first action.  They participated in the Battles at Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, 28 Mar – 18 June 1862.  The 3rd Georgia Battalion, Company C, is shown to have participated:

  • Aug. 30, 1862: Battle at Richmond, Kentucky.  At Mount Zion Church, this battle is listed as the second largest battle in Kentucky, it was an overwhelming victory for the Confederacy.
  • Aug. 30, 1862: Engagement at White’s Farm, Richmond, Kentucky
  • Oct. 10 – 22, 1862:  Retreat from Perryville to London, Kentucky

    Thomas is next found in Morristown Hospital in Tennessee and listed as sick for November & December 1862. He was not injured in battle but likely suffered from one of many diseases that plagued the troops in battle.  This hospital was likely at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Morristown, that still stands today, despite damage from a cannon ball that passed through it during the war.

    Thomas was transferred to Co. I, 37th Reg., Ga. Infantry on 06 May 1863 as the 3rd Battalion was combined with the 9th Georgia Battalion to form a new regiment. Thomas, however, was not with his Battalion at the time.  He is shown as deserting on 23 Jan 1863.  He had left the military and relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, where he apparently took up residence. 

    The Provost Marshals, served as military policemen and were concerned with both Confederate and Union deserters.  They sought out and arrested deserters, Confederate spies, and civilians suspected of disloyalty.  They controlled the passage of civilians in military zones.  On 14 May 1863, Thomas was arrested by the Provost Marshal, Union Army, Department of the Missouri in St. Louis, at his new residence on Poplar St.  Interesting enough, Thomas would have had to answer to his desertion from the Confederacy to this Union Provost Marshal.

Office of the Provost Marshal General,
DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., May 14, 1863.

Special Order No. 75/
Mr. Medairey living on Poplar near Fifteenth, will be arrested and confined in Myrtle Street Prison.  He will be reported to Capt. C. C. Allen, for examination as to his disloyalty.
By order
F. A. Dick
Lt. Col. Cav. Mos, Genl.

      
There is a note written on the order that states:  “Recd the within named prisoner at Prison 9 p.m. May 14, 1863.    Wm Lonergan, J. Kingsbury.”  On the back of the note is written “Thos P. Medaris“.  This document is in the folder with Thomas’ 36th Regiment papers.  Myrtle Street Prison was originally a Slave Pen, at the Lynch Slave Market, and was operated by Bernard Lynch.  He joined the Confederacy, and the US Military took it over and made it a prison.  It was a two-story brick building that would house approximately 100 prisoners.  The prison was located on Myrtle Street near Third Street.  That would be present day Clark Avenue near N. Broadway, near Busch Stadium.

    From November 1862 to June 1863 the 3rd Batt. Infantry was undergoing the reorganization to become the 37th Reg., Ga. Infantry.  During this time period these men did not participate in any battles or engagements.  It is uncertain what the result of the Union examination was, but Thomas is unaccounted for until Jan. 1864 when he returned to his Confederate Regiment.  He is listed as “returned from desertion” and was arrested to face a court martial.  It is also unknown what the outcome of this trial was, but Thomas re-enlisted on 01 Apr. 1864 “to serve the remainder of the war”.  Thomas was likely lucky with the timing in Missouri and on his return as the army was shorthanded and needed troops.  Rather than spending time in prison or being hung as a deserter, he was allowed to rejoin his regiment.

   With the 37th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Thomas participated in the following engagements:

  • May 8-9, 1864: Combat, Buzzard’s Roost gap, (Mill Creek), Georgia.  Located near Dalton, Georgia, it was a land formation chosen to provide problems for the Northern Army moving south.
  • May 10, 1864: Combat, Mill Creek, Georgia
  • May 13, 1864: Combat near Resaca, Georgia.
  • May 14-15, 1864: Battle of Resaca, Georgia. An important railroad transportation point, Resaca served as a staging area for troops, heading North.
  • May 18-19, 1864: Combat near Cassville, Georgia.
  • May 24, 1864: Action, Kingston, Georgia.
  • May 25 – June 5, 1864, the 37th Georgia was engaged in Operations on the line of Pumpkin Vine Cree and Battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills, Georgia. 
  • May 26 and June 9, 1864, Thomas received clothing.
  • June 15-17, 1864: Combat about Pine Mountain and Lost Mountain, Georgia.
  • June 25, 1864: he received more clothing, showing the toll of battle on uniforms.
  • June 27, 1864: Assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.
  • July 5-17, 1864, the 37th Georgia was engaged in operations about Pine Mountain and Lost Mountain, Georgia.
  • July 19-20, 1864: Battle of Peachtree Creek, Georgia
  • July 23-Aug 25, 1864, the 37th was involved in the Battle of Atlanta, during Sherman’s Siege of Atlanta. 

    Thomas was captured by a regiment of the US Army of the Cumberland, showing him received at the prison camp at Louisville, Kentucky on 05 Aug. 1864.  Louisville was a routing point, and the individual soldiers were screened and then given a chance to sign allegiance to the US or spend the remainder of the war in prison.  Thomas stated in his pension application that he signed an Oath of Allegiance to the United States “to avoid imprisonment”.  He was released and ordered North of the Ohio River for the remainder of the War. 

    During this time, men of money in the North could avoid mandatory service, if they had the money to buy a substitute.  Thomas accepted payment from James W. Blue, of Michigan, an Omnibus Driver, as a substitute.  Thomas under this agreement enlisted in the 2nd Regiment Missouri Cavalry, USA, known as Merrill’s Horse Cavalry on 19 Aug. 1864 at Jackson, Michigan.  He was to serve for a period of 3 years. This was a smart decision for Thomas, as many of his comrades died in the harsh confines of the Northern prisons from cold exposure, malnutrition and disease.

    Thomas became what was known as a Galvanized Yankee, where he would be sent West to fight Indians. Given blue uniforms these men were compared to galvanized metal; a rough metal covered with a strong coating.  The Galvanized Yankees were true Confederate soldiers covered in their adopted US blue uniforms.  President Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Staton resisted the idea of recruiting former Confederates until 1864, when the need for manpower arose.  It is stated that after the men were mustered into service, many Union officers remained highly suspicious of the former Confederates.  Most changed their minds, however, when they saw the Galvanized Yankees in battle.  Many veteran Union officers came to believe that the Galvanized Yankees were among the best troops they had ever seen.

    Research is underway to put the story together of Thomas’ history with the 2nd Missouri.  He fought with this group until early 1867.

    When Thomas returned home after the war there were problems.  Although avoiding the probability of death in a prison camp, desertion was a disgrace particularly in the South. Two of his brother’s died fighting for the cause and Thomas had signed allegiance against his homeland.  Battle left many men scarred not only physically, but emotionally, and they likely had many issues that created problems. Martha filed divorce papers in Coweta County, Court in March of 1867.  Perhaps because she had not heard from him for some time, or perhaps he had returned and was not the same. But in an interesting twist, Thomas and Martha did not separate until around 1870.  It could be that during the divorce, Martha became pregnant with their first child.

    Thomas and Martha had the following children:

  1. Lewella Madaris (8) b. late 1867 or 1868 in Coweta County, Ga.  In the July 1885 Court Records for Coweta County, is stated: “Luella Madaris on her own petition was allowed a home on the poor farm”.  She was 18 years old at the time. She is also listed in the 1900 Coweta Census as a Pauper, inmate of Coweta County.  Lewella apparently never married.  (CR: 1900 Coweta Co., GA)
  2. John Thomas Madaris (8) b. 1869 in Coweta County, Ga.
  3. Andrew Paul Jackson Madaris (8) b. 04 Apr 1870 in Coweta County, Ga.

    Martha is listed as a Widow in the 1880 census, but Thomas was not dead. He had left Georgia and moved to Louisiana along with his brother Jackson, where he settled in an area called D’Arbonne in Union Parish.  Martha died in 1883 in Newnan, Ga. She is likely buried at the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Sargent, Coweta County, Georgia.

    Thomas married 2) Rebecca Mims, about 1871, in Louisiana.  She was born about 1852 in Alabama and died 03 Dec 1895 in Union Par., Louisiana.

    Thomas and Rebecca had the following children:

  1. John Thomas Medaries (8) b. 12 Nov. 1871; d. 17 Feb. 1947
  2. Mary Medaries (8) b. 22 Feb 1873 d. 7 Jan 1962; buried in Hasley Cemetery, West Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana. She married on 9 Jan 1894, George Sidney Hale, her first cousin, born 1 Nov 1869, son of John and Euwaker Mims Hale.
  3. Sallie Medaries (8) b. abt 1875 in Louisiana: d. 04 Apr. 1953 in Shreveport, Louisiana. She married on 2 Oct 1898 in Lincoln Par., Louisiana, John H. Hammonds.
  4. Haywood Medaries (8) b. abt 1878, d. abt 1895
  5. Joseph Lee Medaries (8) b. 25 Feb 1882 in Union Par., Louisiana
  6. Allie B. Medaries (8) b. Mar 1886 in Union Par., Louisiana. She married 1) on 14 May 1921 in Shreveport, Caddo Par., Louisiana, George H. Billasch, born about 1895 in Springfield, Missouri. She married 2) on 30 Nov. 1938 in Shreveport, Caddo Par., Louisiana, W. M. Hughes, born about 1898.
  7. Alto Medaries (8) b. ??, d. abt 1895.
  8. Jane Medaries (8) b. ??, d. abt 1895
  9. Homer R. Medaries (8) b. 10 Nov 1890 in Louisiana; d. Dec 1965 in Louisiana.

(CR: 1860 Meriwether Co., Georgia; Martha in 1860 Coweta Co., Georgia; Martha in 1880 Coweta Co., Georgia)

    An interesting analysis of Thomas’ second family:  Jane was his mother’s middle name.  John Thomas was the traditional name passed down through all branches and likely his grandfather’s full name. He had a sister named Mary. His mother’s name was Sarah, but she went by Sallie.  Haywood was his older brother’s name.  It is unknown what kind of epidemic or disaster struck the Medaries family in 1895, but at least 4 members of this family were lost. 

    Thomas married 3) Talitha Ann Arrant, 26 May 1895, in Union Parish.  She was born 04 Mar 1880; died 7 Nov. 1953 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana.

    Thomas and Talitha had the following Children:

  1. Lee Ander Medaries (8) b. ?? d. abt 1916, buried in Concord Church Cemetery, Chatham, Union Par., Louisiana.
  2. Jasper Luther Medaries (8) b. 3 Nov 1895 in D’ Arbonne, Union Par., Louisiana.
  3. Ethel Lee Medaries (8) b. Oct 1897 in Lincoln Par., Louisiana; d. 22 Apr 1976 in Collingston, Morehouse Par., Louisiana. She married on 17 Feb 1918 in Jackson Par., Louisiana, Hugh Luther McMillan, b. abt 1880, son of John and Mattie Martan McMillan.
  4. Ora Bell Medaries (8) b, 11 Mar 1901 in Blanchard Springs, Union Co., Arkansas; d. 27 Mar 1992 in West Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana; buried in Monroe Memorial Park Cemetery, Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana. She married on 21 Dec 1921 in Ouachita Par., Louisiana, Charles L. Collins, b. abt 1873 in Louisiana.
  5. Eddie Medaries (8) b. 29 Nov 1907 in Blanchard Springs, Union Co., AR
  6. Lonnie Medaries (8) b. 19 Sept. 1908 in Union Co., Arkansas; d. Mar 1979 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana. He married on 30 Oct. 1944 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana, Grace Coleman, born 20 Aug. 1904 in Bienville Par., Louisiana; died Jun 1978 in Louisiana.
  7. Wilbern Medaries (8) b. 2 Sept. 1910 in Union Co., Arkansas; d. 4 Dec 1972.

    Thomas applied for a Confederate Pension in 1899, but it appears that he never received one.  Pensions were not issued for the Confederacy until 1909.  Thomas would not have received a pension from the Confederacy since he had signed allegiance to the US. Thomas died in Jackson Parish, Louisiana and is buried there in the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery.

(CR: 1880 Lincoln Co., Louisiana; 1900 Louisiana Parish, Louisiana)

(credits 00, 01, 34)

Mary Adeline Medaris (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 29 Aug 1839 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 16 May 1862 in Wayne County, Indiana. Mary married Caleb W. King on 28 Mar 1861 in Wayne County, Indiana.


Findagrave: Mary Caleb

(cr: 1850 – 1860 Wayne Co. Indiana,

Martha A. Medaris (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Mar 1841 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 1923. She married  Allen W. Cotton, 13 Feb 1866 in Centre, Wayne County, Indiana.  Allen was born Aug 1840 in Missouri, died 1911.

Allen enlisted as a Private, Company D, 125th Illinois Infantry Regiment on 10 Aug 1862.  He mustered out on 09 Jun 1865 at Washington, D.C.

    Martha and Allen had the following children:

  1. Ida A. Cotton (8) b. 1867 in Illinois; d. 25 Jan 1940 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
  2. Otie C. Cotton (8) b. 1869 in Illinois
  3. Israel A. Cotton (8) b. Oct 1871 in Pike, Marion County, Indiana
  4. John Cotton (8) b. 1875 in Illinois
  5. Stella Cotton (8) b. 1879 in Illinois

(CR: 1870 Vermillion Co., Illinois)

William A. Medaris (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 1843 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 10 Nov 1910 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He enlisted in the 8th Indiana Regiment Infantry for the period of three months; April 21- Aug 06, 1861.  The 8th was re-organized for a period from 20 Aug 1861 – 28 Aug 1865.  He was a private in Company C.  

He married Anna M. Addington on 01 Sept 1867 in Wayne Co., Indiana. He was living in the National Military Home, Marion, Grant County, Indiana in 1879. His diagnosis was of “Cardiac asthma, Chronic rheumatism of both legs” and unable to walk without crutches. Says his issues started 01 Oct 1861 in Georgetown, Missouri.  He was in the National Military Home, in Montgomery, Ohio in 1880. He is listed in a city directory for Wayne County, Indiana as a carpenter in 1897.

William and Anna had the following children:

  1. Mary Bessie Medearis (8) b. July 1868 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  2. Carrie B. Medearis (8) b. 1870 in Iowa
  3. Nora Medearis (8) b. 1875 in Indiana

(CR: 1850 -1860 Wayne Co, Indiana; 1870 Drakesville, Iowa; 1880 Montgomery Co., Ohio)

Israel A. Medaris (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 1844 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 1879 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He married Martha Curtis, 01 Nov 1868 in Wayne County, Indiana.  She was b. Apr 1848 in Indiana; d. 31 Jan 1906 in Olive Hill, Wayne County, Indiana.  She was the daughter of Alonzo and Sarah McAfee Curtis.

    Israel and Martha had the following children:

  1. Robert F. Medaris (8) b. 10 Sep 1869 in Wayne Co., Indiana; d. 09 Sep 1943 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana. It doesn’t appear he ever married. He was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Indiana.
  2. Mary Adeline Medaris (8) b. May 1872; d. 27 Sept 1947 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana.  She married George Franklin Snyder.
  3. Samuel Joehiel Medaris (8) b. 17 Mar 1874 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 13 Aug 1945 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana. He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Indiana. He apparently never married.
  4. Elizabeth Pearl Medaris (8) b. 29 Oct 1878 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 25 Apr 1953 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana. she married Lovell Ernest Cooney. 
  5. Laura Medaris (8) b. Feb 1879 in Wayne Co., Indiana.  She married Herbert E. Tuttle.

CR: 1850-1870 Wayne Co., Indiana

(credits 00, 50, 146)

Sarah C. Medearis (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Aug 1847 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 02 Aug 1931 in Wayne County, Indiana. She married 22 Feb. 1867 to Joseph T. Russell in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana.  Joseph was born 12 Jun 1844 in Centerville, Wayne, Indiana, and died 27 Dec 1926.  They are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co., Indiana. Joseph was the son of Vinnedge and Jane Rich Russell.

    Sarah and Joseph had one known children:

  1. Vinnedge M. Russell (8) b. 1868 in Indiana; d. 1955.  He married Charlott Henderson on 24 June 1896. She was b. 1873, d. 19??.  They are buried at Earlham Cemetery, in Richmond, Indiana.
  2. Joseph B. Russell (8) b. Mar 1877 in Indiana.

(credits 146)

Daniel B. Medearis (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 17 Sept. 1848 in Indiana; d. 17 Nov 1921 in Wayne County, Indiana. He married Eveline Kem in 1873.  She was born 14 Aug. 1849 in Indiana; died 1919 in Indiana.  Eveline was the daughter of William and Nancy Vinnedge Kem.

    Daniel and Eveline had the following children:

  1. Frank B. Medearis (8) b. 05 July 1873 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 08 May 1960 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He married Jessie Ruby Runnels.
  2. May Medearis (8) b. 1877 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  3. Blanche Medearis (8) b. Apr 1883 in Indiana. She married Edward C. Savage on 10 May 1902 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He was born 1880 in Indiana.  they moved to Fresno, California before 1920.
  4. John Fletcher Medearis (8) b. 25 June 1885 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. May 1974 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana. He married Myrtle May Appleton.
  5. Everett Carl Medearis (8) b. 12 Nov. 1890, d. 19 Apr. 1974. He married Celeste Lessie Pike. 

     There are likely more children born to this family, this list came from the 1880 Indiana Census. Most of this family is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co., Indiana.

(CR: 1880 Wayne Co., Indiana)

(credits 00, 146)

Amanda Medearis (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 30 Dec. 1850 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 09 Oct. 1933 in Indiana. She married John Martindale, 09 Dec 1880 in of Wayne County, Indiana. John was b. 10 Oct. 1849 in Indiana; d. 12 Dec. 1932 in Wayne County, Indiana. This was John’s second marriage. They are buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, in Centerville, Indiana.

Amanda and John had one known child:

  1. Ethel Martindale (9) b.17 Jun 1884 in Indiana; d. 1952 in Indiana.  She married Ora Earl Wise.

Elizabeth Medaris (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Mar 1852 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 1924 in Wayne County, Indiana.  “Lizzie“, as she was called, married Lafayette M. Jackson, 16 Jan 1879 in Wayne County, Indiana.  Lafayette was born 03 Jan 1851 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 23 Mar 1917 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He was the son of Joseph W. and Mary E. Harvey Jackson.

    Elizabeth and Lafayette had the following children:

  1. Arthur G. Jackson (8) b. 04 Jan 1881 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  2. Fannie S. Jackson (8) b. abt. 1882 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  3. Mary C. Jackson (8) b. Dec 1883 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  4. Ada Jackson (8) b. Apr 1885 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  5. Edna Jackson (8) b. Aug 1886 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  6. Jessie Jackson (8) b. Jul 1888 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  7. Alonzo L. Jackson (8) b. 07 May 1891 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 19 Oct 1949.
  8. Marie Jackson (8) b. Oct 1894 in Wayne County, Indiana.

Supporting Documents

History of Wayne County, Indiana; Volume II, (1884) Centre Township p. 341

Lafayette Jackson, farmer, was born in Wayne County, Ind., Jan. 3, 1851, the fifth son of Joseph W. and Mary (Harvey) Jackson. He was reared on the home farm attending the country schools, and subsequently a term at Earlham College. He now owns a fine farm of 250 acres of land on Nolan’s Fork, and is engaged in both general farming and stock-raising. He is one of the enterprising young farmers of the township, and a practical business man. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. In January, 1879,Mr. Jackson was married to Lizzie, daughter of John F. and Caroline (Abraham) Medaris, of Wayne County, her father of English and her mother of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have three children—Arthur G., Fannie S. and Mary C.

Gertrude Margaret Medaris (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 15 Feb 1853 in Wayne County, Indiana. She married Jasper Newton Gunder on 15 Aug. 1877 at the home of of her parents in Vermilion County, Illinois.  Jasper was born 05 Nov 1854 in Madison County, Indiana; died 20 July 1936 in in Wayne County, Indiana.  He is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Hughel Gunder.

In 1870, Gertrude is enumerated in the home of her sister Martha and her husband Allen Cotton in Vance, Missouri.

    A biography of Jasper was published from Chapman Brothers “Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County Ill” page 532 in 1887.

    Gertrude and Jasper had two children:

  1. Nellie B. Gunder (8) b. Nov 1877 in Illinois
  2. Carl Artemus Gunder (8) b. 12 May 1880 in Illinois; died 1941 in Indiana.  He married Jessie A. Beatty.

    Jasper, Gertrude and Carl are buried at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

(CR: 1860 Wayne County, Indiana; 1870-1880 Vermillion County, Illinois; 1900 Marion County, Indiana; 1910-1930 Cook County, Illinios; 1930 Sarasota County, Florida; 1940 St. Joseph County, Indiana)

(credits 229)

Luella Nancy Medearis (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 28 Aug 1857 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 24 May 1932 in Wayne County, Indiana.  She married 1) Thomas D. Davis, 28 Sept. 1876 in Wayne County, Indiana. Very little is known about Thomas, but he must have died shortly after 1877. 

Luella and Thomas had one child:

  1. George Dayton Davis (8) b. 03 Nov. 1877 in Wayne Co., Indiana; d. 10 July 1944 in Wayne County, Indiana.

Luella married 2) DeWitt Clinton Russell on 10 Mar 1880 in Wayne Co., Indiana. This was both of theirs’s second marriage. DeWitt was born 29 Sept. 1847 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 28 Jun 1911 in Wayne County, Indiana.  His first marriage was to Margaret Hammond.

    Luella and DeWitt had the following children:

  1. Luella Alice Russell (8) b. 07 Dec. 1880 in Wayne Co., Indiana; d. 15 Aug. 1957. She married Charles Elmer Wilson, 31 Dec. 1902 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  2. Fannie Eudora Russell (8) b. 07 Mar. 1882 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 12 Dec. 1931. She married John Wickersham on 29 Nov. 1899 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  3. Sarah Jane Russell (8) b. 25 Aug. 1887 in Wayne Co., Indiana; d. 10 May 1960 in in Wayne County, Indiana.  It does not appear that she ever married.
  4. Clara Martha Russell (8) (twin) b. 25 May 1891 in Wayne County; Indiana; d. 14 Oct. 1975 in Wayne County, Indiana. She married Ralph W. McMinn, 31 May 1911 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  5. John Clinton Russel (8) (twin) b.25 May 1891 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 19 Sept 1959 in Wayne County, Indiana. He married Leota Colvin, 01 Mar. 1911.

