Friday Finds

Like many previous Friday Finds, today’s item comes from the notebook of BRILES items given to me by fellow researcher, Mildred Barby. This item is the obituary for Max M. Briles, author of a Briles genealogy.

Wednesday, July 24, 1985
The Coffey County Reporter page 7

Memorial services for Max M. Briles was held on Saturday, July 20 11:00 a.m. in The First Christian Church in LeRoy and were conducted by Rev. Aaron McCombs, assisted by Rev. Jay Scribner of Branson, Missouri and rev. John F. Briles of Visalia, California.

Virginia Burcham and Jane Rolf sang, “It is Well with My Soul,” and “Joy Comes in the Morning,” accompanied by Virginia Burcham.

Rev. Scribner read from II Timothy and I Corinthians 10:13. He left us with this theme to comfort and challenge us. Max was confident and committed to the Lord’s work and had a crown laid up for him which he would lay at the Saviour’s feet.

One of Max’s favorite scriptures was “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of excape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

The casket bearer’s were: Jerry Murray; Dennis Crotts; Charles Nickel; Kerry Trostle, George Arnold and Ben Barabas. Interment was in the Crandall cemetery.

Max was born and reared in the Crandall Community and died at the Kansas University Medical Center July 17, 1985, at the age of 66 years, 11 months and 17 days. He left the community to work in the Boeing Defense Plant during the war. It was here he met and married Mildred Lucille Ross to which there were born 3 children; Gene, Diane and Wayne who passed away at the age of 16.

The family lived in San Bernardino, California where Max worked as a machinist in the Sante Fe Diesel Shops for 35 years. They built their home there, but sold it in 1978 upon Max’s retirement.

They spent several month traveling around the United States in their camper before deciding upon a home in Branson, just over-looking Lake Tanneycoma. It was a beautiful country but Max longed to come back to the community where he grey up as a boy.

About two and one-half years ago they bought the old Alexander Briles home in the Crandall area that has been vacant for many years. This was a challenge to renovate the old Briles family home, which had been his great-uncle’s.

Max was staunchly supported by his wife Mildred in this endeavor to make this their home. Just last winter they completed a big fireplace that heated the entire 2-story house.

But the greatest monument, he has left is in the hearts of the people. Many have been touched by his life. HIs talents seemed to have no limits, for as he gave himself to others his talents were increased over and over. He was a faithful Gideon, faithful to all the meetings and the giving away of God’s word. He loved his Lord first and never tired of telling those he met, what the Lord had done for him.

HIs contacts with people were many as a result of writing the Briles Genealogy, supported by Mildred. Because of religious persecution our forefathers left with 20 German Lutheran families in 1717. They came to England and because their supplies ran low; they became indenture servants in order to reach America. But because of a storm they came to the shores of Virginia instead of Pennsylvania. IN 1740 the Hebron Church in Virginia was built as a monument to their endeavor to their heroism. The church still stands and Mas and Mildred visited some relatives there in their travels. He was an enthusiastic vital person who felt life was more thrilling and fuller at 66 than all the previous passing eyars.

Those who are left to mourn his passing are his wife Mildred of the home; a son Gene and wife Jeanie of Loveland, Colorado and daughter Diane and husband Stan Jorgenson. There are three grandchildren, Becky and Eric Briles and Kimberly Jorgenson of Livermore, California.

The brother and sister who will greatly miss him are: Rev. John F. Briles, Visalia, California; Maybelle Harold, LeRoy, Kansas; Betty Langshaw, Kansas City, Missouri and Virginia Mitchell, Dewey, Oklahoma.

Divorced Part 2

Do you remember the days of snail mail? Thanks to a comment made by a reader of my previous post, Divorced, I used snail mail to seek out copies of the marriage and application for divorce. Thanks to the kindly service of the employees in the Coffey County Clerk’s office and the office of the Clerk of the District Court Office located in Coffey County, I received copies of the records in the mail!

Alexander Briles married Elizabeth M. E[ltz]worth were married in Coffey County Kansas on May 30, 1875.

