Mary Katherine (Murkin) Williams (1906 - 1999)

Born 16 Jan 1906 in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Harry Williams — married 24 Sep 1931 in Franklin, Simpson, Kentucky, United States

Died 18 Aug 1999 at age 93 in Davidson, Tennessee, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Fentress [send private message]

Biography

Mary Katherine was born on 16 Jan 1906^[1][2][3] in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee.  She was the daughter of Joseph F. Murkin II and Tillie Yates^[4][5].

Katherine first married Harry Williams on 24 Sep 1931 in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, United States^[6].  Harry was 30 years older than Katherine and he died in 1939^[7].  Katherine went by the name of Williams for most of her life.  She later married William Michael on 12 Jul 1944^[8] in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.  Nothing more is known about this marriage (see research note).  There were no children from either marriage^[1].

At the time of her mother's death on 3 Nov 1940, Katherine was living on McGavock Lane in rural Davidson County, Tennessee^[9].

Katherine passed away at age 93 on 18 Aug 1999^[1][10][2] in Hermitage, Davidson, Tennessee County^[10].

Research notes

1. Information on the second marriage is sparse.  The marriage record is cited^[8] but no other information could be found about William Michael or his parents.  Date and reason for termination of the marriage is unknown.
2. No 1930 or 1940 census entry could be found for Katherine.

References

Moiety Chart^[1]

1906 Birth^[3]

1910 Census^[4]

1920 Census^[5]

1931 First Marriage^[6]

1939 Death of First Husband^[7]

1940 Death of Mother^[9]

1944 Second Marriage^[8]

1999 Social Security Records^[10]

1999 Burial^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} See the attached moiety chart.  This was researched and created by lawyers when Katherine's brother Joseph Flavous Murkin III (1932-2000) died without a will.  From the attached chart, it can be seen that Katherine's cousin George Howard Fentress (1920-2012), and the children of her cousins Helen (Fentress) Cromer and Grady Fentress Jr. are the heirs to her brother's estate.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Find A Grave: Memorial #98568886 for Mary Katherine Williams (accessed 3 Mar 2020).
   The gravestone is depicted and reads "MARY KATHERINE WILLIAMS, JAN. 16, 1906, AUG. 18, 1999".
   The entry says "Mary Katherine Williams, Birth 16 Jan 1906, Death 18 Aug 1999 (aged 93), Burial Spring Hill Cemetery, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA".
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Tennessee Births and Christenings, 1828-1939 database, FamilySearch (10 February 2018), Joseph Flavius Murkin in entry for Mary Katherine Murkin, 16 Jan 1906; citing Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, reference cn 66; FHL microfilm 1,276,580.  This shows that "Mary Katherine Murkin" (Female, Father's Name: Joseph Flavius Murkin, Mother's Name: Tillie Yates) was born 16 Jan 1906 in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee).
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} United States Census, 1910 database with images, FamilySearch (accessed 29 April 2018), Joe Murkin, Nashville Ward 24, Davidson, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district 80, sheet 5B, family 108, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1496; FHL microfilm 1,375,509.  This was enumerated 20 Apr 1910 for the rented dwelling at 939 28th Avenue, Nashville Ward 24, Davidson, Tennessee, United States.  Family members :

   "Joe Murkin" (head, male, white, age 23, married 4 years, born Tennessee, parents born Tennessee, occupation wall paper hanger)

   "Tillie Murkin" (Wife, white, married 4 years, age 23, born Tennessee, parents born Tennessee, not working)

   "Catherine Murkin", Daughter, white, Female, age 3, born Tennessee, parents born Tennessee).

5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} United States Census, 1920 database with images, FamilySearch (accessed 29 April 2018), Joseph Murkin, St Louis Ward 25, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri, United States; citing ED 503, sheet 1A, line 1, family 1, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 961; FHL microfilm 1,820,961.  This was enumerated on 2 Jan 1920 and shows that the family lived in a rented dwelling at 4402 Washington Avenue, St. Louis Ward 25, St. Louis (Independent City), Missouri, United States.  Family members :

   "Joseph Murkin (head, male, age 32, married, white, born Missouri, parents born in USA, occupation interior decorator)

   "Tillie Murkin (wife, white, married, age 32, born in Indiana, parents born in Tennessee, occupation boarding house proprietress)

   "Catherine Murkin (daughter, white, age 13, born in Tennessee, parents born in Missouri/Indiana)

   "Rufus Yates (Cousin, Male, white, age 36, divorced, born in Tennessee, parents born in Tennessee, occupation interior decorator)

   and five lodgers.

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954, FamilySearch (24 Feb 2024), Entry for Harry Williams and W A Williams, 24 Sep 1931.  This shows that "Harry Williams" (age 55, born and currently resident in Davidson County, Tennessee, occupation grain broker, divorced, Father="W A Williams", Mother="Adella Wade") married "Katherine Murkin" (age 25, born and currently resident in Nashville, Tennessee, single, Father="J F Murkin", Mother="Tillie Yates") on 24 Sep 1931 in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, United States. Celebrant was E S Bradshaw, Judge, Simpson County Court.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966, FamilySearch (10 Mar 2024), Entry for Harry Williams and William A. Williams, 1939. This shows that "Harry Williams" (age 63 years 5 months 9 days, born 10 Apr 1876, Married, occupation flour and grain broker, Father="William A. Williams" - born Tennessee, Mother="Della Wade" - born Tennessee, spouse="Katherine Williams") died on 19 Sep 1939 in McGovack Ave., Donelson, Davidson, Tennessee.  Cause of death unknown.  Burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Nashville.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2} Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934 database, FamilySearch (27 September 2017), Joseph F Murkin in entry for William Michael and Mary Katherine Murkin Williams, 12 Jul 1944, Scott, Iowa, United States; citing reference, county courthouses, Iowa; FHL microfilm 2,109,077.  This shows Marriage of Mr. "William Michael" (groom, male, age 47, resident in Cardiff, Maryland, photographer, second marriage, Father's Name "H J Michael", Mother's Name "May Hughes") and "Mary Katherine Murkin Williams" (female, age 36, resident in St Louis, Missouri, second marriage, maiden name "Mary Katherine Murkin", Father's Name "Joseph F Murkin", Mother's Name "Tillie G Yates").  Event Date 12 Jul 1944, in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, United States. Celebrant was John J. McSwiggin, JP.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966 database with images, FamilySearch (13 September 2018), Tillie G. Murkin, 3 Nov 1940; Death, Civil District 3, Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.  This shows "Tillie G. Murkin" (female, divorced, age 52, born 13 Sep 1888 in Indiana) died 3 Nov 1940.  Father's Name: "Wm. H. Yates" (born Tennessee), Mother's Name: "Mary Morgan" (born Tennessee).  At the time she was living at McGavock Lane in rural Davidson County.  Mrs. "Katherine Williams", also of McGavock Lane, was the informant.  Tillie died of a cerebral hemorrhage.  Burial was 5 Nov 1940 in Spring Hill Cemetery, Nashville.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007, database, FamilySearch (10 February 2023), Mary K Williams.  This shows that "Mary K Williams" claimed a social security pension on 10 Nov 1970, death on 18 Aug 1999, Birth on 6 Jan 1906, Last Residence at Hermitage, Davidson, Tennessee, United States.