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20. Powell Loftis & 21. Mary Ann Thomas {Lowndes Co., MS}
~ 1805, Powell born in Spartanburg Co., SC; s/o 40. John Loftis & 41. Ann Powell.
~ 1813, Mary born in Greenville, SC; d/o 42. John Thomas & 43. Fereba Simmons.
No.40:(S) 1820 Census, Powell, m:10-16.
(S) 1830 Census: No. 42, Dallas Co, AL. f:10<15. Mary.
~1830 in MS, Powell married Mary.
(S) 1833 LownCo., MS Tax Rolls. Powell Loftis.
1/9/1833, (S) GLO, MS, Lowndes, Huntsvile, 38.88 acres, S1/2,E1/2,SE,17S,17W,32; 39.84 acres, S1/2,E1/2,NE,17S,17W,32.
10/28/1833, (S) GLO, Lowndes, Huntsville, 39.81 acres, S1/2,E1/2,NW,17S,17W,33.
(S) 1834 LownCo., MS Tax Rolls. Powell Loftis.
3/2/1835, (S) GLO, Lowndes, Huntsville, 39.81 acres, N1/2,W1/2,NW,17S,17W,33; 79.62 acres, W1/2,SW,17S,17W,33.
(S) 1836 & 1837 LownCo., MS Tax Rolls. Powell Loftis.
(S) 1838 LownCo., MS Tax Rolls. Powell Loftis, 40 acres, “Lux”.
(S) 1839 LownCo., MS Tax Rolls. Powell Loftis, 120 acres, “Lux”.
(S) 1840 Census, MS, LownCo. Powell m:30-40.
(S) 1840 LownCo., MS Tax Rolls (sup). Powell Loftis, 320 acres, “Lux”.
(S) 1841 MS Census, LownCo. Powell Loftis.
(S) 1845 MS Census, LownCo. Powell Loftis.
11/12/1850, (S) 1850 Census, MS, LownCo., No TWP. b: SC, Land value $2000.
11/10/1850, (S) 1850 Slave Schedule, MS, LownCo. Powell owns 9 slaves: 7 male and 2 female.
1/4/1855, “Mary Ann Loftis” named as an heir in the will of her mother.
6/9/1860, (S) 1860, MS, LownCo., Columbus. b: SC, Land value: $9600.00.
1869, Mary died in LownCo., MS. Burial: Vaughn’s Cem.
7/26/1870, (S) 1870 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus PO. Powell is a widow. His real estate is valued at $960 and his personal estate at $300. Sallie, Lee and Oliver are Powell’s “Drake” grandchildren.
10/13/1876 Powell wrote his will.
Powell died soon after in LownCo., MS; burial: Vaughn’s Cem., LownCo., MS.
Family notes:
• This last property bought with Thomas Christian and Mark J Deas
• Will, dated 10/13/1876, proved 10/19/1876. No. 1845. Powell Loftis Testator. Will.
In the name of god, Amen!
I, Powell Loftis, of the county of Lowndes and State of Mississippi, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make, publish and declare this my Last Will and Testament in form following to wit. I give my body to the dust and my soul to God who gave it. My property or worldly estate I dispose of as follows.
Item 1st. I desire my son Abraham to have so much of my house hold furniture, and so much of my stick that will make him equal with what I have already given to all the balance of my children.
Item 2nd. I desire the balance of my effects consisting in stock of all kinds, my house and kitchen furniture, notes and accounts, money and land, and other property which I am possessed, to be equally divided between each and all of my children and bodily heirs.
Item 3rd. I desire my little grand children to be disposed of as follows, to wit. Sallie Drake is to be taken by Wm West who is to be her natural guardian, Oliver Drake is to be taken by N.H. Nickels who is to be his natural guardian, Robert Lee Drake is to be taken by Perry Loftis which is to be his natural guardian, each of the aforementioned guardians, to take (illegible) of all the effects belonging to these children and manage them the best of their ability and turn over the same to each of these children as they become of age.
