Person Page 193

Dr. Reuben Saunders was born on 9 Jun 1808 in Frankfort, KentuckyG.^4,5,6
     He worked for a newspaper in Frankfort for two years as a teenager. He would probably have become a farmer like his father but he caught the attention of Ira Julian, a local citizen, who agreed to lend him the money for medical school in Frankfort, KentuckyG.¹¹ He attended schools in Alabama and South Carolina before receiving his degree from Jefferson Medical College, PhiladelphiaG, in 1836 in Jefferson Medical College, PhiladelphiaG.¹²
     Reuben married first Adeline S. Roberts.⁷
     He practiced first in Alabama, then returned to Kentucky, settling in Paducah in 1847.^13,14,15
     Reuben and Adeline appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 2 Aug 1850, reporting real estate valued at $5,200. Their children John, Laura, Lewis, and Manie were listed as living with them, as was 21-year-old Eliza Roberts, presumably a relative of hers.¹
     His wife died on 2 Sep 1852.⁸
     Reuben married second Rebecca Charlotte Lockette on 22 Apr 1858 in McCracken Co., KentuckyG, with Rev. Luther H. Vandoren officiating.^9,10
     Reuben and Rebecca appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 17 Jun 1860, reporting real estate valued at $1600 and $1700 in personal estate. Their son Tighlman was listed as living with them, as were his children by his previous marriage, John, Laura, Lewis, Ellen, Manie, and Elizabeth. Also listed were Susan Lockett, age 60, and Edmonia and Mary Lockett, ages 8 and 10, who were apparently relatives of Rebecca.¹⁶
     Rebecca died in Jul 1862 in Paducah, KentuckyG.¹⁷
     Reuben appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 14 Jun 1870, reporting real estate valued at $36,000, and personal estate of $2,000. His children Ellen, Manie, and Elizabeth were listed as living with him. His daughter Laura and her family were apparently living close by as they were listed as next household.¹⁸
     PaducahG was subject to repeated outbreaks of cholera, spread by transients from other river ports. The world-wide epidemic in 1873 was especially severe in PaducahG. While treating his patients there he discovered that the hypodermic use of morphine-atropine was helpful. He was the first to advocate fresh air for pneumonia and tuberculosis, and was honored by Medical Associations in both the United States and Europe.^19,20
     Reuben appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky, at Locust St. G, enumerated 12 Jun 1880. His children Ellen were listed as living with him, with her husband, Emmett Wooten Bagby and their son Emmett, as was his daughter Manie, her husband, Joshua Clark Cobb, and their children, Reubie, Irvin, and John. There was also a 19-year old nurse and a 38-year-old cook in the household.²¹
     Reuben died on 13 Dec 1891 at age 83.⁴ He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG.⁸

Reubie Fowler Cobb was born in Jul 1873 in KentuckyG.^4,5,6
     Reubie appeared with her parents, Joshua Clark Cobb and Manie Saunders, on the 1880 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., in the household of Dr. Reuben Saunders, her mother's father.¹²
     For reasons she never disclosed, sometime in her mid-teen years Reubie decided she would never leave the house again, and demanded that the blinds be drawn continuously, and that no company be allowed. Her mother complied, and that remained the case until her mid-twenties, when company was again accepted. About this time her future husband began courting her, and she permitted him to take her for a weekly evening buggy ride.¹³
     She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Paducah, Kentucky in the household of her mother.¹⁴ She appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Paducah, Kentucky in the household of her mother.¹⁵
     She appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Paducah, Kentucky in the household of her mother.¹⁶ She appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Paducah, Kentucky in the household of her mother.¹⁷
     Reubie and Richard Rudy finally married less than a month after the death of her mother, but both of them died the following year.
     Reubie married Richard Rudy, son of James Henry Rudy and Mary Ann Savage, on 21 Feb 1932 in Paducah, KentuckyG, at the parsonage of the First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. F. H. Olert offciating.^7,8,9
     Reubie was named an heir in the will of her husband, dated 27 May 1933 in Paducah, KentuckyG, to receive outright all the diamonds he owned, and all his household and kitchen furniture. She was to receive for her lifetime the store building occupied by J. A. Rudy & sons, the gasoline filling station in Loneoak, and the income from all the bonds, stocks, and other income-bearing property he owned.¹⁸
     Her husband died on 4 Jul 1933 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG.^19,20
     Reubie left a will dated 9 Aug 1933, in which she directed all her debts and funeral expences be paid, and then gave a number of personal items to relatives and friends. She gave her sister Manie her diamond bow knot pin, square diamond pin, big head pin, bracelet and wedding ring, and all her clothing, furs, and linens. She gave her brother Irvin her large gilt mirror, marble top mahogany table, and large antique chair. She gave her brother John $100 in cash. She gave a friend a diamond and sapphire wrist watch, another two water color painting and an oblong gilt mirror, and a third a pair of crouch mahogany chairs. She gave the green couch, rocking chair, and steel engraved picture from the old Rudy home to one of her late husband's relatives, and his square diamond ring to another. She gave her silver platter he had given her to Mr. and Mrs. Morton Hand, relationship not noted. She gave her pair of silver trays to her great-niece Patricia Cobb Chapman, a large silver platter to Dorothy Fowler, and all other silver flat and dishes and trays to her sister Manie.
      She gave the First Presbyterian Church a large painting to be hung with a plate reading "Gift of Reubie and Richard Rudy" and a drop leaf mahogany table to be placed under it. She gave all her books to the Carnegie Library. Her sister and brother Irvin were to choose a chair or something for her "faithful servants Mattie Copeland, Janie Dick, and Banes Barton, and dispose of the rest of her furniture and ornaments as they thought best. All the rest of her estate and the income from her real estate, stocks, and bonds she gave to her sister Manie for her life, to be held in trust by Citizens Savings Bank. At her death, this was to go to her niece's children Patricia Cobb Chapman and Irvin S. Cobb Brody when they became of age. She did not name an executor.²¹
     Reubie died on 10 Oct 1933 in Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, at age 60.³ She was buried on 12 Oct 1933 in the Oak Grove Cemetery Mausoleum, Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG.^10,11
     Her will was probated on 13 Oct 1933 in McCracken Co.G.²¹