    Luella and Dewitt are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co., Indiana.

(credits 00, 50, 243)

Charles William Medearis (7) (John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 1858 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 18 Dec 1932 in Wayne County, Indiana. He married 1) Nola M. Endsley, on31 Jan. 1884 in Wayne County, Indiana.  Nola was born 04 Mar 1866 in New Hampshire; d. 16 Mar 1891 in Wayne County, Indiana at age 25.  It is likely she died in childbirth.

    Charles and Nola had one child:

  1. Infant Daughter (8) likely died at birth.  This child is only known by its headstone.

 Nola and the infant are buried at Bryans Chapel Cemetery in Wayne County, Indiana.

    After the death of Nola, Charles married 2) Florence Smith who was b. 07 Mar 1876 in Wayne County, Indiana. They were married 11 Jan. 1893.

    Charles and Florence had the following children:

  1. William F. Medearis (8) b. Apr 1894 in Wayne Co., Indiana; d. 29 Jun 1900 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He was just 6 years old.
  2. Hellen Sarah Medearis (8) b. 04 Sep 1895 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 30 Dec 1976 in Los Angeles, California.  She married Herbert Brennan, 28 May 1918 in Madison County, Indiana.
  3. Paul Clarence Medearis (8) b. 16 Jun 1897 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 14 Dec 1937 in Alameda County, California.  He married Lillian Viola Sochor on 18 Mar 1931 in Alameda County, California. Paul died 6 years after they were married. No known children came from this marriage.
  4. Claude Cecil Medearis (8) b. 16 Jan 1900 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 06 Feb 1966 in Mendocino County, California.  He married 1) Zella Deloris Jones, 2) Wilda Gladys Hiller.

(CR: 1860-1880, 1900 Wayne County, Indiana)

(credits 00, 50, 146, 242)

Mary Elizabeth Medaris (7) (Charles R. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 23 Apr 1839 d. 23 Mar 1899 married John Alexander Hancock b. 22 Dec 1834 d. 30 Jun 1862. Married on 29 May 1857. Both buried in Drakesville Cemetery, Davis Co., Iowa.

    Mary and John had the following children:

  1. John Lorenzo Hancock (8) b. 21 Sept. 1958, married Martha Oliver Coons on 16 Feb. 1882.
  2. Charles Hancock (8) died as infant.
  3. Addie Hancock (8) b. 14 July 1862

 (credits 39)

Martha J. Medearis (7) (Charles R. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 16 Jul. 1846 she married Robert M. Bryant, on 18 Oct. 1866.

    Martha and Robert had the following children:

  1. Mary Ella Bryant (8) b. 1868 in Davis Co., Iowa.
  2. Nannie Bryant (8) b. Sept. 1869 in Davis Co., Iowa.
  3. Hattie Bryant (8) b. Oct. 1871 in Davis Co., Iowa.
  4. Sadie Bryant (8) b. 1876 in Davis Co., Iowa.
  5. Luci (Lou) Bryant (8) b. 1879 in Davis Co., Iowa.
  6. Lizzie Bryant (8) b. Dec. 1879 in Davis Co., Iowa.
  7. Chatt Bryant (8) b. 1882 in Davis Co., Iowa.
  8. Frances Bryant (8) b. June 1884 in Davis Co., Iowa.

David C. (G) Medearis (7) (Charles R. 6, John 5, Charles 4) 7 Feb. 1849 d. 23 Feb. 1874 in Davis County, Iowa. David married Lydia Jinks, 28 Feb. 1867. David is buried in the Drakesville Cemetery, Davis County, Iowa.

    David and Lydia had the following children:

  1. Harry L. Medearis (8) b. 15 Nov. 1867 in Drakesville, Davis Co., Iowa, d. 26 Oct. 1960 in San Diego, San Diego Co., CA. He is buried at Glen Abbey Cemetery, San Diego, CA.
  2. Carrie Medearis (8) b. 1868 in Drakesville, Davis Co., Iowa.
  3. Eva Medearis (8) b. Oct. 1870; d. Nov. 1870 of Hemorrhage of the bowels, in Drakesville, Iowa.
  4. Belle Medearis (8) b. 1871 in Drakesville, Davis Co., Iowa.
  5. George Medearis (8) b. 1874 in Drakesville, Davis Co., Iowa.
  6. Lulu Leona Medearis (8) b. 11 Oct. 1875 in Pleasantville, Marion Co., Iowa, d. 23 Oct. 1925 in San Diego, San Diego Co., CA.  She is buried at Glen Abbey Cemetery, San Diego, CA. She married ???? Coon.
  7. Elizabeth (8) b. 15 Jan 1878 in Drakesville, Davis Co., Iowa, d. 11 Jan 1964.
  8. Harry David Medearis (8) b. 8 Feb. 1896 in Ottumwa, Iowa, d. 4 Sep. 1936 in San Diego, San Diego Co., CA. He is buried at Glen Abbey Cemetery, San Diego, CA.
  9. Unknown Medearis (8) listed as Private still living in 1996.
  10. Dewey Samuel Medearis (8) b. 24 Feb. 1898 in Marshalton, Iowa, d. 25 Jun 1973 in San Diego, San Diego Co., CA. He is buried at Glen Abbey Cemetery, San Diego, CA. Dewey married Alice L. Swanson.
  11. Viola Medearis (8) b. abt. 1900 in Ottumwa, IA.

(credits 00, 146)

Charles William Medearis (7) (Charles R. 6, John 5, Charles 4)  b. Feb 1862, d. 18 Dec. 1932 in Indiana. He married Emma J. Strohm Alexander, 02 Aug 1899 in Decatur, Illinois.  She was the daughter of John and Frances L. Strohm.  In 1885, Charles is working for L. M. Jones & Co., as a clerk in Wayne Co., Indiana. He lived in St. Louis in 1910 but returned to Indianapolis, Indiana by April 1911.  There is no indication by the census records that this couple ever had any children.

Supporting Documents

Thursday, August 3, 1899  
Paper: Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield, IL) Page: 1

DECATUR WEDDINGS. Charles W. Medearis of Indianapolis Weds Mrs. Emma Strohm Alexander.

Decatur, Aug. 2. — (Special)– Charles William Medearis of Indianapolis and Mrs. Emma Strohm Alexander were married at 8:30 o’clock this morning
by Rev. H. W. Ruffner, pastor of St. John’s Episcopal church.  A wedding breakfast followed the ceremony at the home of the bride.  Mr. and Mrs.
Medearis left at 11 o’clock for Indianapolis, where they will reside.  The groom is a representative of the firm Schroth & Potter, lace curtain manufacurers
of Columbus, O.  the bride is the daughter of Frances Strohm of this city.

(CR: 1880 Owen Co., Indiana)

(credits 00, 146)

Emsley Thomas Medearis Jr. (7) (Emsley Sr. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. March 1836. He married 1) Martha Jane Fouts who was b. 22 Feb. 1840 in Iowa; d. 16 Apr. 1860 in Missouri. Martha was the daughter of Austin and Jane Fleming Fouts. She is buried in Bellevue Presbyterian Cemetery, Washington County, Missouri.

    Emsley lived in Wayne Co., IN, in 1850 in household of his uncle, William Jefferson and Osage Co., KS.  In 1880 he lived in La Grange, Lewis County, Missouri and is listed as a “harness maker”.

    Emsley and Martha had the following child:

  1. Adolphus Clinton Medearis (8) b. 11 Jun 1858 in Drakesville, Davis County, Iowa; d. 03 Jun 1827 in Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri.  He married Mollie G. Todd.
  2. Dr. Eugene Francis Medearis (8) b. Aug. 1859 in Missouri, d. 22 Oct. 1920 in Kansas City, Kansas.  He married Mathilde Phillips (Tilly) on 11 Nov. 1885.

After Martha’s death, Emsley remarried to 2) Cynthia E. Brockmon.  She is listed in the household in 1870, Illinios as a domestic servant.  

Emsley and Cynthia had the following children:

  1. Charles Medaris (8) b. 1865 in Illinois.  He appears to have died after 1880 in Missouri.  He is in the 1870, Illinois census, 1880 Missouri census, but does not appear after that.
  2. Lorain C. Medaris (8) b. Oct. 1867 in Missouri. He married Nettie Hale in 1894.  

(CR: 1850 Wayne Co., Indiana; 1870 Brown Co., Illinois; 1880 Lewis Co., Missouri, 1900, 1910 Osage Co., Kansas; 1920 Jasper County, Missouri)

(credits 00, 146)

Katherine Medearis (7) (William Jefferson 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Nov. 1847 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 1928 in Wayne County, Indiana.  She married Thomas Myers, 20 Feb 1873 in Wayne County, Indiana.  Thomas was born Sept. 1845 in Pennsylvania; d. 14 Mar. 1905 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.  He is buried in Earlham Cemetery, Wayne County, Indiana.  Katherine is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co., Indiana.

Katherine and Thomas had one child:

  1. Theodore Ethbert Myers (8) b. 18 Feb. 1874 in Indiana: d. 1954 in Indiana.  He married Grace Siddall.  Theodore was the General Manager of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1910 until his death in 1954.

Supporting Documents

(Book) Indianapolis 500:  A Century of Excitement by Ralph Kramer

 In 1910, young Theodore Myers was a partner in Carl Fisher’s real estate agency.  Asked to help with ticket sales, Myers was quickly so involved with Speedway business that he was hired full time.  Soon, “Pop” Myers (so-names because of his prematurely white hair) was made general manager.  For much of the next 40 years, through ownership changes, wars, and other assorted crises, he was the public face of the Speedway in Indianapolis.


(credits 00)

Margaret Elmira Medearis (7) (William Jefferson 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 1854, married Dr. Joseph N. Study on 13 Mar 1873 in Wayne County, Indiana. 

    Margaret and Joseph had one child:

  1. Mary Josephine Study (9) b. 15 May 1874 in Wayne Co., Indiana.

William C. Medearis (7) (William Jefferson 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 1855 in Ohio; d. aft 1883.  He married Caroline Halsey, the daughter of James Clinton and Martha Jane Warden Halsey.  Caroline was b. 07 Jan 1860 in Wythe, Virginia; d. 25 Jan 1958 in Missouri.  They had two known children:

  1. Claude Medearis (8) b. 07 May 1881 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri; d. 25 Sept. 1958 in Cedar City, Missouri.  He married Emma Shade.
  2. George Medearis (8) b. 03 Mar 1882 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri; d. 11 Jan 1947 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri.  He married Nora B. ????.


(CR: 1880 Henry County, Missouri, Caroline and children: 1900, 1930 Cedar County, Missouri)

(credits 00, 259)

Oscar H. Medearis (7) (William Jefferson 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. May 1865 in Indiana, d. 12 Dec. 1937. He married 1) Cora M. Owens, on 31 Jan. 1888.  He married 2) Effie E. Siliven, daughter of Addison and Eliza Ogborn Siliven. Effie was b. 17 July 1876, d. 03 June 1954. 

    Oscar worked for Moore and Hadley in Wayne Co., Indiana in 1885.

    Oscar and Cora had the following children:

  1. Leo Jefferson Medearis (8) b. 29 Aug. 1898 in Indiana, d. 20 Jan. 1957 in Indiana. He married Clara Arva Sharp, b. 1898, d. 12 Feb 1976. They are both buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana. Findagrave: Leo Clara
  2. Iva M. Medearis (8) b. Oct. 1899 in Indiana.

    Oscar, Effie, Leo, Arvia and Iva are buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana.

(cr. 1870 – 1930 Wayne Co., Indiana)  

Findagrave: Oscar, Effie, Leo, Arvia, Iva

(credits 000, 146)

Elizabeth Medaris (7) (John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1815, married Andrew Jarrett, 02 March 1837 in Hancock County, Indiana. Andrew was b. abt. 1814 in Virginia.  They divorced August 18, 1848. 

    Elizabeth and Andrew had the following children:

  1. Marian Jane Jarrett (8) b. 1839, married Andrew J. Eakes.
  2. James M. Jarrett (8) b. 1843 Married Branna E. ????
  3. David C. Jarrett (8) b. 1846 Married Matilda ?????.

William Medaris (7) (John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4)   b. 1824 in North Carolina; d. bef 1850 in Hancock County, Indiana.  He married Martha ???? in Indiana abt. 1843.

    William and Martha had the following children:

  1. Sarah F. Medaris (8) b. 1844 in Hancock County, Indiana.
  2. William Asbury Madaris (8) b. 06 Jun 1846 in Hancock County, Indiana; d. 1920 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He married Esther Hattie Rathburn in 1874 in Indiana.
  3. Eliza J. Medaris (8) b. 1846 in Hancock County, Indiana.
  4. Catherine Medaris (8) b. 1849 in Hancock County, Indiana.

John R. Medaris (7) (John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. Sept. 1826 in Scott County, Virginia, d. Oct. 2, 1903, Emporia, Lyon Co., Kansas.  He married Sarah Permilia L. Julian, in Martinsville, Morgan Co., Indiana on Sept. 14, 1848. She was b. 20 Aug. 1831, Randolph Co., N.C; d. 15 Jan. 1912, Emporia, Lyon Co. KS.  Both are buried in Maplewood Cemetery.

    John R. Madaris enlisted at the commencement of the Civil War in Co. A, 33rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving for two years, when he was discharged “on account of disability resulting from exposure on the battlefield”. He settled in Lyon Co., KS in 1866, where he held several civic positions. He belonged to the Methodist Church and was a member of Preston B. Plumb Post G.A.R. which was in charge of his funeral. John R. Madaris was described as “an honest, upright citizen” in the local paper’s obituary.

    John R. is described in the military record being 32 years old at enlistment in Aug. 1861 for a period of 3 years (with 4 children 10 and under at home), 5 ft. 7-1/8 inches tall, light complexion, gray eyes, and light hair.  By November 1861, he was disabled by “diseases of lungs, bowels and diarrhea at Crab Orchard, Kentucky.”  He was reported “absent, sick at home, with surgeon’s leave” from Feb. 1862 until his discharge in May ’63 because of breathing problems, lung and bowel hemorrhage, and typhoid fever.” States he had too feeble a constitution for field duty, has done no duty for 12 months, and states disease contracted in the service in the line of duty.”  He died at age 78 of “softening of the brain and diseased lungs”.  He received a pension of $15 per month until his death, his widow’s pension was $12 per month.

    Sarah kept roomers in her home, raised 9 children, and was a faithful member of the Methodist Church for over 70 years. She was “loved by all who knew her for her kindness, unselfishness and thoughtfulness . . .the students who lived in her home loved and respected her”.

    John R. left no will. Sarah’s will was dated Dec. 3, 1909, probated Jan. 26, 1914. She left an estate valued at $2,500 consisting of real estate and household effects.

    John and Sarah had the following children:

  1. Margaret F. Medaris (8) b. 1850, married Thomas H. Chamberlain.
  2. Charles R. Medaris (8) b. 1853
  3. Laura J. Medaris (8) b. 1858, she married Virgil C. Welch.
  4. James Cavasso Medaris (8) b. 14 Jun 1860 in Indiana, d. 06 Dec. 1825, in Stark Co., Ohio. He married 1) Susan Frances Ramsey, 2) Lucy ????.
  5. William A. Medaris (8) b. 1866 in Indiana, never married.
  6. Milton Alonzo Medaris (8) b. 1868 in Kansas, never married.
  7. Minnie C. Medaris (8) b. 1871 in Kansas; d. 27 Oct. 1918 in Perry, Oklahoma.  She married Parker W. Cress.
  8. Dalton M. Medaris (8) b. 1874 in Kansas. (CR: 1895 Lyons Co., Kansas)

(CR: 1850 Hendricks Co., Indiana; 1860 Morgan Co., Indiana; 1870, 1880, 1895, 1900, Lyon Co., Kansas; Sarah in 1910 Lyon Co., Kansas)

(credits 00, 50, 204)

James A. Madaris (7) (John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 1830 in Indiana, he married Amanda ????.  Amanda was born about 1840 in Indiana. James enlisted in the US Army on 16 Sept. 1861 as a Private, Company I and C, 33rd Indiana Infantry.  James was captured at Thompson’s Station, Tennessee on 05 March 1863.  He was later paroled at Richmond, Maine and delivered to City Point on 14 April 1863.   He was exchanged on 06 May 1863.  He returned to service after his exchange and was Killed In Action at the Cumberland Gap. James died 29 Aug. 1864 of “Anemia from Gunshot Wound”, at Cumberland Gap, and is buried at the Nashville National Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee, in Section E grave 2685.  Findagrave

James and Amanda had the following known children:

  1. William R. Madaris (8) b. 1855 in Indiana.  He was employed in “Wheel Works” in Indianapolis, Indiana in the 1880 census.
  2. Nancy A. Madaris (8) b. 1859 in Indiana.
  3. Flora Madaris (8) b. 1864 in Indiana.


    It is unclear what happened to Amanda, but as of 1880 she was still a widow, living with her son William in Indianapolis, Indiana.

(CR: 1860 Morgan Co., Indiana)

Charles Bonnier Medaris (7) (John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 31 Dec. 1831 in Hancock County, Indiana. He married Elizabeth A. Myers who was b. abt. 1832, the daughter of John E. and Jane Starnes Myers. They were married 27 March 1854 in Morgan County, Indiana.

    Charles and Elizabeth had the following children:

  1. Hiley J. Medaris (8) b. 1854 in Indiana.
  2. William J. T. Medearis (8) b. 1859.  He married Alice Carney.
  3. Sadie E. Medaris (8) b. 1862 in Indiana, d. 1940. She married William H. Potts.
  4. Nancy E. Medaris (8) b. 1863 listed in the 1870 Illinois census.
  5. Lyda “Libbie” Medaris (8) b. 20 Apr. 1863 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  She married Theodore Moensch, on 17 July 1883.
  6. Fannie Medaris (8) b. 1866
  7. Lola Medaris (8) b. 1872 in Illinois.

Supporting Documents

The Pantagraph
Bloomington, Illinois
05 Dec 1863, Fri

A correspondent of the Lincoln Herald, writing from Eminence, 1st inst, says; “Mr. C. B. Madaris, while returning from Union church last Sunday night, was stopped at the foot of the Pekin hill, by some would-be highwayman.  The horse took fright and carried Mr. Madaris beyond danger.”

(CR: 1860 Monroe Co., Indiana; 1870 Atlanta Co., Illinois; 1880 Marion Co., Indiana)

(credits 00, 50, 204, 259)

Elias Medaris (7) (Charles 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1828 in Clermont County, Ohio; d. 27 Nov. 1902 in Appanoose County, IA. He married 1) Mahala Knobb, on 24 April 1851 in Clermont County, Ohio.

Elias and Mahala had only one child:

  1. Thomas Medearis (8) b. 1851 in Clermont County, Ohio, d. 1 Apr. 1892 in Douds County, Iowa. He married Udorah R. McCready.

    Mahala died in 1855 in Clermont County, Ohio. Elias then married 2) Karen Happuch Abbott on 19 June 1856.  She was b. 05 April 1834 in Clermont County, Ohio, d. 12 Nov. 1925 in Appanoose, County, Iowa. Karen was the daughter of Thomas and Susan (?) Abbott.

    Elias fought in the Union Army as a Corporal / Sergeant, Company D, 57th Ohio Infantry.  Elias and family lived in Lee County, Iowa in 1880, Appanoose County in 1900.

    Elias and Karen had the following children:

  1. John Medaris (8) b. 08 July 1857 in Hawkin Valley, Clermont County, Ohio; d. Feb. 1907 in California. He married Cora Azelia Ragsdale.
  2. George Medearis (8) b. 13 Oct. 1859 in Clermont County, Ohio; d. 1940 in California. He married Rose ????.
  3. Marcellus Medearis (8) b. 17 Dec. 1861 in Clermont County, Ohio; d. abt. 1920, never married.
  4. William Medearis (8) b. 18 Mar. 1866 in Clermont County, Ohio; d. in California, never married.
  5. Luella Medearis (8) b. 28 Oct. 1869 in Clermont, County, Ohio; d. 27 Aug. 1959 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She married William Thomas Organ.
  6. Margaret “Maggie” Medearis (8) b. 03 Oct. 1873 in Lee County, Iowa; d. in California. She married 1) Will Marshall, 2) ???? Carrier.
  7. Ida Matilda Medearis (8) b. 21 Oct. 1875 in Lee County, Iowa; d. 03 Aug. 1937 in Appanoose County, Iowa. She married Jim Simmons.
  8. Albert Medearis (8) b. 28 Feb. 1879 in Burlington, Iowa; d. before 1933. He married Anna ????.
  9. Arthur Medearis (8) b. 02 Sept. 1882 in Iowa; d. Nov. 1931 in Appanoose Co., Iowa, never married.
  10. Ellery Medearis (8) b. 1883 in Iowa.

 (CR: 1880 Lee Co., Iowa, 1895 Van Buren Co., Iowa)

(credits 18, 38, 39, 97, 253)

Martha A. Medearis (7) (Charles 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1837 in Ohio. She married William Henry Monjar 15 Aug. 1859.

    William & Martha had four children:

  1. Bert Monjar (8)
  2. Joe Monjar (8)
  3. Elton Monjar (8)
  4. Metilda Monjar (8) married Allen Hughes.

(credits 69)

Hester A. Medaris (7) (Charles 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. abt. Oct. 1843 in Ohio, d. 4 Feb 1906 of heart failure in Rossmoyne, Hamilton County, Ohio. She married George Clem, 10 Sep 1868 in New Richmond, Clermont, Ohio. George was b. Feb. 1841, d. 17 Jan. 1913. Hester is buried in Pleasant Ridge, OH.

    Hester and George had the following children:

  1. William E. Clem (8) b. 05 Aug. 1869
  2. Emma B. Clem (8) b. 14 Nov. 1874, d. after 1956. She married Warren Lasher.
  3. Matilda Clem (8) b. 25 Jul 1877, d. 5 Sep 1877. She is buried Pleasant Hills, Hamilton County, OH
  4. Nellie Clem (8) b. abt 1879
  5. Albert Clem (8) b. 19 Jan 1880, d. 23 Apr 1912 and is buried Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, OH. He married 11 Jun 1907, Marie Henrietta (Gohl) Gould.