Item 4th. I hereby appoint N.H. Nickels and Perry Loftis of said county Executors of this my Last Will and Testament.
Powell Loftis (seal)
/s/ John A. Harris, J. C. West, Gabriel Vaughn
Children of Powell and Mary:
i. John D Loftis, born 5/1831 in MS.
No.20:(S) 1840 Census. m:5–9.
No.20:(S) 1850 Census.
No.20:(S) 1860 Census. Personal estate of $800.
CSA: John was a private in Co. I, 43rd MS Inf. Regt.
Aft. 5/1876 John traveled to TX to his sister Cordellia’s.
9/1877, John lives in Groesbeck, Limestone Co., TX. (S) Lawsuit papers of her brother Perry and sister Helena in Col. Libr.
12/8/1877, John received $321.38 from Powell’s estate settlement. (S) Court Rcds., Col. Libr.
6/29/1880, (S) 1880 Census, TX, Johnson Co., Pct3. John lives next to Cordelia.
1/1906 John died. Burial: “West” plot, Caddo Cem., Johnson Co., TX.
ii. Lenora A Loftis, born 1837 in MS.
No.20:(S) 1840 Census. as f: < 5.
No.20:(S) 1850 Census. n: “Leanora”.
2/14/1856 Lenora married John C West. (S) LownCo. MB4, P269. [He is probably related to her sister Cordelia’s husband William. He had a younger brother named Johnson C West; but to young to be Lenora’s husband.]
Bef. 1860 John died. (S) 1860 Census.
No.20:(S) 1860 Census. n: “West”.
1862, Lenora married Oliver Drake born in AL. (S) 10/13/1876 will of Powell Loftis.
No.20:(S) 1870 Census. n: “Drake”. (S) 1870 Census.
1868, Oliver died.
1873, Lenora died.
Children of John:
James P West, born 1857 in MS. (S) 1860 Census.
Bef. 10/1876 he died. [Not named in Powell’s will.]
Children of Oliver:
Sarah “Sallie” Drake, born 9/12/1863 in AL. (S) 1870 Census.
(S) 1880 Census, 16 years old, with her Aunt Cordellia’s family in TX.
2/3/1881 Sallie married Angus D McMillan; 1858–1942, who came to TX in 1876 from MS and worked for her Aunt Cordelia’s husband W L West. (S) Johnson Co. TX Marriage Records, 1854–1883 by Hudson. (S) Block, 1970, P78.
7/17/1905 Angus with Frank and Charles West [children of Cordelia20iv] purchased Citizens Bank of Joshua for $40,000.
2/24/1934 Sallie died. Both are buried in Caddo Cem., Joshua, Johnson Co., TX.
Robert Lee Drake, born 11/1/1866 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1870 Census.
12/15/1889 he married Nora Lizzie Sims; 1869–1945. (S) Johnson Co. TX Marriage Records, 1854–1883 by Hudson.
5/16/1949 he died. (S) TX Death Index. Both are buried in Caddo Cem., Johnson Co., TX.
Oliver Perry Drake, born 1868 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1870,1880 Census.
~1892 he traveled to TX to live with his sister Sarah.
7/22/1894 Oliver married Mary Elizabeth Prentiss, 1878–1918. (S) Gravestone. (S) Johnson Co. TX Marriage Records, 1854–1883 by Hudson.
1942 he died. Burial: Caddo Cem., Johnson Co., TX.
iii. Hellena Loftis, born 10/16/1838 in MS.
No.20:(S) 1840 Census. as f: under 5.
No.20:(S) 1850 Census.
2/14/1856 she married Nathaniel H. Nickels born 2/14/1831 in SC. (S) 10/13/1876, Will of Powell Loftis. (S) LownCo. MB4, P270.
