The War, Papa and a Patchof Land-Part II

 When reviewing census records, Papa(William D.), Jim's great grandfather, appeared in 1900, 1920 and1930 skipping 1910.  On the 1920 census he and his wife, Mary C., appeared in Obion County, Tennessee. What? I had my doubts, but how many William D. and Mary Cs could there in Tennessee. They used their first name with an initial almost every time. In searching the 1930 census I found William D with another spouse, Betty. Jim was stumped.  No one had ever mentioned Papa having two wives.

  While at the archives on Wednesday, I looked for William D.'s death certificate.  You may recall  we didn't have a death date until last week's visit to Stand Cemetery. It is amazing the information you can learn from a death certificate.  William was listed as a widow.  His wife's name-Betty!  I was pretty excited to learn the hours of research were  backed by the death certificate.  Also, the cause of death was related to lobar pneumonia and his heart was in bad condition.  William died before the doctor returned to his home.

Our question now is why were they in Obion County?  Bob Duncan, local historian, told me many people from Hickman, Perry and other surrounding counties moved to upper west Tennessee to farm.  The farmlands were very rich much better than  in the previously stated areas. 

One more question?  Is this the same lady in both pictures?  It is definitely William in both pictures, but is it the same woman?