John Saunders Cobb was born on 4 Oct 1877 in Paducah, KentuckyG.^4,5,6
     John appeared with his parents, Joshua Clark Cobb and Manie Saunders, on the 1880 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., in the household of Dr. Reuben Saunders, his mother's father.¹¹
     His father died on 22 Dec 1895, when John was 18 years old.^12,13
     He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Paducah, Kentucky in the household of his mother.¹⁴ He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Paducah, Kentucky in the household of his mother.¹⁵
     He was He worked for the Paducah News-Democrat as a newspaper writer for a time, then moved on to other newspapers in various cities.^16,17,18
     John married Alma Lettie French, daughter of Morgan F. French and Alma Lee Overby, on 10 Apr 1918 in Graves Co., KentuckyG, with W. M. Wood offciating.^7,8,9
     Alma's daughter Mary used the Cobb surname after her mother married John, listing her birth father's name on only a few government records. John seemed to have claimed her as his daughter, but apparently without formally adopting her.^19,20,21,22
     John and Alma settled in Memphis, TennesseeG, shortly after they married. It appears she lived there more or less continuously the rest of her life. But it seems to have only nominally been his home as he lived elsewhere, in some cases for extended periods, as he changed employment. But he did appear in Memphis in the 1920, 1930, and 1940 census, perhaps because she reported that as his residence, and he has not been found in any census elsewhere.
     John registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living in 504 Colonial, Norfolk, VirginiaG, reporting he was employed as a newspaper reporter by the Virginia Pilot Publishing Co. in Norfolk.³
     He worked for the MemphisG News-Scimitar for a time. By 1919 he was writing for the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, as a police reporter and sports writer.^23,24,25,26 In Oct 1919 he refereed a boxing match in Paducah.²⁷
     John and Alma appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee, at 205 South Wellington St. G, enumerated 8 Jan 1920, reporting that they rented their home. Her daughter Mary was listed as living with them.⁸
     Having also worked for the Cincinnati Times-Star and the Louisville Post, John became the sporting editor of the Daily Oklahoman, in Oklahoma City. In late 1923 he accepted a position in New Orleans.^28,26
     John went to California about 1925, where he worked for a time as a newspaper man in Los Angeles. He then worked with Robert E. Perry, a trainer and handler of boxers on the Pacific coast, before returning to Memphis in 1930. In late 1930 he was manager and tutor of Gale Stinson, a heavy-weight boxer from Paducah.^29,30,31
     John and Alma appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee, at 1531 Monroe G, enumerated 13 Apr 1930, reporting they rented their home, for $45.00 per month, and owned a radio. Her daughter Mary was listed as living with them, as was her half-sister Ivie.³²
     By 1932 John had returned to newspaper work in Los Angeles. In 1940 he reported he was unable to work, and in 1950 was not working and not looking for work.^33,34,35
     John was named an heir in the will of his sister Reubie dated 9 Aug 1933, to receive $100 in cash.³⁶
     John and Alma appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee, at 728 Eva St. G, enumerated 8 Apr 1940, reporting they owned a home valued at $3,000, and that they had lived in the same house in 1935. Her daughter Mary, her husband Allen Martin Gillum, and their infant son were listed as living in the same dwelling.³⁷
     John was mentioned in the will of his brother Irvin dated 24 Dec 1943. He left John nothing, saying he had provided for him over many years.^38,39
     John and Alma apparently separated before 1950, whether legally or not is unknown. He appears in Los Angeles in the 1950 census, listed as married, which she was living in Memphis with her daughter, listed as separated.^40,41
     John appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California, residing in the Barbizon Hotel, 1927 West Sixth St. G.⁴⁰
     John died on 30 Nov 1951 in Los Angeles Co., CaliforniaG, at age 74.¹⁰

