Samuel Kolb MEIGS (1859-1927)
Etta Johnnie RUSS (1871-1925)
NC, SC, AL, FL
I, unfortunately, don't have many photos of this family. Here is the only one we have of my great-grandmother, Etta. We don't have any of Samuel.
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| Grandma's sister Dot Perry with my Dad in Palatka, Florida June 1933 |
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| Grandma, her sister Grace and my Dad in Copiague, New York July 1933 |
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| Uncle Joel "Pepito" and Grandma's sister Lillian "Pickles" probably in Copiague, New York September 1926 |
Samuel Kolb MEIGS, 8th of 10 children born to John Kolb MEIGS (1820-1882) and Emeline MOSS/MORSE (1821-1900)
b. 18 November 1859 Society Hill, Darlington, South Carolina
m. 8 February 1888 Ware county, Georgia
d. 28 January 1927 Palatka, Putnam, Florida
and
Etta Johnnie RUSS, 8th of 9 children born to Isham RUSS (1829-1899) and Mary Elizabeth PINNER (1829-1904)
b.19 June 1871 Brunswick county, North Carolina
d. 4 June 1925 Palatka, Putnam, Florida
They were the parents of 13 children:
1-Pauline MEIGS
b. 4 March 1889 Ashford, Houston, Alabama
d. 9 Mar 1889
2-Edna Marie MEIGS
b. 6 May 1890 Ashford, Houston, Alabama
d. 31 May 1957 Sedalia, Pettis, Missouri
m. 23 March 1911 Dr. Samuel Benjamin STRONG in DeFuniak Springs, Putnam, Florida
3-Kathleen MEIGS
b. 25 February 1892 in Houston county, Alabama
d. 14 Aug 1903
4-MEIGS (female)
b. 14 August 1893 Alabama
d. 14 Aug 1893 Alabama
5-Samuel Kenneth MEIGS
b. 5 June 1894 Ashford, Houston, Alabama
d. 4 March 1973 West Branch, Cedar, Iowa
m. 1917 Vera Marion THURSTON in Mayarí, Holguín, Cuba
6-Mary Emma MEIGS
b. 16 January 1896 Ashford, Houston, Alabama
d. 26 March 1899 Ashford
7-MEIGS (male)
b. 21 May 1897 Alabama
d. 22 May 1897 Alabama
8-Catherine Clyde "Kate" MEIGS
b. 1 June 1898 Ashford, Houston, Alabama
d. 7 July 1983 Bonita, California
m. 23 July 1914 Thomas Godwin ALSOBROOK Ponce de Leon, Holmes, Florida
b. 5 October 1900 Ashford, Houston, Alabama
d. 23 Sep 1986 Nyack, Rockland, New York
m. 26 Aug 1922 Charles Miller JERVIS, Sr. Santiago, Oriente, Cuba (my grandparents)
10-James Arthur "Jimmy" MEIGS
b. 31 January 1903 Leland, Georgia
d. June 1962 Miami, Dade, Florida
m. about 1930 Minerva Isabel O'FALLON Cuba
11-Dorothy Virginia "Dot" MEIGS
b. 11 July 1905 Meigs, Thomas, Georgia
d. 27 October 1970 Gainesville, Alachua, Florida
m. 7 October 1924 Thomas Gatlin PERRY Quincy, Gadsden, Florida
12-Grace Elizabeth MEIGS
b. 28 September 1907 Freeport, Walton, Florida
d. 2 April 1954 Norfolk, Virginia
m. 3 November 1929 Coy Jackson HANCOCK Palatka, Putnam, Florida
13-Lillian Russ "Pickles" MEIGS
b. 13 January 1911 DeFuniak Springs, Walton, Florida
d. 10 December 1964 Groveland, Lake, Florida
m. 11 September 1931 Shaw BUCK Cove Springs, Clay, Florida
1860 US Federal Census Darlington, South Carolina (all listed as born in South Carolina)
Jno K Meggs 40 tailor
Emeline 36
Jno T 15
C M 12 [Catherine Miller]
G W 10 [George Wesley]
M K 8 [Mary Kolb]
M A 3 [Martha Ann]
S K 1 [Samuel Kolb]
Martha Moore 65
(Martha is listed as the same dwelling house number as the Meggs family, but she is given a different family number--Emeline's mother or aunt???)