     Albert Clem was an instructor with International Correspondence Schools.  He was setting up chairs for a school presentation at a hotel.  He went to the elevator to get more chairs; the elevator opened, but the cage was not there and he fell to his death.  It was believed that his family owned the elevator.  Patent information for David B. Clem, brother of George W. Clem and Albert’s uncle, shows that David invented elevator systems. The family has a copy of the patent.  According to researcher Dee Clem, Albert Allen Clem, brother of David and George, had an elevator patent that he sold to Otis Elevator Company.

(credits 50, 51, 186)

Paulina Medearis (7) (Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 02 May 1826 in Ohio; d.16 Oct 1877. She married James M. Roudebush, 14 Feb. 1849. James was b. 1820 in Clermont Co., Ohio; d. 18 Jan 1863 in Stonelick, Clermont Co., Ohio.

    Paulina and James had the following children:

  1. Adelaia (Addie) Roudebush (8) b. abt. 1850 in Ohio, married ???? Doherty
  2. Leonidus (Lon) Roudebush (8) b. abt. 1851 in Ohio.
  3. Lydia Ella Roudebush (8) b. abt. 1853 in Ohio, married Leonidas Medaris (7) (Charles 6, Malachi 5, Charles 4) Lydia and Leonidas were 2nd cousins 1x removed.
  4. Mary A. Roudebush (8) b. abt. 1855 in Ohio, married George Hill b.c1855
  5. Charles Medaris Roudebush (8) b. 25 Jan 1857 in Ohio; d. 08 Oct 1888, married Florence Minnie Hensel, b.1862 d.1947
  6. Emma Roudebush (8) b.1860
  7. James Roudebush Jr. (8) b.1860

(credits 00, 255)

Sanders Medearis (7) (Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1826, Clermont Co., Ohio; married Clarinda Redmon, 15 Feb. 1849, Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio. Fought in the Mexican War in the 15th US Infantry.  In 1900 at the age of 72, he was employed as a Guard at the Peoria Jail.  He is buried in the Springdale Cemetery, Peoria, Illinois.

    Sanders and Clarinda had the following known child:

  1. Mary Redmon Medearis (8) b. 1850 she married John Wesley Kimzey. John was b. 1840 the son of William Boyd and Elizabeth Proctor Kimzey. 
  2. John Medearis (8) b. 1852.


(CR: 1850 Clermont Co., Ohio; 1860 Peoria Co., Illinois, 1900 Peoria Co., Illinois)

James Wood Medearis (7) (Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 18 May 1828, Clermont Co., Ohio; d. 07 Mar 1923, Toronto, Woodson Co., Kansas. As a teenage boy James was shanghaied on a ship that operated from Cincinnati, Ohio to New Orleans, Louisiana and forced to serve several years. Family stories state that he returned home and served for a short time in the Mexican War. He is said to have participated in the Battle of Buena Vista which took place on 22-23 Feb. 1847. However, no service records have been found to verify this. When James’ widow applied for his Confederate Pension, they tried to prove his service in the Mexican War but was apparently unable to find any documentation to prove it.

    James married 1) Nancy Jane Davis on 4 May 1852 in Fountain Co., Indiana. She was b. 17 Aug. 1832 in Fountain Co., Indiana. d. 29 Jan 1895 Belmont Township, Woodson Co., Kansas. She was the daughter of Arthur and Mary Townsley Davis.

    James and Nancy had the following children:

  1. William Lonso Medearis (8) b. 1853
  2. Christian Penner Medearis (8) b. 30 May 1855 in Terra  Haute, Fountain Co., Indiana.
  3. John Wood Medearis (8) b. 5 Sept. 1857
  4. Mary Ann Medearis (8) b. 26 Aug. 1860 d. 10 Dec 1891 married Delbert M. Wright on 11 Sept. 1860 in Woodson Co., Kansas.
  5. Nancy Matilda Medearis (8) b. 31 Aug. 1862 d. 17 Sept. 1946 married Edwin Glasscock 23 Feb. 1885 in Yates Center, Kansas.
  6. Margaret Ellen Medearis (8) b. 1 Oct. 1867 d. 12 Sept. 1939. Married Fergous W. Hutchinson 22 Mar 1892 in Woodson Co., Kansas. Is buried in Aurora Cemetery, Missouri.
  7. Flora Isabelle Medearis (8) b. 6 Jun 1870 d. 3 Oct. 1953. Married Samuel Benjamin Ogden 9 Nov. 1896 in Yates Center, Kansas. She is buried in Dewey Cemetery, Dewey, Oklahoma.

         At the time of their marriage, they were living in Fountain Co., Indiana. In 1858 they moved to Kansas but sometime prior to 1860 moved to Peoria, Illinois. James enlisted in the Union Army as a Private, Company C, 12th Regiment on 24 April 1861 and was mustered out 01 August 1861. By 1862 they were back in Indiana near Terra Haute. James again joined the Union Army and served as a Sergeant in Company E., 72nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

    According to his war record he was 5’10” tall, and his occupation was Machinist. Pension under Certificate No. 42655: honorable discharged in Indianapolis, Indiana 06 July 1865. After his discharge the family moved by covered wagon to a farm 12 miles southwest of Yates Center, Woodson Co., Kansas. They moved into their house 01 Oct. 1868.

    James first applied in 1880 for a pension for a disability suffered during his wartime service.  Most of the package is documentation concerning the injury he suffered when a shell exploded near him during a battle in 1864. For the rest of his life, he suffered from shortness of breath and heart palpitations that prevented him from being able to do a full day’s work.  In 1865 his horse fell on him during a campaign, and he received a hernia that he lived with for the rest of his life.

    Nancy Jane died of lung fever 29 Jan. 1895 at the Medearis homestead in Kansas.

Obituary of Nancy Jane Davis Medearis

     Nancy Jane Medearis has been a member of the Christian Church since 1854. Though a great sufferer in the later years of her life, she bore it with great patience and fortitude. She always had a smile and loving word for those in distress, a kind neighbor, loving mother and affectionate wife. She was one of 13 children. One sister Hannah Thoroughman of Belmont survives her. Nancy Jane was the mother of seven children–three boys and four girls; two have gone before her and five survive, two boys and three girls. The husband and four of the children were present during her late illness, which was long and painful. The did all that kind hearts and loving hands could do to ease the pain and make her last days on earth as bright as possible. The funeral services were conducted at the family residence by Elder Frams, after which the body was laid to rest in the Little Sandy Cemetery. In attendance were the family, a large concourse of sympathizing friends and neighbors. The weather was very severe the day Nancy Jane was buried.

Her life of toil is ended here,
No more grief and care;
No more will fall the bitter tear,
No more be heard the prayer.
Let comfort be to each of those,
To whom her love was given,
For we believe that each one knows,
She’s gone to rest in heaven.

    James married a second time to 2) Elizabeth Jane Gehr Butler, the widow of James Butler. They were married on 30 Sept. 1896. She was b. 17 Sept. 1856 in Indiana.

    James and Elizabeth had the following children:

  1. Minnie Eliza Medearis (8) b. 17 Jul. 1897 d. 9 Apr 1945. Married Silas Morrow 17 Feb. 1915 in Yates Center, Kansas. She divorced Silas and married Charles Emerson Winger 19 Feb. 1930 in Wellington, Kansas. She is buried in Toronto, Kansas Cemetery.
  2. Velma Luzette Medearis (8) b. 3 Jan 1899 d. 3 Feb. 1973. Married George Everett Lucas in Yates Center, Kansas 29 Nov. 1916. Buried in Toronto, Kansas Cemetery.

    According to James’ daughter Flora, James took his wife Nancy, daughter Flora and Charles Hill in a covered wagon to see the run for the opening of the Arkansas Territory near Blackwell, Oklahoma. A story she shared says that the men who had lost out on a claim or did not get the land they preferred became meaner and louder, so James suggested that his wife and children get into the wagon. He then proceeded to build a fire, make coffee and serve the angry men and talked to them until morning. In doing this he may very well have saved the lives of some of the men who were losers as well as some of the lucky gentlemen who had gotten a choice claim.

    James died in his Toronto, Kansas home on the 7 Mar 1923. His death certificate states, “cause of death Old Age” 97 years, 9 mo, 16 days. Elizabeth, his wife died 5 Apr 1932 in Wichita, Kansas.

(CR: 1850 Clermont Co. Ohio with his aunt, Nancy Laycock; 1860, 1880, 1900, 1910 Woodson Co., Kansas)

(credits 50, 51)

Melinda G. Medearis (7) (Charles 6, Malachi 5, Charles 4) was born 1822, d. 1894. She married Joseph Harvey Smith, 18 Sept. 1844 in Clermont Co., OH. Joseph was the son of Joseph Sr. and Hannah Hair Smith. He was born 22 June 1815 in Stone Lick Twp, Clermont Co., OH, and died 1891. He is buried at Williamsburg, Clermont Co., OH. They lived near Blowville on Emerson Jester Farm.

    Melinda and Joseph had the following children:

  1. Charles Elliot Smith (8) b. 09 June 1845; d. 06 Jan. 1923. He married Ruth Moorhead who was b. 20 July 1843.
  2. Francina Isabel Smith (8) b. 02 Aug. 1847, Williamsburg, OH; d. 06 April 1902, Williamsburg, OH. She married  Thomas Walker Moorhead on 14 Oct. 1869, Clermont Co., OH. He was b. 18 Feb. 1845, Brown Co. OH; d. 14 Oct. 1935, Williamsburg, OH.

Thomas Walker Moorhead enlisted as a private in Company “K”, 27th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Thomas was wounded by a bullet in the right shoulder at the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864.  The wound permanently crippled his arm. He was discharged: July 11, 1865, Louisville, KY. He was elected: 1875, Master, Grange Hall #455, Williamsburg, OH. Sometime after 1890, they resided on Main Street, Williamsburg, OH. He retired 23 June 1890, and received a Civil War Invalid pension, of $16.00 per month. He is buried in the Rose Cemetery, Clermont Co., OH, on old road out of Williamsburg toward Cincinnati, on right.

(credits 176)

Enoch G. Medearis (7) (Charles 6, Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. abt. 1840, Ohio. He married Sarah Pattison, sister to Governor John M. Pattison.  They had the following child:

  1. Lulu Medearis (8) b. 1866 in Ohio.

(CR: 1870, 1880 Clermont Co., Ohio)

Dr.  Leonidas H. Medaris (7) (Charles 6, Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. 03 Aug. 1844, in Ohio, d. 18 June 1898. Leonidas married Lydia Ella Roudebush, b. 2 May 1853, d. 25 Nov. 1933. Leonidas fought for the US in Co. I, 153 Ohio Infantry during the War for Southern Independence.  Leonidas was a Physician.  He enlisted on 02, May 1864 at Camp Dennison, Ohio and was mustered out with the company on 09 Sept. 1864 also at Camp Dennison.

     Leonidas and Ella are buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Milford Ohio. He and Ella had the following known child:

  1. Infant Medaris (f) (8) died in infancy
  2. Charles Francis Medaris (8) b. 21 Feb. 1872, most likely in Clermont Co., Ohio. Married Lida Sutherland.
  3. William Roudebush Medaris (8) b. 03 Aug. 1875 in Owensville, Clermont Co., Ohio. He married Evelyn C. Hays.
  4. Dale R. Medaris (8) b. 1879, in Clermont County, Ohio.
  5. Alice C. Medaris (8) married George Herbert Charls.  They lived in Middletown, Ohio.

(CR: 1880 Clermont Co, Ohio)

(credits 17, 50, 51)

Charles Elmer Medearis (7) (Charles 6, Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. March 1867 in Ohio; d. 1914 in Kansas.  He married Irene Pearl Neiswender on 17 March 1897 at Council Grove, Kansas. Irene was b. 31 Oct. 1877 in Shawnee County, Kansas, d. 06 Oct. 1937 in Michigan.

    Charles and Irene had the following children:

  1. Leroy Charles Medearis “Roy”(8) b. 06 Apr 1899 in Wabaunsee, Kansas; d. 1919 in Wabaunsee, Kansas.
  2. Edward H. Medearis (8) b. 1902
  3. Howard Medearis (8) b. 20 July 1903 in Wabaunsee, Kansas; d. 08 Jan. 1985 in Onaway, Presque Isle, Michigan.
  4. Robert Medearis (8) b. 01 Jan. 1908 in Wabaunsee, Kansas; d. Jan. 1982 in Saginaw, Michigan.
  5. Nellie I. Medearis (8) b. 1913 in Kansas.
  6. Louis Albert Medearis (8) b. 09 Nov. 1914, Plum, Wabaunsee, Kansas, d. 09 or 11 Nov. 1973, Saginaw, Michigan. He married Evelyn May Wing who was b. 27 Aug. 1920 in Michigan; d. 22 Oct. 1999 in Mio, Oscoda, Michigan.

(CR: 1900, 1910 Waubansee Co., Kansas)

(credits 263)

Phillip Napier Medearis (7) (Malachi 6, Malachi 5, Charles 4) According to Phillip’s headstone he was born in 1849, d. 13 Dec. 1921. However, the only census record we have of him so far states he was born about 1855. Phillip’s g-granddaughter sent in a copy of his death certificate which gives Phillip’s date of death as 14 Nov. 1921 and that he died from pneumonia. He died in Moselle, Jones County, Mississippi. It states he was 68 yrs, 3 months and 10 days old. This would place his actual birth date at 04 Aug. 1853 in Clark County, Mississippi.

    Phillip and his sister were adopted by a minister, Phillip Hawkins Napier and his wife Sarah, apparently after the death of their parents sometime prior to 1870. It is unclear as to the relationship of Phillip to his adoptive family, but one must suspect that a blood connection is certain.

    Phillip married 1) Elizabeth Charity Tisdale on 26 Sept. 1877 at the home of her parents. They were married by Phillip’s namesake Phillip Hawkins Napier who was a minister.  Elizabeth was b. 07 Sept. 1847, d. 11 Nov. 1912 in Jones County, MS.  She was the daughter of Washington Sherwood and Charity Dickenson Tisdale. Most of this family is buried in the Crosby Cemetery, Jones County, City of Moselle, Mississippi.

    Phillip purchased 159.15 acres from the United States in Jones County, Mississippi on 05 Jan. 1889.  This land was located just northwest of Moselle.  Currently the land is along Rice Creek and contains Arrington Rd., the intersection of Royal Lane and Riverside Church Rd. and Cecil Davis Rd.  This land lies just off of, and north of highway 590.  Other landmarks of interest in this area are G. W. Tisdale Rd. and Tisdale Branch.

    Phillip and Elizabeth had the following children:

  1. Mary Charity Elizabeth Medearis (8) b. 01 Dec. 1878 in Jones Co., MS, d. 23 Sept. 1970 in Jones Co., Ms. She married Enoch Windham.
  2. Amanda Melvina Sophronie Medearis (8) b. 30 Oct. 1884, d. 05 Feb. 1992, she married Angus Folks.
  3. Ora E. Medearis (8) b. 18 Dec. 1886, d. 10 Oct. 1887
  4. Laura Mae Mabel Medearis (8) b. 08 Aug. 1888 in Jones Co., MS, d. 25 Sept. 1969 in Jones Co., Ms. Married Warren Joe Walters.  Warren was a Methodist Preacher in many towns in Mississippi. He organized and founded the Old Crossroads church in Moselle, Mississippi where he and Laura are buried. 
  5. Ellen Melisha Jane Medearis (8) b. 02 Mar. 1881, d. 19 June 1961, she married Clemon Rogers, b. 12 Feb. 1871, d. 20 Mar. 1927. Buried in the Shady Grove Cemetery, Jones County, City of Laurel, Mississippi.

    After Elizabeth’s death, Phillip married 2) Tillie Mae Bird. They had two children:

  1. Mary Odell Medearis (8) b. 29 Aug. 1914, d. 12 Sept. 1988. She married Rowland Fuller.
  2. Mary Magdalene Medearis (8) b. 15 Dec. 1916. Married A. Penton.

    Tillie died in a fire after Phillip’s death.  The two Mary’s lived with different family members until being adopted by a couple in Van Cleave, MS.

(credits 00, 170, 171, 183)

John P. Medaris (7) (Shadrach 6, Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. 1838 in Ohio; d. 20 Jan. 1909 in Hamilton County, Ohio. Married Mary E. ???? who was b. 1843; d. 22 Apr. 1906 in Hamilton County, Ohio. They are buried in the Wesleyan Cemetery in Hamilton County, Ohio.

    John enlisted in the 5th Ohio Infantry, Company K where he served as a Sargeant.  He was discharged on 18 Jun 1864 at Baltimore, Maryland

    John and Mary had the following children:

  1. William J. Medaris (8) b. 1867
  2. Carrie Medaris (8) b. 1870; d. 04 Oct. 1941 in Hamilton County, Ohio. She married Charles E. Hudson who was b. 1860; d. 01 Feb. 1943. They are buried in Wesleyan Cemetery in Hamilton County, Ohio.

(CR: 1880 Hamilton Co., Ohio)

(credits 00)

Angeline Melvina Medaris (7) (Prior 6, Stephen 5, Charles 4) b. 07 May 1834 in Ohio.  She married Henry E. Holtzinger on 18 Sept. 1851.  

They had the following children:

  1. Ida May Holtzinger (9) b. 02 Dec 1853, married L. A. Ault, 23 Sept. 1879.
  2. William M. Holtzinger (9) b. 14 Oct. 1853

Elizabeth Jane Medaris (7) (Prior 6, Stephen 5, Charles 4) b. 30 July 1836 in Missouri; d. 16 July 1873.  She married Thompson Neave, 27 Oct. 1857.  They had the following children:

  1. Ella M. Neave (9) b. 06 Mar. 1859.
  2. Florence May Neave (9) b. 29 Nov. 1867.

Ellen Hannah Jane Medaris (7) (Prior 6, Stephen 5, Charles 4) b. 25 Oct. 1839 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio; d. 08 Aug 1923 in Cincinatti, Hamilton County, Ohio.  She married Benjamin F. Wright on 27 Oct. 1859.  They lived in Harwell, Ohio.  

They had the following child:

  1. Ella M. Wright (8) b. 08 Nov. 1863.  She married Dr. Wilson Saffin, on 17 Oct. 1883.  They lived in Carthage, Ohio.

James A. Medaris (7) (William S. 6, William 5, Charles 4) b. Jun 1841 in Sullivan County, Indiana; d. 02 Oct. 1925 in Danville Township, Vermilion County, Indiana.  James married Catherine A. Adcock, 04 July,1869 Sull County, Illinois.  She was known as “Cassie” to her friends and family.  She was the daughter of Michael and Hannah Abrams Adcock and was b. Dec. 1849 in Ohio. 

With the exception of a short time around 1880, when the family moved to Kansas briefly, they spent most of their lives in Sullivan County, Indiana. He is in a soldier’s home in 1925, but I have not found what regiment he was in yet.

James was granted a patent (No. 111,228) on 21 Jan. 1871, for improvement in Combined Gang-Plows and Cultivators.

James is buried in Burnett Cemetery, Gill Township, Sullivan County.

    James and Cassie had the following children:

  1. Winfred Medaris (8) b. 24 Feb. 1873 in Kansas; d. 24 Jun 1946 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.  “Fred” married Olive Ocha Nash on 23 Nov 1894 in Indiana.  Olive was b. Jan 1874 in Sullivan, Indiana; d. 28 Jan 1943 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinios.  She was the daughter of James M. and Minnie B. Nash.  Fred and Olive only had one child.
  2. Lester Nash Medaris (10) enlisted in the US Marines in February 1917.  At the time he was living at 118 North Hazel Street, Danville, Illinois.  He married Jean Katherine Freeman on 06 Aug. 1920 in Washington DC.  Lester was a Lieutenant at the time.  This couple did not have any children.
  3. Bert A. Medaris (8) b. 12 May 1877 in Indiana: d. Dec. 1949 in Vigo, Indiana.  In 1917, he lived at 210 E. Jackson, Sullivan, Sullivan, Indiana.  Bert never married and he was living with his mother in 1930.

Supporting Documents

Commercial News,
Danville, Illinios
02 Oct. 1925

James A. Medaris, 83, a soldier of the civil war and a former member of Battery D of the Second Indiana Light Artillery, died at the hospital of the soldier’s home at 4 o’clock Friday morning after a long illness.  The body was removed to the funeral parlors of Noone & Co. and will be sent to the former home of the deceased at Sullivan, Ind.

(cr: 1850 – 1870 Sullivan Co, Indiana; 1880 Dickson Co, Kansas; 1900 – 1920 Sullivan Co., Indiana)

(credits 00, 279)

Mary Medaris (7) (William S. 6, William 5, Charles 4) b. 1844 in Sullivan County, Indiana; d. 1873 in Sullivan County, Indiana.  She married William A. Martin, 16 Jun 1869 in Indiana.  William was born in 1846 in Ohio.

    Mary and William had the following children:

  1. John Wilson Martin (8) b. 1870; d. 1958
  2. Tony Wilson Martin (8) b. 1872; d. 1956
  3. Baby Martin (8) b. 1872, d. 1873

(credits 00, 279)

Generation 8

photo provided by
Barbara Baines

William Alfred Madaris (8) (William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) born April 1848 in Coweta County, Georgia. William worked on his father’s farm and likely took care of the farm with his mother during the War for Southern Independence while his father was away.

    William married 1) Millie Elizabeth McBurnett in Coweta County, on 28 October 1867.  Elizabeth was b. 12 Mar. 1853 in Georgia, d. 28 July 1920 in Cedartown, Georgia of tuberculosis.  She is buried at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery outside of Cedartown, Georgia.  Elizabeth was the daughter of J. Thomas and Margaret Ann Winkles McBurnett. Margaret was of Cherokee Indian descent.