Coffey County Kansas
Fourth Judicial District of Kansas
Clerk of District Court

Marriage License
Probate Judge’s Office
Burlington, Coffey County, Kansas

May 28 A.D. 1875
To any person authorized by law to perform the Marriage Ceremony, Greeting:
You are hereby authorized to join in marriage Alexander
Briles of Neosho twp County of Coffey
State of Kansas aged 57 years, and Elizabeth
El[zsw]orth of Neosho Twp County of Coffey
State of Kansas aged 51 years; and of this License
you will make due return to my office within thirty days.
Wm. A. Allison Probate Judge

Return
State of Kansas
Coffey County
I certify that on the 30th day of May 1875, I did join in marriage the
within named Alexander Briles and Elizabeth El[t]zworth
D. T. McAuly
Minister of the Gospel
I hereby certify the above to be a true copy of Marriage License and return recorded this
31 day of May 1875
Wm A Allison Probate Judge

Coffey County Courthouse, Marriage License, , Briles – Elsworth, 30 May 1875; Fourth Judicial District of Kansas, Burlington, Kansas.

Then in 1879, Alexander Briles files for divorce in Coffey County Court. Even though these old court records were difficult to transcribe, it is obvious this was not a happy marriage.

Fourth Judicial District of Kansas
Clerk of the District Court
Coffey County Courthouse
Burlington, KS

No. 1042
Alexander Briles
Vs Elizabeth M. Briles

page 2
Alex Briles
vs
Elizabeth M Briles
1042
Filed Dec. 2
1879
R Hadam
Clerk

page 3
State of Kansas
Coffey County
In District Court
in & for said county
Alexander Briles [pltf]
vs
Elizabeth M. Briles [Deft]
The Plaintiff says
That he has been a resident in good
faith of the State of Kansas for more
than one year [las] past, and that he is
now a resident in good faith of the said
County of Coffey
That on the 30th day of May 1875
the said plaintiff and defendant
were married to each other [?]
County of Coffey
The plaintiff further [assess] that since
[?] said Marriage this plaintiff has in
all [?] [committed] himself toward said
defendant as a faithful and loving
husband
The plaintiff further says that the said defendant
has been guilty of [?] neglect of [?] neglect of [duly] [?] the place of [housekeeper]
that defendant disregar[ding] her marital duties
to this plaintiff her husband has failed
neglected and refused to cohabit with the
plaintiff her husband for the space of
more than one year last [past] and still
so neglects fails and refuses to cohabit with
this plaintiff without any just cause or
[provocation] [has as] wife no part of this plaintiff
[?] [Therefore] plaintiff prays the court that

page 4
the parties hereto named be divorced
the marriage relation [hereafter] existing
between them be annulled & set
[aside] [or] [deed] for [other] proper] sale of
R. [?] & Jenkins
Pltf attys

Alexander Briles being first duly sworn
on oath says that the [several] matters
and things set forth and aversed in the
the foregoing [?] are true
Alexander Briles

Subscribed & Sworn to before me this
2d day of December 1879
R Hadam
Clerk Dist Court

Page 5
State of Kansas
Coffey County
In District Court
[in previous] term
Alexander Briles
vs
Elizabeth M. Briles [Missouri?]
[?]
Came [here] the said defendant
and [names] the issuing and [?] of
[?] in the {cal?] [each] the [?]
and [interest] her [appearance] therein [?]
rose [cr] for to said plaintiffs position
This defendant denies each and
every allegation in said petition
[contained]
The said defendant further says
that said defendant has been a
resident in good faith of the state of
Kansas for more than one year
last past & is [lives] now at the [date] of the
filing of the petition & of the [?]
herein a resident in good faith of said
county of Coffey
Deft further says that the said plaintif
& defendant were married to each other
[in] said Coffey County on the May 30
1875 and that [?]
said marriage She has in all things
conducted herself married to

page 6
plaintiff as a faithful loving and
obedient wife
[J?] the said plaintiff [disregarding]
his duties toward [her] [f?]
his wife, has been guilty of extreme
cruelty toward this defendant
[persuance] any just cause [for his reaction]
The said defendant further says
that said plaintiff has been guilty of
gross neglect of duty towards this
defendanty his wife without any
just cause or provocation on her
part.
Whereupon this defendant prays
that she may be severed from said
plaintiff and for [this] proper relief
Elizabeth M. Briles

Elizabeth M. Briles being first
duly sworn says that the several
matters and things set forth in her
[?] are true
Elizabeth M Briles
Subscribed to & sworn before me
2d day of December 1879
E B Peyton
Judges

page 7
Filed Dec 2
1879
R Hadam
Clerk
Docket I

Fourth Judicial District of Kansas, Coffey County, Kansas, No. 1042: Alexander Briles vs. Elizabeth M. Briles, Clerk of the District Court Office, Burlington, Kansas.

While the court documents do not contain a final divorce decry, I was able to locate a newspaper article which indicates the divorce was granted.

