Obediah and Elizabeth (Neale) Willhite
and Their Descendants

page 2

(Click here to begin with page 1.)

John Oliver Willhite

John Oliver Willhite was the second child born to Obediah and Elizabeth (Neale) Willhite. He was born 13 Sep 1827 and died 4 Sep 1888 in Henry County according to his cemetery record. [link]

According to the Henry County marriage bonds book, Oliver married Nancy J. Hall on 2 Jan 1849. Nancy was born 3 Jul 1836 and died 25 Dec 1891 in Henry County according to her cemetery record. [link]

1860 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, subdivision 1, Lockport, page 107, household 759/759
Oliver Wilhite - 45 M, farmer, born KY
Nancy Jane Wilhite - 28 F, born KY
Obediah Wilhite - 10 M, born KY
Joshua S. Wilhite - 8 M, born KY
James W. Wilhite - 6 M, born KY
Mary Angaline - 4 F, born KY
Samanith Ellen - 2 F, born KY

1870 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Bethlehem, page 247A
household 877/1007
Willhite, John O. - 45 M W, farmer, born KY
Willhite, Nancy J. - 39 F W, keeping house, born KY
Willhite, Joshua S. - 19 M W, farm labor, born KY
Willhite, James W. - 16 M W, farm labor, born KY
Willhite, Marry A. - 14 F W, born KY
Willhite, Samatha E. - 12 F W, born KY
Willhite, Rousan - 9 M W, born KY
Willhite, Almeda - 5 F W, born KY
Willhite, John O. Jr. - 2 M W, born KY

1880 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Franklinton, page 107D
household 324/334
Wilhite, John O. - W M 55, farmer, born KY, father born VA, mother born KY
Wilhite, Nancy J. - W F 48, wife, keeping house, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Rossean - W M 18, son, works on farm, born KY
Wilhite, Almeda - W F 16, daughter, at home, born KY
Wilhite, John O. - W M 12, son, works on farm, born KY
Etherton, Warren - W M 8, grandson, born KY, parents born KY
Etherton, John - W M 5, grandson, born KY, parents born KY
Hall, Milton - W M 27, works on farm, born KY, parents born KY

We've identified the following children born to John Oliver and Nancy Willhite:

  2 John Oliver Willhite
   + Nancy J. Hall
    3 Obediah S. Willhite
     + Harriet E. Guy
    3 Joshua S. Willhite
     + Martha Ann Wade
    3 James W. Willhite
     + Laura Belle Kephart
    3 Mary Angeline Willhite
     + Robert Ethington
    3 Samantha Ellen Willhite
     + William Shuck
    3 Rousaw Willhite
     + Anna Mary Ward
    3 Almeda Willhite
    3 John Oliver Willhite, Jr.
    3 Peter Willhite
    3 Florida Willhite

Obediah S. Willhite was born 7 Dec 1850 in Henry County. Cemetery records indicate that he died 2 Mar 1879. [link] He married Harriet E. Guy on 7 Sep 1871 in Campbell County KY. [link]

Harriet was born 14 Nov 1856 and died 27 Jun 1911 in Campbell County according to her death certificate. She had remarried following Obediah's death.

Obediah and Harriet had two children: Stepter B. Willhite and Thomas W. Willhite.

Stepter Willhite married Alice Mary Parker in Campbell County on 24 Apr 1895. [link]

1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Campbell County, Alexandria, page 214B, household 120/120
Wilheit, Stepter - head, W M 26, born Jan 1874 in KY, married 5 years, parents born KY, farm laborer
Wilheit, Alice - wife, W F 33, born Oct 1866 in KY, 3 children, parents born KY
Wilheit, Bertha - daughter, W F 4, born Jan 1896 in KY
Wilheit, Marie M. - daughter, W F 2, born May 1898 in KY

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Campbell County, Carthage, page 276B, household 40/40
Willhite, Stepter - head, M W 32, married 15 years, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Alice M. - wife, F W 42, 5 children, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Bertha M. - daughter, F W 14, born KY
Willhite, Minnie - daughter, F W 11, born KY
Willhite, Lucy L. - daughter, F W 7, born KY
Willhite, Stepter G. - son, M W 3, born KY

According to his death certificate Stepter Willhite was born 24 Jan 1874 in Henry County, and died 2 Mar 1944 in Campbell County.

According to her death certificate [Campbell Co KY, 1940-13979], Alice Parker Willhite was born 18 Oct 1866 in Campbell County, and died there on 27 Jun 1940. Her parents were Aaron Parker and Louisa Mills.