1870 US Federal Census Hamilton, Darlington, South Carolina (all listed as born in SC)
J K Meigs 50 tailor
Emeline 47 keeping house
Thomas 25 Idiotic
Kate 21 keeping house
George 20 laborer
Mary Tripp 18
Martha Meigs 12
Samuel 10
Wm 8
Emma Tripp 5
Emma Meigs 2
1880 US Federal Census Mount Croghan, Chesterfield, South Carolina (no relationships listed)
Frank Sessoms 22 South Carolina turpentine laborer
Sam Meigs 20 South Carolina clerk in store
Clinton Wallice 27 South Carolina turpentine laborer
1900 US Federal Census Fowler's Mill, Henry, Alabama
Samuel Meigs Nov 1859 South Carolina m12 years mfg Naval Stores [turpentine business]
Etta Jun 1871 North Carolina 4/4 children [it should says 8/4]
Edna May 1890 Alabama
Kathleen Feb 1892 Alabama
Samuel K Jun 1894 Alabama
Kate Jun 1898 Alabama
Clinton W. Lee Aug 1874 Georgia boarder widower
1910 US Federal Census DeFuniak Springs, Walton, Florida
Samuel Meigge 58 South Carolina salesman tobacco
Etta 37 North Carolina 13/7 children
Samuel K 15 Alabama
Kate 11 Alabama
Carolie 9 Alabama
James 7 Mississippi
Dorothy 5 Georgia
Grace 2 Florida
1920 US Federal Census Palatka, Putnam, Florida
Samuel Meigs 60 South Carolina bookkeeper Moss factory
Etta 49 North Carolina
Carolie 19 Alabama
James 17 Mississippi
Dorothy 14 Georgia
Grace 12 Florida
Lillian 8 Florida
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The Weekly Columbus Enquirer-Sun
Columbus, Georgia
20 September 1890, Saturday Page 3
A NEW TOWN ON THE ALABAMA MIDLAND.
ASHFORD, Ala., September 13.--[Special]--Ashford is on the Alabama Midland railroad, eleven miles from Dothan. She has eight stores, two turpentine stills and about 300 inhabitants. It will be incorporated when the Legislature meets in December. The advantages of Ashford are very good. There are four saw-mills, one gin, and plenty of work for all who want to work. I will give some of the names of our merchants, viz.: S. K. Meigs, R. R. Adams, W. H. Rigell, W. J. Deal, and Mound & Furier, all doing a good business. ...
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
26 October 1895, Saturday Page 2
Three dwellings occupied by Dock Brown, F. M. McArthur and S. K. Meigs at Dothan, were burned last week. Portions of the furniture was saved.
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The Southern Alabamian
Jackson, Alabama
6 April 1901, Saturday Page 3
--Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Meigs of Walker Springs were called to this place yesterday by intelligence of the severe illness of their little daughter Edna, a pupil in Jackson Agricultural college, who is boarding with Mrs. A. C. Clarke. We are pleased to learn that the little lady's condition is much improved this morning.
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Sun Herald
Biloxi, Mississippi
11 August 1910, Thursday Page 8
S. K. Meigs, representing the Byrd Turpentine Cup Co. of Biloxi, left this morning for points in Florida.
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Sun Herald
Biloxi, Mississippi
7 August 1916, Monday Page 6
CAMPGROUND ARRIVALS
Mrs. S. K. Meigs and three children, of Stillmore, Miss., have arrived on the Campgrounds to remain the balance of the season with her daughter, Mrs. S. B. Strong in the Keener cottage. Mrs. Strong's brother, S. K. Meigs, Jr., will arrive from Cuba tonight to spend six weeks with his mother and sister.
