Family History - Caroline Stewart Purdy

1. Caroline Stewart Purdy,¹ born 22 October 1871 in New York, the daughter of Stewart Lewis Purdy and Josephine Barnes;^{1, 2, 3, 4} died 3 April 1954 in Weiser, Washington County, Idaho.^{1, 2} Caroline married, first, ca. 1896, Henry Bradley Plant Wrenn (born 3 February 1874 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, the son of Beverly Wellford Wrenn and Georgia Roberds Williams;⁵ Henry died 10 April 1925 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio^{5, 6}). Their marriage ended in divorce on 6 March 1913.⁷ Caroline married, second, 27 April 1918 in New York, New York, Albert Shipman Oglesby¹⁰ (born April 1874 in Shelby County, Kentucky, the son of Miller Woodson Oglesby and Rebecca Ann Wight;⁸ Albert died 4 December 1918 in Bronxville, Westchester County, New York^{8, 9}). Caroline married, third, 26 March 1939 in Baltimore, Maryland, LTC James Edward Abbott^{13, 14} (born 15 August 1871 in Annapolis, Ann Arundel County, Maryland, the son of William Martin Abbott and Frances Virginia Wilkinson;^{11, 12} James died 3 December 1939 in Pinellas County, Florida^{11, 12, 13}). Caroline is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia.¹ Henry is buried in Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia.⁵ James is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia.¹¹

+	2	i.	Wellford Gordon ‘Reno’ Wrenn, born 9 May 1897 in Manhattan, New York City, New York; died 27 February 1976 in King County, Washington. Married (1) Susan March Luck Married (2) Nellie Maxine Dillon.
+	3	ii.	Henry Bradley Wrenn, born 26 November 1899 in St. Louis, Missouri; died 27 January 1953 in Seattle, King County, Washington. Married Katherine A. Royea.
+	4	iii.	Grace Wrenn, born 19 April 1908 in Yonkers, Westchester County, New York; died 7 February 2000 in Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho. Married (1) Samuel Ireton Osborn Married (2) Ninian L. ‘Nin’ Yuille.