Thomas W. Willhite, Stepter's brother, was born 31 Jan 1877 in Kenton County KY, and died 3 Nov 1950 in Campbell County according to his death certificate.

He married Violet Lee Sporing in Campbell County on 6 Mar 1898. [link] The record shows her maiden name as Springs, but her parents were Peter and Elizabeth (Henderson) Sporing. Peter and Elizabeth married in Campbell County on 26 Apr 1871. [link]

1880 Federal Census: Kentucky, Campbell County, Alexandria, page 327A, household 42/43
Sporing, Peter - W M 33, head, farmer, born KY, parents born KY
Sporing, Elizabeth - W F 27, wife, keeping house, born KY, parents born KY
Sporing, Gusta - W F 6, daughter, born KY
Sporing, Violet - W F 4, daughter, born KY
Sporing, Edward - W M 2, son, born KY

Thomas and Violet had at least four children, as shown in these census records.

1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Campbell County, Alexandria, pages 226A-B
household 361/361
Wilheit, Thomas W. - head, M W 27, born Jan 1873 in KY, parents born KY, farm laborer
Wilheit, Violet - wife, F W 24, born Dec 1875 in KY, married 2 years, 1 child, parents born KY
Wilheit, Hattie - daughter, F W 1, born Nov 1898 in KY

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Campbell County, Persimmon Grove, page 312A, household 89/90
Willhite, Thomas W. - head, M W 33, married 12 years, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Violet - wife, F W 34, 3 children, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Hattie - daughter, F W 11, born KY
Willhite, Lizzie - daughter, F W 7, born KY
Willhite, Clyde - son, M W 3, born KY

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Campbell County, Grants Lick, page 276B, household 70/72
Willhite, Thomas W. - head, M W 42, married, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Violet L. - wife, F W 44, married, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Lizzie E. - daughter, F W 16, single, born KY
Willhite, Clyde D. - son, M W 12, born KY
Willhite, Olive L. - daughter, F W 5, born KY

The final census record for this family also shows the families of two of their children.

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Campbell County, Alexandria, page 292A
household 95/95
Warner, Fred F. - head, M W 33, married at 20, born KY
Warner, Hattie G. - wife, F W 31, married at 18, born KY
Warner, Lester A. - son, M W 11, born KY
Warner, Goldie L. - daughter, F W 9, born KY
Warner, Violet M. - daughter, F W 7, born KY
Warner, Hazel M. - daughter, F W 4, born KY
Warner, Ruth A. - daughter, F W 2, born KY
household 96/96
Willhite, Thomas W. - head, M W 53, married at 21, born KY
Willhite, Violet L. - wife, F W 54, married at 22, born KY
Willhite, Olive L. - daughter, F W 15, single, born KY
Sporing, Amanda - step mother-in-law, F W 82, first married at 20, born KY
household 97/97
Ireton, Louis L. - head, M W 46, married at 22, born KY
Ireton, Nellie E. - wife, F W 39, married at 16, born KY
Wilhite, Ora H. - daughter, F W 20, married at 16, born KY
Wilhite, Clyde D. - son-in-law, M W 22, married at 18, born KY
Ireton, Evlyn M. - daughter, F W 14, born KY
Ireton, Deloras G. - daughter, F W 8, born KY

According to the Social Security Death Index [SSDI] Violet Sporing Willhite was born 22 Dec 1875. The Kentucky Death Index [KDI] indicates that she died 4 Feb 1972. Her daughter Olive was born 9 Jul 1914 according to the Kentucky Birth Index [KBI]. Her son Clyde Willhite was born 24 Dec 1907 [SSDI] and died 8 May 1983 in Campbell County [KDI].

Joshua S. Willhite was born about 1851 according to census records. He married Martha Ann Wade on 29 Oct 1874 in Campbell County KY. [link]

According to the 1880 census, they were still in Campbell County with three children. The census taker recorded his name as Joseph, but everything points to this being Joshua.

1880 Federal Census: Kentucky, Cambell County, Highland, page 356B, household 16/16
Willhite, Joseph - W M 29, farmer, born KY, parents born KY [Joshua]
Willhite, Mattie - W F 28, wife, keeping house, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Verner - W M 5, son, at home, born KY
Willhite, Ida - W F 3, daughter, born KY
Willhite, Eva - W F 3/12, daughter, born KY

We have found no further records for Joshua Willhite. A Martha Ann Willhite is buried in the Pleasureville-LowDutch Cemetery in Henry County. Her dates are b. 4 Oct 1851, d. 3 Apr 1903. It is possible that this is Joshua’s wife. [link]

Joshua and Martha's son, Verner Willhite, was born 19 Dec 1875 and died 8 Mar 1966 in Henry County. [SSDI, KDI] He married Mary Stewart on 5 Aug 1900 in Jeffersonville IN.

