#28 of 52...Lewis Wade Curran

My great grandfather's name was Lewis Wade Curran, SR.  I did not have the chance to meet him but I've seen many photos of him.

Lewis Wade Curran was born 12 November 1903, Walker, Wood County, West Virginia to John and Elizabeth (Martin) Curran.  His other siblings were:

1). John W. Curran (1886-1962)
2). Clara Ellen Curran (1888-1954)
3). Margaret Curran (1889-     )
4). Charles Terence Curran (1891-1918)
5). Laura Esther Curran (1893-1975)
6). Thomas James Curran (1896-1934)
7). Nora Victoria Curran (1898-1976)
8). Cora May Curran (1900-1969)
9). Miner O Curran (1901-1992)
10). Lewis Wade Curran SR (1903-1972) **my great grandfather
11). Alice Florence Curran (1906-1999)
12). Letha I. Curran (1908-1983)
13). Ralph E. Curran (1911-1930)

Lewis Wade married Letha Hazel Marlow, daughter of George Monroe and Bertha May (Day) Marlow 12 August 1922 in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia.  Lewis and Letha had the following children.

1). Leonard Leroy Curran (1922-1922)
2). Paul Edward Curran (1924-2002)
3). Homer Carl Curran (1925-2001)
4). Lewis Wade Curran JR "June" (living)
5). Russell C Curran (1930-2005)
6). Donald Vearl Curran (living) **my Papaw
7). Hazel Marie Curran (1936-2013)

Lewis and Letha were married for just short of 50 years.  He was a farmer and also worked as a Flagman for the State Road Commission.

Lewis and Letha Curran
Copy of snapshot in possession of Donald V. Curran

#26 of 52...Richard Tennant

This marks the halfway point of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  Today I'm going to talk about one of my 6th Great Grandfathers Richard Tennant.

Richard D.Tennant II was born sometime between 1739 and 1744 in Glasgow, Scotland to Richard Tennant Sr and Janet Wark. I have not found documentation of other siblings.  When Richard was about 16 years old he immigrated to Virginia with his parents.  The following is an account by Richard D. Tennant II's son Joesph taken from the book, "West Virginians in the American Revolutions" accessed from Ancestry.com.

West Virginians in the American Revolution [database on-line].

Richard D. Tennant II married Elizabeth Haught, daughter of Peter Haught Sr, in 1769 in Mooresfield, Hardy County, Virginia.  Elizabeth is thought to have been born in Holland.

Richard served in the Revolutionary War as a drummer, as per this snippet from the same book as above.

Richard and Elizabeth had the following known children.

1). Mary "Polly" Tennant (1770-1824)  **my 5th great grandmother

2). Peter Tennant (1773-1847) 

3). Elizabeth Tennant (1775-1860)  This findagrave.com memorial has a different birth date. 

4). Richard Tennat III (1777-1824) 

5). William Tennant (1778-1869) 

6). Alexander Tennant (1780-1869)

7). Joseph Tennant (1782-1872)

8.) John Tennant (1783-unknown)

9.) Adam Tennant (1784-1878) 

10. Abraham Tennant (1786-1875)

11. Margaret Ann Tennant (1788-1857)

12. Sarah Catherine "Kate" Tennant (1790-1863)

13. Jacob Aaron Tennant (1792-1874)

Richard passed away 18 Dec 1822. 

#23 of 52...John Curran

John Curran was my great great grandfather.  He was born 8 Sep 1856 in Athens, Ohio.  We are not sure why his family was in Ohio at that time, but it is assumed they were there for work.  His parents were Terrence Curran and Margaret McManus.  Terrence and Margaret had the following children:

1). Ellen "Nelie" Curran (1852-1932)
2). Mary A. Curran (1854-abt 1935)
3). John M. Curran (1856-1921) ***my great great grandfather
4). Catherine Curran (1858-1942)
5). Thomas Jacob (1860-)
6). Hugh Francis Curran (1862-1864)
7). William S. Curran (1864-1940)
8). Edward Curran (1866-1939)

John M. Curran
photo taken of large framed photo owned by Donald V. Curran, my grandfather.

John M. Curran (I wonder if his middle initial was for McManus?  I've only ever seen the M and I'm not even sure where I saw that) married Elizabeth Ella Martin 13 Dec 1886 in Wood County, West Virginia.
They had the following known children.

