| Notes |
- ZEDA RUTH NELSON
Zeda Ruth Nelson was born April 16, 1903 in El Campo, Texas. She was the fourth of five children. Her parents were Dora Whetherby Nelson and Barry Nelson. She had two older sisters, Emma Elizabeth and Annie. Prior to Zeda's birth, a brother was born and died in infancy. she had one younger brother, Earnest Harry Nelson, born March 5, 1905. The dates of birth of her older siblings is unknown at this time.
When Zeda was about 5 years old, her father died of blood poisoning, due to a wound he got while plowing bare foot in the fields. After her father's death, the two older girls were sent to live with their mother's brothers family. Zeda and Harry went with their mother's sister and her family. Zeda's mother was so devastated by the death of her husband that she was to become mentally unstable. She was committed to a mental institution when Zeda was about 7 years and Harry was about 5. A local minister came to their Aunt Zoe Kirkland and suggested that she put the Nelson children in an orphanage since she had eight children of her own. It seemed the logical thing to do. Harry and Zeda were sent to Buckner Orphans Home, a Baptist institution in Dallas, Texas. They were to remain there until they were grown.
When Zeda was about 13 or 14 years old, she was told that she and Harry had two older sisters that were living, and also that their mother was alive. Zeda remembers meeting them and visiting with them a few times while she was still in the orphanage.
When Harry was about 18, he was released from the orphanage and went to California to work in the oil fields with his Kirkland cousins. Zeda remained at the orphanage. They would not release her until she had a sponsor and a job and a place to live. Her older sister Emma acquired enough education to become a school teacher. She had a friend who had a rich widowed aunt who was in need of a personal secretary and companion. Mrs. Floanoay was an invalid and was delighted to have Zeda as her companion. Zeda, Mrs. Floanoay and a cook/housekeeper lived in a 22 room mansion in Beeville, Texas.
Zeda met Nolan Frazier at a medicine show that she and her friend Pete had attended. He was allowed to court Zeda until Mrs. Floanoay found out that he was a married man! He was married, but had not lived with his wife for several years. Mrs. Floanoay told Nolan that he could not see Zeda until he got a legal divorce from his wife. He set about to do so immediately.
Zeda received word in 1926 that her mother had died. At this time we do not know where our Nelson grandparents are buried.
Zeda Ruth Nelson and Nolan B. Frazier were married November 19, 1927. They had two children, John William and Barbara Jean. Zeda died December 16, 1986, in Sparks, Nevada.
*Biography written by Barbara Jean Frazier Bigler*
ZEDA RUTH NELSON
Zeda Ruth Nelson was born April 16, 1903 in El Campo, Texas. She was the fourth of five children. Her parents were Dora Whetherby Nelson and Barry Nelson. She had two older sisters, Emma Elizabeth and Annie. Prior to Zeda's birth, a brother was born and died in infancy. she had one younger brother, Earnest Harry Nelson, born March 5, 1905. The dates of birth of her older siblings is unknown at this time.
When Zeda was about 5 years old, her father died of blood poisoning, due to a wound he got while plowing bare foot in the fields. After her father's death, the two older girls were sent to live with their mother's brothers family. Zeda and Harry went with their mother's sister and her family. Zeda's mother was so devastated by the death of her husband that she was to become mentally unstable. She was committed to a mental institution when Zeda was about 7 years and Harry was about 5. A local minister came to their Aunt Zoe Kirkland and suggested that she put the Nelson children in an orphanage since she had eight children of her own. It seemed the logical thing to do. Harry and Zeda were sent to Buckner Orphans Home, a Baptist institution in Dallas, Texas. They were to remain there until they were grown.
When Zeda was about 13 or 14 years old, she was told that she and Harry had two older sisters that were living, and also that their mother was alive. Zeda remembers meeting them and visiting with them a few times while she was still in the orphanage.
When Harry was about 18, he was released from the orphanage and went to California to work in the oil fields with his Kirkland cousins. Zeda remained at the orphanage. They would not release her until she had a sponsor and a job and a place to live. Her older sister Emma acquired enough education to become a school teacher. She had a friend who had a rich widowed aunt who was in need of a personal secretary and companion. Mrs. Floanoay was an invalid and was delighted to have Zeda as her companion. Zeda, Mrs. Floanoay and a cook/housekeeper lived in a 22 room mansion in Beeville, Texas.
Zeda met Nolan Frazier at a medicine show that she and her friend Pete had attended. He was allowed to court Zeda until Mrs. Floanoay found out that he was a married man! He was married, but had not lived with his wife for several years. Mrs. Floanoay told Nolan that he could not see Zeda until he got a legal divorce from his wife. He set about to do so immediately.
Zeda received word in 1926 that her mother had died. At this time we do not know where our Nelson grandparents are buried.
Zeda Ruth Nelson and Nolan B. Frazier were married November 19, 1927. They had two children, John William and Barbara Jean. Zeda died December 16, 1986, in Sparks, Nevada.
*Biography written by Barbara Jean Frazier Bigler*
|
1903 - 1986 (83 years)