    William and Elizabeth had the following children:

  1. William Fletcher Madaris (9) b. 1871; d. 31 Dec. 1945.
  2. Thomas Washington Joshua Madaris (9) b. 22 May 1872; d. 05 Jan. 1933

    As our (Georgia) family lore has it; one day William went to the well for a bucket of water and was never heard from again.  However, research has discovered more of a controversy.  There appears to have been a quick separation between William and Elizabeth after the birth of their son Thomas.  She remarried to Leroy Easterwood on the 08 Feb. 1876 in Carroll County, Georgia.  But what happened?

    William and Elizabeth appear to have started off on shaky ground, as they were apart at the time of the 1870 census.  William was at the home with his parents and Elizabeth is nowhere to be found.  It is possible that William was at home helping on the family farm while his father was dealing with the issues involved in his having shot Sterling Thomas.  But there may have been some improprieties on both William and Elizabeth’s part.

    Elizabeth is in the 1880 census of Polk County, Georgia with her new husband Leroy Easterwood. Thomas Washington (9) is listed in the census record with the Easterwood family and is listed as Thomas Easterwood.  William Fletcher (9) does not show in the family of Lee and Elizabeth, and we now know that he went to Alabama with his father.

    William married 2) Elizabeth Rebecca Dutton sometime after he and Elizabeth McBurnett separated. James Henry Madaris (11) had stated that Thomas Washington (9) had a brother named John R. Madaris. I first found John in the City of Fayetteville, Georgia, cemetery, buried next to Elizabeth Rebecca Madaris and an unnamed child of Elizabeth’s. Her death certificate states she was married to Bill Madaris. Research on the Dutton family finds them in 1850 Coweta County in the 19th district, very near the Madaris family. There is no marriage certificate found for Elizabeth Dutton and William or Bill Madaris.

    It appears that William married Elizabeth Rebecca Dutton about 1875. She was born abt. 1844 in Georgia, although most of her census records say she was born about 1860. The fact that she was 06 years old in the 1850 census indicates that she was less than truthful with the census takers about her age. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Martha A. Pate Dutton. It is likely that this was a common law marriage, and it also appears that William left this family after only a few years.

    William and Elizabeth R Dutton Madaris had two known children. 

  1. Baby Elizabeth R. Madaris (9) An unnamed baby who possibly died at birth, identified on the headstone only by this name. When the name is listed as Baby “mothers name” it usually means an un-named stillborn.
  2. John Russell Madaris (9) b. 25 May 1878 in Fayette County, Georgia, d. 21 Feb. 1928 in Fayette County, Georgia.

    Elizabeth died 17 Jan. 1927 in Fayetteville, Georgia. She is buried in the City of Fayetteville Cemetery between two of her children, John R. and the baby.

    William Alfred relocated to Alabama and remarried a few years later to Alice Lee Blackwell in Pike County, Alabama, 06 Feb. 1891.  Alice was 13 years younger than William, b. 22 Oct. 1861.

    William worked as a carpenter in Alabama.  He is responsible for most of the Alabama Madaris’ of today and half the Georgia tribe.  Between his two wives William had 10 children.  According to his Alabama family, William did not allow his children to attend school until it became mandatory under the law.  Only the two youngest children received any formal education.

    William and Alice had 8 children:

Photo by Wanda Madaris Fulton
  1. Charles Thomas Madaris (9) b. 03 Dec 1893. Married Martha Lavinia Ferguson.
  2. Ada Barbara Madaris (9) b. 12 Jan 1896, d. 12 Jan. 1982. She married 1) ???? Emfinger and moved to Kissimmee FL. She married 2) ???? Brown.
  3. Judge A. Madaris (9) b. 1900, he died as a young child.
  4. Mattie J. Madaris (9) b. 1904, it is believed she died in her early 20’s. According to her niece, Daisy, Mattie ran away from home at age 16 when her father caught her putting flour on her face as powder. William did not allow her to wear makeup. He “had a fit” and she ran away. It is uncertain what happened to her after that.
  5. John Henry Madaris (9) b. 1906 
  6. Perry E. Madaris (9) b. 1908, Perry also lived with his brother, Charles’ family. When he was older, he worked for Charlie at the sawmill.  Perry’s behavior became disruptive to the family and Charlie eventually asked him to leave. Perry did leave and was not seen for many years. Charlie’s oldest daughter, Daisy, said that her father spent the remainder of his days slowing down for hitch hikers looking to see if it was Perry. After Charlie’s death, the family did locate Perry. He had fathered an illegitimate son, had severe diabetes and was married to an older woman. After his wife died Perry was put in the Veterans Hospital in Dadeville, Alabama where he stayed until he died in January 1976.
  7. Jesse James Madaris  (9) b. 04 June 1911 in Perote, Pike County, Alabama, d. 12 July 1986 in Demopolis, Marengo County, Ala. He married Martha Ann Louise Gray. She was born 08 Nov. 1915 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, d. 01 July 2001. Martha was the daughter of Robert Egatha and Wilma Viola Padgett Gray. Jesse worked in a sawmill, was a truck driver and was in the National Guard during WWII. Martha was a seamstress and clerk.  Jesse is buried in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Demopolis, Ala.
  8. Lena Madaris (9) b. 26 Dec. 1914, d. 07 Dec. 1999 in Meridian, Mississippi. She married 1) Mr. Thompson 2) Clyde Ham 3) Floyd Sentell.

    William died in 1921 in Pike County, Troy, Alabama.  He is buried in the Sandfield Cemetery, located at Zebulon Baptist Church on Hwy. 223 in Banks, Alabama.  After William’s death, Alice & the younger children moved first to Randall, Alabama then eventually came to live with Charlie and Mattie.  Findagrave

    According to oldest daughter Daisy Styles, Charlie built a small house for his mother and siblings near their home.  In 1935, Alice suffered a stroke, the family was facing yet another move from Brookwood, Tuscaloosa Co., Alabama to Braggs, Lowndes Co., Alabama and still had a house full of youngsters.  Lena had obtained her LPN license, was married and had moved to Mississippi.  So, the decision was made to place Alice with Lena and her husband.  Alice died 13 July 1940, age 78 years, 8 months, 21 days and is buried at Rosehill Cemetery, Meridian, Lauderdale Co, Miss.  According to Lena Madaris Sentell (the youngest child of William and Alice’s), the family records were destroyed in a fire in the home of Charles Thomas who raised the other children after his father’s death.

    (1998) Mrs. Lena Madaris Sentell of Mississippi, said that her father died in 1921 when she was only 6 years old.  They never knew any history about their father and never knew their grandparents.  She said that she knew that William had been married once before but did not know that he had children from that marriage.  She was quite enlightened to find out that she had more family than she ever knew about.  I enjoyed my conversations with Lena and it was such a great opportunity to speak to the daughter of someone who was born in 1848! We lost Lena in 1999 and I wish I would have had more opportunities to speak with her about our family.

    Why does it seem that William was such a traveler, leaving two families before settling in Alabama with his third family? Well, the fact is that in the post-Civil War years in the south, women outnumbered men by 3 to 1, even more in places. So many men had died in the war and left women alone to raise children and run a farm. There was considerable competition for men and Lord knows men are weak; not making an excuse. If a woman wanted to keep a man, she had to be competitive in personality and likely looks. I would assume that finances could also play an important part of winning this competition. This competition produced a lot of odd facts in the history books. Many abandoned families, women marrying men much older than themselves. William’s grandfather married a 30-year-old woman when he was 72. This pattern is found in all of Williams uncles and many of his brothers. It is also found in many southern families during this time period.

    Although the well story was passed down on our side of the family in Georgia, it is obvious that the family knew that William and his oldest son, William Fletcher, moved to Alabama.  Divorce or separations were quite controversial in the 1880’s and the “well” story was likely told rather than tell the truth.  There had been no contact between the Alabama families of William and Alice and the Georgia families of William and Elizabeth until we rediscovered each other in 1994.

(CR: 1900 Pike Co., Alabama; 1910 Bullock Co., Alabama; 1920 Pike Co., Alabama; Millie Elizabeth McBurnett Easterwood; 1880 Polk Co., Georgia)

(credits 00, 01, 04, 09, 130, 179)

George W. Madaris
photo courtesy of
Allan Joshua Ballard

George Washington Madaris (8) (William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 17 April 1852; d. 08 May 1939 in Fulton County, Georgia. He married Naomi J. Shropshire on 14 Nov. 1880, in Fayette County, Georgia.  Naomi was b. 1862; d. 18 Dec. 1914. Naomi’s parents were Sergeant John Wesley and Mary Jane Denham Shropshire.  John Wesley was a Sergeant in Co. E, 2nd Georgia Cavalry, State Guards during the Civil War.

George is enumerated with “Manev L. Shropshire”, widow, in the 1880 Fayette County, Georgia census, along with his brother John. Minerva Lecther Smith Shropshire was Naomi’s grandmother, widow of Joshua Pollard Shropshire.

    George and Naomi had the following children:

  1. Infant Died
  2. Infant Died
  3. Infant Died
  4. Infant Died
  5. Infant Died
  6. Infant Died
  7. Annie Elizabeth Madaris (9) b. 18 Dec. 1888; d. 20 April 1980 in Fulton County, Georgia.
  8. Marcus Griffin Madaris (9) b. 16 Nov.1889 in Fayetteville, Georgia; d. 10 May 1970 in Fulton County, Georgia.  He was employed as a Switchman for Southern Railway.  He married Ruby L. Drewry.  Ruby was born abt. 1891 and d. 06 Sept. 1969 in Fulton County, Georgia.  She had a daughter named Emily Garrett, who was b. in 1919 and presumably from a previous marriage.  

Marcus and Ruby had one known child:

  1. Marcus Griffin Madaris Jr. (10), b. 13 Jun 1929 in Fulton County, Georgia; d. 19 Mar 1930 at 16 Estelle St., Hapeville, Ga.  He died of pneumonia and Acute Bronchitis, Asthma.  He is buried at College Park Cemetery.

     George and Naomi are buried in the Hopewell Methodist Church Cemetery, in the City of Tyrone, Georgia.

Supporting Documents

Atlanta Constitution

19 Dec. 1914

Mrs. G. W. Madaris

Mrs. G. W. Madaris, aged 53 years, died Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the residence, 82 Dill Avenue, Capitol View. She is survived by her husband and two children, Miss Elizabeth Madaris, and Griffin Madaris. The body will be taken Sunday morning to Tyrone, Ga., for burial.

The Atlanta Constitution
10 May 1939
Mr. G. W. Madaris

The friends of Mr. G. W. Madaris, Miss Elizabeth Madaris, Mr. and Mrs. M. G. Madaris and Mrs. Mary Collins are invited to attend the funeral of Mr. G. W. Madaris this (Wednesday) afternoon, at 2 o’clock, at the chapel of A. C. Hemperley & Sons.  Rev. W. A. Duncan will officiate.  Interment, Hopewell cemetery, Fayette county.  The nephews will serve as pallbearers and assemble at the chapel at 1:45 o’clock.

Note: Manerva Lecter Smith was the daughter of Miles and Sarah Mitchell Smith.

(CR: 1880 Fayette Co., GA, 1900 & 1920 Fulton Co., GA)

(credits 00) 

Mary F. Madaris (8) (William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 29 Nov. 1853 in Coweta County, Georgia; d. 30 Dec. 1939 in Fayette County, Georgia. She married C. Jasper Collins about 1873, who was the son of John and Mary Collins. Jasper was born 29 Mar. 1851; died 13 Aug. 1920 in Fayette County, Georgia.  Jasper’s death certificate lists his birthday as “Mch (uk) 1851”, age “69”.  His headstone states “Mar. 29, 1857”.  It is suspected that the 7 on the headstone is an uncorrected error.  

    They lived in the area of North Coweta County, Georgia in 1880, they then moved to Fayette County, Georgia where they lived out their lives. They did live briefly in Riverdale, Georgia, Clayton County around 1910.  Jasper’s occupation on his death certificate was listed as “Peddler”.  George Davenport was the informant. 

    Mary and Jasper had the following children:

  1. Ruby Collins (9) b. 1873
  2. Dora C. Collins (9) b. 1875.  She married Henry Jackson in Fayette County, Georgia on 26 Dec. 1897.
  3. Mary F. Collins (9) b. 01 Sept. 1878; d. 11 May 1941.  She married George F. Davenport in Fayette County, Georgia on 12 Jun. 1898.  George was b. 26 Dec. 1875; d. 27 Dec. 1958. Mary and George are buried in the Hopeful Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Fayette County, Georgia.
  4. Flan Collins (9) b. 1878
  5. Floyd J. Collins (9) b. 15 June 1879; d. 26 Dec. 1924 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.  He married Lottie ????.  They lived in Eagan Park, in 1924.  Floyd was employed by the railroad and was killed in a railroad accident.
  6. John W. Collins (9) b. Feb. 1881. He married Daisey B. ????.  She was b. 03 Feb. 1887; d. 13 Jan. 1918.
  7. Charles M. Collins (9) b. Mar. 1886
  8. Annie May Collins (9) b. Jan. 1891

    Most of this family is buried in the Hopeful Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Fayette County, Georgia. This church is located at the intersection of Hwy 92 and New Hope Road in the Hopeful Community.

(CR: 1870 Coweta County, Georgia; 1880 Coweta Co., Georgia, 1900 Fayette County, Georgia, 1910 Clayton County, Georgia, 1920 – 1930 Fayette County, Georgia)

(credits 00)

John Thomas Madaris (8) (William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 1856 in Coweta County, Georgia. John married Lizzie Johnson, 01 Feb. 1875 in Coweta County, Georgia. John is listed as Jack on the marriage certificate. It is unknown what happened to this union or if any children were born to them. 

There is a mentioning of John, as Capt. John T. Madaris, in the Atlanta Constitution on the 20 Dec. 1887.  It states in part:

COTTON AND CORN

Some Astonighing Yields Reported from Georgia Soil.

For the past five or six years, Messrs. George W. Scott & Co., have been offering special premiums for the largest yield of cotton and corn, by the use of gossypium alone. 

On Thursday morning several sturdy looking countrymen wended their way to the department of agriculture.  All the contestants did not come, as, having implicit confidence in Commissioner Henderson, they wrote to him to represent them.  R. G. Ray, a stalwart and successful farmer of Douglas, Mr. G. M. Davis, a worthy planter of Monroe county, Messrs, J. F. Ellington, of Campbell County, J. T. Madaris, of Fayette, and others wer present.

The contestants agreed upon the following as the committee on awarding the premiums:

Colonel R. J. Redding, of Schley; Colonel W. s. Dewolf, of Muscogee; Captain J. F. Ellington, of Cambell; Captain J. T. Madaris, of Fayette; Mr. W. G. Whidby, of DeKalb.           

    The last record of John is in the 1900 Missouri Census where he is 44 years old and living in Atchison County, Dale Township. It is unknown at this time what happened to Lizzie.

(CR: 1880 Fayette Co., Georgia; 1900 Atchison Co., Missouri)

Charles Buchannan Madaris (8) (William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 18 July 1858 in Coweta County, Georgia, d. 12 July 1934, Perry, Jefferson County, Florida.  He is buried in Monticello, FL.

    Charles married 1) Fannie B. Richardson on 13 Aug. 1878 in Coweta County, Georgia. Fannie was b. 18 Feb. 1861.

    Charles and Fannie had one known child from this marriage:

  1. Viola Madaris (9) b. 28 Jan 1880, d. 02 Mar 1954.  It appears she never married.

    Charles and Fannie may have divorced but the details are not yet known. Fannie died in Villa Rica, Carroll County, Georgia, 23 Dec. 1938.  She and their daughter Viola are buried in the Villa Rica City Cemetery.

    Charles married 2) Martha “Mattie” Marselle Tucker on 18 Dec 1891, in Alabama.  Mattie was the daughter of Samuel C. and Margeret (Mary) Hunsucker Tucker.  She was b. 14 Feb. 1876, in Cahaba, Dallas Co., AL; d. 30 July 1933 Bibb Co. AL.

    Charles and Mattie had the following children:

  1. John De Curtis Madaris (9) b. 07 Mar. 1893 in Maplesville, Alabama.  He married Sallie Maybelle Gunter. 
  2. James Buchanan Madaris (9) b. 31 Aug. 1894 in Childon County, Alabama; d. 14 Feb. 1962. Married Pearl Katherine Reid 
  3. Julius Franklin Madaris (9) b. 08 June 1897, d. 02 Jul. 1974. Married Ruth Sadera Lawley.
  4. George Madaris (9) b. 1901, d. 1901.
  5. Mamie Madaris (9) b. 07 Dec. 1903, d. 07 Dec. 1996 in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
  6. Bob Marcus “Mark” Madaris (9) b. 1906, died at age 21 from an injury that he incurred while working on the Birmingham Public Library.
  7. Ruby Madaris (9) b. 1910, married Robert Blackmon.

    Mattie, Marcus and George are buried at Cox Chapel Cemetery in Bibb County, AL.

(CR:  1900 Bibb Co., Ala, 1910 Bibb Co., Ala, 1920 Bibb Co., Ala.)

(credits 00, 04, 05, 211) 

(Click here for more information on the Tucker family)

Sebia Julia Madaris (8) (Haywood 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 09 Jun 1852 in Mississippi; d. 04 Jun 1877 in Lavaca, Texas. She married Franklin Larette Wallace in Dec 1869 in Mississippi. Franklin was b. 15 Nov 1848 in New York; d. 08 Aug 1887 in Columbus, Colorado, Texas.

  1. Edward Haywood Wallace (9) b. 20 Oct 1870 in Boque Chitto, Pike Mississippi; d. 22 Oct 1873 in Lavaca, Texas.
  2. Ida Lula Wallace (9) b. 14 Dec 1872 in Texas; d. 30 Jan 1947 in Schulenburg, Fayette, Texas.
  3. Clifford Larette Wallace (8) b. 15 Jun 1875 in Harrisburg, Harris, Texas; d. 18 Oct 1938 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.

Sebia is buried at Andrews Chapel Cemetery, hackberry, Lavaca County, Texas. Her name on Findagrave is listed as Selva. Her name is listed as Seba with Social Security Claims, Sebia on her son’s death certificate.

Findagrave

(CR: 1860 Copiah, Miss, 1870 Bogue Chitto, Miss)

Martha J. Madaris (8) (Franklin 7, Thomas J. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Mar 1859 in Georgia.  She married John C. Winkles, the son of Steven Jackson and Nancy Ann ???? Winkles.  John was born 25 Nov 1854 in Georgia; d. 27 Aug 1926 in Etowah, Alabama.  They were married 23 Aug 1880 in Polk County, Georgia.

  1. Dollie A. Winkles (9) b. Aug 1885 in Georgia.
  2. Loretta D. Winkles (9) b. Jan 1888 in Georgia.
  3. Hattie Mae Winkles (9) b. mar 1893 in Alabama.
  4. Barbara Winkles (9) b. Oct 1894 in Alabama.

(credits 00, 284)

John Thomas Madaris (8) (Thomas P. 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 1869 in Coweta County, Georgia.  John married Sarah Elizabeth Lovett on 20 Aug. 1882 in Coweta County, Ga.   John went astray in his marriage and left, moving to Atlanta.  There he met Miss Florence Evans, a young resident of Atlanta.  John obtained a marriage license and on 09 Nov. 1887 they were married.  Shortly after the wedding, Sarah Madaris came up from Newnan and approached the new wife and revealed that she and John were still married.  The authorities became involved, and John was soon arrested for bigamy.  He went to trial and pled “not guilty” to the charges.  However, both wives were in the courtroom and the jury quickly returned a verdict of “guilty”.  Judge Clark of the Atlanta Superior Court, sentenced John to four years in the penitentiary.

It is unclear what happened to Sarah or Florence after this case, but John is found next in 1897 operating a grocery store in Macon, Georgia.  He is listed in the “Maloney’s Macon Miscellaneous Directory 1897“.  John later moved to Pike Co., Alabama where he worked as a meat cutter and led a respectable life.  He died 14 June 1922 in Pike Co., Alabama and his body was sent by train back home to Newnan, Georgia where he was buried in the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Sargent. John’s grave is unmarked.

    John and Sarah Elizabeth had one son:

  1. William Perry Lee Madaris (9) b. 4 July 1883 in Coweta County, Ga. Married Lola Grace Griggs on 24 Dec. 1902 in Coweta County, Ga. William and Lola had the following children:
    1. Annie Bell Madaris (10) b. 28 Jan 1904; d. 13 Mar. 1971 and is buried in the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Sargent, Ga. She married Rembert Bishop.
    2. John Drew Madaris (10) b. 11 Apr 1907, 11 May 1993. He married 1) Gertrude Mary Strickland on 28 Feb 1927 in Coweta County, Ga.  She was b. 09 Aug. 1909, d. 16 May 2002. John married 2) Mary Clyde Johns on 24 Dec. 1946. John died 11 May 1993 in Coweta County, Ga. He is buried in the Oakhill Cemetery in Newnan.
    3. Susie Kate Madaris (10) b. 01 Mar 1910. d. 24 Mar 1954.
    4. Ruby Lee Madaris (10) b. 15 Oct. 1912. d. 01 Dec. 1994.

    William and some of his family are buried in the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Sargent, Georgia.

(CR: 1900, 1910 Coweta Co., GA)

(credits 03)

Andrew Paul Jackson Madaris (8) (Thomas P. 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 04 Apr 1870 in Coweta County, Georgia; d. 27 Apr 1923 in Coweta County, Georgia, of cirrhosis of the liver. Andrew is Buried in the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, in Sargent, Ga. Andrew married 1) Fanney O. Ivey.

    Andrew and Fanney had the following children:

  1. John Thomas Madaris (9) b. 12 Jan. 1903 in Coweta County, Ga.; d. 15 Sep 1959. He married Minnie Duncan, 11 Feb. 1922 in Coweta County, Georgia. Minnie was born 01 Sep 1888; died 15 Aug 1974 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia. They are both buried in the St. Paul Methodist Church Cemetery in Whitesburg, Carroll County, Ga.
  2. Alton W. Madaris (9) b. 8 Oct. 1908 in Coweta County, Ga. In December 1922 Alton lost an arm in a hunting accident. He died in Sept 1954 in Coweta County, Ga. and is buried in the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Sargent, Ga.
  1. Dorothy Cyrena Madaris (9) b. 01 Oct. 1921 in Coweta County, Ga. died 5 Oct. 1983 and is buried in the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, in Sargent, Ga.