They were together in the 1920 census record shown below.

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville Ward 8, page 105B, household 108/92 - 1432 Sixth Street
Willhite, Verner - head, M W 46, married, born KY, parents born KY, factory worker(?)
Willhite, Mary - wife, F W 37, married, born KY, parents born KY

Evelyn (aka Eve, Eva, Evelina) Willhite was born 1 Oct 1879 in Augusta KY, and died 14 Nov 1921 in Henry County according to her death certificate.

She married Reed Byers about 1900, and they had at least five children, as shown in these two census records:

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Smithfield, page 278B, household 295/298
Byers, Reed - head, M W 37, married once for 10 years, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Byers, Evaline - wife, F W 30, married once for 10 years, born KY, parents born KY
Byers, Forest - son, M W 9, born KY
Byers, Elizabeth - daughter, F W 6, born KY
Byers, Verna W. - son, M W 4, born KY

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, District 1, page 184B, household 159/162
Byers, Reed - head, M W 57, widower, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Byers, M. Elizabeth - daughter, F W 26, single, born KY, parents born KY
Byers, C. Raymond - son, M W 16, born KY, parents born KY
Byers, F. Lucille - daughter, F W 14, born KY, parents born KY
Byers, Sallie - mother, F W 77, widow, born KY, parents born KY

Their son Forest R. Byers was born 6 Jun 1901 and died 26 Sep 1974 in Henry County. [SSDI, KDI]

Another son, Carl Raymond Byers, was born 9 Jan 1914 in Henry County. [KBI] He died 3 Aug 1965 there. [KDI] He is buried in the Pleasureville-LowDutch Cemetery in Henry County, and is on the same stone with Violet B. Byers. [link]

The daughter, Flora Lucille Byers, was born 4 Apr 1916 in Henry County [KBI]. Her name is engraved on the same tombstone with her mother in the Pleasureville-LowDutch Cemetery in Henry County.

James W. Willhite was born 17 Dec 1853 and died 22 Oct 1914 according to his cemetery record. [link] He married Laura Belle Kephart on 26 Oct 1875 in Henry County. [1] According to her cemetery records and death certificate, Laura was born 22 Jun 1860 and died 19 Oct 1927. [link]

James and Laura had at least four children as shown in the census records below.

1880 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Franklinton, page 107D, household 322/332
Wilhite, James W. - W M 26, farmer, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Laura B. - W F 19, wife, keeping house, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Rena - W F 1, daughter, born KY
Wilhite, James O. - W M 3/12 (born Feb), born KY
Hill, Thos J. - W M 33, farm laborer, born KY, parents born KY

1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 221B, household 312/321
Willhite, James W. - head, W M 46, born Dec 1853 in KY, married 24 years, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Laura B. - wife, W F 39, born Jun 1860 in KY, 10 children/4 living, parents born KY
Willhite, James O. - son, W M 20, born Jan 1880 in KY, single, at school
Willhite, Leonard - son, W M 18, born May 1882 in KY, single, at school
Willhite, Orvie O. - son, W M 11, born Sep 1888 in KY, at school

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 150A, household 1/1
Wilhite, James W. - head, M W 55, married 34 years, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Wilhite, Laura B. - wife, F W 49, 10 children/3 living, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Orval O. - son, M W 21, single, born KY, farmer

Their daughter, Rena Willhite married Lloyd Massie on 15 Dec 1898 in Henry County.

The 1900 census shows that Rena was born in August 1878. The 1910 census shows her husband as a widower, showing that Rena died sometime before the census was taken on 18 Apr 1910.

1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 205A, household 5/5
Massie, Lloyd - head, W M 21, born Dec 1878 in KY, married 2 years, father born VA, mother born KY, farmer
Massie, Rena - wife, W F 21, born Aug 1878 in KY, no children, parents born KY

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 152B, household 58/59
Massie, George M. - head, M W 56, married 32 years, born VA, parents born VA
Massie, Cassie B. - wife, F W 51, 7 children/5 living, born KY, parents born KY
Massie, Lloyd A. - son, M W 30, widower, born KY
Massie, Ellen C. - daughter, F W 21, single, born KY
Massie, Allie V. - daughter, F W 21, single, born KY
Massie, Robert E. - son, M W 18, single, born KY
Massie, Cora A. - granddaughter, F W 3, born KY, father born KY, mother born LA
Massie, Grover C. - nephew, M W 22, single, born VA, parents born VA

It's not clear if the granddaughter Cora Massie in the 1910 census is Rena's daughter or not. The fact that Cora's mother is said to have been born in Louisiana suggest that she is not Rena's daughter.