1. Find a Grave (website). Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Caroline S. Purdy Abbott, born: 22 October 1871; died: 3 April 1954 (from record, which includes notes giving details of three of her marriages; and provides the names and links for her parents, siblings, one husband, and two children).
2. Idaho Death Certificates, 1938-1961, Caroline Purdy Abbott, born: 22 October 1870 in New York; died: 3 April 1954 in Weiser, Washington County, Idaho; father: Stewart Louis Purdy, born in New York; mother: Josephine Barnes, born in New York.
3. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Florida, Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, E.D. 52-20, Sheet No. 8A, Caroline Abbot, 69, New York, widow, residence on 1 April 1935: Seattle, Washington.
4. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Washington, King County, Seattle, E.D. 40-645, Sheet No. 4, Caroline P. Abbott, 78, New York, widow. Her residence here is the Piedmont Hotel.
5. Find a Grave (website). Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, Henry Bradley Plant Wrenn, born: 3 February 1874 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia; died: 10 April 1925 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio (from record, which provides the names and links for his parents, siblings and one wife).
6. Deaths, The Sun, Cleveland, Ohio, Monday, 13 April 1925, Kills Husband at Breakfast. A series of articles provides the tragic details of the death of Henry B. P. Wrenn, shot and killed on Friday morning, 10 April, by his wife Isabel Norma (Gorrie) Wrenn, who some eight hours later, killed herself. The articles provide vital and biographical details of both Henry and Isabel, including their previous marriages.
7. The Daily Argus, New York, New York (available at fultonhistory.com), Thursday, 8 March 1923, Tuckahoe Woman’s Alimony Increased. Caroline Purdy Wrenn had her alimony increased. She received a divorce from her husband, Henry B. P. Wrenn, on 6 March 1913. The article provides biographical information and mentions her husband, Albert S. Oglesby, who died several years previous, and Caroline’s three children: Grace, 14; Wellford, 25; and Henry, 22.
8. Obituary, The Yonkers Statesman, Yonkers, New York (available at fultonhistory.com), Thursday, 5 December 1918, Albert Shipman Oglesby, died: yesterday [4 December] in Bronxville, New York; born in Shelby County, Kentucky, 44 years ago in April. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of his mother, Mrs. Rebecca Oglesby, wife Caroline Purdy Wrenn, and six siblings, including Congressman Woodson R. Oglesby.
9. New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956, available at familysearch.org. Albert S. Oglesby, died: 4 December 1918 in Bronxville, Westchester County, New York.
10. Marriage Announcement, The Yonkers Statesman, Yonkers, New York (available at fultonhistory.com), Thursday, 2 May 1918, Albert Ship Oglesby and Mrs. Caroline Purdy Wrenn, married last Saturday [27 April] in New York City.
11. Find a Grave (website). Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, LTC James Edward Abbott, born: 15 August 1871 in Annapolis, Ann Arundel County, Maryland; died: 3 December 1939 in Pinellas County, Florida (from record, which includes copies of his burial notice and [partial] obituary; and provides the names and links for his parents, siblings, and wife).
12. Florida Deaths, 1877-1939, Certificate of Death, Registrar’s Number: 22256, James E. Abbott (Retired), died: 3 December 1939 at Veterans Admin. Hospital, Bay Pines, Pinellas County, Florida; born: 16 August 1872 in Annapolis, Maryland; married; wife: Caroline P. Abbott; age of husband or wife if alive: unknown [this may indicate that they were estranged at the time of his death]; occupation: Army officer; service in Spanish American and World War.
13. Maryland Probate Estate and Guardianship Files, 1796-1940, James Edward Abbott, died: 3 December 1939; record type: will; probate date: 7 December 1939 in Baltimore City, Maryland; estate no. 564-35. Will executed by James Edward Abbott on 1 December 1937. His will makes only one mention of his wife Caroline, in which he gives and bequeaths to Mrs. Caroline Oglesby, Hotel Bristol, New York, the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), absolutely. However, the will seems to cross out this paragraph. This will was apparently superseded by a later will dated 27 March 1939 [as mentioned in a Court of Appeals case], a day after he married Caroline.
14. Court Listener (website: courtlistener.com), Shenton v. Abbott, 15 A.2d 906 (Md. 1940), filed 31 October 1940. This appeal is from an order of the Orphans’ Court of Baltimore City, revoking the probate of the will of James Edward Abbott, deceased, and also the letters testamentary of Harry W. Shenton, appellant, on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. The issue is whether the testator had abandoned his domicile of origin in Anne Arundel County and acquired domicile of choice in Baltimore City. [Two key findings in this court case: (1) James married his wife Caroline on 26 March 1939 at the Hotel Rennert in Baltimore, Maryland; and (2) on 27 March 1939 James executed his will. This will apparently superseded the will he executed on 1 December 1937.]

2. Wellford Gordon ‘Reno’ Wrenn² (Caroline¹), born 9 May 1897 in Manhattan, New York City, New York;^{1, 2, 3, 4} died 27 February 1976 in King County, Washington.⁵ Reno married, first, 23 February 1928 in Davidson County, Tennessee, Susan March Luck⁷ (born 20 September 1905 in Tennessee, the daughter of Harry Abram Luck and Margaret Cowen Clayton;^{2, 6} Susan died 9 June 1995⁶). Reno married, second, 8 July 1936 in King County, Washington, Nellie Maxine Dillon¹⁰ (born 30 December 1912 in Madras, Jefferson County, Oregon, the daughter of Charles Dillon and Clara Vibbert;^{3, 4, 8, 9} Nellie died 3 March 1992⁸).

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5

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Harry Luck Wrenn, born 15 February 1930 in Washington; died 16 August 1987. Married Catherine Caroline Rankin.

3. Henry Bradley Wrenn² (Caroline¹), born 26 November 1899 in St. Louis, Missouri;^{11, 12} died 27 January 1953 in Seattle, King County, Washington.¹¹ Henry married, 20 November 1943 in King County, Washington, Katherine A. Royea^{13, 15} (born 20 September 1912 in Seattle, King County, Washington, parents not determined;^{12, 13, 14} Katherine died January 1978¹⁴).

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6

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Jane Lynn Wrenn, born 7 November 1945 in Washington. Married (1) Bruce T. Colwell Married (2) Irving L. Becker.