6/23/1860, (S) 1860 Census, MS, LownCo., Caledonia. Nathaniel is a farmer with a personal wealth of $4000. They owned 3 slaves: f:30, f:12:, m:3.
No.20:(S) 1870 Census.
9/28/1877 in Columbus, Helena, her husband N H Nickels, and her brother Perry are involved in a lawsuit with the other members of the family over her father Powell’s estate.
12/8/1877, Helena received $321.38 for herself and $107.12 as guardian of Oliver Drake from Powell’s estate settlement. (S) Court Rcds., Col. Libr.
1/15/1878, Helena appeared in court in LownCo. to receive her share of Powell’s estate.
6/18/1880, (S) 1880 Census, MS, LownCo., Distr1. Lenora’s son Oliver P Drake lives with them.
10/24/1894 Nathaniel died, buried in Vaughn’s Cem.
6/14/1900, (S) 1900 Census, MS, LownCo., Caledonia. A widow and a farmer. She indicates that she has had 11 children, 8 of which are still living.
4/15/1910, (S) 1910 Census, MS, LownCo., WD5, Columbus, 725 2nd Ave. Hellen lives with her daughter Mattie and her family. She has had 11 children, 8 still alive.
11/16/1918 Helena died in LownCo., MS. Burial: Vaughn’s Cem., LownCo., MS beside her husband.
Children:
Ofelia Nickels, born 3/28/1857 in LownCo., MS.
4/17/1860 she died. (S) Gravestone. Burial: Vaughn’s Cem..
Virginia Cordellia Nickels, born 10/10/1859 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1860, 1870 Census.
10/30/1879 she married Samuel Taylor Ussery; 1848–1920; buried in Vaughn Cem., LownCo., MS.
1900, “Jennie” and family live in Johnson Co., TX. Her unmarried siblings Cherokee and Thomas live with her.
Martha “Mattie” Nickels, born 2/17/1862 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1870 Census.
12/3/1890 she married Joseph Andrew MeHaffrey, 1861–1935. (S) LownCo., MB15, P424.
11/27/1924 Mattie died; both buried in Vaughn’s Cem.
Mollie L Nickels, born 5/7/1864 in LownCo., MS.
10/4/1867 she died. (S) Gravestone. Burial: Vaughn’s Cem..
Robert P Nickels, born 1865 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1870 Census.
12/14/1893 he married Ida Hughson, born 1867 in MS.
1920 Census, the “Nichols” live in Richland, LA; and have 7 children.
3/21/1938 he died; buried in Pine Grove Cem., Lamar Co., AL.
Augusta F Nickels, born 11/8/1868 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1870 Census.
10/10/1871 she died. (S) Gravestone. Burial: Vaughn’s Cem..
Cherokee Nickels, born 11/1872 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1880 Census.
Aft. 1900, she married Frances Perry West, younger brother of her Aunt Cordelia’s husband.
1910 Census, they live in Lamar Co., TX. They had 1 son & 1 daughter.
Hattie Nickels, born 7/1874 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1880,1900 Census.
4/19/1905 she married Thomas W Morris. (S) LownCo. MB23, P207.
1930 Census, they live in Columbus, MS; 1 son, [1 daughter in 1910 census.]
Thomas J Nickels, born 8/1876 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1880 Census.
11/25/1908 he married Anna L Cates, born 1890 in TN. (S) LownCo. MB24, P112.
1910 Census, they live in Columbus, MS; they had 1 child.
Alice Nickels, born 2/1878 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1880,1900 Census.
She never married.
1899 she moved to TX to live with her Aunt Cordelia.
1957 she died; burial: “West” plot, Caddo Cem., Joshua, Johnson Co., TX. (S) Gravestone.
Annie L Nickels, born 11/1882 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1900 Census.
4/27/1916 she married James M Morton. (S) LownCo. MB 25, P600.
iv. Cordelia Margaret Loftis, born 11/05/1842 in MS.
No.20:(S) 1850 Census.
No.20:(S) 1860 Census.