Supporting Documents

December 27, 1922 issue of the Herald & Advertiser

Alton, the 12 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Madaris, residing in the western part of the county, accidently shot himself while out hunting Saturday morning. He was carrying a shotgun, and the entire charge entered his right arm. He was brought to town, and after an examination it was found necessary to amputate the injured member between the wrist and elbow, the operation being performed by Drs. Turner and Woodruff. The lad is still at the sanitarium, but will be able to return home in a few days.

    Andrew married 2) Carrie Belle Collins on the 4 Oct. 1890 in Coweta County, Ga.

    Andrew and Carrie had the following Children:

  1. Ida Lou Madaris (9) b. 18 Jan 1892 in Coweta County, Ga. d. 03 Mar. 1970 and is buried in the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Sargent, Ga. She married John Pope Dyer on 19 Jan. 1910 in Coweta County, Georgia.  He was b. 17 Sept. 1888, d. 10 Apr. 1956.
  2. Annie Mae Madaris (9) b. 05 May 1893 in Coweta County, Ga.
  3. Male infant (9) buried in the New Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Sargent, Ga.

(CR: 1900, 1910, 1920 Coweta Co., GA)

(credits 00, 01, 03)

John Thomas Medaries (8) (Thomas P. 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) born 12 Nov 1871 in Alabama; died 17 Feb 1947 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana; buried 19 Feb 1947 in Sibley Cemetery, Sibley, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. He married Lilla Ellen Penuell, 28 Aug 1892 in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.  She was born 23 Aug 1872; died 18 Nov 1961 in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, daughter of Ralph and Martha Caroline Davis Penuell.

    John Thomas and Lilla had the following children:

  1. Bertha Irene Medaries (9) b. 5 Oct 1893, Darbonne, Union Parish, Louisiana.
  2. Eula Elva Medaries (9) b. 12 Dec 1895, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana; d. 06 June 1977 at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Louisiana. Eula married William White Whittington Trimble who was b. 27 Nov. 1890 in Upper Bayou Rapides, Rapides Parish, Louisiana; he d. 10 Nov. 1935 near Collingston, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana. They are both buried in Riverview Cemetery, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.
  3. Willis Wright Medaries (9) b. 30 Jan 1898, Choudrant, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.
  4. Roy Erastus Medaries (9) b. 20 Mar 1901 d. 13 Sep 1931.
  5. Doshie Katherine Medaries (9) b. 24 Feb 1903, Douglas, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.
  6. Ralph Glenn Medaries (9) b. 19 Jan 1906, Downsville, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.
  7. Duke Hansford Medaries (9) b. 12 Feb 1908, Louisiana.
  8. J. L. Medaries (9) b. 3 Oct 1910, Louisiana.
  9. Martha Audrey Medaries (9) b. 5 May 1915, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.

(credits 34)

Joseph Lee Medaries (8) (Thomas P. 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 25 Feb 1882 in Union Par., Louisiana; d. 5 Apr 1945 in West Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana; buried aft. 5 Apr 1945 in Hasley Cemetery, West Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana. He married in Lincoln Par., Louisiana, Dollie Holstead, born 26 Jan 1875 in Lincoln Par., Louisiana; died 5 Mar 1949 in West Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana.

    Joseph Lee and Dollie had the following child:

  1. Joseph Jewel Medaries (9)

(credits 34)

Homer R. Medaries (8) (Thomas P. 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 10 Nov 1890 in Louisiana; d. Dec 1965 in Louisiana. He married Sammie Womack, on 06 Jul 1913 in Jackson Par., Louisiana.  She was b. abt 1891 in Chatham, Jackson Par., Louisiana, and was the daughter of H. R. and Fannie ???? Womack.

    Home was a barber and had shop in Chatham, Louisiana.  

    Homer and Sammie had the following children:

  1. Warner R. Medaries (9)
  2. Clyde Aaron Medaries (9)
  3. Fay Allean Medaries (9)

    Homer married 2) Ila Ethel Young, daughter of Charles Abernathy and Lurah I Worsham Young. She was born on 30 August 1894 in Archer County Texas. She first had married William Hobby “Bob” Ferguson at Wichita Falls on 5 June 1915. In the early 1920s they lived at Waco. Bob was born at Lufkin on 20 November 1888, and died of pneumonia on 5 April 1930 at Shreveport, Louisiana. Homer Medaris and Ila were married on 11 December 1930 at Shreveport. She died 8 January 1968 at Bossier-Shreveport. Ila had no children of her own.

(credits 34)

Jasper Luther Medaries (8) (Thomas P. 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 03 Nov 1895 in D’ Arbonne, Union Par., Louisiana; d. 22 Jul 1970 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana; buried in Crossroad Baptish Church Cemetery, Grayson, Caldwell Par., Louisiana. He married on 4 Aug 1921 in Columbia, Caldwell Par., Louisiana, Mary Lucille Meredith, b. 10 Jan 1900 in Grayson, Caldwell Par., Louisiana; d. Feb 1978 in Louisiana, daughter of Clarence and Julia Fluett Meredith.

(Jasper is listed in a cemetery index as b. 10-3-1896; d. 7-29-1961)

    Jasper Luther and Mary had the following children:

  1. Jasper Luther Medaries Jr. (9)
  2. Charles Anzley Medaries (9) b. 31 Oct 1924 in Clarks, Caldwell Par., Louisiana; d. 03 Jun. 1997. He married Ola Mae Goodman in Jena, LaSalle Par., Louisiana. She was b. 28 April 1926; d. 01 Jun. 1999. Charles was a Pvt. in the US Army, World War II. They are buried in Crossroad Baptish Church Cemetery, Grayson, Caldwell Par., Louisiana.
  3. John Andrews Medaries (9) b. 30 Sept. 1927; d. 16 Jun. 1984. He married Willree Roberts on 24 Oct. 1953. They had three children. John was Cpl in the US Air Force, World War II. He is buried in Crossroad Baptish Church Cemetery, Grayson, Caldwell Par., Louisiana.

(credits 34)

Eddie Medaries (8) (Thomas P. 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4), b. 29 Nov 1907 in Blanchard Springs, Union Co., AR; d. 27 Aug 1985 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana; buried aft. 27 Aug 1985 in Hasley Cemetery, West Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana. He married on 15 Nov 1938 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana, Melba Rose Risher, born 6 Feb 1919 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana; died 26 Oct 1989 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana, daughter of Samuel H. and Carrie ???? Risher.

    Eddie and Melba had the following children:

  1. Carrie Patricia Medaris (9)
  2. Litha Marie Medaris (9)
  3. Mebra Rose Medaris (9), Jr., b. 3 Jun 1948 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana. She married on 11 Jun 1969 in Monroe, Ouachita Par., Louisiana, Lonnie Earl Marshall, born 23 Jun 1945 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA.

(credits 34)

Mary Adeline Medaris (8) (Israel A. 7, John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. May 1872; d. 27 Sept 1947 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana.  She married George Franklin Snyder in 1888 in Wayne County, Indiana.  Frank was born 19 Mar 1864 in Wayne County, Indiana; died 24 Dec 1922 in Wayne County, Indiana. They are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Indiana.

  1. Opal P. Snyder (9) b. 17 Oct 1890 in Wayne Co., Indiana; d. 08 Aug 1977 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.   She married William T. Klein who was born abt 1990 in Indiana.
  2. Mable Laura Snyder (9) b. 26 Feb 1894 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 30 Mar 1976 in Richmond, Wayne Co., Indiana. She married 1) Robert C. Gellinger, born 1893 and died 1918 in Indiana. She then married 2) Harvey Burton Willis on 06 Oct 1920 in Wayne County, Indiana.  Harvey was born 13 Apr 1897 in Kentucky; died 20 Sept 1961 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.
  3. Martha Charlotte Snyder (9) b. 14 May 1899 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 26 Jan 1976 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.  She married Emory William Bowman, 02 Sept 1916 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He was born 05 Sept 1895 in Indiana: d. Dec 1968 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana.
  4. Paul C. Snyder (9) b. 1911 in Indiana; d. 29 Nov 1912 in Indiana. He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Indiana.

(credits 00, 50)

Elizabeth Pearl Medaris (8) (Israel A. 7, John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 29 Oct 1878 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 25 Apr 1953 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana. she married Lovell Ernest Cooney.  He was born 28 May 1880 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana: d. 05 Feb 1937 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.  They are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Indiana. 

Elizabeth and Lovell had the following children:

  1. Robert E. Cooney (9) b. 1905 in Indiana
  2. Vera V. Cooney (9) b. 1909 in Indiana

Laura Medaris (8) (Israel A. 7, John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Feb 1879 in Wayne Co., Indiana.  She married Herbert E. Tuttle who was born about 1875 in Michigan.

Laura and Herbert had the following children:

  1. Eugene Tuttle (9) b. 1903 in Indiana
  2. William W. Tuttle (9) b. 1908 in Indiana
  3. Joseph C. Tuttle (9) b. 1913 in Indiana; d. 08 Mar 1991 in Pinellas, Florida.
  4. Donald Tuttle (9) (twin) b. 1917 in Indiana
  5. Dorothy Tuttle (9) (twin) b. 1917 in Indiana

Frank B. Medearis (8) (Daniel B. 7, John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 05 July 1873 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 08 May 1960 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He married Jessie Ruby Runnels, the daughter of DeWitt Clinton and Amaranda Mitchell Rubey Runnels.  Jessie was born 26 Jun 1877 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 31 Mar 1934 in Wayne County, Indiana. 

Frank and Jessie had one known child:

  1. Ruby Medearis (9) b. 16 Oct 1897 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana; d. 29 Aug 1978 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana. She married Horace Cecil Dennis in Wayne County, Indiana.

(CR: 188-1910, 1930 Wayne County, Indiana)

Everett Carl Medearis (8) (Daniel B. 7, John Fletcher 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 12 Nov. 1890, d. 19 Apr. 1974. He married Celeste Lessie Pike, who was b. 1893; d. 18 June 1955.  In 1947, Lessie is listed as a plant worker for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Wayne County, Indiana. They are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Indiana.

    Everett and Celeste had the following children:

  1. Gerald Kem Medearis (9) b. 30 May 1911 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 27 Feb 2000 in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio.  In 1947, he was working as the Assistant Foreman of Wayne Dairy Products in Wayne County, Indiana.
  2. Denver B. Medearis (9) b. 1915 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 24 Feb. 1967 in Wayne County, Indiana.  In 1939 he was a clerk a Jay Gold & Silver Company in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.
  3. Betty Medearis (9) b. 1920 in Wayne County, Indiana.
  4. Everett Medearis (9) b. 1925 in Wayne County, Indiana.

(CR: 1900-1910 Wayne County, Indiana)

Claude Cecil Medearis (8) (Charles W. 7, John F. 6, John D. 5, Charles 4) b. 16 Jan 1900 in Wayne County, Indiana; d. 06 Feb 1966 in Mendocino County, California.  He married 1) Zella Deloris Jones, 15 Mar 1920 in Madison County, Indiana.  Zella was born 26 Oct 1903 in Indiana; d. 04 Sept 1992 in Mercer County, Ohio.  She was the daughter of George and Blanche Applegate Jones.  This marriage does not appear to have lasted very long and no children apparently resulted. Zelda remarried afterwards

Claude married 2) Wilda Gladys Hiller, who was born 29 July 1901 in California; d. 04 Jan 1994 in Butte County, California.  She was the daughter of George J. and Hattie Hiller.

    Claude and Wilda had the following children:

  1. Verne Claude Medearis (9) b. 08 Jun 1924 in Los Angeles, California; d. 06 Jun 1994 in Butte County, California.  He married Adeline Elizabeth Limonen, 02 Aug 1954 in Mendocino County, California.  Adeline was born 04 Jan 1925; d. 06 Mar 2003 in Washington County, Oregon.
  2. Lois Elaine Medearis (9) b. 19 Jun 1928 in Glenn County, California.

(CR: 1900 Wayne County, Indiana; 1920 Madison County, Indiana; 1930 Sacramento County, California; 1940 Nevada County, California)

Adolphus Clinton Medearis (8) (Emsley T. 7, Emsley T. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 11 Jun 1858 in Drakesville, Davis County, Iowa; d. 03 Jun 1827 in Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri.  He married Mollie G. Todd in 1884.  

They had the following children:

  1. Emsley Todd Medearis (9) b. 03 Oct. 1885 in Missouri. 
  2. Mary Jewell Medearis (9) b. 25 Sept 1887 in Missouri; d. 19 Nov 1980 in Cedar County, Missouri.  She married Edmond John Boillot, 21 Nov 1939 in Dade County, Missouri.

(CR: 1858 Davis Co., Iowa; 1870 Brown Co., Illinois; 1880 Linn Co., Missouri, 1900 Brown Co., Illinois, 1910 – 1920 Jasper Co., Missouri)

Dr. Eugene Francis Medearis (8) (Emsley T. 7, Emsley T. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Aug. 1859 in Missouri, d. 22 Oct. 1920 in Kansas City, Kansas.  He married Mathilde Phillips (Tilly) on 11 Nov. 1885. Tilly was b. 30 Nov. 1865 in Illinois, d. 12 Oct. 1941 in Osage County, Kansas.   Eugene was a Dentist.

Eugene and Mathilde had one child:

Francis Elizabeth Medearis (9) b. 05 Sept. 1886 in Crawford County, Kansas.  She married Julius LeRoy Frazier, 01 July 1908 in Jackson County, Missouri.  

Julius and Elizabeth, the following children:

  1. Patricia Frazier (10) b. 1914
  2. Ruth M. Frazier (10) b. 1915 in Kansas
  3. Robert Frazier (10) b. 1920


(CR: 1870 Brown Co., Illinios; 1880 Lewis Co., Missouri; 1900 – 1920 Osage Co., Kansas)

Lorain C. Medaris (8) (Emsley T. 7, Emsley T. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. Oct. 1867 in Missouri.   He married Nettie Hale in 1894.  

Lorain and Nettie had the following children:

  1. Gretchen G. Medearis (9) b. 30 Sept 1896 in Iowa; d. 12 Feb 1992 in Cook County, Illinois.  She married Joseph Harold Richards.  He was b. 06 May 1889 in Marshall County, Iowa: d. 13 Mar 1972.  they had one known child:
  2. Jack M. Richards (10) b. 1922 in Iowa.

(CR: 1889 Lewis Co., Missouri; 1900 – 1910 Marshall Co., Iowa; 1920 – 1930 Buena Vista, Iowa)

Claude Medearis (8) (William C. 7, William J. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 07 May 1881 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri; d. 25 Sept. 1958 in Cedar City, Missouri.  He married Emma Shade, 07 Apr. 1902 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Samuel and Modora Welch Shade.  Emma was b. 13 May 1881 in Cedar County, Missouri: d. 27 Oct. 1938 in Cedar County, Missouri.

    Claude and Emma had the following children:

  1. George Medearis (9) b. 18 Nov 1903 in Cedar County, Missouri; d. 1951.
  2. Samuel Medearis (9) b. 21 Jan 1905 in Cedar County, Missouri; d. 1945 in Cedar County, Missouri.  He married Bernice Breeden, 26 Feb 1927 in St. Clair County, Missouri.
  3. Claudine Katherine Medearis (9) b. 15 Jan 1910 in Cedar County, Missouri; d. 12 Dec 1992 in Marion, Oregon. She married Archie Buxton.
  4. Joseph Ray Medearis (9) b. 25 Feb 1912 in Cedar County, Missouri; 26 Oct 1978 in Cedar County, Missouri. He married 1) Mable Conner, 11 Apr 1931 in Cedar County, Missouri; 2) Myrtle Allene Porter.
  5. Elmer Crawford Medearis (9) b. 30 Sept 1913 in Cedar County, Missouri; d. 06 Jan 1976 in Banks, Oregon.  He married 1) Irene Straight, 2) Laura Estelle Evans.
  6. Abraham Arnold Medearis (9) b. 29 Jan 1915 in Cedar County, Missouri; d. 16 Oct 2002 in Cedar County, Missouri.
  7. Paul John Medearis (9) b. 09 Dec 1916 in Cedar County, Missouri; d. 12 Nov 2007 in Henry County, Missouri.  He married Mabel H. Huff, 10 Jan 1964 in Stockton, Cedar County, Missouri.
  8. Robert Bill Medearis (9) b. 12 Aug 1918 in Cedar County, Missouri; d. 29 Mar 1987 in King, Washington.
  9. Emma Gene Medearis (9) b. 1920 in Cedar County, Missouri. She married Ray Cutright.
  10. Freemon Jared Medearis (9) b. 20 Jan 1922 in Cedar County, Missouri; d. 31 Mar 1991 in Bellingham, Washington.
  11. Nelouise Medearis (9) b. 1923 in Cedar County, Missouri.  She married Paul Crusi.
  12. June Virginia Medaris (9) b. 1925 in Cedar County, Missouri.  She married Jim Stemmons.

(CR: 1910 Adair County, Missouri, 1920 Cedar County, Missouri)

(credits 00, 259)

George Medearis (8) (William C. 7, William J. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 03 Mar 1882 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri; d. 11 Jan 1947 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri.  He married Nora B. Marmion.

    George and Nora one child:

  1. Jack Medearis (9) b. 1905 in Missouri.

Supporting Documents

Death Enters Marmion Home
Mrs. Lieutene Marmion, wife of Frank Marmion passed away Thursday morning.

    The many friends of the Marmion family, who live a mile west of town were saddened by the unexpected news that Mrs. Marmion, wife of Frank Marmion and mother of the home had passed to her reward at 3:00 o’clock Thursday morning, July 18th.
    Mrs. Marmion has suffered for more than a year from heart and kidney trouble which brought her many times near to death’s door but each time she rallied but not in sufficient degree as to have assurance of long lease of life. Mrs. Marmion was one of our very best women a dutiful wife, a kind and loving mother and a faithful friend who enjoyed the good will, and high esteem of a large circle of friends.
Lieutene Stanley was the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Stanley and was born at Alexandria, Mo. June 10th, 1855. Her father was one of the first settlers of Clark County, MO., writing the first history of his county.
She was married Sept. 19, 1876 to Frank Marmion at Wayland, Mo. She was the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters. They are Mrs. Geo Medaris, south of Mt. Sterling; Robert who lives in Colo., Benjamin, Frances and Annadale who are still at home. She has two sisters living in California, one brother in Washington state and one in Tennessee. Her entire life was spent in Clark County, Mo. until six years ago, when the family moved into Van Buren County. They have lived at the present home for the past five years.
    The funeral was held from the home on Saturday afternoon, July 20th at 2:00 o’clock, in charge of Rev. John H. Taylor, in the presence of a large concourse of friends and the body laid to repose in Farmington Cemetery.


(CR: 1900 – 1930 Cedar County, Missouri)
(credits 00, 259)

Leo Jefferson Medearis (8) (Oscar H. 7, William Jefferson 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 29 Aug. 1898 in Indiana, d. 20 Jan. 1957 in Indiana. He married Clara Arva Sharp, b. 1898, d. 12 Feb 1976. They are both buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana. Findagrave: Leo Clara
Leo and Clara had one child:

  1. Wilma Fern Medearis (9) b. 02 Nov 1916; d. 30 Oct 1998 in Indiana. She married Paul L. Ellison who was b. 26 May 1914: d. 30 Dec 1993. They are buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Indiana. Findagrave: Wilma Paul

CR: 1900, 1910, 1920,1930, 1940 Wayne, Indiana

William Asbury Madaris (8) (William 7, John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 06 Jun 1846 in Hancock County, Indiana; d. 1920 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He married Esther Hattie Rathburn in 1874 in Indiana.  Esther was born 15 Nov 1854 in Center, Carroll County, Ohio; d. 17 Apr 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri.

    William and Esther had the following children:

  1. Florence M. Madaris (9) b. Jul 1874 in Labette County, Kansas; d. abt 1925.  She married 1) Thomas Coverdell, 2) ???? Wood. Thomas and Florence had the following children:
    1. Ralph Coverdell (10) b. 1897 in Kansas.
    2. William J. Wood (10) b. 1906 in Missouri.
  2. Albert Edward Madaris (9) b. 01 Jan 1876 in Lyndon, Osage County, Kansas; d. 17 Dec 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri.  He married Minnie May White on 14 Jul 1928 in Jackson County, Missouri.
  3. Alice M. Madaris (9) b. July 1878 in Valley Brook, Osage County, Kansas.  She married ???? Bache.
  4. Minnie M. Madaris (9) b. July 1880 in Valley Brook, Osage County, Kansas.
  5. S. A. Madaris (9) b. Jun 1888 in Kansas.
  6. Sybel L. Madaris (9) b. May 1894 in Kansas.
  7. Hayden McKinley Madaris (9) b. 03 May 1896 in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas; d. 28 July 1967 in Valley Village, Los Angeles, California.  He married Nolah Thompson.
  8. Hobart Arthur Madaris (9) b.03 May 1896 in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas; d. 06 July 1968 in Jennings, Jefferson Davis, Louisiana.  He married Annie Verrette. Hobart and Annie had the following child:
    1. Judith Ann Madaris (10) b. 24 Feb 1929 in Jefferson, Texas.

(CR: 1865 Douglas Co., Kansas; 1880 Marion Co., Indiana; 1900 Franklin Co., Kansas; 1910 – 1920 Kiowa Co., Oklahoma)

Laura J. Medaris (8) (John R. 7, John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 1858, she married Virgil C. Welch on 22 Jan. 1879 in Hartford, Kansas.

    They had one known child:

  1. Perl Welch (9)

Supporting Documents

Morris County, Kansas Biographical Sketch

V. C. WELCH, proprietor and editor of the Morris County Enterprise. The paper was established January 1, 1878, by D. O. McCray, is Republican in politics, and issued every Thursday. On the first day of July of that year it passed into the hands of V. C. Welch, who has since published it, making it one of the best county papers published in the State. V. C. Welch was born at Fairfield, Iowa, August 3, 1855.

