Bessie Elvira (Gettys) Rawlings (1877 - 1942)

Born 2 Nov 1877 in Hartford City, Blackford, Indiana, United States

Wife of Clarence L. Rawlings — married 16 Dec 1899 in Indiana, United States

Descendants

Died 21 Nov 1942 at age 65 in Hartford City, Blackford, Indiana, United States

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Biography

On 20 Apr 1910 at the time of the 1910 US Census, head of household Clarence L Rawlings (age 32, born in IN) was employed as a Laborer for the Railroad and living in a home he owned free of mortgage at 509 North Walnut Street in Blackford, Indiana with his wife Bessie E. Rawlings (age 32, born in IN); daughter Mary W. Rawlings (age 9, born in IN); son Rolland G. Rawlings (age 8, born in IN); son Charles H. Rawlings (age 6, born in IN); daughter Lois B. Rawlings (age 3, born in IN); and Widowed father James P. Rawlings (age 63, born in KY). Clarence and Bessie had been married for 10 years; Bessie had given birth to four children, all four of whom were still alive at that time. Clarence's father was born in Kentucky and his mother in Indiana; Bessie's parents were both born in Indiana. ^[1]

Marriage and Family

On 8 Jan 1920 at the time of the 1920 US Census, head of household Clarence F Rawlings (age 43, born in IN) was employed as a Sheet Metal Worker for a Railroad Shop living in a home he owned free of mortgage in Hartford City, Blackford, Indiana with his wife, Bessie E. Rawlings (age 42, born in IN); daughter Mary W. Rawlings (age 19, born in IN) employed as a Saleslady for a Confectionary; son Rolland G. Rawlings (age 17, born in IN) employed as a Chauffer for a Wholesale Tobaccon Company; son Charles H. Rawlings (age 16, born in IN); daughter Lois B. Rawlings (age 13, born in IN); daughter Esther A. Rawlings (age 7, born in IN); son James L. Rawlings (age 4 years and 1 month, born in IN); daughter Betty J. Rawlings (age 2 years and 3 months, born in IN); and daughter Martha O. Rawlings (age 3 months, born in IN). Clarence's father was born in Kentucky and his mother in Indiana; both of Bessie's parents were born in Indiana. ^[2]

On 19 Apr 1924, Charles Rawlings (age 21, born 26 Dec 1903 in Hartford City, Indiana) married Thelma Kegerreis (born 19 Dec 1903 in Blackford, Indiana) in Blackford Indiana, USA. Charles's father was Clarence L. Rawlings and his mother was Bessie Gettys; Thelma's father was Robert Kegerreis and her mother was Stella Robbins. ^[3]

Death and Legacy

On 21 Nov 1942, Bessie Elvira (Gettys) Rawlings died at age 65 in Hartford City, Blackford County, Indiana, USA. Bessie was buried at Hartford City Cemetery in Hartford City, Blackford County, Indiana, USA. ^[4]

Research Notes

Bessie was mentioned in her father's biographical section of the book, "Biographical Memoirs of Blackford County, Indiana.":

Mr. Gettys returned to Blackford county where, on the 30th day of December, 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Almeda Lillibridge, daughter of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Mills) Lillibridge, a union blessed with seven children, namely: Bessie E., born November 2, 1877, married Clarence Rollins, of Hartford City; Ruth M., born May 8, 1885; Samuel C., born June 24, 1887; Mary L., born April 24, 1889; and James V., whose birth occurred November 5, 1895, and two that died in infancy unnamed. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKGM-6RX : accessed 23 July 2021), Charles H Rawlings in household of Clarence L Rawlings, Hartford Ward 2, Blackford, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 10, sheet 9A, family 206, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 340; FHL microfilm 1,374,353.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFQJ-12V : 1 February 2021), Charles Rawlings in entry for Clarence F Rawlings, 1920.
3. ↑ "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXJN-Y7T : 8 April 2021), Charles Rawlings and Thelma Kegerreis, 19 Apr 1924; citing Blackford, Indiana, United States, Marriage License, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004202704.
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/69236516/bessie-elvira-rawlings : accessed 22 July 2021), memorial page for Bessie Elvira Gettys Rawlings (2 Nov 1877–21 Nov 1942), Find a Grave Memorial ID 69236516, citing Hartford City Cemetery, Hartford City, Blackford County, Indiana, USA ; Maintained by Bonita (contributor 47264828) .
5. ↑ Shinn, Benjamin G. "Biographical Memoirs of Blackford County, Indiana. Bowen Publishing Company. Chicago, USA. 1900. Page 426.