CSA: William served 3 years in the Civil War. (S) 1892 interview with Weldon I Hudson.
1/17/1867, Cordelia married her 2nd cousin, William Leech West, born in 9/13/1834 in AL. (S) Gravestone. (S) LownCo. MB5, P467. [William is the s/o Sarah, d/o Lemuel Loftis (No. 80v).]
6/11/1870, (S) 1870 Census, AL, Sanford Co., Trulls, Big Pond. William’s real estate is valued at $375, and his personal estate at $450. Henry West, a 7 year old black male, is listed with the family.
1871, they had moved to Artesia, MS.
5/1876, just 5 months before her father died, they left MS for Caddo Grove, TX, just NW of current Joshua. Cordelia had 3 young sons, a daughter, and was pregnant.
9/1876, they camped on the banks of the Trinity River just north of Fort Worth. William search the area for 5 days before settling on the Caddo Grove area. He bought 500 acres for $7.50 and acre. He built a store and home. He brought supplies to the store from Ft. Worth. Cordelia took in night lodgers. He later built a larger home about 2 miles SE.
9/1877, Cordelia and William live in Caddo Grove, Johnson Co., TX. Neice Sally Drake lives with them. (S) Lawsuit papers of her brother Perry and sister Helena in Col. Libr.
12/8/1877, Cordelia received $321.38 for herself and $107.12 as guardian of Sally Drake from Powell’s estate settlement. (S) Court Rcds., Col. Libr.
4/1/1878, Cordelia appeared in court in Johnson Co. to authorized her payment of Powell’s estate be sent to her brother Perry as her “Attorney in fact”.
6/29/1880, (S) 1880 Census, TX, Johnson Co., Pct3, Caddo Grove. William is a farmer. John, Cordelia’s brother, lives next to them.
1881, they moved their business to Joshua because the new railroad was going to bypass Caddo Grove, and Joshua would be the new train station. [About 3 miles.]
1892, William was interviewed by (S) Weldon I Hudson. William was the 1st Postmaster of Caddo Grove, and of Joshua. William began a general merchandise store, which he moved to Joshua when the railroad station moved. He made brick, and erected a brick building which was a dry goods and grocery store. He also built a brick house on the NW corner of 4th & Veatch St.’s. He was a democrat. They were members of the Primitive Baptist Church. They owned 500 acres, 300 of it cultivated.
6/9/1900, (S) 1900 Census, TX, Johnson Co., Pct3. Cordelia indicates she has had 8 children, all still living. William is a merchant. Charlie is a salesman.
1/13/1909 William died; burial “West” plot, Caddo Cem., Joshua, Johnson Co., TX. (S) Gravestone.
5/6/1910, (S) 1910 Census, TX, Johnson Co., Pct3. Widow. She has had 8 children, 7 of which are still alive. She lives on Burleson & Joshua Rd. She owns her farm.
12/27/1916 Cordelia died; buried with William.
Children:
Francis Perry West, born 7/3/1868 in MS. (S) 1870, 1880 Census.
He married Lulu Maude Norwood, born 1875 in TX. (S) 1920 Census, TX, Johnson Co.
7/17/1905 Frank, brother Charles, and Angus McMillan [husband of Sallie Drake, d/o Lenora Loftis20ii] purchased Citizens Bank of Joshua for $40,000.
1900–1917 Frank was Pres. of Farmers and Merchants Natl. Bank of Cleburn.
7/16/1930 he died in Amarillo, TX, buried in Amarillo.
Charles Christian West, born 8/17/1870 in AL. (S) 1880, 1900, 1910 Census.
~1899 he married Alice ?, born 1884 in TX. (S) 1920 Census, TX, Freestone Co.
Charles served as a Postmaster of Joshua. (S) Block, 1970.
7/17/1905 Charles part of purchase of Citizens Bank of Joshua [see Frank].
