Josephine (Benham) Pruett
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Josephine Oakley (Benham) Pruett (1886 - 1948)

Josephine Oakley Pruett formerly Benham
Born in Verndale, Minnesotamap
Ancestors ancestors
Wife of — married 26 Jun 1907 in Benton County, Oregonmap
Descendants descendants
Mother of , [private daughter (1910s - 1990s)], [private daughter (1910s - 1990s)], [private son (1910s - 1990s)] and
Died at age 62 in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, Californiamap
Problems/Questions Profile manager: Caryl Ruckert private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 21 Dec 2016
This page has been accessed 865 times.

Genealogically Defined

Contents

Biography

Flag of Minnesota
Josephine (Benham) Pruett migrated from Minnesota to Oregon.
Flag of Oregon
Flag of Oregon
Josephine (Benham) Pruett migrated from Oregon to California.
Flag of California

Early Life

Josephine Oakley Benham was born to Curtis Monroe Benham and Ellen White Benham on February 4, 1886 in Verndale, Minnesota.[1]The California Death Index shows Josephine was born on 4 February 1886 in Minnesota to father named Benham and mother named White.[2]

The 1892 Washington State Census Josephine is 6 years old and living with her parents in Renton, King County, Washington.[3]

By the time that Josephine was 14 years old, her mother and father had separated. She was living in Oregon with her mother and her mother's brother Virgil White when the 1900 United States Federal Census was conducted. [1] Ellen and Curtis divorced by 1902.

Josie was employed as an telephone operator in Corvallis in 1904 and worked there until she married in 1907.[4]

In the 1910 United States Federal Census Ellen White Benham had remarried to a widower, Joseph H. Edwards. They were living together with the children from his first marriage in Benton, Oregon.[5] Josephine enjoyed a close relationship with her step father and her step brother and sisters. She named her first child after her step sister Caryl (Edwards) Kyle. They maintained a loving relationship throughout their lives.

Family

On the 26th of June in 1907, Josephine married James Ralph Pruett at the home of her step-father Joseph Edwards in Benton, Oregon. She was 21 years old at the time of her marriage.[6][7]

Three Generations (Ellen, Josie and Caryl).

Josephine and James "Ralph" moved to Oakland California to the home of Dr. James Madison Pruett, Ralph's father. It was here that their first child was born in 1908.

By 1910 that had returned to Bell Fountain, Benton County, Oregon. [5]

Their last child, Curtis Benham Pruett was born on 16 Jan 1920 while the family was living in Humboldt County, California. In 1920 the family was in Trinidad for the census. Shortly after this event, his last child, Curtis Benham Pruett was born.[8]

Josie and Ralph had five children, three daughters and two sons.

  1. Caryl Ella Pruett born 19 Aug 1908 in California.[9]
  2. Ruth Precious Pruett born 21 Oct 1911 in Oregon[10]
  3. Esther Josephine Pruett born 4 Aug 1913 in Oregon.[10]
  4. James Robert Pruett born 31 May 1916 in Oregon.[10]
  5. Curtis Benham Pruett born on 16 Jan 1920 in California.[11]

By 1925 the Pruetts moved from Bulwinkle in Humboldt county to Santa Rosa in Sonoma county.[12] Over the years, the Pruetts were frequent visitors to see family and friends in Corvallis.[13][14][15][16]

Ralph and Josie were devoted to their family.

In 1939 their children along with their husbands and wives gathered to celebrate Christmas at the Pruett home on King Street in Santa Rosa.

Josie Pruett 1933.

On June 26, in 1947 Ralph and Josie renewed their marriage vows and their son, the Rev. Ben Pruett officiated at the ceremony.[17]

"Troth Taken Again After 40 Years."
"At 9 o'clock last night, the Rev. Ben Pruett, pastor of the Napa Baptist Church, reread the marriage ceremony for his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Pruett, who first exchanged nuptial vows at 9 p. m. on June 26, 1907, in Bell Fountain, Ore. They have lived here for the past 22 years."
"The 40th wedding anniversary of the couple was made the occasion of a reunion dinner at the Pruett home at 811 King street, with all of the children and their husbands and wives present. However, none of the 10 grandchildren attended. Present were the Rev. and Mrs. Pruett of Napa, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Shaffer of Oakland, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Lachman of San Francisco, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Pruett of Rio Vista, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Showalter of Santa Rosa."