4. Grace Wrenn² (Caroline¹), born 19 April 1908 in Yonkers, Westchester County, New York;^{16, 17} died 7 February 2000 in Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho.¹⁶ Grace married, first, 25 September 1933 in Snohomish County, Washington, Samuel Ireton Osborn¹⁹ (born 24 March 1902 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, the son of Samuel Johnson Osborn and Louise Ireton;^{17, 18} Samuel died 6 October 1997¹⁸). Grace married, second, 27 December 1950 in Seattle, King County, Washington, Ninian L. ‘Nin’ Yuille²⁰ (born 24 May 1906 in Berkeley City, Oakland Township, Alameda County, California, the son of James N. Yuille and Maude Ellis;²⁰ Nin died 21 February 1997 in Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho²⁰). Grace is buried in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho.¹⁶ Samuel is buried in Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Cache County, Utah.¹⁸ Nin is buried in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho.²⁰

1. New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909, Wilford Gordon Wrenn, born: 9 May 1897 in Manhattan, New York County, New York; father: Henry Bradley Plant Wrenn, 22, born in Atlanta, Ga.; mother: Caroline Stewart Wrenn, 23, born in Bellova [sic, Bellona], NY.
2. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Washington, King County, Seattle, E.D. 17-148, Sheet No. 3B, Wellford Wrenn, 32, New York, first married age 30, dentist, own office; wife Susan Wrenn, 24, Tennessee, first married age 22; son Harry Wrenn, 2/12, Washington.
3. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Washington, King County, Seattle City, E.D. 40-43, Sheet No. 61A, Wellford G. Wrenn, 42, New York, dental surgeon, own practice; wife Maxine Wrenn, 27, Oregon, dental nurse, private.
4. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Washington, King County, Seattle, E.D. 40-6, Sheet No. 74, Wellford G. Wrenn, 52, New York, dentistry, dentist; Maxine D. Wrenn, 49, Oregon, dentistry, dentist.
5. Washington Death Index, 1965-2014, Wellford G. Wrenn, died: 27 February 1976 in King County, Washington; age: 78.
6. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Death Files, Susan L. Wrenn, born: 20 September 1905; died: 9 June 1995; residence zip code: 37215 [corresponding to Nashville, Tennessee].
7. Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950 (available at familysearch.org), Wellford G. Wrenn, age 30, and Susan M. Luck, age 22; married on 23 February 1928 in Davidson County, Tennessee.
8. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Family Search (website), Maxine D. Wrenn, born: 30 December 1912; died: 3 March 1992; state: Washington.
9. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Security Applications, Maxine Dillon Wren, born: 30 December 1912 in Madras Crook [County], Oregon; other name: Nellie Maxine Dillon; father: Charles Dillon; mother: Clara Vibbert. [Note: Madras was originally within Crook County. In 1914, Crook County was reduced in size to create Jefferson County (including Madras) and Deschutes County.]
10. Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008, King County, Index to Marriage Licenses, Wiford G. Wrenn and Nellie Dillon; date issued: 8 July 1936.
11. Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960 (transcriptions or certificates). Certificate of Death, State File No. 731, H. Bradley Wrenn, died: 27 January 1953 in Seattle, Washington; born: 26 November 1899 in St. Louis, Missouri; occupation: dentist; father: Henry Bradley Wrenn; mother: Caroline Purdy; married; wife: Katherine A. Wrenn.
12. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Washington, King County, Seattle, E.D. 40-229, Sheet No. 2, H. Bradley Wrenn, 49, Missouri, dentist, private dental practice; Katherine Wrenn, 37, Wash.; Jane Lynn Wrenn, 4, Wash.
13. Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008, Kitsap County, (1) Affidavit of Male Applicant for Marriage License: H. Bradley Wrenn, 43, born in St. Louis, Mo., dated: 5 November 1943; Affidavit of Female Applicant for Marriage License: Katherine Royea, 31, born in Seattle, Wa., dated: 5 November 1943. (2) Direct Index to Marriage Certificates: H. Bradley Wrenn and Katherine Royea, 6 January 1944 [apparently the filing date], King Co. [Note: their actual marriage date is not shown in these records but is shown on their marriage certificate as 20 November 1943 in Seattle, Washington.]
14. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Family Search (website), Katherine A. Wrenn, born: 20 September 1912; died: January 1978; last place of residence: King County, Washington.
15. ancestry.com, All Public Member Photos & Scanned Documents, Katherine Royea and H. Bradley Wrenn, Marriage Certificate, date: 20 November 1943; location: Seattle, Washington. [Record attached to: Katherine Josette Royea, born: 1912.]
16. Find a Grave (website). Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho, Grace Wrenn Yuille, born: 19 April 1908 in Yonkers, Westchester County, New York; died: 7 February 2000 in Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho (from record, which includes the text of her obituary; and provides the names and links for her mother, one brother, and husband).
17. Oregon, Multnomah County Voting Registration Records, 1908-1958, Samuel Ireton Osborn, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, father: Samuel Johnson Osborn; mother: Louise. Grace Wrenn Osborn, born in Crestwood, New York [Crestwood is a neighborhood within Yonker, New York]; husband’s name: Sam I. Osborn, born in Ohio; father: Harry Wren; mother: Caroline. These entries are on two separate cards. Both show the same address: 2006 NE 65th Ave., Tillamook, Hancock.
18. BillionGraves (website). Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Cache County, Utah, Samuel Ireton Osborn, born: 24 March 1902; died: 6 October 1997. On the same gravestone: Roma Larson Parry, born: 8 November 1903; died: 30 August 1997.
19. Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008, Snohomish County, Indirect Index - Marriages, Samuel Ireton Osborn and Grace Wrenn, married on 25 September 1933.
20. Find a Grave (website). Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell, Canyon County, Idaho, BG Ninian L. Yuille, born: 24 May 1906 in Berkeley, Alameda County, California; died: 21 February 1997 in Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho (from record, which includes the text from his obituary; and provides the names and links for his parents, sibling, and wife).