Laura Spencer Baker was born in 1876 in Savannah, GeorgiaG.^4,5,6 She appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, G in the household of her parents, Marcus Stephen Baker and Fannie Krenson, in the household of her maternal grandmothe.¹¹ She attended Mercer College, Macon, GeorgiaG, and later Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee.^12,13 She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, G in the household of her parents.¹⁴
     Laura married Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb, son of Joshua Clark Cobb and Manie Saunders, on 12 Jun 1900 at her parents home, 236 Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah, Chatham Co., GeorgiaG, with Rev. Bascom Anthony, paster of Trinity Methodist Church, officiating.^7,8,9
     Laura and Irvin settled New York after their marriage.¹⁵
     Laura and Irvin appeared on the 1905 State Census of 346 West 57th St., Manhattan, New York Co., New YorkG, as boarders in the household of Amelia Scott and her daughter. There were seven other boarders listed in the household, including one other couple with their daughter. Their daughter Elizabeth was listed as living with them.¹⁶
     Laura and Irvin appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Yonkers, Westchester Co., New York, at 21 Edgecliff Terrace G, enumerated 1910, reporting they owned their home. Their daughter Elizabeth was listed as living with them.¹⁷
     Laura and Irvin appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Ossing, Westminster Co., New York G, enumerated 6 Feb 1920, reporting that the family owned its home, mortgage free. Their daughter Elizabeth was listed as living with them.¹⁸
     Laura and Irvin appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of New York City, New York, at 830 Park Ave. G, enumerated 17 Apr 1930, reporting that they owned an apartment valued at $30,000, and owned a radio. Their daughter Elizabeth was listed as living with them, as were two maids, a 24-year-old from Ireland and a 37-year-old from Germany.¹⁹ Laura and Irvin also appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of East Hampton, Suffolk Co., New York G, enumerated 21 Apr 1930, reporting that they owned a home valued at $90,000, and owned a radio. Their daughter Elizabeth was listed as living with them.²⁰
     Laura and Irvin appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California, at 1717 La Mesa Dr. G, enumerated 30 Apr 1940, reporting that they owned a home valued at $40,000, and had lived in the same city in 1935. Also listed as living with them were their eight-year-old grandson and Melissa Morgan, a maid.²¹
     Laura was named an heir in the will of her husband dated 24 Dec 1943, in which she was to receive during her lifetime the income from five-sixths of his estate, after specific bequests have been paid.^22,23
     Her husband died on 10 Mar 1944 in 37th St. and Lexington Ave., Manhattan, New YorkG.^24,25,26
     Laura died in 1967 at age ~91.¹⁰ She was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG.¹⁰

Manie Saunders was born on 14 Feb 1850 in Paducah, KentuckyG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, in the household of her parents, Dr. Reuben Saunders and Adeline S. Roberts.¹¹
     Her mother died on 2 Sep 1852, when Manie was 2 years old.¹²
     Manie appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, in the household of her father, Dr. Reuben Saunders, and his second wife, Rebecca.¹³ She appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, in the household of her father.¹⁴
     Manie married Joshua Clark Cobb, son of Robert Livingston Cobb and Cornelia Barbour Mims, on 19 Oct 1871 in Paducah, KentuckyG, with Rev. J. T Hendrick officiating. Her brother John had married his sister Bobella the previous November.^7,8
     After their marriage, Manie and Joshua lived with her father, who owned one of the most pretentious homes in PaducahG.¹⁵ Joshua and Manie appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky G, in the household of Dr. Reuben Saunders, her father. Their children, Reubie, Irvin, and John, were also listed in the household.¹⁶
      In 1885 Manie's father gave her a house in PaducahG, and she and Joshua moved there with their family.¹⁷
     Her husband died on 22 Dec 1895 in Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG.^18,19
     Manie appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky, at 616 Broadway G, enumerated 8 Jun 1900. Her children Reubie, Irvin, John, and Manie were listed as living with her, as was Mary L. Machie, a 24-year-old black servant.²⁰
     Manie appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky, at 729 Broadway G, enumerated 28 Apr 1910. Her children Reubie, John, and Manie were listed as living with her.²¹
     Manie appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky, at 608 Jefferson G, enumerated 9 Jan 1920, apparently living in a multi-family building of some sort, although the census entry seems confused on that. Her daughter Reubie was listed as living with her.²²
     Manie appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky, at Jefferson St. G, enumerated 22 Apr 1930, reporting she rented her home for $65 per month. Her daughter Reubie was listed as living with her.²³
     Manie died on 26 Jan 1932 in Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, at age 81.^9,10 She was buried on 29 Jan 1932 in West Kentucky MausoleumG.³

Maria A. Tilford was born on 15 Jun 1813.^4,5,6
     Maria married Mathew Lyon Gracey, son of George Gracey and Mary Patton, on 6 May 1830 in Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.^7,8,9
     She was probably the female age 15 to 20 listed in the household of her husband, Mathew, in the 1830 Federal Census of Eddyville, Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.¹²
     She was probably the female age 20 to 30 listed in the household of her husband, Mathew, in the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.¹³
     Maria died on 16 Nov 1847 at age 34.^4,5,10 She was buried in Riverview Cemetery, Eddyville, KentuckyG.¹¹