My Dad Was a Water Witch

 My Dad was a dowser, a water witch. People would be waiting for us to come to visit the family so he could find them a new well. Dad was born in Alabama. He and his family moved North when he was a teenager. Most of his family are still in Alabama. So anyway, he would go off and find water. I remember running along behind him sometimes, watching. I was fascinated. My Mother, on the other hand, tried to hide it from everyone 'back home'.

Dad would just find a forked branch and cut it when he got to the place. Then he would walk the place. Well, I won't go on as it could get quite long. It took a long time, as he would continue to walk in a north/south and east/west directions.  He liked being right, and he liked going up against technology to prove it!  The last time I know of him going witching was in the mid 1980's.  He was finding his own new well. They had pretty good tech then and he bragged that he was less than an inch from the what the tech said! 

 

The 'fixed' photo!

The first part of January I posted on Bluesky that I wanted to know if anyone knew someone that could fix a photo for me. I got a nice response!

The photo had lain in the bottom of a box. I didn't know there was one in existence. It is not a great photo and it was scratched bad. My post on Bluesky was answered by a Dr. Christophe (@offrez-une-genealogie.fr).  I am so happy that he was able to make the photo clearer. Well worth the money!

Rufus Lee Brock, Jr.
1931 - 2006

 

The Generations

 

This is a 4-generation photo. I am the little girl on the left. My Mother, Madelyn Jaynes Brock is next, beside her my grandmother, Della Mae Alexander Jaynes and my great-grandmother, Olive Ellen Martin Alexander Robertson. My mom and I always called Olive, Grandma-Mom. I'm not sure why, but that is all I knew her as. I found her terrifying.  She was a bit cold, sharp and believed a child should be seen not heard. So, I was a very quiet child when in her company. 

The photo was taken at my house. I do recognize the background, but this fact is set in stone with this photo. My mother is the only one that does not have that purse on her arm.  That purse was over-worked, heavy, stiff, leather and all the rage that year. We had a leather place in the county, and everyone had one. Grandma-Mom and Grandma have theirs on their arms. My mother had one as well and she would have it on her arm if we were not at home. I had a matching billfold with my name pressed into it. Sorry, I lost it. It was so stiff I couldn't get money in it anyway, so I lost nothing of value. Phew.  By the way, I'm unlisted in case you find it.

Olive married William Hays Alexander in 1902.  In the 1910 census, William and Ollie Alexander and the first 3 of their children are in a rural area of Jennings County, Indiana. William is listed as a farmer like his father was. He was not happy with that and soon moved his family to Seymour. In the 1920 census, William and Ollie Alexander and 6 of their 7 children are on Glen Lawn Road. This is a small area that was just beginning to be built up. Now it is just a small neiborhood of Seymour called Glenlawn. William repaired automobiles, Ollie stayed home. 

In the 1930 Census, Olive L Alexander was 48 and widowed, as William died in 1928. The L should have been an E as her name was Olive Ellen, though she was always called Ollie. She was living on Euclid Avenue in Seymour, Indiana, and working at the Shoe Factory. She still had 4 children at home, Lucille, Opal, William and Norma, but her married son, Merrill, lived right down the street with his wife and daughter. Her son William, called Bill, was 10. This is interesting because living just around the corner on Noble Street. was a 4-year-old Lois Plumber staying with her grandmother, whom he would one day marry.  I wonder if he ever met Lois as a child. She was a wonderful person. 

Olive married Frederick C. Robertson, "Fred", in 1934.  Fred was warm and nice. Introvert marries extrovert.  Warm versus cold, nice versus mean, light versus dark, oh, never mind. I've noticed it happens a lot, though. Anyway, in the early 1960's Fred contracted TB and was put into a sanitorium. While he was gone Olive had a stroke in the night and could not get to the phone for help. She wasn't discovered until the following day. As soon as she was able to speak clearly, she ordered her lawyer to her side and divorced Fred, getting her name Alexander back. She said she was not going to die as a Robertson. She was going to die as an Alexander. So, 12 years later, in 1975, she did. I don't know why she felt that way. 

The first time I saw a message about any of my family in the late 90's on the RootsWeb Mailing lists was a question about why Olive was buried as Olive Alexander when she was married to Fred Robertson. So now you know.

Now, she will probably haunt me. 

Fred and Olive can be found in the 1940 and 1950 census in Seymour, Indiana. Fred died in 1965 in Salem, Indiana.

There are photos on this blog with Olive and William Alexander and Olive and Fred Robertson. Just search for 'Olive'.

I miss the Mailing Lists on RootsWeb. FB is not the same.

52Ancestors: Week 2 - Favorite Photo

 My favorite photo is this one of my Dad as a child. A photo I did not know existed until late in life. I love this photo!

Rufus Lee Brock Jr.

1932 - 2006

Ernest Cleveland Brock, Son of Frank

 In my descendancy research on the family of Francis Marion "Frank" Brock, I am learning more about him, as well as his children. His son, Ernest Cleveland Brock, my great-granduncle, born 12 August 1895 in McMinn County, Tennessee, was a tragic story that had to impact his father, Frank. Ernest served in the army in World War I, and as far as I can tell, never married. 

I've been trying to find as many obituaries as I can while I have a sub to Newspapers.com. The following articles were found there, and I'm adding further source material to each separate article.  Transcribed articles are in italics.

The first one is: 

Nashville Banner

Nashville, Tennessee

Wednesday, 8 July 1931

Page 16

Train Kills Ernest Brock

Benton, Tenn., July 8 - (AP) - A section crew of the L. & N. Railroad Wednesday found the mangled body of Ernest Brock, 20, on the tracks south of Ocoee. He was identified by his picture and receipts in a pocketbook. He was the son of Frank Brock, formerly of Benton.

It seems it was quite a story, as others also reported it.

Kingsport Times

Kingsport, Tennessee

Thursday, 9 July 1931

Page 1

FIND BODY ON TRACKS

BENTON, Tenn., July 8 (AP) - A section crew of the L. and N. Railroad today found the mangled body of Ernest Brock, 20, on the tracks south of Ocoee. He was identified by his picture and receipts in a pocketbook. He was the son of Frank Brock, formerly of Benton.

And this:

The Knoxville Journal

Knoxville, Tennessee

Thursday, 9 July 1931

Page 2

SHOE OFF

Removing Cinders When Killed By L & N Train.