During the following year his parents moved to Knoxville, remaining until 1861, when they removed to Osceola, where he received the first rudiments of an education. In the winter of 1862-63, his father, Dr. S. S. Welch, enlisted in the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, serving until the war had closed. After the latter’s return from the army, he removed to Kingston, Mo., where the subject of this sketch learned the printer’s trade, which he has since followed, except a term of two years, which he spent in completing an academic course. He came to Kansas to reside permanently in 1877, locating at Hartford, where he was connected with the Hartford Enterprise until the Morris County Enterprise was established at Parkersville, of which he was foreman, until he became publisher. He is a member of the A., F. & A.M. Lodge at Parkersville.

He was married at Hartford, Kan., January 22, 1879, to Miss Laura Medaris. They have one child–Perl.

James Cavasso Medaris (8) (John R. 7, John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 14 Jun 1860 in Indiana, d. 06 Dec. 1925, in Stark Co., Ohio. He married 1) Susan Frances Ramsey, b. 14 Jan. 1867, Parkerville, Morris County, KS.,. d. 20 Jun 1973, Carmel, Monterey County, CA.  Susan was the daughter of Henry Michael and Rebecca Jane Black Ramsey.  James and Susan were married 03 July 1884.

    According to Susan, James was born during the Civil war and his father did not see him until he was three years old.

    James and Susan had the following children:

  1. Lola Angela Madaris (9) b. 12 Nov. 1885 in Parkerville, Kansas, d. 05 Nov. 1967 in Pacific Grove, CA.  Lola married George Henry Christian, who was b. 18 Mar. 1883 in Topeka, KS, d., 19 June 1907 in Topeka, KS.
  2. Virgil Leroy Medaris (9) b. 18 Feb. 1887 in Parkerville, Kansas, d. 06 Feb. 1924 in CA. He married Frances M. Hayes in 1915 in Kansas City, MO.

    James and Susan were divorced 04 Feb. 1904 in Wabaunsee County, Kansas. James then married 2) Adaline F. Schleman in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 13 June 1908.  She was born 1880 in Ohio the daughter of Phillip Schleman.  One source says that Adaline’s last name was Wolford.  It is unclear if this was possibly her second marriage.  Wolford has not been confirmed as of yet.

    James and Adaline had the following children:

  1. Ferrel Madaris (9) b. 1910 in Oklahoma.
  2. Fay Madaris (9) b. 1912 in Ohio.

(CR: 1860 Morgan Co., Indiana; 1880 – 1880 Lyon Co., Kansas; 1895 Morris Co, Kansas; 1910 Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma; 1920 Carroll Co., Ohio)
(Susan in the household of her father in 1900 Morris Co., Kansas)

(credits 00, 204)

Minnie C. Medaris (8) (John R. 7, John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. Sept. 1871 in Kansas; d. 27 Oct. 1918 in Perry, Oklahoma.  She married Parker W. Cress in 1894.  Parker was b. Apr. 1869 in Kansas. Minnie was a teacher in Alma, Kansas and Parker was an Attorney at Law.

    Minnie and her husband had the following children:

  1. Earl Fletcher Cress (9) Sept. 1895.  He is listed as a Lt. in Minnie’s obituary.  He married Mary E. ????, who was born in Germany in 1898.
  2. Paul William Cress (9) b. 1905 in Oklahoma; d. 03 Nov. 1994 in Perry, Oklahoma.

Supporting Documents

Alma Enterprise (Kansas)
22 Nov. 1918

Word comes from Perry Ok. of the death on Oct. 27, of Mrs. P. W. Cress, who will best be remembered in Alma as Miss Minnie Madaris.  She was one of the popular teachers in this county in ’90s and a splendid young woman.  Her sons Lieut, Earl Cress and Paul and her husband, are left to mourn her loss.  She was a sister of Mrs. V. C. Welch who still lives in Perry.

William J. T. Medearis (8) (Charles B. 7, John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 1859.  He married Alice Carney.  In 1880, William is living with his brother Oran in Wayne County, Indiana and is employed as a harness maker. In 1900 he is married and living in Indianapolis, working as a contractor. In 1910 and 1920, this family is living in Portland, Oregon.

    William and Alice had the following children:

  1. Roland Bonner Madaris (8) b.26 Mar. 1883 in Ohio.  Lived at 569 Clifton, Portland Oregon in 1917 when he registered for the Draft.  He was employed at the Portland Dailey Journal as a Pressman. 
  2. Glenn William Medearis (8) b. 02 Jun 1891 in Indiana; died 12 Aug. 1945 in Los Angeles, California. He married Thelma Margurite Guest, who was b. 13 Feb. 1899; d. 04 Dec. 1974 in Los Angeles, California.  Glenn was employed as a Railway Ticket Agent for the Southern Pacific Railway in 1917.  His WWI draft registration described him as medium height, slender build, blue eyes and light hair.
  3. Madge M. Medearis (8) b. Jan. 1894 in Indiana.
  4. Katherine Alice Medearis (8) b. 1904 in Indiana; d. 04 Aug 1949 in Seattle, Washington.  She married Bert M. Maulding in 1923.

(cr: 1880 Wayne Co., Indiana; 1900 Marion Co., Indiana; 1910-1920 Multnomah Co., Oregon)

Sadie E. Medaris (8) (Charles B. 7, John 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 1862 in Indiana, d. 1940. She married William H. Potts on 13 Nov. 1880.

    Sadie and William had the following children

  1. Alma R. Potts (9) b. 12 Nov. 1883; d. 1954 in Indianapolis, IN
  2. Florence E. Potts (9) b. 1893; d. 1893, Indianapolis, IN

(credits 259)

Thomas Medaris (8) (Elias 7, Charles 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 1851 in Clermont County, Ohio, d. 01 Apr. 1892 in Douds County, Iowa. He married Udorah R. McCready, b. 1859, d. 1947 in Farmington, Van Buren Co. Iowa.

    Thomas and Udorah had the following children:

  1. George Medaris (9) b. 1877-1946 in Farmington, Iowa. He married Genevieve ???? . 
  2. Kessie Medaris (9) b. 1878, d. 1884.
  3. Elsie Medaris (9) b. 1881, d. 1882.
  4. Elery Medaris (9) b. 1883, d. 1962 in Farmington, Iowa.
  5. May Medaris (9) married James Jordan.
  6. Edna Medaris (9)

(CR: 1895 Van Buren Co., Iowa)

(credits 39)

John Medaris (8) (Elias 7, Charles 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 08 July 1857 in Hawkin Valley, Clermont County, Ohio; d. Feb. 1907 in California. Called “Jack” by his family, he married Cora Azelia Ragsdale, abt. 1887. She was b. 28 Feb. 1865 in Louisiana, Pike County, Missouri; d. 29 Jul. 1951 in Pike County Hospital.

    John was employed as a Bridge Carpenter. He died as a result of a railroad accident on the Mississippi River, near Louisiana, Missouri. This is approximately 70 miles north of St. Louis. He and Cora are buried at Riverview Cemetery in Pike County, MO.

    John and Cora had the following children:

  1. James Andrew Medaris (9) b. 07 Mar. 1894, Louisiana, Missouri; d. 17 Nov. 1965, Aberdeen, South Dakota. He married Beatrice Louise Vogel, 22 Sep 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri, daughter of Abraham and Maude Metheny Vogel. She was b. 22 Oct 1902 in Warm Springs, Montana; d. 16 Jul 1969 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is unknown where James is buried but Beatrice is buried at Riverside Mem. Park Cemetery, Aberdeen, South Dakota. James and Beatrice had 5 children.
  2. Mark Albert Medaris (9) b. 05 Feb. 1896, Louisiana, Missouri; d. Jul. 1979, Florissant, St. Louis, Missouri.
  3. George Edward Medaris (9) b. 28 Sept. 1897, Louisiana, Missouri; d. 08 May 1971.
  4. Catherine Medearis (9) b. May 1899, Louisiana, Missouri; d. 1905, Louisiana, Missouri, from Scarlett Fever.
  5. Mary Margaret Medaris (9) b. 12 Jun. 1903, Louisiana, Missouri; d. Feb. 1986.
  6. Thomas Anthony Medaris (9) b. 23 Nov. 1906, St. Louis, Missouri; d. 31 Dec. 1988.
  7. John Medaris (9)
  8. Charles Medaris (9)

(CR: 1900 Pike County, Missouri)

(credits 97, 253)

Luella Medearis (8) (Elias 7, Charles 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 28 Oct. 1869 in Clermont, County, Ohio; d. 27 Aug. 1959 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She married William Thomas Organ on 06 Dec. 1891.

    Luella and William had the following children:

  1. Blanche Ruth Organ (9)
  2. Fern Eliza Organ (9)
  3. Virgil William Organ (9)
  4. Glenn Organ (9)
  5. Elias Organ (9)
  6. Clifford Gale Organ (9)
  7. Flossie Muriel Organ (9)
  8. Ermine Irene Organ (9)

(credits 97)

Ida Matilda Medearis (8) (Elias 7, Charles 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 21 Oct. 1875 in Lee County, Iowa, d. 03 Aug. 1937 in Appanoose County, Iowa. She married Jim Simmons and they had the following children:

  1. Hazel Simmons (9)
  2. Hubert Simmons (9)
  3. Ed Simmons (9)
  4. Faye Simmons (9)
  5. Loletta Simmons (9)
  6. Viola Simmons (9)
  7. Mae Simmons (9) died at 9 months

(credits 97)

Albert Medearis (8) (Elias 7, Charles 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) (8) b. 28 Feb. 1879 in Burlington, Iowa; d. before 1933. He married Anna ????.

    Albert and Anna had the following children:

  1. Harry Medearis (9)
  2. Myrl Medearis (9)
  3. Karen Ann Medearis (9)

(credits 97)

Christian Penner Medearis (8) (James Wood 7, Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 30 May 1855 in Terra Haute, Fountain Co., Indiana. d. 5 Oct. 1914, Belmont Township, Woodson Co., Kansas. He married Mary Jane Ogden 3 Mar 1878 in Woodson Co., Kansas. Mary was born 12 Oct. 1860 in Canton, Illinois. d. 29 May 1934.

    Christian and Mary had the following children:

  1. James William Medearis (9) b. 23 Apr 1879 in Woodson County, Indiana.
  2. Albert Lonzo Medearis (9) b. 3 June 1881
  3. Fred Ray Medearis (9) b. 23 Apr 1887
  4. Ethel Mae Medearis (9) b. 22 Dec 1888 d. 24 Mar 1932 married Howard Lincoln Martin 11 Feb. 1913.
  5. Alma Myrtle Medearis (9) b. 3 June 1891 married Charles Hanley Chadwick 20 Jan 1909.

(CR: 1880, 1900, 1910 Woodson Co., Kansas)

(credits 50, 51)

John Wood Medearis (8) (James Wood 7, Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 5 Sept. 1857 in Terra Haute, Fountain Co., Indiana. d. 8 June 1934 in Woodson Co., Kansas at the age of 76 yrs 9 mo. 3 days. John married Georgia Ann Wilbur on 30 Apr 1878. Georgia was born 18 Sept. 1861 d. 20 May 1937 in Woodson, Kansas.

    James and Georgia had the following children:

  1. Nancy Caroline Bell Medearis (9) b. 10 June 1879 married Charles Wesley Dixon.
  2. Nora Cora Medearis (9) b. 12 Sept. 1880; d. 15 Sept. 1972 San Leandro, Alameda, CA. She married Henry Chester Parker on 19 June 1905 in Woodson Co., Kansas.
  3. Ennis Sylvester Medearis (9) b. 6 July 1882
  4. Walter Franklin Medearis (9) b. 21 Aug. 1884 d. 12 Jan 1885
  5. Lyle Dean Medearis (9) b. 12 June 1886, Woodson Co., Kansas d. 9 Mar 1968. He married Agnes Falbr b. May 1887 d. 9 Mar 1968 on 21 Oct. 1908.
  6. John Clyde Medearis (9) b. 30 Sept. 1891 Woodson Co., Kansas d. 30 Dec 1968 Yates Center, Woodson, KS. He married Edna Rogers b. 9 Sept. 1894 on 8 Apr 1917.

(CR: 1880, 1900, 1910 Woodson Co., Kansas)

(credits 50, 51)

Charles Francis Medaris (8) (Leonidas H. 7, Charles 6, Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. 21 Feb. 1872, in Owensville, Clermont County, Ohio. He grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Charles married Lida Sutherland on 30 Oct. 1895 in Cincinatti, Ohio.  She was the daughter of Rev. William H. and Margaret Gilfillan Sutherland. They had a mortgage company called Medaris, Delano and Sprouse that still exists. They lived on the Maumee River in Toledo.

    Some sources have shown Charles’ middle name as “Leonidas”, but his death records states “F” as his middle initial.

    They had one known child:

  1. John Eugene Medaris (9)

William Roudebush Medaris (8) (Leonidas H. 7, Charles 6, Malachi 5, Charles 4) b. 03 Aug. 1875 in Owensville, Clermont Co., Ohio. He married 1) Jessie LeSourd.  Jessie was the daughter of E. G. LeSourd.  Her mother was of Basque descent.   William and Jessie divorced about 1905 and William married 2) Evelyn C. Hays.

Supporting Documents

The Book of Chicagoans, A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of the City of Chicago, 1911

Medaris, William Roudebush, lawyer; born Owensville, Clermont Co., O., Aug. 3, 1875; son of Leonidas H. and Ella (Roudebush) Medaris; prep. edn. Woodward High School, Cincinnati; LL.B., Cincinatti Coll., 1897; married Evelyn C. Hays, of Cincinnati, Jan. 12, 1910.  Admitted to Ohio Bar, 1897, and practiced at Cincinnati until 1905; special counsel to the atty.-gen. of Ohio, 1905-08; special asst. U.S. atty. at Chicago since 1908.  Dir. and dean Hamilton Coll. of Law, Chicago since 1910.  Republican. Methodist.  Mason (Royal Arch). Club: Hamilton. Recreations: light reading and music.  

Residence:
4706 Grand Boul.  Office: 826 Federal Bldg.

    William and Evelyn had the following famous child:

  1. John Bruce Medaris (9) b. 12 May 1902 in Milford, Ohio, d. 11 Jul 1990 in Casselberry, Seminole Co., Florida and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.  He lived with his mother after his parents divorced and his grandmother in Springfield, Ohio.  John is credited with having a photographic memory.  In an article about his life, it was noted that he could read a 300-page book in two hours and recite large portions of it back almost word for word.  He skipped two grades in High School.  Lying about his age, he obtained a pilot’s license at age 12.   He enlisted in the Marine Corps on his 16th birthday, again lying about his age.

In 1955, John was named the first commanding general of the newly created U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency at Redstone Arsenal. In 1958, he was named the commanding general of the U.S. Army Ordnance Missile Command, which included the AMBA, the Army Rocket and Guided Missile Agency, White Sands Missile Range, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Redstone Arsenal. He was considered one of the nations leading authorities on the evolving U.S. space program before retiring from the military in 1960. He later became a minister to the Astronauts.

An annual award is presented in his honor. The Medaris Award named for the late Maj. Gen. John Medaris recognizes personal contributions in the field of defense preparedness.

Supporting Documents

The following Obituary appeared in the Indianapolis Star on Monday, 16 July 1990.

John Medaris Commanded Nation’s Early Space Program.

UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL

Orlando, Fla. — Maj. Gen. John B. Medaris, who helped lead the nation into the space age and then turned to the priesthood after his retirement in Maitland, Fla., has died of cancer. He was 88. Medaris died Wednesday at his summer home in Highlands N.C., after a long struggle against bone and lung cancer. An avid golfer who tried his hand at business before becoming an Episcopal priest in 1970, Medaris was commander of the U.S. Army’s early space program, the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, when it orbited America’s first satellite on Jan. 31, 1958.  Col. Pat Patterson of Maitland, a friend of Medaris’ for 47 years, said the former general was an excellent commander who picked the nation’s first team of scientists to launch a rocket into space.  “He picked his team, both military and civilian, and I have never seen a team surpass that one” Patterson said.  The historic team that built those first missiles was headed by German scientist Wernher Von Braun, father of the Saturn V rocket that sent Americans to the moon. Kurt Debus, the Kennedy Space Center’s first director, was another team member.

Medaris was born in Milford, Ohio, and at 16 lied about his age to get into the Marines. After a couple of years, he resigned and tried his hand at business, where he made and lost a fortune.  In 1921, Medaris entered the Army as a second Lieutenant and advanced through the ranks. He came through 300 days or World War II combat without a scratch.  He served as chief of the first Army contingent to Argentina from 1949 to 1952, and in 1955 was named commander of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency.  The thought sometimes crossed my mind that perhaps a power, or whatever it was, was keeping me intact because there was some important job that I was destined to do,” he said in 1970.

Upon the launch of the Explorer I in 1988, he reminisced about the orbit of the first U.S. satellite, which occurred months after the Soviets had launched Sputnik I.  “I didn’t think of it as a personal triumph. It was a triumph of the whole team and it was on behalf of the entire nation to try to restore some confidence in our technology,” he said.  In recent years, the International Aerospace Hall of Fame made Medaris a fellow, its highest award. The Army awarded him with the first Medaris Award to Army Space Pioneers, a top honor created in his name.  After he was ordained to the priesthood, Medaris was assigned curate of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Maitland. He also served as relief rector in several North Carolina parishes.  He believed in 1970 that he had been cured of cancer, which he developed in 1956, and again in 1964. But the cancer recurred in recent years.

(credits 17, 50, 51)

Generation 9

William Fletcher Madaris

William Fletcher Madaris (9) (William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) was born 30 Aug. 1870, in Coweta County, Georgia; d. 31 Dec. 1945 in Troy, Pike County, Alabama. William moved to Pike County, Alabama near his father. They lived near the city of Troy. William was married to Ada L. Mears, b. 03 Dec. 1877, d. 08 Nov. 1947 in Randolph County, Alabama. She was the daughter of Samuel and Margaret Ann Mansell Mears.

    William and Ada had the following children:

  1. Mary Lee Nora Madaris (10) b. 10 May 1897, in Coffee County, Alabama, d. 13 May 1978.
  2. Ada Eudora Madaris (10) b. 12 Aug. 1900 and d. 21 Oct. 1969. She married Robert Franklin Mancil.
  3. Samuel Alfred Fletcher Madaris (10) b. 02 Mar. 1902 in Alabama, d. Feb. 1975. He married 1) Rodie Bell Davenport, 2) Willie Alma Mancil
  4. Deedy Author Madaris (10) born 1905, died as an infant.
  5. Margaret Beatrice Madaris (10) b. 15 Sept. 1914 in Pike County, Alabama, d. 06 May 1993. She married 1) Clemy Pugh Mancil on 22 Aug. 1931 in Pike County, Alabama. He was the son of Green and Fannie LeCroy Mancil. Clemy was a first cousin to Robert Franklin Mancil, husband to Ada Madaris. Margaret and Clemy had two sons. After Clem’s death Margaret married 2) Dan Holmes, and they had one child.
  6. Willie Catherine Madaris (10) born 19 Feb. 1920, d. 1967. She is buried at Sandfield Cemetery at the foot of her parents. She married Alvie Garrett Rodgers. They had no children. Alvie had two children from a previous marriage that they raised.

    William and Ada, are buried in the Sandfield Cemetery, located at Zebulon Baptist Church on Hwy. 223 in Banks, Alabama.

Findagrave:  William    Ada

(CR: 1910 Pike Co., Alabama; 1920 Pike Co., Alabama.)

(credits 00, 145, 216) photo provided by Linda Mancil Jordan)

Thomas and Lela Madaris

Thomas Washington Joshua Madaris (9) (William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) was born 22 May 1872, in Coweta County, near Newnan, Georgia.

    Thomas lived in an area of Coweta County, Georgia, known as the Panthers Creek District.  He worked in the Cotton Mill in Sargent, west of Newnan, near the Carroll County, line.  He married Lela Jane Terrell on 10 Nov. 1896 in Newnan, Coweta County, Georgia. Lela was the daughter of Willis and Temperance Maggie Giles Terrell, and was born in Douglas County, in Aug. 1877.

    Thomas and Lela were 2nd cousins.  Their grandmothers on their mother’s side were sisters.  Margaret Ann Winkles, grandmother to Thomas and Catherine Ann Winkles, grandmother to Lela were both daughters of Stephen J. and Millie Stoniker Winkles.

    Thomas and Lela moved to Fishcreek, Georgia around the turn of the century where most of their children were born. Thomas was the Justice of the Peace for some time near Cedartown, Georgia. Sometime later in the 20’s they moved to Egan Park, Georgia, now known as East Point, where he worked at the Gate City Cotton Mill.  They lived in the mill houses known as Mill Village.  He worked as the gate watchman for the mill.  This is in the area of Central Avenue and East Taylor Avenue and Willingham Dr.

    Around 1930 Thomas and Lela separated and the circumstances are unknown. This was the era of the Great Depression, and many strains were placed on families.  He moved to Atlanta with Fannie Wallace at 445 Crews Street.  After the separation, Lela moved in with their eldest son, William Porter Madaris. They lived in Cedar Hill, Georgia, between Cedartown and Rockmart, Georgia. William Porter moved his family to Sand Mountain, Alabama, where Lela lived until her death on 25 Nov. 1943 in DeKalb County, Alabama.  She is buried at Lusk Chapel in Dawson, Alabama, on Sand Mountain with William Porter and his family.

    Thomas died on 05 Jan. 1933 according to his death certificate, of stomach cancer, at the age of 60.  He is buried in Douglasville, Georgia, in the Chapel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery next to Fannie Wallace.  Although it is believed that they were not officially married, it is believed they were considered common law at the time.  She is listed as Mrs. T. W. Madaris on his funeral bill.  The cemetery is located at the intersection of Annewakee Rd. and Chapel Hill Rd.  Findagrave

    Thomas and Lela had the following children:

  1. William Porter Madaris (10) b. 2 Oct. 1898, d. 88 Nov. 1947 in DeKalb County, Alabama. He married Lenora Aldridge.
  2. Jesse Lee Madaris (10) b. 25 Oct. 1904, died in 1973. He married 1) Madalin “Mattie” Lou Jones 2) Grace ????.
  3. James Henry Madaris (10) b. 25 Apr 1908, d. 17 Nov. 1987. He married 1) Lillie Pearl Ruth Smith 2) Dorothy Horton Beardon, 3) Mattie Pugh Bishop.
  4. Melvin Joshua Madaris (10) b. 30 Sept. 1911, d. 16 Oct. 1980 in Rome, Floyd County, Georgia. Melvin married Lois Geneva Busby on 24 Mar 1944. She was b. 12 Apr. 1909; d. Sept. 1991 in Floyd County, Georgia. They are both buried in the Flint Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Aragon Ga.  Findagrave:  Melvin    Lois
  5. Dorothy Dean Madaris (10) b. 6 Jan 1915. She married Hughy Brannon in Nov. 1929 (14 yrs old).  In 1930 they lived in Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia.  Her brothers James and Jesse were living as boarders in 1930, working at the cotton mill along with Hughey.   It is uncertain what happened to Dorothy after 1930.  Family stories were that she ran away with Hughey Brannon and was never heard from again. 