James and Laura's son James Otho Willhite was born 15 Jan 1880 in Henry County and died 21 Apr 1918 in Jefferson County according to his death certificate. The certificate indicates that he was married, but we don't know who his wife was.

James and Laura's son Orvie Olliver Willhite was born 29 Sep 1888. He died 5 May 1966. [KDI, SSDI] Orvie married Mary E. Scobee and they had at least two children as shown in the 1920 census.

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 267A, household 195/239
Willhite, Orvie - head, M W 31 md, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Mary - wife, F W 19 md, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, James S. - son, M W 3 4/12, born KY
Willhite, Ralph A. - son, M W 5/12, born KY

Mary was born 11 Aug 1900, and died 11 May 1987. [KDI, SSDI] Her son James S. Willhite was born 3 Aug 1917 in Henry County. [KBI, SSDI] He died on 8 Dec 1978 in Henry County. [KDI] James' brother Ralph Willhite was born 15 Jul 1919 [KBI, SSDI] and died 13 Jan 1987. [KDI]

Mary Angeline Willhite, was born about 1855 in Henry County. She married Robert Ethington on 7 Dec 1871 in Henry County [1] and they had two sons: Warren and John. Mary Angeline died of consumption in October 1875 according to Henry County death records for that year.

Her husband Robert Ethington was born 1 May 1842 in Henry County and died 22 Oct 1916 in Shelby County according to his death certificate.

He and his sons were together in the 1880 census:

1880 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry, Pleasureville, page 150D, household 268/289
Ethington, Robert - W M 38, head, farmer, born KY, father born VA, mother born KY
Ethington, Warren - W M 7, son, born KY, parents born KY
Ethington, John - W M 4, son, born KY, parents born KY

Warren Ethington was born 16 Sep 1872 in Henry County and died 19 Dec 1937 in Shelby County.

He married Bertie Stapleton on 22 Dec 1897 in Shelby County.

She was born 12 Apr 1880 and died 1 Jan 1974. [SSDI, KDI] They had at least six children as shown in the 1910 census.

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry, New Castle, pages 243B-244A, household 176/183
Ethington, Warren - head, M W 37, married, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Ethington, Bertie - wife, F W 30, married 12 years, 6 children, born KY, parents born KY
Ethington, Clarence - son, M W 11, born KY
Ethington, Forest - son, M W 10, born KY
Ethington, Elizabeth - F W 8, born KY
Ethington, Rebecca - F W 6, born KY
Ethington, Bessie W. - F W 3, born KY
Ethington, Warren - son, M W 7/12, born KY

According to his death certificate, Robert and Mary Angeline's son John Ethington was born in May 1874 and died 27 Nov 1936 in Oldham County. He was not married.

Samantha Ellen Willhite, John Oliver and Nancy Willhite's daughter, was born about 1858. She is in the 1860 and 1870 census records with her parents. There is a Samantha E. Willhite who married William Shuck in Henry County on 11 Apr 1880.

We have not located Samantha after that time.

Rhusaw Willhite was born 27 Nov 1860 and died 3 Jun 1942 in Oldham County KY according to his death certificate. Although the certificate does not identify his parents, it is very likely that he is a son of John Oliver and Nancy Willhite

He married Anna Mary Ward, daughter of Silas and Bettie (Shucks) Ward on 19 Feb 1889 in Jeffersonville IN. She was born 24 Oct 1871 and died 24 Apr 1935 according to her death certificate.

They had at least five children: Pascal, Evert, Carroll, Grace, and Reva as shown in these census records:

1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Bethlehem, page 201B, household 214/218
Willhite, Rusaw - head, W M 30, born Dec 1869 in KY, married 11 years, farmer
Willhite, Annie - wife, W F 29, born Oct 1870 in KY, 4 children/3 living
Willhite, Pascal - son, W M 9, born Jan 1891 in KY
Willhite, Everet - son, W M 7, born May 1893 in KY
Willhite, Ariel - son, W M 4, born Jan 1896 in KY
Adams, William - boarder, W M 63, born Oct 1836 in KY, single, farm laborer