The Burlington Patriot (Burlington, KS)
25 Dec 1879
page 2

The following is an abstract of the balance of the cases disposed of at the December term of the District Court:
…
Alexander Briles vs. Elizabeth W. Briles; divorce granted

“Court News,” The Burlington Patriot (Burlington, KS), 25 December 1879, page 2; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 18 September 2022).

From this experience, I’ve learned several things:

• To keep digging for those records.
• That snail mail still works.
• that going back thru my research and carefully analyzing the research reveals research questions and leads to more records.

Alexander Briles

Alexander Briles was born on 14 Mar 1817 in North Carolina, United States.^1–3

He purchased  on 24 Apr 1838 in Randolph county, North Carolina.⁴ land being parcel of 240 acres John Briles purchased from Ezra Dorsett for $500 from John Briles

He lived in Randolph county, North Carolina on 1 Jun 1840.⁵ Alexander Briles was listed as a head of household on the 1840 census in Randolph County, North Carolina. Alexander’s household included 2 males under 5, 1 male 20-30, and 1 female 20-30.

Alexander lived in Randolph county, North Carolina on 1 Jun 1850.⁶ Alexr Briles was listed as the head of household on the 1850 census in Randolph County, NC. According to the census, Alexr was a 32 year old farmer born in North Carolina. Alexr owned $500 in real estate. Also listed in the household was Sarah, a 32 year old female;  Clark, a 12 year old male;  Washington, a 10 year old male; Sarah, an 8 year old female; John, a 6 year old male; Jane, a 4 year old female and Robt, an 1 year old male.

He sold land  on 1 Sep 1857 in Randolph county, North Carolina.⁷ land being 240 acres on waters of Little Caraway for $1000 to Robert Laughlin

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas Territory in Mar 1858.⁸ According to the 1859 Kansas Territorial census for Coffey County, Alex Briles settled there in March 1858.

Alexander lived in Coffey County, Kansas Territory before 1859.⁹

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas Territory in 1859.^8,10 Alex Briles was listed on the 1859 Kansas territory census in Coffey County. According to the census, Alexander settled in Kansas in March 1858 with 8 minors in the household and a total of 10 in the household.

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas Territory in 1860.¹¹ A. Briles was listed as a head of household on the 1860 census in Coffey County, Kansas Territory. According to the census, A. Briles, was 43 years old and born in North Carolina. He owned $800 in real estate. Also listed in the household were Sarah, D.C.,  N.W.,  S.R., J.F., Louisa, R.A., H.W., Z.R>, N.C. and B.R. Briles.

In 1860 Alexander was a farmer in Coffey, Kansas, United States.^2,11

He filed land entry papers on 1 Dec 1860 in Fort Scott, Bourbon, Kansas, United States.^12–13

He served in the military under Captain John Douglas in Company I of the Kansas State Militia in 1864 in Kansas, United States.¹⁴ under Captain John Douglas in Company I of the Kansas State Militia

Alexander lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas in 1865.¹⁵ Alexander Bryles was listed in the 1865 Kansas census living in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas as a 47 year old farmer born in North Carolina. According to the census, he owned $2800 in real estate and $1300 in personal estate. Also listed in the household was his wife, Sarah Briles, a 48 year old female born in North Carolina;  Louisa Bryles, a 19 year old female born in North Carolina; Robert Bryles, a 16 year old male born in North Carolina; Harrison Bryles, a 14 year old male born in North Carolina; Zebeder Bryles, a 12 year old male born in North Carolina; Nancy Bryles, a 10 year old female born in North Carolina and Benj Bryles, a 5 year old male born in Kansas.

He sold land W1/2 NE 1/4 Section 12 Township 23 of Range 15 East on 20 Sep 1869 in Coffey County, Kansas.¹⁶

He sold land being the NE1/4 NE 1/4 Section 12 Township 23 Range 15 East on 20 Sep 1869 in Coffey County, Kansas.^17–18

Alexander lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas on 26 Jun 1870.^19–20 Alexander Briles is listed as a 53 year old farmer on the 1870 census living in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas. According to the census, Alexander was born in North Carolina. Also listed in the household were Sarah, a 53 year old female;  Robbert, a 21 year old male; Harrison, an 18 year old male;  Zoebede, a 16 year old male; Nancy, a 14 year old female and Benjamin, a 10 year old male.

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas on 1 Mar 1875.²¹ Alexander Briles was listed as the head of household on the 1875 Kansas census in Coffey County, Kansas. According to the census, Alexander was a 57 year old male farmer born in North Carolina. Alexander owned $4,000 in real estate and $1,000 in personal property. Alexander’s household included 15 year old Benj Briles.