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There are photos in grandpa's album of Grandma Carolie and Uncle Joel leaving for Palatka on May 27, 1925 and her mother died 8 days later, so yes, Carolie was there from Cuba.
Special to Times-Union
Obituary for Etta Johnnie (RUSS) MEIGS--paper and date of publication unknown, but since she died on 4 June 1925, the publication date for the obituary should be the 5th of June, 1925.
FUNERAL BELOVED WOMAN HELD THIS AFTERNOON
At Parkview yesterday noon, occurred the death of Etta J. Miegs [sic], beloved wife of S. K. Miegs [sic], whose home is on Thirteenth street. Coming here from west Florida seven years ago, Mrs. Miegs [sic], in her quiet way, quickly identified herself with the life of the community, and with the active work in the Methodist church, of which she was a devout member. Retiring by nature, Mrs. Miegs [sic] has lived a somewhat secluded life, her time and thought being devoted to her husband and children. Nothing finer could be said of her than that she was a real mother, her splendid family of sons and daughters testifying to this in their fine loyalty and devotion to her.
The husband and daughters were at the bedside at the last, the sons being unable to get here.
Besides the husband there are left to mourn her passing eight children, Mrs. F. C. [sic] Strong, Mrs. C. M. Jarvis [sic], S. K. Miegs [sic], Jr., and James Miegs [sic], all of Marcane, Cuba; Mrs. T. G. Alsobrook, of Vilas; Mrs. Tom Perry, who lives on Bronson street, Palatka, and Grace and Lillian; also a sister, Mrs. M. McCormick, of Unadilla, Ga.
The funeral was held from the home this afternoon, Reverend Carpenter officiating. Quantities of beautiful flowers, tributes of love and respect banked the casket, and a large number of sympathizing friends followed the remains to their last resting place in Oak Hill cemetery.
Pallbearers were Wendell Beasley, Hugh Padgett, Adrian Jacobs, Johnny Smith, Jo Lamon and Emory Bell.
The sympathy of the community goes out to the sorrowing husband and children in their hour of bereavement.
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There are 2 obituaries for Samuel Kolb Meigs:
This one is in the scrapbook of Samuel's son-in-law, Charles Jervis, Sr.:
SAMUEL K. MEIGS DIES IN PALATKA
Special to Times-Union
PALATKA, Jan 29.-Samuel K. Meigs, for the last seven years a resident of this city, died at 1:40 this morning, at his home on South Thirteenth street. He suffered an attack of pneumonia a short time ago, but the immediate cause of his death was a heart attack.
Mr. Meigs was born in South Carolina sixty-seven years ago last November, but has made his home in Alabama, Georgia and Florida, where he had been engaged in the turpentine business. He was forced by ill health a year ago to resign his position with the Kennerly Hardware Company, where he was a valued employee. He was a member of the St. James Methodist church of this city and a Master Mason.
Funeral services will be held Sunday morning at 10 o'clock from his late residence. Interment being in Oakhill cemetery beside his wife, who died a year ago last June. Rev. W. J. Carpenter will have charge of the services. Deceased is survived by six daughters, Mrs. Tom Alsobrook, Mrs. Tom Perry, Miss Grace Meigs, and Miss Lillian Meigs, of this city, and Mrs. S. B. Strong and Mrs. C. M. Jervis of Marcane, Cuba, and by two sons, Sam, Jr., and James, both of Marcane, Cuba.
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Obituary #2 is in possession of the Perry family:
Palatka Times Herald
Palatka, Florida
June 1927
MR. S. K. MEIGS DIES AFTER EXTENDED ILLNESS
Mr. Samuel K. Meigs, one of Palatka's most highly esteemed citizens, died early Saturday morning at his home on South 13th street following an extended illness. For a couple of weeks, his condition had been regarded as critical, so the news of his passing came as no surprise.