Census Records

Thomas

  • 1880 Polk County Georgia
  • 1900 Coweta County, Georgia
  • 1920 Polk County, Georgia.
  • 1930 Fulton County, Georgia

Lela

  • 1880 Douglas Co., Georgia
  • 1930 Fulton County, Georgia

(credits 00,01 & 02)

John Russell Madaris (9) (William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 25 May 1878: d. 21 Feb. 1928.  He married Minnie Jan Duncan, who was b. 01 Sept. 1888; d. 15 Aug. 1974. John is buried in the City of Fayetteville, Ga. Cemetery next to his mother Elizabeth. Minnie is buried in Griffin Memorial Gardens, in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.

    John and Minnie had the following children according to the census records:

  1. Loressa Madaris (10) b. 1906
  2. John D. Madaris (10) b. 28 Aug. 1907, d. Nov. 1986 in Griffin, Spalding County, GA. He married 1) Syble Morgan, 2) Madelyn L. McDonald, 3) Edna S. ????.  He is buried in Griffin Memorial Gardens, in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.
  3. James O. Madaris (10) b. 10 Jun 1915; d. Sept 1960.  He is buried in Griffin Memorial Gardens, in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.
  4. Willie Madaris (10) b. 04 Sept. 1916, d. 26 Jan. 1991 in Fairburn, Fulton County, GA.
  5. Vera E. Madaris (10) b. 1920

(CR: 1900 Fayette Co., GA under Elizabeth, 1910 Spalding Co., GA)

(credits 00)

Charles T Madaris
Photo credit
Wanda Madaris Fulton

Charles Thomas Madaris (9) (William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 03 Dec. 1893 in Troy, Alabama; d. 08 July 1960 in Selma, Alabama. Married Martha Lavinia Ferguson on 07 Mar. 1919. She was b. 10 Oct 1898, d. 21 Oct 1979.

    Charlie was the stand-in father for his family. After his father’s death, Charlie took in all of his brother’s a sister along with his aging mother. He cared for a very large extended family and provided for them all. He was the rock for this family and deserves great admiration for all he did.

    Charlie and Martha had the following children:

  1. Daisy Pearl Madaris (10) b. 13 Dec 1919; d. 01 Mar 2012. She married George Howell Styles.
  2. John Thomas Madaris (10) b. 31 Aug. 1921, d. 03 June 1922, buried New Bethel Cemetery, Banks, Ala., Pike County.  Findagrave
  3. Nellie Ruth Madaris (10) b. 31 Oct 1922; d. 09 Aug. 2007, married Joseph Leldon Lawson on 24 Jan 1942 in Columbus, Mississippi.
  4. Charles Thomas Madaris Jr. (10) b. 02 Jan. 1925, d. 18 Jan. 1979. Buried in Braggs, Ala. He married Sarah Lanell Till on 01 Mar 1947 in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama.
  5. James Earl Madaris (10) b. 23 Jan.1927, d.14 Dec. 1974, he is buried Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.  He married Sarah Benton on 30 May 1954 in Enterprise, Ala.
  6. Vera Evelyn Madaris (10) b. 23 March 1928, d. 20 Dec 1998. She is buried in Braggs, Ala. She married Joe Brislin Gates on 27 May 1945 in Braggs, Ala., Lowndes County.
  7. Margaret Erline Madaris (10) b.7 Aug 1929, married William Clark Luckie Jr. on 13 June 1947 in Braggs, Ala., Lowndes County.
  8. Frances Lavinia Madaris (10) b.10 Aug. 1933, married Joseph Franklin Stanford in Selma, Ala., Dallas County.
  9. Donald Lee Madaris (10) b. 6 July 1939, married Kay Weldon on 30 June 1979 in Texas.

    Charles and Martha are buried at New Live Oak Cemetery, in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama.

Findagrave:  Charles     Martha

(CR: 1920 Pike Co., Alabama)

(credits 04, 08, 09, 130)

John Henry Madaris (9) (William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 24 Jan. 1906, d. 24 Sept. 1967 in Winn, Clarke County, Ala.  He married Ruby Mae Roberts, 23 Feb 1935. She was the daughter of William Jefferson and Ida McCloskey Roberts. Ruby was b. 07 Aug 1916 in Winn, Alabama, Clarke County, d. 14 Oct 1991 in Stapleton, Alabama, Baldwin County at the age of 75.

    After his father’s death, John Henry worked with his older brother Charlie, in the Sawmill business, eventually moving to Stapleton. John died at the age of 61 and is buried Bay Minette, Alabama, Pine Grove Cemetery.

    John and Ruby had 3 boys.

  1. William George Madaris (10)
  2. Raymond Earl Madaris (10) b. 10 Oct 1948; d. 28 Mar 2011.  He married Louise Burton of Irvington Alabama.
  3. Johnnie C. Madaris (10)

Obituary:  Mobile Register:  30 September 1967

John Henry Madaris 61 of Stapleton, who died Sunday, in the Mobile Infirmary, was buried Tuesday in the Pine Grove Cemetery, following rites in the Pine Grove Holiness Church, near Bay Minette. The retired civil service employee of  Brookley Air Base, who was a native of Troy, Ala., is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ruby Madaris, Stapleton; three sons, William Madaris, and Raymond Earl Madaris, both of Stapleton and Sgt. Johnnie Madaris, Ft. Lewis, Washington; two sisters, Mrs. Barbara Brown, Kissemme, Fla. and Mrs. Lena Ham, Meridian, Mill., and two brothers, Jessie Madaris, Demopolis, Ala., Perry Madaris, Banks AL

Findagrave:  John     Ruby

(credits 177, 179)

John De Curtis Madaris
Photo credit
John C. Madaris

John De Curtis Madaris (9) (Charles B. 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 07 Mar. 1893 in Maplesville, Alabama.  He married Sallie Maybelle Gunter. Described as a robust man who worked for a company building railroad cars for 40 years. According to those who knew him, he was the strongest man they ever saw. It was said he could pull and set two railroad ties alone. He would hold up the door to a freight car while someone else screwed it to the frame. He could carry freight car jacks, one in each hand and stick them under the car and jack it up by himself. He drank too much and became infamous in the bars of Alexandria, VA for being a person who could do anything physical if challenged. Someone once saw him break a brick by bending it!  

    John fought in World War I and was assigned to the 306th Signal Battalion.  He registered for the draft in 1942 and listed his employer as “Fruit Growers of America”.

    They had the following children:

  1. John De Curtis Madaris Jr. (10) b.19 May 1923
  2. Francelle Madaris (10)
  3. Charles R. Madaris (10) 
  4. Robert Marion Madaris (10)

(credits 04, 83)

James Buchanan Madaris (9) (Charles B. 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 31 Aug. 1894 in Childon County, Alabama; d. 14 Feb. 1962. Married Pearl Katherine Reid who was b. 03 Aug. 1902.  When James registered for WWI, he was working for “Wash Southern RR” and was living in Alexandria, Virginia.   In 1942 James and family was living at 220 S. Alfred St, Alexandria, Virginia when he registered for the WWII Draft.  His listed his occupation as “Gen. Chairman of B.R.C. of A; F.G.E. – W.F.E. & B.R.E.  Washington.  James was described as medium height, medium build with blue eyes and brown hair.

    James and Pearl had the following children:

  1. Virginia Adeline Madaris (10)

Julius Franklin Madaris (9) (Charles B. 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 08 June 1897 in Randolph County, Alabama; d. 02 Jul. 1974 in Fultondale, Jefferson County, Alabama. Julius married Ruth Sadera Lawley on 01 Feb. 1918.  Ruth was b. 05 June 1900, d. 26 June 1980. They are both buried in Trussville, Alabama, at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. 

When Julius registered for WWI, he was living in Randolph, Alabama and was working for the Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company.  He was described as tall, medium build with blue eyes and brown hair. Julius was later a Coal Miner.     

    Julius and Ruth had the following children.

  1. Carl Franklin Madaris (10) b. 4 Jan 1919, d. 17 Jan 1976. His family called him “Sonny”.  He married Willie Ruth Walthall on 03 Oct. 1950 in Iuka, Mississippi. Carl retired from the US Navy. Carl is buried in Moncrief Cemetery, Gardendale, Alabama.
  2. Joseph Edward Madaris (10) “Joe” married 1) Manane Moreland, 2) Pat ????
  3. Mary Francis Madaris (10) b. 30 Jan. 1920, d. 13 Aug. 1980. She married Joseph Marion Church on 14 Mar. 1942. Joseph was b. 19 Aug. 1916, d. 19 Aug. 1971. Mary is buried in Union Grove Cemetery, Chilton Co Alabama.
  4. Ruth Lenora Madaris (10) married Leon Wiggins.
  5. William Edward Madaris (10) “Bill” married Mary ????.
  6. Doris Faye Madaris (10) married Robert Crocker.
  7. Robert Curtis Madaris (10) b. 04 Oct. 1927; d. 10 May 2006. He married 1) Alice Jean Vedell, 2) Martha Laverne Walton.
  8. Jeanette Madaris (10) married 1) Herbert Mealer 2) Frank Powell.

(CR:  1920 Bibb Co., Alabama)

(credits 04, 05, 123, 154, 194, 196)

Mamie Madaris (9) (Charles B. 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 07 Dec. 1903, d. 07 Dec. 1996 in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. She married 1) Carl Archibald, 2) Sam Davis. They lived in Pickens County, Alabama, near Gordo.

    Mamie and Carl had four children:

  1. Charles Bruce Archibald (10) b. 07 Dec. 1923, d. ?/?/??. He lived in Jemison, Chilton Co., Alabama.  Charles was a disabled American veteran. He enlisted in U S Army on 08 Dec. 1941.
  2. Zula Vernell Archibald (10) b. 02 June 1925 in Pickens Co., Alabama, d. 15 June 1988 in Mobile, AL. Zula married Robert Fred Ware, Jr., b. 28 July 1930 in Toxey, Choctaw Co., AL, d. 14 Aug. 1997, in Millry, Washington Co., AL.
  3. James Marvin Archibald (10)
  4. Carl Tucker Archibald (10) never married

(credits 04, 108)

Elmer Crawford Medearis (9) (Claude 8, William C. 7, William J. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 30 Sept 1913 in Cedar County, Missouri; d. 06 Jan 1976 in Banks, Oregon.  He married 1) Irene Straight, 01 Mar 1932 in Cedar County, Missouri.  She was 16 at the time, and her parents gave consent for marriage, Elmer was 21.  It is uncertain what happened to Irene, but Elmer married 2) Laura Estelle Evans, 10 Feb 1934 in St. Clair County, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Elva Elmer and Emma Beryl Burnett Evans, b. 19 Oct 1914 in St. Clair County, Missouri; d. 07 July 2008 in Banks, Washington County, Oregon.

    Elmer ran a Billiards Hall in Banks, Oregon.  One of his tokens is shown at the right.
    Elmer and Laura had the following children:

  1. Sue Ann Medearis (10) married Ralph Craft.
  2. Karen A. Medearis (10) married John Durall.
  3. Elma Loy Medearis (10) married Lynn Cowdrey.

Supporting Documents

Memorial for Laura Estelle Medearis
Born in St. Clair Co, Missouri on Oct. 19, 1914 Departed on Jul. 7, 2008 and resided in Banks, OR.
Visitation: Thursday, Jul. 10, 2008 & Friday, Jul. 11, 2008
Visitation: Saturday, Jul. 12, 2008
 A Celebration of Life: Saturday, Jul. 12, 2008
 Reception: Saturday, Jul. 12, 2008 Cemetery: Union Point Cemetery

    LAURA “ESTELLE” MEDEARIS was born October 19, 1914 in St. Clair County, Missouri, the daughter of the late Elva Elmer Evans and Emma Beryl (Burnett) Evans. She was raised and received her education in St. Clair County. She was united in marriage to Elmer Crawford Medearis on February 10, 1934 in Stockton, Missouri. Following their marriage they resided in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, until 1938 when they moved to Oregon, settling in the Banks community, where she has resided since. Estelle was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer in 1976, after celebrating over forty-two years of marriage together. She worked for the City of Banks for eight years, until 1959 when she went to work for the United States Postal Service working as a clerk at the Banks Post Office for twenty years, until she retired in 1979. Estelle was over a fifty year member of the Banks United Methodist Church, a member of the Royal Neighbors, a member of the North Plains Senior Center, having been a member of their pinochle club. She also supported and volunteered for the Banks Cemetery Dinner and Bazaar for over fifty years. Among her special interests she enjoyed caring for her flowers, gardening and reading. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister. Survivors include her three daughters and sons-in-law, Sue Ann and Ralph Craft and Karen A. and John Durall, all of Banks, Oregon: and Elma Loy and Lynn Cowdrey, of Brownsville, Oregon. Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to the Banks Fire District #13, 300 S. Main Street, Banks, Oregon 97106 or to the Banks United Methodist Church, 151 Depot Street, Banks, Oregon, 97106 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Washington County, 900 S.E. Oak Street, #202, Hillsboro, Oregon, 97123, in her memory.

George Medaris (9) (Thomas 8, Elias 7, Charles 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 1877-1946 in Farmington, Iowa. He is buried Farmington Cemetery, in Iowa. He married Genevieve ????.

    George and Genevieve had the following children:

  1. Stanley Medaris (10) d. 1988
  2. Forrest Medaris (10)
  3. Lewis Eugene Medaris (10)
  4. Gladys Medaris (10) married ???? Hossenclever .
  5. Doris Medaris (10) married ???? Batten.

James William Medearis (9) (Christian Penner 8, James Wood 7, Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 23 Apr 1879 in Woodson, Kansas. James married1) Nellie Della Butler, 27 June 1899 in Belmont Township, Kansas. Nellie was born 30 Dec 1882 d.01 Aug. 1912. She was the daughter of Eliza J. Gehr Butler Medearis, and the stepsister to his father.

    James and Nellie had the following children:

  1. Orval Oliver Medearis (10) b. 15 Apr 1901
  2. Lloyd Alfonso Medearis (10) b. 20 mar 1903
  3. Raymond Medearis (10) b.& d. July 1912

James disappeared in Toronto, Kansas in 1916. He left home to catch at train to visit his ill brother, Fred, he never arrived, and his disappearance remained a mystery until it was recently solved by DNA testing.  The grandchildren of James tested their DNA and connected to our Medearis family.  They contacted this site and research into this Smith family history, locations and dates discovered the true identity of their grandfather.  

It is unknown what circumstances brought about a name change, but James changed his name to James Benjamin Smith.  He remarried to 2) Caroline Elizabeth Richards Bester, the widow of a Fred Bester and daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Webber Richards of Ogallah, Trego Co., Kansas.  They were married 02 July 1920 in Craig, Moffat Co., Colorado.  

    Jim and Caroline had one child:

William James Smith (10) b. 18 Mar. 1924; d. 28 Feb 1993. He married Olive Jean Kline on 22 Oct 1950, at the First Baptist Church, in Craig, Moffat Co., Colorado.  They are buried in Craig Cemetery, Craig, Moffat Co., Colorado.

James Benjamin Smith d. 12 May 1950 in Denver Colorado of brain cancer.  He is buried in Craig Cemetery, Craig, Moffat Co., Colorado.

(CR: 1900 Woodson Co., Kansas)

(credits 00, 50, 51, 269)

Albert Lonzo Medearis (9) (Christian Penner 8, James Wood 7, Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 3 Jun 1881 in Kansas. d. 4 Aug. 1960 in Union City, Oklahoma. He married 21 Feb. 1901 to Daisy Maneveria Pendley b. 11 July 1880 d. 31 May 1965.

    Albert and Daisy had the following children:

  1. Hazel Mae Medearis (10) b. 1 Apr 1901
  2. Iva Myrtle Medearis (10) b. 18 Nov. 1902
  3. Viola Maudie Medearis (10) b. 23 May 1905
  4. Leo Lewis Medearis (10) b. 7 Mar 1907
  5. Marie Medearis (10) b. 22 July 1909
  6. Genevieve Maxine Medearis (10) b. 8 June 1912
  7. Edith Delno Medearis (10) b. 8 Sept. 1915

(credits 50, 51)

Fred Ray Medearis (9) (Christian Penner 8, James Wood 7, Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) born 23 Apr 1887 in Kansas; died 9 Feb. 1932, in Woodburn, Oregon. He married Pearle B. Laymeyer, 25 Mar 1908 in Woodson Co., Kansas. She was born 16 Feb. 1887 in Iowa; died 02 Jun 1861 in Oregon. They moved to Oregon in 1930. Fred is buried in Belle Passe Cemetery south of Woodburn, Oregon.   Pearl is listed in one source as “Waymire”

    Fred and Pearle had the following children:

  1. Roy Eugene Medearis (10) b. 29 Dec 1908 in Rose, Woodson County, Kansas; d. 02 May 1997, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. He married Violet Mae Hobbs on 07 April 1928 in Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas, daughter of John and Josephine Lillie Hobbs. She was born 29 Feb. 1912 on a farm South of Toronto, Woodson County, Kansas, and died 03 Dec. 2000 in Gladstone, Oregon. They are both buried in Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, Oregon.
  2. Chester Harvey Medearis (10) b. 07 Jan 1911 in Kansas; d. 10 Dec 1962. Married Lola Bea Holeman in Vancouver, Washington in 1942.
  3. Russel Leon Medearis (10) b. 25 Jun 1913 in Kansas. He married 1) Geneva Taylor 18 Feb. 1936. They divorced and he married 2) Marion Farrell 3) Mary Howe.
  4. Thelma Edna Medearis (10) b. 25 Aug. 1915in Kansas; married Ed Nelson.
  5. Myrtle Mae Medearis (10) b. 8 Nov. 1917 in Kansas; married Kenneth Hankins in June 1939.
  6. Raymond A. Medearis (10) b. 7 Feb. 1921 in Kansas; married Rosenna Norten.

(CR: 1910 Woodson Co., Kansas)

(credits 50, 51, 226)

Nancy Caroline Bell Medearis (9) (John Wood 8, James Wood 7, Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 10 June 1879 in Woodson County, Kansas; d. 10 June 1971 in Modesto, California. Nancy married Charles Wesley Dixon on 02 Dec 1901 in Eureka, Kansas. Nancy was known as Carrie Dixon to her family.    

    Carrie and Charles had the following children:

  1. Mark Lamota Dixon (10)
  2. Pauletta Dixon (10) b. 09 Feb. 1904 d March 15, 1904.
  3. Charles Wilbur Dixon (10)
  4. Georgia Winona Dixon (10) b. 29 July 1912 Yates Center, Woodson Co. KS, d. 15 Oct 2001 Oakdale, Stanislaus Co. CA.  She married Edward MacPhail Jr. on 06 July 1935 Oakland, CA.
  5. Wanda Leona Dixon (10)

(credits 191)

Ennis Sylvester Medearis (9) (John Wood 8, James Wood 7, Malachi 6, Thomas 5, Charles 4) b. 6 July 1882 in Woodson County, Kansas, d. 1 Jan 1939 in Wichita, Kansas. He married Charlottie Eliza Hollinger 28 June 1911. She was born 5 Aug. 1888 d. 25 Dec 1937.

    Ennis and Charlottie had the following children:

  1. Merton Lenorel Medearis (10) b. 31 Mar 1912 in Rose, Woodson Co., Kansas. He married Florence Irene Balentine 27 May 1931 in Wellington, Sumner Co., Kansas. She was the daughter of Alphus and Lelia Clark Ballantine . Merton died 15 January 1995 in Colton, San Bernandino Co., California.
  2. Celia Mearl Medearis (10) b. 9 July 1915 in Britt, Iowa. She married 1) ????????  2) George O. Long.

(CR: 1910 Woodson Co., Kansas)

(credits 50, 51)

Generation 10

Mary Lee Nora Madaris (10) (William Fletcher 9, William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 10 May 1897, in Coffee County, Alabama, d. 13 May 1976. She lived in Columbus, GA most of her life and is buried at Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, Georgia. She married 1) John Harvey Alexander, b. 08 Jan. 1880 in Bullock County, AL.

    Mary and John had the following children.

  1. Inez Alexander (11) b. 31 Aug. 1914, d. Jan. 1998 at the age of 84.
  2. Harvey Leslie Alexander (11) b. 06 Jan. 1916, d. 08 May 1946 at the age of 30. He is buried in Banks, Alabama at the Old Farm Cemetery. He married 1) Pearl Frances Elizabeth Herring, 2) Grace ????.
  3. Daisy Hilda Alexander (11) b. 24 Mar. 1917; d. 16 May 2005 at the age of 88. Buried at Lakeview Memory Gardens, Phoenix City, Alabama.
  4. Emmalee Nora Alexander (11) b. 17 Nov. 1920; d. 01 Jan. 1999 at the age of 79. She is buried in Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, Georgia.

    After John Harvey died, she married 2) Rufus Kitchens.  After Rufus died, she married3) Richard Ellison.

