52 Ancestors 52 Weeks Week 28

Edna Catherine Abbott

She was known as Katie. As a matter of fact, I did not know her full name until I started researching her. She was always just Katie. No one in the family seemed to know it either. I learned it through documents. Her life was short, and she had no living children of her own, but she deserves remembering.

She was born on May 9, 1892, in a small place called Fleming, in Jackson County, Indiana. She was the daughter of Oliver Perry Abbott and Cora M. Hines. I wrote about Mr. Oliver Perry Abbett/Abbott HERE.

In the 1900 census of Monroe Township in Washington County, Indiana, Katie is listed as Catherine Abbott, the 8 year old step-daughter of George T. Jaynes. I discussed the other children of Mr. Abbott in the earlier post, so I will not go over that again.

In 1906, Katie marries a James Buck Hobson. She is, by my calculation, 14 years, 5 months old. James is 22 years old and has been married once. He was divorced in September of 1906. The marriage took place in Jackson County, Indiana, by a Justice of the Peace.

By the time the census taker came around again, Katie is back living with her mother and step-father. She is listed as Katie Hobson, step-daughter age 18. She lists one marriage lasting 4 years, and one child having been born, no children living. She is working as a waitress in a restaurant. James may be living with them as well but is not home at the time. I'm not sure about that. I do know that there is a little blurb in the local newspaper on November 12, 1913, that reads as follows:
Clip:
The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Wednesday, November 12, 1913
Page 1

Two divorces were granted today, James Hobson was granted a decree of divorce from Katie Hobson and John L. Jaynes was granted a divorce from Anna Jaynes.

On November 29, 1914, Katie married George Frank Forrest Jr. in Jackson County, Indiana. George, who was called Frank, was 28, and Katie, 22. George has been divorced, as well as Katie.  She signed her name as Edna C. Hobson. George Frank was previously married to Alta Mae Foster, who shows up later in my family, married to another of my relatives. Frank Forrest had one son wtih Alta named Earl Forrest. The family story said that Alta was a drinker and that Frank and Katie raised Earl together. I have found no evidence of the drinking accusation, and Alta did marry again. I'll do more investigative work on this little tidbit.

In the 1920 census, in Seymour, Jackson County, Indiana, George F. Forrest, wife Edna K. and son Earl T. are listed. George is 33, a Teamster, regular hauling, Edna K, Katie, is 24 and Earl T., son of George and Alta, is 10. Apparently the story of Katie and Frank raising Earl together has some merit. 

In the 1930, Seymour, Jackson County, Indiana Census, Katie and Frank are living on Tipton Street. He is 43 and she is 36. He is working as a common laborer at Odd Jobs. It's the beginning of The Great Depression. They are renting the home they are in for $10. Earl has gone. They have been married now for 14 years.

On
May 7, 1934, Katie died. She was buried in Riverview Cemetery in Seymour, Indiana. She was 41 years old. Her obituary:

Seymour Tribune
Monday, May 7, 1934
Page 1

Had Been Resident of Jackson County Throughout Her Lifetime

Mrs. Katie Forrest age forty-one, a life long resident of the county, died
at the home of her sister Mrs. Helen Anderson, 618 South Carter street, at 
12:30 o'clock this morning following a year's illness with a complication 
of diseases.

Mrs. Forrest was born in Jackson county on May 9, 1892, the daughter of 
Oliver and Cora Hines Abbott. She was married on November 14, 1915, at 
Brownstown, to Frank G. Forrest, who survives. During her residence in 
this city she made many friends who mourn her death.


She is survived by the mother, the husband, one son, Earl Forrest, this 
city, two brothers, Harry Jaynes and James Jaynes, both of Seymour, and 
four sisters, Mrs. Myrtel Ballard of Indianapolis; Mrs. Agnes Henley, Mrs. 
Anderson and Mrs. Mary Trapp, all of Seymour. Three Grandchildren also 
survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon 
from the Voss Mortuary with the Rev. W. C. Morris, pastor of the Church of 
the Nazarene, in charge. Burial in Riverview Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Voss Mortuary at any time.

Sources:
1900 US Census, Monroe Township, Washington County, Indiana; Page 106 Dwelling 163 Family 163, T623, 412, HeritageQuest.
Marriage -James Buck Hobson and Kattie Abbott, 3 October 1906, Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959: ; FamilySeach, Seymour, Indiana.
1910 U.S. Census, Seymour, Jackson Township, Jackson County, Indiana; 
Page: 160, Series: T624 Roll: 357, Heritage Quest.
Article; The Tribune. Seymour, Indiana, 12 November 1913.
Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959, index, FamilySearch, Edna Catherine Hobson, 1914.
1930 US Census, Seymour, Jackson, Indiana; Family: 120 Sheet: 5A Line: 19, T626, Roll 594, NARA, FamilySearch.
Obituary; Seymour Tribune, Seymour, Indiana, May 7, 1934.

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