#52Ancestors #Week40 - Longevity

The Longevity of Harry Edgar Coleson -

Elizabeth Sheppard Parker lived to be about 81 years old, however her daughter Armilda likely died in childbirth, and her death and burial is unrecorded. Elizabeth raised her grandson, Armilda's only child. Harry Coleson's father, Lester, had returned to his siblings' AREA "back East" in Pennsylvania, and it is unknown if he came to know his son later in life.

Harry grew up on his grandparent's farm near Villa Ridge, likely raised by his Grandmother in cooperation with many aunts, uncles and cousins. Villa Ridge was once the strawberry capitol of the Mid-West, so I'm sure he did plenty of strawberry picking along with many relatives. We are as yet unsure which road or crossing he lived closest too, but certain he was within walking distance to Florence Hughes and her family. More on her (again) in a bit.

On 7 March 1894, Harry married Jane Biggerstaff, likely a relative through his grandmother's Sheppard lineage. Harry was 19, and the couple had one daughter in August of that year. Again, it is assumed that Jane died in childbirth, and in 1900, six year old Mary Belle Coleson is living in neighboring Alexander County with the Fosters, possible relatives of Jane. 

On 27 August 1900, Harry marries again to Amelia Kesner. Amelia, called Milly, was a native of Chicago. Their first son, Lloyd has a birthdate recorded two weeks prior to the wedding, making it difficult to know if this might be an error and he was born 1 year after his parents' marriage, or if there really was a shotgun involvement.

Harry and Milly proceeded to farm in Pulaski County, Ffirst on land they owned and later renting, and raised a full house of 9 children (possibly ten if Mary Belle visited frequently or lived with her father and stepmother at any juncture. She is missing in the 1910 census). Harry also had what is assumed to have been a relationship with former neighbor Florence Hughes between 1903 and possibly until 1905 or longer. Clyde Chamberlain, Florence's 3rd son, was Harry's biological son. No one is living to tell the tale, but the similarities between Lloyd Coleson and Clyde's first names leave me wondering if they all knew, at the time.

Harry and Milly's daughters Cassie and Elise died at age 4 and age 18 months, respectively in 1913 and 1914. A brief newspaper clipping describes Harry as bringing his small daughter Elise for burial. 

In 1930, Harry and Milly's adult children were living at home as the Depression was beginning, and Lloyd, their eldest son, worked on the railroad, which was certainly welcome and reliable wages. Later in 1937, 57 year old Milly Coleson passed away after an illness of a few months, leaving her children, many grandchildren and her husband of nearly 40 years.

By 1940, Harry has remarried to recently widowed Pearl Landreth, and they are living in neighboring Madison County with their combined families. At some point during the 1940's, whether it had been the upheaval of post-Depression life or World War II, the couple and some of their sons moved to the East St. Louis area. Harry died there at the same age as his grandmother, 81.  He was killed in an accident in the city when a driver lost control of their car. He was survived by all of his seven children (does not appear to include Mary Belle in that count) and 47 grandchildren!

81 for Elizabeth, Harry, and in turn Lloyd who died at that same age, is a pretty good run. I've met a couple of those 47 grandchildren (not discounting that I am one of those as well), and Harry's legacy has certainly been noted.