(Knoxville Journal Special)

BENTON, July 8 - Struck by a train presumably when he had sat down on the tracks of the L & N to remove cinders from his shoes. Ernest Brock, 37, of Polk county, was killed about 8 a.m. today at the junction with the Parksville railroad two miles below Ocoee. The severed body was found beside the tracks an hour later, with one shoe off. It is supposed he was sitting on the tracks when the train rounded a sharp curve. Surviving are his father, eight brothers and three sisters. Funeral services were held today.

And then there was this:

Chattanooga Daily Times

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Thursday, 9 July 1931

Page 14

TRAIN KILLS VAGABOND AT PARKSVILLE JUNCTION

Chattanooga Times Special.

BENTON, Tenn., July 8 - Ernest Brock, 35, a vagabond, was killed early this morning by a Louisville & Nashville train at Parksville Junction, south of Ocoee. His body was badly mangled. 

The body was found this morning, but it was several hours before identification was completed. He was identified by receipts and photographs found in his pockets. He was the son of Frank Brock, formerly of Benton, who now resides near Cleveland.  For several years, it was said, Brock had been restless and traveled from one town to another, never staying long at one place.

Funeral services were held this afternoon at 3 o'clock at Cookston Creek cemetery, with the Rev. R. A. Presswood officiating.

Oops! The injustice is dealt with swiftly!

Chattanooga Daily Times

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Sunday, 12 July 1931

Page 17

INJUSTICE DEALT MEMORY OF BROCK

Benton Man Was Respected Citizen-Legion Decries Term "Vagabond."

Chattanooga Times Special.

BENTON, Tenn., July 11 - Expression of regret over the use of the term vagabond as applied to Ernest Brock, former Benton resident, in an obituary in The Times July 9 was contained in a resolution passed by the American Legion post here last night.

Brock was killed by a train at Parksville on July 8.

The resolution stated that Brock was a member of the Polk County post of the American Legion in good standing and that he was an honorably discharged soldier of the World War, having served in Company E. Forty-sixth infantry, with other members of the local post. He was given a good character and reputation by the local legionnaires.

Reference to Brock as a "vagabond" was declared to have been a "gross misrepresentation."

"He spent his entire life in this community and was always self-supporting and generally had a regular job" the resolution stated. It is known that he was a hard worker. He was carried to the cemetery at the grave the flag was presented to his nearest kin in remembrance of his military service.

"Post No. 169 of the American Legion desires The Times to publish this letter and make corrections of this news item so that justice may be done in the memory of this deceased legionnaire and his family."

The resolution was signed by Winston H. Prince, chairman of the committee appointed to make the correction.

                                                                 -------------------

The Times regrets the inappropriate and erroneous use of the term "vagabond" in the story of the death of Mr. Brock. The expression was in correctly used in a revision of the notice submitted by the paper's correspondent at Benton due in a misinterpretation of the information. Apology is hereby offered to the family of Mr. Brock and to his friends of the American Legion.

The death certificate states that Ernest was 34 years, 10 months and 26 days old. His younger brother, Dewey, is listed as the informant, but his father was unable to read or write, so I believe that played a large role in Dewey, George Dewey Brock, handling things that might require reading and signing things. 

This had to be a horrible time for the family. Not just losing a son or brother, but how they lost him. Then the newspaper tries to sensationalize the tragedy. Somethings never change. I only wish I could have found more about his life.

Sources: 

Newspapers.com (more with article)

FamilySearch.: Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966

"Tennessee Deaths, 1914-1966,"
database with images,
FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/ark:/619
03/1:1:N9LY-33N : 1 March 2021),
Earnest Broch, 18 Jul 1931; Death,
Polk, Tennessee, United States,
Tennessee State Library and
Archives, Nashville.

The Start of A New Project - Frank Brock

 

I chose my first descendancy project, and naturally run into a big question. My choice is Francis "Frank" Marion Brock. First thing I wanted to do was make sure I had all sources for Frank entered and copies of his docs linked in.  You know, everything nice and neat. Then along comes probems!

Frank was widowed when his first wife, Irene Matilda  Brock, died in February of 1918. They had married in 1883. He remarried Manerva Jane Newton Clayton on March 2, 1919 in Polk County, Tennessee. In the 1920 Polk County census he is listed with wife Mary, which must be a census taker mistake. Also a Bessie and Noah Clayton, listed as Step-children, and Alexander Brock, which is his 11 year old son, Elliot Alexander. His 16 year old son, Lawrence Brock, is next door, I need to say, 'as the crow flies' as these are farms, listed as a lodger. His occupation is farm labor. He is lodging with a James V. Copeland. Frank is 57 according to this census, which puts his birth year as about 1862 or 1863. 

Found in the News:

Polk County News; Benton, Tennessee; Thursday, 13 March 1919; Page 1: Newspapers.com

MARRIED

"Uncle" Frank Brock has been sprucing up and hieing himself away to Archville every week or so, but his friends could not find out the cause, until County Court Clerk received a pair of marriage license endorsed thereon in substance. "Joined Frank Brock and Manerva Clayton in the Holy Bonds of wedlock" This Feb. 7, 1919, Signed R. L. Jenkins D. D.

In the 1930 census, it lists Frank and Manerva Brock renting with a street address in Benton, Polk, Tennessee, and listed as a laborer odd jobs. He is 65 which puts his birth year about 1865. Just for my record, neither can read or write. So 10 years later they are still together.

The big problem comes with the death cert. The informant is G. D. Brock. G. D. is his son George Dewey, mostly know as Dewey. It is listed as Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee. Polk is right next door, so that is ok. It lists him as having been born on December 25, 1859. His gravestone says, December 25, 1862. The census is all over the place on age. I have found no birth cert. and most unlikely to do so considering it is Tennessee and they did not start registering them until 1908, some counties started by 1874, but I haven't found his listed. Without a birth cert. which do you take?

Next his father is listed as John  Brock born in N.C. His father was actually Andrew Jackson Brock, also known as Andy, born in Tennessee. Dewey, the informant, did have a grandfather named John Raborn. He was the father of Matilda Raborn. It said D K (Don't Know) in Franks mothers name. She was actually Emeline Jack Brock. As for the North Carolina, I haven't a clue.

Problem number 2: Frank is listed as Widowed. This is simply not true. On the death cert of Manerva, listed Monerva, she is listed as wife of Frank Brock, widowed. Her death was July 1, 1945 in Ducktown, Tennessee. The 1930 census has them together. WTH, Dewey? If you think I haven't seen a second wife written out of a man's life by his kids, think again. This is the second one I have come by, the first one was in my lifetime. I've tried to find Manerva in the 1940 census, but I've had no luck. She was probably living with one of her children from her first marriage. Her daughter Mariah Cain was the informant on her death cert, maybe that is where she is, but haven't found her yet. 

