Mary Etta Knowles (1887 - 1952)

Born May 1887 in Bonham, Fannin, Texas, United States

Ancestors

Died 25 Jun 1952 at age 65 in Gainesville, Harrison, Texas, United States

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Biography

Mary E Knowles is the daughter of Francis Asberry Knowles (1850-1891) and Laura Lucinda (Leach) Knowles (1860-1935). Since Francis died in 1891 and the 1890 census does not exist, we had to look to Laura for the other children. In 1900 she is living with her mother, Polly, and sister , Nancy, and four of her children ^[1].

Mary was still living at home in 1910, although pregnant and unmarried ^[2]. Mary gave birth to an illegitimate child that fall and used the surname "Knowles" never naming the father ^[3].

Mary sort of disappeared after that with little to go on until the obituary of her son, Thomas. That obituary mentioned a sister - Edna Mae Dunn ^[4]. Edna Mae's obituary is quite lengthy and mentions her mother, Mary Etta Knowles Wade ^[5]. Backtracking, we now know that Mary married Ely Manuel Wade about 1919. Ely had been married to Mary Hammonds and had several children. Mary and Ely had two children ^{[6] [7]}

Children

With unknown father:

1. Thomas Clyde Knowles

With Ely Manuel Wade"

1. Edna Mae
2. James Leon

Mary passed away on 25 Jun 1952 in Gainesville, Texas, United States ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 1, Fannin, Texas; Page: 14; Enumeration District: 0061; FHL microfilm: 1241633: Household Members: Name Age Polly A Leech 58 Nanny A Leech 32 Laura Knoweles 39 William Knoweles 21 Ellen A Knoweles 17 Millard Knoweles 15

   Mary E Knoweles 13

2. ↑ 1910; Census Place: Justice Precinct 1, Fannin, Texas; Roll: T624_1547; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0033; FHL microfilm: 1375560: Name: Marry E Knowles [Mary E Knowler] Age in 1910: 23 Birth Date: 1887 [1887] Birthplace: Texas Home in 1910: Justice Precinct 1, Fannin, Texas, USA Street: Royna Cunningham Road Race: White Gender: Female Relation to Head of House: Daughter Marital Status: Single Father's Birthplace: Illinois Mother's Name: Lorra L Knowles Mother's Birthplace: Texas Native Tongue: English Occupation: Farmer Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes Neighbors: View others on page Household Members Age Relationship Lorra L Knowles 45 Head William L Knowles 31 Son Miller F Knowles 25 Son Marry E Knowles 23 Daughter
3. ↑ Texas, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1903-1932 [database on-line]: Name: Thomas Clyde Knowles Birth Date: 15 Nov 1910 Gender: Male Birth Place: Randolph, Fannin, Texas, USA Mother: Mary Etta Knowles Mother Birth Place: Bonham Texas Fannin County Mother Residence: Bonham Fannin, Texas
4. ↑ El Paso Times; Publication Date: 25 Nov 1965; Publication Place: El Paso, Texas, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/430115962/?article=554abee5-96c2-474e-8155-fd11d26d722a&focus=0.5514534,0.31360692,0.6615167,0.4011522&xid=3355: :Name: Thomas Clyde Knowles Gender: Male Death Age: 55 Birth Date: abt 1910 Residence Place: 213 Harvard Death Date: Abt 1965 Obituary Date: 25 Nov 1965 Obituary Place: El Paso, Texas, USA Newspaper Title: El Paso Times Spouse: Ana Knowles Child: Mary Francis Carter Gloria Ann Knowles Rosa Marie Knowles Helen Delores Chamberlain Siblings:

   Edna Mae Dunn

5. ↑ Graveside services for Edna Mae Wade Dunn, age 83 of Saint Jo were held 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at Mountain Park Cemetery in Saint Jo with Rev. Sam Campbell and Rev. Larry Coleman officiating and were under the direction of Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo. A visitation was held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, July 28, 2014 at the funeral home. Edna Mae Dunn went to be home to be with the Lord on July 26, 2014 in Denton, TX surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 17, 1931 in Sanger, TX to Ely Mannuel and Mary Etta Knowles Wade. She married Wilson Jack Dunn August 16, 1951. After living in West Texas where Jack worked in the oil fields they returned to Saint Jo to make their permanent home. Together they raised 3 children, Danny, Phyllis and Joanie. Chances are if you grew up in or around the Saint Jo area you knew who Edna Dunn was. She was known by many as Granny Edna or Miss Edna. She loved her little town of Saint Jo and all of the people in it. Edna never met stranger and never passed up an opportunity to sit and talk with anyone. Anywhere you go there was always a chance you would run into someone that knew Edna. Throughout the years she worked many jobs in her hometown that allowed her to interact with all the people of the community. She worked at the Dairy Spot, opened her own Edna’s Cafe, cooked at the Saint Jo and Muenster Nursing Home, worked at the Russell-Newman factory on the square, Dusty’s food store and The Freight Outlet. In her spare time Edna was always on the go. You could always find Edna along with her best friend Lucille Welch at any or all of the athletic events at the school. She loved going and watching her grandkids playing sports whether it be in Saint Jo, Gainesville, Walnut Bend or wherever they happen to be playing. In fact this is how she became known as “Granny Edna” to countless teenagers throughout the years. She loved her sports. While at home her activities were planned around what time the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, and Stars played. When not watching sports she would jump at the opportunity to go fishing or play a good game of cards or dominoes with anyone that would go with her. These were hobbies that she has passed down to her kids, grandkids, and even great grandkids. More than any of this Edna was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and friend. She took great pride in her family and would brag about them to anyone that would listen. She was a very special lady and will be dearly missed by all that knew her. Edna is survived by her: daughters: Phyllis and husband Larry Cook of Saint Jo and Joanie Mae and husband Milton Pierce of Sadler; son: Danny and wife Lori Dunn of Saint Jo; nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James Leon Wade, and her husband, Jack Dunn. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Saint Jo Booster Club, Meals on Wheels or the charity or organization of your choice.
6. ↑ 1930; Census Place: Precinct 8, Denton, Texas; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0030; FHL microfilm: 2342058: Household Members Age Relationship Eli M Wade 49 Head Mary E Wade 43 Wife J B Wade 9 Son

   James L Wade 4 Son

7. ↑ 1940; Census Place: Grayson, Texas; Roll: m-t0627-04044; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 91-58: Household Members Age Relationship Ely Manuel Wade 62 Head Mary Etter Wade 52 Wife

   Edna Mae Wade 9 Daughter

8. ↑ Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Publication Date: 26 Jun 1952; Publication Place: Fort Worth, Texas, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/638088758/?article=718f24fa-0b36-4518-880c-1fc8441f756c&focus=0.14766784,0.72393906,0.26631227,0.814704&xid=3355: Name: E M Wade Gender: Female Death Age: 65 Birth Date: abt 1887 Residence Place: Gainesville Death Date: 28 Jun 1952 Death Place: RI 2 Gainesville Burial Place: Sanger Obituary Date: 26 Jun 1952 Obituary Place: Fort Worth, Texas, USA Newspaper Title: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Child:

   Thomas C Knowles

   Edna Mae Dunn