1). John W. Curran (1886-1962)
2). Clara "Clarie" Ellen Curran (1888-1954)
3). Margaret "Maggie" Curran (1889-unknown)
4). Charles Terence Curran (1891-1918)
5). Laura "Laurie" Esther Curran (1893-1975)
6). Thomas James Curran (1896-1934)
7). Nora "Norie" Victoria Curran (1898-1976)
8). Cora "Cory" May Curan (1900-1969)
19).  Miner O. Curran (1901-1992)
10). Lewis Wade Curran SR (1903-1972) **my great grandfather
11). Alice Florence Curran (1906-1999)
12). Letha I. Curran (1908-1983)
13). Ralph E. Curran (1911-1990)

John M. Curran was a farmer and a father.  As you can see, he and Ella, as she was called, had 13 children.  He passed away at the age of 65.  His obit speaks of kidney problems, but his death certificate indicates that he died of prostate cancer.

#20 of 52...Youarkee Catherine Lowers Marlow

Youarkee Catherine "Kate" Lowers Marlow was one of my 3rd great grandmothers.  She was born 17 July 1838 in Harris, Wood County, (West) Virginia.  Her parents were Thomas Lowers and Catherine Deem.  Thomas and Catherine had the following known children:

1) Mathias Lowers (1824-1902)
2) George Washington Lowers (1830-1880)
3) Eve Ann Lowers (1833-1881)
4) Mary Jane Lowers (1835-1912)
5) Yoarkee Catherine Lowers (1838-1909) ***my 3rd great grandmother
6) Martha Lowers (1839- unknown)
7) Thomas Alexander Lowers (1846-1917)

There was quite a bit of speculation throughout the family and over time as to Youarkee having Native American ancestry.  I've not seen that in my research; however I never say that I'm perfect in my research and there is always a possibility.  The name Youarkee is unusual, but was in my 3rd great grandmother's family.  Youarkee Catherine's mother Catherine Deem had a niece named Youarkee Everly Deem.  I've not sucessfully found out the origin of the name.  It is very unique though.

Youarkee "Kate" Lowers Marlow   unknown date. 
 This is a cropped version of the original.  The original features Levi as well as Kate and a daughter-in-law.  Original photo owned by Kathleen Chapman.  

Youarkee "Kate" Lowers married Levi "Doc" Marlow son of Joseph Marlow and Margaret Allen in 1860.

Kate and Doc had the following known children:

1) Benjamin Franklin Marlow (1860-1927)
2) Levi Newton Marlow (1867-1940)
3) Lewis Napoleon Marlow (1869-1953)
4) Ella Catherine Marlow (1871-1947)
5) Shelton Marlow (1874-1877)
6) Floyd Leroy Marlow (1875-1950) *who married Clara Ellen Curran (my Great Grand Aunt, sister to
                                                             my great grandfather Lewis Curran)*
7) George Monroe Marlow (1877-1954) ***my Great Great Grandfather***
8) Earl Hardwick Marlow (1881-1952)
9) Clara Viola Marlow (1883-1887)
10) Thomas J. D. Marlow (unknown-1861)


Since I've seen this photo for many  years I always envision Kate as being a really strong woman.  She just looks strong to me.  The Deem, Marlow and Lowers families are all documented pretty well.  I've not verified a lot of the far back information.  The Deem family appears to be from Germany.  The Lowers family believed to come from The Netherlands and Marlow it seems to be English.

#15 of 52...Letha Hazel Marlow

Letha Hazel Marlow is my great grandmother.  She is my Papaw on my paternal side's mother.
I've always liked the name Letha and if we were to have another daughter I would have championed for her name to include Letha; alas though there will be no more babies for me.

Letha Hazel Marlow was born 1 April 1905 in Walker, Wood County, West Virginia to George Monroe Marlow and Bertha May Day. Her known siblings are:

1). Carl Edward Marlow (1906-1976)
2). Cecil Hardwick Marlow (1909-1984)
3). Infant son Marlow (1912-1912)
4). Justine Marlow (1918-1961)

Letha married Lewis Wade Curran 12 Aug 1922 in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. Lewis had a sister named Letha Curran and she married Letha Marlow's brother Carl Marlow!  So Letha Marlow became Letha Curran and Letha Curran became Letha Marlow and each couples children became double first cousins!