The third thing about this death cert is the cause of death. It said:

Died Suddenly

No Doctor

heart failure

I've never seen anything like that before. In box 24. where the doctor is supposed to sign, it was signed by G. D. Brock and the M. D. is marked out. Under contributory causes it has written in 199. That is sudden death. That's all. 

Yes, my mind went there. What really killed Frank? 

I thought it would be simple. HA. It never is.

52 Ancestors 52 Weeks - Week 52

Rufus Marvin Brock

Rufus Marvin Brock was born on the 16th of December, 1909 in Collinsville, DeKalb County, Alabama, to Patrick Henry Brock and Adeline Jessie Morgan. He was the 2nd of 9 children.

I have not yet found the 1910 census for the family. Still have work to do one more contemporary families. This is never done!

In the 1920 census the family was in Van Buren Township, in DeKalb County, Alabama. Rufus is 10 years old and with his parents. His grandparents, Reece and Tilda Morgan live right next door. His father is farming.

On the 13th of November, 1929 he married Bizzie Lee Beard in Keener, Alabama. He and Bizzie would have 7 children, one dying in infancy. Two are still living.

In 1930, he is on the census with his father-in-law, Charles P. Beard. I addressed this census in the blog post Bizzie Lee Beard.

Also the 1940 was addressed in Bizzie Lee Beard. He is listed as a farmer, and he is 30, Bizzie is 30, as well. The children are: Rufus Lee, 9, Robert, 6, Marcell (Morris), 2.

He was in the Navy in WWII, and saw action. It is a very sad story and I believe it changed him. He never spoke of it, and I did not know anything about his service until finding the records and looking into the ship he was on. It is a long story and I will deal with it in a separate post.

He hated farming, I do know that. So, when a new factory started in the county, he got a job there. It was Arvins. Rufus and Bizzie moved from Collinsville, Alabama to Seymour, Indiana in 1950 when Arvins opened a plant there and needed experienced people to work there. He came first, on July 29, 1950, and Bizzie followed on September 10, 1950. This he would do until his retirement.

On November 18, 1984, Rufus died. He was at home at the time. His cause of death was Lung Cancer. He was 74 years old. He was buried in Riverview Cemetery in Seymour, Indiana.

Rufus Marvin Brock was my grandfather. I can't say I knew him well. He was a quiet man.

Sources:
1920 US Census, Van Buren TWP, DeKalb County, Alabama, (Van Buren TWP, DeKalb County, Alabama); , T625, NARA, Heritage Quest.
Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950: Marriage, (11 November 1929), 542; FamilySearch, Alabama. Ancestry.com.
1930 US Census, 1930 US Census, (Cox Precinct No.11, Etowah County, Alabama), Sheet No. 7 B + 8 A; Dwelling 118; Family 119; Line 5.  National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
1940 US Census, Elec. Reg.5, Van Buren, Dekalb County, Alabama, (, Van Buren, Dekalb County, Alabama), Sheet No. 8 B, Dwelling 153. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
Death Certificate: Rufus M. Brock, death certificate No. 84-039995 (1984), Indiana State Department of Health, Vital Records, , Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana.

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52 Ancestors 52 Weeks - Week 49

Bizzie Lee Beard

Bizzie Lee Beard was born on May 28, 1909, in Attalla, Etowah County, Alabama. She was the first and only daughter of Charles Pinkney Beard and Beatrice Brown. Beatrice died October 1, 1911 when Bizzie was only 2. Her father married again in 1914, giving 5 year old Bizzie a new step-mother and a step-brother and 3 step-sisters. She did tell me how she felt very close to her step-mother, I she also told me that she spent a few years with her grandmother, as well. I'm sure this helped to shape the woman she became.

She first appears in the 1910 census, in Etowah County, Alabama. She is with her parents, Pinkney C., 22, and Beatrice, 18. She is listed as Lee B., 9 months old. Her father is farming.

In 1930, still in Etowah County, Alabama, she is with her family, her father still farming. The household consists of Charley P., 25, Myrtle, 28, Busylee, 10, Louie L., 5, Franklyn P., 9 months, James Haney, 15, Beatrice Haney, 11, Georgia Haney, 9 and Zelma Haney is 8 years old. Here is the blended family, all still at home.

On November 13, 1929, in Keener, Etowah County, Alabama, she married Rufus Marvin Brock. I asked her once what her wedding was like. She laughed at that, and told me it was pouring rain and they had to take the wagon down to the store to find the preacher and was married on the back of a buckboard wagon in the pouring rain. I can't ever be sure this is true, but she wasn't the type to make it up. I believed her!

In the 1930 census she is shown in the house of her father, still in the same place, Etowah County, Alabama. The people in the household were: Chas. P, 43, Ada M., 41, Zelma Haney, 18, Louie, 15, Frank P., 11, John H., 8, Bertha M., 4, Leonard H., 3, Frances E., 1, Rufus Brock, 20, and Bessie L. Brock, 21. Quite a household! Both her father and her husband are listed as farmers. I know my grandfather, Rufus M., did not like farming, so he is not a happy camper.

In the 1940 census, she is with her husband in Van Buren Township, DeKalb County, Alabama. He is farming and they own the farm. Rufus was the one that gave the information to the census taker. Rufus is 30, Bizzie Lee is 30, Rufus Lee, my father, is 9, Robert, 6, Marcell (Morris), 2 years old.

Rufus and Bizzie moved from Collinsville, Alabama to Seymour, Indiana in 1950. He moved first on July 29, 1950, and Bizzie followed on September 10, 1950.  He was working at Arvin Industries and moved to Seymour to work in the new plant. She did not like winter.

Bizzie died on January 8, 1989, in Seymour, Indiana at the age of 79. She was buried beside her husband, in Riverview Cemetery, in Seymour.

Sources:
Birth Certificate Unnamed, birth certificate no. 304842 (1909), Attalla Department of Health, Attalla, Etowah County, Alabama, United States.
Amended January 3, 1972.
1910 US Census, 1910 US Census, (Cox, Etowah County, Alabama); Page: 12 Dwelling 37 Family 37, T624, no. 13, HeritageQuest.
1920 U.S. Census, 1920 U.S. Census, (Cox, Etowah County, Alabama); Page: 80 Dwelling 302 Family 305, T625, T625, NARA, Heritage Quest.
"Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950", database with images, FamilySearch, Rufus Brock and Bizzie Lee Beard, 1929.
1930 US Census, 1930 US Census, (Cox Precinct No.11, Etowah County, Alabama); Sheet No. 7 B + 8 A; Dwelling 118; Family 119; Line 5, Affiliate Film Number: 16; GS Film number: 2339751, Image Number: 00738, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
1940 US Census; Alabama. Dekalb County. Van Buren. Elec. Reg.5. 1940 US Census. NARA; Washington, DC 20408. 
Death certificate; Indiana, Marion, Indianapolis. Indiana State Department of Health, Vital Records; Bizzie Lee Brock, Seymour death certificate No 89-001198 (1989).