Gene Alexander, grandson of Mary Lee Nora and son of Harvey Lester, shares this story:

After John Harvey died as the result of a fall from a runaway horse and wagon, Nora (as she was called) was not welcomed at the Alexander Farm in Banks, Alabama. She picked up her four little children and moved to Columbus, Georgia where work was available. She found work at the then, Jordan Textile Mill. In order to survive during that period of time, she put her three girls in the Elizabeth Shepherd Home for Girls and sent her son, my dad, Harvey to St. Simon’s Island to a Boys Home. She met and married a man named Mr. Rufus Kitchens. Mr. Kitchens had no desire or finances to raise the four children, so Nora was forced to leave them in the Homes until they were 18 years old. Harvey, eventually, ran away from St. Simons and with the signature of his mother, Nora, he enlisted in the U.S. Army….at age 16. The three girls eventually graduated from the school as ESHG and went on to marry and create families of their own. Nora, on the other had went from the “frying pan into the fire.” After Rufus Kitchens died, she met and married Richard Ellison. Nora died in Columbus, Georgia May 13, 1978.

(credits 00, 130, 145)

Ada Eudora Madaris (10) (William Fletcher 9, William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 12 Aug. 1900; d. 21 Oct. 1969. She married Robert Franklin Mancil on 08 Mar. 1916 in Georgetown, Georgia. They ran away because she was only 15 at the time and he was 39 or 40.  It can only assume that her family didn’t approve of the marriage because of the age difference but they stayed married until he died in 1959.  She never remarried. He was b. 03 Apr. 1876 and d. 30 June 1959, buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery, near Banks, Alabama.

    Ada and Robert had the following children:

  1. J. B. Mancil (11) b. 03 Dec. 1917 and d. 24 Nov. 1954. He married Alma Florence Rodgers.
  2. Willie Frank Mancil (11) b. 30 May 1919 and d. May 1981.

(credits 216, 145)

Samuel Alfred Fletcher Madaris (10) (William Fletcher 9, William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 02 Mar. 1902 in Alabama, d. Feb. 1975 in Montgomery County, Alabama. (from Social Security Death Index =SSN# 416-28-1175) He married 1) Rodie Bell Davenport, 08 April 1923 in Pike Co., Alabama. She was b. abt 1906.

    Samuel and Rodie had the following known children:

  1. Willie Richard Madaris (11) b. 18 Jan 1925; d. 02 Jun 1988.  He married Queen Nell Scarborough. They have three boys. Willie enlisted into the United States Army on 21 November 1945.  He is buried in Starling Cemetery, Troy, Pike County, Alabama.   Findagrave
  2. Mildred Lucille Madaris (11) married ???? Register.
  3. Ethel Frances Madaris (11) b. 01 Feb 1937; d. 10 Mar 1937.  She died at 5 weeks.  She is buried at Wesley Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Dunn, Pike County, Alabama.  Findagrave

The following obituary appeared in Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser 3/12/37.

TROY, ALA., March 11.– (Special)

Ethel Frances Madaris, 5 weeks old, died at 4 a.m. Wednesday at the home of her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Fletcher Madaris near Josie. Surviving are her parents, one brother, Willie Madaris; two sisters Lucile and Katherine Madarie; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs Willie Madaris and Mr. and Mrs Green Mansell. Funeral was held from the Wesley Chapel Church on Wednesday at 3 p.m. with the Rev. H. A. Screws pastor of the Methodist Church at Banks officiating.  Burial was in the adjoining cemetery with Rhodes Funeral Home in Charge.

    Rodie died and Fletcher married 2) Willie Alma Mancil, daughter of Green and Fanny LeCroy Mancil. They were married 10 Oct. 1931 in Troy, Pike County, Alabama.

    Fletcher and Alma had the following children:

  1. Katherine Madaris (11) married Ed Kilpatrick.
  2. Fletcher Madaris Jr. (11) b. 18 Nov. 1935; d. 06 Dec. 1935. Buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Pike Co., Alabama.  Findagrave
  3. Sybil Rene Madaris (11) married Michener “Mickey” Griffin.
  4. Collene Madaris (11) married D.L Mulkey.
  5. Betty Mae Madaris (11) married Johnny Mulkey.
  6. Samuel Alfred Madaris (11) married Linda ????.

(credits 00, 130, 145, 216)

William Porter Madaris (10) (Thomas W J. 9, William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 2 Oct. 1898, d. 88 Nov. 1947 in DeKalb County, Alabama. He married Lenora Aldridge in Haralson Co, Georgia on 02 June 1918. She was born 6 Jun 1900. They are buried on Sand Mountain with his mother Lela.

  1. Marvin Johnson Madaris (11) b. 31 May 1920 in Cedartown, Polk, Co., Georgia; d. 28 Mar 1972 in Atlanta, Fulton Co, Georgia. He married Vera Mae Moody who was b. 11 Feb 1931 in Georgia; d. 24 Apr 2003 in Atlanta, Fulton Co., Georgia.

    Marvin was employed as a night watchman at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. He had pulled to the end of Hunter Street, in the cemetery and apparently experienced car trouble. He was found dead, lying next to his station wagon, with a bullet wound to the neck. It was proven that he had used his 22 cal. pistol to tap on the battery, making the pistol go off. Police tested the gun and proved it would fire if used that way. He is buried at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens, Forest Park, Clayton Co., Georgia. Findagrave
  2. Clarence Joshua Madaris (11) b. 20 Jan. 1922 in Cave Springs, Floyd Co., Georgia; d. 16 Oct. 1975 in Alabama.  He married Flora Bell Lyons.  She was b. 19 Apr. 1930; d. 10 Dec. 1989. Clarence and Flora are buried in Fischer Cemetery, Fort Payne, Dekalb County, Alabama.  Findagrave:  Clarence  – Flora Bell   (CR: 1920 Polk Co., GA)
  3. Sarah Minnie Lee Madaris (11) b. 22 Dec 1925 in Georgia; d. 13 Jun 1995 in Ellenwood, Clayton County, Georgia. She married 1) Willard Wells 2) L. B. Frix. Sarah and Willard are buried in Fairview Memorial Gardens in Stockbridge, Georgia. L. B. Frix is buried at Lawnwood Memorial Park, Covington, Newton County, Georgia. Findagrave: Sarah Williard Frix
  4. Mildred Runnell Madaris (11) b. 30 July 1928 in Georgia; d. 14 Dec 2019 in Trenton, Dade County, Georgia. She married Dillard Wells who was b. 15 Mar 1925; d. 29 Nov 2010 in Trenton, Dade County, Georgia. Mildred and Dillard are buried at Poplar Springs Cemetery, Dade County, Georgia. Findagrave: Mildred Dillard
  5. David Ramie Madaris (11) b. 12 Jan 1937 in Dawson, DeKalb County, Alabama; d. 05 Sept 2008 in Covington, Newton County, Georgia. He married Mildred Parrish.
  6. Mae Odena Madaris (11) b. 06 Feb 1939 in Alabama; d. 06 July 2012 in Fort Payne, Alabama. She married 1) Willie Onon Goodwin, b. 04 Mar 1920; d. 06 July 1980. Mae married 2) R. H. Garmany, b. 21 May 1933; d. 23 Nov 2005. Mae, Willie and R. H. are buried at Fischer Cemetery, Fort Payne, DeKalb County, Alabama. Findagrave: Mae Willie R. H.

Jesse Lee Madaris (10) (Thomas W J. 9, William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 25 Oct. 1904, died in 1973. He married 1) Madalin “Mattie” Lou Jones b. 26 May 1906, d. 17 Jan 1987. They were married 19 Mar 1922. He was 17 and she was 14. She is buried in Hill Crest Cemetery in East Point, Ga.  

    Jesse and Mattie had the following known children:

  1. Doyle Lee Madaris (12) b. 01 Feb 1923 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia; d. 16 May 1979 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. He married Mary Bell Henderson who was b. 03 Aug 1926 in Atlanta, Georgia; d 29 Sept 2007 in Atlanta, Dekalb County, Georgia. Doyle is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery, East Point, Georgia. Findagrave:
  2. James Thomas Madaris (12) b. 20 July 1925; d. 24 Jan. 1927 in Fulton County, Georgia.  He died of measles and pneumonia at their home in College Park, Georgia. He is buried in the College Park Cemetery.
  3. Geneva Elizabeth Madaris (12) b. 10 May 1927 in East Point, Georgia; d. 20 Nov 1982. She married 1) Raymond Edward Whitman Sr., 2) Floyd Ogles. Geneva is buried at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens, Forest Park, Clayton County, Georgia. Findagrave: Geneva
  4. Hazel Virginia Madaris (12) b. 17 May 1929 in Porterdale, Georgia; d. 01 Jan 1992 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. She married Ralph Thomas.

    Jesse married 2) Grace L. ????.

Jesse and Grace are buried at West Hill Cemetery, Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia.

Findagrave: Jesse Grace

(credits 00)

James Henry Madaris

James Henry Madaris (10) (Thomas W J. 9, William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) James was born on 25 April 1908 in Fishcreek, Polk County, Georgia, which is located 6.6 miles east of Cedartown, Georgia just off of highway 278 in Polk County. His friends and family called him “Jim”.

    Jim grew up in the Mill Villages of Sargent and Egan Park, Georgia, with his parents for the early part of his life.  He met 1) Lilly Pearl Ruth Smith in the Mill Village of the Gate City Cotton Mill in Egan Park when he was 21.  Ruth was the daughter of James Harvey and Mattie Leenora Murphy Smith.  She was born 11 Dec. 1912 in Union City, Georgia; died 20 July 2001, in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.  She is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Fulton County, Georgia.   Findagrave

    Ruth says he asked her out on a fifty-cent bet with his friend Fred Parks.  They met on a Thursday, and he asked her to marry him the same day.  He tried to get a marriage license on Monday but was unable to; she was only 16 at the time.  So he went to Lawrenceville, Georgia, to get the license.  He told them she was 18, sick and unable to go out.  The license was granted, and they were married on 05 Oct. 1929 in Hapeville, Georgia just one week after they met.

    Things didn’t go well for them after they married; after all this was 1929 and the Great Depression was just starting and the economy was already feeling it.  After they married they moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia, but neither of them could find a job.  Ruth states that three weeks after they were married she called her mother in Tallapoosa, Georgia, and said she wanted to come home. 

    Eventually, they both moved to Tallapoosa, Georgia with her parents and Jim got a job working on the gas line with the WPA.  But to continue their luck; he broke his foot and lost his job and was unable to work.  They moved back to Egan Park and for a while they lived from place to place.  At times he would have to stay with his friends, or he would stay with his brother Jesse, and she would stay with her friends or family.  They could not always find a place for both of them to stay together. On 08 April 1930, Jim is living in Bartow County with his sister Dorothy and her husband.  Ruth is not enumerated in the household, and she is not enumerated with her parents either, who on 05 Apr 1930 are in East Point, Fulton County, Georgia.

    Despite their hardships and being forced apart at times they did manage to have a child.  James Earl Madaris was born to them 18 Oct. 1930, thirteen days after their first anniversary.

    They moved into a two room rental house on Fulton Street in East Point, where they stayed a few months for $3 a month.  The water was in the back yard (spicket) but it was the closest they had come to having a home of their own.  Jim was finally able to get a job working at an Ice Plant, and drove a truck delivering ice.

    They moved to Martin Street in East Point for a few months and then ended up moving to Estes Drive in East Point, where her parents had recently moved to.  The Great Depression was now in full swing and once again they found themselves living from place to place and jobs were difficult to get and hold.  Unable to overcome the obstacles they separated in September of 1936 and were divorced on 22 Oct. 1937.

    After the divorce Jim moved to Sargent, Georgia, where he lived with his oldest brother William Porter Madaris.  Jim became employed in the Cotton Mill at Sargent.  Finally feeling some success, he worked hard and eventually became foreman of the mill.

    Around Newnan, he met 2) Dorothy Bearden Horton, who became his second wife.  They were married on 29 Jan. 1938 in Carroll County.  Dorothy had a son named William “Bunk” Horton from her first marriage.  Jim and Dorothy lived at 2577 Highway 16 and then at # 1 Tigner Street, both houses being in the Mill Village.  During this time Jim became an ordained Baptist minister.

    While living in Sargent, Jim became friends with Sheriff Lamar Potts.  He was a member of the posse and searched with Potts for John Wallace, who murdered Wilson Turner in what became a famous Georgia  murder.  “Murder in Coweta County” was a number one best selling book and became a movie starring Andy Griffith.  Jimmy suggested to Potts that he consult Mayhayley Lancaster, a well-known Fortune Teller in the area.  This consultation was claimed by Potts to have been the key to help solve the murder.

    Jim and Dorothy had been married for almost 25 years when Dorothy became ill and was hospitalized.  James and Dorothy were divorced in the early 1960’s.  Dorothy was born in 1909, died 14 March 1965 in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, Georgia from pneumonia.  She is buried in the Sargent City, Cemetery.   Findagrave

    After the divorce, Jim moved to Oakland City, Georgia, on White Oak Drive where he stayed with his first wife Ruth.  She ran a rental apartment there.  He worked with his son, James Earl, as a paint contractor until he moved to Rome, Georgia, with his younger brother Melvin Johnson Madaris and his wife Lois.  Lois introduced him to 3) Mattie Pugh Bishop, a nurse, who became his third wife.  She was born 03 Jul. 1910 and died 05 Nov. 1991.  She is buried in Flint Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Aragon Ga. next to her first husband.  Findagrave

    They lived at 912 Morris Rd., Aragon, Georgia, just 5 miles north of Fishcreek where Jim was born.  He was a Minister and Deacon at the Flint Hill Baptist Church which sits about one quarter mile from their home.  Mattie was a Registered Nurse and worked at the Hospital at Rockmart, Georgia.

    Jim enjoyed woodworking as a hobby and carved novelties that have been handed down to his grandchildren.  He and Mattie also made quilts that have been handed down. A few of the quilts he made by himself.  He also enjoyed being a FA SA LA singer at his Church.

    One of the accomplishments as a minister that he was very proud of, was the fact that he married all three of his grandchildren.  Dennis to Jerrianne, Keith to Mary and Kelly to Cindy.

    We called him grandaddy Jim.  When we were little he would bring us a silver dollar when he came to visit.  He came every Christmas Eve and we would go somewhere to eat catfish as a tradition.  We use to go to the Catfish King on Moreland Avenue for years until it closed.

    He and Mattie lived in Aragon on about 75 acres where we use to go camping and hunting whenever we could.  He always grew a big garden every year and he made a very fine muscadine wine.  We would walk in the woods across from the house and down to a pond where we would fish.  It was only about fifty feet in diameter but had the best fishing.  It was small in diameter, but we never could find the bottom of that little pond.

    I remember one time at his house he broke a limb off of the tree across the street.  He took his pocket knife and trimmed it to about five inches.  He carefully slid the bark off in one piece and whittled and notched the wood, then he carefully slid the bark back on and it made the best whistle.  That wooden whistle impressed me so much that it created a desire in myself for wood working.  I have tried to duplicate his whistle, but without any luck as of yet.

    He worked as a Security Guard at the Lindale Mill near Rome, Georgia until he retired.  Jimmy had emphysema from all his years in the cotton mills.  He developed heart failure secondary to his emphysema and on 17 Nov. 1987 he died at the hospital in Rockmart, Georgia.  He was 79 years old.  He died less than 5 miles from his birthplace in Fishcreek.  James is buried at Flint Hill Baptist Church in Aragon, Georgia, where he ministered.  Findagrave

    Jim and Ruth had one son:

  1. James Earl Madaris (11) b. 18 Oct. 1930 at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, d. 14 July 2005 at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.  He married Agnes Lynnell Howell, daughter of Comer Gordon and Charlye Mae Stephens Howell on 27 Aug 1951 in Fulton County, Georgia.  James is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery, Fulton County, Georgia.  Findagrave

Supporting Documents

The Cedartown Standard, Tuesday, November 12, 1991

Mrs. Madaris

Mrs. Mattie Bishop Madaris, 81, 912 Morris Rd., Aragon, died Tuesday, November 5.

Mrs. Madaris was born July 3, 1910 in Floyd County.  She was a member of the Flint Hill Baptist Church and was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Earnest D. Bishop and James Madaris, and her parents William Isaac and Viola Yarbrough Peugh.

Surviving are two sons, Milton Bishop, Armuchee; Gene Bishop, Rome; two daughters, Mrs. Wilma Turner, Rockmart; Mrs. Jo Haney, Rome; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. at Flint Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Don Spears officiating.  Interment followed in the Flint Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers were:  Brent Haney, Royce Turner, Todd Bishop, Johnny Bishop, Kip Bishop, Mike Brock.

Census Records:1920 Blooming Grove, Polk County, Georgia
1930 Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia

Ruth:
1920 Fayetteville, Fayette County, Georgia

Mattie
1920 Howells, Floyd County, Georgia
1930 Aragon, Polk County, Georgia

(credits 00, 01, 02)

John D. Madaris (10) (John Russell 9, William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 28 Aug. 1907, d. Nov. 1986 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia. He married 1) Syble Morgan, the daughter of Columbus Green and Ettie Walker Morgan.  They were married 01 Aug. 1924 in Spalding County, Georgia.  Syble was b. 1908 in Georgia; d. 31 Mar 1934 in Muscogee County, Georgia.  Syble was severely burned when her clothes caught fire while caring for a sick infant niece. She is buried in Riverdale Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia.

    John and Syble had the following children:

  1. Infant Daughter (11) b & d, 29 Nov. 1925 in Spalding County, Georgia.  She is buried in the East Griffin Cemetery, in Griffin Georgia.
  2. Lucille Madaris (11) b. 1927 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.
  3. Charles D. Madaris (11) b. 24 Aug 1930 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia; d. 02 Feb 1968 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.  He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia. Section D; block 3. Findagrave
  4. Richard Madaris (11) b & d, 16 Mar 1934 in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia. 

    Syble was pregnant with her son Richard, when she was severely burned.  Labor was induced to try and save the child.  He lived for only 3 hours and died.  He was buried in the casket with his mother in Riverdale Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia. Findagrave

    John married 2) Madelyn L. McDonald, who was born in 1906.  They had the following children:

  1. Vera Madaris (11) She married B. J. Bennett
  2. Minnie R. Madaris (11) b. 28 Jan 1939 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia; d. 24 Feb 2011 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.  She married Gary J. Hattaway.  She is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.  Findagrave
  3. Living Son (11)

    It is unknown when Madelyn died, but John later married 3) Edna S. ????.  She was b. 26 Apr 1912; d. Apr. 1994 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.  He is buried in Griffin Memorial Gardens.  Findagrave

John is buried in Griffin Memorial Gardens, in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia.  Findagrave

(credits 00, 283)

Daisy Pearl Madaris (10) (Charles Thomas 9, William Alfred 8, William Fletcher 7, Thomas 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 13 Dec 1919 in Pike County, Alabama; d. 01 Mar 2012 in Georgiana, Butler County, Alabama. She married George Howell Styles on 25 May 1940 in Jasper, Walker County, Alabama. George was b. 29 May 1915 in Parrish, Walker County, Alabama; d 06 Sept. 2001 in Guntersville, Marshall County, Alabama. Daisy and George are buried in Memory Hill Gardens, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Tuscaloosa News on March 4, 2012

TUSCALOOSA Daisy M. Styles, age 92, of Tuscaloosa, died March 1, 2012, at Georgiana Health & Rehab. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Ben Styles and Larry Corder officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be today from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles T. Sr. and Mattie L. Madaris; husband, George H. Styles Sr.; brothers, John T. Madaris, Charles T. Madaris Jr., and James E. Madaris; and sisters, Ruth Lawson and Evelyn Gates.

Survivors include her daughter, Shirley Kendrick; sons, George H. Styles Jr. and wife, Jean and Ben Styles and wife, Jeanne; sisters, Margaret Luckie and Francis Stanford; brother, Don Madaris; grandchildren, Jon Kendrick, Kelly Shannon Karim and husband, James Johnson, Laura Kendrick, Sallie Gowan and husband, Seth, Till Owen and wife, Rachel, Daniel Styles, and Nathan Styles; great-grandchildren, Drake and Emma Weems, Michael Kendrick, and Jacob and Josh Johnson; and a host of extended family and friends.

Born in Pike County, Ala., she grew up in a large and loving family. She graduated from Livingston Teacher’s College at the age of 19. She began her teaching career in Fairfield, Ala. Following her marriage in 1940, she and her husband, George, taught at Brookwood High School. In 1948, the family moved to Tuscaloosa and began their teaching careers at Cottondale Elementary, where George served as principal for 30 years. From 1963-1975 she served as an instructor in the School of Education at The University of Alabama, pioneering the field of special education. Following her retirement, she and her husband enjoyed travel, spending time with family, quilting, writing, and gardening. From 1948, they enjoyed a lifelong affiliation with Alberta Baptist Church, serving in many roles.

Pallbearers will be Jon Kendrick, James Johnson, Daniel Styles, Nathan Styles, Till Owen, and Seth Gowan.

Honorary pallbearers are former students of Cottondale Elementary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alberta Baptist Church.

Condolences may be offered at www.memorychapelfuneralhome.com.

Findagrave: Daisy George

Raymond Earl Madaris (10) (John H. 9, William A. 8, William F. 7, Thomas J. 6, John 5, Charles 4) b. 10 Oct 1948; d. 28 Mar 2011.  He married Louise Burton of Irvington, Alabama. He is buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, Pine Grove, Baldwin County, Alabama. Findagrave

Obituary

Raymond Earl “Bull” Madaris, a native and life long resident of Stapleton, AL and a resident of Irvington, AL passed away at his home at the age of 62. He was a former employee of the Baldwin County Highway Department, a Volunteer Fireman of Stapleton and a former employee of Dees Tire Company in Mobile.

He is survived by: his wife, Louise Burton Madaris of Irvington, AL; one son, Randell “Randy” (Alisha) Madaris of Semmes, AL; two step sons, William (Sandra) Burton and John Burton all of Mobile, AL; two grandchildren, Kevin Chance Madaris and Allison LeAnne Madaris; 2 step grandchildren, James and Chelsa Few; an aunt, Ida Mae Robert Henderson, nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by: his parents, John Henry Madaris and Ruby Mae Robert Madaris; two brothers, William George Madaris and Johnnie C. Madaris.

Graveside services and burial will be held Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery with Reverend J.P. Lambert officiating.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 30, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Norris Funeral Home.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Michael Rihner, Dr. Ozgur Ozatas, Infirmary Home Health Care Nurses, OT, PT and staff and also Infirmary Hospice Care and the caregivers

Pleases Check Back – To be continued !