Obediah and Elizabeth (Neale) Willhite
and Their Descendants

page 4

(Click here to begin with page 1.)

Elza Waller Willhite

According to his death certificate Elza Waller Willhite was born 15 Aug 1828 in KY. His father was Obbie Willhite, and his mother's maiden name was Neal. The certificate indicates that he died on 8 Mar 1925.

Waller's actual birthdate is in question. In the census records below we will see a pattern of ages assigned to Waller Willhite. In 1850, 1860, and 1870, his ages were 15, 25, and 35 respectively, giving him an approximate birth year of 1835. Then in 1880 his age jumps to 48 followed by ages of 66 in 1900, 79 in 1910, 89 in 1920, and finally 96 in 1925 at his death. It seems likely that the three earliest records are more likely to be accurate, so we will suggest an actual birth year of 1835 for him.

Waller married Amanda J. Miles in Campbell County KY. Their marriage bond is dated 29 Oct 1857. [link]

According to her death certificate, Amanda Miles was born in Henry County on 10 Mar 1841 to Perry and Elizabeth (Poindexter) Miles. She died of measles on 15 Mar 1917 at the age of 76.

In the census records below, we have identified seven children born to Waller and Amanda. They are listed below along with known spouses.

  2 Elza Waller Willhite
   + Amanda Miles
    3 John Breckinridge Willhite
     + Malinda E. "Lizzie" Smith
     + Lillian Wells
    3 Jasper N. Willhite
     + Annie Shannon
    3 Eliza Willhite
    3 Perry Samuel Willhite
     + Annie O'Brien
    3 Mary Willhite
    3 Florence Willhite
     + John Nelson
    3 William Willhite
     + Susie Roach

1860 Federal Census: Kentucky, Campbell County, Jamestown, page 34
household 256/260
Walter Willhite - 25 M, farmer, born KY
Amanda Willhite - 17 F, born KY
John Breckinridge Willhite - 1 M, born KY
Eliazr(?) Neal - 23 M, laborer, born KY

1870 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Bethlehem, page 246B
household 872/1002
Willhite, Walter - 35 M W, farmer, born KY
Willhite, Amanda J. - 28 F W, keeping house, born KY
Willhite, John B. - 11 M W, born KY
Willhite, Jasper N. - 7 M W, born KY
Willhite, Eliza B. - 4 F W, born KY
Willhite, Clay S. - 2 M W, born KY

1880 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 147A
household 212/223
Wilhoyte, Waller - W M 48, farmer, born KY, father born VA, mother born KY
Wilhoyte, Amanda J. - W F 39, wife, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhoyte, John B. - W M 21, son, farm laborer, born KY
Wilhoyte, Jasper N. - W M 18, son, farm laborer, born KY
Wilhoyte, Perry S. - W M 11, son, farm laborer, born KY
Wilhoyte, Mary A. - W F 9, daughter, born KY
Wilhoyte, Florence - W F 8, daughter, born KY
Wilhoyte, William - W M 3, son, born KY

1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 218B
household 262/270
Willhite, Elza W. - head, W M 66, born Aug 1833 in KY, married 44 years, father born VA, mother born KY, farmer
Willhite, Amanda - wife, F W 59, born Mar 1841 in KY, 9 children/6 living, parents born KY
Willhite, William - son, M W 23, born Jul 1876 in KY, married this year, farmer
Willhite, Florence - daughter, F W 25, born Dec 1874 in KY, single
Willhite, Sourie - daughter-in-law, F W 18, born Jun 1881 in KY, no children, parents born KY
Willhite, Lillian - granddaughter, F W 1, born Sep 1898 in KY

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Campbellsburg, page 229B
household 21/106
Wilhite, Brack - head, M W 50, married twice, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Wilhite, Lillie - wife, F W 34, married 4 years, 2 children, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Earl - son, M W 15, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer
Wilhite, Grace - daughter, F W 12, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Hearsel - son, M W 7, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Lucial - daughter, F W 3, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, J. B. - son, M W 1, born KY, parents born KY
household 21/107
Wilhite, Waller - head, M W 79, married 51 years, born KY, parents born VA, farmer
Wilhite, Amanda - wife, F W 69, 9 children/5 living, born KY, parents born VA