5. Harry Luck Wrenn³ (Wellford ‘Reno’,² Caroline¹), born 15 February 1930 in Washington;^{1, 2, 3} died 16 August 1987.^{1, 2} Harry married Catherine Caroline Rankin (born 14 March 1936, parents not determined;⁴ Catherine died 10 September 2010⁴). Harry is buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee.¹ Catherine is buried in Forest Hills Cemetery, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee.⁴

+	7	i.	Peggy Wrenn, born 1 June 1961. Married Todd Austin.
+	8	ii.	Thomas Wellford ‘Bubba’ Wrenn, born 13 May 1963. Married Diana Lynn Hemme.
+	9	iii.	Catherine ‘Cathy’ Wrenn, born 14 November 1965. Married James Lester McNeely.

6. Jane Lynn Wrenn³ (Henry,² Caroline¹), born 7 November 1945 in Washington.^{5, 6} Jane married, first, Bruce T. Colwell (born 8 January 1946, parents not determined⁶). Their marriage ended in divorce on 18 March 1981 in King County, Washington.⁷ Jane married, second, 30 June 1984 in King County, Washington, Irving L. Becker⁸ (born 3 April 1937, parents not determined⁶).

1. Find a Grave (website). Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, Harry L. Wrenn, born: 1930; died: 16 August 1987 (from record, which includes a copy of his obituary).
2. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Family Search (website), Harry Wrenn, born: 15 February 1930; died: August 1987; last place of residence: Davidson County, Tennessee.
3. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Washington, King County, Seattle, E.D. 17-148, Sheet No. 3B, Wellford Wrenn, 32, New York, first married age 30, dentist, own office; wife Susan Wrenn, 24, Tennessee, first married age 22; son Harry Wrenn, 2/12, Washington.
4. Find a Grave (website). Forest Hills Cemetery, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, Catherine C. Wrenn, born: 14 March 1936; died: 10 September 2010 (from record).
5. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Washington, King County, Seattle, E.D. 40-229, Sheet No. 2, H. Bradley Wrenn, 49, Missouri, dentist, private dental practice; Katherine Wrenn, 37, Wash.; Jane Lynn Wrenn, 4, Wash.
6. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
7. Washington Divorce Index, 1969-2014, Bruce T. Colwell and Jane L. Wrenn, divorced on 18 March 1981 in King County, Washington.
8. Washington Marriage Index, 1969-2014, Irving L. Becker and Jane L. Wrenn Colwell, married on 30 June 1984 in King County, Washington.

7. Peggy Wrenn⁴ (Harry,³ Wellford ‘Reno’,² Caroline¹), born 1 June 1961.¹ Peggy married Todd Austin (born 9 December 1961, parents not determined¹).

8. Thomas Wellford ‘Bubba’ Wrenn⁴ (Harry,³ Wellford ‘Reno’,² Caroline¹), born 13 May 1963.² Bubba married, 27 September 2012, Diana Lynn Hemme (born 31 December 1960, parents not determined²).

9. Catherine ‘Cathy’ Wrenn⁴ (Harry,³ Wellford ‘Reno’,² Caroline¹), born 14 November 1965.¹ Cathy married, 7 January 1989, James Lester McNeely¹ (born ____, parents not determined).

	10	i.	James Paul McNeely, born 13 March 1998.1
	11	ii.	Emma Catherine McNeely, born ca. 2000.1

1. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
2. voteref.com.