He sold land being the SE1/4NE1/4 Section 12 Township 23 Range 15 on 31 Jan 1877 in Coffey County, Kansas.²²

Alexander sold land land being the Northwest 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 Section 7 Township 23 Range 16 to Benj R. Briles on 25 Nov 1879 in Coffey County, Kansas.²³

He sold land land being 30 acres in section 7 township 23 of range 16 to Elizabeth M. Briles on 22 Dec 1879 in Coffey County, Kansas.²⁴

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas on 2 Jun 1880.²⁵ Alex Briles was listed as a head of household on the 1880 census in Coffey county, Kansas. According to the census, Alex was a 60 year old divorced male farmer who was born in North Carolina. Alex’s household included his granddaughter, Anna Ruggles, a 13 year old female and his son, Benjamin Briles, aged 26.

Alexander lived in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas on 1 Jul 1895.²⁶ Alex Briles is listed as a 70 year old male living in the household of H. W. Briles on the 1895 census in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas. According to the census, Alex was born in North Carolina.

He sold land  on 5 Oct 1898 in Coffey County, Kansas.²⁷ land being 2 1/2 acres in the norhteast corner of the Northeast 1/4 Section 7 Township 23 Range 16 to Mary Ann Briles

He died on 14 Jan 1900 at the age of 82 in Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas.^3,28–32

Alexander was buried on 15 Jan 1900 at Big Creek Cemetery in Coffey County, Kansas.^3,32

ENDNOTES:

1. Broyles, John K., Keith’s Typescript with Additions, (Clinton, TN: John K. Broyles, Sr.), p. 87

2. Kansas Territorial Settlers of 1860: Part II: Born in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, Briles born NC, 1860; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 30 July 2022).

3. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online October 2016), memorial for Alexander Briles (1817-1900), Find a Grave Memorial no. E71311048, created by Wonderer, citing Big Creek Cemetery, Coffey County, Kansas;, Alexander Briles.

4. North Carolina, Randolph County. Record of Deeds, 1779-1963.  Film #19637 DGS 7517640. Alexander Briels, 24 April 1838 Vol. 21: page 316-317; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 31 July 2022.

5. 1840 U.S. Census, Randolph County North Carolina, population scheudle, , page 22, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication M704.

6. 1850 U.S. Census, Randolph County, North Carolina, population schedule, Northern Division, Randolph County, North Carolina, page 404 Image 80 of 179, household 562, Alexr Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication M432

7. North Carolina, Randolph County. Record of Deeds, 1779-1963.  Film #470234 DGS 7560693. Alexander Briles, 1 Sep 1857 Vol. 31: page 42-43; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 31 July 2022.

8. 1859 Kansas Census, Coffey County, Kansas Territory, population schedule, Neotho Township, Coffey County, Kansas Image 2 of 4, line 16, Alex. Briles; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 31 July 2022)

9. Throckmorton George, et al, First Hand Historical Episodes of Early Coffey County (KS) (N.p.: n.p., maybe 195),p. 51 Early Days in the Crandall Neighborhood.  digital images, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com viewed online 31 July 2022.

10. “Kansas, Compiled Census Index, 1850-1890,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (July 2017), Alexander Briles.

11. 1860 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 68 Image 4 of 9, household 513, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication M653

12. United States Bureau of Land Management, “General Land Office Records,” database with images, BLM.Gov (http://glorecords.blm.gov : viewed online April 2018), Briles, Alexander.

13. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510470 DGS 8561297. Alexander Briles, 2 Jan 1869 Book I: page 190; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

14. , Muster Rolls, Price’s Raid October 1864 14th thur 16th Regiments, Vol. 6 (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), page 480; digital image, Kansas Memory, kansasmemory.org viewed online 3 August 2022.

15. 1865 Kansas Census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, Kansas state census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 10 (image 10) Image 10 of 11, family 64, Alexander Bryles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2018)

16. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510472 GS 8561299. Alexander Briles, 20 September 1869 Vol. O: page 625 (image 321); digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

17. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510472 DGS 8561299. Alexander Briles to Noah Briles, 20 September 1869 Vol. O: page 603; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

18. Coffey County Kansas. Range Index Section 12, Township 23, Range 15 Coffey County Kansas (Briles, KS.016).

19. 1870 Agriculture Census, Coffey County, Kansas, Agriculture Schedule, , Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 4 Image 2 of 3, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017)

20. 1870 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, KS, page 9 Image 9 of 16, family 58, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 28 October 2021); NARA microfilm publication T132

21. 1875 Kansas State Census, Coffey County, Kansas, Kansas State Census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 12 Image 7 of 13, household 97, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); Kansas State Historical Society

22. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510473 DGS 8561300. Alexander Briles to Robert Briles, 31 January 1877 Vo. 17: page 542; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

23. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510476 DGS 8561303. Alexander Briles, 25 Nov 1879 Vol. 25: page 344; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 4 August 2022.

24. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510476 DGS 8561303. Alexander Briles, 2 Dec 1879 Vol. 25: page 330; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 5 August 2022.

25. 1880 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, ED 49, page 4 Image 2 of 13, household 20, Alex Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication T9

26. 1895 Kansas Census, Coffey County, State Census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 15, Alex Briles (in household of H. W. Briles); microfilm, Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka, KS : viewed online July 2017)

27. Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903.  Film #1510489 DGS 8561315. Alexander Briles, 5 Oct 1898 vol 57: page 486; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 4 August 2022.

28. “Kansas Deaths and Burials, Index, 1885-1930,” database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016), Alexander Briles.

29. “Grandpa Briles Dead,” The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 15 January 1900, page 3; digital iamge, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 3 September 2020).

30. “Alexander Briles,” Burlington Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 19 January 1900, page 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 3 September 2020).

31. “Alexander Briles,” LeRoy Reporter (LeRoy, Kansas), 19 January 1900, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 3 September 2020).

32. Gibbon Joseph, page 51, 14 January 1900; Alexander Briles, Funeral Records – Gibbons Mortuary (Coffey County, Kansas), Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas.

Divorced

Have you encountered a hint on a census record that you’ve yet to prove? That’s my situation with the 1880 census record for Alexander Briles.

Alex Briles was listed as a head of household on the 1880 census in Coffey county, Kansas. According to the census, Alex was a 60 year old divorced male farmer who was born in North Carolina. Alex’s household included his granddaughter, Anna Ruggles, a 13 year old female and his son, Benjamin Briles, aged 26.

1860 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 68 Image 4 of 9, household 513, Alexander Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication M653

Since Alexander’s first wife, Sarah died in 1872, the census record hints at a second marriage and subsequent divorce. While I haven’t located an image of a marriage record for Alexander, I did find an index record. According to that index, Alexander Briles married Elizabeth Eltzworth (Ellsworth) on May 30, 1875 in Coffey County, Kansas.

Kansas Marriages, 1840-1935 index (http://familysearch.org: FamilySearch), Alexander Briles – Elizabeth Eltzworth

Unfortunately, these records have not been digitized. Thus, I have yet to obtain a copy of the license. However, a deed supports the marriage of Alexander and Elizabeth. On 1 Jan 1877, Alexander Briles and Elizabeth M. Briles, his wife, sold land to Alexander’s son, Robert A. Briles.

This indenture, made this thirty first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven between Alexander Briles and Elizabeth M Briles his wife of the county of Coffey and state of Kansas of the first part, and Robert A Briles of same place of the second part, witnesseth that the parties of the first part, in consideration of the sum of two hundred (200) dollars to them duly paid, have bargained and sole, and by these presents do grant and convey to the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns, all that land or parcel of land situated in Coffey County and State of Kansas and described as follows, to wit:
The South East quarter of the North East Quarter of section twelve (12) in Township twenty three (23) of range fifteen (15) containing 40 acres more or less.
With the appurtenances, and all the estate, title and interest, of the said parties of the first part therein. And the said Alexander Briles does hereby covenant and agree, that at the delivery hereof he is the lawful owner of the premises above granted, and seized of a good and indefensible estate of inheritance therein, in fee simple, and that the same are free and clear of all encumbrances, and that he will warrant defend the same in the quiet and peaceable possession of said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever.
In witness whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written.
Alexander Briles (seal)
Elizabet M Briles (seal)
State of Kansas
Coffey County
On this 31st day of January AD 1877 before me a notary public in and for said county, personally came Alexander Briles and Elizabeth M Briles his wife to me personally known to be the same person above named and affixed to the foregoing conveyance as grantors and they duly acknowledge the execution of the same.
In testimony, whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal on the day and year last above written.
Wm H Bear
Notary Public
The testament, of which the foregoing is a true copy, was filed for record on the 31st day of January 1877, at 3 o’clock and 0 minutes p M.
Wm H Bear

Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903. Film #1510473 DGS 8561300. Alexander Briles to Robert Briles, 31 January 1877 Vo. 17: page 542; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 3 August 2022.