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52 Ancestors 52 Week 48

Elbert Brock

Elbert Brock was born in 1805 in the Spartenburg County, South Carolina area. He was the son of Henry James Brock and Mary Jane Queener.

I don't know as much about Elbert as I would like. I have a lot to do with this man, and it will probably take a trip or hiring someone to find out more. This is a work in progress.

Elbert married Mary sometime before 1830. I believe her name is Mary Sanders, but can find no verification. I am still looking.

Elbert is found in the 1830 and 1840 census in McMinn County, Tennessee. He is near his father in both places. I can see the number of people in the household and their ages, but no detail.

In 1850 I can finally see the house members by name. The family is in Subdivision 23, McMinn County, Tennessee.
Head of household is Henry, 80, and Mary, 80. This is Elbert's parents. Elbert is 45, Mary, his wife, is 43, and the children are: Lucinda, 19, Avan is 17 years old. They are farmers.

Elbert died, intestate in September of 1853. I need to transcribe the probate, but that will have to be in another post. Very interesting though.

Elbert and Mary had 4 children, as far as I can tell. Isaac was born in 1828, and died in 1848, Andrew Jackson was born in 1830 and died after 1906; Lucinda was born in 1831 and died in 1853, and Aaron, listed as Avan in the 1850 census, was born in 1833, and I have seen that others have him dying before 1860, but I have not been able to verify it. I don't think it's right, since they have him in South Carolina at the time.

Elbert and Mary are my 4th great-grandparents. I have much work to do on them and their family. I am descended from Elbert's son, Andrew Jackson Brock.

Sources:
1830 Census; NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls. Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.  Ancestry.com.
1840 Census;  NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls. Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.  Ancestry.com.
1850 Census;  Subdivision 23, Mcminn, Tennessee; Roll: M432_887; Page: 349A; Image: 788; Ancestry.com.

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52 Ancestors 52 Weeks Week 24

Father's Day - Rufus Lee Brock

It's been 12 years since my father died. Every year this time I get very quiet inside. Feels dark and lonely. He died just before Father's Day, June 14, 2006. It's been 12 years this year and that feeling does not go away. He was buried on the 17th of June, which is Father's Day this year. There is a sharp, painful feeling of what is missing from my life. You never really get over it.

He was born on the 2nd of March, 1931, in Collinsville, Dekalb County, Alabama. He was the eldest child in a family of 7. His parents, my grandparents, were Rufus Marvin and Bizzie Lee Beard Brock. My dad carried his father's given name and his mothers middle name. I always thought that was neat. I, too, carry the Lee as my middle name for him. My mother just spelt it different.

In the 1940 census, in Dekalb County, Alabama, Rufus Lee Brock is listed with his parents and his 2 brothers. Badly spelled, by the way.  Robert is still living but his brother Morris died in 2007.

His family moved to Indiana in 1950. His father came north when the factory he worked at, Arvins, opened a factory in Indiana. My father got a job there in 1950, and retired when Arvins closed its Indiana plant in 1976. It was only the first of several 'careers' he had. In 1977 he became a contractor. That was something he really loved doing. He retired from that in 1995. He then followed his heart. Farming. His ancestors were farmers, but the gene apparently missed his father. Rufus Marvin did not like farming. Dad grew vegetables for farmers markets. He sold his produce at several markets every week. One of his best sellers was a flower salad he would make. He liked trying to grow odd vegetables that were popular in other cultures which would be asked for at the farmers market in Bloomington, Indiana that he would drive quite a long way to sell at. He really loved people. He was not a fan of snow and winter at all. Always planning through the cold for the garden in the spring.

My mother's first cousin was dating his brother, and that is how he met my mother. His brother, Robert married 'cousin' Joan first, and a month later my parents were married. I think that families in the 1950's were close and connected. Today, that has seemed to disintegrate. But then, it was fun and crowded at family gatherings. Dad was a lot of fun. He was always busy. He had a workshop and was always making something. He worked his job and still managed to build a house during the summers. Vacations were big, and we were often in Alabama.

In 1978 he and my mother divorced. I was 24 but it was still devastating. Both remarried, and my stepmother, Mary Ann Neihaus died last year.

Dad was always on the go. He didn't just sit down. I would complain that he always told me about family in short spurts, but he was the only family that was supportive of my genealogy work. The only one that loved to hear what I'd found. I needed him to tell me more. He promised that one day he would slow down and we would sit on the porch and he'd tell me everything he could remember. He had a massive stroke after working in his garden all morning. He never got to slow down. I never got to hear the stories. Sometimes I am mad at him about that. Mostly I just want to cry.


Sources:
1940 US Census, Elec. Reg.5, Van Buren, Dekalb County, Alabama, (, Van Buren, Dekalb County, Alabama); , NARA, http://1940census.archives.gov/, Washington D.C...
Seymour Daily Tribune; July 17, 1996

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52 Ancestors 52 Weeks Week 18

Francis "Frank"  Marion Brock

Francis Marion Brock was born December 25, 1862 in McMinn County, Tennessee to Andrew "Andy" Jackson and Emeline [Jack] Brock. Everyone called him Frank.

In 1870 he is in the Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee Census with his parents and siblings. He was 8 years old and his father was listed as a laborer.

In 1880 I have been unable to find the family in the Census. I certainly haven't finished looking. But in 1883, in McMinn County, Tennessee, Frank married Irene Matilda Raborn, daughter of John and Rebecca [Rue] Raborn/Raburn/Rabourn. Irene was 16 and Frank was 21 years old.

In 1900 I found them in the McMinn County Census. Frank is listed as a farm hand. He is 38 years old. It says that he cannot read nor write. They are renting the house they live in, which is out in the 5th District. The family at this time consists of Frank, Matilda, Patrick, which is my great-grandfather, Sarah J., Walter, John J, Ernest, Emma and George D. There are no families nearby that I recognize.