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, New Castle, page 170B
household 90/99 - New Castle Road
Wilhite, John B. - head, M W 59 md, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Wilhite, Lillie - wife, F W 42 md, born KY, parents born KY
Hershell, Warren - stepson, M W 17 single, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Lucille - daughter, F W 12, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, John B. Jr. - son, M W 11, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, James W. - son, M W 6, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Waller - father, M W 89 widower, born KY, parents born KY

John Breckinridge Willhite was born 21 Apr 1861 in Henry County to Waller Willhite and Amanda Miles according to his death certificate. This is earlier than his birthdate given on the 1900 census, but both dates are incorrect. As we will see, he was likely born in 1859 instead.

He died on 14 Mar 1923 in Louisville, but was living in New Castle KY at the time. His son, Omer Willhite was the informant on the certificate.

John is first found in the 1860 census record with his parents, living in Campbell County KY. He continues at home with his parents through the 1870 and 1880 censuses. (See above.)

According to an online database [1], John B. Willhite married Malinda E. Smith on 30 Nov 1882 in Henry County KY. This may be the Malinda Smith, age 14, identified in the following 1880 census record. Her full name was likely Malinda Elizabeth Smith, but in all later records that we have found, she was Lizzie Smith.

1880 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Franklinton, page 106B
household 312/322
Rose, J. E. - W M 30, carpenter, born KY, parents born KY
Rose, Maria J. - W F 30, wife, keeping house, born KY, parents born KY
Rose, James F. - W M 9, son, born KY
Rose, Malinda A. - W F 6, daughter, born KY
Rose, Oceola - W F 4, daughter, born KY
Rose, Lina - W F 7/12, daughter, born KY
Smith, Malinda - W F 60, mother-in-law, at home, born KY, parents born KY
Smith, Malinda - W F 14, sister-in-law, at home, born KY, parents born KY

As shown in the 1900 census below, John and Lizzie had four children: Omer, Nellie, Earl, and Grace. They may also have had a son named Hershell, although there is some confusion in the census records.

1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 206A
household 21/21
Wilhite, John B. - head, W M 38, born Apr 1862 in KY, married 17 years, parents born KY, farmer
Wilhite, Lizzie - wife, W F 34, born Nov 1865 in KY, 6 children/4 living, parents born KY
Wilhite, Omer - son, W M 14, born May 1886 in KY
Wilhite, Nellie - daughter, W F 9, born Sep 1890 in KY
Wilhite, Earl - son, W M 6, born Jul 1893 in KY
Wilhite, Grace - daughter, W F 3, born Feb 1897 in KY

Omer Willhite was born 2 May 1886 in Henry County KY, and died 7 Oct 1957 in Louisville according to his death certificate. His parents were not identified on this document.

Omer may have been born in 1887 instead. His registration card for the World War I draft gives his birthdate as 2 May 1887.

Omer Willhoite of Henry County KY and Lucy Adams of Shelby County KY were married on 25 Aug 1906 in Jeffersonville IN. Their marriage record identifies Omer's parents as J. B. Willhoite and Lizzie Smith, and Lucy's parents as J. A. Adams and Mary Cox. The record gives Omer's birthdate as 17 May 1884 which does not agree with the date on his death certificate. Lucy's birthdate is given as 11 Feb 1887. This is different than her birth year given in the 1900 census or in the Kentucky Death Index which both indicate that she was born in 1890.

Here she is with her parents in 1900, living next to Omer's family in Henry County.

1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 206A, household 22/22
Adams, Joseph A. - head, W M 46, born Nov 1853 in KY, married 23 years, parents born KY, farmer
Adams, Mary - wife, W F 42, born Feb 1858 in KY, 4 children, parents born KY
Adams, Birdie - daughter, W F 21, born Jul 1878 in KY, single
Adams, John H. - son, W M 18, born Dec 1881 in KY, single, at school
Adams, Lucy - daughter, W F 10, born Feb 1890 in KY, at school
Adams, Willie G. - son, W M 7, born Apr 1893 in KY

Omer and Lucy were living in Henry County in 1910.

