Obituary of Emily PJ Wakefield

The below obituary appeared in The Ottawa Herald, Ottawa Kansas, May 9, 1917, page 1. Emily is the third great grandmother of my child.

MRS. EMILY WAKEFIELD DEAD

Colored Woman Was Born in Kentucky in Ante-bellum Days.

Mrs. Emily Wakefield, 72 years old, colored, died yesterday afternoon at her home, 128 Sycamore street. Paralysis caused her death. Mrs. Wakefield was the widow of the late Jasper Wakefield who fought in the Civil War. They were married fifty-six years ago. Mrs. Wakefield was born in slavery in Louisville, Ky., in 1845. Her husband died February 16, 1909. The Wakefields came here thirty-five years ago.

Five sons, William, Chat and Chris Wakefield of Ottawa, Joe Wakefield of Kansas City and Fred Wakefield, address unknown, and one daughter, Mrs. Laura McNear of Ottawa survive. There are three brothers, George, William and Stephen Smith in Louisville, Ky.

The funeral will be field at the Third Baptist church, Second and Poplar streets at 3:30 o'clock Friday afternoon. The Rev. S. A. Williams will officiate. Burial will be in Hope cemetery.

***

I'm thankful for the names of Emily’s brothers, but with the surname Smith, it would certainly be nice if their first names were a little less common. I’m also thankful for knowing Emily’s husband Joseph’s nickname, and confirmation of the children’s names. Two sons were named John William and Joseph William. I believe in the obituary William in Ottawa is Joseph and Joe of Kansas City is actually my child’s 2nd great grandfather John.

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The 1880 Census for Joseph and Emily PJ Wakefield

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Roots Disentangled

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