Residence and Timeline

1886 - Verndale, Minnesota: born to Curtis Benham and Ellen White on February 4[1][2]
1892 - Renton, King County, Washington: Washington State and Territorial Census[3]
1895 - Junction City, Oregon: gave a declamation at the Bicycle Picnic on May 24[18]
1900 - Cottage Grove, Lane, Oregon: US census
1907 - Bellfountain, Oregon: Marriage to James Ralph Pruett on June 26[6]
1908 - Oakland, California: First child born, a daughter Caryl delivered by her brother-in-law Dr. William Clifford Pruett in Oakland on August 19[19][20]
1910 - Bellfountain, Benton, Oregon: US census[5]
1911 - Bellfountain, Oregon: Birth of daughter Ruth Precious on October 21[20][8]
1913 - Corvallis, Oregon: Parents visit Ralph and family in July[21]
1913 - Corvallis, Oregon: Birth of daughter Esther Josephine on August 4[20][8]
1913 - Corvallis, Oregon: Daughter Ruth wins Best Baby contest at the Benton County Fair in September[22]
1916 - Corvallis, Oregon: Birth of son James Robert on May 31[8]
1917 - Corvallis, Oregon: Parents visit Ralph and family in July[23]
1919 - Crannell, Humboldt County, California: Ralph accepted a position as a manager at the Little River Logging Company on January 18[24]
1920 - Crannell, Humboldt County, California: Birth of son Curtis Benham on January 16[25]
1920 - Trinidad, Humboldt, California: US census[8]
1921 - Trinidad, Humboldt, California: Josie suffers appendicitis and has surgery in April[26]
1925 - Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California: Ralph and family moved to Santa Rosa sometime before November[12]
1929 - Bellfountain, Oregon: death of mother Ellen White Benham Edwards on June 5[27]
1930 - Santa Rosa, Sonoma, California: US census[28]
1933 - Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California: daughter Esther married Wes Lachman on July 9[29]
1933 - Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California: daughter Ruth married Ken Shaffer on August 5[30]
1934 - Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California: daughter Caryl married Cecil Showalter on June 16.[31]
1935 - Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California: son James Robert enlists in the US Navy on June 12[32]
1938 - Grants Pass, Josephine, Oregon: death of father Curtis Benham on February 22[33]
1940 - Redlands, California: son Curtis Benham graduated from Redlands University in May 1940[34]
1940 - Santa Rosa Judicial Township, Sonoma, California: US census[35]
1947 - Santa Rosa, California: Ralph and Josie renewed their marriage vows with their son the Rev. Ben Pruett presiding on June 26[17]
1948 - Santa Rosa, California: death on December 28[2]
1952 - Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California: Ralph died of a heart attack while out on a walk on May 15[36]

Death and Legacy

Josephine died on the 27th of December in 1948.[2] Josephine's obituary was published on December 29, 1948[37]:

Josephine Pruett - Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today for Mrs. Josephine Pruett, who died Monday following a week's illness. Mrs. Pruett's family has requested that friends do not send flowers but instead make a donation to the Damon Runyon cancer fund, the First Baptist Church of Santa Rosa, or their personal church or charity. Funeral services will be held at the Welti funeral parlors with the Rev. J. Willis J. Loar officiating. Committal will follow at the Chapel of the Chimes. Mrs. Pruett, of 811 King street, is survived by her husband, Ralph Pruett; three daughters: Mrs. Caryl Showalter of Santa Rosa. Mrs. Ruth Shaffer of Taft, and Mrs. Esther Lachman of Hillsborough; and two sons, Robert Pruett of Rio Vista and the Rev. Benham Pruett of Hoquiam, Wash. She had been a resident of Santa Rosa for the past 23 years and had lived in California 41 years.

Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSDF-QT6 : accessed 20 October 2017), Josephine O Benham in household of Virgil D White, East Cottage Grove, West Cottage Grove, and Wallace Precincts Cottage Grove city Ward 1, 2, 3, Lane, Oregon, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 120, sheet 17A, family 367, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,348.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VG5P-X2R : 26 November 2014), Josephine B Pruett, 27 Dec 1948; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
  3. 3.0 3.1 “Washington State and Territorial Censuses, 1857-1892,” database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Oct 2017), Renton, King County, 4 Apr 1892, entry for C.M. Benham, wife Ella and daughter Josephine; citing Washington Territorial Census Rolls, 1857-1892, microfilm publication, M1 20 reels (Olympia : Washington State Archives, n.d. [1987])
  4. The Weekly Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Oregon, 29 Oct 1904, Saturday, Page 1 (newspapers.com)
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLYX-ZKS : accessed 20 October 2017), Ella Edwards in household of Joseph H Edwards, Corvallis Ward 2, Benton, Oregon, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 3, sheet 28B, family 258, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1278; FHL microfilm 1,375,291.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Oregon, County Marriages, 1851-1975", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V65N-NQN : 26 September 2017), James Ralph Pruett and Josephine O Benham, 1907.
  7. "Oregon Marriages, 1853-1935," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8WT-X4G : 12 December 2014), James Ralph Pruett and Josephine O. Benhaur, 26 Jun 1907; citing , Benton, Oregon, reference 2:1JDJJ3X; FHL microfilm 908,958.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH3Y-JCN : accessed 4 July 2018), Ralph Pruett, Trinidad, Humboldt, California, United States; citing ED 71, sheet 1A, line 29, family 9, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 99; FHL microfilm 1,820,099.
    Name Ralph Pruett
    Event Type Census
    Event Date 1920
    Event Place Trinidad, Humboldt, California, United States
    Gender Male
    Age 41
    Marital Status Married
    Race White
    Race (Original) White
    Can Read Yes
    Can Write Yes
    Relationship to Head of Household Head
    Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
    Own or Rent Rent
    Birth Year (Estimated) 1879
    Birthplace Oregon
    Father's Birthplace Oregon
    Mother's Birthplace New York
    Sheet Letter A
    Sheet Number 1
    Ralph Pruett Head M 41 Oregon
    Josephine Pruett Wife F 33 Minnesota
    Caroyl Pruett Daughter F 11 California
    Ruth Pruett Daughter F 8 Oregon
    Esther Pruett Daughter F 6 Oregon
    Robert Pruett Son M 3 Oregon
  9. "California Birth Index, 1905-1995," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGKC-372 : 27 November 2014), Carrol (Caryl) E Pruett, 19 Aug 1908; citing Alameda, California, United States, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH3Y-JCK : accessed 21 October 2017), Ruth Pruett in household of Ralph Pruett, Trinidad, Humboldt, California, United States; citing ED 71, sheet 1A, line 32, family 9, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 99; FHL microfilm 1,820,099.
  11. State of California. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. Citing Benham Pruitt born 16 Jan 1920 in Humboldt County. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.
  12. 12.0 12.1 "Pruetts in Santa Rosa". Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon). 19 Nov 1925, Thursday, Page 3. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10908836/corvallis_gazettetimes/?xid=637
  13. Morning Register (Eugene, Oregon). 31 May 1927, Tuesday, Page 9 (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12360481/morning_register/?xid=637
  14. The Eugene Guard (Eugene, Oregon). 02 Jul 1935, Tuesday, Page 4. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10910774/the_eugene_guard/?xid=637
  15. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJW-1DZ : accessed 21 October 2017), Josephine B Pruett in household of James R Pruett, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 65, sheet 2B, line 71, family 50, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 222; FHL microfilm 2,339,957.
  16. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K96Z-463 : accessed 21 October 2017), Josephine B Pruett in household of Jas R Pruett, Santa Rosa Judicial Township, Sonoma, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 49-48, sheet 61B, line 80, family 91, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 350.
  17. 17.0 17.1 "Troth Taken Again After 40 Years", The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California). 27 Jun 1947, Friday, Page 5. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11690781/the_press_democrat/?xid=637
  18. "Bicycle Picnic", The Eugene Guard (Eugene, Oregon) 24 May 1895, Friday Page 1 (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12295240/the_eugene_guard/?xid=637