Letha Hazel Marlow and Lewis Wade Curran had the following known children:

1). Leonard Leroy Curran (1922-1922) stillborn
2). Paul Edward Curran (1924-2002)
3). Homer Carl Curran (1925-2001)
4). Lewis Wade Curran JR (still living)
5). Russell C. Curran (1930-2005)
6). Donald Vearl Curran (still living) **this is my Papaw
7). Hazel Marie Curran (1936-2013)

As you can see Letha was a strong woman!  She was the mother to five living boys and one daughter.  Can you imagine all those boys running about?  And then that baby girl?

Grandma Curran, as she is called by our family, had the opportunity to see me when I was but a wee little one.  I do not recall her at all, but they said they took me up to see her in West Virginia.  She passed away 29 Sep 1979; I had just turned 2 years old 11 days prior.  She was 74 years old.  I wish I would have had a chance to get to know her.

#3 of 52...Levi "Doc" Marlow

I have another 3rd Great Grandfather that served in the Civil War and was taken prisoner.  I have also seen a photograph of him. That Great Grandfather is Levi Marlow born in Virginia 30 Aug 1833 in what would later become Ohio County, West Virginia. He is related to me through my paternal grandfather's maternal side.

Joseph Marlow and Margaret Allen Marlow had the following children that I am aware of.

• Levi (1833-1907) * My 3rd great grandfather
• Sarah (1840-1904)
• Mary (1843-1877)
• Joseph M (1847-   )
• David B (1849-    )

Levi was nicknamed Doc, but I'm not sure why.  I've not heard a story yet that explains why.  He married Youarkee Catherine"Kate" Lowers 21 Jun 1860.

Levi "Doc" Marlow, unknown date.
 This is a cropped version of the original.  The original features Levi as well as Kate and a daughter-in-law.  Original photo owned by Kathleen Chapman. 

Levi and Youarkee (what a cool name, right?) had the following known children.

• Benjamin Franklin (1860-1927)
• Levi Newton (1867-1940)
• Lewis Napoleon (1869-1953)
• Ella Catherine (1871-1947)
• Shelton (1874-1877)
• Floyd Leroy (1875-1950)
• George Monroe (1877-1954) *My 2nd great grandfather
• Earl Hardwick (1881-1952)
• Clara Viola (1883-1887)
• Thomas J. D.  (       -1861)

Now what about this Civil War thing I was talking about?  I did some searching around on Ancestry.com and Fold3.com and found out that he enlisted as a Private under Capt Joseph R. Kessler's Company 3 Regt Calvary, Virginia State Line.  That was disbanded and he became part of the 19th Reg't Virginia Calvary.  He obtained the rank of Sgt.  It was noted on one roll dated Oct 15, 186_ that he had one horse.  

Noted on Company Muster Roll dated 31 Aug 1864 under Remarks: "Captured by the enemy March 1st, 1864.  Has since taken the oath to the Yankee Government, date unknown".  

From that statement it seems he was taken prisoner the end of Aug 1864.  The next document contains the following information. 

 Levi Marlow

Sgt, Co C. 19 Rgt Va Cav CSA

appears on a list of prisoners confined in Military Prison at Wheeling, VA (also known as Atheneum Prison). 

April 4/64

Age 30 years; height, 5ft 8 in. Complexion fair; eyes blue; hair dark Occupation Farmer

Residence, Wood, WVa

Arrested: By whom: Capt Kennady

Where: Jackson Co WVa

Date: March 29, 1864

Remarks: Sent to Camp Chase May 10/64

fold3.com

Oct 4, 1864 Levi is released after signing an Oath of Allegiance to the US at Camp Chase, Ohio.  

Levi was at Camp Chase for about 5 months before being released.  

I've never heard any stories about this grandfather; he didn't have too far to go to get back home as Ohio is close to Western Virginia; but I imagine having spent time as a prisoner is never a picnic.  

Levi went on to live his life as a farmer in Wood County, West Virginia.  He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Walker.  

Wordless Wednesday...Curran Style

Lewis Wade Curran, SR (1903-1972) and Letha Hazel Marlow Curran (1905-1979)
My great grandparents
Copy of photo in possession of Donald V. Curran