Since the 1880 census record indicates that Alexander Briles was divorced, that divorce had to have taken place sometime between the time Alexander and Elizabeth, his wife, sold land to Robert and June of 1880. A clue to that divorce may be in another deed. In this case, Alexander Briles sold 30 acres of land to Elizabeth M. Briles. Unlike the earlier deed, Elizabeth M. Briles is not referred to as Alexander’s wife.

Page 330 – image 271
This Indenture, made this 2nd day of December in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine, between Alexander Briles
of the County of Coffey
and state of Kansas of the first part, and Elizabeth M. Briles
of the same place
of the second part: Witnesseth, that the party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of
Two Hundred dollars
to him duly paid has bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant and convey to the said
party of the second part his heirs and assigns, all that tract or parcel of land, situated in Coffey
County, and State of Kansas and described as follows, to wit:
Commencing at the south east corner of the north
east quarter of the north east quarter of section
seven in township twenty three of range sixteen
thence west to 4 rods East of the center of said quarter
section (being the southwest corner of said NE quarter
of NE quarter section) thence north to the middle or
channel of Turkey Creek, thence down the channel
of said creek to the point where the same crosses the north
line of said section, thence East to the point where said
north line of section intersects the channel of said Tur-
key creek, thence down the channel of said creek to
point where the same crosses the East line of said section
thence south to place of beginning containing 30 acres
more or less
with the appurtenances, and all the estate, title and interest of said part of the first part therein And
the said Alexander Briles
do hereby covenant and agree, that at the delivery hereof, he is the lawful owner of the premises
above granted, and seized of a good and indefeasible estate of inheritance therein in fee simple, and that the
same are free and clear of all incumbrances,, and that he will warrant and defend the same in the
quiet and peaceable possession of said party of the second part, her heirs and assigns forever, against
the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever.
In witness whereof, the said party of the first part has hereunto set hand and seal
the day and year above written.
Alexander Briles

State of Kansas, Coffey County
On this 2nd day of December A.D. 1879, before me, a
Notary Public in and for said County, personally came
Alexander Briles
to me personally known to be the same person whose name is affixed
to the foregoing conveyance as grantor and he duly acknowledged the execution of the same.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my
seal, on the day and year last above written.
S. C. Junkins
Notary Public
The instrument of which the foregoing is a true copy, was filed for record on the 3rd
day of December 1879, at 5 ou8217’clock and 0 minutes P.M.
Wm H. Bear Register of Deeds
By M. L. B. Floyd Deputy
Entered in Transfer record in my office on this 3rd day of Dec. A.D. 1879
Wm. H. Throckmorton County Clerk

Kansas, Coffey County. Deed Records, 1857-1903. Film #1510476 DGS 8561303. Alexander Briles, 2 Dec 1879 Vol. 25: page 330; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 5 August 2022.

Based on this 1879 deed, I think Alexander and Elizabeth were likely divorced around the time the 30 acres of land was sold to Elizabeth. However, I will need to locate a record of the divorce to confirm that suspicion.

Militia

When researching civil war records, have you used any militia records? If you had ancestors living in Kansas during the civil war, they just might be listed in Kansas militia records.

Since my BRILES family was living in Coffey county Kansas during the civil war, I found Alexander Briles, his son, John Briles, nephew, Branson Briles, son in law, Japhet Mentzer and son-in-law, Thomas Ruggles on the muster roll for Company I of the 16th Regiment of the Kansas Militia.

Muster Roll of Captain John Douglas,
Company I
of the Sixteenth Regiment,
Kansas State Militia,
Colonel F. W. Potter
Twelfth Day of October 1864,
when last mustered to the twenty-ninth day of October 1864

Briles, John 3 Corp – Joined Sept 12, 1863 Neosho Twp; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; relieved from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Briles, Branson Priv – joined Sept 12 1863 Neosho Twp ; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; releived from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Mentzer, Japhet – joined Sept 12 1863 Neosho Twp ; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; releived from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Rugles, Thomas – joined Sept 12 1863 Neosho Twp ; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; releived from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Briles, Alexander – joined Sept 12th Neosho Twp; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; relieved form duty Oct 29th by F W Potter

Muster Rolls, Price’s Raid October 1864 14th thur 16th Regiments, Vol. 6 (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), page 480; digital image, Kansas Memory, kansasmemory.org viewed online 3 August 2022.