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Campbellsburg, page 229A
household 77/100
Willhite, Omer - head, M W 22, married 4 years, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Lucie - wife, F W 19, no children, born KY, parents born KY
Adams, Will - boarder, M W 19, single, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer

In the 1920 census, they were living on South Preston Street in Louisville, Kentucky. Living with them was Lucy's father. Omer and Lucy had no children.

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville Ward 4, district 98, page 257B
household 67/74 - 1263 South Preston Street
Willhoite, Omer - head, M W 30, married, born KY, parents born KY, collector for express company
Willhoite, Lucy - wife, F W 26, married, born KY, parents born KY
Adams, Joseph A. - father-in-law, M W 54, widower, born KY, parents born KY, machinest for tobacco company

By 1930 Omer and Lucy had moved to another address on South Preston Street.

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville, page 141A
household 326/372 - 2050 Preston Street
Wahlhoite, Omer - head, M W 44, married at 20, born KY, parents born KY, clothing store credit manager
Wahlhoite, Lucy - wife, F W 40, married at 16, born KY, parents born KY

They were still at that address in 1944 at the time of Lucy's father's death, as reported in the Henry County Local. [2] However, by the time of Omer's death in 1957 they were living on Eastern Parkway.

Lucy Adams Willhoite died in Louisville on 27 Jan 1975. [KDI]

Nellie Willhoite married Jesse Swindler in Jeffersonville IN on 15 Aug 1906. Jesse, who was born 16 Jun 1885 in Shelby County KY, was a son of R. A. and Mary (Washburn) Swindler. This record indicates that Nellie was born 2 Jul 1888 in Shelby County also.

These birthdates are likely not accurate. According to the 1900 census, Nellie was born in July 1890. This agrees with her birthdate of 2 Jul 1890 found in the Social Security Death Index. There she is identified as Georgia N. Swindler. She died on 4 Jan 1982. [SSDI, KDI]. According to the SSDI, Jesse Swindler was born 16 Jun 1888. He died on 26 May 1964. [KDI]

Jesse and Nellie had at least six children, identified in the following census records.

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Shelby County, Cropper, page 140A
household 121/123
Swindler, Jessie - head, M W 33 md, born KY, parents born KY, farming
Swindler, Nellie - wife, F W 29 md, born KY, parents born KY
Swindler, Gladys - daughter, F W 13, born KY
Swindler, Robert - son, M W 10, born KY
Swindler, Corine - daughter, F W 7, born KY
Swindler, Irene - daughter, F W 7, born KY
Swindler, Earl - son, M W 1 7/12, born KY

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Shelby County, North Shelbyville, pages 46A-B
household 53/54
Swindler, Jessie L. - head, M W 41, married at 18, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Swindler, Nellie - wife, F W 39, married at 16, born Ky, parents born KY
Swindler, Robert L. - son, M W 21, single, born KY, farmer
Swindler, Corine - daughter, F W 16, born KY
Swindler, Irene - daughter, F W 16, born KY
Swindler, Earl G. - son, M W 11, born KY
Swindler, Harold W. - son, M W 9, born KY

Earl Willhite married Ruth V. Ethrington on 25 Dec 1917 according to an online Kentucky marriages database. They are listed in the following census record with Ruth's parents.

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Campbellsburg, page 211B, household 113/113
Ethrington, John - head, M W 82, widower, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Ethrington, Victor - son, M W 40, married, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Ethrington, Gilphe(?) - daughter-in-law, F W 37, married, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Earl - son-in-law, M W 25, married, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Ruth - daughter, F W 25, married, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Dorothy - granddaughter, F W 1 2/12, born KY, parents born KY

Three more children are identified in their 1930 census record.