In 1910, the family is in Polk County, Tennessee. Frank is 48 years old. They are living on a farm that they are renting. Patrick, my great-grandfather, married in 1906, so he is not in the house. In this census the family consists of Frank, Matilda, Walter, John, Ernest, Emma, Dewey (this is George), Andy, Lawrence, Thomas and Elliot. Matilda is 43, and her youngest child, Elliot, is one.

Matilda died on the 16th of February, 1918.

Frank married Manerva Jane Newton on March 7, 1919.

In the 1920 Cennsus, still in Polk County, Tennessee, same farm, Frank is listed with wife Mary. He is 57 and Mary is listed as 47. She must be Manerva, perhaps the census taker was afraid to even try to spell that. The family consists of Frank, Mary, Bessie Clayton, listed as step-daughter, age 11, Noah Clayton, step-son, age 14, and Alexander Brock, which is listed as Elliot before. Living next door to the family, listed as a lodger of James Copeland, is Lawrence Brock, age 16. A Robert Clayton lives just up the road. Manerva was married to David Clayton, who died in 1914.

In 1930, things have changed a bit. First of all Frank is living in Benton Village in Polk County, Tennessee on Clemmer Street. He is listed as being 65 years old. He is actually 68. His occupation is Laborer at Odd Jobs, and a wage earner. It also says he is  unemployed.  The household consists of Frank and a Manerva, his wife. She is 62.

On December 22nd, 1936, Frank died. At the time he is listed in Polk County, Tennessee. He is buried in Benton Cemetery, in Polk County, Tennessee. He is 70 years old. I have not yet gotten a copy of his death cert.

Manerva died on the 4th of July, 1945 in Ducktown, Polk County, Tennessee. She was 76 years old.

I have quite a lot to do on this family, at least I have a lot of sources to get.

Sources:
1870 US Census, (Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee - Thirteenth District), Page: 15, Page No. 15.
1900 U.S. Census,  (5th-Dist., McMinn County, Tennessee), Page: 167 Dwelling 275 Family 279, 167.
 1920 U.S. Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
1930 U.S. Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.

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52 Ancestors 52 Weeks Week 17

Patrick Henry Brock

Patrick Henry Brock is my great-grandfather. Everyone called him called him Pat.

He was born June 20, 1884, in McMinn County, Tennessee to Francis Marion Brock, aka Frank Brock, and Irene Matilda Raborn. He was the second of 13 children born to them.

In the 1900 Census, in McMinn County, Tennessee, lists the family as:
Brock, Frank M, Matilda, Patrick, Sarah J., Walter, John J., Ernest, Emma and George D. Patrick is 14 and his father is a Farm hand.

On February 5, 1906, he married Adeline Jessie Morgan, aka. Addie, in Monroe County Tennessee.

They had 9 children: George Washington, Rufus Marvin (my grandfather), Otto Franklin, Jewell, Irene Matilda, Leonard McWhorter, Paul Henry, Warner Hardin, and Calvin Lee Brock.

I have been unable, so far, to find them in the 1910 Census. I will continue to look.

The 1920 Census in DeKalb County, Alabama, lists the family as: Brock, H. Patrick, Addie, George W., Rufus M., Otto F., Irene, Leonard H. Patrick is 35 and a farmer.

Again I cannot find them in a census. This time they are not listed in the 1930 census. As always, I will continue to look.

In the 1940 Census they are listed.  In DeKalb County, Alabama.
The family is: Brock, P.H., Jocie, Lonard, Paul, Warner, Calovin, and S.R. Morgan. Jocie is Jessie Aleline and Calvolin is Calvin. S.R. Morgan is Father-in-law. Patrick is 45 and a farmer.

Addie died on the 23rd of January, 1966 in Boaz, Alabama. She had battled breast cancer.

Pat died on February 24, 1972, in the Boaz Nursing Home in Boaz, Alabama. His immediate cause of death was Bronchopneumonia. He was 87 years old. He was buried in Copeland's Bridge Cemetery, Etowah County, Alabama.

Here is his obituary:

Carr Funeral Home, Boaz

Brock, Pat H., 87, Rt. 1, Boaz, died last night in a Boaz Nursing Home after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church with burial in Copeland's Bridge Cemetery.

Survivors, daughter, Mrs. Irene Smith, Boaz; sons, Rufus Brock, Indiana; Leonard Brock, Boaz; Warner and Paul Brock, both of Arab; Calvin Brock, Houston, Texas; 27 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Jennie Green, Tennessee ; brothers, Dewey Brock, Cleveland, Tennessee ; Lawrence Brock, Lake City, Tennessee ; Cleveland and Walter Brock, both of Jasper, Tennessee; Andy Brock, Asheville, North Carolina.

A native of Tennessee, Mr. Brock was a retired farmer and a Baptist.

Sources:
1900 U.S. Census. 1900 U.S. Census. Series: T623. Heritage Quest.
"Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, FamilySearch.
1920 US Census. DeKalb County. Alabama. Van Buren TWP. T625. NARA, Heritage Quest.
Alabama. Montgomery. Alabama Department of Public Health. Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Death certificate. 
1940 US Census Dekalb County. Alabama. NARA, Washington, D.C..
Source text:
Obituary, Patrick H. Brock, Boaz, Etowah, Alabama, United States
Carr Funeral Home, Boaz. Tina Brock Smith.
Find A Grave Memorial# 105639760; Created by: HistoryLover;
Record added: Feb 21, 2013. 

#52ancestors

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 4

Invite To Dinner

Well, on the surface that seems like an easy one. My first thought was my dad. He kept telling me that when he retired he would tell me all about his young life then. He never retired. He couldn't sit still, always had to be up and doing. So we never had that talk. Then, there is my Grandmother. How I still miss her every day. What I wouldn't give to see to her again.

Seriously though, I have quite a number of females with no birth name. They are not connected to a family. I would like to give them their name and family. I would have to have several dinners, or maybe a banquet. How often do you get the woman's view of how hard it was back then. She cared for the house, had the children, and cared for them, made sure her husband did not go hungry or without clothes. A lot of the old obituaries and death notices list a woman as Mrs. So and So. Not by her name or birth family. I'd love to give them their place, a name and family. I'd like to know what their lives were like. It's easy to assume they what they did, but I bet it was quite different than we think.

Or perhaps I could choose Rudolph Brock, one of my immigrant ancestors. It boggles my mind thinking about leaving what you know and going to a place that is unknown. Leaving behind almost everything, including your extended family, and starting over. It's a very brave thing to do. That would make an interesting dinner, for sure.

On the other hand, it would be very entertaining to have dinner with at least one of our founding fathers. Hear what they think of what this country has become.

I can't choose just one.