At the time these men were mustered into service, General Sterling Price was causing havoc in Missouri in what is known as “Price’s Raid“. A search of newspapers for “Kansas Militia” in October 1864 finds a transcript of the telegrams to the governor about the threat General Price posed to Kansas, the governors response and the order calling up the militia.

Telegrams

United States Military Telegraph
Fort Leavenworth, Oct. 8, 1864
To Governor Carney — The line is now cut this side Sedalia. This indicates a rebel move by some body west or south. Hurry up the militia.
S. R. Curtis, Maj.Gen.

United States Military Telegraph
Fort Leavenworth, Oct. 8, 1864
To Governor Carney — I request that you issue the call. Let the militia turn out. If not needed, they will of course be discharged. Their call and collection would enable us, at lest to give an impetus to Price’s departure. In your prompt responses to my request heretofore. I am sure we have saved the State from desolation. Let us do it now. The enemy is near Sedalia, and a fight is expected there to-night. They have burned Syracuse, Lamine and Otterile depots to-day. You see, they seem moving steadily westward. Delay is ruinous.
S. R. Curtis, Maj. Gen.

The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) 11 Oct 1864, page 2

Governor’s Response

Kansans rally! You will do so as you have always promptly done,, when your soil has been invaded. The call, this time, will come to you louder and stronger, because you know the foe will seek to glut his vengeance upon you.
Meet him, then at the threshold and strike boldly, strike as one man against him.
Let all business be suspended. The work to be done now is to protect the State against marauder and murderer. Until that is accomplished, we must lead a soldier’s life, and do a soldier’s duty.
Men of Kansas, rally! One blow, one earnest, united blow, will foil the invader and save you. Who will falter? Who is not ready to meet the peril? Who will not defend his home and the State?
To arms, then ? To arms and the tentod field, until the rebel foe shall be baffled and beaten back.
Thomas Carney, Governor
N. B. – Major General Deitzler will lead the brave men of Kansas and issue the necessary orders. Commanding Officers of brigades and battalions will se that their respective commands are in readiness for immediate service.
Thomas Carney, Governor

The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) 11 Oct 1864, page 2

Orders Calling Up the Militia

Major-General Deitzler’s Order

In pursuance of this call of the Governor, the Militia of Kansas will turn out and rendezvous immediately, as follows:
Headquarters, Dep’t Kansas State Militia
Topeka, Kansas Oct. 9, 1864

General Order
No. 54
In pursuance of the proclamation of the Commander-in-Chief, of the 8th inst., the Militia of Kansas will turn out and rendezvous immediately, at the points indicated below:
Doniphan, Brown, Nemaha and Marshall counties, at Atchison under Brigadier General Byron Sherry.
Atchison, Leavenworth, Jefferson, Jackson, Pottawatomie, Riley, Davis, Waubaunsee, Shawnee, Douglas and Johnson counties. at Olathe, under Brigadier General M. S. Grant.
Wyanodott, at Wyandott, under Major E. S. Hubbard.
Miami, Franklin, Osage, Morriss and Lyon counties, at Paola, under Brigadier General W. H. M. Fishback.
Linn, Anderson and Coffee counties, at Mound City, under Brigadier General S. N. Wood.
Bourbon Allen and Woodson counties, at Fort Scott.
Commanders of Brigades and Regiments will promptly prepare their respective commands for active service for thirty days, unless sooner discharged, and see that each man is supplied with two blankets, a tin cup, knife and fork and a haversack; and also, a coffee pot and frying pan for every five men.
Let each Regiment and detachment bring its own transportation and all the rations possible, but there must be no delay on any account. The general Government will undoubtedly pay all proper charges for such transportation and supplies, and will furnish rations and forage as far and as soon as possible, at the points indicated in this order.
Let each man come with such arms as are at hand and a full supply of ammunition. As this campaign will be a short one no change of clothing will be necessary.
Until further orders the Headquarters of the Militia will be at Olathe, to which point all returns and communications will be sent. By order of
Geo W. Dietzler, Maj Gen. K. S. M.
John T. Morton, A.A.G.
All Federal officers in this Department will aid in giving circulation and success to this effort to concentrate troops for immediate service.
Quartermasters and Commissaries will aid to the utmost of their abilities to have requisite provisions accumulated as fast as possible.
An earnest and united movement should animate officers and men — Volunteer and Militia.
Let business and personal strife be suspended; partisan discussions and political animosities avoided: and instead of impatience, fault-finding and detraction, too common among raw recruits, let every man display the fortitude, patience and endurance which distinguish the patriotic soldier engaged in the defense of his home and his Country.
The sooner this call is met the more certain will be its success; and the General earnestly appeals to soldiers and citizens to unite all their moral and physical energies in this effort to stifle the fiendish hordes that again threaten the people of Kansas and the peace of our country.
By Command of Major General Curtis.
oct11 G. S. Charlot, A.A.G

The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) 11 Oct 1864, page 2

Many of these militia registers called up in response to General Price have been digitized and posted on the Kansas Memory site hosted by the Kansas State Historical Society.