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, District 3, page 241B
household 189/189
Willhite, Earl - head, M W 36, married at 24, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Ruth V. - wife, F W 36, married at 24, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Dorothy N. - daughter, F W 11, born KY
Willhite, John E. - son, M W 9, born KY
Willhite, Anna E. - daughter, F W 7, born KY
Willhite, Sue M. - daughter, F W 11/12, born KY

Earl Wilhoite was born 21 Jul 1893 and died 28 Dec 1992. Ruth Ethrington Wilhoite was born 3 Feb 1894 and died 12 Apr 1974. They were both living in Henry County at the time of their deaths. [SSDI, KDI]

The Indiana marriage collection from Jeffersonville IN also showed that Grace Willhoite married Frank Aynes on 26 Mar 1917. Frank was a son of Frank and Mary (Donovan) Aynes, and was born 7 Apr 1889 in KY. This record gives Grace's birthdate as 27 Feb 1897.

Frank and Grace had at least five children who are identified in the following census records.

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Shelby County, Marshalls, pages 70B-71A
household 24/25
Aynes, Frank - head, M W 34 md, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Aynes, Grace - wife, F W 23 md, born KY, parents born KY
Aynes, Edna - daughter, F W 2, born KY
Aynes, Jack - son, M W 2/12, born KY

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Oldham County, Ballardsville, page 140B
household 106/109
Aynes, Frank - head, M W 39, married at 25, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Aynes, Grace - wife, F W 32, married at 20, born KY, parents born KY
Aynes, Edna - daughter, F W 12, born KY
Aynes, John S. - son, M W 10, born KY
Aynes, Clorine - daughter, F W 8, born KY
Aynes, William S. - son, M W 5, born KY
Aynes, Mary - daughter, F W 2/12, born KY

Frank Aynes died on 22 Jul 1978, at the age of 90 according to the KDI. However, the SSDI gives his birth as 7 Apr 1886. Grace Willhoite Aynes was born 27 Feb 1897 [SSDI] and died 29 Dec 1991. [KDI] They were living in Oldham County when they died.

Lizzie Smith Willhite apparently died in the decade between 1900-1910. John Breckinridge Willhite married again, this time to Lillian Wells. They first appear together in the 1910 census record.

1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Campbellsburg, page 229B
household 21/106
Wilhite, Brack - head, M W 50, married twice, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Wilhite, Lillie - wife, F W 34, married 4 years, 2 children, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Earl - son, M W 15, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer
Wilhite, Grace - daughter, F W 12, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Hearsel - son, M W 7, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Lucial - daughter, F W 3, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, J. B. - son, M W 1, born KY, parents born KY
household 21/107
Wilhite, Waller - head, M W 79, married 51 years, born KY, parents born VA, farmer
Wilhite, Amanda - wife, F W 69, 9 children/5 living, born KY, parents born VA

They are together in 1920 with their three children: Lucille, John Jr., and James. After John's death, Lillian appears in the 1930 census with her youngest child and her brother.

1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, New Castle, page 170B
household 90/99 - New Castle Road
Wilhite, John B. - head, M W 59 md, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Wilhite, Lillie - wife, F W 42 md, born KY, parents born KY
Hershell, Warren - stepson, M W 17 single, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Lucille - daughter, F W 12, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, John B. Jr. - son, M W 11, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, James W. - son, M W 6, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Waller - father, M W 89 widower, born KY, parents born KY

1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville, page 202B
household 300/322 - 636 Atwood Street
Willhoit, Lillian - head, F W 52, widow, born KY, parents born KY, server at hospital
Willhoit, James - son, M W 16, born KY
Wells, William - brother, M W 53, single, born KY, parents born KY, city engineer

John Breckinridge Willhite died in Louisville on 14 Mar 1923.

According to her death certificate, Lillian Wells Willhoite was born in November 1876 to Edward and Melvina (Smith) Wells in Henry County. She died on 10 Jun 1953 in LaGrange KY.

Notes

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

[2] From Find A Grave link for Joseph A. Adams

Henry County Local--May 19, 1944

Joseph A. Adams, formerly of Henry County, died Saturday at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Omer Wilhoite, 2050 S. Preston St., Louisville.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lettie Saurbeer Adams; two daughters, Mrs. Birdie Curry, of Winchester and Mrs. Wilhoite; two sons, J. H. Adams, Winchester, and William Adams, Louisville, and three grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted at the Owen Funeral Home, 2611 Virginia Avenue, Louisville, at 1:30 p.m., Monday. Burial was in the Pleasureville Cemetery.

Contributed by: E. T. "Hammer" Smith

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