6/13/1937 he died; burial: Caddo Cem., Johnson Co., TX. (S) Gravestone.
George Fleming West, born 7/12/1872 in Artesia, MS. (S) 1880 Census.
Spanish–American War, served in Pensacola, FL.
He married Minnie Hill.
1922 he opened his own “Ladies Ready-to-Wear” shop in Cleburn.
12/23/?? He died, buried in Cleburn, TX.
Willie Cordelia West, born 5/7/1874 in MS. (S) 1880 Census.
11/24/1892 she married Theo Denton, 1854–1938, who operated a lumber mill. (S) Johnson Co. TX Marriage Records, 1854–1883 by Hudson.
7/13/1899, cornerstone laid for Willie Denton College with money and materials supplied by her husband. Her brothers Tom, Nobel & Sam were in the 1st class.
4/3/1901 Willie died at 26, buried with Theo in Caddo Cem., Johnson Co., TX.
Jessie Leech West, born 12/18/1876 in Caddo Grove, TX. (S) 1880, 1900 Census.
1894–1895 she attended Sherman Inst. For Young Ladies in Sherman, TX.
2/19/1901 she sent a letter to her sister Willie.
She married Rev. William Turner Gray.
2/5/1959 she died in Port Arthur, buried in Waco, TX.
Thomas Rush West, born 8/31/1881 in Caddo Grove, TX. (S) 1900,1910 Census.
He married Maude S ?, born 1884 in AL. (S) 1920 Census, TX, Johnson Co.
6/5/1917 he was a banker [for his brother Frank] and lived at 609 Prairie Ave, Cleburn. (S) WWI Draft Reg.
1921 he died; burial: Caddo Cem., Johnson Co., TX. (S) Gravestone.
Nobel Best West, born 4/4/1884 in Caddo Grove, TX. (S) 1900 Census.
1908 he married Eula Constance Picket, d/o Dr. James Picket.
He sold men’s clothing in Fort Worth and Cleburne.
7/16/1968 Nobel died in Grand Prairie, TX, buried in Cleburn, TX.
Children:
Amelia Margaret West, born 10/1/1912, died 8/3/1913. (S) Gravestone.
Samuel Abe West Sr, born 8/22/1886 in TX. (S) 1900,1910 Census.
1903, he bought his father’s store and sold it in 1912.
6/5/1917, WWI Draft Reg., single, a bank clerk, living in Joshua.
1918, WWI. Samuel served as Paymaster at Camp Travis, San Antonio, TX.
9/4/1923 he married Jessie L Needham, born 2/18/1899, died 4/17/1983.
Samuel served as a Postmaster of Joshua. He also worked in the bank purchased by his brothers Frank and Charles.
1937, he opened another store in Joshua which he ran until 1968.
8/8/1977 he died; burial: Caddo Cem., Johnson Co., TX. (S) Gravestone.
(S) A Mem. and Bio. Hist. of Johnson Co., TX by Hudson, 1892, P149; a 1st–hand account based on Hudson’s personal interview.
(S) History of Johnson Co. and Surrounding Areas by Viola Block, 1970.
(S) Joshua As It Was and Is, 1853–1976, Publ. by Joshua Hist. Comm., 1977.
(S) Joshua As It Was and Is, Vol II, Publ. by Joshua Hist. Comm., 1981.
v. Perry Oliver Loftis (No. 10), born 9/1848 in LownCo., MS;
vi. Abraham Loftis, born 1/4/1852 in MS.
No.20:(S) 1860 Census. n: “Abe”.
7/26/1870, (S) 1870 Census, MS, LownCo., PD2, Columbus. Lives with his father.
3/10/1875 Abe married [probably a cousin] Emma Amanda Loftis, born 4/3/1857 in AL, the d/o John Loftis & Frances Lucinda Barmore. (S) LownCo. MB7, P280. (S) 10/13/1876, Will of Powell Loftis.