#52Ancestors #genealogy #Brock

52ancestors 52weeks Week 3

Longevity

I've actually had several ancestors that can claim "longevity" as a blessing in their lives. I have many ancestors that lived well into their 90's. But I will post one that is hard to believe.

Many years ago I was sent a copy of an advertisement for a product called Peruna, Dr. Hartman's remedy from another Brock researcher. I think it is from about 1899, at least according to my math. It features a cousin of mine named Isaac Brock, or known to us Brock researchers as Texas Isaac. He claims he was born March 1, 1788 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and is a citizen of McLennan County, Texas.  It also says he is 111 years old. He (Isaac) says "I attribute my extreme old age to the use of Peruna." I'm going to assume Peruna is a tonic of some sort. A miracle elixir which can cure whatever ails ya.
There is a drawing of him, shown above, but it's a bad "newspaper picture". Still, I don't think he looks 111. But I don't know anyone else to compare it to.
It says of Isaac:
Born before United States was formed.
Saw 22 Presidents elected.
Pe-ru-na has protected him from all sudden changes.
Veteran of four wars.
Shod a horse when 99 years old.
Always conquered the grippe with Pe-ru-na.
Witness in a land suit at age of 110 years.
Believes Pe-ru-na the greatest remedy of the age for Catarrhal Diseases.


I know all of this is true because he signed his name to the document. His seal of approval. I got to find me a bottle of this stuff! LOL!

The Waco, Texas papers state that Isaac died September 3rd, 1909 at 122 years, 6 months and 2 days in China Springs, Texas. They wrote about him a lot. And so they should. He seems to have been an amazing character, no matter what his age.

Well, as you may have guessed by now, all is not as it seems. Isaac's daughter, Sallie, had written to the courthouse in Buncombe County, North Carolina to see when her father was born. They sent her the information for his uncle Isaac, that was born March 1, 1788. Texas Isaac did not know that the information was not his. 

The family has determined since, that Texas Isaac Brock was born March 1, 1805 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. He worked in the gold mines in Georgia, learned to be a blacksmith in Alabama, served 4 years in the Civil War, and had a blacksmith shop in Waco, Texas. He outlived 2 wives, had 16 children, and died at the ripe old age of 104.

Yep. Peruna works. Texas Isaac lived a very long, honorable life. I'm proud to be his family.

#52Ancestors #Brock #genealogy #longevity

There's Something About Henry...

Now the last time I wrote about my Brock family I wrote about Rudolph and his son (and my direct ancestor as per DNA) Georg "Frederick".  I know one of Frederick's sons is my ancestor, but which one?  I have 8 to choose from for now as DNA has not been listed on each of Fredericks sons, but I can eliminate several through research.  I have no proof as of yet which one it is, but I believe Isaac is the front-runner. 

Tracing back from my father, I am sure of his father, Rufus Marion and his father Patrick Henry.  I was 18 when my great-grandfather, Pat, died.  I knew both men well.  I also know the father of Pat was Francis Marion, his father was  Andrew "Andy" Jackson, and his father was Elbert.  This is easy to trace as there are records including a straight and clear path back through the census records.  I have never seen Elbert misspelled or written as Albert, though I have been told it could be interchangeable.  It would seem that it would be shown to be a possibility in records and I have not found that to be so. I don't think I agree that his name could possibly be Albert.  I mention this because Elbert is also a surname which I have noted could be important, especially when the surname can be found in the area of my family. Now, this is the point which I think things get really murky.

Elbert's father is supposed to be Henry Brock, born 1770 in Pendleton County, South Carolina and died March 31, 1866 in Mecca, McMinn County, Tennessee.  He was married to Mary (other researcher has her surname as Queener) also born in South Carolina in 1770 and died in Mecca, McMinn County, Tennessee. 
According to other researchers,  they had the following children:
  1. Blassingame, born 1797; died about 1860
  2. Terry Wayne, born 1798; died about 1860
  3. Elbert, born 1805 South Carolina; died 1853 in McMinn County, Tennessee
  4. Matilda, born Aug. 31, 1811 South Carolina; died Jan. 9 1879 in McMinn County, Tennessee.
  5. David Harrison, born 1815 Spartenburg, South Carolina; died about 1860
  6. Henry J., born 1817 South Carolina; died 1904 Jackson County, Arkansas
  7. Lawrence P.(Porter maybe), born 1821 South Carolina; died Jan. 3 1894,in Mecca, McMinn County, Tennessee

In the 1850 census Henry, listed as 80 years old, and Mary are living with Elbert and his wife Mary (Elbert died in 1858).  In the 1860 census record Henry, listed as 100 years old, is living with Lawrence and his family.  Henry's birth year of 1770 is most likely wrong, and the census just highlights that.  Perhaps he didn't even remember the exact year of his birth.

Court records have helped to sort out some of the children.  The first ones to go are Blassingame and Terry Wayne.  Both are listed in court records as sons of James Sr., Frederick's youngest son.  So the child list is cut down to five: Elbert, Matilda, David H., Henry J., and Lawrence.  In court records, Henry J. is listed as a cousin of Elbert, so again, either Elbert or Henry J. must be removed from the children of Henry and Mary.  I am leaning toward removing Elbert, simply because of the naming patterns in the family. Unless, of course, Henry's wife Mary is actually Mary Elbert.  There is also the fact that the given name of Henry does not repeat in Elbert's line.  Another problem I see is Lawrence.  If Henry and Mary were born in 1770, then they would be 51 at the time of his birth.  While it is possible, I just don't think it is probable.  So, something must be wrong with the entire make-up of this Brock family. 

My cousin is the one that put this family together in the beginning.  Another cousin stated it was done through a Bible, one I have never seen nor heard about until lately.  I did read about a Bible with this family a long time ago from another researcher.  It described the entries, stating that Henry's birth date of 1764 had been marked out and 1770 written in.  As I understand it, the children I have had to remove from the children list for Henry were in this bible as the children of Henry.  Mary was also listed as being Mary Queener. That has not been proven, and quite frankly, can not be found to be so.   I do not know if this is the same bible that my cousin was told about.  I do know that the Queener Bible doesn't list any Brock/Queener marriage.  I have not found any Brock/Queener connections at all, but this cousin pointed out that David Harrison's son was named John Queener Brock.  It would seem that there is a connection somewhere, if I can only find it.

I don't put as much importance on Bible entries as I do other records.  I know how easily it is changed and how they are often copied over and over into other Bibles.  The chance of an error is very high. 