School Souvenirs

#52Ancestors

We are all likely familiar with school yearbooks, but have you seen the small souvenir books that schools produced in the early 1900s?

My grandfather had kept several of his. And, fortunately, his wife, my grandmother, saved them and passed them down to me.

Rock Creek School
District No. 69
Burlington, Kansas
September 18, 1899 – April 13, 1900

Board of Education
C. W. Belles, Clerk
John L. Carroll, Dir.
John L. Clark, Treas.

Presented by Ella E. Gibson, Teacher

Pupils
Mabel Belles
Earl Belles
Byron Belles
Osmund Briles
Ethel Briles
Glenn Briles
Charlie Carroll
Agnes Carroll
Iva Carson
Eva Carson
Joseph Carson
Ethel Beach
Nettie Beach
Dee Beach
Walter Carson
Willie Carson
Johnny Johnston
Harry McCartney
Libbie McCartney
Lora McCartney
Alice McCartney
Fred Merkle
Vicie Merkle
Willie Merkle
Dale Belles
Joe Belles
Tommy Merkle
Grant Morris
Claude Morris
Alvin Morris
Lizzie Moews
Frank Moews
Ethel Simmons
May Simmons
Blanche Sinclair
Harry Sinclair
Lewis Sinclair
George Weigand
Nella Weigand
Lyda Weigand
George Wagner
Laura Wagner
Earle Jones
Allie Weigand
Omer Weigand
Josie Weigand
Maud Wilson
Grace Rockhill
Pearl Rockhill
Virgie Potts
Herman Stewart
Mamie Stewart
Clara Stewart
Nettie Garton
Wilce Garton
Harry Kaufman
Willard Garton
Elsie Kaufman

H. G. Phillips Publisher, Williamsport, PA

Souvenir

Rock Creek School
District No. 69
Burlington, Kansas

September 4, 1905 – March 30, 1906

Presented By
Nora C Grennan, Teacher

Board of Education, John Harris, Clerk;
T. N. Bell, Director; J. W. Weigand, Treas.

Names of Pupils
Clara Stewart
Jennie Neff
Elizabeth Neff
Melvena Harris
Ellen Harris
Dollie Harris
Ethel Briles
Osmund Briles
Lulu Briles
Glen Briles
Anna Nikodim
Rudolph Nikodim
William Nikodim
Frank Nikodim
Harry Pollock
Delbert Pollock
Mildred Pollock
Walter Swenson
Hilda Swenson
Guy McCartney
Eugene McCarthey
George Weigand
Omer Weigand
Josie Weigand
Stella Fryer
Mabel Benzer
Elsie Coffman
Paul Wiegand
Florence Weigand
Harvey Weigand
Harrold Weigand
Stella Weigand
Frank Grose
Ethel Grose
Harry Grose
Edna Davidson
Gertrude Crockett
Harry Crockett
Ervin Clark
Porley Clark
Dale Houck
Margueriette Houck
George Cory
Robbie Harris
Elmer Fields
Benjamin Letak
Mary Quigley
Marian Quigley
Alpha Quigley
Ernest Quigley
Hazel Quigley
Ernest Kiefer
Willie Kiefer
Otto Kiefer
Loyd Williams
Nellie Sharr

Souvenir

1908

Phelps
Public School
District No.. 50

Liberty Twp., Woodson Co. Kansas

Josie Guy, Teacher

Pupils
Willard Brown
Edith Smith
Ines Smith
Grace Smith
Henry Smith
Lulu Briles
Osmund Briles
Roy Smith
Elsie Smith
Lee Smith
Grant Smith
Ethel Briles
Glen Briles
Herman Park
Ellen Delong

School Board
Robert Cragg
John Brown
Charles Watkins

’10

Phelps School
Grace Etter
Teacher

District No. 50

Membership of Board

Robert Cragg, Treasurer
W. L. Smith, Clerk
Charles Watkins, Director

Pupils
Ethel Briles
Hermon Park
Henry Smith
Marie Charlier
Cecil Withers
Grace Smith
Jesse Helmick
Lulu Briles
Willard Brown
Myrtle Smith
Glen Briles
Grant Smith