9/1877, Abram lives in Rockston, Lamar Co., TX. (S) Lawsuit papers of her brother Perry and sister Helena in Col. Libr.
12/8/1877, Abram received $321.38 from Powell’s estate settlement. (S) Court Rcds., Col. Libr.
4/6/1878 in Delta Co., TX, Abe signed a recipt for his share of Powell’s estate.
6/4/1880, (S) 1880 Census, MS, LownCo., Dist1, Bt1. n: “Loftes”. Abe is a farm overseer.
7/3/1896, Abe named the executor in the will of Jerry Sturdivant of LownCo.
11/3/1899, Abe named the executor in the will of James Welborne of LownCo.
7/5/1900, (S) 1900 Census, MS, LownCo., Lebanon. Amanda has had 8 children, 5 of which are still living. Abe owns his farm.
1906, “Loftis, Abe, (Amanda), constable, res 407 N 8th St., Tel 465” (S) 1906 City Dir. of Columbus, P58.
3/29/1909, Abraham died. Burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 462, Columbus, MS.
1912, “Loftis Amanda (wid Abe), res 406 N 8th St.” (S) 1912 City Dir. of Columbus, P132.
1914, “Loftis Amanda (wid Abe), res 406 N 8th St.” (S) 1914 City Dir. of Columbus, P144.
9/7/1931, Amanda died. Burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 462, Columbus, MS.
Children:
Lucy Loftis, born 9/26/1874 in MS. (S) 1880 Census.
11/23/1899 she married J M Kidd, s/o Wm22i. (S) LownCo. MS Marriges, B20, P446.
1/14/1902 she died. Burial in Woodlawn Cem., LownCo., MS.
Lula Loftis, born 3/1877 in MS. (S) 1880,1900 Census.
1906, “Loftis, Miss Lula, milliner Mrs McGeorge, res 407 N 8th St.” (S) 1906 City Dir., Columbus, P58.
1912, “Loftis Lula Miss, bds 406 N 8th St.” (S) 1912 City Dir. of Columbus, P132.
1914, “Loftis Lulu Miss, bds 406 N 8th” (S) 1914 City Dir. of Columbus, P144.
9/17/1914 she married J D Dotherow. (S) LownCo. MB25, P380.
1917 she died; burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 462, Columbus, MS.
Powell Loftis, born 8/1879 in MS. (S) 1880 Census.
11/3/1886 he died as a child, buried in Vaughn Cem., LownCo., MS.
Perrie O Loftis, born 6/1882 in MS. (S) 1900 Census.
1906, “Loftis, Perry O, clk P O, res 407 N 8th St.” (S) 1906 City Dir., Columbus, P58.
He married Florence ?, born 1883 in AL.
(S) 1910 Census, they live in Columbus; 1 daughter. His sister Lula lives with them.
7/20/1916 he died; burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 462, Columbus, MS.
Clementine Loftis, born 5/2/1884 in MS. (S) 1900 Census.
1906, “Loftis, Miss Clemmie, clk R E Leigh, bds 407 N 8th St.” (S) 1906 City Dir., Columbus, P58.
She married William R “Bob” Phillips, 7/30/1877–12/3/1964.
3/15/1941 she died. Both buried in Friendship Cem., Lot 462, Columbus, MS.
Mary Jackson Loftis, born 6/1886 in MS. (S) 1900 Census.
1906, “Loftis, Miss Mary, res 407 N 8th St.” (S) 1906 City Dir., Columbus, P58.
1912, “Loftis Mary Miss, bds 406 N 8th St.” (S) 1912 City Dir. of Columbus, P132.
1914, “Loftis Mary Miss, bds 406 N 8th” (S) 1914 City Dir. of Columbus, P144.
8/8/1915 she died; burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 462, Columbus, MS.
John Davis Loftis Jr, born 9/28/1888 in MS.
4/25/1890 he died as a child; buried in Vaughn Cem., LownCo., MS.