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Oldham County, Covington, page 21A, household 100/113
Willhit, Rusaw - head, M W 43, married 22 years, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhit, Annie - wife, F W 39, 4 children, born KY, parents born KY
Willhit, Pascal - son, M W 20, single, born KY, farm laborer
Willhit, Evart - son, M W 18, single, born KY, farm laborer
Willhit, Carl - son, M W 13, born KY, farm laborer
Willhit, Gracie B. - daughter, F W 8, born KY
Suderwhite, I. - boarder, M W 64, widower, born KY, parents born KY

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Trimble County, Burrows, pages 62B-63A
household 132/143
Willhite, Pascal - head, M W 29 md, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Eva - wife, F W 26 md, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Mary - daughter, F W 6, born IN
Willhite, Fred - son, M W 3 5/12, born IN
Willhite, Howard - son, M W 1 2/12, born KY
household 132/144
Willhite, Rhusaw - head, M W 59 md, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Annie - wife, F W 48 md, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Carroll - son, M W 20 single, born KY, farm laborer
Willhite, Reva - daughter, F W 6, born KY

Pascal Willhite married Eva Powell on 10 Jan 1912 in Trimble County. We've identified three children in the 1930 census.

1930 Federal Census: Ohio, Clermont County, Batavia, pages 180A-B, household 287/290
Willhite, Pascal - head, M W 39, married at 21, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Eva - wife, F W 37, married at 18, born IN, father born KY, mother born IN
Willhite, Frederick - son, M W 13, born IN
Willhite, Howard - son, M W 11, born KY
Willhite, Ethel - daughter, F W 6, born KY

Eva Powell Willhite was born in April 1893. Her father was Homer Powell according to the 1900 census. [1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Trimble County, Barebone, page 249B, household 247/251] Eva died 1 Apr 1964 in Clermont County, Ohio.[2] Pascal, who was born 19 Apr 1890, died 20 Apr 1968 also in Clermont County. [SSDI][2]

Evert Willhite was born 29 Jun 1892 and died 21 Feb 1970 in Oldham County. [SSDI, KDI] He married Lillie May Freeman on 29 Oct 1913 in Jeffersonville IN. She was born 7 May 1893 and died 15 Oct 1957 in Oldham County. [KDI] They had at least three daughters as shown in the 1930 census.

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Oldham County, LaGrange, page 13A household 64/66
Willhite, Evert - head, M W 36, first married at 20, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Lillie Mae - wife, F W 34, first married at 16, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Hazel - daughter, F W 14, born IN
Willhite, Katherine - daughter, F W 10, born KY
Willhite, Lucille - daughter, F W 8, born KY

Carroll Austin Willhite, also known as Carl Willhite, was born 7 Feb 1898 in Henry County and died 6 May 1992 in Clermont County OH. [2] He married Jamie Daily, daughter of Bert and Stella (Rolston) Daily, on 11 Feb 1920 in Jeffersonville IN as shown in the previous link which also gives her birth as 2 Jul 1901 in Trimble County. The 1930 census shows them with two sons.

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Oldham County, LaGrange, page 13A household 65/67
Willhite, Carl - head, M W 30, married at 22, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Janie - wife, F W 22, married at 15, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Beufurd - son, M W 2 11/12, born KY
Willhite, Carl W. - son, M W 11/12, born KY

Grace Belle Willhite married Barney Fendley and they had a daughter named Ruth.

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Trimble County, Burrows, page 266A, household 79/85
Fendley, Barney - head, M W 34, married at 22, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Fendley, Grace - wife, F W 28, married at 16, born KY, parents born KY
Fendley, Ruth - daughter, F W 12, born KY

Grace was born 7 Nov 1901 and died 21 Nov 1989. [SSDI] Barney was born 4 Apr 1896 and died 4 Nov 1988. [SSDI] Their daughter Ruth was born 26 Sep 1918 and died 17 Oct 1998 in Bullitt County. [KBI] She first married Woodrow Rolston, and second married a Mr. Jessie.

Reva Willhite died 3 Aug 1967 in Trimble County, age 53.

John Oliver and Nancy's daughter Almeda Willhite was born 16 Sep 1861 and died 25 Jan 1886 according to her cemetery record. [link] We know nothing more about her.

Their son, John Oliver Willhite, Jr. was born about 1868. He died 7 Dec 1913 in Louisville although his residence was in N. Pleasureville in Henry County. His death certificate indicates that he died of tuberculous, and that he was married. We know nothing more about him.

John Oliver and Nancy Willhite appear to have had twins, Peter and Florida Willhite who were born 11 Aug 1872 and died four days later. [link]

Notes

[1] Dodd, Jordan, comp.. Kentucky Marriages, 1851-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2001.

[2] Ancestry.com and Ohio Department of Health. Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010

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