The deceased was born in South Carolina sixty-seven years ago, and there he was educated. Early in life he engaged in the naval stores business, and this he followed for many years in Alabama and Georgia. Since coming to Palatka, he had been book-keeper to various local concerns. Mr. Meigs was a man of deep piety, and was a faithful attendant upon the services of St. James and Carr Street churches, being an organizer and an officer in the latter. He was also a loyal member of the local F. & A. M. Lodge. Of a genial personality and a generous nature, he had many friends who held him in love and esteem. His wife departed this life about a year ago. He is survived by six daughters, Mrs. S. B. Strong, of Cuba; Mrs. T. G. Alsobrook, of Palatka; Mrs. C. M. Jervis, of Cuba; Mrs. Tom Perry, Miss Grace Meigs and Miss Lillian Meigs, of Palatka, and by two sons S. K. Meigs, Jr., and James Meigs, both of Cuba.
The funeral services were held from the family residence Sunday morning at 10 o'clock; Dr. W. J. Carpenter, the Methodist pastor, officiating. The interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery, where the commitment services of the Masonic Order were conducted.
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The Miami Daily News
Miami, Florida
15 March 1932, Tuesday Page 13
GATOR AND BEAUTY WEDDING IS TOLD
PALATKA, March 15.--(AP)--Mrs. Perry, Palatka, yesterday announced the marriage of her sister, Miss Lillian Russ Meigs, to Shaw Buck on Sept. 11, 1931, at Green Cove Springs.
Buck, quarterback of the University of Florida football team, is attending the university while Mrs. Buck is in business school at Tallahassee.
Mrs. Buck was chosen as Miss Palatka at the Clearwater state beauty contest last year.
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The Orlando Sentinel
Orlando, Florida
15 April 1953, Wednesday Page 18
Schoolmate. . .
It's been 14 years since we saw Dill [Lillian] Meigs. She's now Mrs. Shaw Buck, wife of coach of the Groveland School. They started going steady in 6th grade and never broke the habit. Bumped into her in front of a local department store. . . Can't see that she's changed much with passing years. . . Reminds us. . . If you want to be sweet at 40. . . You have to start practicing at 4.
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The Virginian-Pilot
Norfolk, Virginia
3 April 1954, Saturday Page 19
Mrs. Grace Meigs Hancock, 46, wife of Coy J. Hancock and daughter of the late Samuel K. and Etta Mae Russ Meigs, died at a Norfolk hospital yesterday at 5:25 p. m. Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Betty Ann Forbes, of Norfolk; five sisters, Mrs. Edna Strong and Mrs. Thomas Perry, Sr., both of Palatka, Fla.; Mrs. Kate Alsobrook, of Port St. Joe, Fla.; Mrs. Lillian Buck, of Groveland, Fla., and Mrs. C. M. Jervis, of Copiague, Long Island, N. Y., and two brothers, S. K. Meigs, of Daytona Beach, Fla., and James Meigs, of Miami, Fla.
Mrs. Hancock was a native of Freeport, Miss., and had been a resident of Bayside, Princess Anne County, for three years.
The body will be forwarded from the Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home to Palatka today at 4:30 p.m. for burial services and burial.
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The Orlando Sentinel
Orlando, Florida
11 December 1964, Friday Page 6
MRS. LILLIAN M. BUCK, 52, Groveland High School athletic coach Shaw S. Buck, died Thursday.
She came to Groveland in 1937 from Palatka. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Groveland and the D & H Sewing Club.
Also surviving are son, Shaw K. Buck, Ocoee; daughter, Mrs. Carolie Davis, Orlando; sisters, Mrs. Kate Alsobrook, Port St. Joe, Mrs. Carolie Jervis, Baltimore, MD., and Mrs. Dorothy Perry, Palatka; brother, Sam Meigs, Miami, and two grandchildren.