I am now investigating Henry Brock, 2nd son of Reuben Sr. who is the fourth son of Frederick.  He was born in 1777 in Caswell County, North Carolina, which would put his age at a more comfortable place than the 1770 date for me.  It would certainly fit better.  I know nothing about him at all, so in the end both Henry's might actually be the same.  

There is a lot of work to do on Henry and his family.  At least I know where the problems are and can go from there.

to be continued......

The Voyage of Rudolph: Coming Home

I have been working on my Brock/Brack family.  As a matter of fact, I have been working with a group of other Brock researchers.  I have learned more than I have contributed, I'm sorry to say.  The people in the group are very good and have shared a great deal of information, for which I am grateful.  Any time from this point that I say Brock, I am including this group of researchers in my source of where the information came from. (So thanks everybody for including me!) 

I know from a DNA result from my cousin that my line of Brocks comes from a son of Georg "Frederick" Brock, aka. Fred who was the s/o Rudolph Brack.  Frederick was born February 2, 1719 in  Zweibreucken, Germany.  His line goes back into Switzerland in 1646 and before.  I was able to find information on the families entry into the US, and several German records, birth and death in particular, on FamilySearch.

My American story starts with Fredericks' father.  Rudolph Brack 47, wife Anna Brack 36, daughters Christiana 11,  Magdalena 8 and son Frederick 14  immigrated to America, arriving at the Port of Philadelphia, August 28, 1733 aboard the ship "Hope". They arrived just in time for winter which was surely a disadvantage.  They remained in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for a couple of years before moving on to the Shenandoah area of Virginia.

The journey aboard ship must have been a nightmare.  The first step of the voyage was down the Rhine to Rotterdam.  This trip down the Rhine lasted 4 to 6 weeks.  They had to stop at a customs check 26 times along the river, and each time the ship was held for examination for as long as the officials wanted to hold it.  The passengers would be forced to spend some cash, of course, at every stop.  Once in Rotterdam, Holland, the ships were detained 5 to 6 weeks.  Holland was more expensive, and would drain the people of any extra money they might hope to hold onto.  The second step of the journey was from Holland to Cowes, England, which is located on the Isle of Wight.  There they would go through customs and then wait for a 'favorable wind'.  This could take 2 to 3 weeks, from time of making port in Cowes to setting sail for America.  Once the weather was right, the final and worst part of the journey began.  From the Port of Cowes to the Port of Philadelphia, the journey would last 8 to 12 weeks, completely dependant on the weather and certainly the most trying leg of the whole journey. 

The passengers would suffer very small quarters, constant motion underfoot, noise day and night and the lack of exercise and privacy.  There was also a lack of clean water, though they carried fresh water, it would have to be portioned out carefully .   They were only allowed to bathe in sea water.  The food would not be the freshest, and I suppose the longer the journey, the worse the food and water got.  I read about the 'bunks' for sleeping.  They were only 5 foot long and were called 'cribs' because they had sides.  You wouldn't be able to stretch out, but at least you wouldn't end up in the floor every time the ship rolled.  I don't even want to  imagine the smell below deck. 

There was the constant threat of disease.  Even today, a cruise on a luxurious vessel can be ruined for everyone aboard by a flu bug or virus.  Think what would happen aboard a small ship with it's passengers packed in like sardines.    They would be subject to all sorts of diseases like scurvy, dysentery, typhoid and smallpox.  Many children died on each journey.  I should think the elderly would as well.    Only the hardiest of souls ever set eyes on their 'promised land'.

The storms would have been horrible experiences.  You would have been tossed about, sick and healthy alike.  No one would be able to stand below deck during the storms.  The waves would wash over the decks.  I'm sure it was running through every mind that the ship would surely sink each time a storm hit.  You are out in the middle of nowhere and there will be no rescue whatever tragedy befalls the vessel, so completely at the mercy of the elements. 

Once the ship arrived at it's destination, a health official would board and check that they would not infect the general population with anything.  If they got the ok, the ship could then 'make port' and her passengers could disembark.  They must have been worse for wear when they finally got to the end of their journey, a wobbly, less than clean bunch working their way down the gang plank.  What did it feel like, I wonder, setting foot on dry, solid land after spending over a year aboard a ship?  What was going through their minds as their eyes took in their surroundings?  Did it resemble the dream they had nurtured in their minds throughout their long journey home? 

I would say that you had to really want to get to the new world very badly to go through such a journey.  The conditions in the place you left so bad or so constraining that you were willing to let go of family, friends and place to begin again, alone in a strange land.  I don't think people today fully appreciate the journey Rudolph took, nor the reasons behind it.    I am sure our elected officials don't, as this journey I write about is the true example of immigration. 

Rudolph signed his name to three lists, and I believe he did so with all his heart.

List A - The Captain's list
List B - The signers of the Oath of Allegiance
List C - The signers of the Oath of Abjuration

My Rudolph was home. 

to be continued. . . . .

-------------------------------------------

The Brock Research Group


OliveTreeGenealogy Ships list:  Passenger list for the ship Hope

FamilySearch.org.: Record Search

Frederick Brock 1719-1807: His American Family by Clarence C. Brock, Jr.

Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808, by Ralph Baker Strasburger & William John Hinke. Norristown, PA: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934; reprinted Springfield, VA, Genealogical Books in Print, 1992; pp. xxxiv-xxxvii.

Summertime Update

A lot has changed in the last 6 months.  One thing is that I have retired from the GenWeb.  I have limited time and energy to spend now.  I have been working on my own genealogy lately.  I had let it fall by the wayside, spending almost all my free time in volunteer projects.  I still want to volunteer but need to work on my tree for a while.  I suppose this is the only change that matters here.  I need to match my time and energy to the project I choose.  

I have been working on catching up with citations of the sources I have.   I don't know that I will ever have that job done. 

Lately I have met a group of Brock researchers and have a cousin that has had his DNA done.  I know a lot more than I did about this family, and I am having to rethink the line.  I believe early mistakes were made.  I have been forced to wonder if all the data online from my line is based on a wrong person.  It needs a lot more work.  Lucky for me, this sounds fun.  

I'm giving some thought to joining GenealogyWise.  I don't want to over-join.  I have cut out the things I was not using and am considering how to use the ones I have kept more effectively.

All in all it seems to be turning into the year of change.  I got pushed into changing in the beginning.  Now it is becoming so much more than just physical changes.  

Dad's Calling - The Good Earth

I could start out on this topic going a back a century or more and talking about ancestors that came to this country and farmed. I have a family history of farmers on both sides. But, I don't have to talk about family stories or ancestors I never met. I'll start with a very contemporary memory.