  19. "California Birth Index, 1905-1995," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGKC-372 : 27 November 2014), Carrol E Pruett (incorrectly indexed of Caryl E Pruett), 19 Aug 1908; citing Alameda, California, United States, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 Pruett, James Madison. "Journal of James Madison Pruett, Camden County, MO, 1875." Typescript by James Ralph Pruett, ca. 1950. Copy privately held by Caryl Short Ruckert JMP Memoir, Chesapeake Beach, MD, 2017. Mr. Pruett is the son of the journal's author. Ms. Ruckert is the great granddaughter of Mr. Pruett the transcriber.
  21. Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon) 05 Jul 1913, Saturday Page 3. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10910449/corvallis_gazettetimes/?xid=637
  22. "Best Babies at County Fair". Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon) 23 Sep 1913, Tuesday Page 1. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10910335/corvallis_gazettetimes/?xid=637
  23. "Leave for California". Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon) 21 Jul 1917, Saturday, Page 4. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10911101/corvallis_gazettetimes/?xid=637
  24. "Pruett Writes Of Bulwinkle". Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon). 07 Feb 1919, Friday, Page 4. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10908518/corvallis_gazettetimes/
  25. State of California. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics. Birthdate: 16 Jan 1920; Birth County: Humboldt. Ancestry.com. California Birth Index, 1905-1995 [database on-line].
    Name: Benham Pruitt
    Birth Date: 16 Jan 1920
    Gender: Male
    Mother's Maiden Name: Benham
    Birth County: Humboldt
  26. "Mrs. Pruett Ill", Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon) 13 Apr 1921, Wednesday Page 4 (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10909782/corvallis_gazettetimes/?xid=637
  27. Oregon State Board of Health, Certificate of Death no. 58, citing birth date, death date and parents for Ellen Phoebe White Edwards, 5 June 1929, Corvallis, Benton County. https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2013/41/35446358_136063557111.jpg
  28. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJW-1DC : accessed 3 April 2019), James R Pruett, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 65, sheet 2B, line 70, family 50, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 222; FHL microfilm 2,339,957.
  29. California Department of Public Health, courtesy of www.vitalsearch-worldwide.com. Digital Images. Ancestry.com. California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980 [database on-line].
    Name: Esther J Privett
    Gender: Female
    Event Type: Marriage
    Marriage Date: 9 Jul 1933
    Marriage Place: Santa Rosa, California, USA
    Spouse: Wesley R Lachman
  30. "Tapers to Light Alter During Pruett - Shaffer Church Wedding Rites", The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California). 05 Aug 1933, Sat. Page 4. (newspapers.com) citing marriage of Ruth Pruett and Ken Shaffer on August 5, 1933.
  31. "Marriage Licenses". The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California). 12 Jun 1934, Tuesday Page 4 (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11688346/the_press_democrat/?xid=637
  32. "Three Local Youths to Enlist in Navy". The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California) 08 Jun 1935, Sat. Page 6 (newspapers.com)
  33. "Oregon Death Index, 1903-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZHD-R47 : 11 December 2014), Curtis Benham, 22 Feb 1938; from "Oregon, Death Index, 1898-2008," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2000); citing Curry, Oregon, certificate number 7, Oregon State Archives and Records Center, Salem.
  34. Obituary. The Herald (Everett, Washington) on June 19, 2005.
  35. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K96Z-46S : 13 March 2018), Jas R Pruett, Santa Rosa Judicial Township, Sonoma, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 49-48, sheet 61B, line 79, family 91, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 350.
  36. "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VG5B-P74 : 26 November 2014), James Ralph Pruett, 16 Nov 1952; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento. Citing birth of James Ralph Pruett on 14 May 1878.
  37. "Josephine Pruett", The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California) 29 Dec 1948, Wednesday Page 5. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10970778/the_press_democrat/?xid=637

DNA Confirmation Sources

  • Paternal relationship is confirmed by an AncestryDNA test match between the granddaughter Showalter-465 and her maternal third cousin. Their most-recent common ancestors are their great great grandparents, Joseph Hastings Benham and Mary Goff. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: 3rd Cousin, based on sharing 33 cM across 3 segments; Confidence: Extremely High.




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It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Josephine by comparing test results with other carriers of her mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA test-takers in the direct maternal line: It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Josephine:

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Nice profile; nice flowers!
-)
posted by SJ Baty