Kurfiss Funeral Home is in charge.
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Samuel Kenneth MEIGS obituary
The Courier, Waterloo Daily Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
05 March 1973, Monday Page 5
SAMUEL K. MEIGS
VINTON--Private services for Samuel K. Meigs, 78, who died Sunday evening at a West Branch nursing home will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Campbell Funeral Home; burial in Daytona Beach, Fla.; survivors include two sons, John of Daytona Beach, and William of Vinton; and four grandchildren.
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The Journal News
White Plains, New York
24 Sep 1986, Wednesday page 15 (B5)
CAROLIE JERVIS
Carolie Jervis, 85 of 5 Renwood Court, New City, died Tuesday at Nyack Hospital.
She was born on Oct. 5, 1900, in Cottonwood, Ala., to Samuel K. and Etta Russ Meigs, and lived in New Orleans before moving to New City six years ago.
Her husband, Charles M., died in 1961.
Surviving are two sons, Joel, of Los Altos, Calif., and Charles, at home; a daughter-in-law, Barbara, at home; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Powell Funeral Home, 67 Powell Funeral Home, 67 Broadway, Amityville, L.I., with burial in Amityville Cemetery.
Visiting hours have been set for Wednesday from 2 to 4:30 and 7 to 9:30 p.mp Wednesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the New City Ambulance Corps or the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.
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Family story time:
One nickname that my Grandma Carolie had was Dee Dee. I remember her telling me how she got this nickname...I just can't remember what she told me about it.
Her sister Edna married a doctor who went to Cuba and worked there. He is the doctor who delivered Fidel Castro and his brother Raul. If I remember correctly, the Castros' mother worked at the sugar plantation that Dr. Strong worked for. My grandfather knew the brothers' father, Ángel Castro, who was a big land baron in Cuba, and my grandfather hunted on his land.
Anyway, my grandma went to Cuba because her sister was there. It was there that she met and then married my grandpa, Charles "Curly" JERVIS, who managed a sugar plantation there (after years of being a surveyor).
My grandma told me that Pickles and Shaw secretly got married, and on their way home they stopped by the side of the road somewhere and buried their marriage certificate. They then went back to their respective homes without telling anyone for a while. (or was it Dot and Tom ... or Grace and Coy?...I'm pretty sure it was Pickles and Shaw)
As to how Pickles got her nickname. My grandma said that they went from calling her Lillian, and then Dill came out of that since it rhymed, so of course a pickle had to go with the Dill so it was Dill Pickle, and then Pickles.
Don't know what the problem was, but apparently there was no contact between Jimmy and my grandma (and presumably the rest of the family) as grandma had no info to give me about him. I found the info I have on him through searching on the internet.
Hi, I am Peter Meigs, son of William R Meigs. His parents were SK MEIGS Jr and Vera Marion THURSTON. My Dad's cousin Joel Jervis was a 747 pilot for Pan American Airlines and retired near us in Los Altos, California. We had a chance to get to know him before he passed away. His mother, my Great-Aunt Deedee came out to visit a few times and I remember having wonderful time with her when she visited.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad was born in Macareño, Cuba on the sugar mill my grandfather was the general manager for. I remember my Dad talking about Pickles, Big Edna and Little Edna and as a child we visited one of then in (I think) Port St Joe, FL.
The doctor you speak of was Dr STRONG and my Dad called him "Uncle Doctor". I think he was responsible for so much of that wing of the family winding up in Cuba. As a kid, we lived in Guaro, Cuba not far from Fidel Castro's parents home. My sister, Stephanie, was born in Cuba.
Joel Jevis spoke of growing up in Marcaney, Cuba which was not far from Macareño so I am guessing that was the sugar mill Charles "Curly" JERVIS was the manager of.
It was wonderful to read your post and would love to read more. -- regards, Peter Meigs