My Dad, Rufus Brock, died in June of 2006. So I will dedicate this post to him.

He was born in Alabama, but moved to Indiana with his family when he was a teen. His father didn't care for the family business, farming. He worked in a factory that was building a plant in Indiana. He agreed to go north. Dad lied about his age and went to work in the new Indiana plant. There he worked until he took early retirement when the plant was being closed in the 70's. He was a line foreman and die setter at Arvin Industries when he retired.

He then embarked upon his second career. He became a general contractor. He enjoyed building things. I have many pieces of furniture he built for me and often pass houses he built around town. He was good at it. But there was only one thing he did all his life. One thing he loved the most. He always had a garden. It was in his blood.


So he retired late from contracting, and began his final career and journey. Dad loved to learn and try new things.


He began his gardening in earnest. He took his vegetables to the farmers markets in the tri-county area. He was always growing unusual vegetables and the flower salads he made were quite popular! He offered fresh cut flowers when he had them.

Somehow he made the newspaper almost every year. He had become a well-known and well-liked regular at the local farmer's market. He went home with an empty truck most of the time. I think he enjoyed meeting the people at the markets most.

He spent his last morning in his beloved garden. That is how he would have wanted it to be.

Written for Carnival of Genealogy: The Good Earth
Due: June 1, 2009

Meet Irene Raborn Brock

Irene is my great-great-grandmother. This is really sad. I don't have the sources in the program for this family. I will get to work immediately!

Ancestors of Irene Matilda RABURN
Generation No. 1

Irene Matilda RABURN, born 11 Aug 1868 in Monroe County, Tennessee; died 16 Feb 1918 in Polk County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of John RABORN. She married Francis Marion BROCK 26 Jan 1882 in McMinn County, Tennessee. He was born 25 Dec 1861 in McMinn County, Tennessee, and died 22 Dec 1936 in Bradley County, Tennessee. He was the son of Andrew Jackson BROCK and Emeline JACK.

Generation No. 2

John RABORN

Child of John RABORN is:

1. Irene Matilda RABURN

Meet 'Addie' Morgan Brock

This is my great-grandmother. I knew her growing up. She was a tiny little woman always busy. The food was to die for!! Meet "Addie", my Granny Brock!

Ancestors of Jessie Adeline MORGAN

Generation No. 1

Jessie Adeline MORGAN, born 22 Dec 1884 in Monroe, TN; died 23 Jan 1966 in Boaz, Marshall County, Alabama[1]. She was the daughter of Reese Simpson MORGAN and Matilda Marie WHITE. She married Patrick Henry BROCK 05 Feb 1906 in Marshall County, Alabama. He was born 20 Jun 1884 in McMinn Co., TN, and died 24 Feb 1972 in Marshall, Alabama[2]. He was the son of Francis Marion BROCK and Irene Matilda RABURN.


Generation No. 2

Reese Simpson MORGAN, born 25 Dec 1856 in Monroe County, Tennessee; died 10 Jan 1942 in Collinsville, Alabama. He was the son of William M. MORGAN and Sarah Serena TALLENT. He married Matilda Marie WHITE.
Matilda Marie WHITE, born Oct 1854 in TN; died 1925 in Lloyd's Chapel Baptist Church Calhoun County, Alabama. She was the daughter of Tolliver White.


Children of Reese MORGAN and Matilda WHITE are:

1. Rufus M MORGAN
2. Minnie Ellen MORGAN
3. James Frank MORGAN
4. Jessie Adeline MORGAN
5. Robert Benjamin MORGAN
6. Kitty O. MORGAN
7. Callie Miranda MORGAN
8. Grace B. MORGAN
9. Edgar L. MORGAN
10. Talmidge Digger MORGAN

Endnotes 1. Funeral Tract/AL. 2. Obituary, Boaz, AL - Carr Funeral Home, Carr Funeral HomeBoazBROCK, Pat H., 87, Rt. 1, Boaz, died last night in a Boaz Nursing Home after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church with burial in Copeland's Bridge Cemetery. Survivors, daughter, Mrs. Irene Smith, Boaz; sons, Rufus Brock, Indiana; Leonard Brock, Boaz; Warner and Paul Brock, both of Arab; Calvin Brock, Houston, Texas; 27 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Jennie Green, Tenn.; brothers, Dewey Brock, Clevelandf, Tenn.; Lawrence Brock, Lake City, Tenn.; Cleveland and Walter Brock, both of Jasper, Tenn.; Andy Brock, Asheville, NC. A native of Tennessee, Mr. Brock was a retired farmer and a Baptist. 3. Obituary, Attalla, Alabama, OBITUARY -- The Gadsden Times, Saturday, September 17, 1949Funeral Services For Attalla WomanMrs. Lummie Morgan, 62, Lester Street, Attalla, died this morning at her residence after an illness of two months.Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Copeland's Bridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Grady Humphries officiating.She was a member of the Church of God, and had been a resident of Etowah County for the past 18 years.She is survived by her husband, J. F. Morgan, Attalla, two sons, Horace Morgan, Attalla, and Alvin Morgan, Centre;one daughter, Mrs. Hobert Chandler, Centre; one sister, Mrs. Lee Wilson, Madisonville, Tenn., and seven grandchildren.Active pallbearers will be Willie Garner, Boby Crumpton, Charlie Matthews, Louie Hathcock, John Leath andBill Chandler.Burial will be in the Copeland's Bridge Cemetery with Collier-Butler Funeral Home directing.- sent to me by Alice Phillips.

Brock Photo Mystery

This photo is of my Brock/Raborn/Raburn/Rayburn family. The young boy standing is my great-grandfather, Patrick "Pat" Henry Brock. The young woman standing is supposed to be his mother, Irene Matilda (Raborn/Raburn/Rayburn) Brock. Myself and other family members believe that it is true. The girl sitting on the elderly woman’s lap most likely is Patrick’s sister, Sarah, and the one standing, his sister Nellie. The man sitting and the elderly woman are the ones I need to put a name to. It is possible that the man is Patrick’s father, Francis Marion Brock. The older woman could be a grandmother perhaps. That would make her Irena [Ammons] Brock or Rebecca [Rue] Raborn/Raburn/Rayburn. Patrick was born in 1884, which would date the photo to around 1890 to 1895 perhaps. I have this photo on my site under 'Mystery Photos'. I would love to know if that is Francis "Frank" Marion Brock. If there are any cousins out there, I would love hearing from you!

The photo originally had 2 corners missing. It was digitally repaired by Richard Spencer.



Submitted to and written for:
9th Smile For The Camera - 10 January 2009